鄱阳湖沉积物可转化态氮分布特征及其对江湖关系变化的响应

选取不同高程鄱阳湖表层沉积物,通过研究其总可转化态氮与各形态可转化态氮含量及分布特征,试图揭示江湖关系变化导致的水位变化对鄱阳湖沉积物氮潜在释放风险的影响.结果表明:1鄱阳湖表层沉积物总氮(TN)含量在389~3 865 mg·kg-1之间,空间分布上呈"五河"入湖尾闾区湖心区北部湖区的趋势;总可交换态氮含量在319.36~904.56 mg·kg-1之间,占TN的52%,空间分布趋势与TN相同;2鄱阳湖3个湖区沉积物各形态可转化态氮的含量大小排列次序均为:SOEF-N(强氧化剂可提取态氮)≈SAEF-N(强碱可提取态氮)WAEF-N(弱酸可提取态氮)IEF-N(离子交换态氮);3江湖关系变化致使鄱阳湖枯水期沉积物出露时间提前并且延长,进而导致不同高程沉积物可转化态氮(TTN)含量差异明显,3个湖区沉积物可转化态氮含量均表现为枯水期丰水期,高程越高,由于其沉积物出露时间较长,可转化态氮含量较高,即可转化态氮含量12 m~13 m高程沉积物11 m~12 m高程沉积物10m~11 m高程沉积物;4随着高程的增加,沉积物各形态可转化态氮含量都呈现增加的趋势,其中SAEF-N和WAEFN含量及其占总可转化态氮的比例变化幅度较小,而IEF-N和SOEF-N含量以及其占总可转化态氮比例的增幅均较为显著.如果江湖关系进一步变化,枯水期水位继续下降,势必会引起沉积物出露面积增大及出露时间延长,从而导致沉积物TN、可转化态氮以及释放风险较高的氮形态IEF-N和SOEF-N含量的增大,来年丰水期可能会增加鄱阳湖沉积物氮释放风险.     

鄱阳湖枯水期沉积物磷释放特征及对水位变化响应

通过研究鄱阳湖枯水期不同高程沉积物磷释放热力学和动力学特征,试图建立沉积物磷释放与水位间响应关系,进一步揭示由于江湖关系变化导致的水位下降对鄱阳湖沉积物磷释放风险影响.结果表明:(1)鄱阳湖沉积物高程越高,即出露时间越长,中部和"五河"尾闾区沉积物EC0、DTP、DOP和SRP最大释放量及初始释放速率(0~5 min释放速率)越大,而北部湖区因采砂活动等影响,变化不明显.(2)鄱阳湖水位的持续下降引起的沉积物出露时间延长和出露面积增加,导致全湖沉积物DTP、DOP和SRP最大释放量分别增加了91、81和34 t,虽然该增加量对全湖磷负荷贡献较小(占外源P输入负荷的4.1%、3.7%和1.5%),但"五河"尾闾区沉积物磷释放增加强度为全湖平均值的3倍,意味着随江湖关系的持续变化,来年丰水期鄱阳湖沉积物磷将会集中释放,尤其是"五河"尾闾区等重点敏感区域,其沉积物磷释放量的增加将进一步加大鄱阳湖局部湖区水质下降风险.     

鄱阳湖不同高程沉积物中磷形态特征研究

选取了枯水期鄱阳湖10~13m高程共14个出露表层沉积物样品,通过研究其总磷(TP)及各形态磷含量与分布特征,试图揭示江湖关系变化导致的水位下降对鄱阳湖沉积物磷潜在释放风险的影响.结果表明,鄱阳湖表层沉积物总磷(TP)含量在214.5~736.0mg/kg之间, 平均含量为(428.6±154.3)mg/kg.空间分布呈“五河”入湖尾闾区(444.5mg/kg)≈湖心区(445.4mg/kg)>北部湖区(387.7mg/kg).各形态磷在空间上的差异相对较小,不同形态磷含量次序为活性磷(254.6±114.3mg/kg)>有机磷(105.0±49.2mg/kg)>非活性磷(69.1±26.3mg/kg).江湖关系变化引起鄱阳湖枯水期沉积物出露时间提前并且延长,进而导致不同高程沉积物总磷及其各形态磷含量差异明显,其含量变化趋势为12~13m> 11~12m>10~11m,即高程越高,沉积物总磷及其各形态磷含量越高.其中活性磷增幅最大,OP次之,非活性磷最小.而空间增幅表现出“五河”入湖尾闾区最为显著,湖心区次之,而北部湖区最小.     

鄱阳湖沉积物有机磷形态及对水位变化响应

选取鄱阳湖枯水期不同高程出露表层沉积物,通过研究有机磷含量及形态差异,试图揭示江湖关系变化引起的水位下降对鄱阳湖沉积物有机磷潜在释放风险的影响.结果表明:1鄱阳湖枯水期表层沉积物有机磷含量(115.2~448.3 mg·kg-1)占总磷的19.3%~45.1%,有机磷含量空间分布呈"五河"入湖尾闾区高于湖心区和北部湖区.2鄱阳湖表层沉积物各形态有机磷含量大小顺序为:残渣态有机磷盐酸提取有机磷胡敏酸有机磷碳酸氢钠提取有机磷富里酸有机磷.3水位下降引起的沉积物出露时间延长是引起鄱阳湖不同高程沉积物有机磷形态变化的重要原因.沉积物出露时间越长,碳酸氢钠提取有机磷、盐酸提取有机磷与富里酸有机磷的含量越低,而胡敏酸有机磷和残渣态有机磷含量越高.同时,水位下降引起的沉积物出露时间延长致使活性有机磷和中活性有机磷占总有机磷比例下降,而非活性有机磷占总有机磷比例增加,反映了沉积物出露时间延长可能会促进有机磷形态由活性向非活性转化,在一定程度上能够降低沉积物有机磷的潜在性风险.     

江湖关系变化对鄱阳湖沉积物氨氮释放风险的影响

选取了鄱阳湖北部湖区、“五河”入湖尾闾区、湖心区共14个不同高程的表层出露沉积物样品,通过研究其总氮(TN)含量和氨氮(NH4+-N)释放热力学及动力学特征,试图揭示江湖关系变化导致的水位变化对鄱阳湖沉积物氨氮释放风险的影响.结果表明,鄱阳湖沉积物TN含量在377～3875mg/kg之间;NH4+-N吸附/解吸平衡浓度(EC0)在1.49～2.99mg/L之间;单位沉积物NH4+-N的最大释放量在17.00~140.97mg/kg之间,NH4+-N释放主要集中在0~5min时段,占最大释放量的50.84%~73.34%,TN含量、EC0浓度、NH4+-N的最大释放量及初始释放速率均随沉积物所处高程的增高而增大,由此可见近年来由于长江来水量减少,鄱阳湖与长江之间江湖关系的改变,引起鄱阳湖枯水期提前及低枯水位持续时间增加,导致沉积物出露时间延长,进而促使沉积物TN含量、EC0浓度、单位沉积物NH4+-N最大释放量及0~5min时段NH4+-N释放速率升高,进而引起沉积物NH4+-N释放风险增大,是导致鄱阳湖水质恶化的重要机制之一.如果此江湖关系变化持续,枯水期低枯水位持续,势必引起沉积物出露面积进一步增大及出露时间的延长,最终可导致来年丰水期鄱阳湖沉积物NH4+-N释放风险增大.     

江湖关系变化对鄱阳湖沉积物重金属分布及生态风险影响

选取不同水情下鄱阳湖表层沉积物,研究江湖关系变化对其重金属Cu、Pb、Zn、Cr和Cd的分布及生态风险影响,结果表明:①鄱阳湖沉积物受不同程度重金属污染,入湖河流颗粒物输入是鄱阳湖沉积物重金属的主要来源,其中Cu和Pb是主要污染因子.各重金属污染程度排列次序为:Cu>Pb>Zn>Cr>Cd,丰水期沉积物各重金属含量的变化范围为Cu 13.1~108.1 mg·kg-1、Pb 37~119.1 mg·kg-1、Zn 29.9~129.9 mg·kg-1、Cr 13.3~98.6 mg·kg-1和Cd 0.19~2.77 mg·kg-1;枯水期为Cu 3.05~69.7 mg·kg-1、Pb 27.5~105 mg·kg-1、Zn 18.8~95.4 mg·kg-1、Cr 7.34~70 mg·kg-1与Cd 0.033~0.406mg·kg-1;高值区域集中在"五河"尾闾水域和鄱阳湖入长江的湖口水域.②丰水期鄱阳湖沉积物重金属高风险区主要集中在五河尾闾区;枯水期,沉积物重金属高风险区面积扩大,不仅局限于五河尾闾区,且向北部进一步扩散,湖口区域的风险较大,但全湖生态风险总体上丰水期大于枯水期.③随着鄱阳湖与长江江湖关系进一步发生变化,丰水期水位抬高且维系时间缩短、枯水期提前、湖泊由"湖相"至"河相"的转变进程加快、河流特性增强,将导致全湖沉积物重金属生态风险相应降低,但高风险区域的范围进一步向北扩大.     

鄱阳湖沉积物有机磷累积特征及其与流域发展间的响应关系

选取了鄱阳湖4个柱状沉积物,应用改进的Hedley磷形态连续提取法和有机磷(OP)酶水解技术,研究了其OP累积特征、生物有效性变化及其与流域发展间的响应关系.结果表明:1自1972年以来,鄱阳湖沉积物OP含量呈持续增长趋势,其中南部湖区和"五河"尾闾区较北部和中部湖区增长趋势明显;不同阶段沉积物OP中H2O-Po和HCl-Po含量呈先下降,而近十年又有所增加趋势;Na OH-EDTA-Po含量则呈持续增长趋势,即鄱阳湖沉积物OP增加主要是由于Na OH-EDTA-Po的增加所致.2鄱阳湖沉积物各形态OP组成各异,其中H2O-Po含量较低,以类植酸磷为主,生物有效性较低;Na OH-EDTA-Po含量较高,以活性单酯磷为主,生物有效性较高.鄱阳湖沉积物OP增加主要来源于活性单酯磷,其生物有效性也呈增长趋势,二酯磷和类植酸磷则在1972—2002年间为下降趋势,2002年以来有所增加.3鄱阳湖沉积物OP,特别是Na OHEDTA-Po的累积主要受流域农业面源污染影响,其中沉积物OP和Na OH-EDTA-Po含量与流域单位面积磷肥施用量显著正相关,表明流域农业面源污染是导致鄱阳湖沉积物OP含量增加的重要原因之一.     

鄱阳湖表层水体总磷含量遥感反演及其时空特征分析

总磷是湖泊水质参数中的主要指标,从遥感数据中获得其时空上的分布信息对于理解、管理和保护湖泊生态系统是必要的。通过2009 年4 月至12 月对鄱阳湖湖区和五河入口的表层水体进行采样分析,利用直接遥感反演算法和间接遥感反演算法,结合MODIS遥感数据择优反演鄱阳湖表层水体的总磷含量,同时分析总磷含量的时空特征和变化规律。结果表明：①从实验数据分析可知,总磷TP与总悬浮物浓度相关性较好,间接反演算法能够得到较好的反演结果;②TP是鄱阳湖水质的主要污染指标之一,TP含量在丰水期、平水期、枯水期三个时期呈上升趋势;③鄱阳湖三个时期TP含量的空间变化明显,中心湖区TP含量相对整个湖区较低,主航区和五河入口TP含量为全湖最高区域,常年处于高含量状态。     

鄱阳湖流域多尺度C、N输送通量及其水质参数变化特征

本文选取鄱阳湖流域内从初级支流到最大干流再到湖区(香溪→架竹河→赣江→鄱阳湖)这一联通水系线路为研究对象,通过对丰水期和枯水期内各级河流对应流域及鄱阳湖湖区内水体中的各形态C、N浓度进行监测,计算各级河流间C、N元素运移通量,探讨鄱阳湖流域水体C、N迁移过程机制和水质参数变化特征,为鄱阳湖流域生态系统的综合健康管理提供科学依据.结果表明:(1)鄱阳湖通江流域的C、N浓度呈明显季节变化,其中TIC、TOC、TC浓度丰水期较高,而NO_3~--N和DTN浓度枯水期较高.丰水期TC增加的主要原因是TIC增加,丰水期TN主要以非溶解态存在,而枯水期TN主要以DTN中的NO_3~--N形式存在.(2)鄱阳湖通江流域的C、N输出通量呈明显季节变化,其中香溪各形态C丰水期通量较枯水期小,架竹河、赣江各形态C丰水期通量较枯水期大,香溪、架竹河、赣江流域各形态N在丰水期通量大多较枯水期小,各形态C、N通量与径流量在99%的置信水平上呈极显著正相关关系.(3)鄱阳湖流域水体参数丰水期COND、TDS、pH小于枯水期,丰水期ORP大于枯水期.     

基于湖泊与出入湖水质关联性研究:以鄱阳湖为例

基于1996～2016年鄱阳湖及出入湖水质数据,解析了鄱阳湖与出入湖河流水质间关联及影响因素.结果表明TN和TP是引起鄱阳湖水质下降的主要因子,其中,1996～2003年,鄱阳湖及出入湖水质总体较好,但呈下降趋势,主要受流域污染负荷增加影响; 2004～2011年,水质继续下降,"五河"水质下降明显,并引起鄱阳湖水质下降;由于鄱阳湖较强的水质净化能力,其出湖水质相对较好,该阶段水质下降受流域污染负荷增加与水文条件变化共同影响; 2012～2016年,水质进一步下降,入湖河流水质快速下降及来水量减少,使鄱阳湖水质净化能力降低,进而导致出湖水质也有所下降,该阶段鄱阳湖水质下降仍受流域污染负荷增加与水文条件变化共同影响.由此可见,入湖河流与鄱阳湖水质关联密切,南部和东部湖区TN浓度明显高于西部湖区,主要与赣江和信江TN负荷输入有关;南部湖区TP浓度明显高于东部和西部湖区,主要与赣江和抚河TP负荷较高有关.相对于水文条件变化,流域污染增加对湖泊水污染贡献更明显.     

Effects of two sludge application on fractionation and phytotoxicity of zinc and copper in the soil

The potential harm of heavy metals is a primary concern in application of sludge to the agricultural land. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of two sludges on fractionation of Zn and Cu in soil and their phytotoxicity to pakchoi. The loamy soil was mixed with 0%, 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% (by weight) of digested sewage sludge (SS) and composted sludge (SC). The additions of both sludges caused a significant raise in all fractions, resulting in that exchangeable (EXCH) and organic bound (OM) became predominance of Zn and organic bound Cu occupied the largest portion. There was more available amount of Zn and Cu in SS treatments than SC treatments. During the pot experiment, the concentration of Zn in EXCH, carbonate (CAR) and OM and Cu in EXCH and OM fractions decreased in all treatments, so their bioavailability reduced. Germination rate and plant biomass decreased when the addition rate was high and the best yield appeared in 20% mixtures at the harvest of pakchoi. The two sludges increased tissue contents of Zn and Cu especially in the SS treatments. Zn in pakchoi was not only in relationship to ΔEXCH and ΔCAR forms but also in ΔOM forms in the sludge-soil mixtures. Tissue content of Cu in pakchoi grown on SC-soils could not be predicted by ΔEXCH. These correlation rates between Zn and Cu accumulation in pakchoi and variation of different fractions increased with time, which might indicate that sludges represented stronger impacts on the plant in long-term land application.     

Intraspecific differences in effects of co-contamination of cadmium and

A hydroponic experiment was carried out to study intraspecific differences in the effects of different concentrations of cadmium (Cd)(0-10 mg/L) and arsenate (As(V)) (0-8 mg/L) on the growth parameters and accumulation of Cd and As in six wheat varieties Jing-9428, Duokang-1, Jingdong-11, Jing-411, Jingdong-8 and Zhongmai-8. The endpoints of wheat seedlings, including seed germination,biomass, root length and shoot height, decreased with increasing the Cd and As concentrations. Significant differences in seed germination, biomass, root length, shoot height and the accumulation of Cd and As were observed between the treatments and among the varieties (p ＜ 0.05). The lethal dosage 50% were about 20, 80, 60, 60, 80 and 20 mg As/L for Jing-9428, Duokang-1, Jingdong-11,Jing-411, Jingdong-8 and Zhongmai-8, respectively, and the corresponding values for Cd were about 30, 80, 20, 40, 60 and 10 mg Cd/L, respectively. Among the six varieties, Duokang-1 was found to be the most resistant to Cd and As toxicity, and Zhongmai-8 was the most sensitive to Cd and As co-contamination. The resistance of the six varieties was found dependant on the seedling uptake of Cd and As. Duokang-1 was the most suitable for cultivation in Cd and As co-contaminated soils.     

Toxic effects of acetochlor, methamidophos and their combination on nifH gene in soil

Toxic effects of two agrochemicals on nifH gene in agricultural black soil were investigated using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE） and sequencing approaches in a microcosm experiment. Changes of soil nifH gene diversity and composition were examined following the application of acetochlor, methamidophos and their combination. Acetochlor reduced the nifH gene diversity （both in gene richness and diversity index values） and caused changes in the nifH gene composition. The effects of acetochlor on nifH gene were strengthened as the concentration of acetochlor increased. Cluster analysis of DGGE banding patterns showed that nifH gene composition which had been affected by low concentration of acetochlor （50 mg/kg） recovered firstly. Methamidophos reduced nifH gene richness that except at 4 weeks. The medium concentration of methamidophos （150 mg/kg） caused the most apparent changes in nifH gene diversity at the first week while the high concentration of methamidophos （250 mg/kg） produced prominent effects on nifH gene diversity in the following weeks. Cluster analysis showed that minimal changes of nifH gene composition were found at 1 week and maximal changes at 4 weeks. Toxic effects of acetochlor and methamidophos combination on nifH gene were also apparent. Different nifH genes （bands） responded differently to the impact of agrochemicals： four individual bands were eliminated by the application of the agrochemicals, five bands became predominant by the stimulation of the agrochemicals, and four bands showed strong resistance to the influence of the agrochemicals. Fifteen prominent bands were partially sequenced, yielding 15 different nifH sequences, which were used for phylogenetic reconstructions. All sequences were affiliated with the alpha- and beta-proteobacteria, showing higher similarity to eight different diazotrophic genera.     

Arsenic uptake by arbuscular mycorrhizal maize （Zea mays L.） grown in an arsenic-contaminated soil with added phosphorus

The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus (Glomus mosseae) and phosphorus (P) addition (100 mg/kg soil) on arsenic (As) uptake by maize plants (Zea mays L.) from an As-contaminated soil were examined in a glasshouse experiment.Non-mycorrhizal and zero-P addition controls were included.Plant biomass and concentrations and uptake of As,P,and other nutrients,AM colonization,root lengths,and hyphal length densities were determined.The results indicated that addition of P significantly inhibited root colonization and development of extraradical mycelium.Root length and dry weight both increased markedly with mycorrhizal colonization under the zero-P treatments,but shoot and root biomass of AM plants was depressed by P application.AM fungal inoculation decreased shoot As concentrations when no P was added,and shoot and root As concentrations of AM plants increased 2.6 and 1.4 times with P addition,respectively.Shoot and root uptake of P,Mn,Cu,and Zn increased,but shoot Fe uptake decreased by 44.6%,with inoculation, when P was added.P addition reduced shoot P,Fe,Mn,Cu,and Zn uptake of AM plants,but increased root Fe and Mn uptake of the nonmycorrhizal ones.AM colonization therefore appeared to enhance plant tolerance to As in low P soil,and have some potential for the phytostabilization of As-contaminated soil,however,P application may introduce additional environmental risk by increasing soil As mobility.     

Distribution and ecological effect of mercury in Laogang landfill, Shanghai, China

Laogang landfill near Shanghai is the largest landfill in China, and receives about 10000 t of daily garbage per day, Samples of topsoil and plants were analyzed to evaluate mercury pollution from the landfill. For topsoil samples, there were significant correlations among total mercury （HgT）, combinative mercury （Hgc） and gaseous mercury （HgG）, and content of total organic carbon （TOC）, but, no significantly relationship was found between Hg content and filling time. Hg content changes in vertical profiles with time showed that the average Hgv of profiles 1992, 1996, and 2000 was similar, but their average HgG was quite different. HgT was significantly correlated with Hgc in profile 1992 and 2000, and Hgv was significantly correlated with Hg6 in profile 1996. HgG/Hgv ratio in profile samples decreased in the order of （HgG,/HgT）1992〉（HgG/HgT）1996〉〉（HgG/HgT）2000. A simple outline of Hg release in landfill could be drawn： with increasing of filling time, degradation undergoes different biodegradation, accordingly, gaseous mercury goes through small, more, and small proportion to total mercury. Distribution of Hg in plants was inhomogeneous, following the order of leaf〉root〉stem. The highest value of leaf may be associated with higher atmospheric Hg from landfill. Ligneous plants （e.g. Phyllostachys glanca, Prunus salicina and Ligustrum lucidum） are capable of enriching more Hg than herbaceous plants.     

EDTA-enhanced phytoremediation of lead contaminated soil by Bidens maximowicziana

Phytoremediation is a potential cleanup technology for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated soils.Bidens maximowicziana is a new Pb hyperaccumulator,which not only has remarkable tolerance to Pb but also extraordinary accumulation capacity for Pb.The maximum Pb concentration was 1509.3 mg/kg in roots and 2164.7 mg/kg in overground tissues.The Pb distribution order in the B. maximowicziana was:leaf>stem>root.The effect of amendments on phytoremediation was also studied.The mobility of soil Pb and the Pb concentrations in plants were both increased by EDTA application.Compared with CK(control check),EDTA application promoted translocation of Pb to overground parts of the plant.The Pb concentrations in overground parts of plants was increased from 24.23-680.56 mg/kg to 29.07-1905.57 mg/kg.This research demonstrated that B.maximowicziana appeared to be suitable for phytoremediation of Pb contaminated soil,especially,combination with EDTA.     

Potential of plant polyphenol oxidases in the decolorization and removal of textile and non-textile dyes

In this study an effort has been made to use plant polyphenol oxidases; potato （Solanum tuberosum） and brinjal （Solanum melongena）, for the treatment of various important dyes used in textile and other industries. The ammonium sulphate fractionated enzyme preparations were used to treat a number of dyes under various experimental conditions. Majority of the treated dyes were maximally decolorized at pH 3.0. Some of the dyes were quickly decolorized whereas others were marginally decolorized. The initial first hour was sufficient for the maximum decolorization of dyes. The rate of decolorization was quite slow on long treatment of dyes. Enhancement in the dye decolorization was noticed on increasing the concentration of enzymes. The complex mixtures of dyes were treated with both preparations of polyphenol oxidases in the buffers of varying pH values. Potato polyphenol oxidase was significantly more effective in decolorizing the dyes to higher extent as compared to the enzyme obtained from brinjal polyphenol oxidase. Decolorization of dyes and their mixtures, followed by the formation of an insoluble precipitate, which could be easily removed simply by centrifugation.     

Decomposition of alachlor by ozonation and its mechanism

Decomposition and corresponding mechanism of alachlor, an endocrine disruptor in water by ozonation were investigated. Results showed that alachlor could not be completely mineralized by ozone alone. Many intermediates and final products were formed during the process, including aromatic compounds, aliphatic carboxylic acids, and inorganic ions. In evoluting these products, some of them with weak polarity were qualitatively identified by GC-MS. The information of inorganic ions suggested that the dechlorination was the first and the fastest step in the ozonation of alachlor.     

Enzymatic oxidation of aqueous pentachlorophenol

The influence of the nonionic surfactant Tween 80 on pentachlorophenol （PCP） oxidation catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase was studied. The surfactant was tested at concentrations below and above its critical micelle concentration （CMC）. Enhancement of PCP removal was observed at sub-CMCs. The presence of Tween 80 in the reaction mixture reduced enzyme inactivation which occurred through a combination of free radical attack and sorption by precipitated products. A simple first-order model was able to simulate time profiles for enzyme inactivation in the presence or absence of Tween 80. At supra-CMCs, the surfactant caused noticeable reductions in PCP removal, presumably through micelle partitioning of PCP which precluded the hydrophobic PCP molecule from interacting with the enzyme.     

Effect of sorbed and desorbed Zn(Ⅱ) on the growth of a green alga (Chlorella pyrenoidosa)

Toxic effect of Zn(Ⅱ) on a green alga (Chlorella pyrenoidasa) in the presence of sepiolite and kaolinite was investigated.The Zn-free clays were found to have a negative impact on the growth of C.pyrenoidosa in comparison with control samples (without adding any clay or Zn(Ⅱ)).When Zn(Ⅱ) was added,the algae in the presence of clays could be better survived than the control samples,which was actually caused by a decrease in Zn(Ⅱ) concentration in the solution owing to the adsorption of Zn(Ⅱ) on the clays.When the solution system was diluted,the growth of algae could be further inhibited as compared to that in a system which had the same initial Zn(Ⅱ) concentration as in the diluted system.This in fact resulted from desorption of Zn(Ⅱ) from the zinc-contaminated clays,although the effect varied according to the different desorption capabilities of sepiolite and kaolinite.Therefore the adsorption and desorption processes of Zn(Ⅱ) played an important part in its toxicity,and adsorption and desorption of pollutants on soils/sediments should be well considered in natural eco-environmental systems before their risk of toxicity to aquatic organisms was assessed objectively.