Effects of sewage effluent discharge on the abundance, condition and mortality of hulafish, Trachinops taeniatus (Plesiopidae)

The effects of sewage effluent on the abundance, condition (length and reproduction) and mortality of hulafish Trachinops taeniatus were investigated at multiple outfall and control locations on the central coast of New South Wales, Australia. Underwater visual surveys found consistently fewer T. taeniatus at locations where sewage was discharged compared to control locations. The condition of T. taeniatus was investigated by comparing mean length and reproductive indices of fish from two outfall and two control locations. Fish from the largest outfall location were significantly smaller in comparison with fish from control locations. Gravid female fish from outfall locations had similar gonadosomatic indices but a significantly greater number of eggs and smaller size of eggs in comparison with fish from control locations. Mortality of T. taeniatus was investigated during 2-week, in situ, caging experiments at multiple locations and times and 80% of fish survived, although mortalities of up to 73% per cage were recorded at one sewage outfall. T. taeniatus may be a suitable environmental indicator species of sewage pollution.     

Distribution of sewage pollution around a maritime Antarctic research station indicated by faecal coliforms, Clostridium perfringens and faecal sterol markers

This study describes the distribution of sewage pollution markers (faecal coliforms, Clostridium perfringens and faecal sterols) in seawater and marine sediments around Rothera Research Station, Antarctic Peninsula. Untreated sewage waste has been released from this site since 1975, creating the potential for long-term contamination of the benthic environment. Faecal coliform concentrations in seawater reached background levels within 300 m of the outfall. In sediment cores, both C. perfringens and faecal coliform concentrations declined with distance from the outfall, though C. perfringens persisted at greater depths in the sediment. High concentrations of 5beta(H)-cholestan-3beta-ol (coprostanol) relative to the corresponding 5alpha-epimer (cholestanol), indicative of sewage pollution, were only found in sediments within 200 m of the sewage outfall. This study has shown that sewage contamination is limited to the immediate vicinity of the sewage outfall. Nevertheless, a sewage treatment plant was installed in February 2003 to reduce this contamination further.     

Tracing the influence of sewage nitrogen in a coastal ecosystem using stable nitrogen isotopes

This paper reviews the use of stable nitrogen isotopes (delta15N) to delineate the influence of sewage nitrogen (N) in coastal ecosystems, drawing extensively on the case of Himmerfj?rden, a Baltic Sea bay that receives 15N-enriched tertiary treated sewage that is discharged mainly as dissolved inorganic N (DIN). Gradients of delta15N in macroalgae (Fucus vesiculosus) and surface sediments traced sewage-derived N to 24 km from the outfall but elevated delta15N values (> 7 per thousand) indicated that the sewage influence was most pronounced within 10 km. Comparison of macroalgal delta15N values before and after enhanced tertiary treatment showed a decrease in the spatial impact of sewage N from about 24 km to 12 km from the outfall and a decrease to more marine delta15N values in more recent growth tissues. Sedimentary delta15N records showed that sewage has had a dominant influence on organic matter production in the bay with dramatic increases in sedimentary delta15N during the years of maximum sewage N loads. In cases where sewage N introduces a distinct isotopic signature into a system and where it has had a dominant influence on organic matter production, delta15N values in biota and sediments can be used to trace the spatial and temporal influence of sewage N in aquatic ecosystems.     

Decadal changes in a polluted bay as seen from its seaweed flora: the case of Santos Bay in Brazil

The first comprehensive seaweed flora of a Brazilian region was published by Joly in 1957, describing and illustrating 105 taxa. Twenty years later Oliveira and Berchez resurveyed the area and found only 69 taxa, with a strong reduction in the number of brown algae. In another survey, performed in 1991 at the 3 studied stations with the largest species richness, the same reduction trend was found and no brown algae were observed. This reduction in biodiversity was attributed to increased pollution. Here we present the results of a new survey made in 1998-1999. This shows the return of some species recorded in the 1950s, including 7 species of brown algae. This increase in species number is thought to be a consequence of the efforts made by the local government to reduce pollution and the building of a submarine sewage terminal.     

Distribution and heavy metal pollution of the suspended particulate matter on the barcelona continental shelf (North-Western Mediterranean)

The distribution of heavy metal pollution associated with suspended particulate matter on the Barcelona continental shelf has been studied to evaluate the environment l impact of anthropogenic metals in this Mediterranean area. The main sources of heavy metal pollution on this continental shelf are the Besós River and the sewage sludge produced in the Barcelona-Besós wastewater treatment plant. The levels of Pb, Cr, Cu, Cd and Ni are very high around the mouths of the river and the pipeline of the wastewater treatment plant. The highest suspended sediment and heavy metal concentrations are along the inner and mid-shelf due to aggregation processes and the low energy of the dominant currents flowing in the study area. However, a significant amount of polluted suspended sediment is transferred to the slope by advective processes. This amount may be increased significantly by the action of wave-induced currents during strong storms. Trawl fishing may also contribute to the shelf-slope transfer of contaminated particles.     

Seasonal variability of mercury and heavy metals in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) kidney

The seasonal variability of Hg, Pb, Cd and Zn was determined in the kidney of 164 roe deer, shot in three areas of Slovenia in 1998. We found a strong seasonal influence on Hg and Pb levels, which were significantly higher in late summer and early autumn. Cd and Zn levels showed a similar seasonal pattern, although not so pronounced; for these elements differences among periods were probably not a consequence of season per se. Seasonal variability in metal levels in roe deer kidney originated in both quantitative and qualitative differences in nutrition of the species. Since the seasonal peaks for the majority of metals appeared in a very narrow summer autumnal period (August-September), it seems that some plant taxons, such as fungi, might represent an important pathway for heavy metal intake into the mammalian organism. The season of sample collection has to be considered whenever using wildlife as an accumulative bioindicator of environmental pollution. Moreover, the influence of the season should be born in mind whenever a hazard due to accumulation of heavy metals along the food chain is assessed.     

The effects of tertiary treated municipal wastewater on fish communities of a small river tributary in Southern Ontario, Canada

Fish community changes associated with a tertiary treated municipal wastewater effluent outfall in the Speed River, Ontario, Canada, were evaluated at nine sites over two seasons (2008) using standardized electrofishing. Habitat evaluations were conducted to ensure that the riffle sites selected were physically similar. The fish community was dominated by several species of darters that differed in their response to the effluent outfall. There was a significant decrease in Greenside Darter (Etheostoma blennioides) but an increase in Rainbow Darter (E. caeruleum) abundance directly downstream of the outfall. Stable isotope signatures (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N), which indicate shifts in energy utilization and flow, increased in Rainbow Darter downstream, but showed no change in Greenside Darter. Rainbow Darter may be exploiting a food source that is not as available at upstream sites giving them a competitive advantage over the Greenside Darter immediately downstream of the outfall.     

冬季生态浮床对浮游藻类数量及生物多样性的影响

为了考察生态浮床在冬季的运行效果,选择世博园区白莲泾生态浮床工程为研究对象,研究了冬季生态浮床对浮游藻类数量及生物多样性的影响。结果表明,取样期间浮游藻类生物总量逐月增加,且对照区明显高于浮床区;浮床区与对照区浮游藻类的种群结构差异明显,浮床区以硅藻门为主,而对照区以绿藻门为主。并且,小环藻与细微颤藻的优势度指数均有明显的下降。同时,浮床区的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数明显高于对照区。以上结果均证明,虽然在冬季较低温的情况下水生植物新陈代谢缓慢,但生态浮床仍会影响浮游藻类的数量及生物多样性,从而对水质净化起到一定的改善作用。     

Airborne lead concentration levels on the Korean peninsula between 1991 and 2004

In this study, a comprehensive analysis was made to describe the environmental behavior and pollution status of lead (Pb) in 13 major cities in Korea in a 14-year time span (1991–2004). The results clearly indicate that spatial distribution of Pb is clearly distinguished between different city types and between different temporal intervals. The Pb concentration levels in the cities of strong industrial activities are found to be higher than those of relatively clean ones by approximately an order of magnitude. Examination of the seasonal patterns indicated a strong consistency in almost all cities so that Pb concentration peaked during spring and winter, while it dropped noticeably during summer. If the long-term trend of Pb pollution is examined for the entire study period (14 years), it appears to contrast between different city types in relation with the relative intensity of Pb pollution. In cities of strong industrial activities, the reduction of Pb seemed to occur more effectively due to the stringent measures implemented to ban metal emissions over the past decades. In contrast, such temporal patterns appear to be more complicated in cities with moderately or fairly clean environments. This is possibly due to the fact that the effect induced by the phase-out of the dominant source (i.e., leaded gasoline) became less significant, while other sources were further diversified and/or intensified through time. The overall results of this comprehensive study confirm the fact that the status of Pb pollution in most city areas can be reflected fairly sensitively by changes in social and environmental conditions.     

Spatial and temporal analysis of pharmaceutical concentrations in the upper Tennessee River basin

The behavior of pharmaceutical compounds in aquatic ecosystems is not well defined. In order to determine spatial and temporal variations in concentrations of pharmaceuticals in the Tennessee River, water samples were collected from multiple points along the river and at the inflow of major tributaries. Sampling structure was designed to investigate trends between surface and subsurface samples, seasonal trends (winter, spring, summer, and fall), the direct influence of sewage treatment plants (upstream versus downstream), and the effect of downstream distance on pharmaceutical concentrations. All samples were quantified via solid phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This method yielded reproducible quantitation at low parts per trillion (ng L(-1)) levels for all 14 analytes (acetaminophen, atorvastatin, caffeine, carbamazepine, ciprofloxacin, diltiazem, fluoxetine, levofloxacin, lovastatin, norfluoxetine, ranitidine, sertraline, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim). Correlation analyses (depth, distance) and repeated-measures ANOVAs (season, sewage treatment plant proximity) were used to determine statistically significant trends for frequently detected pharmaceuticals (caffeine, carbamazepine, sulfamethoxazole). Caffeine and sulfamethoxazole were found to vary by season in subsurface samples; spring exhibited the highest concentrations. Carbamazepine varied in proximity to sewage treatment plant outfall with subsurface samples yielding greater concentrations downstream than upstream. In addition, individual pharmaceuticals displayed positive correlation between surface and subsurface samples and negative correlation with downstream distance from the headwaters.     

The impact of heavy metal pollution gradients in sediments on benthic macrofauna at population and community levels

The effect of sediment pollution on benthos was investigated in the vicinity of a large sewage treatment outflow at Incheon North Harbor, Korea. Animal size, vertical distribution and standard community parameters were analyzed along a 3 km transect line (n = 7). Univariate parameters showed a general trend of increasing species diversity with increasing distance from the pollution source. Multi-dimensional scaling analysis led to the clear separation of 3 locational groups, supporting gradient-dependent faunal composition. The innermost location was dominated by small sub-surface dwellers while the outer locations by large mid to deep burrowers. Looking for the size-frequency distribution, most abundance species (Heteromastus filiformis) showed the presence of larger size animals with increasing proximity to the pollution source. Meanwhile, species-specific vertical distributions, regardless of the pollution gradient, indicated that such shifts were due to species replacement resulting from a higher tolerance to pollutants over some species.     

Long-term survey of heavy-metal pollution, biofilm contamination and diatom community structure in the Riou Mort watershed, South-West France

In a metal-polluted stream in the Riou Mort watershed in SW France, periphytic biofilm was analyzed for diatom cell densities and taxonomic composition, dry weight and metal bio-accumulation (cadmium and zinc). Periphytic diatom communities were affected by the metal but displayed induced tolerance, seen through structural impact (dominance of small, adnate species) as well as morphological abnormalities particularly in the genera Ulnaria and Fragilaria. Species assemblages were characterized by taxa known to occur in metal-polluted environments, and shifts in the community structure expressed seasonal patterns: high numbers of Eolimna minima, Nitzschia palea and Pinnularia parvulissima were recorded in Summer and Autumn, whereas the species Surirella brebissonii, Achnanthidium minutissimum, Navicula lanceolata and Surirella angusta were dominant in Winter and Spring. Commonly used indices such as the Shannon diversity index and Specific Pollution Sensitivity Index reflected the level of pollution and suggest seasonal periodicity, the lowest diversities being observed in Summer.     

A decadal shift in total gaseous mercury concentration levels in Seoul,Korea: changes between the late 1980s and the late 1990s

The concentrations of total gaseous mercury (Hg) were determined from an urban area between two different time periods of the late 1980s and the late 1990s and compared to evaluate the mechanisms regulating Hg distribution over a decadal period. Because of time gap and the associated changes in source/sink relationships, the observed concentration levels of Hg were remarkably different between the two periods. The results showed that the Hg levels in the former period were averaged to be 14.4±9.56 ng m⁻³ (N=2714), while the latter period was recorded at approximately three-fold reduced values of 5.34±3.92 ng m⁻³ (N=2576). Using the measurement data for the two independent periods, we were able to describe the basic features of Hg distribution that correspond to each time period. When inspected over a 24 h scale, two contrasting patterns emerged for the two time periods. The former was characterized by enhanced concentration levels during daytime, but the latter with relative depletion during daytime. The results of the two periods, when inspected over seasonal scale, showed many similarities and dissimilarities simultaneously. In order to analyze the factors affecting Hg distributions of each period, we conducted correlation analysis on the data groups divided both diurnally and seasonally. Results of these analyses consistently indicate that correlation patterns may be associated with the factors regulating the diurnal variability of Hg. The data for the late 1980s consistently indicate the presence of a single dominant source process that can be represented by the use of coal. However, the patterns described for those of the late 1990s suggest that the sources of Hg be tightly tied up with the general sources of air pollution that can lead to the degradation of urban air quality. In addition, we suspect that notable shifts in meteorological conditions between the two periods might also have been conducive to changes in Hg concentration levels to a certain extent.     

Heavy metals in Ras Beirut prawns and sea urchin eggs.

Whole samples of Palaemon elegans Rathke, 1837 and eggs of Paracentrotus lividus Lamarck, 1816 were collected on the coast of Ras Beirut, Lebanon in the summer and fall of 1977 and the spring of 1978. All were analysed for lead, cadmium, copper and other heavy metals. Lead concentrations in both the prawns and sea urchin eggs appeared to be highest in the summer and lowest in the spring, whereas cadmium was low in all seasons with only a few elevated readings. The strongest tendency towards seasonal variation was seen in the copper levels of the prawns, which were high in summer, much lower in fall, and then high again in spring. Results of the analyses for nickel, iron, zinc and chromium are also discussed. Of the various possible sources of heavy metals in the Ras Beirut coastal area, untreated sewage, pesticide residues, and automobile exhaust are the most important.     

Selected trace metals in oysters (Crassostrea iridescens) and sediments from the discharge zone of the submarine sewage outfall in Mazatlán Bay (southeast Gulf of California): chemical fractions and bioaccumulation factors

Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in the soft tissue of Crassostrea iridescens and the associated surface sediments (bulk and bioavailable metal concentrations) from an area influenced by a sewage outfall in Mazatlán Bay (southeast Gulf of California), were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Significant spatial differences in metal concentrations in both the bulk and bioavailable forms in the sediments were identified. An enrichment of Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in sites located on a south-north transect was detected indicating a dominant influence of the sewage outfall toward the north. C. iridescens accumulated more Zn, Cu, Ni, Fe, Cd; and less Mn, Cr and Pb than were bioavailable in the sediments, as measured using conventional extraction analysis. The degree of enrichment and the bioavailable metal concentrations in the sediments of the south portion of Mazatlán Bay is discussed. The potential ability of C. iridescens as a biomonitor of metallic pollutants is postulated.     

Pollution-induced community tolerance (PICT) and seasonal variations in the sensitivity of phytoplankton to atrazine in nanocosms.

Algae communities exposed to a herbicide like atrazine (PS II inhibitor) are expected to be selected and to be more tolerant to the herbicide than unexposed communities (pollution-induced community tolerance, PICT). The PICT may be an ecotoxicological tool for detecting this selective action of chronic pollution, and this method has been applied to several toxicants in experimental systems and in field studies. But the detection of PICT with PS II inhibitors has sometimes been variable. This work was done to study the long-term effects of exposure to atrazine (10 microg/l) and the PICT responses of phytoplankton communities in repeated outdoor nanocosms. Phytoplankton communities were sampled in Lake Geneva at different periods of the year and the effects of atrazine were analysed by studying community structure, biomass and primary production, and by measuring tolerance to atrazine in a short-term physiological test based on 14C incorporation. We find that PICT is a sensitive method for measuring effects. Even atrazine concentrations causing little restructuring induced tolerance in most of our experiments. But the short- and long-term responses of phytoplankton to atrazine varied between experiments, probably due to the initial compositions of the communities and environmental factors associated with seasonal parameters. The selection and detection steps of PICT to atrazine thus vary greatly with environmental conditions and the physiological adaptations of algae to the herbicide. To monitor risk assessment in aquatic systems, PICT studies applied to algae, must be investigated in the light of seasonal contaminations and seasonal events and successions.     

西安市及周边地区MODIS气溶胶光学厚度与PM10浓度关系模型研究

西安是空气污染监控和防治有代表性的西部大型城市。研究了西安市及周边地区上空气溶胶光学厚度与PM10浓度的关系模型。利用2011—2012年MODIS卫星气溶胶光学厚度（AOD）遥感产品，通过数据匹配，利用地面气象观测站点的能见度数据和相对湿度数据对AOD产品进行垂直标高订正和湿度订正，2项订正显著提高了AOD和地面PM10浓度的相关性，相关系数从0．36提高到0．65，按季节分类统计和订正春至冬四季的相关系数分别为0．57、0．71、0．62和0．87，夏季和冬季的订正更为有效，可用性更高，这可能由于受到不同季节气溶胶来源和特征的影响。为研究中国西部大型城市，特别是西安市空气环境监测和区域联防联控提供了一种有效方法。     

Effects of heavy metal pollution on red wood ant (Formica s. str.) populations

We studied the species composition, mound population densities, relative abundance and colony sizes of red wood ants along a well known air pollution gradient of a copper smelter in Southwest Finland. The dominant species, Formica aquilonia, was further studied for heavy metal (Al, Cu, Cd, Ni, Zn, As, Pb, Hg) levels and morphological characters (body mass, head width, labial gland disease) of workers. We found five species belonging to Formica s. str., and two of them showed changes in their relative abundance, which could not be explained by natural habitat differences. Nest mound volumes were 34% smaller in the polluted area, suggesting that smaller colonies can be maintained there. The heavy metal levels in F. aquilonia workers were higher in the polluted area for all metals, except Hg. The largest relative differences between the study areas (polluted/unpolluted) were found for As (4.1), Ni (2.4), Cu (2.1) and Pb (1.8). Morphological characters of workers were not related to the heavy metal levels. Our data showed that red wood ants can tolerate relatively high amounts of heavy metals and maintain reproducing colonies even in a heavily polluted area, but on the basis of smaller colony sizes, pollution stress may also cause trade-offs in reproduction.     

Effects of seasonal succession and water pollution on the protozoan community structure in an eutrophic lake

The purpose of the research is to study the seasonal succession of protozoa community and the effect of water quality on the protozoa community to characterize biochemical processes occurring at a eutrophic Lake Donghu, a large shallow lake in Wuhan City, China. Samples of protozoa communities were obtained monthly at three stations by PFU (polyurethane foam unit) method over a year. Synchronously, water samples also were taken from the stations for the water chemical quality analysis. Six major variables were examined in a principal component analysis (PCA), which indicate the fast changes of water quality in this station I and less within-year variation and a comparatively stable water quality in stations II and III. The community data were analyzed using multivariate techniques, and we show that clusters are rather mixed and poorly separated, suggesting that the community structure is changing gradually, giving a slight merging of clusters form the summer to the autumn and the autumn to the winter. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to infer the relationship between water quality variables and phytoplankton community structure, which changed substantially over the survey period. From the analysis of cluster and CCA, coupled by community pollution value (CPV), it is concluded that the key factors driving the change in protozoa community composition in Lake Donghu was water qualities rather than seasons.     

西安市及周边地区MODIS气溶胶光学厚度与PM10浓度关系模型研究简

西安是空气污染监控和防治有代表性的西部大型城市。研究了西安市及周边地区上空气溶胶光学厚度与PM₁₀浓度的关系模型。利用2011—2012年MODIS卫星气溶胶光学厚度（AOD）遥感产品，通过数据匹配，利用地面气象观测站点的能见度数据和相对湿度数据对AOD产品进行垂直标高订正和湿度订正，2项订正显著提高了AOD和地面PM₁₀浓度的相关性，相关系数从0.36提高到0.65，按季节分类统计和订正春至冬四季的相关系数分别为0.57、0.71、0.62和0.87，夏季和冬季的订正更为有效，可用性更高，这可能由于受到不同季节气溶胶来源和特征的影响。为研究中国西部大型城市，特别是西安市空气环境监测和区域联防联控提供了一种有效方法。