Biological Activity in a Heavily Organohalogen-Contaminated River Sediment (8 pp)

Background, Aims and Scope Sediments of the Spittelwasser creek are highly polluted with organic compounds and heavy metals due to the discharge of untreated waste waters from the industrial region of Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany over the course of more than one century. However, relatively few data have been published about the chloroorganic contamination of the sediment. This paper reports on the content of different (chloro)organic compounds with special emphasis on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F), and chlorobenzenes. Existing concepts for the remediation of Spittelwasser sediment include the investigation of natural attenuation processes, which largely depend on the presence of an intact microbial food web. In order to gain more insight in terms of biological activity, we analyzed the capacity of sediment microflora to degrade organic matter by measuring the activities of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes involved in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. Furthermore, the detection of physiologically active bacteria in the sediment, particularly of those known for their capability to reductively dehalogenate organochlorine compounds, illustrates the potential for intrinsic bioremediation processes. Methods PCDD/F and chlorobenzenes were analyzed by gas chromatography(GC)/mass spectrometry and GC/flame ionization detection, respectively. The activities of hydrolytic enzymes were determined from freshly sampled sediment layers using 4-methylumbelliferyl (MUF) or 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin-conjugated model compounds and kinetic fluorescence measurements. Physiologically active bacteria from different sediment layers were microscopically visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Specific bacteria were identified by 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. Results and Discussion The PCDD/F congener profile was dominated by dibenzofurans. In addition, the presence of specific tetra and pentachlorinated dibenzofurans supported the assumption that extensive magnesium production was one possible source for the high contamination. A range of other chloroorganic compounds, including several isomers of chlorobenzenes, hexachlorocyclohexane and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chloro-phenyl)ethane (DDT), was present in the sediment. Activities of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes showed a strong decrease in those sediment layers that were characterized by high contents of absorbable organic halogen (AOX), indicating disturbed organic matter decay. Interestingly, an abnormal increase of cellulolytic enzyme activities below the organochlorine-rich layers was observed, possibly caused by residual cellulose from discharges of sulfite pulping wastes. FISH revealed physiologically active bacteria in most sediment layers from the surface down to the depth of about 60 cm, including members of Desulfitobacterium (D.) and Sulfurospirillum. The presence of D. dehalogenans was confirmed by its partial 16S rRNA gene sequence. Conclusions Results of chemical sediment analyses demonstrated high loads of organochlorine compounds, particularly of PCDD/F. Several years after stopping the waste water discharge to Spittelwasser creek, this sediment remains a main source for pollution of the downstream river system by way of the ongoing mobilization of sediment during high floods. As indicated by our enzyme activity measurements, the decomposition potential for organic matter is low in organochlorine-rich sediment layers. In contrast, the comparably higher enzyme activities in less organochlorine-polluted sediment layers as well as the presence of physiologically active bacteria suggest a considerable potential for natural attenuation. Recommendations and Perspectives From our data we strongly recommend to explore the degradative capacity of sediment microorganisms and the limits for in situ activity towards specific sediment pollutants in more detail. This will give a sound basis for the integration of bioremediation approaches into general concepts to reduce the risk that permanently radiates from this highly contaminated sediment. Submission Editor: Dr. Henner Hollert (Henner.Hollert@urz.uniheidelberg.de)     

UNCERTAINTY IN ESTIMATING BANKFULL CONDITIONS1

ABSTRACT: Bankfull depth and discharge are basic input parameters to stream planform, stream restoration, and highway crossing designs, as well as to the development of hydraulic geometry relationships and the classification of streams. Unfortunately, there are a wide variety of definitions for bankfull that provide a range of values, and the actual selection of bankfull is subjective. In this paper, the relative uncertainty in determining the bankfull depth and discharge is quantified, first by examining the variability in the estimates of bankfull and second by using fuzzy numbers to describe bankfull depth. Fuzzy numbers are used to incorporate uncertainty due to vagueness in the definition of bankfull and subjectivity in the selection of bankfull. Examples are provided that demonstrate the use of a fuzzy bankfull depth in sediment trans. port and in stream classification. Using fuzzy numbers to describe bankfull depth rather than a deterministic value allows the engineer to base designs and decisions on a range of possible values and associated degrees of belief that the bankfull depths take on each value in that range.     

辽河流域畜禽养殖污染源仿真研究

随着国家对流域水质改善要求的逐渐提高,流域污染源管理变得日益重要。提出了一种基于CPNTOOLS的辽河流域畜禽养殖行业污染源仿真技术,并采用CPNTOOLS软件对辽河流域内一家典型畜禽养殖基地进行了仿真研究,经过多次仿真与数据统计分析,分别得出了该畜禽养殖基地的CODCr,BOD5,NH3-N,TP,TN日排放量的正态分布均值在90%,95%,99%置信水平下的置信区间,并结合排水量分别计算出各污染物指标排放浓度的区间。结合BAT处理技术对污染物浓度削减进行了计算仿真,并得出了处理后CODCr,BOD5,NH3-N,TP,TN排放浓度的正态分布均值在90%,95%,99%置信水平下的置信区间以及排放浓度的极大值和极小值。     

改善太仓城区水环境原型调水实验研究及模型建立

为达到改善太仓城区水环境的目的,于2004年4月21日进行了调水实验.调水历时14 h,期间向城区调水21.8万m3.通过对监测点采样,得到水量、水质实测数据.根据实验数据,建立了符合太仓河网的水量水质数学模型,分析了从长江引水对太仓城区水环境的改善程度.同时对不同引水方案情况下城区水环境改善效果,以及截污和清淤对水环境的影响做了分析.研究表明,引水只能短期改善水环境;要根治水环境,必须从源头抓起,进行截污.     

广东一饮用水源地河流沉积物及鱼体中氟喹诺酮类(FQs)抗生素残留特征研究

本研究对广东一饮用水源保护区的河流氟喹诺酮类(Fluoroquinolones,FQs)抗生素进行分析.采用高效液相色谱法定性定量分析9个沉积物样品和5种鱼肉及1种鱼内脏中3种FQs—诺氟沙星(Norfloxacin,NOR)、环丙沙星(Ciprofloxacin,CIP)、恩诺沙星(Enrofloxacin,ENR)的残留特征,并与沉积物中有机质、总氮、总磷进行Person相关性分析.结果表明:河流沉积物各点平均值NORCIPENR,最大含量分别为:NOR248.25 ng·g-1,CIP 158.69 ng·g-1,ENR 56.81 ng·g-1;FQs和沉积物有机质、总磷相关系数平均为0.946、0.968(p0.01);5种鱼的鱼肉中FQs的含量可能高于或低于沉积物中FQs含量均值;鳙鱼内脏FQs含量是鱼肉中的3.21~9.53倍.研究结果对保障饮用水安全及水产品生态安全具有重要的意义.     

河流枯水流量特征研究

本文以泾、洛、渭三河流干流在陕西境内的主要控制断面为例,分析了１４个时段枯水流量的概率分布特征,选定了理论分布线型,揭示了各枯水序列的时段平均流量均值、变差系数和偏态系数的变化规律,建立了推求不同频率不同时段的枯水流量的经验公式。绘制了相应的关系曲线,应用十分方便。     

基于PPI的河段水体潜在污染研究

提出了一种预报河段水体潜在污染的方法——河段潜在污染指数法(riversection potential pollution index,R-PPI),并在北京市山区3个典型小流域进行应用.河流水体污染是我国目前最为突出的水环境问题,在治理工作开展前需要确定重点污染河段、区域和污染源,而基于河流水质监测的水质评价方法难以确定重点污染源.因此引入了潜在非点源污染指数(potential non-point pollution index,PNPI)法,进行了土地利用类型扩展、土地利用分类比对和土壤渗透性分级3个方面改进,得到潜在污染指数(potential pollution index,PPI),并在此基础上建立了河段潜在污染指数法.通过在3个小流域的应用研究可知,该方法具有所需监测资料少、操作简单、便于确定重点污染源、综合性强等特点,可为流域污染治理提供科学指导.     

海河流域北部地区河流沉积物重金属的生态风险评价

以海河流域北部地区主要河流为研究对象,采用Hkanson潜在生态风险指数法,根据39个采样点评价了河流沉积物重金属的潜在生态风险程度.结果表明,以中国大陆沉积物重金属背景值作为参考值,研究区内除Pb含量接近背景值外,Cu、Zn、Cd和Cr含量均超出了背景参考值.基于单项重金属的潜在生态风险指数,研究区内采样点Cu、Pb、Zn和Cr的风险等级属于"轻微",Cd则有不同程度的污染,各重金属污染等级排列顺序为Cd>Pb>Cu>Cr>Zn.基于多种重金属的潜在风险指数,32个采样点属于"轻微"等级,5个采样点属于"中等"等级,2个采样点属于"很强"等级.风险较高的河流为北京汤河、大石河和保定拒马河,表明这些河流是需要加强控制的重点地区.     

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。     

长江三角洲城市内河环境治理的居民支付意愿比较研究 ——上海、南京与杭州实例调查

应用意愿价值评估法(CVM)的技术调查上海、南京和杭州城市内河环境治理的居民支付意愿,并探讨研究结果是否在城市间保持稳定.基于1258份问卷的统计分析,结果显示:上海、南京和杭州居民的支付意愿均值分别为20.5,25.4,20.3元/(户×月);进一步的线性对数模型分析结果表明,收入、环境意识等变量在3城市都呈现显著影响,而户籍、教育等因素在各城市模型中存在显著性差异;3城市混合数据模型显示,南京样本支付意愿显著高于其他2城市样本,杭州与上海调查样本无显著性差异.上述结果揭示了不同城市居民对城市内河治理的支付意愿呈现稳定性,为意愿价值评估法在我国不同区域间的“效益转移”研究提供了实证支持.但另一方面,参数模型表现出一定的差异,需要对模型作进一步的优化.