The Analysis of the Seasonal,Spatial, and Compositional Distribution of Humic Substances in a Subtropical Shallow Lake

The spatial and temporal distribution of humic substances in aquatic ecosystems can have important effects on ecosystem productivity, negatively impacting primary productivity while positively impacting secondary productivity. In the present investigation, a large shallow lake ecosystem was studied to determine the spatial and seasonal variation of the composition and concentration of humic substances. Concentrations of total dissolved organic matter, humic acid, and fulvic acid were found to display significant spatial distributions (1.3…13.5 mg/L, DOM; 0.1…5.4 mg/L, HA). The distribution is described by using mapping techniques and the analysis of the spatial distribution of the lake. An analysis of the seasonal variations also indicated the dependence of the occurrence of these compounds on meteorological and hydrological conditions. To identify the potential sources of these organic materials, an analysis was made of the ratio of humic and fulvic acid fractions and total DOM. It was found that areas of high DOM concentration coincided with the areas of highest HA percentage of total DOM. Furthermore using the ratio of the normalised concentrations of HA, FA, and residual DOM (< 5000 g/mol) it was found that areas dominated by each are spatially distinct. This confirms the hypothesis that in these shallow lakes, photodegradation and bacterioplankton activity will create a residence time dependent zonation of each component of the total DOM.     

Microbial community dynamics and biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in polluted marine sediments in Hong Kong

Dynamics of microbial community and biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in polluted marine sediments, artificially spiked with a mixture of PAHs (fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene), were examined for a period of 60 days. Microbial communities were characterised by bacterial counts, ester-linked fatty acid methyl ester (EL-FAME) analysis and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). A noted reduction in species diversity occurred only in the high PAH level treatment at onset. Both EL-FAME and DGGE demonstrated a marked shift in microbial community, in all the PAH level treatments, afterwards, with increases in the number of fatty acid degraders, the relative abundance of fatty acid biomarkers for gram-negative bacteria and a decrease in species diversity. The shift was also accompanied by the significant decrease in PAH concentrations. By the end of the experiment, diversity indices, based on both approaches, recovered when PAH concentrations declined to their background levels, except in the high PAH level treatment.     

基于紫外-可见光吸收光谱和三维荧光光谱的腐殖酸光降解组分特征分析

湖泊生态系统作为自然界重要的碳库,光照强度的变化对于湖泊的碳循环过程可能产生重要的影响.以云南老君山高山湖泊天才湖周边土壤中的腐殖酸作为外源溶解性有机物（DOM）的代表物,通过腐殖酸模拟光降解实验,考察光照强度对外源DOM光降解过程的影响.研究结果表明：腐殖酸光吸收系数a₄₄₀、465 nm和665 nm波长处吸光度比值E₄/E₆的下降幅度均为：对照组 < 20 W光照组 < 40 W光照组,a₄₄₀、E₄/E₆和光谱斜率S_R显著相关,表明紫外辐射使得腐殖酸溶液浓度降低、相对分子量下降,且光照强度越强,腐殖酸的光降解程度越大.通过EEM-PARAFAC模型识别出光降解过程中腐殖酸溶液中含有5种荧光组分：UV类腐殖质（C1）、UVA类腐殖质（C2）、类色氨酸（C3）、UVC类腐殖质（C4）和类络氨酸（C5）.40 W光照组中4种荧光组分的降解程度与降解速率均大于20 W光照组,降解程度均为：C4 > C3 > C2 > C1,降解速率为C2 > C4 > C3 > C1,说明不同的荧光组分对光照强度的响应不同.该研究有助于阐明外源DOM的光降解途径与归趋.     

Microbial community dynamics and biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in polluted marine sediments in Hong Kong

Dynamics of microbial community and biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in polluted marine sediments, artificially spiked with a mixture of PAHs (fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene), were examined for a period of 60 days. Microbial communities were characterised by bacterial counts, ester-linked fatty acid methyl ester (EL-FAME) analysis and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). A noted reduction in species diversity occurred only in the high PAH level treatment at onset. Both EL-FAME and DGGE demonstrated a marked shift in microbial community, in all the PAH level treatments, afterwards, with increases in the number of fatty acid degraders, the relative abundance of fatty acid biomarkers for gram-negative bacteria and a decrease in species diversity. The shift was also accompanied by the significant decrease in PAH concentrations. By the end of the experiment, diversity indices, based on both approaches, recovered when PAH concentrations declined to their background levels, except in the high PAH level treatment.     

Comparative embryotoxicity of phenanthrene and alkyl-phenanthrene to marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma)

Alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (alkyl-PAHs) are the predominant form of PAHs in oil, comprising 85–95% of total PAHs. However, little attention has been paid to these chemicals in ecological risk assessment of marine oil spill. A comparative study of the toxic effects of phenanthrene and retene (7-isopropyl-1-methylphenanthrene, an alkyl-phenanthrene) on the early life stage of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) was conducted. Results showed that retene was significantly more toxic than phenanthrene, and marine medaka could be more sensitive to retene than some freshwater fishes. Retene had a higher excretion rate than phenanthrene during the larvae stage. Both of compounds resulted in developmental malformation of marine medaka embryos, with phenanthrene affecting on peripheral vascular system and yolk sac, while retene affecting on cardiac tissues. The toxicity of phenanthrene might be mainly related to its anesthetic effects, and that of retene might be related to the CYP1A-mediated toxicity of its metabolites.     

Preliminary study on biodegradation of phenanthrene by bacteria isolated from mangrove sediments in Hong Kong

Elevated concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been found in mangrove sediments due to anthropogenic pollution, and microbial degradation has been suggested as the best way to remove PAHs from contaminated sediments. The degradation of phenanthrene, a model PAH compound by bacteria, either the enriched mixed culture or individual isolate isolated from surface mangrove sediments was examined. The effects of salinity, initial phenanthrene concentrations and the addition of glucose on biodegradation potential were also investigated. Results show that surface sediments collected from four mangrove swamps in Hong Kong had different degree of PAH contamination and had different indigenous phenanthrene-degrading bacterial consortia. The enriched bacteria could use phenanthrene as the sole carbon source for growth and degrade this PAH compound accordingly. A significant positive relationship was found between bacterial growth and percentages of phenanthrene degradation. The phenanthrene biodegradation ability of the enriched mixed bacterial culture was not related to the degree of PAH contamination in surface sediments. The growth and biodegradation percentages of the enriched mixed culture were not higher than that of the individual isolate especially at low salinity (0 and 10 ppt). High salinity (35 ppt) inhibited growth and biodegradation of phenanthrene of a bacterial isolate but less inhibitory effect was found on the mixed culture. The inhibitory effects of salinity could be reduced with the addition of glucose.     

Accumulation of alkaline and alkaline-earth elements in subcolloidal fraction of bottom sediment at the river-sea geochemical barrier

Data on the concentrations of alkaline (K, Li, Cs, Rb, Tl), alkaline-earth (Mg, Be), and other elements and humic acids in subcolloidal fraction of bottom sediment at river-sea geochemical barrier are given. Higher concentrations of Al and Mg is detected in river BS corresponding to the initial stage of water mixing. The increase in the concentrations of Li, Cs, and Rb is shown to best correspond to the accumulation of humic acids in marine deposits.     

Multi-factors on biodegradation kinetics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by Sphingomonas sp. a bacterial strain isolated from mangrove sediment

Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in contaminated sediment is an attractive remediation technique and its success depends on biodegradation kinetics, and the optimal condition for the PAH-degrading isolates; however, information on this aspect is still scarce. The effects of multi-factors on biodegradation of phenanthrene, a 3-ring model PAH, in contaminated sediment slurry by Sphingomonas sp. a bacterial strain isolated from surface mangrove sediment, were investigated using the orthogonal experimental design (form L(16)(4(5))). The most significant factors were salinity and inoculum size, while the effects of phenanthrene concentrations, nutrient addition and temperatures were insignificant. The optimal biodegradation condition in contaminated mangrove sediment slurry was 30 degrees C, 15 ppt salinity, a carbon/nitrogen ratio of 100:1 (the background ratio in sediment) and an inoculum size of 10(6) most probable number g(-1) sediment. The phenanthrene biodegradation could be best described by the first order rate model, C=C(0)e(-kt), where k (the rate constant) is equaled to 0.1185, under the optimal condition. The kinetic model was verified and its validity in predicting biodegradation by Sphingomonas sp. at various phenanthrene concentrations was proved by experimental data.     

Organic pollutants (PAHs, PCBs) in sediments from the Mar Piccolo in Taranto (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 17 parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in surface sediments from nine stations in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy). Total PAH concentrations ranged from 380 to 12,750 microg/kg d.w., while total PCB levels ranged from 2 to 1684 microg/kg d.w.; this values were higher than those found in others marine coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea. For PAHs, low molecular weight/high molecular weight, phenanthrene/anthracene and fluoranthene/pyrene ratio were used for discriminating between pyrolitic and petroleum origin. Results showed that PAHs were mainly of pyrolitic origin. PCB and PAH levels in sediments were compared with Sediments Quality Guidelines (ERM-ERL, TEL-PEL indexes) for evaluation probable toxic effects on marine organism. Finally, ERM and PEL quotients were used to evaluate the degree to which chemicals exceed guidelines. Results suggest an ecotoxicological risk for benthic organisms mainly in the first inlet, where high concentrations of PCBs were found in sediments influenced by harbour activities.     

Numerical simulation for polycondensation of orthosilicic acid in hydrothermal solutions

This paper describes numerical simulation of the polycondensation of orthosilicic acid in geothermal solutions under a variety of physical and chemical conditions, including temperature, pH, mineral content, and ionic strength. We obtained the concentrations of silica, oversaturation of the solution as a function of time, and the distribution of silica particles over size. It was found that the nucleation of orthosilicic acid and the origination of colloidal particles occurred at temperatures below 100–120°C. The relationships obtained here can be used for the technology of extracting silica from solutions with a prescribed particle size.     

Molar Masses and Radii of Humic Substances Measured by Light Scattering

A bulk aquatic natural organic material (NOM) was characterized by high-performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) coupled with multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS), UV-Vis, and refractive index detection. This technique was used to measure the molar mass and radius of the natural organic matter in solution. Results indicate that the NOM aggregates to a large extent at the concentrations used in this study (5... 15 mg mL^–1). The solution conditions of pH and ionic strength were also shown to affect the measured size of NOM. The number and type of HPSEC columns also influenced these measurements. The importance of using multiple detectors was illustrated by peaks that were not detected by all the detectors. While these data are preliminary and have large errors associated with them, it is nevertheless an indication that HPSEC-MALLS can be used to investigate the effects of solution conditions and aggregation on the size of humic substances in solution.     

DOM characteristics along the continuum from river to receiving basin: a comparison of freshwater and saline transects

The chemical characteristics of bulk (sterile-filtered) and high molecular-weight dissolved organic matter (HMW DOM) were analyzed for freshwater (St. Louis River, Minnesota to Lake Superior) and saline (Elizabeth River, Virginia to Chesapeake Bay) river-to-receiving basin transects. Dissolved organic carbon concentrations and UV–Visible spectroscopy of bulk DOM demonstrated a reduction in organic carbon, colored DOM and aromatic compounds downstream in both transects. The proportion of DOM recoverable via ultrafiltration as HMW material also decreased downstream in both transects, although there was an offset in recoveries between the transects that may be explained by the effects of ionic strength and/or differences in ultrafiltration technique. The analysis of HMW DOM by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy illustrated similar trends between transects, with a general shift from aromatic/carboxylic compounds nearshore to aliphatic/carbohydrate materials offshore. The parallel changes observed along saline and freshwater transects imply that similar processes play significant roles in the down-gradient alteration of DOM and that ionic strength or pH changes cause second-order effects.     

Ecotoxicological evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using marine invertebrate embryo-larval bioassays

The toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was determined using mussel, sea-urchin and ascidian embryo-larval bioassays. Fluorescent light exposure enhanced phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene and hydroxypyrene toxicity in comparison with dark conditions, but not naphthalene and fluorene toxicity. The toxicity of PAHs was inversely related to their K(OW) values following QSAR models derived for baseline toxicity of general narcotics, whereas the obtained regression using toxicity data from photoactivated PAHs significantly departed from the general narcosis model. Also, the mixture toxicity of five PAHs to the larval growth of the sea-urchin was compared with predictions derived from the concentration addition concept, indicating less than additive effects. Finally, we compared our toxicity data with worst-case environmental concentrations in order to provide a preliminary estimate of the risk to the marine environment. Naphthalene, fluorene and pyrene are not considered to pose a risk to sea-urchin, mussel or ascidian larvae, whilst phenanthrene and fluoranthene may pose a risk for mussel and sea-urchin. Moreover, a higher risk for those species is expected when we consider the photoactivation of the PAHs.     

Organic pollutants (PAHs,PCBs) in sediments from the Mar Piccolo in Taranto (Ionian Sea,Southern Italy)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 17 parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in surface sediments from nine stations in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy). Total PAH concentrations ranged from 380 to 12,750 μg/kg d.w., while total PCB levels ranged from 2 to 1684 μg/kg d.w.; this values were higher than those found in others marine coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea. For PAHs, low molecular weight/high molecular weight, phenanthrene/anthracene and fluoranthene/pyrene ratio were used for discriminating between pyrolitic and petroleum origin. Results showed that PAHs were mainly of pyrolitic origin. PCB and PAH levels in sediments were compared with Sediments Quality Guidelines (ERM–ERL, TEL–PEL indexes) for evaluation probable toxic effects on marine organism. Finally, ERM and PEL quotients were used to evaluate the degree to which chemicals exceed guidelines. Results suggest an ecotoxicological risk for benthic organisms mainly in the first inlet, where high concentrations of PCBs were found in sediments influenced by harbour activities.     

水华微囊藻(Microcystis flos-aquae)生长周期中腐殖酸的释放特性

由于严重的水体富营养化,太湖长期暴发蓝藻水华,这些蓝藻在代谢及消亡过程中大量释放包括腐植酸在内的有机物,不仅影响供水水质,并且进一步加重了水华程度.以太湖水华优势藻种——水华微囊藻(Microcystis flos-aquae T34)为研究对象,对藻株生长周期中的藻细胞、浮游细菌进行计数,并使用TOC仪与三维荧光光谱对培养液中提取的腐殖酸进行定量与定性分析,探究水华微囊藻在生长过程中藻细胞密度、浮游细菌密度与腐殖酸浓度的变化规律.结果表明,培养液中腐殖酸浓度的变化趋势与细菌数量变化趋势一致,但与细菌数量曲线拐点相比,腐殖酸浓度曲线拐点出现两周的延迟.腐殖酸产量在藻细胞对数期较低,当水华微囊藻进入稳定期与衰亡期后,腐殖酸大量产生,其浓度迅速增加,最高可达到28.6 mg/L.根据三维荧光光谱分析,水华微囊藻所产生的腐殖酸特征峰出现在(235~245 nm)/(380~425 nm),属于类富里酸荧光峰.本研究初步探究蓝藻与水体腐殖酸之间的关系,为水体腐殖酸来源的研究提供了新的思路.     

无机阴离子及溶解性有机质对程海化学需氧量测定值的影响

自2005年以来,程海水体的化学需氧量(COD)持续升高,而生化需氧量(BOD)却维持不变,高锰酸盐指数(COD_(Mn))升高也较缓慢.为研究程海COD持续升高的原因,选取程海水体中具有代表性的无机阴离子(Cl~-、F~-、S~(2-)、HCO_3~-)和溶解性有机质(DOM)中不同浓度的胡敏酸(HA)、富里酸(FA)和商品化腐殖酸(SHA),研究其对COD和COD_(Mn)测定的影响,探讨Cl~-和DOM共同存在下对COD测定的影响.结果表明:程海水体中Cl~-浓度对COD存在显著影响,产生的COD值为5.42 mg/L,S~(2-)、F~-和HCO_3~-对COD影响较小;各离子对COD_(Mn)的影响很小;不同浓度梯度的HA、FA和SHA与COD测定结果呈显著线性相关,氧化1 mg C HA、FA和SHA所产生的COD值分别为2.164、1.964和2.362 mg;氧化1 mg C HA和FA所产生的COD_(Mn)值分别为0.646和0.344 mg;DOM对COD测定值的影响显著大于对COD_(Mn)测定值的影响;且一定浓度Cl~-的存在增强了FA与HA对COD测定的影响.该研究为进一步阐明程海COD逐步升高,COD_(Mn)值缓慢升高的内在原因奠定了基础.     

Ecotoxicological evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using marine invertebrate embryo–larval bioassays

The toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was determined using mussel, sea-urchin and ascidian embryo–larval bioassays. Fluorescent light exposure enhanced phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene and hydroxypyrene toxicity in comparison with dark conditions, but not naphthalene and fluorene toxicity. The toxicity of PAHs was inversely related to their K_OW values following QSAR models derived for baseline toxicity of general narcotics, whereas the obtained regression using toxicity data from photoactivated PAHs significantly departed from the general narcosis model. Also, the mixture toxicity of five PAHs to the larval growth of the sea-urchin was compared with predictions derived from the concentration addition concept, indicating less than additive effects. Finally, we compared our toxicity data with worst-case environmental concentrations in order to provide a preliminary estimate of the risk to the marine environment. Naphthalene, fluorene and pyrene are not considered to pose a risk to sea-urchin, mussel or ascidian larvae, whilst phenanthrene and fluoranthene may pose a risk for mussel and sea-urchin. Moreover, a higher risk for those species is expected when we consider the photoactivation of the PAHs.