Channel adjustments to the removal of log steps: an experiment in a mountain stream

Fallen trees and their large debris often form log steps in small mountain streams, where they are incorporated into the hydraulic geometry. The hypothesis here was that these log steps take the place of gravel bars that otherwise would have been required for channel slope adjustment. In this experiment, the treated as well as the control stream were located in virgin mixed conifer forests and until the study began, no human activity had interfered with the natural developments. All log steps were removed from a stream and the formation of new log steps was prohibited by periodic removal of fallen trees and branches. Five years later, 74% of all removed log steps had been replaced by gravel bars, thus proving the hypothesis that increased bedload movement was required to offset the loss of log steps. Implications are that streamside forests should be managed so that they can provide a steady supply of debris for channel stability.     

Response of macroinvertebrate communities to abattoir wastes and other anthropogenic activities in a municipal stream in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Impacts of co-occurring stressors (organic wastes and various human activities) on macroinvertebrate assemblages and environmental variables were investigated in a municipal stream, River Orogodo in southern Nigeria between the months of June 2004 and July 2005. Four sampling sites, each 25 m long were selected along 15 km stretch of the stream. There was a marked difference in the taxonomic composition of macroinvertebrates in the reference sites (I and IV) and those of the perturbed sites (II and III). A combined total of 78 benthic macroinvertebrate taxa were collected from the four sites of the river. The abundance and community structure patterns showed strong evidence of impact arising from the abattoir waste discharge such that the comparison of abundance values demonstrated high significance between the reference sites and the perturbed sites. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis indicated temporal trends in macroinvertebrate density and community composition. This was related to changes in environmental characteristics of the river especially BOD₅ and amount of nutrients. These factors produced spatial and temporal heterogeneity and exerted major influence on the benthic communities. The preponderance of Oligochaetes and diptera and deterioration in water quality at sites II and III are attributed to the intensity of human activities at these sites. Shannon-wiener diversity and evenness were significantly higher (P < 0.05) at the reference sites I and IV. Results illustrate the need for careful consideration of the water quality and indicator organisms in restoration and remediation programmes.     

Long-Term Effects of Changing Land Use Practices on Surface Water Quality in a Coastal River and Lagoonal Estuary

The watershed of the Neuse River, a major tributary of the largest lagoonal estuary on the U.S. mainland, has sustained rapid growth of human and swine populations. This study integrated a decade of available land cover and water quality data to examine relationships between land use changes and surface water quality. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis was used to characterize 26 subbasins throughout the watershed for changes in land use during 1992–2001, considering urban, agricultural (cropland, animal as pasture, and densities of confined animal feed operations [CAFOs]), forested, grassland, and wetland categories and numbers of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). GIS was also used together with longitudinal regression analysis to identify specific land use characteristics that influenced surface water quality. Total phosphorus concentrations were significantly higher during summer in subbasins with high densities of WWTPs and CAFOs. Nitrate was significantly higher during winter in subbasins with high numbers of WWTPs, and organic nitrogen was higher in subbasins with higher agricultural coverage, especially with high coverage of pastures fertilized with animal manure. Ammonium concentrations were elevated after high precipitation. Overall, wastewater discharges in the upper, increasingly urbanized Neuse basin and intensive swine agriculture in the lower basin have been the highest contributors of nitrogen and phosphorus to receiving surface waters. Although nonpoint sources have been emphasized in the eutrophication of rivers and estuaries such as the Neuse, point sources continue to be major nutrient contributors in watersheds sustaining increasing human population growth. The described correlation and regression analyses represent a rapid, reliable method to relate land use patterns to water quality, and they can be adapted to watersheds in any region.     

Effects of forest clearcutting in New England on stream macroinvertebrates and periphyton

Clearcutting may alter stream biota by changing light, temperature, nutrients, sediment particle size, or food in the stream. We sampled macroinvertebrates during late summer of 1979 in first and second order headwater streams draining both two- and three-year-old clearcuts and nearby uncut reference areas in northern New England, USA. Periphyton were sampled throughout the summer by placing microscope slides in these streams for 13–37 days. Periphyton cell densities on these slides following incubation were about six times higher in cutover than in reference streams. Green algae (Chlorophyceae) accounted for a higher proportion of total cell numbers in cutover than in reference streams, whereas diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) dominated the reference streams. The macroinvertebrate density in cutover streams was 2–4 times greater than that in the reference streams, but the number of taxa collected was similar in both cutover and reference streams. Higher numbers of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) and/or true flies (Diptera) in the cutover streams accounted for the differences. Because nutrient concentrations in the cutover streams were nearly the same as those in the reference streams, these differences in macroinvertebrate and periphyton densities were apparently caused by higher light levels and temperature in the streams in the clearcuts. Leaving buffer strips along streams will reduce changes in stream biology associated with clearcutting.Contribution from the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, USDA Forest Service, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, USA.     

Large-Scale Effects of Timber Harvesting on Stream Systems in the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas, USA

Using Basin Area Stream Survey (BASS) data from the United States Forest Service, we evaluated how timber harvesting influenced patterns of variation in physical stream features and regional fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages. Data were collected for three years (1990–1992) from six hydrologically variable streams in the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas, USA that were paired by management regime within three drainage basins. Specifically, we used multivariate techniques to partition variability in assemblage structure (taxonomic and trophic) that could be explained by timber harvesting, drainage basin differences, year-to-year variability, and their shared variance components. Most of the variation in fish assemblages was explained by drainage basin differences, and both basin and year-of-sampling influenced macroinvertebrate assemblages. All three factors modeled, including interactions between drainage basins and timber harvesting, influenced variability in physical stream features. Interactions between timber harvesting and drainage basins indicated that differences in physical stream features were important in determining the effects of logging within a basin. The lack of a logging effect on the biota contradicts predictions for these small, hydrologically variable streams. We believe this pattern is related to the large scale of this study and the high levels of natural variability in the streams. Alternatively, there may be time-specific effects we were unable to detect with our sampling design and analyses.     

有机肥结构特征对污染土壤Cd形态的影响

研究了以污泥和鸡粪为主要来源的两种不同有机肥主要组分和结构特征差异,结合吸附和土壤平衡试验,探讨了各组分对Cd吸附反应特征和土壤Cd形态分布的影响。结果表明:供试污泥有机肥含有较多的羧基,其最大络合量大于鸡厩肥;同时能更有效降低NH4NO3提取态Cd,但因为结合形态相对不稳定,因此导致EDTA提取态Cd有明显增加。而鸡厩有机肥含有更多π键,芳香化和腐熟化程度较高,与Cd吸附更稳定,在降低NH4NO3提取态Cd的同时也能降低EDTA提取态Cd。研究表明有机肥腐殖化、芳香化程度是影响其对重金属污染土壤修复与改良效果的主要因素。     

Modeling the Effects of Land Use Change on the Water Temperature in Unregulated Urban Streams

Streams, in their natural state, are typically diverse and biologically productive environments. Streams subject to urbanization often experience degradation brought about by the cumulative effects of flow alteration, unsanitary discharge and channelization. One of the water quality parameters affected by urbanization is stream temperature. This study offers a model for predicting the impact of land use change on the temperature of non-regulated streams during extreme events. A stream temperature model was created by considering the gains and losses of thermal energy resulting from radiation, convection, conduction, evaporation and advection. A sensitivity analysis showed that out of 14 variables, shade/transmissivity of riparian vegetation, groundwater discharge, and stream width had the greatest influence on stream temperature. These same three variables are highly influenced by land use. Individual component models were developed to predict how urbanization changes stream width and baseflow discharge. Using 3-D computer modeling, a model was also developed to illustrate the effects of altering the extent and composition of riparian vegetation on streams with different orientations. By modeling these three variables as a function of urbanization, the results became inputs into the stream temperature model. The critical urban stream temperature model (CrUSTe), an aggregation of these four models, allows the prediction of stream temperature change as a result of amount, type and location of urbanization within a watershed. It has the potential to become a valuable tool for environmental managers.     

Effects of discharge fluctuation and the addition of fine sediment on stream fish and macroinvertebrates below a water-filtration facility

A small, coastal stream in the San Francisco Bay area of California, USA, received the discharges from a drinking-water filtration plant. Two types of discharges were present. Discharges from filter backwashing were 3–4 times base stream flow, occurred 10–60 times per day, contained fine sediments, and each lasted about 10 min. The other discharge was a large, steady flow of relatively sediment-free water from occasional overflow of the delivery aqueduct which generally lasted several hours a day.Samples of invertebrates from natural substrates had significantly fewer taxa and lower density at the two stations below the backwash than at the two above. However, when stable artificial substrates were used, there were no significant differences among all four stations. The aqueduct apparently had no effect because the. invertebrate community at the station upstream of the backwash but downstream of the aqueduct was statistically similar to the station above the aqueduct. To test for acute toxicity, we exposed additional artificial substrates to short-term simulated backwash conditions. These exposures had no effect on invertebrate density or drift. Three-spine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) populations were also significantly reduced at the two downstream stations and were made up mostly of larger, adult fish. Prickly sculpins (Cottus asper), restricted to the most downstream station, were emaciated and had poor growth, probably as a result of scarce benthic food organisms. Artificial redds with eggs of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) had significantly lower survival at two stations below the plant backwash (30.7% and 41.8%) than at the one above it (61.4%). Hatchery rainbow trout held in cages below the treatment plant from 7 to 37 days survived and continued to feed.Thus, the major effect of the water treatment plant on fish and invertebrates probably was not from acute toxicity in the discharges or the occasionally large discharge of clean water from the aqueduct, but was from the fluctuating backwash flows containing fine sediment that displaced small fish downstream and created unstable benthic substrates for invertebrates.The filter plant that we studied is a direct-feed type (that is, no sedimentation before filtration). These generally require greater frequencies of backwashing than do conventional plants and may therefore have greater biological impacts. Direct-feed plants are becoming increasingly popular throughout the world, for the most part because they are cheaper to build and operate. But if the associated biological problems are mitigated, then the cost savings of direct-feed compared to conventional plants may be lost.     

Channel change,sediment transport,and fish habitat in a coastal stream: Effects of an extreme event

A study on sediment transport and channel change was conducted on Zayante Creek and the lower San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz County, California. A rainstorm with a recurrence interval locally in excess of 150 years occurred during the study year, 1982 WY. Stream surveys indicated that significant aggradation occurred during and after the peak flood. Upper study reaches were substantially recovered after high flows of early April, but the lower study reaches still had significant filling of pools and burial of riffles by sand. Increases in width-depth ratio were minor and localized in upper reaches, but were significant in lower reaches. Large inputs of sand, primarily from landsliding, altered the sediment transport regime. A higher proportion of the bedload is now transported by lower flows than before the January event. Roads and sand quarries contributed significantly to sediment input to the stream. A proposed dam may alter the sediment transport regime of Zayante Creek. Mitigating the effects of this dam on downstream fish habitat may require occasional bankfull discharges.     

Effects of organic matter on phosphorus release kinetics in different trophic lake sediments and application of transition state theory

Sediments have a significant influence on the overlying water, and phosphorus (P) release from sediments is an important source for the lake eutrophication, particularly in shallow ones. In this study, effects of organic matter on P release from sediments in different trophic lakes from the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River, China, were investigated, and the release kinetics of different P fractions at different temperature were studied. The results show that the release kinetics of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) and dissolved total phosphorus (DTP) were similar for the studied sediments, the release rate increased rapidly in the initial hours, and it increased gradually after 10h. The release kinetics of SRP, DOP and DTP followed the Power Function model. SRP was the major fraction among the released DTP, while DOP was an important fraction in the heavily polluted sediments. Organic matter restricted the SRP and DTP release while it promoted the DOP release. Both DOP and SRP release processes were endothermic. The thermodynamic properties in the P release kinetics were calculated and discussed.     

西河污灌区环境污染对居民健康影响的调查研究

本文对污灌区居民健康状况及水样致突性的调查,显示污灌区居民消化系统主要疾病(慢性胃炎,急、慢性肠炎)患病率,肝肿大率以及总标化死亡率均显著高于对照区(P<0.01)。污灌区消化系恶性肿瘤标化死亡率高于对照区(P<0.01)。污灌区消化系恶性肿瘤标化死亡率高于对照区(P<0.05);水样紫露草微核率亦高于对照区,并有显著性差异(P<0.01)。污灌区居民由于受饮用水和食物等污染,每年的健康经济损失总计为127.2050万元。     

Application and sensitivity testing of a eutrophication assessment method on coastal systems in the United States and European Union

The Assessment of Estuarine Trophic Status (ASSETS) screening model has been extended to allow its application to both estuarine and coastal systems. The model, which combines elements of pressure, state and response, was tested on four systems: Maryland Coastal Bays and Long Island Sound in the United States and The Firth of Clyde (Scotland) and Tagus Estuary (Portugal) in the European Union. The overall scores were: Maryland Coastal Bays: Bad; Firth of Clyde: Poor; Tagus Estuary: Good. Long Island Sound was modelled along a timeline, using 1991 data (score: Bad) and 2002 data (score: Moderate). The improvement registered for Long Island Sound is a consequence of the reduction in nutrient loading, and the ASSETS score changed accordingly. The two main areas where developments are needed are (a) In the definition of type-specific ranges for eutrophication parameters, due to the recognition that natural or pristine conditions may vary widely, and the use of a uniform set of thresholds artificially penalizes some systems and potentially leads to misclassification; (b) In the definition and quantification of measures which will result in an improved state through a change in pressures, as well as in the definition of appropriate metrics through which response may be assessed. One possibility is the use of detailed research models where different response scenarios potentially produce changes in pressure and state. These outputs may be used to drive screening models and analyze the suitability of candidate metrics for evaluating management options.     

新疆某伴生放射性钒矿氡浓度水平调查及防治措施的探讨

在伴生矿的勘探、开采过程中,如果井下工作场所通风不足,矿石、土壤和岩石等所释放的氡气会造成局部的放射性污染,因此了解伴生矿矿井中氡气的水平并探讨有效的防护措施是非常必要的。本文就新疆某矾矿在矿井建设初期和通风设施建成后两时间段的氡浓度水平及防治措施进行探讨,并提出相应的防护措施和建议。     

Effect of Cadmium on Microbial Activity and a Ryegrass Crop in Two Semiarid Soils

Soil pollution with Cd is an environmental problem common in the world, and it is necessary to establish what Cd concentrations in soil could be dangerous to its fertility from toxicity effects and the risk of transference of this element to plants and other organisms of the food chain. In this study, we assessed Cd toxicity on soil microorganisms and plants in two semiarid soils (uncultivated and cultivated). Soil ATP content, dehydrogenase activity, and plant growth were measured in the two soils spiked with concentrations ranging from 3 to 8000 mg Cd/kg soil and incubated for 3 h, 20 days, and 60 days. The Cd concentrations that produced 5%; 10%;, and 50%; inhibition of each of the two soil microbiological parameter studied (ecological dose, ED, values) were calculated using two different mathematical models. Also, the effect of Cd concentration on plant growth of ryegrass (Lolium perenne, L.) was studied in the two soils. The Cd ED values calculated for soil dehydrogenase activity and ATP content were higher in the agricultural soils than in the bare soil. For ATP inhibition, higher ED values were calculated than for dehydrogenase activity inhibition. The average yields of ryegrass were reduced from 5.03 to 3.56 g in abandoned soil and from 4.21 to 1.15 g in agricultural soil with increasing concentrations of Cd in the soil. Plant growth was totally inhibited in abandoned and agricultural soils at Cd concentrations above 2000 and 5000 mg/kg soil, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the concentration of Cd in the plants and the total or DTPA-extractable concentrations of Cd in the soil.     

Effects of Riparian Vegetation and Watershed Urbanization on Fishes in Streams of the Mid‐Atlantic Piedmont (USA)1

Abstract: The joint influences of riparian vegetation and urbanization on fish assemblages were analyzed by depletion sampling in paired forested and nonforested reaches of 25 small streams along an urbanization gradient. Nonforested reaches were narrower than their forested counterparts, so densities based on surface area differ from linear densities (based on reach length). Linear densities (based on number or biomass of fish) of American eel, white sucker and tesselated darter, and the proportion of biomass of benthic invertivores were significantly higher in nonforested reaches, while linear densities of margined madtom and the number of pool species were significantly higher in forested reaches. Observed riparian effects may reflect differences in habitat and algal productivity between forested and nonforested reaches. These results suggest that relatively small‐scale riparian restoration projects can affect local geomorphology and the abundance of fish. Dense vegetative cover in riparian zones and similar or analogous habitats in both forested and nonforested reaches, the relatively small scale of the nonforested reaches, and the low statistical power to detect differences in abundance of rare species may have limited the observed differences between forested and nonforested reaches. There was a strong urbanization gradient, with reductions of intolerant species and increases of tolerant species and omnivores with increasing urbanization. Interactions between riparian vegetation type and urbanization were found for blacknose dace, creek chub, tesselated darter, and the proportion of biomass of lithophilic spawners. The study did not provide consistent support for the hypotheses that responses of fish to riparian vegetation would be overwhelmed by urban degradation or insignificant at low urbanization.     

The Effects of a Dredge Excavation Pit on Benthic Macrofauna in Offshore Louisiana

Over two years after the original creation of a sand excavation pit 8 km off the Louisiana coast, benthic macrofauna communities and sedimentary characteristics are still effected. Macrofaunal communities inside the pit had lower abundance, biomass, and diversity than communities outside the pit. This difference, however, was only significant with some of the stations outside the pit. Results from multi-dimensional scaling and cluster analysis showed that macrofaunal communities were less than 32% similar inside the pit to communities outside the pit. The polychaete Mediomastus ambiseta was the most abundant species outside the excavation pit, but the species was only counted once inside the pit. The most dominant species, which made up over 90% of organisms inside the pit, was the pioneer polychaete Paraprionospio pinnata. Only three species were found at each station inside the pit as opposed to 9–27 species at stations outside the pit. All species inside the pit were also found outside the pit; thus, change was due to a loss of species rather than replacement by different species. Sediment inside the pit contained more silt and clay; however, no difference in water quality was detected compared with outside the pit. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita passed near the dredge pit in 2005 and could have effected sediment transport in the region. Because the macrofaunal community inside the pit has not recovered within 38 months, it is likely that it will require more time before it resembles the surrounding conditions.     

Potential Effects of Direct Transfer Payments on Farmland Habitat Diversity in a Marginal European Landscape

Farmland habitat diversity in marginal European landscapes changed significantly in the past decades. Further changes toward homogenization are expected, particularly in the course of European agricultural policy. Based on three alternative transfer payment schemes, we modeled spatially explicit potential effects on the farmland habitat diversity in a marginal European landscape. We defined (1) a scenario with direct transfer payments coupled to production, (2) a scenario with direct transfer payments decoupled from production, and (3) a scenario phasing out all direct transfer payments. We characterized habitat diversity with three indices: habitat richness, evenness, and rarity. The habitat pattern in 1995 served as reference for comparison. All scenarios predicted a general trend of homogenization of the farmland habitat pattern, yet to a differing extent. Transfer payments coupled to production (Scenario 1) favored the abandonment of agricultural production, particularly in low-productive areas and arable land use in more productive areas. Habitat richness and habitat evenness had intermediate values in this scenario. Decoupling transfer payments from production (Scenario 2) supported grassland as most profitable farming system. This led to a grassland-dominated landscape with low values of all habitat diversity indices. Phasing out transfer payments (Scenario 3) resulted in complete abandonment or afforestation of agricultural land and extremely low values in all habitat diversity indices. Scenario results indicate that transfer payments may prevent cessation of agricultural production, but may not counteract homogenization in marginal landscapes. Conserving high farmland habitat diversity in such landscapes may require support schemes, e.g., Pillar Two of EU Common Agricultural Policy.     

Pictorial intervention in a pediatric hospital environment: Effects on parental affective perception of the unit

In recent decades, research on health care design and planning has highlighted the strong relationship between environmental characteristics and human health. According to a patient-centered model, the focus on the hospital environment is important in reducing the negative effects of hospitalization on the patient, especially in the case of children.     

Effects of land clearing techniques and tillage systems on runoff and soil erosion in a tropical rain forest in Nigeria

This work reports runoff and soil loss from each of 14 sub-watersheds in a secondary rain forest in south-western Nigeria. The impact of methods of land clearing and post-clearing management on runoff and soil erosion under the secondary forest is evaluated. These data were acquired eighteen years after the deforestation of primary vegetation during the ‘ West bank’ project of the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA). These data are presented separately for each season; however, statistical analyses for replicates were not conducted due to differences in their past management. Soil erosion was affected by land clearing and tillage methods. The maximum soil erosion was observed on sub-watersheds that were mechanically cleared with tree-pusher/root-rake attachments and tilled conventionally. A high rate of erosion was observed even when graded-channel terraces were constructed to minimize soil erosion. In general there was much less soil erosion on manually cleared than on mechanically cleared sub-watersheds (2.5 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ versus 13.8 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and from the application of no-tillage methods than from conventionally plowed areas (6.5 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ versus 12.1 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). The data indicate that tillage methods and appropriate management of soils and crops play an important role in soil and water conservation and in decreasing the rate of decline of soil quality.