Mussel farming as a nutrient reduction measure in the Baltic Sea: consideration of nutrient biogeochemical cycles

Nutrient loads from the land to the sea must be reduced to combat coastal eutrophication. It has been suggested that further mitigation efforts are needed in the brackish Baltic Sea to decrease nutrients, especially in eutrophic coastal areas. Mussel farming is a potential measure to remove nutrients directly from the sea. Mussels consume phytoplankton containing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P); when the mussels are harvested these nutrients are removed from the aquatic system. However, sedimentation of organic material in faeces and pseudo-faeces below a mussel farm consumes oxygen and can lead to hypoxic or even anoxic sediments causing an increased sediment release of ammonium and phosphate. Moreover, N losses from denitrification can be reduced due to low oxygen and reduced numbers of bioturbating organisms. To reveal if mussel farming is a cost-effective mitigation measure in the Baltic Sea the potential for enhanced sediment nutrient release must be assessed.     

The Pollution Load from the River Odra in Comparison to That in Other Polish Rivers in 1988–1997

The discharge of organic matter, nutrients, and heavy metals from the river Odra into the Baltic Sea is compared with the combined discharge of the same substances from other Polish rivers into the Baltic during 1988–1997. The impact of the summer flood of 1997 is also discussed. The discharges of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus compounds were closely correlated with the flow rate. The annual loads of these nutrients measured in 1988 and 1996 under similar flow conditions decreased by 15 to 40% in these rivers as a result of the reduction of point sources. A steady decrease in the heavy metal load, independent of weather conditions, has been recorded during the past decade. Zinc decreased by up to 85% in the Odra and 99% in the Wisła. Although the water outflow from the Odra was half that of the Wisła, it transported a proportionally higher load of chemical compounds. Despite the differences in flow rates, the contribution of both rivers to the total riverine phosphorus discharge was approximately the same. The total water outflow during the flood (from 1 July to 28 August 1997) increased by 65% near the mouth of the Odra in comparison to 1996. The phosphate discharge increased by 34%, that of nitrite nitrogen by 88%     

Eutrophication in the Polish coastal zone: the past, present status and future scenarios

In the Baltic Sea eutrophication processes have accelerated in the past 50 years of the 20th century and presently there exists a major ecological problem for this sea. The Polish coastal zone of the southern Baltic Sea is the recipient of riverine inputs from two major sources, namely the Odra and Vistula, as well as a number of smaller rivers along the central coast. Hence, the entire coastal zone remains under severe anthropogenic pressure. The variability of nutrient concentrations, especially the winter nutrient pool in the euphotic zone, summer level of total nitrogen and total phosphorus, together with such eutrophication indicators as water oversaturation with oxygen and the summer oxygen minimum, were analysed in the data time series 1959-2001. The temporal trends were investigated using linear regression and the non-parametric Whirsch test. The future characteristics of the Baltic Sea are discussed taking into account the development of driving forces.     

The restricted buffer capacity of a south Baltic estuary — The oder estuary

In the river Oder high-waters of the river with high nutrient loads and low biological activity mainly occur during winter. Thus, a remarkable portion of the annual load passes the estuary untransformed. During summer high level of biological activity is observed in the whole estuary, but while more than 10 mol/l dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) is found in the Großes Haff, where the theoretical water-residence time is only 1 month, in the western part of the estuary, where the water-residence time is approximately 3 months, all DIN is transformed into organic matter.The transformed nutrients settle partly as biological products, but they are released again in these shallow waters due to biological and physical degradation, and transported into the Baltic Sea.This behaviour may explain why in the sediments of the Oderhaff with a sedimentation rate of 1 mm/year only 1% of the annual nutrient load of the Oder river can be found.     

Nutrient Behavior and Productivity in a River System Affected by Fishpond Effluents

The expanding culture of fish in coastal areas has raised issues concerning resource use conflicts and water quality problems. A major concern is pollution resulting from nitrogen and phosphorus lost to the environment from feed wastage and fish excretion. The purpose of the study was to assess the environmental conditions in a river system affected by fishponds. Nutrient fluxes and productivity measurements were obtained from Sta. Rita River, a river estuary used as a discharge and an irrigation area of approximately 316 ha of fishponds. During the dry season, when freshwater influence is absent, salinity values inside the river were higher than outside (in the bay). Nutrient trends during ebb and flood periods were similar except for some lag in the profiles that indicate tidal oscillation. The absence of river flow during the dry period resulted in a negligible flux of nutrients along the river. During the wet season, the increase in nitrate concentrations indicates river inputs while the decrease in phosphate values imply less of freshwater influence but more from ponds and domestic wastes. Similarity in productivity estimates signifies good agreement between direct and indirect methods. The absence of flushing during the dry season translates to trapping of nutrients discharged from the ponds in the drainage canals.     

Bioassessment Techniques for Monitoring of Eutrophication and Nutrient Limitation in Coastal Ecosystems

Bioassesment by the use of the macroalga, Ulva lactuca L., was carried out in the Limfjord, Denmark, to assess the significance of nitrogen and phosphorus as limiting factors for primary production during 1985, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and for the detection of changes in eutrophication levels.

Minimum and critical tissue concentrations for nitrogen and phosphorus in macroalgae were identified. The concentrations of nitrogen were generally below the critical concentration level in June–October in 1985, 1993, and 1995 but in 1994 nitrogen was only limiting for primary production in short periods. Only in early spring in 1985 and 1993 were the tissue concentrations of phosphorus below the critical concentration level, whereas in 1994 up to 3–4 months showed phosphorus limited growth, indicating that significant changes in limitation patterns can occur between different years.

It was concluded that the use of biomonitoring techniques is well suited as a bioassessment method for direct detection and for providing a time-integrated measure of nutrient availability in coastal waters, and thus for assessing ecosystem health with regard to eutrophication. It is recommended that biomonitors and the concept of critical tissue concentrations should be used in environmental management and incorporated in future monitoring programmes.     

Trend analysis of nutrient loadings in a large prairie catchment

Nutrient loadings in many river catchments continue to increase due to rapid expansion of agriculture, urban and industrial development, and population growth. Nutrient enrichment of water bodies has intensified eutrophication which degrades water quality and ecosystem health. In this study, we carried out a trend analysis of total phosphorus and total nitrogen loads in the South Saskatchewan River (SSR) catchment using a novel approach to analyse nutrient time series. Seasonal analysis of trends at each of the water quality stations was performed to determine the relationships between annual flow regimes and nutrient loads in the catchment, in particular, the influence of the high spring runoff on nutrient export. Decadal analysis was also performed to determine the long-term relationships of nutrients with anthropogenic changes in the catchment. Although it was found that seasonal and historical variability of nutrient load trends is mainly determined by streamflow regime changes, there is evidence that increases in nitrogen concentration can also be attributed to anthropogenic changes.     

Spatial evolution of nitrogen and phosphorus loads along a small Mediterranean river: implication of bed sediments

This study addresses the spatial variations in water quality along the River Vène (France). The Vène drains a 67 km² rural basin, with a large karstic area, located in a Mediterranean context. A 1 day sampling campaign was conducted along the river, in winter low‐flow conditions (February 2003). Physico‐chemical parameters and water flow discharge were measured in situ during the sampling campaign. Water quality was evaluated by determining the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in water and bed‐sediment samples. Nitrogen and phosphorus loads were evaluated taking into account the measured concentrations and discharge. The campaign included 18 sampling points and concerned the whole river from the spring to the outlet, plus the main inputs, i.e. sewage treatment works, main tributaries and karstic springs. The spatial evolution of nitrogen and phosphorus loads along the river allowed the significant role of point‐source inputs to be demonstrated. The decrease in nutrient loads along the river occurred mainly in specific reaches where fine sediments had accumulated. In these zones, phosphorus is trapped in the bed sediments in calcium‐bound phosphates due to precipitation processes. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

天津中心城区河网氮磷污染与富营养化特征

2013年底天津中心城区河道全部连通,形成中心城区河网.为了掌握河网形成后的水质状况,于2014年3月-2015年2月进行了为期1年的定点水质监测,并对其水体氮、磷时空分布及富营养化特征进行分析.结果表明,河网水体氮污染严重,以铵态氮(NH+4-N)为主;磷污染程度较轻,主要形态为磷酸盐(PO3-4-P);河网水体中氮、磷浓度顺水流方向均呈上游高、下游低的空间分布特征;氮、磷各项指标浓度时间变化趋势基本一致,3月均最高,10月均最低,冬季处于相对较低水平;与河网形成前相比,海河干流NH+4-N、总磷(TP)和PO3-4-P浓度年平均值分别下降6.5%、14.7%和16.4%,津河总氮、NH+4-N、硝态氮、TP和PO3-4-P浓度年平均值分别降低18.6%、34.5%、12.9%、31.6%和32.5%,表明河网形成后氮、磷污染程度较之前有所改善,其中津河改善较为明显;河网水体全年处于中度富营养状态,主要为磷限制性状态;河网富营养化防治应遵循以控制营养盐为主的控源、截污、水环境增容和生态补水策略.     

The exceptional Oder flood in summer 1997 — distribution patterns of the oder discharge in the Pomeranian Bight

The exceptional Oder flood in summer 1997 was a unique event in order to investigate the impacts on and the consequences for the ecosystem of the Baltic Sea of about 6.5 km³ additional water loaded with nutrients and contaminants and discharged within only 5 weeks. About 15 institutions participated in this investigation in both the Szczecin Lagoon and the Pomeranian Bight. The Baltic Sea Research Institute Warnemünde studied the water and nutrient inflow, the spreading of the Oder discharge, and the impact of the discharge on the ecosystem. The main topic of the presented investigations is a detailed study of the spatial and temporal spreading of the extreme river discharge in the Pomeranian Bight and the southern Baltic Sea by satellite data, ship observations and continuous buoy measurements as well as numerical modelling. The meteorological conditions were characterized by mainly easterly winds which guided the outflowing riverine water along the German coast into the Arkona Sea. The spatial and temporal development of the distribution patterns of the Oder discharge was monitored by about 80 Sea Surface Temperature (SST) images of NOAA satellites. Shipborne measurements showed that the vertical extent of the Oder plume ranged between 5 and 7 metres. The concentrations of inorganic nutrients, except higher silicate, were comparable to typical winter/early spring values (seasonal maximum) in this region. The high dilution effect of the flood water reduced the concentration of contaminants and thus, prevented a direct negative impact of trace metals and chlorinated organic compounds on the marine environment. Coupled physical-biochemical modelling in combination with SST-images demonstrated the temporal development and satellite data in the visible spectral range delivered the maximum extent of discharged river water into the southern Arkona Sea where a further western transport was limited by the upwelling region off Hiddensee. Thus, all detected effects of the Oder flood were confined to the Pomeranian Bight and the southern Arkona Sea, without long-term consequences for the ecosystem.     

Eutrophication—The future marine coastal nuisance?

Increased inputs of nutrients to marine coastal areas over the last decades have created a basis for eutrophication of the waters surrounding Sweden. In combination with relatively low water exchange in these vertically stratified and almost non-tidal waters, local and regional effects of increased macro-algal biomass, and decreased oxygen concentrations in bottom water leading to mortalities of benthic animals and decreased fish catches have at times been observed. The effects were first noted in the Baltic, but are now obvious also in Swedish and Danish coastal areas in the Kattegat and the Belt Sea. Similar symptoms have recently also been recorded off the Danish North Sea coast. Other shallow coastal and shelf areas, where stratification occurs, can be regarded as potentially eutrophic risk areas.     

Annual cycle of carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus in the Bohai Sea: A model study

The annual cycle of nutrient-phytoplankton dynamics in Bohai Sea (BS) is simulated using a coupled physical–biological model in this study. By comparison, the modeled seasonal variations of nutrients and primary productivity agree with observations rather well. Although the annual cycles of chlorophyll a and primary production are both characterized by a double-peak configuration, a structural difference is still apparent: the phytoplankton biomass reaches the highest value in spring while summer is characterized by the most productivity in the BS, which can be ascribed to the combined impact of seawater temperature and zooplankton-grazing pressure on the growth of algae. Based on the validated simulations, the annual budgets of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus are estimated, and are about 0.82 mt C surplus, 39 kt N deficit and 12 kt P surplus, respectively, implying that the BS ecosystem is somewhat nitrogen limited. The contribution of two external nutrient sources, namely river discharges and resuspended sediments, to the growth of algae is also examined numerically, and it is found that the influence of river-borne nutrients mainly concentrates in estuaries, whereas the reduction of sediment-borne nutrients may significantly inhibit the onset of algae bloom in the whole BS.     

Environmental challenges in Polish agriculture covering a main area of the Baltic Sea Basin

Poland largely encompases the estuary of the Vistula and Odra rivers, which drain into the Baltic Sea. Only a very small area of the south-east part of the country is within the Black Sea Basin. Poland contributes significantly to the pollution of the Baltic Sea, with biogenic nutrients and organic substances. Poland includes more than half the coastal inhabitants of the Baltic Sea, and they use 40% of the arable land situated there. The contribution to the pollution of this sea with nitrogen, phosphorus and organic substances is approximately 30, 40 and 22%, respectively. The main sources of nutrients are untreated sewage and the runoff and leakage of fertilizers from agricultural land. The natural conditions in Poland are poorer than in Western Europe due to the prevalence of light soils and a short growing period with frequent droughts. After correcting the synthetic index for soil and climate, it was estimated that for each inhabitant of Poland there are 0.3 ha of farmland, which is comparable to that of Western Europe. For the maintenance of the population, intensive agricultural production must be accompanied by environmental protection regulations. Polish agriculture is not only a polluter but also a recipient of pollution, especially the deposits of sulphur and heavy metals emitted by industry and municipal areas. The estimated annual emission of sulphur dioxide is about 4 million t, which equals an average deposit of about 90 kg of sulphur per hectare of farmland. The pedological processes and acid deposits cause more than 60% of agricultural land in Poland to be acidic. The contamination of soils with heavy metals in general is lower than in Western Europe, but in some areas (e.g. Upper Silesia) it exceeds the safe limits.     

Point and Diffuse Nutrient Emissions and Transports in the Odra Basin and its Main Tributaries

The river Odra is one of the biggest transboundary rivers in Central Europe. The basin is characterized by an area of 110 074 km?sk (upstream Krajnik Dolny) and a population of about 15.5 million inhabitants. Compared with the Westeuropean river basins the specific runoff of the Odra basin is low and amounts only 4.5 L km?sk s–1. The long term changes of the average annual nutrient transport of the Odra at Krajnik Dolny show for the period 1991 to 1994 a low reduction for phosphorus but no changes for nitrogen. For the period of 1991 to 1994 an inventory of the point sources produces emissions of 10.7 kt a–1 P and 54.4 kt a–1 N upstream of the station Krajnik Dolny/Schwedt. Emissions from agricultural land and urban areas represent the main diffuse sources. A range of 68 to 96 kt a–1 N and 3.3 to 3.9 kt a–1 P were estimated for the total diffuse emissions depending on the database and the method of modeling. The emission situation of the river is characterized by a high dominance of point sources in the case of phosphorus (about 73%). For nitrogen the diffuse emissions dominate the total emissions to an amount between 59 and 67%. Compared to the emissions the nutrient transport is low. An average load of 5.1 kt a–1 P and 70.1 kt a–1 N was observed at the station Krajnik Dolny for the period 1991 to 1994. The emission and load situation within the main tributaries of the river Odra is comparable to the whole basin. The big difference between the total emissions and the observed load refers to intensive retention and loss processes within the river system of the Odra.     

梯级筑坝下小型山区河流水体碳氮磷的时空特征及富营养化风险

梯级筑坝对河流水环境演化的影响是国内外关注的热点.小型山区河流高密度梯级开发对水体生源要素的空间格局以及水环境演化的累积影响特征尚不清楚.以重庆市五布河为研究对象,对流域内8个“河流—水库—下泄水”交替系统中表层水体理化因子及碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)形态组成进行季节性监测,探讨了梯级筑坝对小型河流生源要素空间格局及水体富营养化风险影响的累积特征及驱动机制.结果表明：梯级水电开发对五布河流域水生生境和生源要素空间分配的影响具有潜在的累积效应,各库区水体碳氮磷浓度均呈逐级增加的空间规律;水库段的有机碳及不同形态的氮、磷浓度均高于入库河流,因此水体养分浓度呈现出河段尺度(即单个河流—水库—下泄水系统)和流域尺度(即上游至下游)耦合的空间变异模式.上游水库中溶解性氮、磷的再释放及下泄输移能够补给下游库区,加之下游水库泥沙对氮、磷的吸附—沉积作用的减弱,导致水体氮、磷总量及溶解性氮、磷的占比沿程增加,呈现梯级筑坝对水环境演化的累积影响.梯级筑坝影响下河流碳氮磷总量的相关性减弱,而溶解性养分间的相关性增强,形成了特殊的养分协同演化;水库群之间水力滞留时间的差异与水体碳氮磷浓度具有较好的线性关系...     

太湖地区西苕溪流域营养盐污染负荷结构分析

污染负荷研究是实施污染物总量控制、保护水质的基础,由于非点源污染一直是水环境研究的一个难题,致使河流污染负荷估算缺乏合理的估算方法.本项研究针对太湖的富营养化问题,选取太湖上游西苕溪流域,采用GIS的流域分析方法,选取单一土地利用类型的小流域,分析流域土地类型与径流量及流域出口浓度的统计关系,获取不同土地利用类型营养盐污染的产出率,合理估算了西苕溪流域的非点源营养盐污染负荷,并根据西苕溪流域社会经济统计数据及已有的污染产出率研究成果,估算了西苕溪的点源营养盐污染负荷,在此基础上估算了西苕溪流域的营养盐污染总负荷量,分析了不同污染源在总负荷量的比例.最后通过比较估算的总负荷量与实测负荷量,计算了西苕溪流域河网体系对营养盐的降解能力.研究得出, 林地产出径流浓度总氮0.715mg/L、总磷0.039mg/L,耕地产出径流浓度总氮为2.092mg/L, 总磷0.166mg/L,西苕溪流域总氮负荷量为3143.43t/a,非点源污染负荷量为1589.52t/a;总磷负荷量为226.32t/a,非点源为108.36t/a,西苕溪流域河网体系对总氮、总磷的年降解率分别为 35.39%、21.48%.     

Nutrient Loading of the Don and Kuban on the Ecosystem of the Sea of Azov

Hydrochemical data collected in field studies in the near-mouth area and delta of the Don R. (Aksay T.—the mouths of Don delta branches) in 2006–2015 are analyzed. The seasonal dynamics is demonstrated, and the average annual concentrations were evaluated for mineral, total dissolved, and total forms of nitrogen, phosphorus, silica; dissolved and particulate organic carbon; and total suspended solids in river water. The export of dissolved and particulate organic carbon and nutrients by the Don River into the Sea of Azov in the low-water period of 2007–2015 is evaluated. Retrospective analysis of nutrient export into the Sea of Azov with river runoff in the XX–early XXI century is given.     

Long-term trends of physical, chemical and biological variables in the River Danube 1957–1995: A statistical approach

: A 39-year series (1957 – 1995) of data on fourteen physical, chemical and biological variables from the Austrian section of the River Danube west of Vienna – Nußdorf was analysed statistically to detect long-term trends of the variables in relation to human activities (represented by time), discharge and water temperature. ¶ Principal component analysis distinguished four main components explaining 72 % of the total variance: PC1 contains total phosphorus, soluble reactive phosphorus, ammonium and potassium permanganate values, PC2 contains nitrate-N, chloride and oxygen, PC3 contains BOD5 and nitrite-N, and PC4 contains numbers of bacteria. Trends in time were most pronounced for variables in PC1, but also occurred in PC2; variables in PC3 and PC4 had no trends. Seasonal patterns were marked for variables in PC2, slightly less in PC1, and least in PC3 and PC4. Concentrations were minimal in summer and maximal in winter, inversely related to discharge (maximal in summer). Following reductions in point-source nutrient inputs to the Danube, in both Germany and Austria, mean concentrations in the river have fallen by at least half since the 1980s. Chloride and nitrate-N also show trends towards lower concentrations. The Danube is well-oxygenated, with concentrations near air saturation values.¶ A mathematical relationship between concentrations of the variables and river discharge (Q), water temperature (T) and time (t), was established to determine mean trends and predictions against a background of considerable seasonal and stochastic variability; for the single variables Q explained 0 – 20 % and T explained 2 – 58 % of the variation in the concentrations. The relationship was highest for variables in PC2 and lowest for those in PC3 and PC4, where Q and T had little or no influence.¶ Reasons for rising and falling long-term trends with time are discussed in detail. Austria now contributes only minor proportions to the nutrient load of the Danube, which is causing eutrophication of the Black Sea downstream, and water quality of the Austrian section of the river is good.¶ The advantages and problems of statistical process analysis are discussed in relation to environmental monitoring programs and the different specific requirements of compliance monitoring.