Sulfur-containing amino acid methionine as the precursor of volatile organic sulfur compounds in algea-induced black bloom

After the application of methionine, a progressive and significant increase occurred in five volatile organic sulfur compounds (VOSCs): methanethiol (MeSH), dimethyl sulfide (DMS), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) and dimethyl tetrasulfide (DMTeS). Even in the untreated control without a methionine addition, methionine and its catabolites (VOSCs, mainly DMDS) were found in considerable amounts that were high enough to account for the water’s offensive odor. However, blackening only occurred in two methionine-amended treatments. The VOSCs production was observed to precede black color development, and the reaching of a peak value for total VOSCs was often followed by water blackening. The presence of glucose stimulated the degradation of methionine while postponing the occurrence of the black color and inhibiting the production of VOSCs. In addition, DMDS was found to be the most abundant species produced after the addition of methionine alone, and DMTeS appeared to be the most important compound produced after the addition of methionine+glucose. These results suggest that methionine acted as an important precursor of the VOSCs in lakes suffering from algea-induced black bloom. The existence of glucose may change the transformation pathway of methionine into VOSCs to form larger molecular weight compounds, such as DMTS and DMTeS.     

Off-flavor compounds from decaying cyanobacterial blooms of Lake Taihu

The effect of cyanobacterial bloom decay on water quality and the complete degradation of cyanobacterial blooms in a short period were examined by an enclosure experiment in Gonghu Bay of Lake Taihu,China.Water quality parameters as well as taste and odor compounds during the breakdown of cyanobacterial blooms were measured.Results showed that the decay of cyanobacterial blooms caused anoxic water conditions,decreased pH,and increased nutrient loading to the lake water.The highest concentrations of dimethyl sulfide (DMS),dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS),and β-cyclocitral were observed in the anoxic water,at 62331.8,12413.3,and 1374.9 ng/L,respectively.2-Methylisoborneol was dominant during the live growth phase of cyanobacterial blooms,whereas DMS and DMTS were dominant during the decomposition phase.Dissolved oxygen,pH,and chlorophyll a were negatively correlated with DMS,DMTS,and β-cyclocitral,whereas total phosphorus,total nitrogen,and ammonium (NH4+-N) were positively correlated with DMS,DMTS,β-cyclocitral,and β-ionone.The experimental results suggested that preventing the anaerobic decomposition of cyanobacterial blooms is an important strategy against the recurrence of a malodor crisis in Lake Taihu.     

Effects of sludge dredging on the prevention and control of algae-caused black bloom in Taihu Lake, China

Algae-caused black bloom (also known as black water agglomerate) has recently become a critical problem in some Chinese lakes.It has been suggested that the occurrence of algae-caused black bloom was caused by the cooperation of nutrient-rich sediment with dead algae,and sludge dredging was adopted to control black bloom in some lakes of China.In this article,based on the simulation of black bloom using a Y-shape apparatus for modeling natural conditions,both un-dredged and dredged sites in three areas of Taihu Lake,China were studied to estimate the effects of dredging on the prevention and control of black bloom.During the experiment,drained algae were added to all six sites as an additional organic load;subsequently,the dissolved oxygen decreased rapidly,dropping to 0 mg/L at the sediment-water interface.Black bloom did not occur in the dredged sites of Moon Bay and Nan Quan,whereas all three un-dredged sites at Fudu Port,Moon Bay and Nan Quan experienced black bloom.Black bloom also occurred at the dredged site of Fudu Port one day later than at the other sites,and the odor and color were lighter than at the other locations.The color and odor of the black water mainly result from the presence of sulfides such as metal sulfides and hydrogen sulfide,among other chemicals,under reductive conditions.The color and odor of the water,together with the high concentrations of nutrients,were mainly caused by the decomposition of the algae and the presence of nutrient-rich sediment.Overall,the removal of the nutrient-rich sediment by dredging can prevent the occurrence and control the degree of algae-caused black bloom in Taihu Lake.     

Preliminary study on organic contaminants in the water of northwest part of the Lake Chao

The waterquality of the downstream of Nanfei River and the northwest area of Lake Chao is evaluated from organic analysis aspect. PAHs such as fluoranthene, pyrene are detected in the waters collected from downstream river and river mouth. More phenolic compounds are found in the river water. Some halogenated hydrocarbons are present in the river and lake waters. A great many of aliphatic hydrocarbons and benzene hydrocarbons found in all the water samples are about one third of the total organics detected. The hydrophobic components are found to be present not only in water but also in suspended sediment. The ratio of the amount existing is 0.4 in sediment and 1 in particle-free water. The quantity of humic materials existing in lake water is larger than that in river water. The proportion of the humic materials in lake water to that in river water is 1.9 to 1. In the lake water, some natural substances, such as dimethyl disulfide, alpha-pinene, azulene, and 6- methyl -2-heptanone are observed.     

Effects of physical and chemical characteristics of surface sediments in the formation of shallow lake algae-induced black bloom

Surface sediments are closely related to lake black blooms. The dissolved oxygen （DO） distribution and its penetration depth in surface sediments as well as the migration and transformation of redox sensitive elements such as Fe and S at the sediment-water interface are important factors that could influence the formation of the black bloom. In this study, dredged and undredged sediment cores with different surface properties were used to simulate black blooms in the laboratory. The Micro Profiling System was employed to explore features of the DO and ∑H2S distribution at the sediment-water interface. Physical and chemical characteristics in sediments and pore waters were also analyzed. The results showed that sediment dredging effectively suppressed the black blooms. In the undredged treatment, DO penetration depth was only 50 μm. Fe^2＋ concentrations, ∑H2S concentrations, and ∑H2S production rates were remarkably higher in surface sediments and pore waters compared to control and dredged treatments. Furthermore, depletion of DO and accumulation of Fe^2＋ and ∑H2S in surface sediments and pore waters provided favorable redox environments and necessary material sources for the blooms. The study results proved that physical and chemical characteristics in surface sediments are important factors in the formation of the black bloom, and could provide scientific guidance for emergency treatment and long-term pre-control of black blooms.     

Evolution of urban black and odorous water: The characteristics of microbial community and driving-factors

Urban black blooms that are primarily caused by organic carbon are deleterious environmental problems. However, detailed studies on the microbial characteristics that form urban black blooms are lacking. In this study, we observed the composition, diversity, and function of bacterial community in the overlying water and sediments during the occurrence and remediation of urban black blooms using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing analysis. First, we found that pivotal consortia in ...     

Arsenic and major cation hydrogeochemistry of the Central Victorian (Australia) surface waters

This paper reports on the major cations（Ca, Mg, Na and K） and arsenic（As） compositions of surface waters collected from major creeks, rivers and lakes in Central Victoria （Australia）. The surface waters were found to be neutral to alkaline （pH 6.7-9.4）, oxidised （average redox potential （Eh） about 130 mV） and showed variable concentrations of dissolved ions （EC, about 51-4386 /μS/cm）. The concen- trations of dissolved major cations in surface waters were found to be in the order of Na〉〉Mg〉Ca〉K and in soils the contents of metals followed an order of abundance as： Ca〉Mg〉〉K〉Na. While Na was the least abundant in soils, it registered the highest dissolved cation in surface waters. Of the four major cations, the average concentration ofNa（98.7 mg/L） was attributed to the weathering of feldspars and atmospheric input. Relatively highly dissolved concentrations of Na and Mg compared with the world average values of rivers reflected the weathering of rock and soil minerals within the catchments. The As soil level is naturally high（linked to lithology） as reflected by high background soil values and mining operations are also considered to be a contributory factor. Under relatively alkaline-oxidative conditions low mobility of dissolved As （average about 7.9 μg/L） was observed in most of the surface waters with a few higher values（〉15 μg/L） around a sewage disposal site and mine railings. Arsenic in soils is slowly released into water under alkaline and/or lower Eh conditions. The efficient sink of Fe, AI and Mn oxides acts as a barrier against the As release under near neutral-oxidising conditions. High As content （average about 28.3 mg/kg） in soils was found to be associated with Fe-hydroxides as revealed by XRD and SEM analysis. The dissolved As concentration was found to be below the recommended maximum levels for recreational water in all surface waters（lakes and rivers） in the study area. Catchment lithology exerted the fundamental control on surface water chemistry. Sites impacted by mining waste dumps showed a decline in water quality.     

Simultaneous quantification of fifty-one odor-causing compounds in drinking water using gas chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry

A wide range of compounds with various structural features can cause taste and odor(TO)problems in drinking water. It would be desirable to determine all of these compounds using a simple analytical method. In this paper, a sensitive method combining liquid–liquid extraction(LLE) with gas chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry(GC–MS/MS)was established to simultaneously analyze 51 odor-causing compounds in drinking water,including organic sulfides, aldehydes, benzenes, phenols, ethers, esters, ketones, nitrogenous heterocyclic compounds, 2-methylisoborneol and geosmin. Three deuterated analogs of target analytes, dimethyl disulfide-d6, benzaldehyde-d6 and o-cresol-3,4,5,6-d4,were used to correct the variations in recovery, and five isotope-labeled internal standards(4-chlorotoluene-d4, 1, 4-dichlorobenzene-d4, naphthalene-d8, acenaphthene-d10, phenanthrene-d10 respectively) were used prior to analysis to correct the variations arising from instrument fluctuations and injection errors. The calibration curves of the target compounds showed good linearity(R2 0.99, level = 7),and method detection limits(MDLs) below 1/10 of the odor threshold concentrations were achieved for most of the odorants(0.10–20.55 ng/L). The average recoveries of most of the analytes in tap water samples were between 70% and 120%, and the method was reproducible(RSD 20%, n = 7). Additionally, concentrations of odor-causing compounds in water samples collected from three drinking water treatment plants(DWTPs) were analyzed by this method.According to the results, dimethyl trisulfide, dimethyl disulfide and indole were considered to be the key odorants responsible for the swampy/septic odor. 2-Methylisoborneol and geosmin were detected as the main odor-causing compounds for musty/earthy odor in DWTP B.     

Effects of sulfate-reducing bacteria on methylmercury at the sediment–water interface

Sediment cores(containing sediment and overlying water) from Baihua Reservoir(SW China)were cultured under different redox conditions with different microbial activities, to understand the effects of sulfate-reducing bacteria(SRB) on mercury(Hg) methylation at sediment–water interfaces. Concentrations of dissolved methyl mercury(DMe Hg) in the overlying water of the control cores with bioactivity maintained(BAC) and cores with only sulfate-reducing bacteria inhibited(SRBI) and bacteria fully inhibited(BACI) were measured at the anaerobic stage followed by the aerobic stage. For the BAC and SRBI cores, DMe Hg concentrations in waters were much higher at the anaerobic stage than those at the aerobic stage, and they were negatively correlated to the dissolved oxygen concentrations(r =- 0.5311 and r =- 0.4977 for BAC and SRBI, respectively). The water DMe Hg concentrations of the SRBI cores were 50% lower than those of the BAC cores, indicating that the SRB is of great importance in Hg methylation in sediment–water systems, but there should be other microbes such as iron-reducing bacteria and those containing specific gene cluster(hgc AB), besides SRB,causing Hg methylation in the sediment–water system.     

Research on organic matters in the drinking water of Kaschin-Beck disease area

Organic matters in drinking water of Kaschin-Beck disease areas were extracted. Then analyses and characterization were performed by means of multiply chemical and physical methods. The results did not show the obvious difference in the frame structure of humic substances and the structure of rmcromolecular compounds in the drinking water of disease and non-disease areas, but the difference in the contents of some micromolecular compounds and radicals. The investigation also includes the preliminary research on the photoreaction of drinking water from disease and non-disease areas and the accumulation of natural organic matter in the bone of tested animals.     

Photochemical production of carbonyl sulfide, carbon disulfide and dimethyl sulfide in a lake water

Photochemical production of carbonyl sulfide(COS),carbon disulfide(CS_2) and dimethyl sulfide(DMS) was intensively studied in the water from the Aohai Lake of Beijing city.The lake water was found to be highly supersaturated with COS,CS_2 and DMS,with their initial concentrations of 0.91 ± 0.073 nmol/L,0.55 ± 0.071 nmol/L and 0.37 ± 0.062 nmol/L,respectively.The evident photochemical production of COS and CS_2 in the lake water under irradiation of 365 nm and 302 nm indicated that photochemical production of them might be the reason for their supersaturation.The similar dependence of wavelength and oxygen for photochemical production of COS,CS_2 and DMS implied that they might be from the same precursors.The water cage effect was found to favor COS production but inhibit CS_2and DMS formation,indicating that COS photochemical production was mainly from direct degradation of the precursors and the formation of CS_2 and DMS needed intermediates via combination of carbon-centered radicals and sulfur-centered radicals.The above assumptions were further confirmed by simulation experiments with addition of carbonyls and amino acids(cysteine and methionine),and the photochemical formation mechanisms for COS,CS_2 and DMS in water were derived from the investigations.     

Role of the floodplain lakes in the methylmercury distribution and exchanges with the Amazon River, Brazil

Seasonal variability of dissolved and particulate methylmercury(F-MeHg, P-MeHg) concentrations was studied in the waters of the Amazon River and its associated Curuai floodplain during hydrological year 2005–2006, to understand the MeHg exchanges between these aquatic systems. In the oxic white water lakes, with neutral pH, high F-MeHg and P-MeHg concentrations were measured during the rising water stage(0.70 ± 0.37 pmol/L, n = 26) and flood peak(14.19 ± 9.32 pmol/g, n = 7) respectively, when the Amazon River water discharge into the lakes was at its maximum. The lowest mean values were reported during the dry season(0.18 ± 0.07 pmol/L F-MeHg, n = 10 and 1.35 ± 1.24 pmol/g P-MeHg, n = 8), when water and suspended sediments were outflowing from the lakes into the River. In these lakes,the MeHg concentrations were associated to the aluminium and organic carbon/nitrogen changes. In the black water lakes, with acidic pH and reducing conditions, elevated MeHg concentrations were recorded(0.58 ± 0.32 pmol/L F-MeHg, n = 16 and 19.82 ± 15.13 pmol/g PMeHg, n = 6), and correlated with the organic carbon and manganese concentrations. Elevated values of MeHg partition coefficient(4.87 Kd 5.08 log(L/kg) indicate that MeHg is mainly transported associated with the particulate phase. The P-MeHg enrichment detected in all lakes suggests autochthonous MeHg inputs from the sediments into the water column. The MeHg mass balance showed that the Curuai floodplain is not the source of P-MeHg for the Amazon River.     

Characterization of typical taste and odor compounds formed by Microcystis aeruginosa

Production and characteristics of typical taste and odor (T&O) compounds by Microcystis aeruginosa were investigated. A few terpenoid chemicals, including 2-MIB, β-cyclocitral, and β-ionone, and a few sulfur compounds, such as dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl trisulfide, were detected. β-Cyclocitral and β-carotene concentrations were observed to be relevant to the growth phases of Microcystis. During the stable growth phase, 41-865 fg/cell of β-cyclocitral were found in the laboratory culture. β-Cyclocitral concentrations correlated closely with β-carotene concentrations, with the correlation coefficient R2 = 0.96, as it is formed from the cleavage reaction of β-carotene. For dead cell cases, a high concentration of dimethyl trisulfide was detected at 3.48-6.37 fg/cell. Four T&O compounds, including β-cyclocitral, β-ionone, heptanal and dimethyl trisulfide, were tested and found to be able to inhibit and damage Microcystis cells to varying degrees. Among these chemicals, β-cyclocitral has the strongest ability to quickly rupture cells.     

Assessing high resolution oxidation-reduction potential and soluble reactive phosphorus variation across vertical sediments and water layers in Xinghu Lake: A novel laboratory approach

To understand the transfer process of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) on the lake sediment-water interface in a mesotrophic shallow lake in South China, the SRP concentrations and the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) across the sediment-water interfaces were continually monitored. Sediment samples were collected from Xinghu Lake in Guangdong Province. The ORP dynamics at di erent layers of overlying water was similar for six experimental systems, whereas those in porewater were significantly di erent. The ORP in overlying water was 200–300 mV higher than those in sediments. The oxygen penetration depth ranged from 2 to 10 mm in Xiannu Lake sediments. The variation amplitudes of ORP increased with sediment depth, but the mean ORP values were all about 218 mV. The SRP concentrations in porewater maintained at a low level of about 0.049 mg/L because of high atom ratio of total iron and total manganese to total phosphorus. The SRP concentrations and variation amplitudes in porewater increased with sediment depth. The SRP in overlying water mainly originated from SRP transference of the porewater of middle and bottom sediments (3–15 cm). The ORP variation and SRP transfer in porewater played important roles in changing SRP concentrations. A distinct SRP concentration gradient appeared in overlying water when intense exchange occurred at the sediment-water interface; therefore, it was necessary to monitor the SRP concentration profiles to accurately estimate the internal loading.     

Fluoride distribution and the effect of some ions along Alexandria coastal Mediterranean seawater of Egypt

The coastal seawater of Mediterranean of Alexandria receives large amount of discharged waters containing industrial wastes, sewage, and agricultural and domestic drainage. Fluoride and some parameters were( chemical and physical) determined. The data gave indication that the content and the amount of the discharged water largely affect the chemical composition of the coastal water. Stepwise regression analysis was highly significant and the model was very fruitful, where the observed and calculated values were mostly concordant. This may indicated that there was a relation between fluoride content in cosslal seawater and its content in the discharged water.     

Effect of nitrogen/phosphorus concentration on algal organic matter generation of the diatom Nitzschia palea: Total indicators and spectroscopic characterization

Critical algal blooms in great lakes increase the level of algal organic matters(AOMs),significantly altering the composition of natural organic matters(NOMs) in freshwater of lake.This study examined the AOM's characteristics of Nitzschia palea(N.palea),one kind of the predominant diatom and an important biomarker of water quality in the great lakes of China,to investigate the effect of AOMs on the variation of NOMs in lakes and the process of algal energy.Excitation–emission matrix fluorescence(EEM) spectroscopy,synchronous fluorescence(SF) spectroscopy and deconvolution UV–vis(D-UV) spectroscopy were utilized to characterize AOMs to study the effects of nutrient loading on the composition change of AOMs.From results,it was revealed that the phosphorus is the limiting factor for N.palea's growth and the generation of both total organic carbon and amino acids but the nitrogen is more important for the generation of carbohydrates and proteins.EEM spectra revealed differences in the composition of extracellular organic matter and intracellular organic matter.Regardless of the nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations,aromatic proteins and soluble microbial products were the main components,but the nitrogen concentration had a significant impact on their composition.The SF spectra were used to study the AOMs for the first time and identified that the protein-like substances were the major component of AOMs,creating as a result of aromatic group condensation.The D-UV spectra showed carboxylic acid and esters were the main functional groups in the EOMs,with –OCH_3,–SO_2NH_2,–CN,–NH_2,–O– and –COCH_3functional groups substituting into benzene rings.     

Assessment of source water contamination by estrogenic disrupting compounds in China

Detection of estrogenic disrupting compounds (EDCs) in drinking waters around China has led to rising concerns about health risks associated with these compounds. There is, however, a paucity of studies on the occurrence and identification of the main compounds responsible for this pollution in the source waters. To fill this void, we screened estrogenic activities of 23 source water samples from six main river systems in China, using a recombinant two-hybrid yeast assay. All sample extracts induced significant estrogenic activity, with E2 equivalents (EEQ) of raw water ranging from 0.08 to 2.40 ng/L. Additionally, 16 samples were selected for chemical analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The EDCs of most concern, including estrone (E1), 17βup-estradiol (E2), 17αup-ethinylestradiol (EE2), estriol (E3), diethylstilbestrol (DES), estradiol valerate (EV), 4-t-octylphenol (4-t-OP), 4-nonylphenols (4-NP) and bisphenol A (BPA), were determined at concentrations of up to 2.98, 1.07, 2.67, 4.37, 2.52, 1.96, 89.52, 280.19 and 710.65 ng/L, respectively. Causality analysis, involving comparison of EEQ values from yeast assay and chemical analysis identified E2, EE2 and 4-NP as the main responsible compounds, accounting for the whole estrogenic activities (39.74% to 96.68%). The proposed approach using both chemical analysis and yeast assay could be used for the identification and evaluation of EDCs in source waters of China.     

Short-term e ects of drawing water for connectivity of rivers and lakes on zooplankton community structure

During 28–29, September 2005, water was drawn from Hanjiang River and Houguan Lake to the Yangzi River via Sanjiao Lake and Nantaizi Lake in Wuhan in order to provide favorable conditions for ecosystem restoration. To evaluate the feasibility and validity of drawing water as a means of ecosystem restoration, zooplankton populations were studied 3 times (before, immediately after finishing and a month after drawing water) at seven locations from 27 Sept. 2005 to 2 Nov. 2005. Water quality in the lakes was mostly improved and zooplankton species richness decreased as soon as drawing water had finished but increased a month after drawing water. Zooplankton density and biomass was reduced in the lakes by drawing water but was increased at the entrance to Sanjiao Lake because of landform geometry change. Before drawing water, most species in Sanjiao Lake e.g., Brachionus sp. and Keratella sp. were tolerant of contamination. After drawing water oligotrophic-prone species such as Lecane ludwigii and Gastropus stylifer emerged. We conclude that drawing water could be important for improving water quality and favour ecosystem restoration. Dilution of nutrient concentrations may be an important role in the e ect.     

Fluoride distibution and the effect of some ions along Alexandria coastal Mediterranean seawater of Egypt

The coastal seawater of Mediterranean of Alexandria receives large amount of discharged waters containing industrial wastes, sewage, and agricultural and domestic drainage. Fluoride and some parameters were(chemical and physical) determined. The data gave indication that the content and the amount of the discharged water largely affect the chemical composition of the coastal water. Stepwise regression analysis was highly significant and the model was very fruitful, where the observed and calculated values were mostly concordant. This may indicated that there was a relation between fluoride content in coastal seawater and its content in the discharged water.     

Adaptation of microbial communities to multiple stressors associated with litter decomposition of Pterocarya stenoptera

To understand the further impacts of multiple stressors in freshwater, we investigated the effects of heavy metal(HM, Cu and Zn) and nutrient enrichments(nitrogen and phosphorus, NP) on microbial decomposition of Pterocarya stenoptera litter and the associated extracellular enzyme activities and microbial biomass with microcosms. Results showed that the decomposition rates were slower in the polluted stream waters than those in the unpolluted ones, which corresponded to lower microbial biomass and integrated enzyme activities of cellulose and β-glucosidase. The decomposition rates were accelerated at low HM level, which was associated with the stimulated enzyme activities of hydrolytic enzymes or was stimulated by both NP levels in polluted stream waters. In particular, the hydrolase enzyme activities of microbial communities in polluted stream waters were stimulated by low HM level, suggesting that low HM level-stimulated litter decomposition may be due to the increased enzymatic activities. When microbial communities were exposed to HM and NP simultaneously, the inhibitory effect(in unpolluted stream waters) or the stimulated effect(in polluted stream waters) of low HM concentration was enhanced and attenuated, respectively, which suggests that the NP antagonistic effect against HM toxicity on litter decomposition may contribute to the litterassociated extracellular enzyme activities. These results suggest that the co-occurrence of HM and NP may have antagonistic effects on stream ecosystem functioning.