Comparison of compositional characteristics of amino acids between livestock wastewater and carcass leachate

This study was purposed to examine the use of amino acids as an indicator to determine whether groundwater around carcass burial sites is polluted by livestock wastewater (LW) or carcass leachate (CL). The analysis of samples showed that the average amino acid concentration of carcass leachate (531.897 mg/L; 4341.784 μmol/L) was about 300 times as high as that of livestock wastewater (1.755 mg/L; 16.283 μmol/L). To identify distinct characteristics between LW and CL, six amino acids were paired with one another to calculate their relative composition ratios, which were found to be Leu/Trp (CL 8.39～98.6, LW 0.89～4.77), Val/Trp (CL 11.95～175.38, LW 0.73～3.62), Lys/Leu (CL 0.01～0.72, LW 0.96～8.44), Lys/Ile (CL 0.02～1.55, LW 1.64～10.99), Met/Lys (CL 0.14～0.45, LW 0.03～0.14), and Ile/Val (CL 0.38～0.73, LW 0.40～0.97). The hierarchical clustering result showed that the similarity was 0.617 among the seven LW samples and 0.563 among the seven CL samples, while the similarity between LW and CL samples was 0.198, presenting that these two sources are distinct from each other. All these results indicate that amino acids can be used as a tracer to evaluate if the contamination source is livestock wastewater or carcass leachate. To apply amino acids to tracing pollutants more effectively, however, further studies are needed to understand whether the relative abundance ratios of amino acids are maintained as they are transporting through soils as a medium.     

富营养化与温度因素对太湖藻类生长的影响研究

为了研究气候变暖和富营养化对湖泊水生态系统的影响,应用阿列纽斯方程修正的Monod生长模型定量研究长期以来太湖藻类生物量与营养元素和温度的关系.研究表明,在近年来的富营养化状况下,年均气温每增加1.0℃,年均藻类生物量增加0.145倍.湖泊富营养化越严重.年平均气温对藻类生长的影响就越大,由此可以定量评估和预测年均气温...     

Performance of methods for measurement of exposure to inorganic acids in workplace air

BGIA has organised round robins for the analysis of samples of inorganic acids in workplace air for a number of years. Test samples of the volatile acids HCl and HNO(3) are collected from a standard atmosphere and samples of the non-volatile acids H(3)PO(4) and H(2)SO(4) are prepared by spiking filters with acid solution. The last two round robins have also covered the sampling of volatile acids, with up to 15 "active" participants able to visit the test facility in Dresden and take samples themselves. For other "passive" participants, BGIA takes samples from the same atmosphere. The acid concentrations generated lie between 0,1 and 1 times the German limit values for HCl and HNO(3). The results for the last round robin showed no significant difference between the performance of the "active" and "passive" participants. The participant means were in good agreement with the theoretical concentrations and the quality control measurements. For "active" participants RSDs were between 7% and 14% and for all participants between 8% and 16%. The round robin for the non-volatile acids showed similar results. The participant means were again in excellent agreement with the quality control measurements and RSDs were between 12% and 15%. The BGIA round robins have demonstrated the proficiency of laboratories measuring exposure to inorganic acids in air. However, concerns remain about the performance of published methods. It has shown that the sampling efficiency of sorbent tubes falls off with increasing particle size and hence silica gel tube methods may give low results for acid mists. Another issue with silica gel tubes is that a substantial proportion of the sample can be collected on the glass wool plugs that retain the sorbent. This can be up to 50% for HCl and 100% for HNO(3). Hence, low results may be obtained if the glass wool plugs are discarded. Similarly, methods for volatile inorganic acids that use a pre-filter to remove particulates usually overlook the fact that the acids can react with co-particulate matter on the pre-filter. Low recoveries in the range 30%-50% have been found when sampling HCl through filters loaded with potential interferents. Finally, particulate salts interfere with filter sampling methods for non-volatile inorganic acids. A two-part International Standard is in preparation for inorganic acids by ion chromatography and the issues discussed above are being taken into consideration during its development.     

Assessment and monitoring of nutrient loading in the sediments of tidal creeks receiving shrimp farm effluent in Quang Ninh, Vietnam

Coastal shrimp farming may lead to the contamination of sediments of surrounding estuarine and marine ecosystems as shrimp farm effluent often contains high levels of pollutants including a range of organic compounds (from uneaten feed, shrimp feces, and living and dead organisms) which can accumulate in the sediments of receiving waterways. The assessment and monitoring of sediment quality in tidal creeks receiving shrimp farm effluent can support environmental protection and decision making for sustainable development in coastal areas since sediment quality often shows essential information on long-term aquatic ecosystem health. Within this context, this paper investigates nutrient loadings in the sediments of tidal creeks receiving shrimp farm effluent in Quang Ninh, Vietnam, which now have a high concentration of intensive and semi-intensive shrimp farms. Sediment samples taken from inside creek sections directly receiving effluent from concentrated shrimp farms (IEC), from main creeks adjacent to points of effluent discharge outside concentrated shrimp farms (OEC), and few kilometers away from shrimp farms (ASF) as reference sites were collected and analyzed before and after shrimp crops to investigate spatial and temporal variation. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the concentrations of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total organic carbon among IEC, OEC, and ASF sites while the seasonal variation being limited over study times. A sediment nutrient index (SNI) computed from coefficient scores of the factor analysis efficiently summarizes sediment nutrient loads, which are high, albeit quite variable, in canals directly receiving effluents from farms but then decline sharply with distance from shrimp farms. The visualization and monitoring of sediment quality data including SNI on maps can strongly support managers to manage eutrophication at concentrated shrimp farming areas, contributing to sustainable development and management at coastal zones.     

Assessment of the trophic status of four coastal lagoons and one estuarine delta, eastern Brazil

Anthropogenic eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems continues to be one of the major environmental issues worldwide and also of Brazil. Over the last five decades, several approaches have been proposed to discern the trophic state and the natural and cultural processes involved in eutrophication, including the multi-parameter Assessment of Estuarine Trophic Status (ASSETS) index model. This study applies ASSETS to four Brazilian lagoons (Mundaú, Manguaba, Guarapina, and Piratininga) and one estuarine delta (Paraíba do Sul River), set along the eastern Brazilian coast. The model combines three indices based on the pressure–state–response (PSR) approach to rank the trophic status and forecast the potential eutrophication of a system, to which a final ASSETS grade is established. The lagoons were classified as being eutrophic and highly susceptible to eutrophication, due primarily to their longer residence times but also their high nutrient input index. ASSETS classified the estuary of the Paraíba do Sul river with a low to moderate trophic state (e.g., largely mesotrophic) and low susceptibility to eutrophication. Its nutrient input index was high, but the natural high dilution and flushing potential driven by river flow mitigated the susceptibility to eutrophication. Eutrophication forecasting provided more favorable trends for the Mundaú and Manguaba lagoons and the Paraíba do Sul estuary, in view of the larger investments in wastewater treatment and remediation plans. The final ASSETS ranking system established the lagoons of Mundaú as “moderate,” Manguaba as “bad,” Guarapina as “poor,” and Piratininga as “bad,” whereas the Paraíba do Sul River Estuary was “good.”     

Application of multicriteria choice-methods in assessing eutrophication

Multicriteria choice-methods, often used in policy analysis, were examined as a methodological procedure for eutrophication assessment. Multicriteria analysis ranked the sampling sites along two coastal areas, according to nutrient and chlorophyll concentrations. Three levels of nutrient loading were revealed, characterizing eutrophic, mesotrophic and oligotrophic waters. These results have been compared to station grouping based on multivariate analysis which indicated similar trends. Multicriteria choice-methods were shown to be an effective methodological tool in assessing eutrophication. In addition, this approach is compatible with multicriteria methods applied on policy-making and therefore the problem of eutrophication can be integrated with plan and project evaluation in environmental management.     

基于湖北省12个中小型湖泊的水环境遥感监测应用示范

以《湖北省水环境遥感监测示范系统》为数据处理平台,对2012—2014年湖北省大东湖水网、梁子湖水系和汤逊湖水系共计12个湖泊的水质类别以及营养状态级别进行遥感监测,并对比实测数据进行精度评价。结果表明:遥感监测的梁子湖、豹澥湖和严西湖水质相对较好,杨春湖、北湖和南湖水质相对较差且富营养化状况较为严重。该系统能很好地实现对水质优良达标湖泊以及富营养化湖泊的识别。对示范区域各湖泊水质类别和营养状态级别的遥感监测,基本上能满足业务化运行的需求。个别湖泊遥感监测精度较低,主要表现为遥感监测的湖泊水质类别和营养状态级别均要优于实测的结果。系统对于面积相对较大的湖泊遥感监测精度更高。     

Eutrophication and environmental policy in the Mediterranean Sea: a review

The Mediterranean Sea is a semienclosed basin connected with the open sea mainly through the Strait of Gibraltar. Due to the circulation pattern and the long residence time ranging between 80 and 100 years, the Mediterranean Sea is a sensitive environment to eutrophication pressures. The main body of water of the Mediterranean is characterized by very low nutrient concentrations, and therefore, the Mediterranean is classified among the most oligotrophic (very poor waters in nutrients) seas of the world's oceans. However, some coastal areas, mainly in the northern part of the basin, receive excessive loads of nutrients from sewage effluents, river fluxes, aquaculture farms, fertilizers, and industrial facilities, showing intense eutrophic phenomena with many adverse effects for the marine ecosystem and humans. Various national and international authorities, in addition to monitoring, have taken legal and administrative measures to mitigate eutrophication trends in the area. The Mediterranean environment is a good paradigm of integration of extensive legal framework, scientific knowledge, and administrative practices. The Barcelona Convention, the Mediterranean Action Plan, and European Union Directives on water quality and coastal management, together with scientific information derived from international research programs in the Mediterranean, provide a sound background for practical actions in eutrophication problems. In the present work, the problem of coastal eutrophication in the Mediterranean is reviewed in connection with public policies of the Mediterranean States based on national and international legislation and scientific knowledge on Mediterranean oceanography-ecology and actions coordinated by international bodies. These common actions and practices on coastal management are also discussed in relation to the need for sustainable development and protection of the coastal zone in the Mediterranean Sea.     

A new protease assay system using gelatin thin film for monitoring indoor air quality

Airborne particulates have a major influence on the quality of indoor environments, which in turn affects human health. Both allergens and proteases are major etiological factors in allergic disease. Thus, the monitoring of environmental protease particulates is very important for the management of allergic disease. Protease-monitoring systems have been introduced in industry, but have not been applied to domestic settings, probably because of the high cost and many complex steps involved in these systems. In this study, we developed an indoor protease-monitoring system which can easily detect protease particulates without need for pre-treatment of dust samples or complex measuring instruments such as fluorescent plate reader. As a protease substrate, gelatin thin film (GTF) was adopted to evaluate small amounts of house dust particulates. The principle of this assay is based on the hydrolysis of GTF. Protease molecules spread from a particulate to GTF can hydrolyze the gelatin, thereby producing a spot on the GTF. This hydrolyzed spot visualized by staining was much larger than the particulate size, making visible to naked eye. The GTF method facilitated the observation of a subtle increase in protease particulates fallen on the GTF after the turnover of a used bed-quilt. The newly developed GTF method seems to be a suitable tool for protease monitoring at home.     

抚仙湖、星云湖与杞麓湖营养状态演变及突变分析

为科学评价抚仙湖、星云湖和杞麓湖(简称三湖)营养状态及其变化趋势,基于三湖1991-2015年水质数据,采用综合营养状态指数法评价其富营养化水平,通过Mann-Kendall(Sneyers)方法判识三湖富营养化趋势及突变时间。结果表明:三湖都存在水质恶化现象,其综合营养状态指数及各分项指数均呈变差趋势,表征其营养物质在增加。三湖的营养化水平和演变时间存在显著差异,抚仙湖处于贫营养,星云湖由中营养转变为富营养,杞麓湖表现为中度-重度富营养化;抚仙湖和杞麓湖分别在2004、2011年出现突变点,星云湖自2000年后综合营养状态指数显著增加。基于三湖营养状态演变及趋势,结合变化特征及相关情况的讨论,提出对抚仙湖的管理应减少农业化肥和农药排放,对星云湖和杞麓湖的管理应削减高污染工矿企业排放等。     

COD adsorption capacity of the activated sludge — Its determination and application in the activated sludge process

Proper control of the activated sludge process is essential in ensuring production of good effluent. COD adsorption capacity (CAC) of the activated sludge could be used as a control parameter. CAC is determined by mixing the activated sludge with the settled sewage and measuring the instantaneous COD reduction per unit mass of activated sludge. CAC measures substrate removal by physical adsorption and reflects the quality of the activated sludge. CAC of a healthy activated sludge increases with the flow along the aeration units. CAC could be used for process decision on variation in air supply and feed pattern to the aeration units. In a modified process to cope with sludge bulking problem, CAC could be used to estimate the air supply to the aeration unit which is merely used for reaerating the returned sludge.     

Eutrophication Prediction Using a Markov Chain Model: Application to Lakes in the Yangtze River Basin,China

Lake eutrophication is harmful and difficult to predict due to its complex evolution. As an alternative to existing mechanistic models, a Markov chain model was developed to predict the development of lake eutrophication based on an 11-year dataset in 41 lakes of the Yangtze River Basin. This model was validated using a real-time update strategy and was demonstrated to be reliable. Based on the dataset, the lake eutrophication dynamics from 2000 to 2010 were analyzed. Lakes with different trophic states from 2011 to 2050 and their responses to different water management practices were simulated based on the developed model. The simulation results show that lake eutrophication would worsen from 2011 to 2040; however, eutrophication could be significantly alleviated by changing 100 km² of hypereutrophic lakes into eutrophic lakes per year from 2010 to 2020. The nutrient conditions in most of the lakes in the Yangtze River Basin show that phosphorus control would be more efficient than nitrogen control in eutrophication management practices. This case study demonstrates the utility of Markov chain models in using prior information to predict the long-term evolution of lake eutrophication at large spatial scales. The Markov chain technique can be easily adapted to predict evolutionary processes in other disciplines.     

不同水体沉积物中磷的形态分析

磷是生态系统中必不可少的营养元素,其含量与水体的营养程度密切相关,过剩的磷会导致水体富营养化,使生态平衡遭到破坏.就不同水体沉积物中磷的形态进行了分类综述,归纳总结了不同水体沉积物中磷的形态以及分布特征,并且进一步概述了影响沉积物中磷向水体释放的因素.     

Continuous flow methods for evaluating the response of a copper ion selective electrode to total and free copper in seawater

This work describes the development of an instrument for measuring free and total copper in seawater by continuous flow analysis (CFA) with an Orion copper (II) ion selective electrode (CuISE). Sample analysis times are reduced considerably by using an extrapolation technique based on the fitting of an empirical mathematical expression to the electrode time-response curve enabling a prediction of the final equilibrium potential. CuISE measurements in seawater samples containing nanomolar levels of total copper can be very time consuming, and this predictive approach significantly reduces sample analysis time, and improves sample throughput. The time taken to measure pCu in seawater to a precision of +/- 0.1, using conventional potentiometry, varies considerably depending on the condition of the electrode membrane but can be reduced by a factor of 3-6 (typically from 60 to 10 min) by using the extrapolation technique in conjunction with CFA. Details are given of the protocols used for preconditioning the CuISE. The system can be used as a portable instrument for field measurements or for shipboard measurements of free copper in seawater. Extrapolated equilibrium potentials are within +/- 0.5 mV of true steady state values.     

红枫湖富营养化模糊评价

以红枫湖为例,论述水体富营养化模糊综合评价过程。结果表明,红枫湖属于中营养化,富营养化趋势得到遏制;证明模糊评价法应用于水体富营养化评价是可行的;揭示湖泊富营养化评价应结合多种方法进行研究,使评价结果更趋于合理。     

GIS技术在东昌湖水质评价中的应用

利用GPS定位对东昌湖进行水样采集,把水质数据和坐标联系在一起,测定的结果利用GIS技术进行克里格插值.在用一部分数据验证其准确性之后,把全部水质数据以图的形式呈现出来,进行分析评价,通过与湖泊营养类型标准对比得出东昌湖大部分湖区出现富营养化现象,污染严重.证明GIS技术可以很好地应用于湖泊水质研究.     

生态环境第三方检测机构计量器具量值溯源管理问题探讨

构建科学、准确、有效的量值溯源体系是实验室质量管理的重要内容。在国家市场监督管理总局新发布的《实施强制管理的计量器具目录》中,涉及环境监测用途的类别大幅度减少。在此背景下,研究介绍了量值溯源中检定和校准的差异及适用范围,强调不应将检测作为量值溯源的方式。分类比较了国内现有具备量传能力的计量技术机构,对目前生态环境监测领域量值溯源技术方法与实际使用需求脱节、计量服务供给侧响应不及时的短板进行了总结。建议各专业计量技术委员会加快制修订相关计量技术法规,各计量技术机构及时更新和建立相关计量标准,从而更好地满足环境检测机构对计量器具量值管理的需求。     

The Effects of Application of Poultry Manure to Crude Oil Polluted Soils on Maize (Zea Mays) Growth and Soil Properties

A Figaro-type gas sensor system was investigated for the monitoring of volatile organic contaminants (VOC) in the exhaust gas from a soil vapor extraction (SVE) process. Benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene (BTEX), and their mixtures, were tested as representative contaminants. Reasonably good correlation factors >0.98 were obtained between the GC analyses and the sensor responses for each component, and for the total gas concentrations. Although the composition of the exhaust gas from SVE process, as well as the amount of each component, change with time, the sensor can be used to estimate the residual amount of contaminants by measuring the total concentrations in the exhaust gas. The sensor can be utilized as a valuable tool for the monitoring of SVE process by indicating when the operation to remediate a contaminated site should be stopped. The proposed ceramic gas sensor system may be a good alternative to existing methods, because it can satisfy the essential monitoring necessities of SVE processes, and has many advantages over other fully equipped instrumentation, as a cost-effective device, with long-term monitoring stability.     

Scaling the trophic index (TRIX) in oligotrophic marine environments

The TRIX index used for the assessment of trophic status of coastal waters has been applied in many European seas (Adriatic, Tyrrhenian, Baltic, Black Sea, and North Sea). However, all these waters are characterized by high nutrient levels and phytoplankton biomass; index calibration based on systems that are principally eutrophic may introduce bias to the index scaling. In the present work the TRIX trophic index is evaluated using three standard sets of data characterizing oligotrophy, mesotrophy, and eutrophication in the Aegean (Eastern Mediterranean) marine environment. A natural eutrophication scale based on the TRIX index that is suitable to characterize trophic conditions in oligotrophic Mediterranean water bodies is proposed. This scale was developed into a five-grade water quality classification scheme describing different levels of eutrophication. It is questionable whether this index can form a universal index of eutrophication or the scaling of TRIX should be region specific.     

Trends in benthic macroinvertebrate community biomass and energy budgets in Lake Sevan, 1928–2004

Water levels of Lake Sevan (Armenia) were artificially lowered by nearly 20?m between 1949 and 1997. Lowered water levels, combined with increased eutrophication, were associated with seasonally anoxic conditions (lasting 1-4?months) near the bottom of the profundal zone each year during 1976-2004. In addition, the extents of the macrophyte zone and of certain substrate types were severely reduced following drawdown. Maximal depth of occurrence decreased by 2-44?m for at least for 50 species of benthic macroinvertebrates between 1982 and 2004 compared to 1937-1961. Species richness of benthic macroinvertebrates declined from 25 to three species at depths where seasonal anoxia occurred. Total biomass increased by a factor of 10 from the period 1928-1948 to 1976-1979 then declined by a factor of 3 to 4 between 1987 and 2004. Energy flow through detritivores was more than tripled during 1976-2004 compared to 1928-1971, a result of increased plankton primary production. In contrast, energy flow through herbivorous benthic macroinvertebrates decreased by a factor of nearly 5, due to reduced areal coverage of macrophytes. Energy flow through filter feeders did not change over the time period examined, but energy flow through the entire zoobenthos community was nearly tripled. The biomasses of Oligochaeta, Chironomidae, and total zoobenthos showed a delayed response to changes in primary production of 7-9, 2, and 2-4?years, respectively. These patterns may provide a basis to predict results of restoration efforts based on the abundance of the zoobenthos in future years as the level of the lake is restored and water quality improves.