Spatial Variations of Heavy Metals in the East China Sea Continental Shelf Surface Sediments

Surface sediments collected from continental shelf of the East China Sea were analyzed for heavy metals (iron, manganese, copper, zinc, lead, cadmium), carbonate, organic carbon contents, and grain sizes. the range of concentrations observed were iron: 0.3-1.3 wt%, manganese: 2.3-14 μmole/g, copper: 7.1-184 μmole/g, zinc: 0.16-0.77μmiole/g, lead: 15-98 μmole/g, cadmium: 0.17-3.9 μmole/g, carbonate: 3.6-87 wt%, sand: 10-100%, silt: 0-70% and clay: 0-50%.

A zonal distribution pattern of the heavy metals was found in the East China Sea Continental shelf sediments. High concentrations of most heavy metals, organic carbon and fine-grained sediments were observed in the inner shelf zone, especially those near the discharge of the Yangtze River. Concentrations of these heavy metals decreased from the inner shelf to the shelf break region. High concentrations of metals were also found in sediments near Taiwan. Iron concentrations decreased north-east of the central shelf region. High concentrations of cadmium were found in the shelf break region where biogenic carbonate is predominant. This study showed that biogenic carbonate in the East China Sea shelf break region and the terrigenous sediments from the Yangtze River and island of Taiwan were the major sources of heavy metals. Heavy metal concentrations were strongly influenced by the content of the coarse-grained quartz sand present in the sediments.     

Origin and Distribution of Suspended Organic Matter As Inferred From Carbon Isotope Composition in A Mediterranean Semi-Enclosed Marine System

The origin and distribution of suspended organic matter, the trophic features and the stable carbon isotopic composition of particulate organic carbon (POC) were studied monthly in a Western Mediterranean semi-enclosed basin. Sampling stations were selected as a function of wind-exposure and the degree of vegetation cover and then compared with an adjacent unvegetated site. the predominant vegetation was seagrass (Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa) and Caulerpa prolifera. Water samples were analyzed for total suspended matter (inorganic and organic fractions), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll-a and phaeopigments), dissolved organic carbon, particulate organic carbon and their isotopic composition. Temperature and salinity were also measured at the same sampling sites within range of Mediterranean limits. the suspended organic matter concentration was 1.77 ± 1.55 mg l^-1; the chlorophyll-a concentration was low (0.35 ± 0.24 μg l^-1); the disolved organic carbon concentration was 2,140 ± 2,010 μg l^-1; the particulate organic carbon concentration was 212 ± 106 μg l^-1 and the isotopic composition was 18.77 ± 2.51%_°. There were significant temporal differences except for phaeopigments, POC and its POC isotopic composition, and there were no spatial differences other than for δ¹³C. This picture highlighted a general seasonal trend and trophical features similar to adjacent sea.

Spatial differences in δ¹³C showed that the source of suspended organic matter was different between stations as that between sources and wind-hydrodynamic constraints. In     

Effects of Nitrate Nitrogen Additions on Physical, Chemical and Biological Parameters in Lake Enclosures

The effects of nitrate additions on the physics, chemistry and biology of lake water were studied in 5 × 10 m polyethylene enclosures installed in Lake Kastoria, a shallow eutrophic lake in Northern Greece. The water physics, chemistry, chlorophyll a and nitrogenase activity were monitored from July 10 till October 17 1985 at 2 week intervals. The experiment included a control enclosure.

Water confinement in the control enclosure resulted in ammonia accumulation, a slight decrease in chlorophyll a, a significant reduction of nitrogenase activity and an increase in phosphorus release from the sediments at the end of the experimental period.

The addition of KNO₃ resulted in higher than the control accumulation of NH₃, chlorophyll reduction, increase in water transparency and reduction of nitrogenase activity. Large losses of nitrogen added were measured which were attributed to denitrification, organic matter sedimentation and ammonia volatilization. Anaerobic but not aerobic phosphorus release from sediments was inhibited at the end of the period. The reduction of nitrogenase activity and of chlorophyll a concentration are attributed to changes in phytoplankton composition from blue-greens to small-sized species grazed by zooplankters.     

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Sea Urchin Tissues From Egypt, Ireland and United Kingdom

Sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) were collected from the Mediterranean coast off Alexandria, Egypt and the Atlantic coast of Ireland to the west of Galway. Samples of another urchin species, Psammechinus miliaris, were collected from the entrance to Southampton Water, U.K. Both the Alexandria coast and Southampton Water receive domestic and industrial waste water inputs whilst the western Irish coast is relatively unpolluted.

Sampled animals were dissected to separate coelomic fluids, Aristotle's lantern, gonads and tissue (digestive tract plus connective tissue). the concentrations of heavy metals (cadmium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc) in the different parts were measured using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Many levels of heavy metals in the different parts were similar in specimens taken across the wide range of sites and the two species. A notable exception was the high level of copper (33 μg g^-1 dry wt.) and zinc 328 μg g^-1- dry wt.) in urchin tissue from Southampton Water.

The metal concentrations in the gonads of Paracentrotus lividus are of particular interest because of human consumption of this species. the highest levels of copper (3.3-5.2 g^-1- dry wt.) and zinc (74-181 μ g^-1- dry wt.) dry wt.) in gonads were found in the samples from Egypt. Data from this study are compared with other results reported from the Mediterranean.

A simple, short term, elevated water column copper uptake experiment was undertaken with Paracentrotus lividus which showed an increase in gonad concentrations of this element.     

Species of Trace Metals, Organic Residues and Humic Substances in Sediments From the Taiwan Erhjin River and Coastal Areas

Total organic carbon, humic substances, and the species of trace metals (including Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn and Fe) in six and seven phases, such as bioexchangeable (P1), skeletal (carbonates, P2), easily reducible (Fe and Mn oxides, P3), moderately reducible (crystalline Mn oxides, P4), organic matters with sulphides (P5), and detritus with minerals (P6) as well as organic with humic substances (PB4) and organic residues (PB6), were analyzed in sediments from the Taiwan Erhjin coastal (including river and estuarine) area, where places we found the copper pollution. Results indicate that higher percentages of P1 and P2 for copper, zinc, lead, cadmium and manganese in samples collected in March and September of 1990 were much higher than those in P3-P6. High percentages of chromium and iron in samples respectively collected in March and September of 1990 were found in P6. for the seven phase analysis, higher percentages of copper species in PB4 and PB6 as well as iron species in PB7 were observed. On the other hand, purified humic acid with the high contents of manganese and iron in humic acid as well as purified fulvic acids were generally found at the upstream stations; and low values at coastal stations. However, extremely high copper (as high as 1750μg g^-1, dry weight in fulvic acid and 820μg g^-1 in humic acid) and lead (821μg g^-1 in humic acid) concentrations with relatively high manganese and iron concentrations were observed in humic substances from the station near the copper recycling area. Comparing the results obtained from the Antarctic Ocean sediments with those from the Taiwan Erhjin Chi coastal sediments, the human impacts on the latter are evaluated.     

Spatial Variations of Heavy Metals in the East China Sea Continental Shelf Surface Sediments

Surface sediments collected from continental shelf of the East China Sea were analyzed for heavy metals (iron, manganese, copper, zinc, lead, cadmium), carbonate, organic carbon contents, and grain sizes. the range of concentrations observed were iron: 0.3-1.3 wt%, manganese: 2.3-14 μmole/g, copper: 7.1-184 μmole/g, zinc: 0.16-0.77μmiole/g, lead: 15-98 μmole/g, cadmium: 0.17-3.9 μmole/g, carbonate: 3.6-87 wt%, sand: 10-100%, silt: 0-70% and clay: 0-50%.

A zonal distribution pattern of the heavy metals was found in the East China Sea Continental shelf sediments. High concentrations of most heavy metals, organic carbon and fine-grained sediments were observed in the inner shelf zone, especially those near the discharge of the Yangtze River. Concentrations of these heavy metals decreased from the inner shelf to the shelf break region. High concentrations of metals were also found in sediments near Taiwan. Iron concentrations decreased north-east of the central shelf region. High concentrations of cadmium were found in the shelf break region where biogenic carbonate is predominant. This study showed that biogenic carbonate in the East China Sea shelf break region and the terrigenous sediments from the Yangtze River and island of Taiwan were the major sources of heavy metals. Heavy metal concentrations were strongly influenced by the content of the coarse-grained quartz sand present in the sediments.     

Phosphate enrichment in the northern Gulf of Aqaba: Regulation by carbonate sediments and impact on nitrogen elevation

The effect of carbonate sediment in regulating phosphate concentrations in sea water was investigated by laboratory incubation experiments using different sediment types. Incubation experiments were made with two types of sediments: uncontaminated sediment from a marine reserve and contaminated sediment with deposited phosphate powders. Fluxes of inorganic nitrogen and phosphate were estimated from linear regressions of solute concentrations over incubation periods. Ammonium and phosphate fluxes were about twofold higher in the uncontaminated sediment that had significantly lower organic carbon and total phosphate concentrations than in the phosphate-contaminated sediment. To test the effect of dissolved phosphate on increasing nitrogen fixation, additional incubation experiments were carried out using treated carbonate and silicate sediments with added dissolved phosphate (20 μM). Incubations were made under sterile conditions with HgCl₂ added to distinguish between biologically enhanced processes and pure physicochemical processes. The adsorption rate of phosphate onto carbonate sediment was about twice that onto silicate sediments. No nitrogen elevation either as ammonium or as nitrate was observed in the soluble phosphate enrichment incubations. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the importance of the regulation of soluble phosphate concentrations in carbonate sediment environments where the carbonate sediment acts as a buffering system keeping soluble phosphate concentrations at certain steady-state levels. The study also demonstrates the lack of evidence on enhancement of nitrogen concentrations due to the increase phosphate concentrations.     

Total and “Selective” Extraction Methods for Trace Metals in Marine Sediment Reference Samples (Mess-1, NBS 1646)

Trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn) and Fe were analyzed in two sediment reference samples (NBS 1646, MESS-1) with AAS fitted with graphite furnace, using five different (three total and two selective) extraction procedures.

The comparison of the total digestion methods (hot strong acids) with reference materials gave good results for almost all of them, and the “teflon bomb” was preferred for its rapidity and ease of operation. Some non-referenced data on total and organic carbon, total nitrogen and minerals are given. The two selective leaching extractions (nitric and cold hydrochloric) were also compared with reference values.

The use of certified reference materials (CRM) for environmental chemistry is recommended, together with the determination of organic matter and fundamental mineralogical composition.     

Arsenic species in the well water and sediments of the blackfoot disease area in Taiwan

The blackfoot disease (BFD) observed in southwestern Taiwan is due to drinking high arsenic concentrations in well water. This paper presents some results concerning the distributions of arsenic species in water and sediments collected in the BFD (well, river and coastal) area and the background (lake and ocean) area for comparison. The results show that the concentrations of arsenate (870 ± 26 ug/L) and arsenite (70.2 ± 2.6 ug/ L) in well waters, and the contents of arsenic (1640 ug/g) with high percentage of easily reducible (Fe and Mn oxides, 91.7%) and exchangeable and carbonate (4.6%) phases in well sediments were much higher than those in river, lake and coastal samples. Low arsenic (3.46–31.8 ug/g) with high percentages (73.8–97.3%) of detritus and minerals phase with low percentages (0.4–9.8%) of total carbonate and exchangeable phases were found in the river and coastal samples in the BFD area as well as the lake and ocean samples in background area. It might suggest that the higher concentrations of toxic As(III) in well water and arsenic with higher values of easily reducible, carbonate and exchangeable phases in the well sediments, combined with the higher values of dissolved organic carbon, humic and fulvic acids and aromatic carbon as well as the higher fluorescence indensity in the well water are the key factors to cause the BFD in Taiwan.     

A model on the carbon cycling in Lake Taihu, China

A model of the carbon cycling in Lake Taihu was developed based on the previous developed model EcoTaihu Model, which couples the hydrology, the nutrient cycling and a number of biological processes. The carbon cycling model (abbreviated CCM) has in addition to the states variables of the EcoTaihu Model, the carbon in phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish, macroplant, hydrogen carbonate carbon, carbonate carbon, dissolved carbon, abiotic organic carbon in water, organic carbon in sediment, soluble organic carbon in pore water, inorganic carbon in sediments, soluble inorganic carbon in pore water and pH. The calibration and validation of the CCM showed that the model results are in good accordance with the observations (from the period February17 to December. 5, 2003). It implies that the model can be used to assess the variation of the carbon dioxide flux at the water-air interface, and to find the pH value of the lake water as function of time. According to the model, the carbon dioxide flux at the water-air interface has clear, diurnal variations. Eutrophied water is a sink for the atmospheric carbon dioxide due to the phytosynthesis during the summer. Due to the terrestrial input of carbon to the lake, Lake Taihu is, however, a source of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The total annual flux is almost equal to the terrestrial input of carbon to the lake.     

Spatial variation of phosphorus fractionation in the coral reef sediments of Lakshadweep Archipelago,Indian Ocean

Surface sediments were collected from the shore and lagoons of Kavaratti, Kadamat and Agatti islands of Lakshadweep Archipelago during May 2015 and analysed for the spatial distribution of the micronutrient element, phosphorus. Phosphorus was separated by sequential extraction procedure into five fractions – exchangeable (Ex-P), iron bound, (Fe-P), calcium bound (Ca-P), organic and residual fractions (OP) and total phosphorus (TP). The average relative contribution of each P species to TP was: OP?>?Ca –P?>?Ex – P?>?Fe – P. The high concentration of organic and residual phosphorus (87–96%) compared to inorganic phosphorus is particularly evident at stations characterised by higher total phosphorus concentrations. Among the three forms of IP in the sediments, Ca-P was dominant at all stations. The OC/OP ratio ranged from 3 to 163 in the sediments, suggesting that the organic matter in sediments had been subjected to degradation. Hence, the major contribution towards organic and residual phosphorus form is from the residual fraction comprising biologically resistant or non-available phosphorus form composed of refractory materials. The concentration of phosphorus reported in the present study is higher than that of the earlier studies in Lakshadweep, indicating a terrestrial and anthropogenic in?uence on the sediment.     

广州市流花湖表层底泥磷的形态与生物可利用性

应用经改进的Psenner连续提取法对广州市流花湖表层底泥中的磷进行了连续提取和测定。结果表明,流花湖底泥中总磷含量在1.28~2.15 mg/g,流花湖总磷含量最高在L2点,最低在L3点。湖泊表层底泥总磷主要由金属氧化物结合态磷、有机磷和钙结合态磷组成,可还原态磷和弱吸附态磷仅占很少部分。不同形态磷的含量顺序是金属氧化物结合态磷NaOH-P>有机磷Org-P>钙结合态磷HCl-P>可还原态磷BD-P>弱吸附态磷NH4Cl-P。底泥中生物可利用性磷的含量达0.76~1.00 mg/g,平均含量为0.91 mg/g,占总磷的45.47%~64.71%。说明流花湖底泥的磷有较好的生物可利用性,将为水体藻类大量繁殖提供潜在的有利条件,因此在湖泊治理恢复过程中,应该采样有效的措施来控制底泥磷的内源释放。     

The addition of FeOOH binds phosphate in organic matter-rich sediments

Due to climate change and anthropogenic nutrients’ runoff into freshwater or shallow lakes, eutrophication caused by phosphorus (P) can be seen in the frequent occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms and excessive growth of macrophytes. Subsequently, decomposition of cyanobacterial bloom biomass (CBB) and macrophytes leads to massive autochthonous organic matter (OM) and creates hypoxia in bodies of water. In this study, we investigated the effects of OM and iron on phosphorus release from lake sediments under anaerobic conditions. As with CBB, the addition of cellulose also enhanced P release from sediments during microcosm experiments, while total phosphorus (TP) concentration in the overlying water displayed an inverse relationship to cellulose amendment, with high TP concentration (0.41?±?0.07?mg?L^?1) observed in the treatment of less cellulose amendment (1?g of cellulose). In addition, P release from OM-rich sediments was effectively inhibited when amorphous FeOOH was added to the microcosms. P release was inhibited by 66–92% when the weight ratio between total Fe and total P in sediments varied from 18 to 60. Thus, iron treatment was useful to inhibit P release from OM-rich sediments, and could alleviate eutrophication problems.     

Determination of Microbial Activity in Marine Sediments by Resazurin Reduction

A simple method is presented to evaluate microbial activity in aquatic sediments. The method is based on resazurin reduction by microbial electron transport chains and reduced chemical compounds present in the sample. The addition of m-cresol, which inhibits enzyme activity, allows one to measure microbial metabolism by difference. Small aliquots of sediment (about 1 g FW) are incubated at 20°C with resazurin solution, with and without m-cresol. The sample is then filtered and the unreduced resazurin is measured at 600 nm.

Testing the method with a bacterial suspension gave a resazurin reduction of 89 μg/h/10⁹ cells. In a few marine coastal sediment samples, the resazurin reduction in aerobic conditions was in the range of 0.31 to 219.3 μg/h/g DW, which is equivalent to an oxygen consumption of 0.02 to 15.32 μg/h/g DW.     

Revealing the factors affecting occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water and sediments of Lake Baikal and its tributaries

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), total carbon (TC), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in water and sediments of Lake Baikal and its tributaries were measured. It was found that according to existing water and sediment quality standards limiting permissible PAH concentrations, both surface waters and sediments in Lake Baikal watershed can be considered as unpolluted with PAHs compounds. Nevertheless, the spatial distribution of PAH concentrations in lake water indicates the existence of some point PAH sources in and around the lake. These sources were natural oil seeps and communal facilities such as residential coal-fired and oil-fired boilers. It was observed that concentrations of PAHs in both water and sediments are controlled by organic matter content and organic matter mineralisation degree, as indicated by PAH-to-carbon and nitrogen-to-carbon ratios respectively. It was found that PAH/TOC and PAH/TC ratios characterise PAH loading on water and sediments respectively, whereas DIN/TOC and TN/TC ratios characterise self-purification of water and sediments respectively. It was proved that PAH/TOC and DIN/TOC ratios can be used as tracers to evaluate the PAH contributions from tributaries to Lake Baikal.     

PARTICULATE ORGANIC MATTER IN THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ADRIATIC

The particulate organic matter distribution and its elemental composition in the northern and central Adriatic Sea during different seasonal periods are shown, highlighting the principal processes and factors influencing their distribution and characteristics.

In the low salinity waters the concentrations of particulate carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus were higher and more variable than in the dense waters, mainly due to dilution effects which induce an abundant phytoplankton growth.

Generally in summer the particulate organic matter distribution followed the trophic gradient while in winter resuspension events often became more important. Differences between summer and winter were more evident in the diluted waters and were mainly due to the seasonal heat exchanges and to the fresh water inputs.

Marked differences in C/P ratios were observed in the POM: high ratios in the northern diluted waters and low in the more saline waters and in the central Adriatic.     

Holly (Ilex Aquifolium L.) As Zinc and Cadmium Accumulative Indicator in Biogeochemical Prospecting

The results of previous investigations in mineralized and sterile areas of Tuscany (Italy) appeared to point out the special aptitude of holly (Ilex aquifolium L.) in concentrating cadmium and zinc. in the present paper this behaviour has been verified in a mineralized area of Lombardy (Northern Italy).

Samples of leaves, twigs and barks from holly trees were collected, and metal contents (Zn, Cd, and Pb) have been determined by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). for comparison, some samples of wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa L.) and soil were also analyzed.

The data obtained confirm a preferential cadmium and zinc accumulation by holly (up to 16 and 1400 μg g^-1 dry weight, respectively) also depending on different vegetal organs and vegetative stages of plants. Highest contents of lead have been recovered in the outer portion of bark.     

白洋淀沉积物中磷的存在形态及垂直变化规律研究

湖泊沉积物中磷的含量及其形态分布是影响湖泊营养化进程的极为重要因素,对研究湖泊营养化等环境问题具有重要意义。采用化学连续提取分析法,对白洋淀环淀中村水域不同地点的沉积物中磷的形态及其在垂直方向上的变化进行了研究。结果表明,研究区域内,环淀中村水域表层沉积物总磷（TP）质量分数在544.424～608.197mg·kg-1之间,无机磷（IP）是沉积物中磷的主要形态,有机磷（OP）质量分数较小,约占10%～27%,无机磷中钙磷（Ca-P）占的比例相对较大,在质量分数上约占75.8%～94.1%。从各形态磷质量分数的变化范围来看,Ca-P〉OP〉Fe/Al-P;人类活动对湖泊沉积物中磷的形态及其水平和垂向变化影响很大。     

吉林西部不同开发年份盐碱水田土壤有机碳和碳酸盐的季节动态

水稻土是中国主要的耕作土壤,在陆地土壤碳循环研究中具有重要现实意义。针对吉林西部水田土壤的特征,将无机碳库纳入土壤碳库研究,以典型灌区前郭县为例,野外采集盐碱地和已开发5、15、25、35、55年的5种不同水田表层土壤,建立实验样地,在水稻生长的幼苗期、分蘖期、长穗期和结实期采集土壤样品,用TOC仪分别测试表层土壤有机碳和碳酸盐含量,分析其季节动态规律和开发年份特征。结果表明：吉林西部盐碱水田土壤有机碳呈现“减-增-减”的季节变化规律,水稻生长的幼苗期和分蘖期有机碳含量下降,长穗期含量上升,结实期含量下降,碳酸盐季节变化规律与其相反,二者季节变化呈显著负相关;经历一个生长季后,开发5、15、25、35、55年的土壤有机碳含量分别增加了2.98%、3.53%、3.66%、2.72%、2.30%,碳酸盐含量分别增加了4.07%、2.15%、1.08%、1.61%、11.36%,说明研究区水田生长期具有碳汇作用;与未开发盐碱地相比,开发的5、15、25、35、55年生长季土壤平均总碳量分别增加了89.81%、121.03%、137.22%、188.28%,有机碳含量分别增加了284.28%、392.00%、456.37%、559.08%、666.06%,碳酸盐含量分别降低了13.49%、22.84%、32.23%、43.53%、62.40%;开发年份越长,水田土壤总碳和有机碳含量越高,碳酸盐含量越低;总碳的增加来自有机碳的增加;盐碱地开发有利于土壤碳汇。水稻生长期温度和降雨量影响土壤有机碳和碳酸盐季节变化。     

A Functional Approach to the Assessment of the Nutritional Value of Particulate Organic Matter

Organic matter lability can be determined with different approaches, based on the quantitative and qualitative estimate of its nutritional value. the C/N ratio and the particulate organic matter (as the sum of protein, carbohydrate and lipid bulks) vs total suspended matter (POM/TSM) deal with a quantitative assessment of the organic matter bulk, while other indices such as proteins/carbohydrates ratio (PRT/CHO) may give also qualitative information. Gordon (1970) proposed a functional approach, based on organic carbon decrease after enzymatic digestion. Coupling Gordon's approach with the evaluation of the main biochemical components (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids) contained in the particulate organic matter, a simple method to assess lability and nutritional value of organic substrates is proposed.

Water samples were collected at the surface and close to the bottom in a shallow coastal station (10 m depth) in the Marconi Gulf (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean). the difference between “total labile” and “hydrolyzed labile” organic matter (respectively before and after enzymatic digestion) suggests a relevant presence of resuspended refractory materials vs about 60% of labile hydrolyzed organic matter, thus confirming the importance of a more qualitative approach to organic matter studies.