白洋淀流域气温、降水和径流变化特征及其相互响应关系

运用Mann-Kendall趋势检验、突变检验和小波分析法,对白洋淀流域1957—2012年7个气象站点气温、降水和3个典型水文站点径流量的变化趋势、突变点及周期性变化进行了分析,并探讨了径流与降水和气温的响应关系,以期为该地区生态环境保护和水资源合理利用提供基础数据支持。结果表明,研究区年均气温呈上升的趋势,并在1988年后上升趋势增大,其中,冬季和春季的气温增幅对气温升高贡献较大;降水量变化相对复杂,整体呈波动下降的趋势,其中,夏季降水量减少幅度最大,达1.72 mm·a~(-1)。受气温升高和降水量的直接影响,典型站点径流量呈明显下降趋势,并在年际尺度上与气温呈负相关,与降水变化呈显著正相关;在年内尺度上,则与气温和降水变化呈显著正相关。夏季径流量减少幅度最大,阜平、倒马关和紫荆关站分别下降0.85 m~3·s~(-1)·a~(-1)、0.72 m~3·s~(-1)·a~(-1)和0.66 m~3·s~(-1)·a~(-1)。3个指标的周期性变化都比较明显,其中径流和降水的波动变化基本一致,表明径流对降水的响应比较突出。径流变化不仅受气温和降水的影响,还受到水利工程建设、各类农业措施等多种因素的影响。     

Rainfall effects on erosion of earthworm casts and phosphorus transfers by water runoff

 We investigated whether, under a temperate climate and in a maize crop, earthworm casts could contribute to soil erosion and further favour the exportation of phosphorus by runoff waters. Recording of casts was made in compacted (wheel-tracks) and non-compacted inter-rows, for a 2-month period in spring. To assess the rainfall impact on cast evolution, half of the observation sites were protected against rain splash by a nylon mesh placed above the soil surface. The water runoff was collected and analysed for sediment contents and phosphorus concentration. The mean annual production of surface casts was calculated to be 34 kg (dry weight) year^–1 kg^–1 earthworm (fresh weight). Synchronization between cast erosion and rainfall events was shown under natural conditions (unprotected sites). The erosion rate was 4 times greater over rainy periods than dry ones, reaching 80% of cast numbers. It appeared that not the runoff effect but the splash effect, due to the kinetics of the drops, disrupted casts. Newly formed casts disappeared first, with the erosion rate decreasing twofold for casts more than 10 days old. Cast erosion and runoff, as well as worm casting activity, were greater under compacted sites than under non-compacted sites, indicating an influence of earthworms on soil erosion from compacted soils. The total phosphorus content was similar in casts and uningested soil (0.80 mg phosphorus g^–1). Potential phosphorus losses from cast erosion was calculated to reach 25–49 mg phosphorus m^–2 per rainfall event depending on soil compaction. The amounts of particulate phosphorus recovered in water runoff after each rainfall event varied from 1 mg to 11 mg phosphorus. These results are compared and discussed. Received: 20 October 1998     

Effectiveness of Grass Filters in Reducing Phosphorus and Sediment Runoff

Surface water contamination can often be reduced by passing runoff water through perennial grass filters. Research was conducted in 2006 to 2008 to evaluate the size of cool season grass filters consisting primarily of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb) with some orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.) relative to drainage area size in reducing runoff sediment and phosphorus (P). The soil was Pohocco silt loam Typic Eutrochrepts with a median slope of 5.5?%. The grass filters occupying 1.1 and 4.3?% of the plot area were compared with no filter with four replications. The filters were planted in the V-shaped plot outlets which were 3.7?×?11.0?m in size. The filter effect on sediment and P concentration was determined from four natural runoff events when nearly all plots had runoff. Filter effect on runoff volume and contaminant load was determined using total runoff and composites of samples collected from 12 runoff events. Sediment concentration was reduced by 25?% with filters compared with no filter (from 1.10 to 1.47?g?L^?1), but P concentration was not affected. The 1.1 and 4.3?% filters, respectively, compared with having no grass filter, reduced: runoff volume by 54 and 79?%; sediment load by 67 and 84?% (357 to 58?kg?ha^?1); total P load by 68 and 76?% (0.58 to 0.14?kg?ha^?1); particulate P (PP) load by 66 and 82?% (0.39 to 0.07?kg?ha^?1); and dissolved reactive P (DRP) load by 73 and 66?% (0.2 to 0.07?kg?ha^?1), respectfully. A snowmelt runoff event had 56?% greater DRP concentration compared with rainfall-induced runoff events. Grass filters reduced sediment and P load largely by reducing runoff volume rather than reducing concentration. Well-designed and well-placed grass filters that occupy 1.0 to 1.5?% of the drainage area and intercept a uniform flow of runoff from a drainage area can reduce sediment and nutrient loss in runoff by greater than 50?%.     

Historical and Geographical Trends in Sediment Chronology from Lakes and Marine Sites Along the Norwegian Coast

Sediment cores collected from 12 lakes and eight marine sites along the Norwegian and Svalbard coast as part of a project investigating polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in sediments were dated radiometrically using ²¹⁰Pb, ¹³⁷Cs and ²⁴¹Am fallout radionuclides. In all lake cores, except on Svalbard, the ¹³⁷Cs activity versus depth profile appears to have been significantly modified by post-depositional migration within the sediment column. The relatively low ¹³⁷Cs inventories suggest that these sites were not significantly impacted by fallout from the 1986 Chernobyl accident. All the marine cores have ¹³⁷Cs inventories that are substantially lower than in lake sediments almost certainly due to leaching of ¹³⁷Cs from the marine sediments due to higher solubility in the seawater. In the marine surface sediments, the unsupported ²¹⁰Pb concentrations are up to an order of magnitude lower than in the corresponding lake sediments reflecting the higher (dry mass) sedimentation rate at the marine sites. Five of the cores including marine sites and lakes have unusual high ²¹⁰Pb flux most likely due to sediment focusing. Most of the irregularities in the ²¹⁰Pb records seem to be due to slump events but some patterns are also due to possibly increased accumulation rates. Three of the marine cores show systematic increase in their sedimentation rate from c.1960 towards the present while only one lake shows the same systematic increase.     

南方红壤区典型水土流失治理小流域的洪水径流泥沙特征

为探究南方红壤区经长期水土流失治理小流域的水沙特征,该研究收集长汀县朱溪河小流域2017—2020年降雨及洪水水沙数据,通过冗余分析、多元逐步回归方程、含沙量-流量滞回曲线等方法进行分析。结果显示：（1）流域年洪水径流深和泥沙量分别为282.30～892.50 mm和35.80～179.50 t/km²,洪水事件的产沙模数集中在0～20.0 t/km²,但总泥沙量由大于5.0 t/km²的少数事件决定;（2）降雨量、30 mim的最大雨强和降雨侵蚀力是影响洪水径流泥沙的主要降雨特征,对径流、泥沙变化的解释度分别为68.99%和49.28%,通过主要径流特征估算泥沙量、平均含沙量和最大含沙量,拟合优度达0.624～0.870;（3）洪水事件共出现6种含沙量-流量滞回关系,其中线型出现频率（55%）最高,该类事件中含沙量随流量的变化具有分阶段特征,临界含沙量约为0.1 g/L。经过长期的水土流失治理,红壤区小流域的洪水泥沙量普遍较低,且主要受径流量影响,洪水事件的滞回关系表明流域的泥沙供应通常处于持续少量的状态,研究结果有助于揭示红壤区土壤侵蚀的发展趋势。     

Measurement of methylmercury and mercury in run-off,lake and rain waters

During one year, samples from eight drainage lakes, seven run-off stations and three deposition sites from various geographical areas in Sweden were collected and analyzed for methyl Hg (MeHg) and total Hg (Hg-tot). The MeHg concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 0.64 ng L^?1, 0.04 to 0.8 ng L^?1, and <0.05 to 0.6 ng L^?1 in run-off, lake water and rain water, respectively. The corresponding Hg-tot concentrations were found in the range 2 to 12 ng L^?1, 1.35 to 15 ng L^?1, and 7 to 90 ng L^?1, respectively. A Hg-tot level of about 60 ng Hg L^?1 was found in throughfall water. The MeHg and Hg-tot concentrations are positively correlated in both run-off and lake water, but not in rain and throughfall water. A strong positive correlation between the MeHg, as well as the Hg-tot concentration, and the water color is observed in both run-off and lake waters, which suggests that the transport of MeHg and other Hg fractions from soil via run-off water to the lake is closely related to the transport of organic substances; and is a consequence of the biogeochemical processes and the water flow pathway. The ratio between the mean values of MeHg and Hg-tot seems to be an important parameter, with an indicated negative coupling to the mean value of pH for run-off water, but a strong positive correlation to Hg-content in fish, the ratio between the area of the catchment and the lake, as well as to the retention time of lake.     

Concentrations of Free and Conjugated Estrogens at Different Landscape Positions in an Agricultural Watershed Receiving Poultry Litter

Animal hormones can enter the aquatic environment along with runoff as a result of manure or litter application on agricultural landscapes. Our understanding of the transport of these hormones and their concentrations at various points along the watershed drainage is however limited. We investigated the transport of naturally produced poultry hormones in an agricultural watershed located on coastal plain soils of Delaware receiving land application of raw poultry manure. The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of free and conjugated forms of estrogens in agricultural runoff at selected landscape positions in the agricultural watershed. Estrogen concentrations were determined for surface water, soil water, and runoff sediment. Estrogen forms that were analyzed were: Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2?? and E2??), Estriol (E3), and their sulfate and glucuronide conjugates. Poultry litter application occurred at a rate of 9 Mg ha^?1 in early spring (April 2010). Sampling was performed for surface runoff, subsurface drainage, and sediment for nine storm events extending over 187 days before and after manure application (March?COctober 2010). Runoff was collected from the field edge, upland and lowland riparian positions and from the stream. Samples were analyzed by for liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Concentrations of estrogens were low (<20 ng l^?1) for most of the samples and decreased from the field edge into the riparian zone. Estrogens were not detected in soil water and runoff sediments. Overall, this study suggests that manure application practices at our sites in Delaware such as incorporation of litter into the soil likely reduced the concentrations of estrogens in runoff and reduced the threat posed to aquatic ecosystems.     

Siltation and radiocesium pollution of small lakes in different catchment types far from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident site

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident caused radioactive pollution in northeastern Honshu Island, Japan. This study examined the influence of snowmelt and rainfall on soil erosion processes and siltation of small lakes in Miyagi Prefecture (150 km northwest of the power plant). Two sets of slopes and lakes, respectively in pasture and forest catchments, were examined. Snowpack thickness, soil infiltration, surface runoff volume, soil and sediment physicochemical properties, Cs concentration of precipitation, meltwater, and rainwater, and lake siltation rates were determined. The total radioactive Cs content in precipitation was 0.7–7.4 BqˑL⁻¹ and was below the Japanese standard (10 BqˑL⁻¹). Total radioactive Cs was at the allowable level in water flowing down the pasture catchment slope (0.1–9.2 BqˑL⁻¹) during snowmelt and rainfall, as well as in pasture (0.9–8.8 BqˑL⁻¹) and forest (0.7–5.2 BqˑL⁻¹) catchment lake water. There was no soil erosion (surface runoff) in the forest catchment. Soil losses in the pasture catchment were 23 due to rainfall and 9 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ following spring snowmelt. After snowmelt, a 0.5 and 0.2 mm thick layer of silt was deposited in pasture and forest catchment lakes, respectively, and 1.4 and 0.6 mm were deposited during the rainfall period. Average siltation rates were 1.9 and 0.8 mmˑyr⁻¹ for pasture and forest catchment lakes, respectively. The upper layer of lake bottom sediments is represented mainly by silt fractions (2–50 μm), with high organic matter (4.0–5.7%) and radiocesium (1100–1600 kgˑha⁻¹) contents.     

Phosphorus loads from peaty polders in the SW Frisian lake District,The Netherlands

The purpose of this study was to quantify discharges and P-loads from peaty polders (total surface area 11560 ha) surrounding lakes in south-western Friesland , and to examine whether processes inside the polders contribute to the P-loads to the lakes. A detailed study in the Echtener Veenpolder (2850 ha), the largest polder in the study area, showed annuall gross P-loads of 1.3 to 1.83 kg P ha^?1 polder area and net P-loads of 0.63 to 1.48 kg P ha^?1 Processes inside this polder, such as leaching, surface runoff, resuspension, spreading manure and fertilizers, can result in high total P concentrations (TP) in discharged polder water (up to 0.9 mg L^?1) and therefore contribute to the P-load from the polder to lake Tjeukemeer. During 1984–1987 the averaged TP concentrations in polder water were higher than in lake Tjeukemeer water: 0.37 mg L^?1 and 0.28 mg L^?1, respectively. The annual gross P-loads from 11 other polders ranged from 1.01 to 4.13 kg P ha^?1 polder area, while TP concentrations reached values up to 3.0 mg L^?1. The P-loads from five polders to lake Tjeukemeer were high compared with the loads to the other lakes in the district. Particularly, during the winter period (October–April) P-loads were highest: up to 3.13 kg P ha^?1. This paper shows that hydrological measures and the reduction of the concentrations are important to combat the eutrophication problem in the lakes. However, for an optimally integrated water management of the polders, further research is needed to develop, for example, dynamical water and P balances in order to gain a better insight into the role of agriculture.     

Identifying sources of snowmelt acidification with a watershed mixing model

We used ionic tracers to estimate the volume of old (soil and ground) water interacting with snowmelt in eleven Adirondack, NY watersheds. The contribution of old water varied from 66 to 90%, with no general relationship between old water % and soil depth to till. This approach also discriminated between watershed retention and release of particular ions to lake outlet water during snowmelt. Most watersheds released NO₃ ^? during snowmelt, in addition to the snowpack NO₃ ^?. Nitrification of snowpack NH₄ ⁺ explained part of the additional NO₃ ^? in lake out outlet water, but some NO₃ ^? was likely mineralized nitrogen from soil organic matter. All watersheds retained NH₄ ⁺ as well. Nitrogen release was greatest in the acidic watersheds in the southwestern Adirondacks, a region thought to be impacted by anthropogenic deposition. During snowmelt, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions (presumably from soil exchange sites) were also released from most watersheds. In watersheds with acidic (minimum pH<4.6) lake outlet water, Al was also released during snowmelt. Thus, lake outlet water acidification during snowmelt was both buffered by cation release, and intensified by NO₃ ^? release. If the soil exchangeable cation pools were not replenished prior to snowmelt, or NO₃ ^? mobilization were increased, acidification during snowmelt would intensify.     

间歇性降雨对黄土坡地水土养分流失的影响

坡面水土养分流失是研究农业非点源污染方面的核心问题,涉及土壤侵蚀、坡地水文和环境治理等方面的内容。以黄土坡地为研究对象,利用人工降雨模拟试验,分析间歇降雨时坡地产流-入渗-土壤侵蚀过程,以及通过预先在坡地喷施养分(NH_4~+-N、NO_3~--N、PO_4~(3-)-P),研究间歇降雨时坡面水土流失以及土壤溶质的迁移规律。试验采用针孔式人工模拟降雨器进行模拟降雨,对试验坡地间歇性进行3次降雨,雨强恒为100mm/h,每次降雨历时60min,降雨间隔时间60min。结果表明:(1)3次降雨的初始含水率不同,但产流规律相似,降雨径流率均为先增大后趋于平稳。(2)3次降雨产生的泥沙累积量分别为250.91,100.20,79.76g,第1次降雨的泥沙量远高于第2,3次。泥沙率先迅速增大到峰值然后缓慢减少,平均泥沙率随降雨次数的增多而递减。(3)对于非吸附性的NO_3~-、NH_4~+,3场降雨过程中溶质浓度均呈现由高降低并逐渐平稳的变化趋势;PO_4~(3-)-P浓度的变化规律却略显不同,降雨初期溶质浓度先短暂升高,然后再由高降低并逐渐平稳。(4)3次降雨的NH_4~+-N、NO_3~--N、PO_4~(3-)-P的径流总流失量分别为535.33,1 058.18,400.79mg,其中NO_3~--N流失量最多,PO_4~(3-)-P流失量最少。随着降雨次数的增加,不同降雨次数下的NH_4~+-N、NO_3~--N、PO_4~(3-)-P径流流失量均逐渐减少,流失量较前次降雨分别降低了19%,14%、3%,62%和57%,28.3%。因此,通过对间歇性降雨条件下黄土坡地水土溶质迁移特征的研究,对揭示降雨-径流-土壤相互作用过程和土壤养分迁移机理具有重要意义。     

Runoff sediment particle sizes associated with soil erosion in the Lake Tahoe Basin,USA

Runoff sediment from disturbed soils in the Lake Tahoe Basin has resulted in light scattering, accumulation of nutrients, and subsequent loss in lake clarity. Little quantified information about erosion rates and runoff particle‐size distributions (PSDs) exists for determining stream and lake loading associated with land management. Building on previous studies using rainfall simulation (RS) techniques for quantifying infiltration, runoff, and erosion rates, we determine the dependence and significance of runoff sediment PSDs and sediment yield (SY, or erodibility) on slope and compare these relationships between erosion control treatments (e.g., mulch covers, compost, or woodchip incorporation, plantings) with bare and undisturbed, or ‘native’ forest soils. We used simulated rainfall rates of 60–100 mm h⁻¹ applied over replicated 0·64 m² plots. Measured parameters included time to runoff (s), infiltration and runoff rates (mm h⁻¹), SY (g mm⁻¹ runoff), and average sediment concentration (SC, g L⁻¹) as well as PSDs in runoff samples. In terms of significant relationships, granitic soils had larger particle sizes than volcanic soils in bulk soil and runoff samples. Consequently, runoff rates, SCs, and SYs were greater from bare volcanic as compared to that from bare granitic soils at similar slopes. Generally, runoff rates increased with increasing slope on bare soils, while infiltration rates decreased. Similarly, SY increased with slope for both soil types, though SYs from volcanic soils are three to four times larger than that from granitic soils. As SY increased, smaller particle sizes are observed in runoff for all soil conditions and particle sizes decreased with increasing slope. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Origin of organic halogen in boreal lakes

Old (>100 years, situated below 15 cm depth) sediment layers, of two humic forest lakes contained 400 to 600 mg of solvent soluble organic halogen (EOX) (kg C)^-1. This was two to three fold more than in the most recent layers at the depth of 0 to 10 cm. Sediment accumulation of EOX in humic forest lakes correlated positively with the sediment accumulation of organic matter. Lake water concentration of adsorbable organic halogen (AOX) correlated positively with water concentration of total organic carbon (TOC) and with the water colour in the different strata, seasons and lakes. These facts suggest that organic halogen in boreal humic lakes originated from the drainage area. Paleolimnological study of diatom remains showed that sediment concentration of organic halogen correlated negatively with the historical pH of the lake water column. This fact supports a view that the presence of organic halogen was promoted by haloperoxidase type of enzyme, which is most active at low pH (3.5 to 4). The dates of forest management events (clear cutting, prescribed burning) matched with the observed changes in lake water column historical pH and decrease in sediment content organic halogen in dated sediment layers. Clear cutting and prescribed burning are known to increase soil pH. This may decrease the intrinsic formation of organic halogens in soil, thereby decreasing the flow of organic halogens from the runoff area to the forest lake. Our results support a conclusion that changes in natural organically bound halogen in the sediment were promoted by acidification, forest fires and forest management in the drainage area. The organic halogen content in the most polluted layer of the pulp mill recipient sediment was 10 to 100 fold as compared to forest lake sediments.     

Evaluation of leaching and runoff losses of selenium from seleniferous soils through simulated rainfall

Experiments were conducted to study drainage and runoff losses of selenium (Se) from two seleniferous soils (from Simbly containing total Se 850 μg [kg soil]^–1 and from Barwa containing 1310 μg [kg soil]^–1) under simulated rainfall (250–260 mm in three rainstorms) conditions. Rainfall intensities ranged from 56 to 120 mm h^–1 with uniformity coefficients ranging from 70.6% to 84.2%. Selenium lost through drainage (sum of drainage from initially saturated soil for 24 h and through dry and wet runs) was 0.15% and 0.11% of total Se content in the two soils. In soils having similar pH and organic‐C content, losses of Se through drainage as well as runoff were defined by total Se, water‐soluble Se, CaCO₃ content, and texture of the soils. The amount of runoff water was almost two times in the soil with fine texture and less infiltration rate than in the other and that same trend was observed with respect to loss of sediment. The soil with higher CaCO₃ content and water‐soluble Se lost more Se with moving water both through leaching and runoff, whereas the other soil with fine texture lost greater amount of Se with the sediment. Total Se lost through drainage as well as runoff was 0.29% of the native Se present in both the soils suggesting that significant amount of Se could be lost from seleniferous soils during irrigation and rainfall events.     

植草沟对北京市道路地表径流的调控效应

[目的]分析植草沟对北京城市道路径流的水量和水质的调控效应,为北京市雨洪管理提供参考。[方法]实地建立植草沟,并根据北京市多年降雨资料和主干道路径流水质2010—2012年的监测结果设置径流水量和水质。[结果](1)降雨历时短,降雨强度低时植草沟的调控水量的功能明显。在降雨历时为3h,降雨重现期为0.33a时,50m2的植草沟可削减50m2沥青道路上产生的66%的径流量,降雨强度相对降雨历时来说对植草沟传输入渗的影响更大。(2)植草沟对水质污染物有一定的去除效果,但达不到完全净化。建设的植草沟能够削减径流中的氨氮达20%,总磷达35%,COD达22%。(3)植被覆盖度能影响植草沟的调控能力。植被覆盖度增加60%,植草沟对0.33年重现期降雨1h的雨量入渗率提高了8%。(4)若建立与北京市城六区道路等长度、宽2m的植草沟,对1a,2a重现期24h降雨形成的道路径流削减率分别为96.3%和56.0%,但对50a极端降雨道路径流量的削减率仅为13.0%。[结论]植草沟对北京市道路地表径流具有一定的调蓄洪峰流量,延缓产流时间,减少径流污染的作用,但无法单独作为有效控制城市道路地表径流水量的管理措施。     

Mercury Flux Measurements over Air and Water in Kejimkujik National Park,Nova Scotia

Mercury flux measurements were conducted at two lakes and three soil sites in Kejimkujik National Park, located in the eastern Canadian province of Nova Scotia. One of the lakes had high levels of both mercury and Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC). Two of the soil sites were located under the forestcanopy, while the other was in a small clearing surrounded by forest. Flux measurements were performed using the dynamic chamber method. Mercury concentrations in the air were measured with a TEKRAN mercury analyzer. Mercury fluxes over the two lakes were most strongly correlated with solar radiation, although the flux was also significantly correlated with water temperature, air temperature, and negatively correlated with relative humidity. The flux from the high DOC lake (Big Dam West) was especially high when the conditions were both sunny and windy (wind speed greater than 1.3 m s^-1) and the average flux measured was 5.4 ng m^-2 h^-1. The mercury flux from this lake was wellparameterized in terms of a simple expression involving solar radiation and a nonlinear dependence on wind speed. The flux measured from the low DOC lake (North Cranberry) tended to be lower than from the high DOC lake. The averageflux measured was 1.1 ng m^-2 h^-1, but was again strongly correlated with solar radiation. The flux was low during windy conditions in the absence of sunlight, suggesting that wind enhances mercury evasion from lakes only in the presence of solar radiation. Mercury fluxes measured over the soil sites tended to be smaller than those over water (a range of –1.4–4.3 ng m^-2 h^-1). At one of the forest sites, mercury flux was very strongly correlated with 0.5 cm soil temperature, and this dependence was well described by an Arrhenius-typeexpression with an activation energy of 14.6 kcal^-1 mole, quite close to the heat of vaporization of mercury (14.5 kcal^-1 mol^-1 at 20 °C). At the clearing, where there was direct exposure to the sun, the mercury flux was most strongly correlated with solar radiation.     

Inter-regional comparison of patterns and trends in surface water acidification across the United States

Temporal trends in acid-base chemistry are reported for surface waters in 6 regions of the United States. The lakes and streams are low ANC, dilute systems, selected to represent acid-sensitive aquatic resources in the 6 regions. The predominant trends observed were decreases in lake and stream SO₄ ^2? concentrations in sites east of the Mississippi River, and increases in NO₃ ^? in the Adirondack lake and Catskill stream sites (both located in eastern New York State). Correlations of trend results from all sites with other factors indicated that trends in precipitation volume were highly correlated with the observed trend patterns. From the surface water trend results, three distinct clusters were identified that corresponded to three trend patterns: ‘dilution,’ ‘recovery,’ and ‘acidification.’ These were distributed across the LTM regions, with no particular geographic patterns.     

Phosphorus and Suspended Sediment Loads in Base-Flow and Runoff Events: A Case Study of a Small Stream in NW Spain

This study focuses on the role of runoff events in influencing concentrations and export of suspended sediments and phosphorus in a headwater stream draining an agroforestry catchment in northwestern Spain. Large differences exist between suspended sediment and phosphorus (P) concentrations measured during base-flow conditions and runoff events, with a higher delivery during runoff events. Suspended sediment and phosphorus exports were 29.44 and 0.08 kg ha^?1 y^?1 respectively, with more than 50% delivered during runoff events (12% of the year). The relative contributions of phosphorus forms to the total annual export were 75% and 25% as particulate and dissolved phosphorus, respectively. Soil erosion is the main source of suspended sediment and phosphorus in the stream.     

Polluted precipitation and the geochronology of mercury deposition in lake sediment of northern Minnesota

Elevated Hg levels in game fish from wilderness lakes in northern Minnesota led to the present study of sediment cores from two lakes to ascertain the source and history of Hg deposition. Natural background levels of Hg were found to range from 0.03 to 0.06 μg g^?1, with cultural levels as high as 0.16 μg g^?1. Reconstructed geochronologies reveal a dramatic two-fold increase in Hg flux, from 0.008 to 0.017 μg cm^?2 yr^?1, occuring after the year 1880, suggesting an anthropogenic influence. No industrial or geologic source of Hg is found in the study watersheds. The entire historical increase in Hg flux can be accounted for by atmospheric loading provided that 1/5 of all the Hg presently supplied to the watershed via precipitation is ultimately deposited in lake sediment. Hg levels in fish are not correlated with Hg levels in lake sediment, although there is a link to acid-sensitivity of lake water, amount of acid-neutralizing geologic material exposed in the watershed, and watershed area/lake volume ratio. Thermal stratification of lake water and a complexation-adsorption mechanism are proposed to account for variations in Hg levels observed in sediment collected from different sites.     

Dynamics of Runoff and Suspended Sediment Transport in a Highly Erodible Catchment on the Chinese Loess Plateau

Runoff is the key factor to understand the land degradation causing high risk of soil erosion and can reduce the water available for human societies and ecosystems. The dynamics of runoff and suspended sediment transport are not completely understood. In this study, we examined the trends, breaking point and regime changes for the runoff and sediment load at different temporal scales using 50 years of continuous observational data from a highly erodible sub‐catchment with an area of 7,325 km² in the Beiluo River basin on the Loess Plateau, China. At the annual scale, the runoff and sediment load declined significantly (p < 0·05) with decreasing rates of −0·23 mm y⁻¹ and −164·9 Mg km⁻² y⁻¹, respectively. Abrupt changes in the runoff and sediment load series were detected between 1979 and 1999; thus, the data were divided into intervals of 1960–1979, 1980–1999 and 2000–2009. The flow duration curve analysis indicated increasing low‐flow values and decreasing daily runoff and sediment discharge peaks, which suggested that soil and water conservation measures reduced the volume of runoff and the sediment load. This led to a more uniform runoff regime. At the flood event scale, we investigated the relationship between runoff and the suspended sediment load based on 123 flood events, which showed clearly that the magnitude and frequency of hyper‐concentrated sediment flows decreased in 2000–2009 compared with 1960–1999. The annual erosive rainfall exhibited non‐significant changes throughout the entire study period. We conclude that soil and water conservation measures (e.g. afforestation, grassing, terraces and check dams) have played major roles in the changes in runoff and the sediment load in the Beiluo River catchment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.