Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in marine sediments from industrialized bays of Korea

Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined in coastal sediments from heavily industrialized areas and major harbors in Korea. SummationPBDE(20) concentrations in sediments ranged from 2.03 to 2253ng/g dry weight. PBDE concentrations were higher at estuarine and inner bay locations close to industrial complexes and large harbors, indicating that the PBDE contamination in the sediments is due to local discharges from industrial complexes. Deca-BDE was the predominant congener and the concentrations were comparable to or higher than those reported from other countries. Non-parametric multidimensional scaling (MDS) ordination showed that deca-BDE technical mixture is the main source of PBDE contamination in Korean coastal waters, with minor contamination by octa-BDE product. This result is consistent with the consumption pattern of brominated flame-retardants (BFRs) in Korea. Significant correlations existed among BDEs 28, 47, 99, 100, 153, and 154; however, BDEs 183 and 209 showed little correlation with less highly brominated congeners.     

Toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) of pore water of contaminated marine sediments collected from Hong Kong waters

Marine sediment can function both as a source and as a sink of marine chemical contaminants. The toxicity of contaminated marine sediment can be assessed by toxic evaluation of its pore water, the inter-particle water of sediment, because toxicants in the pore water may be bioavailable to marine organisms. In this study, the toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) was performed to identify the major toxicants in the pore water of marine sediment collected in Hong Kong waters. In Phase 1 TIE, the suspected toxicants were characterized as anions or organic compounds that are either oxidizable or filterable in alkaline medium. In Phase 2 TIE, the suspected toxicants were identified as sulfide (S²⁻) based on the reduction of toxicity due to lowering of sulfide concentrations by experimental manipulations. The mass balance and spiking analyses in Phase 3 confirmed that S²⁻ was one of the major toxicants and that some non-toxic unknown compounds measured by LC–MS, which was removed by C18 solid phase extraction, enhanced the toxicity of S²⁻ in the pore water samples.     

Benthic foraminifera assemblages as elemental pollution bioindicator in marine sediments around fish farm (Vrgada Island,Central Adriatic,Croatia)

Effects on sediments of fish farming activity near Vrgada Island was analysed through living and total foraminiferal assemblages and concentration of major, minor and trace elements from three sediment cores. Elemental concentrations of sediments are in accordance with carbonate characteristics of the surrounding area and show mostly natural element variations between sampling locations and throughout the cores, with no significant increases due to fish farming activity. Only phosphorus concentration shows elevate values below the fish cage, assigned to fish pellets. Foraminiferal communities are dominated by epifaunal and stress tolerant species, while diversity indices point to normal marine conditions. The type of substrate and phosphorus content in sediments principally influence foraminiferal community composition, while other elemental concentrations have no perceptible effect on the assemblages. Some foraminiferal species Ammoniatepida, Ammoniabeccarii, Elphidiumcrispum, Elphidiummacellum and genus Haynesina are confirmed to be tolerant to elevated nutrient (phosphorus) content, while Ammonia parkinsoniana shows sensitivity to pollution. Postmortem processes cause decrease of foraminiferal density and species richness with core depth. All results point to negligible influence of fish farming and relatively stable environmental conditions at all sampling locations.     

Review: The International Sediment Initiative case studies of sediment problems in river basins and their management

Management of sediment in river basins and waterways has been an important issue for water managers throughout history. The changing nature of sediment issues has meant that water managers today face many complex technical and environmental challenges in relation to sediment management. UNESCO's International Hydrological Programme(IHP) launched the International Sediment Initiative(ISI) in 2002.ISI aims to further advance sustainable sediment management on a global scale. This is achieved through the delivery of a decision support framework for sediment management that provides guidance on legislative and institutional solutions, applicable across a range of socio-economic and physiographic settings in the context of global change. ISI mobilizes international experience on sediment problems and their management through the compilation of a series of case studies representative of a broad range of physiographic and socio-economic conditions, which are made available as guidance for policy makers dealing with water and river basin management. Case studies prepared to date include the basins of the Nile, Mississippi, Rhine, Volga, Yellow, and Haihe and Liaohe rivers. Available in full from the ISI website,these detailed case studies are briefly introduced in this review articles.     

南极湖泊沉积物中有机硫组成及其与铁硫化物的联系

本文利用有机硫硫同位素组成(δ34Sorg)及活性铁的黄铁矿化度(DOP)和硫化度(DOS)研究了南极阿德雷岛受企鹅活动影响的Y2湖和未受影响的菲尔德斯半岛燕鸥湖YO沉积物中有机硫的来源组成及其与铁硫化物的联系.结果 表明,Y2沉积物1～15 cm较低的δ34Sorg指示有机质硫化形成的贫34S成岩有机硫(Sdiag)...     

Non-food-chain transfer of sediment-associated persistent organic pollutants to a marine benthic fish

We investigated the transfer of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from unspiked bottom sediment to a benthic marine fish, marbled sole (Pleuronectes yokohamae), via non-food-chain pathways, i.e., via sediment particles and water column. One-year-old sole were held for 28 days in an exposure tank with bottom sediment or in a control tank. o,p′-DDE and tri- to penta-chlorobiphenyls were transferred from the sediment to the fish via non-food-chain pathways, as demonstrated by concentrations in the exposed fish at 2.5-30 times the control levels. A model analysis based on first-order kinetic equations indicated that the overall rate constant of transfer of these compounds from sediment to fish was generally lower than that from food (median of ratio, 0.48). It also suggested that relatively high concentrations of the other POPs in the food and the longer times necessary for them to reach a steady state masked any transfer of them from the sediment.     

Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast

Plastic debris is known to undergo fragmentation at sea, which leads to the formation of microscopic particles of plastic; the so called ‘microplastics’. Due to their buoyant and persistent properties, these microplastics have the potential to become widely dispersed in the marine environment through hydrodynamic processes and ocean currents. In this study, the occurrence and distribution of microplastics was investigated in Belgian marine sediments from different locations (coastal harbours, beaches and sublittoral areas).Particles were found in large numbers in all samples, showing the wide distribution of microplastics in Belgian coastal waters. The highest concentrations were found in the harbours where total microplastic concentrations of up to 390 particles kg⁻¹ dry sediment were observed, which is 15-50 times higher than reported maximum concentrations of other, similar study areas.The depth profile of sediment cores suggested that microplastic concentrations on the beaches reflect the global plastic production increase.     

Adsorption behaviour of dibutyl phthalate on marine sediments

Laboratory experiments were carried out to investigate the adsorption behaviour of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) on marine sediments collected from five different sites in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong. DBP adsorption can be well described by the Langmuir isotherm. The maximum DBP adsorption capacity (Q(max)) of the marine sediments ranges from 53 to 79 mg g(-1), which has a positive correlation with their organic content. Around 90% of the organic can be removed from the sediments with treatment by H(2)O(2) oxidation, and the Q(max) then decreases to a range between 13 and 22 mg g(-1). The black carbon content of the sediments has a much greater DBP adsorption capacity than does the natural organic matter of the sediments. The amount of DBP adsorbed on the sediments increases as the salinity of the marine water increases.     

A recent history of metal accumulation in the sediments of Rijeka harbor, Adriatic Sea, Croatia

We studied metal pollution in the sediments of Rijeka harbor, including anthropogenic influence during recent decades and at the present time. Sediment profiles were collected at ten sampling points. The concentrations of 63 elements in bulk sediment were obtained using ICP-MS, and the concentrations of selected elements were evaluated by statistical factor analyses. We also calculated metal-enrichment factors and geoaccumulation indices and constructed spatial-distribution maps.Mercury (Hg) was the heaviest pollutant, with concentrations exceeding 4 mg/kg. Silver (Ag) was the second most important pollutant, with constantly increasing values. The average concentrations of the most toxic elements were comparable to those found in sediments of other ports throughout the world, and their toxicity ranged from threshold values [chromium (Cr), arsenic (As)] and midrange-effect values [cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni)] to extreme-effect values (Hg). Metal pollution has decreased during recent decades, except for Ag and barium (Ba).     

Monosulfidic black ooze accumulations in sediments of the Geographe Bay area, Western Australia

Mobilisation of sedimentary monosulfidic black ooze (MBO) may result in rapid deoxygenation and acidification of surface waters, and release of potentially toxic metals. This study examines the extent and nature of MBO accumulation in the Geographe Bay area, Western Australia. MBO accumulations were found to be widespread in benthic sediments of the Geographe Bay area with acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) contents as high as 320 μmol g⁻¹. The MBO materials often had unusually high dissolved sulfide (S^−II) concentrations in their pore-waters (up to 610 mg L⁻¹) and elevated elemental sulfur (S⁰) contents (up to 51 μmol g⁻¹). Dissolved S^−II is able to accumulate due to limited iron availability and S⁰ is largely its partial oxidation product. The availability of organic carbon and Fe limited MBO accumulation at many sites. A comparison of AVS and simultaneously extracted metal (SEM) concentrations has shown that metals are likely to be bound in sulfide complexes.     

Distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments of the Hormuz strait,Persian Gulf

The concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in the sediment from the Hormuz strait, Persian Gulf. The sum of 16 PAHs (ΣPAH) concentrations varied from 72.17 to 277.77 ng g⁻¹ dry weight, with an average value of 131.20 ± 59.29 ng g⁻¹ dry weight. An ecological risk assessment of PAHs, indicated that adverse biological effects caused by acenaphthene and acenaphthylene occasionally may take place in the sediment of Hormuz strait. PAH source identification showed that the PAHs in the sediments come from pyrogenic and mixed origin. Based on classification of pollution levels, sediments from Hormuz strait could be considered as low to moderately polluted with PAHs.     

北京密云水库表层沉积物磁性矿物的鉴别

本文对密云水库表层沉积物中的磁性矿物进行了岩石磁学和透射电子显微学的综合研究.本实验建立的磁选方法实现将70%～85%左右的磁性矿物从沉积物中分离出来.岩石磁学研究表明,密云水库沉积物中的磁性矿物以多畴和单畴磁铁矿为主,还含有少量高矫顽力弱磁性载磁矿物（可能为赤铁矿）.对磁选矿物的透射电镜观测表明,样品中部分单畴磁铁矿具有纳米尺寸和化学纯度高等特点,为拉长的立方-八面体磁铁矿,是趋磁细菌产生的化石磁小体;多畴磁铁矿多数具有微米尺寸,形状不规则,为碎屑成因;超顺磁磁铁矿粒径约为5～20 nm,且含硅、铝等元素,可能为自生成因.研究结果表明,岩石磁学和透射电子显微学的综合应用可以更全面、准确地分析沉积物中磁性矿物的成分、含量、粒径和化学成分等信息,为环境磁学、生物地磁学和古地磁学研究提供依据.     

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in soils and sediments, southeast China: A case study in Xinghua Bay

This study evaluated the contamination status and distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) between Xinghua Bay and adjacent watersheds in Putian region, southeast China. Twenty-five surface soil samples and two sediment cores were collected from two watersheds and the Xinghua Bay, respectively. Results showed that the concentrations of OCPs in samples of the Mulan River Watershed (MRW), the Qiulu River Watershed (QRW), the inner bay core (IBC) and the open bay core (OBC) were in the range of 4.96-38.20 ng/g, 4.62-22.80 ng/g, 1.84-80.46 ng/g and 1.87-23.43 ng/g, respectively. The mean concentration of OCPs was in an order: IBC > MRW > QRW > OBC. The higher concentration of OCPs in recent periods may suggest that a certain amount of OCPs were still input to this area.     

The distribution of acid-volatile sulfide and simultaneously extracted metals in sediments from a mangrove forest and adjacent mudflat in Zhangjiang Estuary, China

The distribution of acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) were studied in sediments collected from mangrove forest, forest fringe and adjacent mudflat in the Zhangjiang Estuary, China. The aim was to examine the spatial distribution of AVS and SEM in sediments of the Estuary and determine the influence of mangrove trees on AVS and SEM concentrations in the sediments. The results indicated that AVS concentrations in forest sediments were significantly lower than those in mudflat sediments. There was a significant positive correlation between AVS values and moisture contents in forest sediments, while LOI played an important role in AVS concentrations of mudflat sediments. In the forest sediment core, the peak value of AVS appeared deeper in the sediment profile compared to it appeared in the mudflat core. The distribution of SEM showed different trends from that of AVS, and potential toxicity existed in the upriver forest sediments.     

The effects of wastewater effluent and river discharge on benthic heterotrophic production,organic biomass and respiration in marine coastal sediments

We examine effects of high river particulate flux and municipal wastewater effluent on heterotrophic organic carbon cycling in coastal subtidal sediments. Heterotrophic production was a predictable (r² = 0.95) proportion (56%) of oxidized OC flux and strongly correlated with organic/inorganic flux. Consistent growth efficiencies (36%) occurred at all stations. Organic biomass was correlated with total, OC and buried OC fluxes, but not oxidized OC flux. Near the river, production was modest and biomass high, resulting in low P/B. Outfall deposition resulted in depleted biomass and high bacterial production, resulting in the highest P/B. These patterns explain why this region is production “saturated”. The δ¹⁵N in outfall effluent, sediments and dominant taxa provided insight into where, and which types of organisms feed directly on fresh outfall particulates, on older, refractory material buried in sediments, or utilize chemosynthetic symbiotic bacteria. Results are discussed in the context of declining bottom oxygen conditions along the coast.     

Preliminary study on responses of marine nematode community to crude oil contamination in intertidal zone of Bathing Beach, Dalian

This study investigated the responses of marine nematodes to crude oil contamination in polluted and relatively uncontaminated sites in Dalian Xingang, China, 40 days after an oil spill. Samples were taken at different tide levels on the beach and at different positions along the beach. We present the results of a comparison of nematode assemblages from undisturbed sediment from the Xiajiahezi Bathing Beach with those from sediment from the Xinghai Bathing Beach contaminated with crude oil. A total of 1666 nematodes from 26 genera were found in this study. Results showed significant differences in nematode assemblages between samples from undisturbed controls and those from the polluted area. Nematode abundance, number of species, diversity and species richness decreased significantly with increasing levels of crude oil contamination. Fifteen genera were eliminated and seemed to be composed of species intolerant to crude oil contamination; only the abundance of Marylynnia sp. increased slightly.     

Measurement of soluble reactive phosphorus concentration profiles and fluxes in river-bed sediments using DET gel probes

DET (diffusive equilibrium in thin films) gel probes were used for sampling river-bed sediment porewaters, to characterise in situ soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentration profiles and fluxes. DET probes were deployed in three contrasting rural streams: (1) a headwater ‘pristine’ stream, with minimal P inputs from low intensity grassland and no point sources, (2) an intensively cultivated arable catchment, and (3) a stream subject to high P loadings from sewage effluent and intensive arable farming. The DET results showed highly enriched porewater SRP concentrations of between ca. 400 and 5000 μg-P l⁻¹ in the sewage-impacted stream. In contrast, the arable and pristine streams had porewater SRP concentrations <70 μg-P l⁻¹ and <20 μg-P l⁻¹, respectively. Porewater SRP concentration profiles in both the sewage-impacted and arable-impacted streams showed well-defined vertical structure, indicating internal sources and sinks of SRP within the sediment. However, there was little variability in porewater SRP concentrations in the pristine stream. The DET porewater profiles indicated net diffusion of SRP (a) from the overlying river water into the surface sediment and (b) from subsurface sediment upwards towards the sediment–water interface. A mass balance for the sewage-impacted site showed that the influx of SRP into the surface sediments from the overlying river water was small (ca. 1% of the daily river SRP load). The DET results indicated that, in the arable and sewage-impacted streams, the surface ‘cap’ of fine sediment may play an important role in inhibiting upward movement of SRP from subsurface porewaters into the overlying river water, under steady-state, low-flow conditions.     

长江中下游湖泊沉积物生物可利用磷分布特征

利用化学提取方法对太湖6个样点,巢湖4个样点和龙感湖3个样点的表层沉积物和沉积物柱样进行了生物可利用磷(BAP)测定．北太湖表层沉积物的平均含量为259．5mg／kg,而西部湖区平均含量为114 6mg／kg,湖心区平均含量为40．6 mg/kg,而东太湖平均含量为50．7 mg／kg,呈显著北高南低的特点．巢湖西部湖区表层沉积物的BAP平均含量为 254．2 mg／kg,而东部湖区BAP含量降低为101．9mg／kg．龙感湖表层沉积物BAP平均含量为67．8 mg／kg．显著表明污染程度较高的湖区沉积物的BAP相应较高．BAP在沉积物中随深度呈指数降低,显示生物可利用磷在沉积作用下向稳定的非活性磷转化．夏季沉积物中的BAP由于生物活性的增强向溶解态活性磷转化过程增强,显示为较低的BAP含量．BAP 含量与水体溶解态活性磷呈正相关关系,且该相关性在BAP含量较低的样点好于高BAP的样点．     

Evaluation of induction of metallothionein-like proteins (MTLPs) in the polychaetes for biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution in marine sediments

Polychaetes are suitable organisms for evaluation of impact of sediment pollution. We evaluated toxicity of cadmium and copper and measured metallothionein-like proteins (MTLPs) in the polychaete Perinereis nuntia. At the same concentration ranges copper was unexpectedly more toxic than cadmium. Copper also caused no significant increase in MTLPs in the polychaetes. When P. nuntia and another polychaete species, Cirratulus cirratus were cultured in the contaminated sediments collected from Lake Sihwa (Korea), a high mortality of 80% was observed on day 6 in P. nuntia in the sediment with the highest metal concentration. However, no mortality was observed up to 35 days in C. cirratus in any sediment. MTLP contents between two species also varied. These findings suggest that MTLP induction response in the polychaetes varies with the metal type and species and it may be used as a biomarker of sediment pollution in the polychaetes after further validation and field trials.     

Pyrite paragenesis and multiple sulfur isotope distribution in late Archean and early Paleoproterozoic Hamersley Basin sediments

The sulfur isotope record in late Archean and early Paleoproterozoic rocks is of considerable importance because it provides evidence for changes in early Earth atmospheric oxygen levels and potentially constrains the origin and relative impact of various microbial metabolisms during the transition from an anoxic to oxic atmosphere. Mass independently fractionated (MIF) sulfur isotopes reveal late Archean and early Paleoproterozoic sulfur sources in different pyrite morphologies in Western Australia's Hamersley Basin. Multiple sulfur isotope values in late Archean pyrite vary according to morphology. Fine grained pyrite has positive sulfur MIF, indicating a reduced elemental sulfur source, whereas pyrite nodules have negative sulfur MIF, potentially derived from soluble sulfate via microbial sulfate reduction. The Hamersley Basin δ³⁴S–Δ³³S record suggests that the extent of oxygenation of the surface ocean fluctuated through the Late Archean from at least 2.6 Ga, more than 150 million yr before the Great Oxidation Event. In the early Paleoproterozoic, there is less distinction between pyrite morphologies with respect to sulfur isotope fractionation, and pyrite from the Brockman Iron Formation trends toward modern sulfur isotope values. An important exception to this is the strong negative MIF recorded in layer parallel pyrite in Paleoproterozoic carbonate facies iron formation. This may suggest that deeper water hydrothermal environments remained anoxic while shallower water environments became more oxidised by the early Paleoproterozoic. The results of the current study indicate that sulfide paragenesis is highly significant when investigating Archean and early Paleoproterozoic multiple sulfur isotope compositions and sulfur sources.