Periodically hydrologic alterations decouple the relationships between physicochemical variables and chlorophyll-a in a dam-induced urban lake

Periodically hydrologic alterations driven by seasonal change and water storage capacity management strongly modify physicochemical properties and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and their interactions in dam-induced lakes. However, the extent and magnitude of these changes still remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the effects of periodically hydrologic alterations on physicochemical variables and Chl-a in the dam-induced urban Hanfeng Lake, upstream of Three Gorges Reservoir. Shifts in Chl-a and 13 physicochemical variables were recorded monthly in the lake from January 2013 to December 2014. Chl-a was neither seasonal nor inter-annual differences while a few physical variables such as flow velocity (V) exhibited significantly seasonal variabilities, and chemical variables like total nitrogen (TN), nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N), total phosphorus (TP), dissolved silica (DSi) were markedly inter-annual differences. Higher TN:TP (40:1) and lower NO₃-N:DSi (0.8:1) relative to balanced stoichiometric ratios suggested changes in composition of phytoplankton communities and potentially increased proportion of diatom in Hanfeng Lake. Chl-a was predicable by combination of dissolved oxygen (DO), TN and DSi in dry season, and by V alone in wet season. During the whole study period, Chl-a was solely negatively correlated with TN:TP, indicating decline in N concentration and increase in P could therefore increase Chl-a. Our results highlight pronounced decoupling of linkages between Chl-a and physicochemical variables affected by periodically hydrologic alterations in dam-induced aquatic systems.     

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.     

富春江库区高温热浪变化特征及对藻类水华潜在影响研究

随着全球气候变暖,夏季高温热浪出现频次、强度和持续时间明显增加. 为探明气候变暖引起的夏季高温热浪对藻类水华及淡水生态系统的影响, 基于长期气象观测、高频浮标水温监测、藻华过程浮游植物生物量连续监测以及卫星遥感反演,分析了富春江库区夏季高温热浪长期变化特征以及2016年高温热浪对富春江水库藻类水华的影响过程. 结果表明:①1972—2020年近50年富春江水库呈现明显的区域增温,平均气温增速为0.35 ℃/(10 a),2016年达最高值(18.13 ℃);与此同时,高温热浪频次和天数也显著增加,且起始时间显著提前,结束时间显著推迟,2016年经历了近50年来较严重的高温热浪事件. ②野外实测和卫星遥感反演表明,2016年7—8月富春江水库暴发严重的藻类水华,库区叶绿素a浓度在8月19日达最高值〔(65.3±21.3) μg/L〕. ③因果分析显示,高温热浪引起的气温和水温增加、降水和风速减少以及热力分层强化等直接或者间接诱发和促进了浮游植物生物量累积及蓝藻水华形成. 研究显示,夏季高温热浪加剧了富春江水库藻类水华暴发,未来全球变暖背景下高温热浪频次和强度将继续增加,需开展高频同步监测和受控试验,深入揭示高温热浪对藻类水华形成的驱动机制.      

三峡库区大宁河藻细胞昼夜垂直迁移研究

旨在准确为三峡库区藻华预警提供基础数据,本研究于2011年7月底在三峡库区大宁河流域进行藻细胞昼夜垂直迁移试验.结果表明,大宁河在此期间,藻细胞主要以绿藻、蓝藻、硅藻和甲藻为主;藻细胞在水体中的分布不均匀,72.5%～76.2%的藻细胞集中在0.5～4.0 m水体之间,0～0.5 m处藻细胞较少,占垂直水体藻密度的7.5%～16.3%,白天藻细胞Morisita指数(MI)为1.41～1.97,夜晚MI指数为1.17～1.55,叶绿素a白天MI指数为1.31～1.59,而夜晚MI指数为1.17～1.39.藻细胞在水体中存在明显的昼夜垂直迁移现象,该现象主要发生在0.5～4.0 m水体之间.水体中的藻密度受营养盐的影响较小,与可溶解性总磷显著相关(r=0.89),藻密度主要受温度、pH值和导电率影响,藻密度与温度、pH值和导电率呈极显著相关,相关系数分别为0.96、0.97和-0.99.     

A model to determine the lake nutrient standards for drinking water sources in Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau Ecoregion, China

Lake eutrophication (LE) has become an increasingly severe environmental problem recently. However, there has been no nutrient standard established for LE control in many developing countries such as China. This study proposes a structural equation model to assist in the establishment of a lake nutrient standard for drinking water sources in Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau Ecoregion (Yungui Ecoregion), China. The modeling results indicate that the most predictive indicator for designated use-attainment is total phosphorus (TP) (total effect =-0.43), and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) is recommended as the second important indicator (total effect =-0.41). The model is further used for estimating the probability of use-attainment associated with lake water as a drinking water source and various levels of candidate criteria (based on the reference conditions and the current environmental quality standards for surface water). It is found that these candidate criteria cannot satisfy the designated 100% use-attainment. To achieve the short-term target (85% attainment of the designated use), TP and Chl-a values ought to be less than 0.02 mg/L and 1.4 μg/L, respectively. When used as a long-term target (90% or greater attainment of the designated use), the TP and Chl-a values are suggested to be less than 0.018 mg/L and 1 μg/L, respectively.     

水温分层对三峡水库香溪河库湾春季水华的影响

三峡水库蓄水以来,其支流库湾年复一年暴发严重的春季水华.为找出支流库湾春季水华的关键影响因子,2010年春季对三峡水库库首最大的支流香溪河库湾进行了原位定点连续监测,主要监测指标包括水温、水体透明度、水下光照及营养盐浓度等环境因子.结果表明,春季水温分层发育导致水体混合层深度突然减小是春季水华暴发的直接诱因,真光层与水体混合层之比(Zeu/Zmix)与叶绿素a(Chl-a)的皮尔逊相关系数达0.934(P<0.01).表明Critical Depth模型可用于解释三峡水库典型支流库湾水华生消机制.本研究将为三峡水库支流库湾水华预报及防治提供重要参考.     

三峡水库支流大宁河冬、春季水华调查研究

以三峡水库主要支流--大宁河冬、春季2次不同类型水华的调查数据为依据,分析并比较了不同水华期间水质的变化、营养盐的构成及水华的特征.结果表明,大宁河冬季水华以唐家湾为中心,叶绿素a(Chl-a)含量较高[(Chl-a)_(max)/(Chl-a)_(min)=260];随着藻类的生长总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)和高锰酸盐指数出现富集而含量升高,溶解氧(DO)和pH却出现低值;水华高峰期水体藻类较少,共发现2门4种,水华优势种为铜绿微囊藻和水华微囊藻,藻密度高达3.15×10~7个/L,相关加权综合营养状态指数为80,属于重度富营养化水体.而春季水华属于自回水段以下整体性暴发,Chl-a含量也较高[(Chl-a)_(max)/(Chl-a)_(min)=140];TN、TP和高锰酸盐指数均是随着水华的发生逐渐升高;水华高峰期藻类种群丰富,共发现5门44种,各断面水华优势种和藻密度均不同,相关加权综合营养状态指数显示东坪坝和白水河为轻度富营养化水体.相关性分析表明,冬季水华期间Chl-a与TN、TP、高锰酸盐指数、水温呈显著正相关,与DO、透明度(SD)呈显著负相关;春季水华Chl-a与TP、高锰酸盐指数、DO、pH呈显著正相关,与SD呈显著负相关.冬季水华pH与SD呈显著正相关,与TN、TP、高锰酸盐指数呈显著负相关;而春季水华pH与Chl-a、TP、高锰酸盐指数、DO、气温呈显著正相关,与SD呈显著负相关.     

Assessment of trophic change and its probable impact on tropical estuarine environment (the Kodungallur-Azhikode estuary, India)

The cumulative effects of global change, including climate change, increased population density and domestic waste disposal, effluent discharges from industrial processes, agriculture and aquaculture will likely continue and increases the process of eutrophication in estuarine environments. Eutrophication is one of the leading causes of degraded water quality, water column hypoxia/anoxia, harmful algal bloom (HAB) and loss of habitat and species diversity in the estuarine environment. The present study attempts to characterize the trophic condition of coastal estuary using a simple tool; trophic index (TRIX) based on a linear combination of the log of four state variables with supplementary index Efficiency Coefficient (Eff. Coeff.) as a discriminating tool. Numerically, the index TRIX is scaled from 0 to10, covering a wide range of trophic conditions from oligotrophic to eutrophic. Study area Kodungallur-Azhikode Estuary (KAE) was comparatively shallow in nature with average depth of 3.6?±?0.2?m. Dissolve oxygen regime in the water column was ranged from 4.7?±?1.3?mgL^?1 in Station I to 5.9?±?1.4?mgL^?1 in Station IV. The average nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N) of KAE water was 470?mg?m^?3; values ranged from Av. 364.4?mg?m^?3 at Station II to Av. 626.6?mg?m^?3at Station VII. The mean ammonium-nitrogen (NH ₄ ⁺ -N) varied from 54.1?mg?m^?3 at Station VII to 101?mg?m^?3 at Station III. The average Chl-a for the seven stations of KAE was 6.42?±?3.91?mg?m^?3. Comparisons over different spatial and temporal scales in the KAE and study observed that, estuary experiencing high productivity by the influence of high degree of eutrophication; an annual average of 6.91 TRIX was noticed in the KAE and seasonal highest was observed during pre monsoon period (7.15) and lowest during post monsoon period (6.51). In the spatial scale station V showed high value 7.37 and comparatively low values in the station VI (6.93) and station VII (6.96) and which indicates eutrophication was predominant in land cover area with comparatively high water residence time. Eff. Coeff. values in the KAE ranges from ?2.74 during monsoon period to the lowest of ?1.98 in pre monsoon period. Present study revealed that trophic state of the estuary under severe stress and the restriction of autochthonous and allochthonous nutrient loading should be keystone in mitigate from eutrophication process.     

2009~2018年贵阳市阿哈水库水质时空变化特征分析

为更好了解贵阳市饮用水源地阿哈水库的水质动态变化规律,对近10年来（2009～2018）库区及主要支流的水质、水文气象数据进行系统分析研究。结果表明：受水文气象及藻类生长的周期性影响,阿哈水库库区及支流水体的营养盐、透明度（SD）、叶绿素a （Chl.a）均呈季节性变化。阿哈水库水质以III类为主,库中水质（超标率为19.82%）优于库东（超标率为45.05%）。综合营养状态指数（TLI）分析表明,阿哈水库水体处于中营养至轻度富营养状态,近年来水质有所改善。入库支流水质优劣顺序为：游鱼河>白岩河>蔡冲河>金钟河,主要表现为总磷（TP）和氨氮（NH₃-N）超标。Pearson相关性分析表明,库区Chl.a和NH₃-N、高锰酸盐指数（COD_Mn）、气温、降雨量、日照时数等呈显著正相关,和SD、水位、气压呈显著负相关。主成分分析表明,藻类生长主要受控于水文气象因子。当前,加大金钟河等入库支流外源污染整治力度,是提升库区水质的关键。未来应加强水文、气象因子作用于藻类水华的过程机制研究,提升藻华应急处理能力。     

洋河水库富营养化防治对策

秦皇岛市主要水源地－洋河水库，目前的营养状况已达到富养水平，分析了洋河水库富营养化的营养物质的来源，并针对河河水库富营养化的善和特点，提出了操作较强的生物，农艺和行政管理等综合防治措施。     

天目湖沙河水库水生态安全状况长期变化及影响因素

为构建更为合理的个性化水库水生态安全评价指标体系,以我国东南低山丘陵地区水源地型水库天目湖沙河水库为例,基于2010~2020年逐月水生态监测数据,分析了水库水生态安全状况长期变化特征及影响因素,提出了以满足沙河水库水生态服务功能为目标的生态安全评价方法.结果表明,季节上,夏秋季SD相对较低,而总磷（TP）、浮游植物叶绿素a（Chl-a）、高锰酸盐指数和蓝藻生物量（BM_c）相对较高;空间上,不同区域的水体透明度（SD）存在显著差异（P<0.05）,多年均值呈现河流区 < 过渡区 < 湖泊区的现象,其他指标均呈现出河流区较过渡区和湖泊区高的现象;垂向上,5~9月随热分层出现,许多指标出现分层,其中异味物质2-甲基异莰醇（MIB）和Chl-a在水深4 m处出现最大值,硅藻生物量（BM_b）和BM_c最大值分别在水深2 m和0.5 m处出现.基于水生态指标的变化特征认识,应充分考虑水库水生态安全的时空差异性,将水生态安全风险较高的春夏季作为评价期,以Chl-a为核心指标,结合SD和MIB等指标,通过建立关键指标与其他指标的相关关系,构建了沙河水库水生态安全评价体系;评价结果表明,沙河水库10年来水生态安全状况整体优良,但年际波动较大,不同区域的得分差异大,对于存在热分层的区域应采取季节性分3层采样调查数据进行评估.本研究表明在湖库水生态安全管理中选取个性化方案监测评估的必要性;总磷偏高和藻类疯长引发的水体透明度下降和异味物质含量升高是影响亚热带地区水库生态服务功能的主要因素,年际间较大尺度的水文气象条件变化给水库水生态安全带来较大不确定性.     

风场对太湖梅梁湾水华及营养盐空间分布的影响

为了解风场对湖泊表层蓝藻水华及营养盐空间分布的影响,以太湖梅梁湾为例,在蓝藻水华期间开展表层粒子漂流实验,研究风场对水体表层物质的推移规律,并开展全水域水体表、中、底层密集布点采样,测定水体藻类叶绿素a、氮、磷、高锰酸盐指数、溶解性有机碳、溶解氧等水质指标,探讨风场驱动下大型浅水湖泊蓝藻水华及营养盐时空分布特征.结果表明,在平均风速1. 9 m·s~(-1)和2. 3 m·s~(-1)的情况下,表层粒子的平均漂移速度分别为3. 0 cm·s~(-1)和5. 0 cm·s~(-1);风场对表层水体蓝藻水华的空间分布具有决定性影响,能够引起蓝藻水华在空间上较高的异质性;蓝藻水华物质的空间变化对水体颗粒态氮、磷、有机质和溶解氧等水质指标产生较大影响,表、中、底层颗粒态氮和磷、高锰酸盐指数与叶绿素a浓度的空间分布一致,而溶解态氮、磷浓度及溶解性有机碳的分布与叶绿素a浓度分布不尽相同;蓝藻水华物质在风场作用下的再分配对水体溶解氧产生复杂的影响,底层溶解氧平均值低于表层与中层,可能对沉积物营养盐释放产生影响;依据高密度布点调查估算,仅表层20 cm,梅梁湾水域的蓝藻干物质赋存量约396 t,远大于蓝藻打捞工程的清除量.研究表明,鉴于水华期间风场作用下对蓝藻水华漂移的巨大影响,在湖泊水质调查采样方法及数据分析时应充分考虑蓝藻水华漂移的影响因素;防控湖泛灾害的蓝藻打捞作业对湖体蓝藻水华赋存量的清除能力有限,只能对岸边带湖泛的预防产生影响.     

Electrochemical inactivation of cyanobacteria and microcystin degradation using a boron-doped diamond anode——A potential tool for cyanobacterial bloom control

Cyanobacterial blooms are global phenomena that can occur in calm and nutrient-rich(eutrophic) fresh and marine waters. Human exposure to cyanobacteria and their biologically active products is possible during water sports and various water activities, or by ingestion of contaminated water. Although the vast majority of harmful cyanobacterial products are confined to the interior of the cells, these are eventually released into the surrounding water following natural or artificially induced cell death. Electrochemical oxidation has been used here to damage cyanobacteria to halt their proliferation, and for microcystin degradation under in-vitro conditions. Partially spent Jaworski growth medium with no addition of supporting electrolytes was used. Electrochemical treatment resulted in the cyanobacterial loss of cell-buoyancy regulation, cell proliferation arrest, and eventual cell death. Microcystin degradation was studied separately in two basic modes of treatment: batch-wise flow, and constant flow, for electrolytic-cell exposure. Batch-wise exposure simulates treatment under environmental conditions, while constant flow is more appropriate for the study of boron-doped diamond electrode efficacy under laboratory conditions. The effectiveness of microcystin degradation was established using high-performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array detector analysis, while the biological activities of the products were estimated using a colorimetric protein phosphatase-1 inhibition assay. The results indicate potential for the application of electro-oxidation methods for the control of bloom events by taking advantage of specific intrinsic ecological characteristics of bloom-forming cyanobacteria. The applicability of the use of boron-doped diamond electrodes in remediation of water exposed to cyanobacteria bloom events is discussed.     

三峡水库支流大宁河水华特征研究

以三峡水库支流大宁河水华敏感期(2007年4~6月和2008年4~5月)水质和水华的调查数据为依据,研究了其水质变化、营养盐构成及水华特征.结果表明,水华敏感期大宁河自回水段以下氮磷含量较高,总氮范围为0.84~3.21 mg/L,总磷为0.011~0.531 mg/L,氮营养盐主要以TDN为主(TDN/TN为84%),而磷营养盐以TDP占优(TDP/TP为60%);N/P值均高于16,藻类生长受磷限制.高锰酸盐指数和溶解氧含量低且变化稳定.叶绿素a为1.41~219.04 mg.m-3.相关性分析表明Chl-a与TP、高锰酸盐指数、DO、pH呈显著正相关(rChla-TP=0.453、rChla-高锰酸盐指数=0.641、rChla-DO=0.584、rChla-pH=0.409,p0.01),与SD呈显著负相关(rChla-SD=-0.392,p0.01);pH受多参数影响,但受藻类生长影响较大.通过显微镜对藻类进行鉴定,发现大宁河自回水段以下水华敏感期藻类分布较广,共发现8门82属124种,其中硅藻门和绿藻门分布最多,其次为蓝藻门和甲藻门,其余藻种较少.大宁河在水华敏感期暴发了3次自回水段以下大规模水华,水华期间藻密度最高值是正常值的14~1427倍,水华优势种主要有绿藻门的波吉卵囊藻、小空星球藻、土生绿球藻、实球藻和小球藻;裸藻门的扁裸藻、矩圆囊裸藻;硅藻门的小环藻、冠盘藻和舟形藻;甲藻门的埃尔多甲藻等;发生多藻种同时水华的情况;出河口处藻类较少.     

汉江下游河流型水华暴发的多影响要素特征识别

水体富营养化通常发生于湖泊和水库等闭合水域,在大型流动性河流中通常较少发生.然而,随着近年来人类活动的干扰,汉江中下游水华事件频繁暴发,给沿岸居民的饮用水安全带来了严重隐患.科学辨识可能导致汉江下游水华暴发的多要素变化特征,是揭示河流水华成因和优化上游水利工程调度的重要依据.基于收集的汉江流域下游气象、水文、水环境和水生态长序列数据,系统检测了可能导致汉江河流型水华暴发的多要素特征和不同时期的变化差异.结果表明:①汉江中下游降雨量（1961-2015年）下降、气温（1961-2012年）显著上升,汉江流域近50年气候逐渐呈现暖干的变化趋势.②1992-2013年汉江中下游径流变化呈显著下降趋势,在水华严重暴发的2008-2011年,汉江干流中下游主要断面年均流量和水位均处于历史上相对较低的一段时期.③2004-2014年汉江下游主要水环境指标变化趋势不显著,但总体水质状况较差,水华年ρ（COD_Mn）和ρ（TP）明显高于非水华年.④汉江水华暴发季节时间自2008年后有明显前移趋势,每年春季的2月中下旬-3月中旬将是水华暴发的重点防控时段.研究显示,汉江下游藻密度的变化相对于营养盐和水文情势要素更加敏感,在不同水华暴发时期的差异也最为显著,是导致河流型水华暴发的主要驱动因素.      

灭藻剂研究之JS灭藻剂

湖泊爆发蓝藻水华,制约了沿湖经济发展。通过大量研制、试验,研制出JS灭藻剂,试验证明蓝藻水华喷洒JS灭藻剂溶液后,迅速解体下沉,不再上浮至水面,水体清澈,臭味和微囊藻毒素得到较好消除,同时水中原有动植物未见明显影响。     

Effect of algal flocculation on dissolved organic matters using cationic starch modified soils

Modified soils(MSs) are being increasingly used as geo-engineering materials for the sedimentation removal of cyanobacterial blooms. Cationic starch(CS) has been tested as an effective soil modifier, but little is known about its potential impacts on the treated water.This study investigated dissolved organic matters in the bloom water after algal removal using cationic starch modified soils(CS-MSs). Results showed that the dissolved organic carbon(DOC) could be decreased by CS-MS flocculation and the use of higher charge density CS yielded a greater DOC reduction. When CS with the charge density of 0.052, 0.102 and0.293 meq/g were used, DOC was decreased from 3.4 to 3.0, 2.3 and 1.7 mg/L, respectively.The excitation–emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy and UV254 analysis indicated that CS-MS exhibits an ability to remove some soluble organics, which contributed to the DOC reduction. However, the use of low charge density CS posed a potential risk of DOC increase due to the high CS loading for effective algal removal. When CS with the charge density of 0.044 meq/g was used, DOC was increased from 3.4 to 3.9 mg/L. This study suggested, when CS-MS is used for cyanobacterial bloom removal, the content of dissolved organic matters in the treated water can be controlled by optimizing the charge density of CS. For the settled organic matters, other measures(e.g., capping treatments using oxygen loaded materials) should be jointly applied after algal flocculation.     

基于GAM模型的太湖叶绿素a含量与环境因子相关性分析

随着富营养化程度的加剧,太湖近30年来水华频发.为了探讨太湖西部沿岸水华暴发与环境因子的关系,于2017年4月1-18日（当地历年蓝藻暴发早期）在太湖西部沿岸进行了密集原位调查.共采集样品72个,测定了水温、溶解氧、各形态氮、磷营养盐浓度以及风速等环境指标,并利用GAM（广义相加模型）定量分析了叶绿素a含量与各环境因子间的关系.结果表明:①叶绿素a含量波动幅度较大（17.10~795.89 mg/m3）,太湖西部沿岸带有明显的蓝藻水华暴发现象.②水温、风速以及硝态氮浓度与叶绿素a含量的变化显著相关（P<0.05）,各环境因子按其对叶绿素a含量变化的解释率排序为水温>风速>硝态氮浓度.其中水温是影响叶绿素a含量最为重要的环境因子,叶绿素a含量随着水温的升高呈现明显上升趋势.风速也是影响叶绿素a含量的关键因子之一,较低的风速（<3 m/s）有利于蓝藻的漂移集聚从而形成水华,引起叶绿素a含量的升高.研究显示,GAM模型较好地解释了叶绿素a的含量变化,模型总体解释度达到70.6%,可为太湖西部沿岸蓝藻水华早期的预测预警提供一定的基础支撑.      

Adapting regional eutrophication targets for surface waters—influence of the EU Water Framework Directive, national policy and climate change

Large amounts of waterborne nutrients are major problems for society since they can cause harmful algal blooms in surface water bodies. Consequently, there are a variety of national and international guidelines, e.g. Swedish National Environmental Quality Objectives and the EU Water Framework Directive, which include targets to be achieved within a certain time frame. This paper uses the example of a large Swedish lake to show that national and international targets must be adapted to the local situations. Despite decreasing nutrient concentrations, cyanobacterial blooms in the lake have increased over recent years. We found that these blooms coincide with depleted nitrate–nitrogen concentrations and increased water temperatures. We propose a simple model with water temperature, nitrate–nitrogen and total phosphorus concentrations as input variables as a basis for formulation of regional eutrophication targets. Political decisions should be preceded by open discussion between policymakers and scientists to differentiate between real knowledge, assumptions or feelings. For optimal results, recommendations for reducing nutrient load should consider all sources, including urban stormwater and wastewater from rural houses, and should be founded on a balanced reduction in emissions of algae-available nutrients. In addition, climate change calls for more effective environmental policy to protect surface water resources.     

Determining reference conditions for TN, TP, SD and Chl-a in eastern plain ecoregion lakes, China

Establishing the nutrient reference condition(baseline environmental condition) of lakes in an ecoregion is a critical consideration in the development of scientifically defensible aquatic nutrient criteria.Three methods were applied to determine reference conditions in the Eastern plain ecoregion lakes with respect to total phosphorus(TP),total nitrogen(TN),planktonic chlorophyll a(Chl-a) and Secchi depth(SD).The reference condition value for the lakes in the Eastern plain ecoregion by the trisection method is TP of 0.029 mg/L,TN of 0.67 mg/L,Chl-a of 3.92 mg/m 3,SD of 0.85 m,and the reference condition range by the lake population distribution approach is TP of 0.014-0.043 mg/L,TN of 0.360-0.785 mg/L,Chl-a of 1.78-4.73 mg/m 3,SD of 0.68-1.21 m.Additionally,empirical models were developed for estimating the reference Chl-a concentration and SD successfully for lakes in the Eastern plain ecoregion.Overall,the data suggest that multiple methods can be used to determine reference conditions and that in Eastern plain ecoregion lakes the reference condition corresponds to a mesotrophic status.