Evaluation and application of a three-dimensional water quality model in a shallow lake with complex morphometry

Fundamental hydrodynamic and ecological processes of a lake or reservoir could be adequately depicted by one-dimensional (1D) numerical simulation models. Whereas, lakes with significant horizontal water quality and hydrodynamic gradients due to their complex morphometry, inflow or water level fluctuations require a three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamics and ecological analyses to accurately simulate their temporal and spatial dynamics. In this study, we applied a 3D hydrodynamic model (ELCOM) coupled with an ecological model (CAEDYM) to simulate water quality parameters in three bays of the morphologically complex Lake Minnetonka. A considerable effort was made in setting up the model and a systematic parameterization approach was adopted to estimate the value of parameters based on their published values. Model calibration covered the entire length of the simulation periods from March 29 to October 20, 2000. Sensitivity analysis identified the top parameters with the largest contributions to the sensitivity of model results. The model was next verified with the same setup and parameter values for the period of April 25 to October 10, 2005 against field data. Spatial and temporal dynamics were well simulated and model output results of water temperature (T), dissolved oxygen (DO), total phosphorus (TP) and one group of algae (Cyanobacteria) represented as chlorophyll a (Chla) compared well with an extensive field data in the bays. The results show that the use of the model along with an accurate bathymetry, a systematic calibration and corroboration (verification) process will help to analyze the hydrodynamics and geochemical processes of the morphologically complex Lake Minnetonka. An example of an ecological application of the model for Lake Minnetonka is presented by examining the effect of spatial heterogeneity on coolwater fish habitat analysis in 3D and under a scenario where horizontal spatial heterogeneity was eliminated (1D). Both analyses captured seasonal fish habitat changes and the total seasonal averages differed moderately. However, the 1D analysis did not capture local and short duration variabilities and missed suitable fish habitat variations of as much as 20%. The experiment highlighted the need for a 3D analysis in depicting ecological hot spots such as unsuitable fish habitats in Lake Minnetonka.     

Ecological effects of dumping of dredged sediments; options for management

Dredging and dumping of dredged sediments in estuarine and coastal waters may lead to increased turbidity and enhanced sediment deposition at dump sites. This mainly affects primary production by phytoplankton, performance of visual predators (e.g. fish, birds), and growth and survival of benthic organisms. This paper combines a compilation of literature information and results of additional experimental studies on the effect of enhanced concentrations of suspended matter (SPM) on growth of bivalve molluscs, and on survival of macro- and meiozoobenthos after dumping of dredged sediments. Furthermore, it focuses on non-toxic dredged sediments only. Release of nutrients from dredged sediments did, so far, hardly influence estuarine phytoplankton production. Increased turbidity may affect dab as well as prey location by sandwich terns. Enhanced SPM-concentrations are unfavourable for young herring and smelt. Growth of filter-feeding bivalves may be impaired, especially at SPM-concentrations >250 mg/l. Estuarine nematodes can survive burial by 10 cm of dumped dredged sediment provided that its physical characteristics are similar to those of the original sediment. Sessile benthos organisms such as mussels and oysters can cope with sediment deposition of only 1–2 cm. Other macrozoobenthos can survive sediment deposition of 20–30 cm. Recovery of benthos at a dump site will occur if the interval between successive dumpings is sufficiently long. Options for management of dumping of dredged sediments are described, relating to different locations of dump sites in estuarine and coastal waters, to different seasons, and to the actual use (area and frequency) of dump sites.     

COMPARISON OF TRACE ELEMENT CONCENTRATIONS IN TISSUE OF COMMON CARP AND IMPLICATIONS FOR MONITORING1

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) collected from four sites in the Red River of the North in 1994 were analyzed for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), selenium (So), and zinc (Zn). Concentrations differed among liver, muscle, and whole body. Generally, trace element concentrations were the greatest in livers while concentrations in whole bodies were greater than those in muscle for Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, and concentrations in muscle were similar to whole body for As and Se. Concentrations of Cr were lower in liver than either muscle or whole body. Correlations between liver and whole body concentrations were stronger than those between liver and muscle concentrations, but the strongest correlations were between muscle and whole body concentrations. Examination of tissue concentrations by collection sites suggested that, for a general survey, the whole body may be the most effective matrix to analyze.     

Consideration of fuzziness: Is it necessary in modelling fish habitat preference of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)?

The present study aims to clarify the necessity and effectiveness of considering fuzziness in modelling fish habitat preference, and the advantages which would be achieved by considering it. For this purpose, genetic algorithm (GA) optimized habitat preference models under three different levels of fuzzification were compared with regard to prediction ability of the habitat use of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) dwelling in agricultural canals in Japan. Field surveys were conducted in agricultural canals in Japan to establish a relationship between fish habitat preference and physical environments of water depth, current velocity, lateral cover ratio and percent vegetation coverage. The habitat preference models employed for testing the fuzzy-based approach were category model, fuzzy habitat preference model, and fuzzy habitat preference model with fuzzy inputs. All the models were developed at 50 different initial conditions. The effectiveness of the fuzzification in fish habitat modelling was assessed by comparing mean square error and standard deviation of the models, and fluctuation in habitat preference curves evaluated by each model. As a result, the effect of fuzzification appeared as smoother curves and was found to reduce fluctuation in habitat preference curves in proportion to the level of fuzzification. The smooth curves would be appropriate for expressing uncertainty in habitat preference of the fish, by which fuzzy habitat preference model with fuzzy input achieve the best prediction ability among the models. In conclusion, the present study revealed that there are two advantages of fuzzification: reducing fluctuations in habitat preference evaluation and improving prediction ability of the model. Therefore, the consideration of fuzziness would be appropriate for representing fish habitat preference under natural conditions.     

Concentrations of Cd,Ni, Pb,and Cr in the two edible fish species Liza klunzingeri and Sillago sihama collected from Hara biosphere in Iran

The concentrations of four metals (Cd, Ni, Pb, and Cr) were determined in the muscles, gills, and livers of two edible fish species (Liza klunzingeri and Sillago sihama) caught from the Hara biosphere of Southern Iran. In both fish species, metal concentrations and bioaccumulation factors were in the sequence liver?>?gill?>?muscle. Bioaccumulation factors were found to be highest in S. sihama. The metal concentrations were descending in the order of Ni?>?Cr?>?Pb?>?Cd, except for muscle samples from S. sihama showing an inversion of Pb and Cr. There is a significant negative correlation between the concentrations of the metals in each tissue with length, weight, and age, except for muscle in L. klunzingeri. Some metal levels in the muscle exceeded the limits recommended by FAO, WHO, and FEPA.     

Distribution of heavy metal concentrations in the different soft tissues of the freshwater snail Pomacea insularum (D’Orbigny, 1839; Gastropoda), and sediments collected from polluted and unpolluted sites from Malaysia

Pomacea insularum were collected from polluted and unpolluted freshwater ecosystems in Malaysia. Besides the shells, the soft tissues were dissected and pooled into cephalic tentacle, foot, mantle, operculum, digestive tract, penial sac, lung sac, and remainder. These tissues were analyzed for the concentrations of Cu, Cd, Fe, Ni, and Zn. The present work resulted in three interesting findings. First, the concentrations of Cu, Cd, Fe, and Zn found in most of the different parts of P. insularum collected from the polluted Juru River were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those found in the snails from the other four sites. Second, positive and significant correlation coefficients were found for sediment-lung sac for Cd, Fe, and Zn while sediment-digestive tract for Cu. These correlation results indicated that lung sacs could reflect the environmental concentrations of Cd, Fe, and Zn, while the digestive tract could do the same for Cu. Third, the different concentrations of heavy metals found in the different parts indicated different metal regulation and binding sites in these organs. The significant correlation coefficients between different tissues indicated that they might be caused by similar metal regulation and sequestration. Based on the above findings, P. insularum are a potential biomonitor of Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn pollution in freshwater ecosystems.     

Cadmium,zinc, copper and Metallothionein in human tissues (liver and kidney)∗

It was proved by in vitro and animal experiments, that the toxicokinetics (resorption, distribution, deposition and excretion) and, in connection with this, also the toxicity of the metals Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) is closely associated to the low molecular weight protein Metallothionein (Mt). There is a considerable lack of information on the Mt concentration in human tissues and its correlation to Cd, Cu and Zn. Therefore the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn and Mt were determined quantitatively in liver and kidney samples of 184 deceased. The dependence of these concentrations from each other and from further parameters, i.e. age, sex, drinking and smoking habits, or diseases of the organs, is studied. Scalar values (concentrations, age) were compared by Spearman rank correlations. The influence of non‐scalar factors (i.e. sex, diseases etc.) was proved by comparison of the geometric means of the Cd, Cu, Zn and Mt concentrations in the tissues of the corresponding subgroups. The manner of influence of the main factors will be discussed.     

用鱼类急性毒性试验分析死鱼事故原因

采用鱼类急性毒性试验方法分析、判断死鱼事故原因,不仅快速、简单、灵敏、直观,社会效益好,而且解决了单用几个理化测试数据,难以分析说明死鱼事故直接原因的难题,适于推广使用。