Lethal toxicity of industrial detergent on bottom dwelling sentinels

We used fresh and brackish water shrimp （Desmoscaris trispinosa and Palaemonetes africanus）, in sediment bioassays to assess the toxicity of an industrial detergent containing high levels of anionic surfactant （linear alkylbenzene sulphonate （LAS））. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development （OECD）, # 218 direct sediment toxicity assessment was employed. The organisms were exposed to different concentrations （31.25, 62.5, 125,250 and 500 mg/kg） of the chemical （Neatex） in replicate treatments. Percentage mortality was measured as the ecological endpoint. Mean mortality and estimated lethal concentration LCso values varied with species type, concentration and exposure duration. The statistical variation in the observed mean mortality of the test organisms in the chemical and the control treatment shows that mortality may be induced by the effect of the chemicals. The lethal concentration （LCso） was significantly different at levels ofp 〈 0.05 for the fresh and brackish water experiments. Consequently, assessment of water and sediment quality as a result of chemical pollutants was necessary for protecting some of the more sensitive benthic invertebrates representing the major proportion of the diet of many species in the Niger Delta ecological zone.     

Toxicity studies of elemental sulfur in marine sediments

Elemental sulfur(ES) is a component essential for proper development of animals, but it can be toxic for aquatic organisms. The objectives of the study reported here included determination of ES concentrations in sediment collected in the area of the Gulf of Gdansk(Baltic Sea) and search for the possible correlations with the ecotoxicity results. Sediment samples were collected from four locations: the Vistula River mouth, in the Port Basin, in the area of discharge of the treated wastewater from the Wastewater Treatment Plant(WWTP) and in the area of the sunken World War Ⅱ s/s 'Stuttgart' shipwreck. The levels of elemental sulfur were determined using a gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer(GC-MS). Toxicity of marine sediment samples was estimated for three biotest organisms-bioluminescent bacteria Vibrio fischeri, crustacean Heterocypris incongruens, and Synapis alba plant. The highest toxicity of sediments for all indicator organisms was observed in samples taken at the place of the shipwreck(2-100%). The same samples had a high sulfur content(16.7-143.2 μg/g dry weight(d.w.))therefore, it was decided to investigate whether the presence of ES in the sediment in the studied area can have an impact on the results of the ecotoxicity determination in real samples. However, the removal of sulfur from the samples resulted in no significant changes in the level of toxicity of the samples. In this research it could not be confirmed that the presence of elemental sulfur is the only factor responsible for the observed sediment toxicity. It seems that other compounds or their mixtures present in the sediment may have a significant influence on the results obtained.     

Numerical modeling of sedimentation control scenarios in the approach channel of the Nakdong River Estuary Barrage,South Korea

The effects of sedimentation reduction at the Nakdong River Estuary Barrage (NREB) in Korea were quantitatively analyzed with respect to different sediment control methods using the calibrated and validated two-dimensional model. The countermeasures of sediment dredging, sediment flushing, channel geometry change, and a combination of flushing and channel geometry change were examined for the approach channel of the NREB. The flood event and channel geometries of the 3.8 km section upstream of the NREB surveyed before and after dredging in 2007 were used for modeling conditions. As a result, the half of sediments dredged in 2007 could be eliminated naturally by floods without dredging. The numerical simulation of sediment flushing indicated that the deposition height decreased in the entire simulation section with the minimum and maximum reductions from 0.3 m to 1.3 m in deposition height. The channel contraction method produced quantitatively the largest amount of sedimentation reduction and sediment flushing and dredging followed. Sedimentation reduction by a combination of flushing and channel contraction was up 10%compared to the individual method of channel contraction.     

Distribution and origin of biologically available phosphorus in the water of the Meiliang Bay in summer

The investigation and continuous monitoring with an innovative iron oxide embedded cellulose acetate membrane (FeO/CAM) on the concentrations of biologically available phosphorus (BAP) were conducted in the Meiliang Bay of the Taihu Lake during summer in 2004. The results showed that the concentrations of dissolved (FeO-DP), particulate (FeO-PP) and total bioavailable phosphorus (FeO-P) had similar horizontal distribution. The BAP concentrations were the highest in those estuaries in the northern bay. With the decrease of the distance to the estuary or long shore, there was little difference between BAP concentrations in an open lake area. During the observation period, algal blooms occurred in most waters of the northern bay, which was reflected from the high concentrations of chlorophyll a (Chl-a). While they were not highest in the estuarine waters of those major rivers, this is the case for the BAP concentrations. The concentrations of Chl-a had a significantly positive correlation with those of bioavailable phosphorus in the open area of the Meiliang Bay. With the sediment resuspension induced by wind and wave, BAP concentrations increased in a short-term, indicating that the riverine P inputs mainly contribute to the concentrations of BAP in the estuarine water while internal P release was the major source of BAP in the open lake area. In the eutrophic shallow lake, the blooms of alga may cause pH increase and further result in internal P release. The above results showed that the new membrane of FeO/CAM can be used to monitor the concentrations of BAP and provide the scientific justifications for the control strategy of the lake eu-trophication.     

Valorization of harbor dredged sediment activated with blast furnace slag in road layers

The valorization solutions for dredged sediment have been the subject of a great number of investigations over the previous decades.In the current present study,treatment of polluted dredged sediment fom the commercial port of Sfax,Tunisia,is proposed.An industrial byproduct(blast furnace slag)was used to bind raw sediment for a reuse in road engineering.Following standards of this field,the raw sediment first was identified and classified according to the French technical guidance.Then an environmental assessment was applied due to the presence of heavy metals.The concentrations were measured on the raw sediment particles so as to control the binding effect on heavy metals.Sediment mixtures consisted of a mix of sand and a blast furnace slag activated with quicklime.Different mixtures were tested and some were proposed for sub-layer applications.The Sfax commercial port raw sediment is considered as a sandy loam with a very low fraction of clay.The measured concentrations of heavy metals exceed the recommended thresholds for cadmium,copper,lead,and zinc.These can induce hazardous effects in the case of their dumping into the sea.On the other hand,the concentrations of the detected elements after leaching tests run on raw sediment samples are very low compared to the thresholds;such results highlight a possible recycling of the raw sediment in subgrade layers without any negative impact.Suitable formulations were deduced for road engineering tests relying on the ratio the California Bearing Ratio index and the immediate bearing index.If the obtained ratio exceeds one,the treated sediment can be recycled and used in road layers.     

Depth profiles of lithogenic and anthropogenic mercury in the sediments from Thane Creek,Mumbai, India

Mercury（Hg） is well known as one of the most toxic elements to man.The coastal environments adjacent to industrial areas are reported to often be contaminated with mercury.Mercury becomes more toxic in the form of methylmercury（Me-Hg） which is converted from inorganic mercury in aqueous systems by microbial activity and can bio-magnify through the food chain.A simple method for the determination of total mercury and methylmercury in sediments was optimized by slightly modifying an old method using the direct mercury analyzer technique.Core sediment samples from Thane Creek,Mumbai,India were collected and analysed for total mercury and methylmercury.The Hg concentration in the creek varied between 0.54 to 16.03 μg g~（-1） while Me-Hg concentrations ranged between0.04 to 1.07 μg g~（-1）.In surface sediment,mercury concentrations ranged from 4.33 μg g~（-1） to 12.16μg g~（-1）.Total organic carbon content was found to be around 2 percent in different layers of the sediments.The enrichment factors,which indicate the extent of pollution in sediments,were estimated to range from 26 to 50 at different locations in the creek.Lithogenic and anthropogenic concentrations of mercury in the creek were also determined to compare the impact of anthropogenic and natural sources.Anthropogenic inventories were about 5-70 times more in concentration than the lithogenic in the different core sediments.     

Spatial distribution,source apportionment,and associated risks of trace metals (As,Pb, Cr,Cd, and Hg) from a subtropical river,Gomti, Bangladesh

Sediment samples from the Gomti River basin were investigated to determine and evaluate trace metal concentrations,their biological effect,and potential ecological and human health risks for adults and children.The mean concentrations of trace metals were organized in the descending order of mercury(Hg)(0.08 mg/kg)>chromium(Cr)(0.06 mg/kg)>lead(Pb)(0.05 mg/kg)>arsenic(As)(0.02 mg/kg)>cadmium(Cd)(0.01 mg/kg).The current study illustrated that metals were attributed to the area from natural sources and different anthropogenic sources especially from industries.However,the concentration levels were lower than the sediment quality guidelines(SQGs)based on the effect-range classifications of threshold effect concentration(TEC)and probable effect concentration(PEC).Therefore,the concentration of the elements showed no adverse biological effects on aquatic organisms.The evaluated potential ecological risk index also revealed the low toxicity to the aquatic environment.Moreover,the applied sediment quality indices,geo-accumulation index(Igeo),contamination factor(CF),and contamination severity index(CSI)suggested that the contamination levels of the elements were in the acceptable range,and the contamination had not notably impacted on the sediment quality.The risk index(HI)concerning age groups was significantly less than the threshold limit of 1 indicating that the contamination had no non-carcinogenic risk effect.The total carcinogenic risk(TCR)was less than a risk value of 1×10⁴.Hence,the current study suggests that immediate remediation is not required due to an absence of alarming conditions in the study area.Proper monitoring of the attribution of the metal elements should be done for the betterment of human and environmental health。     

Effect of self-weight consolidation on a hydro-sedimentological model for the Río de la Plata estuary

The effect of the consolidation process on the morphodynamics and fine sediment dynamics of the Río de la Plata estuary is explored through a circulation-wave-sediment transport model. The consolidation model is calibrated based on settling column experimental data. Different simulations are done in order to initialize the mud layer distribution and to investigate the impact of different erosion parameter assumptions on the modeled sediment dynamics. Finally a two-year simulation is done with and without the consolidation process and realistic hydrodynamic forcings. Considering the consolidation process, the model correctly reproduces measured vertical density profiles in the Montevideo Bay access channel. The simulated suspended sediment dynamics behavior in Montevideo Bay with the consolidation process provides a more realistic deposition pattern in regard to the dredging activities.     

Distribution and ecological risk assessment of some heavy metals in coastal surface sediments along the Red Sea,Egypt

The ecological risk assessment for Al,Zn,Cu,Ni,V,Pb,Cd,and Hg in surface sediment collected from the Egyptian Red Sea coast was evaluated using the Geo-accumulation Index(I_(geo)).Sediment Enrichment Factor(SEF) and Potential Ecological Risk Index(PERI) methods.The predominant heavy metal,aluminum,showed high concentrations along both of Aqaba Gulf(4378.8 ± 2554.1 μg/g) and southern part of the Red Sea(2972.8 + 1527.5 μg/g).while it recorded the lowest concentration in Suez Gulf(829.7 ± 398.2 μg/g).The determined heavy metal concentrations had the order of Al Zn -Ni V Pb Cu Cd Hg.The statistical analyses showed some correlations among the heavy metals contents.Several international sediment quality guidelines were used to estimate the quality of the collected sediments.Interestingly,the recorded average heavy metals concentrations were lower than those of the permissible contents for sediment quality guidelines.The Geo-accumulation index calculations(I_(geo)) proved that the investigated region could be classified as an unpolluted area.Sediment Enrichment Factor(K_(SEF)) study showed high values in Suez Gulf region.The single pollution index analysis of heavy metals in the sediments(C~i_f) indicated that Al,Zn,V,and Pb were of natural origin,while Ni,Cd and Hg were seriously affected by human activities.Interestingly,amongst,all the determined heavy metals,Cd and Hg gave moderate ecological risk indicators.     

Simulated multi-scale watershed runoff and sediment production based on GeoWEPP model

The runoff and sediment yield data from the Qiaozidonggou, Qiaozixigou, and Lu＇ergou watersheds, in the Loess Plateau of China are used to calibrate and validate the runoff and sediment yield simulated by GeoWEPP model of the WEPP Model at watershed scale. The indices of relative error, R, correlation coefficient, Re, and Nash-Suttcliffe efficiency coefficient Ens are used to evaluate the model fit. The eco-hydrological responses in the Luoyugou and Lu＇ergou watersheds are also forecast based on the WEPP Model. Meanwhile, the relation between vegetation pattern changes and sediment yield in the watershed is discussed, and the responses of runoff and sediment yield in the watersheds concerning forest growth stages are studied. The results show that the relative errors of simulated values of runoff and sediment yield are below 30%, the correlation coefficients axe above 0.90, and the Nash-Suttcliffe efficiency coefficients axe above 0.80. The simulation results present satisfactory performance, thus, the model could be used to simulate the runoff and sediment yield in these small watersheds. It is also observed that soil erosion tended to become severe as precipitation increased in the watershed, while soil erosion has a decreasing trend as forest cover increases and vegetation pattern is optimized. When the watershed is fully covered by forest, erosion and sediment yield are minimized. When the forest cover is about 30% and evenly distributed in the watershed, the erosion intensity is lower than if the forest cover is collectively distributed in the watershed. Erosion varies with different forest growth stages in the watershed; it is more serious at the young and near planting stage and is the smallest at the mature forest stage.     

：~orous-grain-upper-boundary model and its application to Tarim Basin carbonates

Most of the carbonates in the Tarim Basin in northwest China are low-porosity and low-permeability rocks. Owing to the complexity of porosity in carbonates, conventional rock- physics models do not describe the relation between velocity and porosity for the Tarim Basin carbonates well. We propose the porous-grain-upper-boundary （PGU） model for estimating the relation between velocity and porosity for low-porosity carbonates. In this model, the carbonate sediments are treated as packed media of porous elastic grains, and the carbonate pores are divided into isolated and connected pores The PGU model is modified from the porous-grain-stiff-sand （PGST） model by replacing the critical porosity with the more practical isolated porosity. In the implementation, the effective elastic constants of the porous grains are calculated by using the differential effective medium （DEM） model. Then, the elastic constants of connected porous grains in dry rocks are calculated by using the modified upper Hashin-Shtrikman bound. The application to the Tarim carbonates shows that relative to other conventional effective medium models the PGU model matches the well log data well.     

据地壳速度结构推测1668年山东郯城8?级大地震震中

The deep structure features around Tancheng M8 /2 earthquake occurred in 1668 have been analyzed. Based on the crustal velocity structure obtained from travel-time tomographic inversion, especially the low velocity zones in middle crust and Moho depths, the deep velocity structure distribution in the area of 34° ~ 36°N, 118° ~ 119°E is scanned along the latitude, longitude and oblique directions, and the corresponding crustal velocity profiles are obtained. By comparison, we take the area with velocity features coincident to the deep structure of the 1668 Tancheng M8/2 earthquake as the deduced epicenter, which is at 34. 8° ~35. 2°N, 118. 2° ~ 118. 7°E, and the reasonable location is 35. isN, 118. 6°E, and the focal depth is 20km.     

福建仙游地震序列的震源机制解

1,209 earthquakes occurred in Xianyou, Fujian from August 4, 2010 to October 4, 2013. The largest earthquake was ML5.0 on September 4, 2013. In order to study the Xianyou earthquake sequence and understand the causative structure and stress field of Xianyou, the focal mechanism solutions of six earthquakes （ ML 〉 3. 5 ） in the Xianyou earthquake sequence are calculated using the broadband digital data of the Fujian Seismic Network with the seismic moment tensor inverse method. The results show that the focal faults of the six earthquakes are similar, which are all strike-slip faults striking to the northwest with high dip angles. The direction of the principal compressive stress axes is near SN, which is different from the stress field of Fujian region. The Xianyou earthquake sequence may have been induced by the stress adjustment after the impoundment of Jinzhong reservoir.     

新疆全区和分区地壳速度模型的分析

In this paper, we firstly analyze the ＂3,400 travel time table＂ used for a long time in Xinjiang Seismological Network to obtain the velocity structure models in accord with the table by fitting. Then we fit the velocity of all seismic phases recorded in Xinjiang region in January 2009 ~ December 2013. Simulation analysis is done on the reliability and stability of the velocities, and a concept is proposed for building subarea crustal velocity models according to partitioning of seismic cluster regions. The crustal velocity model suitable for the Yutian area is fitted with the data of all phases of seismic events within a radius of 1 ° around the 2014 Yutian Ms7. 3 earthquake since January 2009, and the model is applied to the relocation of the Yutian Ms7. 3 earthquake and determination of focal depths of the earthquake sequence.     

Earthquake magnitude estimation using the τc and Pd method for earthquake early warning systems

Earthquake early warning （EEW） systems are one of the most effective ways to reduce earthquake disaster. Earthquake magnitude estimation is one of the most important and also the most difficult parts of the entire EEW system. In this paper, based on 142 earthquake events and 253 seismic records that were recorded by the KiK-net in Japan, and aftershocks of the large Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan, we obtained earthquake magnitude estimation relationships using the τe and Pa methods. The standard variances of magnitude calculation of these two formulas are ±0.65 and ±0.56, respectively. The Pd value can also be used to estimate the peak ground motion of velocity, then warning information can be released to the public rapidly, according to the estimation results. In order to insure the stability and reliability of magnitude estimation results, we propose a compatibility test according to the natures of these two parameters. The reliability of the early warning information is significantly improved though this test.     

From an initial transient-state to a steady-state in metamorphic reactions: An experimental approach in the system dolomite-quartz-H2O

Abstract We carried out hydrothermal experiments in the system dolomite‐quartz‐H₂O to track the temporal change in reaction rates of simultaneous reactions during the development of reaction zones. Two types of configurations for the starting materials were prepared: dolomite single crystals + quartz powder + water and quartz single crystals + dolomite powder + water, both sealed separately in gold capsules. Runs at 0.1GPa and 600°C with cold seal pressure vessels gave the following results. (i) In short duration (45–71 h) runs metastable layer sequences involving wollastonite and talc occur in the reaction zone, whereas they disappear in longer duration (168–336 h) runs. (ii) The layer sequence of the reaction zones in short duration runs differs from place to place on the dolomite crystal even in the same run. (iii) The diversity of layer sequences in the short duration runs merges into a unique layer sequence in the longer duration runs. (iv) The reaction zone develops locally on the dolomite crystal, but no reaction zone was observed on the quartz crystal in any of the runs. The lines of evidence (i)–(iii) show that the system evolves from an initial transient‐ to a steady‐state and that the kinetic effect is important in the development of reaction zones. A steady diffusion model for the unique layer sequence Qtz/Di/Fo + Cal/Dol + Cal/Dol shows that the Dol + Cal layer cannot be formed by diffusion‐controlled process and that the stability of the layer sequence Qtz/Di/Fo + Cal/Dol depends not only on L‐ratios (a = /L_CaOCaO and b = /L_MgOMgO) but also on the relative rate P = (−2ξ₁ − ξ₂)/(–ξ₁ − 2ξ₂) of competing reactions: Dol + 2Qtz = Di + 2CO₂ (ξ₁) and 2Dol + Qtz = Fo + 2Cal + 2CO₂ (ξ₂). For smaller P the stability field will shift to higher values of a and b. The steady diffusion model also shows that the apparent‐non‐reactivity on the quartz surface can be attributed to void formation in a large volume fraction in the diopside layer.     

A spatial analysis of structural controls on Karst groundwater geochemistry at a regional scale

The coupled spatial investigation of the geometrical and geochemical properties of a chalk karstic aquifer provides information on the degree to which geologic structure controls aquifer functioning and groundwater quality. Major ion concentrations in the chalk aquifer of the Haute-Normandie region (France) were measured at a high spatial resolution (more than 100 sampling sites over a 6000 km² area) and mapped. The first observation is a continuity of the geochemical properties, in spite of the karstic properties of the aquifer principal components analysis of geochemical maps revealed two types of spatial distributions: ions with an autochthonous origin (Ca²⁺, HCO₃), and ions with a principally allochthonous origin (Cl⁻, Na⁺, , ). Mg²⁺ was categorised as both autochthonous (chalk dissolution) and allochthonous (brought in by infiltration of Tertiary deposits). To better understand the spatial distribution of the geochemistry, the aquifer geochemistry was compared to the physical properties of the aquifer, in particular aquifer thickness (representing aquifer geometry) and piezometric level (representing aquifer flow). Use of spatial correlation between the geochemical and the geometrical properties provided insight regarding the directional structure of the data and give evidence of directional relations between geochemical and geometrical properties. The degree of mineralisation (principally composed of Ca²⁺ and ions) increased along the direction of flow, corresponding to an increase in chalk dissolution rate along the flowpath. The steepest mineralisation gradients were related to an increase in the Mg/Ca ratio, evidence of longer residence times and corresponding to zones where aquifer flow capacity is limited because of a decrease of the thickness of the flow section (anticlines or faults). These results highlight the dominant role played by the geometry and the structural context in controlling aquifer geochemistry.     

On the use of microtremor recordings in seismic microzonation

Experimental methods involving microtremor recordings are useful for determining site effects in regions of moderate seismic activity where ground motion records are few, and in urban or industrial contexts where the noise level is high. The aim of this study is to establish a microzonation by using the Nogoshi–Nakamura method,[1, 2] a simple experimental technique based on microtremor recordings. Since the physical phenomena underlying the method are only partially understood, the spectral responses obtained cannot be used alone. We, therefore, complete our experimental results by comparing them with the solutions of a one-dimensional numerical simulation (SHAKE91).[3, 4] The experimental programme was carried out on a plain near the Rhone Delta (South of France). H/V spectral ratios were calculated at 137 noise measurement points. In addition, we were able to compute the numerical transfer functions from soil columns defined by geotechnical characteristics inside the studied region. A comparison of the results obtained by the experimental and numerical methods showed that the fundamental frequencies are in good agreement, but that the amplitudes obtained by the two techniques are sometimes different. The analysis of H/V spectral ratios enabled us to establish maps to characterize the region: a resonance frequency map and maps of amplification levels as a function of frequency range, leading to a seismic microzonation for the whole of the region.     

Strong ground motion simulation for the 2013 Lushan M_W6.6 earthquake,Sichuan, China,based on the inverted and synthetic slip models

It is well known that quantitative estimation of slip distributions on fault plane is one of the most important issues for earthquake source inversion related to the fault rupture process. The characteristics of slip distribution on the main fault play a fundamental role to control strong ground motion pattern. A large amount of works have also suggested that variable slip models inverted from longer period ground motion recordings are relevant for the prediction of higher frequency ground motions. Zhang et al. （Chin J Geophys 56：1412-1417, 2013） and Wang et al. （Chin J Geophys 56：1408-1411,2013） published their source inversions for the fault rupturing process soon after the April 20, 2013 Lushan earthquake in Sichuan, China. In this study, first, we synthesize two forward source slip models： the value of maximum slip, fault dimension, size, and dimension of major asperities, and comer wave number obtained from Wang＇s model is adopted to constrain the gen- eration of k-2 model and crack model. Next, both inverted and synthetic slip models are employed to simulate the ground motions for the Lushan earthquake based on the stochastic finite-fault method. In addition, for a comparison purpose, a stochastic slip model and another k-2 model （k 2 model II） with 2 times value of comer wave number of the original k-2 model （k 2 model I） are also employed for simulation for Lushan event. The simulated results characterized by Modified Mer- calli Intensity （MMI） show that the source slip models based on the inverted and synthetic slip distributions could capture many basic features associated with the ground motion patterns. Moreover, the simulated MMI distributions reflect the rupture directivity effect and the influence of the shallow velocity structure well. On the other hand, the simulated MMI bystochastic slip model and k 2 model II is apparently higher than observed intensity. By contrast, our simulation results show that the higher frequency ground motion is sensitive to the degree of sli