Sedimentation patterns caused by scallop dredging in a physically dynamic environment

Scallop dredging grounds in the Firth of Lorn, western Scotland, are juxtaposed with rocky reef habitats raising concerns that reef communities may be impacted by sediment disturbed by nearby scallop dredging. A particle-tracking model of sediment transport and settling is applied at two scales. In the near-field, a suspension of typical sand/gravel-dominated bed sediment is subjected to a steady current across the dredge track. In the far-field, silt particles, which may persist in suspension for multiple tidal cycles, are tracked in the context of a regional model of tidally-driven flow. The principal sedimentary risk to reef habitats is predicted to come from settling sand particles when dredge tracks approach within tens of metres of a reef. The cumulative effect of dredging at the relatively low intensities recorded in this region is not expected to have a significant long-term impact on suspended silt concentrations and settlement in this highly dispersive environment.     

Changes in nematode communities at the long-term sand extraction site of the Kwintebank (southern bight of the north sea)

We investigated the long-term effects of sand extraction activities on the nematode communities from the Kwintebank. Although changes in nematode community composition cannot be completely uncoupled from natural processes, we suggest that the morphological changes in the sandbank and physical disturbance associated with the dredging activities indeed affected nematode community composition. Nematode diversity did not change since the start of the extraction activities but nematode community composition changed significantly. The SIMPER routine identified predatory nematodes to be important for the within group similarity at the start of the exploitation, while similarity in 1997 and 2001 was determined by the contribution of deposit feeding nematodes. In addition, long nematodes, vulnerable to physical disturbance became less important. These changes are attributed to long term changes in sediment characteristics in combination with additional short-term disturbances by the creation and filling of dredge furrows which are related to the extraction activities.     

Environmental impact of extensive dredging in a coastal marine area

An area of the Thyrrenian Sea in the Gulf of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy, was investigated before, during and after extensive dredging operations to create an access channel for oil tankers to reach a refinery. The observed abiotic parameters were not greatly affected, but the benthic macrofauna was completely eliminated from the dredged area. Recolonization of this area by the macro-benthos was very rapid. Six months after dredging, benthic communities had main structural parameters very similar to those of the predredging period and neighbouring non-dredged areas. However the 6-month post dredging communities still showed a noticeable qualitative dissimilarity with respect to the predredging period and neighbouring non-dredged areas. Communities in the neighbouring non-dredged zones were unaffected by the large scale dredging. These results are only in fact in agreement with those reported in previous investigations into the effects of dredging of the benthic biota. They suggest that the environmental impact of this human induced disturbance may be quite variable from case to case, also in dependence of the concomitant action of other pollutants.     

Effects of long-term dumping of harbor-dredged material on macrozoobenthos at four disposal sites along the Emilia-Romagna coast (Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy)

Sediment from harbors of the Emilia-Romagna (Northern Adriatic Sea) were dredged and dumped in four disposal areas characterized by muddy bottoms. The long-term effects of the dumping on macrozoobenthic communities were investigated before and after 6 month, 8 month, 2 years and 4 years. The disposal of dredged material did not influence the granulometry and %TOC in the sediment, and no alterations in the structure of the macrobenthic communities were observed in the four areas. The lack of impact could be ascribed to the environmental characteristics and precautionary measures taken to minimize the effects of the dumping. It appears that: (1) the communities of the dumping areas are well adapted to unstable environments; (2) the sediments were disposed gradually and homogeneously over relatively large areas; Other factors that help to reduce the impact of sediment disposal are the low concentrations of contaminants in dredged materials and the similarity of sediment in the dredged and disposal areas. Off-shore discharge appears a sustainable strategy for the management of uncontaminated dredged sediments from the Northern Adriatic Sea harbors.     

Long-term development and current status of the Barcelona continental shelf: A source-to-sink approach

The Barcelona continental shelf, off the city of Barcelona (NE Spain), is a relatively narrow canyon-bounded shelf in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Three medium-size rivers (Tordera, Besós and Llobregat) and several ephemeral rivulets flow into this margin. Two main domains have been recognized in the Barcelona shelf: (i) a modern, river-influenced area, and (ii) a relict, sediment depleted area, both affected by a variety of human impacts. A detailed geomorphologic study based on multibeam bathymetry and backscatter data, high resolution seismic profiles, and surface sediment samples allowed mapping and interpreting the main distinctive seafloor features on the Barcelona shelf. Modern sedimentary features reveal that the Llobregat River is the main sediment source of the Barcelona prodeltaic shelf. High-discharge fluvial events result in the formation of suspended sediment plumes and sediment waves on the shelf floor. Relict (late Pleistocene–Holocene) sedimentary features reflect that an important shift occurred in the seashore direction between MIS 4 and MIS 2, and that recent neotectonic reactivation has created a set of seafloor faults. The Barcelona inner and middle shelf is severely impacted by anthropogenic activities such as the enlargement works of the Port of Barcelona, sewage pipes, dredging, anchoring and trawling.     

基于GF-1 WFV的2013—2020年鄱阳湖采砂活动时空动态监测

鄱阳湖是目前我国最大的淡水湖,采砂活动对湖泊水质影响明显,但对采砂活动进行全面的现场监管较为困难.不过,采砂船工作时会明显改变附近水体悬浮泥沙的浓度,这一易于被遥感技术检测到的信息为解决这一问题提供了思路.本研究使用2013—2020年共133景GF-1 WFV影像对鄱阳湖采砂活动进行监测,并总结鄱阳湖采砂活动变化的时、空间规律.结果表明,1)2013年以来,鄱阳湖的年平均采砂船检测数呈先增多后减少的趋势,2016年是采砂活动的顶峰,年平均检测数为9.85艘,2019年后采砂船的年平均检测数锐减至3艘左右,其中监管政策是最主要的影响因素;2)鄱阳湖采砂活动向南湖扩展的趋势在2016年得到了有效的遏制,并在2018年后一直维持在很低的水平;3)在2019年全面禁止采砂后,仍然在松门山岛、星子县及笔架山附近监测到了零星的采砂船作业点.本研究不仅可以评估近年来鄱阳湖采砂活动监管的成效,也能给相似水域采砂活动的监管及其效果评估提供参考.     

Changes in benthic fish assemblages as a consequence of coastal works in a coastal lagoon: The Mar Menor (Spain, Western Mediterranean)

The benthic fish assemblage of the Mar Menor consisted of 37 species. Dominant species are: Gobius cobitis, Lipophrys pavo and Tripterygion tripteronotus on infralittoral rocks; Pomatoschistus marmoratus, Callionymus pussillus, Callionymus risso and Solea vulgaris on sandy bottoms and Gobius niger, Syngnathus abaster, Hippocampus ramulosus and Symphodus cinereus on Cymodocea nodosa-Caulerpa prolifera mixed beds. From 1985 to 1989 tourist development has led to the creation of new beaches and the installation of artificial rocky structures for retaining sediments. Dredging for the extraction of sand and subsequent pumping altered sediment characteristics causing a real stress leading to the substitution of typical sandy bottoms communities with Cymodocea nodosa by Caulerpa prolifera communities on mud. Soft bottom fish assemblages responded to changes in vegetation cover and substratum characteristics mainly changing the species composition, while artificial hard substrata contain a similar fish community than natural ones, harbouring even richer and more diverse assemblages. This positive effect of breakwaters should not obscure their likely negative effects on hydrodynamics and the subsequent changes of sediment quality and vegetation cover on the breakwaters' area of influence.     

Amelioration of marine farming impact on the benthic environment using artificial reefs as biofilters

An in situ monitoring of the sediment characteristics and macrobenthic communities was undertaken at a marine fish culture site in subtropical waters of Hong Kong before and after the deployment of biofilters which were made of cement concrete artificial reef (AR) structures. According to the distance to the boundary of the fish cages, 6 points were selected as sampling stations: 2 at the fish cages, 2 near the boundary of the fish culture area, and 2 reference sites further away from the culture area. Bimonthly sediment samples were collected for analysis of silt-clay fraction (SCF), moisture content (MC), total organic carbon (TOC), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and total phosphorus (TP). The macrobenthos (>0.5mm) present in the sediment were sorted, identified and enumerated. TOC, TKN and TP levels at the fish cage stations were consistently higher than those at the reference stations over the 1-year pre-AR and 2-year post-AR deployment monitoring period. The diversity of macrofauna was significantly reduced at the fish cage stations relative to the reference sites. The intermediary stations near the fish culture area showed a transitional state of disturbance. Over the 2-year post-AR deployment period, TOC, TKN and TP showed a decreasing trend at the fish cage and intermediary stations. More diverse macrofaunal communities were recorded at the fish cage stations, with species diversity H'increasing from 0-1 at the beginning of the AR deployment to H'>2 at the end of the study. The present results demonstrated that artificial reefs can improve the benthic abiotic environment and biotic conditions beneath fish rafts which are deteriorated due to farming activities.     

Implications of dredging induced changes in sediment particle size composition for the structure and function of marine benthic macrofaunal communities

A meta-analysis approach was used to assess the effect of dredging induced changes in sediment composition, under different conditions of natural physical disturbance, for the structure and function of marine benthic macrofaunal communities. Results showed the sensitivity of macrofaunal communities increased as both the proportion of gravel increased and the level of natural physical disturbance decreased. These findings may be explained by the close association of certain taxa with the gravel fraction, and the influence of natural physical disturbance which, as it increases, tends to restrict the colonisation by these species. We conclude that maintaining the gravel content of surface sediments after dredging and, where practicable, locating extraction sites in areas of higher natural disturbance will minimise the potential for long-term negative impacts on the macrofauna.     

淀山湖底泥生态疏浚适宜深度判定分析

通过室内模拟实验,对淀山湖东部湖区的沉积物进行研究,测定沉积物在不同疏浚深度和疏浚温度下的铵态氮(NH₄⁺-N)、正磷酸盐(NH₄^3--P)和溶解性有机碳(DOC)的释放速率,并对该区域沉积物的理化指标进行检测.结果表明:淀山湖表层沉积物近年来总磷和有机质含量有较大增加.淀山湖东部湖区NH₄⁺-N和DOC存在着释放趋势,NH₄^3--P在夏季会从沉积物中向上覆水中释放,在年内会形成"源"和"汇"的转化.整个淀山湖东部湖区按不同研究区域划分,疏浚深度以10~20 cm最佳,疏浚季节以秋季为佳.通过对淀山湖东部湖区的沉积物在不同疏浚深度和疏浚时间下的污染物释放速率的研究,可以为淀山湖和其它类似湖泊的疏浚工作提供相应的科学依据.     

Ecological evaluation of an experimental beneficial use scheme for dredged sediment disposal in shallow tidal waters

An experiment was performed to test an alternative dredging strategy for the Westerschelde estuary. Clean sand dredged from the navigation channel was disposed seawards of an eroding intertidal flat in order to modify morphology and hydrodynamics, improving the multi-channel system with ecologically productive shallow water habitat. Five years of intensive monitoring revealed that part of the disposed sediment moved slowly towards the flat, increasing the very shallow subtidal and intertidal area, as planned. The sand in the impact zone became gradually finer after disposal, possibly due to reduced current velocities. Nevertheless, no changes in macrobenthic biomass, density, species richness and composition were detected in the subtidal zone, also demonstrating rapid macrobenthic recovery. In the intertidal zone, no ecological effects could be revealed superimposed on trends associated with long-term sediment fining. Thus, despite morphological success and absence of detected negative ecological impacts of the experiment, new beneficial habitat was not created.     

The Eurobulker oil spill: mid-term changes of some ecosystem indicators

The sinking of the tanker Eurobulker in Southern Evoikos gulf (Aegean Sea, Greece) in September 2000 resulted in a spill of 700 tons of crude oil. The environmental impact of the spill was studied by the National Centre for Marine Research. The hydrocarbon concentrations in water, sediment and coastal benthic organisms were measured and the response of the benthic communities to the disturbance caused by the oil spill was studied along the direction to the coast and over three sampling seasons. The most severe and direct effects were evidenced on the muddy benthic communities of the accident site and the stations in the close vicinity sampled shortly after the spill. The effects included reduction of the species richness and community diversity, but the communities reached full recovery 8 months later. The impact of the spill was more indirect and delayed in the coastal stations, where as the hydrocarbon measurements indicated, the pollutants were transported later and induced their effects on the benthic communities 6 months after the accident.     

湖泊底泥疏浚环境效应:Ⅳ.对沉积物微生物活性与群落功能多样性的影响及其意义

通过为期一年的疏浚模拟试验,在试验室培养疏浚与对照柱样研究了底泥疏浚对沉积物微生物活性和群落功能多样性的影响。研究结果表明,太湖梅梁湾研究区模拟疏浚表层30cm对沉积物物理、化学和微生物性质影响较大。疏浚沉积物微生物活性显著低于未疏浚沉积物的微生物活性,疏浚对沉积物微生物活性影响较大且在一年的试验周期内难以恢复。底泥疏浚对沉积物微生物功能多样性产生影响,疏浚后初期新生表层沉积物的微生物群落多样性指数显著低于未疏浚沉积物,底泥疏浚改变了沉积物中微生物群落组成,并会导致微生物群落功能多样性降低。底泥疏浚对微生物活性与微生物群落功能多样性产生影响,从而对沉积物中生源要素的循环产生影响。     

不同生态修复措施下太湖西五里湖沉积物氮磷形态的时空分布

以太湖西五里湖为研究对象,研究了生态修复工程实施两年后,疏浚区、疏浚并水生植被重建示范区、退渔还湖区及对照区沉积物中氮、磷形态的季节变化及垂直分布特征,同时分析了各区上覆水的氮磷含量.结果表明:生态修复措施的实施对沉积物中氮磷形态分布及上覆水的氮磷含量影响显著.示范区和退渔还湖区水体中氮磷含量较低;沉积物中不同磷形态的垂直分布变化较复杂;疏浚基础上进行的水生植被重建对Lab-P、Al-P、Fe-P的吸收作用显著,对Ca-P、Org-P的影响较小;退渔还湖区沉积物磷形态以Ca-P、Org-P为主,Fe-P所占比例较低,与疏浚区不同.生态修复措施对沉积物中TN的影响较小;示范区NH 4 -N含量在秋季突增,可能与植物残体形成的有机质的分解有关.疏浚区水体中氮磷含量与对照区差别不大,沉积物中TN的平均含量还略高于对照区,因此单一的疏浚措施对水环境改善的长期作用需要进一步研究.而示范区水体及沉积物中的TN、TP含量均比较低,水生植被恢复较好,可见在减少外来污染的前提下,对湖区底泥进行疏浚并开展水生植被恢复工程应该是控制湖泊富营养化的有效途径.     

The Gladstone (Australia) oil spill - impacts on intertidal areas: baseline and six months post-spill

In January 2006, 25 tonnes of heavy fuel oil spilled into the Port of Gladstone in Queensland, Australia, from the breached hull of a bulk carrier ship. While approximately 18 tonnes of the oil was recovered, a certain amount of oil was deposited in the intertidal areas of Port Curtis leaving a highly visible, viscous residue. The objectives of this research were to assess the short-term (one month post-spill) and medium-term (six months post-spill) impacts on the intertidal habitat.Sediment polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metal concentrations, mangrove communities and intertidal macroinvertebrates were assessed at oil impacted sites, adjacent sites which were not visibly impacted and reference sites which were located outside the recorded distribution of the oil spill.At one month post-spill, highest PAH concentrations were found at the impacted sites, with concentrations of some PAHs exceeding Australian and New Zealand sediment quality guidelines (SQG) [ANZECC/ARMCANZ, 2000. Sediment Quality Guidelines. Australia and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council and Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand]. However, by six months post-spill PAH concentrations had significantly decreased. PAH concentrations tended to be higher in the back (upper) intertidal zone than at the front of the mangrove stand, and sediment cores indicated that PAH contaminants had remained in the top 4 cm of the sediment. These results indicate that the overall decreased PAH concentrations are likely to be due to evaporation, photoxidation and tidal flushing of the residual oil in these impacted sites.During the initial survey, the impact site contained very few or no crabholes in the high intertidal area, indicating a low crab density in comparison to reference sites. However, at six months post-spill mangrove crab communities appeared to be fully recovered with crabhole densities in impact sites similar to reference sites.While little immediate impact was evident on mangrove parameters, significantly higher seedling mortality and defoliation was apparent at six months post-spill, particularly in the upper intertidal zone. Intertidal macrobenthic communities did not appear to be impacted, either immediately or at six months post-spill. Monitoring of these oil impacted intertidal areas will continue to examine the long-term impacts/recovery from the oil spill.     

Flocculation,heavy metals (Cu,Pb, Zn) and the sand–mud transition on the Adriatic continental shelf,Italy

Across a limited depth range (5–10 m) on many continental shelves, the dominant sediment size changes from sand to mud. This important boundary, called the sand–mud transition (SMT), separates distinct benthic habitats, causes a significant change in acoustic backscatter, represents a key facies change, and delimits more surface-reactive mud from less surface-reactive sand. With the goal of improving dynamical understanding of the SMT, surficial sediments were characterized across two SMTs on the Adriatic continental shelf of Italy. Geometric mean diameter, specific surface area (SSA), mud fraction (<63 μm) and heavy metal concentrations were all measured. The SMT related to the Tronto River is identified between 15 and 20 m water depth while the SMT associated with the Pescara River varies between 15 and 25 m water depth. The sediment properties correlate with a new, process-based sedimentological parameter that quantifies the fraction of the sediment in the seabed that was delivered as flocs. These correlations suggest that floc dynamics exert strong influence over sediment textural properties and metal concentrations. Relative constancy in the depth of the SMT along this portion of the margin and its lack of evolution over a period during which sediment input to the margin has dramatically decreased suggest that on the Adriatic continental shelf energy is the dominant control on the depth of the SMT.     

底泥疏浚效果及环境效应研究进展

底泥疏浚的效果至今仍存在很大争议,其中之一是疏浚后所产生的环境效果有可能偏离人们的期望.疏浚能够有效的削减沉积物中营养物、重金属和持久性有机物等污染物含量,但疏浚过程中会引起污染物向水体释放,疏浚后的界面过程有可能对疏浚效果产生较大影响.底泥疏浚对水体富营养化的控制有成功的经验也有失败的教训,不同的湖泊疏浚后对营养盐释放的控制效果不同.底泥疏浚往往对底栖生物产生危害,具体表现为种类、丰富度与生物量的减少,群落结构发生变化,多样性降低;疏浚后微生物胞外酶活性降低,底泥疏浚对沉积物代谢功能存在显著影响,底栖生物和酶活性的恢复需要长期的过程.底泥疏浚对湖泊水污染控制具有时效性,疏浚方式、疏浚深度与疏浚时令是疏浚工程应关注的问题.     

Macrobenthic community structure in the northern Saudi waters of the Gulf, 14 years after the 1991 oil spill

The 1991 Gulf oil spill heavily impacted the coastal areas of the Saudi waters of the Arabian Gulf and recent studies have indicated that even 15 years after the incident, macrobenthos had not completely recovered in the sheltered bays in the affected region such as, Manifa Bay. This study investigates the community conditions of macrobenthos in the open waters in one of the impacted areas, Al-Khafji waters, about 14 years after the spill. Diversity measures and community structure analyses indicate a healthy status of polychaete communities. The BOPA index reveals that oil sensitive amphipods were recolonized in the study area. This confirms that the benthic communities of the oil spill impacted area had taken only <14 years to recover in the open waters of the impacted areas. The study also reveals the existence of three distinct polychaete communities along the depth and sediment gradients.     

Spatial analysis of bacteria in brackish lake sediment

The spatial distribution of bacterial communities inhabiting sediment is heterogeneous at different spatial scales,but mostly unexplored.Here,it is postulated that the heterogeneity of the bacterial community composition varies at the same scale of the heterogeneity of sediment chemical properties.The large spatial scale(km) diversity in sediment from a brackish water lagoon(Chilika Lake,India) is studied,considering the large scale physical and chemical characteristics of land cover,climate,pH,and salinity.Seventy-two samples(24 stations,3 seasons:winter,rainy,and summer) of sediment from Chilika Lake were analyzed by 16 S ribosomal ribonucleic acid(rRNA) gene sequencing,and the relations with land cover and other physico-chemical paramete rs are discussed.Mo re samples were collected after a severe cyclonic storm(Phailin) passed near the lagoon in 2013,to see the impact of the tropical storm on the spatial and tempo ral distribution of bacteria in the sediment.The results demonstrate clear spatial relations between physico-chemical parameters(e.g.,salinity),land surfaces(e.g.,drainage area),and the distribution of sediment microbial communities.     

Rapid changes of sediment dynamic processes in Yalu River Estuary under anthropogenic impacts

The response of the Yalu River Estuary to human activities was investigated.Changes of sediment dynamics during the past 10 years were explored through hydrodynamic calculation,as well as heavy mineral...