Distribution,behavior, and transport of inorganic and methylmercury in a high gradient stream

Concentrations of Hg remain elevated in physical and biological media of the South River (Virginia, USA), despite the cessation of the industrial use of Hg in its watershed nearly six decades ago, and physical characteristics that would not seem to favor Hg(II)-methylation. A 3-a study of inorganic Hg (IHg) and methylmercury (MeHg) was conducted in physical media (soil, sediment, surface water, porewater and soil/sediment extracts) to identify non-point sources, transport mechanisms, and potential controls on Hg(II)-methylation. Data collected from surface water and sediment indicate that the majority of the non-point sources of IHg to the South River are within the first 14 km downstream from the historic point source. Partitioning data indicate that particle bound IHg is introduced in this reach, releasing dissolved and colloidal bound IHg, which is transported downstream. Extraction experiments revealed that floodplain soils released a higher fraction of their IHg content in aqueous extractions than fine-grained sediment (FGS). Based on ultrafiltration [<5000 nominal molecular weight cutoff (NMWC)] the majority of soil IHg released was colloidal in nature, providing evidence for the continued evolution of IHg for Hg(II)-methylation from soil. Strong seasonal patterns in MeHg concentrations were observed in surface water and sediment. The highest concentrations of MeHg in surface water were observed at moderate temperatures, suggesting that other factors limit net Hg(II)-methylation. Seasonal changes in sediment organic content and the fraction of 1 N KOH-extractable THg were also observed and may be important factors in controlling net Hg(II)-methylation rates. Sulfate concentrations in surface water are low and the evidence suggests that Fe reduction may be an important Hg(II)-methylation process. The highest sediment MeHg concentrations were observed in habitats with large amounts of FGS, which are more prevalent in the upper half of the study area due to the lower hydrologic gradient and agricultural impacts. Past and present land use practices and other geomorphologic controls contribute to the erosion of banks and accumulation of fine-grained sediment in this section of the river, acting as sources of IHg.     

Distribution and speciation of mercury in the Hongfeng Reservoir,Guizhou Province,China

The water, pore water, sediment, and fish samples were collected from the Hongfeng Reservoir in November 2003 and February 2004 in accordance with trace metal protocols. The average concentrations of total mercury （THg）, dissolved mercury （DHg）, reactive mercury, dissolved gaseous mercury, total methylmercury, and dissolved methylmercury in the water columns were 8.00, 5.70, 0.63, 0.05, 0.16, and 0.07 ng/L, respectively. THg and DHg in the water columns, THg in pore water and THg in lake sediments of the Hongfeng Reservoir showed the level of mercury in the Hongfeng Reservoir was higher than in other natural waters in the world due to the loading of a lot of waste water with relatively high concentrations of mercury, whereas methylmercury concentrations in fish （wet weight） varied from 1.73-51.00 ng/g, much lower than in most remote lakes and reservoirs reported in northern Europe and North America. Methylmercury distributions in pore water and sediments showed methylation occurred mainly in the upper several centimeters of sediment cores in the Hongfeng Reservoir. The concentrations of dissolved organic carbon, total suspended particles, total Hg, and methylmercury were higher at Houwu than those at Daba in November 2003. It is suggested that other pollutants such as N and P from fishing farm and other waste water at Houwu, which resulted in deterioration of water quality, affected the concentrations and distributions of mercury species in the reservoir.     

贵州省普定水库水体及沉积物孔隙水中汞的含量和形态分布初步研究

为了弄清楚普定水库汞的地球化学循环特征,用金汞齐-冷原子荧光光谱法(CVAFS)和气相色谱技术(GC), 研究了乌江流域上游普定水库水体剖面和沉积物间隙水剖面汞的赋存形态(总汞 THg)、溶解态汞(DHg)、活性汞(RHg)、颗粒态汞(PHg)、总甲基汞(TMeHg)、溶解态甲基汞(DMeHg)和颗粒态甲基汞(PMeHg)的分布特征.结果显示,普定水库水体总汞浓度为1.29～3.18 ng/L, 活性汞浓度为0.09～0.43 ng/L, 总甲基汞浓度为0.06～0.18 ng/L.沉积物间隙水中溶解态汞浓度为2.65 ～11.47 ng/L, 溶解态甲基汞浓度为0.06 ～1.16 ng/L.实验数据表明,普定水库水体中溶解态汞和颗粒态含量相当,其中颗粒态汞占总汞的比例为46%,并与总汞存在极显著相关性(R=0.929,n=20,P＜0.01),溶解态汞与总汞相关性不明显(R=-0.067,n=20);冬季普定水库甲基汞以溶解态甲基汞为主,溶解态甲基汞占总甲基汞的比例为63%,溶解态甲基汞与总甲基汞无明显相关关系(R=0.292,n=20),颗粒态甲基汞与总甲基汞存在极显著的相关性(R=0.815,n=20,P＜0.01).试验数据表明沉积物孔隙水溶解态汞与溶解态甲基汞浓度明显高于上覆水体, 是普定水库水体中汞的一个重要来源.     

The impact of sulfate reduction on the distribution of methylmercury in reservoirs in the city of Guiyang

In this paper, the relationship between sulfate reduction potential and mercury methylation potential was studied in the Aha, Baihua and Hongfeng reservoirs from Guiyang City. The methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations of lake water in the Aha Reservoir were greatly elevated as compared to those of the Hongfeng and Baihua reservoirs, which was correlated with its distinctly high SRB abundance, SO42-, and S2- concentrations. Among the three reservoirs, however, the highest MeHg was observed in in the top several centimenters of pore water profile in the Hongfeng Reservoir where the lowest S2- in pore water occurred. The distributions of MeHg in lake water and pore water showed the highest methylation potential occurred at water-sediment surface for the Aha Reservoir and the in the top several centimenters of sediments for the Hongfeng Reservoir. It is guessed that the highest mercury methylation only occurs at the sites with certain sulfide concentrations.     

Total mercury and monomethylmercury in water, sediments, and hydrophytes from the rivers, estuary, and bay along the Bohai Sea coast, northeastern China

Mercury contamination in aquatic environments is of worldwide concern because of its high biomagnification factor in food chains and long-range transport. The rivers, estuary and the bay along the northwestern Bohai Sea coast, northeastern China have been heavily contaminated by Hg due to long-term Zn smelting and chlor-alkali production. This work investigated the distributions of total Hg (THg) and monomethylmercury (MMHg) in the water, sediment and hydrophytes from this area. Concentrations of THg in sediment (0.5–64 mg kg⁻¹) and water (39–2700 ng L⁻¹) were elevated by 1–3 orders of magnitude compared to background concentrations, which induced high concentrations of MMHg in these media. The highest concentration of MMHg in sediment reached 35 μg kg⁻¹, which was comparable to that in the Hg mining area, Wanshan, China, and the highest MMHg concentration of 3.0 ng L⁻¹ in the water sample exceeded the MMHg Chinese drinking water guideline of 1.0 ng L⁻¹. Concentrations of THg in a sediment profile from Jinzhou Bay were found to be consistent with annual Hg emission flux from a local Zn smelter (r = 0.74, p < 0.01), indicating that Hg contamination was mainly caused by Zn smelting locally. For some freshwater hydrophytes, concentrations of THg and MMHg ranged from 5.2 to 100 μg kg⁻¹ and 0.15 to 12 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. Compared to sediment, concentrations of THg in hydrophytes were 2–3 orders of magnitude lower but MMHg was comparable or higher, indicating that the bioaccumulation in plants was distinct for the two Hg species studied. The data suggest that a significant load of Hg has been released into the northwestern coastal region of the Bohai Sea.     

Benthic fluxes of mercury species in a lagoon environment (Grado Lagoon,Northern Adriatic Sea,Italy)

The role of the major biogeochemical processes in Hg cycling at the sediment–water interface was investigated in the Grado Lagoon (Northern Adriatic Sea). This wetland system has been extensively contaminated from the Idrija Hg Mine (Slovenia) through the Isonzo River suspended load carried by tidal fluxes. Three approaches were used to study the sediment–water exchange of total Hg (THg), methylmercury (MeHg), reactive Hg (RHg) and dissolved gaseous Hg (DGHg): (1) estimation of diffusive fluxes from porewater and overlying water concentrations, (2) measurements of benthic fluxes using a deployed light benthic chamber in situ and (3) measurements of benthic fluxes during oxic–anoxic transition with a laboratory incubation experiment. The THg solid phase, ranging between 9.5 and 14.4 μg g⁻¹, showed slight variability with depth and time. Conversely, MeHg contents were highest (up to 21.9 ng g⁻¹) at the surface; they tended to decrease to nearly zero concentration with depth, thus suggesting that MeHg production and accumulation occur predominantly just below the sediment–water interface. Porewater MeHg concentrations (0.9–7.9 ng L⁻¹, 0.15–15% of THg) varied seasonally; higher contents were observed in the warmer period. The MeHg diffusive fluxes (up to 17 ng m⁻² day⁻¹) were similar to those in the nearby Gulf of Trieste [Covelli, S., Horvat, M., Faganeli, J., Brambati, A., 1999. Porewater distribution and benthic flux of mercury and methylmercury in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea). Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 48, 415–428], although the lagoon sediments contained four-fold higher THg concentrations. Conversely, the THg diffusive fluxes in the lagoon (up to 110 ng m⁻² day⁻¹) were one- to two-fold higher than those previously estimated for the Gulf of Trieste. The diurnal MeHg benthic fluxes were highest in summer at both sites (41,000 and 33,000 ng m⁻² day⁻¹ at the fishfarm and in the open lagoon, respectively), thus indicating the influence of temperature on microbial processes. The diurnal variations of dissolved THg and especially MeHg were positively correlated with O₂ and inversely with DIC, suggesting an important influence of benthic photosynthetic activities on lagoon benthic Hg cycling, possibly through the production of organic matter promptly available for methylation. The results from the dark chamber incubated in the laboratory showed that the regeneration of dissolved THg was slightly affected by the oxic–anoxic transition. Conversely, the benthic flux of MeHg was up to 15-fold higher in sediments overlain by O₂ depleted waters. In the anoxic phase, the MeHg fluxes proceeded in parallel with Fe fluxes and the methylated form reached approximately 100% of dissolved THg. The MeHg is mostly released into overlying water (mean recycling efficiency of 89%) until the occurrence of sulphide inhibition, due to scavenging of the available Hg substrate for methylation. The results suggest that sediments in the Grado Lagoon, especially during anoxic events, should be considered as a primary source of MeHg for the water column.     

The concentration and distribution of different mercury species in the water columns and sediment of Aha Lake

In order to find out whether Aha Lake was polluted by the acid mining waste water or not, the concentration and distribution of different mercuryspecies in the water columns and sediment profile collected from Aha Lake were investigated. It was found that discernible seasonal variation of different mercury species in water body were obtained in the Aha Reservoir. With regards to the whole sampling periods, the concentrations of HgP in the Aha Reservoir water body were evidently correlated to the concentrations of total mercury, showing that total mercury was mostly associated with particle mercury. The concentrations of methylmercury in water body were also evidently correlated to the concentrations of dissolved mercury. The dissolved mercury evidently affects the distribution and transportation of methylmercury. However, there is no correlation between methylmercury and total mercury. The dissolved mercury, reactive mercury, dissolved methylmercury levels in the water body of high flow period were much higher than those in low flow period. The distribution, speciation and levels of mercury within the Aha Reservoir water body were governed by several factors, such as the output of river, the release of sediment . Discernible seasonal variation of total mercury and methylmercury in porewater was described during the sampling periods, with the concentrations in high flow period generally higher than those in low flow period. The methylmercury in pore water column was evidently correlated to that of the sediment. The results indicated that highly elevated MeHgD concentrations in the porewater were produced at the depths from 2 to 5 cm in the sediment profile, and decreased sharply with depth. A positive correlation has been found between MeHgD formation and sulfate reducing bacterial activity. These highly elevated concentrations of MeHgD at the intersurface between waters and sediments suggest a favorable methylation condition. Moreover,     

Mercury in water and biomass of microbial communities in hot springs of Yellowstone National Park,USA

Ultra-clean sampling methods and approaches typically used in pristine environments were applied to quantify concentrations of Hg species in water and microbial biomass from hot springs of Yellowstone National Park, features that are geologically enriched with Hg. Microbial populations of chemically-diverse hot springs were also characterized using modern methods in molecular biology as the initial step toward ongoing work linking Hg speciation with microbial processes. Molecular methods (amplification of environmental DNA using 16S rDNA primers, cloning, denatured gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) screening of clone libraries, and sequencing of representative clones) were used to examine the dominant members of microbial communities in hot springs. Total Hg (THg), monomethylated Hg (MeHg), pH, temperature, and other parameters influential to Hg speciation and microbial ecology are reported for hot springs water and associated microbial mats.Several hot springs indicate the presence of MeHg in microbial mats with concentrations ranging from 1 to 10 ng g⁻¹ (dry weight). Concentrations of THg in mats ranged from 4.9 to 120,000 ng g⁻¹ (dry weight). Combined data from surveys of geothermal water, lakes, and streams show that aqueous THg concentrations range from l to 600 ng L⁻¹. Species and concentrations of THg in mats and water vary significantly between hot springs, as do the microorganisms found at each site.     

The distribution of total mercury and methyl mercury in a shallow hypereutrophic lake (Lake Taihu) in two seasons

To understand the geochemical cycle of Hg in hypereutrophic freshwater lake, two sampling campaigns were conducted in Lake Taihu in China during May and September of 2009. The concentrations of unfiltered total Hg (unfTHg) were in the range of 6.8–83 ng L⁻¹ (28 ± 18 ng L⁻¹) in the lake water and total Hg in the sediment was 12–470 ng g⁻¹, both of which are higher than in other background lakes. The concentration of unfTHg in ∼11% of the lake water samples exceeded the second class of the Chinese environmental standards for surface water of 50 ng L⁻¹ (GB 3838-2002), indicating that a high ecological risk is posed by the Hg in Lake Taihu. However, the concentrations of unfiltered total MeHg (unfMeHg) were relatively low in the lake water (0.14 ± 0.05 ng L⁻¹, excluding two samples with 0.81 and 1.0 ng L⁻¹). Lake sediment MeHg varied from 0.2–0.96 ng g⁻¹, with generally low ratios of MeHg/THg of <1%. The low concentrations of TMeHg in the lake water may have resulted from a strong uptake by the high primary productivity and the demethylation of MeHg in oxic conditions. In addition, contrary to the results of previous research conducted in deep-water lakes and reservoirs, the low concentrations of MeHg and low ratio of MeHg/THg in the lake sediment indicates that the net methylation of Hg was not accelerated by the elevated organic matter load created by the eutrophication of Lake Taihu. The results also showed that sediments were a source of THg and MeHg in the water. Higher diffusion fluxes of THg and MeHg may be partly responsible for the higher concentrations of THg in the lake water in May, 2009.     

Historical deposition and fluxes of mercury in Narraguinnep Reservoir,southwestern Colorado,USA

Narraguinnep Reservoir has been identified as containing fish with elevated Hg concentrations and has been posted with an advisory recommending against consumption of fish. There are presently no point sources of significant Hg contamination to this reservoir or its supply waters. To evaluate potential historical Hg sources and deposition of Hg to Narraguinnep Reservoir, the authors measured Hg concentrations in sediment cores collected from this reservoir. The cores were dated by the ¹³⁷Cs method and these dates were further refined by relating water supply basin hydrological records with core sedimentology. Rates of historical Hg flux were calculated (ng/cm²/a) based on the Hg concentrations in the cores, sediment bulk densities, and sedimentation rates. The flux of Hg found in Narraguinnep Reservoir increased by approximately a factor of 2 after about 1970. The 3 most likely sources of Hg to Narraguinnep Reservoir are surrounding bedrocks, upstream inactive Au–Ag mines, and several coal-fired electric power plants in the Four Corners region. Patterns of Hg flux do not support dominant Hg derivation from surrounding bedrocks or upstream mining sources. There are 14 coal-fired power plants within 320 km of Narraguinnep Reservoir that produce over 80 × 10⁶ MWH of power and about 1640 kg-Hg/a are released through stack emissions, contributing significant Hg to the surrounding environment. Two of the largest power plants, located within 80 km of the reservoir, emit about 950 kg-Hg/a. Spatial and temporal patterns of Hg fluxes for sediment cores collected from Narraguinnep Reservoir suggest that the most likely source of Hg to this reservoir is from atmospheric emissions from the coal-fired electric power plants, the largest of which began operation in this region in the late-1960s and early 1970s.     

Variation and correlations of selected heavy metals in sediment and aquatic plants in Tasik Chini,Malaysia

This paper aims to determine the correlation between Cd, Cu and Pb concentration in the sediment and in five aquatic plants sampled during wet, normal and dry seasons. Analyses of the sediment showed that concentrations of exchangeable Cd and Cd after acid reduction were higher during the wet season (October) than on other sampling dates with mean values of 0.18 and 0.29 μg g⁻¹, respectively. The concentration of Cu in the organic oxidation phase was higher in the normal season (January) than on other sampling dates with a mean value of 11.1 μg g⁻¹. The concentrations of exchangeable Pb and that in the residual phase were higher during the wet season than on other sampling dates with mean values of 1.05 and 9.18 μg g⁻¹, respectively. Cd and Pb concentrations in the leaves, stems and roots varied between sampling dates with a reduced concentration during dry season (July) and the highest metal concentrations (Cd and Pb) during wet season. There were positive correlations between Cd and Cu concentrations in the plant tissues (leaves, stems and roots) of most aquatic plants in the acid reduction fraction. Conversely, there was no positive correlation between Pb concentration in the plant tissues of all aquatic plants and the acid reduction fraction of the sediment.     

Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and hydrologic mixing in a subtropical riverine estuary,southwest Florida,USA

Physical and chemical parameters were measured in a subtropical estuary with a blind river source in southwest Florida, United States, to assess seasonal discharge of overland flow and groundwater in hydrologic mixing. Water temperature, pH, salinity, alkalinity, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), δ¹⁸O, and δ¹³C_DIC varied significantly due to seasonal rainfall and climate. Axial distribution of the physical and chemical parameters constrained by tidal conditions during sampling showed that river water at low tide was a mixture of freshwater from overland flow and saline ground-water in the wet season and mostly saline groundwater in the dry season. Relationships between salinity and temperature, δ¹⁸O, and DIC for both the dry and wet seasons showed that DIC was most sensitive to seawater mixing in the estuary as DIC changed in concentration between values measured in river water at the tidal front to the most seaward station. A salinity-δ¹³C_DIC model was able to describe seawater mixing in the estuary for the wet season but not for the dry season because river water salinity was higher than that of seawater and the salinity gradient between seawater and river water was small. A DIC-δ¹³C_DIC mixing model was able to describe mixing of carbon from sheet flow and river water at low tide, and river water and seawater at high tide for both wet and dry seasons. The DIC-δ¹³C_DIC model was able to predict the seawater end member DIC for the wet season. The model was not able to predict the seawater end member DIC for the dry season data due to secondary physical and biogeochemical processes that altered estuarine DIC prior to mixing with seawater. The results of this study suggest that DIC and δ¹³C_DIC can provide additional insights into mixing of river water and seawater in estuaries during periods where small salinity gradients between river water and seawater and higher river water salinities preclude the use of salinity-carbon models.     

Cycling of calcite and hydrous metal oxides and chemical changes of major element and REE chemistry in monomictic hardwater lake: Impact on sedimentation

The variation of major and rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) in the monomictic hardwater Lake Tiberias during the wet and dry seasons of the hydrological year was studied in two profiles. The average volume and Cl concentration of the known and unknown saline inflows of 1.6 × 10⁷ m³ and 1.2 × 10⁹ mol are derived by closing both balances. This brine corresponds to a mixture of 83% of groundwater from Cretaceous aquifers and 17% of very saline deep brine. Taking cycling of calcite in the hypolimnion into account, the settling rate of authigenic calcite is estimated to be 3.3 mol m⁻² a⁻¹.In the stratified lake of the dry season dissolved inorganic carbon increases by 490 μM at the thermo-/chemocline due to microbial reduction of SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, chemical reduction of Fe(III) and MnO₂ colloids, and cycling of calcite in the hypolimnion. REY distribution in the stratified water column is dominantly controlled by coprecipitation with calcite, hydrous ferric oxides and MnO₂ in the epilimnion and cycling of these compounds in the hypolimnion. The positive Ce anomaly in the hypolimnetic water is produced by cycling of MnO₂. The simulation of the increase of REY in the hypolimnion reveals that hydrous ferric and manganese oxides only play a negligible role except Ce. Only about 10% of REY from cycled matter enhance REY in solution. Most of the released REY are adsorbed by particular matter and thus settling on the floor of the lake.Different from Na, U, SO₄²⁻ and SiO₂, the other elements, in particular REY, increase in the mixed water column from the top to the lower third and mostly decrease thereafter toward the bottom in the mixed lake during the wet season. The behavior of REY is caused by some cycling of calcite and pH-dependent re-equilibration of REY bound to hydrous ferric and manganese oxides adsorbed by particular matter.     

Phytoplankton production and seasonal biomass variation of seagrass,Ruppia maritima L., in a tropical Mexican lagoon with an ephemeral inlet

Plankton metabolism andRuppia maritima biomass were measured seasonally during 1982–83 in El Verde Lagoon, a small coastal lagoon with an ephemeral inlet on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Total net aquatic primary production was 521 g C m^?2 y^?1. The water column was slightly heterotrophic, with an annual P/R ratio of 0.89. Our analysis indicates that tropical and subtropical coastal lagoons with restricted or seasonal inlets have generally higher net aquatic primary productivity levels than lagoons with permanently open inlets. We hypothesize that this is due to retention of nutrients and plankton stocks during the dry season. The seasonal pattern of water column metabolism was related to rainfall and riverflow, with higher values generally occurring during the wet season. Net production and respiration were about three times lower during the 1982 dry season as compared to the 1983 dry season which received considerable rains due to abnormal climatic conditions. The biomass ofR. maritima ranged from zero to 620 g dry wt m^?2. Growth occurred only during the dry season and there were two distinct biomass peaks representing two separate crops. The second crop was heavily epiphytized with nitrogen-fixing algae. There was an apparent succession in dominance of water column productivity over the year, withRuppia dominating during the dry season and phytoplankton more important during the wet season.     

Mercury and methylmercury in water and sediment of the Sacramento River Basin, California

Mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (CH₃Hg⁺) concentrations in streambed sediment and water were determined at 27 locations throughout the Sacramento River Basin, CA. Mercury in sediment was elevated at locations downstream of either Hg mining or Au mining activities where Hg was used in the recovery of Au. Methylmercury in sediment was highest (2.84 ng/g) at a location with the greatest wetland land cover, in spite of lower total Hg at that site relative to other river sites. Mercury in unfiltered water was measured at 4 locations on the Sacramento River and at tributaries draining the mining regions, as well as agricultural regions. The highest levels of Hg in unfiltered water (2248 ng/l) were measured at a site downstream of a historic Hg mining area, and the highest levels at all sites were measured in samples collected during high streamflow when the levels of suspended sediment were also elevated. Mercury in unfiltered water exceeded the current federal and state recommended criterion for protection of aquatic life (50 ng/l as total Hg in unfiltered water) only during high streamflow conditions. The highest loading of Hg to the San Francisco Bay system was attributed to sources within the Cache Creek watershed, which are downstream of historic Hg mines, and to an unknown source or sources to the mainstem of the Sacramento River upstream of historic Au mining regions. That unknown source is possibly associated with a volcanic deposit. Methylmercury concentrations also were dependent on season and hydrologic conditions. The highest levels (1.98 ng/l) in the Sacramento River, during the period of study, were measured during a major flood event. The reactivity of Hg in unfiltered water was assessed by measuring the amount available for reaction by a strong reducing agent. Although most Hg was found to be nonreactive, the highest reactivity (7.8% of the total Hg in water) was measured in the sample collected from the same site with high CH₃Hg⁺ in sediment, and during the time of year when that site was under continual flooded conditions. Although Hg concentrations in water downstream of the Hg mining operations were measured as high as 2248 ng/l during stormwater runoff events, the transported Hg was found to have a low potential for geochemical transformations, as indicated by the low reactivity to the reducing agent (0.0001% of the total), probably because most of the Hg in the unfiltered water sample was in the mercury sulfide form.     

乌鲁木齐河源1号冰川雪-冰界面含氮离子迁移研究

冰川积累区雪-冰界面附近的化学物质迁移对冰芯记录的形成具有重要意义,为讨论主要含氮离子在这一界面的迁移,本研究基于2004年11月至2006年3月在天山乌鲁木齐河源1号冰川连续采集的64组雪冰样品分析了NO3与NH4+的变化情况.结果表明,雪层底部干季(11月至翌年3月)含氮离子浓度的平均值高于湿季(4-10月)的,而...     

Source Identification of Florida Bay's Methylmercury Problem: Mainland Runoff Versus Atmospheric Deposition and <Emphasis Type="Italic">In situ</Emphasis> Production

The first advisory to limit consumption of Florida Bay fish due to mercury was issued in 1995. Studies done by others in the late 1990s found elevated water column concentrations of both total Hg (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in creeks discharging from the Everglades, which had its own recognized mercury problem. To investigate the significance of allochthonous MeHg discharging from the upstream freshwater Everglades, we collected surface water and sediment along two transects from 2000 to 2002. Concentrations of THg and MeHg, ranging from 0.36 ng THg/L to 5.98 ng THg/L and from <0.02 ng MeHg/L to 1.79 ng MeHg/L, were elevated in the mangrove transition zone when compared both to upstream canals and the open waters of Florida Bay. Sediment concentrations ranged from 5.8 ng THg/g to 145.6 ng THg/g and from 0.05 ng MeHg/g to 5.4 ng MeHg/g, with MeHg as a percentage of THg occasionally elevated in the open bay. Methylation assays indicated that sediments from Florida Bay have the potential to methylate Hg. Assessment of mass loading suggests that canals delivering stormwater from the northern Everglades are not as large a source as direct atmospheric deposition and in situ methylation, especially within the mangrove transition zone.     

Levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls in sediment of bitumen deposit impacted area

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls were investigated in sediment of bitumen deposit impacted area of Agbabu, Nigeria, to determine the present level of contamination with these toxic compounds prior to exploitation. Samples were collected during the dry season (March) and the wet season (August) of year 2008. Analysis was carried out with gas chromatography using mass spectrometry detector for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and flame ionization detector for polychlorinated biphenyls. In the dry season sum of concentration of PAHs ranged from zero to 0.12 ± 0.06 ppm, while in the wet season the minimum was 0.18 ± 0.07 ppm and the maximum was 1.04 ± 0.16 ppm. Most of these values were higher than sum of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentrations of 1–10 μg/kg indicating that they were likely to come from anthropogenic sources. Average concentrations of PAHs such as naphthalene and benzo (a) pyrene obtained in sediment in the wet season in some of the stations were higher than recommended limits. The linear regression analysis between sum of concentrations and percentage organic carbon showed no significant correlation in sediment in the dry season (r² = 0.0025) and in the wet season (r² = 0.1345). The predominance of 4–6 ringed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the ratios between pairs of individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons showed that they are likely to have come from pyrolytic sources. No polychlorinated biphenyl congener was detected in the samples.     

The concentrations and distribution of mercury in aquatic ecosystem of Baihua Reservoir

1Introduction Thebiogeochemicalcycleofmercuryinaqueous systemisthekeyfactorleadingtotheexpansionof mercurypollutiononaglobalscaleandthesafetyof fishconsumers.Dissolvedgaseousmercury(DGM)e vasionisconsideredasoneofthemostimportantmer curysourcesforatmosphere.Atthesametime,this procedurewillreducetheHgburdeninthewatercol umnandmaythusdecreasemethylmercuryproduction andaccumulationinfish(Nriagu,1994).TheBaihua ReservoirissituatedinGuizhouProvince,andithas sufferedseriousmercurycontaminationfr…     

Short-time response in growth and sediment properties of Zizania latifolia to water depth

Field experiments were conducted to study the short-time response in growth and sediment properties of Zizania latifolia to four levels of water depth: 10, 50, 90, and 130 cm. The results showed that Z. latifolia was sensitive to high water depth stress in terms of the significantly decreased basal stem diameter, leaf width, root length, total biomass, and root to shoot ratio with increasing water depth. It was found suitable to grow in shallow water less than 50 cm in depth. The growth of Z. latifolia significantly increased sediment moisture content and porosity, while reduced wet bulk density in sediment and NH₄–N concentration in interstitial water. Along the water depth gradient, the growth of Z. latifolia significantly impacted sediment wet bulk weight and loss on ignition, both NH₄–N and PO₄–P concentrations in interstitial water. However, no obvious regularities were observed in the sediment vertical profiles. NH₄–N and PO₄–P concentrations in interstitial water were much higher than in overlying water, indicating that they could diffuse from sediment to overlying water. NH₄–N concentration was also higher in deep sediment. Growth properties of Z. latifolia (except for leaf length) are significantly correlated to wet bulk density, loss on ignition, NH₄–N concentration in sediment and NH₄–N, PO₄–P concentrations in interstitial water. The results indicate that water depth less than 50 cm is favorable for the growth of Z. latifolia, where it can exert its ecological function effectively. This research suggests a possibility to promote the growth of Z. latifolia and exert its ecological function by rational water depth management.