Vertical distribution and water solubility of phosphorus and heavy metals in sediments of the St. Lucie Estuary, South Florida, USA

Accumulation and distribution of heavy metals and phosphorus in sediments impact water quality. There has been an increasing concern regarding fish health in the St. Lucie Estuary, which is related to increased inputs of nutrients and metals in recent decades. To investigate vertical changes of contaminants (P, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Mn) in sediments of the St. Lucie Estuary in South Florida, 117 layer samples from six of the 210 to 420 cm depth cores were analyzed for their total and water-soluble P and heavy metals, clay, total Fe, Al, K, Ca, Mg, Na, and pH. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used in two sets of analytical data (total and water-soluble contaminant concentrations) to document changes of contaminants in each core of sediments. The PCA of total contaminants and minerals resulted in two factors (principal components). The first and second factors accounted for 61.7 and 17.2 % of the total variation in all variables, and contrast indicators associated with contaminants of P, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Mn and accumulation of Fe and Al oxides, respectively. The first factor could be used for overall assessment of P and heavy metal contamination, and was higher in the upper 45–90 cm than the lower depths of each core. The concentrations of P and heavy metals in the surface layers of sediments significantly increased, as compared with those in the sediments deeper than 45–90 cm. The PCA of water-soluble contaminants developed two factors. The second factor (Cu–P) was higher in the upper than the lower depths of the sediment, whereas the highest score of the first factor (Cd–Co–Cr–Ni–Pb–Zn–Mn) occurred below 100 cm. The water-soluble Cu and P concentrations were mainly dependent on their total concentrations in the sediments, whereas the water-soluble Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Mn concentrations were mainly controlled by pH.     

Climatic Influences on Autochthonous and Allochthonous Phytoplankton Blooms in a Subtropical Estuary, St. Lucie Estuary, Florida, USA

The St. Lucie Estuary, located on the southeast coast of Florida, provides an example of a subtropical ecosystem where seasonal changes in temperature are modest, but summer storms alter rainfall regimes and external inputs to the estuary from the watershed and Atlantic Ocean. The focus of this study was the response of the phytoplankton community to spatial and temporal shifts in salinity, nutrient concentration, watershed discharges, and water residence times, within the context of temporal patterns in rainfall. From a temporal perspective, both drought and flood conditions negatively impacted phytoplankton biomass potential. Prolonged drought periods were associated with reduced nutrient loads and phytoplankton inputs from the watershed and increased influence of water exchange with the Atlantic Ocean, all of which restrict biomass potential. Conversely, under flood conditions, nutrient loads were elevated, but high freshwater flushing rates in the estuary diminished water residence times and increase salinity variation, thereby restricting the buildup of phytoplankton biomass. An exception to the latter pattern was a large incursion of a cyanobacteria bloom from Lake Okeechobee via the St. Lucie Canal observed in the summer of 2005. From a spatial perspective, regional differences in water residence times, sources of watershed inputs, and the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean influenced the composition and biomass of the phytoplankton community. Long water residence times in the North Fork region of the St. Lucie Estuary provided an environment conducive to the development of blooms of autochthonous origin. Conversely, shorter residence times in the mid-estuary limit autochthonous increases in biomass, but allochthonous sources of biomass can result in bloom concentrations of phytoplankton.     

Vertical migration of municipal wastewater in deep injection well systems,South Florida,USA

Deep well injection is widely used in South Florida, USA for wastewater disposal largely because of the presence of an injection zone (“boulder zone” of Floridan Aquifer System) that is capable of accepting very large quantities of fluids, in some wells over 75,000 m³/day. The greatest potential risk to public health associated with deep injection wells in South Florida is vertical migration of wastewater, containing pathogenic microorganisms and pollutants, into brackish-water aquifer zones that are being used for alternative water-supply projects such as aquifer storage and recovery. Upwards migration of municipal wastewater has occurred in a minority of South Florida injection systems. The results of solute-transport modeling using the SEAWAT program indicate that the measured vertical hydraulic conductivities of the rock matrix would allow for only minimal vertical migration. Fracturing at some sites increased the equivalent average vertical hydraulic conductivity of confining zone strata by approximately four orders of magnitude and allowed for vertical migration rates of up 80 m/year. Even where vertical migration was rapid, the documented transit times are likely long enough for the inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms.     

Assessing selected natural and anthropogenic impacts on freshwater lens morphology on small barrier Islands: Dog Island and St. George Island, Florida, USA

Abstract The freshwater lens morphologies of the barrier islands Dog Island and St. George Island on the panhandle coast of Florida (FL), USA, are controlled to varying degrees by both natural and anthropogenic factors. Variable-density groundwater flow models confirm that spatial variability of recharge values can account for the observed lens asymmetry on these islands. The depth to the base of the lens does not vary significantly seasonally. Human development has altered recharge patterns in some areas, locally thinning the freshwater lens. Aqueduct water supply to St. George Island represents 7–25% of natural recharge; higher recharge rates are required to simulate the lens on St. George Island than on Dog Island. On both islands, coastal erosion rates are sufficiently rapid that the freshwater lens may not be in equilibrium with current boundary conditions.

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Resumen Las morfologías de los lentes de agua dulce en las islas de barrera: Islas Dog y St. George, en la costa alargada y estrecha de Florida, EUA, están controladas en diferentes grados por factores antropogénicos y naturales. Los modelos de flujo con densidad variable del agua subterránea, confirman que la variabilidad espacial de los valores de recarga, pueden ser la causa de la asimetría observada en los lentes de estas islas. La profundidad hasta la base de los lentes no varía significativamente con las estaciones climáticas. El desarrollo humano ha alterado las tendencias de recarga en algunas áreas, causando adelgazamiento local de los lentes de agua dulce. El abastecimiento de agua del acueducto en la Isla St. George, representa entre 7% y 25% de la recarga natural; por otro lado se necesitan cantidades mayores de recarga para simular los lentes en la Isla St. George que en la Isla Dog. En ambas islas, las tasas de erosión costera son tan rápidas, que las lentes de agua dulce podrían no estar en equilibrio con las condiciones actuales de frontera.

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Résumé La morphologie des lentilles deau douce des îles de Dog et de St. George, situés dans le district côtier de Florida-Etats Unis est contrôlé dans une mesure variable par des facteurs naturelles et humaines. Les modèles découlement à densité variable des eaux souterraines confirment que la variation spatiale de la recharge peut expliquer les asymétries observées des lentilles des cettes îles. La profondeur des lentilles ne présente pas des variations saisonnières importantes. Les activités humaines ont modifié la recharge dans certaines zones en amincissant localement les lentilles deau douce. Lalimentation en eaux de lîle de St. George représente 7–25% de la recharge naturelle; pour simuler les lentilles de lîle de Dog il a été nécessaire dintroduire des valeurs plus élevées de la recharge par rapport aux ceux utilisés pour lîle de St. George. Pour les deux îles lérosion côtière est assez rapide ainsi que les lentilles de eau douce ne sont pas en équilibre avec les conditions à la frontière.

     

Distribution and migration of lead in soil of Xiao River,Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province

The Xiao River sewage irrigation area in Luancheng where wastewater from Shijiazhuang flows through was taken as the research area. Five groundwater monitoring wells were set perpendicular to Xiao River, the research reveals the migration law and distribution characteristics of poisonous metal lead, through collecting and analyzing soil samples at different depths, investigating lithologic structure and pollution. The result shows that soil type has great impact on vertical lead distribution in aeration zone, which means that lead concentrates more in clay than in sand. Lead migrates fast in silty soil and silty clay, but slow in sand. The content of lead soil adsorbed decreases with grain size increasing. The most important factor influencing the distribution of lead is the soil type.     

Concentrations and solubility of heavy metals in muck sediments from the St. Lucie Estuary,U.S.A.

To evaluate muck sediments as a potential soil amendment, total and Mehlich III-extractable concentrations of Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Co in 59 muck sediment samples from the St. Lucie Estuary were analyzed. A seven-step chemical fractionation procedure was used to assess the potential mobility of heavy metals. Except for Cd, the average total concentrations of the metals are lower than the reported average concentrations of these elements in municipal composts in the U.S.A. The concentrations were also below critical levels for the safe use of wastes and byproducts in agriculture, as established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn and Co in the sediments were predominantly associated with silicate minerals in the residual form. Most metals in the muck sediments occur predominantly in weakly mobile or nonbioavailable forms. Use of mucks in neutral pH upland soils should not pose any significant hazards or risk to the environment. However, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Co, especially Zn, Cu, and Pb, could be more readily released from the muck sediments under acidic soil conditions.     

Spatial comparisons in wetland loss,mitigation, and flood hazards among watersheds in the lower St. Johns River basin,northeastern Florida,USA

Natural Hazards - The objective of this research is to establish a model that characterizes integrated humanitarian operations management in response to flood disasters, during which an optimal...     

Managing for sustainability in an arid climate: lessons learned from 20 years of groundwater management in Arizona,USA

Substantial progress has been made within central Arizona in moving towards a more sustainable water future, particularly in transitioning the urban demand from a primarily nonrenewable groundwater-based supply to increasing dependence on the Colorado River, Salt River and effluent. Management efforts include a wide range of regulatory and voluntary programs which have had mixed success. The Department of Water Resources has learned a number of key lessons throughout the years, and this paper attempts to establish the water management context and identify those lessons for the benefit of others who may want to evaluate alternative approaches to groundwater management. Themes to be discussed include evaluating water management approaches in a public policy context, the effectiveness of alternative management approaches and the relative merits of regulatory vs. nonregulatory efforts, and the importance of high-quality data in making management decisions.

三峡水库沿岸移民区地质灾害防治研究

长江三峡水利工程是举世无双的宏伟工程，其水库的百万移民大都采取就地后靠安置。水库沿岸地质条件较复杂，滑坡、崩塌众多，地质灾害对移民的安全有重大影响。国家对三峡水库沿岸移民区的地质灾害防治给予高度重视。从20世纪50年代开始就开展了库岸稳定性和地质灾害调查，对其中的几十处重大滑坡进行过勘探，并对有重大影响的鸡扒子滑坡、链子崖危岩体、黄腊石滑坡、豆芽棚滑坡等进行了有效的工程治理。最近又拨数十亿巨款进行现阶段的大规模地质灾害防治。根据此次防治前的全面调查，全库区共有滑坡崩塌灾害点2490处。其中涉及135m蓄水水位及2期移民新址安全的，纳入本期防治规划，计581处。依据滑坡崩塌的危险性，防治难度及危害对象的可迁移程度。采取不同防治对策。已进行工程治理的198处，搬迁避让的232处，加强监测预警的151处。防治工作有重大的社会、经济效益和较高的科学技术难度，现在正在紧张进行中。文中分段论述了库区地质灾害特征及以往防治研究历史，现阶段防治研究工作要点和今后防治研究的主要课题。     

Return migration and the reiteration of gender norms in water management politics: Insights from a Chinese village

Recent work on return migration in China suggests return migrants bring with them new knowledge, skills, and potentially beneficial relationships accumulated during their sojourns, enabling them to introduce new forms of leadership and community action. Social remittances of this kind could be read as carrying the potential to enhance collective action in support of sustainable local natural resource-based livelihoods. This study of the links between return migration, leadership and collective action in water management sounds a more cautionary note, demonstrating that home communities may respond to return migrants in ways that repeatedly mark and reiterate gender and kinship norms, reiterating gender, generational and clan-based social hierarchies. The paper draws on and contributes to recent feminist political ecology approaches to show how migrant returnees’ ’social remittances’ translate into leadership in collective action in a rural Chinese village in ways that reinforce existing gender hierarchies and social positions within the community, thus questioning the extent to which any influx of new ideas, relationships and practices acquired from migrant experiences necessarily destabilizes power and authority in the village in any meaningful way.     

Modeling erosion and sediment control practices with RUSLE 2.0: a management approach for natural gas well sites in Denton County,TX, USA

Sediment yields from natural gas well sites in Denton County, TX, USA can be substantial and warrant consideration of appropriate erosion and sediment control best management practices (BMPs). Version 2 of the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE 2.0) was used to predict sediment yields and evaluate the efficiency of BMPs for multiple combinations of different land surface conditions (soil erodibility and slope) commonly found at gas well sites in the area. Annual average sediment yield predictions from unprotected site conditions ranged from 12.1 to 134.5 tonnes per hectare per year (t/ha/yr). Sediment yield predictions for 1, 2, 5, and 10-year design storms ranged from 8.1 to 20.6 t/ha. When site conditions were modeled with BMPs, predicted sediment yields were 52–93% less. A comparison of modeled efficiency values to a review of laboratory and field data suggests that modeled (theoretical) sediment yield results with BMPs are likely best case scenarios. This study also evaluated BMPs in the context of site management goals and implementation cost, demonstrating a practical approach for the application of RUSLE 2.0 for managing soil loss and understanding the importance of selecting appropriate site-specific BMPs for disturbed site conditions.     

Distribution, migration and derivation of Mesozoic-Cenozoic regional fault systems in the central continental margin of eastern China

Deep-large faults in the central continental margin of eastern China are well developed. Based on the regularity of spatial and temporal distribution of the faults, four fault systems were divided: the Yanshan orogenic belt fault system, the Qinling-Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt fault system, the Tanlu fault system and the East China Sea shelf basin-Okinawa trough fault system. The four fault systems exhibit different migration behaviors. The Yanshan orogenic belt fault system deflected from an EW to a NE direction, then to a NNE direction during the Indo-Chinese epoch-Yanshanian epoch. The thrust-nappe strength of the Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt fault system showed the tendency that the strength was greater in the south and east, but weaker in the north and west. This fault system faulted in the east and folded in the west from the Indo-Chinese epoch to the early Yanshanian epoch. At the same time, the faults also had a diachronous migration from east to west from the Indo-Chinese epoch to the early Yanshanian epoch. On the contrary, the thrust-nappe strength was greater in the north and west, weaker in the south and east during the late Yanshanian epoch-early Himalayan epoch. The Tanlu fault system caused the basin to migrate from west to east and south to north. The migration regularity of the East China Sea shelf basin-Okinawa trough fault system shows that the formation age became younger in the west. The four fault systems and their migration regularities were respectively the results of four different geodynamic backgrounds. The Yanshan orogenic belt fault system derived from the intracontinental orogeny. The Qinling-Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt fault system derived from the collision of plates and intracontinental subduction. The Tanlu fault system derived from the strike-slip movement and the East China Sea shelf basin-Okinawa trough fault system derived from plate subduction and retreat of the subduction belt. Translated from Journal of Jilin University (Earth Science Edition), 2005, 35(5): 554–563 [译自: 吉林大学学报 (地球科学版)]     

桂林灵川县典型有机水稻田重金属元素分布特征及污染评价

为了解桂林市灵川县有机水稻种植区土壤和水稻中重金属含量、分布特征及健康风险,选择典型田块采集了水稻根、茎、叶、稻穗及对应根系土样品10套,分别测定了土壤和植物样品中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn共8种重金属元素含量以及土壤pH值,计算了各元素富集系数及转运系数,总结了水稻不同部位重金属元素富集迁移规律,并根据相关标准评价了土壤重金属污染及食品健康风险。结果表明:(1)研究区产出的稻米无食用安全风险,土壤重金属含量均低于风险管制值,但10份样品中有3份的Cd含量高于风险筛选值,且全部调查田块的环境质量均不符合绿色食品产地质量要求;(2)对比水稻不同部位的元素富集系数,发现大部分元素富集系数在根部最大,籽实最小。根、茎、叶、糙米的富集系数平均值分别为1.13、0.26、0.20、0.10;(3)对比不同元素的富集系数与转运系数发现,As易于从土壤聚集到根部,Pb的活动性较弱而不易被水稻吸收,Cu、Zn相对较易在水稻中转运。综上所述,并考虑到灵川县过去长期施用石灰带来的不利影响,建议当地相关部门对Cd超标风险引起注意,在控制石灰用量的同时加强土地质量监控,必要时采取增施有机肥料、种植低累积品种的水稻等措施,以降低水稻Cd超标的风险。     

煤中铀的赋存分布及其在利用过程中的迁移特征

煤炭与铀两种资源在空间配置和成矿上有关联性,其合理开发利用及污染控制是我国国民经济和社会持续发展的重大需求。基于大量文献调研及前期研究成果,探讨了铀在煤中赋存分布及其在洗选、燃烧、淋滤过程中的迁移特征,取得一些认识：①煤中铀的富集成矿与成煤大地构造演化相关联,西南富铀煤主要与峨眉山玄武岩及断裂构造有关;西北富铀煤一般分布在拗陷和断拗陷盆地开阔地带一侧并与上覆砂岩型铀矿有关。②煤中铀主要与煤中有机质（主要是腐殖酸）结合,富铀煤中铀可以微细粒含铀矿物形式存在,并与有机硫、硫化物紧密共生,故在选煤过程中,无论重选还是浮选,其洗选脱除率均不高（最高为68.3%）,部分煤浮选时铀甚至富集到精煤中;在煤燃烧过程中,铀或多或少都会以气相形式挥发到大气中。③富铀煤一般也同时富集V、Mo、Se、Re、Cr等高价态变价元素,这与有机体深埋分解造成的强还原环境有关,对于那些不变价元素如Sc、Y、La等的沉淀富集主要与腐殖酸形成的酸化条件有关;这些共生组合元素,在富铀煤的分选及煤矸石的淋滤过程中表现出一致的迁移行为。④电厂燃煤过程中铀主要富集（呈数量级的增加）到飞灰和底灰中,粉煤灰中铀淋出浓度一般随淋滤液pH的增加呈降低趋势,其萃取率随灰化温度的升高呈现降低趋势。研究结果为铀资源利用和环境污染控制提供参考和依据。     

通化县泥石流地质灾害的分布及其形成条件分析

本文阐述了通化县泥石流地质灾害给人民带来的危害、泥石流地质灾害分布特征、形成条件,影响因素。明确指出了泥石流地质灾害的防治措施。     

土壤硒的赋存状态与迁移转化

随着硒在生命活动中的重要性被广泛认识,硒在自然界赋存形态的研究也越来越引起人们的关注。本文对土壤中硒赋存状态与转化富集特征进行了归结,并据此分析了影响土壤硒赋存状态的环境因子,可为土壤硒的研究和硒资源开发利用提供参考。     

Provenance, age, and environment of mid-Wisconsinan slackwater lake sediment in the St. Louis Metro East area, USA

Valleys tributary to the Mississippi River contain fossiliferous slackwater lake sediment (Equality Formation) deposited in response to aggradation of the Mississippi River valley during the last glaciation. In the St. Louis Metro East area, the lower part of the Equality Formation is primarily laminated, fossiliferous silt and clay deposited from about 44,150 to 24,310 ¹⁴C yr B.P. The upper Equality Formation is primarily very fine sand to silt deposited from about 21,200 to 17,000 ¹⁴C yr B.P. Among the four cores that sample this succession in the St. Louis Metro East area, core MNK-3 (38.64EN, 90.01EW) was selected for detailed study. Three sources are distinguished by the following characteristics: (1) gray smectite-quartz-Se-rich, feldspar-poor material of the Des Moines, Wadena, and James lobes; (2) reddish brown kaolinite-Cu-Fe-rich sediment of the Superior and Rainy lobes; and (3) brown illite-dolomite-Sr-rich sediment of the Lake Michigan and Green Bay lobes. The earliest sediments (44,150 to 41,700 ¹⁴C yr B.P.) were derived from the central and western provenances and are chronocorrelative with the lower Roxana Silt. A hiatus occurred from about 41,700 to 29,030 ¹⁴C yr B.P. when much of the middle Roxana Silt (Meadow Member) was deposited on adjacent uplands. The youngest sediment includes evidence of heightened activity of the Superior Lobe at about 29,000 ¹⁴C yr B.P., the Lake Michigan and Green Bay lobes from about 25,000 to 24,000 ¹⁴C yr B.P., and the Wadena-Des Moines-James lobes at about 21,000 ¹⁴C yr B.P.     

Textural and chemical variation in plagioclase phenocrysts from the 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helens,USA

This study presents major- and trace-element chemistry of plagioclase phenocrysts from the 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helens volcano. Despite the considerable variation in textures and composition of plagioclase phenocrysts, distinct segments have been cross-correlated between crystals. The variation of Sr and Ba concentration in the melt, as calculated from the concentration in the phenocrysts using partition coefficients, suggests the cores and rims crystallised from compositionally different melts offset by the plagioclase crystallisation vector. In both of these melts Sr and Ba are correlated despite the abundance of plagioclase in the 1980 dacites. We propose that rapid crystallisation of plagioclase upon magma ascent caused a shift in melt composition towards lower Sr and higher Ba, as documented in the rims of the phenocrysts. Although the cores of the phenocrysts crystallised at relatively shallow depths, they preserve the Sr and Ba of the deep-seated melts as they ascended from a deeper region. Further magma ascent resulted in microlite nucleation, which is responsible for a similar shift to even lower Sr concentration as observed in the groundmass of post-18 May 1980 samples. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

岩石—土壤—铁芒萁系统中稀土元素的分布、迁移和累积

在赣南非稀土矿区和四处不同稀土矿区内取样,用ICP-MS法测定岩石-土壤-铁芒萁系统中15个稀土元素的含量,并对其分布、迁移、累积特征进行了研究。结果表明:稀土元素在岩石、土壤各层含量由高到低的顺序为C(心土层)>A(表土层)>B(底土层)>D(成土母岩);在铁芒萁植物体内的分布规律是:轻稀土元素含量为叶>根>茎>叶柄;重稀土元素含量为根>叶>茎>叶柄;稀土元素演化、迁移的难易是由稀土元素的重轻所决定的;岩-土-芒萁系统各环节间稀土元素的含量模式基本相似,表征元素在岩石→土壤→植物大系统中存在着向量(非均衡性)关系。     

河北平山县秋卜洞银矿角砾岩体特征与成矿过程元素迁移规律

河北平山县秋卜洞银矿为隐爆角砾岩型矿床, 为寻找近矿标志, 对该矿区的角砾岩体特征及围岩蚀变元素地球化学特征进行了研究。对角砾岩的地质、岩性、角砾特征(形态、大小、成分)、胶结物特征进行统计分析, 结果发现: ①由浅部到深部角砾形态为棱角状→次棱角状→次圆状; ②角砾大小在浅部呈现由边部向中心减小的趋势, 钻孔中角砾大小空间变化不明显; ③角砾成分由浅到深从以浅粒岩为主, 转变为以石英斑岩为主, 中部角砾成分稍复杂; 这种特征指示角砾岩体的形成依次受控于气爆(岩粉胶结)、液爆(金属硫化物胶结)与浆爆(岩浆胶结)作用。围岩蚀变过程中元素地球化学特征表明, 该过程带入的组分为SiO2、CaO、MgO等, 迁出的组分为K2O、Na2O、Al2O3、Fe2O3、FeO、Sr、Ba等, 成矿元素Au、Ag、Cu、Zn、Sb、Pb等含量明显增加, 鉴于Fe、Cu、Pb、Zn等以硫化物形式存在, 稀土元素特征显示成矿环境由氧化条件逐渐转变为还原条件。综合研究揭示, 该矿床形成经历了至少3个阶段流体沸腾作用, 银卸载成矿在隐爆角砾岩形成的基础上, 绢英岩化(带)与黄铁矿化叠加形成, 因此, 这2种蚀变的出现是靠近矿体的有利标志。