Spatial and temporal variability of trace element concentrations in an urban subtropical watershed,Honolulu, Hawaii

Trace metal concentrations in soils and in stream and estuarine sediments from a subtropical urban watershed in Hawaii are presented. The results are placed in the context of historical studies of environmental quality (water, soils, and sediment) in Hawaii to elucidate sources of trace elements and the processes responsible for their distribution. This work builds on earlier studies on sediments of Ala Wai Canal of urban Honolulu by examining spatial and temporal variations in the trace elements throughout the watershed. Natural processes and anthropogenic activity in urban Honolulu contribute to spatial and temporal variations of trace element concentrations throughout the watershed. Enrichment of trace elements in watershed soils result, in some cases, from contributions attributed to the weathering of volcanic rocks, as well as to a more variable anthropogenic input that reflects changes in land use in Honolulu. Varying concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in sediments reflect about 60 a of anthropogenic activity in Honolulu. Land use has a strong impact on the spatial distribution and abundance of selected trace elements in soils and stream sediments. As noted in continental US settings, the phasing out of Pb-alkyl fuel additives has decreased Pb inputs to recently deposited estuarine sediments. Yet, a substantial historical anthropogenic Pb inventory remains in soils of the watershed and erosion of surface soils continues to contribute to its enrichment in estuarine sediments. Concentrations of other elements (e.g., Cu, Zn, Cd), however, have not decreased with time, suggesting continued active inputs. Concentrations of Ba, Co, Cr, Ni, V and U, although elevated in some cases, typically reflect greater proportions attributed to natural sources rather than anthropogenic input.     

Spatial distribution of major and trace elements in shallow reservoir sediments: an example from Lake Waco, Texas

 Sediment geochemistry of a shallow (6-m average) reservoir (Lake Waco) was evaluated for the spatial distribution of major and trace elements. Sixty bottom and core samples along a 21-km transect within the reservoir, 18 overbank sediment samples, and 8 rock types in the drainage area were collected and analyzed for major (Al, Ca, Fe) and trace elements (As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn). Elemental concentrations in the reservoir sediments closely correspond to concentrations in the regional rocks and represent a mixture of overbank sediment composition of the tributaries. Elemental concentrations were statistically regressed against Al concentrations in order to establish regional baseline levels and thereby distinguish natural from anthropogenic sources. Spatial geochemical trends, considered in terms of element-to-Al ratio versus V-to-Al ratio, relate to the natural and anthropogenic sources contributing to the elemental concentrations. The spatial elemental distribution in the reservoir, which receive sediments from two mineralogically contrasting basins, reflect textural and mineralogical transition within the reservoir and suggest a progressive mixing of sediment from the tributaries. The spatial elemental distribution and sediment texture suggest that the sediment-source, which determines the sediment-type, has a greater influence on the major- and trace-element distributions in shallow reservoir sediments than bathymetry. Received: 25 September 1997 · Accepted: 3 February 1998     

Deciphering the impact of land-uses on terrestrial organic matter and mercury inputs to large boreal lakes of central Québec using lignin biomarkers

To evaluate watershed impacts of anthropogenic activities on terrestrial organic matter (TOM) and total mercury (THg) dynamics in large boreal lake ecosystems, we studied sediment cores retrieved in eight large lakes of Québec (Canada). Two lakes with pristine watersheds were considered as reference lakes and six lakes with watersheds affected by different types of anthropogenic activities (e.g. logging and/or mining activities) were used to illustrate the influence of land-use on TOM and Hg cycling in lakes. A Geographical Information System (GIS) approach was used to correlate the evolution of anthropogenic land-uses from 1979 to 2010 (e.g. logging and mining activities) to TOM and THg contents measured in sediment cores. In each core, THg concentrations gradually increased over the recent years. Using lignin biomarkers, we noticed that the presence of both intense logging and mining activities in the watershed does not necessarily correspond to noticeable changes in the relative amount of terrestrial organic matter (TOM) exported from the watershed to the sediments and by extension to the level of THg measured in sediments. Apparently large-scale watersheds show some “buffering” capacity to land-use disturbance.     

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Metals in lacustrine sediment have both anthropogenic and natural sources. Because of intensified human activities, the anthropogenic input of metal elements has exceeded the natural variability. How to distinguish the anthropogenic sources in lake sediments is one of the tasks in environmental management. The authors present a case study, which combined the geochemical and statistical methods to distinguish the anthropogenic sources from the natural background. A 56 cm core (core DJ-5) was collected from Dongjiu Lake, Taihu Lake catchment, China. The concentration distributions of Al, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti, V and Zn in core DJ-5 indicated that Dongjiu Lake had serious Cd pollution, and the concentrations of Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn and Zn had also exceeded the Chinese State Standards of Soil Environmental Quality in the upper layer of the core. Using Al as a reference element, the other metals were normalized and compared with their baselines to calculate the enrichment factors (EFs). The principal component analysis (PCA) of metal concentrations was performed using ViSta6.4. The results of EFs and PCA indicated that the concentration variations of Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn and Zn were mainly caused by the anthropogenic sources, and the concentration variations of Cr and Ni were influenced by both the anthropogenic and natural factors, while the other metals were mainly derived from the natural sources. Intensified human activities within the lake catchment area resulted in the increase of heavy metal inputs directly and the acceleration of erosion which caused other metal elements to deposit in the aquatic environment. The results of this work will be useful in probing changes forced by humans in the lake environment and in adjusting human activity in restoring the lake environment.

Review of water and soil contamination in and around Salihli geothermal field (Manisa,Turkey)

The town of Salihli is situated in Gediz Graben in the western Anatolia. This region is important in terms of industry, mining, geothermal energy, water sources, and agricultural production. Geothermal flow and anthropogenic activities in Salihli threaten the surrounding environment due to the contamination of cold groundwater, surface water, and soil. The goal of the present study is to determine the environmental effects of the geothermal and anthropogenic activities in Salihli on soil, stream sediments, and water. Stream sediments and farm soil have been contaminated by substances derived from geothermal and industrial effluents. To this end, the quality review of the water was completed and the heavy metal levels in stream sediment samples were measured to determine the extent of contamination. The elements As, B, Br, Fe, and Ni are the major contaminants present in surface water and groundwater in the study area. The concentrations of these elements excess tolerance limits of international water standards. Gibbsite, K-mica, kaolinite, sepiolite, halite, sulfur, willemite, and Pb(OH)₂ might be precipitated as scales at low temperatures on the soil; this could be interpreted as a resultant from soil contamination. The concentrations of 17 elements (As, Ba, B, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mo, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, and Zn) were measured in samples from stream sediments and surface soils. In the study area, especially geothermal and anthropogenic activities give rise to environmental pollution.     

Searching of toxic metal pollution by using geospatial technology on the Kodaikanal Lake—near industrial area

The present study investigates the anthropogenic metal input into the lake system, the toxic metal pollution in the sediments of Kodaikanal Lake. Surface sediment samples were collected at seven locations to represent its spatial variability within the lake. Samples were subjected to analyze for Fe, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cd, Cu, Ag, Pb, Hg, and As by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and their concentrations in lake sediments range from 102,000–109,000, 561–2699, 292–544, 211–482, 79–163, 57–265, 57–74, 37–92, 46–59, 20–97, 19–30, to 13–24 mg/kg, respectively. The sources of pollution were inferred through spatial and statistical analyses. Most of the toxic metal contents in the sediments are found to exceed the background concentration in all locations. The enrichment factor (EF) and index of geoaccumulation (I _geo) of Hg, Co, Cd, and Ag showed that sediments of Kodaikanal Lake exhibit the probability of anthropogenic influence. The significant Pearson’s correlation coefficient is also suggesting that they probably originated from the same source of occurrence. The contamination factor and degree of contamination of the Kodaikanal Lake sediments are strongly polluted in terms of most of the examined metals. The study also provides environmentally significant information about anthropogenic influence on the lake sediments.     

Regional variations in atmospheric deposition and sources of anthropogenic lead in lake sediments across the Canadian Arctic

Stable Pb isotope profiles in dated lake sediment cores were used to gauge the relative amounts and possible sources of anthropogenic Pb deposited from the atmosphere in different regions of the Canadian Arctic. A distinct north-south difference was found. In four High Arctic lakes (i.e., north of 66°N) in this study, recent Pb isotopic shifts or concentration increases attributable to anthropogenic Pb were negligible. The maximum possible contribution from anthropogenic Pb was 0 to 19% of acid-leachable Pb in the 1980s or 1990s. In contrast, two lakes in the Hudson Bay region displayed significantly lower Pb isotope ratios and threefold to fivefold increases of Pb concentrations in modern sediments, corresponding to anthropogenic Pb inputs of at least 72 to 91% of leachable Pb. Eurasian urban and industrial Pb is known to dominate the High Arctic atmosphere. A possible explanation for its negligible influence on northern lake sediments is that atmospheric Pb deposition at northern latitudes is reduced compared with southern regions and is small compared to local geological inputs. ²¹⁰Pb deposition declines with increasing latitude, apparently because of declining precipitation rates; stable Pb deposition may be similarly affected. Meteorological considerations and variations in the post-1900 Pb isotopic trajectories indicated that the predominant anthropogenic Pb source region in NW Hudson Bay was Eurasia, while in SE Hudson Bay, it was Canada and the United States, with a minor Eurasian component.     

Geochemistry of trace metals and Pb isotopes of sediments from the lowermost Xiangjiang River, Hunan Province (P. R. China): implications on sources of trace metals

This paper reports a geochemical study of trace metals and Pb isotopes of sediments from the lowermost Xiangjiang River, Hunan province (P. R. China). Trace metals Ba, Bi, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Pb, Tl, Th, U, Zr, Hf, Nb and Ta were analyzed using ICP-MS, and Pb isotopes of the bulk sediments were measured by MC-ICP-MS. The results show that trace metals Cd, Bi, Sn, Sc, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sb, Pb and Tl are enriched in the sediments. Among these metals, Cd, Bi and Sn are extremely highly enriched (EF values >40), metals Zn, Sn, Sb and Pb significantly highly (5 < EF < 20), and metals Sc, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu and Tl moderately highly (2 < EF < 5) enriched in the river sediments. All these metals, however, are moderately enriched in the lake sediments. Geochemical results of trace metals Th, Sc, Co, Cr, Zr, Hf and La, and Pb isotopes suggest that metals in the river sediments are of multi-sources, including both natural and anthropogenic sources. Metals of the natural sources might be contributed mostly from weathering of the Indosinian granites (GR) and Palaeozoic sandstones (PL), and metals of anthropogenic sources were contributed from Pb–Zn ore deposits distributed in upper river areas. Metals in the lake sediments consist of the anthropogenic proportions, which were contributed from automobile exhausts and coal dusts. Thus, heavy-metal contamination for the river sediments is attributed to the exploitation and utilization (e.g., mining, smelting, and refining) of Pb–Zn ore mineral resources in the upper river areas, and this for the lake sediments was caused by automobile exhausts and coal combustion. Metals Bi, Cd, Pb, Sn and Sb have anthropogenic proportion of higher than 90%, with natural contribution less than 10%. Metals Mn and Zn consist of anthropogenic proportion of 60–85%, with natural proportion higher than 15%. Metals Sc, Cr, Co, Cu, Tl, Th, U and Ta have anthropogenic proportion of 30–70%, with natural contribution higher than 30%. Metals Ba, V and Mo might be contributed mostly from natural process.     

Secondary dispersion of trace elements in bottom sediments of the High Dam Lake,South Egypt and North Sudan

Thirty-four chemical elements, pH, total nitrogen, and total organic carbon were determined in 49 bottom sediment samples from the whole High Dam Lake in order to improve our understanding of geochemical characteristics of these sediments and geochemical patterns of trace elements and related feeding sources. The present study revealed that the lake were clearly discriminated into three portions in accordance with the sediment geochemistry and geographic position. Likewise, the analyzed elements in the entire lake sediments were classified into six geochemical association patterns that are indicative of the contributing geogenic and anthropogenic sources. As has been noted here, mineralogy, anthropogenic inputs, pH, and organic matter had significant roles in controlling the behavior, concentration, dispersion, and geochemical patterns of the trace elements in the lake sediments. Consequently, the elevated concentration of Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sc, V, Y, and Zn posed moderate contamination level in the sediments. At the same time, the enhancement of Ag, Se, and Te levels caused contamination up to very high levels. Admittedly, the contamination levels were generated by natural and human activities that are coming from the Nile basin countries. Despite progressive deterioration of these sediments, they still have economic applications.     

Fluctuation in the level of pluvial Lake Lahontan during the last 40,000 years

Samples of algal tufa, gastropods and calcite-cemented sand were collected from the Walker and Pyramid Lake areas of the Lahontan Basin, Nevada. X-ray diffraction petrographic and radiocarbon analyses show that massive forms of tufa such as the dendritic variety contain secondary carbon-bearing material and therefore yield unreliable radiocarbon dates. Dense coating of tufa (lithoid), however, gave radiocarbon ages in agreement with dates on coexisting aragonite gastropods. Radiocarbon data from the study were combined with previously dated noncarbonate materials [Born, S. M. (1972). “Lake Quaternary History, Deltaic Sedimentation, and Mudlump Formation at Pyramid Lake, Nevada”, Center for Water Resources, Desert Research Inst., Reno, Nevada] to give an internally consistent record of lake level fluctuations for the past 40,000 years. The main features of the Lahontan chronology are (1) extreme high stands (1330 m above sea level) 13,500 to 11,000 and 25,000 to 22,000 B.P., (2) a moderate high stand (1260 m above sea level) 20,000 to 15,000 B.P., (3) a low stand of unknown elevation 40,000 to 25,000 B.P., (4) an extremely low stand 9000 to 5000 B.P., and (5) an overall increase in the size of Walker and Pyramid Lakes during the past 5000 years, until the late 19th century. Pore fluid data indicate that Walker Lake desiccated sometime during the period 9050 to 6400 B.P. Salts deposited as a result of this dessication are still undergoing dissolution causing a flux of chloride, carbon, and other solute species from the sediments to the overlying lake water. Pore fluid data obtained from Pyramid Lake sediments do not indicate the presence of a concentrated brine at depth. This suggests that Pyramid Lake did not dry completely during this period although it may have been severely reduced in size. There has been considerable disagreement regarding the occurrence of extreme arid conditions (altithermal period) since 10,000 B.P. [Mehringer, P. J. (1977). “Models and Great Basin Prehistory”. Desert Research Inst. Pub, Reno, Nevada]. The data of this study suggest that such a climatic regime did occur in the western Great Basin during the period 9000 to 5000 B.P.     

The role of pollution versus natural geological sources for lead enrichment in recent lake sediments and surface forest soils

This paper assesses the role of airborne pollution and natural geological sources for lead enrichment in lake sediments and in surface soils of boreal forests. This assessment is based on analyses of stable lead isotopes (²⁰⁶Pb and ²⁰⁷Pb) and lead concentrations in sediment cores (>30 lakes), ombrotrophic peat and soil samples in Sweden. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratio and concentration profiles in the sediment cores change synchronously over the last 3,000 years in different lakes, temporal concentration changes in sediments and peat deposits are very consistent, and these temporal concentration changes coincide well with the history of lead production in Europe. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratio is almost the same in all soil mor samples (1.152ǂ.009; n=94), and similar to values recorded in aerosols, despite very high and different ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratio of the mineral soil in the C-horizon (1.3-1.7). This study provides evidence that lead enrichment in recent sediments and peat, and in the mor layer are caused by deposition of pollution lead and not natural processes.     

Comprehensive evaluation of heavy metal contamination in surface and core sediments of Taihu Lake, the third largest freshwater lake in China

The spatial and temporal variations of Fe, K, Co, V, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb were determined in the sediments of Taihu Lake, the third largest freshwater lake in China and categorized into natural origin (Fe, K, Co, and V) and human contamination (Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb) groups by principal component analysis. Most of the metals were positively correlated with the clay content (<4???m) and negatively correlated with the >16???m fraction, indicating the dominant role of grain size in regulating metals concentrations. Geochemical normalization and enrichment factors (EFs) were introduced to reduce the confounding of variable grain size and to quantify anthropogenic contributions. Higher EF values for Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn occurred in the north Zhushan, Meiliang, and Gonghu Bays, indicating a high level of human contamination from the northern cities, such as Wuxi and Changzhou. Higher EF values of Pb were also present in the southwest and east lake areas, denoting the existence of additional anthropogenic sources. Chrome, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb showed increasing EF values in the top layers of sediment cores, indicating enhancing contamination since 1970s with rapid economy development in the catchment. These results indicate that geochemical normalization is a necessary and effective method in quantifying heavy metals contamination, and that historic sediment should be used as background values in calculating EFs. Potential risks of the heavy metals were assessed linking the consensus-based sediment quality guidelines and human contamination. Concentrations of Ni and Cr are greater than the threshold effect concentration (TEC) values, even in the sediments before 1970s, due to higher background concentrations in terrestrial parent materials. Concentrations of Ni and Cr are generally lower than the probable effect concentration (PEC) values, and concentrations of Cu and Zn are below the TEC values in the open lake areas. Whereas, concentrations of Ni and Cr are surpassing the PEC values and Cu and Zn are surpassing the TEC values in the north bays due to the high level of human contamination, where they were with EFs over 1.2, denoting higher potential eco-risks.     

Basalt and Sediment Geochemistry and Magma Petrogenesis in a Transect from Oceanic Island Arc to Rifted Continental Margin Arc: the Kermadec--Hikurangi Margin, SW Pacific

Sediment mixing and recycling through a subduction zone canbe detected in lead isotopes and trace elements from basaltsand sediments from the Kermadec-Hikurangi Margin volcanic arcsystem and their coupled back-arc basins. Sr, Nd and Pb isotopesfrom the basalts delineate relatively simple, almost overlapping,arrays between back-arc basin basalts of the Havre Trough-NgatoroBasin (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.70255; _Nd=+9.3; ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.52; ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb= 38.18), island arc basalts from the Kermadec Arc togetherwith basalts from Taupo Volcanic Zone (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr 0.7042; _Nd= +5; ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb= 18.81; ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.61), and sedimentsderived from New Zealand's Mesozoic (Torlesse) basement (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr 0.715; _Nd —4; ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 18.86; ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 38.8).Basalts from the arc front volcanoes have high Cs, Rb, Ba, Th,U and K, and generally high but variable Ba/La, Ba/Nb ratios,characteristic of subduction-related magmas, relative to typicaloceanic basalts. These signatures are diluted in the back-arcbasins, which are more like mid-ocean ridge basalts. Strongchemical correlations in plots of SiO₂ vs CaO and loss on ignitionfor the sediments (finegrained muds) are consistent with mixingbetween detrital and biogenic (carbonate-rich) components. Otherdata, such as Zr vs CaO, are consistent with the detrital componentcomprising a mixture of arc- and continent-derived fractions.In chondrite-normalized diagrams, most of the sediments havelight rare earth element enriched patterns, and all have negativeEu anomalies. The multielement diagrams have negative spikesat Nb, P and Ti and distinctive enrichments in the large ionlithophile elements and Pb relative to mantle. Isotopic measurementsof Pb, Sr and Nd reveal restricted fields of Pb isotopes butwide variation in Nd and Sr relative to other sediments fromthe Pacific Basin. Rare K-rich basalts from Clark Volcano towardthe southern end of the oceanic Kermadec Island Arc show unusualand primitive characteristics ( 2% K₂O at 50% SiO₂, Ba 600p.p.m., 9–10% MgO and Ni > 100 p.p.m.) but have highlyradiogenic Sr, Nd and Pb isotopes, similar to those of basaltsfrom the continental Taupo Volcanic Zone. These oceanic islandarc basalts cannot have inherited their isotope signatures throughcrustal contamination or assimilation—fractional crystallizationtype processes, and this leads us to conclude that source processesvia bulk sediment mixing, fluid and/or melt transfer or somecombination of these are responsible. Although our results showclear chemical gradients from oceanic island arc to continentalmargin arc settings (Kermadec Arc to Taupo Volcanic Zone), overlapbetween the data from the oceanic and continental sectors suggeststhat the lithospheric (crustal contamination) effect may beminimal relative to that of sediment subduction. Indeed, itis possible to account for the chemical changes by a decreasenorthward in the sediment flux into the zone of magma genesis.This model receives support from recent sediment dispersal studiesin the Southern Ocean which indicate that a strong bottom current(Deep Western Boundary Current) flows northward along the easterncontinental margin of New Zealand and sweeps continental derivedsediment into the sediment-starved oceanic trench system. Thetrace element and isotopic signatures of the continental derivedcomponent of this sediment are readily distinguished, but alsodiluted in a south to north direction along the plate boundary. KEY WORDS: subduction zone basalts; sediments; Sr-, Nd-, Pb-isotopes; trace elements ^*Present address: School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia.     

Dissolved trace elements and heavy metals from the shallow lakes in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River region,China

Dissolved trace elements and heavy metals of waters and sediments in the ten shallow lakes in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River region were determined to identify their composition and spatial distribution, and to assess the extent of their environmentally detrimental effects by comparison with water and sediment quality guidelines. Results indicated that As and Pb were the main pollutants in lake waters and Mn and Hg the potential ones, while As, Cu and Pb were the main pollutants in lake sediments. Their spatial distribution indicated that Daye Lake was seriously polluted by metals, which was corroborated by cluster analysis. Higher concentrations of trace elements have been found in lakes downstream of the Yangtze River delta, and higher concentrations of metals have been recorded in sediments of upstream lakes, suggesting that metals in water were more sensitive to anthropogenic activities and that metals in sediment were mainly controlled by minerals. Correlation analyses demonstrated that there were stronger associations among metals in lake sediments than those in lake waters, and their good relationships suggested the common sources. Further research on the subject will help develop water quality management with the aim of restoring shallow lakes in the Yangtze River.     

Surface-water quality for the Salí River watershed in NW Argentina

Spatial and temporal variations of Na, Mg, Si, K, Ca, SO₄^2-, Cl^-, HCO₃^-, Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Ce, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, F, Fe, Ga, Ge, Gd, Hf, Hg, Ho, I, La, Li, Mn, Mo, Nb, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, Pr, Rb, Sb, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn, and Zr were monitored through 37 sampling stations to determine the main aspects influencing the surface-water quality in the Salí River watershed (Tucumán Province, NW Argentina). The influence of the regional geological setting on water chemistry allows to distinguish three sub-basins. The interaction with sedimentary rocks was found to be dominant in the northern and central-eastern sub-basin as well as in the southern sub-basin, whereas the metamorphic-granitic basement of the Pampean Ranges was noted in the central sub-basin. In addition, anthropogenic activities affect the spatial variation of K, P, Mn, Rb, and Pb as well as dissolved oxygen concentrations and Eh. Temporal water-quality variation is related to the spatial distribution of precipitation and to the seasonal character of the main local industries (sugar cane, alcohol, citrus), increasing P and K concentrations and decreasing dissolved oxygen concentration and Eh in winter. Cl^-, Na, SO₄^2-, Al, As, B, Fe, Mn, Se and U concentrations exceed the regulated drinking-water thresholds at several sampling stations.     

Suspended sediment transport,sedimentation, and resuspension in Lake Houston,Texas: Implications for water quality

Lake Houston is a man-made reservoir located northeast of Houston, Texas. The purpose of this investigation was to document suspended sediment transport, sedimentation, and resuspension in the lake with a view towards estimating the influence of sedimentation on water quality. Sediment traps were placed in strategic locations in the lake to collect suspended sediments. Samples were analyzed for bulk density, grain size, organic carbon, and a number of trace elements. These data were analyzed along with meteorological data to examine those factors which regulate suspended sediment input and dispersal, and the role of suspended sediments in controlling water quality within the lake. Sediment input to the lake depends primarily on the intensity of rainfall in the watershed. Sediment movement within the lake is strongly influenced by wave activity, which resuspends sediments from shallow areas, and by wind-driven circulation. The increased residence time of suspended sediments due to resuspension allows greater decomposition of organic matter and the release of several trace elements from sediments to the water column. Virtually all samples from sediment traps suspended between 1 and 5 m above the lake bottom contain medium to coarse silt, and even some very fine sand-sized material. This implies that circulation in Lake Houston is periodically intense enough to transport this size material in suspension. During winter, northerly winds with sustained velocities of greater than 5 m/sec provide the most suitable condition for rapid (<1 d) transport of suspended sediment down the length of the lake. Fluctuations in current velocities and the subsequent suspension/deposition of particles may explain variations in the abundance of coliform bacteria in Lake Houston.     

Silver and lead in high-altitude lake sediments: Proxies for climate changes and human activities

High-altitude lake sediments are often used as archives for environmental changes and their chemical and isotopic compositions provide significant constraints on natural and anthropogenic long-term changes that have occurred in their catchment area. Here, trace-element concentrations and Pb isotopes are presented for two sedimentary cores from Lake Blanc Huez in the French Alps, to trace the impact of climate changes and human activities over the Holocene. Lead and Ag contents are very high and clearly dominated by input from a Pb–Ag vein located a few meters from the lakeshore, a vein that also buffers the Pb isotopes. Mining of this vein in medieval times is recorded in the corresponding lake sediments with high Ag content coupled with high Pb/U ratio. These chemical characteristics can be used to constrain the major Holocene climate changes. Significant advances of glaciers next to the lake produced sediments with Ag and Pb concentration peaks and high Pb/U ratios due to accelerated erosion of the Pb–Ag vein, similar to the effects of the medieval mining. In contrast, reduced glacier activity led to the formation of organic-rich sediments with high U and As contents and low Pb/U ratios. More generally, the observed combination of chemical changes could be used elsewhere to decipher environmental changes over long periods of time.     

太湖MS岩芯重金属元素地球化学形态研究

采用BCR三步提取法对太湖MS岩芯沉积物中Cu、Fe、Mn、Ni、Pb和Zn等6种重金属元素的化学形态进行了研究.结果表明,有效结合态的Cu、Ni和Pb主要以有机物及硫化物结合态、Fe-Mn氧化物结合态存在,Fe和Zn主要以Fe-Mn氧化物结合态存在,Mn主要以可交换态及碳酸盐结合态存在;Fe-Mn氧化物结合态的Ni、Pb和Zn与可还原态的Mn有较好的正相关关系,有机物及硫化物结合态的Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb和Zn与有机碳含量有较好的正相关关系;重金属形态分布体现了重金属元素地球化学性质的差异,以及重金属形态含量与沉积物理化性质的关系.沉积岩芯重金属元素形态垂向变化规律及次生相富集系数表明,Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb和Zn在沉积岩芯13～4 cm有效结合态含量较稳定,为自然沉积;4～0 cm有效结合态含量明显升高,存在一定程度的人为污染.根据137Cs测年结果判断,沉积岩芯Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb和Zn等重金属污染开始于20世纪70年代末期,主要污染元素及污染历史与太湖流域污染工业类型及经济发展阶段相吻合.     

Historical pollution variability from abandoned mine sites,Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area,New South Wales,Australia

Core and surface sediments from the Tonalli River, a tributary of the artificial lake, Lake Burragorang, in the Blue Mountains National Park, New South Wales, Australia, were studied to evaluate the spatio-temporal distribution of pollutants from the Yerranderie silver-lead-zinc mine site, abandoned in the late 1920s. A sediment core was collected in the mouth of the Tonalli River, at its junction with Lake Burragorang, and surface sediment samples were collected in the Tonalli River and its tributaries. The concentrations of Pb, As, Zn, Cu, Cd, Hg and Ag in the sediments were determined by ICP-MS and ICP-AES techniques. Temporal variability of metal concentrations was established through ²¹⁰Pb dating of the core sediments and compared with published historical records, rainfall records and bushfire data. Metal concentrations in core sediments showed an overall increase around the year 1950 as well as increases coincident with heavy rainfall. Spatially, metal concentrations were up to 400 times the guideline limit around mine sites but decreased rapidly with distance downstream of the mines.     

Geochemistry and speciation of metals in sediments of the Maharlu Saline Lake,Shiraz, SW Iran

In this study, the total concentration and speciation of trace elements (As, Cr, Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Ni), in sediments of the Maharlu saline Lake, SW Iran are investigated. Comparison with sediment quality guidelines, calculation of the enrichment factors, and trace metal profiles in the Khoshk River inflow point indicate that Maharlu Lake is in the threat of contamination, especially with respect to Ni and Cd. Sequential extraction analysis reveals that elemental speciation in this lake is strongly affected by oxidizing condition of the lake water. The studied elements (except Cr) are mainly associated with oxide phases, as a result of prevailing oxidizing conditions of the lake and also probably due to the source of elements. The ratio of metals in mobile fractions to sum of fractions in lake sediments is very low. However, metal ratios (except for Cr) in mobile fractions are much higher in surface sediments, indicating the impact of anthropogenic loading of trace metals in the recent years.