Bacteriological indicators of anthropogenic impact prior to and during the recovery of water quality in an extremely polluted estuary, Golden Horn, Turkey

Five years of monthly data of indicator bacteria from 1998 to 2002 were evaluated to find out the changes in water quality during the rehabilitation of the Golden Horn, an estuary severely polluted from industrial and domestic discharges since the 1950s. Surface fecal coliform was above 10(6) CFU/100 ml at the inner part in 1998. Following the achievement of healthy water circulation and control of most surface discharges, fecal coliform and fecal streptococci counts decreased below 10(3) CFU/100 ml in the summer of 2002. However, the decrease was interrupted by sudden shifts in rainy periods. Runoff, enhanced by domestic inputs during rainfall, has become the main factor influencing water quality in the estuary today. Increasing values of fecal coliform were observed during periods of low salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and high ortho-phosphate, whilst decreasing values were detected during high salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen and low ortho-phosphate periods. Striking changes were observed within five years, promising that even an anoxic water body can turn into a recreational area with appropriate treatment.     

Evolution of metal pollution in the golden horn (Turkey) sediments between 1912 and 1987.

The Golden Horn is a heavily polluted water body in a large metropolitan area with a population of approximately 10 million. A 3-m long undisturbed core sample was collected in the Golden Horn, from research vessel RV Knorr, during the third leg of the joint Turkish--American Black Sea expedition in 1989. The core was sliced and dated using the 210Pb isotope technique. The bottom of the core corresponds to the year 1912. Each slice was analysed for major, minor and trace elements by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP). The masses of the measured elements can account for approximately half of the sediment mass. The lithophilic elements Li, K, Rb, Mg, Ca, Ba, Al, La, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni account for more than 90% of the elemental mass and do not show any change in their concentrations between 1912 and 1987. Although anthropogenic elements Mo, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ag, and Cd account for a minute fraction of the elemental mass, their concentrations increase along the core, signifying human influence on chemical composition of the Golden Horn Sediments. Lead was enriched at the bottom of the core suggesting pollution of Golden Horn sediments by this element even at the beginning of the century, but observed concentrations of the remaining anthropogenic elements, at the bottom of the core, can be explained by sedimentary material. Concentrations of pollution-derived elements do not change significantly between 1912 and 1950, but their concentrations increase sharply in the second half of the century. A factor analysis applied to the data set has shown that the inorganic fraction of the Golden Horn sediments includes crustal, marine and two anthropogenic components. One of the anthropogenic components is attributed to the discharges from an iron and steel plant. The second anthropogenic component, which accounted for a larger fraction of system variance, is due to discharges from industries, particularly metalwork plants.     

Chronological reconstruction of metal contamination in the Port of Maó (Minorca, Spain)

In this work we discuss the historical record of metals as derived from a sediment core from the Port of Maó (Minorca, Spain), the second natural largest harbour in Europe. The sedimentation rate derived from radionuclide profiles increased by a factor of five since the 1960s due to the urbanisation of the town waterfront. Metal concentrations showed two different trends: (i) Pb and Sn inputs started during the second half of the 19th century and remained relatively high until mid-20th century; and (ii) Ag, Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu and Cr accumulation began in the 1940s, peaking in the late 1970s. The commissioning of a submarine outfall in 1978 reduced metal concentrations in subsequently deposited sediments since, thereafter, urban and industrial wastes have been dumped out of the estuary. This study also shows that evaluating the quality of sediments on the basis of surface concentrations may be misleading.     

Long-term Trends and Temporal Heterogeneity of Water Quality in Tidally Mixed Estuarine Waters

Dynamics of water quality in the Keonggi Bay, a shallow macrotidal temperate estuary of Yellow Sea, Korea were identified using the major water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The study area during the last 18 years was in eutrophic and mesotrophic water in terms of the nutrient eutrophication index even with a slight decrease in DIN and COD concentrations during recent years. Monthly values of nitrate and ammonia significantly correlated with SS and salinity, respectively, indicating that re-suspension of sediment by vertical mixing and freshwater input are critical factors of monthly fluctuation in water quality. The lack of significant autocorrelation in water quality parameters suggested a significant tidal effect on temporal water quality fluctuation in the tidally mixed estuarine system. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a clear pattern of long-term trends of water quality. The early 1980s were the periods of best water quality, with worst conditions during the late 1980s and early 1990s. These long-term trends of water quality were well discriminated by PCA which can be further applied for the whole ecosystem interpretation with biological variables.     

Cadmium and manganese distributions in the Hudson River estuary: interannual and seasonal variability

Surface waters collected along the salinity gradient of the Hudson River estuary in four cruises between 1995 and 1997 were size-fractionated into particulate (>0.45 μm), ‘dissolved' (<0.45 μm), colloidal (10 kDa, 0.45 μm) and low molecular weight (<10 kDa) phases. Dissolved Cd concentrations (range: 0.11–1.19 nM) in surface waters of the estuary appear to have decreased fourfold (from an average of 2.36 to 0.61 nM) over a 23-year period, since the initial analysis of samples collected in the 1970s by Klinkhammer and Bender [Estuar. Coastal Shelf Sci. 12 (1981) 629–643]. This interannual decline reflects improvement in sewage treatment and the elimination of industrial Cd sources to the Hudson River estuary. In contrast, dissolved Mn levels (range: 0.033–1.46 μM) have remained relatively constant over the same period of time, suggesting that anthropogenic sources have very limited impact on Mn concentrations in the estuary. The concentrations of both Cd and Mn appeared to strongly depend on the season and/or river discharge. The highest concentrations were detected under low freshwater discharge, implying that limited hydraulic flushing allows a build-up of metals in the water column. Although the decline in Cd levels within the estuary reflects a reduction in the magnitude of anthropogenic inputs, mass balance estimates indicated that current sources of Cd to the estuary include sewage discharges (in the lower estuary around Manhattan) and diagenetic remobilization from industrial Cd deposited in sediments nearly 2 decades ago (in the upper estuary near Foundry Cove). Moreover, under low river discharge, the sources considered in our model (sewage, riverine input, atmospheric deposition, and benthic fluxes) could account for no more than 60% of the Cd exported from the lower estuary to the ocean. This suggests that undefined sources such as ground water and inputs from other watersheds (e.g., Long Island Sound and Newark Bay) may potentially influence the water quality of the New York Harbor. The size-fractionated metal concentrations indicated that most of the traditionally defined ‘dissolved' Cd and Mn consisted of <10 kDa molecular weight species. High molecular weight colloidal species of Mn accounted for about 50% of the dissolved fraction at the riverine end-member and <5% at intermediate and high salinities. Colloidal Cd accounted for <6% of the dissolved phase throughout the estuary. Unlike the non-conservative excess (relative to ideal dilution of river water and seawater) of dissolved Mn observed along the estuary, high molecular weight colloidal Mn appeared to be removed at the head of the estuary. The small contribution of colloidal Cd and Mn to the ‘dissolved' phase suggests that remobilization from suspended particulate phases and/or from sediments occurs through the formation of small molecular weight species.     

Implications of nutrient decline in the seagrass ecosystem success

The Mondego estuary (Portugal) suffered major changes in environmental quality due to eutrophication, however, in the late 1990s a restoration project was implemented in order to return the system to its original condition. The main goal of this paper is to evaluate the ecosystem response to the restoration measures applied at three different levels: water quality, primary producers and primary consumers.In post-restoration period a clear decline was observed in dissolved inorganic nitrogen which was reflected in the gradual recovery of Zostera noltii and a concomitant decline in green macroalgae.Macrobenthic assemblages responded variably to the recovery process. In the seagrass bed and intermediate area, there was a large increase in total biomass, but in the eutrophic area species diversity increased. Despite improvement in the ecological status of the system, full recovery has not been achieved yet, possible due to hysteresis in the dynamics of this system.     

洪泽湖养殖网围拆除生态效应

为研究湖泊网围养殖对湖泊生态系统的影响,2018年全年3次于洪泽湖养殖网围及主要出入湖河道开展调查,通过对比洪泽湖不同区域(河口、湖心、网围区、外围区和拆除区)水质及水生生物的空间分布特征,分析养殖网围拆除后湖泊生态系统的响应机制.结果表明,洪泽湖不同区域的水质及水生生物群落结构存在明显差异,其中养殖区水体总氮、总磷及悬浮颗粒物浓度明显低于河口和湖心,但浮游动植物密度及生物量则整体高于河口和湖心,且养殖区蓝藻、轮虫所占比重较高,这种分布差异很大程度上受外源输入及水动力条件影响.与之相对,养殖区内网围区、拆除区和外围区的水质及水生生物群落结构差异并不明显,表明养殖网围拆除后的短期时间内水质并未明显改善,且高藻类密度、低透明度的水体环境也不利于沉水植物的萌发生长与群丛恢复,有必要进一步采取合理有效的生态修复措施促进养殖迹地生态系统的恢复.     

Environmental transformation of the Bilbao estuary,N. Spain: microfaunal and geochemical proxies in the recent sedimentary record

The distribution and abundance of benthic foraminifera and a range of elements have been analysed in six long cores (up to 10 m long) from the Bilbao estuary, N. Spain, to document environmental transformation of this estuarine ecosystem and to determine sediment contamination levels. Three different environmental zones could be distinguished in the recent sedimentary record based on its microfaunal and geochemical contents. Initially, a pre-industrial zone containing very abundant and diverse foraminiferal assemblages together with baseline metal levels. Secondly, an older industrial zone exhibiting co-existence of abundant and diverse foraminiferal assemblages with high concentrations of metals. Finally, a younger industrial zone with extreme concentrations of metals and barren of indigenous foraminifera. This environmental transformation has been caused by the discharge of untreated domestic and industrial effluents during the last 150 years. The occurrence of foraminifera in the two industrial zones and along the estuary is not related to defined levels of metals, and this seems to confirm oxygen limitation as the key factor to explain complete estuarine defaunation during deposition of the younger industrial zone (period 1950-2000). Effectiveness of current regeneration schemes could be assessed using microfaunal and geochemical proxies as environmental quality indicators.     

Changes in the marine environment of Port Kembla Harbour, NSW, Australia, 1975-1995: a review

Data on water quality, sediment quality and aquatic organisms in Port Kembla Harbour from the 1970s to the 1990s are reviewed. In the 1970s, the marine environment of Port Kembla Harbour was in poor condition as a result of pollution from heavy industries. Elevated concentrations of pollutants were found in water, sediment and fish in the harbour; aquatic biodiversity was limited and many fish kills were reported. With the implementation of pollution reduction programs (required by legislation changes) by the industries surrounding the harbour since the 1970s, pollution in the harbour has been reduced dramatically, and the quality of the marine environment of the harbour has noticeably improved. Large reductions in the concentrations of certain toxic wastes and heavy metals in water have occurred. Marine life has returned to the whole harbour (parts were described in 1977 as abiotic). Contaminants in fish have decreased. Despite this achievement, however, there is still considerable room for improvement in the quality of the marine environment of the harbour.     

Evaluation of bacteriological and nutrient concerns in nearshore waters of a barrier island community in SW Florida

To determine if local onsite treatment systems affect nearshore water quality, seasonal and rain event monitoring of bacteria and nitrogen was conducted on the Gulf and estuary sides of Captiva Island. Monitoring wells were used to examine the relationship between surface water and groundwater quality. Nitrates were found to be significantly greater in ground water samples from the areas of Captiva using onsite treatment compared to areas with sewer. However, groundwater enterococci were no greater in areas with onsite treatment. Surface water nitrogen was significantly greater near onsite systems than areas with sewer, linking groundwater and surface water quality. Surface water enterococci increased significantly after rain events. Study results indicated stormwater runoff disperses indicator bacteria from diffuse terrestrial sources into nearshore waters, elevating the concentrations. This study reveals local onsite treatment systems produce elevated surface water nitrogen levels but do not contribute to elevated indicator bacteria concentrations in this system.     

A biodiversity evaluation framework for restoration of aquatic macrophyte communities in shallow lakes driven by hydrological process management

Macrophyte community diversity and composition respond to ecosystem conservation and local environmental factors. In this study, we developed a multidimensional diversity framework for macrophyte communities, including the taxonomic and functional alpha and beta diversity. We used the framework to explore the relationships among water level regimes and these diversity parameters in a case study of China's Baiyangdian Lake. Analysis of indicators of hydrologic alteration divided the water level from 1959 to 2019 into four regimes (dry, <6.42 m; low, 6.42–7.23 m; medium, 7.23–8.19 m; high, >8.19 m). Alpha and beta diversity were significantly higher in the medium regime than in the low and high regimes. Redundancy analysis indicated that the maximum water depth significantly affected taxonomic alpha diversity, and total nitrogen (TN) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration significantly affected functional alpha diversity, respectively. Mantel tests showed that TN, Secchi depth (SD), and water depth in the high water level regime significantly increased the total beta diversity and turnover components. TN was the main factor that increased total taxonomic beta diversity. Water level regime mainly influenced interspecific relationships by changing the TN and COD concentration. The water level should be maintained between the medium and high water level regimes to promote restoration of the macrophyte community and improve ecosystem stability. The biodiversity evaluation framework would provide a deeper insight into the hydrological process management for restoration of aquatic macrophyte communities in shallow lakes.     

A statistical evaluation of the potential genotoxic activity in the surface waters of the Golden Horn Estuary

The potential genotoxic activity in the surface waters of the Golden Horn Estuary was statistically evaluated utilizing a combination of appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests. The genotoxic activities that were associated with the water samples were determined by the SOS chromotest microplate assay. This assay utilizes β-galactosidase activity, alkaline phosphatase activity, and four different solvent controls, to generate reliable results when corrected induction factors (CIF) are used as quantitative measurements of genotoxic activity. The CIF values were obtained from a total of 384 different genotoxic experiments that were grouped into subsets according to the respective seasons and the selected sampling locations. A total of 160 subsets were statistically compared to assess any possible differences between the pairs of groups, with 95% confidence limits. The findings of this study clearly indicate that some seasonal variations exist in the CIF values at several sampling sites. However, no potentially hazardous impact to the aquatic environment was found in the estuarine system.     

广州市不同类型水体轮虫群落结构的时空变动及与理化因子间的关系

轮虫是水体中重要的浮游生物类群,对环境变化敏感,是水生态系统中食物链及微型食物网的关键环节.于2015年夏季(7月)和冬季(12月)对养殖池塘、水库、广州城市湖泊、珠江河口及珠江河段水域的轮虫和理化环境指标进行了调查分析,共发现轮虫26属、76种,其中裂痕龟纹轮虫(Anuraeopsis fissa)在7月河流水体占绝对优势,但12月数量明显减少.冬季珠江河段和河口水体群落多样性指数与均匀度指数较夏季高,群落结构较夏季稳定.调查水体轮虫丰度范围为33~2625 ind./L,城市湖泊夏季丰度较高,冬季有所下降,而养殖池塘轮虫丰度在冬季有所上升.群落结构相似性分析(ANOSIM)分析表明,不同类型水体之间差异显著,尤以湖泊与河流差异性最大,广布多肢轮虫(Polyarthra vulgaris)在湖泊贡献率最高,暗小异尾轮虫(Trichocerca pusilla)其次;裂痕龟纹轮虫在河流贡献率最高,优势种丰度差异是造成湖泊与河流群落结构差异的主要原因.统计分析表明,轮虫丰度与叶绿素a浓度呈正相关.冗余分析与ANOSIM分析发现广布多肢轮虫在流花湖等叶绿素a浓度较高的静态水体中易形成优势;裂痕龟纹轮虫和角突臂尾轮虫(Brachionus angularis)在珠江河段等总氮和总磷浓度高的富营养化流动水体中易形成优势.综合轮虫群落结构和水质特征,广州市水体富营养化严重,耐污性轮虫种类多,应加强城市水生态系统保护和管理.     

1988-2016年洞庭湖大型底栖动物群落变化及驱动因素分析

洞庭湖是我国第二大淡水湖泊,其水文条件对湖泊湿地生态系统健康的维系发挥着不可替代的作用.近年来,水环境恶化日益威胁湖区水生态系统健康.然而,有关底栖动物水生态健康评价的研究仍然停留在物种群落结构方面,缺乏底栖动物群落功能对水污染响应的研究,尤其在较长时间尺度上.因而,本研究分析了19882016年近30 a来洞庭湖的水质和底栖动物群落数据,探寻底栖动物群落功能对水环境恶化的响应规律.结果表明,洞庭湖水体总氮浓度是威胁底栖动物物种和功能群落变动的主要因素.此外,不断恶化的水环境驱动底栖动物物种和功能群落结构改变,表现为敏感水生昆虫的比例下降,寡毛类、小型软体动物比例的上升,并伴随着体长为1.00~1.99 cm、背扁型、侧扁型、不移动等功能性状类别比例的下降.同时,水环境恶化降低物种丰富度、功能丰富度和劳氏二次熵多样性.基于距离的冗余分析结果显示,水体氮营养盐、重金属离子和有机污染物共同驱动底栖动物物种群落结构的变异,而营养盐类与无/有机污染物决定着其功能群落结构的变异.鉴于洞庭湖水质不断恶化的状况,本研究建议采取一系列措施,包括合理管控湖区周边废水直排入湖、取缔湖区内的非法采砂以及调控枯水季洞庭湖水位等.生物监测和评价方面,建议将底栖动物物种和功能群落一并纳入评价体系,且优先选用物种丰富度、功能丰富度和劳氏二次熵指数评估换水周期较短的大型浅水湖泊水质变化对底栖动物物种和功能多样性的影响.     

富营养化浅水湖泊生态修复中背角无齿蚌(Anodonta woodiana)对水质改善的影响

滤水速率的快慢是决定滤食性河蚌对水质改善与否的关键,但受蚌龄大小、食物多少和季节变化的影响.以背角无齿蚌（Anodonta woodiana）为研究对象,设置幼龄蚌组、成年蚌组和无蚌对照组,在惠州西湖生态修复后的清水态和未修复的富营养化水体同时进行中型系统原位实验,测定了各处理组水层中氮、磷、总悬浮物（TSS）浓度和浮游藻类生物量（用叶绿素a（Chl.a）浓度表示）的季节变化,以研究蚌龄、食物和季节变化对背角无齿蚌水质改善的影响.结果表明,与对照组相比,背角无齿蚌提高了清水态水体总磷（TP）和铵态氮浓度,但对总氮（TN）、TSS和浮游藻类Chl.a浓度的影响不显著,表明其不能有效改善清水态水体水质;富营养化水体中,背角无齿蚌虽对水中TN浓度影响不显著,但显著降低了TP浓度、浮游藻类Chl.a浓度和TSS浓度;表明背角无齿蚌可改善富营养化水体水质;且富营养化水体中幼龄蚌的滤水速率显著高于成年蚌;幼龄蚌的滤水速率春季最大（0.132±0.018 L/（g·h））,夏季最小.因此,在富营养化水体修复前期,可通过放养本地滤食性河蚌,如背角无齿蚌,以改善水质,春季放养幼龄蚌更佳,为接下来的修复创造有利条件;而在生态修复后期的清水态水体中,单独的河蚌对水质改善效果不明显.本研究可为水生态系统保护和富营养化水体生态修复提供参考.     

Biological effects of gold mine tailings on the intertidal marine environment in Nova Scotia,Canada

From 1861 to the 1940s, gold was produced from 64 mining districts in Nova Scotia, where mercury amalgamation was the dominant method for the extraction of gold from ore until the 1880s. As a result, wastes (tailings) from the milling process were contaminated by mercury and were high in naturally occurring arsenic. In 2004 and 2005, sediments, water and mollusc tissues were collected from 29 sampling stations at nine former gold mining areas along the Atlantic coastline and were analysed for arsenic and mercury. The resulting data were compared with environmental quality guidelines. Samples indicated high potential risk of adverse effects in the intertidal environments of Seal Harbour, Wine Harbour and Harrigan Cove. Arsenic in Seal Harbour was bioavailable, resulting in high concentrations of arsenic in soft-shell clam tissues. Mercury concentrations in tissues were below guidelines. This paper presents results of the sampling programs and implications of these findings.     

The influences of various anthropogenic sources of deterioration on meiobenthos (Ostracoda) over the last 100 years in Suo-Nada in the Seto Inland Sea, southwest Japan

This study focuses on the relationships of water and sediment quality with meiobenthos (Ostracoda) over the past 100 years, using a sediment core obtained from Suo-Nada in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan. We compared high-resolution ostracode results with geochemical and sedimentological data obtained from the study core as well as with rich environmental monitoring data that are available. R-mode cluster analysis revealed two bioassociations (BC, KA). Until the1960s, assemblages continued to show high diversity. They changed in approximately 1970, when excessive nutrients and organic matter began to be supplied, and most species decreased in number. All species of bioassociation BC were dominant again by the mid-1990s; however, those of bioassociation KA containing infaunal species did not increase and have been absent or rare since the 1970s because organic pollution of sediments has continued to date. This study provided robust baseline for ostracode-based long-term environmental monitoring in East Asia.     

Assessment of arsenic and heavy metal pollution and ecological risk in inshore sediments of the Yellow River estuary,China

In order to investigate the pollution levels, sources and ecological risks of arsenic (As) and heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) in inshore sediments of the Yellow River estuary, the surface sediment in areas of inshore coastal waters were sampled in October 2014 as the flow-sediment regulation project (FSRP) was implemented for 13 years. Results showed that the concentrations of As and heavy metals in inshore sediments of the Yellow River estuary were in the order of Zn?>?Cr?>?Cu?>?Ni?>?Pb?>?As?>?Cd. Higher levels of As, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb generally occurred in fine-grained sediments of the Yellow River estuary and the southeast region, which was consistent with the spatial distribution of clay. In contrast, higher concentrations of Cd were generally observed in northwest area of the Yellow River estuary and near the Qingshuigou estuary, which showed similarly spatial distribution with that of sand. The sediment quality guidelines (SQG_S) and geoaccumulation indices (I_geo) indicated that the inshore sediments were polluted by Cu, Cd, As, Pb and Zn, and, among them, Cd pollution was more serious. Ecological risk indices (E _r ⁱ ) demonstrated low risks for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and As, and high potential toxicity by Cd. The integrated ecological risk index implied that 6.8% of stations presented moderate risk, 4.5% of stations exhibited disastrous risk, and 88.7% of stations demonstrated considerable risk. Principal component analysis indicated that Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and As might originate from common pollution sources, while Cr and Cd might share another similar sources. With the continuous implementation of FSRP, As and heavy metal levels in inshore sediments of the Yellow River estuary could be classified as stage I (2002–2010) and stage II (2010–2014). In the stage I, As, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb levels fluctuated but decreased significantly, whereas Cd concentrations showed little variation. In the stage II, As and heavy metal levels significantly increased although some little fluctuations occurred. The continuous accumulation of As and heavy metals (especially for Cd) in inshore sediments of the Yellow River estuary would occur again as the FSRP was implemented for 9 years (since 2010). The ecotoxicological risk of Cd, As, Ni and Cu in inshore sediments might be more serious since the accumulation of the four elements would be continuously occurred in future years. Next step, there will be long-term potential consequences for marine organism if effective measures are not taken to control the loadings of metal pollutants into estuary.     

近30年来鄱阳湖生态系统服务变化

鄱阳湖是我国最大淡水湖,在维持区域生态安全和生态平衡中发挥重要作用.为了解近30年鄱阳湖生态系统服务变化情况,本文对已有文献与监测数据进行收集整理,直接获取鄱阳湖水资源供给、渔业资源供给、水环境净化服务数据,通过输沙量法、Berger-Parker优势度指数计算泥沙淤积调控和生物多样性维持服务,利用RMSD方法分析19922014年鄱阳湖生态系统服务关系.结果表明:(1)渔业资源供给和水环境净化服务不断下降,水资源供给和泥沙淤积调控服务在2010s有所恢复;(2)冬候鸟种类和数量增加,鱼类种群结构逐渐恢复,但Berger-Parker指数总体上升;(3)浮游植物、底栖动物多样性上升,浮游动物多样性下降;(4)不同时间尺度各服务间均为高权衡关系,水环境净化服务相对收益始终高于其他服务.