Pollution studies on Nigerian rivers: The onset of lead pollution of surface waters in Ibadan

Lead levels in the waters and sediments of the lake of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Agodi Lake, Oba Lake, at three stations on Ogunpa stream, and at three stations on Ona River were measured from October 1977 to June 1978, using the combined APDC-MIBK-flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique. The lead levels recorded ranged from 0.2 to 46 μg/L for the aqueous phases; however, the levels in the sediments were much higher, ranging from about 18 to 85 mg/kg (dry weight). Although there is nothing alarming about these levels, the levels of lead in water bodies located in areas with high traffic density were consistently higher than levels for comparable waters in low traffic density areas. Similarly, lead levels were significantly higher in the fresh sediments of water bodies in areas with high traffic density, clearly indicating the onset of lead pollution for those high traffic density areas.     

Comparative study of 137Cs partitioning between solid and liquid phases in Lakes Constance, Lugano and Vorsee.

The methodology for estimating radiocaesium distribution between solid and liquid phases in lakes is applied for three prealpine lakes: Lake Constance (Germany), Lake Lugano (Switzerland) and Lake Vorsee (Germany). It is based on use of the exchangeable distribution coefficient and application of the exchangeable radiocaesium interception potential (RIPex). The methodology was tested against experimental data. Good agreement was found between estimated and measured 137Cs concentrations in Lake Constance and Lake Lugano, whereas for Lake Vorsee a discrepancy was found. Bottom sediments in Lake Vorsee are composed mainly of organic material and probably cannot be described in terms of the specific sorption characteristics attributed to illitic clay minerals.     

内陆水体有色溶解有机物的变化特征

有色溶解有机物(CDOM)是水体中的光学活性物质,其光化学变化对水体中碳循环过程具有重要作用。评价分析不同纬度、不同营养状况下内陆水体的CDOM吸收特性,对建立不同水体的固有光学特性数据库具有重要意义。基于太湖、石头口门水库、巢湖和鄱阳湖的现场CDOM吸收系数,分析aCDOM(412)时空变化特征,并基于不同波段拟合光谱斜率S,利用SA/aCDOM(412)判断了研究区CDOM的不同来源。结果表明,不同纬度、不同营养状况的CDOM吸光特性差异显著,高纬度水体的CDOM含量高于低纬度水体,而浮游植物大量生长的富营养化水体的CDOM吸收大于贫瘠营养水平的水体。受藻类的影响,巢湖部分样点的CDOM吸收光谱特征发生改变,在320nm和600nm处有明显的吸收峰;aCDOM(412)与SA呈较好的负相关关系;并且SA/aCDOM(412)可有效判断研究区CDOM的不同来源。     

鄱阳湖蝶形湖泊水体氮磷等的变化及污染初步评价

分别于2014年夏季7月和冬季12月对鄱阳湖蝶形水域的9个湖泊进行了采样,并对湖泊水质基础性指标TN、TP、NH_3-N、NO_3~--N、NO_2~--N、溶解性磷酸盐、TOC、COD_(Mn)和叶绿素a进行了测定与分析。据此同时运用单因素评价法、均值型指数综合评价法和营养状态指数法对鄱阳湖蝶形水域的地表水水环境的污染现状和污染程度进行了评价,以更全面和准确地反映鄱阳湖蝶形水域的水质状况。结果显示:(1)鄱阳湖蝶形水域水质总体符合GB3838-2002III类水标准;(2)7月水质总体优于12月水质。12月总氮含量和总磷含量基本都高于7月,叶绿素a含量除中湖池12月值略低于7月外,其它点位12月值均高于7月。7月总氮值为0.6~1.3 mg/L,总磷值为0.02~0.15 mg/L,叶绿素a为2.2~6.7 mg/L;12月总氮值为0.6~2.0 mg/L,总磷值为0.04~0.19 mg/L,叶绿素a为3.8~34.7 mg/L;(3)7月和12月水质营养状态介于中营养和轻度富营养,水体主要污染物质为总氮和总磷。7月蚌湖营养状态为轻度富营养,其它点位为中营养,12月除常湖、梅溪湖和大汊湖营养状态为中营养,其它点位均为轻度富营养;(4)位于南部的象湖、常湖、白沙湖和大汊湖水质整体较其它蝶形湖泊差,主要是受到工业废水、生活污水和农业面源污染的赣江和饶河的污染输入影响所致。基于以上调查测试结果提出保护和改善鄱阳湖水环境的可行性措施,以促进鄱阳湖蝶形水域水资源的开发利用,实现经济与环境及资源的协调可持续发展。     

鄱阳湖丰水期不同底质类型下氮、磷含量分析

以2011年7月份(丰水期)鄱阳湖实测数据为基础,通过不同底质在遥感影像上的光谱特征,将鄱阳湖底质分为沙滩、泥滩和草洲3种类型,并就不同底质类型鄱阳湖水体和底泥总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)含量进行分析。结果表明:(1)底质类型不同时,鄱阳湖表层水体TN、TP含量以及底泥磷含量平均值:沙滩泥滩草洲。底泥TN含量平均值:草洲泥滩沙滩。(2)底质为沙滩的站点主要分布在饶河入湖口至都昌段、赣江北支入湖口至星子段和入江水道前段,饶河、赣江高含量氮、磷的输入,以及沿途陆源污染物的排放,可能是沙滩底质表层水体TN、TP含量较高的一个因素;泥滩底质的站点,有一部分分布在星子至湖口段,该区间陆源污染的影响是泥滩底质表层水体TN、TP含量居次原因之一;而底质为草洲时,草洲对水体中氮、磷的吸收使得草洲底质的站点表层水体TN、TP含量最低。     

血吸虫病疫情与地理环境因子的多元相关分析

探索鄱阳湖血吸虫病典型疫区的社会、经济、环境因子与血吸虫病疫情的相互关系及其相关程度。采用经典统计学中单相关、偏相关和复相关系数研究南昌县43个行政村血吸虫病感染人数与疫水接触指数、耕牛存栏数、行政村水域面积、行政村湖边边界长度和行政村到鄱阳湖边界的距离的内在联系和相互关系。所选5个因子与感染人数的简单相关系数都达到了005置信水平,固定疫水分布各因子计算疫水接触各因子与“感染人数”的偏相关系数,与固定疫水接触各因子计算疫水分布各因子与“感染人数”的偏相关系数,都小于简单相关系数,说明疫水分布因子与疫水接触因子具有内在关联;“感染人数”与所有5个因子的复相关系数为0.948,达到了0.005的极显著置信水平。所选的村级宏观因子都与血吸虫病疫情显著相关     

Ecological and faunistic characteristics of the leech fauna in the Bukhtarma Reservoir,Eastern Kazakhstan

The taxonomic diversity of the Hirudinea fauna and its dependence on the ecological conditions in the Bukhtarma Reservoir (Eastern Kazakhstan) have been studied. The morphological analysis has shown that these leeches belong to two orders and three families: Rhynchobdellida (families Glossiphoniidae and Piscicolidae) and Arhynchobdellida (family Erpobdellidae). On the whole, eight leech species from five genera (Alboglossiphonia, Helobdella, Theromyzon, Piscicola, and Erpobdella) have been identified. Among them, there are three glossiphoniid species (A. heteroclite, H. stagnalis, and T. tessulatum), two species of piscicolids (Piscicola geometra and Piscicola sp.), and three species of predatory leeches (E. octoculata, E. vilnensis, and Erpobdella sp.). Possible effects of hydrochemical parameters of the aquatic environment on the species diversity have been analyzed. Correlation has been revealed between the abundance of species and the physical and chemical characteristics of the environment.     

On the radiocesium carbonate barrier in organics-rich sediments of Lake Juodis, Lithuania

Radiocesium vertical profiles in organics-rich sediments of running shallow eutrophic Lake Juodis (Lithuania) were studied in relation to seasonal variations of vertical profiles (in water column and sediments) of standard variables (pH, redox potential, temperature, oxygen concentrations, conductivity). It is shown that the sedimentation rate, radiocesium mobility and its vertical profiles in sediments are controlled by the vital cycle (processes of the growth, accumulation and decomposition) of green algae covering the main bottom areas of the lake. It is also shown that calcite deposits are formed in the shallow bottom areas that are oxygenated throughout the year because of the photosynthetic activity of the green algae covering the sediment. Formation of the calcite coatings on freshly accumulated organics is remarkable for causing elevated densities of sediment solids in the upper part of the respective vertical profiles. These calcite deposits behave as a barrier for radiocesium backward flux to the bottom water making the respective bottom areas a radionuclide sink. Together with the jelly-structured sediments lying below these deposits, the calcite preserves the shape of the primary radiocesium vertical profiles formed due to free-ion diffusion after the deposition event. It was determined that bottom areas anaerobic in winter are the main radiocesium source in the water column and cause characteristic radiocesium redistribution in surface sediments.     

Fuel particles in the Chernobyl cooling pond: current state and prediction for remediation options

During the coming years, a management and remediation strategy for the Chernobyl cooling pond (CP) will be implemented. Remediation options include a controlled reduction in surface water level of the cooling pond and stabilisation of exposed sediments. In terrestrial soils, fuel particles deposited during the Chernobyl accident have now almost completely disintegrated. However, in the CP sediments the majority of ⁹⁰Sr activity is still in the form of fuel particles. Due to the low dissolved oxygen concentration and high pH, dissolution of fuel particles in the CP sediments is significantly slower than in soils. After the planned cessation of water pumping from the Pripyat River to the Pond, significant areas of sediments will be drained and exposed to the air. This will significantly enhance the dissolution rate and, correspondingly, the mobility and bioavailability of radionuclides will increase with time. The rate of acidification of exposed bottom sediments was predicted on the basis of acidification of similar soils after liming. Using empirical equations relating the fuel particle dissolution rate to soil and sediment pH allowed prediction of fuel particle dissolution and ⁹⁰Sr mobilisation for different remediation scenarios. It is shown that in exposed sediments, fuel particles will be almost completely dissolved in 15–25 years, while in parts of the cooling pond which remain flooded, fuel particle dissolution will take about a century.     

Distribution of radionuclides among the main components of Lake Chervyanoe in the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace

Radioecological conditions have been estimated in Lake Chervyanoe located on the central axis of the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace (EURT) about 100–110 km northeast of the Mayak Production Association. Data on the ⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs contents in the main components of the lake, the distribution of these radionuclides over the profile of bottom sediments, and their amounts in the lake are presented. The experimental data have been used to construct mathematical models for estimating changes in the radionuclide concentrations and amounts in the water and bottom sediments of the lake over a long period after the nuclear accident, as well as the tritium content of the lake water in different periods of time.     

Immediate biomarker responses to benzo[a]pyrene in polluted and unpolluted populations of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) at high-latitudes

Immediate biomarker responses of two high-latitude populations of the blue mussel Mytilus edulis to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) were evaluated. Mussels collected from a clean and a polluted site in southwest Iceland were exposed to the nominal dose of 100 microg B[a]P L(-l) for 3 h, after 4 days of acclimatization in clean seawater. To test the sensitivity to the toxicant and immediate biological responses, the following biomarkers were used: DNA single strand breaks, heart rate and feeding rate. All the biomarkers revealed differences between the study sites. Irrespective of the origin of the organisms, the short time exposure to the high B[a]P concentration did not induce DNA single strand breaks or significantly affect the feeding rate. However, the heart rate results showed significantly different responses. The mussels from the polluted site (Reykjavík harbour) increased their heart rate when exposed to B[a]P, while no difference was observed between the heart rate values of the individuals from the clean site (Hvassahraun). The mussels seem to sense the pollutant they have been previously exposed to, and their acute response indicates physiological adaptation to the polluted environment. The results indicate limited sensitivity and temporal predictivity, i.e. transient measurable changes of these biomarkers, as well as showing that the background of the organisms should be considered when evaluating short-term biomarker responses to contaminants.     

太湖五里湖底泥污染特性研究

五里湖是太湖污染最严重的水域。为对其治理提供依据,在该湖区设置了4个采样点,对底泥的表层样、柱状样、间隙水样和上覆水体作了重金属和营养盐分布测试,并作了数据统计分析。结果表明：以地积累指数评价,五里湖底泥的重金属污染程度为轻度,总体可达到《土壤环境质量标准》（GB15618-1995）三级标准,根据超出背景值的倍数分析,五里湖重金属含量顺序为Cu>Cd>Pb>Hg>As>Cr。重金属含量表层（0～5 cm）相对较低,第二层（5～10 cm）和第三层（10～20 cm）是主要的污染沉积层,这与底泥沉积特征是相对应的。表层底泥总氮、总磷和有机质含量较高并具有明显的相关性,相关系数介于0.757 6～0.862 2之间,显示了污染物质的同源性。表层底泥和间隙水中营养盐含量明显高于湖水,相对于湖水呈可释放状态,是湖体内源污染之一。     

赣北鄱阳湖地区黄土元素地球化学特征研究

对长江中下游彭泽定山-太平地区黄土进行元素分析,并将结果与黄土高原黄土、长江下游等地典型风成堆积进行对比。结果表明：（1）赣北鄱阳湖地区黄土元素P、Na、Ca亏损明显,Ti、Fe等为残留富集;断面上黄土脱Ca、Na过程明显,正朝着脱K去Si富Al趋势发展;元素变化率特征,赣北鄱阳湖地区黄土主要元素的迁移顺序如下：Ca>P>Na>Mg>Mn>K>Si>Al>Fe3+>Ti。（2）赣北鄱阳湖地区黄土风化强度属于中等风化强度,与其他地区风成沉积在风化强度由弱到强上构成如下序列：〖JP2〗洛川黄土<镇江黄土<赣北鄱阳湖地区黄土<宣城风成红土。研究区黄土风化强度略强于镇江黄土,主要是由二者地形条件决定的排水条件造成。（3）研究区稳定元素组成明显区别于其他地区风成沉积,指示定山-太平地区沙山砂、黄土可能来自统一的物源区即其上风向的长江河漫滩平原     

Anthropogenic impacts on water quality of the lagoonal coast of Fongafale Islet, Funafuti Atoll, Tuvalu

Water pollution, evident by negative values of redox potential in waters, occurs at the lagoonal coast located near the densely populated area of Fongafale Islet on Funafuti Atoll, Tuvalu, Central Pacific. Sediment microbial quinone analysis revealed that these coastal sediments exhibit 2.7–10.4 times more microbial biomass, significantly different microbial community structure and low microbial diversity, when compared to an undisturbed natural coastal sediment. Thus, the pollution is chronic. By considering the total land use/coverage on the islet, the situation of septic tank installations, temporal changes in water redox potential and Escherichia coli numbers in the coastal waters and the spatial distribution of acid volatile sulfide in the sediments, we conclude that domestic wastewater is the primary source of pollution. This pollution is proposed to occur via the following mechanism: during ebb tides, domestic wastewater leaking from bottomless septic tanks and pit toilets run off into the lagoonal coast. Tide changes control the pollution load of domestic wastewater.     

On the mechanism of the enrichment in radiocesium of near-bottom water in Lake Juodis, Lithuania

Evidence of the thermodynamic origin of a mechanism for radiocesium enrichment of near-bottom water based on the analysis of vertical profiles of standard water variables (pH, temperature, oxygen concentrations and conductivity) in Lake Juodis is presented. This mechanism is shown to be related to disturbances in the thermohalinic stability (buoyancy effects) of sediment interstitial liquids inducing their interfacial transfer. The mechanism reveals itself even in aerobic waters during cooling processes in autumn under weather conditions inducing the formation of a steep temperature gradient in the surface sediments. These gradients may be formed due to intense sediment cooling as well as in cases of cooling interruptions owing to the arrival of warm air masses inducing temperature stratification of the water column. In the latter case, a sharp decrease in the heat flux from sediments through the stagnant water column promotes relative overheating of the sediment surface layer and the consequent initiation of buoyancy forces inducing interfacial transfer of sediment interstitial liquids enriched in dissolved material. Intrusions of interstitial liquids and their vertical thermodynamic transfer through the water column are followed by the formation of a specific vertical structure consisting of a set of evenly mixed water layers which are especially distinctly observable under ice cover in winter. The mechanism is responsible for lake water contamination by radiocesium and other pollutants dissolved in interstitial liquids. The investigation results explain the phenomenon of “super warm” lakes where temperatures of near-bottom waters under ice in winter are higher than 4 °C.     

Development and application of an innovative expert decision support system to manage sediments and to assess environmental risk in freshwater ecosystems

With the aim of supporting decision makers to manage contamination in freshwater environments, an innovative expert decision support system (EDSS) was developed. The EDSS was applied in a sediment quality assessment along the Bormida river (NW, Italy) which has been heavily contaminated by an upstream industrial site for more than a century. Sampling sites were classified by means of comparing chemical concentrations with effect-based target values (threshold and probable effect concentrations). The level of each contaminant and the combined toxic pressure were used to rank sites into three categories: (i) uncontaminated (8 sites), (ii) mildly contaminated (4) and (iii) heavily contaminated (19). In heavily contaminated sediments, an environmental risk index (EnvRI) was determined by means of integrating chemical data with ecotoxicological and ecological parameters (triad approach). In addition a sediment risk index (SedRI) was computed from combining chemical and ecotoxicological data. Eight sites exhibited EnvRI values ≥ 0.25, the safety threshold level (range of EnvRI values: 0.14–0.31) whereas SedRI exceeded the safety threshold level at 6 sites (range of SedRI values: 0.16–0.36). At sites classified as mildly contaminated, sublethal biomarkers were integrated with chemical data into a biological vulnerability index (BVI), which exceeded the safety threshold level at one site (BVI value: 0.28). Finally, potential human risk was assessed in selected stations (11 sites) by integrating genotoxicity biomarkers (GTI index falling in the range 0.00–0.53). General conclusions drawn from the EDSS data include: (i) in sites classified as heavily contaminated, only a few exhibited some significant, yet limited, effects on biodiversity; (ii) restrictions in re-using sediments from heavily contaminated sites found little support in ecotoxicological data; (iii) in the majority of the sites classified as mildly contaminated, tested organisms exhibited low response levels; (iv) preliminary results on genotoxicity biomarkers indicate possible negative consequences for humans if exposed to river sediments from target areas.     

Distribution of PCB congeners in aquatic ecosystems: A case study

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) congeners were determined in water samples, sediments, and animal species in the frame of a survey of the River Arrone (Central Italy, near Rome) after a major contamination episode. Animal species were selected on the basis of their living and feeding habits and evaluated as candidate bioindicators of PCB pollution in this lotic ecosystem. Total PCB concentrations in water were found to be low (ng/L level), and in sediments, ranged from about 10 to 200 μg/kg dry weight, depending on the distance from the contamination source. PCB patterns in sediments showed a prevalence of higher chlorinated congeners over time. Concentrations in macroinvertebrates (Calopteryx splendens and Anax imperator) ranged from 60 to 400 μg/kg dry weight, showing significantly different species to species patterns. PCB concentrations were almost parallel in sediments for different sampling stations, while differences in patterns among species can be explained in terms of bioaccumulation/excretion mechanisms. Freshwater shrimps (Palaemonetes antennarius) were not found close to the contamination source, as a consequence of their extreme sensitivity to chemicals, and showed a peculiar pattern (almost exclusively determined by congeners 153, 138, and 180) probably originating from biodegradation mechanisms. Fish samples (Rutilus erythrophthalmus) showed the highest concentrations, as a combination of feeding habit, lipid content, and, probably, less effective biodegradation/excretion pathways. Congener patterns closely match those of Aroclor 1260, which originates from the contamination source. This study confirms that congener physical and chemical parameters, different degradation rates, feeding habits, and mobility of the analysed aquatic organisms, metabolism, and excretion mechanisms, are to be considered to explain the distinctive PCB patterns of different samples.     

Acid mine drainage pollution in the Tinto and Odiel rivers (Iberian Pyrite Belt, SW Spain) and bioavailability of the transported metals to the Huelva Estuary

The Tinto and Odiel rivers are seriously affected by acid mine drainage (AMD) from the long-term mining activities in Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB). As a consequence, the Huelva estuary is heavily contaminated by metals and metalloids. This study presents an estimation of the seasonal variation, and the dissolved contaminant load transported by both rivers from February 2002 to September 2004. Besides, toxicity and bioaccumulation tests with the sediments of the estuary have been conducted in order to measure the mobility of the toxic metals. Results show that the Tinto and Odiel rivers transport enormous quantities of dissolved metals to the estuary: 7900 t yr(-1) of Iron (Fe), 5800 t yr(-1) Aluminium (Al), 3500 t yr(-1) Zinc (Zn), 1700 t yr(-1) Copper (Cu), 1600 t yr(-1) Manganese (Mn) and minor quantities of other metals and metalloids. These values represent 37% of the global gross flux of dissolved Zn transported by rivers in to the ocean, and 15% of the global gross flux of dissolved Cu. These metals and metalloids usually sink in the estuarine sediments due to pH and salinity changes. The increase of salinity in the estuary favours the adsorption and trapping of metals. For this reason, the mobility and bioavailability of metals such as Zn, Cd and Cu is higher in sediments located in the area of fresh water influence that in sediments located in the marine influenced area of the estuary, showing a higher percentage of fractionation and bioaccumulation of these metals in the station influenced by the fresh water environment.     

Fractionation of radionuclide species in the environment

Naturally occurring and artificially produced radionuclides in the environment may be present in different physico-chemical forms (i.e., radionuclide species) varying in size (nominal molecular mass), charge properties and valence, oxidation state, structure and morphology, density, degree of complexation, etc. Low molecular mass (LMM) species are believed to be mobile and potentially bioavailable, while high molecular mass (HMM) species such as colloids, polymers, pseudocolloids and particles are considered inert. Due to time-dependent transformation processes such as mobilisation of radionuclide species from solid phases or interactions of mobile and reactive radionuclide species with components in soils and sediments, the original distribution of radionuclides deposited in ecosystems will change over time. To assess the environmental impact from radionuclide contamination, information on radionuclide species deposited, interactions within affected ecosystems and the time-dependent distribution of radionuclide species influencing mobility and biological uptake is essential. The development of speciation techniques to characterize radionuclide species in waters, soils and sediments should therefore be essential for improving the prediction power of impact and risk assessment models. The present paper reviews available fractionation techniques which can be utilised for radionuclide speciation purposes.     

Environmental monitoring using surface water, river sediments, and vegetation: A case study in the Famatina Range, La Rioja, NW Argentina

This work discusses trace elements studied beneath the semiarid endorheic region of the Famatina Range (La Rioja, NW Argentina). The results obtained in 27 control sites allow the determination of five distinct geochemical patterns in the Famatina Range. Pattern 1 reflects the composition of underlying Paleozoic and Tertiary bedrock (background level: water pH, 7.5–9; specific conductance, 0.2–0.7 mS cm⁻¹), which is influenced by mineralization. Pattern 2 exhibits water pH, 6; specific conductance, 0.7 mS cm⁻¹; high contents of Cu, Cd, Rb, Zn, Sn, and Be in waters; and high contents of Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, Cr, Sb, Ag, Be, Co, Ni, Bi, Rare Earth Elements (REE), Li, Ba, Cs, and Sr in sediments. Pattern 3 exhibits water pH, 3–4; specific conductance, 1.0 mS cm⁻¹; high contents of Pb, Co, Be, Au, As, Cr, Hg, Th, Ba, Cs, Rb, Sb, Y, Zr, REE, and Hf in waters; high contents of Cd, Zn, Mo, and As in sediments). Pattern 3 is also modified by the input of elements from a source external to the Famatina Range. Pattern 4 exhibits water pH, 7–8; specific conductance, 1.5–2.3 mS cm⁻¹; high contents of B, Li, Ba, Sr, and Zn in waters; high contents of Li, Cr, Sr, Ni, and Cs in sediments. Finally, Pattern 5 is developed on the red sandstones from De la Cuesta Formation (water pH, 8; specific conductance, 2.5–5.0 mS cm⁻¹; high contents of Sr, Mo, U, B, Li, Rb, and Hf in waters; high contents of B, Ba, Cs, Li, and Rb in sediments). The mobility of above-mentioned elements is mainly related to water pH changes and evaporation processes.