Impact of Paris Waste Upon the Chlorinated Solvent Concentrations of the River Seine (France)

The occurrence of twelve chlorinated and brominated volatile compounds was investigated by a HRGC (High Resolution Gas Chromatography) device with a dynamic purge (PTI, Chrompack) in the water of the river Seine under dry conditions and under contrasting hydrological regimes, according to three longitudinal profiles from upstream to downstream of the Paris urban centre. Our results showed an obvious rise of the solvent concentrations in the river Seine water along the profiles. The total chlorinated solvent concentration, which was below 1 μg L^-1 upstream of Paris, reached a maximum value of 8 μg L^-1 dowstream of the urban centre in December 1994. This corresponded to a flux of around 300 kg d^-1. This contamination originated in successive waste inputs, both domestic and industrial, from the Paris main sewers. The losses by evaporation from the river were taken into account for the estimation of the waste. The waste inputs represented about 85 to 97% of the total chlorinated solvent flux observed downstream of Paris. During the two first sampling sessions, dichloromethane represented 67% of the inputs. Though the hydrological regime plays a part both in the waste dilution and in the losses by evaporation processes, other factors such as the industrial activities or the ambient temperature may have a major influence upon the river contamination.     

Impact of city historical management on soil organic carbon stocks in Paris (France)

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Assessments of urban soil organic carbon stock (SOCS) are scant because citywide data are scarce. Moreover, we do not know which factors mostly explain SOCS spatial...     

Triazines in the Marne and the Seine Rivers (France) Longitudinal Evolution and Flows

The transportation pathways of triazines were investigatedfrom their origins onwards, in the Marne and the Seine rivers(France). According to the 1991 survey, the highest total triazine concentration levels (956 ng L^-1) were found in the river Marne: 580 ng L^-1 for atrazine and 200 ng L^-1 for simazine, in relation with agricultural practices.The total triazine levels reached 829 ng L^-1 in the riverSeine. The other triazines remained low, from 5 to 75 ng L^-1. The triazine fluxes were 226 and 404 kg for a 118 d period in the Marne and the Seine rivers, respectively. Out of the treatment period, triazine peaks were related to riverflows with a 48 hr delay between the peak and the top of theflood. After herbicide treatment, peak concentrations wereclosely related with the precipitations. Concerning theriver Marne tributaries, highest atrazine concentrationswere found in June, in those which drained the vineyardarea. In January, the concentrations were higher inperiurban areas underlining their contribution to theherbicide inputs in the rivers. On the whole, the ratio oftriazines transported in the two rivers represented 0.2%of the total amount applicated annually on their catchment basins.     

Vertical Distribution and Fate of Trace Metals and Persistent Organic Pollutants in Sediments of the Seine and Marne Rivers (France)

Trace metals: Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn and persistent organicpollutants: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) were investigated in a fraction ofsediments characterized by a granulometry < 200 μm. Coresfrom 17 to 54 cm depth, were collected at two sites of theSeine river upstream (Port à l'Anglais) and downstream (Saint-Cloud) from Paris and at one site of the Marne river (Saint-Maurice). Marne river sediments displayed higher Cu andPb levels than those of the Seine river. Except for Cd and Cr,contents did not vary notably in the Seine river sediments.Metal contents, except Pb, were significantly correlated withthe sediment fraction which granulometry is < 50 μm,particularly at Port à l'Anglais (p < 0.001). Correlationcoefficients between Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn contents and clayfractions of the cores ranged from 0.85 to 0.99 at both sitesof the Seine river. PCB levels varied widely, ranging from 27to 689 μg kg^-1 and were highly correlated with bothsediment fraction < 50μm and particulate organic carbon(POC) ratio. PAH levels ranged from 2.30 to 41.3 μg g^-1 and displayed the highest values close to dams; theyshowed no correlations with sediment fraction < 50 μm and POC.     

川滇地区气候特征与旱涝灾害变化趋势分析

以川滇地区70个气象观测站点1961-2011年的降水、气温资料为基础,采用线性回归、M-K突变检验、反距离加权空间插值、小波变换等方法,分析了川滇地区近51a来气候变化特征和旱涝灾害趋势。结果表明:(1)近51a来川滇地区气温总体上呈增加趋势,气温倾向率为0.21℃/10a,增温趋势系数高达0.71,气温存在极其显著的长期增温趋势。川西高原年平均气温最低,云南省南部地区气温最高,海拔高度是影响该区气温空间差异的重要因素。(2)近51a来川滇地区降水量总体上呈减少趋势,平均递减率为10.76mm/10a。受西南季风与海拔高度的影响,降水量在空间分布上差异极大,川西高原与四川盆地西南周边地区降水量相对较少,四川盆地降水相对丰富,滇西南地区降水量最为充沛。(3)川滇地区气候暖干化趋势明显,分别在1997和1999年发生了增温和降水量减少的突变,旱涝灾害存在10~15a和28a的周期振荡,该区涝灾向旱灾转化的趋势明显。     

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Dynamics in Ambient Air and Atmospheric Bulk/Wet Deposition in Downtown Paris (France)

This study reports on the polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) atmospheric dynamics in the dense urban environment of downtown Paris (France). Eight PBDE congeners (BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-100, BDE-99, BDE-154, BDE-153, BDE-183 and BDE-209) were simultaneously analysed in bulk and wet atmospheric deposition, as well as in ambient air (gaseous/particulate phases), twice a month over a 12-month period (May 2008–May 2009). The total air concentration of Σ 8PBDEs ranged between 12 and 185 pg m⁻³, and the seasonal variations of PBDE levels were controlled by air temperature (except for BDE-209). Regarding bulk deposition, Σ 8PBDE flux was in the range 5–94 ng m⁻² day⁻¹, and it was positively correlated with atmospheric particulate phase PBDE concentrations. Meanwhile, the measured wet deposition flux of Σ 8PBDE ranged between 2 and 24 ng m⁻² day⁻¹, and its median contribution to bulk deposition was 39% only, which highlights the importance of dry deposition.     

Determinants of bird community composition on patches in the suburbs of Paris, France

The ecological processes responsible for the spatial assemblages of breeding bird communities in urban landscapes are more and more investigated. Indeed, understanding these processes is imperative to plan relevant management policies. We investigated breeding bird communities on 67 patches in the suburbs of Paris, France. We examined the role of patch characteristics and geographic distance between patches in determining similarity between bird assemblages. To do this, we proposed a new SØrensen similarity index based on estimators of change in community composition taking into account the detection probability of species. The patch occupancy by sedentary and migratory species was also estimated to compare their sensitivity to urbanization. Patches close to each other supported more similar bird assemblages, suggesting an effect of the spatial distribution of patches on bird dispersal and a posteriori on local community composition. Accounting for spatial location of patches, bird assemblage similarity was related to the similarity of the surrounding level of urbanization but not to the similarity of patch size or to the similarity of patch vegetation. The mean estimated occupancy rate of sedentary species was higher than that of migratory species in the whole study area. While sedentary species occupied patches surrounded by both moderate and high levels of urbanization, migratory ones primarily occupied patches surrounded by moderate levels of urbanization. Human choices in degrees, styles, and extent of urbanization, including designation and design of patches within an urban matrix, affect the composition of local bird communities.     

Changes in the Soil Cover under the Impact of Short-Term Climate Fluctuations

Eurasian Soil Science - The climate of the 1950s–1990s in the center of the Russian Plain was characterized by the alternation of cool–wet and warm–dry periods, which is confirmed...     

“一带一路”区域极端气候事件变化及其对典型农业区生长季的影响

以“一带一路”区域为研究区,基于1990−2018年的逐月历史气候数据和1981−2016年的逐年植被物候数据,采用趋势分析和统计分析等方法研究极端气候事件和植被物候的时空变化规律,并选取欧洲东南部耕地、中国北部内蒙古草原、印度中部耕地和泰国北部耕地为典型农业区,分析典型极端气候事件对生长季的影响规律。结果表明：（1）“一带一路”区域的极端气候事件主要以极端热事件和极端冷事件为主,且总体上呈现增加的趋势。极端高温事件的增加趋势明显,而极端低温事件则表现出减少的趋势;（2）生长季始期（SOS）、生长季末期（EOS）和生长季长度（LOS）总体上随纬度位置层状变化,海拔和降水也显著影响生长季。在全球变暖的影响下,“一带一路”区域大部分地区的SOS呈提前的趋势,而EOS呈延后的趋势,这导致了LOS的普遍延长;（3）当极端高温事件发生时,SOS普遍提前,而EOS普遍延后。极端低温事件则会导致SOS的延迟和EOS的提前。此外,极端气候事件越剧烈,对植被物候的影响越大。     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in Water and Sediment from Gully Pots

A gully pot is often cleaned with the help of an eductor truck, which uses hydrodynamic pressure and a vacuum to loosen and remove the solids and standing liquid from a gully pot. This paper considers the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) content in the gully pot mixture (water and sediment) after it has been discharged from the eductor truck. The results show that most PAH was attached to particles, and the dissolved phase represented approximately 22% of the total water concentration. No significant difference was found for the water phase between a housing area and a road, whereas a significant difference was found for NAP, ACE, FL, ANT, FLR, PYR, BaF, and BPY in the sediment at a 95% confidence level. Source identification showed that the PAH in the gully pot mixture came from mixed sources. Both the water and sediment phase exceed all or some of the compared guidelines. The result from this paper shows that not only the sediment needs to be discussed, but also the water phase created during the maintenance of different BMPs.     

Deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the surroundings of primary aluminium industry

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) have been detemined in dust fallout at 4 sites in the neighborhood of primary Al plants over periods of 12 to 14 mo. The amounts of PAH deposited in these areas were large compared to other reported data. Variations were observed and the amounts were correlated with the frequencies of the wind direction from the factories to the sampling stations. Inversion episodes also seemed to cause an increase of the PAH depositions. Different PAH compositions were observed in samples exposed to pollutants from the al plants and in samples collected in an area where an anode plant was the main source.     

Silver fir decline in the vosges mountains (France): Role of climate and silviculture

Silver fir stands have shown severe defoliation in the Vosges mountains in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Based on the preliminary results of growth studies in other regions affected by decline in silver fir (i.e. Black-Forest), it was suggested that this decline could be the first sign of a breakdown of the ecosystem, following a long-term decrease in vitality. Various hypotheses regarding the role of air pollution were offered. A dendrochronological study, based on 200 plots, showed a sharp increase in productivity of the silver fir between 1850 and 1940, followed by a plateau. During the last 40 yr, severe climatic crises have occurred ; droughts were found to play a key role. Both long-term evolution and short term crises are well reproduced by a climatic model, based on monthly precipitation and temperature of the year of ring formation and of the previous 6 yr. The model explains 79% of the variance. An excessive stand density, responsible for the development of ill-formed crowns and for an increased competition for water, seems to play a major role in the dieback of some stands. Information available on the response of the stands to a potential deterioration of the soils, to possible changes of the climate, and to other modifications of the pollution climate does not allow a reliable prediction of the vitality of silver fir.     

Comparative micromorphology of two late Pleistocene paleosols (in the Paris Basin)

The micromorphology of two late Pleistocene paleosols in the Paris Basin, St. Pierre-les-Elbeuf and Bois du Moulin were studied in order to characterize their pedogenicand sedimentary processes and to reconstruct and interpret the pedosedimentary history and climate of each profile. The micromorphological observations of greatest interpretive value were the types of clayey and silty textural accumulations (argillans and siltans), pedality and porosity; of lesser value were papules, bioactivity and concretions.During the last interglacial period on both profiles developed a sol brun lessivé, comparable to those developed during the Holocene. With the onset of cold conditions of the last Glaciation, the two differentiate pedologically and sedimentologically. At Elbeuf, in the Seine Valley, we observe colluviation of silts and the development of grey forest soils with strong textural degradation under cold and moderately dry local conditions. At Moulin, on the plateau the grey forest phase is very weak and probably brief and is followed by a marked phase of churning and eluviation of silt; conditions were wetter than in the valley, such that the upland position protected the profile from colluvial truncation.The advantages of micromorphology in interpreting pedo-sedimentary sequences is discussed.     

Straw return decreases polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) accumulation in winter wheat and human health risk by enhancing PAH dissipation in rhizosphere soil

Straw return in situ, a common agronomic measure in China, has been widely used not only to increase crop yields and improve soil nutrients but also to remove polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from agricultural soils. Nevertheless, the safety risks of food crops (i.e., human health risk of wheat grains) grown in PAHs-contaminated agricultural soils amended with crop straw remain uncertain. A pot experiment was conducted in a PAHs-contaminated agricultural soil cultivated with winter wheat under different ratios of corn straw addition (0% (control, CK), 1%, 2.5%, and 5%, weight/weight). Results showed that corn straw addition significantly (P < 0.05) decreased PAH concentrations in rhizosphere soil, roots, straws, and grains by 48.32%–50.01%, 11.85%–42.67%, 9.78%–28.03%, and 14.16%–31.67%, respectively, compared with CK, whereas the transfer factors of PAHs from roots to straws were significantly (P < 0.05) increased. A correlation heatmap showed that PAH concentrations in roots, straws, and grains were positively (P < 0.01) correlated with those in rhizosphere soil. These indicated that corn straw decreased PAH accumulation in winter wheat due to the increase of PAH dissipation in the rhizosphere soil, although it enhanced PAH transfer in winter wheat. The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) model indicated that corn straw significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the human health risk of winter wheat grains by 29.73%–45.05%. Overall, corn straw apparently reduced PAH accumulation in winter wheat, ecological risk, and human health risk via enhancing PAH dissipation in the rhizosphere soil. These findings provide an important scientific basis and theoretical guidance for agricultural safety production.     

Pharmaceuticals in Rivers of Two Regions with Contrasted Socio-Economic Conditions: Occurrence, Accumulation, and Comparison for Ukraine and France

The goal of our study was to identify pharmaceuticals, their potential sources and consumption level in two different socioeconomic and geographical regions??Bordeaux, France and Kharkiv, Ukraine. These substances were monitored in rivers water during contrasted seasonal conditions with application of passive samplers. The 21 pharmaceuticals (psychiatric drugs: alprazolam, amitriptyline, diazepam, fluoxetine, nordiazepam, carbamazepine, bromazepam; analgesics: aspirin, paracetamol; broncholidator: clenbuterol, salbutamol, terbutaline; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug: diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen; lipid regulator: gemfibrozil; stimulants: caffeine, theophylline) were identified in sites upstream and downstream of urban areas and discharge of wastewaters. Caffeine, carbamazepine, and diclofenac were relatively abundant into the surface water and could be considered as potential anthropogenic markers of wastewater discharges into rivers. A mass balance modeling has been applied to calculate approximate consumption rates for carbamazepine, diclofenac, and caffeine in both regions to assess socio-economic factors linked with pharmaceuticals behavior.     

Impact of the colonisation of Zaprionus (Diptera, Drosophilidae) in different ecosystems of the Neotropical Region: 2 years after the invasion

The drosophilid Zaprionus indianus was not collected in Brazil, despite on-going drosophilid collecting, until 1999. Since 1999 this species has become common in Brazil. We present data on collections of Z. indianus in central Brazil, since its first occurrence in this region, with the goal of discussing its route of introduction in South America and aspects of its adaptation to the environment. Collections made during a 2-year period show different seasonal distribution patterns of this insect. In contrast with the low population sizes registered in 1999, during the summer of 2000 a large proliferation of this insect was detected. We show that Z. indianus is more common in the savanna sites and that its population peaks during the wet season. These preferences are discussed, and the hypothesis that the introduction in South America should have occurred in the southeast region of this continent is defended.     

PAH and PCB removal efficiencies in Umeå (Sweden) and Šiauliai (Lithuania) municipal wastewater treatment plants

Dissolved concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the influents and effluents of two municipal sewage treatment plants (STPs) were monitored over 16- (Umeå, Sweden) and 22- (?iauliai, Lithuania) day sampling periods. Sampling was performed using a passive sampling technique (semipermeable membrane devices; SPMDs) for sequestration of the dissolved (readily bioavailable) fraction of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Removal efficiencies for individual low molecular weight (LMW) PAH compounds varied from 84% to levels at which the compounds were not detected in effluents from Umeå. The corresponding efficiencies of the ?iauliai plant were 33–95%. Measurements revealed that dissolved concentrations of most of the PCBs and some of the high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs increased during the conventional wastewater treatment at both plants. The release of dissolved PAHs and PCBs in the effluents from municipal wastewater treatment plants might increase the environmental contamination by readily bioavailable pollutants in the recipient waters; the rivers Umeälven and Kulpè. SPMDs were found to be suitable sampling tools for long-term (weeks-month) integrative monitoring of trace concentrations of the dissolved fraction of hydrophobic pollutants in the wastewater process, since the sampling and clean-up steps were easy to perform.     

Impact of Seasonal Fluctuations on the Sediment-Mercury, its Accumulation and Partitioning in Halimione portulacoides and Juncus maritimus Collected from Ria de Aveiro Coastal Lagoon (Portugal)

The availability of metals to plants is a complex function of numerous environmental factors. Many of these factors are interrelated, and vary seasonally and temporally. The current study intended to understand the influence of seasonal fluctuations and the vegetation of salt marsh plants (SMPs; Halimione portulacoides, Juncus maritimus) on sediment??s mercury (Hg) and its pH and redox potential (Eh), as well as their cumulative effect on the plant??s Hg-accumulation and Hg-partitioning potential. The area selected for the study was Laranjo Basin at Ria de Aveiro lagoon (Portugal) where a known Hg gradient was existed due to chlor-alkali plant discharge. Three sampling sites (L1, L2 and L3) were selected along a transect defined by the distance from the main Hg source. Samples were also collected from the Hg-free site (R). Irrespective of the plant vegetation, Hg in sediments gradually increased with a decreasing distance towards Hg-point source. The sediment colonised by J. maritimus showed more Hg concentration compared with H. portulacoides irrespective of the season. As a whole, J. maritimus accumulated Hg more than H. portulacoides at all the sampling sites, whereas in root, stem and leaf, the concentration was ranked as: L1 > L2 > L3 in both the plant species and was differentially influenced by seasonal changes. Moreover, root of both plants exhibited highest Hg concentration compared with stem and leaf. In addition, the leaf of H. portulacoides exhibited more Hg than leaves of J. maritimus. Bioaccumulation and translocation factors and dry weight were differentially influenced by seasonal changes. Taking together the results, the physico-chemical properties of sediment especially the sediment-Eh seems to be influnced by the type of plant vegetation and seasonal changes which in turn may have influenced the chemistry of sediments; thus, it enfluences the bioavalability of Hg and the Hg-retention capacity of both salt marsh sediments (SMSs) and SMPs (bioaccumulation factor). Moreover, SMSs vegetated by J. maritimus exhibited a stronger capacity for the retention and phytostabilization of Hg belowground (in sediments and/or roots) than those dominated by H. portulacoides. Conversely, those SMSs extensively vegetated by H. portulacoides are expected to translocate more Hg to aboveground parts, acting as a potential source of this metal to the marsh ecosystem. Therefore, J. maritimus and H. portulacoides may be used repectively for phytostabilization (in rhizosediments) and phytoextraction (by accumulation in aboveground plant tissue for subsequent plant removal).