Heavy Metal and Nitrogen Monitoring Using Moss and Topsoil Samples in a Pyrenean Forest Catchment

This study was carried out in order to assess both the deposition of heavy metal and nitrogen in a mountain ecosystem with low levels of metal deposition and its possible interactions with factors such as lithology and topography. For this purpose, samples of Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. and topsoils were collected in a forest catchment within Bertiz Natural Park, an International Cooperative Programme on Integrated Monitoring site. Trace metals levels in mosses can be considered low compared with values reported elsewhere in Europe, and the dust soil mineral particles seemed to be the main source of these values. Only Cd and Hg presented external inputs, probably with an anthropic origin, for mosses according to the enrichment factor values, whereas historical pollution-related deposition in soils was determined for Pb, Cu, and Ni, attending to their total/extractable ratio.     

The Impact of Bioturbation by Small Mammals on Heavy Metal Redistribution in an Embanked Floodplain of the River Rhine

Floodplains along large European rivers are diffusely polluted with heavy metals due to emissions in the past. Because of low mobility of heavy metals in floodplain soils and improvements of water quality, these pollutants will remain in place, and can gradually become covered with less contaminated sediments. Bioturbators, especially earthworms, can play an important role in the mixing and surfacing of contaminated substrate. Surfaced substrate can be redistributed by recurrent flooding events, even to areas outside the floodplain. The question remained to what extent bioturbation by small mammals contributes to the redistribution of heavy metals from river sediments in floodplains. Extensive fieldwork on bioturbators such as voles, moles and earthworms and their distribution patterns, as well as on sediment deposition and bioturbation, was conducted at the ‘Afferdensche en Deestsche Waarden’ floodplain over the years 2001–2003. Field data were combined with data of experiments in field enclosures and substrate columns to calculate the amounts of sediment and heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) redistributed during the floods as well as on an annual basis. Moles and voles surfaced considerable amounts of substrate and heavy metals, but not as much as earthworms which contribute a substantial proportion of the total deposition and redistribution during floods. Although the impact of moles and voles on the redistribution during floods was only locally important, on an annual basis the bioturbation activity of especially moles in floodplains cannot be neglected. The annual amounts of substrate and heavy metals surfaced by all investigated bioturbators were even larger than the total amounts of substrate and heavy metals deposited during floods.     

River Water Metal Speciation in a Mining Region – The Influence of Wetlands,Liming, Tributaries,and Groundwater

Changes in metal speciation occurring along the river Vormbäckenhave been investigated, and the potential for using such changes to reduce metal transport to areas further downstream has been evaluated.Vormbäcken is situated in a mining region in northern Sweden. Catchment area features likely to influence metal speciation include wetlands situated along the river, addition of treated (liming) effluent water from a mine area, and addition of other surface waters and groundwater. Surface water samples were collected from seven stations along the river on six occasions, representing different flow regimes. The total As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn concentrations in the samples were partitioned into particulate (>0.4 μm and 0.2–0.4 μm, or only >0.2 μm) and dissolved (<0.2 μm, either associated with organiccarbon, or as free metal ions and inorganic complexes) fractions by means of filtration and an ion-exchange technique. The most important finding is that, with the exception of Ca, the fraction of particulate bound metals increased with increasing concentrations of particulate Fe. This Fe has its origin in surface waters and groundwater that join the river on its way through the catchment area. It is suggested that adsorption to, or co-precipitation with, such Fe-containing particles may have potential to be used as the initial step in a treatment method based on natural attenuation processes. Furthermore, the fraction of particulate bound metals decreased dramatically upon passing the lake Vormträsket, suggesting that some of these metals may be removed from the river system, at least temporally.     

Monitoring of subaqueous depots with active barrier systems for contaminated dredged material using dialysis samplers and DGT probes

Background, Aims and Scope  Disposal of dredged material in subaqueous depots is increasingly considered an economic and ecologically sound option in managing contaminated dredged material. The concept of subaqueous disposals capped with active barrier systems has been developed to minimize this risk of contaminant release. As such a depot represents a permanent installation within a sensitive ecosystem, it requires a thorough monitoring concept. It is the goal of this work to develop such a concept regarding general considerations and results of laboratory and field investigations. Methods  In addition to the state-of-the-art techniques developed for other under-water constructions, this monitoring concept is developed with particular respect to the chemical isolation of the dredged material from the overlying water body. It comprises the use of seepage meters, dialysis samplers, and DGT gel probes for determining the migration of selected target solutes. The capability of the dialysis samplers is demonstrated by comparing field results with model calculations. The appropriateness of DGT probes to assess the impact of humic substances on trace metal speciation and on copper toxicity is demonstrated with the aid of laboratory experiments. Results and Discussion  The experimental results show that, by using dialysis samplers, the temporal changes in concentration-depth-profiles of heavy metals in the pore solution can be monitored. Additionally, the application of DGT probes facilitates the in situ detection of labile species of a metal in the presence of dissolved humic substances, which serves to reflect its toxicity. Conclusions. Three subsequent monitoring phases are distinguished on the basis of both general considerations and the findings from field results: A hydraulic phase that is characterized by compaction and pore water expulsion, a geochemical phase in which the demobilization of pollutants can occur due to substantial changes in the physico-chemical conditions (pH, EH), and a steady-state-phase where pore water flow and geochemical conditions are approaching their minimum. Recommendations and Outlook  The monitoring concept suggested here provides a versatile tool to assess the chemical isolation of subaqueous sediment depots and other contaminated sediment sites. This is of great importance as subaqueous disposal is increasingly considered a future management strategy as space for upland disposal is limited and treatment, in general, proves to be too costly.     

Monitoring of fecal indicators in rivers on the basis of random sampling and percentiles

Thermotolerant coliform bacteria and fecal streptococci were monitored in polluted rivers using random sampling and a distribution-free method of estimating percentiles. The objective was to investigate the wide temporal and spatial variation observed earlier in some of these rivers and to monitor for compliance with the standard of acceptable swimming water (1000 thermotolerant coliform bacteria per 100mL). In the summer of 1986 eleven river reaches were visited in random order 3 to 10 times, randomly sampling 2 to 13 sites per reach and visit. Thermotolerant coliform bacteria and fecal streptococci were determined by the membrane filtration technique from 341 and 232 samples, respectively. The results were evaluated on the basis of statistical parameters, percentiles and analysis of variance. Bacterial concentrations varied widely in every reach due to fluctuations of loading and/or hydrological phenomena. During dry periods the bacterial concentrations in rivers were lower than during wet periods. The standard of acceptable swimming water was temporarily exceeded during wet periods but never during dry periods. The use of random sampling and calculation of percentiles was found to provide a good overall picture of the variability of water quality in the rivers. It is recommended to evaluate the bacterial concentrations separately during wet and dry periods.     

渭河(咸阳段)表层沉积物中重金属形态分布特征

采用欧共体修正BCR四步连续提取法对渭河(咸阳段)的表层沉积物的重金属(Pb,Cr,Cu,Ni,Mn和Zn)形态进行了研究.结果表明,Cr,Ni和Zn主要以残渣态的形式存在,分别为97.91%,66.36%和73.68%,表现出很高的稳定性.而Pb和Mn仅在乙酸提取态含量分别达27.66%和38.49%时表现出一定的生物有效性和潜在危害性."非稳定态"重金属的空间分布特征是沣河渭河交汇处上游位含量最高,其次为渭河3号桥下,沣河渭河交汇处下游含量最低.     

Seasonal Variations in Vertical Redox Stratification and Potential Influence on Trace Metal Speciation in Minerotrophic Peat Sediments

Seasonal variations in pore water and solid phase geochemistry were investigated in urbanized minerotrophic peat sediments located in southwestern Michigan, USA. Sediment pore waters were collected anaerobically, using pore water equilibrators with dialysis membranes (“peepers”) and analyzed for pH, alkalinity, dissolved ΣPO₄ ^?3, ΣNH₄ ⁺, ΣS^?2, SO₄ ^?2, Fe⁺³, Fe⁺², and Mn⁺² at 1-2 cm intervals to a depth of 50 cm. Cores collected adjacent to the peepers during all four seasons were analyzed for reactive solid phase Fe according to extraction methods proposed by Kostka and Luther (1994). The association of Fe and trace metals (Mn, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Co, Cd, U) with operationally defined solid phase fractions (carbonates, iron and manganese oxides, sulfides/organics and residual) was assessed for cores extracted during winter and spring using extraction methods proposed by Tessier et al. (1979, 1982). Pore water Fe and S data demonstrate a clear seasonal variation in redox stratification of these sediments. The redox stratification becomes more compressed in spring and summer, with relatively more reducing conditions closer to the sediment water interface (SWI), and less reducing conditions near the SWI in fall and winter. In the upper 10–15 cm of sediment, the pool of ascorbate extractable Fe, thought to be indicative of reactive Fe(III) oxides, diminishes during spring and summer, in agreement with seasonal changes in redox stratification indicated by the pore water data. Tessier extractions indicate that the total extractable quantity of all metals analyzed in this study decrease with depth, and that the majority of the non-residual Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Co, Cd, and U is typically associated with the sulfide/organic fraction of the sediments at all depths. Non-residual Mn, in contrast, is significantly associated with carbonates in the upper 15–25 cm of the sediment, and predominantly associated with the sulfide/organic fraction only in deeper sediments.     

Mobilisation of Heavy Metals in Contaminated Sediments in the River Meuse,The Netherlands

Due to seasonal variation in bottom-water temperature and degradation of organic matter, the depths of the redox boundaries fluctuate in sediments of the river Meuse. This is reflected by a non-steady state behaviour of heavy metals in the surface sediments. Levels of acid-volatile sulphides suggest that dissolved concentrations of heavy metals in the anoxic pore waters are determined by their respective sulphide phases. However, complexation with dissolved organic ligands may significantly increase dissolved concentrations of heavy metals. In most sediments studied, a distinct peak in dissolved concentrations of heavy metals is measured immediately below the sediment-water interface. This concentration peak may be attributed to degradation of organic matter and oxidation of sulphides. Dissolved concentration gradients indicate that upward diffusion of heavy metals from the sediment can contribute to concentrations in the surface water, although significant effects may be confined to specific locations. In addition, it is shown that release of heavy metals as dissolved species to the surface water is negligible compared to particulate-bound fluxes of heavy metals to the sediment.     

Elemental Speciation and Distribution in Sediments of a Eutrophied Subtropical Freshwater Reservoir Using Postextraction Normalisation

The speciation and distribution of trace and major elements (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, P, Pb and Zn) in the sediments of Emigrant Creek Dam (ECD), New South Wales Australia were investigated using sequential extraction, postextraction normalisation and spatial mapping to indicate source and dispersion patterns. Subsurface coring provided an estimate of elemental enrichment and showed that As 1.9?>?P 1.7?>?N 1.5????Cd 1.5?>?Mn 1.3 were enriched. Moreover, a high proportion of the enriched elements (mean 57, 34, 47 and 87?% for As, P, Cd and Mn, respectively) were assessed as being bioavailable. Comparisons with ISQGs found that sediments from sites in proximity to Emigrant Creek inflows had the highest accumulations of metals and the greatest potential for causing biological harm. Spatially, contaminants accumulate in ECD sediments adjacent to anthropogenic sources including a cattle dip site, dredged sediment and macrophyte dump areas, and agricultural/residential runoff. Moreover, the integrated technique and postextraction normalisation allow assessment of texturally diverse and difficult sediments.     

The problem of water hyacinths in rivers and canals

Abstract

The cation exchange capacity (CEC) and content of COOH groups in bulky water hyacinth compost were estimated over the rotting period. The progressive increase observed in the estimates was ascribed to continuing oxidation processes in the composted materials.

Fractionation of organic carbon extracted with Na₄P₂O₇-NaOH from the composted materials over the rotting period on the basis of acid-soluble and -insoluble fractions, was carried out. The carbon of humic-like substances (precipitated at pH 2) in the dry matter was almost stable from 0- to 124-day composted materials. There were successive increases in total acidity, and content of carboxyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups in the humic substance extracts indicating progressive oxidation processes in these substances over the rotting period. Elementary analysis and IR spectra provided fürther support for the above inference and led us to conclude that humification of the water hyacinth consists mainly of structural modification of humic-like substances initially occurring rather than a condensation of simple organic carbon to form high molecular weight material. Such structural modification is dominated by biochemical oxidation and increases in oxygen-containing functional groups. This conclusion is consistent with the view that “humic acids are formed by processes involving oxidation of plant lignin and lignoprotein entering the soil.”     

Metal Concentrations in Organs of the Clam Amiantis umbonella and Their Use in Monitoring Metal Contamination of Coastal Sediments

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of metal concentrations in clam organs to monitor metal contamination in coastal sediments. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn were measured in the kidneys, gonads, mantles, gills, digestive gland, and hearts of the infaunal clam Amiantis umbonella collected from a contaminated site near desalination and power plant discharges, and a reference site in Kuwait Bay. Metal concentrations in sediment and sediment pore water were also measured at the collection sites of individual clams at the contaminated site. The concentrations of all metals in all organs (except Zn in the digestive gland) were significantly higher in clams from the contaminated site than from the reference site. Metal concentrations in several organs in A. umbonella from the contaminated site were correlated with those in the sediments and pore waters to which they were exposed. However, fresh weights of gonads, gills, and mantles were significantly lower in clams from the contaminated site compared to the reference site, indicating that the observed elevated concentrations of metals in the organs of clams from the contaminated site largely reflect lower organ weights, rather than higher metal loads, and that these organs in A. umbonella and perhaps other clams are not appropriate for use as biomonitors of metal contamination. Metal concentrations in clam kidneys showed a wide dynamic range with respect to environmental contamination and kidney weight was not variable. Therefore, metal concentrations in clam kidneys provide a reliable biomonitor of contaminant metals in coastal marine sediments.     

应用GIS实现水土流失定量遥感监测

首次报道了福建省南安市1991年以来应用RS和GIS技术,建立了以像元（30m×30m）为基础的空间数据模型,针对土壤流失量的定量遥感监测问题,完成了1988年和1996年的水土流失定量遥感监测。结果表明:全市水土流失面积减少20.63%,水土流失量下降了35.7%,河区悬移质输沙量减少了54.7%。同时也指出了水土流失的一些新变化,并对本方法的优缺点作了简单的评述。     

利用信息监控与网络监控提高气象信息传输质量

随着现代网络及通信技术的发展,通过网络进行气象信息的传输已成为一种必然的发展趋势。运用先进的网络传输技术,可以全面提升气象信息网络传输能力和气象信息的传输效率,为气象预测预报和提高减灾防灾能力提供及时、准确、高效的气象基础数据。     

Trends and controls of Holocene floodplain sedimentation in the Rhine catchment

Holocene floodplain sedimentation in the Rhine catchment is controlled by human and climate impacts. Intricate river behaviour modifies the fluvial response to the external impacts making cause–effect analysis difficult, especially on large spatial scales. To better understand the relative importance and interdependencies of external and internal controls, temporally resolved floodplain sedimentation rates are established using three different methods: i) floodplain storage studies on the trunk stream, ii) depth/age-analysis of overbank deposits from different parts of the catchment and iii) cumulative frequency distributions of ¹⁴C-ages from floodplain deposits from various parts of the catchment. The applied methodology strongly differs with the available temporal resolution and the size of the corresponding catchment. All three methods show a strong increase in sedimentation rate for more recent periods that can be linked to increasing human impact. Evidences for climate impacts and intricate river behaviour are less clear and hindered by insufficient temporal resolution of the currently available data.     

Heavy Metal Monitoring Around the Nesting Environment of Green Sea Turtles in Turkey

The concentrations of Cd, Pb, Fe, Cr, Ni, Se, Sb, As and Cu were investigated in the nesting environment of green turtles in Mediterranean Sea near Kazanl?, Mersin-Turkey. Tissues of plants growing on the beach and the adjacent environment, beach sand, sea ground sediment, sea grass as well as the egg shells from the nests were analyzed and the results showed no significant high levels of heavy metals detected. The higher levels of metals (Cr, Cu, Pb, Cd and As) were found in the samples from ground sea sediments. Ni and Sb were found at higher levels in river waters and Fe was at the highest in field soil. The high levels of Pb, Fe and Cd were also detected in sea grass, and the Cr, Cu and Ni in sea lily when comparison made with other plants. The levels of essential elements such as Fe and Cu were detected as the highest in most of the specimens. The herbivorous green turtles might be affected from the heavy metal concentrations in the future, since they feed on mainly sea grass. The accumulation of heavy metals via rivers into the sea might cause some pollution problems.     

Use of the O Horizon of Forest Soils in Monitoring Metal Deposition in Latvia

The concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, V,Ni, Cr, Fe Ca, Mg and K were determined in the organicsoil layer (O horizon) of pine forests in Latvia. Theconcentrations were expressed on a mass, volume andsurface area basis. When concentrations were calculatedper unit mass of the O horizon, significant positivecorrelations between concentrations in the O horizon andPleurozium schreberi were achieved for mostelements (excepting Cr, Ca and K), and to lesser degreesfor Cu, Pb, Zn, V, Ni and Fe when calculated on a volumeor area basis. Non-rotated principal components analysisidentified a major soil factor related to bulk density(volume- and area-based concentrations). The main groupsof related elements defined by varimax-rotated PCAcomponents were similar for the mass- and volume-baseddata, and regions with elevated levels of these elementscould be related to local pollution sources, similar tothe patterns previously reported from surveys based onmoss.     

施污泥土壤中铜的形态分布及其生物有效性

利用蔬菜盆栽试验研究了黄棕壤(pH 6.2)和红壤(pH 4.3)中施用污泥对土壤中Cu转化和蔬菜吸收的影响.施用污泥初期提高了土壤溶液的pH,但种植蔬菜后,降低了土壤溶液的pH,其中黄棕壤溶液pH的下降更大;施用污泥和种植蔬菜提高了土壤溶液的NO3--N含量,黄棕壤溶液中NO3--N含量的增幅高于红壤.施用污泥增加了土壤溶液中Cu的含量,特别是在酸性更强的红壤中影响更大;施用污泥的红壤中主要增加了冰醋酸溶解态Cu的比例,而黄棕壤中主要增加了铁锰氧化物结合态Cu的比例;施用污泥促进了蔬菜的生长,但对蔬菜植株中Cu含量的影响较小.土壤pH是影响污泥重金属在土壤中转化和植物吸收的主要因素,在酸性更强的红壤中施用污泥导致污泥中Cu更多地转化为植物有效性Cu,具有更高的环境风险.     

海藻中铬形态和含量的检测分析方法研究

为研究海藻中铬的形态和含量,本试验采用IonPac CG5A(4 mm×50 mm)阳离子色谱柱,考察并优化络合剂的种类和浓度、流动相的种类和浓度、pH值、温度及游离态铬的提取方式等条件对Cr(Ⅲ)和Cr(Ⅵ)分离效果的影响。采用高效液相色谱-电感耦合等离子体质谱(HPLC-ICP-MS)对Cr(Ⅲ)和Cr(Ⅵ)进行分析,并利用电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)测定海藻中总铬、结合态铬、游离态铬的含量。结果表明,海藻样品在40℃超声条件下,以5 mmol·L^-1吡啶-2,6-二羧酸(PDCA)的硝酸铵溶液(pH值7.0)为络合剂提取10 min,以50 mmol·L^-1硝酸铵溶液作为流动相,可同时测定海藻中Cr(Ⅲ)和Cr(Ⅵ),该方法操作简单,灵敏度和准确度高。此外,海藻中的铬主要以结合态形式存在,游离态铬的含量较低,且游离态铬以Cr(Ⅲ)形态存在为主。Cr(Ⅵ)形态较少,且含量均低于检出限。本试验通过建立海藻中Cr(Ⅲ)和Cr(Ⅵ)分析方法并对海藻中各种形态铬的含量进行分析检测,为相关标准的制定提供了分析方法和数据支撑。     

农作物长势的定义与遥感监测

监测作物生长过程的状况与趋势,即长势监测是农业遥感更为重要的任务。其目的是：１）为田间管理提供及时的信息;２）早期估计产量。该文以冬小麦为例,根据实地调查与北方数省的资料,用作物的个体与群体特征定义作物长势,讨论了遥感监测的可能性,提出了基于植被指数与植被表面温度的长势遥感监测的评估模型与诊断模型的概念与算法。