Physical, chemical and microbiological characterization of the intertidal sediments of Pereque Beach, Guarujá (SP), Brazil

Physical and chemical characteristics of intertidal sediments and their relationships with bacteria and cyanobacteria were analyzed at four stations at Pereque Beach. Granulometric analysis showed that Pereque beach has sediment that is classified as sand. The lowest value of the sediment C/N rates (6.08), mainly due to a higher concentration of organic nitrogen, was found at the northern part of Pereque Beach, where organic matter of marine source was more prominent. In this area, density (9.6x10(6)cells cm(-3)), biomass (1992.04ngC cm(-3)) and activity of bacteria were higher than at the southern end. In contrast, cyanobacteria density varied from 2.0 to 4.0x10(5)cells cm(-3), with biomass and total chlorophyll a of the sediment being higher at the southern part, where there are water input from Pereque River and higher organic matter of continental origin. The variability in the microbial population is discussed in the light of the sediment granulometry, organic matter quality, fresh water inflow and pollution.     

Seasonal variation in di-nitrogen fluxes and associated processes (denitrification, anammox and nitrogen fixation) in sediment subject to shellfish farming influences

Seasonal patterns of di-nitrogen fluxes together with denitrification, anammox, and N-fixation rates were studied in sediment in an area subject to strong human pressure via waste water, tributaries and shellfish farming in the Mediterranean Sea (Carteau Cove, NW area of the Gulf of Lion). Ammonium concentration demonstrated no seasonal variation, however, a large increase in its concentration was observed over a 10 years period due to intense biodeposition of organic matter. In contrast, nitrate concentration demonstrated no seasonal or long-term (10 years) variation. The main processes affecting di-nitrogen flux magnitudes were denitrification and N-fixation. Anammox was only detected occasionally, nevertheless it represented at times up to 39% of the N₂-flux. Nitrate reducing processes were variable and denitrification showed a 20-fold increase over the past 10 years and might actually have reached its potential maximal activity. Rates of N₂ production (denitrification and anammox) were generally higher than those of N-fixation, leading to elimination of nitrogen from the ecosystem.     

The succession of microbial community in the organic rich fish-farm sediment during bioremediation by introducing artificially mass-cultured colonies of a small polychaete, Capitella sp. I

We monitored seasonal changes of the abundance and composition of microorganisms in the fish-farm sediment in Kusuura Bay, Amakusa, Japan, using the quinone profiling technique, during bioremediation by introducing cultured colonies of polychaete, Capitella sp. I. In November 2004, approximately 9.2 million cultured worms were transferred to the fish-farm sediment, which increased rapidly, and reached 458.5 gWW/m(2) (528,000 indiv./m(2)) in March 2005. During this fast-increasing period of Capitella, the microbial quinone content of the surface sediment (0-2 cm) also increased markedly, and reached 237 micromol/m(2) in January 2005, although the water temperature decreased to the lowest levels in the year. Particularly, the mole fraction of ubiquinone-10 in total quinones in the sediment, indicating the presence of alpha subclass of Proteobacteria, increased by 9.3%. These facts suggest that the bacterial growth was enhanced markedly by the biological activities of worms in the sediment, and the bacteria played an important role in the decomposition of the organic matter in the sediment.     

Fenton体系处理黑臭河道沉积物的效果初探

沉积物中有机质的削减是黑臭水体治理的关键.Fenton(Fe^2++H2O2)试剂在有机污染废水和土壤原位修复中的应用广泛且效果良好;Fenton试剂也能很好地去除黑臭水体中的色度和浊度,但其氧化沉积物有机质的研究未见报道.为探究Fenton试剂对黑臭水体沉积物的氧化效果,本研究通过室内模拟实验用Fenton氧化法对黑臭河道沉积物进行处理,考察氧化过程沉积物特征和性质的变化;分析覆水后沉积物中污染物的释放特征,并和H2O2体系(无Fe^2+)进行比较.结果表明:Fenton体系显著提高了沉积物与上覆水的氧化还原电位,对黑臭河道沉积物中的有机质具有很强的氧化效率.在温度为28℃、H2O2为20%Q(Q为体系中沉积物有机质完全矿化的理论H2O2用量)和Fe^2+∶H2O2(摩尔比)为0.5∶1时,反应1 d,酸挥发性硫化物去除率为70.13%,沉积物总有机碳减少了22.14%,总有机氮减少了87.60%,生成了较多的铵态氮和硝态氮;由于铁对磷的钝化,沉积物中溶解性反应磷含量大幅减少.H2O2体系的氧化速度较Fenton体系慢,覆水后对体系中的Eh提高不明显.值得注意的是,Fenton体系会降低上覆水的pH,释放较多的铵态氮.需要联合其他技术(如微生物法),强化水体中有机质和氨氮的降解,以取得理想的修复作用.     

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, Kd, decreased whereas the organic normalized partition coefficient, Koc, more than doubled. The experiments with NP show an even greater increase in Koc. 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.     

Biogeochemical effects of disturbance in shallow water sediment by macroalgae harvesting boats

In the shallow water of Orbetello lagoon, macroalgae harvesting boats produce sediment disturbance. To evaluate the effect of this, during 2001-2002, a trial study was carried out in the lagoon in order to: verify seasonal and diurnal trends in nutrients and estimate the quantity of resuspended organic sediment. An unbalanced and balanced ANOVA (one and two way) analysis was applied. The disturbance did not produce strong and lasting eutrophication effects. In the seasonal survey, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) showed significant decreases in disturbed areas at the end of the trial, while the control area showed a constant, significant increase. Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and phosphorus (DOP) significantly increased everywhere. In disturbed areas, sediment redox (Eh((NHE))) increased and porosity values decreased, contrary to the control area. Total organic carbon (TOC) remained unchanged in disturbed areas, but increased in the control area, where the C:P ration increased. The fall-out of sedimentary material resuspended by boat action for as far as 50 m from the boat route, was 189 g(dw)m(-2) made up mainly of organic matter. This disturbance could be the cause of change in vegetation in the lagoon.     

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.     

The effects of Phaeocystis globosa bloom on the dynamics of the mineralization processes in intertidal permeable sediment in the Eastern English Channel (Wimereux, France)

In the Eastern part of the English Channel, high biomasses of the phytoplankton prymnesiophyceae Phaeocystisglobosa (reaching biomasses over 20 microg Chlal(-1)) are a recurrent spring event (March-June). A significant part of the pelagic Phaeocystis-derived organic matter can be broken down in the sandy permeable sediment that makes up most of the intertidal zone in this part of the Channel. Sediment characteristics, macrofaunal distribution, bacterial biomass, organic carbon content, sediment oxygen demand (SOD), and the sediment-water flux of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and silicates were calculated for an exposed sandy beach (Wimereux, France) over a two-year period (2004-2006). According to the data collected, the SOD remains relatively low throughout the whole survey (64-306 micromol m(-2)h(-1)), indicating limited mineralization. However, the same data reveals a temporal variability in the flux, with a sharp increase in the SOD and ammonium released in spring when Phaeocystis-derived phytodetritus was deposited. The organic carbon content and bacterial biomass values indicate similar patterns of increase in response to the phytodetritus deposit. The nitrogen cycle also appears to be modified during the Phaeocystis bloom, with a clear stimulation of nitrification. The influence of various factors (e.g., temperature, nutrient concentrations, and bacterial activity) on the temporal fluctuations of the exchanges is discussed, as are the direct effects of spring bloom. A synthesis of the annual cycle of the mineralization dynamics in this permeable sediment type is also presented.     

Tributyltin release from harbour sediments--modelling the influence of sedimentation, bio-irrigation and diffusion using data from Bremerhaven

This study describes the potential release of TBT from harbour sediments based on model calculations for different sediment management scenarios applying a numerical one-dimensional FD-model. A conceptual model was developed focussing on the following processes involved in the transport of TBT: sorption equilibrium, diffusion, irrigation and sedimentation. Assuming TBT-concentration of 292 microg/kg in the sediment, the diffusive release of TBT from sediments into the bottom water was calculated to 7.4 x 10(-7)-6.9 x 10(-6)mol m(-2) after 1 year and 7.4 x 10(-6)-1.6 x 10(-4)mol m(-2) after 100 years. In these scenarios, neither sedimentation nor capping were considered. Assuming a sedimentation at a rate of 1cm/a, the polluted sediments will be covered with TBT-free suspended matter. A diffusive release of TBT will be prevented if no bio-irrigation takes place. Capping with a layer of sand of 50 cm thickness will decrease the diffusive release. If a reactive capping could be applied, the release of TBT into the bottom water would be stopped almost completely. The study shows that our model calculations enables us to compare different scenarios in sediment management based on available data. Additionally, it can provide information for risk assessment in the absence of data.     

Effects of deposit feeder Stichopus japonicus on algal bloom and organic matter contents of bottom sediments of the enclosed sea

Algae growing in an enclosed sea may inhibit eutrophication because they absorb nutrients in the water. However, dead algae often cause anaerobic conditions in the water just above and on sediment after they are deposited on the bottom. We found that Stichopus japonicus inhibited the anaerobic processes coupling water sulfite production in sediment. The present study investigates whether S. japonicus inhibits algal flourish and influences sediment properties such as organic matter contents. Aquarium experiments were carried out at Komatsushima port in Tokushima Prefecture, western Japan. The aquaria used in the experiments were supplied with water directly from the adjacent sea (6 L/min), laid with sand of 10 cm depths, and lighted at 12 h intervals. Six aquaria each containing a sea cucumber from Komatsushima port and six aquaria without any were used in the experiments. Water temperature ranged between 9 and 15 degrees C during December 2000 and April 2001. Salinity ranged between 32 per thousand and 34 per thousand. Algae began to cover the bottom of the aquaria without S. japonicus after 2 weeks, whereas no growth was evident in the aquaria containing sea cucumbers. Chlorophyll a concentration in the surface sediment of the aquaria with S. japonicus (6.1+/-3.6 microg/g, mean S.D.+/-standard deviation) was significantly lower than that without it (60+/-17 microg/g, U-test, p<0.05). Phaeophytin concentration in the surface sediment of the aquaria with S. japonicus (0.9+/-0.09 microg/g) was also significantly lower than that without it (4.5+/-1.0 microg/g, U-test, p<0.05). TOC concentration in the surface sediment of the aquaria with S. japonicus (2.6+/-1.3 microg/g) was slightly lower than that without it (4.0+/-1.2 microg/g). These results showed that algal biomass and organic matter concentration of the bottom were decreased in the presence of S. japonicus. Therefore, S. japonicus inhibits algal bloom and decrease the contents of organic matter deposited on the bottom of enclosed sea areas.     

Primary production, sedimentation and resuspension in large shallow Lake Võrtsjärv

: Phytoplankton primary production measurements and sediment trapping in the large (270 km²) shallow (mean depth 2.8 m) Lake Võrtsjärv were performed during ice-free periods in 1995-1996. Sedimentation rate varied from 26 to 700 g DWm^-2d^-1 (DW=dry weight), with a mean value of 170 g DWm^-2d^-1. Under the influence of prevailing westerly and south-westerly winds, the sedimentation rate was higher in the northern part, and lower in the western and southern parts of the lake. An increasing trend towards autumn could be followed in both years. The mean sedimentation rates in the dry year 1996 with a low lake water level exceeded those of the “normal” 1995 by a factor of more than two. New sedimentation formed 10-15 % of the downward sediment flux in 1995 and 4-6 % in 1996, while the major part of entrapped matter originated from resuspended bottom sediments. The dynamics of gross sedimentation showed no relation to the primary production but correlated significantly with the concentration of suspended solids, with the average wind speed and with the mean depth of the lake during trap exposition.¶The composition of entrapped matter did not show seasonal variation but differed between the sampling stations. The amount of particulate organic matter (POM) per DW varied from 11 % at places where the bottom sediment consisted of moraine or sand to 28 % at places with muddy bottom. N:POM was rather stable (45-61 mgg^-1, Cvar = 6 %). The variability of P:POM (3.5-7.1, Cvar = 20 %) exceeded that of P:DW (0.75-1.31 mgg^-1, Cvar = 10 %) showing the essential role of mineral-bound P in the settling material. In these conditions, the N:P ratio was determined by the POM content of settling matter. POM:DW in settling material was generally higher than in the 0-2 cm layer of bottom sediments.     

Rapid changes of sediment dynamic processes in Yalu River Estuary under anthropogenic impacts

The response of the Yalu River Estuary to human activities was investigated.Changes of sediment dynamics during the past 10 years were explored through hydrodynamic calculation,as well as heavy mineral...     

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.     

淀山湖底泥生态疏浚适宜深度判定分析

通过室内模拟实验,对淀山湖东部湖区的沉积物进行研究,测定沉积物在不同疏浚深度和疏浚温度下的铵态氮(NH₄⁺-N)、正磷酸盐(NH₄^3--P)和溶解性有机碳(DOC)的释放速率,并对该区域沉积物的理化指标进行检测.结果表明:淀山湖表层沉积物近年来总磷和有机质含量有较大增加.淀山湖东部湖区NH₄⁺-N和DOC存在着释放趋势,NH₄^3--P在夏季会从沉积物中向上覆水中释放,在年内会形成"源"和"汇"的转化.整个淀山湖东部湖区按不同研究区域划分,疏浚深度以10~20 cm最佳,疏浚季节以秋季为佳.通过对淀山湖东部湖区的沉积物在不同疏浚深度和疏浚时间下的污染物释放速率的研究,可以为淀山湖和其它类似湖泊的疏浚工作提供相应的科学依据.     

鲂胚胎的发育

太湖湖区暴雨径流携带有大量的泥沙和土壤有机物质,对河湖水质造成污染,为了定量分析有机污染对太湖水体的影响,分水田和旱地两种土地利用条件,采用数学模型模拟了湖区丰。平,枯典型年的产流,土壤侵蚀和有机物流失过程及年总量。结果表明,湖区土壤侵蚀量和有机物流失量随地表排水强度的增加呈指数形式增大,尤其是每年暴雨期,湖区地表排水中有机物含量显著增大,建议在太湖流域水质规划和治理中加以重视并采取必要防治措施。     

Seasonal variations in the cycling of aluminium,cadmium and manganese in a Scottish sea loch: biogeochemical processes involving suspended particles

Concentrations of Al, Cd and Mn were determined in water and particles collected from water bottles over one year during 19 surveys of a silled fjord. Nutrient and hydrographic data were also collected. Particle fluxes were determined at one site using a sediment trap array. Concentrations of dissolved Al showed the strongest (negative) relationship to salinity (r=0.91). This correlation decreased with the onset of the diatom bloom and was insignificant immediately post bloom. Removal of dissolved Al was coincident with an increase in particulate Al concentrations. The degree of removal could be predicted from previously reported Al/Si uptake ratios. Concentrations of leachable P in particulate material from the sediment traps increase at the onset of the bloom and decrease coincident with rapid regeneration as the bloom crashed. Particulate leachable Cd showed a lag in apparent uptake and regeneration relative to particulate leachable P. A substantial amount (ca. 53%) of the annual particle flux of Mn to the deepest trap is material recycled at the sediment surface and is not accumulated in the bottom sediment. Dissolved and particulate Mn levels in the loch have a strong seasonal pattern with low values prior to the spring phytoplankton bloom and increased values after the bloom crash. Maximum concentrations were observed in late autumn. Levels decreased to near pre-bloom values early the following year. This suggests bacterial decay of deposited organic carbon associated with the spring bloom-maintained suboxic conditions at or near the seawater-sediment interface throughout the majority of the year. After exhaustion of this organic matter pool recycling ceased for a brief (2–3 months) winter period.     

The role of sediments in the phosphorus cycle in Lake Lugano. II. Seasonal and spatial variability of microbiological processes at the sediment-water interface

P, Fe, Mn, and S species were analyzed in water samples from the sediment-water interface collected at four seasonally different times during the course of a year at two sampling sites in the southern basin of Lake Lugano (Lago di Lugano). The results reveal the strong influence of the biogeochemical processes in the sediment on the chemical composition of the lake water above. Consumption of oxygen and nitrate under oxic to microoxic conditions in the water column as well as sequential release of reduced manganese and iron under anoxic conditions was observed as a direct or indirect consequence of microbially mediated degradation of organic matter. The seasonal pattern observed for the release and the retainment of dissolved reduced iron and manganese correlates well with the one for dissolved phosphate. Iron, manganese and phosphorus cycling are coupled tightly in these sediments. Both sediment types act as sinks for hydrogen sulfide and sulfate. An inner-sedimentary sulfur cycle is proposed to couple iron, manganese and phosphorus cycling with the degradation of organic matter. Nutrient cycling at the sediment-water interface might thus be driven by a microbially regulated electron pumping mechanism. The results contribute to a better understanding of the role of sediment processes in the lake's internal phosphorus cycle and its seasonal dynamics.     

太湖湖区有机物流失模拟

研究了１９９２－１９９４年女山湖大面积围栏养蟹利用与保护沉水植物资源的效果结果表明：围栏内河蟹的食物组成中,主要有菹草、苦草、金鱼藻、马来眼子菜、黄丝草和黑藻等沉水植物．其中菹草、黑藻的出现频率和概念生物量,分别在４、６、７、８和９月为最高;围栏内沉水植物的种类和生物量的变化与河蟹的放养密度关系密切,当河蟹的放养密度不超过３０只·ｈｍ~（－２）时,围栏内沉水植物的生物量与对照组均有明显的增加趋势,由此可证,女山湖大面积的围栏养蟹和适宜的放养密度,有效地利用和保护了围栏区内的沉水植物资源     

A study of fecal coliform sources at a coastal site using colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) as a water source tracer

Optical properties of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) were measured as a tracer of polluted waters in a Southern California surf-zone with consistently high levels of fecal indicator bacteria. Salinity, temperature, fecal coliform, absorbance (200-700nm) and fluorescence (lambda(excitation)=350nm; lambda(emission)=360-650nm) were measured in the creek and surf-zone during a dry and rain event. Fluorescence to absorption ratios for CDOM were used to distinguish water masses, with two distinct CDOM end-members identified as creek (flu/abs=8.7+/-0.8x10(4)) and coastal (flu/abs=2.2+/-0.3x10(4)). Waters containing the same CDOM end-member had highly variable bacterial levels during the dry event, suggesting intermittent sources of bacteria added to a uniform water source, consistent with marine birds. During the rain event, increased levels of the creek end-member and bacteria indicated a second bacteria source from runoff.     

Dynamics and fluxes of organic carbon and nitrogen in two Guiana Shield river basins impacted by deforestation and mining activities

Deforestation and mining activities have proven to be very damaging to rivers because these activities disturb the environmental characteristics of rivers. Thus, the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), particulate nitrogen (PN), and Chlorophyll‐a (Chl‐a) were measured monthly during 2 hydrological years in the Maroni and Oyapock Rivers to assess the dynamics and fluxes of organic carbon and nitrogen in these 2 Guiana Shield basins, which have been strongly (Maroni) and weakly (Oyapock) impacted by deforestation and mining activities. The 2‐year time series show that DOC, POC, PN, and Chl‐a concentrations vary seasonally with discharge in both rivers, indicating a hydrologically dominated control. Temporal patterns of DOC, POC, and PN indicate that these variables show maximum concentrations in rising waters due to the yield of organic matter and nitrogen accumulated in soils, which are incorporated into the rivers during rainfall. However, the Chl‐a concentrations were at a maximum during low‐water stages. The C/N and C/Chl‐a ratios also showed a seasonal trend, with lower values during the low water periods due to an increase in algal biomass. During high water, the POC in both rivers is the result of terrestrial organic matter, whereas during low‐water autochthonous organic matter can reach up to 34% of the POC. The mean annual fluxes of TOC and PN were higher (4.56 × 10⁵ tonC year^?1 and 1.77 × 10⁴ tonN year^?1, respectively) in the Maroni River than those (1.84 × 10⁵ tonC year^?1 and 0.54 × 10⁴ tonN year^?1, respectively) in the Oyapock River. However, the specific fluxes of DOC, POC, and PN from both basins were nearly the same. Although gold mining activities are performed in both basins, there is no conclusive evidence regarding the impact of these activities on the dynamics of organic matter and particulate nitrogen in the Maroni and Oyapock Rivers.