Simulating a heavy metal spill under estuarine conditions: Effects on the clam Scrobicularia plana

We describe the effect of heavy metals Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu on the induction of methallothioneins on the clam Scrobicularia plana along a salinity gradient simulated under laboratory conditions. The clams were exposed to constant heavy metal concentrations in a dynamic estuary simulator during a 15-day assay to investigate possible induction of metal-binding proteins in them. The concentration of heavy metals in water was analysed. Clams were analysed for methallothionein concentrations. The speciation of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu along the salinity gradient was modelled. Zn showed the highest concentrations and its prevalent species was the free ion. Intersite differences have been observed in methallothionein concentration and related to the salinity gradient. It seems that synthesis of methallothioneins is the result of physiological forces acting in concert with the changes in the chemical speciation of metals, owing to the trace metals uptake is controlled by means of an interaction of physiology and physicochemistry.     

Bioavailability of heavy metals bound to sediments affected by a mining spill using Solea senegalensis and Scrobicularia plana

After the Aznalcóllar mining spill (April, 1998) different ecosystems along the Guadiamar river and the Guadalquivir estuary were impacted by high concentrations of metals. The concentration of metals Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu and As has been detected as a good tracer of the pathway of the toxic spill. Different individuals of the fish Solea senegalensis and the clam Scrobicularia plana were exposed to contaminated sediments after the accidental spill in the south-west Spain. The induction of metallothioneins in fish and the bioaccumulation of metals in clams were determined in different tissues to determine the biological adverse effect associated with the heavy metals from the spill. A relationship between the enrichment of metals in the tissues and the induction of metallothioneins was determined for those assays performed using contaminated sediments. The bioaccumulation of metals indicates that the risk associated with the spill should be continuously evaluated to establish the sublethal effects related to the accident.     

Trace metal adsorption on inorganic solid phases under estuarine conditions

The adsorption of trace metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd and Hg) on calcite, kaolinite and bentonite has been studied in Krka river water of various salinities (S = 3, 20 and 38‰).Model experiments were performed at pH 8 in natural water and in UV-irradiated water samples to determine the importance of natural soluble organic matter. Cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry was used for the Hg determination, and a differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) method for determination of other trace metals, using either a hanging mercury drop electrode or a mercury-coated glassy carbon working electrode. The following results have been obtained on calcite:

1. (1) a powerful absorption of Pb and Zn was observed for both natural and UV-irradiated waters at S=20‰;

2. (2) a strong adsorption of Hg was observed in natural water, and significantly lower adsorption in UV-irradiated water at all three salinities, particularly at low salinity;

3. (3) Cd adsorption was of medium intensity in both waters at S=20‰;

4. (4) Cu was practically not adsorbable in both waters at S=20‰ if the total Cu ion concentration was lower than the copper complexing capacity value;

5. (5) Cu adsorption was of a medium intensity at S=38‰. It has not influenced by the EDTA model ligand.

Trace metals Pb, Zn and Cu are adsorbable on kaolinite and bentonite at S=38‰, whereas Cd is practically not adsorbed. The Krka River is a calcareous river, which supplies the sea with calcite and aluminosilicates. In the light of our model experiments, we suggest that the self-purification of the Krka River is remarkable in respect to Pb, Zn and Hg; this occurs to a lesser extent for Cu, and is negligible in the case of Cd.     

Fate and effects of a heavy fuel oil spill on a Georgia salt marsh

Addition of a heavy oil to a Spartina salt marsh in the autumn resulted in high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediment and benthic animals. The highest concentrations of phenanthrene, chrysene and fluoranthene in the sediment were 112, 105 and 75 ng/g sediment, respectively. These concentrations rapidly decreased during the 20 week period following the spill. The times for these hydrocarbons to decrease to 50% of their highest values, i.e. half-life, were approximately 100, 70 and 30 days in sediment, mussels and oysters, respectively. Benthic macrofauna species showed three responses to oil addition which included no change, an increase, or a decrease in the population. No changes were noted in populations of fiddler crabs (Uca pugnax), oysters (Crassostrea virginica), and mussels (Modiolus demissus). Mud snails (Nassarius obsoleta) increased in density after the spill due to immigration of adult snails from untreated areas to scavenge on animals killed by the oil. Many of the adult periwinkles (Littorina irrorata) were killed by the oil. In the spring, juvenile periwinkles recolonised to oiled areas as a result of larvae settling.     

重金属污染胁迫对双壳贝类生态毒理效应研究进展

近年来,随着沿海城市农业生产的快速发展,沿海海域环境污染日趋加剧,其中重金属污染尤为突出,引起了世界范围的广泛关注.     

河口污染沉积物中重金属释放与迁移的围隔生态系研究

利用围隔式生态实验装置研究了加拿大False河口污染沉积物中重金属Pb、Zn、Cd、Cu在海水环境中的行为。实验模拟了 4种环境条件 :( 1)高生产力 ;( 2 )低生产力 ;( 3 )高悬浮物含量 ;( 4 )还原环境。结果表明 ,污染沉积物中重金属在海水环境中的行为既取决于元素自身性质 ,亦受外界环境条件制约。还原环境能抑制重金属的释放 ,有助于体系中原有的重金属清除出水柱。低生产力条件下 ,Pb、Zn表现出释放行为 ,而高生产力和高悬浮物含量条件下 ,Pb、Zn表现出先释放后迁移 ,而Cd、Cu则呈现出相反的图象。研究了实验期间 4种重金属释放与迁移的净通量 ,表明氧化条件下Cu、Zn净释放通量比Cd、Pb高 1～ 2个量级。研究表明 ,添加粘土及向还原环境倾倒均有助于减轻污染沉积物倾倒后重金属的二次污染     

低氧胁迫对菲律宾蛤仔抗氧化酶的影响

为了研究不同低氧水平对菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)的影响,在实验室条件下设置溶解氧为0.5 mg/L和2.0 mg/L的低氧海水环境,以溶氧水平为7.0 mg/L的天然海水为对照组,研究了低氧胁迫对菲律宾蛤仔抗氧化酶的影响。结果表明:在低氧胁迫的时间越长的条件下,乳酸脱氢LDH和琥珀酸脱氢酶SDH的活力逐渐降低,而碱性磷酸酶AKP活力逐渐增大;对于相同的酶,对照组的酶活力高于处理组的酶活力;在溶氧DO越低的情况下,菲律宾蛤仔的死亡率越高。     

Sub-lethal effects of metal exposure: physiological and behavioural responses of the estuarine bivalve Macoma balthica

Variation in glycogen concentration, condition index (CI) and filtration activity were measured in the bivalve Macoma balthica buried in sediment and experimentally exposed to cadmium (Cd). The stress due to elevated but sub-lethal concentrations (300 ppb Cd) affected the overall fitness of the organism as all parameters monitored responded significantly. Lower concentrations tested (10, 30 and 100 ppb) only induced a significant decrease in filtration activity, which may play a protective role, enabling the organism to slow down its metabolic activity and preserving the integrity of its reserves (reflected by stable CI and glycogen levels). Hence, the various endpoints selected show different thresholds. Our results also demonstrate that under high exposure, small individuals loose proportionally more glycogen per unit of weight than larger ones, thus confirming the higher sensitivity of small individuals to metal contamination. Furthermore, exposure to intermediate concentration (30 ppb) seems to be beneficial to the small individuals as indicated by their high CI values compared to the control. These results showed thus that non-sigmoidal concentration-response relationship and sizes of individuals should be considered in monitoring programmes and risk assessment.     

一次东北季风过程下珠江口磨刀门河口环流研究

根据2003年12月9日至15日的大、中潮同步水文观测资料及江门市斗门县气象局关于风的气象资料,结合Ecomsed三维斜压模型,对东北季风过程下的磨刀门垂向环流进行研究。通过理论分析和模型计算,表明向海的冬季风对河口垂向环流的形成起着重要的作用。风的作用有加强径流效果,加大了表层水体向下游的流动,同时底层水体的上溯使该地区形成了稳定的垂向环流。统计气象资料推断,枯季期间磨刀门水道出现垂向环流现象的时间约占总天数的51%。     

Structure of estuarine algocoenoses of the barents sea under the conditions of anomalous ice formation

The paper presents the results of studies of seasonal trends in the development of phytoplankton and algae inhabiting one-year ice under the conditions of anomalous hydrometeorological processes that cause freezing of the Kola Bay estuarine zone (Barents Sea). In the years of anomalous ice formation, no changes were observed in the species composition and quantitative characteristics of the plankton algocoenosis, as well as in the time of the phytoplankton vegetation. Meanwhile, it was found that the pelagic community reaches its maximal abundance and biomass later than under normal conditions. The data obtained suggest that, in selected years, the community of ice algae has not enough time to reach its maximal abundance, which is related to the rapid degradation of the ice cover at the beginning of the spring. Therefore, the representatives of the cryoflora proper do not contribute much to the total annual biomass of the phytoplankton of the estuarine pelagic ecosystem of Kola Bay.     

Sub-lethal effects of metal exposure: physiological and behavioural responses of the estuarine bivalve Macoma balthica

Variation in glycogen concentration, condition index (CI) and filtration activity were measured in the bivalve Macoma balthica buried in sediment and experimentally exposed to cadmium (Cd). The stress due to elevated but sub-lethal concentrations (300 ppb Cd) affected the overall fitness of the organism as all parameters monitored responded significantly. Lower concentrations tested (10, 30 and 100 ppb) only induced a significant decrease in filtration activity, which may play a protective role, enabling the organism to slow down its metabolic activity and preserving the integrity of its reserves (reflected by stable CI and glycogen levels). Hence, the various endpoints selected show different thresholds. Our results also demonstrate that under high exposure, small individuals loose proportionally more glycogen per unit of weight than larger ones, thus confirming the higher sensitivity of small individuals to metal contamination. Furthermore, exposure to intermediate concentration (30 ppb) seems to be beneficial to the small individuals as indicated by their high CI values compared to the control. These results showed thus that non-sigmoidal concentration–response relationship and sizes of individuals should be considered in monitoring programmes and risk assessment.     

Envisat ASAR溢油检测影响因素分析

开展了Envisat ASAR溢油检测的影响因素分析,以2010 年墨西哥湾溢油事故为例,主要从入射角和海面风速两个 方面,开展了油膜和海水的后向散射特征分析,给出了适合ASAR 溢油检测的入射角与海面风速范围。对入射角的分析表 明,在中等风速条件下,入射角在28毅~36毅的范围内,油膜和海水的后向散射值相差大于5dB,两者在SAR影像上容易区分; 在入射角为20毅~24毅时,油膜和海水的后向散射值相差较小;在入射角大于37毅时,油膜的后向散射值接近ASAR 的系统噪 声。对海面风速的分析显示,适合ASAR影像溢油检测的风速范围是3.0~7.0 m/s;风速小于3 m/s时,油膜和海水的后向散 射值均较低;风速为9.7 m/s时,油膜和海水在ASAR影像上难以区分。     

河口水环境遥感监测研究进展——以赤潮和溢油为例

从河口地区对赤潮和溢油的监测需求出发,阐述了利用遥感技术监测赤潮和溢油等问题的有效性和优越性。回顾了河口地区赤潮和溢油遥感监测的发展历程、探测机理和影响因素,并探讨了历史上不同卫星传感器对赤潮和溢油监测的优势和不足。通过对最新研究成果的总结,讨论了水环境遥感监测存在的问题,并对未来水环境遥感平台发展趋势和新的研究方向进行了展望。     

Influence of infrequent floods on the trace metal composition of estuarine sediments

By use of iron variation diagrams, it is shown that the concentrations of Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn in sediments of upper Chesapeake Bay are 50–75% lower than expected if they were simple mixtures of their apparent source materials: eroding Atlantic Coastal Plain deposits and material delivered by the Susquehanna River under ordinary discharge conditions. The Fe concentrations in the sediments, on the other hand, are consistent with derivation from these sources. Evidence is presented that the ratios of total Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn to Fe in the Susquehanna River decline during high discharge events. Because such events are responsible for removal of a major fraction of the total material carried out of the river basin, it is likely that the upper bay sediments simply reflect the long-term average composition of material from the basin. Averaging over a period much greater than one year is necessary to obtain a meaningful estimate of the trace element composition of material being removed from this river basin.     

The effect of salinity on clearance rate in the suspension-feeding estuarine gastropod Crepipatella dilatata under natural and controlled conditions

The suspension-feeding gastropod Crepipatella dilatata occurs in estuaries in southern Chile that experience considerable fluctuations in salinity, driven by tidal and atmospheric forces. In the Quempillén estuary salinities as low as 9 psu may occur after severe rainstorms, and persist for several hours. In this study salinity was the major factor influencing the clearance rate of C. dilatata. At salinities below 20 psu, filtration ceased, whereas at high salinities (>22 psu) mean clearance rate was 0.24 l h⁻¹ standard animal⁻¹ (S.D. 0.18) for actively filtering individuals. This was confirmed by laboratory experiments under controlled conditions. Endoscopic observations were consistent with measurements of clearance rate, and showed that at salinity 25–30 psu the rate of transport along the gill filaments of particulate material embedded in mucus was 759 μm s⁻¹ (S.D. 480), but particle transport ceased at and below salinity 20 psu. Complete or partial isolation of the mantle cavity from the environment may be a mechanism to protect soft tissues and/or incubated egg capsules from osmotic stress.     

Microbial dechlorination of dioxins in estuarine enrichment cultures: effects of respiratory conditions and priming compound on community structure and dechlorination patterns

The effect of respiratory conditions and priming compound on dechlorination patterns of heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (HpCDD) was investigated using estuarine sediment-eluted cultures in the presence and absence of 20 mM sulfate, and 0.2 microM 2-bromodibenzo-p-dioxin (2-BrDD) as a priming compound. Electron balance calculations based on fatty acid turnover, hydrogen production, and electron acceptor depletion/methane formation indicated that whereas fermentative processes dominated in sulfate-free incubations, sulfate-reduction was predominant in the sulfate-amended incubations. The dechlorination of 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD exhibited the following trends: (i) the relative yields of product formation did not exceed 30% and the presence of 2-BrDD increased the yield by up to 10%; (ii) sulfidogenic conditions resulted in a lower 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) formation, and the presence of 2-BrDD decreased the formation of 2,3,7,8-TCDD by additional 4-5-fold; (iii) the presence of 2-BrDD effected a predominance in lateral (2,3,7,8 positions) over peri (1,4,6,9 positions)-dechlorination. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) banding patterns indicated significant shifts of microbial community structure in response to terminal electron accepting processes as well as to the presence of the priming compound. The latter resulted in a similar community structure independent of dioxin spike, indicating that subsets of populations in the sediment are capable of exploiting the new niche provided by the priming compound.     

Particle tracking experiments on a model of the Okhotsk Sea: Toward oil spill simulation

Particle tracking experiments were conducted for the Sea of Okhotsk using a three-dimensional ocean circulation model, as a step toward the simulation of oil spills. The model’s reproducibility is first examined in detail. Comparison with surface drifter and moored ADCP data shows that the model successfully reproduces the velocity field over the shelves, particularly in the weak stratification period. This is because the current variability is simply determined by integration of the alongshore component of the wind stress over the coast from which arrested topographic waves propagate. Good agreement even in the ice-covered period implies that the neglect of sea ice in the model is not a problem for reproduction of the current over the shelves. Good agreement also supports the correction of ECMWF wind speed by a factor of 1.25. A series of particle tracking experiments was carried out to examine the case of particles released from the Sakhalin oil field at depths of 0 m and 15 m. Regardless of the deployment month and year, most particles at depth 15 m are transported southward along the Sakhalin coast, in accordance with the abrupt intensification of the East Sakhalin Current in October, finally arriving offshore of Hokkaido in November–January. Particles at the surface, which are affected by wind drift in addition to the ocean current, show larger yearly variability. In years when the offshoreward-wind dominates, the particles would be advected out of the mainstream of the current and would not be transported offshore of Hokkaido.