Colonisation of epilithic diatom population of the River Taff, South Wales, U.K.

1. A light and scanning electron microscopic study of the structure of epilithic diatom communities was carried out at two sites on the River Taff, South Wales, an upstream unpolluted site (Site 1) and a downstream polluted site (Site 2). 2. Community structure at the micro-scale revealed that, although communities at both sites were similar in terms of species present (similarity indices ranging between 0.44 and 0.96), they were very different with respect to their physical structure. 3. The traditional approach in studying epilithic diatom communities ignores information relating to community structure. The combination of light and scanning electron microscopy proved to be most useful for studying the epilithic diatom communities. 4. The examination of community succession on stone substrata showed that communities were highly dynamic on a weekly time scale, which suggests that the “age” of a substratum is a very important determinant of the attaching communities. A change from a prostate, two-dimensional community structure to an erect, three-dimensional community structure, and a shift from the dominance of epilithic diatoms to the dominance of epiphytic diatoms were noted. Such a change was more noticed at the polluted downstream site, possibly due to a higher rate of surface pre-conditioning and biofilm production at this site than at the unpolluted upstream site.     

Characteristic analysis of phospholipid fatty acids(PLFAs) in typical nutrient polluted lake sediment in Wuhan

The process of urbanization aggravates the endogenous pollution of urban lake sediment,and polluted sediment may seriously affect the quality of the water in lakes.At present,it is difficult to distinguish the difference between sediment that is heavily polluted by nitrogen(N)and phosphorus(P)when using an analysis based on a physicochemical index classification.The current study applied phospholipid fatty acid(PLFA)technology to further analyze the sediment characteristics from the perspective of microbiology.Surface sediment from five urban lakes that are heavily polluted with N and P in Wuhan were sampled.Statistical approaches were used to analyze the microbial community structure in the sampled sediment,and to determine the correlations between the microorganisms and physicochemical indices.The most severely polluted lake sediment had similar PLFA structures,the highest saturated fatty-acid content,and bacteria as the dominant microorganism.However,there were differences between the microbial biomass of the various sediment samples,which may have been related to the degree of N and P pollution.Analysis of the microbial diversity in the sediment samples indicated that the bacteria were experiencing starvation and nutrient pressure,which may have been due to the dissolved oxygen concentration of the heavily polluted lake sediment.A correlation analysis showed that the endogenous N and P had different effects on the microbes of the polluted sediment.A redundancy analysis(RDA)demonstrated that the N/P ratio had the greatest influence on the PLFA species,accounting for 83%of the cumulative interpretation.To effectively promote the role of sediment microorganisms on circulating elements,it is necessary to regulate the N/P ratio of the sediment to some extent.When the N/P ratio in sediment exceeds 6,N pollution should be prioritized.     

Effects of chronic oil pollution from refinery effluent on sediment microflora in a Danish coastal area

Kalundborg Fjord is a Danish marine area which has been heavily oil polluted by refinery effluent, leading to accumulation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the surface sediments. A study of the occurrence in the sediment of heterotrophic bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi has been carried out, and the physiological composition of the microbial community has been recorded. Though the abundance of oil-degrading microorganisms was significant, a correlation between the number of these and the oil content of the sediment could not be demonstrated.     

Physico-Chemical and Phycological Assessment of Certain Polluted Environs of Varanasi and Neighbouring Areas

A general survey of the various polluted environs e.g., (i) The cement factory, (ii) The aluminium factory; (iii) The fertilizer factory; (iv) Dairy waste, and (v) Township sewage, has been made with a view to studying the distribution, dominance and diversity of algal communities growing therein. This study has revealed that the algal community structure along with physico-chemical factors can be best used for the assessment of water pollution. Oscillatoria has been found dominant in all those polluted environs containing a high amount of nitrogen and phosphorus, thereby indicating that this alga is tolerant to organic pollution. However, a sparse vegetation of algae as recorded in other situations is indicative of either a poor nutrient status of the habitat or the presence of some growth inhibitory substances.     

Impacts by heavy-oil spill from the Russian tanker Nakhodka on intertidal ecosystems: recovery of animal community

The impact of a heavy-oil spill from the Nakhodka on an intertidal animal community, and the recovery process of animals from the damage were surveyed from the autumn of 1997 to the spring of 2001. The field study was carried out in the rocky coast of Imago-Ura Cove, located along the Sea of Japan, where clean-up operations for oil pollution had been conducted less intensely than in other polluted areas. We have examined individual number of each animal taxon by continuously placing a quadrat of 5 m width along the entire intertidal zone of the cove. A total of 76 invertebrate taxa including 57 species of mollusks, 10 species of crustaceans were observed during the survey. The number of taxa increased from 1998 to 1999 in areas where the initial oil pollution was intense. Total individual number of benthic animals continued to increase from 1998 to 2000 in the polluted areas. The impact of oil on benthic animals was different from species to species. Some species such as Cellana toreuma and Monodonta labio confusa increased rapidly after the oil spill, whereas other species such as Patelloida saccharina lanx and Septifer virgatus did not show any apparent temporal tendencies. Population size structure of P. saccharina lanx varied greatly among years, however that of M. labio confusa did not. For P. saccharina lanx, recruitment was unsuccessful in 1997, possibly due to the effect of oil pollution. These differences in responses to oil pollution among benthic animals are considered to be caused by the differences in habitat use, susceptibility to heavy-oil, life history and migration ability. The findings suggest that it took at least 2-3 years for the intertidal animal community to recover to its original level after the oil spill.     

考虑区域水资源地震破坏后的信息管理模型设计

传统水资源信息管理模型采用GIS网络技术,对水资源信息进行优化配置,未对地震多发区域水资源管网进行综合规划,存在地震破坏后受污染水资源信息管理性能差的问题。设计考虑区域水资源地震破坏后污染的信息管理模型,模型包括受污染水资源信息规划设计模块、信息监测和采集模块、信息管理模块。3个模块分别实现对地震破坏后污染的水资源管网的合理规划、监测和采集以及污染信息的综合管理。实验结果表明,所设计模型对区域水资源地震破坏后污染的信息管理的平均时间达到1.38 s,且在管理过程中各项功能的评分都高于93.5分,具有较高的管理性能。     

Comparative molecular analysis of bacterial communities inhabiting pristine and polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons Black Sea coastal sediments

Molecular analysis was applied to characterize bacterial community structure in sediment samples collected from pristine site and oil-polluted Black Sea harbor. Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA) revealed a high similarity in the restriction patterns of both samples thus not demonstrating the effect of the pollutant on the structure of the bacterial communities. Constructed 16S rRNA gene libraries gave more detailed assessment of members. Results showed that α- and γ-Proteobacteria were dominant in the oil polluted site, whereas the pristine site was characterized by prevalence of Actinobacteria. The biodegradative potential of the adapted bacterial community in the oil-polluted sediments was demonstrated by the presence of the aromatic ring hydroxylating dioxygenase genes.     

Spatiotemporal Variations in Microbial Communities in a Landfill Leachate Plume

We examined the spatiotemporal changes of microbial communities in relation to hydrochemistry variation over time and space in an aquifer polluted by landfill leachate (Banisveld, The Netherlands). Sampling in 1998, 1999, and 2004 at the same time of the year revealed that the center of the pollution plume was hydrochemically rather stable, but its upper fringe moved to the surface over time, especially at distances greater than 40 m away from the landfill. Complex and spatiotemporal heterogeneous bacterial and eukaryotic communities were resolved using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of 16S and 18S rRNA gene fragments. Large fluctuations were noted in the eukaryotic communities associated with strongly polluted and cleaner groundwater. The bacterial communities in strongly polluted samples were different from those in cleaner groundwater in 1998 and 1999, but no longer in 2004. The temporal variation in microbial communities was greater than the spatial variation: the 1998 bacteria communities in strongly polluted groundwater were more related to each other than to those recovered in 1999 and 2004. During the three sampling periods, the bacterial communities were more stable close to the landfill than at larger distances from the landfill. Overall, pollution appears to have only a minor influence on microbial communities. The considerable spatiotemporal variation in microbial community composition may contribute to better biodegradation of pollutants. Designing management strategies for natural attenuation of aquifer pollution will benefit from further long‐term, high‐density monitoring of changes in microbial communities, their diversity and physiological properties, in relation to changes in hydrochemistry.     

Determination of Critical Factors in Implementing River Clean‐Up Projects: A Malaysian Case Study

Fast economic growth of a country contributes to the increase of activities that can also bring negative impacts on the rivers. Contamination of rivers, sedimentation, coastal erosion, decrease of aquatic life, and also flooding are some of these universal impacts. There are several rivers around the world, which are categorized as very polluted and require cleaning‐up operations. Several factors have been identified to be influencing factors in the success or otherwise of the implementation and operation of these projects. This study examined the factors related to the steps taken to clean‐up and rehabilitate these rivers and deduce by utilizing factor analysis the most critical success factors from the results obtained. A responsible river community is by far the most effective way to keep a river basin clean. Very often, however, cleaning‐up operations are necessary to revive and maintain the quality of the river so that it can be save to use as an important source of water for human consumption. It was found that community awareness was the most critical cluster of factors determining the success of the clean‐up work.     

强化生态浮床原位修复技术对污染河流浮游动物群落结构的影响

对强化生态浮床原位修复技术修复南方重污染感潮河流过程中浮游动物的种群动态变化进行研究,探讨浮游动物群落结构变化特征与河流水质改善状况的相互关系.结果显示,经强化生态浮床处理后,重污染感潮河流水质得到改善,浮游动物的种类由修复工程实施前的5种增加到49种,且由单一耐污种转变为多种种类共存;示范区各月浮游动物个体丰度较对照...     

Seasonal changes of the profundal macrobenthic community in a polluted lake

Late summer and winter structures of the profundal macrobenthos in a polluted lake (Lake Nemi, Central Italy) were compared to verify the relative differences in the faunal structure and the magnitude of the winter recovery of this community. Densities of Oligochaetes and Chironomids did not vary significantly from summer to winter, the latter not showing any recolonization of the profundal zone. Structure and diversity of the total fauna, and Oligochaete/Chironomid ratio were very similar in the two periods. Our results suggest that in a severely polluted lake, with a strong and lasting oxygen deficit in the hypolimnic zone, a lack of recovery of profundal macrobenthos may be expected in improved environmental winter conditions.     

Human‐induced sedimentation patterns of a channelized lowland river

Channelization of the severely polluted Odra and Vistula Rivers in Poland induced intensive accumulation of fine‐grained deposits rich in organic matter and heavy metals. These sediments have been identified in vertical profiles in a narrow zone along river banks both in groyne‐created basins and on the floodplain. Grain size, organic matter, zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) content and cesium‐137 (¹³⁷Cs) was used for sediment dating and, stratigraphy and chemistry have been diagnostic features for these deposits, named industrial alluvium. In the most polluted river reaches stabilized by bank reinforcements and groynes, 2‐m‐thick slack water groyne deposits are composed of uniform strata of polluted silts with organic matter content over 10%, Zn content over 1000 mg/kg and average Cu and Pb over 100 mg/kg. The average rate of sediment accretion in groynes is higher than on the floodplain and reaches 5 cm/yr. Stratification which appears at higher levels in the groyne fields and on the levees reflects a change from in‐channel to overbank deposition and is typified by dark layers separated by bright, sandy, and less polluted strata. Stratified, 4‐m‐thick, sediment sequences have been found in groyne fields of incised river reaches. The average rate of sediment accretion in these reaches is of the order of 5 cm/yr. In stable and relatively less polluted river reaches, vertical‐accretion organic deposits are finely laminated and the average rate of deposition amounts to a few millimeters per year. Investigations indicate that groyne construction favors conditions for long‐term storage of sediments at channel banks. For this reason, groynes should be considered as structures that efficiently limit sudden release of sediment‐associated heavy metals stored in channels and in floodplains of the historically polluted rivers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Microbial community of cyanobacteria mats in the intertidal zone of oil-polluted coast of Saudi Arabia

Cyanobacterial mats are found at various locations along the coast of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Those mats were affected by severe oil pollution following 1991 oil spill. In this study, samples from Abu Ali Island were collected at three selected sampling sites across the intertidal zone (Lower, Middle, and Upper) in order to understand the effect of extreme environmental conditions of high salinity, temperature and desiccation on distribution of cyanobacteria along the oil polluted intertidal zone. Our investigation of composition of cyanobacteria and diatoms was carried out using light microscopy, and Denaturant Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) technique. Light microscopy identification revealed dominant cyanobacteria to be affiliated with genera Phormidium, Microcoleus, and Schizothrix, and to a lesser extent with Oscillatoria, Halothece, and various diatom species. The analysis of DGGE of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA fragments showed that the diversity of cyanobacteria decreases as we proceed from the lower to the upper intertidal zone. Accordingly, the tidal regime, salinity, elevated ambient air temperature, and desiccation periods have a great influence on the distribution of cyanobacterial community in the oil polluted intertidal zone of Abu Ali Island.     

Spatio-temporal changes of marine macrobenthic community in sub-tropical waters upon recovery from eutrophication. II. Life-history traits and feeding guilds of polychaete community

A two-year study was conducted in the vicinity of a harbour in sub-tropical Hong Kong, to examine the progress of recovery of macrobenthic community, based on analyses of both life-history traits and trophic guilds of polychaetes, upon cessation of organic pollution caused by sewage discharge. Seventy seven out of 83 species collected were classified under four ecological groups based on the life-history traits and sensitivity to organic gradients. The mean ATZI marine biotic index (AMBI) derived from these ecological groups showed spatial difference among the five sampling locations. In particular, the presence of different percentages of polychaete species from Groups III (unbalanced community) and IV (polluted community) suggested the presence of pollution stress in certain degree at all sampling locations. However, no significant temporal changes were noted over the study period. From all polychaete species identified, they were classified into 13 feeding guilds. The mean diversity of these feeding guilds at most of the sampling locations was significantly higher than that at one of the inside-harbour locations. The composition of feeding guilds was also significantly different spatially. At one of the inside-harbour locations, the dominant feeding guilds were motile/discretely motile surface deposit feeders with tentaculates or unarmed pharynx, and motile omnivores with jawed pharynx in the first year of study, but were replaced by motile, jawed carnivores in the second year of study. The increased proportion of carnivores over the study period can be seen as a sign of recovery in the community structure since abundance of predators is commonly higher in habitats with better environmental quality. The implications of using life-history traits and feeding guild analyses for benthic community are discussed.     

Microbial community dynamics and biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in polluted marine sediments in Hong Kong

Dynamics of microbial community and biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in polluted marine sediments, artificially spiked with a mixture of PAHs (fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene), were examined for a period of 60 days. Microbial communities were characterised by bacterial counts, ester-linked fatty acid methyl ester (EL-FAME) analysis and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). A noted reduction in species diversity occurred only in the high PAH level treatment at onset. Both EL-FAME and DGGE demonstrated a marked shift in microbial community, in all the PAH level treatments, afterwards, with increases in the number of fatty acid degraders, the relative abundance of fatty acid biomarkers for gram-negative bacteria and a decrease in species diversity. The shift was also accompanied by the significant decrease in PAH concentrations. By the end of the experiment, diversity indices, based on both approaches, recovered when PAH concentrations declined to their background levels, except in the high PAH level treatment.     

Effects of mariculture on macrobenthic assemblages in a western mediterranean site

The effects of solid organic wastes from a marine fish farm on sediment was tested using macrobenthic fauna as biological indicators. Impact on benthic fauna was evaluated in the vicinity of a fish farm in the Tyrrhenian Sea (Western Mediterranean) between July 2001 and October 2002. Changes in benthic community structure were investigated using multivariate, distributional and univariate analyses (diversity indices, AMBI and M-AMBI). The results showed sharp disturbance of assemblages under the cages and no effects in the area more than 25 m from the cages. Sediment alterations were related to an increase in farmed biomass and its wastes, as well as to low current speed that allowed accumulation of organic matter on the sea floor. It was possible to follow the ecological succession from slightly altered assemblages to heavily polluted ones in the very short period of a single fish fattening cycle (15 months).     

山西忻州奇村井水汞高值原因分析

通过对比观测实验,对水汞观测中出现的大幅度高值异常变化原因进行分析,认为汞标准源长时间置于观测室,造成室内汞污染;捕汞管、取样瓶、还原器等长时间不清洗受到污染等是造成水汞高值的主要原因。对观测过程中存在的问题提出几点建议,以利于提高水汞观测质量及在地震分析预报中的作用。     

Ecological monitoring strategy with special reference to a rocky subtidal programme

Excluding the most polluted areas, a general problem to handle in an ecological monitoring context is the recognition of pollution-induced changes as opposed to natural variations always occurring in marine communities. In the search for solutions to this problem, a combination of different methods is suggested. The use of basic ecological community studies, comparison of common patterns on a broad geographical scale, and making predictions from short and long term trend models are the methods that have been tried and discussed. Ecological knowledge and comparison of common patterns are here suggested as the most fruitful tools in an ecological monitoring programme.     

Microbial community dynamics and biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in polluted marine sediments in Hong Kong

Dynamics of microbial community and biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in polluted marine sediments, artificially spiked with a mixture of PAHs (fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene), were examined for a period of 60 days. Microbial communities were characterised by bacterial counts, ester-linked fatty acid methyl ester (EL-FAME) analysis and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). A noted reduction in species diversity occurred only in the high PAH level treatment at onset. Both EL-FAME and DGGE demonstrated a marked shift in microbial community, in all the PAH level treatments, afterwards, with increases in the number of fatty acid degraders, the relative abundance of fatty acid biomarkers for gram-negative bacteria and a decrease in species diversity. The shift was also accompanied by the significant decrease in PAH concentrations. By the end of the experiment, diversity indices, based on both approaches, recovered when PAH concentrations declined to their background levels, except in the high PAH level treatment.     

Responses of a coastal phytoplankton community to increased nutrient input from the Changjiang (Yangtze) River

Nutrient input from the Changjiang River (Yangtze River) has been increasing dramatically since the 1960s. At the mouth of the Changjiang River, the nitrate concentration has increased about three-fold in 40 years, from 20.5 μmol/L in the 1960s to 59.1 μmol/L in the 1980s and to 80.6 μmol/L in 1990–2004. Phosphate concentration increased by a factor of 30%, from 0.59 μmol/L in the 1980s to 0.77 μmol/L in 1990–2004. The increasing nitrate input has arisen mostly from the mid and lower reaches of the Changjiang River, where the river meets one of the most strongly developed agriculture areas in China. Responses of the coastal phytoplankton community to the increasing nutrient inputs are also seen in the available monitoring data. First, a trend of increasing phytoplankton standing stock from 1984 to 2002 appeared in the Changjiang River estuary and adjacent coastal waters, especially in late spring. Secondly, the proportion of diatoms in the whole phytoplankton community showed a decreasing trend from about 85% in 1984 to about 60% in 2000. Finally, red tides/harmful algal blooms increased dramatically in this area in terms of both number and scale. About 30–80 red tide events were recorded each year from 2000 to 2005 in the East China Sea. The scale of some blooms has been in excess of 10,000 km².