Assessing trace metal contamination and organic matter in the brackish lakes as the major source of potable water

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - On small and medium karstic coastal islands in the Adriatic Sea, brackish lakes are often the only source of freshwater. Therefore, it is important to...     

湖北省湖泊大型底栖动物群落结构及水质生物学评价

大型底栖动物是湖泊生态系统的重要生物类群,在生态系统物质循环和能量流动中起着重要作用。底栖动物具有生命周期长、迁移能力较弱、对环境变化反应敏感等特点,可有效指示湖泊生态系统的健康状况。湖北省是我国淡水湖泊分布最密集的区域之一,湖泊总面积为3025 km2。近年来,伴随着工农业、养殖业及城市化的快速发展,富营养化已成为本地区湖泊面临的一个主要环境问题,并可能直接影响大型底栖动物的群落结构。目前关于本地区湖泊大型底栖动物群落的研究还较少,为此本研究对湖北省27个浅水湖泊底栖动物进行了调查,并对水质状况进行生物学评价。共采集到底栖动物40种,隶属于4门7纲18科,其中寡毛类5种,摇蚊幼虫16种,软体动物双壳类4种、腹足类8种。霍甫水丝蚓（Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri）、苏氏尾鳃蚓（Branchiura sowerbyi）、花翅前突摇蚊（Procladius choreus）、中国长足摇蚊（Tanypus chinensis）、多巴小摇蚊（Microchironomus tabarui）及铜锈环棱螺（Bellamya aeruginosa）是本地区湖泊最常见的种类。所调查湖泊底栖动物平均密度为32~1243 ind·m-2,其中12个湖泊密度低于200 ind·m-2,摇蚊幼虫和寡毛类对密度的贡献较大,以摇蚊幼虫占优势的湖泊有19个。底栖动物平均生物量为0.034~460.7 g·m-2,生物量低于50 g·m-2的湖泊数量最多（19个）,软体动物占优势的湖泊有16个,摇蚊幼虫和寡毛类占优势的湖泊数量共11个。各湖泊底栖动物物种数为3~14种,Margalef指数为0.71~2.33,Simpson指数为0.69~0.85,Shannon-Wiener为0.78~2.13,Spearman相关性分析结果显示物种丰富度和三种多样性指数与湖泊面积呈显著正相关。BI（Hilsenhoff生物指数）评价结果显示共11个湖泊为一般和轻度污染（6.01~7.44）,中度污染湖泊数量为13个（7.57~8.47）,长湖（8.52）、上津湖（8.65）和玉湖（8.50）处于重污染状态。     

太湖北部夏季浮游藻类多样性与水质评价

于2004年7月对太湖北部浮游藻类的种群组成进行了调查,分析了藻类种属组成的空间分布,利用多种多样性评价指数对水体的污染情况进行了评价,初步探讨了太湖藻类种群组成的变化特征。太湖北部浮游藻类的密度较大,介于2.54×107～8.53×108个·L-1,主要由蓝藻、绿藻、硅藻、甲藻、裸藻和隐藻等组成,以微囊藻为优势种。自湖岸向湖心,单位体积内藻类的个数及生物量逐渐递减,种属逐渐增加。其中含较多指示污染及富营养化程度的藻类种属,各种评价指数显示水体的污染程度较为严重,属中营养—富营养化范畴。     

华南电子垃圾回收区农田土壤重金属污染及其化学形态分布

广东清远龙塘镇作为电子垃圾回收地区,已从事电子垃圾处置超过30年,可能给当地的农田土壤带来了严重的风险。为评价龙塘农田土壤中重金属污染程度,采集28个农田土壤样品,用于研究As、Cd、Co、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Sn、Zn10种重金属含量及其不同存在形态。结果表明,与中国食用农产品产地环境质量标准比较,大多数当地农田土壤已在不同程度上受到重金属污染,85.7%的土壤样品中有一种或多种重金属的含量超过了相应的评价标准值。化学形态分析结果表明,除Hg外,人为来源的其她重金属更多地进入了可迁移形态部分(弱酸可溶态+可还原态+可氧化态),从而具有更高的毒害性和生物有效性,该电子垃圾处置区农田土壤已基本不适于食用农产品种植。大多数重金属在0.05或0.01水平上具有显著的相关性,这表明龙塘镇土壤重金属污染主要来源于不受控制的电子垃圾回收活动。对中国或其他国家具有类似的粗放式电子垃圾回收处置地区来说,有关龙塘镇农田土壤中重金属污染水平及其潜在的生物毒害性研究具有代表性意义。     

广东省跨市河流边界水质控制断面方案讨论

在对广东省主要跨市河流进行详细调查的基础上，分析现有跨市河流边界水质控制断面的存在问题；综合考虑跨市河段的地理位置、水体现状功能及水环境敏感性等因素，并兼顾上、下游地区社会经济发展现状及趋势，建议在新丰江、增江、韩江、灞江、绥江、西南涌、西江干流、榕江、枫江等河道新设边界水质控制断面13个，在全省共布设38个断面，构成广东省跨市河流边界水质达标管理的监测体系。文章还建议，要尽快制定广东省跨市河流边界水质保护条例，为加强广东跨市河流边界水质的达标管理，解决上下游地区之问的污染纠纷提供法律依据。     

水体中微污染磺胺嘧啶光催化降解行为

抗生素在人体健康和畜牧业生产中起到了积极的作用,但是未被完全吸收和利用的抗生素或其代谢物将通过尿液、粪便排泄等途径进入水体,对水环境的生态安全性及人体健康构成威胁,因而,痕量抗生素在环境中的出现及其潜在危害引起了越来越多的关注.对使用较为广泛的广谱抗菌剂磺胺嘧啶(SDZ)在水中的光催化氧化降解行为进行研究,探讨了反应过程中光照、TiO2的用量、反应起始pH、SDZ的初始质量浓度、反应时间等因素对SDZ降解效率的影响.研究结果表明,SDZ降解符合一级动力学规律,当pH=6.7、SDZ初始质量浓度为2.O mg·L-1、TiO2用量为80 mg·L-1、反应时间为60 min时,SDZ的降解率达到99.9%.结果表明,UV-TiO2光催化氧化能够有效降解水中的磺胺类微污染物.     

Spatial variability in characteristics and trace metal levels in sediments from watercourses

Assessing sediment quality requires sampling designs which address variability. Often however, only one sample or composited sample is collected at a sample site. Existing studies on sediment variability or sampling strategies primarily concern lake or marine sediments. Two rivers and one canal were sampled to assess sediment variability. Further, it was determined if sediment contamination in running water could be predicted by using visual criteria and/or knowledge of the presence of depositional and erosion areas. Metal concentrations and sediment characteristics were measured in different visually distinct areas of the river. At all sample sites the coefficient of variance was relatively high for most sediment characteristics (1.4‐ > 100%) and metal levels (15.3–63.6%). In one river the majority of sediment characteristics variation was between two sediment types and detected by visually distinct differences. Significant differences in cadmium and zinc concentrations were also detected. Contrary to what was expected, cadmium, and zinc levels were highest in the coarse fraction. No differences were found in the second river. In the canal a greater concentration of fine grained sediments and metals were found in the deep areas. It was not possible to predict sediment areas with the highest levels of metal contamination using visual criteria or knowledge of the erosion and sedimentation pattern of the river.     

广东省洪水资源化探讨

广东省多年平均人海水量4018亿m^2，并主要集中在汛期以洪水形式流人大海。文章根据广东省水资源与洪水特点，探讨了洪水资源化的途径及其安全保障措施：利用现有和新建水工程，采用科学合理的蓄、引、提、回灌与冲污等方式使洪水资源化；加强防洪调度与管理，以降低洪水资源化风险，确保安全利用洪水。该研究对解决广东省目前部分地区资源性和水质性缺水具有重要意义。     

综合水质标识指数法在浑河水质评价中的应用

综合评价水环境质量,全面把握流域水环境污染特征是水环境污染防治中的重要基础性工作。水质标识指数可以完整标识水质评价指标的类别、水质数据、功能区目标值等重要信息,在单因子水质标识指数法基础上建立的综合水质标识指数法能完整表达河流总体的综合水质信息,既不会因个别水质指标较差就否定综合水质,又能对综合水质做出合理的评价;既可以在Ⅰ到Ⅴ类中比较水质的优劣,亦可以对劣Ⅴ类进行评价。为系统全面地研究浑河流域各不同河段水环境特征,将浑河流域划分为3个控制单元,根据2001—2010年间水质监测数据,采用综合水质标识指数法,识别出各控制单元主要污染因子,并阐明了浑河流域水环境质量时空变化规律,本研究即体现了全流域统筹考虑的系统思想,又体现了分区研究的针对性特点,并首次将综合水质标识指数法应用于浑河流域水质综合评价,其研究结论对水质监测数据的评价有一定的借鉴作用,亦对流域水污染防治对策的提出有一定的指导意义。     

Geographical and seasonal variations in the relationship between trace metal content and body weight in Mytilus edulis

The relationships between trace metal content (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn) and body weight of Mytilus edulis L. show that smaller mussels are richer in trace metal than larger ones. According to the metal, the season and the locality examined, 3 types of relationships were obtained: (1) straight lines over the whole size range of mussels; (2) curves with steeper slopes in larger mussels and (3) curves with lowering slopes in larger mussels. For most metals the slopes changed from one locality to another. A detailed analysis of the relationship between Cd content and body weight showed a gradual decrease in metal content until maturity was reached, thereafter the relationship varied significantly with the season, and 2 different types of curves were obtained. Thus, our results contradict the idea that slopes are uniform for a given metal and species. Multivariate analyses showed that weight accounted for most of the variance in metal content while age and gonad maturation explained little of the variance observed. We propose the metabolic changes associated with sexual maturity and season continually change the relative importance of the circulating and storage compartments of metals and may be responsible for the variations of slope observed.     

广东大中型水库电导率分布特征及其受N、P营养盐的影响

广东省20座大中型水库的电导率在丰水期为22～246us／cm，在枯水期为23～254us/cm；除大境山水库外，其它水库丰水期、枯水期差别不大。在采样的6个流域中，受工业和生活污水污染比较严重的珠江三角洲水库电导率明显高于其它流域水库；东江流域电导率最低。N、P营养盐离子对水库电导率有不同的贡献，总的来说，营养盐质量浓度较高的水库，N、P营养盐离子对水库电导率的贡献率较大，水库电导率也较高。除粤西沿海的鹤地水库以NH4^ 对水库电导率的贡献为主外，其它流域以NO3^ 水库电导率的贡献最大。丰水期、枯水期营养盐离子对水库电导率贡献的结构有变化，PO4^3-对水库电导率贡献的结构变化最大，即PO4^3-在丰水期对电导率的贡献比枯水期明显增高。分析结果表明，广东省大中型水库的电导率反映了水库受污染的程度，富营养化是导致水库电导率上升的重要因素，水库电导率在一定程度上反映了水库的营养水平。     

On the role of entropy in water quality modelling

The use of the entropy principle in phenomenological water quality models is not only necessary, but also of great advantage. A deterministic ecosystem model must obey the 2nd law of thermodynamics. Gibb's equation is a constraint additional to the balances of mass, energy and momentum. The entropy principle supports the unified treatment of physical, chemical and biological processes in water bodies, offers stability criteria and controls the further development of the aquatic ecosystems. Thermodynamic criteria also allow the determination of the bifurcation points of the model equations. Especially near these points the state and structure of the ecosystem can be strongly changed by fluctuations of the variables and parameters of the ecosystem.Results of the thermodynamic theory of selforganizing systems (Glansdorff and Prigogine, 1971; Nicolis and Prigogine, 1977) are of very great importance for water quality modelling. Furthermore, the entropy principle bridges the phenomenological, stochastic and cybernetic approaches to water quality modelling.While the paper deals with general aspects of the role of entropy in water quality modelling, the basic system of equations, taking the entropy principle into account, can be found in a previous paper (Mauersberger, 1978).     

Heavy metal contamination and human health risk assessment in drinking water from shallow groundwater wells in an agricultural area in Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand

Most local people in the agricultural areas of Hua-ruea sub-district, Ubon Ratchathani province (Thailand), generally consume shallow groundwater from farm wells. This study aimed to assess the health risk related to heavy metal contamination in that groundwater. Samples were randomly collected from 12 wells twice in each of the rainy and the dry seasons and were analyzed by inductive coupled plasma spectrometry-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The concentration of detected metals in each well and the overall mean were below the acceptable groundwater standard limits for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni and Zn, but Pb levels were higher in four wells with an overall average Pb concentration of 16.66 ± 18.52 μg/l. Exposure questionnaires, completed by face-to-face interviews with 100 local people who drink groundwater from farm wells, were used to evaluate the hazard quotients (HQs) and hazard indices (HIs). The HQs for non-carcinogenic risk for As, Cu, Zn and Pb, with a range of 0.004–2.901, 0.053–54.818, 0.003–6.399 and 0.007–26.80, respectively, and the HI values (range from 0.10 to 88.21) exceeded acceptable limits in 58 % of the wells. The HI results were higher than one for groundwater wells located in intensively cultivated chili fields. The highest cancer risk found was 2.6 × 10^?6 for As in well no. 11. This study suggested that people living in warmer climates are more susceptible to and at greater risk of groundwater contamination because of their increased daily drinking water intake. This may lead to an increased number of cases of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health defects among local people exposed to heavy metals by drinking the groundwater.     

Geochemical and biological controls on trace metal transport in an acid mine impacted watershed

Water samples collected in an acid mine impacted watershed indicated that the concentrations of dissolved trace metals were diurnally influenced by mineral saturation, which is controlled primarily by pH and water temperature. Measurements taken suggested that these variations only occur at sample locations immediately downstream from the confluence of acidic and alkaline waters. It is at these locations where initial mineral precipitation occurred and where subtle changes in solubility were most affected, increasing trace metal removal when both the rate of photosynthesis (influencing pH in headwaters) and water temperature were at a maximum. The role of iron photoreduction (increased midday production of ferrous iron) on overall Cu, Mn, and Zn transport was also evaluated, but found to be inconclusive. Iron photoreduction may however influence adsorption and/or coprecipitation of trace metals through associated changes in oxidation state, solubility, and mineralogy of various iron colloids, which are produced upon the neutralization of acidic, metal enriched water. Furthermore, measured values of copper and zinc were compared to relative USEPA chronic criterion for exposure to continuous concentration (CCC) of metals by the calculation of a “toxicity unit” (TU). It was found that average values of both copper and zinc only exceeded the CCC (TU>1) in the acid mine-impacted Leona Creek. In general, zinc toxicity decreased while copper toxicity increased downstream of the confluence of the mine impacted Leona Creek and background Lion Creek (sampled at Lake Aliso), indicating a significant source of zinc in upstream, non mine-impacted samples.     

Determination of trace metal concentrations in soil profiles of municipal waste dumps in Nigeria

The concentrations of trace metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, Zn and Co) were studied in soil profiles of eight municipal waste dump sites in Warri metropolis. The results indicate that concentrations of trace metals varied widely among the different dumpsites and decreased with depths in a studied soil profile. The accumulation pattern for the heavy metals in the soil profiles follows the order: Fe > Pb > Mn > Co > Cr > Zn > Ni > Cu > Cd. The concentrations of metals found in these sites was below the Canadian remediation criteria for land for agricultural, residential and commercial/industrial purposes except for the cadmium levels in some sites that exceeded criterion values for agricultural and residential. In such sites, remedial actions are required before any form of chosen development can take place. The levels of heavy metals found in these dump sites were higher than that of the control site. The examined metals showed no significant correlation with soil physicochemical properties at the surface horizon, which is suggestive evidence that these metals arise from anthropogenic input.     

Donax trunculus and Venus verrucosa as bioindicators of trace metal concentrations in Mauritanian coastal waters

Trace-metal concentrations (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) were investigated in two species of abundant filter-feeding molluscs from Mauritania, the wedge shell Donax trunculus L. and the clam Venus verrucosa L. D. trunculus were collected on the beach of Nouakchott at low tide and V. verrucosa were sampled at the Banc d'Arguin at depths varying from 10 to 20 m, in mid-February 1987. D. trunculus contains significantly higher Fe and Zn concentrations than the clam. Total trace-metal content per individual (Y) in D. trunculus could be related to body weight (W) as the power function Y=aW ^b . The subsequent regression coefficient b was >1 for Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn and >1 for Cd. Metal concentrations in both species decreased in the order: Fe>Zn>Mn>Cu>Cd. Comparison of trace-metal concentrations in the small D. trunculus and the large V. verrucosa revealed lower contents in V. verrucosa, except for Cd. The trace-metal distribution in the various organs of V. verrucosa indicates that gills seem to concentrate metals, except Cu, to a greater degree than the other organs (visceral mass and remainder). The relatively elevated content of Fe in D. trunculus and of Cd, Fe and Zn in the gills of V. verrucosa seem to be of natural origin. In view of the scarcity of Mytilus sp. along the Mauritania coast, the molluscs D. trunculus and V. verrucosa are proposed as useful bioindicators of trace-metal concentrations.     

Applications of nanotechnology in agriculture and water quality management

Due to their small size and unique physico-chemical characteristics, nanomaterials have gained importance in the agri-food sector, notably in preservation and packaging. Future applications will focus on shelf life, food quality, safety, fortification and biosensors for contaminated or spoiled food, irrigating water and drinking water. Different types and shapes of nanomaterials are being used depending upon the needs and nature of the work in agriculture and water quality management. Here we review the application of nanotechnology in agriculture. The major points discussed are: (1) Nanomaterials for agriculture and water quality management. (2) Research interests such as nanoscale carriers, fabricated xylem vessels, nanolignocellulosic materials, clay nanotubes, photocatalysis, bioremediation of resistant pesticides, disinfectants, agricultural wastewater treatment, nanobarcode technology, quantum dots for staining bacteria and nanobiosensors. (3) Nanotechnological applications for agriculture, which includes nanolignodynamic metallic particles, photocatalysis, desalination, removal of heavy metals and wireless nanosensors.     

A Screening-Level Assessment of Lead, Cadmium, and Zinc in Fish and Crayfish from Northeastern Oklahoma, USA

The objective of this study was to evaluate potential human and ecological risks associated with metals in fish and crayfish from mining in the Tri-States Mining District (TSMD). Crayfish (Orconectes spp.) and fish of six frequently consumed species (common carp, Cyprinus carpio; channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus; flathead catfish, Pylodictis olivaris; largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides; spotted bass, M. punctulatus; and white crappie, Pomoxis annularis) were collected in 2001--2002 from the Oklahoma waters of the Spring River (SR) and Neosho River (NR), which drain the TSMD. Samples from a mining-contaminated site in eastern Missouri and from reference sites were also analyzed. Individual fish were prepared for human consumption in the manner used locally by Native Americans (headed, eviscerated, and scaled) and analyzed for lead, cadmium, and zinc. Whole crayfish were analyzed as composite samples of 5--60 animals. Metals concentrations were typically higher in samples from sites most heavily affected by mining and lowest in reference samples. Within the TSMD, most metals concentrations were higher at sites on the SR than on the NR and were typically highest in common carp and crayfish than in other taxa. Higher concentrations and greater risk were associated with fish and crayfish from heavily contaminated SR tributaries than the SR or NR mainstems. Based on the results of this and previous studies, the human consumption of carp and crayfish could be restricted based on current criteria for lead, cadmium, and zinc, and the consumption of channel catfish could be restricted due to lead. Metals concentrations were uniformly low in Micropterus spp. and crappie and would not warrant restriction, however. Some risk to carnivorous avian wildlife from lead and zinc in TSMD fish and invertebrates was also indicated, as was risk to the fish themselves. Overall, the wildlife assessment is consistent with previously reported biological effects attributed to metals from the TSMD. The results demonstrate the potential for adverse effects in fish, wildlife, and humans and indicate that further investigation of human health and ecological risks, to include additional exposure pathways and endpoints, is warranted.This study was conducted by the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and cooperating organizations and government agencies. All field and laboratory procedures conformed to the “Guidelines for the use of fishes in research” of the American Fisheries Society (AFS), Institute of Fishery Research Biologists (AIFRB), and American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) Use of Fishes in Research Committee (AFS, AIFRB, and ASIH 2004), and with all USGS and CERC guidelines for the humane treatment of test organisms during culture and experimentation. Use of trade names does not constitute USGS or U.S. government endorsement.     

海南芒果园土壤环境及其对芒果品质的影响

针对海南芒果(Mangifera indica)生产的环境条件进行了研究,分别在芒果园采集了植株和土壤样品,采用国家标准测定方法对比分析了各种元素的含量和分布特征,并阐明了芒果对环境条件的生态适应性.研究结果表明:海南芒果园土壤有机质、全氮、有效磷含量较低(为四级以下水平),有效钾含量相对较高.Ca、Mg、B、Ni含量较低,Cu、Mn含量较高.海南芒果种植地环境质量较好,Cr、Pb、Cd等低于国家土壤环境质量一级标准.Hg、Cu、As、Pb含量为一至二级标准.六六六、滴滴涕含量低于一级标准.海南芒果矿质元素含量丰富,农药残留量和Cr、As、Cd含量符合无公害芒果的要求.芒果对大中量元素、微量元素和有害元素(Hg、As、Cd)的生物吸收系数较大.锰主要在叶片中积累,铜则主要积累在果实中.