Eutrophication assessment in Greek coastal waters

An attempt is made to assess eutrophication in Greek coastal waters, since the measurements made to date at a few stations do not suffice. In this paper, for more accurate seasonal variations in the nutrient contents, the water masses and their volumes are taken into account. The Pagassitikos Gulf is given as an example and compared to other polluted areas in the Aegean. The variations in the levels of nutrients are due to differences in the sources, as well as the morphology of the bottom and the circulation of waters.     

Natural and Anthropogenic Effects On Phytoplankton Primary Productivity in Mangroves

Spatial and temporal variations and the factors influencing primary production have been studied in three different mangrove waters (Pichavaram, Ennore Creek and Adyar Estuary) of South India characterised by different anthropogenic impacts. the gross primary productivity in the unpolluted Pichavaram mangrove was 113 g Cm^-2yr^-1 exhibiting natural variability with the environmental forcing factors. Human activities have elevated primary productivity in the Ennore Creek mangrove (157g Cm^-2yr^-1) primarily through the direct discharge of fertilizer effluents. By contrast, a combination of domestic and industrial effluent discharges into the Adyar Estuary mangrove has considerably reduced phytoplankton primary productivity 83g Cm^-2yr^-1 the Redfield N: P ratio varies from 0.96 N: 1P at Ennore Creek, 1.75N: 1P at Adyar Estuary to 15.2 N: 1P at Pichavaram mangroves. This suggests that the Pichavaram mangroves represent a well equilibrated ecosystem with N: P ratio close to steady-state values in contrast to the anthropogenically altered mangrove ecosystems studied. Results show a significant temporal variability in nutrient concentration in the three mangrove areas. Distinct differences in nutrient concentrations between the dry and the wet seasons have been observed.     

Nutrient Inputs to the Laurentian Great Lakes by Source and Watershed Estimated Using SPARROW Watershed Models1

Robertson, Dale M. and David A. Saad, 2011. Nutrient Inputs to the Laurentian Great Lakes by Source and Watershed Estimated Using SPARROW Watershed Models. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 47(5):1011‐1033. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00574.x Abstract: Nutrient input to the Laurentian Great Lakes continues to cause problems with eutrophication. To reduce the extent and severity of these problems, target nutrient loads were established and Total Maximum Daily Loads are being developed for many tributaries. Without detailed loading information it is difficult to determine if the targets are being met and how to prioritize rehabilitation efforts. To help address these issues, SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) models were developed for estimating loads and sources of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) from the United States (U.S.) portion of the Great Lakes, Upper Mississippi, Ohio, and Red River Basins. Results indicated that recent U.S. loadings to Lakes Michigan and Ontario are similar to those in the 1980s, whereas loadings to Lakes Superior, Huron, and Erie decreased. Highest loads were from tributaries with the largest watersheds, whereas highest yields were from areas with intense agriculture and large point sources of nutrients. Tributaries were ranked based on their relative loads and yields to each lake. Input from agricultural areas was a significant source of nutrients, contributing ～33‐44% of the P and ～33‐58% of the N, except for areas around Superior with little agriculture. Point sources were also significant, contributing ～14‐44% of the P and 13‐34% of the N. Watersheds around Lake Erie contributed nutrients at the highest rate (similar to intensively farmed areas in the Midwest) because they have the largest nutrient inputs and highest delivery ratio.     

Development of Sediment and Nutrient Export Coefficients for U.S. Ecoregions

Water quality impairment due to excessive nutrients and sediment is a major problem in the United States (U.S.). An important step in the mitigation of impairment in any given water body is determination of pollutant sources and amount. The sheer number of impaired waters and limited resources makes simplistic load estimation methods such as export coefficient (EC) methods attractive. Unfortunately ECs are typically based on small watershed monitoring data, which are very limited and/or often based on data collected from distant watersheds with drastically different conditions. In this research, we seek to improve the accuracy of these nutrient export estimation methods by developing a national database of localized EC for each ecoregion in the U.S. A stochastic sampling methodology loosely based on the Monte‐Carlo technique was used to construct a database of 45 million Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) simulations. These simulations consider a variety of climate, topography, soils, weather, land use, management, and conservation implementation conditions. SWAT model simulations were successfully validated with edge‐of‐field monitoring data. Simulated nutrient ECs compared favorably with previously published studies. These ECs may be used to rapidly estimate nutrient loading for any small catchment in the U.S. provided the location, area, and land‐use distribution are known.     

Adaptive Targeting: Engaging Farmers to Improve Targeting and Adoption of Agricultural Conservation Practices

Targeting of agricultural conservation practices to cost‐effective locations has long been of interest to watershed managers, yet its implementation cannot succeed without meaningful engagement of agricultural producers who are decision makers on the lands they farm. In this study, we engaged 14 west‐central Indiana producers and landowners in an adaptive targeting experiment. Interviews carried out prior to targeting provided rich spatial information on existing conservation practices as well as producers' preferences for future conservation projects. We targeted six of the most accepted conservation practices using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool and spatial optimization using a genetic algorithm approach. Fairly optimal conservation scenarios were possible with even the most limiting constraints of farmer‐accepted practices. We presented in follow‐up interviews a total of 176 conservation practice recommendations on 103 farm fields to 10 farmers whose lands were targeted for conservation. Primary findings indicated producers were interested in the project, were open to hearing recommendations about their lands, and expressed a high likelihood of adopting 35% of targeted recommendations. Farmers generally viewed the interview process and presentation of results quite favorably, and the interviews were found to build trust and make the targeting process more acceptable to them.     

三江平原典型湿地类型土壤微生物特征与土壤养分的研究

为探讨不同湿地类型土壤微生物数量和酶活性的分布特征及其与土壤养分的关系,本研究选择了三江平原洪河湿地保护区4种典型湿地类型(小叶章+沼柳湿地、小叶章湿地、毛苔草湿地和芦苇湿地)的土壤为研究对象.结果表明4种湿地类型在0~30 cm土层内:1土壤有机碳、全氮和全磷均随土层深度的增加而减少,速效钾、速效磷和速效氮则未表现出有规律的变化,且不同湿地类型土壤养分含量差异显著.2土壤微生物数量为细菌放线菌真菌,3种微生物菌落数量均随土层深度的增加而减少.土壤微生物总数量以小叶章湿地最多,毛苔草湿地最少.3土壤蔗糖酶和纤维素酶活性均随土层深度的增加而减少,而土壤过氧化氢酶活性未表现出有规律的变化.小叶章+沼柳湿地和小叶章湿地中3种酶活性显著性高于毛苔草湿地和芦苇湿地(P0.05).4相关性分析表明,土壤细菌、真菌和纤维素酶与土壤养分各指标均呈极显著或显著正相关,放线菌和蔗糖酶与速效钾、过氧化氢酶与速效钾、速效磷无显著相关性关系.因此,土壤微生物和酶活性是反映土壤养分状况的重要指标.     

太湖东部不同类型湖区疏浚后沉积物重金属污染及潜在生态风险评价

为揭示太湖东部疏浚湖区沉积物中重金属分布特征及其潜在生态风险,于2012年在东太湖与胥口湾共设置5个点位采集沉积物样品,测试了底泥部分理化性质及重金属元素含量(As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn),并运用潜在生态风险指数法综合评价了疏浚湖区沉积物的重金属污染现状和潜在风险程度.结果表明,太湖东部不同类型湖区间沉积物的营养盐及重金属含量分布存在差异,总体上胥口湾草型湖区的重金属含量相对东太湖养殖湖区较高,营养盐含量则相对较低;在垂直剖面上,沉积物营养盐和重金属均表现出表层富集的特征.太湖东部湖区各疏浚点位的营养盐和重金属含量均低于未疏浚点位,表明底泥生态疏浚能有效去除沉积物中的营养物质和重金属污染物,但疏浚效果随时间逐渐减弱.各重金属元素及营养盐之间均呈显著正相关关系,表明这些污染物具有较好的同源性.潜在生态风险指数RI的评价结果表明,各点位沉积物的重金属潜在危害程度依次为X1>D1>D3>X2>D2,其中未疏浚点位胥口湾X1的潜在生态风险高于东太湖D1,且X1、D1均属于中等生态风险,而疏浚点位D2、D3、X2属于轻微生态风险,底泥疏浚有效降低了沉积物中的重金属潜在生态风险.     

硫氮沉降下西北荒漠煤矿区周边土壤性质的变化特点

近年来中国大部分区域大气硫、氮沉降速率趋于平稳甚至下降,但西北地区煤炭行业的快速发展使得硫、氮沉降速率加快.燃煤电厂作为酸前体物的主要排放源之一,在其周围开展硫、氮沉降效应研究,可为合理评价煤矿区大气污染物控制措施的实施效果提供数据支撑.该文以宁东能源化工基地3个燃煤电厂为采样点,研究了电厂周围土壤化学和生物学性质的变...     

NUTRIENT BALANCES FOR THE EVALUATION OF NUTRIENT SOURCES IN WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT1

ABSTRACT. This paper describes the methodology for a nutrient balance to evaluate the sources and distribution of nutrients in a small river basin. Loadings for total nitrogen and phosphorus are calculated from measured nutrient concentration and river discharge data. Using a special retrieval program and a data storage and processing system, loadings are accumulated over a given time period to allow for time of passage through the basin and seasonal changes in nutrient distribution. Nutrient balances are made with the accumulated loadings to obtain the relative contribution of each nutrient source and the retention of nutrients within the basin through sedimentation and aquatic growth. The methodology has been used to study nutrients in the Qu'Appelle River Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada.     

RIVERINE TRANSPORT OF NUTRIENTS AND DETRITUS TO THE APALACHICOLA BAY ESTUARY,FLORIDA1

ABSTRACT: The Applachicola River basin in northwest Florida covers an area of 3,100 square kilometers. Fifteen percent of the area is a dense bottomland hardwood forest which is periodically flooded. The annual leaf-litter fall from the flood-plain trees is a potential source of nutrients and detritus which eventually can flow into Apalachicola Bay. Transport of such material is dependent on the periodic inundation of the flood plain. The U.S. Geological Survey Apalachicola Rim Quality Assessment measured a total organic carbon flux of 2.1 × 10⁵ metric tons during the one-year period from June 3, 1979, to June 2,1980. Fluxes of total nitrogen and phosphorus during the same year were 2.1 × lo⁴ and 1.7 × lo³ metric tons, respectively. Flood characteirstics, such as prior hydrologic conditions, extent, and timing, are important in determining the amount and forms of materials transported. The 1980 spring flood produced a fourfold discharge increase over the annual mean outflow of 800 cubic meters per second. Nutrient concentrations varied little with discharge, but the 86-day spring flood accounted for 53, 60, 48, and 56 percent of the annual flux of total organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus, respectively. In 1980, the flood peaks, rather than the rise or recession, accounted for maximum nutrient and detritus transport.