Quantitative Assessment of the Intertidal Environment of Kuwait I: Integrated Environmental Classification

Quantitative analysis of physical, chemical and biological data of the intertidal zone in Kuwait was undertaken to develop an integrated basis for assessing and protecting this sensitive coastal ecosystem. Cluster analyses were performed to determine the resemblance between the sampling stations based on the sediment composition, the benthic macrofauna and the physico-chemical characteristics of the intertidal sediment/water. Five distinct sub-environments were delineated within the intertidal zone of Kuwait. Each sub-environment was described in terms of number of taxa, mean density of organisms, sediment type, tidal level and dominant organisms. The physico-chemical parameters investigated were found to be unimportant in the distribution of the intertidal benthic macrofauna. On the other hand, sediment type was found to be a major factor in the overall composition of the benthic community. The benthic fauna and related characteristics of the sub-environments could be used as indicators to monitor changes in the intertidal ecosystem and as guides to protection and management of the different coasts. The approach described in this paper could also be adopted elsewhere to provide a sound basis for evaluating environmental impacts and for developing sustainable coastal management.     

Quantitative Assessment of the Intertidal Environment of Kuwait II: Controlling Factors

Multivariate analysis of variance, canonical correlation and canonical discriminate analysis were performed on environmental data collected from the Kuwaiti intertidal zone to determine the statistical relationships between the sediment, chemical, biological, spatial and temporal variables. The quantitative analysis showed that the sediment type was the paramount factor influencing the distribution and composition of the intertidal benthic fauna. The muddy, sandy and rocky shores support three distinct faunal communities. The seasonal variation in the benthic fauna community was not statistically significant but variation in biological data due to differences in transect location and tidal level were significant. This spatial variation has been attributed to differences in sediment and substrate types. The physico-chemical parameters were found to correlate positively with the mud content of the sediments but were unimportant in the overall composition of the intertidal fauna. This paper complements the results reported in Al Bakriet al. (1997–Part I) in establishing a valuable benchmark for assessing environmental impacts and for developing sustainable coastal zone management in Kuwait. The integrated approach outlined here could be adopted to develop a sound basis for the protection and management of coastal environments and resources in similar areas.     

CORRELATION OF COPROSTANOL TO ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS IN COASTAL AND ESTUARINE SEDIMENTS OF THE U.S.1

ABSTRACT: Results from the National Status and Trends Program, a nationwide effort to evaluate U.S. coastal and estuarine environmental quality, are analyzed to provide information about regional sources of organic contaminants in the benthic environment. Spearman's rank correlation procedure is applied to measurements of coprostanol, a chemical tracer of sewage, and three classes of organic compounds in sediments. The results suggest that discharges from publicly owned treatment works are responsible for concentrations of the organic compounds encountered in the northeastern coastal region, while other sources may predominate in the other regions of the country.     

Sediment Quality Assessment in the Gulf of Gdańsk (Baltic Sea) Using Complementary Lines of Evidence

Sediments from Polish coastal environments were classified by a quality assessment approach that took into account trace metal and organic micropollutant concentrations, grain-size distribution, and organic carbon content. Generally, no benthic organisms were found at sites where sediments were classified as heavily polluted. However, areas characterized by a moderate contamination showed a variable composition of the benthic community and changing bioaccumulation patterns; therefore, no single species found in the Gulf of Gdańsk could be considered representative of the whole benthic environment. Although sediment monitoring must be considered a suitable tool to detect hot-spot pollution areas in coastal and inland waters, it should be complemented by bioaccumulation measurements to evaluate the actual risk posed by contaminants to benthic organisms. This “biological information” allows a better appreciation of the real benthic infaunal community exposure to chemicals and can usefully complement the existing sediment quality guidelines.     

油田污水膜法处理工艺优化及膜污染分析

利用扫描电镜、原子力显微镜、能谱分析等对油田采出水膜污染的机理进行研究,确定了污水中的有机污染物是导致膜污染的主要因素.通过优化预处理,控制膜污染,形成以生物接触氧化为核心的预处理与膜过滤相集成的油田污水资源化处理工艺.现场试验结果表明：预处理后污水COD67.3～92.6mg/L,浊度〈0.5NTU,悬浮物〈1.0mg/L,含油〈1.0mg/L,保障了膜过滤系统的稳定运行.膜过滤产水达到油田锅炉用水和配制聚合物用水标准.     

洪泽湖底栖动物群落结构及水质季节变化分析

为阐明洪泽湖底栖动物的群落结构及水质变化状况,采用生物多样性指数法、综合污染指数、CCA分析等方法,对洪泽湖的底栖动物群落结构空间布局及其水质状况进行了季度调查,探究环境因子对底栖动物生长的影响规律。结果表明:(1)底栖动物种类以甲壳纲、多毛纲、双壳纲为主;(2)CPI分析表明,TN、TP是洪泽湖主要的超地表水Ⅲ类水环境标准的项目,入湖过水区域水质污染高于其他区域,且春冬TN超标为主,夏秋TP超标为主;(3)典范对应分析显示,氨氮、透明度、叶绿素a是影响底栖动物分布的主要环境因素。研究表明洪泽湖底栖动物群落组成优势种主导格局显著,生物多样性不高,群落组成和水质状况受过水水体影响极大,生态系统保护和修复需加强对周边水域生态系统的关注,尤其是淮河水系。     

沙质滩涂中可溶性油的释放动力学研究

沙质滩涂对石油类污染物的吸附是一种物理吸附过程,在一定的条件下,吸附于沙质滩涂中的石油类污染物又可能释放出来,对滨海环境造成新的污染。在对滨海沙滩（胶州湾）沙质滩涂-水系统石油污染调查的基础上,选择代表性的沙滩进行取样,系统测定不同沙质滩涂对可溶性油的释放动力学过程,并分析了盐度、pH、温度和含沙量对释放作用的影响。结果表明,沙质滩涂对可溶性油的释放动力学曲线符合对数型,即随着时间的延续释放速度逐渐降低,沙质滩涂对可溶性油的释放平衡时间约为10h,沙质滩涂对可溶性油的释放量随盐度和pH的增大而减少,随温度、含沙量和振荡频率的增加而增加。     

高盐度气田废水处理试验研究

以某污水厂好氧污泥为接种污泥,半软性纤维填料为载体,采用逐步提高盐度和有机负荷的方法对生物膜进行耐盐性和高有机负荷驯化。结果表明:经过一段时间驯化所得异养生物膜能够适应高盐度和高有机负荷的环境;生物膜对环境盐度变化的适应性有一定的波动;生物膜对有机物的降解能力随系统有机负荷增大而降低,连续进水、出水不回流且流量为0.292L/h,HRT为24h条件下,COD去除率最后保持在65%左右;COD去除率达到65%的时间与系统有机负荷呈线性正相关,相关系数为0.9112;驯化后耐盐微生物对温度和酸碱度不敏感,最佳生长温度为23℃,pH值为7~8。     

地震对城乡地表水水质长期影响分析——以四川省宝兴县为例

为研究地震前后地表水水质变化规律,以2013年4月20日雅安地震重灾区—宝兴县地表水水质变化为例,对2012 ～2019年宝兴县赵家坝断面地表水水质监测数据收集整理,单因子评价法、污染指数法(单项污染指数、综合污染指数和有机污染综合指数)和水质指数模式优化法对地震前后地表水质进行分析.结果 表明,此次地震引起水体中污染...     

葫芦岛市生态环境现状及遏制生态破坏的对策

大量资料和调查显示,葫芦岛市水资源不足且污染严重;湿地环境脆弱,海岸带生态环境破坏严重;矿山生态破坏和污染十分突出.必须尽快编制生态保护规划以强化水资源管理,积极推行生态农业,加强海洋生态保护力度.     

Coastal Management of Failaka Island, Kuwait

Failaka Island is one of the most important islands belonging to the State of Kuwait. With the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990, most of the activies on Failaka Island were destroyed. After the liberation of Kuwait, the Kuwaiti government decided to reconstruct the island for touristic and recreational purposes. Thus, a coastal development plan was needed. The presented study is an attempt to address the coastal zone management of the island. Based on the overall geomorphological features of the island, the coast was classified into four coastal zones. The wave and tidal conditions were identified around the island. The major items controlling the coastal development were specified. Accordingly, a detailed coastal zone management map for future development was developed. The overall goal was to provide decision-makers with guidelines for the future development of the island.     

基于IWRM视角的污水治理绩效综合评价研究——以浙江省为例

绩效评价是地方政府污水治理工作的重要但仍很薄弱的环节。本研究基于综合水资源管理(IWRM)目标原则开发了污水治理绩效综合评价指标体系,确定了指标权重,并对浙江省污水治理绩效进行了实证研究。结果表明,污水治理关键是改善自然水体功能。当前浙江省污水治理绩效总体良好,但存在污水处理投资项目运转效率差、农田污灌比重高、东部沿海市污水治理效果不理想等问题。建议今后浙江省污水治理工作应在继续提高自然水体功能的基础上,提高污水处理设施运转效率,加强农田水污染防治,并强化对东部沿海市区污水治理支持力度。     

A conceptual approach to selection of a control measure for residual chlorine discharge in Kuwait bay

It is estimated that some 17 metric tons of residual oxidants (chlorine) are discharged into the enclosed coastal seawater of Kuwait on a daily basis from power-desalination plants alone. Alarmed by the unlimited number of reported cases of damage to marine aquatic systems due to chlorine discharge around the world, several alternatives were proposed to control such a massive discharge of residual oxidant into seawaters. Most of the proposed alternatives lacked the basic criteria necessary for their evaluation, justification, and then selection. The objective of this article is to provide a conceptual approach that can be used to select a control measure for residual oxidant discharge in Kuwait coastal seawaters. This approach is based on state-of-the-art knowledge and the unique operational and environmental factors involved. A matrix system was designed whereby the cost of residual chlorine control alternative, its effectiveness, and environmental and public health impact, performance, and reliability in Kuwait can be compared and evaluated. The selection approach considered currently operating power plants in terms of their engineering design and material (cast iron or steel condensers), current operational conditions, operator's perception, acceptability, and projected problems associated with the environmental management of proposed modifications. The proposed approach revealed that in Kuwait, conventinal chlorination was marginally superseded only by chlorination/dechlorination using SO₂ and operation alteration using process optimization. The overall cost-effective assessment matrix classified other alternatives as worse than chlorination by various degrees. Ozone and UV were found to be the worst and the least desirable alternatives for biofouling control of seawater in Kuwait. In light of the available information on the consequences of the Gulf War on the marine environment, and the potential formation of additional halogenated organic compounds through the reaction of residual chlorine with the released petroleum hydrocarbons, it is essential to control residual chlorine discharged into the nearshore environment of Kuwait.     

Preliminary observations of environmental damage due to the Gulf War

Preparing for and conducting the Gulf War resulted in much damage to the environment of the region. The first and most visible effect is related to the damage caused by oil well fires in terms of air pollution as well as the potential damage to the petroleum reservoirs. The second detrimental effect has been caused by the oil spill in the Gulf water. Hundreds of miles of the western coastline of the Gulf are already covered with oil. Petroleum 'mats' have settled on coral reefs and have reduced Gulf water productivity. Foremost among the irreparable damages are changes to the terrain due to the digging of trenches, building walls of soil and otherwise disturbing the desert pavement in and around Kuwait. Disruption of the, usually, one-grain thick layer of pebbles on the desert floor exposes soil to wind action. Changing the contours of the normally flat land increases resistance to the wind and increases the potential of particle transport until the land is peneplained. This condition will increase the frequency and the ferocity of dust storms in the region. It will also result in the formation of new sand dunes; sand drifts already exist along roads in northern Kuwait. It is believed that the detrimental effects on the atmosphere will last for years, on the Gulf water for decades, and on the desert surface for centuries.     

冀东油田防治环境污染系统工程研究取得重要成果

查清了冀东油田废水池分布和分析了废水水质，提出了废井回灌、集中处理后回灌或回注、用废水处理机现场处理后回注或回灌等三种处理方案。通过室内、外试验论证了废水和废水池废泥治理方法，在采油所产生的含油污水实现全部回注不外排的基础上，再加上钻井废水不外排处理，从此做到了防治环境污染。     

辽西北丘陵地区农村生活污水产污系数测算研究

通过对辽西北丘陵地区农村进行现场调研,测算了农村生活污水产污系数。结果表明,监测农户总生活污水中人均日产污水量为16.42 L,COD、BOD5、NH3-N、TN、TP、动植物油浓度的平均水平分别为696.9,341.83,4.34,36.79,4.32,2.28 mg/L;用水来源对农户生活污水中人均日产污水量和动植物油产污系数无显著影响,可取监测农户的平均值作为统一值;锦州北镇市农户生活污水人均日产量为19.12 L,COD、BOD5、TN、动植物油产污系数分别为0.05,0.11,0.09,0.87 g/(人·d),NH3-N和TP产污系数分别在7.29~7.35 g/(人·d)和14.69~14.83 g/(人·d),朝阳北票市农户生活污水人均日产量为19.12 L,COD、BOD5、NH3-N、TN、TP、动植物油产污系数分别为13.59,6.49,0.09,0.43,0.02,0.87 g/(人·d)。     

Comments on current environmental events in Kuwait

This article describes and assesses the impact of oil spillage and oil well fires on Kuwait and its surroundings. The marine ecology of the Arabian Gulf is shown to be relatively resistant to damage from oil spillage. The risks of the contamination of thermal desalination plants by oil and oil products are assessed, and remedies are suggested. Air pollution from burning oil wells is described and its consequences are predicted. Editor’s note: Professor Hosny Khordagui worked as a research scientist at the Environmental and Earth Science Department of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research. The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, led to the permanent loss of most of his data, research reports, and laboratory equipment, and Prof. Khordagui was constrained to live under the Iraqi occupation for a few weeks. His article “A Conceptual Approach to the Selection of a Control Measure for Residual Chlorine Discharge in Kuwait Bay” will appear in a forthcoming issue ofEnvironmental Management.     

太湖一级保护区水污染成因及控制对策研究

江苏省太湖流域一级保护区综合整治是治理太湖的重点工作,直接关系太湖湖体水环境质量。本文对一级保护区存在的污染问题进行全面分析,提出了严格控制建设用地规模、调整工业结构、优化城乡布局、调整人口结构等减小生态压力的途径,通过提高城镇污水处理能力、加快城镇管网建设、实施污水处理厂脱氮除磷提标改造、推进中水回用和污泥安全处置、完善城镇及乡村垃圾收运系统、治理内源污染等方法进行综合整治,为全面治理太湖水污染提供理论依据。     

长庆油田水处理新技术研究

长庆油房庄油田水经过处理后仍具有较高的矿化度、较多的悬浮物及残留油,同时其SRB严重超标。现场处理水质不稳定,在进行回注时与地层的配伍性较差。针对这些情况,研究了一种新型的水处理工艺技术。对成垢离子调整剂、水质净化剂和成垢离子钝化剂进行了筛选,并对含油污水的成垢离子含量及比例进行了调整。运用这种技术,使油房庄油田水经处理后达到回注水的标准,且提高了与地层的配伍性。同时提出了新型水处理技术的工艺流程。     

Characterization of municipal and dairy wastewaters with 30 quality parameters and potential wastewater treatment by biological trickling filters

This study aimed to characterize raw municipal and dairy wastewaters. The quality of the collected wastewaters was determined by measuring 30 quality parameters, such as phenols, oxidation-reduction potential, oil and grease, total organic carbon (TOC), manganese, total viable count of bacteria (TVC), salinity, and biodegradability. Results were compared with wastewater disposal standards. This study also aimed to describe the potential application and performance of biological trickling filters (BTFs) in municipal and dairy wastewater treatment. Detailed reviews of trickling filter models were explained. Results revealed that two wastewater samples exceeded standard limits. The raw municipal and dairy wastewaters need treatment prior to disposal to the natural environment. Additionally, BTFs are efficient municipal and dairy wastewater treatments.