Phosphorus in Sediments of Lake Edku, Egypt. The Influence of Chemical and Grain Size Parameters

Lake Edku is one of the Nile Delta shallow brackish water coastal lagoons with communications with the southeastern Mediterranean.

Sediment samples were recovered from the top 10 cm of the lake bottom to study principally their total, inorganic and organic phosphorus. Related sediment parameters such as particle size, organic carbon, carbonate and iron contents were also studied in detail.

It is shown that the lake sediments are generally a sand-silt-clay mud enriched with carbonate (11.4-42%), organic carbon (0.9-11.4%) and iron (1.6-5.6%).

The total phosphorus content in these sediments is 503-1329 μg/g, inorganic phosphorus, 468-954 μg/g and organic phosphorus, 35-526 μg/g.     

Particulate Organic Matter and Heavy Metals in Ligurian Open Sea

Seven stations were sampled along a transect between Imperia and Cape Corso during the C.N.R. “Bannock” survey (8-10 October 1984).

The TSM, PC, PN, and chlorophyll-a concentrations are low and decrease with depth. The AOU values suggest that below 400 m the organic matter is completely inert to further oxidation. Heavy metals concentrations show marked differences in the surface water layer between coastal and offshore stations. The chemical characteristics of total suspended matter are more conservative as an index of waters of coastal origin than the quantity of particulate matter itself or metal concentrations. The Fe: Cd ratio in particles is of interest as an indicator of coastal waters.     

The Role of Suspended Matter in Assessing the Assimilative Capacity Case Study of Two Estuaries in the Adriatic Sea

Suspended particulate matter has been studied in two Adriatic river mouths to assess its role as a transport vehicle for waste disposal into the Adriatic sea.

The larger of the two, the Adige River (northwestern Adriatic coast, Italy), carries large quantities of solids and builds up a prodelta. the Krka River (eastern Adriatic coast, Croatia, Yugoslavia) is a typical karst river, and carries small quantities of suspended matter, since it drains carbonate terrains.

The resulting disposal of contaminants into the Adriatic sea is largely governed by the adsorption/desorption processes occurring in the estuarine mixing region. Surface adsorption properties, the specific surface area, and the nature and reactivity of the organic film coating determine the partitioning of pollutants between the dissolved and particulate state.

The observations reported point to the key role of particulates in transport of pollutants from land to sea. the concept of the assimilative capacity of the estuarine area requires detailed scientific knowledge on the geochemical behaviour of particulates.

In the Adige River mouth, lead, chromium, zinc, and nickel are accumulated in the prodelta sediments, and thus the loading of the sea with these metals is diminished, whereas in the Krka River estuary, desorption and mobilization of some trace metals occurs.     

Détermination des Métaux Lourds dans la Mer Ligurienne. IV;Cd, Cu, Fe et Ni dans le Filtré, dans le Particulate et Paramètres de L'environnement dans les Eaux Côtières Liguriennes

The aim of this study is to estimate the distribution of heavy metals in water and in suspended particulates in relation to the observations made on hydrology, concentrations of oxygen, nutrients and chlorophylls in different coastal areas of the Ligurian Sea.

The superficial water samples were collected during the cruise of the R/V “Bannock” in 25 stations placed at different distances from the coast at Alassio, Savona, Genova, Chiavari and Corniglia (between 0.5 and 6.1 nautical miles from the coast). Furthermore water samples were collected at a depth of 10, 20, 30, 50, 75 and 100m, on offshore stations of every transect.     

A Functional Approach to the Assessment of the Nutritional Value of Particulate Organic Matter

Organic matter lability can be determined with different approaches, based on the quantitative and qualitative estimate of its nutritional value. the C/N ratio and the particulate organic matter (as the sum of protein, carbohydrate and lipid bulks) vs total suspended matter (POM/TSM) deal with a quantitative assessment of the organic matter bulk, while other indices such as proteins/carbohydrates ratio (PRT/CHO) may give also qualitative information. Gordon (1970) proposed a functional approach, based on organic carbon decrease after enzymatic digestion. Coupling Gordon's approach with the evaluation of the main biochemical components (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids) contained in the particulate organic matter, a simple method to assess lability and nutritional value of organic substrates is proposed.

Water samples were collected at the surface and close to the bottom in a shallow coastal station (10 m depth) in the Marconi Gulf (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean). the difference between “total labile” and “hydrolyzed labile” organic matter (respectively before and after enzymatic digestion) suggests a relevant presence of resuspended refractory materials vs about 60% of labile hydrolyzed organic matter, thus confirming the importance of a more qualitative approach to organic matter studies.     

Control Criteria and Activities in Dumping Management in Italy

In Italy, two different types of wastes can be dumped in the seas: industrial wastes and dredged material. There are no cases of sludges from urban treatment plants being discharged into the sea.

The sea dumping of harbour dredging sludges is a long standing practice, while the disposal of industrial wastes dates back to 1965.

Two specific laws regulate these two activities, although they do not establish quality standards for the receiving sea environment. Careful evaluation must be made, case by case, of possible effects of discharge with regard to physico-chemical characteristics of materials, to general oceanological characteristics of the dumpsite and to the uses to which such a dumpsite is designated.

The analysis of different cases of industrial waste dumping, carried out at the pre-operational level and during discharge, revealed some potential for negative long-term effects on the sea environment. This, as well as the increasing public sensitivity to environmental problems, led the management agencies in Italy to take several measures aimed to stop all forms of sea dumping of industrial wastes and to revise the general criteria in issuing permits for the discharge of dredged material.     

Environmental Impact on Coastal Waters off Rio De Janeiro Due to Sewage Discharge via Submarine Outfall

A survey was made in an area of 28 km² around the outlest of Ipanema's submarine outfall in order to evaluate the impact of the raw domestic sewage effluent on coastal waters. Nutrient concentrations, dissolved oxygen, particulate matter and other physico-chemical parameters were measured monthly for 15 months. Copper and lead concentrations were also determined for two of the samplings.

The outfall has been in operation for 18 years, and the parameters measured within the observation area appear to be in steady state. From the observed radial concentration gradients within the survey area, a real extension of the steady state distribution of particulate matter and of sewage-derived nitrogen was estimated. the stationary cloud of particulate organic matter was about 150 km². From its total inventory and the discharge rate, a mean residence time of the particles in the sea of 56 days is estimated, prior to their being decomposed by bacterial action or settling to the bottom. for sewage derived N (as ammonia or nitrate), the steady state amount (above background) covers an area of about 60 km² and leads to a mean residence time of 5 ± 1 days in the ocean. Phosphorus is readily absorbed by the phytoplankton.

The presence of temperature gradients established by cold upwelling waters controls the dispersion of the sewage material and the rising of the sewage plume to the surface waters.     

A Review of Waste Tyre Utilisation in the Marine Environment

Waste tyres pose a major disposal problem on land creating a fire hazard and, in warmer climates, providing breeding pools for mosquitoes. the void space in tyres makes them unsuitable for land burial. Schemes to use shredded tyres for road bases and asphalt filler are being pursued in the USA. Tyre combustion for electricity production is being investigated in the UK.

The widespread availability and durability of tyres has led to their use in the marine environment for breakwaters/coastal defence structures and as artificial reefs for promoting fisheries.

Tyres have a low density and have been used in floating breakwaters. Schemes have been proposed to protect and strengthen shorelines with tyre structures.

The void space in tyres facilitates the construction of artificial reefs to attract fish. the most intensive use is in the south west Pacific and Australia. Tyre surfaces are colonised by algae and a wide range of faunal species, including corals and shellfish. the wide acceptance of tyres as a suitable reef construction material appears to be based largely on these observations. Experience of initial poor deployment practices in the USA led to tyres washing ashore after storms and resulted in the banning or restriction of their use in coastal states of the USA. A review of the scientific literature has yielded limited information on the environmental impact of tyres and in particular the leaching of heavy metals and organic compounds from tyres into sea water.

Preliminary results of tyre dust/sea water leaching studies are presented. These identify zinc as the major leachate (totalling 10mg/tyre after 3 months). Diluted leachates have not shown significant effects of the growth of the phytoplankton Phaeodactylum and Isocrysis.

Further work to characterise the sea water leaching of tyre compounds is recommended.     

Gas and Organic Matter in Last Glacial and Holocenic Sediments of Venice Lagoon

Two drills (MBM1* and MBM2) provided at “Bocca di Malamocco” gave environmental and palaeo-environmental information on sedimentation for the last 50,000 years. the MBM2 supplies textural, gas and organic matter studies of sediment and principal ion content of pore water. Two main palaeo-environments, divided in six cycles, are recognized. Marine environment characterizes the sediment above 12.80 metres below sea level (mbsl) and continental environment dominates the sediments below.

The concentration/depth profiles of dissolved ammonia, phosphates and gases are related to the occurrence of a relatively high organic content in the sediment core. Carbon dioxide to methane ratio shows a constant value below 20 mbsl, while above that level only carbon dioxide was detected. A sulphate gradient in the transition zone between the marine to fresh water interval suggests a methane oxidation. These findings indicate that diffusive transport of methane from marine sediments to the atmosphere may be considered minimal. the sedimentary cycles are related to the oxygen isotopic stages. They suggest a variable hydraulic regime occurred during the last Glacial time in the palaeo-plain corresponding to the present Venice lagoon.     

Sedimentary Pigments and Organic Matter in Relation to Benthic Fauna in the Tan-Shui Estuary, Taiwan

The benthic ecological structure of the Tan-Shui estuary, Taiwan is changed due to long term effects of dumping of urban wastewater and of engineering actions. to monitor these changes, we sampled and analyzed benthos and sediment from 12 stations on the estuary.

The composition of the dominant species of benthos varied seasonally, with molluscan and crustacean species having greater numbers and higher frequencies of occurrence than other species. the dominant taxa during winter were Nassarius sp. and Maldanidae at two stations. Analysis using Simpson's index and Shannon's index showed the benthic community varied more in coastal areas than in offshore areas.

Physicochemical analysis showed that most of the Tan-Shui estuary consisted of sandy sediment. the variations in concentrations of organic carbon and total nitrogen at each station were small. Although the concentrations of chlorophyll-a and carotenoid at all stations were generally low, the two stations had the highest concentrations, and we concluded that the concentration of pigments in these sediments was related to the abundance of benthos. the community structure of the benthos reflected the characteristics of the sediments, and benthic species exhibited selection of and adaptation to specific sedimentary environments.     

Environmental Pollution Due to Natural Factors: A Case Study in A Volcanic Area (Vulcano Island, Italy)

A major influence on the environment of active volcanic areas is expected from continuous input of chemical species pertaining to fumarolic activities occurring during inter-eruptive intervals.

The systematic investigations carried out during thirteen years in the island of Vulcano (Italy) showed also substantial contributions to phreatic waters and soils of minor constituents and trace metals from volcanic rocks with no negligible influence on growing crops.

Greater extents of these phenomena have been observed for products of hydromagmatic volcanic activity or of long-lasting weathering processes.     

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Sea Urchin Tissues From Egypt, Ireland and United Kingdom

Sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) were collected from the Mediterranean coast off Alexandria, Egypt and the Atlantic coast of Ireland to the west of Galway. Samples of another urchin species, Psammechinus miliaris, were collected from the entrance to Southampton Water, U.K. Both the Alexandria coast and Southampton Water receive domestic and industrial waste water inputs whilst the western Irish coast is relatively unpolluted.

Sampled animals were dissected to separate coelomic fluids, Aristotle's lantern, gonads and tissue (digestive tract plus connective tissue). the concentrations of heavy metals (cadmium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc) in the different parts were measured using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Many levels of heavy metals in the different parts were similar in specimens taken across the wide range of sites and the two species. A notable exception was the high level of copper (33 μg g^-1 dry wt.) and zinc 328 μg g^-1- dry wt.) in urchin tissue from Southampton Water.

The metal concentrations in the gonads of Paracentrotus lividus are of particular interest because of human consumption of this species. the highest levels of copper (3.3-5.2 g^-1- dry wt.) and zinc (74-181 μ g^-1- dry wt.) dry wt.) in gonads were found in the samples from Egypt. Data from this study are compared with other results reported from the Mediterranean.

A simple, short term, elevated water column copper uptake experiment was undertaken with Paracentrotus lividus which showed an increase in gonad concentrations of this element.     

Holly (Ilex Aquifolium L.) As Zinc and Cadmium Accumulative Indicator in Biogeochemical Prospecting

The results of previous investigations in mineralized and sterile areas of Tuscany (Italy) appeared to point out the special aptitude of holly (Ilex aquifolium L.) in concentrating cadmium and zinc. in the present paper this behaviour has been verified in a mineralized area of Lombardy (Northern Italy).

Samples of leaves, twigs and barks from holly trees were collected, and metal contents (Zn, Cd, and Pb) have been determined by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). for comparison, some samples of wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa L.) and soil were also analyzed.

The data obtained confirm a preferential cadmium and zinc accumulation by holly (up to 16 and 1400 μg g^-1 dry weight, respectively) also depending on different vegetal organs and vegetative stages of plants. Highest contents of lead have been recovered in the outer portion of bark.     

Elemental Analysis of Water and Sediments by External Beam Pixe Part 3: Axios (Vardar) River, Greece

The Axios (Vardar) River originates from the south west part of Yugoslavia, transverses Greece, and discharges into the Thermaikos bay in the north Aegean Sea.

The proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method with external beam was used for the elemental analysis of water and sediment samples, while measurements of water temperature, dissolved oxygen content, conductivity, pH, and the water flow were made in situ. Water samples were also analysed for total phosphates, nitrates, chlorophyll, and BOD. The data collected for a 16-month period indicate that the Axios River is polluted as far as the metal content is concerned; its primary productivity is low and it is slightly enriched during its course into the Greek territory.     

Stability of a Coal Waste Artificial Reef

The feasibility of using U.K. coal-fired power station waste materials for artificial reef production is being examined. in June, 1989, an experimental artificial reef was constructed in Poole Bay, off the central south coast of the U.K., using three different mixtures of pulverised fuel ash (PFA), flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) gypsum and slurry, stabilized with cement and formed into blocks. Fifty tonnes of 40 × 20 × 20 cm blocks were formed into eight conical reef units replicating three different PFA/gypsum mixtures and one concrete control. the reef structure is 10m below chart datum on a flat sandy sea-bed.

Combustion of coal concentrates the heavy metal content in the resultant ash. the purpose of stabilization of the ash as blocks is twofold: to immobilize heavy metals (or other components) and to provide hard substratum for the attachment of organisms. to examine the effectiveness of this stabilization and hence the environmental compatibility of the block materials, heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, Zn) content of the blocks has been monitored routinely over two years, to determine leaching rates. Sectional profiles indicate partial replacement of calcium content by magnesium. Associated with this there has also been some redistribution of heavy metals. Only in the case of cadmium has there been a detectable loss from the surface of blocks. Chromium and manganese concentrations appear to have increased. the metal content of the reef epibiota (including ascidians, Ascidia mentula; hydroids, Halecium spp.; bryozoans, Bugula spp. and red algae) growing on the ash blocks has been compared to that of epibiota attached to the concrete controls and surrounding sea-bed. to date no evidence of excess bioaccumulation of metals has been detected.

The physical integrity of the ash reef blocks has been maintained. There is evidence that the blocks are increasing in compressive strength.

An indication of the fishery enhancement potential of the experimental structure is given by the presence of eight commercially fished species (crustaceans and molluscs) including lobsters (Homarus gammarus).     

Fish Disease Monitoring in the Dutch Part of the North Sea in Relation to the Dumping of Waste From Titanium Dioxide Production

Gross pathologies were recorded in a total of 5942 individual common dab (Limanda limanda L.) at 5 sites in and around Dutch coastal waters, in spring, from 1986 to 1988. Two of these sites (an offshore dumping ground and an inshore site influenced by direct river discharge) received large quantities of diluted acids of titanium dioxide waste (TDW); the other three were selected as reference sites for comparison.

The main diseases recorded were epidermal hyperplasia/papilloma, lymphocystis, liver nodules (pre-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions), and infections caused by the protozoan Glugea sp. Frequencies of disease were analysed using a logit model. There was a consistently high prevalence of epidermal hyperplasia/papilloma in dab from the two sites that received TDW when compared to the other sites. However, no dear relationships were found between the prevalence of epidermal hyperplasia/papilloma and dumping-associated heavy metals or other relevant environmental and biological factors. No significant spatial trend was revealed for liver nodules, although there was a statistically significant association between the occurrence of epidermal hyperplasia/papilloma or of lymphocystis and that of liver nodules in individual fish. Prevalences of lymphocystis were usually higher at offshore sites than in inshore areas, while prevalences of Glugea showed the opposite trend.

Although at first sight the pattern of disease prevalence would appear to furnish a strong case for a cause-and-effect relationship between TDW and epidermal hyperplasia/papilloma, interpretation of the data is complicated by interference from riverine inputs, long-distance dispersion of discharged wastes, local hydrographic conditions, and possible local migration of dab. On the basis of present results, therefore, the possibility that discharges of TDW contributed to the occurrence of this disease cannot be proven or discounted.     

Effects of Nitrate Nitrogen Additions on Physical, Chemical and Biological Parameters in Lake Enclosures

The effects of nitrate additions on the physics, chemistry and biology of lake water were studied in 5 × 10 m polyethylene enclosures installed in Lake Kastoria, a shallow eutrophic lake in Northern Greece. The water physics, chemistry, chlorophyll a and nitrogenase activity were monitored from July 10 till October 17 1985 at 2 week intervals. The experiment included a control enclosure.

Water confinement in the control enclosure resulted in ammonia accumulation, a slight decrease in chlorophyll a, a significant reduction of nitrogenase activity and an increase in phosphorus release from the sediments at the end of the experimental period.

The addition of KNO₃ resulted in higher than the control accumulation of NH₃, chlorophyll reduction, increase in water transparency and reduction of nitrogenase activity. Large losses of nitrogen added were measured which were attributed to denitrification, organic matter sedimentation and ammonia volatilization. Anaerobic but not aerobic phosphorus release from sediments was inhibited at the end of the period. The reduction of nitrogenase activity and of chlorophyll a concentration are attributed to changes in phytoplankton composition from blue-greens to small-sized species grazed by zooplankters.     

Determination of Phthalate Esters in Samples from the Marine Environment Using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

Phthalate esters have been extracted from water, sediment and biota samples using a single solvent system, dichloromethane, and clean up by alumina column chromato-graphy. Analysis for dimethyl, diethyl, di-iso-butyl, di-n-butyl, di-n-heptyl, di-(2-ethylhexyl) and di-n-nonyl phthalates was carried out by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Phthalate esters were quantified using multiple ion detection, focussed on m/z 163 and m/z 149.

The procedure was tested on samples of water, sediment, bivalves and fish from the estuary of the River Crouch. The method gave satisfactory sensitivity for the determination of phthalate ester levels above the commonly found blank values of 1 to 20 nanograms per gram of solid or litre of water.

Comparative samples of fish from the heavily industrialised Tees Bay area did not show greatly elevated levels of phthalate esters.     

Book review

Environmental Management, (3 Volumes) Editors B. Nath, L. Hens and D. Devuyst (Brussels, Vubpress: 1993. Approx. 890 Pp. Paperback) (£25 Per Volume) Isbn 90 5487 035 4-6

The Chemistry and Deposition of Nitrogen Species in the Troposphere, Editor A. T. Cocks, Publisher Royal Society of Chemistry, 1993, X + 134pp., Isbn 0 85186 355 8, Price £35.00.     

Effect of Pollution On the Occurrence, Distribution and Sulphur Transformation Ability of the Thiobacilli in the River Ganga

The occurrence, distribution and nature of ambient thiobacilli along with their ability to oxidize different sulphur species under simulated natural and in vitro culture conditions were studied in the polluted and unpolluted sites of the River Ganga.

Thiobacillus thioparus, T. thiooxidans and T. denitrificans were isolated from the river water. the former two occurred in both polluted and unpolluted sites, while T. denitrificans occurred in polluted areas only. the paper pulp mill effluent discharge area contained the highest population of T. thioparus. the sewage drainage area showed relatively higher populations of T. thiooxidans and T. denitrificans.

The present study revealed that only biological oxidation of either thiosulphate or elemental sulphur occurred in the river water. All the thiobacilli screened oxidized thiosulphate, and three-fourths of them oxidized elemental sulphur. Some strains were found to be very good acidifiers. in spite of such acidification by the ambient thiobacilli, the pH of the river water remained alkaline. the specific rates of thiosulphate (0.18 -0.51 μMmolh^-1 mg^-1 cell) and sulphur (1.3 - 6.2 Normality day^-1 mg^-1 biomass) oxidations under simulated natural condition were found to be higher in polluted areas when compared with the unpolluted one (sulphur: 0.8 - 1.0 Normality day^-1 mg^-1).

Further, addition of thiouslphate or elemental sulphur in the river water in simulated in vitro condition resulted in the increase of respective oxidation rates. the variations in the natae of pollutants discharged into the river water influenced the oxidation rate of thiosulphate or sulphur.