Zinc in natural waters in the Selenga River basin

Concentrations of Zn in the surface (river and lake) and subsurface waters are assessed in the basin of the Selenga River—the main tributary into Lake Baikal. Specific geographical features are revealed in Zn distributions in natural waters, which are determined by different Zn concentrations in drained rocks and soils and by the geochemical redox conditions of Zn migration. Areas with low, medium, and relatively high Zn concentrations (as compared with their Clarke concentrations) are determined.     

Copper in natural waters in Transbaikalia

Cu concentrations in surface (river and lake) and subsurface waters are determined. The geographic pattern of Cu distribution in natural water is identified. This pattern is controlled by the difference between its concentrations in drained rocks and soils and the geochemical redox conditions of its migration. Territories with low, medium, and elevated Cu concentrations in natural waters are identified. The concentrations of Cu in natural waters of the region are found to be generally lower than the Clarke values.     

The stable isotopes of natural waters at the Marcell Experimental Forest

We present a new data set from the Marcell Experimental Forest (MEF) that compiles water isotope measurements from multiple research catchments, some of which have been studied since the 1960s. The MEF is located in northern Minnesota, USA, and is home to heavily studied and monitored forests, streams, bogs, and fens. Peat-forming systems (bogs and fens) are an important component of the MEF landscape and have a profound impact on the water cycle in these catchments. Within the last decade, analysis of stable isotopes of water (expressed as δD and δ¹⁸O) has been implemented to characterize the different components of the water budget, and to allow researchers to look at catchment and peatland-specific hydrologic effects in the watershed. This δD and δ¹⁸O data set of natural waters from MEF catchments is primarily composed of measurements from three peatlands (S1, S2, S6) during an 11-year period. More recently collection and analysis were expanded to also include samples from the Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments (SPRUCE) project in the S1 bog, peatlands S3, S4, S5, as well as nearby lakes. We establish a local meteoric water line by analyzing the isotopic composition of precipitation, which fills a void in regional meteoric water lines for Minnesota. Furthermore, we establish baseline isotopic composition for bog outlet streams, bog porewater, aquifer groundwater, overland flow, subsurface stormflow, and snowpack, as well as runoff from the SPRUCE experimental chambers. These data are publicly available and will be expanded upon in the future.     

Mercury in some surface waters of the world ocean

Mercury concentrations in mid-latitude eastern Atlantic surface waters is about twice as high as the oceanic average, perhaps due to pollution. Low concentrations in the tropical Atlantic may be due to uptake by plankton off the west coast of Africa.     

Iron distribution in surface waters in the Middle and Lower Amur basin

New data on iron concentration and distribution in solution and suspension in the water of the Amur and its major tributaries (the rivers of Bureya, Sungary, etc.) collected in 2006?C2009 are given. The distribution of iron over river gauges and along the Amur was found to be uneven. The correlation between iron and humic acids was for the first time assessed in rivers and lakes of the Middle and Lower Amur basin.     

Some coordination effects in natural waters of Ethiopia

A few of the consequences of coordination in water chemistry are discussed, especially as they affect trace element contents of natural waters.     

The solubility of iron sulphides in synthetic and natural waters at ambient temperature

A critical evaluation of literature values for the solubility products, K _sp ^NBS = [Fe²⁺][HS^–] Fe²⁺ HS^– (H _NBS ⁺ )^–1, of various iron sulphide phases results in consensus values for the pKs of 2.95 ± 0.1 for amorphous ferrous sulphide, 3.6 ± 0.2 for mackinawite, 4.4 ± 0.1 for greigite, 5.1 ± 0.1 for pyrrhotite, 5.25 ± 0.2 for troilite and 16.4 ± 1.2 for pyrite.Where the analogous ion activity products have been measured in anoxic freshwaters in which there is evidence for the presence of solid phase FeS, the values lie within the range of 2.6–3.22, indicating that amorphous iron sulphide is the controlling phase. The single value for a groundwater of 2.65 (2.98 considering carbonate complexation) agrees. In seawater four values range between 3.85 to 4.2, indicating that mackinawite or greigite may be the controlling phase. The single low value of 2.94 is in a situation where particularly high fluxes of Fe (II) and S (–II) may result in the preferential precipitation of amorphous iron sulphide. Formation of framboidal pyrite in these sulphidic environments may occur in micro-niches and does not appear to influence bulk concentrations. Calculations show that the formation of Fe₂S₂ species probably accounts for very little of the iron or sulphide in most natural waters. Previously reported stability constants for the formation of Fe (HS)₂ and (Fe (HS)₃)^– are shown to be suspect, and these species are also thought to be negligible in natural waters. In completely anoxic pore waters polysulphides also have a negligible effect on speciation, but in tidal sediments they may reach appreciable concentrations and lead to the direct formation of pyrite. Concentrations of iron and sulphide in pore waters can be controlled by the more soluble iron sulphide phase. The change in the IAP with depth within the sediment may reflect ageing of the solid phase or a greater flux of Fe (II) and S (–II) nearer the sediment surface. This possible kinetic influence on the value of IAPs has implications for their use in geochemical studies involving phase formation.     

Interpretation and measurement of redox intensity in natural waters

Frevert deserves credit for proposing—for equilibrium systems—a distinction between a conceptually defined redox intensity, pε, and an operationally defined redox condition under stationary states, pe, as given by the response of a sensor electrode, and for pointing out that pε need not relate to pe. We would like to re-emphasize (1, 2, 3) that in defining a redox intensity, pε=−log{e}, we have treated the electron conceptually as a basic redox component which, as a species in aqueous solution, does not have an existence of its own. Morel (4) has elaborated on the use of the electron as a (phase rule) component in redox reactions. As he shows, it obviously can be treated equivalent to O₂, i.e. O₂=(H⁺)₋₄(e⁻)₋₄(H₂O)₂. We define (3) pε as “the hypothetical electron activity at equilibrium which measures the relative tendency of a solution to accept or transfer electrons”. This free energy change ΔG can be expressed as a redox potential (electrode potential) in volts (i.e., as a free energy change per mole of electrons associated with a given reduction). Electron activities may be defined in any equilibrium systems where the free activities of reductants {Red}, and oxidants {Ox}, are defined. Thus, pε (like pH) is a derivative form of free energy. Using electrons in redox reactions and as components does not at all imply that such electrons exist as species in waters. In the compilation of “Stability Constants” of the Chemical Society (London), Sillén and Martell (1964) treat the electron as an inorganic ligand and establish an electron activity scale that corresponds to the definition given.     

五种天然水体胶体相可酶解磷的含量及分布特征

分别在太湖草型湖区胥口湾及藻型湖区梅梁湾采集水样,采用常规过滤与切向流超滤相结合的方法,将水体中的颗粒,胶体依据粒径大小分离,通过测定计算得到64-1μm,1-0.5μm,0.5-0.1μm,0.1μm-1nm,<1nm五个粒级的可酶解磷含量.同时采集太湖"引江济太"工程长江调水口--望虞河口水样、千岛湖水样及千岛湖下游河流型水库富春江段水样进行分析.结果显示,5种典型水体中颗粒相的可酶解磷含量占总可酶解磷含量的比重较高,胶体相的可酶解磷也占了相当的比重,是生物必需磷不可忽视的重要储库.望虞河口河水总磷0.216mg/L,可酶解磷含量达0.174mg/L,其输入可能对太湖水体生物有效磷浓度的增加起到重要的贡献,"引江济太"调水时具有一定生态风险.对于胶体范围的可酶解磷,胥口湾、望虞河的胶体态可酶解磷主要分布在较大、中胶体范围,梅梁湾和千岛湖的胶体态可酶解磷主要分布在中、微胶体范围,富春江水库的胶体态可酶解磷分布的相对比较均匀.     

The impact of legislation on the usage and environmental concentrations of Irgarol 1051 in UK coastal waters

In 2001, legislative measures were introduced in the UK to restrict usage of antifouling agents in small (<25 m) vessel paints to dichlofluanid, zinc pyrithione and zineb. This removed the previously popular booster biocides diuron and Irgarol 1051 from the market. To investigate the impact of this legislation, water samples were taken from locations where previous biocide levels were well documented. Results from analyses demonstrate a clear reduction in water concentrations of Irgarol 1051 (between 10% and 55% of that found during pre-restriction studies), indicating that legislation appears to have been effective. Although other booster biocides were screened for (chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid and Sea-Nine 211), they were below the limits of detection (<1 ng/l) in all samples. A survey of chandlers and discussions with legislative authorities supports these results and concurs the removal of Irgarol 1051 based paints from the market using simple regulations at a manufacturer level with little regulation at a retailer level.     

Lead and mercury concentrations in the coastal waters of North and South Lebanon

Seawater samples were collected from the coastal waters 200 m from the shore of North Lebanon and South Lebanon. The 128 samples were then analysed for the presence of lead and mercury by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The lead concentrations in the north ranged from 0.11–0.66 ppm (average: 0.29 ppm) and those for mercury ranged from 1.84–12.88 ppm (average: 5.44 ppm). In the south, the range of lead concentrations was from 0.23–0.95 ppm (average: 0.71 ppm) and the range of mercury from 4.13–10.34 ppm (average: 7.31 ppm). Levels of concentrations can be directly related to density of population, industrial activity, continental runoffs and seasonal and weather changes.     

Metals coordinated by ligands normally found in natural waters

Water, carbonate, chloride and fluoride are the main ligands responsible for keeping metals in solution in natural waters. Metals are listed by ligands and the conditions under which they are likely to be kept in solution are presented in this paper.     

Fractionation and concentration of suspended particulate matter in natural waters

A scheme for the fractionation and concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM) from natural waters has been tested. This scheme involves the sequential use of three fractionation techniques—sieving, continuous flow centrifugation and tangential flow filtration to collect gram amounts of SPM over the entire particulate and colloidal size range. The separation scheme is able to process large samples (ca. 1001), within reasonable times (ca. 1 day) and the apparatus is portable. Reproducibility and potential artifacts introducing during the fractionation and concentration of SPM, particularly when tangential flow filtration is used, are discussed. It has been shown that there is a systematic increase in the content of organic carbon, Mg, Ca, Na, K, Cu and Zn with decreasing particle size, highlighting the importance of the colloidal ( < 1 μm) fraction.     

Permittivity in the microwave region of some natural minerals

The permittivity measured at a frequency of 10 GHz normalized to constant density is the same within the experimental error for talc, baryte and dolomite. In the case of clay and kaolin, it is about 10% higher. This is attributed to the high content of Al₂O₃ (30–40%) in them, which interpretation is proved by experiment.     

Eutrophication and some European waters of restricted exchange

Regions of Restricted Exchange (RREs) are an important feature of the European coastline. They are historically preferred sites for human settlement and aquaculture and their ecosystems, and consequent human use, may be at risk from eutrophication. The OAERRE project (EVK3-CT1999-0002) concerns ‘Oceanographic Applications to Eutrophication in Regions of Restricted Exchange’. It began in July 2000, and studies six sites. Four of these sites are fjords: Kongsfjorden (west coast of Spitzbergen); Gullmaren (Skagerrak coast of Sweden); Himmerfjärden (Baltic coast of Sweden); and the Firth of Clyde (west coast of Scotland). Two are bays sheltered by sand bars: Golfe de Fos (French Mediterranean); and Ria Formosa (Portuguese Algarve). Together they exemplify a range of hydrographic and enrichment conditions. The project aims to understand the physical, biogeochemical and biological processes, and their interactions, that determine the trophic status of these coastal marine RRE through the development of simple screening models to define, predict and assess eutrophication. This paper introduces the sites and describes the component parts of a basic screening model and its application to each site using historical data. The model forms the starting point for the OAERRE project and views an RRE as a well-mixed box, exchanging with the sea at a daily rate E determined by physical processes, and converting nutrient to phytoplankton chlorophyll at a fixed yield q. It thus uses nutrient levels to estimate maximum biomass; these preliminary results are discussed in relation to objective criteria used to assess trophic status. The influence of factors such as grazing and vertical mixing on key parameters in the screening model are further studied using simulations of a complex ‘research’ model for the Firth of Clyde. The future development of screening models in general and within OAERRE in particular is discussed. In addition, the paper looks ahead with a broad discussion of progress in the scientific understanding of eutrophication and the legal and socio-economic issues that need to be taken into account in managing the trophic status of RREs.     

Chlorophyll fluorescence effects in the red part of reflectance spectra of natural waters

Solar-induced fluorescence of algal pigments can be (remotely) measured in productive water masses. Detection of the peak related to this fluorescence in the red part of the reflectance spectra can then be used for the (remote) assessment of the biomass, particularly in the waters where other optical determination methods fail. To study the chlorophyll fluorescence effects in natural waters a two-flow radiative transfer model was developed and measurements were performed in turbid coastal waters. Several phenomena, including the influence of the suspended and dissolved materials on the height and the position (shift) of the peak, and the effects of the vertical stratification of the water column, are described. The observed shift of the reflectance maximum to the longer wavelength appears to be inherent to the presence of the particular material in the water. Reflectance values near the sea surface in the red part of the spectrum are only little influenced by the stratification.     

The modifying effect of natural waters on the toxicity of heavy metals for algae Chlorella vulgaris

The character of the effect of heavy metals (copper, zinc, and cadmium) on a test-culture of chlorella algae in natural waters (the Yenisei and Kacha rivers) is studied. The toxicity of metals in samples of those waters can decrease significantly. The extent of decrease in the toxic effect of the examined pollutants depends on the type of the tested water and significantly varies over time.