Ecosystem health assessment of urban rivers and lakes-Case study of "the six lakes" in Beijing,China

The assessment of the ecosystem health of urban rivers and lakes is the scientific basis for their management and ecological restoration. This study developed a three-level indicator system for its assessment. The results indicated that: Zhonghai and Nanhai are in the state of transition from unhealthy to critical state and all the other lakes are in unhealthy states. Water environmental quality, structure and function of the aquatic ecosystem, and the structure of waterfront areas were the constraints. Nanhai was ranked as poor and the others were all ranked as very poor. However, the ecological environment of Zhonghai and Nanhai were better than the others, the sums of the degree of membership to the healthy state and critical state were all close to 0.6. and the restorations of these lakes were moderate. The sums of the degree of membership to the healthy state and critical state of the other lakes were under 0.3, as it was difficult to restore these lakes. Some suggestions on scientific management and ecological restoration of the six lakes were proposed: ①To control non-point pollution and to improve the water quality of six lakes and the water entering into these lakes; ②To improve the hydrological conditions of six lakes; ③To rehabilitate the aquatic ecosystem and waterfront areas. __________ Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2005, 25(11): 3019–3027[译自: 生态学报]     

罗源湾海水中粪大肠菌群的来源及空间分布

2002年1月到2005年12月通过多种方式对罗源湾海水中的FCB(粪大肠菌群)数量、来源及空间分布进行了调查.结果表明:湾内主要水域FCB的数量在<0.02～≥24 /mL之间,入海河流、沿岸居民的生活和农业生产活动以及海上网箱养殖是罗源湾海水中FCB的主要来源,其中湾内主要的入海河流FCB超标严重,入海河流是罗源湾内FCB污染的最主要来源.罗源湾内 FCB空间分布与盐度呈负相关(R2=0.84),空间分布表现为,西高东低、内腹海区高于湾口,近岸海区高于湾中央海区,表层高于底层,网箱养殖区高于非网箱养殖区,松山垦区由于受到河流入海的影响成为罗源湾内污染最严重的海区.     

河流恶臭生成机理及控制措施探讨

在对河流恶臭的生成机理及其形成过程进行分析和研究的基础上,提出了利用物理、化学和生物等工程措施进行河流恶臭污染治理的对策。     

廊坊市河流水质污染特征分析

根据廊坊市2001年～2008年地表水环境质量监测数据,论述了廊坊河流水质状况及其污染特征,指出廊坊河流水质为劣Ⅴ类,河流水质污染较重,基本属有机污染类型;河流水污染恶化趋势基本得到遏制,水体总体污染有所减轻。在此基础上,分析河流污染的原因,并提出改善河流污染的对策与措施。     

太湖流域典型河流沉积物的反硝化作用

用15N同位素配对法对太湖流域江苏和上海境内主要河流沉积物的反硝化作用及其影响因素进行研究.结果表明,河流沉积物反硝化作用具有显著空间差异.25℃时,河流总反硝化速率Dtot在0～4.03mmol.m-.2d-1之间;10℃时,Dtot在0～2.27mmol.m-.2d-1之间,平均值分别为0.79mmol.m-.2d-1和0.26mmol.m-.2d-1.相关性分析显示,沉积物的反硝化作用与沉积物氮含量和实验过程中的耗氧速率(SOD)呈显著相关关系(p<0.01).以总反硝化速率大小为依据将沉积物分成4组后的相关分析表明,反硝化速率与原位上覆水中的NO3--N含量之间亦存在显著的相关关系(p<0.05),预示着反硝化作用对水体氮负荷起到的氮汇作用.     

Streamflow Hydrology Estimate Using Machine Learning (SHEM)

Continuity and accuracy of near real‐time streamflow gauge (streamgage) data are critical for flood forecasting, assessing imminent risk, and implementing flood mitigation activities. Without these data, decision makers and first responders are limited in their ability to effectively allocate resources, implement evacuations to save lives, and reduce property losses. The Streamflow Hydrology Estimate using Machine Learning (SHEM) is a new predictive model for providing accurate and timely proxy streamflow data for inoperative streamgages. SHEM relies on machine learning (“training”) to process and interpret large volumes (“big data”) of historic complex hydrologic information. Continually updated with real‐time streamflow data, the model constructs a virtual dataset index of correlations and groups (clusters) of relationship correlations between selected streamgages in a watershed and under differing flow conditions. Using these datasets, SHEM interpolates estimated discharge and time data for any indexed streamgage that stops transmitting data. These estimates are continuously tested, scored, and revised using multiple regression analysis processes and methodologies. The SHEM model was tested in Idaho and Washington in four diverse watersheds, and the model's estimates were then compared to the actual recorded data for the same time period. Results from all watersheds revealed a high correlation, validating both the degree of accuracy and reliability of the model.     

Statistical Models to Predict and Assess Spatial and Temporal Low‐Flow Variability in New England Rivers and Streams

In the northern hemisphere, summer low flows are a key attribute defining both quantity and quality of aquatic habitat. I developed one set of models for New England streams/rivers predicting July/August median flows averaged across 1985–2015 as a function of weather, slope, % imperviousness, watershed storage, glacial geology, and soils. These models performed better than most United States Geological Survey models for summer flows developed at a statewide scale. I developed a second set of models predicting interannual differences in summer flows as a function of differences in air temperature, precipitation, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index, and lagged NAO. Use of difference equations eliminated the need for transformations and accounted for serial autocorrelations at lag 1. The models were used in sequence to estimate time series for monthly low flows and for two derived flow metrics (tenth percentile [Q10] and minimum 3‐in‐5 year average flows). The first metric is commonly used in assessing risk to low‐flow conditions over time, while the second has been correlated with increased probability of localized extinctions for brook trout. The flow metrics showed increasing trends across most of New England for 1985–2015. However, application of summer flow models with average and extreme climate projections to the Taunton River, Massachusetts, a sensitive watershed undergoing rapid development, projected that low‐flow metrics will decrease over the next 50 years.     

Implications of Upstream Flow Availability for Watershed Surface Water Supply across the Conterminous United States

Although it is well established that the availability of upstream flow (AUF) affects downstream water supply, its significance has not been rigorously categorized and quantified at fine resolutions. This study aims to fill this gap by providing a nationwide inventory of AUF and local water resource, and assessing their roles in securing water supply across the 2,099 8‐digit hydrologic unit code watersheds in the conterminous United States (CONUS). We investigated the effects of river hydraulic connectivity, climate variability, and water withdrawal, and consumption on water availability and water stress (ratio of demand to supply) in the past three decades (i.e., 1981–2010). The results show that 12% of the CONUS land relied on AUF for adequate freshwater supply, while local water alone was sufficient to meet the demand in another 74% of the area. The remaining 14% highly stressed area was mostly found in headwater areas or watersheds that were isolated from other basins, where stress levels were more sensitive to climate variability. Although the constantly changing water demand was the primary cause of escalating/diminishing stress, AUF variation could be an important driver in the arid south and southwest. This research contributes to better understanding of the significance of upstream–downstream water nexus in regional water availability, and this becomes more crucial under a changing climate and with intensified human activities.     

Activity of Beavers as an Ecological Factor Affecting the Zooplankton of Small Rivers

The role of beavers in the transformation of small rivers is elucidated by analyzing the taxonomic and trophic structure of zooplankton in ponds differing in age, water flow rate, and the degree of overgrowing with higher aquatic plants. The building activity of beavers in the river system promotes the formation of biotopes of the ecotone type, in which the planktonic invertebrate community develops some features similar to or different from those of zooplanktonic communities from lakes and rivers undergoing anthropogenic eutrophication. The main distinctive feature of response to this activity in zooplankton is that its development reaches a plateau at the early and middle stages of succession, compared to that under conditions of anthropogenic eutrophication. For small rivers, the concept of zoogenic eutrophication (in addition to anthropogenic) is proposed.     

Analysis of Daily Peaking and Run‐of‐River Operations with Flow Variability Metrics,Considering Subdaily to Seasonal Time Scales

Environmental flows are an important consideration in licensing hydropower projects as operational flow releases can result in adverse conditions for downstream ecological communities. Flow variability assessments have typically focused on pre‐ and post‐dam conditions using metrics based on daily averaged flow values. This study used subdaily and daily flow data to assess environmental flow response to changes in hydropower operations from daily peaking to run‐of‐river. An analysis tool was developed to quantify flow variability metrics and was applied to four hydropower projects. Significant differences were observed between operations at the 99% confidence level in the median flow values using hourly averaged flow datasets. Median daily rise and fall rates decreased on average 34.5 and 27.9%, respectively, whereas median hourly rise and fall rates decreased on average 50.1 and 50.6%, respectively. Differences in operational flow regimes were more pronounced in the hourly averaged flow datasets and less pronounced or nonexistent in the daily averaged flow datasets. These outcomes have implications for the development of ecology‐flow relationships that quantify effects of flow on processes such as fish stranding and displacement, along with habitat stability. Results indicate that flow variability statistics should be quantified using subdaily datasets to accurately represent the nature of hydropower operations, especially for daily peaking facilities.