Preferential flow and segregation of porewater solutes in Wetland sediment

Sediment macropores (with effective diameters larger than 100 μm) comprise 11% of the bulk sediment volume in a tidal freshwater wetland vegetated withPeltandra virginica. In order to determine effects of macroporous sediment structure on solute transport, we conducted a solute tracer experiment in the sediment. The effective transport volume (θ_eff, the volume of sediment through which solute was transported normalized to sediment bulk volume) was 0.15 cm³ cm^?3, which is considerably smaller than the total pore space that is potentially available for transport (porosity of sediment is 0.63 cm³ cm^?3). A mean transport time of 13 d was required to flush preferential flow paths inPeltandra hummocks; hydrologic turnover of the volumetrically dominant matrix pores (0.53 cm³ cm^?3) was apparently much slower. Based on porewater sampler design and hydrological principles, we suggest that N₂-purged tension solution samplers and diffusion equilibrators preferentially sample porewater from macropore and matrix domains, respectively. Dissolved ammonium and orthophosphate concentrations were three-fold higher in matrix pores compared to macropores, which is consistent with our finding that more rapid hydrological flushing occurred in macropores compared to matrix pores. Further evaluation of porewater sampler designs in macroporous sediment is needed to improve studies of hydrologic transport and biogeochemical cycling in wetlands.     

Benthic exchange of nutrients in Galveston Bay, Texas

Nutrient regeneration rates were determined at three sites increasing in distance from the Trinity River, the main freshwater input source, to Galveston Bay, Texas, from 1994 through 1996. Diffusive fluxes generally agreed in direction with directly measured benthic fluxes but underestimated the exchange of nutrients across the sediment-water interface. While the fluxes of ammonium and phosphate were directed from the sediment into the overlying waters, the fluxes of silicate and chloride changed in both magnitude and direction in response to changing Trinity River flow conditions. Oxygen fluxes showed benthic production during both summer 1995 and winter 1996, while light-dark deployments showed production-consumption, respectively. Benthic inputs of nutrients were higher at either the middle or outer Trinity Bay regions, most likely due to a higher quality and quantity of the autochthonous organic matter deposited. This feature is consistent with and gives evidence for previously observed non-conservative mixing behaviors reported for nutrients in this region of Galveston Bay. Calculated turnover times, between 7 to 135 d for phosphate, 4 to 56 d for silicate, and 0.3 to 10 d for ammonium were significantly shorter than the average Trinity Bay water residence time of 1.5 yr for the period September 1995 through October 1996. During periods of decreased Trinity River flow and increased residence times, benthic inputs of ammonium and phosphate were 1 to 2 orders of magnitude greater than Trinity River inputs and were the dominant input source of these nutrients to Trinity Bay. The sediments, a sink for silicate when overlying water column concentrations of silicate were elevated, became a source of silicate to the overlying waters of Trinity Bay under reduced flow, high salinity conditions.     

A modification of freeze-core technology for collecting granular fluvial sediment samples

The presence of coarse-grained sediment can potentially reduce the effectiveness of conventional sampling methods in recovering fluvial sediments. A modification to freeze-core technology was used to collect fine to coarse sands, silts, and clays in fluvial deposits that contain significant amounts of gravels, cobbles, and boulders for the purpose of characterizing the extent of heavy metal contamination. This modification uses either a 2.5 or 2.9 cm diameter by 30-cm- long finned mechanical or hand-driven samplers. The sediment is frozen to the outside of the sampler by injecting liquid CO₂ into the sampler. The fins protect the sample from coarse material upon removal. Field testing and laboratory testing of the method were completed to establish a methodology and assess possible cross contamination of the sediment layers during the driving of the sampler. The results indicated that this method is effective for recovering non-cohesive sediment samples at depths up to 6 m for the purpose of characterizing the extent of heavy metal contamination.     

Biogeochemical cycling in an organic rich coastal marine basin—II. Nutrient sediment-water exchange processes

The release of remineralized N and P from the organic-rich anoxic sediments of Cape Lookout Bight is controlled by processes occurring within the sediment column and at the sediment-water interface. The relatively rapid rates of temperature dependent microbial degradation of organic matter support seasonally varying nutrient fluxes ranging from 20 to 1200 μmol·m^?2·hr^?1 for dissolved ammonium and from ? 20 to 120 μmol·m^?2·hr^?1 for total dissolved phosphate (measured in situ over the period October, 1976 to October, 1978). Molecular diffusion along steep vertical pore water concentration gradients measured simultaneously cannot explain the high fluxes observed during warmer months. Gradients for ammonium and phosphate ranged from 0.33 to 1.10 and from 0 to 0.29 μmol·cm^?3_pw·cm^?1_s respectively. These high summertime fluxes appear to result from increased sediment-water transport associated with bubble tubes created and maintained by low-tide methane gas bubble ebullition. When these tubes are present, apparent bulk sediment diffusivities calculated from concurrent studies of methane and radon-222 sediment-water exchange are 1.0–3.1 times greater than molecular diffusivities. Nutrient fluxes calculated via Fick's first law taking into account this enhanced transport and the differential diffusive mobilities of dissolved ammonium, phosphate and phosphate ion pairs indicate that removal by aerobic adsorption and/or biological uptake at the sediment-water interface plays an important role in controlling nutrient exchange in these sediments.     

海洋冲击伸缩绳索取样器的研制与应用

海洋沉积物地层主要由淤泥、软土、半固结泥岩、砂岩等组成,沉积物地层钻探取样是海洋工程和地质调查的重要组成部分。常规回转取样器取样,极易破坏样品的原状而且取样率较低;静压取样器取样,在砂岩、半固结泥岩等较硬地层取样率较低。针对上述问题,研制了一种冲击伸缩绳索取样器,该取样器结合了静压取样器和锤击取样器的特点,实现对海底以沉积物为主地层的高保真取样。     

Iron Budget and Its Correlations with Macronutrients in the Inshore Waters of the Aegean Sea

Macronutrients and micronutrients were measured during the phytoplankton bloom period and then seasonally monitored after the bloom in the polluted Izmir Bay. Iron and the macronutrients (phosphate, ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, and silicate) were abundant in the waters of the inner and middle sections of Izmir Bay. The iron concentration decreased exponentially from the eutrophic inner bay to the oligotrophic outer bay. Suboxic–anoxic processes and the resuspension dynamics in the sediment were the most important factor in the control of iron, ammonium, and phosphate enrichment in the bay beside the anthropogenic activities. The biological removal of Fe in the inner and middle bay and nonbiological removal in the outer bay were effective in controlling iron concentration in Izmir Bay. The nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium nitrogen (N) and Si decreased to critical levels in the middle and outer bay at the end of the summer as long as the concentration of phosphate was high. The N/P ratios in the bay suggested that N might be the controlling nutrient for phytoplankton growth particularly in the middle and outer bay throughout summer. Furthermore, Si was also able to have controlling impact probably on diatom growth during autumn and winter in the inner and middle bay and in the early spring in the outer bay. The N/Si/Chelex labile Fe ratios implied that the iron could be a critical controlling nutrient for phytoplankton growth during early April in the outer bay unless the other macronutrients were low.     

Nutrient pore water chemistry,Great Bay,New Hampshire: Benthic fluxes

Benthic fluxes of C, N, P and Si have been measured at two sites in Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire. Higher fluxes of reactive phosphate, nitrate and reactive silicate were observed at the site where bioturbation is known to occur and the fluxes of NH₄ ⁺, PO₄ ^?3 and reactive silicate at this location were from 3 to 6 times higher than that calculated by simple pore water diffusion models. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY019 00010     

An inexpensive sampler for obtaining bulk sediment cores

A large-volume core sampler for sediment—muck substrates is described. The sampler can acquire a discrete sediment core of 10 cm in diameter and up to 1.5 m long. Such samplers are needed to collect the volume necessary for analysis of sediments for contaminants, bulk density, or radioactive dating. The sampler consists of a 1- to 2-m length of PVC pipe mounted below a threaded metal pipe air exhaust—intake assembly. This assembly is quick-connected to standard threaded lengths (300 cm) of water pipe (2 cm diam) or electrical conduit so that bottom sediments in water depths of up to 10 m can be sampled. The core sampler is hand-operated and pushed into bottom sediments from a boat. It does not have to be triggered remotely because of the one-way modified check valve in the air exhaust—intake assembly. After the sampler is extracted from the sediment, the extension handle can be quickly removed for ease of sampler handling, and the core can be extruded from the PVC tube by air pressure.Contribution of the National Sedimentation Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Oxford, Mississippi 38655, U.S.A.     

An in-situ integrated suspended sediment stream sampler (IS3)

An inexpensive, lightweight stream sampler is described which provides a method for continuous collection of suspended stream sediments. The IS^3* sampler collects integrated suspended stream samples, and because the sampler relies on basic sedimentation principles, it can be deployed to collect suspended sediment stream samples for environmental studies or geochemical exploration in remote areas. The sampler trapped from 0.45 to 1.2 g of dry sediment during 7- to 8-d field tests conducted during 1985.     

AYX2型积时式悬沙采样器进水管路优化设计

积时式悬沙采样器进口管路的结构和几何参数是影响采样器管嘴进口流速的关键因素之一。为保证所采水样的真实和准确性，一般要求采样器进口流速接近河流的天然流速。本文通过建立采样器进口流速的数学模型，对采样器进口管路进行了参数优化。研究表明，通过优化结构参数，在水深0-40m。天然流速0-5m／s的范围内，采样器的进口流速系数K在[0．9，1．1]区间的概率可达98％。     

海洋沉积地层多功能取样钻具研制

目前,海洋钻探取心主要采用提钻或绳索打捞的方式获取岩心。随着对取心质量和采取率要求越来越高,再加上海底沉积层变化多样,单一的取样器具已经不能满足当前的取样需要。为此,本文研制了一种海洋沉积地层多功能取样钻具,能够根据海底地层性质,开展低扰动、高品质的取样操作。通过海洋钻进取样试验表明,针对海底的淤泥、粘土及砂质地层,超前取样钻具、液压剪切取样钻具和半合管取样钻具能够有效获取海底的沉积层岩样,平均采取率为73.34%。研制的多功能取样钻具采用超前取样和液压压入取样技术,降低了对沉积物岩心的扰动,提升了岩心品质和采取率,为下一步的工程化应用奠定了基础。     

一种便携式重力取样器的研制

在对湖泊或水库等浅层水域的环境变化研究和环境污染检测中,浅层水域的淤泥质沉积物取样是一项必不可缺的工作.在综合比较国内外常用重力取样器优缺点的基础上,提出了一种能够获取水库、湖泊等水域浅层淤泥质原状沉积物的重力式取样器,并详细介绍了其工作原理及其各组成机构的功能.通过现场试验情况证明,该取样器具有结构简单、操作方便的优点.     

Nutrient-Replete Benthic Microalgae as a Source of Dissolved Organic Carbon to Coastal Waters

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) flux dynamics were examined in the context of other biogeochemical cycles in intertidal sediments inhabited by benthic microalgae. In August 2003, gross oxygenic photosynthetic (GOP) rates, oxygen penetration depths, and benthic flux rates were quantified at seven sites along the Duplin River, GA, USA. Sediments contained abundant benthic microalgal (BMA) biomass with a maximum chlorophyll a concentration of 201 mg chl a m^?2. Oxygen microelectrodes were used to determine GOP rates and O₂ penetration depth, which were tightly correlated with light intensity. Baseline and ¹⁵N-nitrate amended benthic flux core incubations were employed to quantify benthic fluxes and to investigate the impact of BMA on sediment water exchange under nitrogen (N)-limited and N-replete conditions. Unamended sediments exhibited tight coupling between GOP and respiration and served as a sink for water column dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and a source of silicate and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). The BMA response to the N addition indicated sequential nutrient limitation, with N limitation followed by silicate limitation. In diel (light–dark) incubations, biological assimilation accounted for 83% to 150% of the nitrate uptake, while denitrification (DNF) and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) accounted for <7%; in contrast, under dark conditions, DNF and DNRA accounted for >40% of the NO₃ ^? uptake. The N addition shifted the metabolic status of the sediments from a balance of autotrophy and heterotrophy to net autotrophy under diel conditions, and the sediments served as a sink for water column DIN, silicate, and DIC but became a source of DOC, suggesting that the increased BMA production was decoupled from sediment bacterial consumption of DOC.     

Microscale controls on the fate of contaminant uranium in the vadose zone, Hanford Site, Washington

An alkaline brine containing uranyl (UO₂²⁺) leaked to the thick unsaturated zone at the Hanford Site. We examined samples from this zone at microscopic scale to determine the mode of uranium occurrence—microprecipitates of uranyl (UO₂²⁺) silicate within lithic-clast microfractures—and constructed a conceptual model for its emplacement, which we tested using a model of reactive diffusion at that scale. The study was driven by the need to understand the heterogeneous distribution of uranium and the chemical processes that controlled it. X-ray and electron microprobe imaging showed that the uranium was associated with a minority of clasts, specifically granitic clasts occupying less than four percent of the sediment volume. XANES analysis at micron resolution showed the uranium to be hexavalent. The uranium was precipitated in microfractures as radiating clusters of uranyl silicates, and sorbed uranium was not observed on other surfaces. Compositional determinations of the 1-3 μm precipitates were difficult, but indicated a uranyl silicate. These observations suggested that uranyl was removed from pore waters by diffusion and precipitation in microfractures, where dissolved silica within the granite-equilibrated solution would cause supersaturation with respect to sodium boltwoodite. This hypothesis was tested using a reactive diffusion model operating at microscale. Conditions favoring precipitation were simulated to be transient, and driven by the compositional contrast between pore and fracture space. Pore-space conditions, including alkaline pH, were eventually imposed on the microfracture environment. However, conditions favoring precipitation were prolonged within the microfracture by reaction at the silicate mineral surface to buffer pH in a solubility limiting acidic state, and to replenish dissolved silica. During this time, uranyl was additionally removed to the fracture space by diffusion from pore space. Uranyl is effectively immobilized within the microfracture environment within the presently unsaturated Vadose Zone.     

Seasonal variations in chlorophyll and nutrients in a Canadian arctic estuary

The Eskimo Lakes and Liverpool Bay constitute a series of estuarine waters to the Beaufort Sea in arctic Canada. Salinity ranges in summer from 20‰ at the mouth to less than 1‰ at the head of the system. Arctic features include an ice cover lasting for about 8 months annually and water temperatures which fluctuate from ?1°C in winter to as high as 12°C in late summer. Subsurface light is severely attenuated. Reactive phosphate varies from a spring high of 0.3 μg-at P per 1 to undetectable levels during summer. Nitrate is more abundant, and silicate is consistently plentiful. Chlorophyll a reaches a maximum only occasionally higher than 3 mg per m³ in June and July, rising from undetectable levels in winter. Photosynthetic rates are low by all standards, and have not been measured at greater than 6.4 mg C per m² per hour in summer. Low levels of subsurface light and reactive phosphate and nitrate characterize this exceptionally oligotrophic arctic estuary.     

Silica in Lake Superior: mass balance considerations and a model for dynamic response to eutrophication

The dissolved silica concentration in waters of Lake Superior probably is in a steady state because it is not influenced significantly by man, and the climate, topography and vegetation in the drainage area of the lake have been stable for the past 4000 years. Therefore the rate at which dissolved silica is introduced to the lake should equal the output rate.The primary inputs are: tributaries (4.1–4.6 × 10⁸kgSiO₂/yr), diffusion from sediment pore waters (0.21?0.78 × 10⁸kgSiO₂/yr) and atmospheric loading (0.26 × 10⁸kgSiO₂/yr). Silica is lost from the lake waters by: outflow through the St. Marys River, diatom deposition, adsorption onto particulates in the sediments, and authigenic formation of new silicate minerals. Tributary outflow accounts for less than one half the annual input of silica, and diatom deposition and silica adsorption withdraw less than 10% of the annual input. Therefore the formation of new silicate phases must be the dominant sink for dissolved silica in Lake Superior. The specific phases formed are not identified in the bottom sediments. X-ray diffraction studies suggest that smectite is one product, and amorphous ferroaluminum silicates may be another product.Mathematical modeling of the dissolved silica response to lake eutrophication suggests that the phosphate loading to Lake Superior would have to increase by about 250-fold to cause a silica depletion rate equal to that reported for Lake Michigan, assuming no change in the rate of upwelling of deep waters.     

Changes in nutrient uptake of phytoplankton under the interaction between sunlight and phosphate in the Changjiang （Yangtze） River Estuary

We conducted ship-board incubation experiments to investigate changes in nutrient uptake of phytoplankton under different phosphate concentrations and irradiances in the Changjiang River Estuary and its adjacent waters in China. Under 100% natural irradiance the uptake rates of phosphate, silicate, and nitrate were accelerated at high phosphate levels （1.84 μM）, while under low irradiance （about 50% natural irradiance） their uptake rates were restrained at the high but stimulated greatly at the intermediate phosphate concentrations （1.26 μM）, as the growth of phytoplankton, changes in nitrite and ammonium uptake didn＇t follow an obvious pattern. Our results also showed that there were linear relationships between nitrate, silicate and phosphate uptake at different phosphate concentrations under low and high irradiances, and the growth period of phytoplankton was prolonged both at the high phosphate concentrations under high irradiance and at the intermediate concentrations under low irradiance, suggesting that the limitation of phytoplankton growth mainly reflected changes in its growth period, and because no such environment （low irradiance and low phosphate concentrations） actually existed in a high turbidity zone, phytoplankton blooms hardly occurred there. In the absence of irradiance, denitrification occurred readily and phytoplankton was kept decreasing, which resulted in phosphate regeneration.     

Seasonal Influence of the Needle Rush <Emphasis Type="Italic">Juncus roemarianus</Emphasis> on Saltmarsh Pore Water Geochemistry

Previous studies have shown that saltmarsh macrophytes have a significant influence on sediment biogeochemistry, both through radial release of oxygen from roots and also via primary production and release of labile organic exudates from roots. To assess the seasonal influence of the needle rush, Juncus roemarianus, on saltmarsh sediment geochemistry, pore waters and sediments were collected from the upper 50 cm of two adjacent sites, one unvegetated and the other vegetated by Juncus roemarianus, in a Georgia saltmarsh during winter and summer. Pore waters collected at 1- to 2-cm intervals were analyzed for pH, alkalinity, dissolved phosphate, ammonium, Fe(II), Fe(III), Mn(II), sulfide, sulfate, and organic carbon. Sediments were collected at 5-cm intervals and analyzed for iron distribution in the solid phase using a two-step sequential extraction. The upper 50 cm of the sediment pore waters are mostly sulfidic during both winter and summer. The pore water and sediment geochemistry suggest organic matter degradation is coupled mostly to Fe(III) and sulfate reduction. In summer, there is greater accumulation of alkalinity, sulfide, ammonium, and phosphate in the pore waters and lower levels of ascorbate extractable Fe, which is presumed to be comprised primarily of readily reducible Fe(III) oxides, in the sediments, consistent with higher organic matter degradation rates in summer compared to winter. Lower pH, alkalinity, ammonium, and sulfide concentrations in sediments with Juncus, compared to nearby unvegetated sediments, is consistent with release of oxygen into the Juncus rhizosphere, especially during summer.     

Carbonate saturation and the effect of pressure on the alkalinity of interstitial waters from the Guatemala Basin

Interstitial water samples were collected from the Guatemala Basin using an in situ sampler and by centrifuging box core sediment samples. Results from these two sampling methods for Mn, Si, PO₄ agree well. There is a systematic difference in the alkalinity values, however, which suggests that CaCO₃ (s) precipitates from the box core samples when they are brought from in situ pressure at 1 atm. Thus the alkalinity on box core samples is less than that on samples collected in situ. The magnitude of the alkalinity decrease can be calculated using basic thermodynamic principles and the observed and predicted differences agree well.Both sampling methods show a sharp drop in pH just below the sediment water interface which can be explained by the oxidation of organic matter by O₂ in the absence of CaCO₃. Alkalinity increases during the reduction of MnO₂(s) and release of Mn²⁺ to the interstitial water. The result is that interstitial waters become undersaturated with CaCO₃ immediately below the sediment/water interface and then return to or nearly to saturation at depth.     

Differential Effects of Bivalves on Sediment Nitrogen Cycling in a Shallow Coastal Bay

In coastal ecosystems, suspension-feeding bivalves can remove nitrogen though uptake and assimilation or enhanced denitrification. Bivalves may also retain nitrogen through increased mineralization and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA). This study investigated the effects of oyster reefs and clam aquaculture on denitrification, DNRA, and nutrient fluxes (NO _x , NH₄ ⁺, O₂). Core incubations were conducted seasonally on sediments adjacent to restored oyster reefs (Crassostrea virginica), clam aquaculture beds (Mercenaria mercenaria) which contained live clams, and bare sediments from Smith Island Bay, Virginia, USA. Denitrification was significantly higher at oyster reef sediments and clam aquaculture site than bare sediment in the summer; however, DNRA was not enhanced. The clam aquaculture site had the highest ammonium production due to clam excretion. While oyster reef and bare sediments exhibited seasonal differences in rate processes, there was no effect of season on denitrification, or dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) or ammonium flux at the clam aquaculture site. This suggests that farm management practices or bivalve metabolism and excretion may override seasonal differences. When water column nitrate concentration was elevated, denitrification increased in clam aquaculture site and oyster reef sediments but not in bare sediment; DNRA was only stimulated at the clam aquaculture site. This, along with a significant and positive relationship between denitrification and sediment organic matter, suggests that labile carbon limited nitrate reduction at the bare sediment site. Bivalve systems can serve as either net sinks or sources of nitrogen to coastal ecosystems, depending mainly on the type of bivalve, location, and management practices.