The availability of copper in soils historically amended with sewage sludge, manure, and compost

Metals in soils amended with sewage sludge are typically less available compared with those in soils spiked with soluble metal salts. However, it is unclear if this difference remains in the long term. A survey of copper (Cu) availability was made in soils amended with sewage sludge, manure, and compost, collectively named organic amendments. Paired sets of amended and control soils were collected from 22 field trials where the organic amendments had aged up to 112 yr. Amended soils had higher total Cu concentrations (range, 2-220 mg Cu kg; median, 15 mg Cu kg) and organic C (range, 1-16 g kg; median, 4 g kg) than control soils. All samples were freshly spiked with CuCl, and the toxicity of added Cu to barley was compared between amended and control soils. The toxicity of added Cu was significantly lower in amended soils than in control soil in 15 sets by, on average, a factor of 1.4, suggesting that aged amendments do not largely increase Cu binding sites. The fraction of added Cu that is isotopic exchangeable Cu (labile Cu) was compared between control soils freshly spiked with CuCl and amended soils with both soils at identical total Cu concentrations. Copper derived from amendments was significantly less labile (on average 5.9-fold) than freshly added Cu in 18 sets of soils. This study shows that Cu availability after long-term applications of organic amendments is lower than that of freshly added Cu salts, mainly because of its lower availability in the original matrix and ageing reactions than because of increased metal binding sites in soil.     

Geochemical partitioning of copper, lead, and zinc in benthic, estuarine sediment profiles

The geochemical partitioning of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) was examined in benthic sediment profiles (0- to 20-cm depth interval) composed of relatively coarse (65-90% sand-sized particles), noncohesive, suboxic material (Eh +120 to +260 mV). Total Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations ranged from 8.3 to 194, 16.3 to 74.8, and 30.1 to 220 mg/kg, respectively, and were related to vertical trends in sediment texture. The observed distribution coefficients describing solid-solution partitioning were in the range of 100 to 1000 L/kg. The geochemical partitioning of solid-phase Cu, Pb, and Zn between six operationally defined fractions was examined with a sequential extraction scheme. The association of Cu, Pb, and Zn with amorphous oxides, crystalline oxides, and organic matter was linearly dependent on the abundance of each respective phase. For retention by amorphous oxide minerals, the observed stoichiometry ranged from 5.2 to 23.7 mg/g for Cu, 12.8 to 21.5 mg/g for Pb, and 23.1 to 85.7 mg/g for Zn. Corresponding values for association with crystalline oxides were an order of magnitude less than those for amorphous oxides, indicating a lesser affinity of trace metals for crystalline oxides. The stoichiometric relationships describing association with organic matter ranged from 17.6 to 54.0 mg/g for Cu, 6.1 to 9.6 mg/g for Pb, and 6.4 to 16.4 mg/g for Zn. The results from this study provide an insight into processes controlling trace metal partitioning in coarse-textured, suboxic, estuarine sediments.     

Influence of different organic amendments on the degradation, metabolism, and adsorption of terbuthylazine

The behavior of the herbicide terbuthylazine (TA) was studied in a clay loam soil after the addition of different organic amendments (OAs). Addition of poultry compost (PC) and urban sewage sludge (USS) retarded degradation of TA with half-life values of 60.3 and 73.7 d, respectively. In contrast, addition of corn straw (CS) did not significantly alter the degradation of TA (half-life 55.5 d) compared with its degradation in nonamended soils (half-life 57.3 d). Sterilization of amended and nonamended soils resulted in a partial inhibition of TA degradation, indicating that biotic and abiotic processes are involved in TA degradation in soil. Degradation of TA led to the formation of desethyl-terbuthylazine, which was detected in low amounts (<8% of the initially applied TA) in all soils. Adsorption of TA was relatively low, with Kd values ranging from 2.31 L kg(-1) in the nonamended soil to 3.93 L kg(-1) in the soil amended with USS. In general, Kd values increased with increasing soil organic carbon content. The dissolved organic matter extracted from the OAs did not appear to interact with the pesticide or the soil surfaces, suggesting that it would not probably facilitate herbicide transport. Desorption studies indicated a slight hysteresis of TA desorption in the amended soils compared with TA desorption in the nonamended soil, which was entirely reversible. These findings might have practical implications for the environmental fate of TA in agricultural soils, where the studied OAs are commonly used.     

In situ removal of copper from sediments by a galvanic cell

This study dealt with in situ removal of copper from sediments through an electrokinetic (EK) process driven by a galvanic cell. Iron (Fe) and carbon (C) were placed separately and connected with a conductive wire. Polluted sediments were put between them and water was filled above the sediments. The galvanic cell was thus formed due to the different electrode potentials of Fe and C. The cell could remove the pollutants in the sediments by electromigration and/or electroosmosis. Results showed that a weak voltage less than 1V was formed by the galvanic cell. The voltage decreased with the increase of time. A slight increase of sediment pH from the anode (Fe) to the cathode (C) was observed. The presence of supernatant water inhibited the variation of sediment pH because H(+) and OH(-) could diffuse into the water. The removal of copper was affected by the sediment pH and the distribution of electrolyte in sediment and supernatant water. Lower pH led to higher removal efficiency. More electrolyte in the sediment and/or less electrolyte in the supernatant water favored the removal of copper. The major removal mechanism was proposed on the basis of the desorption of copper from sediment to pore solution and the subsequent electromigration of copper from the anode to the cathode. The diffusion of copper from sediment to supernatant water was negligible.     

Accumulation, release, and solubility of arsenic, molybdenum, and vanadium in wetland sediments

This study was undertaken to determine the fate of As, Mo, and V (trace elements, TEs) in the sediments of a constructed wetland in use for the remediation of potentially toxic trace element-contaminated agricultural drainwater. After three years of wetland operation, sediment cores were collected to determine changes in TE concentrations as a function of depth and the effects of varying water column depth. All TE concentrations were highest in the top 2 to 4 cm and decreased with depth. Molybdenum accumulated in the wetland sediments, up to levels of 32.5 +/- 4.6, 30.2 +/- 8.9, and 59.3 +/- 26.1 mg kg(-1) in the top 1 cm of sediment at water depths of 15, 30, and 60 cm, respectively. In the top 2 cm of sediment, As accumulated (28.2 +/- 3.0 mg kg(-1)) only at the 60-cm water depth. Below 2 cm, as much as 10 mg kg(-1) of As was lost from the sediment at all water depths. In most cases, V concentrations decreased in the sediment. In this wetland system, the lowest redox potentials were found near the sediment surface and increased with depth. Thus, in general As, Mo, and V concentrations in the sediment were highest under more reducing conditions and lowest under more oxidizing conditions. Most of the accumulated Mo (73%) became water soluble on drying of samples. This has important implications for systems undergoing changes in redox status; for instance, if these wetland sediments are dried, potentially large amounts of Mo may be solubilized.     

Distribution and mobility of mercury in soils of a gold mining region, Cuyuni river basin, Venezuela

An extensive and remote gold mining region located in the East of Venezuela has been studied with the aim of assessing the distribution and mobility of mercury in soil and the level of Hg pollution at artisanal gold mining sites. To do so, soils and pond sediments were sampled at sites not subject to anthropological influence, as well as in areas affected by gold mining activities. Total Hg in regionally distributed soils ranged between 0.02 mg kg(-1) and 0.40 mg kg(-1), with a median value of 0.11 mg kg(-1), which is slightly higher than soil Hg worldwide, possibly indicating long-term atmospheric input or more recent local atmospheric input, in addition to minor lithogenic sources. A reference Hg concentration of 0.33 mg kg(-1) is proposed for the detection of mining affected soils in this region. Critical total Hg concentrations were found in the surrounding soils of pollutant sources, such as milling-amalgamation sites, where soil Hg contents ranged from 0.16 mg kg(-1) to 542 mg kg(-1) with an average of 26.89 mg kg(-1), which also showed high levels of elemental Hg, but quite low soluble+exchangeable Hg fraction (0.02-4.90 mg kg(-1)), suggesting low Hg soil mobility and bioavailability, as confirmed by soil column leaching tests. The vertical distribution of Hg through the soil profiles, as well as variations in soil Hg contents with distance from the pollution source, and Hg in pond mining sediments were also analysed.     

Occurrence of metals in soil and ground water near chromated copper arsenate-treated utility poles

To thoroughly investigate the metal contamination around chromated copper arsenate (CCA)/polyethylene glycol (PEG)-treated utility poles, a total of 189 soil samples obtained from different depths and distances near six treated poles in the Montreal area (Canada) were analyzed for Cu, Cr, and As content. Various soil physicochemical properties were also determined. Ground water samples collected below the poles were analyzed for metals and bioassays with Daphnia magna were conducted. Generally, sandy soils had lower contaminant levels than clayey and organic soils. Copper concentrations in soil were highest followed by As and Cr. The highest Cu (1460 +/- 677 mg kg(-1)), As (410 +/- 150 mg kg(-1)), and Cr (287 +/- 32 mg kg(-1)) concentrations were found at the ground line and immediately adjacent to the pole. Contaminant levels then decreased with distance, approaching background levels within 0.1 m from the pole for Cr and 0.5 m for Cu and As. Chromium and Cu levels generally approached background levels at a depth of 0.5 m. Average As content near the pole on all study sites was three to eight times higher than Quebec's Level C criterion (50 mg kg(-1)), although it dropped to 31 mg kg(-1) at 0.1 m. Results also showed that As persisted up to 1 m in soil depth (17-54 mg kg(-1)). Copper and Cr concentrations in ground water samples were always <1.000 mg L(-1) and <0.05 mg L(-1), respectively and Cr(VI) was <0.02 mg L(-1). One sample contained an As concentration >0.025 mg L(-1) but bioassays showed that, overall, ground water had a low ecotoxic potential.     

Metal release from bottom sediments of Ocoee Lake No. 3, a primary catchment area for the Ducktown Mining District

Ocoee Lake No. 3 is the first reservoir receiving suspended sediments contaminated with trace metals discharged by acid mine effluents from the Ducktown Mining District, Tennessee. Bottom sediments (0-5 cm) from the lake were sampled to assess the potential for future adverse environmental effects if no remediation controls or activities are implemented. The sediments were found to include a major component (173 +/- 19 g kg(-1)) that dissolved in 6 mol L(-1) HCl within 24 h. This acid-soluble and relatively labile fraction contained high concentrations of Fe (460 +/- 40 g kg(-1)), Al (99 +/- 11 g kg(-1)), Mn (10 +/- 8 g kg(-1)), Cu (2000 +/- 700 mg kg(-1)), Zn (1300 +/- 200 mg kg(-1)), and Pb (300 +/- 200 mg kg(-1)). When the pH of water in contact with the sediment was decreased experimentally from 6.4 to 2.6, the concentrations of dissolved trace metals increased by factors of 2200 for Pb, 160 for Cu, 21 for Zn, 9 for Cd, 8 for Ni, and 5 for Co. The order in which metals were released with decreasing pH was the reverse of that reported for pH-dependent sorption of these metals in upstream systems. Substantial release of trace metals from the sediment was observed even by a modest decrease of pH from 6.4 to 5.9. Therefore, the metal-rich sediment of the lake should be considered as potentially hazardous to bottom-dwelling aquatic species and other organisms in the local food chain. In addition, if the reservoir is dredged or if the dam is removed, the accumulated sediment may have to be treated for recovery of sorbed metals.     

Sorption and degradation of pesticides in nursery recycling ponds

Knowledge of pesticide distribution and persistence in nursery recycling pond water and sediment is critical for preventing phytotoxicity of pesticides during water reuse and to assess their impacts to the environment. In this study, sorption and degradation of four commonly used pesticides (diazinon, chlorpyrifos, chlorothalonil, and pendimethalin) in sediments from two nursery recycling ponds was investigated. Results showed that diazinon and chlorothalonil were moderately sorbed [K(OC) (soil organic carbon distribution coefficient) from 732 to 2.45 x 10(3) mL g(-1)] to the sediments, and their sorption was mainly attributable to organic matter content, whereas chlorpyrifos and pendimethalin were strongly sorbed (K(OC) > or = 7.43 x 10(3) mL g(-1)) to the sediments, and their sorption was related to both organic matter content and sediment texture. The persistence of diazinon and chlorpyrifos was moderate under aerobic conditions (half-lives = 8 to 32 d), and increased under anaerobic conditions (half-lives = 12 to 53 d). In contrast, chlorothalonil and pendimethalin were quickly degraded under aerobic conditions with half-lives < 2.8 d, and their degradation was further enhanced under anaerobic conditions (half-lives < 1.9 d). The strong sorption of chlorpyrifos and pendimethalin by the sediments suggests that the practice of recycling nursery runoff would effectively retain these compounds in the recycling pond, minimizing their offsite movement. The prolonged persistence of diazinon and chlorpyrifos, however, implies that incidental spills, such as overflows caused by storm events, may contribute significant loads of such pesticides into downstream surface water bodies.     

ISOTOPIC EVALUATION OF Pb OCCURRENCES IN THE RIVERINE ECOSYSTEMS OF THE KANKAKEE WATERSHED,ILLINOIS‐INDIANA1

ABSTRACT: Environmental background levels of Pb were measured in ponds, river waters, sediments, suspended sediments, rocks, and air particulates within the Kankakee watershed during the period of 1995 to 1999. Stable isotopic Pb distinguished airborne Pb and its incorporation into riverine wetland sediments from geogenic Pb measured in river sediments. The provenance of the naturally‐occurring Pb is from carbonate bedrock and contributes comparable concentrations in riverbank sediments (25.9–30.4 mg kg^?1) as Pb found in wetland sediments (18.6–24.8 mg kg^?1). Estimates of anthropogenic Pb contributions from airfall into the Kankakee wetlands were found to be near 0.43–0.71 Bq cm^?2 yr^?1 during 1995 to 1999. While leachable Pb data suggests the uppermost layers of pond sediments were disturbed, ²¹⁰Pb analyses from undisturbed sedimentation suggests Pb‐bearing sediments accumulate approximately 0.46–0.51 cm yr^?1 in the ponds within the riparian zones. Transboundary Pb pollution from aerosols of industrial Pb across the Great Lakes occurs, but Pb isotopy indicates that the Pb concentrations are comparable to natural concentrations of Pb in both waters and sediments within the Kankakee watershed.     

Accelerated weathering of biosolid-amended copper mine tailings

Application of municipal biosolids to mine tailings can enhance revegetation success, but may cause adverse environmental impacts, such as increased leaching of NO3- and metals to ground water. Kinetic weathering cells were used to simulate geochemical weathering to determine the effects of biosolid amendment on (i) pH of leachate and tailings, (ii) leaching of NO3- and SO4(2-), (iii) leaching and bioavailability (DTPA-extractable) of selected metals, and (iv) changes in tailing mineralogy. Four Cu mine tailings from southern Arizona differing in initial pH (3.3-7.3) and degree of weathering were packed into triplicate weathering cells and were unamended and amended with two rates (equivalent to 134 and 200 Mg dry matter ha(-1)) of biosolids. Biosolid application to acid (pH 3.3) tailings resulted in pH values as high as 6.3 and leachate pH as high as 5.7, and biosolids applied to circumneutral tailings resulted in no change in tailing or leachate pH. Concentrations of NO3--N of up to 23 mg L(-1) occurred in leachates from circumneutral tailings. The low pH of the acidic tailing apparently inhibited nitrification, resulting in leachate NO3--N of <5 mg L(-1). Less SO4(2-)-S was leached in biosolid-amended versus unamended acid tailings (final rate of 0.04 compared with 0.11 g SO4(2-)-S wk(-1)). Copper concentrations in leachates from acidic tailings were reduced from 53 to 27 mg L(-1) with biosolid amendment. Copper and As concentrations increased slightly in leachates from biosolid-amended circumneutral tailings. Small increases in DTPA-extractable Cu, Ni, and Zn occurred in all tailings with increased biosolid rate. Overall, there was little evidence of potential for adverse environmental impacts resulting from biosolid application to these Cu mine tailings.     

Nutrients and Heavy Metals in Legacy Sediments: Concentrations,Comparisons with Upland Soils,and Implications for Water Quality

Concentrations of nutrients and heavy metals in streambank legacy sediments are needed to estimate watershed exports and to evaluate against upland inputs. Concentrations of nutrients and heavy metals were determined for legacy sediments in 15 streambanks across northeastern Maryland, southeastern Pennsylvania, and northern Delaware. Samples were collected from multiple bank depths from forested, agricultural, urban, and suburban sites. Analyses were performed for fine (<63 μm) and coarse sediment fractions. Nutrient and heavy metal concentrations were significantly higher in fine than coarse legacy sediments and water extractable nutrient concentrations were significantly greater for fine sediments. Nutrient and heavy metal concentrations were highest in streambank legacy sediments associated with urban land use, but few differences were found with bank depth. Total N (40–3,970 mg/kg) and P (25–1,293 mg/kg) and bioavailable P (0.25–48.8 mg/kg) concentrations for legacy sediments were lower than those for upland soils. This suggests that legacy sediments could serve as sink or source of N and P depending on the redox conditions and stream water nutrient concentrations. However, despite low concentrations, caution should be exercised since streambank erosion and legacy sediment mass loadings could be high, these sediments are in immediate proximity of aquatic ecosystems, and biogeochemical transformations could result in release of the nutrients.     

Dissolved organic carbon dynamics in a riparian aquifer: effects of hydrology and nitrate enrichment

The capacity of riparian soils to remove nitrate (NO3) from ground water is well established, but the effects of ground water NO3(-)-enrichment on C dynamics are not well studied. We incubated horizontal cores of aquifer material extracted from beneath moderately well-drained (MWD) and poorly drained (PD) soils in a riparian forest in Rhode Island, USA for 132 d, and dosed (flow rate, 170 mL d(-1); dissolved O2, 2 in PD and 5 mg L(-1) in MWD cores) with ground water amended with either Br-, Br(-)+ NO3- (10 mg N L(-1)), or Br(-) + NO3(-) + DOC (20 mg C L(-1)). The DOC was extracted from forest floor material and added during the first 56 d of the experiment. Addition of NO3- had limited effect on CO2 production while DOC amendment had a significant effect in the PD but not in the MWD mesocosms. Total CO2 production (mg CO2-C kg(-1) soil) was 6.3, 7.0, and 10.1 in the PD and 3.6, 4.0, and 4.5 in the MWD cores amended with Br-, Br(-) + NO3-, and Br(-) + NO3(-) + DOC, respectively. Carbon balance (C(bal) = DOC(in) - (DOC(out) + CO2-C) showed a net C retention of 8.0 mg C kg(-1) soil in the DOC-amended MWD cores (equivalent to 50% of the DOC added), and a net C loss of 8.3 mg C kg(-1) soil in similarly treated PD cores. The lack of C retention in the PD cores was ascribed to reductive dissolution of minerals implicated in DOC sorption. These findings underscore that there is marked variation in C dynamics in riparian aquifers that has the potential to influence the fate of NO3- and DOC in the landscape.     

Emissions of ammonia, methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide from dairy cattle housing and manure management systems

Concentrated animal feeding operations emit trace gases such as ammonia (NH?), methane (CH?), carbon dioxide (CO?), and nitrous oxide (N?O). The implementation of air quality regulations in livestock-producing states increases the need for accurate on-farm determination of emission rates. The objective of this study was to determine the emission rates of NH?, CH?, CO?, and N?O from three source areas (open lots, wastewater pond, compost) on a commercial dairy located in southern Idaho. Gas concentrations and wind statistics were measured each month and used with an inverse dispersion model to calculate emission rates. Average emissions per cow per day from the open lots were 0.13 kg NH?, 0.49 kg CH?, 28.1 kg CO?, and 0.01 kg N?O. Average emissions from the wastewater pond (g m(-2) d(-1)) were 2.0 g NH?, 103 g CH?, 637 g CO?, and 0.49 g N?O. Average emissions from the compost facility (g m(-2) d(-1)) were 1.6 g NH?, 13.5 g CH?, 516 g CO?, and 0.90 g N?O. The combined emissions of NH?, CH?, CO?, and N?O from the lots, wastewater pond and compost averaged 0.15, 1.4, 30.0, and 0.02 kg cow(-1) d(-1), respectively. The open lot areas generated the greatest emissions of NH?, CO?, and N?O, contributing 78, 80, and 57%, respectively, to total farm emissions. Methane emissions were greatest from the lots in the spring (74% of total), after which the wastewater pond became the largest source of emissions (55% of total) for the remainder of the year. Data from this study can be used to develop trace gas emissions factors from open-lot dairies in southern Idaho and potentially other open-lot production systems in similar climatic regions.     

Prymnesium parvum Control Treatments For Fish Hatcheries1

Barkoh, Aaron, Dennis G. Smith, and Gregory M. Southard, 2010. Prymnesium parvum Control Treatments for Fish Hatcheries. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(1):161-169. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2009.00400.x Abstract: In 2001, the ichthyotoxic microalga Prymnesium parvum caused massive fish kills and adversely affected fish production at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Dundee State Fish Hatchery. Since then, we have investigated several P. parvum bloom and ichthyotoxicity control treatments to develop management strategies that allow fish production and prevent the spread of the alga into unaffected hatcheries and impoundments. Current control successes include treatments for ponds, water supply, and a hazard analysis and critical control point program. For pond treatment, ammonium sulfate (as 0.14-0.25 mg/l un-ionized ammonia nitrogen for temperatures above 15°C), copper sulfate (2 mg/l), Cutrine^®-Plus (0.2-0.4 mg/l as copper), or potassium permanganate (3 mg/l above the potassium permanganate demand) controls P. parvum blooms. Copper sulfate at 1 mg/l controls P. parvum but is unable to eliminate ichthyotoxicity whereas potassium permanganate at 2 mg/l above the potassium permanganate demand controls ichthyotoxicity. For water treatment, ultraviolet (UV) light at 193-220 mJ/cm² doses or ozone at 0.4-1.2 mg/l for 6 min destroy P. parvum cells and reduce or eliminate ichthyotoxicity. A combination UV and ozone treatment appears to provide the best results; however, successful treatments depend on dosage relative to cell density and toxin concentration. To prevent the spread of the alga, hatchery fish delivery units and equipment are cleaned with household bleach (10% solution for 15 minutes) or hydrogen peroxide (62.5-12,500 mg/l for 0.25-24 hours). These treatments are tailored to water quality conditions and the fish species cultured at affected TPWD hatcheries. We recommend that other users test these treatments before applying them to ponds or other impoundments containing fish or other aquatic life.     

Quantitative,chemical, and mineralogical characterization of flue gas desulfurization by-products

The objective of this study was to demonstrate that simple fractionation and selective dissolution techniques can be used to provide detailed chemical and mineralogical analyses of flue gas desulfurization by-products. The material studied was a mine grout prepared as a 1:1 mixture (wt./wt.) of fly ash (FA) and filter cake (FC) with hydrated lime (50 g kg(-1)) added to improve handling. The hydrated lime was composed mostly of calcite (CaCO3), portlandite [Ca(OH)2], lime (CaO), and brucite [Mg(OH)2] (515, 321, 55, and 35 g kg(-1), respectively) and had low (<6 g kg(-1)) concentrations of most trace elements. The FC contained hannebachite (CaSO3 x 0.5H2O) (786 g kg(-1)) with smaller quantities (<10 g kg(-1)) of calcite, quartz (SiO2), brucite, and gypsum (CaSO4 x 2H2O). Except for B and Cu, trace element concentrations were comparable to those in the hydrated lime. The FA contained both magnetic (222 g kg(-1)) and nonmagnetic (778 g kg(-1)) fractions. The former was composed mostly of hematite (Fe2O3), magnetite (Fe3O4), and glass (272, 293, and 287 g kg(-1), respectively), whereas the latter was enriched in glass, quartz, and mullite (Al6Si2O13) (515, 243, and 140 g kg(-1), respectively). Etching with 1% HF showed that 60 to 100% of trace elements were concentrated in the glass, although some metals (Co, Cr, and Mn) were clearly enriched in the magnetic phase. The aged grout contained 147 g kg(-1) ettringite [Ca6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12 x 26H2O] in addition to 314 g kg(-1) hannebachite and 537 g kg(-1) insoluble phases (mullite, quartz, hematite, magnetite, and glass).     

Regional scale variability in sediment and nutrient delivery from small agricultural watersheds

Although many studies have pointed out the various controlling factors of sediment and nutrient delivery on a plot or watershed scale, little is known on the spatial variability of sediment and nutrient delivery on a regional scale. This study was conducted to reveal regional variations in sediment-associated nutrient delivery in central Belgium. Sediment deposited in 13 small retention ponds was sampled and analyzed for total phosphorus (TP), K, Mg, and Ca content. The TP content of the sediment deposits varied from 510 to 2001 mg P per kg sediment. Nutrients are predominantly fixed on the very fine sediment fraction (<16 microm), which is the reason why the nutrient trap efficiency of the ponds is only a fraction of the sediment trap efficiency. Average nutrient trap efficiency of the studied ponds varies between 4 and 31%, whereas sediment trap efficiency varies between 10 and 72%. For watersheds ranging from 7 to 4873 ha, sediment yield ranged between 1.2 and 20.6 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1), whereas TP export varied from 1.8 to 39.7 kg ha(-1) yr(-1). The observed spatial variability in nutrient losses is primarily attributed to regional variations in erosion and sediment yield values and to a far lesser degree to the spatial variations in fertilizer application. Redistribution of manure in the framework of an agricultural policy may increase the rate of nutrient delivery by ways of erosion and sediment transport.     

SUSPENDED SEDIMENT AND METALS REMOVAL FROM URBAN RUNOFF BY A SMALL LAKE1

ABSTRACT: A small lake in the Chicago Metropolitan Area was from 91 to 95 percent efficient in removing suspended sediment and from 76 to 94 percent efficient in removing copper, iron, lead, and zinc from urban runoff. Sediments accumulated in the lake in the form of an organic-rich mud at an average rate of 20 millimeters per year; this reduced lake storage and covered potential habitat for aquatic organisms. Copper, lead, and zinc concentrations were closely associated with suspended-sediment concentrations and with silt- and clay-sized fractions of lake sediment. Although concentrations of mercury and cadmium were near detection limits in runoff, measurable concentrations of these metals accumulated in the lake sediments.     

Effects of particle size on chemical speciation and bioavailability of copper to earthworms (Eisenia fetida) exposed to copper nanoparticles

To investigate the role of particle size on the oxidation, bioavailability, and adverse effects of manufactured Cu nanoparticles (NPs) in soils, we exposed the earthworm Eisenia ferida to a series of concentrations of commercially produced NPs labeled as 20- to 40-nm or < 100-nm Cu in artificial soil media. Effects on growth, mortality, reproduction, and expression of a variety of genes associated with metal homeostasis, general stress, and oxidative stress were measured. We also used X-ray absorption spectroscopy and scanning X-ray fluorescence microscopy to characterize changes in chemical speciation and spatial distribution of the NPs in soil media and earthworm tissues. Exposure concentrations of Cu NPs up to 65 mg kg(-1) caused no adverse effects on ecologically relevant endpoints. Increases in metallothionein expression occurred at concentrations exceeding 20 mg kg(-1) of Cu NPs and concentrations exceeding 10 mg kg(-1) of CuSO4. Based on the relationship of Cu tissue concentration to metallothionein expression level and the spatial distribution and chemical speciation of Cu in the tissues, we conclude that Cu ions and oxidized Cu NPs were taken up by the earthworms. This study suggests that oxidized Cu NPs may enter food chains from soil but that adverse effects in earthworms are likely to occur only at relatively high concentrations (> 65 mg Cu kg(-1) soil).     

pH-dependent release of cadmium,copper, and lead from natural and sludge-amended soils

The pH-dependent release of cadmium, copper, and lead from soil materials was studied by use of a stirred flow cell to quantify their release and release rates, and to evaluate the method as a test for the bonding strength and potential mobility of heavy metals in soils. Soil materials from sludge-amended and nonamended A horizons from a Thai coarse-textured Kandiustult and a Danish loamy Hapludalf were characterized and tested. For each soil sample, release experiments with steady state pH values in the range 2.9 to 7.1 and duration of 7 d were performed. The effluent was continuously collected and analyzed. Release rates and total releases were higher for the Hapludalf than the Kandiustult and higher for the sludge-amended soils than the nonamended soils. With two exceptions the relative release rates (release rate/total content of metal in soil) plotted vs. steady state pH followed the same curves for each metal, indicating similar bonding strengths. These curves could be described by a rate expression of the form: relative release rate = k[H+]a, with specific a (empirical constant) and k (rate constant) parameters for each metal demonstrating that metal release in these systems can be explained by proton-induced desorption and dissolution reactions. With decreasing pH, pronounced increases in release rates were observed in the sequence cadmium > lead > copper, which express the order of metal lability in the soils. The flow cell system is useful for comparison of metal releases as a function of soil properties, and can be used as a test to rank soils with respect to heavy metal leaching.