A synthesis of the impacts of ditch network maintenance on the quantity and quality of runoff from drained boreal peatland forests

Drained peatlands are an important source of forest biomass in boreal regions and ditch network maintenance (DNM) operations may be needed to restore the drainage functions of ditches. By reviewing the available literature, as well as utilizing an existing hydrological model and analyzing the characteristics of eroded sediments, we assessed the impacts of DNM on runoff and exports of suspended solids (SS), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P). In general, DNM had minor impact on runoff and dissolved N and P, and it decreased rather than increased DOC exports. To increase the understanding of the hydrochemical impacts of DNM, future research should focus on the characteristics of SS and particulate nutrient exports. A major gap in knowledge is also the very limited regional representativeness of the available studies. High erosion risk in the ditches reaching the mineral soil below peat should be acknowledged when planning mitigation measures.     

Vegetative and structural characteristics of agricultural drainages in the Mississippi Delta landscapes

Agricultural drainage ditches in the Mississippi Alluvial Delta landscape vary from edge-of-field waterways to sizeable drainages. Ditch attributes vary with size, location and maintenance and may aid in mitigation of contaminants from agricultural fields. The goal of this study was to better understand how vegetative characteristics affect water quality in conveyance structures in the context of ditch class and surrounding land use. Characterization of 36 agricultural ditches included presence of riparian buffer strips, water depth, surrounding land use, vegetative cover, and associated aqueous physicochemical parameters. Vegetation was assessed quantitatively, obtaining stem counts in a sub-sample of ditch sites, using random quadrat method. Physical features varied with ditch size and vegetative diversity was higher in larger structures. Polygonum sp. was the dominant bed vegetation and was ubiquitous among site sizes. Macrophytes varied from aquatic to upland species, and included Leersia sp. and upland grasses (Poaceae family) in all drainage size classes. Percent cover of bed and bank varied from 0 to 100% and 70 to 100%, respectively, and highest nutrient values were measured in sites with no buffer strips. These conveyance structures and surrounding buffer zones are being ranked for their ability to reduce excess nutrients, suspended solids, and pesticides associated with runoff.     

Determination of trace triazine and chloroacetamide herbicides in tile-fed drainage ditch water using solid-phase microextraction coupled with GC-MS

Solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) was used to analyze two triazine (atrazine and simazine) and three chloroacetamide herbicides (acetochlor, alachlor, and metolachlor) in water samples from a midwest US agricultural drainage ditch for two growing seasons. The effects of salt concentration, sample volume, extraction time, and injection time on extraction efficiency using a 100-mum polydimethylsiloxane-coated fiber were investigated. By optimizing these parameters, ditch water detection limits of 0.5 microgL(-1) simazine and 0.25 microgL(-1) atrazine, acetochlor, alachlor, and metolachlor were achieved. The optimum salt concentration was found to be 83% NaCl, while sample volume (10 or 20 mL) negligibly affected analyte peak areas. The optimum extraction time was 40 min, and the optimum injection time was 15 min. Results indicated that atrazine levels in the ditch water exceeded the US maximum contaminant level for drinking water 12% of the time, and atrazine was the most frequently detected among studied analytes.     

Identifying and assessing the potential hydrological function of past artificial forest drainage

Drainage of forested wetlands for increased timber production has profoundly altered the hydrology and water quality of their downstream waterways. Some ditches need network maintenance (DNM), but potential positive effects on tree productivity must be balanced against environmental impacts. Currently, no clear guidelines exist for DNM that strike this balance. Our study helps begin to prioritise DNM by: (1) quantifying ditches by soil type in the 68 km² Krycklan Catchment Study in northern Sweden and (2) using upslope catchment area algorithms on new high-resolution digital elevation models to determine their likelihood to drain water. Ditches nearly doubled the size of the stream network (178–327 km) and 17% of ditches occurred on well-draining sedimentary soils, presumably making DNM unwarranted. Modelling results suggest that 25–50% of ditches may never support flow. With new laser scanning technology, simple mapping and modelling methods can locate ditches and model their function, facilitating efforts to balance DNM with environmental impacts.     

Carrousel氧化沟系统出水COD预报的神经网络模型

以河南漯河市污水净化中心的氧化沟系统为考察对象,针对该系统进水水质复杂,控制滞后的难点,引入人工神经网络的理论和方法,对其进行模拟分析,建立了基于BP网络的氧化沟系统出水COD预报模型。模型性能检验和灵敏度检验表明,建成的模型准确度高,适应性强,可直接用于该系统出水COD预报。这为氧化沟工艺在线控制提供了一条简便的途径。     

Investigation of various physicochemical and environmental parameter influence on pesticide sorption to ditch bed substratum by means of experimental design

Diffuse pollution by pesticide applied in rural catchments may contribute to alter water quality. Besides actions relative to the way the substances are introduced into the environment, it is also possible to limit the contamination by interfering on their transfer pathways from fields to the main river network. Especially, interface areas such as buffer strips or small ditches may play a major part in pesticide diffuse pollution decrease. In ditches a great variety of materials may act as sorbents for organic contaminants: grass, leaves, wood debris or sediments. In this study, laboratory experiments were designed to determine sorption characteristics for three herbicides with different physicochemical properties on sediment and leaves in decay commonly found in agricultural ditches. Sorption capacities were assessed for the herbicides isoproturon, diuron and diflufenican.

Experimental design was carried out to investigate the effects of five parameters on herbicide sorption on sediment and dead leaves. These parameters have been chosen according to parallel field experiment needs. Thus, the influence of initial sorbent moisture, herbicide form, i.e. active substance or commercial formulation, water quality (tap or natural ditch water), bromide ions (used as conservative tracers) and solid/liquid ratio have been tested. Within the parameters investigated, pesticide formulation and solid/liquid ratio were the most important parameters affecting pesticide sorption on both ditch materials.     

Evaluating toxicity of Asana XL (esfenvalerate) amendments in agricultural ditch mesocosms

Agricultural ditches primarily serve to remove and store excess water associated with irrigation and storm events. The ability of these ecosystems to mitigate potential contaminants is not well understood. Five sites along a 650-m agricultural ditch located in the Mississippi Delta Management Systems Evaluation Area (MDMSEA) were used to measure fate and effects of an esfenvalerate (insecticide) exposure. Following a 0.64-cm simulated storm event, samples were collected from water and sediments and analyzed spatially from five sites and temporally from 0.5 h to 56 d. Results of aqueous toxicity bioassays indicated that lethality progressed downstream throughout all sampling intervals, while sediment toxicity bioassays only elicited biological responses at the point of pesticide application to the ditch (0 m). Significant reductions in survival of Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas in water were measured at the 0-, 20-, and 80-m sites following application. Ten-day solid phase sediment testing of Chironomus tentans indicated persistent toxicity only at the point of application (0 m) and throughout 56 d (mean=14.4% survival). No lethality or significant reduction in midge growth was measured for remaining downstream sites. These measurements were used to evaluate the potential of agricultural ditches to reduce potential deleterious effects of contaminants in agricultural drainage systems that precede receiving streams.     

The dynamics of dissolved nitrogen in a blanket peat dominated catchment

Precipitation, soil solution and drainage water were collected from a blanket peat catchment at Moor House National Nature Reserve in the Northern Pennine Uplands, UK, an area of moderately high N deposition. Two tributaries of the main stream were also sampled. Between 1993 and 1995 samples were analysed for NH4+ and NO3- and for part of the period for organic N. Inputs of N in precipitation exceeded outputs in stream water. Organic N represented a small proportion of N inputs while inputs of inorganic N averaged 10.2 kg ha(-1) a(-1). Soil solution from 10 cm depth in the peat was dominated by organic N whereas at 50 cm NH4+ slightly exceeded organic N. NO3- was rarely detected at either depth except during a period of exceptionally warm and dry weather in 1995. Output fluxes in stream water of organic N (5.7 to 6.5 kg ha(-1) a(-1)) were much greater than those of inorganic N (0.6 to 2.2 kg ha(-1) a(-1)). Inorganic N in streams was predominantly NO3- except in the smallest stream which had the largest concentrations of NH4+. This suggests that N transformations, particularly nitrification, may be taking place in the mineral soils adjacent to the streams or within the stream channel of the larger catchment.     

Transport modes and pathways of the strongly sorbing pesticides glyphosate and pendimethalin through structured drained soils

Leaching of the strongly sorbing pesticides glyphosate and pendimethalin was evaluated in an 8-month field study focussing on preferential flow and particle-facilitated transport, both of which may enhance the leaching of such pesticides in structured soils. Glyphosate mainly sorbs to mineral sorption sites, while pendimethalin mainly sorbs to organic sorption sites. The two pesticides were applied in equal dosage to a structured, tile-drained soil, and the concentration of the pesticides was then measured in drainage water sampled flow-proportionally.The leaching pattern of glyphosate resembled that of pendimethalin, suggesting that the leaching potential of pesticides sorbed to either the inorganic or organic soil fractions is high in structured soils. Both glyphosate and pendimethalin leached from the root zone, with the average concentration in the drainage water being 3.5 and 2.7 μg L⁻¹, respectively. Particle-facilitated transport (particles >0.24 μm) accounted for only a small proportion of the observed leaching (13-16% for glyphosate and 16-31% for pendimethalin). Drain-connected macropores located above or in the vicinity of the drains facilitated very rapid transport of pesticide to the drains. That the concentration of glyphosate and pendimethalin in the drainage water remained high (>0.1 μg L⁻¹) for up to 7 d after a precipitation event indicates that macropores between the drains connected to underlying fractures were able to transport strongly sorbing pesticides in the dissolved phase. Lateral transport of dissolved pesticide via such discontinuities implies that strongly sorbing pesticides such as glyphosate and pendimethalin could potentially be present in high concentrations (>0.1 μg L⁻¹) in both water originating from the drainage system and the shallow groundwater located at the depth of the drainage system.     

The impact of episodic coal mine drainage pollution on benthic macroinvertebrates in streams in the Anthracite region of Pennsylvania

Episodic coal mine drainage, caused by fluctuations in mine discharges relative to stream flow, has devastating effects on aquatic macroinvertebrate communities. Seven stream reaches in the Anthracite region of Pennsylvania were identified as chronically, episodically or not impaired by mine drainage, and sampled seasonally for 1 year to determine the effect of episodic mine drainage on macroinvertebrates. Specific conductance fluctuated seasonally in episodic sites; it was lower in winter when discharge increased and higher in summer when discharges decreased and mine drainage made up a larger proportion of stream flow. Although we hypothesized that episodic streams would have higher macroinvertebrate richness than chronic streams, comparisons showed no differences in richness between treatments. Episodic pollution may result from undersized or poorly maintained passive treatment systems; therefore, intensive macroinvertebrate monitoring may be needed to identify streams being affected by episodic mine drainage because macroinvertebrate richness may be sensitive to water quality fluctuations.     

污水厂Carrousel氧化沟溶解氧和速度分布的研究

对长沙某污水处理厂的Carrousel氧化沟进行现场测试，获得不同截面的溶解氧和速度的数据，探讨了表曝机台数、沟深、沟的长宽比、进出水位置对溶解氧和速度的影响。初步掌握了该Carrousel氧化沟内溶解氧和速度的变化规律，认为通过调节倒伞形表面曝气机，可以在沟内不同区段创造好氧与缺氧的环境，为最终实现同步硝化反硝化的高效运行做准备。     

Model development for nutrient loading estimates from paddy rice fields in Korea

A field experiment was performed to evaluate water and nutrient balances in paddy rice culture operations during 2001-2002. The water balance analysis indicated that about half (50-60%) of the total outflow was lost by surface drainage, with the remainder occurring by evapotranspiration (490-530 mm). The surface drainage from paddy fields was mainly caused by rainfall and forced-drainage, and in particular, the runoff during early rice culture periods depends more on the forced-drainage due to fertilization practices. Most of the total phosphorus (T-P) inflow was supplied by fertilization at transplanting, while the total nitrogen (T-N) inflow was supplied by the three fertilizations, precipitation. and from the upper paddy field, which comprised 13-33% of the total inflow. Although most of the nutrient outflow was attributed to plant uptake. nutrient loss by surface drainage was substantial, comprising 20% for T-N and 10% for T-P. Water and nutrient balances indicate that reduction of surface drainage from paddy rice fields is imperative for nonpoint source pollution control. The simplified computer model, PADDIMOD, was developed to simulate water and nutrient (T-N and T-P) behavior in the paddy rice field. The model predicts daily ponded water depth, surface drainage, and nutrient concentrations. It was formulated with a few equations and simplified assumptions, but its application and a model fitness test indicated that the simulation results reasonably matched the observed data. It is a simple and convenient planning model that could be used to evaluate BMPs of paddy rice fields alone or in combination with other complex watershed models. Application of the PADDIMOD to other paddy rice fields with different agricultural environments might require further calibration and validation.     

Model Development for Nutrient Loading Estimates from Paddy Rice Fields in Korea

Abstract

A field experiment was performed to evaluate water and nutrient balances in paddy rice culture operations during 2001–2002. The water balance analysis indicated that about half (50–60%) of the total outflow was lost by surface drainage, with the remainder occurring by evapotranspiration (490–530 mm). The surface drainage from paddy fields was mainly caused by rainfall and forced-drainage, and in particular, the runoff during early rice culture periods depends more on the forced-drainage due to fertilization practices. Most of the total phosphorus (T-P) inflow was supplied by fertilization at transplanting, while the total nitrogen (T-N) inflow was supplied by the three fertilizations, precipitation, and from the upper paddy field, which comprised 13–33% of the total inflow. Although most of the nutrient outflow was attributed to plant uptake, nutrient loss by surface drainage was substantial, comprising 20% for T-N and 10% for T-P. Water and nutrient balances indicate that reduction of surface drainage from paddy rice fields is imperative for nonpoint source pollution control. The simplified computer model, PADDIMOD, was developed to simulate water and nutrient (T-N and T-P) behavior in the paddy rice field. The model predicts daily ponded water depth, surface drainage, and nutrient concentrations. It was formulated with a few equations and simplified assumptions, but its application and a model fitness test indicated that the simulation results reasonably matched the observed data. It is a simple and convenient planning model that could be used to evaluate BMPs of paddy rice fields alone or in combination with other complex watershed models. Application of the PADDIMOD to other paddy rice fields with different agricultural environments might require further calibration and validation.     

Organophosphorus insecticide residues in farm ditches of the Lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia

Abstract

Farm ditches flowing into three important rivers in the Lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada, were sampled periodically at seven locations from July to December in 1991, to determine the occurrence and levels of seven organophosphorus (OP) insecticides. Based oh sales records for the year, the uses of OP insecticides in this area were as follows: malathion > diazinon > parathion > dimethoate > azinphos‐methyl > fensulfothion, but no sales of chlorfenvinphos. Residues of parathion, diazinon, fensulfothion, dimethoate and chlorfenvinphos were detected at levels ranging from 1 ‐ 7,785 >μg/kg in cropped soils collected from areas adjacent to the sites for sampling ditch water and sediments. Malathion and azinphos‐methyl were not detected in any of the substrates studied, demonstrating their rapid degradation in the environment. Diazinon and dimethoate were consistently found in ditch water at seven locations, with an average concentration of 0.07 μg/L and 0.27 μg/L, respectively. Fensulfothion and parathion, with an average concentration of 0.08 μg/L and 0.17 μg/L, respectively, were sporadically found in ditch water at two locations. In ditch sediments, diazinon was detected at three locations and fensulfothion at two. The average concentrations of these two insecticides were 16 μg/kg and 9 jug/kg, respectively. The potential impact on aquatic organisms of these OP insecticides in ditches is discussed.     

Activated carbon amendment to sequester PAHs in contaminated soil: a lysimeter field trial

Activated carbon (AC) amendment is an innovative method for the in situ remediation of contaminated soils. A field-scale AC amendment of either 2% powder or granular AC (PAC and GAC) to a PAH contaminated soil was carried out in Norway. The PAH concentration in drainage water from the field plot was measured with a direct solvent extraction and by deploying polyoxymethylene (POM) passive samplers. In addition, POM samplers were dug directly in the AC amended and unamended soil in order to monitor the reduction in free aqueous PAH concentrations in the soil pore water. The total PAH concentration in the drainage water, measured by direct solvent extraction of the water, was reduced by 14% for the PAC amendment and by 59% for GAC, 12 months after amendment. Measurements carried out with POM showed a reduction of 93% for PAC and 56% for GAC. The free aqueous PAH concentration in soil pore water was reduced 93% and 76%, 17 and 28 months after PAC amendment, compared to 84% and 69% for GAC. PAC, in contrast to GAC, was more effective for reducing freely dissolved concentrations than total dissolved ones. This could tentatively be explained by leaching of microscopic AC particles from PAC. Secondary chemical effects of the AC amendment were monitored by considering concentration changes in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nutrients. DOC was bound by AC, while the concentrations of nutrients (NO(3), NO(2), NH(4), PO(4), P-total, K, Ca and Mg) were variable and likely affected by external environmental factors.     

抗侵蚀型生态沟渠构建及其稻田应用效果

根据沟渠水力学和工程力学特征,通过引进三维植物网护坡技术,构建了一种抗侵蚀型稻田生态沟渠,横断面0.9 m2,沟壁和沟底水生植物覆盖度分别为62.8%和35.3%,沟壁抗坡面侵蚀强度较土质沟渠可提高2倍以上,在优化污染物拦截去除功能的同时,大大延长了其使用寿命。稻田应用实验表明,径流排水停留时间超过48 h后,SS、TN和TP去除率分别达59.5%、57.8%和45.3%,配置比例按照1 hm2水稻田配300 m该型生态沟渠实施,则超过80%以上的稻田径流排水能够得到有效处理。该型生态沟渠工程造价约245元/m,接近传统混凝土排水渠单价,经近2年的运行观测,沟渠系统结构稳定,净化植物长势良好。     

Pathways regulating nitrogen removal in constructed ditch wetlands: effects of different inflow ratios and artificial aeration

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Constructed ditch wetland (CDW) is a combination of idle ditch and constructed wetland, which is typically used in rural areas to remove pollutants...     

植物床-沟壕系统的藻类捕获功能

采用原位实验验证植物床．沟壕系统的藻类捕获功能。结果表明：该系统能够有效拦截和捕获源水藻类。在水力梯度驱动下,约35％源水进入高位小沟流经植物床内部根孔结构而汇至低位小沟。低位小沟内叶绿素a（Chl-a）浓度显著低于高位小沟（P=0．0239）,其降低比例为11．1％。以植物床．沟壕系统为结构形式的根孔净化区其出水Chl-a浓度较源水整体下降了27．0％。估算该片根孔净化区捕获藻类鲜生物量约122kg／d。石臼漾湿地共含根孔净化区11片,按供水25万t／d计,估算捕获藻类鲜生物量约1100kg／d。     

Spatial soil zinc content distribution from terrain parameters: A GIS-based decision-tree model in Lebanon

Heavy metal contamination has been and continues to be a worldwide phenomenon that has attracted a great deal of attention from governments and regulatory bodies. In this context, our study proposes a regression-tree model to predict the concentration level of zinc in the soils of northern Lebanon (as a case study of Mediterranean landscapes) under a GIS environment. The developed tree-model explained 88% of variance in zinc concentration using pH (100% in relative importance), surroundings of waste areas (90%), proximity to roads (80%), nearness to cities (50%), distance to drainage line (25%), lithology (24%), land cover/use (14%), slope gradient (10%), conductivity (7%), soil type (7%), organic matter (5%), and soil depth (5%). The overall accuracy of the quantitative zinc map produced (at 1:50.000 scale) was estimated to be 78%. The proposed tree model is relatively simple and may also be applied to other areas.     

Measurement of pollution levels of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides in water, soil, sediment, and shrimp to identify possible impacts on shrimp production at Jiquilisco Bay

This study aims to identify levels of several organochlorine and organophosphorus compounds in shrimp-raising areas of coastal El Salvador, to assess potential impacts on shrimp growth and survival that hamper the sustainability of aquaculture in the region. The paper reports the current levels of γ-HCH, 4,4'-DDT, 4,4'-DDE, 4,4'-DDD, endrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, parathion, methyl parathion, and etoprophos in soils (depth 20 cm), sediments (depth 5 cm), shrimp (Penaeus sp.), and water of three rearing ponds and also in the sediment (depth 5 cm) and water surrounding those ponds in Jiquilisco Bay. Sampling was carried out during the dry (January-March) and rainy (June-August) seasons of 2008. The presence of pesticides in the samples of water, shrimp, and sediment at shrimp ponds was not detected in either season; however, in soil samples (depth 20 cm) taken from these ponds, heptachlor, endrin, dieldrin, 4,4'-DDD, and 4,4'-DDT were identified at concentrations below the method limit of quantification (LOQ), and 4,4'-DDE was found in a concentration falling in the range from 3.85 to 19.61 ng/g. In samples of water taken at the bay water intakes to the rearing ponds, we observed dieldrin concentrations in the range between 0.085 ng/mL and 0.182 ng/mL during the dry season. In the samples of sediments taken in the surrounding areas of shrimp ponds, we found-for both seasons-that in 60 % of the samples, 4,4'-DDE was present in concentrations ranging from 3.75 ng/g to 30.97 ng/g. Additionally, in the rainy season, we observed heptachlor in sediment at concentrations below the method quantification limit. It was concluded that organochlorine compounds from pesticides are still present in Jiquilisco Bay, trapped in deep sediment, even though they have been banned since the 1980s. These were not detected in shrimp tissue, surface water, and shallow sediment in rearing ponds, and hence, we do not believe their presence has any major impact on shrimp production in sampled areas.