Distribution behavior of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in roadside soil at traffic intercepts within developing cities

A study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons pollution in roadside soil was conducted in developing city environment of northern India during autumn and winter season to ascertain the contamination levels and their distribution behavior in soil. The concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was determined at ten locations of Jalandhar city, Punjab in India at 1, 2 and 3 m distances from roadside in soil covering all the major traffic intercepts within city. The samples were extracted in acetone and dichloromethane (1:1) using soxhlet extraction. The extracts were then filtered on a silica gel micro column to remove impurities and elute was subjected to GC-FID. The total average concentration (city average) was found to be 4.04 ?g/g and 16.38 ?g/g during winter and autumn respectively. DiBenzo (ah) Anthracene and Benzo (a) Pyrene were the individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in highest concentration at all the intercepts ranging between 0.008 to 28.4 ?g/g during winter and 0.01 to 252.55 ?g/g during autumn. Average concentration of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during winter and autumn was found to be 2.1 and 6.4 and 4.74 and 35.08 ?g/g respectively. The average ratio of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons was found to be 1:3 during winter, and 1:7.6 during autumn at most of the intercepts. Total carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentration was found quite high (80 %) in comparison to non-carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (20 %) at most of the intercepts.     

Chlorinated volatile organic compounds found near the water surface of heavily polluted rivers

The objectives of this study were to identify the chlorinated volatile organic compounds near the water surface of two heavily polluted rivers in the south of Taiwan and compare their concentration distributions. Air samples were collected seasonally at the upstream, midstream and downstream water surfaces of each river and the chlorinated volatile organic compounds were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by gas chromatography and electron capture detector. Totally, twelve kinds of chlorinated volatile organic compounds were found at the water surfaces of both rivers and many of them were reported to be carcinogenic or probably carcinogenic to human. The results showed that each chlorinated volatile organic compound had its own distribution pattern and no good correlation of chlorinated volatile organic compounds between both rivers was obtained. The chlorinated volatile organic compounds identified at the river water surface of Fong Shan Stream showed much higher concentration than those of Chuen-Tsen River. Several chlorinated volatile organic compounds, including chlorodibromomethane, hexachlorobutadiene, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethene and 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane were found with much higher concentration (mean concentrations of 124.5 μg/m³, 334.5 μg/m³, 92.2 μg/m³, 268.4 μg/m³, respectively) at the water surface of Fong Shan Stream in some seasons (especially spring and summer, summer and winter, spring and winter, spring and summer, respectively) and they were reported to be possibly carcinogenic to human. Therefore, it may be concluded that the people living close to Fong Shan Stream possibly had higher health risks due to the release of volatile organic compounds from the heavily polluted river.     

Optical and radiative properties of aerosols over Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates

The present study is on the aerosol optical and radiative properties in the short-wave radiation and its climate implications at the arid city of Abu Dhabi (24.42 ^°N, 54.61 ^°E, 4.5 m MSL), in the United Arab Emirates. The direct aerosol radiative forcings (ARF) in the short-wave region at the top (TOA) and bottom of the atmosphere (BOA) are estimated using a hybrid approach, making use of discrete ordinate radiative transfer method in conjunction with the short-wave flux and spectral aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements, over a period of 3 years (June 2012–July 2015), at Abu Dhabi located at the south-west coast of the Arabian Gulf. The inferred microphysical properties of aerosols at the measurement site indicate strong seasonal variations from the dominance of coarse mode mineral dust aerosols during spring (March–May) and summer (June–September), to the abundance of fine/accumulation mode aerosols mainly from combustion of fossil-fuel and bio-fuel during autumn (October–November) and winter (December–February) seasons. The monthly mean diurnally averaged ARF at the BOA (TOA) varies from ?13.2 Wm^?2 (～?0.96 Wm^?2) in November to ?39.4 Wm^?2 (?11.4 Wm^?2) in August with higher magnitudes of the forcing values during spring/summer seasons and lower values during autumn/winter seasons. The atmospheric aerosol forcing varies from + 12.2 Wm^?2 (November) to 28.2 Wm^?2 (June) with higher values throughout the spring and summer seasons, suggesting the importance of mineral dust aerosols towards the solar dimming. Seasonally, highest values of the forcing efficiency at the surface are observed in spring (?85.0 ± 4.1 W m^?2 τ ^?1) followed closely by winter (?79.2 ± 7.1 W m^?2 τ ^?1) and the lowest values during autumn season (?54 ± 4.3 W m^?2 τ ^?1). The study concludes with the variations of the atmospheric heating rates induced by the forcing. Highest heating rate is observed in June (0.39 K day ^?1) and the lowest in November (0.17 K day ^?1) and the temporal variability of this parameter is linearly associated with the aerosol absorption index.     

On the quantitative importance of heterotrophic microplankton in the northern German Wadden Sea

To assess the importance of heterotrophic microplankton in the Wadden Sea, seasonal distribution and biomass of the main subgroups, that is, heterotrophic dinoflagellates, (separated into thecate and athecate forms), tintinnids, and aloricate ciliates, were studied in 1989 and 1990 in a total of six surveys covering the whole area of the northern German Wadden Sea. Heterotrophic microplankton biomass exhibited high spatial and temporal variation, ranging from 0 μg Cl^?1 to 66 μg Cl^?1, with maximum concentrations in spring., Mean stocks were lowest in winter (1.6 μg Cl^?1) and highest in spring (11.7 μg Cl^?1); intermediate concentrations were found in summer (8.5 μg Cl^?1). In winter, the heterotrophic microplankton was dominated by tintinnids. In spring and summer, aloricate ciliates and dinoflagellates made up the largest part of the biomass. A pronounced feature was a shift within the dinoprotist group from athecate to thecate forms in summer. In spring, maxima of athecate dinoflagellate carbon were associated with blooms ofPhaeocystis globosa, indicating a close trophic relationship. From rough estimates of the daily grazing potential, based on microheterotrophic biomass and conversion factors from the literature, it may be concluded that heterotrophic microplankton temporarily share a main role in the transfer of food and energy to higher trophic levels within the pelagic system of the Wadden Sea.     

Ammonium regeneration and biomass of macrozooplankton and ctenophores in Great South Bay,New York

The rate of zooplankton ammonium regeneration was measured in Great South Bay, Long Island, New York, between July 1982 and May 1984. Ammonium excretion by macrozooplankton (>200 μm) ranged from 7 μg atoms NH₄ ¹⁺?N m^?3 d^?1 in winter to 156 μg-atoms NH₄ ¹⁺?N m^?3 d^?1 in spring. Ammonium excretion by ctenophores was greater than or equivalent to that of macrozooplankton during the period of ctenophore biomass maximum in summer and fall. The temperature coefficient (Q₁₀) for NH₄ ¹⁺ excretion was 1.74 from 2.2 to 27.5°C for macrozooplankton and 1.63 between 17 and 26°C for the ctenophores. Ammonium nitrogen excretion by macrozooplankton and ctenophores combined, accounted for 1 to 3% of phytoplankton nitrogen requirements in summer when primary productivity was high and 39% in the spring. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY040 00005     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in dated sediments from Green Bay and Lake Michigan

Sediment cores from two locations in Green Bay and two in lake Michigan were analyzed for 12 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), loss-on-ignition (LOI),²¹⁰Pb,¹³⁷Cs, and⁷Be to study differences in deposition patterns between the freshwater estuary Green Bay, with several local sources, and the open Lake Michigan, dominated by atmospheric inputs. We found that the remote sites receive relatively less high-molecular weight PAHs such as ideno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and dibenz(ah)anthracene and are more depleted in anthracene and pyrene. This may be related to a low Henry’s law constant for the high molecular compounds and to selective photo-oxidation of anthracene and pyrene during transport. While sedimentation rates are higher in Green Bay than in the open lake, the PAH levels are generally comparable (0.3–8.5 μg g^?1) in the two areas. However, the highest PAH levels are found in a core from Green Bay (GB88G). The two Green Bay cores have total PAH concentration maxima in 1985, which appear to be related to the combustion of petroleum. Also, one Green Bay core (GB88G) and the two from Lake Michigan exhibit PAH maxima in the early 1950s in agreement with observations from other study areas. There is a significant correlation between total PAH and LOI, and thus total organic carbon, for the Green Bay cores, but little or no such correlation for the Lake Michigan cores. This may indicate that PAHs in Green Bay are effectively scavenged by settling detritus.     

Tidal river sediments in the Washington,D.C. area. II. Distribution and sources of organic contaminants

Concentration of aliphatic, aromatic, and chlorinated hydrocarbons were determined from 33 surface-sediment samples taken from the Tidal Basin, Washington Ship Channel, and the Anacostia and Potomac rivers in Washington, D.C. In conjunction with these samples, selected storm sewers and outfalls also were sampled to help elucidate general sources of contamination to the area. All of the sediments contained detectable concentrations of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, DDT (total dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), DDE (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene), DDD (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane), PCBs (total polychlorinated biphenyls) and total chlordanes (oxy-, α-, and γ-chlordane and cis + trans-nonachlor). Sediment concentrations of most contaminants were highest in the Anacostia River just downstream of the Washington Navy Yard, except for total chlordane, which appeared to have upstream sources in addition to storm and combined sewer runoff. This area has the highest number of storm and combined sewer outfalls in the river. Potomac River stations had lower concentrations than other stations. Total hydrocarbons (THC), normalized to the fine-grain fraction (clay + silt, < 63 μm), ranged from 120 μg g^?1 to, 1,900 μg g^?1 fine-grain sediment. The hydrocarbons were dominated by the unresolved complex mixture (UCM), with total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations ranging from 4 μg g^?1 to 33 μg g^?1 fine-grain sediment. Alkyl-substituted compounds (e.g., C1 to C4 methyl groups) of naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrere + anthracene, and chrysene series dominated the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, saturated hydrocarbons, and the unresolved complex mixture (UCM) distributions reflect mixtures of combustion products (i.e., pyrogenic sources) and direct discharges of petroleum products. Total PCB concentrations ranged from 0.075 μg g^?1 to 2.6 μg g^?1 fine-grain sediment, with highest concentrations in the Anacostia River. Four to six C1-substituted biphenyls were the most-prevalent PCBs. Variability in the PCB distribution was observed in different sampling areas, reflecting, differing proportion of Arochlor inputs and degradation. The concentration of all contaminants was generally higher in sediments closer to known sewer outfalls, with concentrations of total hydrocarbon, PAHs, and PCBs as high as 6,900 μg g^?1, 620 μg g^?1, and 20 μg g^?1 fine-grain sediment, respectively. Highest PCB concentrations were found in two outfalls that drain into the Tidal Basin. Concentrations of organic contaminants from sewers draining to the Washington Ship Channel and Anacostia River had higher concentrations than sediments of the mid-channel or river. Sources of PCBs appear to be related to specific outfalls, while hydrocarbon inputs, especially PAHs, are diffuse, and may be related to street runoff. Whereas most point-source contaninant inputs have been regulated, the importance of nonpoint source inputs must be assessed for their potential addition of contaminants to aquatic ecosystems. This study indicates that in large urban areas, nonpoint sources deliver substantial amounts of contaminants to ecosystems through storm and combined sewer systems, and control of these inputs must be addressed.     

Méthodologie de l'extraction des hydrocarbures aromatiques polycycliques. Application à des sédiments de la lagune de Bizerte (Tunisie)Methodology of extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Application to sediment from the Bizerte Lagoon (Tunisia)

The marine environment is very complex, with several important chemical, biological, and sedimentological interactions. Sediments constitute a reservoir for numerous pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are known by their mutagenic and/or carcinogenic effect. This study evaluates contamination levels in Bizerte Lagoon with respect to PAHs. The extraction efficiency of PAHs from sediment has been evaluated using Soxhlet or ultrasonic procedures, based on the recovery of an internal standard (9,10-dihydroanthracene). Several PAHs were found, including sixteen that are reported in the priority list of pollutants of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). PAHs analysis was carried out by GC–FID and GC–MS for 16 samples sampled in two seasons: summer and winter. Results permit an assessment of PAHs pollution in the Bizerte Lagoon. To cite this article: N. Mzoughi et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 893–901.     

Sulfide variation in the pore and surface waters of artificial salt-marsh ditches and a natural tidal creek

Pore and surface water sulfide variation near artificial ditches and a natural creek are examined in salt marshes bordering the Indian River Lagoon in east-central Florida. Pore water sulfide concentrations ranged from 0 μg-at I^?1 to 1,640 μg-at I^?1. On average, the natural creek had the lowest sulfide concentrations (mean <1.0 μ-at I^?1) and the perimeter ditch of a managed salt marsh impoundment the highest (436.5 μg-at I^?1). There was a trend of increasing sulfide concentration in the summer, and sharp peaks in late fall-early winter which correspond with peak litter input into the sediments. Significant differences in sulfide concentration between sites are attributed to differences in water flow and in organic matter content. Delaying the seasonal opening of culverts (which connect impounded marshes with the lagoon) until lagoon water levels rise in fall may prevent massive fish kills that have been associated with high sulfide levels in the impoundment perimeter ditches.     

Recharge processes in karstic systems investigated through the correlation of chemical and isotopic composition of rain and spring-waters

Four karstic springs in southern France, along with rainwater in the same area, were monitored during two hydrological cycles. Stable isotopic ratios (δ¹⁸O and δD) allow the contribution of the rain waters from the previous periods (discretised as winter or summer period) to the spring water to be estimated. These computations indicate that heavy rainfall events during the autumn season contribute for 56 ± 7% and 68 ± 9% of the spring water discharge during the following winter and summer seasons, respectively. During the low flow period, residence time does not exceed 1 hydrological cycle, for a large part of the water.Stable isotopic ratios (δ¹⁸O and δD) combined with Cl concentration allow the evapotranspiration coefficients to be estimated although the recharge surface is not known and hydrological balance can not be computed. Except for one spring, the evapotranspiration coefficients range from 0.54 to 0.38 (46–62% volume reduction), even during the high flow period.The short residence times, and the strong evapotranspiration coefficients whatever the period (winter or summer) are interpreted as the result of the major role of the epikarst reservoir in the karst recharge functioning over direct or diffuse infiltration.     

Organic matter sources and transport in an agriculturally dominated temperate watershed

The quality, quantity, and origin of suspended organic matter were studied in the highly agricultural Upper Scioto River in Central Ohio. Late summer baseflow conditions were compared to late autumn high flow conditions. Variables examined in the suspended matter were the total suspended solids concentration, semi-quantitative concentrations of lignin, carbohydrate concentrations, total organic C, total and organic P, and δ-¹³C. Also examined were ratios of C to N, organic C to organic P ratios and fluxes of total organic C. The primary hypothesis of this research was that the quality (or biodegradability) and quantity of organic matter in the Upper Scioto River would increase during autumn stormflow conditions due to inputs of fresh terrestrial organic matter. The autumn suspended matter was also expected to reflect C4 plant contributions from corn organic matter. Results show that the quality and quantity of organic matter were greater during summer, as reflected in low molar ratios (178:1) of organic C to organic P, and higher organic C content of the suspended matter in summer. Summer suspended matter was 3.6% organic C and autumn suspended matter was 2.3% organic C. Carbon to N molar ratios in both seasons were very close to the Redfield ratio (6.6:1 in summer and 6.7:1 in autumn). Total suspended matter and total organic C concentrations were lower in autumn (8.7 mg/l⁻¹ TOC and 17.7 mg/l⁻¹ TSS) than in summer (17.5 mg/l⁻¹ TOC and 39.0 mg/l⁻¹ TSS), but the fluxes were greater in autumn due to greater stream flow. Stable isotope analyses suggested a phytoplankton or C3 plant source (most likely corn) for summer organic C (mean δ¹³C of −24.8‰) and a phytoplankton or C4 plant source for autumn organic matter (δ¹³C=−21.5‰).     

Methane distribution and cycling in Tomales Bay, California

Cycling of methane (CH₄) in Tomales Bay, a 28-km² temperature estuary in northern California with relatively low inputs of organic carbon, was studied over a 1-yr period. Water column CH₄ concentrations showed spatial and temporal variability (range=8–100 nM), and were supersaturated with respect to the atmosphere by a factor of 2–37. Rates of net water column CH₄ production-oxidation were determined by in situ experiments, and were not found to be significantly different from zero. Fluxes across the sediment-water interface, determined by direct measurement using benthic chambers, varied from ?0.1 μmol m^?2 d^?1 to +16 μmol m^?2 d^?1 (positive fluxes into water). Methane concentrations in the two perennial creeks feeding the bay varied annually (140–950 nM); these creeks were a significant CH₄ source to the bay during winter. In addition, mass-balance calculations indicate a significant additional inter CH₄ source, which is hypothesized to result from storm-related runoff from dairy farms adjacent to the bay. Systemwide CH₄ budgets of the 16-km² inner bay indicate benthic production (110 mol d^?1) and atmospheric evasion (110 mol d^?1) dominated during summer, while atmospheric evasion (160 mol d^?1) and runoff from dairy farms (90 mol d^?1) dominated during winter.     

Effect of discharge on the chlorophylla distribution in the tidally-influenced Potomac River

In the tidal Potomac River, high river discharges during the spring are associated with high chlorophylla concentrations in the following in the following summer, assuming that summertime light and temperature conditions are favorable. Spring floods deliver large loads of particulate N and P to the tidal river. This particulate N and P could be mineralized by bacteria to inorganic N and P and released to the water column where it is available for phytoplankton use during summertime. However, during the study period relatively low concentrations of chlorophylla (less than 50 μg l^?1 occurred in the tidal river if average monthly discharge during July or August exceeded 200 m³s^?1. Discharge and other conditions combined to produce conditions favorable for nuisance levels of chlorophylla (greater than 100 μg l^?1 approximately one year out of four. Chlorophylla maxima occurred in the Potomac River transition zone and estuary during late winter (dinoflagellates) and spring (diatoms). Typical seasonal peak concentrations were achieved at discharges as high as 970 m³ s^?1, but sustained discharges greater than 1,100 m³ s^?1 retarded development. Optimum growth conditions occurred following runoff events of 10 to 15 d duration which produced transit times to the transition zone of 7 to 10 d. Wet years with numerous moderate-sized runoff events, such as 1980, tend to produce greater biomass in the transition zone and estuary than do dry years such as 1981.     

Nitrogen concentration of rainfall in Dalian, China

Wet atmospheric deposition samples were collected in rainy days from 2004 to 2008 in Dalian of Liaoning Province, Northeast of China, which were measured by rain gauge and analyzed for total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) concentration. The mean annual volume of rainfall was from 438.25 to 850.94 mm, and the concentration of TIN was 3.47 mg/L, which showed negative correlation with the volume of rainfall. The order of TIN concentration among seasons was: winter > spring > autumn > summer. Increased use of fertilizers in agricultural areas or widespread use of private transportation led to the increase of TIN fluxes. Variations of TIN concentration among years were significantly different; the annual precipitation TIN inputs were positively related to the volume of rainfall and were surprisingly high with the deposition flux ranging from 10.24 to 25.17 kg N/(hm²·a). The maximum mean annual flux was 25.17 kg N/(hm²·a) which is equal to 53.94 kg N/(hm²·a) usage of CO(NH)₂ (an amount that could have caused changes in terrestrial life). The fluxes of TIN also showed a different seasonal fluctuation during the course of our study, and we found that majority of TIN deposition occurred in summer (from June to August), which accounted for 56.44% of total annual precipitation and 40.06% of total annual deposition flux. Annual TIN fluxes decreased considerably after the rainy season and reached the lowest level (1.39 kg N/(hm²·a)) in winter.     

Aquatic hydrocarbon distributions in the Seine estuary: Biogenic polyaromatics and n-alkanes

Dissolved and particulate hydrocarbons of biogenic origin were investigated for the first time in surface waters along the Seine River and its estuary. They comprise n-alkanes (n-ALKs) and diagenetic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Samples were collected in three different sections of the estuary: the riverine zone, the mixing zone, and the marine zone. At the river mouth, two mooring stations were used for the collection of samples over tidal cycles. Total particulate n-ALK concentrations ranged from 31 ng 1^?1 to 2,918 ng 1^?1, or 5 μg g^?1 dry ng 1^?1, or 2 μg g^?1 of SM. Concentrations varied with the SM load and could be related to sedimentation and estuarine mixing. The sources of the n-ALKs were different in each zone of the estuary. The dissolved n-ALKs displayed lower concentrations than the particulate phase, varying from 136 ng 1^?1 to 344 ng 1^?1, while biogenic dissolved PAHs were almost absent.     

Phytoplankton and particulate matter in Carlingford Lough, Ireland: An assessment of food availability and the impact of bivalve culture

In an attempt to assess the impact of bivalve culture in Carlingford Lough, Ireland, the seasonal cycles of nutrients, particulate matter, chlorophylla, and phytoplankton in the lough was investigated in 1992. Chlorophyll levels showed an increase in April, corresponding to the annual spring bloom, and levels remained relatively high (2–12 mg m^?3) throughout the summer before dropping to a winter minimum by December. Throughout the summer the phytoplankton community was dominated by diatoms, with microflagellates becoming an increasingly larger fraction of the biomass in autumn and winter. Dinoflagellates were only present on occasion in low numbers during the summer months. Seasonal variations in nitrate, phosphate, and silicate concentrations at all stations showed characteristic winter maxima and summer minima. Nitrate concentrations had reached a minimum undetectable level by June, at a time when the main freshwater input from the Clanrye River had dropped to <0.3 m³ s^?1. Particulate organic carbon (POC) composed approximately 5% of the suspended matter, with highest values in winter due to resuspension. Levels of biologically available POC, as determined by a modified BOD technique, were greatest in summer, and an inverse relationship was observed between total POC and its fraction that was biologically available. Most of the labile fraction was considered to be phytoplankton, and remineralization during the summer is suggested as a mechanism for maintaining high productivity during the summer months. Although the phytoplankton biology was uncoupled with that outside the lough, it is concluded that there is scope for expansion of the local bivalve mariculture industry without altering the ecosystem of the lough. The upper limit on such expansion would be set by practical considerations such as availability of space and site suitability due to water quality.     

北京市大气PM10中有机污染物的分布特征

大气有机污染物直接影响着人类的健康及其赖以生存的环境。通过采集北京市2005年春、夏、秋、冬4季不同功能区的大气PM₁₀样品,经索氏抽提分离得到饱和烃、芳香烃、非烃、沥青质4 个组分,对不同功能区不同季节大气有机物污染水平及其分布特征进行探讨。结果表明: 大气PM₁₀中有机物年均质量浓度达41.39 μg/m3,为清洁对照点十三陵的1.4倍;一年中,冬季污染最严重,PM10中有机污染物的质量浓度达67.04 μg/m3,为春季的1.倍、秋季的2.1倍、夏季的4.5倍;有机组分含量呈现非烃＞沥青质＞芳烃＞饱和烃的变化趋势,说明燃煤污染在北京市大气有机污染中仍然起主导作用;各功能区的有机污染程度不同,表现出工业区（商业区）＞居民区（交通区）＞清洁区的特点,但不同季节的变化不完全一致;不同功能区有机组分的比例体现出不同污染源的相对影响。     

Spatial and temporal patterns of factors influencing phytoplankton in a salt wedge estuary, the Swan River, Western Australia

During 1995 the phytoplankton in the Swan River were intensively sampled to assess biomass and species composition. Continuous measurements of fluorescence, salinity, and temperature were made weekly during 40 km sampling trips along the estuary and used to map the seasonal progression of the algal biomass. Weekly measurements of primary production were made and used to model net primary production from the vertical distribution of biomass, irradiance, and phytoplankton species composition. Potential nutrient limitation was assessed with “all but one” nutrient bioassays. The results indicate a complex mixture of potentially limiting factors, which vary in time and space. Although the data sequence is short, it suggests a annual succession pattern of diatoms, chlorophytes, diatoms, and finally dinoflagellates and cryptophytes in late summer-autumn. Peak seasonal biomass was observed during January to April. Mean annual chlorophylla biomass was greatest in upstream stations (5–9), where estimates of net primary production rates averaged 1.55 g C m^?2 d^?1 and gross primary production was 800–1000 g C m^?2 yr^?1. Potential nutrient limitation was most severe from November to May, although not during January 1995. Based on bioassay results, during the period of greatest potential for nutrient limitation, nitrogen was 15 to 30 times more limiting to biomass development than phosphate. Runoff due to consistent rainfall during winter eventually breaks down stratification and flushes the estuary with low-salinity, nutrient-rich water, producing, a light-limited, nutrient-rich aquatic ecosystem. Timing and magnitude of physical forcing events, mainly rainfall, appear critical in determining the susceptibility of this ecosystem to summer and autumn algal blooms.     

Temporal and spatial dynamics of urea uptake and regeneration rates and concentrations in Chesapeake Bay

We examined the temporal and spatial variability of urea concentrations and urea uptake and regeneration rates collected on cruises along the longitudinal axis of the Chesapeake Bay between 1972 and 1998. Interannually, mean Bay-wide surface urea concentrations ranged between 0.49 and 0.91 μg-at N l^?1 with a nearly 50% decrease in surface concentrations observed between 1988 and 1998. Concentrations of urea from samples collected within ～1 m of the bottom were generally higher and much more varable than surface samples. Seasonally, two different patterns were observed in mean Bay-wide surface urea concentrations. Urea concentrations from near surface waters exhibited a clear summer peak for 1988 through 1994, while for 1973 and 1996 to 1998 a distinct winter-spring peak in concentration was observed. Urea concentrations from deeper waters showed a similar seasonal trend each year with peak concentrations measured in spring. Spatially, urea concentrations in the surface waters decreased in a conservative-type pattern from 0.91 μg-at N I^?1 at the freshwater end member to 0.46 μg-at N I^?1 at the ocean end member. Mean Bay-wide surface urea uptake rates displayed a seasonal pattern throughout the data set with maximum uptake rates (up to 0.33 μg-at N I^?1 h^?1) consistently observed during summer. Mean Bay-wide surface regeneration rates were highest but most variable during fall (1.63±0.82 μg-at N I^?1 h^?1). Mean urea uptake and regeneration rates displayed opposing spatial trends along the axis of the Bay with uptake rates being lowest in the North Bay where regeneration rates were highest. The average temporal and spatial patterns of urea concentration in Chesapeake Bay appear to reflect a balance between external inputs and internal biological recycling.     

Spatial and vertical trends in sediment-phase contaminants in the upper estuary of the St. Lawrence River

The concentration of selected contaminant trace metals and organic contaminants, namely polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), normal-alkanes, total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other organochlorines, was studied in cores from shallow-water fine-grain sediments from both sides of the maximum turbidity zone (MTZ) in the upper estuary of the St. Lawrence. Average trace metal concentrations in the cores were generally lower in downstream sediments, except for Hg and Pb. Hg levels in the cores were very high, exceeding 0.7 μg g^?1 in core C168 (south shore) and 0.19 μg g^?1 in core LE (north shore). Trace metal concentrations in all the cores were highly variable with depth, but after normalization with reference to iron, the trend was remarkably uniform, thus confirming an important inverse relationship with grain size. A similar lack of a well-defined trend was noted in the profiles of the organic components in the modern sediments. Average PAH values for modern sediments at core sites C168 and LO were 1.05 μg g^?1 and 0.44 μg g^?1, respectively (i.e., less than or equal to those in Lake Ontario and upstream in the river). PCB values far exceeded those in upstream sediments (average: 347 ng g^?1 in core LE and 158 ng g^?1 in C168), but were less than in Lake Ontario. Concentrations of chlordane, heachlorobenzene, and mirex were relatively low and uniform in the modern sections of the cores. The vertical uniformity of both the contaminant profiles and those for Cs-137 (C168) suggests that the sediments are relatively young (i.e., definitely less than 35 yr at C168, and probably even less at LE and LO). Therefore no long-term or historical trend is evident.