Biological Activity in a Heavily Organohalogen-Contaminated River Sediment (8 pp)

Background, Aims and Scope Sediments of the Spittelwasser creek are highly polluted with organic compounds and heavy metals due to the discharge of untreated waste waters from the industrial region of Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany over the course of more than one century. However, relatively few data have been published about the chloroorganic contamination of the sediment. This paper reports on the content of different (chloro)organic compounds with special emphasis on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F), and chlorobenzenes. Existing concepts for the remediation of Spittelwasser sediment include the investigation of natural attenuation processes, which largely depend on the presence of an intact microbial food web. In order to gain more insight in terms of biological activity, we analyzed the capacity of sediment microflora to degrade organic matter by measuring the activities of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes involved in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. Furthermore, the detection of physiologically active bacteria in the sediment, particularly of those known for their capability to reductively dehalogenate organochlorine compounds, illustrates the potential for intrinsic bioremediation processes. Methods PCDD/F and chlorobenzenes were analyzed by gas chromatography(GC)/mass spectrometry and GC/flame ionization detection, respectively. The activities of hydrolytic enzymes were determined from freshly sampled sediment layers using 4-methylumbelliferyl (MUF) or 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin-conjugated model compounds and kinetic fluorescence measurements. Physiologically active bacteria from different sediment layers were microscopically visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Specific bacteria were identified by 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. Results and Discussion The PCDD/F congener profile was dominated by dibenzofurans. In addition, the presence of specific tetra and pentachlorinated dibenzofurans supported the assumption that extensive magnesium production was one possible source for the high contamination. A range of other chloroorganic compounds, including several isomers of chlorobenzenes, hexachlorocyclohexane and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chloro-phenyl)ethane (DDT), was present in the sediment. Activities of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes showed a strong decrease in those sediment layers that were characterized by high contents of absorbable organic halogen (AOX), indicating disturbed organic matter decay. Interestingly, an abnormal increase of cellulolytic enzyme activities below the organochlorine-rich layers was observed, possibly caused by residual cellulose from discharges of sulfite pulping wastes. FISH revealed physiologically active bacteria in most sediment layers from the surface down to the depth of about 60 cm, including members of Desulfitobacterium (D.) and Sulfurospirillum. The presence of D. dehalogenans was confirmed by its partial 16S rRNA gene sequence. Conclusions Results of chemical sediment analyses demonstrated high loads of organochlorine compounds, particularly of PCDD/F. Several years after stopping the waste water discharge to Spittelwasser creek, this sediment remains a main source for pollution of the downstream river system by way of the ongoing mobilization of sediment during high floods. As indicated by our enzyme activity measurements, the decomposition potential for organic matter is low in organochlorine-rich sediment layers. In contrast, the comparably higher enzyme activities in less organochlorine-polluted sediment layers as well as the presence of physiologically active bacteria suggest a considerable potential for natural attenuation. Recommendations and Perspectives From our data we strongly recommend to explore the degradative capacity of sediment microorganisms and the limits for in situ activity towards specific sediment pollutants in more detail. This will give a sound basis for the integration of bioremediation approaches into general concepts to reduce the risk that permanently radiates from this highly contaminated sediment. Submission Editor: Dr. Henner Hollert (Henner.Hollert@urz.uniheidelberg.de)     

再生水补给河道中内分泌干扰物壬基酚变化特征分析

通过监测再生水补给河道中壬基酚同分异构体的含量和分布,分析壬基酚在河道中的变化过程并对其进行综合评价,为再生水补给河道的生态风险评价提供科学支撑。结果表明,再生水中NP同分异构体的含量存在差别,其中含量最大的是NP10、NP9、NP4和NP2,含量最高的NP10是含量最低的NP8的6倍左右。再生水补水河道中壬基酚同分异构体的含量波动较大,壬基酚在河道中降解现象明显,但是不存在明显的同分异构体间的转化。河道中壬基酚含量的变化与季节关联性较弱,与补水壬基酚的含量关联性较强。基于因子加权法得出的壬基酚浓度能够较客观地表征河道中壬基酚的危害性,河道断面壬基酚的综合评价结果远小于将同分异构体数值几何相加的结果,直接几何相加检测浓度难免夸大河道中壬基酚的危害。结果为再生水安全回用提供参考。     

釜溪河自贡城区段季节性低氧成因研究

釜溪河为沱江一级支流,在自贡城区段设有国考碳研所断面。收集碳研所断面近10年来水质自动站数据,分析溶解氧(DO)变化特征,采样调查釜溪河自贡城区段水质及河道底泥污染状况,采用相关性分析、数值模拟等,研究分析釜溪河自贡城区段溶解氧分布特征及碳研所断面季节性低氧成因。研究结果表明,碳研所断面的溶解氧质量浓度变化特征呈现春末夏初最低,白天高晚上低的特征。釜溪河碳研所断面河水耗氧类污染物质量浓度较沱江流域内其他断面高,耗氧强度较大,溶解氧质量浓度较沱江流域其他断面偏低;其次,研究河段中釜溪河污水厂以下河段受污水厂低氧水排入和金子凼堰底层低氧水下泄影响,其溶解氧水平整体较污水厂以上河段低;最后,河段底泥有机质含量较高,春夏季气温升高将导致微生物分解活性增强大量消耗溶解氧,同时,闸坝和外来水体排入的水文扰动造成污水厂以下河段水温梯度弱,表层溶解氧易受底层低氧水影响,促使断面形成季节性低氧现象。溶解氧预测模型结果也进一步证实了温度变化和垂向温度梯度弱是碳研所断面溶解氧质量浓度季节性偏低的主要因素。     

塔里木河河道整治与生态建设科学考察及再思考

塔里木河是我国西北地区最大的内陆河流,如何实现流域水资源可持续利用和生态保护一直是国家和新疆各族人们关注的重大问题。论文通过对塔里木河新的科学考察的经过和体会介绍,就博斯腾湖向塔里木河下游输水的可持续性问题、水资源分配问题、塔里木河干流河道治理工程认识问题、对生态闸的认识和管理问题、胡杨林保护问题、塔里木河下游生态环境恢复等问题提出一些讨论,对塔里木河河道整治与生态建设提出初步咨询建议。     

苦草(Vallisneriaspiralis)对城市缓流河道黑臭底泥理化性质的影响

以苦草(Vallisneria spiralis)和城市缓流河道黑臭底泥为研究对象采用模拟实验方法,探讨了苦草对城市缓流河道黑臭底泥理化性质的影响.结果表明,苦草可以显著改善城市缓流污染河道底泥氧化还原环境.实验期间表层底泥Eh从-70 mV升高至90 mV;减少致黑物质亚铁的含量,实验组表层底泥降低25%,而对照却升高38%;促进铁、硫的自然循环,防止亚铁、H2S的累积;明显改善底泥黑臭现象,实验组表层底泥第7 d出现约3 mm厚灰黄色氧化层,氧化层随时间推移逐渐增厚,第28 d厚度为11 mm.该氧化层无明显恶臭气味.对照则在实验第14 d出现1 mm氧化层并维持至实验结束,期间恶臭气味未消减;种植苦草可显著提高沉积物致密程度,降低底泥含水率,有效改善表层底泥流动状态,且在段头浜、河湾、人工湿地景观等处不影响防汛等功能,对减少河道底泥冲刷迁移和抑制黑臭物质悬浮具有积极的生态学意义.     

黄河支流非点源污染物(N、P)排放量的估算

为了估算黄河支流域非点源污染物的排放量,为今后黄河流域的治理提供科学的依据,对黄河流域的6个子流域(渭河流域、泾河流域、洛河流域、无定河流域、窟野河流域、黄甫川流域)进行了水样、土样和泥沙样的采集分析;结合6个子流域的多年水文资料,利用已经被证明了的平均浓度法对黄河6个子流域的氮磷污染物进行了定量描述,估算出各个流域的氮磷排放量.结果表明,95%的全磷、大于53%的全氮来自于非点源污染,非点源污染是造成黄河污染的主要原因.各流域非点源污染的发生具有明显的地域分异特征.硝态氮主要来自于渭河,铵态氮主要来自于泾河,其次是渭河.从全氮看,绝大部分氮来自于渭河和泾河.全磷则主要来自于泾河,其次是渭河.泾河和渭河是6条河流中对黄河污染物排放量贡献最大的2条河流.     

黑色金属材料在长江淡水中的腐蚀行为

通过现场暴露试验,获得了2种碳钢、3种不锈钢及1种不锈钢与碳钢复合板材料在武汉长江淡水中的4年腐蚀试验结果,总结了它们的腐蚀行为。结果表明,Q235和16Mn碳钢在武汉长江中有较高的腐蚀率和明显的点蚀,稳定腐蚀率为0.055 mm/a;暴露4 a,奥氏体不锈钢304和316L没有明显腐蚀,而马氏体不锈钢430有较明显的点蚀和缝隙腐蚀;马氏体不锈钢0Cr13Ni5Mo与Q345C复合钢板在长江淡水中使用4 a后,0Cr13Ni5Mo发生严重的点蚀,说明马氏体不锈钢在淡水中的应用应慎重。     

河湖水系连通的理论探讨

在全球气候变化和水资源形势日趋严峻的背景下,为了从根本上提高水资源统筹配置能力、改善河湖健康状况和增强抵御水旱灾害能力,河湖水系连通作为国家新时期的一个治水方略被提出。当前关于河湖水系连通的理论基础研究要落后于实践,尚在探索之中。论文尝试从河、湖与水系等水循环基本概念入手,探讨水系的结构、特征和连通性,揭示水系连通的水循环物理机制,并进一步分析河湖水系连通的战略思想,探明其中涉及的几个关键水循环基础问题,包括水量平衡、能量平衡、水资源可再生性、水循环尺度等问题,为河湖水系连通战略的实施和理论体系的建立奠定基础。     

改善太仓城区水环境原型调水实验研究及模型建立

为达到改善太仓城区水环境的目的,于2004年4月21日进行了调水实验.调水历时14 h,期间向城区调水21.8万m3.通过对监测点采样,得到水量、水质实测数据.根据实验数据,建立了符合太仓河网的水量水质数学模型,分析了从长江引水对太仓城区水环境的改善程度.同时对不同引水方案情况下城区水环境改善效果,以及截污和清淤对水环境的影响做了分析.研究表明,引水只能短期改善水环境;要根治水环境,必须从源头抓起,进行截污.     

沙颍河流域行政单元的排污权初始分配研究

初始排污权的有效分配是排污权交易制度实施的基础,结合中国现行行政特征,以行政单元作为排污权初始分配主体开展排污权初始分配研究。具体是：以沙颍河流域为例,根据淮河水利委员会制定的沙颍河流域水功能区划及COD、氨氮限排总量要求,以COD、氨氮作为排污权初始分配的客体,通过等比例削减方法对沙颍河流域内的行政单元进行了排污权初始分配,得到了流域内各市县级行政单元的COD、氨氮初始排放权,并在此基础上从政策可行性、区域合作性及上下游城市的协调性等方面提出了开展排污权初始分配的若干建议。