Removal of eutrophication factors and heavy metal from a closed cultivation system using the macroalgae, Gracilaria sp. (Rhodophyta)

In this study, the ability of macroalgae Gracilaria sp. of removing eutrophication factors and toxic heavy metals Al, Cr, and Zn in a closed cultivation system is reported. The results show that the concentration of the three heavy metals decreased significantly during the experimental period in an algal biomass dependent manner. The biofiltration capacity of the alga for Al, Cr, and Zn is 10.1%–72.6%, 52.5%–83.4% and 36.5%–91.7%, respectively. Using more materials resulted in stronger heavy metal removal. Additionally, the concentration of chl-a, TN, TP and DIN of water samples from aquariums involving large, medium, and small algal biomass cultivation increased first and then decreased during the experiment. COD value of all three groups decreased with time and displayed algal biomass dependency: more algae resulting in a greater COD value than those of less biomass. Furthermore, changes in COD reflect an obvious organic particles deprivation process of algae. This is the first report on heavy metal removal effect by Gracilaria species. The results suggest that macroalgae can be used as a biofilter for the treatment of nutrient-enriched or heavy-metal polluted water, to which an appropriate time range should be carefully determined.     

Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in surface seawater and sediment near the outlet of a zinc factory in Huludao City,Liaoning Province,China

At present, the methods widely applied to assess ecological risk of heavy metals are essentially single-point estimates in which exposure and toxicity data cannot be fully used and probabilities of adverse biological eff ects cannot be achieved. In this study, based on investigation of concentrations of six heavy metals (As, Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn) in the surface seawater and sediment near the outlet of a zinc factory, located in Huludao City, Liaoning Province, China, a tiered approach consisting of several probabilistic options was used to refine ecological risk assessment for the individuals. A mixture of various heavy metals was detected in the surface seawater, and potential ecological risk index (PERI) was adopted to assess the potential ecological risk of heavy metals in the surface sediment. The results from all levels of aquatic ecological risk assessment in the tiered framework, ranging from comparison of single eff ects and exposure values to the use of distribution-based Hazard Quotient obtained through Monte Carlo simulation, are consistent with each other. Briefly, aquatic Zn and Cu posed a clear ecological risk, while Cd, Pb, Hg, and As in the water column posed potential risk. As expected, combined ecological risk of heavy metal mixture in the surface seawater was proved significantly higher than the risk caused by any individual heavy metal, calculated using the concept of total equivalent concentration. According to PERI, the severity of pollution by the six heavy metals in the surface sediment decreased in the following sequence: Cd>Hg>As>Pb>Cu>Zn, and the total heavy metals in the sediment posed a very high risk to the marine environment. This study provides a useful mathematical framework for ecological risk assessment of heavy metals.     

Biosorption of Cr (VI), Cr (III), Pb (II) and Cd (II) from aqueous solutions by Sargassum wightii and Caulerpa racemosa algal biomass

Heavy metal pollution is one of the most important environmental problems today.Biosorption is an innovative tech-nology that employs biological materials to accumulate heavy metals from waste water through metabolic process or physicochemi-cal pathways of uptake.Even though several physical and chemical methods are available for removal of heavy metals,currently many biological materials such as bacteria,algae,yeasts and fungi have been widely used due to their good performance,low cost and large quantity of availability.The aim of the present study is to explore the biosorption of toxic heavy metals,Cr(VI),Cr(III),Pb(II) and Cd(II) by algal biomass obtained from algae Sargassum wightii(brown) and Caulerpa racemosa(green).Biosorption of algal biomass was found to be biomass concentration-and pH-dependent,while the maximal biosorption was found at pH 5.0 and with the metal concentration of 100 mg L-1.S.wightii showed the maximal metal biosorption at the biomass concentration of 25 g L-1,followed by C.racemosa with the maximal biosorption at 30 g L-1.S.wightii showed 78% biosorption of Cr(VI),Cr(III),Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions.C.racemosa exhibited 85% biosorption of Cd(II) and Cr(VI),and 50% biosorption of Cr(III) and Pb(II).The results of our study suggest that seaweed biomass can be used efficiently for     

THE REMOVAL OF Zn,Cd,Pb,AND Cu IN THE CHANGJIANG ESTUARY

The waters with salinity from 10 to 23 comprise the main removal region of ion and particulateforms of heavy metals in the Changjiang estuary.The positive correlationships between Zn,Cd,Pb,Cuand the reciprocal of transparency,COD and chlorophyll-a showed that the removal of heavy metalsclosely correlate with the distribution of suspensions,the adsorption of organic materials and theassimilation by organisms.The removal of heavy metals in the Changjiang estuary water were consistentwith the sedimentation rate of the sediments in these waters,sediment types and the distributions ofheavy metals contents in the sediments.     

Influences of hydrological regime on heavy metal and saltion concentrations in intertidal sediment from Chongming Dongtan,Changjiang River estuary,China

The tidal flat along the Changjiang(Yangtze) River estuary has long been reclaimed for the agricultural purposes, with the prevailing hydrological conditions during such pedogenic transformations being of great importance to their successful development. In this study, samples of surface sediment from Chongming Dongtan, situated at the mouth of the Changjiang River estuary, were collected and analyzed in order to understand how hydrological management can influence the concentrations of heavy metals and salt ions in pore water, and chemical fractionation of heavy metals during the reclamation process. We performed a series of experiments that simulated three dif ferent hydrological regimes: permanent flooding(R1), alternative five-day periods of wetting and drying(R2), continuous field capacity(R3). Our results exhibited good Pearson correlations coefficients between heavy metals and salt ions in the pore water for both R1 and R2. In particular, the concentrations of salt ions in the pore water decreased in all three regimes, but showed the biggest decline in R2. With this R2 experiment, the periodic concentration patterns in the pore water varied for Fe and Mn, but not for Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn. Neither the fractionation of Ni nor the residual fractions of any metals changed significantly in any regime. In R1, the reducible fractions of heavy metals(Cr, Cu, Zn and Pb) in the sediment decreased, while the acid extractable fractions increased. In R2, the acid extractable and the reducible fractions of Cr, Cu, Zn and Pb both decreased, as did the oxidizable fraction of Cu. These data suggest that an alternating hydrological regime can reduce both salinity and the availability of heavy metals in sediments.     

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in estuarine surface sediments of Tangxi River in Chaohu Lake Basin

A total of 30 surface sediments samples from the estuary wetland of the Tangxi River, Chaohu Lake Basin were obtained and tested. Enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (I_(geo)) as well as multivariate statistical analysis methods including Factor Analysis (FA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) were applied for the assessment of heavy metal pollution in surface sediments. The results of EF values show that the pollution of copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) occurs in the estuarine sediments, and that zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) and chrome (Cr) may originate from crustal materials or natural weathering process. The mean EF values of the five heavy metals are in the decreasing order: Cu>Cd>Zn>Pb>Cr. Based on the I_(geo) of target heavy metals, the surface sediments collected from the study area can be approximately categorized as unpolluted with Zn, Pb and Cr, and moderately polluted with Cu and Cd. The degree of heavy metal pollution decreases in the order of Cu>Cd>Zn>Pb>Cr. Three groups of pollution factors are presented from FA: Zn-TOC, Cu-Cd and Cr-Pb, which respectively accounte for 27.22%, 25.20% and 21.05% of variance. By means of HCA, a total number of seven groups are distinguished from 30 sampling sites. Results indicate that Cu and Cd are the prior controlled pollutants in the estuarine sediments of the Tangxi River.     

Interactions of aquaculture and waste disposal in the coastal zone

Throughout the world, the coastal zones of many countries are used increasingly for aquaculture in addition to other activities such as waste disposal. These activities can cause environmental problems and health problems where they overlap. The interaction between aquaculture and waste disposal, and their relationship with eutrophication are the subjects of this paper. Sewage discharge without adequate dispersion can lead to nutrient elevation and hence eutrophication which has clearly negative effects on aquaculture with the potential for toxic blooms. Blooms may be either toxic or anoxia-causing through the decay process or simply clog the gills of filter-feeding animals in some cases. With the development of aquaculture, especially intensive aquaculture, many environmental problems appeared, and have resulted in eutrophication in some areas. Eutrophication may destroy the health of whole ecosystem which is important for sustainable aquaculture. Sewage discharge may also cause serious public health problems. Filter-feeding shellfish growing in sewage-polluted waters accumulate micro-organims, including human pathogenic bacteria and viruses, and heavy metal ion, presenting a significant health risk. Some farmed animals may also accumulate heavy metals from sewage. Bivalves growing in areas affected by toxic algae blooms may accumulate toxins (such as PSP, DSP) which can be harmful to human beings.     

资江河口区农田土壤重金属污染评价及来源分析

资江是洞庭湖的第二大支流，其中上游锑(Sb)矿采矿冶炼工业发达，给资江下游及洞庭湖区带来了严重的重金属污染风险。以资江河口区为研究区，采集了132个农田土壤样品及7个资江水样，综合采用多种污染评价方法、空间分析、多元统计分析方法对研究区重金属进行了污染评价及来源分析。结果表明，研究区农田土壤重金属平均质量分数表现为Zn>Cr>Ni>Pb>Cu>As>Sb>Cd，旱田土壤重金属平均质量分数除Pb外均高于水田。Sb、As、Cd为主要污染元素，Sb达到了中等污染和中等生态风险的程度，总体处于轻微-中等生态风险程度。资江水体Sb质量浓度较高，平均为10.51 μg/L。Sb主要来源于中上游的锑矿工业，受高锑质量浓度地表水灌溉、垃圾填埋场以及燃煤等人为活动的控制；Cd主要来源于农药化肥、生活垃圾和城镇废水等人为活动；Cr主要来源于成土母质，而Cu、Zn、As、Ni、Pb受成土母质和人为活动的双重控制。      

镉和铜对海洋浮游植物的毒性效应及其机制研究进展

【目的】综述重金属元素镉Cd和铜Cu对海洋浮游植物的毒性效应研究,总结重金属对海洋浮游植物的毒性作用机制,为开展重金属对海洋浮游植物毒害机理的深入研究提供借鉴。【方法】以毒理实验中常用的重金属镉和铜为代表,总结了重金属对海洋浮游植物毒理研究的常用测试指标,归纳了重金属对海洋浮游植物光合作用、抗氧化系统等方面的毒性作用机制。【结果】重金属对海洋浮游植物毒性作用机制概括为:1)重金属替换与其结构相似的作为酶辅助因子的金属元素,使浮游植物体内某些酶失活;2)重金属直接或间接诱导活性氧的产生,使浮游植物受到氧化胁迫;3)重金属与生物大分子中的某些基团亲和性高而结合,阻断相关的生理生化过程。【结论】重金属的毒性效应因浮游植物种类不同而有所差异,今后相关研究中需更加关注重金属在多种海洋浮游植物共存环境下的毒性效应及机制,将有助于全面系统地理解重金属对海洋浮游植物的致毒机理。     

灰岩基缓释材料原位注入修复酸性矿山废水模拟研究

我国岩溶区分布面积广,生态环境脆弱。岩溶区大量矿山开采活动产生的酸性矿山废水(AMD)严重威胁着区域生态环境安全。以岩溶区广泛分布的碳酸盐岩和玉米棒(生物质炭)等为原料,通过改性、造粒、覆膜的方式制备了一种可用于原位注入修复的碱基缓释材料(ASRM),并在室内模拟开展了丰水和枯水交替作用下的原位注入修复实验,以验证和查明ASRM原位修复酸性矿井废水中重金属的能力及去除机制。研究结果表明,碱基缓释材料(ASRM)可有效提高水体pH值,酸性矿山废水(AMD)修复后pH值从2.8提高到5~7,并对Fe2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Pb2+和Cr3+等多种有害重金属有良好去除效果。XRD和SEM分析证明,反应沉淀物主要以FeOOH的形式存在。重金属的去除机制主要包括:①部分金属离子被以反应产生的氢氧化物等沉淀的形式去除;②反应体系产生的大量FeOOH可以吸附去除重金属。本模拟实验研究为利用缓释材料原位高效处理岩溶山区矿山AMD提供了可靠的理论和技术依据。      

Seasonal change of ice algal and phytoplankton assemblages in the Nella Fjord near Zhongshan Station, East Antarctica

The ice algal and phytoplankton assemblages were studied from Nella Fjord near Zhongshan Station, East Antarctica from April 12 to December 30, 1992. Algal blooms occurred about 3 cm thick on the bottom of sea ice in late April and mid November to early December respectively, and a phytoplankton bloom appeared in the underlying surface water in mid December following the spring ice algal bloom. The biomass in ice bottom was 1 to 3 orders of magnitude higher than that of surface water. Amphiprora kjellmanii, Berkeleya sp., Navicula glaciei, Nitzschia barkelyi, N. cylindrus /N. curta, N. lecointei and Nitzschia sp. were common in the sea ice temporarily or throughout the study period. The biomass in a certain ice segment was decreased gradually and the dominant species were usually succeeded as the season went on. Nitzschia sublineata and Dactyliosolen antarctica were two seasonal dominant species only observed in underlying water column. The assemblages between bottom of ice and underlying surface water were different except when spring ice algae bloomed. The evidence shows that the ice algal blooms occurred mainly by in situ growth of ice algae, and the phytoplankton bloom was mostly caused by the release of ice algae.     

Spatial distribution and seasonal variations of heavy metal contamination in surface waters of Liaohe River,Northeast China

Heavy metal pollutants are a worldwide concern due to slow decomposition, biocondensation, and negative effects on human health. We investigated seasonal and spatial variations of the five heavy metals and evaluated their health risk in the Liaohe River, Northeast China. A total of 324 surface water samples collected from 2009 to 2010 were analyzed. Levels (high to low) of heavy metals in the Liaohe River were: zinc (Zn) > chromium (Cr) > copper (Cu) > cadmium (Cd) > mercury (Hg). Spatial and seasonal changes impacting concentrations of Cu and Zn were significant, but not significant for Cr, Cd and Hg. The highest concentrations of heavy metals were: Hg at Liuheqiao, Cu at Fudedian, Zn at Tongjiangkou, Cr at Mahushan, and Cd at Shenglitang. The highest concentrations of Hg and Cr were found in the wet period, Cu and Cd in the level period, and Zn in the dry period. The surface water of a tributary was an important accumulation site for heavy metals. Health risks from carcinogens and non-carcinogens increased from upstream to downstream in the mainstream of the Liaohe River. The total health risk for one person in the Liaohe River exceeded acceptable levels. The total health risk was the greatest during the wet period and least in the dry period. Among the five heavy metals in the Liaohe River, Cr posed the greatest single health risk.     

Distribution and accumulation characteristics of heavy metals in sediments in southern sea area of Huludao City, China

The southern sea area of the Huludao City, Liaoning Province might be polluted by heavy metals because it is close to the Jinzhou Bay, one of the heaviest sea area polluted by heavy metals in China. The undisturbed modern sediment core can be used to analyze the accumulation and source of the pollutants using 137 Cs and 210 Pb ex . Thirty-five samples of surface sediment and two core sediments were collected from the southern sea area of Huludao City. The concentrations of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), chrome (Cr), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) in the surface sediments as well as Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, 137 Cs and 210 Pb ex in the core sediments were determined to research the spatial distribution and accumulation characteristics, and to analyze the sources and the potential risks of heavy metals. The results show that the pollution levels of Zn and Hg are serious, and 26 stations are at moderate or heavy ecological risks. The concentrations of the heavy metals increase from east to west, as well as from open sea to offshore marine area. The concentrations of heavy metals are not high in the sediments adjacent to the Jinzhou Bay, and the influence caused by the seawater exchange with the Jinzhou Bay is little. The concentrations of the heavy metals in the core sediments show low-high-low characteristic, and it coincides with the pollution history of Huludao City. The atmospheric deposition of heavy metals from the Huludao Zinc Plant is likely to be the main source of pollution without direct discharge of wastewater. The high concentrations of heavy metals appear on the upper sediment of 20 cm. The shallow sediment with high heavy metal contents might be exposed to surface when it was disturbed by the ocean engineering and big storm surge, then cause risk to the safety of aquaculture and human healthy.     

Adsorption mechanism of water molecule on goethite (010) surface

Goethite widely exists among ocean sediments; it plays an important role in fixing heavy metals and adsorbing organic contaminants. So the understanding of the adsorbing process of water molecule on its surface will be very helpful to further reveal such environmental friendly processes. The configuration, electronic properties and interaction energy of water molecules adsorbed on pnma goethite (010) surface were investigated in detail by using density functional theory on 6-31G (d,p) basis set and projector- augment wave (PAW) method. The mechanism of the interaction between goethite surface and H₂O was proposed. Despite the differences in total energy, there are four possible types of water molecule adsorption configurations on goethite (010) surface (Aa, Ab, Ba, Bb), forming coordination bond with surface Fe atom. Results of theoretical modeling indicate that the dissociation process of adsorbed water is an endothermic reaction with high activation energy. The dissociation of adsorbed water molecule is a proton transportation process between water’s O atoms and surface. PDOS results indicate that the bonding between H₂O and (010) surface is due to the overlapping of water’s 2p orbitals and Fe’s 3d orbitals. These results clarify the mechanism on how adsorbed water is dissociated on the surface of goethite and potentially provide useful information of the surface chemistry of goethite.     

Composition and Origin of Ferromanganese Crusts from Equatorial Western Pacific Seamounts

In the equatorial western Pacific, iron-manganese oxyhydroxide crusts(Fe-Mn crusts) and nodules form on basaltic seamounts and on the top of drowned carbonate platform guyots that have been swept free of pelagic sediments. To date, the Fe-Mn crusts have been considered to be almost exclusively of abiotic origin. However, it has recently been suggested that these crusts may be a result of biomineralization. Although the Fe-Mn crust textures in the equatorial western Pacific are similar to those constructed by bacteria and algae, and biomarkers also document the existence of bacteria and algae dispersed within the Fe-Mn crusts, the precipitation, accumulation and distribution of elements, such as Fe, Mn, Ni and Co in Fe-Mn crusts are not controlled by microbial activity. Bacteria and algae are only physically incorporated into the crusts when dead plankton settle on the ocean floor and are trapped on the crust surface. Geochemical evidence suggests a hydrogenous origin of Fe-Mn crusts in the equatorial western Pacific, thus verifying a process for Fe-Mn crusts that involves the precipitation of colloidal phases from seawater followed by extensive scavenging of dissolved trace metals into the mineral phase during crust formation.     

细基江篱繁枝变种在不同水层中的栽培试验

本文报道了为改变我国华南沿海目前在半咸淡水塘中进行地播式裁培细基江篱繁枝变种单产低的状况而进行的不同水层夹苗栽培和施肥增产试验,证明了越靠近水面江篱藻体生长越快,越接近底部藻钵生长越差,提出如果在水塘中单纯裁培江篱则水塘深度应保持20～30厘米,如果水深超过1米以上,则应采用浮筏式夹苗栽培,并在水中混养鱼虾等。浸泡施肥试验证明,在短短的40天裁培过程施肥藻体比不施肥藻体增产23％,说明了施肥的重要性。     

Spatial Variation and Risk Assessment of Arsenic and Heavy Metals in Surface Water and Suspended Particulate Matter in Tail Reaches of the Yellow River,China

To determine the pollution levels and potential toxic risks of arsenic(As) and heavy metals(Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) in water and suspended particulate matter(SPM) in tail reaches(including freshwater reach and low-salinity reach) of the Yellow River as the Flow-Sediment Regulation Project(FSRP) has been carried out for approximately 15 yr, the surface water and SPM were sampled at pre-flood(April) and post-flood seasons(October). Results showed that similar changes of As and metal levels in water and SPM were observed along the tail reaches at pre-flood or post-flood season. Compared to pre-flood season, the levels of As, Cu, Cr and Ni in freshwater reach and the concentrations of Cr and Ni in low-salinity reach rose greatly at post-flood season. The levels of As and metals in SPM of freshwater reach or low-salinity reach at pre-flood season were significantly higher than those at post-flood season(P < 0.01).The pollutions of As and metals in surface water of tail reaches at pre-flood or post-flood season were not serious. The SPM in freshwater reach at pre-flood season were polluted by Cd, As, Cr, Cu and Ni while those in low-salinity reach were polluted by Cd and Cr. The SPM in freshwater reach at post-flood season were polluted by Cd and Pb while those in low-salinity reach were polluted by Cd and Cr.Cd was identified as heavy metal of primary concern at both pre-flood and post-flood seasons. Combined with the existed data reported in present research, this study found that the toxic risk of As and metals in SPM of tail reaches at pre-flood season was higher than that at post-flood season, implying that the implementation of FSRP during flooding season, to a great extent, reduced the toxic risk of these elements. With the long-term implementation of FSRP, the pollution levels of As and metals(particularly for Cd) in SPM of tail reaches might be elevated and the potential toxic risk primarily produced by Cr, Ni and As might be increased if effective measures were not taken in future.     

Geochemical characteristics of heavy metals in riparian sediment pore water of Songhua River,Northeast China

This study reports the geochemical characteristics of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) in the riparian sediment pore water of the Songhua River, Northeast China. In total, 36 pore water samples and 18 surface water samples from three typical sections were collected and analyzed in June 2009. Cluster analysis of heavy metals was performed to analyze the pollution sources of the metals. Results showed that Hg concentrations in the pore water were greater than those in the surface water, indicating a potential ability of Hg release from riparian sediment system to river water. However, concentrations of Fe and Mn in the surface water were greater than those in the pore water, demonstrating that the microenvironments of riparian and riverbed sediment systems were quite different. Variations of Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni between the surface and the pore water were different in each section. Most metals had similar horizontal and profile distribution characteristics in the three sections except for Zn and Ni. Hg, Fe and Mn concentrations in the pore water increased gradually with the increase in horizontal distance from water body, in contrast to this, Cu decreased, and Pb presented a fluctuating trend. With the increase in depth, Pb and Fe, Cu and Mn showed the same trends, and Hg showed a variable trend. The above distribution characteristics could mainly be attributed to the properties and the interactions of metals, pH and oxidation-reduction conditions, and the complex pollution sources and hydrologic regime in history. The probable sources of metals include the historical and ongoing discharge of industrial wastewater, mining activities, sewage irrigation for agricultural production, and atmospheric deposition from coal-fired plants.     

Heavy metal complexation capacity of the South China Sea water

The seawater complexation capacity for heavy metals (copper, lead and cadmium) in the South China Sea was determined by anodic voltammetry and the conditional stability constants of these complexes were calculated. The data showed that the complexation capacity of the South China Sea water was greater than that of seawater in the Huanghe Estuary and the coast water of Qingdao. The sequence of complexation capacity is C (CuL)>C(PbL)>C(CdL), and the conditional stability constants were in an opposite sequence: K(CuL)<K(PbL)<K(CdL). The types, and shapes of the complexation capacity profiles for Cu, Cd and Pb were similar to those obtained by Buckley (1986) for the Atlantic Ocean water. Complexation capacity is maximum at the surface layer, decreasing with depth, reaching minimum at 750m, but increasing again near the sea bottom. This project was supported by a grant from the State Educational Commission for subsidizing excellent young teachers and a grant from the National Science Foundation Commission of China. Guo Boshu is a visiting scholar from Inner Mongolia Normal University at Huho Haote. This paper is part of her work at Ocean University of Qingdao.