Influence of Spartina alterniflora on the mobility of heavy metals in salt marsh sediments of the Yangtze River Estuary, China

Using bio-disturbed sulphide to trace the mobility and transformation of Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn in the sediments of the Spartina alterniflora-dominated salt marsh in the Yangtze River Estuary, measurements were made of the seasonal variations of acid-volatile sulphide (AVS) and of the simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) in the rhizosphere sediments. Microcosm incubation experiments recreating flooding conditions were conducted to evaluate the effect of AVS and other metal binding phases upon the dynamics of Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn in the salt marsh sediments. The results demonstrate that the ratio values of SEM/AVS have a significant seasonal variation in the rhizosphere sediments and that the anoxic conditions in the sediments were likely enhanced by S. alterniflora during the summer and autumn compared with the anoxic conditions resulting from the native species Phragmites australis and Scirpus mariqueter. The incubation experiments suggest that Fe(III) and Mn(IV/III) (hydr)oxides provide important binding sites for heavy metals under oxic conditions, and sulphide provides important binding sites for the Cu and Pb under anoxic conditions. Our observations indicate that the mobility of heavy metals in the salt marsh sediments is strongly influenced by biogeochemical redox processes and that the invasive S. alterniflora may increase the seasonal fluctuation in heavy metal bioavailability in the salt marsh ecosystem.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in surface sediments from principal watersheds of Shanghai, China: levels, distribution, influencing factors, and risk assessment

Fourteen and 17 sediment samples were collected from three main rivers of Shanghai in July and November, respectively. Eight polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners (BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153, BDE-154, BDE-183, and BDE-209) were detected in these samples to clarify the pollution status in the metropolis. Instrumental analyses showed that the concentrations of ∑₈PBDEs ranged from 10.97 to 64.05 ng/g dry weight (dw), with an average value of 29.71 ng/g dw. BDE-209 was the predominant congener accounting for more than 97 % of total PBDEs, followed by BDE-47 and BDE-99. Remarkable spatial and seasonal distributions of PBDE concentrations were observed, suggesting that local sources, seasonal climates, and hydrologic conditions might be the influencing factors. Moderate correlations (r ²?=?0.28–0.51, p?<?0.05) were found between total organic carbon and PBDEs, which indicated that organic carbon content influenced the distributions of PBDEs in sediment of Shanghai at some extent. Hazard quotients revealed PBDEs posed no potential risk to benthic organisms in the study area at present.     

Degradation of bisphenol A in aqueous solution by persulfate activated with ferrous ion

Degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous solution was studied with high-efficiency sulfate radical (SO₄ ^?·), which was generated by the activation of persulfate (S₂O₈ ^2?) with ferrous ion (Fe²⁺). S₂O₈ ^2? was activated by Fe²⁺ to produce SO₄ ^?·, and iron powder (Fe⁰) was used as a slow-releasing source of dissolved Fe²⁺. The major oxidation products of BPA were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer. The mineralization efficiency of BPA was monitored by total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer. BPA removal efficiency was improved by the increase of initial S₂O₈ ^2? or Fe²⁺ concentrations and then decreased with excess Fe²⁺ concentration. The adding mode of Fe²⁺ had significant impact on BPA degradation and mineralization. BPA removal rates increased from 49 to 97 % with sequential addition of Fe²⁺, while complete degradation was observed with continuous diffusion of Fe²⁺, and the latter achieved higher TOC removal rate. When Fe⁰ was employed as a slow-releasing source of dissolved Fe²⁺, 100 % of BPA degradation efficiency was achieved, and the highest removal rate of TOC (85 %) was obtained within 2 h. In the Fe⁰–S₂O₈ ^2? system, Fe⁰ as the activator of S₂O₈ ^2? could offer sustainable oxidation for BPA, and higher TOC removal rate was achieved. It was proved that Fe⁰–S₂O₈ ^2? system has perspective for future works.     

Biotreatment of chromite ore processing residue by Pannonibacter phragmitetus BB

Chromite ore processing residues (COPR) is the source of the Cr(VI) contamination in the environment. Pannonibacter phragmitetus BB was used to treat two different types of COPRs in this research. The water-soluble Cr(VI) of COPR A and B is 3,982.9 and 1,181.4 mg/kg, respectively. In the column biotreatment process, P. phragmitetus BB can reduce Cr(VI) in the leachate to an undetectable level at the flow rate of 1 and 2 ml/min. In the direct biotreatment process, Cr(VI) in the liquid supernatant of COPR A and B decreased from 265 and 200 mg/l to 145 and 40 mg/kg after 240 h of incubation. In one-step and two-step biotreatment processes, Cr(VI) in the liquid supernatant of both COPRs can be reduced to an undetectable level. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure results indicate that the Cr(VI) concentration of treated COPR A (3.48 mg/l) is lower than the identification standards for hazardous wastes of China (5 mg/l) (GB 5085.6-2007). The information obtained in this study has significance for the application of P. phragmitetus BB to remediate COPR contamination.     

Sedimentary record of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and DDTs in Dianchi Lake, an urban lake in Southwest China

Unique time trends of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) were found in a dated sediment core from Dianchi Lake (DC), an urban lake in Southwest China. The temporal trend of PAHs in DC was not only different from those in China's coastline and remote lakes of China, but also different from those in more developed countries. Identification of sources suggested that PAHs in DC originated primarily from domestic combustion of coal and biomass. However, a change of source from low- and moderate-temperature combustion to high-temperature combustion processes was observed. Different from those in China's coastline and some developed countries, the temporal trend of DDTs in DC mirrored the historical usage of DDTs in China, with erosion of soils and surface runoff from its drainage area the most likely routes of DDT introduction to the lake. Rapid urbanization and industrialization in its catchment, effective interception of point-source pollution, and changes in sources of energy during the last few decades have significantly influenced the vertical profiles of PAHs in DC.     

Occurrence and distribution of heavy metals and tetracyclines in agricultural soils after typical land use change in east China

Land use in east China tends to change from paddy rice to vegetables or other high-value cash crops, resulting in high input rates of organic manures and increased risk of contamination with both heavy metals (HMs) and antibiotics. This investigation was conducted to determine the accumulation, distribution and risks of HMs and tetracyclines (TCs) in surface soils and profiles receiving different amounts of farmyard manure. Soil samples collected from suburbs of Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province were introduced to represent three types of land use change from paddy rice to asparagus production, vineyards and field mustard cultivation, and divided into two portions, one of which was air-dried and sieved through 2-, 0.3- and 0.149-mm nylon mesh for determination of pH and heavy metals. The other portion was frozen at ?20 °C, freeze-dried and sieved through a 0.3-mm nylon mesh for tetracyline determination. HM and TC concentrations in surface soils of 14-year-old mustard fields were the highest with total Cu, Zn, Cd and ∑TCs of 50.5, 196, 1.03 mg?kg^?1 and 22.9 μg?kg^?1, respectively, on average. The total Cu sequence was field mustard?>?vineyards?>?asparagus when duration of land use change was considered; oxytetracycline (OTC) and doxycycline were dominant in soils used for asparagus production; OTC was dominant in vineyards and chlortetracycline (CTC) was dominant in mustard soils. There were positive pollution relationships among Cu, Zn and ∑TCs, especially between Cu and Zn or Cu and ∑TCs. Repeated and excessive application of manures from intensive farming systems may produce combined contamination with HMs and TCs which were found in the top 20 cm of the arable soil profiles and also extended to 20–40 cm depth. Increasing manure application rate and cultivation time led to continuing increases in residue concentrations and movement down the soil profile.     

An integrated approach to model the biomagnification of organic pollutants in aquatic food webs of the Yangtze Three Gorges Reservoir ecosystem using adapted pollution scenarios

The impounding of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) at the Yangtze River caused large flooding of urban, industrial, and agricultural areas, and profound land use changes took place. Consequently, substantial amounts of organic and inorganic pollutants were released into the reservoir. Additionally, contaminants and nutrients are entering the reservoir by drift, drainage, and runoff from adjacent agricultural areas as well as from sewage of industry, aquacultures, and households. The main aim of the presented research project is a deeper understanding of the processes that determines the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of organic pollutants, i.e., mainly pesticides, in aquatic food webs under the newly developing conditions of the TGR. The project is part of the Yangtze-Hydro environmental program, financed by the German Ministry of Education and Science. In order to test combinations of environmental factors like nutrients and pollution, we use an integrated modeling approach to study the potential accumulation and biomagnification. We describe the integrative modeling approach and the consecutive adaption of the AQUATOX model, used as modeling framework for ecological risk assessment. As a starting point, pre-calibrated simulations were adapted to Yangtze-specific conditions (regionalization). Two exemplary food webs were developed by a thorough review of the pertinent literature. The first typical for the flowing conditions of the original Yangtze River and the Daning River near the city of Wushan, and the second for the stagnant reservoir characteristics of the aforementioned region that is marked by an intermediate between lake and large river communities of aquatic organisms. In close cooperation with German and Chinese partners of the Yangtze-Hydro Research Association, other site-specific parameters were estimated. The MINIBAT project contributed to the calibration of physicochemical and bathymetric parameters, and the TRANSMIC project delivered hydrodynamic models for water volume and flow velocity conditions. The research questions were firstly focused on the definition of scenarios that could depict representative situations regarding food webs, pollution, and flow conditions in the TGR. The food webs and the abiotic site conditions in the main study area near the city of Wushan that determine the environmental preconditions for the organisms were defined. In our conceptual approach, we used the pesticide propanil as a model substance.     

Solution by dilution?—A review on the pollution status of the Yangtze River

The Yangtze River has been a source of life and prosperity for the Chinese people for centuries and is a habitat for a remarkable variety of aquatic species. But the river suffers from huge amounts of urban sewage, agricultural effluents, and industrial wastewater as well as ship navigation wastes along its course. With respect to the vast amounts of water and sediments discharged by the Yangtze River, it is reasonable to ask whether the pollution problem may be solved by simple dilution. This article reviews the past two decades of published research on organic pollutants in the Yangtze River and several adjacent water bodies connected to the main stream, according to a holistic approach. Organic pollutant levels and potential effects of water and sediments on wildlife and humans, measured in vitro, in vivo, and in situ, were critically reviewed. The contamination with organic pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzofurans, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), and others, of water and sediment along the river was described. Especially Wuhan section and the Yangtze Estuary exhibited stronger pollution than other sections. Bioassays, displaying predominantly the endpoints mutagenicity and endocrine disruption, applied at sediments, drinking water, and surface water indicated a potential health risk in several areas. Aquatic organisms exhibited detectable concentrations of toxic compounds like PCBs, OCPs, PBDEs, and PFCs. Genotoxic effects could also be assessed in situ in fish. To summarize, it can be stated that dilution reduces the ecotoxicological risk in the Yangtze River, but does not eliminate it. Keeping in mind an approximately 14 times greater water discharge compared to the major European river Rhine, the absolute pollution mass transfer of the Yangtze River is of severe concern for the environmental quality of its estuary and the East China Sea. Based on the review, further research needs have been identified.     

Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of dissolved organic matter from eight dominant aquatic macrophytes in Lake Dianchi, China

The aim of this research was to determine and compare the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of dissolved organic matters (DOM) from eight aquatic macrophytes in a eutrophic lake. C, H, N, and P in ground dry leaves and C, N, and P in DOM of the species were determined, and C/N, C/P, C/H, DOC/C, TDN/N, TDP/P, DOC/TDN, and DOC/TDP were calculated. Chemical structures of the DOM were characterized by the use of multiple techniques including UV-visible, FT-IR, and ¹³C CP/MAS spectra. The results showed subtle differences in quantity and quality of DOM among species and life-forms. Except oriental pepper which had a C/H of 0.7, C/H of all the other species was 0.6. C/N and C/P of ground leaves was 10.5–17.3 and 79.4–225.3, respectively, which were greater in floating and submerged species than in the others. Parrot feather also had a small C/P (102.8). DOC/C, TDN/N, and TDP/P were 7.6–16.8, 5.5–22.6, and 22.9–45.6 %, respectively. Except C/N in emergent and riparian species, C/N in the other species and C/P in all the species were lower in their DOM than in the ground leaves. DOM of the macrophytes had a SUVA₂₅₄ value of 0.83–1.80. The FT-IR and ¹³C NMR spectra indicated that the DOM mainly contained polysaccharides and/or amino acids/proteins. Percent of carbohydrates in the DOM was 37.3–66.5 % and was highest in parrot feather (66.5 %) and crofton weed (61.5 %). DOM of water hyacinth, water lettuce, and sago pondweed may have the greatest content of proteins. Aromaticity of the DOM was from 6.9 % in water lettuce to 17.8 % in oriental pepper. DOM of the macrophytes was also different in polarity and percent of Ar–OH. Distinguished characteristics in quantity and quality of the macrophyte-derived DOM may induce unique environmental consequences in the lake systems.