Application of sediment quality guidelines in the assessment and management of contaminated surficial sediments in Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), Australia

Sediments in the Port Jackson estuary are polluted by a wide range of toxicants and concentrations are among the highest reported for any major harbor in the world. Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), developed by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States are used to estimate possible adverse biological effects of sedimentary contaminants in Port Jackson to benthic animals. The NOAA guidelines indicate that Pb, Zn, DDD, and DDE are the most likely contaminants to cause adverse biological effects in Port Jackson. On an individual chemical basis, the detrimental effects due to these toxicants may occur over extensive areas of the harbor, i.e., about 40%, 30%, 15% and 50%, respectively. The NOAA SQGs can also be used to estimate the probability of sediment toxicity for contaminant mixtures by determining the number of contaminants exceeding an upper guideline value (effects range medium, or ERM), which predicts probable adverse biological effects. The exceedence approach is used in the current study to estimate the probability of sediment toxicity and to prioritize the harbour in terms of possible adverse effects on sediment-dwelling animals. Approximately 1% of the harbor is mantled with sediment containing more than ten contaminants exceeding their respective ERM concentrations and, based on NOAA data, these sediments have an 80% probability of being toxic. Sediment with six to ten contaminants exceeding their respective ERM guidelines extend over approximately 4% of the harbor and have a 57% probability of toxicity. These areas are located in the landward reaches of embayments in the upper and central harbor in proximity to the most industrialised and urbanized part of the catchment. Sediment in a further 17% of the harbor has between one and five exceedences and has a 32% probability of being toxic. The application of SQGs developed by NOAA has not been tested outside North America, and the validity of using them in Port Jackson has yet to be demonstrated. The screening approach adopted here is to use SQGs to identify contaminants of concern and to determine areas of environmental risk. The practical application and management implications of the results of this investigation are discussed.     

Sedimentary Causes and Management of Two Principal Environmental Problems in the Lower Yellow River

Flood and water shortage are two of the leading environmental problems around the world, and among the causes of the problems is sedimentation. The Yellow River brought disastrous floods in its lower reaches in Chinese history. Today, although floods caused by the river are still a formidable hazard hanging over China, it cannot provide the lower reaches with enough usable water. The ineradicable flood hazard and newly emerged water shortage problems of the river are proved to be closely associated with its immense sediment load. The over loaded flow of the river can quickly fill the reservoirs and unceasingly raise the riverbed, attenuating the capacity of reservoirs to suppress floods and provide more water for dry seasons and of river channels to convey floods. Also, the high sediment content pollutes the water and reduces the volume of usable water. In virtue of the intimate linkage between these problems and the formidable sediment load in the river, the solution to these problems should be based on sedimentation management. After reviewing the defects and merits of management measures implemented and proposed, a management scenario composed of multiple measures are recommended. Beside of persistent soil conservation to reduce the huge sediment load, more reservoirs to check sediment and regulate river flows, approaches to alleviating riverbed accretion, interbasin water transfer to mitigate water deficiency, and so on, an emphasis should be laid on use of muddy flows in order to scatter the sediment in a vast area, which was a natural process but has been interrupted by construction of embankments.     

Perfluoroalkyl substances and organochlorine pesticides in sediments from Huaihe watershed in China

Twelve perfluoroalkyl substances （PFASs） and nine organochlorine pesticides （OCPs） were quantified in surface sediments from the Huaihe River, China, along which there are intensive industrial and agricultural activities. Concentrations of PFASs ranged from 0.06 to 0.46 ng/g dry weight （dw）, and concentrations of OCPs ranged from 1.48 to 32.65 ng/g dw. Compared with other areas in China, concentrations of PFASs were lesser than the national mean value, while concentrations of OCPs were moderate. Concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid （PFOA） and perfluorooctane sulfonate （PFOS） ranged from n.d. （not detected） to 0.03 and n.d. to 0.10 ng/g dw, respectively. Among the three groups of OCPs, mean concentrations of hexachlorocyclohexane and its isomers （HCHs）, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites （DDTs） and hexachlorobenzene （HCB） were 5.62 ± 4.35, 2.43 ± 3.12 and 1.55 ± 4.17 ng/g dw, respectively. Concentrations of HCHs and DDTs decreased from upstream to downstream along the mainstream of the Huaihe River. When compared to sediment quality guidelines （SQGs）, concentrations of HCHs, DDTs and HCB would pose adverse biological effects. In general, contamination by PFASs in the upstream of the Huaihe River was more severe than that in the downstream, which was mainly caused by interception from dams, locks and industrial emissions. And OCPs from tributaries, especially the Yinghe River and Wohe River, were higher than those from Huaihe mainstream, and primarily came from historical inputs.     

Attenuation of arsenic in a karst subterranean stream and correlation with geochemical factors: A case study at Lihu, South China

Arsenic （As） pollutants generated by human activities in karst areas flow into subterranean streams and contaminate groundwater easily because of the unique hydrogeological characteristics of karst areas. To elucidate the reaction mechanisms of arsenic in karst subterranean streams, physical-chemical analysis was conducted by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer and an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The results show that inorganic species account for most of the total arsenic, whereas organic arsenic is not detected or occurs in infinitesimal amounts. As（III） accounts for 51.0% ± 9.9% of the total inorganic arsenic. Arsenic attenuation occurs and the attenuation rates of total As, As（III） and As（V） in the Lihu subterranean stream are 51%, 36% and 59%, respectively. To fully explain the main geochemical factors influencing arsenic attenuation, SPSS 13.0 and CANOCO 4.5 bundled with CanoDraw for Windows were used for simple statistical analysis and redundancy analysis （RDA）. Eight main factors, i.e., sediment iron （SFe）, sediment aluminum （SAI）, sediment calcium （SCa）, sediment organic matter （SOM）, sediment manganese （SMn）, water calcium （WCa^2＋）, water magnesium （WMg^2＋）, and water bicarbonate ion （WILCOX） were extracted from thirteen indicators. Their impacts on arsenic content rank as： SFe〉SCa〉WCa^2＋〉SAl〉wHCO3^-〉SMn〉SOM〉WMg^2＋. Of these factors, SFe, SAl, SCa, SOM, SMn, WMg^2＋ and WCa＆2＋ promote arsenic attenuation, whereas WHCO3^- inhibits it. Further investigation revealed that the redox potential （Eh） and pH are adverse to arsenic removal. The dramatic distinction between karst and non-karst terrain is that calcium and bicarbonate are the primary factors influencing arsenic migration in karst areas due to the high calcium concentration and alkalinity of karst water.     

Occurrence and distribution of micro- and mesoplastics in the high-latitude nature reserve,northern China

• The first study on micro(meso)plastics (MMPs) in the Liaohe River Reserve is reported. • Diverse MMP were detected in surface water and sediment at all 32 sites. • The abundance of MMPs decreased in the course of the river. • The MMPs abundance in water is significant association with the county population. Microplastics pollution has received growing attention worldwide in recent years. However, data on microplastics in the freshwater environment are still limited, especially in high-latitude nature reserves in Northern China. The first study on microplastic pollution in the Liaohe River Reserve in Northern China is reported here, and mesoplastics were also incorporated. Surface water and sediment samples were collected from 32 sites along the nature reserve. The abundance, type, shape, color, and size of micro- and mesoplastics were measured using density extraction, optical microscopy, and FTIR spectroscopy. The data showed that diverse micro- and mesoplastics were found widespread in the 32 sites, and the average abundance of these plastics was 0.11±0.04 10⁻² items/L in surface water and 62.29±54.30 items/kg in sediment. Moreover, 70% and 66% were smaller than 2000 μm in surface water and sediment, respectively. Fiber accounted for 91.86% in surface water and 43.48% in sediment, indicating that the major source of micro- and mesoplastics in the Liaohe River Reserve may be domestic sewage and aquaculture. A total of 16 and 27 polymers were identified in surface water and sediment, respectively, and mostly consisted of rayon, polyester, polystyrene, and poly(ethylene terephthalate). Moreover, both the risk index and the pollution load index demonstrated a low risk of micro- and mesoplastics in surface water and sediment in the Liaohe River Reserve.     

湘江(衡阳段)河流沉积物中重金属潜在生态风险评价

对湘江（衡阳段）10个断面18个采样点的表层沉积物重金属（Cd、Hg、Pb、As、Cr、Zn、Cu）进行监测和分析,采用Lars Hanson潜在生态危害指数法对各种重金属的生态风险进行评价。结果表明,湘江（衡阳段）表层沉积物中各重金属潜在生态危害系数大小排序为：Cd〉Hg〉Pb〉As〉Cu〉Zn〉Cr。多种重金属的综合潜在生态风险指数RI为913．4,表明湘江（衡阳段）沉积物重金属污染属于很强的生态危害。     

底泥的氮、磷释放及其微生物影响的研究

氮和磷在自然界的循环已经引起了人们的关注,一方面因为氮和磷是生态系统中必不可少的营养元素,另一方面过剩的氮和磷会导致水域的富营养化 ,从而使生态平衡遭受破坏.本文综述了水体沉积物中氮和磷受微生物作用进行释放的影响,以及国内外的研究历史和现状.总结了氮磷微生物代谢的特点,并阐述了与传统认识相区别的最新发现和思想.本文试图从理论上说明微生物的氮磷释放机理,通过生物化学和分子动力的角度解释了细菌对氮磷的吸收和释放,即质子动势理论和Pho调控理论.目前,这一领域研究的热点是为了特殊的使用用途对于高效微生物的分离鉴别和组合培养,和对氮磷代谢的影响因素.     

洞庭湖主要入湖口表层沉积物重金属分布特征与生态风险评价

尽管针对洞庭湖沉积物中重金属的研究工作较多,但缺乏针对其主要入湖口的研究。基于2014年12月和2015年6月对洞庭湖主要入湖口表层沉积物中重金属调查,分析了重金属含量的时空分布特征,并采用一致性沉积物质量基准法对其生态风险进行了评价。结果表明,Cd、Hg、As、Cu、Pb和Zn的平均含量分别为3.27、0.190、27.10、39.8、38.0和157.8 mg·kg-1,其大小顺序为ZnCuPbAsCdHg,Cd和As含量出现超过土壤环境质量三级标准的现象,是主要的重金属污染物。Cd、As、Pb和Zn等4种重金属含量的最高值均出现在湘江入湖口,Cu含量的最高值出现在资水入湖口,Hg含量以沅江入湖口最高,除Pb外,其他5种重金属在湘江和资水入湖口的含量均大于平均值,表明湘江和资水入湖口污染较为严重;汛期与非汛期6种重金属的含量均无显著性差异(P0.05)。6种重金属生态风险大小顺序为AsCdZnPbCuHg,各入湖口生态风险大小顺序为湘江入湖口资水入湖口沅江入湖口汨罗江入湖口澧水入湖口长江"三口"新墙河入湖口,其中湘江和资水入湖口为较高生态风险,其他入湖口为较低生态风险。入湖河流是洞庭湖湖体沉积物重金属污染的主要来源,在一定程度上,入湖河流沉积物中重金属的含量对洞庭湖湖体沉积物中重金属污染状况起着决定性作用,因此,洞庭湖流域重金属污染防控应以入湖河流为主,其中尤以湘江和资水为重点。     

粤西三座重要供水水库沉积物营养盐负荷与重金属污染特征

为揭示粤西3座供水水库（高州水库、鹤地水库、大水桥水库）沉积物营养盐负荷及重金属污染特征,于2008年6月在各水库大坝前湖泊区采集柱状沉积物,运用SMT法、碱性过硫酸钾消解法、烧失法和ICP-MS法分别测定其柱状沉积物中氮磷营养盐、有机质和7种重金属（Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Ni、Cr与Hg）的含量,并采用潜在生态风险指数法对表层重金属污染的潜在生态风险进行评价,同时通过相关性分析重金属的可能来源。结果表明：3座水库沉积物总氮质量分数为1.13~3.37 mg·g-1,有机质为11.83~20.37 mg·g-1,其表层总氮、有机质的质量分数大小顺序为高州水库〉大水桥水库〉鹤地水库,总磷的质量浓度在0.22~0.77 mg·g-1之间,其表层总磷质量分数大小顺序为高州水库〉鹤地水库〉大水桥水库,在垂直剖面上,总氮、总磷与有机质的质量分数在16 cm至表层沉积物垂直断面显著高于其他断面,表明近些年来水库内源营养盐负荷逐渐加重。重金属质量分数平均值均高于广东省土壤环境背景值,总体呈现随深度增加而降低的趋势,但3座水库间重金属质量分数差异较大,其中鹤地和高州水库的Zn和Pb污染相对严重（质量分数分别为Zn：353.15、693.35 mg·kg-1;Pb：74.51、127.91 mg·kg-1）,大水桥水库的Cr和Ni污染相对严重（质量分数分别为Cr：238.69 mg·kg-1;Ni：251.06 mg·kg-1）。潜在生态风险评价表明,3座水库Cd和Hg具有高的生态危害,应引起重视,其他重金属则处于轻微的生态危害等级。同时沉积物高有机质的质量浓度经矿化分解可能加剧水体重金属生态危害。根据相关性分析和其他相关资料可知,粤西农业区大量化肥农药面源污染汇入造成水库初级生产力提高并最终沉降可能是沉积物营养盐、有机质与重金属的主要来源。     

Effects of benthic hydraulics on sediment oxygen demand in a canyon-shaped deep drinking water reservoir: Experimental and modeling study

Sediment oxygen demand (SOD) is a major contributor to hypolimnetic oxygen depletion and the release of internal nutrient loading. By measuring the SOD in experimental chambers using in both dissolved oxygen (DO) depletion and diffusional oxygen transfer methods, a model of SOD for a sediment bed with water current-induced turbulence was presented. An experimental study was also performed using near-sediment vertical DO profiles and correlated hydraulic parameters stimulated using a computational fluid dynamics model to determine how turbulences and DO concentrations in the overlying water affects SOD and diffusive boundary layer thickness. The dependence of the oxygen transfer coefficient and diffusive boundary layer on hydraulic parameters was quantified, and the SOD was expressed as a function of the shear velocity and the bulk DO concentrations. Theoretical predictions were validated using microelectrode measurements in a series of laboratory experiments. This study found that flow over the sediment surface caused an increase in SOD, attributed to enhanced sediment oxygen uptake and reduced substances fluxes, i.e., for a constant maximum biological oxygen consumption rate, an increased current over the sediment could increase the SOD by 4.5 times compared to stagnant water. These results highlight the importance of considering current-induced SOD increases when designing and implementing aeration/artificial mixing strategies.