西溪湿地底泥质量现状与生态风险初步评价

为了解西溪湿地底泥质量现状,2012年9月采集保护区内不同干扰类型的底泥样本,测试了底泥中重金属和POPs中PCBs、OCPs和PAHs的含量,并对湿地底泥污染进行了生态风险初步评价。结果表明,底泥中未检出PCBs和OCPs,但检测出14种EPA优控PAHs,总PAHs的浓度范围为115.9～217.8 ng·g^-1,低于潜在生态风险的效应区间低值ERL,其中列入中国＂水中优先控制污染黑名单＂的7种PAHs均有检出并且其总量占∑PAHs 1/2左右（平均为50.08%）;底泥中8种重金属含量平均值低于《土壤环境质量标准》（GB 15618—1995）的二级标准,但Hg、Zn、Pb、Ni含量在多个位点已超过一级标准;分别采用土壤背景值和国家一级标准为参比值对湿地底泥中重金属进行单因子污染风险指数评价,发现分别有7种和4种元素的污染指数大于1;综合分析不同干扰类型的底泥质量,发现底泥疏浚能有效降低有机质含量、全氮和PAHs含量,但对全磷、重金属含量则无明显效果,封闭水体的干塘措施能显著减少污泥量和有机物含量。研究结果表明,西溪湿地底泥中高环PAHs和重金属污染水平可能对西溪湿地生物具有潜在的生物毒性作用及不利的生态影响效应,其疏浚底泥农用则无生态风险。     

Landscape metrics and estuarine sediment contamination in the mid-Atlantic and southern New England regions

In a previously published study, quantitative relationships were developed between landscape metrics and sediment contamination for 25 small estuarine systems within Chesapeake Bay. These analyses have been extended to include 75 small estuarine systems across the mid-Atlantic and southern New England regions of the USA. Because of the different characteristics and dynamics of the estuaries across these regions, adjustment for differing hydrology, sediment characteristics, and sediment origins were included in the analysis. Multiple linear regression with stepwise selection was used to develop statistical models for sediment metals, organics, and total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The landscape metrics important for explaining the variation in sediment metals levels (R2 = 0.72) were the percent area of nonforested wetlands (negative contribution), percent area of urban land, and point source effluent volume and metals input (positive contributions). The metrics important for sediment organics levels (R2 = 0.5) and total PAHs (R2 = 0.46) were percent area of urban land (positive contribution) and percent area of nonforested wetlands (negative contribution). These models included silt-clay content (metals) or total organic C (organics, total PAHs) of sediments and grouping by estuarine hydrology, suggesting the importance of sediment characteristics and hydrology in mitigating the influence of the landscape metrics on sediment contamination levels. The overall results from this study are indicative of how statistical models can be developed relating landscape metrics to estuarine sediment contamination for distributions of land cover and point source discharges.     

Metal contamination in sediments of the western Bohai Bay and adjacent estuaries, China

Twelve sediment cores were collected in July 2007 in open waters of western Bohai Bay, the Port of Tianjin, and the adjacent estuaries of the Haihe and Yongding Rivers. While overall concentrations of trace metals at incremental depths in these cores met the Marine Sediment Quality (GB18668-2002) criteria of China, the magnitude of both metal enrichment factors (EF) and geoaccumulation indices (I(geo)) suggested that pollution with Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn was occurring in the estuaries and Port. Risk analysis also suggested that Ag and Ni concentrations were sufficiently elevated as to cause adverse biological effects in the study area. Although metal concentrations in western Bohai Bay were of less concern, a positive relationship between EF values and excess (210)Pb activity for several metals suggested that their concentrations were increasing over time.     

Metal release from bottom sediments of Ocoee Lake No. 3, a primary catchment area for the Ducktown Mining District

Ocoee Lake No. 3 is the first reservoir receiving suspended sediments contaminated with trace metals discharged by acid mine effluents from the Ducktown Mining District, Tennessee. Bottom sediments (0-5 cm) from the lake were sampled to assess the potential for future adverse environmental effects if no remediation controls or activities are implemented. The sediments were found to include a major component (173 +/- 19 g kg(-1)) that dissolved in 6 mol L(-1) HCl within 24 h. This acid-soluble and relatively labile fraction contained high concentrations of Fe (460 +/- 40 g kg(-1)), Al (99 +/- 11 g kg(-1)), Mn (10 +/- 8 g kg(-1)), Cu (2000 +/- 700 mg kg(-1)), Zn (1300 +/- 200 mg kg(-1)), and Pb (300 +/- 200 mg kg(-1)). When the pH of water in contact with the sediment was decreased experimentally from 6.4 to 2.6, the concentrations of dissolved trace metals increased by factors of 2200 for Pb, 160 for Cu, 21 for Zn, 9 for Cd, 8 for Ni, and 5 for Co. The order in which metals were released with decreasing pH was the reverse of that reported for pH-dependent sorption of these metals in upstream systems. Substantial release of trace metals from the sediment was observed even by a modest decrease of pH from 6.4 to 5.9. Therefore, the metal-rich sediment of the lake should be considered as potentially hazardous to bottom-dwelling aquatic species and other organisms in the local food chain. In addition, if the reservoir is dredged or if the dam is removed, the accumulated sediment may have to be treated for recovery of sorbed metals.     

Temporal and spatial distributions of sediment total organic carbon in an estuary river

Understanding temporal and spatial distributions of naturally occurring total organic carbon (TOC) in sediments is critical because TOC is an important feature of surface water quality. This study investigated temporal and spatial distributions of sediment TOC and its relationships to sediment contaminants in the Cedar and Ortega Rivers, Florida, USA, using three-dimensional kriging analysis and field measurement. Analysis of field data showed that large temporal changes in sediment TOC concentrations occurred in the rivers, which reflected changes in the characteristics and magnitude of inputs into the rivers during approximately the last 100 yr. The average concentration of TOC in sediments from the Cedar and Ortega Rivers was 12.7% with a maximum of 22.6% and a minimum of 2.3%. In general, more TOC accumulated at the upper 1.0 m of the sediment in the southern part of the Ortega River although the TOC sedimentation varied with locations and depths. In contrast, high concentrations of sediment contaminants, that is, total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), were found in sediments from the Cedar River. There was no correlation between TOC and PAHs or PCBs in these river sediments. This finding is in contradiction to some other studies which reported that the sorption of hydrocarbons is highly related to the organic matter content of sediments. This discrepancy occurred because of the differences in TOC and hydrocarbon source input locations. It was found that more TOC loaded into the southern part of the Ortega River, while almost all of the hydrocarbons entered into the Cedar River. This study suggested that the locations of their input sources as well as the land use patterns should also be considered when relating hydrocarbons to sediment TOC.     

ACCUMULATION OF SELECTED TRACE METALS IN SOILS OF URBAN RUNOFF DETENTION BASINS1

ABSTRACT Field investigations were conducted at three sites in the Washington, D.C., area to detect accumulation patterns of the trace metals, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc in the soils of urban stormwater detention basins. The research results seemed to indicate that the use of detention basins to control urban stormwater runoff had few harmful effects to fine textured soils with respect to the study trace metals. Although the trace metals, especially lead and zinc, were found to accumulate in the surface soils of the basins, little significant downward movement of metals in the soil profiles had occurred. Accumulations of metals in the surface soils appeared to be a function of microtopography and the resultant residence time of standing water. The fractions of trace metals that were present in a leachable form in surface soils and stormwater solids were small, with median values ranging from 7.7 percent of the total concentration for Cd to 0.01 percent for Pb.     

Application of sediment quality guidelines in the assessment and management of contaminated surficial sediments in Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), Australia

Sediments in the Port Jackson estuary are polluted by a wide range of toxicants and concentrations are among the highest reported for any major harbor in the world. Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), developed by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States are used to estimate possible adverse biological effects of sedimentary contaminants in Port Jackson to benthic animals. The NOAA guidelines indicate that Pb, Zn, DDD, and DDE are the most likely contaminants to cause adverse biological effects in Port Jackson. On an individual chemical basis, the detrimental effects due to these toxicants may occur over extensive areas of the harbor, i.e., about 40%, 30%, 15% and 50%, respectively. The NOAA SQGs can also be used to estimate the probability of sediment toxicity for contaminant mixtures by determining the number of contaminants exceeding an upper guideline value (effects range medium, or ERM), which predicts probable adverse biological effects. The exceedence approach is used in the current study to estimate the probability of sediment toxicity and to prioritize the harbour in terms of possible adverse effects on sediment-dwelling animals. Approximately 1% of the harbor is mantled with sediment containing more than ten contaminants exceeding their respective ERM concentrations and, based on NOAA data, these sediments have an 80% probability of being toxic. Sediment with six to ten contaminants exceeding their respective ERM guidelines extend over approximately 4% of the harbor and have a 57% probability of toxicity. These areas are located in the landward reaches of embayments in the upper and central harbor in proximity to the most industrialised and urbanized part of the catchment. Sediment in a further 17% of the harbor has between one and five exceedences and has a 32% probability of being toxic. The application of SQGs developed by NOAA has not been tested outside North America, and the validity of using them in Port Jackson has yet to be demonstrated. The screening approach adopted here is to use SQGs to identify contaminants of concern and to determine areas of environmental risk. The practical application and management implications of the results of this investigation are discussed.     

Application of Sediment Quality Guidelines in the Assessment and Management of Contaminated Surficial Sediments in Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), Australia

Sediments in the Port Jackson estuary are polluted by a wide range of toxicants and concentrations are among the highest reported for any major harbor in the world. Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), developed by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States are used to estimate possible adverse biological effects of sedimentary contaminants in Port Jackson to benthic animals. The NOAA guidelines indicate that Pb, Zn, DDD, and DDE are the most likely contaminants to cause adverse biological effects in Port Jackson. On an individual chemical basis, the detrimental effects due to these toxicants may occur over extensive areas of the harbor, i.e., about 40%, 30%, 15% and 50%, respectively. The NOAA SQGs can also be used to estimate the probability of sediment toxicity for contaminant mixtures by determining the number of contaminants exceeding an upper guideline value (effects range medium, or ERM), which predicts probable adverse biological effects. The exceedence approach is used in the current study to estimate the probability of sediment toxicity and to prioritize the harbour in terms of possible adverse effects on sediment-dwelling animals. Approximately 1% of the harbor is mantled with sediment containing more than ten contaminants exceeding their respective ERM concentrations and, based on NOAA data, these sediments have an 80% probability of being toxic. Sediment with six to ten contaminants exceeding their respective ERM guidelines extend over approximately 4% of the harbor and have a 57% probability of toxicity. These areas are located in the landward reaches of embayments in the upper and central harbor in proximity to the most industrialised and urbanized part of the catchment. Sediment in a further 17% of the harbor has between one and five exceedences and has a 32% probability of being toxic. The application of SQGs developed by NOAA has not been tested outside North America, and the validity of using them in Port Jackson has yet to be demonstrated. The screening approach adopted here is to use SQGs to identify contaminants of concern and to determine areas of environmental risk. The practical application and management implications of the results of this investigation are discussed.     

Mobilization of trace metals and inorganic compounds during resuspension of anoxic sediments from Trepangier Bayou, Louisiana

The release of trace metals (Mn, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) and inorganic compounds (As) from initially anoxic Trepangier Bayou sediments, Louisiana and the sources of the released metals were investigated. After 1 to 2 d aeration, significant amounts of trace metals (Mn, Zn, Cd, Ni, and Co) were released to the aqueous phase with increased acidity, primarily due to the oxidation of acid-volatile sulfide and ferrous iron and iron sulfide minerals. The addition of a bacterial inhibitor, NaN,, to the Trepangier sediment during resuspension inhibited metal release, suggesting that microbial catalysis can regulate metal mobilization during sediment resuspension. In a well buffered system, oxidation of iron sulfides alone did not appear to induce trace metal release. Moreover, when Trepangier sediment was resuspended in anoxic conditions at neutral pH, <1% of the trace metal content was released, whereas a significant release of metal was observed under acidic anoxic conditions. Although oxidation of iron sulfide minerals is an essential prerequisite for the release of Zn, Co, Cd, and Ni, carbonates and oxides also play a role. The trace metals and inorganic compounds investigated could be classified into three groups according to their release characteristics: (i) Mn, Zn, Cd, Ni, and Co; (ii) Fe, Pb, and As; and (iii) Cu. The groupings appeared to depend on the sources of compounds and their relative affinity, after oxidation, to iron oxyhydroxides or organic matter.     

Predicting estuarine sediment metal concentrations and inferred ecological conditions: an information theoretic approach

Empirically derived relationships associating sediment metal concentrations with degraded ecological conditions provide important information to assess estuarine condition. Resources limit the number, magnitude, and frequency of monitoring activities to acquire these data. Models that use available information and simple statistical relationships to predict sediment metal concentrations could provide an important tool for environmental assessment. We developed 45 predictive models for the total concentrations of copper, lead, mercury, and cadmium in estuarine sediments along the Southern New England and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Using information theoretic model-averaging approaches, we found total developed land and percent silt/clay of estuarine sediment were the most important variables for predicting the presence of all four metals. Estuary area, river flow, tidal range, and total agricultural land varied in their importance. The model-averaged predictions explained 78.4, 70.5, 56.4, and 50.3% of the variation for copper, lead, mercury, and cadmium, respectively. Overall prediction accuracies of selected sediment benchmark values (i.e., effects ranges) were 83.9, 84.8, 78.6, and 92.0% for copper, lead, mercury, and cadmium, respectively. Our results further support the generally accepted conclusion that sediment metal concentrations are best described by the physical characteristics of the estuarine sediment and the total amount of urban land in the contributing watershed. We demonstrated that broad-scale predictive models built from existing monitoring data with information theoretic model-averaging approaches provide valuable predictions of estuarine sediment metal concentrations and show promise for future environmental modeling efforts in other regions.