Organic diagenesis in sediment and its impact on the adsorption of bisphenol A and nonylphenol onto marine sediment

Hydrophobic organic contaminants in marine water are mostly adsorbed onto (partitioned into) sediment organic matter (SOM). To study the impact of SOM diagenesis on sediment adsorption properties, artificial sediment with rich SOM content was incubated for more than 120 days. The sediment was sampled every week, and batch sediment adsorption tests were conducted with bisphenol A (BPA) and nonylphenol (NP) as the model pollutants. The results show that the amount of organic matter loaded in the sediment decreased by nearly 80% during incubation. For the incubated sediment, the BPA partition coefficient, K_d, decreased whereas the organic normalized partition coefficient, K_oc, more than doubled. The experiments with NP show an even greater increase in K_oc. Organic matter diagenesis shows a profound effect on the adsorption behavior of sediment, as the SOM residue has an increasing affinity and partition capacity for organic contaminants.     

Effects of varying estuarine conditions on the sorption of phenanthrene to sediment particles of Yangtze Estuary

The sorption of phenanthrene on the Yangtze Estuary sediment was studied under varying conditions of particle size, sediment organic contents, salinity, and dissolved organic matter (DOM) concentrations. Small sediment particles showed higher trapping capacity for phenanthrene due to the higher organic contents associated. The organic carbon-based partition coefficient of phenanthrene to the Yangtze Estuary sediment was obtained as 7120 L/kg, lower than the values for other soils or sediments reported in previous studies. The magnitude and direction of the salt effect were complicated by the specific DOM studied. The sediment sorption capacity was greatly increased in saline water in the absence of DOM but decreased in the presence of DOM. Given the conditions in the Yangtze Estuary, the equilibrium sorption of phenanthrene would be decreased with increasing salinity. Overall, the nature and content of both sediment-bound and dissolved organic matter dominate the sorption of hydrophobic organic contaminants in the estuary.     

The influence of Pacific salmon decay products on near‐field streambed sediment and organic matter dynamics: a flume simulation

Pacific salmon are biogeomorphic agents shown to induce positive feedbacks on their natal watersheds. However, the literature documenting their ecological effects on in‐stream natal environments is more divisive. The disturbance salmon create during redd construction has the potential to reduce stream productivity. The pulse of salmon organic matter (SOM) and marine derived nutrients (MDNs) released during carcass decay has been reported as either stimulating in‐stream productivity or having no local effect. To evaluate the ecological costs and benefits of salmon spawning events, MDN delivery and storage processes need to be identified and quantified. A simulation was conducted in three flow‐through flumes (2 m × 2 m × 30 m) over a 33‐day period (consisting of 15 baseline, four MDN exposure, and 14 post‐exposure days) to assess near‐field sediment and organic matter dynamics during active and post‐spawn simulations. The objective of the study was to measure changes in the amounts and particle sizes of suspended and gravel‐stored fine sediment, in order to elucidate the process and significance of SOM recruitment to the gravel bed via sedimentation. Gravel beds in all flumes were enriched with SOM following treatments but the response was highest in the active spawn simulation. The more effective delivery in the active spawn simulation was attributed to its higher inorganic sediment concentration, which is known to enhance floc formation. Although the active spawn simulation delivered more SOM to the gravel bed, the post‐spawn phase may be equally important to natural streams because its decay phase is longer than the active spawn and consequently can provide SOM to the streambed as long as carcasses remain in‐stream. The delivery, and potential retention, of SOM to spawning streambeds and the intergravel environment may be particularly important for interior streams, which experience low flow conditions during the spawning phase and accordingly have the potential for hyporheic nutrient recruitment and storage. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

滇池水域双酚A的环境多介质迁移和归趋模拟

以双酚A为研究对象,利用四级多介质逸度模型模拟非稳态非平衡条件下1991-2011年间双酚A在滇池水域水相、表层沉积物相和中层沉积物相中的浓度分布、相间的迁移通量,确定主要迁移过程;结合实测数据,对模型进行可靠性验证;并对常数之外的12个模型参数进行灵敏度分析.结果表明:入滇总量98%的双酚A主要通过水体降解去除,滇池出水去除量和水体残留量共约占1%,余下部分进入沉积物相;沉积物相是残留双酚A最主要的汇,其中,表层沉积物相中双酚A浓度最高,3相中浓度变化趋势受外界输入影响较大;水相→表层沉积物相的迁移为双酚A在滇池的主要迁移过程,其次为表层沉积物相→中层沉积物相;双酚A在水中的降解速率、有机碳分配系数,各环境相中有机碳含量、固相体积比等参数灵敏度较高,对模型的影响较为显著;模型计算浓度与实测浓度吻合较好,表明建立的四级多介质逸度模型适用于滇池水域双酚A环境多介质迁移和归趋模拟.     

Erodibility of soil and organic matter: independence of organic matter resistance to interrill erosion

The enrichment of organic matter in interrill sediment is well documented; however, the respective roles of soil organic matter (SOM) and interrill erosion processes for the enrichment are unclear. In this study, organic matter content of sediment generated on two silts with almost identical textures, but different organic matter contents and aggregations, was tested. Artificial rainfall was applied to the soils in wet, dry and crusted initial conditions to determine the effects of soil moisture and rainfall and drying history on organic matter enrichment in interrill sediment. While erosional response of the soils varied significantly, organic matter enrichment of sediment was not sensitive to initial soil conditions. However, enrichment was higher on the silt with a lower organic matter content and lower interrill erodibility. The results show that enrichment of organic matter in interrill sediment is not directly related to either SOM content or soil interrill erodibility, but is dominated by interrill erosion processes. As a consequence of the complex interaction between soil, organic matter and interrill erosion processes, erodibility of organic matter should be treated as a separate variable in erosion models. Further research on aggregate breakdown, in particular the content and fate of the organic matter in the soil fragments, is required. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of the biomass content in sediment on the sediment nutrient flux for a pulsed organic load

A laboratory study was carried out to investigate the influence of the biomass content in the sediment on the rate of diagenesis of particulate organic materials (POM) and the consequent sediment oxygen demand (SOD) and nutrient fluxes. Fish food pellets were loaded into the sediment to simulate a sudden POM input. Three types of sediments with different biomass contents were tested, including a raw marine sediment, the marine sediment after one month of cultivation and an artificial sediment of sand and clay without any biomass. There was little difference in organic flux from the three different sediments. However, compared to the artificial sediment, the marine sediments had much higher SOD and ammonia flux. A mathematical model also has been developed for the SOD dynamics and nutrient fluxes. Both the experimental and simulation results indicate the important role of the biomass in the sediment in POM diagenesis, SOD and nutrient fluxes.     

Influence of the biomass content in sediment on the sediment nutrient flux for a pulsed organic load

A laboratory study was carried out to investigate the influence of the biomass content in the sediment on the rate of diagenesis of particulate organic materials (POM) and the consequent sediment oxygen demand (SOD) and nutrient fluxes. Fish food pellets were loaded into the sediment to simulate a sudden POM input. Three types of sediments with different biomass contents were tested, including a raw marine sediment, the marine sediment after one month of cultivation and an artificial sediment of sand and clay without any biomass. There was little difference in organic flux from the three different sediments. However, compared to the artificial sediment, the marine sediments had much higher SOD and ammonia flux. A mathematical model also has been developed for the SOD dynamics and nutrient fluxes. Both the experimental and simulation results indicate the important role of the biomass in the sediment in POM diagenesis, SOD and nutrient fluxes.     

Levels of estrogenic compounds in Xiamen Bay sediment, China

Concentrations of seven estrogenic compounds, i.e., estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethynylestradiol(EE2), diethylstilbestrol (DES), nonylphenol (NP), octylphenol (OP) and bisphenol A (BPA), were determined in sediments and pore water from Xiamen Bay in China, and their distributions and potential risks in the Bay were assessed. Total estrogenic compounds concentrations varied from 49.20 to 1230.69 ng/g dw in sediments and from 102.33 to 4376.60 ng/L in pore water. The highest levels of these compounds were found at Yundang Lagoon. The results showed that estrogenic compounds in Xiamen Bay originated mainly from municipal wastewaters. Compared with other areas, Xiamen Bay was contaminated with high levels of estrogen hormones. This contamination poses a potential threat to benthic organisms. Although a good relationship (r = 0.94) was observed between the estrogenic compounds concentrations and total organic carbon (TOC) contents in sediments, which did not indicate that the sediment organic matter favors the accumulation of the detected estrogenic compounds.     

Unusual grain size effect on trace metals and organic matter in contaminated sediments

Grain size effect on trace metals (cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, and iron) and total organic content distribution in various fractions (<0.063, 0.063–0.105, 0.105–0.250, 0.250–0.500, and 0.500–1.000 mm) of contaminated sediment has been studied. Selective partitioning of the studied contaminants in sediment fractions was observed, with a minimum content in the fine sand fraction of grain size 0.125–0.250 mm. Anomalously high concentrations of trace metals and organic matter content in the medium and coarse sediment fractions (>0.250 mm) was explained by the formation of large agglomerates (clusters) during the generally recommended drying procedures. These large agglomerates, formed from smaller sediment fraction particles enriched by various contaminants kept on their large specific area by adsorption forces, have been observed in photographs of the medium and coarse sediment fractions only. The formed agglomerates consist of small particles cemented either by dissolved organic matter or by sea salts present in the marine sediment. The formation of such agglomerates should be taken into consideration when conducting metal contamination studies on sediments.     

LINKING SEDIMENT EXPOSURE WITH EFFECTS: MODELING TECHNIQUES, ORGANIC AVAILABILITY AND UPTAKE

1 INTRODUCTION Sediments are the ultimate sink for many hydrophobic contaminants and represent biologically important environmental habitats. Exposure of the sediment-associated contaminants is not only influenced by the fate and transport of sediment but also is influenced by a variety of physical, chemical, and biological processes that involve no net movement of sediments. These processes include pore water transport processes such as advection and diffusion, and sediment mixing process…     

In-channel surficial fine-grained sediment laminae. Part II: Chemical characteristics and implications for contaminant transport in fluvial systems

Samples of surficial fine-grained laminae (SFGL) were collected in three south-western Ontario rivers. Each sediment sample was subjected to a sequential extraction procedure designed to partition particulate metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn) into five operationally defined fractions: (1) exchangeable; (2) bound to carbonates; (3) bound to Fe-Mn oxides; (4) bound to organic matter; and (5) residual. Particulate phosphus was sequentially extracted from the sediment samples into three fractions: (1) non-apatite inorganic P; (2) apatite P; and (3) organic P. The major accumulate phases of trace metals in SFGL are carbonates, Fe-Mn oxides and organic matter. The content of NAIP in SFGL ranged from 17 to 38% of total particulate P. Compared with suspended and bed sediments, levels of P and trace metals in SFGL were lower at the study sites. A conceptual overview of physical, chemical and biological processes influencing formation of SFGL and the potential role of this fine-grained sediment for contaminant transport in fluvial systems is presented.     

Spatiotemporal variations of deep-sea sediment components and their fluxes since the last glaciation in the northern South China Sea

Sediment components and their fluxes of Cores MD12-3428(water depth: 903 m), MD12-3433(water depth: 2125 m),and MD12-3434(water depth: 2995 m), obtained along a transect on the continental slope of the northern South China Sea, have been conducted to reveal the spatiotemporal variations and the controlling factors of the sediment components and of their fluxes.Results show that deep-sea sediments in the northern South China Sea are composed mainly of terrigenous(59–89%) and carbonate(6–38%) particles, with minor components of opal(1.6–9.4%) and organic matter(0.7–1.9%). Fluxes of terrigenous and carbonate particles reach up to 2.4–21.8 and 0.4–6.5 g cm–2 kyr–1, respectively, values that are one to two orders of magnitude higher than the fluxes of opal and organic matter. Temporal variations of the percentages and fluxes of deep-sea sediment components have displayed clear glacial-interglacial cyclicity since the last glaciation. Terrigenous, opal, and organic matter percentages and their fluxes increas clearly during marine isotope stage 2, while carbonate percentages and fluxes show an opposite variation pattern or are characterized by an unremarkable increase. This implies that deep-sea carbonate in the South China Sea is affected by the dilution of terrigenous inputs during the sea-level lowstand. With increasing water depth along the transect, the terrigenous percentage increases but with largely decreased fluxes. Both the percentage and flux of carbonate decrease, while the percentages and fluxes of opal and organic matter display much more complicated variational features. The spatiotemporal variations of deep-sea sediment components and of their fluxes since the last glaciation in the northern South China Sea are strongly controlled by sea-level fluctuations. Simultaneously, terrigenous supply associated with monsoonal rainfall, marine primary productivity,and the dilution effect between terrigenous and biogenic particles, also play interconnected roles in the sediment accumulation processes.     

Sediment organic matter source estimation and ecological classification in the semi-enclosed Batan Bay Estuary,Philippines

The large organic matter flow in tropical coastal areas is recognized as an important process in the global carbon(C)cycle.However,the nature of organic matter flow in semi-enclosed tropical estuaries remains unclear due to the various environmental processes(tidal change,river flow,waves from the sea,and internal circulation)and organic matter sources therein.Thus,sediment organic matter(SOM)sources,and their distribution pattern,are key to understanding ecosystem material flow.Our research in the Batan Bay Estuary,Philippines,a semi-enclosed estuary under large mangrove deforestation,was conducted to determine ecosystem properties through analysis of C and nitrogen stable isotope ratios and environmental factors.First,we determined that mangrove litter,microphytobenthos,and phytoplankton are the main SOM sources in the Batan Bay Estuary.Second,the estuary was classified into three ecological zones(the Bay zone,Back-barrier zone,and River zone).In addition,we estimated SOM source ratios using the Stable Isotope Analysis in R package and determined different organic matter sources in different zone.The high ratios of mangrove litter as SOM indicate that a large amount of terrestrial plant organic matter remains despite the heavy mangrove deforestation that has occurred since the 1980s,and that the Back-barrier zone consists of a different type of ecosystem that promotes accumulation of C from mangrove litter and microphytobenthos.     

Effects of hydrological processes on the chemical composition of riverine suspended sediment in the Zhujiang River,China

The chemical composition of riverine suspended sediment is the integration of the weathering crust minerals, soil organic matter and erosion agency within a specific drainage basin, which has been largely disturbed by the human activities. Selected metal elements of the riverine suspended sediment in the Zhujiang River were analysed using inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP–AES) in three different hydrological phases from 1997 to 1998 at Makou and Sanshui hydrographic gauge stations, located at the lower reaches of the two main tributaries of the Zhujiang River, i.e. the Xijiang and the Beijing Rivers respectively. Organic carbon and nitrogen were also analysed using a conventional element analyser. The results demonstrate that the chemical composition of the riverine suspended sediment show obvious variability in different hydrological phases, which closely correlate to the organic matter content in suspended sediment. Intensified erosion in the flood phase results in lower concentration of the organic matter than that in the lower water level phase. The riverine suspended sediment with rich organic matter in the lower water level phase adsorbs some metal elements from the river water. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Appraisal of the carbon to nitrogen(C/N)ratio in the bed sediment of the Betwa River,Peninsular India

Bed sediment carbon to nitrogen(C/N) ratio is one of the essential variables reflecting sources of organic matter in river basins.In order to explore the spatial variability in sources of sediment C/N ratios,and the influence of land use and land cover(LULC) changes on the Betwa River basin in Peninsular India,51 river bed sediment samples were collected in December 2016.The coefficient of variation(CV) was35%indicating highly variable biogeochemical parameters.The sediment C/N ratio varied from 2.94 to 10.09.3.21-56.40,and 6.50-76.97 in upstream,mid-stream,and downstream regions,respectively,indicating a progressive change in sources of organic matter and depositional environment.The positive correlation between total carbon(TC) and C/N ratio was increasing in the downstream direction [upstream(+0.560) mid-stream(+0.603) downstream(+0.838)],which is an indication of high deposition and slow decomposition of sedimentary terrigenous organic matter distant from the regions of urban pollution.The LULC change analysis done by remote sensing and Geographic Information System(GIS)methods revealed an adverse change for the forests and barren land and a positive change for the agricultural land and built-up areas.The sediment C/N ratio mapping showed the impact of LULC changes on the sediment quality.The spatial distribution of bed sediment C/N ratio in the Betwa River basin has important reference value for managing organic matter transport in the downstream Yamuna River and Ganga River basin.     

Adsorption and desorption behaviors of selected endocrine disrupting chemicals in simulated gastrointestinal fluids

An in vitro technique using simulated gastrointestinal (GI) fluids was applied to investigate the desorption of selected endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), i.e. bisphenol A (BPA) and 17 α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), from the marine sediment in the digestive environment. The results show that the GI fluids suppressed chemical adsorption and greatly increased the desorption of BPA and EE2 from the sediment. Pepsin in the gastric fluid would compete for the adsorption sites with the adsorbates, and bile salts in the intestinal fluid had a solubilization effect on the chemicals. The amount of chemical release from the sediment in different fluids followed intestinal (fed) > intestinal (fasted) > gastric > saline water. During the dynamic desorption tests, 62% and 21% of sediment-bound BPA and EE2, respectively, could be released into the simulated GI fluids. The enhanced desorption of EDCs from sediment in the digestive system would make the pollutants more bioavailable in the ecosystem.     

Effects of the closure of a major sewage outfall on sublittoral, soft sediment benthic communities

The present study examines the benthos within western inner Swansea Bay (Wales, UK), for the period before, during and immediately after the cessation of a major, sewage discharge from Mumbles Head. There have been significant improvements in seawater quality and changes in the species composition of the benthic communities following the cessation of the sewage discharge. There has been an increase in the diversity of deposit feeders, especially the amphipods, and a decrease in the diversity of the filter feeders, especially the polychaetes. Changes are not attributable either to sediment organic matter content or to gross changes in sediment type, but are related to the significant reduction in suspended particulate organic material and sewage contaminants discharged to the Bay. A recovery model has been proposed to describe how soft sediment benthic communities in a shallow, sublittoral, high tidal energy environment respond to the abrupt cessation of a major sewage discharge.     

Spatio-temporal variation of suspended and sedimentary organic matter quality in the Bay of Marseilles (NW Mediterranean) assessed by biochemical and isotopic analyses

Isotopic and biochemical features of suspended particulate organic matter (POM) in the water column and of sedimentary organic matter (SOM) were investigated seasonally in the Bay of Marseilles. Biochemical compounds (carbohydrates, lipids and proteins) were consistently more concentrated in POM than in SOM, with SOM mainly composed of insoluble carbohydrates. POM displayed lower δ(13)C and higher δ(15)N values than SOM. Phytoplanktonic production represented the major contributor of POM year-round with spatial and seasonal variations. Climatic parameters and wind-induced currents created differences in POM contributions, with more important inputs of terrestrial OM at one sampling site. Spatial and seasonal variations were lower for SOM. The composition of this pool appeared to be linked with the permanent inputs of phytoplankton and Posidonia oceanica detritus. The combined use of biochemical and isotopic analyses was a useful tool to characterize OM pools and would help understanding the trophic functioning of this coastal environment.     

Sorption behavior of nonylphenol on marine sediments: effect of temperature, medium, sediment organic carbon and surfactant

The sorption behavior of nonylphenol (NP, a toxic endocrine disruptor) on marine sediments was studied in detail through a series of kinetic and thermodynamic sorption experiments. The results showed that the sorption reaction of NP on marine sediments reached equilibrium in 1.5 h and that it accorded well with the non-linear Ho-McKay pseudo-second-order model. The sorption isotherms of NP on H₂O-treated sediments could be well described by the Linear isotherm model, while the sorption isotherm on H₂O₂-treated sediments could be well fitted with the Freundlich isotherm model. A positive correlation was found between the distribution coefficient (K_d) and the sediment organic carbon contents. The medium salinity showed a positive relation with the K_d and a negative relation with the dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) enhanced the sorption amount of NP the most, while sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) enhanced it the least. The sorption reaction of NP on marine sediments was a spontaneous, physical, exothermic and entropy-decreasing process.     

Radiocesium reaction with illite and organic matter in marine sediment

The mineralogical effect on the (137)Cs reaction with marine sediment has not been systematically studied yet, even though illite has been known to adsorb Cs preferentially on its frayed edge sites in a low Cs concentration. Ninety-three marine sediment samples were collected near Yangnam, Korea for quantitative X-ray-diffraction (XRD), gamma-ray, and total organic carbon (TOC) analysis. Illite content was in the range of 0-23 wt.% and those of (137)Cs and TOC were minimum detectable activity (MDA) approximately 7.19 Bq/kg-dry and approximately 3.32%, respectively. The illite content in the marine sediment showed a good relationship with the (137)Cs content (R(2)=0.69), but with an increase in the illite content, the relationship became less linear. This trend can be clearly shown in two groups of samples with different size fractions (< and >5Mdvarphi). For the samples of larger particle sizes (low contents of illite), the relationship is linear, but for the samples of the smaller particle sizes (high illite content) it is less linear with a decreased slope, indicating that increase in illite content does not significantly contribute to the fixation of (137)Cs in marine sediment. Rather, the TOC has a more linear relationship with (137)Cs content with no slope change in all particle size ranges. This may indicate that humic materials in marine sediment block the access of (137)Cs to the frayed edge site and reduces the adsorption of (137)Cs on illite and that the organic materials in marine sediment play more important roles in adsorbing Cs than illite.