Sediment evidence of early eutrophication and heavy metal pollution of Lake Mälaren, central Sweden

Lake M?laren is the water supply and recreation area for more than 1 million people in central Sweden and subject to considerable environmental concern. To establish background data for assessments of contemporary levels of trophy and heavy metal pollution, sediment cores from the lake were analyzed. Diatom-inferred lake-water phosphorus concentrations suggest that pre-20th century nutrient levels in S?dra Bj?rkfj?rden, a basin in the eastern part of M?laren, were higher (c. 10-20 micrograms TP L-1) than previously assumed (c. 6 micrograms TP L-1). Stable lead isotope and lead concentration analyses from 3 basins (S. Bj?rkfj?rden, Gisselfj?rden and Ask?fj?rden) show that the lake was polluted in the 19th century and earlier from extensive metal production and processing in the catchment, particularly in the Bergslagen region. The lake has experienced a substantial improvement of the lead pollution situation in the 20th century following closure of the mining and metal industry. The lead pollution from the old mining industry was large compared to late-20th century pollution from car emissions, burning of fossil fuels and modern industries.     

Methodology for estimating soil carbon for the forest carbon budget model of the United States, 2001

The largest carbon (C) pool in United States forests is the soil C pool. We present methodology and soil C pool estimates used in the FORCARB model, which estimates and projects forest carbon budgets for the United States. The methodology balances knowledge, uncertainties, and ease of use. The estimates are calculated using the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service STATSGO database, with soil dynamics following assumptions based on results of site-specific studies, and area estimates from the USDA Forest Service. Forest Inventory and Analysis data and national-level land cover data sets. Harvesting is assumed to have no effect on soil C. Land use change and forest type transitions affect soil C. We apply the methodology to the southeastern region of the United States as a case study.     

Application of the Microtox test and pollution indices to the study of water toxicity in the Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain)

The toxic effects of waters collected from irrigation channels in a Mediterranean wetland (Albufera Natural Park, Valencia, Spain) were tested with the Microtox assay and compared with six pollution indices (PIs) defined from analytical parameters. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), nutrients, heavy metals and pesticides were measured. The bioassay result (concentrations of the water sample (% V/V) that reduced light emission to 10%, 20% and 50%, EC10, EC20 and EC50, respectively (ECs)) was compared with the PIs. This comparison has demonstrated a general agreement between ECs and PIs, except in the case of irrigation channels affected by herbicides used in rice farming (molinate and thiobencarb). No pronounced inhibition was detected in the bioluminescence in relation to the eutrophic parameters in the irrigation waters for EC50 values, indicating that this parameter does not suffice to detect eutrophic waters. Data derived from irrigation water pollution and bioassay were assembled by multivariate statistical techniques (principal component analysis). These components were associated with various contamination sources.     

Contaminant residues in seabird eggs from the Canadian Arctic. II. Spatial trends and evidence from stable isotopes for intercolony differences

Eggs of glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus), black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla), thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia) and black guillemots (Cepphus grylle) were collected from several sites throughout the Canadian Arctic. Samples were analyzed for organochlorines as well as mercury and selenium. Glaucous gulls breeding at sites in the High Arctic showed higher levels of organochlorine contamination than those in the western Low Arctic. This was likely due to dietary differences among colonies as suggested by stable isotope data, although different overwintering areas may also play a role. Levels of sigmaPCB, sigmaDDT, sigmaCHLOR, sigmaCBz and dieldrin were significantly lower in thick-billed murres from Prince Leopold Island in the High Arctic compared with colonies in the eastcrn Low Arctic. This difference was likely due to the combined effects of different atmospheric deposition patterns in the High and Low Arctic and different overwintering areas since murres from Prince Leopold Island may winter farther north than murres from the other colonies sampled. Eggs from colonies at higher latitudes generally contained higher concentrations of mercury. The trophic and dietary differences/similarities suggested by stable-nitrogen and carbon isotope data in this study were useful in explaining the spatial patterns of contaminant concentrations observed among colonies of seabirds such as the glaucous gull and the black-legged kittiwake where variation in latitudinal atmospheric deposition patterns and different overwintering grounds did not appear to be confounding factors.     

Multiple regression models: a methodology for evaluating trihalomethane concentrations in drinking water from raw water characteristics

The presence of trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water has attracted the attention of both researchers and professionals, because of the harmful effects of these substances on human health. A multiple regression model was developed to estimate THM concentrations in finished drinking water, using data from the Menidi Treatment Plant of Athens. A number of routinely measured characteristics--including chlorine dose, chlorophyll a, temperature, pH and bromide--of raw water, were used to generate a reliable methodology for predicting both total THM and individual species concentrations. Seasonality effects were also considered during the analysis. In general, these models were found to give acceptable fits, estimating accurately lows and highs over the annual cycle.     

Disinfection by-products in Finnish drinking waters

Disinfection by-products (DBPs) were measured in plant effluents of 35 Finnish waterworks, which utilized different treatment processes and raw water sources. DBPs were measured also from the distribution systems of three waterworks. Di- and trichloroacetic acids, and chloroform were the major DBPs found in treated water samples. The concentration of six haloacetic acids (HAA6) exceeded the concentrations of trihalomethanes (THMs). Chlorinated drinking waters (DWs) originating from surface waters contained the highest concentration of HAA6 and THMs: 108 and 26 microg/l, respectively. The lowest concentrations of DBPs were measured from ozonated and/or activated carbon filtrated and chloraminated DWs. Higher concentrations of HAA6, THMs, and adsorbable organic halogens were measured in summer compared to winter. The levels of chlorinated acetic acids, chloroform, and bromodichloromethane correlated positively with mutagenicity. Past mutagenicity levels of DWs were examined. A major reduction in the use of prechlorination, increased use of chloramine disinfection, and better removal of organic carbon were the most important reasons for the 69% decrease in mutagenicity from 1985 to 1994.     

Transfer and effects of cadmium in an experimental food chain involving the snail Helix aspersa and the predatory carabid beetle Chrysocarabus splendens

The transfer and the toxic effects of Cd were studied in an experimental food chain involving the snail Helix aspersa as prey organism and one of its natural predators, the carabid beetle Chrysocarabus splendens. Juvenile snails were fed plant-based food enriched with 0, 10, 50 and 100 microg g(-1) of Cd, then were offered as prey to beetle larvae from egg hatching to pupation stage. Cd concentrations in snail tissues increased with increasing Cd concentration in food and with duration of exposure. Bioaccumulation factors ranged from 1.87 to 3.39, showing that H. aspersa snails, even in their early life stages, belong to macroconcentrator species for Cd. No significant reduction of snail consumption by beetles was found in exposed groups. Cd concentrations in beetle larvae remained very low (lower than 1 microg g(-1) for all groups), demonstrating a very effective regulation capacity in beetle larvae. However, Cd concentrations in highest exposed groups were higher than those found in control groups. Cd contents in adult beetles were lower than in larvae, showing a loss of Cd during metamorphosis. Despite the low Cd concentrations found in beetles, their exposure to Cd contaminated snails led to 31% of mortality, which occurred only during pupation and for the highest exposure level. No clear sublethal effects were found. These results showed that snails inhabiting heavily polluted areas may represent a risk of secondary poisoning for predatory invertebrates and provided quantitative data on the transfer of Cd between two compartments of a terrestrial food chain.     

Natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents at Area 6, Dover Air Force Base: groundwater biogeochemistry

Monitored natural attenuation (MNA) has recently emerged as a viable groundwater remediation technology in the United States. Area 6 at Dover Air Force Base (Dover, DE) was chosen as a test site to examine the potential for MNA of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) in groundwater and aquifer sediments. A "lines of evidence" approach was used to document the occurrence of natural attenuation. Chlorinated hydrocarbon and biogeochemical data were used to develop a site-specific conceptual model where both anaerobic and aerobic biological processes are responsible for the destruction of PCE, TCE, and daughter metabolites. An examination of groundwater biogeochemical data showed a region of depleted dissolved oxygen with elevated dissolved methane and hydrogen concentrations. Reductive dechlorination likely dominated in the anaerobic portion of the aquifer where PCE and TCE levels were observed to decrease with a simultaneous increase in cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cis-DCE), vinyl chloride (VC), ethene, and dissolved chloride. Near the anaerobic/ aerobic interface, concentrations of cis-DCE and VC decreased to below detection limits, presumably due to aerobic biotransformation processes. Therefore, the contaminant and daughter product plumes present at the site appear to have been naturally atteuated by a combination of active anaerobic and aerobic biotransformation processes.     

A European survey of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in 2000-2001

The background, administration and current status of the monitoring programme "European Survey of Atmospheric Heavy Metal Deposition" is described. All European states are invited to join the survey 2000-2001. The co-ordination and responsibility for the survey will gradually be transferred from the Nordic Council of Ministers to the International Cooperative Programme on Effects of Air Pollution on Natural Vegetation and Crops (ICP Vegetation).     

Retention of arsenic on hydrous ferric oxides generated by electrochemical peroxidation

Electrochemical peroxidation (ECP), an emerging remediation technology, with direct electric current applied to steel electrode and small addition of H2O2, was used to remove As(III) from contaminated aqueous solutions. Bench scale experiments were conducted to evaluate the sorption and distribution of arsenic between the soluble and solid state hydrous ferric oxides (HFO) formed as part of the ECP process. ECP was effective in removing arsenic from the aqueous solution, with >98% of the applied As(III) adsorbed on HFO. Removal was complete within 3 min of ECP treatment and apparently independent of the initial pH of the water (3.5-9.5). In the absence of H2O2 more As(III) was adsorbed by solid state iron at pH 9.5 than at 3.5 (2600 vs. 1750 microg l(-1)). Thus H2O2 was crucial to oxidize As(III) to As(V) which is more strongly retained by HFO. Removal of As was not significantly affected by the concentration of H2O2 or by current processing time. The optimal operating conditions were pH < 6.5, H2O2 concentration of 10 mg l(-1) and current process time not exceeding 3 min. X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied to study the HFO deposits. The XRD data indicated the prevalence of poorly ordered Fe minerals in the suspended ECP solids with a dominance of 5 line ferrihydrite in the absence of H2O2. At pH 3.5 and with 100 mg H2O2 l(-1), akaganeite was formed, whereas an incipient hematitic phase, reflection at 0.39 nm, occurred at pH 6.5. DRIFT data indicate that both As(III) and As(V) were specifically adsorbed onto HFO at acid and neutral pH. TEM observations indicated the presence of spherical shape ferrihydrite and provided evidence for possible formation of subrounded hematite and acicular shape goethite.