Structural and fractal characteristics of biofilm attached on the surfaces of aquatic plants and gravels in the rivers and lakes reusing reclaimed wastewater

Reusing reclaimed wastewater from lakes has become one of the most effective measures to relieve the urban ecological crisis. However, reclaimed wastewater still contains large amounts of nutrient salts, trace organic pollutants, suspended solid particles and microorganisms, which may significantly affect the aquatic ecosystems. The health of aquatic ecosystems can be directly and effectively monitored by evaluating the biofilms in them, because the structures of biofilms are directly affected by multiple environmental factors. Therefore, it is important to study the structures of biofilms attached on multiple medium surfaces in river-lake systems that contain reclaimed wastewater. In this study, the paper applied scanning electron microscope (SEM) technology and fractal theory to quantitatively describe the structural characteristics of biofilms attached on the medium surfaces of aquatic plants and gravels in the Lianshi Lake of Beijing Yongding River and other two kinds of reclaimed water of the river-lakes, whose sewage treatment processes were the combined process of deposit and sand filtration and UF membrane filtration, plus anaerobic-anoxic-oxic process, respectively. The paper found that these two types of biofilms were typical porous media and their basic skeletons were mainly composed of inorganic particles, microorganisms, and algae. Furthermore, most areas between the particles were filled with extracellular polymers (EPS) secreted by bacteria. At the same time, these biofilms showed obvious fractal and multifractal characteristics, but the fractal dimensions alone failed to effectively describe the complexity of biofilm structures. The multifractal spectra were able to quantitatively characterize the biofilms’ heterogeneity. In addition, the number of microorganism species, the quantity and the heterogeneity of aquatic plants’ surface biofilms were all higher than those of gravel surface biofilms, most likely due to the effects of light. In addition, the heterogeneity of biofilms in reclaimed water treated by the combined process of deposit and sand filtration and UF membrane filtration plus anaerobic-anoxic-oxic process was higher than that of biofilms in reclaimed water treated by traditionally activated sludge process (Lianshi Lake’s water). Besides, the non-uniformity of biofilms in reclaimed water treated by combined process of deposit and sand filtration was higher than that of biofilms in reclaimed water treated by UF membrane filtration plus anaerobic-anoxic-oxic process.     

Response of Ruppia maritima to the reclaimed wastewater in coastal artificial landscape river

In recent years, reclaimed wastewater as a water source for urban artificial landscape rivers is being rapidly developed in some coastal cities with limited water resource available in China. However, eutrophication occurs more often in the landscape waterbody with reclaimed wastewater than in natural rivers and lakes. The study of restoration and reconstruction of macrophytes, especially the submerged aquatic vegetation, is essential to inhibit eutrophication of reclaimed wastewater. This study investigated the seasonal variation of biomass of Ruppia maritima in the artificial landscape river using reclaimed wastewater as the only water source in Tianjin, China. It was found that there were two seasonal growth peaks of Ruppia maritima each year in the coastal reclaimedwastewater. The contents of nitrogen and phosphorus of Ruppia maritima varied with the season.     

Carbonate precipitation through photoautotrophic microorganisms at the Giza cliff in Okinawa,Japan

Environmentally friendly options for restoring limestone using microorganisms have attracted recent attention. The governing principle of this technique is to use the metabolism of microorganisms to precipitate carbonate in the gaps of mineral particles; this process is known as microbial carbonate precipitation (MCP). Here, an outcrop associated with MCP under natural conditions at the Giza cliff in Okinawa, Japan was investigated. Colonies of photoautotrophic microorganisms containing chlorophyll were found inhabiting a layer of limestone 2–4 mm below the surface of the outcrop. These microorganisms survived and photosynthesised within the limestone under favorable conditions that include an effective photon flux density of 15–75 µmol/m²/s, and some fresh calcium carbonates (i.e., calcite) were precipitated around the cell walls and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of the microorganisms. Furthermore, the results of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) suggest that the synthetic calcite within the limestone may improve the mechanical strength of the outcrop. These in situ and laboratory findings indicate that these microbial functions may be applicable to some weathered rock surfaces as a self-organizing surface protection and conservation technology.     

A poly-ε-caprolactone based biofilm carrier for nitrate removal from water

Nitrate removal from water has been accomplished by heterotrophic biofilms using organic carbon as a source of reducing power. To overcome the natural limitation in organic carbon in water, a poly-ε-caprolactone based biofilm carrier that serves simultaneously as a biofilm carrier and as a source of organic carbon was developed and tested in the present work. The feasibility of the new biofilm carrier for nitrate removal from water was evaluated in a packed bed reactor. The combination of size and structure provided a carrier element having high surface area and void volume, 1,170 m²/m³ and 67 %, respectively. A maximum denitrification rate of 4.4 mg N–NO₃ ^?/(L.h) (9.2 mg N–NO₃ ^?/(m².h)) was achieved in the packed bed reactor at 20 °C and pH 7.0. Main advantages of the biofilm carrier developed in the present work are its mechanical stability in water even after biofilm formation and controlled release of organic carbon by enzymatic reactions. The proposed biotechnology to remove nitrate from groundwater is robust and easy to operate.     

Hydrogeochemistry and isotope techniques to determine water interactions in groundwater-dependent shallow lakes,Wet Pampa Plain,Argentina

This paper gives an account of the implementation of hydrochemical and isotopic techniques to identify and explain the processes that govern solute exchange in two groundwater-dependent shallow lakes in the Southeastern Pampa Plain of Argentina. Water samples (lakes, streams, spring water and groundwater) for hydrochemical and stable isotopic determination were collected and the main physical–chemical parameters were measured. The combination of stable isotope data with hydrogeochemical techniques was used for the identification of sources and preferential recharge areas to these aquatic ecosystems which allowed the explanation of the lake water origin. The hydrochemical processes which explain Los Padres Lake water chemistry are evaporation from groundwater, CO₂ input, calcite dissolution, Na⁺ release by Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ exchange, and sulfate reduction. The model that best aligns with La Brava Lake hydrochemical constraints includes: mixing, CO₂ and calcite dissolution, cationic exchange with Na⁺ release and Mg²⁺ adsorption, and to a lesser extent, Ca/Na exchange. This model suggests that the fractured aquifer contribution to this water body is greater than 50 %. An isotopic-specific fingerprint for each lake was identified, finding a higher evaporation rate for La Brava Lake compared to Los Padres Lake. Isotopic data demonstrate the importance of these shallow lakes as recharge areas to the regional aquifer, becoming areas of high groundwater vulnerability. The Tandilia Range System, considered in many hydrogeological studies as the impermeable bedrock of the Pampean aquifer, acts as a fissured aquifer in this area, contributing to low salinity waters and with a fingerprint similar to groundwater isotopic composition.     

Changes in water chemistry along the newly formed High Arctic fluvial–lacustrine system of the Brattegg Valley (SW Spitsbergen,Svalbard)

Changes in water chemistry along the High Arctic fluvial–lacustrine system located in Wedel Jarlsberg Land in the SW Spitsbergen (Svalbard) were investigated during the summer season of 2010 and 2011. The newly formed river–lake system consists of three lakes connected with the Brattegg River. The first bathymetric measurements of these lakes were made by the authors in 2010. The Brattegg River catchment represents a partly glaciered Arctic water system. The studied lakes are characterized by low mineralization and temperature of water. The value of the electrolytic conductivity (EC) ranges from 30.2 to 50.5 μS cm^?1 and the temperature of surface water from 1.5 to 7.8 °C. The temperature increase takes place downstream starting from Upper Lake to the outflow from Myrktjørna Lake. The waters of lakes have higher temperatures than the stream. The predominant ions are HCO₃ ^? (up to 16.5 mg L^?1), Cl^? (6.66–8.53 mg L^?1), Ca²⁺ (2.40–4.45 mg L^?1) and Na⁺ (2.65–3.36 mg L^?1). The highest values of ammonium and DOC found in the lowest Myrktjørna Lake seem to be related to the presence of aquatic organisms and also birds. From the group of 10 analyzed microelements, increased concentrations of aluminum, up to almost 500 μg L^?1, are present in the lakes’ water. Water isotopic composition ranges for δ¹⁸O and δ²H, from ?10.6 to ?10.9‰ and from ?70.8 to ?72.3‰, respectively. The vertical zonality of lake waters is manifested in a decrease in the temperature and increase in EC and chemical elements concentrations.     

Effects of seawater irrigation on soil microbial community structure and physiological function

Irrigation with diluted seawater would be an alternative water resource which can play an important role under scarce resources of freshwater for promoting agricultural production in coastal areas. Salvadora persica Linn. was irrigated with different concentrations of seawater (0, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 % seawater), and their effect on plant growth, nutrient contents in soil and plants, shift in soil microbial community structure (phospholipid fatty acid; PLFA) and community-level physiological profiling (CLPP, Biolog ECO MicroPlate) were studied. Plant dry matter was significantly increased with all seawater treatments, and highest increase was at 20 % seawater treatment. Sodium and chloride contents were significantly increased, whereas ratios of K/Na and Ca/Na were significantly decreased in plants with seawater irrigation. Soil electrical conductivity (EC), available K and Na were significantly increased with increasing the concentration of seawater. Total PLFA concentration and PLFA profile of soils were used as indices of total microbial biomass and community composition, respectively. The concentrations of total PLFA, gram-positive, gram-negative and actinomycetes biomarker PLFAs were significantly reduced at 20, 40, 80 and 40 % concentrations of seawater, respectively. The application of different concentrations of seawater induced a clear shift in the soil microbial community structure toward the bacterial abundance. The microbial community structure and community-level physiological profiling in seawater irrigation treatments had significantly differentiated. It can be concluded that irrigation with different concentrations of seawater had significant impact on soil chemical and microbial properties which is attributed due to the salinity stress.     

Spatial and temporal distribution and characteristics of eukaryote-dominated microbial biofilms in an acid mine drainage environment: implications for development of iron-rich stromatolites

Spatial and temporal distribution and characteristics of three eukaryotic biofilms were monitored for an 18-month period in an acid mine drainage environment at the Green Valley coalmine in Indiana, USA. Each biofilm is dominated (>90 %) by a single eukaryotic microorganism based on enumeration: Euglena mutabilis, the diatom species Nitzschia tubicola, and a filamentous alga belonging to the genus Klebsormidium sp. The E. mutabilis-dominated biofilm occurs year round, covering up to 100 % of the channel bottom in spring and fall. The N. tubicola-dominated biofilm is less abundant, exists as small patches in spring and fall, expands from these patches to cover up to 50 % of the channel bottom in June, and is absent in winter. The Klebsormidium-dominated biofilm is restricted to small patches covering <5 % of the channel bottom from spring through fall and is absent in winter. Also present are floating microbial scum layers. The eukaryotic biofilms and scum layers contribute to the attenuation of precipitates and to the formation of organosedimentary structures, or stromatolites, by trapping and binding chemical precipitates via aerotaxis and phototaxis and by serving as a medium for passive accumulation of precipitates. Each stromatolite layer represents the morphological characteristics of each eukaryotic biofilm that served as the architect of the layer and the time of year the biofilm populated the channel. Processes involved in stromatolite formation also attenuate chemical sediments by binding them to the channel bottom and prior stromatolite surface rather than allowing them to be carried to the adjacent drainage system where they may become bioavailable to other forms of life.     

A study of the interrelation between surface water and groundwater using isotopes and chlorofluorocarbons in Sanjiang plain,Northeast China

Surface water and groundwater are the main water resources used for drinking and production. Assessments of the relationship between surface water and groundwater provide information for water resource management in Sanjiang plain, Northeast China. The surface water (river, lake, and wetland) and groundwater were sampled and analyzed for stable isotopic (δD, δ ¹⁸O) composition, tritium, and chlorofluorocarbons concentrations. The local meteoric water line is δD = 7.3δ ¹⁸O–6.7. The tritium (T) and chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) contents in groundwater were analyzed to determine the groundwater ages. Most groundwater were modern water with the ages <50 years. The groundwaters in mountain area and near rivers were younger than in the central plain. The oxygen isotope (δ ¹⁸O) was used to quantify the relationship between surface water and groundwater. The Songhua, Heilongjiang, and Wusuli rivers were gaining rivers, but the shallow groundwater recharged from rivers at the confluence area of rivers. At the confluence of Songhua and Heilongjiang rivers, 88 % of the shallow groundwater recharged from Songhua river. The combination of stable isotopes, tritium, and CFCs was an effectively method to study the groundwater ages and interrelation between surface water and groundwater. Practically, the farmlands near the river and under foot of the mountain could be cultivated, but the farmlands in the central plain should be controlled.     

Distribution of heavy metals and pollution pathways in a shallow marine shelf: assessment for a future management

The spatial distribution and geoaccumulation indices of four heavy metals were investigated in very shallow marine sediments of southwestern Spain. Surface sediments were collected from 43 sites with water depth ranging from 3 to 20 m. High to very high pollution levels (I _geo > 4 for zinc, lead and copper) were detected near the end of the Huelva bank, whereas chromium shows a more hazardous distribution in the southwestern Spanish littoral. Low to moderate heavy metal contents (mainly zinc and lead) were also observed in other two areas at different water depths (Isla Cristina-Piedras River: 10–18 m water depth; Mazagón–Matalascañas: <10 m water depth), whereas unpolluted to moderately polluted sediments were detected in the very shallow zones (<8 m water depth) located between the mouths of the Guadiana and the Piedras Rivers. A regional scenario indicates a strong pollution of the adjacent marine areas by polluted inputs derived from the Tinto–Odiel rivers, with a partial transport of heavy metals by W–E littoral currents even 40 km eastward. The Guadiana River is an additional source of zinc–lead contamination near the Spanish–Portuguese border, mainly at water depths up to 10 m. All these rivers are affected by acid mine drainage processes, derived from millennial mining activities. This pollution affects the sediment quality even 40 km eastward.     

长江中游湖泊沉积微结构特征与沉积环境

在长江中游的洪湖、东湖、网湖和大九湖等四个地点取得湖沼沉积物的钻孔样品,用偏光显微镜下和电子显微镜观察微结构特征并以此解释三种湖相粘土的成因和沉积环境的变化。在长江沿岸湖泊中,0.4~ 0.5kaBP以来形成的浅色粘土的微结构类型主要有 :显微层理构造、颗粒的定向性、较大的微孔隙和颗粒粒径,面与面或边与边接触方式。物源主要来自河流带来的泥沙.当时河湖相通,河流入湖水沙量大。 1~ 2.5kaBP期间形成的青色粘土的典型微结构是 :凝胶结构、絮凝结构、细颗粒粒径和小孔隙、低球度和淡水中心冈硅藻。主要是有机质胶体与粘土胶体相互作用形成的。此期间,河流带入湖泊的泥沙少,江汉平原拥有一个开阔、稳定、浮游生物较多的淡水湖泊环境。 0.4~ 1kaBP期间形成的黑色粘土的主要微结构类型是 :凝胶结构、大的圆孔隙和植物纤维的生物框架结构、呈双峰分布的孔隙。它主要是由于维管束植物残体大量积累形成的。当时江汉平原湖泊湖水变浅,大量挺水植物生长,有些湖泊沼已经沼泽化了。鱼骨框架结构证明,在 2.9~ 4kaBP的全新世温暖期山间盆地大九湖出现大量鱼类,但并没有导致喜温鱼类向上游明显迁徙。     

Satellite altimetry for measuring river stages in remote regions

The advent in satellite altimetry with the most accurate satellite radar altimeter since 1992 and its successive missions have enabled the routine global monitoring of water-level (or stage) for surface waters and changes in the quantities of dammed water reservoirs. However, satellite altimeter measurements typically have spatial resolution capable of observing only large water bodies, such as major lakes and rivers. This paper addresses the challenges of how to investigate water levels in medium (~?1 km in width) to small (~?100 m and narrower) rivers. Comparisons between the ENVISAT altimetry ICE-1 waveform retracking height and standard water-level measurements for multiple sections of Ohio River, Columbia River, and Red River of the North in the United States (US) reveals that the satellite altimetry measured water levels agree well with those observed at nearby US Geological Survey gaging stations over the 10-year period starting from 2002. The significant results include those obtained at Thompson, North Dakota (ND, correlation coefficient or R value of 0.76 between satellite and in situ water-level measurements) and Fargo, ND (R?=?0.74), where the stream channels of Red River are merely?~?50 m and ~?40 m wide, respectively, under normal climatic conditions. In addition, demonstrations of the approach over largely inaccessible portions of Tigris–Euphrates Rivers and Helmand River in the Middle East aided in understanding hydrology in these systems. This study demonstrates the ability of satellite radar altimetry to characterize rivers in these study regions which are much narrower than 100 m in width.     

Optimization of parameters using response surface methodology and genetic algorithm for biological denitrification of wastewater

In the present study the removal of nitrates from wastewater using Pseudomonas stutzeri microorganism in a Gas–Liquid–Solid bioreactor at the concentration of 200 ppm was studied for a period of 12 h. The response surface methodology with the help of central composite design and genetic algorithm were employed to optimize the process parameters such as airflow rate, biofilm carrier, carbon source, temperature and pH which are responsible for the removal of nitrates. The optimized values of parameters found from RSM are airflow rate 2.41 lpm, biofilm carrier 15.15 g/L, carbon source 85.0 mg/L, temperature 29.74 °C, pH 7.47 and nitrate removal 193.16. The optimized parameters obtained from genetic algorithm are airflow rate 2.42 lpm, biofilm carrier 15.25 g/L, carbon source 84.98 mg/L, temperature 29.61 °C, pH 7.51 and nitrate removal is 194.14. The value of R² > 0.9831 obtained for the present mathematical model indicates the high correlation between observed and predicted values. The optimal values for nitrate removal at 200 ppm are suggested according to genetic algorithm and at these optimized parameters more than 96 % of nitrate removal was estimated, which meets the standards for drinking water.     

Diurnal Variations of Hydrochemistry in a Travertine-depositing Stream at Baishuitai, Yunnan, SW China

Diurnal variations of hydrochemistry were monitored at a spring and two pools in a travertine-depositing stream at Baishuitai, Yunnan, SW China. Water temperature, pH and specific conductivity were measured in intervals of 5 and 30 min for periods of 1 to 2 days. From these data the concentrations of Ca²⁺, HCO₃⁻, calcite saturation index, and CO₂ partial pressure were derived. The measurements in the spring of the stream did not show any diurnal variations in the chemical composition of the water. Diurnal variations, however, were observed in the water of the two travertine pools downstream. In one of them, a rise in temperature (thus more CO₂ degassing) during day time and consumption of CO₂ due to photosynthesis of submerged aquatic plants accelerated deposition of calcite, whereas in the other pool, where aquatic plants flourished and grew out of the water (so photosynthesis was taking place in the atmosphere), the authors suggest that temperature-dependent root respiration underwater took place, which dominated until noon. Consequently, due to the release of CO₂ by the root respiration into water, which dominated CO₂ production by degassing induced by temperature increase, the increased dissolution of calcite was observed. This is the first time anywhere at least in China that the effect of root respiration on diurnal hydrochemical variations has been observed. The finding has implications for sampling strategy within travertine-depositing streams and other similar environments with stagnant water bodies such as estuaries, lakes, reservoirs, pools and wetlands, where aquatic plants may flourish and grow out of water.     

Preliminary optical and radiocarbon age determinations for Upper Pleistocene alluvial sediments in the southern Anti Atlas Mountains,MoroccoDatation des sédiments alluviaux du Pléistocène supérieur du versant sud de l'Anti-Atlas,Maroc

This paper presents the first results of a ¹⁴C and optical luminescence dating project on extensive alluvial silt formations in the southern Anti Atlas Mountains in southern Morocco. The silts comprise three members: basal silts, an inter-silt fluvial gravel member and a top silt member and are incised by the rivers. Top silt dates are: 11 340–11 940, 12 670–13 130 cal. yr BP, and 10.6±0.7 ka (OSL). OSL dates for the inter-silt gravels are 29.6±2.0 ka and for the bottom silts is 45.0±3.7 ka. The sediments correlate with Soltanian stratigraphies known elsewhere in Morocco. To cite this article: M. Thorp et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 903–908.     

Calcite twinning strain variations across the Proterozoic Grenville orogen and Keweenaw-Kapuskasing inverted foreland,USA and Canada

We report the calcite twinning strain results of a traverse across the Grenville orogen from Parry Sound, Ontario (NW) to Ft. Ann, New York (SE), including the younger, adjacent Ordovician Taconic allochthon. Fifty four carbonates (marbles, calcite veins, Ordovician limestone) were collected resulting in 68 strain analyses on mechanically twinned calcite (n = 2337 grains) across the Central Gneiss Belt (CGB; 3 samples), the Central Metasedimentary Belt (CMB; 27 samples), the Central Granulite Terrane (CGT; Adirondack's; 13 samples) and the Ottawan Orogenic Lid (OOL; 11 samples). Twinning strains in the greenschist-grade OOL marbles preserve N–S shortening and U-Pb titanite ages (～1150 Ma; n = 4) document these marbles formed during the Shawinigan (1190–1140 Ma) part of the Grenville orogen. From northwest to southeast, the Ottawan (1095–1020 Ma) twinning strain is dominantly a layer-parallel shortening fabric oriented N–S (Parry Sound), then becomes parallel to the Grenville thrust direction (NW–SE) across the CMB to the Adirondack Highlands where the sub-horizontal shortening strain becomes margin-parallel (SW–NE). Within the regional sample suite there are two areas studied in detail, the Bancroft shear zone (n = 11) and a roadcut on the southeast side of the Adirondack Mountains (Ft. Ann, NY; n = 8). Marbles from the Bancroft shear zone contain calcite grains with 2 sets of twin lamellae (e₁ and e₂). The better-developed e₁ sets (n = 406) record a horizontal fabric oriented NW–SE whereas the younger e₂ lamellae (n = 146) preserve a margin-parallel (SW–NE) horizontal fabric. Both the e₁ and e₂ strains record an overprint vertical shortening strain (NEV), perhaps related to extensional orogenic collapse. We also report an Ottawan orogen-aged granoblastic mylonite (1093 Ma, U-Pb zircon; 1102 Ma Ar-Ar biotite) in the Keweenaw thrust hanging wall 500 km inboard of the Grenville front and interpret the relations of Grenville-Keweenaw far-field dynamics.     

Nitrate removal from groundwater using solid-phase denitrification process without inoculating with external microorganisms

Denitrification of groundwater was studied using a laboratory-scale reactor packed with biodegradable snack ware served as both carbon source and biofilm support for microorganisms. The complete removal of 50 mg/L of nitrate-nitrogen was achieved in a 23-day-old reactor with 2.1 h of hydraulic retention time without inoculating with any external microorganisms, which indicates that indigenous microorganisms in groundwater proliferate readily and result in stable biofilm formation onto biodegradable snack ware. Accumulation of nitrite and nitrate residue was detected when hydraulic retention time was lower than 2.1 h. The breakthrough of nitrate-nitrogen up to over 10 mg/L in the effluent water was observed with nitrate removal efficiency reducing to about 75 % when hydraulic retention time was lowered to 1.4 h. The highest rate of denitrification was observed with 1.5 h of hydraulic retention time. Dissolved organic carbon concentration in the effluent water ranged between 10 and 20 mg/L during the stable operation of the reactor, and nitrite-nitrogen concentration was never higher than 0.09 mg/L. Considering its relatively low price and high denitrification rate, biodegradable snack ware can become a good alternative for denitrification process.     

Kinetics of urease mediated calcite precipitation and permeability reduction of porous media evidenced by magnetic resonance imaging

The enzyme urease drives the hydrolysis of urea leading to the release of ammonium ions and bicarbonate; in the presence of calcium, the rise in pH leads to increased calcium carbonate saturation and the subsequent precipitation of calcite. Although such alkalinizing ureolysis is widespread in nature, most studies have focussed on bacteria (i.e. indigenous communities or urease-active Sporosarcina pasteurii) for calcite precipitation technologies. In this study, urease-active jack bean meal (from the legume Canavalia ensiformis) was used to drive calcite precipitation. The rates of ureolysis (k _urea ), determined from measured NH₄ ⁺, enabled a direct comparison to microbial ureolysis rates reported in literature. It is also demonstrated that a simple single reaction model approach can simulate calcite precipitation very effectively (3–6 % normalised root-mean-square deviation). To investigate the reduction of permeability in porous media, jack bean meal (0.5 g L^?1) and solutions (400 mM urea and CaCl₂) were simultaneously pumped into a borosilicate bead column. One-dimensional magnetic resonance profiling techniques were used, non-invasively, for the first time to quantify the porosity changes following calcite precipitation. In addition, two-dimensional slice selective magnetic resonance images (resolution of ~0.5 × 1.0 mm) revealed that the exact location of calcite deposition was within the first 10 mm of the column. Column sacrifice and acid digestion also confirmed that 91.5 % of calcite was located within the first 14 mm of the column. These results have important implications for the design of future calcite precipitation technologies and present a possible alternative to the well known bacterial approaches.     

Spatial and temporal variation of suspended sediment concentration versus turbidity in the stream Harşit Watershed,NE Turkey

Suspended sediment related studies based on direct measurements for Turkish rivers and streams are very few for various reasons such as cost, time, or fewer operational sediment gauging stations, and thus the researchers tend to look for indirect methods. Turkey is a developing country and in need of many investments, which resulted in engineering and management modifications in its river and stream systems. This paper investigates the spatial and temporal variations of suspended sediment concentration (SSC, mg/L) versus turbidity (NTU) in the stream Har?it watershed having a length of the main branch at 143 km and catchment area of 3,280 km², Eastern Black Sea Basin of Turkey. Subsequently, the effect of the all kinds of anthropogenic activities was evaluated, namely, dam operation, levee construction, municipal wastewater discharge, sand–gravel mining on SSC, and turbidity in the watershed. In situ turbidity monitoring and water sampling studies were semimonthly conducted at ten stations from March 2009 to February 2010. On a semimonthly basis, it was revealed that SSC and turbidity values having significant correlation varied spatially and temporarily. The municipal wastewater discharge from the city of Gümü?hane together with the decreasing flow rate revealed itself with a significant increase in the turbidity and SSC, especially in the summer months. Torul Dam having a reservoir volume of 168 hm³ could trap 78.6 % of the SSC and could remove 66.6 % of the turbidity, thanks to its long hydraulic residence time; however, Kürtün Dam released the suspended sediment as a result of its sluiceway tunnel operation. Sand–gravel mining activities between the last two stations severely affected the water quality by increasing the SSC and turbidity.     

Response of soil enzyme activities to synergistic effects of biosolids and plants in iron ore mine soils

Past mining activities in Swaziland have left a legacy of abandoned mine sites (iron ore, asbestos, diamond and coal mine dumps), all of which have not been reclaimed. These sites were recently (2013) considered by the country’s wastewater treatment authorities as suitable places where biosolids can be applied, firstly as a biosolids disposal alternative and, secondly, as a strategy to accelerate mine soil remediation through phytostabilization. In order to understand the effects that this might have on mine soil conditions and microbiota, two (2) plant growth trials were conducted in biosolid-treated iron mine soils and one (1) trial on undisturbed soil, under greenhouse conditions, for twelve (12) weeks. According to the results obtained, the combination of biosolids and plants led to significant improvements (p < 0.05) in parameters related to soil fertility. Significant increases (p < 0.05) in alkaline phosphatase, β-glucosidase and urease soil enzyme activities were also observed. Copper and zinc were significantly (p < 0.05) increased (Cu from 17.00–50.13 mg kg^?1; Zn from 7.59–96.03 mg kg^?1); however, these sludge-derived metals did not affect enzyme activities. Improvements in soil physicochemical conditions, organic matter–metal complexes, effects of plants on metals and the essentiality of Cu and Zn to soil enzymes were thought to have masked the effects of metals. Increases in soil enzyme activities were considered to be indicative of improvements in the quality, fertility health and self-purification capacity of iron mine soils due to synergistic effects of biosolids and plants.