Effects of Geomorphic Setting and Urbanization on Wood,Pools, Sediment Storage,and Bank Erosion in Puget Sound Streams1

Segura, Catalina and Derek B. Booth, 2010. Effects of Geomorphic Setting and Urbanization on Wood, Pools, Sediment Storage, and Bank Erosion in Puget Sound Streams. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(5):972-986. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00470.x Abstract: Interrelationships between urbanization, the near-riparian zone, and channel morphology were examined in 44 lowland stream reaches in the Puget Lowlands of western Washington, United States. Both the degree of urbanization and channel type control channel response to a range of instream and riparian conditions. Some of these relationships are not evident in lumped datasets (i.e., with all channel types and/or degrees of urbanization) and highlight the importance of fluvial geomorphology in determining channel response. We found that in low-urbanized watersheds dominated by forced pool-riffle and plane-bed morphologies, the frequency and distribution of large woody debris (LWD), pool spacing, sediment storage, and bank erosion have a strong relationship with channel confinement and characteristics of near-riparian vegetation. In contrast, high-urbanized reaches dominated by simplified morphologies are substantially less sensitive to the condition of the near-riparian zone (e.g., size of the near-riparian vegetation and the level of channel confinement), due to the common disconnection of stream and floodplain caused by the placement of stabilizing structures in the banks. These structures are typically placed to prevent erosion; however, they also result in fewer LWD and pools, less sediment storage, and higher potential for incision.     

How are macroinvertebrates of slow flowing lotic systems directly affected by suspended and deposited sediments?

The effects of suspended and deposited sediments on the macroinvertebrates are well documented in upland streams but not in slower flowing lowland rivers. Using species found in lowland lotic environments, we experimentally evaluate mechanisms for sediments to affect macroinvertebrates, and in one experiment whether salinity alters the effect of suspended sediments. Suspended kaolin clay reduced feeding of Ischnura heterosticta (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) at high turbidity (1000-1500 NTU) but had no effects on feeding of Hemianax papuensis (Odonata: Aeshnidae) and Micronecta australiensis (Hemiptera: Corixidae). In freshwater (0.1 mS/cm), survival of Ischnura aurora was poor in clear water, but improved with suspended kaolin. Growth and feeding of I. aurora were unaffected by suspended sediments and salinity. Burial (1-5 mm) of eggs with kaolin or sand reduced hatching in Physa acuta (Gastropoda: Physidae), Gyraulus tasmanica (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) and Chironomus cloacalis (Diptera: Chironomidae). Settling sediments may pose greater risk to lowland lotic invertebrates than suspended sediments.     

Including Riparian Vegetation in the Definition of Morphologic Reference Conditions for Large Rivers: A Case Study for Europe’s Western Plains

Methods for defining and retrieving reference conditions for large rivers were explored with emphasis on hydromorphologic and biologic quality indicators. For a set of four large rivers in the European Western Plains ecoregion, i.e., the rivers Meuse, Loire, Allier, and Dordogne, reference reaches were selected based on geomorphologic characteristics. A survey of riparian land use, vegetation, and bed geometry was done for the selected reaches. Responses of the riparian landscape to hydromorphologic conditions were determined with a set of existing and newly developed measures of riparian dynamics and forest development. Strong correlations were observed at the reach and local levels between the ratios of width to depth and embankment and the developed measures of riparian dynamics and forest. Boundary conditions for riparian forest development were determined for the hydromorphologic and biologic indicators of riparian dynamics and vegetation structure. These conditions also proved useful for determining the presence of sustainable populations of Populus nigra and Salix purpurea. From this agreement between abiotic and biotic boundary conditions, a set of useful reference conditions was determined, and a framework for the definition of reference and good status conditions subsequently evolved. Finally, a proposal for assessment and monitoring the proposed indicators is discussed for its applicability.     

A Model for Predicting Daily Peak Visitation and Implications for Recreation Management and Water Quality: Evidence from Two Rivers in Puerto Rico

Visitor use surveys and water quality data indicates that high visitor use levels of two rivers in Puerto Rico does not appear to adversely affect several water quality parameters. Optimum visitor use to maximize visitor defined satisfaction is a more constraining limit on visitor use than water quality. Our multiple regression analysis suggests that visitor use of about 150 visitors per day yields the highest level of visitor reported satisfaction, a level that does not appear to affect turbidity of the river. This high level of visitor use may be related to the gregarious nature of Puerto Ricans and their tolerance for crowding on this densely populated island. The daily peak visitation model indicates that regulating the number of parking spaces may be the most effective way to keep visitor use within the social carrying capacity.     

Modeling Streams and Hydrogeomorphic Attributes in Oregon From Digital and Field Data1

Abstract: Managers, regulators, and researchers of aquatic ecosystems are increasingly pressed to consider large areas. However, accurate stream maps with geo‐referenced attributes are uncommon over relevant spatial extents. Field inventories provide high‐quality data, particularly for habitat characteristics at fine spatial resolutions (e.g., large wood), but are costly and so cover relatively small areas. Recent availability of regional digital data and Geographic Information Systems software has advanced capabilities to delineate stream networks and estimate coarse‐resolution hydrogeomorphic attributes (e.g., gradient). A spatially comprehensive coverage results, but types of modeled outputs may be limited and their accuracy is typically unknown. Capitalizing on strengths in both field and regional digital data, we modeled a synthetic stream network and a variety of hydrogeomorphic attributes for the Oregon Coastal Province. The synthetic network, encompassing 96,000 km of stream, was derived from digital elevation data. We used high‐resolution but spatially restricted data from field inventories and streamflow gauges to evaluate, calibrate, and interpret hydrogeomorphic attributes modeled from digital elevation and precipitation data. The attributes we chose to model (drainage area, mean annual precipitation, mean annual flow, probability of perennial flow, channel gradient, active‐channel width and depth, valley‐floor width, valley‐width index, and valley constraint) have demonstrated value for stream research and management. For most of these attributes, field‐measured, and modeled values were highly correlated, yielding confidence in the modeled outputs. The modeled stream network and attributes have been used for a variety of purposes, including mapping riparian areas, identifying headwater streams likely to transport debris flows, and characterizing the potential of streams to provide high‐quality habitat for salmonids. Our framework and models can be adapted and applied to areas where the necessary field and digital data exist or can be obtained.     

深圳市2015~2021年雨源型河流水质时空变化及其对降雨的响应

雨源型城市河流水容量偏小,缺乏动态补充水源,易受污染.基于深圳市2015~2021年全市（不含深汕）9大流域的21个水质指标数据和逐日降雨数据,利用单因子指数评价、综合污染指数、层次聚类分析和Pearson相关分析等方法,研究深圳市河流水质时空分布特征及特征污染物对降雨的响应关系.结果表明：①2015年全区大部分断面水质都是劣Ⅴ类水,2018年10月后河流水质总体得到大幅度改善,与2018年深圳市开展治水专项活动背景一致,到2021年约62%的断面水质达Ⅰ~Ⅲ类水标准;②深圳市（不含深汕）西部人口稠密地区的水质污染较东部更严重,河口和支流下游水质污染较上游更严重;③深圳市坪山河、龙岗河、茅洲河和深圳河的水质受降雨的影响显著;④深圳市河流的主要特征污染指标是DO、COD、BOD₅、NH₄⁺-N、TP、高锰酸盐指数、石油类和阴离子表面活性剂;对于坪山河和龙岗河,降雨使TP和NH₄⁺-N指标浓度升高;对于茅洲河,降雨使TP和COD指标浓度升高;对于深圳河,降雨使COD、TP和NH₄⁺-N指标浓度升高.以上结果能够揭示深圳市雨源型河流水质时空变化情况及其对降雨事件引发的非点源污染的响应关系,为深圳市打造更高品质水环境提供科学参考.     

汜水河（荥阳段）入河排污口水体微塑料赋存特征及风险评估

城市河流是微塑料的主要接纳者与传输者.探明城市河流微塑料污染状况及其环境风险,可为进一步控制微塑料污染提供依据.以黄河支流汜水河作为研究对象,采集汜水河（荥阳段）9个排污口的污水样品,通过显微镜对微塑料尺寸、形状及颜色等赋存形态进行分析,发现微塑料在排污口水体中多以透明状的纤维和碎片形式存在,且500 μm以下占比较高;进一步采用激光红外成像仪对微塑料种类进行鉴定,发现PET和PE聚合物是主要的微塑料种类,且二者显著相关,表明它们在来源上有相似性.环境风险评价结果表明,微塑料种类是影响评价结果的主要因素,有PVC检出的6个排污口水体环境风险值较高,而污染负荷指数评价结果显示整个研究区段处于低风险水平.     

北京市城市河流中抗生素的污染特征及多层次生态风险评估

为评估北京市河流中抗生素的污染特征和生态风险,利用固相萃取结合高效液相色谱串联质谱检测了4类共35种常见抗生素的浓度水平,并利用风险商法（RQ）和联合概率曲线法（JPCs）评估了抗生素的生态风险.结果表明,北京市10条河流地表水中共检测出33种抗生素,总浓度范围是N.D.~1573.57 ng·L^-1,磺胺甲噁唑的浓度最高（N.D.~160.04 ng·L^-1）,其次为磺胺嘧啶（0.09~147.90 ng·L^-1）和氧氟沙星（0.28~94.72 ng·L^-1）,其中检出率 > 50.0 %的抗生素有16种;RQ法显示有12种抗生素存在生态风险,四环素、克拉霉素和甲氧苄氨嘧啶的风险最高,其风险商分别为3.99、1.86和1.01,污水处理厂出口的风险高于其所在河流干流的风险.四环素、克拉霉素和甲氧苄氨嘧啶的预测无效应浓度超标率均为2.3 %,基于JPCs发现,克拉霉素的最大风险乘积为1.66 %,对0.3 %~7.0 %的物种具有低等风险,其余抗生素的风险可忽略.抗生素的检出率、浓度分布、最敏感物种和物种敏感性分布对生态风险评估具有重要影响,采用多层次生态风险评估法能有效避免保护不足和过保护现象,有助于在全区域范围内对抗生素进行分级和分区管理.     

Hydrologic Connectivity and the Contribution of Stream Headwaters to Ecological Integrity at Regional Scales1

Abstract: Cumulatively, headwater streams contribute to maintaining hydrologic connectivity and ecosystem integrity at regional scales. Hydrologic connectivity is the water‐mediated transport of matter, energy and organisms within or between elements of the hydrologic cycle. Headwater streams compose over two‐thirds of total stream length in a typical river drainage and directly connect the upland and riparian landscape to the rest of the stream ecosystem. Altering headwater streams, e.g., by channelization, diversion through pipes, impoundment and burial, modifies fluxes between uplands and downstream river segments and eliminates distinctive habitats. The large‐scale ecological effects of altering headwaters are amplified by land uses that alter runoff and nutrient loads to streams, and by widespread dam construction on larger rivers (which frequently leaves free‐flowing upstream portions of river systems essential to sustaining aquatic biodiversity). We discuss three examples of large‐scale consequences of cumulative headwater alteration. Downstream eutrophication and coastal hypoxia result, in part, from agricultural practices that alter headwaters and wetlands while increasing nutrient runoff. Extensive headwater alteration is also expected to lower secondary productivity of river systems by reducing stream‐system length and trophic subsidies to downstream river segments, affecting aquatic communities and terrestrial wildlife that utilize aquatic resources. Reduced viability of freshwater biota may occur with cumulative headwater alteration, including for species that occupy a range of stream sizes but for which headwater streams diversify the network of interconnected populations or enhance survival for particular life stages. Developing a more predictive understanding of ecological patterns that may emerge on regional scales as a result of headwater alterations will require studies focused on components and pathways that connect headwaters to river, coastal and terrestrial ecosystems. Linkages between headwaters and downstream ecosystems cannot be discounted when addressing large‐scale issues such as hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico and global losses of biodiversity.