Chemical and isotopic investigation of groundwater in Tahta region,Sohag-Egypt

Chemical and isotopic investigations indicate that the recharge source for the groundwater in the Tahta district, adjacent to the Nile, is mainly from the Nile water seeping from irrigation channels. The water's chemical type is sodium bicarbonate, with values of oxygen-18 and deuterium close to that of Nile water. Another minor source of recharge to the far west of the Nile bank is palaeowater. This water's chemical type is sodium sulphate and sodium chloride. The change of water quality in some groundwater samples could be due to the extensive use of fertilizers to improve soil characteristics in new reclamation projects. In addition, these wells are slightly depleted in oxygen-18, deuterium and tritium. Recommendations for the periodic monitoring of groundwater quality for proper use are given.     

北京密云水库流域水体夏季DOC和DIC质量浓度及同位素组成初探

为丰富水库水体碳循环研究,有效地从源头控制饮用水源水营养盐输入.以北京境内密云水库及其主要入库河流（密云水库流域水体,包括白河干支流、潮河干支流和密云水库）为研究对象,京密引水渠水体为参比,对比分析了夏季不同水体溶解性有机碳和溶解性无机碳的质量浓度水平及碳同位素组成.结果表明,密云水库流域水体夏季溶解性有机碳（DOC）质量浓度的总体变化范围是1.07~5.19 mg ·L^-1,平均值是2.61 mg ·L^-1;δ¹³C_DOC值变化范围为-27.4‰~-24.3‰,平均值为-25.8‰.入库河流夏季DOC主要来自土壤有机质,密云水库夏季DOC主要来自陆源C3植物,内源物质对流域水体DOC同样有一定贡献,水位升高导致库滨带淹水可能是密云水库DOC偏高的重要原因.研究区域水体夏季δ¹³C_DIC值变化范围为-12.6‰~-5.75‰,平均值为-9.44‰,土壤CO₂溶解碳酸盐岩过程是河流溶解性无机碳（DIC）的主要贡献者,且DIC明显被水生生物的光合作用所利用.密云水库溶解性碳（DOC和DIC）浓度显著高于京密引水渠水体（P<0.01）,两种水体碳素浓度、组分可能存在差异.总体上,除个别点位外,密云水库流域水体夏季DOC受人类生活源影响较小,DIC转化为DOC可能同样是夏季库区水体DOC的潜在来源.     

DESIGN FOR A STABLE CHANNEL IN COARSE ALLUVIUM FOR RIPARIAN ZONE RESTORATION1

Geomorphic, hydraulic and hydrologic principles are applied in the design of a stable stream channel for a badly disturbed portion of Badger Creek, Colorado, and its associated riparian and meadow complexes. The objective is to shorten the period of time required for a channel in coarse alluvium to recover from an impacted morphologic state to a regime condition representative of current watershed conditions. Channel geometry measurements describe the stream channel and the normal bankfull stage in relatively stable reaches. Critical shear stress equations were used to design a stable channel in noncohesive materials with dimensions which approximate those of less disturbed reaches. Gabion controls, spaced at approximately 300 m intervals, are recommended to help reduce the chance of lateral migration of the newly constructed channel. Controls are designed to allow for some vertical adjustment of the channel bed following increased bank stability due to revegetation. The flood plain is designed to dissipate flood flow energy and discourage multiple flood channels. The channel has approximately a 90 percent chance of remaining stable the first two years following construction, the time estimated for increased stability to occur due to revegetation.     

长三角和珠三角农业土壤对Pb、Cu、Cd的吸附解吸特性

研究了长江三角州和珠江三角州10种代表性农业土壤对重金属Pb、Cu和Cd的吸附与解吸特性。结果表明:大多数土壤对重金属有较强吸附能力,土壤性质对重金属吸附与解吸行为有很大影响。其中,pH值是影响土壤对重金属吸附与解吸的最重要因素,土壤重金属吸附量随pH值增加而增加。土壤pH值和有机质或粘粒含量较高的土壤(如乌栅土、青紫泥田、黄斑田),其对重金属吸附能力高于pH值和有机质或粘粒含量较低的土壤(如黄筋泥、粉泥田)。重金属解吸量随重金属吸附量和土壤重金属饱和度增加呈指数增加趋势;土壤对重金属的吸附能力从强至弱依次为Pb、Cu、Cd;当3种重金属共存时,重金属之间竞争能力强弱顺序与吸附能力顺序相同。重金属之间竞争作用随土壤酸度和重金属污染程度的增加而增强。     

Cd、Pb在根际与非根际土壤中的吸附解吸特点

采用根袋盆栽试验以及平衡法研究根际与非根际土壤对镉、铅的吸附-解吸特性。结果表明，在镉、铅起始浓度分别为Cd 0-0．6mmol／L和Pb0～1mmol／L条件下，根际与非根际土壤镉、铅吸附量差别不大，随镉、铅浓度的提高，根际土壤镉、铅吸附量均比相应的非根际土壤的高。根际与非根际土壤镉、铅解吸量随镉、铅吸附量的增加而增加，但铅解吸率(0．7％以下)明显比镉的(5％-10％)低，根际土壤镉解吸量比非根际土壤的低。     

环境科学中的核技术应用问题

本文论述核技术发展对环境科学的积极作用，并全面介绍主要包括辐照、示踪、核分析以及同位素测量在内的核技术在该学科中应用的各个方面。通过此项技术的应用现状、前景以及需要具备的基本条件等，提出了有关的具体建议。     

Stable isotope fractionation analysis as a tool to monitor biodegradation in contaminated acquifers

The assessment of biodegradation in contaminated aquifers has become an issue of increasing importance in the recent years. To some extent, this can be related to the acceptance of intrinsic bioremediation or monitored natural attenuation as a means to manage contaminated sites. Among the few existing methods to detect biodegradation in the subsurface, stable isotope fractionation analysis (SIFA) is one of the most promising approaches which is pronounced by the drastically increasing number of applications. This review covers the recent laboratory and field studies assessing biodegradation of contaminants via stable isotope analysis. Stable isotope enrichment factors have been found that vary from no fractionation for dioxygenase reactions converting aromatic hydrocarbons over moderate fractionation by monooxygenase reactions (epsilon=-3 per thousand) and some anaerobic studies on microbial degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons (epsilon=-1.7 per thousand) to larger fractionations by anaerobic dehalogenation reactions of chlorinated solvents (epsilon=between -5 per thousand and -30 per thousand). The different isotope enrichment factors can be related to the respective biochemical reactions. Based on that knowledge, we discuss under what circumstances SIFA can be used for a qualitative or even a quantitative assessment of biodegradation in the environment. In a steadily increasing number of cases, it was possible to explain biodegradation processes in the field based on isotope enrichment factors obtained from laboratory experiments with pure cultures and measured isotope values from the field. The review will focus on the aerobic and anaerobic degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents as the major contaminants of groundwater. Advances in the instrumental development for stable isotope analysis are only mentioned if it is important for the understanding of the application.     

Heavy metal pollution in China: Origin,pattern and control

GOAL, SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Heavy metal is among one of the pollutants, which cause severe threats to humans and the environment in China. The aim of the present review is to make information on the source of heavy metal pollution, distribution of heavy metals in the environment, and measures of pollution control accessible internationally, which are mostly published in Chinese. METHODS: Information from scientific journals, university journals and governmental releases are compiled focusing mainly on Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Partly Al, As, Cr, Fe, Hg, Mn and Ni a included also in part as well. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In soil, the average contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn are 0.097, 22.6, 26.0 and 74.2 mg/kg, respectively. In the water of the Yangtze River Basin, the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn are 0.080, 7.91, 15.7 and 18.7 microg/L, respectively. In reference to human activities, the heavy metal pollution comes from three sources: industrial emission, wastewater and solid waste. The environment such as soil, water and air were polluted by heavy metals in some cases. The contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn even reach 3.16, 99.3, 84.1 and 147 mg/kg, respectively, in the soils of a wastewater irrigation zone. These contaminants pollute drinking water and food, and threaten human health. Some diseases resulting from pollution of geological and environmental origin, were observed with long-term and non-reversible effects. CONCLUSIONS: In China, the geological background level of heavy metal is low, but with the activity of humans, soil, water, air, and plants are polluted by heavy metals in some cases and even affect human health through the food chain. RECOMMENDATIONS AND OUTLOOK: To remediate and improve environmental quality is a long strategy for the polluted area to keep humans and animals healthy. Phytoremediation would be an effective technique to remediate the heavy metal pollutions.     

Quantifying chlorinated ethene degradation during reductive dechlorination at Kelly AFB using stable carbon isotopes

Stable isotope analysis of chlorinated ethene contaminants was carried out during a bioaugmentation pilot test at Kelly Air Force Base (AFB) in San Antonio Texas. In this pilot test, cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cDCE) was the primary volatile organic compound. A mixed microbial enrichment culture, KB-1, shown in laboratory experiments to reduce chlorinated ethenes to non-toxic ethene, was added to the pilot test area. Following bioaugmentation with KB-1, perchloroethene (PCE), trichloroethene (TCE) and cDCE concentrations declined, while vinyl chloride (VC) concentrations increased and subsequently decreased as ethene became the dominant transformation product. Shifts in carbon isotopic values up to 2.7 per thousand, 6.4 per thousand, 10.9 per thousand and 10.6 per thousand were observed for PCE, TCE, cDCE and VC, respectively, after bioaugmentation, consistent with the effects of biodegradation. While a rising trend of VC concentrations and the first appearance of ethene were indicative of biodegradation by 72 days post-bioaugmentation, the most compelling evidence of biodegradation was the substantial carbon isotope enrichment (2.0 per thousand to 5.0 per thousand) in ?13C(cDCE). Fractionation factors obtained in previous laboratory studies were used with isotope field measurements to estimate first-order cDCE degradation rate constants of 0.12 h(-1) and 0.17 h(-1) at 115 days post-bioaugmentation. These isotope-derived rate constants were clearly lower than, but within a factor of 2-4 of the previously published rate constant calculated in a parallel study at Kelly AFB using chlorinated ethene concentrations. Stable carbon isotopes can provide not only a sensitive means for early identification of the effects of biodegradation, but an additional means to quantify the rates of biodegradation in the field.     

Analysis of anaerobic BTX biodegradation in a subarctic aquifer using isotopes and benzylsuccinates

In situ biodegradation of benzene, toluene, and xylenes in a petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated aquifer near Fairbanks, Alaska was assessed using carbon and hydrogen compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA) of benzene and toluene and analysis of signature metabolites for toluene (benzylsuccinate) and xylenes (methylbenzylsuccinates). Carbon and hydrogen isotope ratios of benzene were between -25.9 per thousand and -26.8 per thousand for delta13C and -119 per thousand and -136 per thousand for delta2H, suggesting that biodegradation of benzene is unlikely at this site. However, biodegradation of both xylenes and toluene were documented in this subarctic aquifer. Biodegradation of xylenes was indicated by the presence of methylbenzylsuccinates with concentrations of 17-50 microg/L in three wells. Anaerobic toluene biodegradation was also indicated by benzylsuccinate concentrations of 10-49 microg/L in the three wells with the highest toluene concentrations (1500-5000 microg/L toluene). Since benzylsuccinate typically accounts for a very small fraction of the toluene present in groundwater (generally <1 mol%), the signature metabolite approach works best at higher toluene concentrations when it is not constrained by detection limits. In wells with lower toluene concentrations (410-640 microg/L), carbon and hydrogen isotopic values were enriched by up to approximately 2 per thousand for delta13C and approximately 70 per thousand for delta2H. This evidence of isotopic fractionation verifies the effects of biodegradation in these low concentration wells where metabolites may already be below detection limits. The combined use of signature metabolite and CSIA data is particularly valuable given the challenge of verifying biodegradation in subarctic environments where degradation rates are typically much slower than in temperate environments.