Bioaccumulation of anthropogenic contaminants by detritivorous fish in the Río de la Plata estuary: 1-aliphatic hydrocarbons

The temporal variability and bioaccumulation dynamics of C_12–25 n-alkanes, isoprenoids and unresolved aliphatic hydrocarbons (UCM) were studied in a detritivorous fish (Sábalo: Prochilodus lineatus) collected from 1999 to 2005 in the sewage impacted Buenos Aires coastal area. Fish muscles contain huge amounts of n-C_12–25 (165 ± 93, 70 ± 48 or 280 ± 134 μg g⁻¹, dry, fresh and lipid weight, respectively) and UCM (931 ± 560, 399 ± 288 and 1567 ± 802 μg g⁻¹) reflecting the chronic bioaccumulation of fossil fuels from sewage particulates. On a temporal basis, lipid normalized aliphatic concentrations peaked by the end of 2001–2002 during the rainiest period over the last four decades (1750 vs. 1083 ± 4.6 mm in 1999, 2004 and 2005), reflecting an enhanced exposition due to massive anthropogenic fluxes from Metropolitan Buenos Aires in wet years. The hydrocarbon composition in fish muscles is enriched in n-C_15–17 and isoprenoids relative to a fresh crude oil and settling particulates, with fresher signatures during the 2001–2002 maxima. Fish/settling material bioaccumulation factors (BAFs: 0.4–6.4 dry weight or 0.07–0.94 lipid-organic carbon) plotted against K_ow showed a parabolic pattern maximizing at n-C_14–18 and isoprenoids. The optimal bioaccumulation window corresponds to highly hydrophobic (log K_ow: 7.2–9.9), intermediate-size C_14–18 n-alkanes and C_15–20 isoprenoids (MW: 198–282; length: 17.9 to 25.4 Å) with melting points ranging from −19.8 to 28 °C. The uptake efficiency is inversely correlated to melting points and increased from 75% for n-C₂₅ to above 90% for n-C_14–15 and isoprenoids.     

RIVERINE TRANSPORT OF NUTRIENTS AND DETRITUS TO THE APALACHICOLA BAY ESTUARY,FLORIDA1

ABSTRACT: The Applachicola River basin in northwest Florida covers an area of 3,100 square kilometers. Fifteen percent of the area is a dense bottomland hardwood forest which is periodically flooded. The annual leaf-litter fall from the flood-plain trees is a potential source of nutrients and detritus which eventually can flow into Apalachicola Bay. Transport of such material is dependent on the periodic inundation of the flood plain. The U.S. Geological Survey Apalachicola Rim Quality Assessment measured a total organic carbon flux of 2.1 × 10⁵ metric tons during the one-year period from June 3, 1979, to June 2,1980. Fluxes of total nitrogen and phosphorus during the same year were 2.1 × lo⁴ and 1.7 × lo³ metric tons, respectively. Flood characteirstics, such as prior hydrologic conditions, extent, and timing, are important in determining the amount and forms of materials transported. The 1980 spring flood produced a fourfold discharge increase over the annual mean outflow of 800 cubic meters per second. Nutrient concentrations varied little with discharge, but the 86-day spring flood accounted for 53, 60, 48, and 56 percent of the annual flux of total organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus, respectively. In 1980, the flood peaks, rather than the rise or recession, accounted for maximum nutrient and detritus transport.     

An inverse model for the analysis of the Venice lagoon food web

A steady-state model of the Venice lagoon food web was constructed, based on a comprehensive set of data, which were collected in the years 2001-2005. Energy flows were estimated by means of an inverse methodology of constrained optimization based on the Minimum Norm criterion, i.e. on the minimization of both the sum of squares of the residuals and of the sum of squares of energy flows. The solution was constrained by a set inequalities, which were derived from general eco-physiological knowledge and site specific data on energy flows. The trophic network was represented by thirty-two nodes, including single-species compartments for the species of high economical or ecological relevance. Mass balance equations were weighted, in order to obtain meaningful results in presence of large differences, up to 5 orders of magnitude, among biomasses. A perturbation technique was applied, with the purpose of reducing the risk of finding solutions heavily affected by the set of constraints and of obtaining a more robust representation of the energy flows. The main patterns of energy flow are consistent with those obtained in previous attempts at modelling the Venice lagoon food web. Micro- and macro-phytobenthos account for the largest fraction of the primary production. Energy is then transferred towards higher trophic levels by means of two main pathways: the recycling of dead biomass through the detritus compartment and the direct consumption by grazers. The first pathway is the most important and accounts for approximately two/thirds of the energy transferred to the second trophic level.     

Seasonal and tidal impact on the organic compounds and nutrients distribution in tropical mangroves,Kerala, India

Seasonal changes in the concentration of nutrients and various organic compounds were studied in the waters surrounding mangroves and in the marshy areas of mangroves. Higher amounts of nutrients and organic compounds were observed during low tide. This is due to the remineralisation of plant detritus in this area. High concentration of carbohydrates, proteins, chlorophyll and phosphate were observed during monsoon, which can be attributed to the leaching of plant detritus as well as the land run-off. During pre-monsoon and post-monsoon high tannin and lignin concentration was noted. A 24-hour sampling was also done to study the tidal impact on the concentrations of various organic compounds and nutrients in this ecosystem. Even though a tidal impact was observed, a clear picture was not reported in this study.     

Model parameterization for aerobic decomposition of plant resources drowned during man-made lakes formation

The formation of man-made reservoirs generates several impacts on water quality. In order to minimize some of these impacts mathematical models are currently used. This paper aims to discuss the issue associated with the degradation of plant resources (leaves, branches, barks and litter) that remain within the watershed of the new man-made lakes and parameterize a kinetic model related to decay of plant detritus. In these environments, the short-term variation of limnological parameters is mainly connected with biomass decay drowned during the filling operation. The kinetics of the degradation processes in reservoirs are discussed on the basis of information with related to detritus sources and the chemical properties of different types of compounds (i.e. labile and refractory fractions). Overall, the parameterization of the (first order) kinetic model showed that refractory fractions (ca. 86%) are predominant and the mineralization is a slow process, constituting the main route for decomposition and being affected by changes of environmental variables. The mineralization of labile and hydrosoluble compounds (ca. 14%) is responsible for the short-term water quality variation owing to decomposition; basically, the intensities of these changes depend on the labile/soluble compounds content of detritus and its chemical composition.     

不同碳输入对天山雪岭云杉林土壤化学计量特征的影响

土壤C、N、P元素是构成森林生态系统的重要组分,通过研究外源碳输入改变对森林土壤化学计量特征的影响,有助于揭示森林生态系统的元素循环过程及平衡反馈机制.以天山雪岭云杉林作为研究对象,通过基于2 a的植物残体的添加和去除试验(DIRT),分析外源碳输入改变对土壤C、N、P化学计量特征短期影响,讨论不同处理下土壤化学计量特征与其他土壤理化因子的相互关系.结果表明：(1)土壤C、N、P含量在大部分土层均表现为双倍凋落物(DL)处理最高,按土层深度由浅到深依次为,土壤ω(C):168.92、119.88、103.33和64.23g·kg^-1;土壤ω(N):10.60、9.32、8.78和8.07g·kg^-1;土壤ω(P):0.50、0.45、0.37和0.36g·kg^-1;切根去凋落物(NI)处理最低,按土层深度由浅到深依次为土壤ω(C):104.56、89.24、48.08和43.96g·kg^-1;土壤ω(N):6.83、2.60、2.63和2.22g·kg^-1;土壤ω(P):0.4...     

Risk ranking of multiple-POPs in detritivorous fish from the Río de la Plata

To evaluate the bioaccumulation and the risk associated to consumption of lipid-rich detritivorous fish, a comprehensive set of organic pollutants (n = 213) including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxin like PCBs (dlPCBs), chlorinated pesticides (CHLPs), chlorobenzenes (CBzs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated dibenzo dioxins and furans (PCDD/F), resolved (ALI) and unresolved aliphatic hydrocarbons (UCM) and linear alkyl benzenes (LABs) were analyzed in Sábalo fish (Prochilodus lineatus) collected in the polluted Metropolitan Buenos Aires coast and in migrating specimens. Fatty fish muscles (lipids: 74 ± 9.3% dry weight) contained homogeneous (24-51% variability) and very high-concentrations of organic pollutants ranging from 60 to 1300 μg g⁻¹ fresh weight (fw) ALI + UCM; 10-40 μg g⁻¹ fw LABs and PCBs; 0.1-1 μg g⁻¹ fw dlPCBs, DDTs, chlordanes, CBzs and PBDEs; 0.01-0.1 μg g⁻¹ fw mirex, endosulfans, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin and 0.07-0.2 ng g⁻¹ PCDD/F. Total toxicity equivalents (TEQs) ranged from 60 to 395 pg g⁻¹ fw (34 ± 17 and 213 ± 124 pg g⁻¹ TEQs for PCDD/F and dlPCBs respectively). These are among the highest concentrations reported for fish and point out the remarkable ability of Sábalo to feed on anthropogenic organic-enriched particles and tolerate a high pollutant load. Contaminant signatures show partial alteration with still abundant lower molecular weight components indicating that fish feeds directly in the outfalls. Consumption limits based on reference doses ranged from 0.1 (PCBs) to >12 000 g d⁻¹ (endosulfan) allowing a comprehensive risk-based ranking of contaminants in this long-range migrating, detritivorous fish.     

DETRITUS ABUNDANCE AND BENTHIC INVERTEBRATE CATCH IN ARTIFICIAL SUBSTRATE SAMPLES FROM MOUNTAIN STREAMS1

ABSTRACT: Artificial substrates were designed using rock filled polyethylene bags which were perforated with holes. The substrates trapped waterborne sediment and detritus which enhanced microhabitat complexity. Colonization was compared in side-by-side tests with multiple plate samplers in mountain streams ranging from second to seventh order. After 41 days the bag samples contained more sediment and detritus and more animals than did multiple plates. Plastic bags exceeded multiple plate samples by a factor of nearly 8 for individuals and 1.5 for taxa expressed as numbers/sampler. Although detritus amounts differed significantly between samplers, catch composition was similar in habitat preference and functional groups. Most taxa were “lotic erosional” or “lotic erosional-depositional” detritivores. The plastic bags better represented the streambed fauna judged by their greater similarity to dip net samples. Bag samplers had 4.5 × the colonization area of multiple plates, hence would be expected to support more species. Catch/m² of colonization area was not significantly different between samplers. Functionally the plastic bags act as detritus retention devices, offering a diverse, highly dynamic microhabitat for colonization. Results are interpretable in terms of research on microdistribution of stream benthos and the river continuum model. This study supports the conclusion that stream benthos abundance and diversity are related to the amount of detritus. Maximum diversity and numbers of individuals occurred in samples from third and fourth order streams. Grazers reached peak abundances in the same streams where the continuum model predicts P>R Shredders reached maximum abundances in third and fourth order streams where the riparian canopy was greatest. Predator abundance changed little with stream size. Although bag samples required more sorting time, the samplers are catch effective, inexpensive, and adaptable.     

ORGANIC MATTER DYNAMICS IN SMALL STREAMS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST1

Small streams in forested landscapes are tightly coupled to the vegetation of the surrounding forest, and one of the key drivers of the stream ecosystem is the nature of organic matter supplied to it. This paper is focussed on three questions related to organic matter dynamics in small, forested streams of the conifer dominated Pacific Northwest: (1) How do small streams differ from large streams? (2) How do small streams of the Pacific Northwest differ from those of other regions? and (3) How do forest practices alter organic matter dynamics of small streams in the Pacific Northwest? The organic matter dynamics of small streams in this region differ from temperate deciduous forests in the nature of the organic matter deposited (protective chemicals, hard epidermis, slower loss rates), the timing of inputs (distributed throughout the year), and the transport rates (smaller, hard needles are more easily transported). The large amount and persistence of wood in these streams provides an additional source of organic matter that can be consumed by particular species and contributes to biofilm and fine particulate organic matter (FPOM) production. Logging is commonly practiced in many forests of the region. This practice has been shown to alter the type, amount, and timing of organic matter delivery to small streams and reduce the amount and size of large wood. Changes in channel complexity and water temperature after logging also can contribute to reduced organic matter storage. Many of the processes controlling organic matter dynamics in small streams are well described in other regions. However, the climate, vegetation, and topography of the Pacific Northwest suggest that the rates and nature of some processes affecting stream organic matter may differ considerably from other regions. Further research on small streams of this area will be required to better understand these differences.     

Seasonal and tidal impact on the organic compounds and nutrients distribution in tropical mangroves, Kerala, India

Seasonal changes in the concentration of nutrients and various organic compounds were studied in the waters surrounding mangroves and in the marshy areas of mangroves. Higher amounts of nutrients and organic compounds were observed during low tide. This is due to the remineralisation of plant detritus in this area. High concentration of carbohydrates, proteins, chlorophyll and phosphate were observed during monsoon, which can be attributed to the leaching of plant detritus as well as the land run-off. During pre-monsoon and post-monsoon high tannin and lignin concentration was noted. A 24-hour sampling was also done to study the tidal impact on the concentrations of various organic compounds and nutrients in this ecosystem. Even though a tidal impact was observed, a clear picture was not reported in this study.