Water quality of runoff from revegetated mine spoil

Permanent vegetation plots were established on mixed overburden and topsoiled overburden on a lignite test pit in eastern Texas in 1982. Vegetative treatments included two grass-legume treatments [switchgrass (panicum virgattun) — sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) — subterrancan elover (Trifolitun subterranean) and litte bluestem (Schizachyriun scoparium) — sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) — Illinois hundleflower (Dessmanthus illinoiensis)] and three monocultures [Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), bahia grass (paspalum notatum) and yellow Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans)]. Water was applied to the 0.5m² plots using a sprinklertype rainfall simulator and quality of runoff was determined for each plot. Parameters analyzed included: settleable solids, total filterable solids, sediment production, infiltration rate, nitrites, nitrates, total iron and total manganese. Topsoiling significantly increased inliltration and significantly decreased filterable sediments, sediment production and settleable solids. The hydrologie qualities of the switchgrass-sideoats grama-subterranean elover mixture coincided closely with those of the Coastal bermudagrass monoculture.Authors are presently graduate research assistant and assistant professor. Range Science Department. Texas A&M University. College Station, Texas 77843. Acknowledgement is given to Northwestern Resources Co. for providing the funding for this project.     

Water quality of runoff from revegetated mine spoil

Permanent vegetation plots were established on mixed overburden and topsoiled overburden on a lignite test pit in eastern Texas in 1982. Vegetative treatments included two grass-legume treatments [switchgrass (panicum virgattun) — sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) — subterrancan elover (Trifolitun subterranean) and litte bluestem (Schizachyriun scoparium) — sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) — Illinois hundleflower (Dessmanthus illinoiensis)] and three monocultures [Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), bahia grass (paspalum notatum) and yellow Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans)]. Water was applied to the 0.5m² plots using a sprinklertype rainfall simulator and quality of runoff was determined for each plot. Parameters analyzed included: settleable solids, total filterable solids, sediment production, infiltration rate, nitrites, nitrates, total iron and total manganese. Topsoiling significantly increased inliltration and significantly decreased filterable sediments, sediment production and settleable solids. The hydrologie qualities of the switchgrass-sideoats grama-subterranean elover mixture coincided closely with those of the Coastal bermudagrass monoculture.     

Aluminium and heavy metals in potable waters of the north Ceredigion area,mid-Wales

Routine monitoring of the public water supply in Aberystwyth revealed high levels of aluminium during November 1989. These levels were twelve times the EEC recommended level and three times the maximum permitted level. While the reservoirs supplying the region and the streams draining their upland peaty catchment areas generally contain moderate levels of Al, Al salts added as coagulating agents are a major source. There is also considerable variation of the Al in potable waters through the month of November 1989 for an Aberystwyth supply. Private supplies, from groundwaters, in the region generally contain low Al.While most drinking waters in the region contain low Pb, values close to the EEC limit have been recorded for some samples from older houses with Pb pipes, while a sample from a well supply in an old lead mining area contained three times the EEC limit. Despite the wide use of Cu piping for water supplies in the area, most values for this element in mains-water are low, with occasional higher values. However, many private supplies from spring sources are extremely Cu-rich and again levels of this element in a private supply showed a marked temporal variation during November 1989. Zinc levels in potable waters of the area are very variable. That most of the Zn in potable waters is derived from the dissolution of Cu pipes is evidenced by a strong correlation between Cu and Zn in these waters. A few Cd values of over 2 g L^–1 have also been recorded.     

The influence of individuals in forming collective household preferences for water quality

Preference for water quality and its nonmarket valuation can be used to inform the development of pricing policies and long term supply strategies. Tap water quality is a household concern. The objective status quo of water provision varies between households and not between individuals within households, while charges are levied on households not individuals. Individual preferences differ from collective preferences. In households where there are two adults, we examine the preferences of each separately and then as a couple in collective decisions. We show the level of influence each has in developing the collective decision process. We use discrete choice experiments to model preference heterogeneity across three experiments on women, men and on both. We propose a random utility model which decomposes the error structure in the utility of alternatives so as to identify the individual influence in collective decisions. This approach to choice data analysis is new to environmental economics.     

Glutathione and cysteine biosynthesis in two varieties of Abelmoschus esculentus in response to mine spoil

The extent of accumulation of some heavy metals and glutathione and cysteine levels in the roots and aerial plant parts in two genotypically different varieties of A. esculentus (KS404 and BO2) exposed to mine spoil were investigated. Glutathione (GSH) level in both the varieties on control sites increased from basal level to 155.15 nmol g(-1) dry weight (d.wt.), almost 1.5 fold on 30 day and attained a plateau within 60 day Mine spoil exposure of both the varieties decreased glutathione 1.13 fold (89.2 nmol g(-1) dry weight) during 60 day from its basal level. GSH concentration in shoots of these varieties increased accompanying growth contrary to roots where it finally declined 2 fold. Cysteine content in control plants increased 2 fold (31.6 nmol g(-1) dry weight) on 30 day and finally declined 1.38 fold (22.35 nmol g(-1) dry weight, at 60 day). Both the varieties, when exposed to mine spoil, showed enhanced cysteine content almost 2 fold during 30 day (50.95 nmol g(-1) dry weight) but failed to increase further Forshoots in both the varieties challenged with mine spoil, cysteine maxima reached late (15.2 nmol g(-1) dry weight, at 40 day) relative to control but the levels declined subsequently (11.85 nmol g(-l) dry weight). Contrary to GSH, cysteine content in roots of both the varieties responded positively to mine spoil as apparent from the 2.23 fold increase during 30 d than basal level although it lowered to a level of 12.85 nmol g(-1) dry weight finally at 60 day. Both the varieties accumulated almost maximum level of selected cations (Fe > Mn> Zn> Cu > Ni) during 30 day, but BO2 variety was significantly superior in this regard. Invariably high accumulation of such cations in roots over shoots indicated accumulation, retention or restricted translocation from root to shoot. The metal share of the edible part was just 6% of the plant load. Thus, present work reflects a genotypic differences in metal accumulation and that affected the major non-enzymatic traits or synthesis of sulthydryl compounds as well. The present results also indicate that metal tolerance is in part associated with anti-oxidant system activity.     

The non-participation of organic sulphur in acid mine drainage generation

Acid mine drainage is commonly associated with land disturbances that encounter and expose iron sulphides to oxidising atmospheric conditions. The attendant acidic conditions solubilise a host of trace metals. Within this flow regime the potential exists to contaminate surface drinking water supplies with a variety of trace materials. Accordingly, in evaluating the applications for mines located in the headwaters of water sheds, the pre-mining prediction of the occurrence of acid mine drainage is of paramount importance.There is general agreement among investigators that coal organic sulphur is a nonparticipant in acid mine drainage generation; however, there is no scientific documentation to support this concensus. Using simulated weathering, kinetic, mass balance, petrographic analysis and a peroxide oxidation procedure, coal organic sulphur is shown to be a nonparticipant in acid mine drainage generation. Calculations for assessing the acid-generating potential of a sedimentary rock should not include organic sulphur content.     

Heavy metal accumulation and changes in metabolic parameters in Cajanas cajan grown in mine spoil

The extent of accumulation of some heavy metals in root and aerial plant parts, total chlorophyll, protein and yield of C. cajan exposed to mine spoil were investigated. Chlorophyll and protein level on the control site increased from the basal level to 1.49 fold and 1.92 fold respectively on 150 d and attained a plateau within 210 d. The maximum decline in leaf protein and yield in selected mine spoil has been observed 37% (18.46 mg g(-1) fresh wt) and 76% at 150 d and maintained a slight decline when duration was extended up to 210 d as compared to control. Whereas in case of photo pigment content (Chlorophyll a and b) the maximum reduction was almost 42% (0.786 mg g(-1) fresh wt) during 210 d from its basal level. Plant tissues have accumulated maximum level of selected cations in control and mine spoil in the order (Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cd). Metal accumulation in different plant parts was observed in the decreasing order roots > shoots > leaves > seeds. Invariably high accumulation of such cations in roots overshoots indicated accumulation, retention or restricted translocation from root to shoot. The metal share of seed varied from 1.3-39.5 fold as compared to their respective controls but their amount was quite below the toxic range. Thus the present work explores the metal accumulation in the plant tissues.     

Anthropogenic influence on surface water quality of the Nhue and Day sub-river systems in Vietnam

In order to investigate the temporal and spatial variations of 14 physical and chemical surface water parameters in the Nhue and Day sub-river systems of Vietnam, surface water samples were taken from 43 sampling sites during the dry and rainy seasons in 2007. The results were statistically examined by Mann–Whitney U-test and hierarchical cluster analysis. The results show that water quality of the Day River was significantly improved during the rainy season while this was not the case of the Nhue River. However, the river water did not meet the Vietnamese surface water quality standards for dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD₅), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nutrients, total coliform, and fecal coliform. This implies that the health of local communities using untreated river water for drinking purposes as well as irrigation of vegetables may be at risk. Forty-three sampling sites were grouped into four main clusters on the basis of water quality characteristics with particular reference to geographic location and land use and revealed the contamination levels from anthropogenic sources.     

Spring water quality and usability in the Mount Cameroon area revealed by hydrogeochemistry

Groundwater is the only reliable water resource for drinking, domestic, and agricultural purposes for the people living in the Mount Cameroon area. Hydrogeochemical and R-mode factor analysis were used to identify hydrogeochemical processes controlling spring water quality and assess its usability for the above uses. Main water types in the study area are Ca-Mg-HCO(3) and Na-HCO(3). This study reveals that three processes are controlling the spring water quality. CO(2)-driven silicate weathering and reverse cation exchange are the most important processes affecting the hydrochemistry of the spring waters. While tropical oceanic monsoon chloride-rich/sulfate-rich rainwater seems to affect spring water chemistry at low-altitude areas, strong correlations exist between major ions, dissolved silica and the altitude of springs. In general, the spring waters are suitable for drinking and domestic uses. Total hardness (TH) values indicate a general softness of the waters, which is linked to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Based on Na?%, residual sodium carbonate, sodium adsorption ratio, and the USSL classification, the spring waters are considered suitable for irrigation. Though there is wide spread use of chemical fertilizers and intense urban settlements at the lower flanks of the volcano, anthropogenic activities for now seem to have little impact on the spring water quality.     

Stabilization of metals in acidic mine spoil with amendments and red fescue (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Festuca rubra</Emphasis> L.) growth

Stabilization of metals with amendments and red fescue (Festuca rubra, cv. Keszthelyi 2) growth was studied on an acidic and phytotoxic mine spoil (pH_KCl 3.20–3.26; Cd 7.1 mg kg^?1, Cu 120 mg kg^?1, Pb 2154 mg kg^?1 and Zn 605 mg kg^?1) from Gyöngyösoroszi, Hungary in a pot experiment. Raising the pH above 5.0 by lime (CaCO₃), and supplementing with 40 mg kg^?1nitrogen (NH₄NO₃) made this material suitable for plant growth. All cultures were limed with 0.5% (m/m) CaCO₃ (treatment 1), which was combined with 5% (m/m) municipal sewage sludge compost (treatment 2), 5% (m/m) peat (treatment 3), 7.5% (m/m) natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) (treatment 4), and 0.5 (m/m) KH₂PO₄ (treatment 5). Treatments 1–5 were combined with each other (treatment 6). After 60 days of red fescue growth, pH of the limed mine spoil decreased in all cultures units. Application of peat caused the highest pH decrease (1.15), while decrease of pH was less than 0.23 in treatments 2, 5 or 6. Application of lime significantly reduced concentrations of metals in the ‘plant available’ fraction of mine spoil compared to non-limed mine spoil. Amendments added to limed mine spoil changed variously the ratio of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in exchangeable or ‘plant available’ fractions, differently influencing the phytoavailability of these metals. Most of the metals were captured in the roots of test plants. Treatment 2 caused the appearance of less Cd in shoots (<0.1 μg g^?1) or roots (3.11 μg g^?1), while treatment 5 resulted in the highest Cd concentration (2.13 μg g^?1) in shoots. Treatments did not influence significantly the Cu accumulation in shoots. The Pb accumulation of roots (44.7 μg g^?1) was most effectively inhibited by combined treatment, while the highest value (136 μg g^?1) was found in the culture treated with potassium phosphate. Pb concentration in shoots was below the detection limit, except for treatments 5 and 6. Peat application resulted in higher Zn concentration (448 μg g^?1) in shoots than other amendments, where these values were around 100 μg g^?1. All amendments influenced positively the dry matter yield of red fescue grown in limed mine spoil, however the application of 0.5 phosphate was less favourable. Liming, application of amendments and growth of red fescue can stabilize metals in acidic and phytotoxic mine spoil, and by phytostabilization they can reduce the risk of metal contamination of the food chain.     

Suitability and water quality criteria of an open drainage municipal sewage water at Coimbatore, used for irrigation

Sanganur canal is the major open drainage system which has intricate linkage with storm water supply, domestic sewage and industrial effluent disposal. Water samples from various stations were collected and analysed for physicochemical parameters to assess the water quality of the Sanganur canal system. The study revealed that physicochemical parameters like pH, EC, TDS, DO, BOD, COD exceeded the permissible limit, clearly indicating the need of proper treatment of waste water before discharge into the Noyyal river.     

Pilot-scale tests to optimize the treatment of net-alkaline mine drainage

A pilot-scale plant consisting of an oxidation basin (OB), a neutralization basin (NB), a reaction basin (RB), and a settling basin (SB) was designed and built to conduct pilot-scale experiments. With this system, the effects of aeration and pH on ferrous oxidation and on precipitation of the oxidized products were studied systemically. The results of pilot-scale tests showed that aeration at 300 L/min was optimum for oxidation of Fe(II) in the OB, and the efficiency of oxidation of Fe(II) increased linearly with increasing retention time. However, Fe(II) was still present in the subsequent basins-NB, RB, and SB. Results from pilot-scale tests in which neutralization was excluded were used to obtain rate constants for heterogeneous and homogeneous oxidation. Oxidation of Fe(II) reached almost 100% when the pH of the mine drainage was increased to more than 7.5, and there was a linear relationship between total rate constant, log (K(total)), and pH. Absorbance changes for samples from the NB under different pH conditions were measured to determine the precipitation properties of suspended solids in the SB. Because ferrous remained in the inflow to the SB, oxidation of Fe(II) was dominant initially, resulting in increased absorbance, and the rate of precipitation was slow. However, the absorbance of the suspension in the SB rapidly dropped when pH was higher than 7.5.     

Pilot-scale tests to optimize the treatment of net-alkaline mine drainage

A pilot-scale plant consisting of an oxidation basin (OB), a neutralization basin (NB), a reaction basin (RB), and a settling basin (SB) was designed and built to conduct pilot-scale experiments. With this system, the effects of aeration and pH on ferrous oxidation and on precipitation of the oxidized products were studied systemically. The results of pilot-scale tests showed that aeration at 300 L/min was optimum for oxidation of Fe(II) in the OB, and the efficiency of oxidation of Fe(II) increased linearly with increasing retention time. However, Fe(II) was still present in the subsequent basins—NB, RB, and SB. Results from pilot-scale tests in which neutralization was excluded were used to obtain rate constants for heterogeneous and homogeneous oxidation. Oxidation of Fe(II) reached almost 100% when the pH of the mine drainage was increased to more than 7.5, and there was a linear relationship between total rate constant, log (K _total), and pH. Absorbance changes for samples from the NB under different pH conditions were measured to determine the precipitation properties of suspended solids in the SB. Because ferrous remained in the inflow to the SB, oxidation of Fe(II) was dominant initially, resulting in increased absorbance, and the rate of precipitation was slow. However, the absorbance of the suspension in the SB rapidly dropped when pH was higher than 7.5.     

酸沉降下加速土壤酸化的影响因素

酸沉降对土壤和水域的酸化影响是土壤环境化学研究前沿的热点问题之一。酸沉降的化学组成对酸性土壤的进一步酸化起着催化剂的作用。在酸雨影响下,SO42-、NO-3、有机阴离子是加速土壤酸化和盐基淋溶损失的主要阴离子,外源H+的进入会加速铝离子水解。自然因素与人为因素导致土壤酸化的实际酸化速率差异表明:HCO3-、RCOO-在土壤剖面中的淋失状况可反映自然土壤的酸化速率,而SO42-和NO-3淋溶产生的质子负荷揭示土壤受人为因素影响的酸化速率。通过计算酸沉降的主要化学成分进入土壤前后的质子负荷平衡,与酸中和容量(ANC)相结合,反映酸沉降加速土壤酸化的进程。     

The influence of drainage networks on patterns of soil respiration in a desert catchment

Hydrologic flow and connectivity act as important determinants of ecological pattern and process in heterogeneous landscapes. Here we examine how the routing of water through the drainage network of an upper Sonoran Desert basin influences landscape patterns of soil respiration (SR) at both seasonal and event-based timescales. At seasonal timescales, SR varied up to 13-fold with downstream position in the drainage network, and annual estimates of CO2 efflux ranged from 185 g C x m(-2) x yr(-1) to 1190 g C x m(-2) x yr(-1) for sites arrayed along the same flow path. Spatial patterns of SR were unrelated to the carbon and water content of surface soils, but rather tracked changes in plant size and productivity, which in turn reflect downstream increases in groundwater availability. The relative importance of precipitation and temperature as drivers of SR also changed with landscape position, with the latter becoming more important in downstream locations. At the scale of individual precipitation events, SR increased up to 30-fold upon rewetting but typically returned to background levels within 24 h, even when soil moisture remained elevated. Unlike patterns observed at seasonal scales, event-based losses of CO2 varied across the landscape as a function of the organic-matter content in surface soils. Results from labile carbon amendments confirm that CO2 losses following precipitation pulses are initially constrained by substrate availability, not soil drying. By mediating spatial patterns of vegetation structure and soil resource availability, drainage networks represent an important physical template upon which belowground processes are organized in desert basins.     

东江水源林不同混交组合林地枯落物和土壤持水能力研究

东江是广东省重要的河流,东江水源林的质量直接关系到流域内的社会和经济的发展,关系到深圳和香港的生活用水。作者针对现有水源林生态功能较差的情况,在广东省东源县设计和营造了8种不同混交类型的水源林,并对其林地枯落物和土壤持水能力进行了调查研究。结果表明,与对照的马尾松纯林相比,红锥×枫香混交组合、楠木×锥栗混交组合以及格木×海南红豆混交组合林地枯落物持水能力有较大提高;枫香×樟树混交组合、楠木×锥栗混交组合、红苞木×枫香混交组合以及红锥×枫香混交组合土壤持水能力明显提高。综合枯落物和土壤持水特性对各混交类型进行聚类分析,将8个混交组合进行分类,其中椆木×红锥混交组合、马尾松纯林、火力楠×红锥混交组合以及木荷×椆木混交组合林地持水能力较差；格木×海南红豆混交组合和红锥×枫香混交组合林地持水能力一般;红苞木×枫香混交组合和枫香×樟树混交组合林地持水能力较好;楠木×锥栗混交组合林地持水能力最好。总体上,造林初期,水源涵养试验林在提高原有林地持水能力方面已取得了一定的效果。     

Development of ground vegetation under exotic tree plantations on restored coal mine spoil land in a dry tropical region of India

Restoration of mine spoil is a prime need for coal industry. The study of ground cover vegetation provides essential information about the species diversity and their successional trends during the restoration. The present study was conducted to analyze the structure and biomass accumulation of ground vegetation developing in different plantation stands of an opencast coal mine spoil in a dry tropical region. Different plantation stands showed variations in species diversities. Exotic herbs were more dominant in comparison to native herbs. Pennisetum pedicillatum, an exotic herb showed maximum Importance Value Index in most of the plantation stands. Total number of species varied between 12-18 in different plantation stands. Speces richness and evenness increased with increasing age of the plantations. Variations in total biomass accumulation of ground vegetation were also significant among different plantations. These results suggest that reforestation programme with exotic species on coal mine spoil has been successful in colonization of ground vegetation under different plantations. Gravellia pteridifolia plantations showed most successful ground cover among different plantation stands.     

The influence of pH and household plumbing on water lead concentration

The water lead concentrations measured in the homes of children who were part of the Edinburgh Lead study are related to the characteristics of the water supply and the household plumbing. At the time of the study one of the City of Edinburgh's two water supplies was lime treated to reduce plumbosolvency but in the second supply this treatment had not yet become effective. This allows us to estimate the extent to which this type of water treatment reduces water lead concentrations, in houses with lead plumbing, to comply with existing and proposed limits for lead in water. The kitchen cold water was supplied from a lead storage tank in 69 (15%) of the houses. These houses had the highest lead concentrations and water treTo whom correrspondence should be addressed.     

莲花山矿区土壤-农作物系统中重金属调控

以广东省莲花山钨矿区耕地为研究点,研究土壤金属含量分布、形态特征及其调控措施。分析耕地土壤中Zn、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb、Cd、As含量特征,以碱石灰、MnO2、Fe2O3和钙镁磷肥作为改良剂,对矿区污染耕地土壤进行改良,并种植萝卜Raphanus sativus,分析各改良剂对土壤金属形态及其在土壤-农作物界面迁移的影响。研究表明,矿区耕地土壤酸化, Zn、Mn、Pb、Cd和As超过土壤背景值,其中Cd和As污染严重,分别超过背景值的10.2-16.7倍和1.1-1.3倍。碱石灰有效降低耕地土壤pH值,降低土壤Zn、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb、Cd可溶态含量,减少其在萝卜中积累。萝卜对Pb、Zn、Cd、Cu、Ni累积量与其可溶态含量相关性显著,与总量相关性不显著。Fe2O3、MnO2、钙镁磷肥对耕地土壤Zn、Cu、Ni、Mn、Pb、Cd 生物有效性及其在农作物中累积量无显著影响。矿区耕地土壤分别添加碱石灰、Fe2O3、MnO2,土壤中砷松散结合态含量降低,农作物砷累积量减少。钙镁磷肥对土壤砷形态无显著影响,但能显著降低萝卜中砷的累积量。碱石灰分别与Fe2O3、MnO2、钙镁磷肥相结合改良耕地土壤,比单一改良剂更能有效降低萝卜中砷的累积量。萝卜中砷累积量与松散结合态存在显著正相关性,与Ca-As存在显著负相关性。碱石灰分别和Fe2O3、钙镁磷肥同时加入土壤,能同时地有效降低Zn、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb、Cd、As的有效性,及其在农作物累积量,因此,这2种改良方式是莲花山矿区土壤金属固定的有效措施。