水体和沉积物中毒害污染物的生态风险评价方法体系研究进展

人类活动导致大量毒害污染物进入水体和沉积物,从而对水生生物产生诸多不利影响.开展毒害污染物的生态风险评价,筛选高风险毒害污染物,是毒害污染物风险管控和生态系统保护的基础.对美国和欧盟等发达国家和地区毒害污染物的生态风险评价方法进行了综述.水体和沉积物中毒害污染物风险评价的基本方法首先是采用预测或测定环境浓度(PEC或M...     

Organic pollutants in riparian wetlands of the Lippe river (Germany)

Organic-geochemical investigations were performed on layers of a dated sediment core taken from a riparian wetland of the Lippe river, Germany. The samples were collected from two distinct depth intervals representing sedimentation periods of 1944–1952 and 1972–1984, respectively. Comprehensive screening analyses by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed a complex mixture of anthropogenic contaminants. Here, we report the quantitative distribution of selected persistent lipophilic organic substances characterizing municipal as well as industrial emissions. Considering both geochemical and geochronological data, we deduced time-dependent information about industrial production and domestic effluents for the region investigated. In addition, usage and subsequent emission of characteristic pollutants into the riverine system were interpreted for both time periods monitored.     

Flooding and the Distribution of Selected Metals in Floodplain Sediments in St. Maries, Idaho

The link between sediment contamination and flooding is not well established, since flooding may exacerbate problems by spreading pollutants throughout the floodplain, or alternatively may dilute contaminants in source areas. To determine the substance of such relationships, the pattern of sediment contamination was examined in a small Idaho town following flooding in 1996. Four heavy metals were tested, nickel, chromium, zinc and copper, in 97 soil samples obtained from sites across the floodplain of the St. Joe River. Flood history and land-uses at each sample site were noted. Results showed that contamination levels generally were not high, with flood areas having lower concentrations than non-flood areas. A stronger relationship could be argued for land-use, with higher concentrations of contamination associated with some industrial sites. High levels of contamination were also found in several samples taken from recreational areas. Further research looking at the potential sources of contamination in relation to characteristics of the flood hydrology would seem pertinent.     

难降解有机物污染底质原位修复技术研究进展

随着水环境外污染源得到有效控制,底质污染逐渐成为人们关注的焦点.底质中的污染物尤其是难降解有机物可通过生物富集和生物放大等过程,进一步影响陆生生物和人类的健康.因此,对底质中难降解有机物的修复是目前所迫切需要解决的环境问题之一.基于异位修复成本较高易造成二次污染等缺点,文章针对难降解有机物污染底质,探讨了原位修复技术的研究进展,自然修复成本较低,对生态环境不产生干扰,但不适用于高浓度污染底质;植物修复操作简单,能有效防止污染底质再悬浮,但对高浓度难降解有机物耐受性较低;微生物修复适用范围广,修复效果较为显著,但菌体易流失,对环境的适应性较差.于是,固定化修复技术应运而生,固定化技术能解决传统的微生物修复存在的很多问题,但固定化载体的重复可利用性和再生性问题仍有待解决.文章最后对今后难降解有机物污染底质的研究方向进行了展望,由于污染底质多为复合污染,各取所长的联合修复技术将成为未来的研究热点.     

污染水体中河蚬的生物毒性响应研究进展

河蚬作为广泛分布于世界各国的典型底栖生物,由于其活动性低、滤食性等特征被广泛用作指示生物研究多种水体污染物的生物有效性。但迄今为止,尚没有系统论述污染水体中河蚬生物毒性响应的研究进展。为此,本文从污染物种类、测试指标、试验参数等角度探讨了过去30多年间河蚬在氨、重金属、有机污染物生物富集及生物毒性效应等方面的研究过程及主要成果。以往研究主要以河蚬生物体内累积、形态学及行为学观察、生化指标、代谢组学、基因完整性等指标表征污染水体的生物毒性效应,并随着分子生物学的发展已逐步由多指标全面表征代替单一指标测试。此外,现有研究多偏重于重金属和持久性有机污染物,对氨、新型污染物及纳米材料的河蚬生物毒性效应探讨尚处于起步阶段。河蚬在自然水体污染状况评估、污染水体的生物修复、水体毒性预测等方面具有较高适用性,但河蚬在沉积物毒性鉴定评估(TIE,Toxicity Identification and Evaluation)中的应用研究依然较为缺乏,有待进一步开展。     

Multiple biomarker responses in caged benthic gastropods <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bellamya aeruginosa</Emphasis> after in situ exposure to Taihu Lake in China

Background

Freshwater sediments have been recognized as a long-term sink and potential source for environmental pollutants released into the aquatic ecosystems. In this study, the sediment quality of Taihu Lake, which is susceptible to anthropogenic contamination, was assessed by a combination of chemical analytical and biological end points. Specifically, the snail Bellamya aeruginosa was caged in situ at two locations representing different pollution levels for different exposure times (7, 14 and 21 days). At each of these time points, biochemical parameters, i.e., phase I biotransformation enzymes ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, reactive oxygen species, protein carbonyl content and lipid peroxidation, were evaluated in the hepatopancreas of snails. In addition, surface sediments were collected for analysis of contaminants of concern, including inorganic pollutants, organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers.

Results

Chemical analyses revealed that sediments from Taihu Lake were contaminated with trace elements and organic pollutants. Concentrations of trace elements (Cu, Ni and As) and organochlorinated pesticides (4,4′-DDE) exceeded their corresponding threshold effect level according to the sediment quality assessment values for freshwater ecosystems in Canada, indicating that adverse biological effects may occur. All biomarkers, except EROD activity, were induced in snails during all exposure times. The integrated biomarker response index (IBR) indicated that during the initial exposure phase (7 days), B. aeruginosa were subjected to significant environmental stress, which diminished during later sampling time points.

Conclusions

Results showed that IBR correlated well with the levels of environmental contaminants, demonstrating the applicability of this biomonitoring approach to complex environmental exposure scenarios.

     

Industrial organic contaminants: identification,toxicity and fate in the environment

Industrialization and urbanization in the more economically developed countries and also in emerging and developing nations have led to an intensive and still increasing use of water resources. The involved chemical contamination led to a deterioration of aquatic systems in many areas. Industries are important pollution sources and the discharged wastewaters may contain very diverse and potentially harmful organic compound groups. We therefore present here a comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge of organic contaminants from industrial wastewaters. The available studies proved the heterogenic chemical composition of industrial wastewaters, even from the same industry branches, and the presence of heterogenic organic contaminant mixtures from industrial sources in aquatic systems. We conclude that our knowledge of the chemical composition of industrial wastewaters and the occurrence of industrial organic contaminants in the environment is as yet very limited. A combination of chemical and toxicological methods enabled the identification of toxic organic constituents in industrial wastewaters. Chemical evaluations of industrial contamination linked to surveys of environmental impacts could relate toxic effects of field samples to the presence of specific contaminants. Exposure experiments in the field proved the bioaccumulation and toxicity of several industrial compounds. Ecological surveys in industrial areas combined with a comprehensive chemical characterization and toxicity evaluation are so far missing. Some of the identified organic contaminants are related to characteristic industrial production processes, and their presence in water, sediment or biota indicates the input of specific industrial wastewaters. Accordingly, these compounds can be used as industrial markers. We suggest the proceeding application of the marker concept, as markers are useful to verify the input of specific industrial wastewaters to aquatic systems and to investigate the spatial distribution of the emission. Such information helps to disentangle different emission sources for the subsequent investigation of potential impacts in the environment.     

生物扰动对沉积物中污染物环境行为与生物可利用性的影响

疏水性有机污染物进入环境水体后易于与沉积物结合,对沉积物中的底栖动物造成危害。底栖动物引起的生物扰动作用可以通过改变沉积物的地球化学性质,对其中污染物的赋存形态、迁移转化和生物可利用性产生重要影响。在综述了国内外生物扰动影响沉积物中污染物环境行为和生物可利用性的最新研究进展基础上,重点讨论了沉积物颗粒交换、水体环境条件改变、疏水有机污染物解吸释放过程以及对生物扰动影响的定量化表征。最后对该研究方向进行了展望,指出应重点研究多种污染物及不同生物共存条件下的生态效应,以及造成沉积物扰动的影响因素的定量化表征等。     

Fischpopulationen unter Stress – das Beispiel des Unteren Neckars

Background, aim, and scope Reports about declines or unusual structures of fish populations in native aquatic systems in Central Europe and North America are in sharp contrast to an obvious improvement of general water quality. The Neckar River may serve as an example of a formerly severely contaminated freshwater system in Southern Germany, the ecological situation of which could be substantially improved over the last three decades. Nevertheless, there are still deficits in the composition of the fish fauna, which cannot be explained by conventional chemical-analytical, hydromorphological and limnological methodologies. Therefore, in search of explanations for ecological deficits, ecotoxicological investigations with an increasing focus on sediment contamination have been performed along the Lower Neckar River over a period of 10 years. In addition to sediment tests, fish populations were screened for genotoxic and embryotoxic effects as well as alterations in the structure of central metabolic organs such as the liver. Materials and methods Roach (Rutilus rutilus) and gudgeon (Gobio gobio) from the Lower Neckar River were studied with respect to histo- and cytological alterations of the liver as well as the induction of genotoxicity in liver, gut, gills and blood cells by means of the comet and micronucleus assays. At the same time, both native sediments and acetonic sediment extracts were tested for toxicity to zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and permanent fish cell cultures. Results Massive disturbances of the liver ultrastructure indicate severe stress in the fish from the Lower Neckar River despite good supply of nutrition. Both cyto- and embryotoxicity tests document a considerable toxic potential of sediments from the Lower Neckar River, and results of both the comet assay and the micronucleus test provide evidence of the presence of genotoxic agents in the sediments and their effects in fish. There has been no decrease of genotoxicity over the last 10 years. Discussion Cytopathology in conjunction with general cyto- and embryotoxicity in fish from the Lower Neckar River contribute to a syndrome which cannot be neglected in the interpretation of abnormal compositions of fish populations. In comparison to weight-of-evidence studies at other river systems in Southern Germany, the Neckar is characterized by an elevated embryotoxic but by a relatively moderate genotoxic potential. Conclusions The ecotoxicological burden of sediments at the Lower Neckar River is mirrored in the condition of native fish populations. A potential contribution of chemical contamination to the phenomenon of fish declines in aquatic ecosystems cannot be ignored. Recommendations and perspectives The improvement of the ecological status of freshwater systems may not be abused as an argument to discontinue biological monitoring programs. Rather, continuous surveillance of the environment and in-depth investigations into the consequences of chemical contamination are indispensible. For an adequate appreciation of the ecological relevance of sublethal and/or specific biological effects, their impact on population structure and function remains to be elucidated further. For the identification of the chemical basis of biological effects, methodologies such as effect-directed analysis appear to be promising approaches.     

Der Einsatz von Pflanzentests bei der Sedimentbewertung

Up to now, sediment studies have mainly used standardized aquatic bioassays with organisms of the three trophic levels. Among these, algae are the only representatives of the entire plant kingdom. Bioassays with higher plants have hardly been used for the assessment of sediments. The aim of the present study is to demonstrate that the use of higher plants in biotests for analyses of anthropogenically contaminated sediments yields valuable results, which may be included in a concept for the integrated assessment of waters. The contamination by environmental chemicals was determined in the River Elbe by means of samples taken at the Fahlberg-List industrial site at Magdeburg in combination with studies in a reference area on the Müritz-Elde Waterway (Eldenburger Kanal). Sediment extracts and pore waters were tested with the aquatic lemna test. For comparison, first sediment contact tests withLemna minor were tried out. The whole extract of the sediment from Fahlberg-List Magdeburg and one fraction F5 caused distinct damages of the plants. Obviously, the phytotoxic substances of the whole extract are preferentially concentrated in the highly polar fraction F5. A comparison with chemical analytical data proved that the whole fraction F0 and the fraction F5 were heavily contaminated with chemicals. Assays with pore water from this sediment and with the whole sediment also caused a strong inhibition of growth. These results confirm the high contamination of the sediment from Magdeburg. The tests with the reference sediment suggested only a moderate toxic contamination. The results of this study prove that the selected aquatic plant,Lemna minor, is basically able to indicate contamination. In the aquatic test of the sediment extracts, it showed weak, but very selective, responses to certain classes of contaminants. Fractionating of the sample and subsequent chemical analysis combined with toxicity tests allow to narrow down the groups of substances causing toxic effects. This toxicity was confirmed by analyses of the pore waters and whole sediment samples. Together with other toxicity tests (e.g. standardized bioassays) and combined with biological benthos examinations, an overall judgment can be given for the integrated assessment of waters.     

Eine Weight-of-Evidence-Studie zur Bewertung der Sedimentbelastung und des Fischrückgangs in der Oberen Donau

Background and aim Despite intensive and continuous stocking and improvement of water quality since the 1970s, fish populations, especially those of the grayling (Thymallus thymallus), have declined over the last two decades in the upper Danube River (Germany). In order to assess 1) possible links between molecular/biochemical responses and ecologically relevant effects, and 2) if ecotoxicological effects might be related to the decline in fish catches in the upper Danube river, sediment samples and fish were collected at different locations and analyzed using a weight-of-evidence (WOE) approach with several lines of evidence. The objective of the presentation is to introduce the conceptual framework and to review results of the ongoing study. As previously addressed by Chapman and Hollert (2006) a variety of lines of evidence can be used in WOE studies. Briefly, 1) a comprehensive battery of acute and mechanism-specific bioassays was used to characterize the ecotoxicological hazard potential. 2) Histopathological investigations and the micronucleus assay with erythrocytes were applied, analyzing in situ parameters. 3) Diversity and abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates and fish as well as 4) persistent organic pollutants, endocrine disrupting substances, limnochemical parameters and the concentration of heavy metals were recorded. To identify organic contaminants a spotential causes of sediment toxicity assays, 5) effect directed analysis was applied.     

Sequestration of heavy metals from soil with Fe–Mn concretions and nodules

In recent years, heavy metal contamination has become a major environmental issue in many parts of the world. Fe and Mn oxides, oxyhydroxides and hydroxides have long been recognized as scavengers playing an important role in controlling the location, mobility and bioavailability of metal contaminants in soils. Fe–Mn concretions and nodules are discrete bodies made of soil or sediment materials cemented together under the influence of Fe and Mn oxides. Here metals sorption by Fe–Mn concretions and nodules are surveyed and critical reviewed. Valuable available literature data demonstrate that the formation of Fe–Mn concretions and nodules is the most efficient and durable process for metal contaminants sequestration in the soils. The papers discussed in this review show that the application of Fe–Mn concretions and nodules, as geochemical scavengers for remediating metal contaminated soils, is strongly recommended.     

巢湖生态系统中微量有机污染物的研究进展

本文综述了目前巢湖生态系统中微量有机污染物研究的主要进展。巢湖微量有机污染物研究起步较晚,但发展较快。目前已研究的微量有机污染物包括有机氯农药、多氯联苯、多环芳烃、多溴联苯醚、邻苯二甲酸酯、全氟烷基酸类物质、四溴双酚A、抗生素和有机磷农药。研究内容主要包括水、大气、降尘、沉积物、悬浮物、水生生物等多介质分布、来源解析、跨界面迁移、归趋模拟与风险评估等方面。期望本文的综述,可以为巢湖微量有机污染物风险管理和水质改善提供重要决策支撑,对于在其他湖泊开展此类研究有所裨益。     

Strategien zur Sedimentbewertung – ein Überblick

Background Being an important determinant in aquatic ecosystems, sediments have gotten more and more into focus of scientific and public discussions. While water quality has been significantly improving during recent years, highly contaminated sediments in many European rivers will still have ongoing impact for several centuries from now. Hence, monitoring and assessment of sediment quality are crucial for national legislation as well as the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). Aim On the occasion of the retirement of Prof. Dr. Dr. h.?c. Volker Storch, this article reviews the various concepts of sediment assessment and introduces case studies in sediment toxicology which have been carried out in Heidelberg and surrounding areas. Results and Discussion Initially, the article portrays benefits and drawbacks of chemical analytics and biotest systems. The individual approach has only limited informative value, but combining both perspectives allows for a comprehensive characterization of the state of sediments. As examples of toxicity evaluation based on this strategy, weight-of-evidence studies for tiered investigations and integrated sediment assessment are presented. In addition, a combination of chemical fractionation, bioanalytic investigations and chemical analysis – known as ‘effect-directed analysis’ (EDA) – is discussed. This integrated concept eventually aims at the identification of hazardous substance classes or even of single compounds. Finally, the article raises the issue of sediment mobility as an important parameter for risk analyses of highly contaminated legacy sediments within further WFD implementation. Outlook Using various case studies, the article outlines the potentials of integrated approaches for cause-effect analysis of complex environmental samples within aquatic ecosystems as well as for action programs of management plans dealing with chemically polluted rivers. Effect-directed analysis in particular, but also the combined application of acute and mechanism-specific bioassays together with in-situ investigations, complemented by investigations on sediment mobility, appear promising with regard to comprehensive sediment assessment weight-of-evidence studies.     

Schadstoff-Ferntransport in die Arktis

The Arctic is still considered as one of the few unpolluted regions in the world. This is true if one compares the Arctic region with middle latitude regions which are influenced more by human activities. However, the Arctic region is not isolated from all human impacts. In recent years, high concentrations of persistent pollutants (organic chemicals, metals) were detected in top predators of the Arctic food chain and indigenous peoples from the Canadian and Greenland Arctic, although no local contamination sources are known. The comprehensive, scientific investigation of the past 20 years confirmed that the combination of atmospheric and waterborne long-range transport is the major source of the high concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the pristine Arctic environment. However, also pelagic marine organisms (e.g. Atlantic cod, marine mammals) can transport large amounts of persistent pollutants in their lipids and introduce contaminants into the Arctic food web. Thus, the pollutants are transported into the Arctic and subsequently accumulated through the short and unbranched Arctic food web of the top predators. The most accepted theory nowadays describes the long-range transport of persistent pollutants as a combination of atmospheric and sea current transport, or as a ‘global distillation’ process. Depending on such physical properties of the substances as vapour pressure and the ambient tempeature, persistent (semivolatile) contaminants are transported over different distances prior to deposition (sea surface, sediment, soil). After the deposition, however, and depending on the weather conditions and surrounding temperature, persistent pollutants will be re-evaporated into the atmosphere and undergo further atmospheric transport to the Arctic region. This process is also called the ‘grasshopper effect’. The global transport of persistent pollutants into Arctic regions can be described as a repeatedly occurring combination of atmospheric and waterborne transport in which the main transport vehicle depends on the physical properties of the transported compound. The role of characteristic meteorological conditions in the respective climate zones through which the contaminant is transported must not be underestimated. Strong seasonal differences in temperature and precipitation rule the global weather situation. Therefore, seasonal pattern differences occur for the distribution of some persistent pollutants in the Arctic environment depending on average temperature, main wind and sea current directions, humidity and day time light conditions (causing photochemical degradation). The consumption of traditionally hunted marine mammals (seals, whales) was identified as one of the main reasons for high contamination burdens in the Canadian and Greenland Inuit populations. Consequences and counter measures against high contamination loads in the Arctic human populations and ecosystems are currently under discussion. However, no comprehensive measures concerning restrictions of hunting traditions are taken by the respective governments to date due to the primary social consequences which are to be expected. The advising experts argue that such a restriction would destroy the original social structures of the Inuit populations. Therefore, the drawbacks of such a hunting restriction would weigh heavier than the expected positive effects of the reduction of contaminant burdens ‘Arctic dilemma’.     

Aufnahmepfade von POPs in Biota

POPs (persistent organic pollutants) associated with aquatic sediments can pose a risk to aquatic food chains, since they can be re-introduced to the food web. One major pathway is the bioaccumulation of POPs by endobenthic, sedimentingesting invertebrates (especially tubificid oligochaetes). These worms serve as food for benthivorous fish, which thereby ingest the sediment-borne chemicals and may accumulate contaminant concentrations far higher than from water exposure alone, and consequently transfer them to organisms of higher trophic levels. In order to evaluate such a potential biomagnification, a laboratory test was developed. It consisted of a two-step food chain including the sediment dwelling freshwater oligochaete Tubifex tubifex (Müller) and the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus, Linné), a small teleost fish which often feeds primarily on benthic invertebrates. Artificial sediment and reconstituted water were used. To examine the influence of benthic prey on the bioaccumulation of a POP in the predator, fish were exposed to ¹⁴C-labelled hexachlorobenzene via spiked water, spiked sediment, pre-contaminated prey organisms, and to combinations of these exposure routes. Summarising the results of these experiments, it could be shown that the exposure to HCB via different routes resulted in a significantly higher accumulation in fish than an exposure to single pathways. It was concluded that the major uptake routes for fish were the overlying water and the food, whereas the contribution of spiked sediment itself was relatively small. HCB was biomagnified in the rested laboratory food chain. Therefore, concerning secondary poisoning, the environmental risk assessment of POPs like HCB should not be based on existing bioaccumulation tests alone, since they focus only on exposure via the water pathway. Instead, the influence of food and sediment as exposure routes should be considered as well, using comprehensive food chain modelling and/or laboratory studies.     

Integrated environmental assessment of freshwater sediments: a chemical and ecotoxicological approach at the Alqueva reservoir

In order to study the pollution of an aquatic ecosystem, it is necessary to analyze not only the levels of chemical pollutants in water, but also those accumulated in the sediment matrix, as well as to assess its ecotoxicological status. The Alqueva reservoir, the largest artificial lake in Europe, was chosen as case study as it constitutes the most important water supply source in southern Portugal. It is located in the Guadiana River Basin, in a semi-arid region with high levels of water scarcity and where agriculture is one of the main activities. The evaluation of sediments comprised: (1) physical and chemical analysis (grain size, pH, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus); (2) potentially toxic trace elements (Cu, As, Pb, Cr, Cd, Zn and Ni); and (3) ecotoxicological evaluation with Vibrio fischeri, Thamnocephalus platyurus, Daphnia magna, and Heterocypris incongruens. Total trace element concentrations indicated that As, Cd, and Pb surpassed the Canadian levels for the protection of aquatic life, in most of Alqueva’s sites. The results of the toxicity assessment showed that some locations induced acute and chronic toxicity in the species used. Further, the H. incongruens was the most sensitive species as far as the contamination found in the sediment is concerned, followed by the bacteria V. fischeri. This integrative approach, together with the water column quality assessment, allowed a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental quality of this strongly modified water body and will allow the implementation of remediation strategies to obtain a good ecological potential as proposed in the Water Framework Directive.     

Metal contamination of active stream sediments in upper Weardale,northern Pennine Orefield,UK

In the Upper Weardale area the headwaters of the River Wear bisect the Northern Pennine Orefield, where Pb-Zn-F-Ba vein-type mineralisation has been exploited since the Roman Conquest. The area contains evidence of open pit, underground and hydraulic mining of base metal ores, associated mineral processing and smelting, exploitation of ironstones during the industrial revolution, recent extraction of fluorite and active quarrying. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of modern sediment contamination arising from these past activities. Samples of active stream sediments were collected from all major drainage channels at 1 km intervals. The sediments were analysed for Pb, Zn, Ba, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, As, Sb, Ag and compared to data from earlier regional geochemical surveys of low order drainage samples using ArcView software. The significance of contamination levels was assessed using the Ontario aquatic sediment quality guidelines. Our results indicate widespread contamination of some major drainages by Pb, Mn, Zn and As at concentration levels anticipated to significantly affect use of the sediments by benthic organisms. Furthermore, Pb contamination shows persistence in stream sediments downstream towards agricultural areas of the floodplain and drinking water abstraction points, above which interaction with colliery mine water discharges may occur.     

Historical record of anthropogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a lake sediment from the southern Tibetan Plateau

High-altitude lake sediments can be used as natural archives to reconstruct the history of pollutants. In this work, the temporal distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was determined in a sediment core collected from the southern Tibetan Plateau (TP), which was dated by using the ²¹⁰Pb dating method and validated with the ¹³⁷Cs fallout peak. The concentrations of the anthropogenic PAHs (Σ₈PAH) in the sediment core ranged from 0.83 to 12 ng/g dw, and the fluxes of the Σ₈PAH were in the range of 2.1–27 g/cm²/year. The temporal variations in the concentration and input flux of anthropogenic PAHs were low with little variability before the 1950s, and then gradually increased from the 1950s to the 1980s, and an accelerated increase was observed after the early 1980s. The content of total organic carbon played an insignificant role in affecting the time trends of PAHs in the sediment core. Diagnostic concentration fractions of PAH components indicate PAHs in the lake sediment of the southern TP which are mainly from biomass burning and/or from long-range atmospheric transport.     

A review of source tracking techniques for fine sediment within a catchment

Excessive transport of fine sediment, and its associated pollutants, can cause detrimental impacts in aquatic environments. It is therefore important to perform accurate sediment source apportionment to identify hot spots of soil erosion. Various tracers have been adopted, often in combination, to identify sediment source type and its spatial origin; these include fallout radionuclides, geochemical tracers, mineral magnetic properties and bulk and compound-specific stable isotopes. In this review, the applicability of these techniques to particular settings and their advantages and limitations are reviewed. By synthesizing existing approaches, that make use of multiple tracers in combination with measured changes of channel geomorphological attributes, an integrated analysis of tracer profiles in deposited sediments in lakes and reservoirs can be made. Through a multi-scale approach for fine sediment tracking, temporal changes in soil erosion and sediment load can be reconstructed and the consequences of changing catchment practices evaluated. We recommend that long-term, as well as short-term, monitoring of riverine fine sediment and corresponding surface and subsurface sources at nested sites within a catchment are essential. Such monitoring will inform the development and validation of models for predicting dynamics of fine sediment transport as a function of hydro-climatic and geomorphological controls. We highlight that the need for monitoring is particularly important for hilly catchments with complex and changing land use. We recommend that research should be prioritized for sloping farmland-dominated catchments.