Trace element concentrations in fish from three Adirondack lakes with different pH values

Concentrations of 29 elements were detected in the axial muscle, and 44 elements were detected in the gut contents of white suckers (Catostomus commersoni) and yellow perch (Perca favescens) from three lakes located in the New York State Adirondack Preserve. The study lakes were acidic Darts Lake, variable pH Lake Rondaxe, and circumneutral Moss Lake. For the majority of the elements, there were no clear differences in the muscle concentrations among fish inhabiting the three types of lakes. Two notable exceptions were Hg and Pb. With some exceptions, the highest muscle tissue Pb concentrations were found in fish from the acidic lake. For both species, the Hg was higher in the muscle than in the gut regardless of lake acidity. Other elements potentially toxic to humans (As, Cd, Ga, Pb, Se, and TI) were not accumulated in the muscle relative to the gut.     

Influence of pollution and acidification on metal concentrations in Finnish Lapland lake sediments

Fifteen Finnish Lapland lakes have been investigated to study pollution levels and possible acidification effects on nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and aluminium (Al) concentrations in sediments. Four lakes have average water pH lower than 6.0 and alkalinity lower than 0.050 meq/1. Contamination factor (C_f, ratio of metal concentrations in the uppermost to the deepest layers for a given lake sediment core) of Pb is high, particularly for acidic and acidifying lakes (C_f=5.2–10.4). Ni, Cu, Co, Zn and Cd concentrations increase insignificantly towards sediment surface of some lakes (with a neutral pH) with the rare exception. The influence of passible lake acidification consists of decreasing Cu, Cd, Al, Zn concentrations and organic material contents (loss on ignition) towards the sediment surface. The buffer capacity index (BCI), determined as the ratio of the sum of alkaline and alkaline-earth metals (K, Na, Ca, Mg) to Al, is lower for acidic lakes (from 0.12 to 0.36), whereas for the other lakes the BCI values are higher (from 0.42 to 1.34). Thus, BCI-values, decreased contents of Al, Cd, Zn and Cu, as well as organic matter contents (OMC in the upper lake sediment suggest acidification of freshwater environments.     

Seasonal changes in surface aggregate stability under different tillage and crops

Temporal changes in the surface aggregate stability of an Oxic Paleustalf under different tillage practices (direct drilled/stubble retained versus conventional cultivated/stubble burnt) and under different crops (wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) versus lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.)) were monitored at a 10-year-old rotation site in Wagga Wagga, N.S.W., Australia.

Seasonal fluctuations in aggregate stability were observed under all treatments and were greater than the differences detected between the different tillage and cropping treatments. The seasonal variation was significantly related to the soil water content at the time of sampling and the lowest stability occurred during the autumn/winter period. Cropping under direct drilling and stubble retention resulted in significantly higher stability and lower seasonal fluctuations in stability than under conventional tillage and stubble burning. Despite the seasonal fluctuation, water stability over the season of both of the macroaggregate (more than 250 μm) and microaggregate (less than 50 μm) fractions increased significantly.

While the mean (temporal) stability of the different treatments was significantly related to the mean organic carbon content (r = 0.91) and polysaccharide content, the temporal changes were not related to the soil organic carbon content nor the living root length density.

Lupin had a more beneficial effect on promoting macroaggregate stability than wheat under the conventional tillage/stubble burnt treatment but no significant difference was found under the direct drilled/stubble retained treatment.     

乐清湾养殖区表层沉积物重金属含量分布及污染评价

以乐清湾养殖区表层沉积物中Cu等7种重金属为研究对象,在野外实地调查取样及重金属含量测定基础上,以中国海洋沉积物质量(GB18668-2002)一类标准值为评价标准,利用单因子指数评价法、内梅罗综合污染指数评价法和沉积物质量基准(sediment quality guideline,SQG),对单项重金属污染程度、多种重金属综合污染效应及重金属潜在生物毒性风险进行了评价。结果表明,乐清湾养殖区表层沉积物重金属含量分布差别明显,所有采样点表层沉积物均受到Cu污染,局部受到严重Hg污染;大部分养殖区表层沉积物重金属污染达到轻度等级;所有养殖区均可发生由Cu偶尔引起的不利生物毒性效应,个别养殖区可发生由Hg频繁引发的不利生物毒性效应。乐清湾养殖区表层沉积物重金属主要来源于沿岸电镀企业废水排放及农药化肥造成的农业面源污染。开展Cu、Hg污染治理修复是实现乐清湾养殖环境安全的迫切需求。     

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in surface sediments of the Montenegrin coast: a 10-year review

Purpose

Heavy metals are among the most common environmental pollutants, which can be introduced into coastal areas from natural and anthropogenic sources, and thereby possibly impact marine organisms and human population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the pollution level of Montenegrin coastal sediments by determining the concentrations of 10 metals and metalloids (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cr, Cd, As, and Hg) during one whole decade.

Materials and methods

Sediment samples were collected from 11 sites along the Montenegrin coast during the 2005–2016 exposure to different levels and sources of anthropogenic impact. The extent of pollution was estimated by determining total element concentrations in the sediment. Mineralized samples were analyzed for Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cr, As, Pb, Zn, Cd, and Hg. Pollution status was evaluated using the contamination factor, pollution load index, and geo-accumulation index, as well as statistical methods, such as Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and cluster analysis (CA).

Results and discussion

This study showed that concentrations of individual metals at some locations were extremely high. The metal concentrations (in mg kg^?1) ranged as follows: Fe 1995–45,498; Mn 135–1139; Zn 10–1596; Cu 3.8–2719; Ni 2.94–267; Pb 0.1–755; Cr 2.5–369; Cd 0.1–5.4; As 0.1–39.1; and Hg 0.01–14.2. The calculated concentration factor and pollution load index indicates enrichment by either natural processes or anthropogenic influences. The geo-accumulation index value (Igeo) showed that one location was strongly or extremely polluted (3.78?<?Igeo ≤?6.15) with Hg in all investigated years, while extreme Igeo values for four bioactive elements, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn, were found in only a few single samples.

Conclusions

On the basis of the obtained values, it can be concluded that generally higher metal contents were distributed in Boka Kotorska Bay sites, although some extreme values were also recorded at the locations outside of the Bay. Geo-accumulation index and pollution load index showed that the metal levels were high enough to pose risk to the ecosystem.

     

长期不同施肥条件下土壤微生物量及 土壤酶活性的季节变化特征

研究长期不同施肥条件下褐潮土微生物量碳（SMBC）、微生物量氮（SMBN）和土壤酶活性随季节的变化特征。结果表明,长期施肥条件下土壤SMBC、SMBN含量及土壤酶活性均表现出一定的季节变化。SMBC、SMBN含量在各施肥处理中的顺序为:化肥与猪厩肥配施处理（NPKM）化肥配施玉米秸秆处理（NPKS）单施化肥处理（NPK）不施肥处理（CK）,各处理之间差异显著(P0.05);施肥还显著提高了土壤脲酶、转化酶、碱性磷酸酶活性,有机无机配施的高于单施化肥的。除过氧化氢酶活性随季节变化显著下降外,SMBC、SMBN、酶活性的值一般在夏季（6月到8月）较高。通过双因素单变量方差分析表明,不同施肥制度与季节变化对SMBC、SMBN与酶活性的影响分别达极显著水平（P0.01）,不同施肥制度的SMBC、SMBN与酶活性的季节波动有极显著不同（P0.01）。     

Preliminary results on the role of rivers in total Hg concentrations in marine sediments and benthic organisms of a coastal area of Italy

The paper reports the results of mercury (Hg) concentrations in the <20 μm grain-size fraction of shallow sediments of the northern Tyrrhenian sea, collected near the mouths of rivers flowing down from the Monte Amiata area (central Italy), which is characterized by cinnabar mineralization which was developped as mercury mine in the past. A few species of benthic marine organisms collected in the sediment sampling area were also analyzed. From the results, it emerged that the rivers contribute to the Hg concentration in the marine sediments which already contain high natural Hg background levels. The benthic organisms, which reflect sediment contamination, showed high Hg concentrations as well.     

Detection of heavy metal pollution in estuarine sediments

Anomalies in the concentrations of heavy metals in estuarine sediments may not be reliably detected based on the measured concentration values or the ratios of metal concentrations to those of a reference element because of natural variations in both. However, the departure of a measurement from a regression line between metal and reference element concentrations may serve as a criterion for detecting an anomaly. The procedure has been applied to a suite of 34 sediments from a Florida estuary.     

Seasonal variations of concentrations, profiles and possible sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from Taihu Lake, China

Purpose

Obtaining a better understanding of the concentrations and origins of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediments Taihu Lake, China, is of paramount importance for the environmental protection and remediation of this lake. To investigate temporal and spatial variations in PAH concentrations, composition and possible source categories, 29 sediment samples were collected from Taihu Lake during both the flooding and dry seasons of the lake.

Materials and methods

Fifteen US Environmental Protection Agency priority PAHs were detected in 58 surface sediments (29 for each season) by gas chromatograph/mass selective detection, following extraction by accelerated solvent extraction.

Results and discussion

The concentrations of the total and individual PAHs in the flooding season were higher than those in the dry season, suggesting that high levels of fishing activity may be an important contributor to PAH pollution in the flooding season. The fractions of high molecular weight PAHs in the flooding season ranged from 63?% to 71?% and were higher than those in the dry season (which ranged from 52?% to 65?%). These results indicate that vehicle exhaust may be a more important pollutant source in the flooding season than in the dry season. Diagnostic ratios, principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to study possible source categories in the different seasons. Consistent results were obtained for all techniques. Seasonal and spatial variations were also investigated by the coefficient of divergence method. The results of previous studies support the conclusion of source identification.

Conclusions

Vehicle emissions were the dominant contributor to PAHs in the flooding season, while PAHs in the dry season sediments may have come from multiple sources. The findings of this study may provide a theoretical basis for seasonal PAH control strategies for Taihu Lake.     

Seasonal changes of mercury speciation in the coastal sediments

Purpose

Mercury speciation in sediments is linked to environmental conditions and processes. Domination of particular mercury species depends on its source, displays considerable seasonal behavior, and may be further modified due to oxygen levels, icing conditions, or the input of fresh organic matter. The purpose of this study was to examine the coastal area of the Gulf of Gdańsk in terms of mercury contamination and the influence of seasonal environmental changes on its speciation.

Materials and methods

In three highly dynamic coastal sites, mercury speciation in sediments was studied in relation to other environmental parameters (redox conditions, organic matter concentration, bacteria abundance, etc.). Sediment and water samples were collected monthly during a 3-year study. Sequential extraction of sediments was used for identification of four inorganic mercury species: dissolved, bound with fulvic and humic acids, mercury sulfide, and residual fraction. Cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CV-AFS) was used for extracts and liquid sample analysis. Total mercury in sediments was measured with atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Changes in salinity were analyzed by measurements of chloride and sulfate ion concentrations using ion chromatography. Bacteria number and biomass were measured by direct counting using epifluorescence microscopy.

Results and discussion

Seasonal changes in mercury speciation were observed at all sites and attributed to different processes. Labile mercury fraction contribution varied from 0 to 80%. The speciation patterns varied locally as the stations selected for the study are diversified in terms of anthropogenic impact, water dynamics, and output from land. Mercury concentrations at all stations fluctuated during phytoplankton blooms, icing of marine waters, precipitation, or increased surface runoff from the land. In this local scale, the global climate changes are visible already as environmental conditions in studied area changed in comparison to elder research.

Conclusions

Obtained results suggest that although mercury emissions to the environment have decreased in recent years, local weather conditions, which may be intensified by climate change, seriously affect the bioavailability of past mercury deposits in coastal sediments.

     

Modelling cations in three acid soils with differing acid input in Germany

Prediction of concentration changes of cations in soil solutions is complex, and chemical models are necessary for the purpose. The objective of this study was to determine whether the reactions considered in a coupled equilibrium model were appropriate to predict cation concentrations when the initial equilibrium was disturbed by adding small amounts of electrolytes. Multi-ion sorption in three acid soils (two Cambisols and a Podzol) was studied by sequentially adding small amounts of electrolytes to samples of the soils in batch experiments. A chemical equilibrium model that included inorganic complexation and multiple cation exchange was used to interpret the results. For the subsoils, the solubility of jurbanite was also included in the model. Model results for the two Cambisol surface soils agreed well or satisfactorily with the measured pH and sorption values of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Al and Fe, with a few exceptions. Linear correlation coefficients were generally between 0.97 and 1, and the regressin coefficients for cations (modelled against measured) lay between 0.6 and 1.3. For the subsoils sorption of sulphate was described satisfactorily for the spodic dystric Cambisol and to some extent for the spodic Cambisol. Correlation coefficients for subsoils lay between 0.63 and 1, and the regression coefficients (modelled against measured) were between 0.9 and 1.6 for the Cambisols. The model did not predict pH and sorption data in surface and subsurface soils with very small amounts of exchange capacities, pointing to the significance of cation buffering resulting from exchange sites. This study showed the usefulness and limitations of equilibrium models to predict the composition of the soil solution.     

Seasonal variation of phosphatase activity in woodland soils

Seasonal variation of phosphatase activity in 0–5 cm soils from 1.6 m² plots in 48 English Lake District woodlands has been studied. Six per cent or 21% of the total variation in phosphatase activity at the assay temperature of 13°C was seasonal if activity was expressed respectively as phenol liberated g^?1 soil or cm^?3 soil. No seasonal pattern of activity at 13°C was detectable within individual plots due to high within-plot spatial variation. By averaging the results of all 48 plots, a seasonal pattern was identified but this did not resemble the seasonal pattern of soil available P content. Two, possibly three, peaks of activity occurred during the year, one in summer, a second after leaf-fall in autumn and possibly a minor peak in spring. The highest activity occurred in mid-winter.When adjusted to field temperature, 19 or 37% of the total variation in phosphatase activity, expressed respectively in terms of g^?1 soil or cm^?3 soil, was seasonal. The same three peaks of activity were still apparent, but their relative heights were altered, with maximum activity occurring in summer. After adjustment to field temperature, the seasonal pattern could be detected in many of the individual plots, if activity was expressed in terms of cm^?3 soil, and reflected the seasonal pattern of soil available P.Soil phosphatase data should be expressed in terms of activity per unit soil volume and adjusted to field temperatures, if the biological significance of the seasonal variation in activity is to be appreciated.     

Transpiration and hydraulic conductivity in three Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands with different air pollution histories

As part of a project studying the effects of massive reductions in the output of air pollutants in eastern Germany we monitored stand transpiration rates and water stress and analyzed the hydraulic architecture of Scots pine in three stands with different air pollution histories. Sap flow densities were continuously measured in 15 trees per stand with a thermoelectric method. The sap flow densities were scaled up to the stand transpiration rate via the conductive xylem area, which was measured with computer-tomography in the same trees. Radiation (PAR), humidity and temperature were monitored at three levels in the stands, water stress is assessed by predawn water potentials. As a parameter of hydraulic architecture we studied leaf specific conductivity (LSC). The proportion of the heartwood area did not significantly vary along the gradient of air pollution. The variation of sap flow densities within the stands was large. The ratios of sap flow densities in the inner and outer xylem were site-specific and significantly different between the stands. In the stand with the highest rate of air pollution there was a sharp decline in the sap flow densities towards the heartwood. Stand transpiration in the site with the lowest pollution was significantly higher than in the two more polluted sites. LSC in 2 years old twigs was significantly higher in the low pollution stand. In the dry summer of 1994 predawn water potentials fell to extreme values of below 1.6 MPa. At that stage transpiration ceased until the next substantial rainfalls.     

污水灌溉对土壤浸提液元素浓度变化影响的田间试验研究

土壤化学元素的变化趋势关系到污水灌溉农业的可持续性。该文通过田间试验,研究了冬小麦和夏玉米轮作条件下2种灌溉水质和3种灌水量对土壤浸提液元素浓度变化的影响。试验结果表明：在自然降雨条件下,大水量污灌增加土壤盐分而中、小水量污灌则降低土壤盐分。试验用污水不会导致土壤的次生碱化。土壤中的Ca、Mg、Fe和Zn含量在试验期间增加而P、Mn、Cu、Cd和Ni减小。大水量污灌增加土壤中的Na和B含量而小水量污灌则降低其含量;K的变化趋势与其相反。污灌可补充土壤中的作物营养元素K和P,但降低污水灌水定额可有效抑制盐分、B和Zn在土壤以及重金属元素在作物中的累积。     

Bathymetric modeling of sediments and organic carbon of polluted rivers in southeastern China

Purpose

Rivers in low plains in the subtropical regions of China, where the population is dense and economies are active and well-developed, might be a large terrestrial carbon pool. This present study of the Sanyang wetlands in Wenzhou, southeastern China, aims to quantitatively estimate the volume of sediments in this region’s polluted river systems and their carbon storage.

Materials and methods

The bathymetry of river sections were surveyed using an echo sounder equipped with a differential GPS. An underwater digital elevation model (DEM) was then developed using the anisotropic ordinary Kriging method. Sediment samples were collected and analyzed for carbon content and sediment properties. Carbon storage in sediments was calculated using bathymetric and sediment analysis data.

Results and discussion

The studied rivers have been receiving organic pollutants from local residences and industries for decades. Results from a river network of 1.2 km² revealed a total carbon storage of 46.7 million kg in the sediments which had a volume of 1.4 million m³, with the upper 20 cm depth of sediments contributing about one third of this carbon storage.

Conclusions

The present work demonstrated that GIS technologies can be used to create digital river sediment surfaces and assess sediment amounts as well as determine the spatial distribution of sediments and their components. This could provide further insight into river restoration planning and other options from a carbon-balance perspective.

     

Seasonal variation in the aggregate stability of downland soils

Abstract. Seasonal variation in the aggregate stability of chalk downland soils on the South Downs, East Sussex, UK, was studied using two measures of aggregate stability: water stable aggregation by wet sieving and dispersibility by a turbidimetric determination. Aggregate stability and organic carbon content were assessed on a monthly basis at 20 sites over a 19-month period.
Results indicated considerable variation in water stable aggregation over the time period studied but little variation in dispersibility. There were differences between sites mainly reflecting differences in organic carbon content. Soils with more organic carbon showed less seasonal variation in aggregate stability than soils with small amounts of organic carbon. This suggests that in less organic soils organic materials, mainly microbial in origin, play an important role in forming stable aggregates, though their effect is transient.     

Monitoring of sewage pollution in the surface sediments of coastal ecosystems using linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) as molecular markers

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Molecular organic markers are an effective tool to detect the adverse effects of anthropogenic inputs in the aquatic environment. Linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) are...     

Seasonal variation of pyrite oxidation rates in colliery spoil

Abstract. Oxidation rates of pyrite in colliery spoil were measured under both field and laboratory conditions. Meld oxidation rates varied through the year, depending primarily upon temperature. Rates of acid release of 7–15 μmoles H⁺/day were measured in field lysimeters in the period May to November. Little oxidation of the pyrite occurred between November and May; the rates in the summer months were approximately 5–10 times those during die winter. The rate of oxidation in the summer was limited by the solubility of amorphous iron oxides. Slow oxidation during the winter is probably related to the inactivity of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans at low temperatures. The rates of acid production in the laboratory in the temperature range 0–18°C were similar to those in the field. Materials inhibiting pyrite oxidation should be added when oxidation rates are slow, so that they are not overwhelmed by large amounts of acid.     

Total concentrations of mercury in Wisconsin (USA) lakes and rivers

We analyzed surface waters from 30 Wisconsin lakes and rivers for total mercury ([Hg]_T) and total suspended particulates (TSP) on a state-wide basis with trace-metal ‘ultraclean’ techniques. Mercury concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 2.9 ng L^?1 in lakes and from 0.7 to 8.9 ng L^?1 in rivers. TSP concentrations ranged from 0.9 to 6.6 mg L^?1 in lakes and from 3.1 to 31.4 mg L^?1 in rivers. Spatial trends were weak; however, [Hg] _T was generally higher in the spring than in the autumn of 1991. Total mercury concentration was weakly dependent on TSP with the coefficient of determination (r ²) ranging 0.06 to 0.49 across seasonal and geophysical differences.