Fraction characteristics of rare earth elements in the surface sediment of Bohai Bay, North China

Surface sediment samples were collected at 27 stations of Bohai Bay, North China. Sequential extractions were carried out in this study. REE were leached out from four labile fractions: Exchangeable (L1), bound to carbonates (L2), bound to Fe–Mn oxides (L3), bound to organic matter (L4), and the remainder was residual (R5). The total contents of REE fluctuate slightly in Bohai Bay, and are mainly concentrated in the middle region, showing relatively higher levels in the north than that in the south of Bohai Bay. Percentages of L1, L2, L3, L4, and R5 for REE suggest that the residual fraction accounts for the major component of REE, whereas Fe–Mn oxides also play important roles in combining labile REE. As the REE complex is not stabilized, the competition of complex could induce dissociation of the complex and redistribution of the REE in various environments. According to REE patterns and Y/Ho ratios of samples, REE are not anthropogenic or oceanic sources but riverine input, whereas suitable environment varieties can slightly affect the patterns and fractionations of REE. As powerful tracers for the variable of environment, higher anomaly of Eu and Ce in southern regions indicates a greater reduction in the condition of surface sediment in the south than that in the north of Bohai Bay.     

Changes in thyroid peroxidase activity in response to various chemicals

Thyroperoxidase (TPO) is a large heme-containing glycoprotein that catalyzes the transfer of iodine to thyroglobulin during thyroid hormone (TH) synthesis. Previously, we established an in vitro assay for TPO activity based on human recombinant TPO (hrTPO) stably transfected into human follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC-238) cells. It is important to determine whether environmental chemicals can disrupt TPO activity because it is an important factor in the TH axis. In this study, we used our assay to examine the changes in TPO activity in response to various chemicals, including benzophenones (BPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Overall, BPs, PAHs, and POPs slightly altered TPO activity at low doses, as compared with the positive controls methimazole (MMI), genistein, and 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxy BP. Benzophenone, benzhydrol, 3-methylchloranthracene, pyrene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(e)pyrene, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and heptachlor decreased TPO activity, while 2,4-dihydroxy BP, 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxy BP, and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene increased TPO activity. From these data, we can predict the disruption of TPO activity by various chemicals as a sensitive TH end point. TPO activity should be considered when enacting measures to regulate environmental exposure to thyroid-disrupting chemicals.     

Dynamics of the lakes in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin, China, since late nineteenth century

The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin have the most representative and largest concentration of freshwater lakes in China. However, the size and number of these lakes have changed considerably over the past century due to the natural and anthropogenic impact. The lakes, larger than 10 km² in size, were chosen from relief maps and remotely sensed images in 1875, 1950, 1970, 1990, 2000, and 2008 to study the dynamics of lakes in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin and to examine the causes and consequences of these changes. Results indicated that there was a dramatic reduction in lake areas, which decreased by 7,841.2 km² (42.64 %) during the study period (1875–2008), and the number of lakes in this region changed moderately. Meanwhile, a large number of lakes in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin were directly converted into paddy fields, ponds, building lands, or other land-use types over the study period. Therefore, all kinds of lake reclamation should be identified as the major driving factors for the loss of lake in this region. Furthermore, flooding, soil erosion, and sedimentation were also the main factors which triggered lake changes in different periods. Some wetland conservation and restoration projects have been implemented since the 1970s, but they have not reversed the lake degradation. These findings were of great importance to managers involved in making policy for the conservation of lake ecosystems and the utilization of lake resources.     

中国流域水环境生物监测体系构成和发展

分析了国外水环境生物监测体系的构成和特点;总结了中国生物监测的发展历程、基础、存在问题和发展需求;提出了体系发展的总体发展目标,即以流域为单元,以各级支流为监测区段,发展以实现流域水环境生态完整性评价为目的的综合监测体系;同时,着重介绍了重点发展内容:建立以市级站为核心的监测网络;建立包含4个板块的核心业务监测能力;开展生物监测业务标准化建设;进一步完善水环境质量评价报告。对全国监测系统生物监测体系的构成和发展提出建议:在总体发展目标指导下,完成构建水环境生物监测技术体系、构建全国水环境生物监测网络体系、建立数据管理与评价平台及建立运行保障体系4个分目标,实现中国环境管理以"污染防治"为重点到以"生态健康"为目的的转折。     

河流水生态环境质量评价方法研究与应用进展

河流生态质量的监测和评价是从河流生态系统健康状况的角度对河流质量进行的评价。河流生态健康的评价已经向多要素多指标综合、多种评价方法(预测模型法、生物完整性指数、多要素综合评价)、流域尺度方向发展。该文重点介绍了国外评价体系产生的背景和研究基础,分析了广泛应用的几类评价方法的特点、在不同国家和流域的应用情况以及各方法的应用前景,分析了国内开展河流生态质量评价研究的发展过程、阶段性研究进展和应用案例,并根据目前研究基础评述了我国评价体系现存问题及应用前景,为河流生态质量评价体系的建立及发展方向提供建议和参考。     

松花江流域生物完整性时空变化分析

采用大型底栖动物生物完整性指数(B-IBI)法对松花江流域的水生态环境质量进行研究分析。结果表明,2015年松花江流域各点位水生态环境质量17.24%为优、10.34%为良好、24.14%为一般、41.38%为较差、6.90%为很差。与2012年松花江流域水生态环境质量的比较和趋势分析表明,松花江干流下游、第二松花江、松花江支流的水生态质量均出现不同程度的改善,松花江干流下游改善尤为显著,松花江干流上游生态质量基本保持不变,嫩江水生态质量有下降迹象。流域总体水生态环境质量得到进一步改善,总物种数和清洁指示类群EPT丰度均有增加。     

县级空气自动监测站故障分析及排除

结合县级空气自动站运行实践,研究"读数负值"、"管路凝水"、"频繁报警"等常见故障,解析原因并提出有效的解决方法。探索用头发丝结清除石英管内污物,解决氮氧化物分析仪气路堵塞、流量降低的难题,方法简便有效。     

Total petroleum hydrocarbon distribution in soils and groundwater in Songyuan oilfield, Northeast China

In order to investigate the distribution of the total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in groundwater and soil, a total of 71 groundwater samples (26 unconfined groundwater samples, 37 confined groundwater samples, and 8 deeper confined groundwater samples) and 80 soil samples were collected in the Songyuan oilfield, Northeast China, and the vertical variation and spatial variability of TPH in groundwater and soil were assessed. For the groundwater from the unconfined aquifer, petroleum hydrocarbons were not detected in three samples, and for the other 23 samples, concentrations were in the range 0.01–1.74 mg/l. In the groundwater from the confined aquifer, petroleum hydrocarbons were not detected in two samples, and in the other 35 samples, the concentrations were 0.04–0.82 mg/l. The TPH concentration in unconfined aquifer may be influenced by polluted surface water and polluted soil; for confined aquifer, the injection wells leakage and left open hole wells may be mainly responsible for the pollution. For soils, the concentrations of TPH varied with sampling depth and were 0–15 cm (average concentration, 0.63 mg/g), >40–55 cm (average concentration, 0.36 mg/g), >100–115 cm (average concentration, 0.29 mg/g), and >500–515 cm (average concentration, 0.26 mg/g). The results showed that oil spillage and losses were possibly the main sources of TPH in soil. The consequences concluded here suggested that counter measures such as remediation and long-term monitoring should be commenced in the near future, and effective measures should be taken to assure that the oilfields area would not be a threat to human health.     

环境监测实验室方法确认过程中常见问题探讨

根据实验室资质认定对于方法确认的要求,结合环境监测实验室的特点,提出了新项目方法确认的具体步骤,并分析了其中存在的常见问题。指出在方法确认过程中,应严格按照标准方法和监测技术规范进行全过程试验,尤其不能忽视采样现场实验、空白实验和检出限的测定。建议在精密度与准确度检验过程中,使用高、中、低不同浓度的有证标准样品,实际样品加标回收,比对试验（方法比对、人员比对、实验室间比对）,增加分析次数等多种手段,确保新项目开展的可靠性。