Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a Rural Community Leewards of a Waste Incineration Plant

In a rural community (Stephanskirchen, Southern Germany) near a waste incineration plant 7 soils, sewage sludge, waste incineration residues, the gutter sediment of a family home, and mosses were sampled to determine the total concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn and 20 PAHs. Representative samples were used to measure NH₄NO₃- and EDTA-extractable Cd, Pb, and Zn as well as 20 PAHs in particle size separates (clay, silt, fine and coarse sand). Sites near the main road, hill top, and forested sites contain up to 1.24 mg Cd, 888 mg Pb, and 279 mg Zn per kg. The heavy metal concentrations of the sewage sludge, the gutter sediment, and especially the waste incineration residues are extremely high (up to 57 mg Cd, 3300 mg Pb, and 5700 mg Zn per kg). The extractability of Pb and Zn with NH₄NO₃ is low (< 5%), that with EDTA is high (up to 71.2% of total Cd, 82.5% of total Pb, and 47.2% of total Zn). The sum concentrations of PAHs range between 0.4 and 470 mg kg^?1. The silt has the highest PAH concentrations of the particle size separates. High saturation of organic matter with PAHs in the sand indicates high recent PAH deposition. Selected ratios of single PAHs reveal diesel and gasoline exhausts as main sources for PAH. Principal component and cluster analysis show that the pollutant pattern depends on the C_org concentration and on the time passed since deposition. There is no significant influence of the waste incineration emissions on the heavy metal and PAH concentrations.     

珠江三角洲典型地区表层农田土壤中多氯联苯残留状况

采集了珠江三角洲典型区域384个表层农田土壤样品,分析了其中常见6种土壤多氯联苯(PCB28、PCB52、PCB101、PCB138、PCB 153与PCB180)的残留状况.研究结果表明:6种多氯联苯总量(Σ6PCBs)的检出率为78.13％,其平均值为0.42 μg/kg. PCB138的检出率与含量高于其他5种PCBs;土壤中6种多氯联苯的残留状况存在很大的差异;PCB101的检出率最低,仅为10.16％,但其平均值(0.11 μg/kg)较高,主要源于某点位PCB101高达32.44 μg/kg,土壤受到了严重污染.线性相关关系分析结果表明:土壤有机质、黏粒含量则与PCB52存在显著正相关关系.总体而言,低氯代的PCBs含量与土壤理化性质具有一定的相关性,高氯代的PCBs呈现典型的点位污染且在点位土壤中其含量显著高于低氯代同系物.     

Persistent organic pollutant concentrations in air‐ and freeze‐dried compared to field‐fresh extracted soil samples of an eastern Slovak deposition gradient

Sample preparation affects the results of the determination of persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations in soils. We compared the extraction results of POPs from air‐ and freeze‐dried with field‐fresh samples. We determined the concentrations of 21 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 14 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in 35 horizons of forest soils (Lithosols and Cambisols) along a deposition gradient caused by a chemical factory in Strá?ske (eastern Slovakia). The organic C (C_org) concentrations of the studied samples ranged 14‐477 g kg^‐1, the sum of 21 PAH (Σ 21PAHs) concentrations 53‐6870 μg kg^‐1, and that of 14 PCBs (Σ 14PCBs) 0.12 96 μg kg^‐1. The benzofluoranthenes were the most abundant PAHs, and the hexa‐chlorinated PCBs 138 and 153 were the most abundant PCBs. The deposition gradient was reflected by decreasing PAH and PCB storages in the organic layer with increasing distance from the chemical factory (Σ 21PAHs: 82‐238, Σ 14PCBs: 0.34‐2.3 g ha^‐1). The PAH concentrations in air‐ and freeze‐dried samples were consistently lower than those in field‐fresh extracted samples. For naphthalene, this was mainly attributable to volatilization losses during drying. Naphthalene losses decreased with increasing C_org concentrations. For all other PAHs, drying reduced the extractability; the latter was correlated with the water content of the samples. The differences in most PCB concentrations among the sample preparation methods were small (within the determination error of ±15 %) and inconsistent. However, PCBs 8, 28, 52, and 209 had markedly higher concentrations in dried than in fieldfresh extracted samples. The increased recovery of low‐chlorinated PCBs in dried samples may be explained by redistribution of PCBs from higher to lower contaminated samples via the drying room atmosphere because there were no PCBs in analytical blanks. This assumption is supported by a close correlation between the octanol‐air distribution coefficient and the up to hexa‐chlorinated PCB concentrations (normalized to those in field‐fresh extracted samples) in air‐ (r = ‐0.90) and freeze‐dried (r = ‐0.86) samples. Our study shows that each sample preparation method has its specific advantages and disadvantages. Sample drying results in a standardization to a well‐defined water content and facilitates homogenization; therefore it increases the reproducibility of POP determinations. Extraction of field‐fresh samples reduces volatilization losses and contamination risks.     

Localized Enrichment of PCB Levels in Street Dust Due to Redistribution by Wind

As part of a project to identify PCB sources in combined sewer overflows discharging to the Buffalo River, NY, nine street and two unpaved aggregate parking lot dust and dirt samples were collected and analyzed for selected PCB congeners and total PCBs. Without exception, the dust and dirt samples had greater concentrations associated with the higher-chlorinated homologue groups. PCB-congeners 153, 138, 101, 118, and 180 contributed >50% of the total PCBs mass in each sample, suggesting contamination with Aroclors 1254 and 1260. Total PCB concentrations for the dust and dirt samples ranged between 90 and 1700 ng g^-1. Samples with the highest concentrations were located across the street and downwind from an industrial lot that had been remediated for PCB contamination in 1988. The industrial lot had been contaminated with Aroclors 1254 and 1260, indicating that contaminated soil had been locally redistributed through natural and vehicle-generated wind. Calculations based on the particle size of the street dust confirm the possibility of wind-induced redistribution. Street and aggregate lot dust and dirt potentially contribute to Buffalo River PCBs loadings through combined sewer overflows and stormwater runoff. Best management practices such as more frequent street sweeping may be useful in reducing these loadings.     

上海农村及郊区土壤中PCBs污染特征及来源研究

2007年3月采集上海市农村及郊区36个表层土壤样品,采用气相色谱法对土壤中的多氯联苯（PCBs）残留进行了分析,揭示了土壤中PCBs的残留水平、分布、组成特征及来源。结果表明,试区土壤中共检出62种PCB,总浓度最高2530ng·kg-1,最低71.7ng·kg-1,平均含量534ng·kg-1。较高污染浓度主要是编号为BS2、SJ6、JS4和FX4的土壤样品,但从整体采样区域来看,其污染可能主要来源于城区污染导致的区域大气沉降或是全球大气传输所致。上海农村及郊区土壤PCBs污染物以Tri-CBs和Tetra-CBs为主,主要以工业Aroclor1242来源为主。相关性分析显示,土壤中PCBs与TOC具有显著相关性,尤其是对于挥发性较强的低氯代PCBs,表明TOC是影响上海市土壤中PCBs持留的重要因素之一。聚类分析显示,部分采样点PCBs污染与工业品使用有关,但可能还存在其他来源。     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Trace Metals in Sediments from a Coastal Lagoon (Northern Adriatic, Italy)

Surface sediments (0–5 cm) were analysed to provide information on levels, spatial trends and sources of the 16 USEPA polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), 15 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and trace metals (copper, chromium, mercury, nickel and zinc) in channel and wetland habitats of Pialassa Baiona lagoon (Italy). The highest levels of PAHs, PCBs and Hg (3,032–87,150, n.d.–3,908 and 1.3–191 mg kg⁻¹) were mainly found at channel habitats close to industrial sources. Pyrogenic PAH inputs were significant, with a predominance of four-ring PAHs and combustion-related PAHs in both channel and wetland habitats. Among PCB congeners, chlorination class profiles show that penta- and hexachlorinated PCBs are the most prevalent homologues accounting for approximately 33% and 47% of the total PCB concentrations in channel sediments. Total toxicity equivalent factors (TEQs) of potentially carcinogenic PAHs varied from 348 to 7,879 μg kg⁻¹ and from 4.3 to 235 μg kg⁻¹ in channel and wetland sediments; calculated TEQs for dioxin-like PCB congeners at channel habitats ranged from n.d. to 86.7 μg kg⁻¹. Comparison of PAHs, PCBs and metal levels with Sediment Quality Guidelines suggests that more concern should be given to the southern area of the lagoon for potential risks of carcinogenic PAHs, dioxin-like PCBs and mercury.     

Contamination of bela krajina,Slovenia with polychlorinated biphenyls 1. Levels of some high molecular chlorinated hydrocarbons in the water and fish of the Kupa River in Croatia

It is well documented that synthetic chlorinated hydrocarbon residues are widespread throughout the world ecosystem. Recently serious contamination of the Kupa River in Slovenia resulting from improper disposal of the waste disharged by an electro-capacitor manufacturing plant was observed. The migration of the PCBs from the waste tip into the karst ground water and source water has been established. PCBs have been also introduced into the small Lahinja River a tributary of the Kupa. Consequently, these pollutants have been detected in the Kupa river. An investigation of the levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons in tap water, water and fish samples collected from 1985 to 1988 from the Kupa River in the region of Petrinja and Sisak was performed. This region is about 200 km downstream of the primary contamined area. Concentrations of chlorinated insecticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in tap water ranged from <0.2 to 5.0 ng dm^?3 for PCBs such as Aroclor 1254 and from <0.4 to 10.4 ng dm^?3 for PCBs such as Pyralene 1500. In the Kupa River, water samples were found with PCBs such as Aroclor 1254 from <1.5 to 5.0 and from <2.6 to 104 ng dm^?3 for PCBs such as Pyralene 1500. The level of the investigated chlorinated insecticides were under the sensitivity limits of 0.05 for dieldrin and 0.1 ng dm^?3 for DDTs. Concentrations of chlorinated insecticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in the fish samples were several orders of magnitude higher in comparison with the water samples and ranged from the sensitivity limit for dieldrin (<0.0001) to 0.0034 mg kg^?1; p,p'DDT from 0.0003 to 0.0076 mg kg^?1; p,p'DDE from 0.0004 to 0.1752 mg kg^?1; p,p'DDD from 0.0001 to 0.0201 mg kg^?1 wet weight. Concentrations of PCBs were significantly higher and ranged from 0.015 to 2.742 mg kg^?1 wet weight for Pyralene 1500 and from 0.090 to 1.590 mg kg^?1 for Aroclor 1254 +Aroclor 1260.     

Alteration of Aroclor 1248 in Foundry Waste by Volatilization?

PCB mixtures in surface deposits composed of core sand and ash from an aluminum foundry are enriched (3.6–9.4%) in chlorine percentage relative to deeper horizons. The deeper materials closely match (R² = 0.902–0.962) Aroclor 1248, the aroclor used on-site and recovered from the floor inside the foundry (R² = 0.998). This similarity suggests the more deeply buried PCBs have been stable and immobile for a 20–40 yr period. Chlorine enrichment upward is interpreted as the result of volatilization of lower and orthochlorinated congeners from surficial materials during repeated water evaporation. These results suggest surficial deposits contaminated by PCBs may be a significant source of lower ortho-chlorinated PCB congeners to the atmosphere and that buried PCBs can remain unchanged for decades. Comparison with sediments contaminated with Aroclor 1248 and known to have undergone anaerobic microbial dechlorination, indicates that Aroclor 1248 can be transformed to PCB mixtures enriched or depleted in chlorine by environmental processes.     

兰州地区PCBs的长距离传输潜力及其总持久性模拟研究

运用TaPL3（version3.00）模型计算了7种PCBs同系物在兰州地区通过大气和水体的特征迁移距离（CTD）及其总持久性（Po）v,讨论了其长距离传输潜力（LRTP）和Pov之间的关系,并以PCB28为例,应用灵敏度分析方法对模型的不确定性进行了研究。结果显示,兰州地区PCB28、PCB52、PCB77、PCB101、PCB138、PCB153和PCB180通过大气的CTDair在250～2500km之间,Pov在500～33000d之间,PCB138、PCB153和PCB180对源区影响较大;通过水体的CTDwater在6500～61000km之间,Pov在850～36000d之间,PCB28、PCB52、PCB77和PCB101对源区影响较大。7种PCBs的同系物LRTP和Pov之间没有直接的联系,就排放到大气中的PCBs而言,对Pov和CTD影响最大的参数都是理化参数;就排放到水体中的PCBs而言,Pov比CTD更依赖于PCBs的理化性质,而CTD比Pov更依赖于环境条件。同国外的研究相比,兰州地区PCB28通过大气的CTDair偏低,通过水体的CTDwater偏高,PCB28通过大气和水体的Pov都偏高。     

The profile of congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls in soils of Moscow

The profiles of 19 indicative and dioxin-like congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the surface soils of distinct types of land use in Moscow are investigated. The penta- and hexachlorobiphenyls (46.7 and 31.6%, respectively) contribute significantly to the PCB spectrum. They used to make up the bulk of coolants and insulating fluids for electrical equipment, especially transformers. Among the congeners, the indicative PCB-101, -110, -138, and -153 and dioxin-like congeners PCB-105 and -118 dominate. They possess extremely high persistence and capability of bioaccumulation and exert harmful toxic influence, which should be taken into account when estimating an urban ecosystem??s ecotoxicological state.     

Effect of sublethal chlorinated discharges on PCB accumulation in transplanted Asiatic clams (Corbicula fluminea)

From 1987–1990, uncontaminated Asiatic clams (Corbicula fluminea) were placed in cages and transplanted into two streams receiving industrial discharges to help identify and quantify polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination to the streams. Clams accumulated substantial PCB residues at most sites monitored, with the exception of the sites closest to chlorinated discharges. Clams placed nearest to the chlorinated stream reaches consistently underestimated PCB contamination, based on the amount of PCBs found in fish and sediment at those sites. In a separate experiment, clams exposed in stream-side tanks to untreated (total residual chlorine ranged from 0.02–0.07 mg^?1 L daily) and dechlorinated stream water exhibited differing degrees of valve movement, growth, and PCB accumulation after a four-week exposure to the two treatments. Clams exposed to untreated (chlorinated) stream water closed their shells more often, exhibited less growth, and accumulated substantially lower PCB concentrations than clams exposed to dechlorinated stream water. Clams apparently close their shells to avoid chlorine exposure, thus isolating clam tissues from PCBs found in the stream water and in the clams' food. Because chlorine and PCBs occur together in many industrial discharges, this finding is a significant consideration for monitoring programs that utilize clams to assess PCB bioavailability.     

Concentration and distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls in soils of Moscow

The concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in the soils of Moscow has been determined by gas chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS). The total concentrations of 19 indicator and dioxin-like congeners, as well as PCBs in surface soils, are 2.85–60.62 μg/kg (the most contaminated sample was 4591.99 μg/kg). The average value, excluding the most contaminated sample, is 14.44 μg/kg, which is characteristic of residential areas of industrialized countries. This indicator varies insubstantially depending on the functional zone of the city. The toxicity equivalent of 12 dioxin-like PCBs in soils is 1.92 ng I-TEQ/kg on average and varies in a range from 0.15 to 334.12 ng I-TEQ/kg. The fraction of PCBs in the total toxicity of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds in soil varieties is 16.7–85.4%.     

Uptake of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from an aqueous medium by polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene films

The sorption of selected polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (from tri to deca chlorinated) by three food-packaging plastic films [polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polystyrene] from an aqueous solution was investigated. From the data generated, PCB uptake, partition, and diffusion coefficients were calculated for the various films. Polyethylene exhibited the highest PCB uptake, diffusion, and partition coefficients when compared to the other materials. Although PVC indicated larger sorption diffusion and partition coefficients for the lower chlorinated congeners than polystyrene, a reversal of this trend was observed for the higher congeners. For polyethylene and PVC, the PCB uptake decreased as the chlorine numbers in the congeners increased, confirming the correlation between increasing chlorination and increasing cohesive density within the PCB molecules. For polystyrene, the uptake decreased from tri to penta congeners, but showed an increase for the hexa, and then a decreased uptake until the deca chlorination. A comparison of the molecular sizes of the PCB congeners showed that the partition (Ke) and sorption diffusion (Ds) coefficients generally decreased with their increasing molar volumes. The resulting Ke values were used to determine the extent of sorption because these values indicate the affinity of PCBs for the plastic films. Results from this study can be of practical importance for cases of product quality related to the transfer of contaminants from the product to the packaging materials.     

Physicochemical study of interaction between polychlorobiphenyls and an amino acid reagent in solutions and soils

The interaction between polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) and an alkaline amino acid reagent (NaL) in solutions and a gray forest soil contaminated by these solutions was studied by IR spectroscopy and gas-liquid chromatography depending on the component concentrations and reaction time. Intermolecular interaction of PCBs with NaL by hydrogen bonds of hydroxyl, amide, and carboxyl groups, as well as the detachment of chlorine from the aromatic ring of PCB molecules, was revealed in solutions. A significant decrease (by 32 to 75%) in total PCBs was observed in solutions and gray forest soil in the presence of the amino acid reagent depending on the concentration of the reagent and the amount of its addition to soil samples. Changes in the relative content of low-and high-chlorinated PCB congeners were revealed in solutions and PCB-contaminated gray forest soil in the presence of the amino acid reagent, which indicated their stepwise dechlorination.     

Response of CaCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>-extractable heavy metals,polychlorinated biphenyls,and microbial communities to biochar amendment in naturally contaminated soils

Purpose

Biochar can be used to reduce the bioavailability and leachability of heavy metals, as well as organic pollutants in soils through adsorption and other physicochemical reactions. The objective of the study was to determine the response of microbial communities to biochar amendment and its influence on heavy metal mobility and PCBs (PCB52, 44, 101, 149, 118, 153, 138, 180, 170, and 194) concentration in application of biochar as soil amendment.

Materials and methods

A pot (macrocosm) incubation experiment was carried out with different biochar amendment (0, 3, and 6 % w/w) for 112 days. The CaCl₂-extractable concentration of metals, microbial activities, and bacterial community were evaluated during the incubation period.

Results and discussion

The concentrations of 0.01 M CaCl₂-extractable metals decreased (p?>?0.05) by 12.7 and 20.5 % for Cu, 5.0 and 15.6 % for Zn, 0.2 and 0.5 % for Pb, and 1.1 and 8.9 % for Cd, in the presence of 3 and 6 % of biochar, respectively, following 1 day of incubation. Meanwhile, the total PCB concentrations decreased from 1.23 mg kg^?1 at 1 day to 0.24 mg kg^?1 at 112 days after 6 % biochar addition, representing a more than 60 % decrease relative to untreated soil. It was also found out that biochar addition increased the biological activities of catalase, phosphatase, and urease activity as compared with the controls at the same time point. Importantly, the Shannon diversity index of bacteria in control soils was 3.41, whereas it was 3.69 and 3.88 in soils treated with 3 and 6 % biochar soil. In particular, an increase in the number of populations with the putative ability to absorb PCB was noted in the biochar-amended soils.

Conclusions

The application of biochar to contaminated soils decreased the concentrations of heavy metals and PCBs. Application of biochar stimulated Proteobacteria and Bacteroides, which may function to absorb soil PCB and alleviate their toxicity.

     

金华城区土壤中7种指示性多氯联苯（PCBs）的分布特征和来源分析

采用气相色谱串联质谱测定了金华城区20份土壤样品中的7种指示性PCBs（PCB28,PCB52,PCB101,PCB118,PCB138,PCB153,PCB180）,并分析了其分布特征和来源。结果显示金华城区PCBs残留总量在0.111～2.688μg.kg-（1干重）之间,相比国内外其他城市污染程度较轻。和我国其他地区相类似,PCBs的构成中主要以低氯代的三氯联苯和四氯联苯为主,即可能的污染源是我国历史上生产和使用较多的1号PCB,但个别点也显示2号PCB或进口PCBs污染的存在。PCBs污染程度为工业园区〉农田〉公园,说明城市中PCBs的污染源仍是工业园区,其他区域的污染可能来自于大气传播。农田土壤在作物采收后直接暴露在空气污染中,可能是导致其PCBs含量高于公园土壤的主要原因。     

Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particle‐size separates and density fractions of typical agricultural soils in the Yangtze River Delta,east China

Soil organic matter can be divided into different organic carbon (C) pools with different turnover rates. The organic pollutants in soils associated with these organic C pools may have different bioavailability and environmental risks during the decomposition of soil organic matter. We studied the distribution patterns of 15 USEPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in different particle‐size separates (clay, fine silt, coarse silt, fine sand and coarse sand) and density fractions (light and heavy fractions) of nine agricultural topsoils (0–20 cm depth) from a contaminated area in the Yangtze River Delta region of east China. There was a decreasing trend in PAH concentration in particle‐size separates with decreasing particle size. However, the different particle‐size separates had similar PAH composition. The concentration of PAHs in the light fraction ranged from 13 037 to 107 299 μg kg^?1, far higher than in the heavy fraction, which ranged from 222 to 298 μg kg^?1. Although the light fraction accounted for only 0.4–2.3% of the soils, it was associated with 31.5–69.5% of soil PAHs. The organic matter in coarse silt had the strongest capacity for enrichment with PAHs. Combining the distributions of PAHs and the turnover rates of organic matter in different soil fractions, the environmental risks of PAH‐polluted soils may be due mainly to the PAHs associated with sand and the light fraction.     

Influence on Polychlorinated Biphenyls Content Using Three Types of Biowastes As Fertilizers In Agricultural Soils

A 4-year field study was carried out to investigate the effects of three types of biowastes application on PCB accumulation in agricultural soils. This study was based on the experiments designed for four soils in two areas of Palencia province (Spain) (Cerrato and Tierra de Campos) for non irrigated and irrigated land after applying biowaste. The amounts of the three different types of biowastes added were determined according to the fertilization needs of nitrogen for the crop. The concentrations of PCBs in soils were determined before and after biowaste application. The three biowaste treatments raise the concentration of PCBs in the soil, sewage sludge compost (SC) treatment produced the main increase in PCBs concentration, followed by municipal solid waste compost (MC) treatment and the dehydrated sewage sludge (SD) treatment. The values of biowaste treated areas were 3.7-11.5 times higher than the respective values of the non treated areas. Changes observed in the congener distribution also suggest the influence of the biowaste on the soil. The biowaste used had an average PCBs concentration of 63.16 ng g^?1 with a range from 34.08 ng g^?1 to 118.93 ng g^?1, which are values below the EEC recommended limit (800 ng g^?1). In the soils without treatment was found an average concentration 0.206 ng g^?1 of PCBs, typical of areas with low levels of environmental pollution.     

Composition of PCBs and PAHs in the Montreal Urban Community Wastewater and in the Surface Water of the St. Lawrence River (Canada)

Samples of treated wastewater drawn from the effluent of the Montreal Urban Community (MUC), Canada, and surface water samples from the St. Lawrence River were collected in 1993 and 1994 and analysed for PCBs and PAHs. The average concentrations of Σ13 PCBs and Σ14 PAHs in the effluent were 1.34 ± 0.71 ng L-1 and 326 ± 229 ng L-1, respectively. PCB concentrations in the effluent did not show any clear seasonal pattern in the effluent but PAH concentrations increased during the winter period. In the effluent plume, both PCB and PAH concentrations increased significantly between the upstream control site and the effluent outfall, and subsequently decreased. The profiles of PCB congeners were similar within the effluent plume and also among water masses of the St. Lawrence River. PAH profiles were also similar within the effluent plume, but were different across the two water masses of the St. Lawrence River. Based on the composition of PCB congeners, atmospheric inputs appear to represent the major source of PCBs in the St. Lawrence River. The sources of PAHs in the MUC effluent and in the St. Lawrence River water would appear to be, respectively, petroleum products and combustion-derived products.     

砂质土壤积累的铜和锌的可提取性与移动性研究

An investigation was conducted to study problems of determining a reasonable percentage for ecological water-use in the Haihe River Basin of China. Three key aspects for the ecological water requirement （EWR） were analyzed, involving i） the EWR for river system, ii） the EWR for wetlands and lakes, and iii） the EWR for discharge into the sea to maintain the estuary ecological balance of the Haihe River. The Montana method and related water level-flow relationships, and the statistic approach based on hydrological records were applied to estimate different components of EWR. The results showed that the total ecological water demand in the region, was about 3.47-14.56 billion m^3. Considering flow regime change and uncertainty, the ecological water demand could be estimated by the hydrological frequency approach. Preliminary analysis showed that for different annual runoff under the frequencies of 20%, 50%, 75% and 95%, the ecological water demand approached 12%-50%, 18%-74%, 24%-103%, 35%-148% and 16%-66%, respectively. By further analysis to balance ecological water-use and socioeconomic water-use, the rational percentage of ecological water-use was estimated as 35%-74%, that provides useful information to judge whether the allocation of water resources is reasonable, and was proved to be satisfactory by comparing with the practical condition.