Nitrate Status of Two Major Rivers in N. E. Scotland with Respect to Land Use and Fertiliser Additions

Land Use and the influence it has upon river water nitrate levels is discussed, for two large relatively unpopulated river systems in the N.E. of Scotland. the catchment areas for the rivers Dee and Don have been further subdivided into a number of sub catchments. Substantial differences in land use and agricultural potential exist both within and between the two areas. Greater agricultural production down stream is associated with increased river nitrate concentrations.     

North East Scotland River Catchment Nitrate Loading in Relation to Agricultural Intensity

Modern agricultural practices have been strongly linked with increased NO₃-N loadings in surface waters. Nitrate leaching increases as land use progresses from forest and moorland through grassland, to arable agriculture. There are, within the UK, few studies on a regional scale capable of displaying a relationship between land cover (agricultural intensity) and water quality. This relationship can be investigated using computer manipulation of spatial geographic information together with conventional river and agricultural census data.

Simple regression analysis against primary land cover suggests that agriculture is reponsible for annual losses of nitrate in North East Scotland river catchments. Further multi-linear regression analysis, using the GIS data and agricultural census returns indicate that most of the outstanding variation can be accounted for if the agricultural variable is related to agricultural practice, such as spring, winter and grass cropping.     

Effects of restoration and reflooding on soil denitrification in a leveed Midwestern floodplain.

River floodplains have the potential to remove nitrate from water through denitrification, the anaerobic microbial conversion of nitrate to nitrogen gas. An important factor in this process is the interaction of river water with floodplain soil; however, many rivers have been disconnected from their historic floodplains by levees. To test the effect of reflooding a degraded floodplain on nitrate removal, we studied changes in soil denitrification rates on the Baraboo River floodplain in Wisconsin, USA, as it underwent restoration. Prior to this study, the site had been leveed, drained, and farmed for more than 50 years. In late fall 2002, the field drainage system was removed, and a gate structure was installed to allow controlled flooding of this site with river water. Soil moisture was extremely variable among zones and months and reflected local weather. Soil organic matter was stable over the study period with differences occurring along the elevation gradient. High soil nitrate concentrations occurred in dry, relatively organic-poor soil samples and, conversely, all samples with high moisture soils characterized by low nitrate. We measured denitrification in static cores and potential denitrification in bulk samples amended with carbon and nitrogen, one year before and two years following the manipulation. Denitrification rates showed high temporal and spatial variability. Static core rates of individual sites ranged widely (from 0.00 to 16.7 microg N2O-N x [kg soil](-1) x h(-1), mean +/- SD = 1.10 +/- 3.02), and denitrification enzyme activity (DEA) rates were similar with a slightly higher mean (from 0.00 to 15.0 microg N2O-N x [kg soil](-1) x h(-1), 1.41 +/- 1.98). Denitrification was not well-correlated with soil nitrate, organic matter content, or moisture levels, the three parameters typically thought to control denitrification. Static core denitrification rates were not significantly different across years, and DEA rates decreased slightly the second year after restoration. These results demonstrate that restored agricultural soil has the potential for denitrification, but that floodplain restoration did not immediately improve this potential. Future floodplain restorations should be designed to test alternative methods of increasing denitrification.     

运用聚类分析划分农业生态类型区

科学地划分农业生态类型区对于分类指导农业生产、合理利用农业资源具有重大的现实意义。本文通过相关分析,选择了包括自然本底、经济条件、生态环境和生态经济效益在内的26个指标,采用聚类分析的方法,把全省划分为四个生态类型区,即山区林地生态区(Ⅰ)、盆地丘陵生态区(Ⅱ)、水网平原生态区(Ⅲ)和沿海岛屿生态区(Ⅳ)。在分区的基础上,分别对各生态类型区进行了综合评述。     

洮儿河流域农业生态地质环境研究

系统分析了吉林西部洮儿河流域的农业生态地质环境特征,揭示了流域内影响农业可持续发展的五大农业生态地质环境问题;按照地质、地貌、自然资源状况、生态环境灾害、环境质量等综合要素对流域进行了环境分区;最后论述了流域内农业生态地质环境的演化过程和影响因素。     

The Impact of Agriculture On Dissolved Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycling in Temperate Ecosystems

Although most research has focussed on inorganic nutrient forms of nitrate (NO^-₃) and phosphorus (PO³₄) in runoff and receiving waters, nitrogen loss from agricultural land can also occur in organic and ammonium-nitrogen form; phosphorus losses, although often dominated by particulate transport, may occur in soluble organic and inorganic form. Furthermore, fluxes between different species may take place during transport from the land to the stream and as a result of in-stream, in-river or in-lake transformations. Knowledge of the spatial and temporal variation in all nitrogen species and phosphorus fractions in a drainage basin is therefore essential if the wider environmental significance of elevated nutrient concentrations in natural waters are to be assessed. This paper reviews recent work on N and P losses from agricultural land and presents some results from two intensive agricultural catchments: Slapton, Devon and the river Windrush catchment in the Cotswolds.     

Water quality index and suitability assessment of urban ground water of Hisar and Panipat in Haryana

Ground water quality in two well-developed cities of Haryana, viz. Hisar and Panipat was assessed for drinking purpose based on water quality parameters like pH, EC, turbidity, TDS, alkalinity, total hardness, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), nitrate (NO3), phosphate (PO4), sulphate (SO4) and fluoride (F) with respect to different land-use areas viz. residential, industrial, commercial and agricultural. Water quality index based on 9 parameters showed that at Panipat, underground water in all the land-use zones was fit for consumption (WQI < 50), whereas at Hisar, water in agricultural areas was good in quality, but that in other areas varied in magnitude of pollution (WQI > 50 to 100).     

沣河水系脱氮微生物群落结构研究

河流水体氮素的超负荷不仅破坏了水体生态环境,也严重威胁着人类的生存和发展.水体中有机氮、无机氮（氨氮、亚硝氮、硝氮）和分子氮之间的转化（氮循环）有赖于水体中大量的氮循环微生物（固氮细菌、硝化细菌和反硝化细菌）,然而这些氮循环微生物的生长繁殖也受到包括氮素的形态和浓度在内的多种环境因子的影响,这些因素也通过影响氮循环微生物的生长繁殖进而使得水体中氮素的转化速率发生变化,对水体氮污染的防治有不可忽视的作用.本研究通过在沣河设置不同的研究断面,采集水体样品,进行水质分析,并通过现代分子生物学技术（PCR-DGGE）方法对研究断面水体中氮循环微生物（固氮细菌、硝化细菌和反硝化细菌）的群落结构进行分析.再通过统计学软件对所得分子生物学信息与水质环境因子的相关性进行统计学分析,发现沣河水体中氮循环微生物群落结构受到多种环境因子共同影响,且在枯水期和丰水期表现出不同的特征.在丰水期沣河水体中,硝化细菌群落在中游表现出较高的多样性和丰富性,这与沣河中上游农业COD（化学需氧量）、BOD（生化需氧量）氨氮及有机氮污染物排放量较大,沣河水体DO（溶解氧）高有关.水体中的氨氮、亚硝氮、温度的增加是促进水体中硝化细菌的均匀性和丰富度的增高的主要因子,而pH 值的升高,使得水体中硝化细菌的均匀性和丰富度降低.反硝化微生物在中游和下游的多样性和丰富度较高,与有机物及硝酸盐含量相关.水体中的BOD、COD、TP（总磷）、硝氮的增加是促进水体中反硝化细菌的均匀性和丰富度的增高主要相关因子,而DO 的增多则会对部分反硝化细菌产生不利影响,使得水体中反硝化细菌的均匀性和丰富度降低.本研究结果为沣河以及其他河流的污染控制以及基于微生物的生态修复提供了科?     

Ecological modelling of nitrate pollution in small river basins by spreadsheets and GIS

With the increasing importance and awareness of water quality in the small basins, the modelling system is developed for monitoring and predictions of surface water pollution. The compartment model deals with basin characteristics extended by land cover attributes. The parameters of the model are estimated by experimental data of water quality together with land cover types that serve as nutrient detention media or transformers. The study examines methodology to determine the potential areas of nitrate pollution from point and non-point sources by remote sensing techniques. Classification of water, agricultural, forest and urban areas is processed with satellite images (LANDSAT 7). Whereas the agricultural and urban areas act as sources of pollution, forest zones operate as sinks. The nitrate levels are decreased downstream, if the proportion of the forest inside contribution zones increases. The modelling system is used to simulate amounts of nitrates in each compartment of the stream during the monitored period of one year. The number of compartments and their lengths are estimated on the basis of morphology of the basin. Simulation of the dynamic model is carried out with the TabSim. Geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing tools are used to manage and estimate nitrate inflows from point and non-point sources of pollution. The article presents the spatial and time variation of the nitrate (NO₃⁻) within the basin of the stream Rakovnický (the west part of Bohemia, the whole area of 368 km²). It is shown that the model approach extended by the GIS and remote sensing can support decision-making process for better management practices in the basins.     

大宝山矿水外排的环境影响:Ⅲ.综合治理对策

大宝山外排酸性矿水对下游水生生态系统及周边农村地区农业生态系统带来严重影响，并可能已危及当地人民的健康。文章根据大宝山矿所在地区的实际情况，对大宝山矿区及周围地区生态退化和环境污染的综合治理途径进行探讨，提出：(1)必须走系统整治的路径才能做到既治标又治本；(2)治理污染源是整个治理方案的关键环节；(3)为了使深受污染之害的矿区周边人民尽快脱离危险，近期最迫切的治理地段是受矿水严重污染的农田，尤其是重污染区一上坝村；(4)在治理方法上，必须将化学治理、生物治理与工程治理相结合；(5)为了更好地实施各项治理工程，可考虑运用经济杠杆，以便有效地筹集足够的矿山治理资金；(6)着眼于未来更严格的环境质量标准，建立水质的生物预警系统；(7)目前制约大宝山矿地区生态环境治理的主要瓶颈之一是缺乏适合中国国情的高效低投入治理技术，政府应考虑提供研究经费支持相关的应用基础研究和技术开发，以便能加快治理的步伐。     

Prevalence of malformed frogs in Kaoping and Tungkang river basins of southern Taiwan

In this study we found many amphibians with bizarre appearances, known as malformations in Pingtung County southern Taiwan. For this investigation we collected frogs inhabiting the Kaoping and Tungkang river watersheds between February 2006 and June 2007. Among the total number of 10,909 normal frogs (i.e., anurans) collected during the investigation period, the Indian rice frogs (Rana limnocharis) account for the greatest number next is the Chinese bullfrog (Rana rugulosa). Of all the 244 captured malformed frogs, the Indian rice frog account for the greatest proportion. These malformed frogs have their main distribution in upstream areas of these two rivers. Our result indicates that the appearance rate of malformed frogs is 1.8% in the upstream reaches of the Kaoping River and 2.6%, and 0.8%, respectively in the upstream and midstream reaches of the Tungkang river. The most-commonly-found malformation is the lack of palms, followed by the lack of appendages, exostosis, and a malformed appendicular. It is, therefore, reasonable to speculate that the causes for the malformation may be related to the increased organic pollutants and agricultural chemicals used in the upstream reaches of these two rivers.     

The nitrate time bomb: a numerical way to investigate nitrate storage and lag time in the unsaturated zone

Nitrate pollution in groundwater, which is mainly from agricultural activities, remains an international problem. It threatens the environment, economics and human health. There is a rising trend in nitrate concentrations in many UK groundwater bodies. Research has shown it can take decades for leached nitrate from the soil to discharge into groundwater and surface water due to the ‘store’ of nitrate and its potentially long travel time in the unsaturated and saturated zones. However, this time lag is rarely considered in current water nitrate management and policy development. The aim of this study was to develop a catchment-scale integrated numerical method to investigate the nitrate lag time in the groundwater system, and the Eden Valley, UK, was selected as a case study area. The method involves three models, namely the nitrate time bomb—a process-based model to simulate the nitrate transport in the unsaturated zone (USZ), GISGroundwater—a GISGroundwater flow model, and N-FM—a model to simulate the nitrate transport in the saturated zone. This study answers the scientific questions of when the nitrate currently in the groundwater was loaded into the unsaturated zones and eventually reached the water table; is the rising groundwater nitrate concentration in the study area caused by historic nitrate load; what caused the uneven distribution of groundwater nitrate concentration in the study area; and whether the historic peak nitrate loading has reached the water table in the area. The groundwater nitrate in the area was mainly from the 1980s to 2000s, whilst the groundwater nitrate in most of the source protection zones leached into the system during 1940s–1970s; the large and spatially variable thickness of the USZ is one of the major reasons for unevenly distributed groundwater nitrate concentrations in the study area; the peak nitrate loading around 1983 has affected most of the study area. For areas around the Bowscar, Beacon Edge, Low Plains, Nord Vue, Dale Springs, Gamblesby, Bankwood Springs, and Cliburn, the peak nitrate loading will arrive at the water table in the next 34 years; statistical analysis shows that 8.7 % of the Penrith Sandstone and 7.3 % of the St Bees Sandstone have not been affected by peak nitrate. This research can improve the scientific understanding of nitrate processes in the groundwater system and support the effective management of groundwater nitrate pollution for the study area. With a limited number of parameters, the method and models developed in this study are readily transferable to other areas.     

降低蔬菜硝酸盐含量的农业措施

过量的硝酸盐在人体内积累,会对人体产生毒害作用。目前各大城市普查的结果表明．蔬菜中硝酸盐含量超标2～8倍。控制蔬菜硝酸盐的积累,是一个迫切问题。本文提出了降低蔬菜硝酸盐含量的若干农业措施。     

Increases in Nitrate Concentrations in the River Frome (Dorset) Catchment Related to Changes in Land Use, Fertiliser Applications and Sewage Input

Nitrate concentrations and nitrate loads throughout the River Frome catchment (Dorset) are compared for the periods 1970-71 and 1984-86. Nitrate concentrations and loads have increased at every site, the increase in mean nitrate concentrations varying from 31% to 123%. These increases in nitrate concentrations are related to changes in land use and fertiliser applications and also to an increase in sewage effluent entering the river.     

珠江三角洲农业现代化指标体系应用研究--以广州市白云区神山镇为例

研究应用定量化的珠江三角洲农业现代化标准评价体系,对神山镇进行农业现代化评价与规划,同时探讨构建适宜该镇农业生产的农业生态系统应用模式.     

Tests of landscape influence: nest predation and brood parasitism in fragmented ecosystems

The effects of landscape fragmentation on nest predation and brood parasitism, the two primary causes of avian reproductive failure, have been difficult to generalize across landscapes, yet few studies have clearly considered the context and spatial scale of fragmentation. Working in two river systems fragmented by agricultural and rural-housing development, we tracked nesting success and brood parasitism in > 2500 bird nests in 38 patches of deciduous riparian woodland. Patches on both river systems were embedded in one of two local contexts (buffered from agriculture by coniferous forest, or adjacent to agriculture), but the abundance of agriculture and human habitation within 1 km of each patch was highly variable. We examined evidence for three models of landscape effects on nest predation based on (1) the relative importance of generalist agricultural nest predators, (2) predators associated with the natural habitats typically removed by agricultural development, or (3) an additive combination of these two predator communities. We found strong support for an additive predation model in which landscape features affect nest predation differently at different spatial scales. Riparian habitat with forest buffers had higher nest predation rates than sites adjacent to agriculture, but nest predation also increased with increasing agriculture in the larger landscape surrounding each site. These results suggest that predators living in remnant woodland buffers, as well as generalist nest predators associated with agriculture, affect nest predation rates, but they appear to respond at different spatial scales. Brood parasitism, in contrast, was unrelated to agricultural abundance on the landscape, but showed a strong nonlinear relationship with farm and house density, indicating a critical point at which increased human habitat causes increased brood parasitism. Accurate predictions regarding landscape effects on nest predation and brood parasitism will require an increased appreciation of the multiple scales at which landscape components influence predator and parasite behavior.     

Spatial variability in characteristics and trace metal levels in sediments from watercourses

Assessing sediment quality requires sampling designs which address variability. Often however, only one sample or composited sample is collected at a sample site. Existing studies on sediment variability or sampling strategies primarily concern lake or marine sediments. Two rivers and one canal were sampled to assess sediment variability. Further, it was determined if sediment contamination in running water could be predicted by using visual criteria and/or knowledge of the presence of depositional and erosion areas. Metal concentrations and sediment characteristics were measured in different visually distinct areas of the river. At all sample sites the coefficient of variance was relatively high for most sediment characteristics (1.4‐ > 100%) and metal levels (15.3–63.6%). In one river the majority of sediment characteristics variation was between two sediment types and detected by visually distinct differences. Significant differences in cadmium and zinc concentrations were also detected. Contrary to what was expected, cadmium, and zinc levels were highest in the coarse fraction. No differences were found in the second river. In the canal a greater concentration of fine grained sediments and metals were found in the deep areas. It was not possible to predict sediment areas with the highest levels of metal contamination using visual criteria or knowledge of the erosion and sedimentation pattern of the river.     

Rehabilitating China's Largest Inland River

Abstract:  Wetlands are particularly important for conserving China's biodiversity but riparian wetlands in the Tarim River basin in western China have been reduced by 46% during the last 3 decades. The world's largest habitat for Populus euphratica , which is in the Tarim River basin, significantly shrank. To protect and restore the deteriorated ecosystems along the Tarim River and its associated wetlands, China's government initiated a multimillion dollar river restoration project to release water from upper dams to the dried-up lower reaches of the Tarim River starting in 2000. We monitored the responses of groundwater and vegetation to water recharge in the lower reaches of the river from 2000 to 2006 by establishing nine 1000-m-long transects perpendicular to the river at intervals of 20–45 km along the 320-km river course below the Daxihaizi Reservoir, the source of water conveyance, to Lake Taitema, the terminus of the Tarim River. Water recharges from the Daxihaizi Reservoir to the lower reaches of the Tarim River significantly increased groundwater levels and vegetation coverage at all monitoring sites along the river. The mean canopy size of the endangered plant species P. euphratica doubled after 6 years of water recharge. Some rare migrating birds returned to rest on the restored wetlands in summer along the lower reaches of the Tarim River. The biggest challenge facing decision makers, however, is to balance water allocation and water rights between agricultural and natural ecosystems in a sustainable way. A large number of inhabitants in the Tarim Basin depend on these limited water resources for a living. At the same time, the endangered ecosystems need to be protected. Given the ecological, socioeconomic, and sociopolitical realities in the Tarim Basin, adaptive water policies and strategies are needed for water allocation in these areas of limited water resources.     

绿黄隆、甲黄隆在江苏省农区5种土壤中残留活性的研究

采用改进的玉米主根长土培生测法，研究绿黄隆、甲黄隆在江苏省典型农区土壤中残留活性。结果表明，两种除草剂在５种土壤中剂量与玉米主根长抑制率之间皆达极显著相关，土壤ｐＨ和有机质含量是主要影响因素，碱性轻质土壤中活性较高，酸性重质土壤中活性较低，活性大小顺序为：黄潮土＞高沙土＞砂姜黑土＞滨海盐土＞太湖水稻土。     

Elemental Analysis of Water and Sediments By External Beam Pixe Part 4. Aliakmon River,Greece

The Aliakmon River originates in the North Western part of Greece, traverses the Western part of Macedonia, and discharges into the Thermaikos Bay in the North Aegean Sea. Proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method with external beam was used for the determination of the metallic elements in the waters and sediments of the Aliakmon River. the pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and total phosphate and nitrate concentrations were also monitored in the water samples. Data collected for a 20-month period indicate that the Aliakmon River can be still considered as an unpolluted river.