Insect communities of Phragmites habitats used for sewage purification: Effects of age and area of habitats on species richness and herbivore-parasitoid interactions

In 1994, 28 sewage purification plants based on common reed Phragmites australis were analyzed, to study fragmentation effects on diversity and on food web structure of insect communities. Purification plants differed in age (2 to 11 years) and area (10 to 2,500 m²). Both age and area were significantly correlated with species richness of herbivores. Populations of the two most abundant herbivores, the gall makers Lipara pullitarsis (Diptera, Chloropidae) and Giraudiella inclusa (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae), increased significantly with age and size of the Phragmites habitats, i.e. the purification plants. Incidence curves showed that only habitats older than 6 years and larger than 100 m² have a 50% probability of finding these two most abundant gall makers, and can correspondingly be considered to contribute to insect species conservation. Natural enemies were even more susceptible to habitat fragmentation than their phytophagous hosts or prey, thereby hampering possible biocontrol. Percent parasitism of both the Lipara and Giraudiella gall makers significantly increased with habitat age.     

苏北溱湖芦苇和芦苇+香蒲群落中植物对湿地土壤N、P的固持效果

湿地土壤是湿地生态系统固持氮(N)、磷(P)的重要库,水生高等植物在湿地土壤固持N、P过程中起到了非常重要的作用.本研究采用室外取样与室内实验结合的方法,对溱湖湿地两种主要湿地类型(芦苇(Phragmites australis)群落和芦苇+香蒲(Typha latifolia)群落)影响湿地土壤N、P固持过程的规律展开研究.分析了芦苇、香蒲各器官生物量和总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)含量及储量对于土壤各土层TN和TP含量的影响.结果显示:(1)溱湖湿地对于水体TN和TP有一定的削减作用,且对TN的削减作用更大;(2)芦苇可以增强湿地土壤(30 cm以下的土层)富集N的效率,并且芦苇+香蒲群落中土壤固N效率更高,芦苇植株内TN和TP储量都是根茎叶穗,而香蒲则是根穗茎叶;(3)芦苇和香蒲茎、叶器官的TN和TP含量在夏季均显著高于其他几个季节,尤其是芦苇茎的TN含量在夏季高出其他几个季节70%~84%,而TP含量甚至高出其他几个季节81%~92%;(4)芦苇、香蒲对于P贫瘠的响应机制不同,导致芦苇会消耗土壤P,而香蒲的介入可以抵消这一消耗过程.因此,芦苇+香蒲的植物配置模式可以提高湿地土壤固持N、P的综合效率.     

Ökologische und molekularbiologische Untersuchungen an Schilf (Phragmites australis [Cav.] Trin. ex Steudel) von norddeutschen Seen — Ein Überblick

The structure, function and dynamics of reed-belts from three ‘Bornhoeved-Lakes’ was investigated by using methods from vegetation science and molecular biology. Between 1992 and 1994 the morphometry and production of Phragmites was measured at twelve locations, differing in sedimentology and hydrochemistry. The development and production of the plants, as well as the nutrient uptake and relocation, were similar throughout the years within each of the twelve plots. Differences in stand-structure and amounts of nutrients occurred between the habitats. Nitrogen content in the plant material varied between 5 and 30 g N m⁻² and phosphorus between 0.3 and 1.2 g PO₄-P m⁻².80 natural reed habitats were measured for Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs) in order to identify the genetic diversity of Phragmites within the lakes. A cluster analysis exhibited groups with high, as well as groups with low genetic similarity. Even if genetically similar, the habitats were not necessarily directly neighboured at the shoreline. A discriminance analysis showed 40% correspondence of the genetic groups with their phenotype and habitat parameters.     

Effects of flooding on the amino acid and carbohydrate patterns of Phragmites australis

Changes in the contents and composition of dissolved amino acids and carbohydrates were monitored in different Phragmites australis stands in Germany. Four different reed clones planted in 1997 in a degraded fen area in NE-Germany were compared with respect to the seasonal development in the total amount of amino acids and sugars in the basal culm internodes. The individual Phragmites clones showed significant differences in the absolute content of both parameters indicating an influence of the genotype. Flooding affected the ratio of amino acids to carbohydrates within the reed clones. Plants grown in flooded parts of the fen area revealed a significantly higher total amino acid content together with a lower total content of carbohydrates.Furthermore, the effects of extreme flooding on the content and composition of amino acids and carbohydrates in the basal culm internodes of Phragmites australis were studied in nine reed stands with different degrees of damage on Lake Constance. Shoots from extremely damaged reed stands were characterised by a significant decrease in the total content of carbohydrates, an increase in the total content of amino acids and an increase in the share of γ-aminobutyric acid. These changes in the content and composition of carbohydrates and amino acids were discussed with respect to their value as stress indicators, such as for oxygen deprivation which causes a hypoxic metabolic state in Phragmites australis stands.     

Evidence for Systemic Changes in the Benthic Fauna of Tropical Estuaries as a Result of Urbanization

The effects of urban development cause substantial physical changes in coastal waterways through hardening and reclamation of river banks, alteration of water flow, and diffuse and point-source discharges of pollutants. The cumulative effects of urbanization on the fauna of estuaries are not well understood. This study examined the benthic infauna of two urban and three rural estuaries near Townsville, North Queensland. A range of univariate and multivariate statistics was used to relate variation in the benthic assemblages to concentrations of contaminants (heavy metals and hydrocarbons) within the sediments of each estuary. Sediments in the most developed estuary contained concentrations of heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons that were several orders of magnitude greater than those from non-urban waterways. The fauna at these sites was dominated by cirratulid and sternaspid polychaetes and lacked filter-feeding bivalves and other molluscs that were common in less developed estuaries. These differences were generally consistent throughout each estuary, indicating estuary-wide patterns of change, that were most strongly associated with spatial patterns in the distribution of Pb, Cu and hydrocarbons.     

The distributions of particulate heavy metals and its indication to the transfer of sediments in the Changjiang Estuary and Hangzhou Bay,China

Particulate heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Cd) were measured following intensive sampling in June and October 1994 at 70 stations in the Changjiang Estuary and Hangzhou Bay, China. In the study area, particulate Cu and Pb have a similar level that is higher than the concentration of particulate Cd. Cu, Pb and Cd concentrations in suspended sediments are higher than those in bed load. In the middle of Hangzhou Bay, heavy metal concentrations in suspended sediments and bed load are similar. This may be the result of the frequent exchange between them, which is due to the strong dynamic condition. A negative relationship was observed between concentrations of heavy metals in bed load and bulk density. Fine-grained sediments were the main carriers of heavy metals. Sedimentary dynamics dominate the fate of heavy metals in these sites. The distributions of metals (especially Cu) in suspended sediments can indicate the transfer of sediments in this area.     

Dynamik der Schilfröhrichte am Bodensee unter dem Einfluss von Wasserstandsvariationen

On the basis of different sets of aerial photos the dynamics of the reed bed areas of Lake Constance were investigated in relation to the dynamics of the water levels. The objectives of the study were to quantify the changes of reed areas due to different flood events in the last decades and their recovery in the time periods between these events. The results should given information of the relevance of water level variations on reed bed dynamics and the regeneration times of reed beds after extreme disturbance events.Following the extreme flood at Lake Constance in 1999 the reed belts of Lake Constance lost approximately 30 ha (24%) of the lakeside reed beds. The loss is comparable to the situation in the late 1960s, when approximately 40 ha died back due to the extreme flood in 1965 and the high spring water levels in the subsequent years. In the time period between the extreme floods of 1965 and 1999, the reed areas expanded to nearly 85% of the area before 1965. The expansion rates increased with increasing distance to the flood event of 1965. Especially in periods with series of years of low spring water level the expansion rates were high.The damage degrees of the reed areas in the years 2000 and 2002 showed a clear relation to the elevation (i.e. average water level) of the stands. The damage degree increased with decreasing elevation. Furthermore the regeneration process of severely damaged stands was related to the elevation level of the stands. Whereas stands at high elevation regenerate fast, those at low elevation died off completely in the years after the extreme flood. This supports the hypothesis that the water level flutuations play a major role in the reed dynamics of Lake Constance.As a consequence of the climate change an increase in the frequency of high spring water levels is expected. Thus, it seems unlikely that reed stands will ever expand again to the same area as before 1965.     

Schwermetallbestimmung in Klärwerksschlämmen mittels Röntgenfluoreszenzanalyse

The X-ray fluorescence analysis is an important means for the determination of the heavy metal concentrations in sewage sludges and for the evaluation of their usability in agriculture. Analysis devices from the GDR were used for that. For the investigations there was used as the zero sample a sludge which was not loaded with heavy metals, homogeneous and constantly dried at 105 °C. The drying bed sludge samples were treated with different heavy metal solutions with different concentrations. Preparation of samples, measuring conditions and general spectra are described. The measuring results of tests up to 100 g heavy metal in 1 kg dry substance are critically evaluated. The analysis of a sewer sludge sample takes only about ten minutes. There are determined: Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, Hg and Pb.     

Der Einfluß von Erdölkohlenwasserstoffen auf die Primärproduktion des Donauplanktons

Danube river water samples were saturated with mineral oil, and then the primary production (gross) was determined by means of the light-dark bottle method (oxygen) in situ at depths of 0.1… 1.5 m in comparison with untreated samples. Samples were exposed for half a solar day alternately during the first and second half-days. Investigations carried out between March and October for periods of 14 days showed a mean production of 2.56 g · m^?2d^?1 O₂, which was reduced by 36% due to 12.6 mg/l hydrocarbons. Production decreases with the water depth from 6.2 to 0.9 mg · l^?1d^?1 0₂, whereas the inhibition by hydrocarbons increases from 31 to 41%.     

Stickstoff- und Kohlenhydratspeicherung in Rhizomen von Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel an unterschiedlichen aquatischen Standorten oberbayerischer Seen

Nitrogen and carbohydrate utilization in Phragmites australis rhizomes was investigated under natural conditions at 10 sites in 5 lakes in Upper Bavaria over a period of two years. Nitrate and ammonium of surface and interstitial water was determined. The results indicate that conditions of habitat and environment, such as climate and fluctuation of water level, lead to different adaptations of reed. These parameters had an effect on the storage of nitrogen and carbohydrate. The reed stands exposed to high water level during spring and summer have a high carbohydrate content in the rhizomes. A positive correlation was shown between the aboveground biomass and the content of storaged carbohydrates during the vegetation period. No relationship could be demonstrated between the nitrogen availability of the habitats and the type of storage of carbohydrates and nitrogen. The nitrogen content in the rhizomes can be used as an indicator of the ability of reed stands to produce new secondary shoots after shoot loss. The differently established reed genotypes are not able to compensate short-term environmental changes, such as growing leisure problems and higher shoot loss by the increasing appearance of waterfowl, from their reserve storage.     

Elimination of Zinc from Roof Runoff through Geotextile and Clinoptilolite Filters

Direct infiltration of roof runoff into the ground may pose a potential risk of soil and groundwater contamination. The performance of two different barrier materials for the retention of zinc from roof runoff of an eleven year old zinc roof was examined in a field study. As barrier materials geotextile and clinoptilolite were applied. Automatic samplers were used to take samples both at the inlet and at the outlet of the retention facility. Samples of twenty rain events were examined. Zinc was detected in the roof runoff in concentrations of up to 25 mg/L, and lead which originates from the tin‐solder was present in concentrations of up to 84 μg/L. Under most circumstances, a first flush could be observed for the analysed substances. No retention of heavy metals was observed, where only geotextile was used as a barrier material. The clinoptilolite filter was able to adsorb up to 97 % of zinc from the roof runoff.     

Drill cutting accumulations in the Northern and Central North Sea: a review of environmental interactions and chemical fate

The exploration and production of North Sea oil and gas reserves has resulted in the accumulation of large quantities of drill cuttings on the seabed surrounding drill sites. This complex mixture of man-made and natural substances contains higher concentrations of certain metals (Ba, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and hydrocarbons than are observed in background sediments. With decommissioning of older platforms underway, an evaluation of the environmental interactions and chemical fate of the drill cuttings accumulations is required.This review concentrates on contaminants within drill cutting accumulations in the Northern and Central North Sea (56 degrees N-62 degrees N). Present literature reviewed reveals that hydrocarbons within the cuttings piles remain relatively unchanged with time. A considerable proportion of the associated contaminants are likely to remain within the cuttings pile unless they are disturbed which will then increase exchanges of porewater and solids back to the seabed surface resulting in pathways of exposure for organisms.     

Managed water levels and the expansion of emergent vegetation along a lakeshore

Water-level fluctuations may be used to promote the expansion of emergent vegetation along lakeshores. We present the case of the lake Volkerak-Zoommeer in the Netherlands, a fresh-water lake created in 1987 after the enclosure of an estuary. Using an experimental area in which the water level could be manipulated, it was shown that partial summer drawdown of the shoreline created suitable conditions for germination and growth of tall emergent species (in particular Phragmites australis). Plant survival and growth depended on subsequent water-level fluctuations and grazing by waterbirds. Based on the experiment and empirical data, a model was developed to predict the effects of the water-level regime on potential reed bed development. The model was applied for four hydrological scenarios that have been considered for the water-level management of the lake.     

The Potential of Eleocharis acicularis for Phytoremediation: Case Study at an Abandoned Mine Site

Phytoremediation, a plant‐based and cost‐effective technology for the cleanup of contaminated soil and water, is receiving increasing attention. In this study, the aquatic macrophyte Eleocharis acicularis was examined for its ability to take up multiple heavy metals and its potential application for phytoremediation at an abandoned mining area in Hokkaido, Japan. Elemental concentrations were measured in samples of E. acicularis, water, and soil collected from areas of mine tailing and drainage. The results reveal that Pb, Fe, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Mn accumulation in the plants increased over the course of the experiment, exceeding their initial concentrations by factors of 930, 430, 60, 25, 10, and 6, respectively. The highest concentrations of Fe, Pb, Zn, Mn, Cr, Cu, and Ni within the plants were 59500, 1120, 964, 388, 265, 235, and 47.4 mg/kg dry wt., respectively, for plants growing in mine drainage after 11 months of the experiment. These results indicate that E. acicularis is a hyperaccumulator of Pb. We also found high Si concentrations in E. acicularis (2.08%). It is likely that heavy metals exist in opal‐A within cells of the plant. The bioconcentration factors (BCF: ratio of metal concentration in the plant shoots to that in the soil) obtained for Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn, and Pb were 3.27, 1.65, 1.29, 1.26, 1.11, and 0.82, respectively. The existence of heavy metals as sulphides is thought to have restricted the metal‐uptake efficiency of E. acicularis at the mine site. The results of this study indicate that E. acicularis shows great potential in the phytoremediation of mine tailing and drainage rich in heavy metals.     

Trends und Verteilungsmuster in der Schadstoffbelastung von Sedimenten aus östlichen Bundeswasserstraßen

Trends and Patterns in the Contamination of Sediments from Federal Waterways in Eastern Germany The following study presents a concept for a sediment pollution cadastre and the results of systematic investigations of sediment contamination for eight toxic heavy metals and arsenic, as well as for eight classes of organic priority pollutants in all together 21 reaches in the Elbe and Oder waterway systems. Based on data from the years 1991 to 1995; multivariate statistical evaluations were carried out to identify local and temporal trends in the overall contamination. It was possible to differentiate between more non-point and point sources of sediment contamination. Because of the closure of substantial parts of the industry in Eastern Germany and by common sanitation efforts of both the German and the Czech sides since 1990, the situation in the Elbe river system with respect to the heavy metals has improved markedly. For the Oder river system, a comparable trend does not exist yet, and the sediment contamination by heavy metals is stagnant there. As a consequence, the pollution situation in both German parts of the rivers has become similar except for mercury and arsenic. Regarding organic pollutants, the picture is quite different. With the exception of PAHs, Oder sediments are contaminated by organics only to a lower extent and compare better with the ones from unpolluted waters found in parts of Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania than with those of rivers Elbe, Mulde, and Saale with its tributaries. On the one hand, organic pollution generally also decreased since 1991 in these rivers. On the other hand, due to continuing inputs from plants in the Czech Republic and from old contaminated sites, both in Czechia and Germany, a decreasing trend is not significant or cannot be found at all for such pollutants as HCB, PCBs, or PAHs. The general trends are discussed in detail, e.g., by comparison with quality targets for sediments and suspended matter, and illustrated at the example of individual contaminants being typical for the overall situation.     

Contaminant exposures at the 4H shell mounds in the Santa Barbara Channel

Remobilization, bioavailability, and potential toxicity of chemical contaminants were evaluated at the 4H shell mounds – the site of abandoned offshore oil and gas production platforms in the Santa Barbara Channel region of the Southern California Bight. Evaluations used a weight-of-evidence approach based on results from bulk phase chemical analyses and laboratory toxicity testing of shell mound cores, in situ field bioassays using caged mussels, and surficial sediment chemistry. Shell mound cores contained elevated concentrations of metals associated with drilling wastes (e.g., Ba, Cr, Pb, and Zn), as well as monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The highest concentrations along with pockets of free oil were associated with the middle “cuttings” stratum. Sediments composited from all core strata caused significant acute toxicity and bioaccumulation of Ba and PAHs in test organisms during laboratory exposures. In contrast, caged mussels placed at each of the shell mounds for a period of 57–58 days had greater than 90% survival, and there were no significant differences in survival of mussels placed at the shell mounds and corresponding reference sites. While all mussel samples exhibited increases in shell length, whole animal weight, and tissue lipid content, in some cases growth metrics for the shell mound mussels were significantly higher than those for the reference sites. Concentrations of metals, PAHs, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in tissues of the shell mound mussels were not significantly different from those at reference sites. The presence of labile aromatic hydrocarbons in shell mound cores and absence of significant contaminant accumulation of tissues of caged mussels indicated that chemical contaminants are not being remobilized from the 4H shell mounds. Surficial bottom sediments near the shell mounds contained elevated Ba concentrations that probably were associated with drilling wastes. However, concentrations did not exhibit clear spatial gradients with distance from the shell mounds. Despite a number of storm events during the mussel exposures, maximum currents were 34 cm s⁻¹ and unlikely to erode materials from the shell mounds. Thus, Ba distributions in bottom sediments probably were due to episodic disturbance such as platform removal or trawling rather than ongoing erosion and dispersion of shell mound solids by near-bottom currents. These results suggest that, in the absence of physical disturbances, contaminants are expected to remain sequestered in the shell mounds.     

湖泊疏浚堆场淤泥污染及潜在生态风险评价

疏浚淤泥内通常含有不同类型的有毒有害物质,在堆场直接堆放过程中可能会对周围环境产生有害影响.本文针对太湖及巢湖相应疏浚堆场内淤泥进行研究,探讨淤泥中重金属、多环芳烃以及多氯联苯等污染物含量及潜在生态风险;根据重金属的风险指数法和持久性有机污染物的风险商法,对各污染物的潜在生态风险进行定量分析.研究结果表明,太湖白旄堆场以及孔湾堆场淤泥内重金属及多环芳烃含量较小,潜在生态风险较低;巢湖南庄堆场淤泥内各类有害物质含量较大,种类较多,对于周围环境具有较高的潜在生态威胁.多氯联苯则在各个疏浚堆场淤泥中具有很高的积累量,潜在生态风险较高,应引起管理者的重视.     

白洋淀沉积物-沉水植物-水系统重金属污染分布特征

通过对白洋淀沉水植物及对应沉积物和水中Cd、Pb、As含量测定,以期揭示白洋淀沉积物-沉水植物-水系统中重金属污染状况及分布规律,明确不同沉水植物对重金属的富集能力.结果表明,地表水Cd、Pb、As浓度均符合我国地表水I类水质标准,不同采样区重金属浓度差异不显著.上覆水Pb浓度显著高于地表水和间隙水,间隙水As浓度显著高于地表水和上覆水;地积累指数法和潜在生态危害指数法评价结果表明,沉积物中重金属污染程度表现为Cd > Pb > As,Cd污染最严重,达到"轻度-偏重度"污染程度,"中等-极强"生态危害级别,As为清洁水平,不同采样区重金属污染程度表现为生活水产养殖区 > 纳污区 > 淀边缘区;沉水植物重金属富集能力表现为金鱼藻（Ceratophyllum demersum L.） > 菹草（Potamogeton crispus L.）和穗状狐尾藻（Myriophyllum spicatum L.） > 篦齿眼子菜（Potamogeton pectinatus L.）.植物体内重金属含量与体内氮、磷含量呈显著正相关,氮、磷营养盐影响沉水植物对重金属的富集.     

Untersuchungen zum Schadstoffpotential von Wasserwerksschlämmen

Investigation on the Pollution Potential of Waterworks Sludges Several contaminated sludges from water treatment plants with known or estimated concentrations of trace elements were investigated for their leaching characteristics and long-term stability using standard and advanced test procedures. Potentially hazardous elements in the sludge are zinc, nickel, and arsenic with concentrations of up to 1.2 g/kg dry matter (mass). Preliminary sorption tests with synthetic sludge components like iron hydroxide, manganese oxide, silicate clay minerals, and chitine powder as a model organic component showed that Cu is associated with the organic phase wheras arsenic is predominantly bound to the iron oxide minerals. The recently suggested pH_stat test procedure was used to assess the leaching characteristics of metals at typical pH values. This procedure was compared with the DEV-S4 test, the current standard test in Germany, consisting of a simple lixiviation of the solids with water, without pH control. The pH_stat test yields results which are much better to interprete than those obtained by the DEV-S4 procedure. The iron and manganese sludges are well buffered against changes in pH and redox potential so that low pH values and/or reducing conditions can hardly occur. Thus, in deposited material a sudden leaching of heavy metals is unlikely and due to the presence of iron and manganese oxides the pentavalent arsenic is protected against conversion into the highly mobile trivalent form at neutral to low pH. Co-deposition with reducing organic matter and alkaline stabilisation material or waste (like fly ash) could influence the binding properties and should be strictly avoided.     

Neue ingenieurbiologische Bauweisen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des Einsatzes von Röhricht- und Unterwasserpflanzen

The use of living plants for mechanical-technical purposes (stabilization by plants) in the field of design and construction in the sense of biological engineering – a field of application of ecological engineering – concerns a complex system in which factors of soil mechanics and hydraulics are combined with the ecosystem. In comparison with solid-technical construction methods, considerable advantages result due to a lower expenditure for maintenance and a high stability, especially during floods. Findings having been gained so far concerning the stabilization of the bank toe by underwater plants and flooding forms of species of reeds communities, the stabilization in the range of the mean water level and above it by bushes and shrubs – in cases of long-time submerging by species of the reeds and swamps of large sedge (Phragmites) and of the wet meadows (Molinietalia) are critically evaluated, with the inclusion of new own findings from plantings in a newly developed section of the Branitz inland ditch (initial plantings in water and at the lower part of the bank) which have been observed for some years and from reed plantings covering large areas in the pond region of Peitz (Cottbus county, south-eastern part of the GDR).