Influence of spontaneous vegetation in stormwater infiltration system clogging

The paper presents the role of spontaneous vegetation on the hydraulic performance of an infiltration basin. The objective of the research was more particularly to study this role of different types of spontaneous vegetation found in situ in an infiltration basin near Lyon. The saturated hydraulic conductivity of three areas covered by Phalaris arundinacea, Polygonum mite, Rumex crispus and similar non-vegetated zones was compared. Eight field campaigns were carried out from July 2010 to May 2011 in order to compare the performance of each type of vegetation and its evolution over time. The results suggest a positive impact of vegetation on hydraulic performance in particular in summer during the growth of the plants. The hydraulic conductivity in this period was twice to four times higher than in bare areas or in vegetated zones during the plant rest periods. Some species were also found more appropriate to limit clogging (Phalaris arundinacea) likely due to its specific structure and growth process.     

Structure and fate of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa population originating from a combined sewer and colonizing a wastewater treatment lagoon

The efficacy of a wastewater treatment lagoon (WWTL) at preventing the spread of Pseudomonas aeruginosa into natural aquatic habitats was investigated. A WWTL and its connected combined sewer and brook were exhaustively sampled. Physico-chemical analyses showed a stratification of the first pond according to pH, temperature and oxygen content. The P. aeruginosa counts partially matched this stratification with higher values among the bottom anaerobic waters of the first half of this pond. Genotyping of 494 WWTL P. aeruginosa strains was performed and led to the definition of 85 lineages. Dominant lineages were observed, with some being found all over the WWTL including the connected brook. IS5 was used as an indicator of genomic changes, and 1 to 12 elements were detected among 16 % of the strains. IS-driven lasR (genetic regulator) disruptions were detected among nine strains that were not part of the dominant lineages. These insertional mutants did not show significant elastase activities but showed better growth than the PAO1 reference strain in WWTL waters. Differences in growth patterns were related to a better survival of these mutants at an alkaline pH and a better ability at using some C-sources such as alanine. The opportunistic colonization of a WWTL by P. aeruginosa can involve several metabolic strategies which appeared lineage specific. Some clones appeared more successful than others at disseminating from a combined sewer toward the overflow of a WWTL.     

Responses of juvenile European flounder (Platichthys flesus) to multistress in the Vilaine estuary, during a 6-month survey

Physiological and genetic responses of age 0+ Platichthys flesus were investigated in the eutrophicated and moderately contaminated Vilaine estuary, during a 6-month survey. The main objective of this study was to explore the biological responses of fishes during their juvenile period in an estuarine system in order to detect a possible selective pressure induced by the environmental stress. Our results showed a general convergence in physiological responses along the survey: an increase in genotoxicity was associated with an increase in mRNA expression of ATPase and betaine homocysteine methyltransferase. These results could suggest an increase of cellular damage, energetic request, and detoxification rate related to the growing exposure time to stress. Considering the aging of the cohort, the genetic characteristics of the Vilaine flounder cohort came closer to the one observed in a highly stressed system, the Seine estuary, suggesting a potential selective pressure mainly induced by the chemical stress.     

水坝建设影响下澜沧江中游沉积物重金属形态分析及污染指数研究

采集了漫湾库区和大朝山库区25个采样断面的沉积物样品.每个库区均从上游到下游分为河流区、过渡区和湖泊区,研究了沉积物中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb、Zn元素的含量和赋存形态差异,利用次生相与原生相分布比值法(RSP)分析重金属元素的污染水平.结果表明,各库区从上游到下游沉积物中的重金属元素和碳氮元素均呈现出增加的趋势,而沉积物的中值粒径呈现出减小的趋势.漫湾库区的As、Cd、Zn元素平均含量均高于大朝山库区;大朝山库区的Cr、Mn、Ni、Pb元素平均含量均高于漫湾库区.在重金属赋存形态中,Cd和Mn元素以可交换态和残渣态为主;Cu、Pb以有机质态和残渣态为主;其余重金属元素均以残渣态为主.沉积物中的可交换态在有机碳的络合作用下转化成有机质态.在水坝建设的影响下沉积物中细颗粒和有机质含量明显上升,重金属在细颗粒物和有机质的共同作用下蓄积于坝前的沉积物中.PSR分析结果表明,在水坝运行影响下,各库区湖泊区和过渡区的污染水平均高于河流区.其中,Cd元素所有地区处于重度污染水平;Mn和Pb大部分区域处于中度污染水平;Cu元素大部分区域处于轻度污染水平;其余元素基本无污染.