Long-Term Water Level Variations in the Eastern Sea of Azov and in the Mouth Reach of the Don River

Studies of long-term water level variations at marine hydrometeorological stations in the eastern Sea of Azov established a rise in the sea level which accelerated in the past 40 years. Allowance for the tectonic component permitted assessing the average rate of eustatic rise in the level. Oppositely directed long-term level variations were established in the mouth area of the Don River. Water level was found to rise at the downstream gages because of the backwater effect caused by the Sea of Azov level rise and delta deposits subsidence and to drop at the upstream gages mainly because of bed erosion owing to a reduction in sediment runoff after the construction of the Tsimlyanskoe Reservoir.     

Natural and Human-Induced Variations in Water and Sediment Runoff in the Danube River Mouth

Long-term natural and human-induced variations in water and sediment runoff in the Danube Delta head were studied on the basis of analysis of an extremely long series of observations (1840–2002). A considerable reduction of sediment runoff in the second half of the 20th century related to sediment accumulation in reservoirs was revealed. It was found that human activities had an insignificant impact on the water runoff variations and the period of 1961–2002 turned out to be abnormally water-abundant.     

Pollution Degree of the Don River Water

Water Resources - The formation and distribution of river flow characteristics in the Don basin have been catholically analyzed, depending on the present-day climatic conditions in the central...     

Space and Time Variations of the Concentrations of Dissolved Forms of Microelements in Amur River Water

Water Resources - The results of studies of water bodies in the Amur R. basin in 2011–2017 have been used to characterize the space and time variations of the concentrations of dissolved...     

Simulating Salinity Variations in the Gulf of Taganrog at Storm Surges

Water Resources - Observation data on salinity variations in the Gulf of Taganrog during storm surges are analyzed; a mathematical model of the transport of salt water masses is described in...     

Natural and Anthropogenic Variations of the Concentrations of Iron,Copper, and Zinc in Water Streams of the Republic of Bashkortostan

The natural and anthropogenic sources of iron, copper, and zinc in water streams in the Republic of Bashkortostan are considered. Statistical analysis of long-term hydrochemical monitoring data was used to establish the spatial year-to-year and annual regularities in metal concentrations in water streams. The acceptability of river water quality for different types of water use was estimated. The exceedance probabilities of metal MAC values in streams were evaluated.     

Variations of Trends in Delta Development under the Effect of External Natural and Anthropogenic Factors: Case Study of the Modern Huang He Mouth

The paper considers the major geographic features of the modern Huang He delta, which ranks among the most rapidly varying in the world. The structure of the hydrographic network and the combination of the natural and anthropogenic geosystems of the delta are characterized. The major external riverine and marine, as well as local anthropogenic factors that have affected the development of the Huang He delta in the recent half century are identified. The regularities of the jump-like development of the Huang He delta in the XIX–early XXI centuries are considered. Special attention is paid to the development of the delta after the artificial redistribution of flow in its boundaries in 1996. Satellite images and methods of their interpretation improved by the authors were used. The trends in Huang He delta development are shown to have changed since the last quarter of the XX century under the effect of an abrupt decrease in river sediment load and the growing impact of marine factors. The active progradation of the delta into the sea slowed down significantly, accompanied by erosion and retreat in many segments of its coastline. Huang He delta was used to establish the conditions of changes in the development trends of other deltas under the effect of changes in the climate and economic activity.     

Environmental Factors Associated With Natural Methane Occurrence in the Appalachian Basin

The recent boom in shale gas development in the Marcellus Shale has increased interest in the methods to distinguish between naturally occurring methane in groundwater and stray methane associated with drilling and production operations. This study evaluates the relationship between natural methane occurrence and three principal environmental factors (groundwater redox state, water type, and topography) using two pre‐drill datasets of 132 samples from western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia and 1417 samples from northeastern Pennsylvania. Higher natural methane concentrations in residential wells are strongly associated with reducing conditions characterized by low nitrate and low sulfate ([NO₃^?] < 0.5 mg/L; [SO₄^2?] < 2.5 mg/L). However, no significant relationship exists between methane and iron [Fe(II)], which is traditionally considered an indicator of conditions that have progressed through iron reduction. As shown in previous studies, water type is significantly correlated with natural methane concentrations, where sodium (Na) ‐rich waters exhibit significantly higher (p<0.001) natural methane concentrations than calcium (Ca)‐rich waters. For water wells exhibiting Na‐rich waters and/or low nitrate and low sulfate conditions, valley locations are associated with higher methane concentrations than upland topography. Consequently, we identify three factors (“Low NO₃^? & SO₄^2?” redox condition, Na‐rich water type, and valley location), which, in combination, offer strong predictive power regarding the natural occurrence of high methane concentrations. Samples exhibiting these three factors have a median methane concentration of 10,000 µg/L. These heuristic relationships may facilitate the design of pre‐drill monitoring programs and the subsequent evaluation of post‐drill monitoring results to help distinguish between naturally occurring methane and methane originating from anthropogenic sources or migration pathways.     

Wind-induced Variations in Water Level in River Mouths

The principal factors that control the character of deformation variations in water level in mouth areas of rivers are considered. The role of wind regime and the sea level variations in the formation of positive and negative setups is assessed. River mouth zones are classified in terms of the predominance of positive or negative variations in water level. Specific features of the positive or negative setup regimes in the mouth zones of the Neva, Don, and Volga rivers are discussed.     

Methane Oxidation in the Water Column of Xiangxi Bay,Three Gorges Reservoir

Four field campaigns are carried out to quantify the methane (CH₄) oxidation rate in Xiangxi Bay (XXB) of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), China. The water depth of the sampling site varied from 13 to 30 m resulting from the water level fluctuation of the TGR. The CH₄ oxidation rates are measured in situ as the decline of dissolved CH₄ concentration versus time in incubated, and those rates. The CH₄ oxidation rates range from 1.18 × 10^?3 to 3.69 × 10^?3 µmol L^?1 h^?1, with higher values and stronger variation during summer. A static floating chamber method is used to measure CH₄ emitted to the atmosphere resulting in an annual mean flux of 4.79 µmol m^?2 h^?1. The CH₄ emission rate is significantly negatively correlated with the water level. The results show that a large fraction of CH₄ is consumed in the water column with a range of 28.97–55.90 µmol m^?2 h^?1, accounting for ≈69–98% of the total CH₄ input into the water column, and more than 90% is consumed outside the summer, when the water level is lowest. Water depth, which is dominated by water level of the TGR, is a potentially important driver for CH₄ oxidation and atmospheric emission in the tributary bay.     

Effect of Different Sampling Methodologies on Measured Methane Concentrations in Groundwater Samples

Analysis of dissolved light hydrocarbon gas concentrations (primarily methane and ethane) in water supply wells is commonly used to establish conditions before and after drilling in areas of shale gas and oil extraction. Several methods are currently used to collect samples for dissolved gas analysis from water supply wells; however, the reliability of results obtained from these methods has not been quantified. This study compares dissolved methane and ethane concentrations measured in groundwater samples collected using three sampling methods employed in pre‐ and post‐drill sampling programs in the Appalachian Basin. These include an open‐system collection method where 40 mL volatile organic analysis (VOA) vials are filled directly while in contact with the atmosphere (Direct‐Fill VOA) and two alternative methods: (1) a semi‐closed system method whereby 40 mL VOA vials are filled while inverted under a head of water (Inverted VOA) and (2) a relatively new (2013) closed system method in which the sample is collected without direct contact with purge water or the atmosphere (IsoFlask^®). This study reveals that, in the absence of effervescence, the difference in methane concentrations between the three sampling methods was relatively small. However, when methane concentrations equaled or exceeded 20 mg/L (the approximate concentration at which effervescence occurs in the study area), IsoFlask^® (closed system) samples yielded significantly higher methane concentrations than Direct‐Fill VOA (open system) samples, and Inverted VOA (semi‐closed system) samples yielded lower concentrations. These results suggest that open and semi‐closed system sample collection methods are adequate for non‐effervescing samples. However, the use of a closed system collection method provides the most accurate means for the measurement of dissolved hydrocarbon gases under all conditions.     

Effect of Natural and Anthropogenic Factors on Soils,Soil Water,and Subsoil Water in Kola Peninsula

The concentrations of mobile compounds of S, Cu, and Ni are determined in podzol soils in the Murmansk region taken at different distances from Severonikel Copper–Nickel Plant and their variations are analyzed. The concentrations are found to have an effect on the distribution of these elements in lysimetric and subsoil waters.     

Biotesting in the Assessment of Environmental and Toxicological State of Water Bodies in Lower Don River Basin

The toxicity of river water in the Lower Don basin was studied using biotesting with different biological objects. Water taken from most examined reaches of the Don and its tributaries was shown to exert toxic effect on crustaceans, algae, protozoa, and Rotifera.     

Seasonal and Long-Term Variations in the Concentrations and Discharges of Biogenic Substances in the Razdolnaya River (Primorskii Krai)

Seasonal and long-term variations in the concentrations and discharge of dissolved nitrogen compounds and other biogenic substances by the Razdol'naya River runoff in the last 20 years are considered. The Razdol'naya River is one of the major rivers in the region, and its basin is subject to intense economic development. The natural and anthropogenic factors that affect variations in the concentrations of biogenic substances are characterized. The seasonal variations in the discharge of biogenic substances is shown to be controlled mostly by variations in water discharge.     

Measuring Concentrations of Dissolved Methane and Ethane and the 13C of Methane in Shale and Till

Baseline characterization of concentrations and isotopic values of dissolved natural gases is needed to identify contamination caused by the leakage of fugitive gases from oil and gas activities. Methods to collect and analyze baseline concentration‐depth profiles of dissolved CH₄ and C₂H₆ and δ¹³C‐CH₄ in shales and Quaternary clayey tills were assessed at two sites in the Williston Basin, Canada. Core and cuttings samples were stored in Isojars^® in a low O₂ headspace prior to analysis. Measurements and multiphase diffusion modeling show that the gas concentrations in core samples yield well‐defined and reproducible depth profiles after 31‐d equilibration. No measurable oxidative loss or production during core sample storage was observed. Concentrations from cuttings and mud gas logging (including IsoTubes^®) were much lower than from cores, but correlated well. Simulations suggest the lower concentrations from cuttings can be attributed to drilling time, and therefore their use to define gas concentration profiles may have inherent limitations. Calculations based on mud gas logging show the method can provide estimates of core concentrations if operational parameters for the mud gas capture cylinder are quantified. The δ¹³C‐CH₄ measured from mud gas, IsoTubes^®, cuttings, and core samples are consistent, exhibiting slight variations that should not alter the implications of the results in identifying the sources of the gases. This study shows core and mud gas techniques and, to a lesser extent, cuttings, can generate high‐resolution depth profiles of dissolved hydrocarbon gas concentrations and their isotopes.     

The Effect of a Thermal Power Station on the Concentrations of Metals and Silicon in the Water of a Small Siberian River

Studying of the distribution of elements in the Beresh River water showed the concentrations of elements to decrease according to the series Ca > Na > Mg > Si > K > Sr > Fe > Al and the river water self-purification capacity for these elements to be inadequate. Concentrations of elements dramatically increase in the river reach near the Thermal Power Station (GRES) and next increase even greater in the lower reach of the river before its emptying into the Uryup River. It is shown that the seasonal variations, typical of the river upper and middle reaches and determining the high level of anthropogenic impact of the fuel and energy complex facilities onto the river, even out in the lower reaches of the river. Specific features of seasonal and spatial variations in the element concentrations for the 8 years of observations are discussed.     

Natural and Enhanced Concentrations of Trace Metals in Sediments of Cleveland Bay, Great Barrier Reef Lagoon, Australia

Natural variation in concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in sediments of Cleveland Bay can be modelled by linear regression by using the concentration of Al recovered by strong acid digestion as an independent variable. Samples that exceed the upper 95% prediction interval of regression models are classified as enhanced. Enhancement of trace metals occurs in the intertidal zone and near-shore sediments of western Cleveland Bay, in sites that are characterized by high accumulation rates of fine grained terrigenous sediment. There is a strong positive relationship between increasing enhancement of Cu and Pb and the recovery of these metals by weak HCl digestion, which suggests that for these metals the modelled enhancement is environmentally meaningful. In contrast, at least 60%, and generally greater than 80% of Cd is recovered by weak HCl digestion irrespective of modelled enhancement, and suggests that the statistically modelled enhancement of Cd may be more meaningful than weak HCl soluble concentrations.     

Seasonal Variations of Water Quality in the Vostok Bay,Peter the Great Gulf,the Sea of Japan

Water Resources - Studies of 2015 were used to characterize water in Vostok Bay (Peter the Great Gulf, the Sea of Japan) in terms of phosphate concentration, biochemical oxygen demand, and pH. The...