Treatment of a Trifluraline Effluent by Means of Oxidation‐Coagulation with Fe(VI) and Combined Fenton Processes

The amination water (AW) effluent stream from the industrial production of the trifluraline herbicide was submitted to an oxidation‐coagulation treatment with potassium ferrate, combined with advanced oxidation processes. The experimental results obtained by analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the oxidation‐coagulation‐Fenton process, evaluating the variables pH (A), Fe(VI) concentration (B), and H₂O₂ concentration (C), demonstrated that the regression equation resulting from the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) experimental design, for the quadratic model, was η_Abs (%) = 36.9– 21.58A + 8.37A² + 1.36B + 0.92B² + 1.08C + 1.52C² + 1.27AB – 1.34AC + 1.33BC. The maximum absorptiometric color reduction occurred at pH 3, with corresponding maximum amounts of iron and hydrogen peroxide. The absorptiometric color and COD reduction were 96% and 57%, respectively. For the oxidation‐coagulation‐photo‐Fenton process, the analyzed variables were pH (A), Fe(VI) concentration (B), H₂O₂ concentration (C), and temperature (D). The regression equation resulting from the quadratic model was η_Abs (%) = 38.3 – 20.2A + 8.12A² – 0.27B + 3.73B² + 0.3C + 3.6C² + 1.67D + 3.1D² + 1.72AB + 0.51AC – 1.82AD + 0.74BC – 1.11BD + 0.03CD. The ANOVA response showed that the highest absorptiometric color reduction occurred at pH 3, with respective maximum amounts of iron and hydrogen peroxide at 60°C. The maximum efficiencies achieved by the proposed treatment process for the trifluraline effluent stream were 95% and 85%, for absorptiometric color and COD reduction, respectively.     

鄱阳湖阻隔湖泊沉积物中溞属枝角类卵鞍密度的长期变化及其与营养盐的关系:以军山湖为例

本文研究了典型的鄱阳湖阻隔湖泊——军山湖沉积物(0~36 cm)中溞属枝角类卵鞍密度的长期变化.1~#和2~#采样点36 cm沉积层对应的年代分别为1839和1857年.1958年前,军山湖沉积物的沉积速率呈现较高的水平,而1959年建坝后的沉积速率明显减小.1958年前,军山湖沉积物中总氮和总磷含量相对稳定,但建坝后总氮含量呈现明显增加的趋势.在军山湖沉积物中,鉴定出中华拟同形溞(Daphnia similoides sinensis)、盔形溞(D.galeata)和蚤状溞(D.pulex)的卵鞍.1~#和2~#沉积柱中3种溞属种类总卵鞍和含休眠卵卵鞍的累积速率和密度呈现较一致的变化.1958年前,3种溞属种类总卵鞍和含休眠卵卵鞍的累积速率和密度均处于较低水平(1~#沉积柱:0~1.51×10~3ind./(m~2·a)和0~0.63 ind./(g·dw);2~#沉积柱:0~0.70×10~3ind./(m~2·a)和0~0.22 ind./(g·dw));1959年建坝后,10~1 cm的沉积层中3种溞属种类总卵鞍和含休眠卵卵鞍的累积速率和密度呈现逐步增加的趋势,尤其是在3~1 cm(2009-2015年)的沉积层.Pearson相关性显示,军山湖1~#沉积柱中的总氮含量与3种溞属种类的总卵鞍和含休眠卵卵鞍的累积速率之间均存在极显著相关性.2~#沉积柱中的总氮和总磷含量均与3种溞属种类总卵鞍的累积速率之间存在显著相关性.2~#沉积柱的总氮和总磷含量还与中华拟同形溞的含休眠卵卵鞍的累积速率之间均存在显著相关性.结果表明,沉积物中营养盐含量和溞属种类卵鞍(或休眠卵)的长期变化能够反映湖泊富营养化和溞属种群的历史演变过程.     

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Abstract

This paper investigates for a 25-year period the sediment distribution in a semi-arid Brazilian basin (2 × 10⁴ km²) with a network containing more than 4000 surface reservoirs. The methodology is based on rating curves and fitted parameters derived from field data. The results showed that suspended load corresponded to 70% of the total sediment yield (148 t km^-2 year^-1). The relatively low contribution of the suspended load (compared with other semi-arid regions) was attributed to the impact of the numerous upstream reservoirs, which retained 235 t km^-2 year^-1. The micro (<1 hm³), small (1–10 hm³), medium-sized (10–50 hm³), and large or strategic (>50 hm³) reservoirs responded to, respectively, 5, 17, 30 and 48% of the total sediment retention by the reservoir network. This indicates that retention in the non-strategic reservoirs has a positive impact on water availability, since siltation of the strategic reservoirs would be expected to more than double if only such reservoirs existed.

Citation Lima Neto, I. E., Wiegand, M. C. &; de Araújo, J. C. (2011) Sediment redistribution due to a dense reservoir network in a large semi-arid Brazilian basin. Hydrol. Sci. J. 56(2), 319–333.     

Groundwater Inflow Controls Acidity Fluxes in an Iron Rich and Acidic Lake

To ascertain the influence of hydrological boundary conditions on acidity fluxes in lakes influenced by acid mine drainage, acidity budgets were developed for two sediments in areas of differential groundwater inflow (approx. 1 L m^?2 d^?1 and 10 L m^?2 d^?1). In both sediments iron was deposited as schwertmannite leading to iron(III) enriched sediments (3.9…6.2 mmol g^?1, referred to dry weight). Compared to the surface water, the inflowing groundwater had higher pH (4.5 vs. 3), ferrous iron (6…20 mmol L^?1 vs. 0.8…2.0 mmol L^?1), and sulfate (5…60 mmol L^?1 vs. 8…13 mmol L^?1) concentrations. The inflow changed the sediment pore water chemistry and triggered a further increase in pH to above 5.5. In both sediments acidity generation in the surface water (10…30 mol m^?2 a^?1) strongly prevailed over acidity consumption in the sediments (> ?0.6 mol m^?2 a^?1). With advective groundwater inflow, however, more acidity was consumed due to TRIS formation (?0.12 mol m^?2 a^?1 vs. ?0.017 mol m^?2 a^?1), iron carbonate burial (upper estimate: ?0.14 mol m^?2 a^?1 vs. ?0.022 mol m^?2 a^?1), and unspecific ferrous iron retention (?0.39 mol m^?2 a^?1 vs. ?0.08 mol m^?2 a^?1). Also, less acidity was generated due to schwertmannite transformation (?2.4 mol m^?2 a^?1 vs. ?0.11 mol m^?2 a^?1). The acidity balance of internal processes in the sediment with groundwater inflow was negative, whereas it was positive in the other sediment. The study demonstrates that in acidic and iron rich lakes the hydrological boundary conditions strongly affect geochemical processes as subsumed in acidity fluxes.     

Assessing the performance of a physically based hydrological model using a proxy‐catchment approach in an agricultural environment

Physically based models are useful frameworks for testing intervention strategies designed to reduce elevated sediment loads in agricultural catchments. Evaluating the success of these strategies depends on model accuracy, generally established by a calibration and evaluation process. In this contribution, the physically based SHETRAN model was assessed in two similar U.K. agricultural catchments. The model was calibrated on the Blackwater catchment (18 km²) and evaluated in the adjacent Kit Brook catchment (22 km²) using 4 years of 15 min discharge and suspended sediment flux data. Model sensitivity to changes in single and multiple combinations of parameters and sensitivity to changes in digital elevation model resolution were assessed. Model flow performance was reasonably accurate with a Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient of 0.78 in Blackwater and 0.60 in Kit Brook. In terms of event prediction, the mean of the absolute percentage of difference (μAbs_diff) between measured and simulated flow volume (Qv), peak discharge (Qp), sediment yield (Sy), and peak sediment flux (Sp) showed larger values in Kit Brook (48% [Qv], 66% [Qp], 298% [Sy], and 438% [Sp]) compared with the Blackwater catchment (30% [Qv], 41% [Qp], 106% [Sy], and 86% [Sp]). Results indicate that SHETRAN can produce reasonable flow prediction but performs less well in estimation of sediment flux, despite reasonably similar hydrosedimentary behaviour between catchments. The sensitivity index showed flow volume sensitive to saturated hydraulic conductivity and peak discharge to the Strickler coefficient; sediment yield was sensitive to the overland flow erodibility coefficient and peak sediment flux to raindrop/leaf soil erodibility coefficient. The multiparameter sensitivity analysis showed that different combinations of parameters produced similar model responses. Model sensitivity to grid resolution presented similar flow volumes for different digital elevation model resolutions, whereas event peak and duration (for both flow and sediment flux) were highly sensitive to changes in grid size.     

湖泊底泥疏浚环境效应:Ⅰ.内源磷释放控制作用

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内源磷释放的控制效果．结果发现,疏浚表层30cm能够有效的消减沉积物中不f司形态磷含量与孔隙水中PO4^3-P含量．在一年的试验周期内,疏浚和对照柱沉积物-水界面的PO4^3-P通量分别为-143．8至14．4与-237．3至3047．6μg／（m^2&#183;d）,疏浚柱沉积物-水界面的磷通量总体上低于未疏浚对照的磷通量,尤其是在温度较高的月份,从2006年3-10月疏浚柱沉积物-水界面磷释放通量显著低于未疏浚对照柱,疏浚沉积物的磷的释放潜力低于未疏浚对照沉积物．研究结果表明,在外源磷得到有效控制的前提下,底泥疏浚是消减研究区内源磷负荷有效的技术手段．     

Wildfire effects on extractable elements in ash from a Pinus pinaster forest in Portugal

The aim of this work is to study the effects of a wildfire on water‐extractable elements in ash from a Pinus pinaster forest located in Portugal. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), sodium and potassium adsorption ratio (SPAR), aluminium (Al³⁺), manganese (Mn²⁺), iron (Fe²⁺), zinc (Zn²⁺), sulphur (S), silica (Si) and phosphorous (P) were analysed in ash sampled from a sloped area burned in a wildfire and from litter from a contiguous unburned area, with similar morphological conditions. The results showed that ash leachates had higher pH and EC, and were significantly richer in water‐extractable Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, SPAR, S and Si and significantly poorer in water‐extractable Al³⁺, Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Zn²⁺ than litter solutions. No significant differences were observed in water‐extractable P. The fire changed the ash solute chemistry compared with the unburned litter and increased the sample variability of nutrient distribution with potential implications for plant recovery. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Deposition, mineralization, and storage of carbon and nitrogen in sediments of the far northern and northern Great Barrier Reef shelf

The flow of carbon and nitrogen in sediments of the far northern and northern sections of the Great Barrier Reef continental shelf was examined. Most of the organic carbon (81–94%) and total nitrogen (74–92%) depositing to the seabed was mineralized, with burial of carbon (6–19%) and nitrogen (8–20%) being proportionally less on this tropical shelf compared with other non-deltaic shelves. Differences in carbon and nitrogen mineralization among stations related best to water depth and proximity to river basins, with rates of mineralization based on net ∑CO₂ production ranging from 17 to 39 ( mean=23) mmol C m⁻² d⁻¹. The overall ratio of O₂:CO₂ flux was 1.3, close to the Redfield ratio, implying that most organic matter mineralized was algal. Sulfate reduction was estimated to account for ≈30% (range: 6–62%), and denitrification for ≈5% (range: 2–13%), of total C mineralization; there was no measurable CH₄ production. Discrepancies between ∑CO₂ production across the sediment–water interface and sediment incubations suggest that as much as 5 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹ (≈25% of ∑CO₂ flux) was involved in carbonate mineral formation. Most microbial activity was in the upper 20 cm of sediment. Rates of net NH₄⁺ production ranged from 1.6 to 2.7 mmol N m⁻² d⁻¹, with highly variable N₂ fixation rates contributing little to total N input. Ammonification and nitrification rates were sufficient to support rapid rates of denitrification (range: 0.1–12.4 mmol N m⁻² d⁻¹). On average, nearly 50% of total N input to the shelf sediment was denitrified. The average rates of sedimentation, mineralization, and burial of C and N were greater in the northern section of the shelf than in the far northern section, presumably due to higher rainfall and river discharge, as plankton production was similar between regions. The relative proportion of plankton primary production remineralized at the seafloor was in the range of 30–50% which is at the high end of the range found on other shelves. The highly reactive nature of these sediments is attributed to the deposition of high-quality organic material as well as to the shallowness of the shelf, warm temperatures year-round, and a variety of physical disturbances (cyclones, trawling) fostering physicochemical conditions favorable for maintaining rapid rates of microbial metabolism. The rapid and highly efficient recycling of nutrients on the inner and middle shelf may help to explain why the coral reefs on the outer shelf have remained unscathed from increased sediment delivery since European settlement.     

Estimating Net Primary Productivity and Nutrient Stock in Plant in Freshwater Marsh,Northeastern China

We have investigated the contributions of three dominant macrophyte species, Deyeuxia angustifolia, Carex lasiocarpa, and Carex pseudocuraica (covering about 10 304 km²), to carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) stocks in the largest freshwater marsh (17 300 km²) in China for a 3‐year period (from 2002 to 2004). The monthly biomass, seasonal, and annual net primary productivity (NPP), and nutrient concentrations of three species were measured. All three plant species showed rapid growth in the rainy season. The maximum and minimum production rates in the freshwater marsh were ～36.19 and ～9.92 g m^?2 day^?1, respectively. The total NPP accounts 1900–2700 g m^?2 year^?1 in the studied area. Total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in roots were higher than those in stem and leaf tissues. The vast beds of the three studied species comprise 80% of the grass covered marsh of Sanjiang plain, contributing annual nutrient stocks of ～10.99 × 10⁶, ～788.36 × 10³, and ～18.10 × 10³ t (tonnes) for TOC, TN, and TP, respectively. Our results suggest that the nutrient bioaccumulation capacity in freshwater marshes depend mainly on plant species, which are decided by hydrological conditions. The nutrient stocks in the Sanjiang plain marsh have been greatly reduced because some of the area occupied by C. lasiocarpa was replaced by D. angustifolia as a result of succession caused by the changes of water table.     

High flow events and sediment transport in small streams in the ‘tertiary basin’ area in piedmont (Northwest Italy)

Rainfall, peak discharges, and suspended sediment transport were surveyed for 280 events in three small (0.8 to 10 km²) catchments in a hilly area derived from Neogene marls, silts, and sands. Under similar hydrological input conditions, stream flow behaviour and sediment delivery differed considerably from one catchment to another, depending on topography, lithology, land use, and especially sediment availability. Analytical treatment of data showed a good fit between sediment yield and peak flow discharge. Less good, although still significant, was the correlation between sediment concentration and discharge values for different flow stages. Rainfall peak/basin lag time and rainfall/discharge showed poor or no correlation, mainly due to strong variations in rainfall distribution. Sediment concentration in the catchments varied enormously according to season, from zero up to 334 g 1^?1; sediment yield was 160-900 tonnes km^?2 yr^?1 in the two major catchments, and over 5200 tonnes km^?2 yr^?1 in the headwater catchment, stressing the importance of small tributaries not only in inducing floods in downstream channels, but also in sediment supply.     

Burrowing responses of the short-neck clam Ruditapes philippinarum to sediment contaminants

The burrowing responses of a common tropical bivalve, the short-neck clam Ruditapes philippinarum, to cadmium (Cd)-spiked sediment, variations of sediment grain size and natural sediments collected from 15 locations in Hong Kong's inshore waters were investigated through a series of laboratory tests. Results showed that the burrowing response exhibited a negative relationship with an increase in Cd concentration in the spiked sediments. The level of Cd was also found to be directly proportional to the percent mortality of the clam. However, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the time elapsed for the clam to burrow into sediments with different grain size composition. The elapsed time for 50% of the test clams to burrow into the sediment (ET₅₀) over a period of 48 h was calculated for the sediment samples collected from the 15 locations. Results of ANOVA showed significant difference (p<0.05) among the sediment samples. Tukey's multiple comparison test revealed two groups of sediments: group 1 containing 3 sediment samples collected from Victoria Harbour and group 2 containing 12 samples obtained from other coastal areas of Hong Kong. The ET₅₀ value for group 1 sediments was found to be greater than 2880 min whilst the ET₅₀ for group 2 sediments had a mean of 173.9 min. Agglomerative classification of the sediment samples, based on metal content (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn), also showed two similar groups, suggesting that the ET₅₀ values were correlated with the metal level of the sediment samples. Group 1 sediments collected from Victoria Harbour had greater concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn as compared to that in group 2. The present study demonstrated that high metal content in the sediment tends to inhibit the burrowing responses of the clam and that there is potential to develop the burrowing responses of R. philippinarum as a sublethal sediment toxicity test.     

Field studies of sediment transport by overland flow

Field studies on sandy soils of the Cottenham Series in mid-Bedfordshire show that the mean annual rate of sediment transport by overland flow on an 11° mid-slope is 98 g cm¹. The feasibility of using sediment transport equations to predict erosion by overland flow on a storm basis is examined by comparing the observed values of sediment yield with values predicted by four sediment transport equations and a regression equation which relates soil loss to runoff energy and rainfall energy. An expression combining Engelund's sediment transport capacity equation and the Manning equation for flow velocity, as modified by Savat for disturbed flow, best reflects field conditions. Although there is a significant correlation (r = 0.69; n 30) between the observed and predicted values using this expression, the coefficient of determination is too low for predictive purposes. Reasons for this are presented.     

Selenium in sediments and biota from estuaries of southwest England

Selenium concentrations have been measured in sediment, fucoid macroalgae and macroinvertebrates from four estuaries of SW England (Yealm, Plym, Looe, Fal). Sediment concentrations ranged from about 0.4 μg g⁻¹ in the Yealm to 1.49 μg g⁻¹ at one site in the Plym. Concentrations in Fucus vesiculosus (0.05–0.31 μg g⁻¹) and F. ceranoides (0.05–0.51 μg g⁻¹) were significantly lower than corresponding concentrations in sediment but there was no correlation between algal and sediment concentrations. Selenium concentrations in Littorina littorea (∼4 μg g⁻¹), Hediste diversicolor (2.82–12.68 μg g⁻¹), Arenicola marina (∼17 μg g⁻¹) and Scrobicularia plana (1.18–6.85 μg g⁻¹) were considerably higher than concentrations in macroalga or sediment, suggesting that Se is effectively accumulated from the diet. Although Se concentrations in some invertebrates exceed toxicity thresholds for the diet of predacious birds and fish, no specific evidence for Se toxicity exists in these estuaries.     

The application of uranium series disequilibrium concepts to sediment yield determination

The determination of uranium series disequilibria in fluvial environments is proposed as a method of calculating catchment mass balances. The technique is based on two main principles. Firstly, ²³⁴U is more mobile than ²³⁸U, especially during the early stages of weathering. Secondly, uranium is far more mobile than either thorium or protactinium. Consequently, teaching during weathering results in the loss of the uranium found in the fresh rock, leaving the two immobile daughters behind. The ratio of uranium carried by sediment to that dissolved, U_S/U_W can, therefore, be determined from river water and sediment isotopic activity ratios. Fluxes of uranium can then be calculated from average concentrations in the water and the associated sediment, from which a sediment yield can be inferred. The Witham catchment in Lincolnshire has been used to test the proposed method. A U_S/U_W ratio of between 5 and 7 is determined and a sediment yield of 2.51 ± 2.12 tonnes yr^?1 km^?2 is proposed. Although some problems concerning environmental chemistry have arisen, the validity of the approach is confirmed by the close correspondence between the results obtained and those inferred by earlier workers using more conventional methods.     

Assessing the spatial variability,level and source of organic chemical contaminants in bivalve fishing grounds on the Galician coast (NW Spain)

Polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, organotin compounds and triazines were quantified in sediments and bivalves collected in four areas on the Galician coast. One or several species were analysed at each site depending on their availability, including mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), cockles (Cerastoderma edule), clams (Venerupis pullastra and Ruditapes decussatus) and razor shells (Ensis siliqua). The general spatial distribution of contaminants was consistent in spite of the different sources of contamination. High inter-species variability was also observed. M. galloprovincialis and V. pullastra showed the highest levels of contaminants and intra-spatial variability, which highlights them as suitable species to be used as sentinel organisms. The area of O Burgo showed some worrisome results: PCB sediment concentrations were within the range that could cause biological effects. Also the level of heptachlor observed in V. pullastra was above limits accepted on edible seafood. Finally TBT concentration in mussels correlated with concentrations causing imposex in snails.     

Spatial scale impact on daily surface water and sediment fluxes in Thukela river,South Africa

The on- and off-site effects of soil erosion in many environments are well known, but there is still limited understanding of the soil loss fluxes in downstream direction due, among other factors, to scarce and poor quality. A four year study to (i) evaluate water and sediment fluxes at different spatio-temporal scales and (ii) interpret the results in terms of processes involved and the controlling factors, was conducted in Thukela basin, South Africa. Five hierarchically nested catchments; namely microcatchment (0.23 km²), subcatchment (1.20 km²), catchment (9.75 km²), sub-basin (253 km²) and basin (29,038 km²), were used in addition to fifteen (1 m²) microplots and ten (10 m²) plots on five locations within the microcatchment. The results showed 19% decrease of unit-area runoff (q) from 3.1 L m⁻² day⁻¹ at microplot to 2.5 L m⁻² day⁻¹ at plot scale followed by steeper (56%) decrease at microcatchment scale. The q decreased in downstream direction to very low level (q ≤ 0.26 L m⁻² day⁻¹). The changes in q were accompanied by initial 1% increase of soil loss (SL) from 18.8 g m⁻² day⁻¹ at microplot to 19.1 g m⁻² day⁻¹ at plot scale. The SL also decreased sharply (by 39 fold) to 0.50 g m⁻² day⁻¹ at microcatchment scale, followed by further decrease in downstream direction. The decrease of q with spatial scale was attributed to infiltration losses, while initial increase of SL signified greater competence of sheet than splash erosion. The decrease of SL beyond the plot scale was attributed to redistribution of the soil on the hillslope and deposition on the stream channel upstream of the microcatchment outlet. Therefore, erosion control strategies focussing on the recovery of vegetation on the slope and stabilisation of gullies are recommended.     

Sediment yields and sources in a welsh upland lake-catchment during the past 800 years

Estimates of suspended sediment yield over the past 800 years have been derived from a whole-basin study of lake sediments in Llyn Geirionydd, North Wales. Magnetic and physical sediment properties were used to correlate a suite of cores to a master chronology based on ²¹⁰Pb and ¹⁴C dates. The sources of sediment within the catchment were identified by comparing the magnetic and heavy metal properties of sediments, soils, and stream sediments. Mean suspended sediment yields range from 6 to 18 t km^?2 yr^?1 with high yields in the periods 1765-1830 and 1903-1985 corresponding to mining activities in the catchment. The impact of earlier deforestation, agricultural expansion, or climatic change on sediment yields is low, although there is evidence that agricultural activities increased levels of peak stream discharge. Afforestation in the 20th century does not appear to have significantly increased sediment yield. Sediment sources have remained fairly constant through time; they appear to be widespread and dominated by stream channel sides rather than point sources, except during the mining phases when spoil material has dominated the sediment load. Sediment loads to the lake today are still dominated by sediment derived from unvegetated spoil heaps.     

Interactions between groundwater seepage and sediment porewater sulphate concentration profiles in lake anna,Virginia

Most sulphur diagenesis models predict that SO₄^2- concentrations decrease exponentially with increasing sediment depth and are lower than that of the overlying water throughout the sediments. Low SO₄^2- concentrations (less than 0.2 mM) are common in the sediments of Lake Anna that receive acid mine drainage; however, sediment with as much as 20 mM SO₄^2- at about 20cm below the sediment surface is also seen in this section of the lake. A decision tree was proposed to investigate the cause of the high SO₄^2- concentrations at depth (HSD) in the sediment. The first possibility proposed was that an increase in the quantity of groundwater flowing through Lake Anna sediments may increase groundwater advection of SO₄^2- or oxygen which would induce sulphide oxidation. This hypothesis was tested by measuring groundwater flow. HSD profiles were found in a discrete region of the lake; however, stations having these profiles did not have higher groundwater flow than other sites sampled. Alternate explanations for the HSD profiles were that the region in which they occurred had: (1) unusual sediment chemical compositions; (2) a different source of regional groundwater, or (3) a lateral intrusion of high SO₄^2- groundwater. There were no differences in sulphide and organic matter concentrations between the two regions. The area which has HSD in the sediment covers a large area in the middle of the lake, so it is unlikely that it has a unique source of regional groundwater. The third alternative was supported by the fact that in all three sample years, HSD stations were located in the preimpoundment stream channel, which is a likely lateral flow path for groundwater containing high SO₄^2- concentrations.     

Riverine export of water,sediment and carbon during flood events in the arid to semi-arid Wuding River on the Chinese Loess Plateau

Floods have become increasingly important in fluvial export of water, sediment and carbon (C). Using high-frequency sampling, the export of water, sediment and C was examined in the Wuding River catchment on the Chinese Loess Plateau. With groundwater as an important contributor to runoff all year round, floods were relatively less important in the export of water. However, large floods were disproportionately important in exporting sediment and inorganic C (DIC) and organic C (DOC and POC). The three largest floods in each year transported 53.6–97.3 and 41.4–77% of the annual sediment and C fluxes, respectively. An extreme flood in 2017 alone contributed 94.6 and 73.1% of the annual sediment and C fluxes, respectively, in just 7 days, which included 20.3, 92.1 and 35.7% of the annual DOC, POC and DIC fluxes, respectively. A stable carbon isotope (δ¹³C) analysis of POC indicated that modern soils and C3 plants were its primary source. Furthermore, floods greatly accelerated CO₂ degassing due to elevated gas transfer velocity, although stream water CO₂ partial pressure (pCO₂) exhibited a decreasing trend with flow discharge. Although these results illustrated that increasing runoff diluted pCO₂, the timing and magnitude of floods were found to be critical in determining the response of pCO₂ to flow dynamics. Low-magnitude floods in the early wet season increased pCO₂ because of enhanced organic matter input, while subsequent large floods caused a lower pCO₂ due to greatly reduced organic matter supply. Finally, continuous monitoring of a complete flood event showed that the CO₂ efflux during the flood (2348 ± 664 mg C m^–2 day^–1) was three times that under low-flow conditions (808 ± 98 mg C m^–2 day^–1). Our study suggests that infrequent, heavy storm events, which are predicted to increase under climate change, will greatly alter the transport regimes of sediment and C. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.