Runoff rates,chemical speciation and bioavailability of copper released from naturally patinated copper

The release of copper, induced by atmospheric corrosion, from naturally patinated copper of varying age (0 and 30 years) has been investigated together with its potential ecotoxic effect. Results were generated in an interdisciplinary research effort in which corrosion science and ecotoxicology aspects were combined. The aim of the investigation was to elucidate the situation when copper-containing rainwater leaves a roof in terms of runoff rate, chemical speciation, bioavailability and ecotoxicity effects. Data have been collected during a three-year field exposure conducted in the urban environment of Stockholm, Sweden. The potential environmental effects have been evaluated using a combination of a copper specific biosensor test with the bacterium Alcaligenes eutrophus and the conventional 72-h growth inhibition test with the green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata. The results show annual runoff rates between 1.0 and 1.5 g/m2 year for naturally patinated copper of varying age. The runoff rate increased slightly with patina age, which mainly is attributed to the enhanced first flush effect observed on thicker patina layers. The total copper concentration in investigated runoff samplings ranged from 0.9 to 9.7 mg/l. Both computer modeling and experimental studies revealed that the majority (60-100%) of released copper was present as the free hydrated cupric ion, Cu(H2O)6(2+), the most bioavailable copper species. However, other copper species in the runoff water, such as, e.g. Cu(OH)+ and Cu2(OH)2(2+), were also bioavailable. The copper-containing runoff water, sampled directly after release from the roof, caused significant reduction in growth rate of the green alga. It should be emphasized that the results describe the runoff situation immediately after release from the copper roof and not the real environmental ecotoxicity. Therefore the data should only be used as an initial assessment of the potential environmental effect of copper runoff from building applications. Future risk assessments should also consider dilution effects of copper, changes in its chemical speciation and bioavailability during environmental entry, and type and sensitivity of the receiving ecosystem.     

黄土高原极强烈侵蚀（灾害性）的降雨产流产沙特征

本文通过对４５场极强烈侵蚀降雨、产流、产沙特征的统计分析,得到了极强烈侵蚀降雨、产流、产沙特征与过程变化的数量指标,并对岔巴沟和韭园沟的１０次极强烈侵蚀作了典型分析。     

A new general mechanistic river model for radionuclides from single pulse fallouts which can be run by readily accessible driving variables

This paper presents a new general, process-based river model for substances such as radionuclides from single pulse fallouts. The new model has been critically tested using data from 13 European rivers contaminated by radiocesium from the Chernobyl accident. This modelling approach gives radionuclide concentrations in water (total, dissolved and particulate phases; and also concentrations in sediments and fish, but the latter aspects are not discussed in this paper) at defined river sites. The model is based on processes in the upstream river stretch and in the upstream catchment area. The catchment area is differentiated into inflow ( approximately dry land) areas and outflow ( approximately wetland) areas. The model also accounts for time-dependent fixation of substances in the catchment. The catchment area sub-model is based on a previous catchment model, which has been tested with very good results for radiocesium, radiostrontium and Ca-concentrations (from liming operations). The new river model is simple to apply in practice since all driving variables may be readily accessed from maps and standard monitoring programs. The driving variables are: latitude, altitude, continentality, catchment area, mean annual precipitation, soil type (percentages or organic and sandy soils), fallout and month of fallout. Modelled values have been compared to independent empirical data from 10 rivers sites (91 data on radiocesium in water) covering a wide domain (catchment areas from 4000 to 180 000 km(2), precipitation from 500 to 960 mm/yr and fallout from 1700 to 660 000 Bq/m(2)). The new model predicts very well--when modelled values are compared to empirical data, the slope is perfect (1.0) and the r(2)-value is 0.90. This is good giving the fact that there are also uncertainties in the empirical data, which set a limit to the achieved predictive power, as expressed by the r(2)-value.     

ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR STREAMFLOW1

Daily, monthly, and yearly summaries of streamflow and sediment transport are computed from continuous gage height records and discrete measurements of sediment concentration and discharge rate. The system includes computer computation of discharge measurement notes and an accuracy check of gage height and time input data. Maximum volumes of runoff for selected time intervals up to eight days and flow duration data can also be compiled. Electronic data processing equipment including a chart reader, card punch, computers, and card sorter are used. The system software includes 12 Fortran programs.     

The inflow of (238)Pu and (239+240)Pu from the Vistula River catchment area to the Baltic Sea

The aim of the work was to estimate plutonium inflow from the Vistula River’s catchments area to the Baltic Sea. There were differences in plutonium activities depending on season and sampling site. The highest activities of ²³⁸Pu and ^239+240Pu were transported from the Vistula River watershed to the Baltic Sea in spring and the lowest in summer. Annually, the southern Baltic Sea is enriched via the Vistula River with 10.3 MBq of ²³⁸Pu and 89.0 MBq of ^239+240Pu. The enhanced concentration of plutonium in water from the Vistula River is the result of its runoff from the Vistula drainage area, mostly from snowmelt, enhanced rainfalls and leached materials from river bed.     

Characterization of Naturally-occurring and Anthropogenic PAHs in Urban Sediments-Wycoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund Site

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are ubiquitous constituents in urban sedimentary environments. The accurate characterization of their source(s) in sediments influences decisions regarding the liability for clean-up and remedial options. In this study, an extensive PAH dataset that included 50 non-alkylated (parent) and alkylated PAH groups and isomers was acquired using a modified EPA Method 8270 for the study of 5 cm intervals from 10 sediment cores (28-78 cm) obtained from the Eagle Harbor Superfund Site on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Conventional hydrocarbon "fingerprinting" and the PAH profiles in the Pb 210 age-dated cores revealed three primary PAH sources to the sediments over the past 220 years, namely (1) naturally occurring background; (2) urban runoff, and (3) creosote, the latter resulting from prior operations at the former Wyckoff wood-processing facility located on the Harbor. Naturally occurring background PAH in the pre-industrial (<1900) sediments were dominated by perylene, 1,7-dimethylphenan-threne (derived from the oxidation of abietic acid resins), and pyrogenic PAH most likely derived from historic forest fires. The concentration of PAH total in these pre-industrial sediments was consistently less than 1 mg/kg (dry). Urban runoff in the post-industrial (>1930) sediments was dominated by low but consistent concentrations (10-20 mg/kg dry) of pyrogenic PAM derived primarily from the combustion of fossil fuel(s). The creosote-impacted sediments in the post-industrialized sediments contained high concentrations (1000-140,000 mg/kg dry) of pyrogenic PAH associated with distilled, coal-derived liquids.     

PeLM: Modeling of Pesticide-Losses Through Runoff and Sediment Transport

Abstract

A GIS-aided pesticide loss model (PeLM) was developed to simulate pesticide losses through surface runoff and sediment transport in watershed systems. The PeLM could tackle the movement of eroded soil along with surface runoff as well as the pesticide losses in adsorbed and dissolved phases. The contributions of different soil types in the sediment were also examined. The model was applied to the Kintore Creek Watershed of southern Ontario, Canada. The simulation results were verified through observed data, indicating a correlation level of 0.89–0.98. The results also showed that clay particles usually held the largest share of contributions to pesticide losses through soil erosion. This study is significant in the efforts for modeling nonpoint source pollution in watershed systems. It provides useful information and support for the related decisions of watershed management.     

Comparison of heavy metal loads in stormwater runoff from major and minor urban roads using pollutant yield rating curves

Trace metal export by stormwater runoff from a major road and local street in urban Sydney, Australia, is compared using pollutant yield rating curves derived from intensive sampling data. The event loads of copper, lead and zinc are well approximated by logarithmic relationships with respect to total event discharge owing to the reliable appearance of a first flush in pollutant mass loading from urban roads. Comparisons of the yield rating curves for these three metals show that copper and zinc export rates from the local street are comparable with that of the major road, while lead export from the local street is much higher, despite a 45-fold difference in traffic volume. The yield rating curve approach allows problematic environmental data to be presented in a simple yet meaningful manner with less information loss.     

Relevance of Hydro-Climatic Change Projection and Monitoring for Assessment of Water Cycle Changes in the Arctic

Rapid changes to the Arctic hydrological cycle challenge both our process understanding and our ability to find appropriate adaptation strategies. We have investigated the relevance and accuracy development of climate change projections for assessment of water cycle changes in major Arctic drainage basins. Results show relatively good agreement of climate model projections with observed temperature changes, but high model inaccuracy relative to available observation data for precipitation changes. Direct observations further show systematically larger (smaller) runoff than precipitation increases (decreases). This result is partly attributable to uncertainties and systematic bias in precipitation observations, but still indicates that some of the observed increase in Arctic river runoff is due to water storage changes, for example melting permafrost and/or groundwater storage changes, within the drainage basins. Such causes of runoff change affect sea level, in addition to ocean salinity, and inland water resources, ecosystems, and infrastructure. Process-based hydrological modeling and observations, which can resolve changes in evapotranspiration, and groundwater and permafrost storage at and below river basin scales, are needed in order to accurately interpret and translate climate-driven precipitation changes to changes in freshwater cycling and runoff. In contrast to this need, our results show that the density of Arctic runoff monitoring has become increasingly biased and less relevant by decreasing most and being lowest in river basins with the largest expected climatic changes.     

Runoff effect on eutrophic lake water quality and heavy metal distribution in recent littoral sediment

Multivariate statistical methods (hierarchical clustering analysis: HCA, and principal component analysis: PCA) were used to study the influence of runoff and other diffuse pollution sources on lake water chemistry of Hough Park lake in Central Missouri. In addition, heavy metal concentrations in lake littoral sediment were evaluated for enrichment and probable ecological risk. The abundance of macronutrients in the lake water column followed the order: Ca > Mg > TIC > K > Na > S > NO₃ - N > Fe > NH₃ - N > TP. Heavy metal concentrations in the lake water column were below acute and chronic level ecological guidelines. TN:TP ratios (range: 4.1-6.8) revealed nitrogen limitation of algal and other photosynthetic plant growth. The HCA showed two major clusters of similarity between the sampling points suggesting different pollution levels for the clusters. PCA 1, 2 and 3 reflected the influence of natural biochemical processes, atmospheric deposition and runoff respectively on lake water chemistry. The abundance of heavy metals and the normalizing element (Li) in littoral sediment (<63 μm fraction) samples analyzed in decreasing order were: Mn > Zn > Cr > Ni > Li > Cu > Pb > Cd > Hg. The average concentration of Cr, Mn and Ni in littoral sediment fraction exceeded the respective lowest effects level (LEL) threshold limit. Metal bioavailability in sediment fraction was low since the most labile metal species contained between 0% and 11% of the total metal content. Using the risk assessment code (RAC) criteria, only Mn posed a medium risk to the lake system.