Environmental changes reflected by the lake sediments of the South Hongshan Lake, Northwest Tibet

The 1.07-m long lake core with 1 cm interval cutting, which was obtained by drilling in the South Hongshan Lake of Northwest Tibet, was dated by the 210Pb and 137Cs methods, and a 150-year consecutive lake sedimentary sequence (1840─1997) with 1.4 year resolution was obtained. Some environmental proxies, such as the total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), ratio of TOC to TN (TOC/TN), trace chemistry elements (TCE), CaCO3, grain size, richness of ostracoda etc. showed that they are of well coincidence. These results implied that the environmental background varied from the cold-wet period in the late 19th century, to the warm-wet period from the end of the 19th century to the 1920s and to the warm-dry period since the 1920s. There were sub-variations since the 1920s: the cold-dry/warm-wet fluctuation from 1922 to 1960, the intensively warm-dry period since 1960 with a short cold-wet period in the mid-1970s to the end of the 1980s. The humid period from the mid-1970s to the end of the 1970s and the dry period beginning from the early 1980s were well documented by climatic data of the nearby weather station records while the grain size was well correlated to the annual precipitation. Compared with the records from Guliya ice core in the same area, the TOC proxy in the lake core indicating warm/cold conditions well corresponded to the ( 18O records representing temperature variations in the ice core. However, the proxies with dry/wet significance in the lake core were different from the variations of snow accumulation reflected by the ice core. It can be concluded that the chosen environmental proxies have clear environmental significance and the lake sediments can reflect climatic and environmental changes at high-resolution.     

A 400-year record of black carbon flux in the Xisha archipelago, South China Sea and its implication

We reconstructed the first long-term (∼400 years) records of black carbon (BC) deposition flux from three ornithogenic sediment profiles, which were collected from three remote, isolated islets of the Xisha archipelago, South China Sea. The significant correlations between black carbon, organic matter and excess ²¹⁰Pb suggested that black carbon was mainly derived from atmospheric deposition, and further enriched by plant-derived organic matter in sediments. During the past 400 years, the BC flux remained relatively low before the onset of 20th century; it started to increase from approximately 1900 AD, and peaked around the 1970s. In the recent 30 years, the BC flux seemed to display decreasing trend, very likely due to the change of energy structure and development of pollution control techniques. In comparison with marginal sea regions that are greatly impacted by anthropogenic activities, these pristine Xisha islands were not significantly influenced by black carbon of anthropogenic origin.     

Reconstruction of pollution history of organic contaminants in the upper Gulf of Thailand by using sediment cores: first report from Tropical Asia Core (TACO) project

This paper reports the first reconstruction of a pollution history in tropical Asia from sediment cores. Four sediment core samples were collected from an offshore transect in the upper Gulf of Thailand and were analyzed for organic micropollutants. The cores were dated by measurement of (137)Cs and geochronometric molecular markers (linear alkylbenzenes, LABs; and tetrapropylene-type alkylbenzenes, TABs). Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations showed a subsurface maximum in layers corresponding to the 1970s, indicating the effectiveness of regulation of PCBs in Thailand. LAB concentrations increased over time, indicating the increase in input of sewage into the Gulf during the last 30 years. Hopanes, biomarkers of petroleum pollution, also increased over time, indicating that the inputs of automobile-derived hydrocarbons to the coastal zone has been increasing owing to the increased number of cars in Thailand since the 1950s. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) increased in the layers corresponding to the 1950s and 1960s, probably because of the increased inputs of automobile-derived PAHs. PAH concentrations in the upper layers corresponding to the 1970s and later remained constant or increased. The absence of a subsurface maximum of PAHs contrasts with results observed in industrialized countries. This can be explained by the facts that the Thai economy did not depend on coal as an energy source in the 1960s and that economic growth has continued since the 1970s to the present. The deposition flux of PAHs and hopanes showed a dramatic offshore decrease, whereas that of LABs was uniform.     

An 80‐year record of sediment quality in the lower Mississippi River

In 1937, the US Army Corps of Engineers cut through the “neck” of a large meander on the lower Mississippi River (below the confluence with the Ohio River) forming the Caulk Neck cutoff and creating Lake Whittington, a 26‐km long oxbow lake, in northern Mississippi. Since 1938, seasonal flooding and a boat channel connecting the lake with the Mississippi River have led to sediment accumulation in the lake, resulting in an 80‐year record of sediment quality in the river. On the basis of an age‐dated sediment core from the lake, trends in trace metals and hydrophobic organic compounds (except polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) follow well‐known patterns with upward trends from the 1930s to the ca 1970s, followed by downward trends to the present. Two factors contribute to these patterns: reservoir construction and changes in emissions. The construction of seven large reservoirs on the Missouri River, in particular the closure of the Fort Randall (1953) and Gavins Point (1955) Dams, greatly reduced the load of relatively clean sediment to the Mississippi River, likely contributing to downstream increases in contaminant concentrations in the Mississippi River. Increasing anthropogenic emissions also contributed to upward trends until ca 1970 when major environmental policy actions began resulting in broad decreases in emissions and downward trends in the concentrations of most of the contaminants monitored. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phosphorus are partial exceptions to this pattern, with increases to the 1960s and variable concentrations showing no clear trend since. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.     

Post World War II orcharding creates present day DDT-problems in The Sørfjord (Western Norway) - A case study

The Sørfjord has a long history of agriculture and industry, and environmental monitoring has been conducted for decades, comprising analyses of contaminants in mussel, fish and sediments. DDT was used as an insecticide in orchards surrounding the fjord between World War II and 1970. Since the early 1990s, elevated concentrations of DDT were found in mussels and fish. Unexpectedly, DDT-concentrations increased towards present day, despite the discontinuation of use. The highest concentrations in mussels (in 2006) corresponded to about two orders of magnitude higher than background. Analyses of sediment core sections also indicated increased input towards present day. Shifts in climatic parameters, as well as increased amounts of soil dissolved organic carbon following a decline in atmospheric sulphate deposition may have contributed to this phenomenon. We warrant the need for increased knowledge of the effects of alterations in variables acting regionally and globally on the disposition of contaminants in ecosystems.     

Field measurement and modeling of near-bed sediment transport processes with fluid mud layer in Tokyo Bay

Tokyo Bay is one of the estuaries in Japan with a high population of almost 26 million people in the basin area. One of the major concerns for the environment in this water area is the decreasing ecosystem functions including the deterioration of water and sediment qualities caused by various anthropogenic activities. Since the bottom sediments around almost the entire area of the inner bay consist of fine materials with a high organic content, which cause the deterioration of water quality through processes such as hypoxia, an understanding of the fine sediment dynamics in the Bay is crucial for an environmental assessment of the water area. This paper proposes a model for the key processes of fine sediment dynamics, which reflects field data about muddy bed structures and their dynamics obtained during the monitoring campaign in 2007. One of the specific features of the sediment in the Bay at present is the persistent existence of fluid mud layers (water content over 300 %) with a thickness of around a few decimeters, which might be caused by deposition of abundant organic particles due to eutrophication. The present study shows that diffusion flux model delivers quite reliable results for estimating erosion flux from the top of fluid mud layers after calibrating the model parameter against the time series data of vertical flux measured by an acoustic Doppler velocimeter system. This study also derives analytical solutions, based on the Bingham fluid concept, of advection flux in the fluid mud layer on which external shear stress force is applied.

     

Field measurement and modeling of near-bed sediment transport processes with fluid mud layer in Tokyo Bay

Tokyo Bay is one of the estuaries in Japan with a high population of almost 26 million people in the basin area. One of the major concerns for the environment in this water area is the decreasing ecosystem functions including the deterioration of water and sediment qualities caused by various anthropogenic activities. Since the bottom sediments around almost the entire area of the inner bay consist of fine materials with a high organic content, which cause the deterioration of water quality through processes such as hypoxia, an understanding of the fine sediment dynamics in the Bay is crucial for an environmental assessment of the water area. This paper proposes a model for the key processes of fine sediment dynamics, which reflects field data about muddy bed structures and their dynamics obtained during the monitoring campaign in 2007. One of the specific features of the sediment in the Bay at present is the persistent existence of fluid mud layers (water content over 300?%) with a thickness of around a few decimeters, which might be caused by deposition of abundant organic particles due to eutrophication. The present study shows that diffusion flux model delivers quite reliable results for estimating erosion flux from the top of fluid mud layers after calibrating the model parameter against the time series data of vertical flux measured by an acoustic Doppler velocimeter system. This study also derives analytical solutions, based on the Bingham fluid concept, of advection flux in the fluid mud layer on which external shear stress force is applied.     

巢湖柱状沉积物中甘油二烷基甘油四醚脂(GDGTs)的组成特征

甘油二烷基甘油四醚脂(GDGTs)是目前生物地球化学研究的热点之一.与GDGTs有关的指标已成功地应用在海洋环境中有关来源判识和古环境古气候重建的研究,但是在湖泊环境中的应用目前还比较有限.通过开展巢湖柱状沉积物中GDGTs的组成测定,为GDGTs类脂分子标志物在湖泊系统中的应用提供依据.研究表明由柱状沉积物中支链GDGTs参数计算得到的量化结果与巢湖周围流域的环境温度、pH等历史记录能较好地吻合;柱状沉积物中类异戊二烯类GDGTs来源的不确定性可能是造成TEX_(86)指标的量化结果和实际的水体温度出现较大偏差的重要原因.另外,沉积物中GDGTs指标和TOC、C/N、δ~(13)C_(org)、δ~(15)N等传统湖泊总体有机质参数以及其它分子标志物指标相比,具有高分辨性和抗干扰等特点.因此,湖泊中GDGTs有望成为湖泊古气候和古环境重建的重要指标.     

Heavy metals mobility in harbour contaminated sediments: the case of Port-en-Bessin

Metallic contaminants associated with sediments showed various behaviours depending on physicochemical conditions. A contaminated sediment core from a harbour in the Bay of Seine was sampled to derive information about metal solubilization from anoxic sediment. In these anaerobic surroundings, physicochemical processes depended on the organic matter cycle, on vertical variation of redox conditions and on precipitation conditions of iron and manganese. In the studied core, anoxic conditions were developed at -15 cm depth. A three-step sequential extraction procedure, modified from the BCR method (now the SM&T), was applied to the anoxic sediment in order to evaluate the potential mobility of fixed metals. Zinc was the most labile metal, recovered in the first extraction stages, and was associated with the non-residual fraction of sediment. Lead was the least labile metal, with up to 70% associated with the residual fraction of the sediment. Copper was associated with organic matter, and its mobility was controlled by the concentration and degradation of the organic fraction. Discharge of organic-rich dredged sediments at sea results in degradation of contained organic matter and may affect the environmental impact of these metals significantly. These results therefore help to improve the waste management of such contaminated sediments.     

Aquaculture-related trace metals in sediments and lobsters and relevance to environmental monitoring program ratings for near-field effects

The study was undertaken to assess the marine environmental effects from feed and waste associated with aquaculture activities. Metal compositions of sediment, lobster, and feed were used to evaluate the extent of detectable effects at 0 m (under the cage) and 50 m distance. Sediments that were collected under the cages and were characterised as hypoxic or anoxic, showed elevated levels of Cu, Zn, organic carbon, and % <63 microm particles, and low Mn and Fe. At 50 m there was a major reduction in waste chemical impact. Using lobster, a bioindicator species, as a tool for detecting near-field impacts, showed accumulations of high Cu associated with active aquaculture sites. Chemical compositions and metal ratios normalised with organic carbon, were used to assess the sediment conditions associated with environmental monitoring program ratings (EMP--normal, hypoxic, and anoxic). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to explore chemical data at all sites for differentiating normal, hypoxic and anoxic sediment conditions. Selected variables (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, organic carbon, and particles <63 microm) were sufficient for the PCA approach with >90% explainable variance of first two components. The groupings based on PCA and cluster analysis were similar to EMP classifications with some exceptions of mis-identification by EMP. The sediment chemistry components were valid indicators for evaluating marine environmental conditions and for assessing aquaculture operating sites. The developed techniques, using chemical variables in combination with EMP and the statistical approach should be useful to predict the effects of aquaculture practices and the suitability of aquaculture operations.     

近百年来枝角类群落响应洱海营养水平、外来鱼类引入以及水生植被变化的特征

近几十年来,以大型湖泊为代表的云南部分湖泊受人类活动的持续影响出现了生态环境的明显变化.洱海作为云南面积第2大淡水湖泊,经历了多重环境压力(富营养化、外来鱼类引入、水生植被退化等)的影响.在湖泊现代监测数据面临时段较短、缺乏连续记录的背景下,湖泊沉积物的连续记录可以提供湖泊生态环境变化的长期历史并可用于生态响应模式的识别.以目前处于富营养水平的洱海为研究对象,应用湖泊沉积物记录进行多指标分析,探讨多重环境压力影响下洱海枝角类群落的长期变化特征以及影响因素,并与已有研究成果和现代监测数据进行对比,探讨了枝角类群落对环境压力响应的空间差异性.通过分析沉积物枝角类记录,重建了近百年来洱海枝角类群落的变化历史,结果表明过去100年来,枝角类的生物量总体呈增加趋势,尤其从1990年左右开始,象鼻溞生物量显著增加,物种相对组成出现明显变化(如Bosmina longispina被B.longirostris取代).同时象鼻溞的生物量、壳长与触角长度在1990s初期有明显降低的趋势,与同期外来鱼类(如银鱼)引种成功的时间一致.限制性聚类分析结果表明,枝角类群落结构的变化有3个主要阶段:1990s以前,底栖枝角类为群落的主要组成;1990—2000年左右,浮游枝角类(以象鼻溞为主)在枝角类群落结构中的比例迅速增加;从2000年以后,枝角类群落组成以浮游枝角类为主.同时,枝角类数据的主成分(PCA)分析显示,仅有PCA主轴1呈现显著的变化且解释了群落结构变化的61.64%,进一步分析表明水生植被变化可能是驱动枝角类变化的主要环境梯度,如底栖枝角类生物量减少响应了湖泊水生植被的退化.与已有研究对比表明,浅水湖区沉积物记录的枝角类生物量在1970s急剧增加与1980s急剧降低等现象并没有被深水区的沉积物记录所反映,指示了洱海生态系统的变化模式存在空间差异性.同时象鼻溞个体大小的变化模式反映了外来鱼类引入导致的鱼类捕食压力的变化.总之,本文揭示了枝角类群落结构与生物量的长期变化,反映了洱海富营养化过程、水生植被的退化与外来鱼类引入的长期驱动影响,因此对洱海的生态管理与修复工作应考虑多个环境压力的影响并加强对湖泊生态系统的评价.     

Historic and contemporary sediment transfer in an upland Pennine catchment,UK

A sediment budget for an upland catchment–reservoir system at Burnhope Reservoir, North Pennines, UK has been developed. This provides a framework for quantifying historic and contemporary sediment yields and drainage basin response to disturbance from climate change and human activities in the recent past. Bathymetric survey, core sampling, ¹³⁷Cs dating and aerial photographs have been used to assess sediment accumulation in the reservoir. The average reservoir sedimentation rate is 1·24 cm yr^?1 (annual sediment yield 33·3 t km^?2 yr^?1 ± 10%, trap efficiency 92%). Mean annual reservoir sedimentation over the 67 year period has been estimated at 592 t ± 10%. Inputs of suspended sediment from direct catchwater streams account for 54% of sediment supply to the budget (best estimate yield of 318 t yr^?1 ± 129%), while those from actively eroding reservoir shorelines contribute 328 t yr^?1 ± 92%. Sediment yield estimates from stream monitoring and reservoir sedimentation are an order of magnitude lower than those reported from South Pennine reservoirs of comparable drainage basin area. Analysis of historical rainfall series for the catchment shows fluctuations in winter and summer rainfall patterns over the past 62 years. From 1976 to 1998 there has been a diverging trend between winter and summer rainfall, with a large increase in winter and a gradual decrease in summer totals. Periods of maximum variation occur during the summer drought events of the late 1970s, early 1980s and mid‐1990s. Analysis of the particle size of core sediments highlights abrupt increases in sand‐sized particles in the top 20 cm of the core. Based on the ¹³⁷Cs chronology, these layers were deposited from the late 1970s onwards and relate to these diverging rainfall records and rapidly fluctuating reservoir levels. This provides evidence of potential sediment reworking within the reservoir by rapid water‐level rise after drought. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

近40年来太湖梅梁湾底栖动物群落演变特征及驱动因素

梅梁湾是太湖北部最大湖湾,也是太湖生态环境问题最严重的区域之一,近年来对太湖治理力度不断加大,然而对其生态状况演变的认识尚不清晰。本文基于长期监测及文献资料,获得1980s以来太湖梅梁湾底栖动物及环境因子数据,分析底栖动物种类组成、优势种、丰度的时空变化,应用非度量多维尺度分析(NMDS)和随机森林(RF)分析群落结构演变及其与环境因子的关系。结果表明,梅梁湾1980—2019年共记录到44属(种)底栖动物,以摇蚊幼虫和软体动物为主,总丰度年际变化显著,40年来底栖群落结构发生显著变化,优势种经历了由较敏感的软体类为主到以耐污寡毛类、摇蚊幼虫等为主的转变。综合NMDS和随机森林分析结果,梅梁湾底栖动物群落演变大致可分为4个阶段:1980s及以前,物种多样性丰富,以河蚬(Corbicula fluminea)等大型软体动物为优势种;1990s—2007年,底栖动物群落快速退化,以耐污种占优;2008—2016年,水生态略有恢复,河蚬等清洁种略有回升;2017—2019年,耐污种优势度和丰度反弹。近40年来梅梁湾底栖动物群落变化主要受底质氮磷、有机质和水体营养盐、蓝藻水华等环境因子变化的影...     

Eutrophication and heavy metal pollution in the Flensburg Fjord: A reassessment after 30 years

A study of surface sediment organic matter and heavy metal content (e.g. Cu, Zn, Pb and Sn) was carried out in 2006 to assess changes in eutrophication and pollution in the periodically anoxic Flensburg Fjord since 1972. Low hydrodynamic activity together with sewage discharges and high primary production in the inner fjord promote the enrichment of present day surface sediments in organic matter and metals in contrast to the outer fjord. However, heavy metal contents in the fjord are typical for the western Baltic Sea, although they are higher than in the preindustrial period.Although the anthropogenic nutrient load has substantially decreased since the 1970s, sediments from the inner fjord contain more organic material in 2006 than in 1972 resulting from still high levels of primary production supported by internal nutrient loading. Of the heavy metals measured, a decrease in Pb content since the 1970s is distinct, which is explained by the banning on gasoline lead. Taken together, these results suggest that the amelioration of environmental conditions needs time but is indeed related to reduced anthropogenic inputs.     

A regression model using sediment chemistry for the evaluation of marine environmental impacts associated with salmon aquaculture cage wastes

This study was undertaken to develop an approach for modelling changes of sediment chemistry related to the accumulation of aquaculture waste. Metal composition of sediment Al, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, and Zn; organic carbon and < 63 microm particles were used to determine the extent of detectable effects around the cage. This study showed marked differences in the sediment chemistry between aquaculture sites and the natural background: (1) negative correlations between sediment Cu and Zn with Al, (2) poor correlations between metals and Li, and (3) concentrations of Fe and Mn decreased with increased accumulation of organic carbon. There is a trend among normalised metals, organic carbon and particles related to normal, hypoxic and anoxic sediment conditions. The trends are useful for detecting and assessing the cumulative effects from aquaculture wastes to the marine environment. Lithium is less interactive with other metals in aquaculture sediments compared with the natural background sediments. Principal components analysis (PCA) was carried out on the metals, organic carbon, and particles to cluster the similarities of the variables so as to establish the predicted or adjusted environmental monitoring program (EMP) ratings. This approach, using the adjusted EMP rating based on sediment chemistry, yields a regression model with R2 = 0.945 compared to R2= 0.653 for the regression model using unadjusted EMP for assessing the environmental conditions.     

Spatiotemporal patterns of carbon sequestration in a large shallow lake,Chaohu Lake: Evidence from multiple-core records

Lake sediment can sequestrate large amounts of carbon and this issue has become a research hotspot. However, most of research on carbon burial in lakes is based on a single (or a few) sediment core records and so may underestimate the variability of carbon burial features within a single lake. In this study, therefore, Chaohu Lake, a typical large shallow lake in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, was selected to conduct multiple, high resolution sediment core studies to elucidate that variability. Overall 18 sediment cores are analyzed according to paleolimnological proxies (including ²¹⁰Pb/¹³⁷Cs for 3 master cores); sediment accumulation rate, total organic carbon, grain size and loss of ignition is measured or estimated for most cores. The spatiotemporal variations of organic carbon burial rate (OCBR), carbon storage and their driving factors were examined. Results show: 1) There was a clear temporal difference in carbon burial during the past 150 years, with OCBR varying from 1.1 g C/m²/y to 25.6 g C/m²/y (mean 9.8 g C/m²/y). OCBR began to increase after around 1900, a rapid increase followed after 1950s and a downward trend after 1970s. Total carbon burial amount (OCBA) in the lake since the 1850s is 1.11 x 10¹⁰ g. 2) The average OCBR of six sediment cores in the northwest lake area is 13.4 g C/m²/y, significantly higher than that for sediment cores in other areas (9.6 g C/m²/y). 3) TOC, OCBR, OCBA in all 18 cores exhibited similar temporal patterns (i.e. marked increase since 1950s in most of the cores) but with significant differences in several lake locations. 4) During the last 150 years, carbon burial in Chaohu Lake appears to be greatly affected by changes in regional temperature and population size, according to their significant correlations. OCBR also has a significant correlation with the average lake level in the past 50 years, indicating human activity (notably dam building). This has imposed an important impact on OCBR in Chaohu Lake. This multi-sediment core study reveals the spatiotemporal characteristics of carbon burial in the lake and provides an important basis for increasing the accuracy of calculating carbon storage in large shallow lakes.     

A geochemical record of environmental changes in sediments from Sishili Bay,northern Yellow Sea,China: Anthropogenic influence on organic matter sources and composition over the last 100 years

Total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N were measured in sediment cores at three sites in Sishili Bay, China, to track the impacts of anthropogenic activities on the coastal environment over the last 100 years. The increased TOC and TN in the upper section of sediment cores indicated a eutrophic process since 1975. In comparison, the TOC and TN in the sediment core near to a scallop aquaculture area displayed a much slower increase, indicating the contribution of scallop aquaculture in mitigating eutrophication. Combined information from δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N and TOC:TN indicated an increased terrestrial signal, although organic matter sources in Sishili Bay featured a mixture of terrestrial and marine sources, with phytoplankton being dominant. Increased fertilizer use since 1970s contributed to the eutrophic process in Sishili Bay since 1975, and increased sewage discharge from 1990s has added to this process.     

江苏省石梁河水库高分辨率沉积速率变化及环境意义

石梁河水库是江苏省最大的人工湖泊.开展水库沉积速率研究,对认识水库环境变化具有重要意义.本文对石梁河水库沉积物岩芯粒度组成特征进行了分析,表明沉积物以黏土质粉砂和粉砂质黏土为主,从底部向上呈明显的变细趋势,并记录了1970年的强降雨事件.采用¹³⁷Cs同位素测年分析,得到1963年和1986年两个时标.通过石梁河水库的沉积年代序列,推算出平均沉积速率:1963 1970年为10.85 cm/a,1970 1986年为3.81 cm/a,1986 2005年为1.32 cm/a.对比粒度沉积特征和流域降水记录,粗颗粒物质和降雨量的变化趋势基本相同,沉积物粒度组成特点直接反映了沉积时的降水、水动力搬运强度等信息.在河川来水来沙、坝前水位变化和地形等条件下,石梁河水库表现为三角洲淤积,且沉积速率逐渐变缓,符合水库淤积的一般规律.此外,石梁河水库上游建设的众多大型水库,拦截了大量泥沙,也使得沉积速率呈现减小趋势.     

The effects of sample scheduling and sample numbers on estimates of the annual fluxes of suspended sediment in fluvial systems

Since the 1970s, there has been both continuing and growing interest in developing accurate estimates of the annual fluvial transport (fluxes and loads) of suspended sediment and sediment‐associated chemical constituents. This study provides an evaluation of the effects of manual sample numbers (from 4 to 12 year^?1) and sample scheduling (random‐based, calendar‐based and hydrology‐based) on the precision, bias and accuracy of annual suspended sediment flux estimates. The evaluation is based on data from selected US Geological Survey daily suspended sediment stations in the USA and covers basins ranging in area from just over 900 km² to nearly 2 million km² and annual suspended sediment fluxes ranging from about 4 Kt year^?1 to about 200 Mt year^?1. The results appear to indicate that there is a scale effect for random‐based and calendar‐based sampling schemes, with larger sample numbers required as basin size decreases. All the sampling schemes evaluated display some level of positive (overestimates) or negative (underestimates) bias. The study further indicates that hydrology‐based sampling schemes are likely to generate the most accurate annual suspended sediment flux estimates with the fewest number of samples, regardless of basin size. This type of scheme seems most appropriate when the determination of suspended sediment concentrations, sediment‐associated chemical concentrations, annual suspended sediment and annual suspended sediment‐associated chemical fluxes only represent a few of the parameters of interest in multidisciplinary, multiparameter monitoring programmes. The results are just as applicable to the calibration of autosamplers/suspended sediment surrogates currently used to measure/estimate suspended sediment concentrations and ultimately, annual suspended sediment fluxes, because manual samples are required to adjust the sample data/measurements generated by these techniques so that they provide depth‐integrated and cross‐sectionally representative data. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.     

The use of the marine biotic index AMBI in the assessment of the ecological status of the Obidos lagoon (Portugal)

This study reports the longitudinal distribution of sediment properties, including inorganic and organic contaminants, and the structure of the benthic community in Obidos lagoon, a coastal system permanently connected to the sea and with negligible freshwater sources. Sediments from the upper to central lagoon consist of fine particles (91%) and from the lower lagoon of sands (94%). Chemical composition is strongly correlated to the percentage of fine particles. Contamination is relatively low in those sediments suggesting the effect of diffuse sources. The increase in organic matter content from down- to upstream areas was associated with the dominance of opportunistic species, while sensitive and indifferent species to organic enrichment were mainly associated to the clean sandy downstream area. The marine biotic index (AMBI) was suitable for the discrimination of the biological and environmental gradients in the Obidos lagoon and was highly related with the gradient of organic matter content in this system.