The New Danish Stream Monitoring Programme (Novana) – Preparing Monitoring Activities For The Water Framework Directive Era

Denmark has a long tradition of monitoring the aquatic environment. Previous monitoring has mainly focused on loss of nutrients and subsequent impacts on the biological structure in lakes and coastal areas. However, as part of the third Action Plan for the Aquatic Environment more emphasis has been put on stream ecology. The present paper describes background, strategy and content of the new NOVANA stream programme, which will run for the period 2004–2009. The new programme will encompass more than 800 stations covering all stream types in Denmark and monitoring will include three biological quality elements (macrophytes, macroinvertebrates and fish) as well as physico-chemical features and hydromorphological elements. In addition, the new programme integrates monitoring of elements both in the stream itself and in the riparian zone. Compliance with important European Commission Directives such as the Water Framework Directive and the Habitat Directive is discussed.     

Biological complexity confounds the separation of point- and non-point sources of human impact on the natural world

Identifying process from pattern is one of the most vexing tasks inenvironmental monitoring. Given information on the distribution of speciesin a pre-defined area, together with comprehensive data on how environmentalconditions in that area have altered through time, is it possible toidentify the factors controlling the species‘ layout? Here, the practicalsignificance of this quandary is demonstrated using a series ofenvironmentally-degraded coastal lagoons in New South Wales. The TuggerahLakes (33°17′S,151°30′E) have over the last 50 yearsexperienced significant changes in species‘ distributions. Seagrasses,macroalgae, phytoplankton, molluscs, prawns and the jellyfish Catostylus mosaicus have altered in spatial pattern. Two human activitieshave been blamed for these perturbations: (1) agricultural clearance ofnative vegetation from the catchment, with associated input of top-soil andnutrients; (2) the commissioning of a coal-fired power station in 1967, withmassive uptake and recirculation of lake water for cooling purposes. In thispaper, spatial changes in macrophyte distributions over the last 50 yearsare reviewed in an attempt to identify the true source(s) of perturbation.The model adopted assumes that the power station is a point source of impactwhile nutrient inputs from the catchment are a diffuse source of impact;changes in species distributions can hypothetically be related back to thesesources according to whether they are localised or widespread. However,after a comprehensive analysis of available macrophyte data derived frominterviews, aerial photography and line transect methodologyies theconclusion is reached that changes in biogeographical pattern around theTuggerah Lakes cannot be attributed to specific anthropogenic pressures atanything beyond the coarsest of levels. This is considered to be the normfor most coastal management situations where natural background variation(’noise‘) and the complexity of linkages between physical, chemical andbiological components confounds the identification of causal relationships.The practical implications of this conclusion are discussed in the contextof litigation and remedial management design. Emphasis is placed on theneed to adopt an adaptive approach to estuarine management, incorporatingexplicit recognition of the limitations of available data, and to developnew techniques for identifying cause-effect relationships.     

利用水生植物净化富营养化水体的研究进展

综述了近几年来利用水生植物净化富营养化水体的研究和应用现状，包括水生植物的净化机理和净化效果，并对目前常用净化富营养化水体的水生植物研究频度进行了统计。此外，还着重强调了水生植物在净化应用中需关注的问题，展望了这种净化技术的发展前景。     

A fluorescence-based bioassay for aquatic macrophytes and its suitability for effect analysis of non-photosystem II inhibitors

Background, Goals and Scope During the last years the miniaturization of toxicity test systems for rapid and parallel measurements of large quantities of samples has often been discussed. For unicellular algae as well as for aquatic macrophytes, fluorescence-based miniaturized test systems have been introduced to analyze photosystem II (PSII) inhibitors. Nevertheless, high-throughput screening should also guarantee the effect detection of a broad range of toxicants in order to ensure routinely applicable, high-throughput measuring device experiments which can cover a broad range of toxicants and modes of action others than PSII inhibition. Thus, the aim of this study was to establish a fast and reproducible measuring system for non-PSII inhibitors for aquatic macrophyte species to overcome major limitations for use. Methods A newly developed imaging pulse-amplitude-modulated chlorophyll fluorometer (I-PAM) was applied as an effect detector in short-term bioassays with the aquatic macrophyte species Lemna minor. This multiwell-plate based measuring device enabled the incubation and measurement of up to 24 samples in parallel. The chemicals paraquat-dichloride, alizarine and triclosan were chosen as representatives for the toxicant groups of non-PSII herbicides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), which are often detected in the aquatic environment. The I-PAM was used (i) to establish and validate the sensitivity of the test system to the three non-PSII inhibitors, (ii) to compare the test systems with standardized and established biotests for aquatic macrophytes, and (iii) to define necessary time scales in aquatic macrophyte testing. For validation of the fluorescence-based assay, the standard growth test with L. minor (ISO/DIS 20079) was performed in parallel for each chemical. Results The results revealed that fluorescence-based measurements with the I-PAM allow rapid and parallel analysis of large amounts of aquatic macrophyte samples. The I-PAM enabled the recording of concentration-effect-curves with L. minor samples on a 24-well plate with single measurements. Fluorescence-based concentration-effect-curves could be detected for all three chemicals after only 1 h of incubation. After 4–5 h incubation time, the maximum inhibition of fluorescence showed an 80–100% effect for the chemicals tested. The EC50 after 24 h incubation were estimated to be 0.06 mg/L, 0.84 mg/L and 1.69 mg/L for paraquatdichloride, alizarine and triclosan, respectively. Discussion The results obtained with the I-PAM after 24 h for the herbicide paraquat-dichloride and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon alizarine were in good accordance with median effective concentrations (EC50s) obtained by the standardized growth test for L. minor after 7 d incubation (0.09 mg/L and 0.79 mg/L for paraquat-dichloride and alizarine, respectively). Those results were in accordance with literature findings for the two chemicals. In contrast, fluorescence-based EC50 of the antimicrobial agent triclosan proved to be two orders of magnitude greater when compared to the standard growth test with 7 d incubation time (0.026 mg/L) as well as with literature findings. Conclusion Typically, aquatic macrophyte testing is very time consuming and relies on laborious experimental set-ups. The I-PAM measuring device enabled fast effect screening for the three chemicals tested. While established test systems for aquatic macrophytes need incubation times of ≥ 7 d, the I-PAM can detect inhibitory effects much earlier (24 h), even if inhibition of chemicals is not specifically associated with PSII. Thus, the fluorescence-based bioassay with the I-PAM offers a promising approach for the miniaturization and high-throughput testing of chemicals with aquatic macrophytes. For the chemical triclosan, however, the short-term effect prediction with the I-PAM has been shown to be less sensitive than with long-term bioassays, which might be due to physicochemical substance properties such as lipophilicity. Recommendations and Perspectives The results of this study show that the I-PAM represents a promising tool for decreasing the incubation times of aquatic macrophyte toxicity testing to about 24 h as a supplement to existing test batteries. The applicability of this I-PAM bioassay on emergent and submerged aquatic macrophyte species should be investigated in further studies. Regarding considerations that physicochemical properties of the tested substances might play an important role in microplate bioassays, the I-PAM bioassay should either be accompanied by evaluating physicochemical properties modeled from structural information prior to an experimental investigation, or by intensified chemical analyses to identify and determine nominal concentrations of the toxicants tested. The chemicals paraquat-dichloride, alizarine and triclosan were chosen as representatives for the toxicant groups of non-PSII herbicides, PAHs and PPCPs which are often detected in the aquatic environment. Nevertheless, in order to ensure a routinely applicable measuring device, experiments with a broader range of toxicants and samples of surface and/or waste waters are necessary. ESS-Submission Editor: Dr. Markus Hecker (MHecker@Entrix.com)     

水生植物修复氮、磷污染水体研究进展

氮、磷是引起水体富营养化、导致水质恶化的重要因素,因此去除氮、磷一直是污水处理的重要任务.鉴于传统物理、化学方法存在的操作难、成本高、易产生二次污染等问题,人们越来越多地将目光转向利用水生植物去除氮、磷营养物质、净化水质上.介绍了近年来国内外应用水生植物修复氮、磷污染水体的方法、效果及其影响因素,探讨了水生植物净化污染水体的机制.针对目前研究中的不足,提出今后应在不同植物种类开发、植物组合优化以及植物的净化机制等方面加强研究.     

电解-水生植物-软隔离带复合技术治理重污染河流的中试研究

为了探索重污染河流的治理技术,2011年3月在无锡市新区鸿山镇徐塘桥河开展生态治理示范工程,通过电解技术、种植高等水生植物和构建软隔离带复合工程技术改善河流水质。实验结果表明,通过电解技术,可以迅速降低TP、氨氮（NH4＋-N）和COD;但较难减少TN。通过软隔离带可以有效隔离外源污染,在较短时间内改善河流TN、TP、COD的平均水平,但是难以提高河流的生态系统稳定性。电解能够有效的降解大分子有机物,为水生植物提供良好的生长环境,之后再种植水生植物,能够进一步降低的TN、TP。通过电解一水生植物一软隔离带复合技术不仅能够全面改善河流水质的平均水平,而且能够修复水生生态系统,提高生态系统稳定性。     

野鸭湖湿地挺水植物磷素截留量动态变化分析

野鸭湖湿地位于官厅水库上游,在截留养分、预防水库水体富营养化方面发挥着重要作用.通过野鸭湖湿地中4种优势挺水植物(茭白、扁秆藨草、香蒲、芦苇)的分布区域研究,分析了植物生物量及养分元素磷含量随季节的动态变化特征,得到了研究区域内4种挺水植物对磷素截留总量的动态变化.结果表明,研究区域内4种优势挺水植物地上部分磷含量为茭白>香蒲>扁秆藨草>芦苇;地下部分磷含量呈现茭白>扁秆藨草>香蒲>芦苇的分布特点;4种植物的地上部分和地下部分磷含量均随生长季节而降低;4种植物的单位面积磷素蓄积能力存在明显差异,表现为茭白>香蒲>扁秆藨草>芦苇的规律,其单位面积蓄积峰值依次为4910、4140、2190和1390g.m-2;研究区域内挺水植物磷素蓄积总量在夏季达到峰值2210.8kg,最小值出现在冬季,为1263.5kg;区域内上、中、下游挺水植物的磷素截留总量依次递减.     

两种常见沉水植物与藻的相互作用

选用太湖常见的沉水植物苦草(VallisneriaspiralisL.)和轮叶黑藻(HydrillaverticillataRoyle),构建微型生态系统。通过对沉水植物作用下水体中藻类叶绿素a及试验前后沉水植物生物量变化的观测,分析沉水植物与藻类的相互作用。结果表明,(1)相同条件下,苦草和轮叶黑藻对藻类变化的影响没有显著差异。(2)在苦草生物量相同的情况下,藻类叶绿素a初始值越大,其变化速率也越快。叶绿素a初始值差别越大,其变化速率差异越显著。轮叶黑藻也有相似的结果。(3)从试验前后苦草和轮叶黑藻生物量的变化可知,苦草受藻类影响较大,轮叶黑藻几乎没有受到藻的影响。     

底质中氨氮对沉水植物生长的影响

沉水植物的生长不但与水体营养盐浓度具有十分密切的关系,也受底泥中营养物质的影响,尤其是底泥中氨氮的含量对于植物生长具有重要的作用,因此研究底质中氨氮对高等沉水植物生长的影响,能够为沉水植被的重建及选种提供科学参考。作者在人工配制的7种含不同浓度铵态氮的底质条件下,通过测定苦草VallisnerianatansL.和伊乐藻Elodeanuttallii两种沉水植物的植株鲜物质量的变化、干物质量、根系的活力、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,以期明确这两种沉水植物与水体底质浓度之间的关系。试验结果表明,氨氮起始质量分数<50mg·kg-1和<500mg·kg-1时可以分别促进苦草和伊乐藻鲜物质量、干物质量和根系活力的增加,大于此范围则会抑制苦草VallisnerianatansL和伊乐藻Elodeanuttallii的生长。     

浅水湖泊水生植物适宜生物量评估方法的探讨

总结了水生植物对湖泊生态系统的影响、水生植物生物量控制与收割管理的研究,分析了目前浅水富营养化湖泊恢复过程中水生植物生物量确定方法的不足;立足于水生植物生长特点,提出了基于湖泊生态模型的浅水湖泊大型水生植物在生长期和衰亡期的适宜生物量评估方法的研究框架,本文可为指导湖泊生态修复工程及其后续维护,为完善健康湖泊的综合评价标准和湖泊生态修复理论提供科学支撑.