漓江沉积柱芯有机氯农药垂向分布特征与来源

用GC/ECD内标法定量法首次测定了广西桂林漓江沉积柱中19种有机氯农药(OCPs)的含量,结果表明:漓江沉积柱芯中OCPs浓度范围为4.75～489.4ng/g(均值43.26ng/g),在国内处于中等污染水平。OCPs、HCHs表现出下游污染程度高于上游,但DDTs则相反,这是由于上游的取样点蚂蟥洲附近有大量餐饮业造成的。沉积柱垂直分布表明,漓江近期受到人为污染影响。总体上漓江沉积物中HCHs污染大于DDTs,符合当地的农药使用历史。同分异构体比值表明研究区DDT主要是历史使用农药残留并得到了较好的降解,且以厌氧生物降解为主,当地在使用三氯杀螨醇可能性不大;沉积物中工业六六六尚未降解完全,同时周围可能有林丹输入。     

Why biota still accumulate high levels of PCB after removal of PCB contaminated sediments in a Norwegian fjord

Accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) was still high after the removal of PCB contaminated sediments from a Norwegian fjord by dredging. The accumulation of low chlorinated PCB congeners with a low octanol water-partitioning coefficient (K_ow) in blue mussels and SPMDs was higher than for the highly chlorinated congeners with a high K_ow. The accumulation of low chlorinated congeners was also higher in a lightly contaminated area compared to a highly contaminated area. That dredging the contaminated sediments was unsuccessful in lowering PCB levels in the biota may be for the following reasons: (1) Due to the low solubility of PCBs in the water it is possible that a decrease in the sediment concentration of PCB would leave the water concentrations of PCB unchanged. (2) Removal of the fine organic sediments may also play an important role, since a seabed with coarse inorganic material has a lesser ability to bind PCB. (3) The dredging may whirl up fine contaminated particles that eventually settles on the seabed producing a thin contaminated sediment layer that determine the water concentration. (4) Bioaccumulation in blue mussels and in the SPMDs occurs mostly from PCB dissolved in the water column. Since the water concentration of PCB is unchanged by the dredging, the accumulation in SPMDs and mussels is the same as before dredging. Further monitoring need to be carried out to report the long-term effect of the dredging.     

Recent advances in pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the surface water and sediments in China

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have been regarded as an emerging problem in the surface water environment in the past few decades. In China, although related studies were initiated several years ago, an increasing number of studies on this topic have been conducted in recent years. These studies have expanded knowledge of their occurrence, behavior and associated risk in the surface water environment in China. This review compiles the most recent literature related to the studies of PPCPs in the surface water environment in China. It includes PPCP occurrence in surface water and sediments, their geographical distribution, and outcomes of the associated risk assessment. It shows that antibiotics have received much more attention in both surface water and sediments than other PPCPs. Compared to other countries; most antibiotics in the collected sediments in China showed higher contamination levels. Many more study areas have been covered in recent years; however, attention has been given to only specific areas. Environmental risk assessment based on risk quotients indicated that sulfamethoxazole presents the most significant environmental risk to relevant aquatic organisms; followed by ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, 17α-ethynylestradiol, ibuprofen and diclofenac. Despite limited research on the environmental risk assessment of PPCPs in sediments, higher risks posed by PPCPs in the sediments rather than surface water were identified highlighting the need for further risk assessment of PPCPs in sediment samples.

Open image in new window

     

Red soil for sediment capping to control the internal nutrient release under flow conditions

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) released from the sediment to the surface water is a major source of water quality impairment. Therefore, inhibiting sediment nutrient release seems necessary. In this study, red soil (RS) was employed to control the nutrients released from a black-odorous river sediment under flow conditions. The N and P that were released were effectively controlled by RS capping. Continuous-flow incubations showed that the reduction efficiencies of total N (TN), ammonium (NH ₄ ⁺ -N), total P (TP) and soluble reactive P (SRP) of the overlying water by RS capping were 77%, 63%, 77% and 92%, respectively, and nitrification and denitrification occurred concurrently in the RS system. An increase in the water velocity coincided with a decrease in the nutrient release rate as a result of intensive water aeration.

Open image in new window

     

Metal associations in anoxic sediments and changes following upland disposal†

The ecological effects of heavy metals in contaminated sediments are more determined by the chemical form and reactivity than by the level of accumulation. Dredging of anoxic sediments and disposal on land is attended by changes of redox conditions. Under oxidizing conditions some controlling solid compounds may change gradually thus changing the solubility of certain metals.

Chemical extraction experiments for estimating characteristic association forms of heavy metals in anoxic sediments were carried out, both under presence and absence of air during the analytical procedure. Drying of the sediment decreases the proportion of the sulfidic metal fractions to a stronger degree, and oxidized Cd and Zn are found in the most available, exchangeable fraction.

With respect to long‐term effects acidification of poorly buffered sludges after disposal on land is probably the most important factor affecting metal associations and mobility. For many metal examples a linear relationship has been found between decreasing pH values and increasing dissolved metal concentrations. To quantify these relationships and for better comparison of samples a simple test procedure is proposed which is based on pH differences before and after addition of acid.     

The cadmium adsorption capacity of contaminated marine sediments from Hong Kong

The binding capacity of Cd to the sediment particles determines the potential of Cd release from the sediments. An experiment was performed to evaluate the adsorption of Cd by contaminated sediments collected from three different locations in Hong Kong, i.e. Kwun Tong, North Point and Nam Tam Wan, having different degrees of pollution. Langmuir and Freundlich equations were used to evaluate the adsorption of Cd by the sediments. Adsorption isotherms obtained from the Freudlich and Langmuir equations were generally linear and the adsorption of Cd by the sediments was significantly correlated with the adsorption maximum and binding energy constant of the Langmuir equation, and equilibrium partition constant of the Freundlich equation. All sediments had a high Cd adsorption capacity and the highly organic contaminated sediments from Kwun Tong had the highest adsorption capacity of 24,272 mg kg^‐1 at pH8. The adsorption of Cd for all sediments increased with a rise in pH of the equilibrium solution and the total organic carbon content of the sediments. Therefore, a change in the sediment chemical equilibrium is likely to reduce the binding capacity.     

Spatial variability in characteristics and trace metal levels in sediments from watercourses

Assessing sediment quality requires sampling designs which address variability. Often however, only one sample or composited sample is collected at a sample site. Existing studies on sediment variability or sampling strategies primarily concern lake or marine sediments. Two rivers and one canal were sampled to assess sediment variability. Further, it was determined if sediment contamination in running water could be predicted by using visual criteria and/or knowledge of the presence of depositional and erosion areas. Metal concentrations and sediment characteristics were measured in different visually distinct areas of the river. At all sample sites the coefficient of variance was relatively high for most sediment characteristics (1.4‐ > 100%) and metal levels (15.3–63.6%). In one river the majority of sediment characteristics variation was between two sediment types and detected by visually distinct differences. Significant differences in cadmium and zinc concentrations were also detected. Contrary to what was expected, cadmium, and zinc levels were highest in the coarse fraction. No differences were found in the second river. In the canal a greater concentration of fine grained sediments and metals were found in the deep areas. It was not possible to predict sediment areas with the highest levels of metal contamination using visual criteria or knowledge of the erosion and sedimentation pattern of the river.     

Denitrification in bottom sediment near oil production facilities off the Louisiana Gulf Coast

There is little information on denitrification in Gulf of Mexico bottom sediment. Potential denitrification rates in surface sediment were measured along transects legs extending 0–800 m from two offshore oil production platforms. The average potential denitrification ranged from approximately 50 mg N m^?2 d^?1 in surface sediment near the platforms to 15 mg N m^?2 d^?1 in sediment 800 m from the platforms. Measured denitrification rates were correlated to a higher organic matter content in sediment nearer the platforms. This research examined only a small component of nitrogen processing in Gulf of Mexico sediment. Additional research should examine the effect of nitrogen loading and temporal and spatial variability on denitrification rate.     

Estimation of methane emitted by natural wetlands of Orissa: Based on case studies on three representative wetlands

The rapid increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere has led to significant changes in global climate. Methane is second to carbon dioxide in terms of its contribution to global warming. The wetlands serve as a major natural source of methane. Orissa State, located on the east coast of India, has a number of natural wetlands. Three representative wetlands: Chilka – the largest semi-saline lake of Asia, Anshupa – a land-locked fresh water lake and Gahirmatha – a tidal flood plain of Bhitara Kanika region that has sprawling mangrove vegetation (extension of the Sunderbans of the Gangetic delta) were chosen for intensive monitoring of water and sediment quality, along with methane flux over a period of three years during 1997–2000. The average seasonal methane fluxes were integrated to arrive at the annual flux from each wetland category. Finally, those results were extended to other natural wetlands of Orissa to arrive at the average annual methane flux of Orissa State. This is useful in calculating the total budget of greenhouse gases of India.     

Mercury concentrations in the surface sediments of the intertidal area along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Total mercury (Hg) levels in the intertidal surface sediments along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia were analysed by using heat vaporization method. Total Hg levels in these sediments ranged from 3.00 to 201?µg?kg^?1 dry weight with a mean concentration of 60.0?µg?kg^?1 dry weight. More than 90% of the samples studied have the total Hg concentrations less than 150?µg?kg^?1 dry weight. Compare with the regional data and sediment quality guidelines, the Hg contamination in the intertidal area along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia was not serious, except for a few sites that might have received anthropogenic Hg in the samples collected between 1999 and 2000. It is suggested that a similar study of heavy metals in the sediments of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia be conducted regularly.