<Superscript>210</Superscript>Pb-derived Sedimentation Rates and C<Subscript>org</Subscript> Fluxes in Soledad Lagoon (Cispatá Lagoon System,NW Caribbean Coast of Colombia)

With the aim of evaluating temporal changes in sedimentation and organic carbon (C_org) supplied over the last ~100 years, a sediment core was collected at Soledad Lagoon, a costal ecosystem surrounded by mangroves, located in the Cispatá Estuary (Caribbean coast of Colombia). The core sediments were characterized by low concentrations of calcium carbonate (0.2–2.9%), organic matter (3–8%), total nitrogen (0.11–0.38%), and total phosphorus (0.19–0.65 mg g⁻¹). Fe and Al concentrations ranged from 4% to 5%, and Mn from 356 to 1,047 μg g⁻¹. The ²¹⁰Pb-derived sediment and mass accumulation rates were 1.54 ± 0.18 mm year⁻¹ and 0.08 ± 0.01 g cm⁻² year⁻¹, respectively. The sediment core did not provide evidence of human impact, such as enhancement of primary production or nutrient enrichment, which may result from recent land uses changes or climate change. The C_org fluxes estimated for Soledad Lagoon core lay in the higher side of carbon fluxes to coastal ecosystems (314–409 g m⁻² year⁻¹) and the relatively high C_org preservation observed (~45%) indicate that these lagoon sediments has been a net and efficient sink of C_org during the last century, which corroborate the importance of mangrove areas as important sites for carbon burial and therefore, long-term sequestration of C_org.     

Mapping of accumulated nitrogen in the sediment pore water of a eutrophic lake in Iowa, USA

A large pool of nitrogen in the sediment pore fluid of a eutrophic lake in Iowa, USA, was mapped in this study. Previously, the lake had supported fishing and boating, but today it no longer supports its designated uses as a recreational water body. In the top 5 cm of the lake bottom, the pore water nitrogen ranges between 3.1 and 1,250 μg/cm³ of sediments, with an average of 160.3 μg/cm³. Vertically, nitrate concentrations were measured as 153 μg/cm³ at 0–10 cm, 162 μg/cm³ at 10–20 cm, and 32 μg/cm³ at 20–30 cm. Nitrate mass distribution was quantified as 3.67 × 10³ kg (65%) in the bottom sediments, 172 kg (3%) in suspended particulates, and 1.83 × 10³ kg (32%) in the dissolved phase. Soil runoff nutrients arrive at the lake from the heavily fertilized lands in the watershed. Upon sedimentation, a large mass of nitrogen desorbs from mineral particles to the relatively immobile pore fluid. Under favorable conditions, this nitrogen diffuses back into the water column, thereby dramatically limiting the lake’s capability to process incoming nutrients from farmlands. Consequently, a condition of oxygen deficiency disrupts the post-season biological activities in the lake.     

Characterization of the physical and hydraulic properties of the sediment in karst aquifers of the Springfield Plateau,Central Missouri,USA

Physical and hydraulic properties of sediment from two karst aquifers were measured to determine (1) the similarity of sediment between karst aquifer systems and (2) the importance of sediment in modeling flow through karst aquifers. The sediment from the two systems was similar in size and composition. Within both aquifers, the silt-sized sediment was composed primarily of quartz, with minor amounts of plagioclase and clays. Hydraulic conductivity of the sediment measured directly (falling-head test) ranged from 1.61×10⁻⁷ to 1.33×10⁻⁶ m s^–1 and estimated using the Campbell equation ranged from 8.30×10⁻⁸ to 8.98×10⁻⁷ m s^–1. These values of hydraulic conductivity fall within the span of hydraulic conductivities for carbonate rocks, indicating that the sediment and carbonate matrix could be represented as one mathematical unit in modeling flow through karst aquifers. Statistical agreement in the hydraulic conductivity values generated by the two methods indicates that the estimation technique could be used to calculate hydraulic conductivities; thus allowing karst scientist to collect bulk sediment samples instead of having to collect cores from within karst aquifers. Electronic Publication     

Trace metals (Cd,Pb, Cu,Zn and Ni) in sediment of the submarine pit Dragon ear (Soline Bay,Rogoznica, Croatia)

Vertical profiles of trace metal (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni) concentrations, organic matter content, carbonate content and granulometric composition were determined in two sediment cores from the submarine pit Dragon Ear (Middle Adriatic). Concentrations of the analyzed metals (Cd: 0.06–0.12 mg kg⁻¹, Pb: 28.5–67.3 mg kg⁻¹, Zn: 17.0-65.4 mg kg⁻¹, Cu: 21.1–51.9 mg kg⁻¹, Ni: 27.8–40.2 mg kg⁻¹) were in usual range for Adriatic carbonate marine sediments. Nevertheless, concentrations of Cu, Zn, and especially Pb in the upper layer of sediments (top 12 cm) were higher than in bottom layer, while Cd and Ni concentration profiles were uniform. Regression analysis and principal component analysis were used to interpret distribution of trace metals, organic matter and carbonate content in sediment cores. Results of both analysis showed that concentrations of all trace metals in the core below the entrance to the pit were significantly positively correlated with organic matter and negatively correlated with carbonate, while in the core more distant from the entrance only Pb showed significant positive correlation with organic matter. Obtained results indicated that, except for lead which was enriched in surface sediment, in the time of sampling (before the building of the nautical marina) investigated area belonged to unpolluted areas.     

International viewpoint and news

The Daliao river system in China has been seriously affected by long-term intensive industrial, urban and agricultural activities. The objectives of this study were to determine the total phosphorus (TP) content and forms of phosphate in the sediments and investigate geochemical relationships between P forms and sediment mineral phases. Twenty-seven samples of surface sediments were collected and analyzed for P and major elements. Chemical forms of phosphate in the sediments were measured by sequential selective extraction method. Results indicate that TP in the sediments of the Daliao river system averaged 703 mg kg⁻¹, in the range from 206 to 1,342 mg kg⁻¹. The sediments in the tributaries and near cities contained high TP, due to discharge of municipal and industrial effluents. The distribution of phosphate in the various mineral phases followed the order: Ca-P > RES-P > RS-P > Fe-P > Al-P > S/L-P for the Hun river and Taizi river, and Ca-P > Fe-P > RES-P > RS-P > Al-P > S/L-P for the Daliao river. Fe and Ca contents in the sediments were positively correlated to Fe associated P (Fe-P and RS-P) and Ca-P, respectively. In addition, sediment organic matter, Fe and Ca contents were positively correlated to TP in the sediments. However, Al content was not correlated to Al-P or TP in the sediments. Generally, the sediments contaminated by effluents and in tidal zone contained more bioavailable P. Possible release of P from these sediments to overlying water might pose potential risk on estuarine eutrophication.     

A Preliminary Sediment Budget for the Corsica River (MD): Improved Estimates of Nitrogen Burial and Implications for Restoration

The Corsica River, located on Maryland’s eastern shore, has been the site of restoration efforts targeting sediment and nutrient load reductions. Previous work has indicated that agricultural activities supply most of these materials; however, their dynamics and fate are largely unknown. To address these needs, bottom sediments have been collected and analyzed for their chemical and textural properties. Long-term (decadal) accumulation rates are determined with ²¹⁰Pb (half-life 22.3 years), verified with ¹³⁷Cs, and range from 0.18 to 0.84 g/cm²/year in the subtidal region and 0.3–1.89 g/cm²/year in the marshes. These estimates are compared with likely sediment sources to determine the direction of exchange with the adjacent estuary (Chester River), which is a subtributary of Chesapeake Bay, with the Chester River likely supplying 0.94 × 10³ t/year of sediment to the Corsica, ∼16% of the total sediment input. The radiochemical data are used to interpret profiles of grain size and nitrogen and to provide improved estimates of nitrogen burial. Comparison of the Corsica River to similar systems highlights the importance of marshes in trapping sediment and nutrient inputs from the watershed.     

Slope failures and stability analysis of shallow water prodeltas in the active margins of Western Greece,northeastern Mediterranean Sea

Sediment instabilities are common on the prodeltas of the seismically active continental margins of Western Greece. Sediment failures on the low-angle (0.5°–2°) prodelta slopes manifest themselves as successions of peripheral rotational block slumps restricted to the foresets of the late highstand systems tract (HST). The individual slump blocks are about 80–150 m long and are bounded by growth faults acting as curved slip planes that extend to a mean depth of 10–15 m below seafloor. Shear planes develop in the lower part of muddy and/or gas charged HST foresets. Deeper basal transparent muddy layers of the early HST bottomset, together with the late Pleistocene transgressive systems tract sequences (TST), are mostly unaffected. On the steeper (2^°–6^°) fan delta slopes of the western Gulf of Corinth debris flows and avalanches with a significant retrogressive component dominate slope destabilisation. Sediment cores taken from landslide scarps and slide planes penetrated gas bubble releasing sediments thereby indicating that failure planes are in the late HST foresets/upper part of the early HST bottomsets gas charged zone. The foresets of the HST prodelta deposits display high water content (30–80%), low bulk density (1.4–1.9 g cm⁻³) and relatively low values of undrained shear strength (3–20 kPa). The water content of the HST distal muddy bottomsets is relatively higher (50–110%) and bulk density relatively lower (1.3–1.7 g cm⁻³) with low values of shear strength (2–10 kPa). The shear strength of the gas releasing sediment layer displays lower values (2–9 kPa) relative to the overlying, post failure, muddy sediments of the late 100–300 years. Slope stability was calculated using the normalised soil parameter (NSP) method under undrained conditions for normally consolidated prodelta sediments. This analysis indicates that instabilities could be induced by critical earthquake ground accelerations of 26.6–29.6% g for the HST foresets and 12.4–14.1% g for the basal transparent layer belonging to the early HST bottomsets. Consequently the early HST bottomsets has to be considered a potentially unstable layer since the regional peak ground accelerations (PGAs) for the next 50 years are expected to range from 19 to 30% g. Moreover, our results show that new glide planes in the prodeltaic sediment bodies of the seismically active continental margins of Western Greece will likely develop from the gas charged sediments of the lower part of the HST foresets to the upper part of early HST bottomsets.     

Transport of terrestrial organic carbon to the oceans by rivers: re-estimating flux- and burial rates

 This study re-estimates one important component in the global carbon cycle: the modern global fluviatile organic carbon discharge- and burial rates. According to these results, approximately 430×10¹² g of terrestrial organic carbon are transported to the ocean in modern times. This amount is higher than the latest estimates but takes into account new data from Oceania not previously considered in global flux studies. However, only the minor amount of 10% or approximately 43×10¹² gC year^–1 is most likely buried in marine sediments. This amount is similar to the burial of marine organic carbon in the coastal ocean (55×10¹² gC year^–1). Adding both estimates gives approximately 100×10¹² gC year^–1, which is the value calculated by Berner (1982) for "terrestrial" deltaic-shelf sediments. However, the results in this study suggest that on a global scale the organic carbon content in coastal ocean sediments is not solely of terrestrial origin but a mixture of nearly equal amounts of marine and terrestrial organic carbon. The major part of the terrestrial organic carbon that enters the ocean by rivers (approximately 400×10¹² gC year^–1) seems to be either (a) remineralised in the ocean, whereas the mechanism by which the terrestrial organic carbon is oxidised in the ocean are unknown; or (b) is dispersed throughout the oceans and accumulates in pelagic sediments. Received: 9 November 1998 / Accepted: 25 May 1999     

The Changjiang sediment flux into the seas: measurability and predictability

This paper examines the credibility and predictability of sediment flux of the Changjiang River that has discharged into the seas on the basis of historical database. The assumption of the study stands on the lack of sufficient observation data of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) during peaking flood period, which most likely results in the application of an inappropriate method to the downstream-most Datong hydrological gauging station in the Changjiang basin. This insufficient method (only 30–50 times of SSC observation per year), that obviously did not cover the peaking SSC during peaking floods, would lead to an inaccuracy in estimating the Changjiang sediment load by 4.7×10⁸ t/a (multiyearly) into the seas. Also, sediment depletion that often takes place upstream of the Changjiang basin has, to some extent, lowered the credibility of traditional sediment rating curve that has been used for estimating sediment budget. A newly-established sediment rating curve of the present study is proposed to simulate the sediment flux/load into the seas by using those SSC only under discharge of 60000 m³/s at the Datong station-the threshold to significantly correlate to SSC. Since discharge of 60000–80000 m³/s is often linked to extreme flood events and associated sediment depletion in the basin, unincorporating SSC of 60000–80000 m³/s into the sediment rating curve will increase the credibility for sediment load estimation. Using this approach of the present study would indicate the sediment load of 3.3×10⁸–6.6×10⁸ t/a to the seas in the past decades. Also, our analytical result shows a lower sediment flux pattern in the 1950 s, but higher pattern in the 1960 s–1980 s, reflecting the changes in landuse in the upstream of Changjiang basin, including widely devastated deforestation during the middle 20th century.     

Phosphorus Speciation and Sedimentary Fluxes in Hypersaline Sediments of the Guerrero Negro Salt Evaporation Area,Baja California Sur,Mexico

In the past several decades, the techniques used to discern the different sedimentary fractions of P have been refined. This has allowed for a better understanding of P burial of the different P fractions and diagenetic reactions and, ultimately, the constraining of P residence time in the oceans. P sequential extraction was performed on eight sediment cores (between 16 and 24 cm deep) collected along a salinity gradient from the Ojo de Liebre Lagoon and the salt evaporation saltern of Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico in order to determine, under purely diagenetic conditions (in the absence of anthropogenic activities and biogenic sediment reworking), the fractionation and flux of P to the sediments. The majority of P was found in the authigenic fraction (37 ± 5.4% to 53 ± 8.9%), with P associated to organic matter comprising the overall smallest percentage (0.25 ± 0.43% to 21 ± 6.0%) relative to total P. The average flux of total P to the sediments for all the sites was found to be (451 ± 127) × 10⁻⁴ mol m⁻² year⁻¹, up to several orders of magnitude greater than those found in other studies. It is concluded that P is most likely transformed from P associated to organic matter to the authigenic mineral phase and that P was retained in the sediments in its mineral form rather than in reactive forms. This particular study area has the ability to retain large quantities of P in the sediments.     

Estimation of authigenic alteration of biogenic and reactive silica in Pearl River estuarine sediments using wet-chemical digestion methods

The extent of authigenic alteration of biogenic and reactive silica in Pearl River estuarine sediments has been estimated using wet-chemical digestion methods. Results show relatively constant distributions of biogenic and reactive Si horizontally and vertically. Based on three core measurements, the biogenic and total reactive Si average 77.91 and 264.77 μmol Si g⁻¹, respectively. Their extents of authigenic alteration are correspondingly estimated as ~55.6 and ~70.6%. The average biogenic Si accumulation rate is calculated as 1.91 × 10⁹ mol Si year⁻¹, which translates into storage of ~7.15% of the annual riverine dissolved silica input. By contrast, the total reactive Si accumulation rate is as high as 6.49 × 10⁹ mol Si year⁻¹, improving annual riverine silicic acid storage to ~24.19%. Detailed investigation is required for a good understanding of early diagenetic process of biogenic and reactive silica in this subtropical area.     

Relationship between chemical composition and magnetic susceptibility in sediment cores from Central Indian Ocean Basin

Three sediment cores in a north-south transect (3°N to 13°S) from different sediment types of the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) are studied to understand the possible relationship between magnetic susceptibility (χ) and Al, Fe, Ti and Mn concentrations. The calcareous ooze core exhibit lowest χ (12.32 × 10⁻⁷ m³ kg⁻¹), Al (2.84%), Fe (1.63%) and Ti (0.14%), terrigenous clay core with moderate χ (29.93 × 10⁻⁷ m³ kg⁻¹) but highest Al (6.84%), Fe (5.20%) and Ti (0.44%), and siliceous ooze core with highest χ (38.06 × 10⁻⁷ m³ kg⁻¹) but moderate Al (4.49%), Fe (2.80%) and Ti (0.19%) contents. The distribution of χ and detrital proxy elements (Al, Fe, and Ti) are identical in both calcareous and siliceous ooze. Interestingly, in terrigenous core, the behaviour of χ is identical to only Ti content but not with Al and Fe suggesting possibility of Al and Fe having a non-detrital source. The occurrence of phillipsite in terrigenous clay is evident by the Al-K scatter plot where trend line intersects K axis at more than 50% of total K suggesting excess K in the form of phillipsite. Therefore, the presence of phillipsite might be responsible for negative correlation between χ and Al (r = −0.52). In siliceous ooze the strong positive correlations among χ, Al_exc and Fe_exc suggest the presence of authigenic Fe-rich smectite. High Mn content (0.5%) probably in the form of manganese micronodules is also contributing to χ in both calcareous and siliceous ooze but not in the terrigenous core where mean Mn content (0.1%) is similar to crustal abundance. Thus, χ systematically records the terrigenous variation in both the biogenic sediments but in terrigenous clay it indirectly suggests the presence of authigenic minerals.     

Temporal and spatial variations in water flow and sediment load in Narmada River Basin, India: natural and man-made factors

The Narmada River flows through the Deccan volcanics and transports water and sediments to the adjacent Arabian Sea. In a first-ever attempt, spatial and temporal (annual, seasonal, monthly and daily) variations in water discharge and sediment loads of Narmada River and its tributaries and the probable causes for these variations are discussed. The study has been carried out with data from twenty-two years of daily water discharge at nineteen locations and sediment concentrations data at fourteen locations in the entire Narmada River Basin. Water flow in the river is a major factor influencing sediment loads in the river. The monsoon season, which accounts for 85 to 95% of total annual rainfall in the basin, is the main source of water flow in the river. Almost 85 to 98% of annual sediment loads in the river are transported during the monsoon season (June to November). The average annual sediment flux to the Arabian Sea at Garudeshwar (farthest downstream location) is 34.29×10⁶ t year⁻¹ with a water discharge of 23.57 km³ year⁻¹. These numbers are the latest and revised estimates for Narmada River. Water flow in the river is influenced by rainfall, catchment area and groundwater inputs, whereas rainfall intensity, geology/soil characteristics of the catchment area and presence of reservoirs/dams play a major role in sediment discharge. The largest dam in the basin, namely Sardar Sarovar Dam, traps almost 60–80% of sediments carried by the river before it reaches the Arabian Sea.     

Nutrient (P, N) dynamics in the southwestern Kattegat, Scandinavia: sedimentation and resuspension effects

 The yearly nutrient supply from land and atmosphere to the study area in SW Kattegat is 10 900 tons of N and 365 tons of P. This is only few percent of the supply from adjacent marine areas, as the yearly transport through the study area is 218 000 tons of N and 18 250 tons of P. Yearly net deposition makes up 1340 tons of N (on average 2.5 g m^–2 yr^–1) and 477 ton of P (on average 0.9 g m^–2 yr^–1). Shallow-water parts of the study area have no net deposition because of frequent (>35% of the year) resuspension. Resuspension frequency in deep water is <1% of the year. Resuspension rates, as averages for the study area, are 10–17 times higher than net deposition rates. Because of resuspension, shallow-water sediments are coarse lag deposits with small amounts of organic matter (1.1%) and nutrients (0.04% N and 0.02% P). Deep-water sediments, in contrast, are fine grained with high levels of organic matter (11.7%) and nutrients (0.43% N and 0.15% P). Laboratory studies showed that resuspension changes the diffusive sediment water fluxes of nutrients, oxygen consumption, and penetration into the sediment. Fluxes of dissolved reactive phosphate from sediment to water after resuspension were negative in organic-rich sediments (13.2% organic matter) with low porosity (56) and close to zero in coarse sediments with a low organic matter content (2.3%) and high porosity (73). Fluxes of inorganic N after resuspension were reduced to 70% and 0–20% in relation to the rates before resuspension, respectively. Received: 10 July 1995 · Accepted: 19 January 1996     

Abundance and relationship of bacteria with transparent exopolymer particles during the 1996 summer monsoon in the Arabian Sea

Bacterial abundance and production, numbers, sizes and concentrations of transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) and total organic carbon (TOC) were measured during the 1996 summer monsoon to understand the relationship between TEP, the most labile particulate organic carbon, and bacteria. While high regional variability in the vertical distribution of TOC was discernible, TEP concentrations were high in surface waters at 18–20°N along 64°E with concentrations well over 25 mg alginic acid equivalents I⁻¹ due to upwelling induced productivity. Their concentrations decreased with depth and were lower between 200 and 500 m. Bacterial concentrations were up to 1.99 × 10⁸ I^–1 in the surface waters and decreased by an order of magnitude or more at depths below 500 m. A better relationship has been found between bacterial abundance and concentrations of TEP than between bacteria and TOC, indicating that bacterial metabolism is fueled by availability of TEP in the Arabian Sea. Assuming a carbon assimilation of 33%, bacterial carbon demand (BCD) is estimated to be 1.017 to 4.035 g C m^–2 d^–1 in the surface waters. The observed TEP concentrations appear to be sufficient in meeting the surface and subsurface BCD in the northern Arabian Sea.     

Spatial and temporal distribution of methane in an extensive shallow estuary, South India

Sedimentary methane (CH₄) fluxes and oxidation rates were determined over the wet and dry seasons (four measurement campaigns) in Pulicat lake, an extensive shallow estuary in south India. Dissolved CH₄ concentrations were measured at 52 locations in December 2000. The annual mean net CH₄ flux from Pulicat lake sediments was 3.7 × 10⁹ g yr^-1 based on static chamber measurements. A further 1.7 × 10⁹g yr_-1 was estimated to be oxidized at the sediment-water interface. The mean dissolved concentration of CH₄ was 242nmol |^-1 (ranging between 94 and 501 nmol |^-1) and the spatial distribution could be explained by tidal dynamics and freshwater input. Sea-air exchange estimates using models, account only for ∼13% (0.5 × 10⁹ g yr-1) of the total CH₄ produced in sediments, whereas ebullition appeared to be the major route for loss to the atmosphere (∼ 63% of the net sediment flux). We estimated the total atmospheric source of CH₄ from Pulicat lake to be 0.5 to 4.0 × 10⁹g yr^-1.     

Sulfide Inhibition of Nitrate Removal in Coastal Sediments

Microbial nitrate (NO₃⁻) removal via denitrification (DNF) at high sulfide (H₂S) concentrations was compared in sediment from a coastal freshwater pond in a developed area that receives salt-water influx during storm events, and a saline pond proximal to an undeveloped estuary. Sediments were incubated with added SO₄²⁻ (1,000 μg per gram dry weight basis (gdw)) to determine whether acid volatile sulfides (AVS) were formed. DNF in the sediments was measured with NO₃–N (300 μg gdw⁻¹) alone, and with NO₃–N and H₂S (1,000 μg S²⁻ gdw⁻¹). SO₄²⁻ addition to the freshwater sediments resulted in AVS formation (970 ± 307 μg S gdw⁻¹) similar to the wetland with no added SO₄²⁻ (986 ± 156 μg S gdw⁻¹). DNF rates measured with no added H₂S were greater in the freshwater than the wetland site (10.6 ± 0.6 vs. 6.4 ± 0.1 μg N₂O–N gdw⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively). High H₂S concentrations retained NH₄–N in the undeveloped wetland and retained NO₃–N in the developed freshwater site, suggesting that potential salt-water influx may reduce the ability of the freshwater sediments to remove NO₃–N.     

Thermal expansion behavior of Ce2Zr2O7 up to 898 K in conjunction with structural analyses by neutron diffraction

The thermal expansion of cubic pyrochlore Ce₂Zr₂O₇ has been measured from room temperature to 898 K on polycrystalline material in conjunction with structural analyses using neutron diffraction. This compound has a thermal expansion coefficient in line with the other comparable lanthanoide pyrochlore oxides. The coefficient can be expressed as α(T) = 8.418 × 10⁻⁶ + 0.9861 × 10⁻⁹ × T. The structural refinements performed for each measured temperature showed a comparable linear evolution of the Ce–O/Zr–O distances (within 0.57%).     

Thermal behaviour and kinetics of dehydration of gypsum in air from in situ real-time laboratory parallel-beam X-ray powder diffraction

Thermal behaviour and kinetics of dehydration of gypsum in air have been investigated using in situ real-time laboratory parallel-beam X-ray powder diffraction data evaluated by the Rietveld method. Thermal expansion has been analysed from 298 to 373 K. The high-temperature limits for the cell edges and for the cell volume, calculated using the Einstein equation, are 4.29 × 10⁻⁶, 4.94 × 10⁻⁵, 2.97 × 10⁻⁵, and 8.21 × 10⁻⁵. Thermal expansion of gypsum is strongly anisotropic being larger along the b axis mainly due to the weakening of hydrogen bond. Dehydration of gypsum has been investigated in isothermal conditions within the 348–403 K range with a temperature increase of 5 K. Dehydration proceeds through the CaSO₄·2H₂O → CaSO₄·0.5H₂O → γ-CaSO₄ steps. Experimental data have been fitted with the Avrami equation to calculate the empirical activation energy of the process. No change in transformation mechanism has been observed within the analysed temperature range and the corresponding E _a is 109(12) kJ/mol.     

Influence of humic acids on the accumulation of copper and cadmium in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vallisneria spiralis</Emphasis> L. from sediment

Physiological responses and metal accumulation in Vallisneria spiralis L. exposed to copper and cadmium contaminated sediment were examined at different metal concentrations and the influence of humic acids on copper and cadmium accumulation was also studied. The plants of V. spiralis accumulated high amount of copper and cadmium. The maximum accumulation of 396 and 114 mg kg⁻¹ DW copper were found in the roots and shoots, respectively, at 614 mg kg⁻¹ DW after 21 days’ copper exposure; they were 63.8 and 48.0 mg kg⁻¹ DW for cadmium at 88.69 mg kg⁻¹ DW. The plants showed decrease in chlorophyll content with the increasing concentration of copper/cadmium in sediment. With addition of humic acids from 3.09 to 7.89 g kg⁻¹ DW, both copper and cadmium accumulation in V. spiralis were significantly inhibited (p < 0.01). The cadmium concentrations of roots and shoots of plant decreased 26.4–50.3 and 14.3–33.0% under cadmium treatments, respectively; copper accumulation decreased much more with 44.0–77.0 and 35.0–62.7%, respectively. It was concluded that V. spiralis appeared to be an ideal candidate for the phytoremediation of copper and cadmium polluted sediments, and humic acids had an important role in regulating copper and cadmium bioavailability and toxicity in sediments.