Assessment of organic pollutants (PAH and PCB) in surface water: sediments and shallow groundwater of Grombalia watershed in northeast of Tunisia

Toxic organic compounds in wastewater are serious threats for both human and environment healthy states. This study investigates the potential sources of surface water, sediment and groundwater pollution by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) as discharged by wastewater into the River of Oued El bey in northeastern Tunisia. Analysis indicates that the concentration of PAHs and PCBs are high in wastewater and vary from 0.37 to 0.83 mg/L and from 0.28 and 1.18 mg/L, respectively. The spatial distribution of PAHs and PCB in surface water showed a variation between 0.37 to 9.91 mg/L and between 0.1 to 0.47 mg/L, respectively. However, the quality of surface water is changed after wastewater evacuation at Oued Tahouna. The determination of PAH and PCB pollutants in groundwater shows a great interest in the development of water resources. The Concentration of these pollutants varying from 0.0204 to 1.93 mg/L and from 0.0052 to 0.196 mg/L, respectively. For PAH, analysis reveals also that naphtelene, fluorene, anthracene and chrysene are the most detected PAHs compounds in water and sediment samples while benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene are less present and in trace level. Higher concentrations of PAHs and PCBs are found in samples taken close to industrial areas of Bouargoub and Soliman, and wastewater discharge locations in Soliman. Analysis of the spatial distribution of PAHs and PCBs clearly link their higher concentration in water and sediments to wastewater and manufacturing discharges in the study area. In surface sediment, the organic pollutants are present. The cluster analysis for organic pollutants in different state and different matrix highlight a relationship between the wastewater evacuation and the water qualities which confirmed the direct response of the pollution sources on the surface water and groundwater organic pollution quality.     

Freshwater-Saltwater Mixing Effects on Dissolved Carbon and CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Outgassing of a Coastal River Entering the Northern Gulf of Mexico

The delivery of dissolved carbon from rivers to coastal oceans is an important component of the global carbon budget. From November 2013 to December 2014, we investigated freshwater-saltwater mixing effects on dissolved carbon concentrations and CO₂ outgassing at six locations along an 88-km-long estuarine river entering the Northern Gulf of Mexico with salinity increasing from 0.02 at site 1 to 29.50 at site 6 near the river’s mouth. We found that throughout the sampling period, all six sites exhibited CO₂ supersaturation with respect to the atmospheric CO₂ pressure during most of the sampling trips. The average CO₂ outgassing fluxes at site 1 through site 6 were 162, 177, 165, 218, 126, and 15 mol m^?2 year^?1, respectively, with a mean of 140 mol m^?2 year^?1 for the entire river reach. In the short freshwater river reach before a saltwater barrier, 0.079 × 10⁸ kg carbon was emitted to the atmosphere during the study year. In the freshwater-saltwater mixing zone with wide channels and river lakes, however, a much larger amount of carbon (3.04 × 10⁸ kg) was emitted to the atmosphere during the same period. For the entire study period, the river’s freshwater discharged 0.25 × 10⁹ mol dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and 1.77 × 10⁹ mol dissolved organic carbon (DOC) into the mixing zone. DIC concentration increased six times from freshwater (0.24 mM) to saltwater (1.64 mM), while DOC showed an opposing trend, but to a lesser degree (from 1.13 to 0.56 mM). These findings suggest strong effects of freshwater-saltwater mixing on dissolved carbon dynamics, which should be taken into account in carbon processing and budgeting in the world’s estuarine systems.     

The distribution, sources and toxicity risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and n-alkanes in riverine and estuarine core sediments from the Daliao River watershed

The burial characteristics and toxicity risks associated with n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the riverine and estuarine sediments of the Daliao River watershed were investigated based on three sediment cores. The sum of the n-alkane and PAH concentrations, normalized to organic carbon (OC), ranged from 0.27 to 63.09 μg g^?1OC^?1 and 6.60 to 366.20 μg g^?1OC^?1, respectively. The features and the history of industrial activities, such as the oil and chemical industries and port activities near the river and estuary, resulted in different distributions and sources of hydrocarbons. The sources of pollution were identified based on n-alkane indexes and on diagnostic ratios of PAHs. The diagnostic ratios indicated that the n-alkanes were derived from both biogenic and petrogenic sources in different proportions and that the PAHs were derived primarily from petrogenic combustion sources. A hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the core samples into two clusters. The first cluster, river sediments, corresponded to industrial activities; the second cluster, estuarine sediments, corresponded to port shipping activities. The toxic potency of the PAHs in the cores was assessed in terms of toxic equivalents (TEQs) of dibenzo[a,h]anthracene and benzo[a]pyrene. The top layer of the sediment in the cores had a relatively high toxicity. The TEQ values for benzo(a)pyrene (TEQ_BaP) and dioxins (TEQ_TCDD) furnished a consistent assessment of the PAHs in the sediment cores.     

Sonochemical degradation of endocrine disrupting chemicals 17β-estradiol and 17α-ethinylestradiol in water and wastewater

The sonochemical degradation of 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in water and wastewater was investigated at ultrasonic frequency of 850 kHz. The effects of pH, initial concentrations, temperature, power and dissolved organic carbon were examined. The results obtained indicated that the rate of ultrasonic degradation of E2 and EE2 in water and wastewater is influenced by the pH, power, air sparging and the dissolved organic content of the aqueous solutions. Mass degradation rates of E2 and EE2 per kW ranged from 1.7 to 4.0 mg kW^?1 at varying process parameters. The degradation process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model with rate constant of 1.71 × 10^?2 min^?1 at 25 °C. The value for activation energy (E _a = 15.21 kJ mol^?1) obtained from Arrhenius-type plot, indicated that the ultrasonic degradation of steroid hormones is thermodynamically feasible, and does not progress only on radical reactions but other intermediate reaction processes. In wastewater, the higher dissolved organic carbon significantly reduced the effectiveness of degradation of the E2 and EE2 showing that ultrasound treatment will be more effective as a tertiary treatment option in wastewater applications.     

Variations in dust-related PM<Subscript>10</Subscript> emission from an arid land due to surface composition and topsoil disturbance

Aeolian (wind) erosion is most common in arid regions. The resulted emission of PM₁₀ (particulate matter that is smaller than 10 μm in diameter) from the soil has many environmental and socioeconomic consequences such as soil degradation and air pollution. Topsoil resistance to aeolian transport highly depends on the surface composition. The study aim was to examine variations in PM₁₀ fluxes in a desert-dust source due to surface composition and topsoil disturbance. Aeolian field experiments using a boundary layer wind tunnel alongside soil composition analysis were integrated in this study. The results show variations in PM₁₀ fluxes (ranging from 9.5 to 524.6 mg m^?2 min^?1) in the studied area. Higher wind velocity increased significantly the PM₁₀ fluxes in all surface compositions. A short-term natural disturbance caused changes in the aggregate soil distribution (ASD) and increased significantly PM₁₀ emissions. Considering that PM₁₀ contains clays, organic matter, and absorbed elements, the recorded PM₁₀ fluxes are indicative of the potential soil loss and degradation by wind erosion in such resource-limited ecosystems. The findings have implications in modeling dust emission from a source area with complex surfaces.     

Uptake of hazardous elements by spring onion (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Allium fistulosum</Emphasis> L.) from soil irrigated with different types of water and possible health risk

Bio-concentration of elements such as Mo, As, Se, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni and Pb was analyzed in spring onion (Allium fistulosum L.) in three different locations of central Punjab, Pakistan. At location GW, relatively low level of hazardous elements was found in spring onion, suggesting that groundwater is a safe source of water for irrigating food crops. The pH of soil at wastewater irrigation was found less acidic (pH 7.4) than the other sites. The range of concentration in the different samples of spring onion was as follows: 6.15–8.16 mg kg^?1 for Mo, 2.77–4.28 mg kg^?1 for As, 0.395–0.705 mg kg^?1 for Se, 36.73–48.17 mg kg^?1 for Fe, 10.58–16.26 mg kg^?1 for Cu, 28.87–39.79 mg kg^?1 for Zn, 6.66–8.75 mg kg^?1 for Ni and 4.33–6.09 mg kg^?1 for Pb, respectively. High bio-concentration of Zn (15.37) from soil to spring onion was found at canal water irrigated location. The estimated daily intake of metal for spring onion was less, but the health risk index was higher than 1 for Mo, As, Cu, Pb and Ni, respectively. This was due to higher proportion of spring onion in diet, which consequently increased the health risk index for metals. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid growing vegetables in untreated urban and rural wastewater containing elevated amounts of metals.     

CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-assisted removal of nutrients from municipal wastewater by microalgae <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella vulgaris</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scenedesmus obliquus</Emphasis>

Axenic culture of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris ATCC^® 13482 and Scenedesmus obliquus FACHB 417 was used for phycoremediation of primary municipal wastewater. The main aim of this study was to measure the effects of normal air and CO₂-augmented air on the removal efficacy of nutrients (ammonia N and phosphate P) from municipal wastewater by the two microalgae. Batch experiments were carried out in cylindrical glass bottles of 1 L working volume at 25 °C and cool fluorescent light of 6500 lux maintaining 14/10 h of light/dark cycle with normal air supplied at 0.2 L min^?1 per liter of the liquid for both algal strains for the experimental period. In the next set of experiments, the treatment process was enhanced by using 1, 2 and 5% CO₂/air (vol./vol.) supply into microalgal cultures. The enrichment of inlet air with CO₂ was found to be beneficial. The maximum removal of 76.3 and 76% COD, 94.2 and 92.6% ammonia, and 94.8 and 93.1% phosphate after a period of 10 days was reported for C. vulgaris and S. obliquus, respectively, with 5% CO₂/air supply. Comparing the two microalgae, maximum removal rates of ammonia and phosphate by C. vulgaris were 4.12 and 1.75 mg L^?1 day^?1, respectively, at 5% CO₂/air supply. From kinetic study data, it was found that the specific rates of phosphate utilization (q _phsophate) by C. vulgaris and S. obliquus at 5% CO₂/air supply were 1.98 and 2.11 day^?1, respectively. Scale-up estimation of a reactor removing phosphate (the criteria pollutant) from 50 MLD wastewater influent was also done.     

Aquatic hydrocarbon distributions in the Seine estuary: Biogenic polyaromatics and n-alkanes

Dissolved and particulate hydrocarbons of biogenic origin were investigated for the first time in surface waters along the Seine River and its estuary. They comprise n-alkanes (n-ALKs) and diagenetic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Samples were collected in three different sections of the estuary: the riverine zone, the mixing zone, and the marine zone. At the river mouth, two mooring stations were used for the collection of samples over tidal cycles. Total particulate n-ALK concentrations ranged from 31 ng 1^?1 to 2,918 ng 1^?1, or 5 μg g^?1 dry ng 1^?1, or 2 μg g^?1 of SM. Concentrations varied with the SM load and could be related to sedimentation and estuarine mixing. The sources of the n-ALKs were different in each zone of the estuary. The dissolved n-ALKs displayed lower concentrations than the particulate phase, varying from 136 ng 1^?1 to 344 ng 1^?1, while biogenic dissolved PAHs were almost absent.     

Sources and transports of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Nanshan Underground River,China

Karst areas have much higher ecological vulnerability and are easy to be contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are introduced as health risk pollutants. PAHs ratios were used to understand the sources and transport behavior of PAHs conducted in the karst Nanshan Underground River, China. Water, sediments from the underground river and water, sediments, soil from the surface were collected monthly in 2011 and 2012. Abundant PAHs were found both in the underground river and in the surface system. The detected ΣPAHs concentrations varied from 353 to 13,203 ng L^?1 in the groundwaters and content from 169 to 12,038 ng g^?1 in the sediments of the underground river. The ratios of anthracene to anthracene, plus phenanthrene and fluoranthene to fluoranthene, plus pyrene indicated that PAHs were delivered in the groundwaters from combusted grass, wood, and coal, while in the sediments were a mixture of non-combusted petroleum, grass, wood, coal and combusted grass, wood, coal. The similarities in sources between an underground river and surface system indicated that farmlands play a major role for the transport of PAHs and contamination in the underground river. Karst features are liable for the transport behavior.     

The Role of CaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Reactions in the Contemporary Oceanic CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Cycle

The present analysis adjusts previous estimates of global ocean CaCO₃ production rates substantially upward, to 133 × 10¹² mol yr^?1 plankton production and 42 × 10¹² mol yr^?1 shelf benthos production. The plankton adjustment is consistent with recent satellite-based estimates; the benthos adjustment includes primarily an upward adjustment of CaCO₃ production on so-called carbonate-poor sedimentary shelves and secondarily pays greater attention to high CaCO₃ mass (calcimass) and turnover of shelf communities on temperate and polar shelves. Estimated CaCO₃ sediment accumulation rates remain about the same as they have been for some years: ~20 × 10¹² mol yr^?1 on shelves and 11 × 10¹² mol yr^?1 in the deep ocean. The differences between production and accumulation of calcareous materials call for dissolution of ~22 × 10¹² mol yr^?1 (~50 %) of shelf benthonic carbonate production and 122 × 10¹² mol yr^?1 (>90 %) of planktonic production. Most CaCO₃ production, whether planktonic or benthonic, is assumed to take place in water depths of <100 m, while most dissolution is assumed to occur below this depth. The molar ratio of CO₂ release to CaCO₃ precipitation (CO₂↑/CaCO₃↓) is <1.0 and varies with depth. This ratio, Ψ, is presently about 0.66 in surface seawater and 0.85 in ocean waters deeper than about 1000 m. The net flux of CO₂ associated with CaCO₃ reactions in the global ocean in late preindustrial time is estimated to be an apparent influx from the atmosphere to the ocean, of +7 × 10¹² mol C yr^?1, at a time scale of 10²–10³ years. The CaCO₃-mediated influx of CO₂ is approximately offset by CO₂ release from organic C oxidation in the water column. Continuing ocean acidification will have effects on CaCO₃ and organic C metabolic responses to the oceanic inorganic C cycle, although those responses remain poorly quantified.     

Loading, Transformation, and Retention of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in the Tidal Freshwater James River (Virginia)

A nutrient mass balance for the tidal freshwater segment of the James River was used to assess sources of nutrients supporting phytoplankton production and the importance of the tidal freshwater zone in mitigating nutrient transport to marine waters. Monthly mass balances for 2007–2010 were based on riverine inputs, local point sources (including sewer overflow events), ungauged inputs, riverine outputs, and tidal exchange. The tidal freshwater James River received exceptionally high areal loads (446 mg TN m^?2 day^?1 and 55 mg TP m^?2 day^?1) compared to other estuaries in the region and elsewhere. P inputs were principally from riverine sources (84 %) whereas point sources contributed appreciably (54 %) to high N loads. Despite high loading rates and short water residence time, areal mass retention was high (143 mg TN m^?2 day^?1 and 33 mg TP m^?2 day^?1). Retention of particulate fractions occurred during high discharge, whereas dissolved inorganic fractions were retained during low discharge when chlorophyll-a concentrations were high. On an annualized basis, P was retained more effectively (59 %) than N (32 %). P was retained by abiotic mechanisms via trapping of particulate forms, whereas N was retained through biological assimilation of dissolved inorganic forms. Results from a limited suite of stable isotope determinations suggest that DIN from point sources was preferentially retained. Combined inputs from diffuse and point sources accounted for only 20 % and 36 % (respectively) of estimated algal N and P demand, indicating that internal nutrient recycling was important to sustaining high rates of phytoplankton production in the tidal freshwater zone.     

Assessment of physico-chemical and microbiological surface water quality using multivariate statistical techniques: a case study of the Wadi El-Bey River,Tunisia

Located in the northeastern part of Tunisia, Wadi El Bey drains the watershed through farmland, industrial, and urban areas of the region. It serves to discharge treated wastewater of different types. In this work, the variations of the water quality of Wadi El Bey were studied and evaluated, during 2 years (2012–2013), using multivariate statistical techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA). In addition, the similarities or dissimilarities among the sampling points were as well analyzed to identify spatial and temporal variations. The results obtained based on the cluster analysis, led to identify three similar water quality zones: relatively polluted (LP), moderately polluted (MP), and highly polluted (HP). The inorganic and organic parameters, temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, salmonella, and enterococcus, seemed to be the most significant parameters of water quality. Three factors were identified as responsible for the data structure, explaining 60.95% of the total variance. The first factor is the physical and non-organic chemical parameters explaining 23.48% of the total variance. The second and third factors are, respectively, the microbiological (21.26%) and organic-nutrient (16.2%).This study shows that multivariate statistical methods can help the water managers to understand the factors affecting the water quality.     

Assessment of heavy metals in sediment and in suspended particles affected by multiple anthropogenic contributions in harbours

La Goulette, Rades and Sidi Bou Said harbours are considered as the most important commercial and tourist ports in the Gulf of Tunis. They are located on the northeast coast of Tunis and receive industrial and municipal wastewaters from Tunis city. The contamination level of copper, lead, zinc, cadmium, manganese, iron, total nitrogen and total organic carbon in the surface sediments was assessed on the basis of the enrichment index factors and corresponding to sediment quality guidelines. The results revealed moderate to highly elevated concentrations near to the sites of intense industrial, shipping and/or commercial activities suggesting a direct influence of these sources. In winter and summer, concentrations varied for cadmium, 0.28–1.40 mg kg^?1; lead, 18–217 mg kg^?1; zinc, 87–459 mg kg^?1; copper, 8–121 mg kg^?1; manganese, 208–254 mg kg^?1; and for iron, 24–40 g kg^?1. Furthermore, in summer the concentration of the total organic carbon and the total nitrogen contents range between 4.3–6.5 % and 0.06–0.49 % with an average value of 5.9 and 0.15 %, respectively. Whereas, in winter, total organic carbon and the total nitrogen concentrations varied between 2.3–9.6 % and 0.03–0.22 % with an average value of 6.1 and 0.14 %, respectively. The levels of lead, copper, zinc and iron in suspended particulate matter content range between 3.1–27.5 mg kg^?1; 0.4–11.7 mg kg^?1; 1–1.5 mg kg^?1; 1.2–1.7 g kg^?1, respectively. This study revealed that heavy metals pollution is mainly localized in the commercial (Rades) and fishing (La Goulette) harbours and not in the yachting (Sidi Bou Said) harbour.     

Human impact on the historical change of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>degassing flux in River Changjiang

The impact of water quality changes in River Changjiang (formally known as the Yangtze River) on dissolved CO₂ and silicate concentrations and seasonal carbon flux in the past several decades (1960s–2000) was evaluated, based on monitoring data from hydrographic gauge. It was found that dissolved CO₂ and silicate in Changjiang decreased dramatically during this decades, as opposed to a marked increase in nutrient (e.g. NO₃ ^-) concentrations. Our analyses revealed that dissolved CO₂ in Changjiang was over-saturated with the atmosphere CO₂, and its concentration had showed a declining trend since the 1960s, despite that fluvial DIC flux had maintained stable. Analysis results also suggested that the decrease in dissolved CO₂ concentration was attributed to changes on the riverine trophic level and river damming activities in the Changjiang drainage basin. Due to the economic innovation (e.g. agriculture and industry development) across the Changjiang watershed, fertilizers application and river regulations have significantly altered the original state of the river. Its ecosystem and hydrological condition have been evolving toward the "lacustrine/reservoir" autotrophic type prevailing with plankton. Accordingly, average CO₂ diffusing flux to the atmosphere from the river had been reduced by three-fourth from the 1960s to 1990s, with the flux value being down to 14.2 mol.m^-2.yr^-1 in the 1990s. For a rough estimate, approximately 15.3 Mt of carbon was degassed annually into the atmosphere from the entire Changjiang drainage basin in the 1990s.     

Tunisian landfill leachate treatment using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella</Emphasis> sp.: effective factors and microalgae strain performance

The potential of the autoclaved Tunisian landfill leachate treatment using microalgae (Chlorella sp.) cultivation was investigated in this study. Landfill leachate was collected from Borj Chakir landfill, Tunisia. A full factorial experimental design 2² was proposed to study the effects of the incubation time and leachate ratio factors on the organic matter removal expressed in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammoniacal nitrogen (NH₄─N) and on the biological response of Chlorella sp. expressed by the cell density and chlorophyll content. All experiments were batch runs at ambient temperature (25 ± 2 °C). The Chlorella sp. biomass and chlorophyll a concentrations of 1.2 and 5.32 mg L^?1, respectively, were obtained with 10% leachate spike ratio. The obtained results showed that up to 90% of the ammoniacal nitrogen in landfill leachate was removed in 10% leachate ratio spiked medium with a residual concentration of 40 mg L^?1. The maximum COD removal rate reached 60% within 13 days of incubation time indicating that microalgae consortium was quite effective for treating landfill leachate organic contaminants. Furthermore, with the 10% leachate ratio spiked medium, the maximum lipid productivity was 4.74 mg L^?1 d^?1. The present study provides valuable information for potential adaptation of microalgae culture and its contribution for the treatment of Tunisian landfill leachate.     

Photocatalytic treatment of oil and grease spills in wastewater using coated N-doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> polyscales under sunlight as an alternative driving energy

To enhance the overall efficiency of oil and grease removal in wastewater coated N-doped TiO₂ photocatalytic polyscales were fabricated through sol–gel technique. The materials fabricated were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. In order to enhance degradation efficiency of organic pollutant under natural sun light, shifting of absorption range of TiO₂ to visible spectrum, various modifications such as surface modification and size optimization were carried out by doping of nitrogen under sol–gel processes. To ease recovery of suspended catalysts from aqueous media, the coated N-doped TiO₂ were prepared by decorating photocatalytic particles onto suitable substrates. N-doped TiO₂ polyscales with desired functionalities were coated onto the spherical supporting substrates using a binding agent. The photocatalytic treatment studies clearly indicated the considerable level of the oil and grease and other organic pollutants removal from wastewater (up to 85–90 % ± 2) using coated N-doped TiO₂ under natural sunlight as an alternative driving energy source. Removal of oil and grease along with other organic pollutants in wastewater using coated N-doped TiO₂ polyscales is a versatile, economical, and environmental friendly technique due to the ease of handling and recovery, utilization of natural sunlight which is renewable energy source.     

The effect of long-term soil irrigation by wastewater on organic matter, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals evolution: case study of Zaouit Sousse (Tunisia)

Irrigation by treated wastewater (TWW) can pollute the soil by different organic and inorganic compounds. The pollution level can depend on the irrigation period, soil nature, and wastewater characteristics. Since 1989, the Zaouit Sousse area (central Tunisian) has been irrigated by treated wastewater. The irrigation period and the mineralogy of soil composition change from one locality to another in Zaouit Sousse area. In this work, we are interested in organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals (HMs) evolution. One control soil (S1) and four irrigated areas soil (S2, S3, S4, and S5) were chosen. The soil samples differ by the irrigation period and soil characteristics. Total PAHs content in control soil was 66.2 ng?g^?1 and in irrigated areas were between 46.23 and 129.51 ng?g^?1. The PAHs content in irrigated soil, except S5 which has been irrigated with wastewater for 20 years and contains the highest clay fraction percent, decreased with the irrigation period (from 0 to 20 years). The microbial degradation may decrease the PAHs concentrations in the soil thanks to bacterium brought by TWW and the important soil permeability. Concentration of heavy metals ranged from 24 to 1,320 μg?L^?1. The HMs (Cu, Cr, Zn, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Cd) contents decreased with the irrigation period (from 10 to 20 years). So, following the PAHs aerobic bio-degradation, this organic compound discharges their absorbed heavy metals which leached to deeper levels. The Cr, Cu, Al, Zn, and Cd mobility depend on the clay yield too. However, the PAHs and Pb mobility are also related to humic substance quantities. Cr and Cu have affinities both to clay and humic substance quantities.     

The Effect of River Discharge and Winds on the Interannual Variability of the Pink Shrimp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Farfantepenaeus paulensis</Emphasis> Production in Patos Lagoon

The Patos Lagoon estuary is an important environment for the life cycle of many species, including the pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus paulensis. This area acts as a nursery ground for the shrimp larvae, which are spawned in a coastal area and transported into the lagoon during spring and early summer (September to December). Harvesting of shrimp occurs from January to May, and yields have varied from around 1,000 to 8,000 tons year^?1. This study is based on analysis of river discharge, pink shrimp catches, and wind velocity time series from 1964 to 2004. Negative correlation between pink shrimp catches and river runoff reflects the influence of discharge on the lagoon circulation and, consequently, on the intrusion of salt water and larvae. When river discharge is below average, landward currents forced by SW winds can enhance larval transport into the estuarine area, leading to an increase in pink shrimp captures. Above average river input would force a seaward flow that works as a barrier to ingress of larvae. This is unusual when compared to many other estuarine systems, and the main factor that accounts for this behavior is the morphology (choking) of Patos Lagoon. Interannual variability related to El Niño/Southern Oscillation events also influence pink shrimp production in this area. Low/high shrimp catches are related to El Niño (flood)/La Niña (drought) events. Wind can also impact production through its effect on the southward displacement of larvae from the spawning area. Long-term trends indicate an increase in river discharge around 20 m³ s^?1year^?1 and a decrease in shrimp catches on the order of 57 tons year^?1.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from the Pearl river and estuary,China: spatial and temporal distribution and sources

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in surface sediments and dated core sediments from the Pearl river and estuary, China, to investigate the spatial and temporal variability of anthropogenic pollutants. The sediments from the sampling stations at the Guangzhou channel have the highest concentrations of PAHs, owing to contributions from the large amount of urban/industrial discharges from the city of Guangzhou. The significant decrease of PAHs concentrations in sediments from the Shiziyang channel is mainly attributed to the increasing degradation and desorption of low molecular weight PAHs and alkyl PAHs, and the dilution by less contaminated water and particles from the East river. The PAH contaminants were concentrated on the western side in the Lingding bay of the Pearl river estuary because of the hydrodynamic and sedimentation conditions. Based on the characteristics of the parent compound distributions (PCDs) and the alkyl homologue distributions (AHDs) of PAHs, the potential source of PAHs in sediments from each sampling station was identified. Results indicated that the pyrogenic (combustion) source, characterized by the abundance of parent PAHs, were predominant in the heavily contaminated station (ZB01) near the aging industrial area, and the petrogenic (petroleum- derived) PAHs were more abundant in the stations (ZB02, ZB03) adjacent to the petrochemical plant and shipping harbor. Sediments from Lingding bay show variable distributions of PAH composition and variety in the proportion of combustion and petrogenic sources for the PAHs in different stations. Perylene, a naturally derived PAH, was found to be highly abundant in less contaminated stations. Analysis of the dated sediments (²¹⁰Pb) indicates that higher PAH concentrations occurred in the sediments deposited after 1980, and higher fluxes of PAHs discharged to the Pearl river are found after 1990.     

Short- and Long-Term Vegetative Propagation of Two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spartina</Emphasis> Species on a Salt Marsh in Southern Brazil

Spartina alterniflora and Spartina densiflora are native salt marsh plants from the Atlantic coast; their habitats in Patos Lagoon estuary (southern Brazil) are characterized by a microtidal regime (<0.5 m) and, during El Niño events, high estuarine water levels and prolonged flooding due to elevated freshwater discharge from a 200,000-km² watershed. During and between El Niño events, the vegetative propagation of these two Spartina species in the largest estuary of southern Brazil (Patos Lagoon) was evaluated by monitoring transplanted plants for 10 years (short-term study) and interpreting aerial photos of natural stands for 56 years (long-term study). During the short-term study, S. alterniflora quickly occupied mud flats (up to 208 cm year^?1) by elongation of rhizomes, whereas S. densiflora showed a modest lateral spread (up to 13 cm year^?1) and generated dense circular-shaped stands. However, moderate and strong El Niño events can promote excessive flooding and positive anomalies in the estuarine water level that reduce the lateral spread and competitive ability of S. densiflora. During the long-term study, natural stands of S. alterniflora and S. densiflora had steady lateral spread rates of 152 and 5.2 cm year^?1, respectively, over mud flats. In the microtidal marshes of the southwest Atlantic, the continuous long-term lateral expansion of both Spartina species embodies periods of intense flooding stress (moderate and strong El Niños), when there is a decrease of vegetative propagation and less stressful low water periods of fast spread over mud flats (non-El Niño periods and weak intensity El Niños).