Bioassessment of water quality and defining of critical levels of multicontamination for aquatic life

The existing approaches to and methods for bioassessment of water quality are critically analyzed. The significance of the methodological approach under the concept of ecosystem “health” as the most integral numerical method for assessing pollution effects. Comparative analysis is given to the significance of criteria based on the state of individuals, populations, and communities. The results of practical testing of the methods developed for biological assessment of water quality for some water bodies are presented. Critical levels are established based on the construction of dose-effect dependences. The basic principles for limiting surface water pollution are formulated.     

Structural characteristics of zooplankton of the Shardarinskoe Reservoir and their use in water quality assessment

Data on the Shardarinskoe Reservoir are used to assess the indicator role of zooplankton community under unstable hydrological regime. The structural characteristics of zooplankton featured significant seasonal variations. The averaged indices characterized reservoir water quality at the level of mesotrophic and eutrophic water bodies. The possible use of cyclopidas to characterize toxic pollution of water is discussed.     

Methodological approaches to pollution assessment in water bodies within the operation zone of mining plants

A series of methods for assessing water body pollution by chemical characteristics are considered as applied to water bodies in the operation zone of mining plants. In some methods, the estimate of water body pollution may reflect regional features of waters, rather than their pollution. Evaluating the environmentally allowable concentrations of elements and their biogeochemical tolerance has shown those values to increase with increasing water body pollution, a fact that contradicts the essence of those characteristics. The most simple and universal is a procedure for evaluating water pollution index with the use of regional MACs, taking into account the geochemical background concentrations of the elements and their toxicity using as a criterion the value of MAC for water bodies used for fishery.     

Development of marine water quality criteria for the USA

The US Environmental Protection Agency has developed guidelines for deriving numerical national water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic organisms and their uses. These guidelines provide the method for deriving water quality criteria, including minimum data base requirements, data evaluation procedures, and calculations. The guidelines have been in place for a long time, and states have used them to derive water quality standards for their water bodies. More recent efforts have been directed towards the development of technical guidance based on the concept that bioassessment and biocriteria programs for estuaries and near coastal waters are interrelated and are critical components of comprehensive water resource protection and management. This is a holistic approach to protection and management, integrating biological assessments into traditional chemical and physical evaluations and augmenting the established water quality criteria. The method for deriving water quality criteria and the approach for biocriteria development for marine systems are described.     

Salt pollution of surface water in oil fields of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area-Yugra

The article gives the results of analysis of salt pollution at deposits of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area-Yugra (KhMAO-Yugra) based on data of regional hydrochemical monitoring. Data of a twenty-year observation series were used to identify the most polluted water bodies and to determine deposits with the largest salt load. Correlation and regression analyses are used to assess the interrelation between technogenesis characteristics and pollution level. It was found that the current salt pollution in the area is lower than that in the 1990s, though the pollution level has increased at some deposits of the Ob–Irtysh interfluve.     

Developing methods for bioidentification of xenobiotics for water quality assessment

The role of bioassay in the pollution control system for water bodies is considered. Studies of the mechanisms of toxic impact of various chemical compounds on aquatic organisms were used to develop a bioindication method to give an integral estimate of water toxicity and determine some classes of chemical pollutants. The results of application of such methods to assessing water quality in Lake Ladoga are given.     

Geochemical classification of surface waters in humid zone based on their acid-base equilibrium

A classification of surface waters of humid zone by its humus content, alkalinity, and trophic status has been developed basing on the acid-base equilibrium of those waters, governed by two systems: humus and carbonate, which enabled the geochemical classes of water to be established more objectively than by expert systems. An integrated estimate of natural water quality is given with the use of quality points by individual characteristics. For water bodies subject to anthropogenic impact, the degree of their pollution is given in accordance with water pollution index, which is calculated by the main standardized components, taking into account their geochemical background level and the values of MAC for water bodies used for fishery.     

Identification of petroleum pollution sources of water bodies and streams

A three-level scheme is proposed for the identification of sources of fresh and old petroleum pollution of water bodies and streams, including an optimal complex of simple, available, and highly effective physicochemical techniques, criteria, and sample processing methods ensuring the reliability of conclusions derived from them. The efficiency of application of the proposed methods is illustrated in several water bodies and streams (the Bol’shaya Krepkaya, Tuzlov, Chitinka, and other rivers), which have experienced oil pollution.     

洞庭湖湖区水质时空演化(1983-2004年)

根据洞庭湖湖区的1983-2004年的水质监测数据,参照GB3838-2002中Ⅲ类水质标准,运用内梅罗水污染指数法进行水质评价,分析了洞庭湖湖区22年来的水质时空变化.结果表明:洞庭湖湖区水质污染在时间上呈有升有降的波动变化.洞庭湖湖区丰水期和洪水期的水质较差,但是从2002年以后,丰水期的水质逐渐好于平水期.污染空间变化表现为入湖河道的污染程度高于湖体,湖体污染呈西洞庭湖的污染较为严重,南洞庭湖其次,东洞庭湖的水质仍较好的格局.     

Use of Structural Characteristics of Bacterio- and Zoobenthos for Assessing the Quality of Bottom Deposits: Case Study of Water Bodies in the Upper Volga Basin

Analysis is given of the modern approaches and methods used to assess the quality of bottom deposits based on the conditions of bacterio- and zoobenthos communities. The structural characteristics of bacterio- and zoobenthos communities of small rivers in the Upper Volga basin are studied. The type of substrate is shown to have appreciable effect on the quantitative characteristics of both the communities. The analysis of these data is used to create a generalized classification of the quality of bottom deposits and assess the extent of their pollution in the examined water bodies.     

北方半干旱区土地利用/覆被变化对湖泊水质的影响:以岱海流域为例(2000—2018年)

土地利用/覆被变化对明晰气候变化和人类活动对湖泊水环境的影响有重要作用.以北方典型农牧交错的岱海流域为研究对象,基于遥感解译技术、马尔可夫转移矩阵、综合污染指数法等方法,对2000-2018年岱海流域土地利用/覆被和湖泊水质的变化进行分析,并结合冗余分析法和计量分析模型探究长时间序列尺度下土地利用/覆被变化对湖泊水质的影响.结果表明:近20年来,岱海流域的土地利用/覆被类型以耕地和草地为主,其变化特征主要是草地和林地转化为耕地,水域转化为季节性河流,岱海转化为内陆滩涂、沼泽草地和灌丛沼泽;岱海湖泊水质因子高锰酸盐指数、五日生化需氧量、总磷和总氮浓度存在不同程度的超标现象;岱海、湿地、林地对水质具有积极的改善作用,耕地、草地、建设用地是加剧水质污染的主要原因.该研究为岱海湖泊流域土地资源合理利用、湖泊水质改善和生态保护提供了一定的科学理论依据.     

Water chemistry in Onega Lake and its tributaries

The results of studies of water chemistry carried out in the water body in 1965–2009 are presented. This period features a considerable industrial and agricultural rise in the lake drainage basin, followed by a decline since the 1990s, manifesting themselves in the dynamics of some hydrochemical characteristics of water bodies. The multipurpose use of Onega Lake is shown to cause its pollution and eutrophication. The results of studies are used to evaluate the major components of the external load onto the lake and trends in variations of chemical characteristics under the effect of natural and anthropogenic factors.     

Chronic pollution of freshwater bodies: Data on accumulation of pesticides,oil products,and other toxic substances in bottom deposits

The results of studies aimed to assess the information significance of the coefficients of bottom accumulation of hydrophobic organic substances and heavy metals as indicators of pollution of freshwater bodies are presented. It is shown that the same value of the coefficient of bottom accumulation may correspond to different situations in water bodies. Methods for the interpretation of data on the state of water bodies based on the coefficient of bottom accumulation and its components are proposed to reliably determine the level and character of pollution. Chronic pollution of a number of freshwater bodies of the Russian Federation is assessed by data on the accumulation of pesticides, oil products, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals in bottom deposits.     

Distribution and Potential Sources of Surface Aerosol Particles in the Yangtze River Delta Region,China

Based on meteorological and pollution data from January 2017 to December 2019, in this paper the long-term distribution of surface aerosol particles, and the interaction between aerosol pollution and meteorological factors in four cities of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region is investigated. The long-term observation shows the law of typical aerosol pollution characteristics. Meteorological factors are significantly different during aerosol-polluted and nonpolluted days. The effect of each meteorological factor on aerosol pollution may vary by different seasons and cities. The changes in meteorological factors are not completely consistent during aerosol fine-mode and coarse-mode polluted days. To distinguish the possible sources of surface aerosol particles, the potential source contribution function and concentration-weighted trajectory models are applied to study transport sources. Based on the detailed analyses, this study will provide a reliable basis for further pollution control in the YRD.     

Toxicity bioassay of bottom sediments in large water bodies in Northwestern Russia with the use of crustaceans

The results of bioassay and physicochemical analysis of bottom sediments from large water bodies in Northwestern Russia are presented. The water bodies under consideration include Lake Onega, Vygozerskoe Reservoir, and freshwater part of the Neva Estuary (the Eastern Gulf of Finland), which are locally subject to eutrophication and toxic pollution. The potential toxicity of bottom sediments, evaluated by the survival rate of two crustacean species (Gmelinoides fasciatus and Ceriodaphnia affinis) in 7-day tests, varied from high to low values, characterizing 5 quality classes: high, good, moderate, poor, and heavy, with appropriate degrees of toxic pollution from no to very high pollution. Bad zones were identified in the Kondopoga and Petrozavodsk bays of Onega Lake, the northern and southern parts of the Vygozerskoe Reservoir, and the southern part of the Neva Bay near the dam. Bottom sediments were found to have high quality in the open central areas of Lake Onega and the Vygozerskoe Reservoir and in the western part of Neva Estuary.     

Present-day ecological state of water objects of the Republic of Armenia

An ecological and hydrochemical classification elaborated by the authors is used to assess the present quality of water in the most important water objects of the Republic of Armenia. This classification allowed us to determine the degree of environmental safety of each water body by ranking the water quality, ecosystem ecological stability, and the reliability of conservation of water quality during transportation. Based on the results of the ecological and hydrochemical assessment of water quality, the water bodies that require special protection and rational exploitation are distinguished, and the priority of water protection measures is established.     

Analysis of the effect of copper-nickel works on the state of water resources in nearest features

The formation conditions of water exchange and quality in a lake used as a part of water disposal system of an operating copper-nickel metallurgical plant are considered. Water and material budget of the lake is calculated, including process water discharge, atmospheric precipitation, and snow melting. The quantitative and qualitative characteristics of bottom sediments and waters involved in lake water exchange are determined. The migration conditions of heavy metals from bottom sediments are evaluated and their dynamic layers are determined. Some measures are proposed for reducing the adverse impact of the coppernickel plant on water bodies.     

新疆艾比湖流域地表水丰水期和枯水期水质分异特征及污染源解析

采用2015年艾比湖流域54个采样点的10个地表水水质指标数据,首先利用水质指数模型(WQI)和地统计学方法对流域水质污染情况进行全局评价,然后利用层次聚类法、判别分析法和因子分析法分析艾比湖流域地表水丰水期和枯水期水质分异特征.在水质时空分异特征研究的基础上,利用主成分回归分析法对艾比湖流域水质进行污染源解析.结果表明:艾比湖流域丰水期WQI值介于38~70之间,枯水期WQI值介于31~71之间,艾比湖流域丰水期的地表水水质污染情况比枯水期严重,而艾比湖、博尔塔拉河和精河靠近艾比湖湖区的河道污染程度均比其他河道严重.由聚类分析和判别分析得出艾比湖流域丰水期和枯水期的水质采样点在空间上均被分成A、B两组,A组包括艾比湖湖区西部、奎屯河、古尔图河和四棵树河,B组包括艾比湖湖区东部、精河和博尔塔拉河.艾比湖流域丰水期和枯水期的水体主要受到化学需氧量、溶解氧、氨氮和悬浮物浓度等指标的影响,B组水质污染指标的值相比于A组的值偏高,B组区域内存在高污染企业,艾比湖流域水环境治理工作需主要集中在B组所包括的艾比湖湖区、博尔塔拉河和精河.(4)艾比湖湖区、精河和博尔塔拉河地表水体的污染主要来自于有机物污染和营养物质污染,其次为工矿业污染;而奎屯河、古尔图河、四棵树河地表水体的污染主要来自于有机物污染,其次为营养物质污染,生物污染的影响较为微弱.该研究结果可为艾比湖流域地表水水环境改善和治理提供一定参考.     

Effect of pore water of fine sediments on the ecological conditions of hydrosphere under oil-and-gas technogenesis conditions

Experimental models are used to study the poorly known function of pore waters, i.e., their role in hydrosphere pollution. This issue is studied as applied to modern bottom sediments, soil-forming grounds of the aeration zone, and impermeable clays in aquifers. The natural and technogenic geodynamic loads, accompanied by compaction and destruction of water-bearing rocks, are shown to intensify the processes of pore water pressing with the release of rock-forming elements, heavy metals, and organic substances into bottom water layers in water bodies, free soil or intermediate waters. This results in an environmental damage to water bodies, which could be used for drinking water supply and fishery. This study is of particular importance in areas of present-day oil and gas production.     

Source characterization and spatio–temporal evolution of the metal pollution in the sediments of the Basque estuaries (Bay of Biscay)

According to Water Framework Directive requirements, Member States must identify and analyze effects derived from human pressures in aquatic systems. As different kind of pressures can impact water bodies at different scales, analyses of spatio-temporal evolution of water bodies becomes essential in order to understand ecosystem responses. In this investigation, an analysis of spatio-temporal evolution of sedimentary metal pollution (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn) in 12 Basque estuaries (Bay of Biscay) is presented. Data collected in extensive sampling surveys is the basis for the GIS-based statistical approach used. The implementation of pollution abatement measures is reflected in a long-term decontamination process, mostly evident in estuaries with highest historical sediment pollution levels. Spatial evolution is determined by either naturally occurring or human driven processes. Such spatial processes are more obviously being reflected in estuaries with lower historical sediment pollution levels.