Distribution of rare earth elements in marine sediments from the Strait of Sicily (western Mediterranean Sea): evidence of phosphogypsum waste contamination

Concentrations of rare earth elements (REE), Y, Th and Sc were recently determined in marine sediments collected using a box corer along two onshore-offshore transects located in the Strait of Sicily (Mediterranean Sea). The REE + Y were enriched in offshore fine-grained sediments where clay minerals are abundant, whereas the REE + Y contents were lower in onshore coarse-grained sediments with high carbonate fractions. Considering this distribution trend, the onshore sediments in front of the southwestern Sicilian coast represent an anomaly with high REE + Y concentrations (mean value 163.4 μg g⁻¹) associated to high Th concentrations (mean value 7.9 μg g⁻¹). Plot of shale-normalized REE + Y data of these coastal sediments showed Middle REE enrichments relative to Light REE and Heavy REE, manifested by a convexity around Sm-Gd-Eu elements. These anomalies in the fractionation patterns of the coastal sediments were attributed to phosphogypsum-contaminated effluents from an industrial plant, located in the southern Sicilian coast.     

Effects of bottom sediments on the survival of Enterobacter aerogenes in seawater

The survival of the coliform bacterium Enterobacter aerogenes in seawater was greatly affected by the underlying bottom sediments. The presence of sediments which contained higher concentrations of organic nutrients than the overlaying seawater prolonged the survival and even enabled growth of the bacterial cells. Results obtained from chemical analysis indicated that sediments of fine-grained, silt-clay type contained highest amounts of organic nutrients as compared with sediments with larger particle sizes such as silt and sand grains. Thus, nutrient contents of the sediments were found to be inversely proportional to sediment particle size. The degree of prolonged survival of E. aerogenes was also found to be inversely proportional to the size of the sediment particles presented. Release of the bound nutrients which became available to cells of E. aerogenes from sediments by action of waves and human activities can explain, at least in part, why high counts of coliform bacteria are obtained in coastal and beach waters.     

Entrainment of E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes from sediment in irrigation canal

E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes (or L. monocytogenes) are bacteria affecting fresh produce that is harmful for health of humans and animals. If these bacteria are present in surface waterbody (e.g., irrigation canals), they will impair irrigation water quality and threaten produce safety. This paper studied the resuspension of E. coli and Listeria from bed sediment into irrigation water through several sets of laboratory experiments in an open channel flume. We studied three types of sediments using several flow rates in different velocities and shear stress. Bacteria's concentration in water increases with the bed shear stress. Two empirical relations were derived to correlate the concentration of E. coli and L. monocytogenes with the dimensionless bed shear stress. The experimental data favorably verified the relationships for sandy loam, loamy sand, and loam. The results showed that both bacteria could entrain from sand more efficiently compared to other sediments (i.e., sandy loam or loam). These relationships can be applied to water quality models for simulating E. coli and L. monocytogenes transport in irrigation canals for better managing irrigation water quality.     

曝气充氧对城市污染河道内源铵态氮释放的控制

以城市污染河道沉积物和上覆水为研究对象,利用模拟实验方法,探讨不同曝气充氧方式(水曝气EW、底泥曝气ES)对污染河道內源铵态氮(NH4+-N)释放的影响.研究结果发现:从间隙水和沉积物中NH4+-N的削减效果来看,底泥曝气均要优于水曝气;实验结束后,底泥曝气组沉积物与间隙水中NH4+-N含量分别减少63.39%和43.33%,水曝气组分别减少了7.54%和13.98%;从沉积物-水界面NH4+-N的扩散通量变化来看,水曝气组界面通量高于对照组,其变化规律与对照组相似;底泥曝气组沉积物-水界面NH4+-N扩散通量变化过程完全不同于其它两组,在整个试验周期内(除第5 d以外),底泥曝气组的通量低于水曝气组,在第15 d最低,为13.73 mg/(m2.d),仅为水曝气组和对照组的14.68%和19.93%,表明底泥曝气组沉积物NH4+-N的释放潜力低于水曝气组沉积物.     

城市河流沉积物中氮素与好氧甲烷氧化菌群落特征响应关系

由于人类活动的影响大量未经处理的废污水汇入城市河流,高浓度的污染物影响了河流中微生物对生物地球化学物质迁移和转化的介导作用.本文选取典型的城市河流——北运河作为研究区域,分析了北运河沉积物中氮素形态以及含量的空间和季节差异性,并结合克隆文库分子生物学的方法,探讨了氮素形态和含量的差异对好氧甲烷氧化菌(aerobic methane-oxidizing microorganisms,MOB)群落特征的影响.结果表明:北运河沉积物中铵态氮(NH_4~+-N)为氮素的主要存在形态,存在显著的空间差异,其含量在下游显著高于上游,但季节差异不显著.NH_4~+-N含量的空间差异对MOB的群落结构和群落分布有显著影响,对群落多样性影响不显著.NH_4~+-N含量的空间分布特征与MOB的群落聚类特征一致,NH_4~+-N对MOB群落分布的影响显著高于其他形态的氮素,其含量越高,则与MOB群落分布的响应关系越紧密.北运河中NH_4~+-N的来源影响了沉积物中MOB的主要来源,MOB高同源性菌群的来源与NH_4~+-N等主要污染物的来源一致.沉积物中MOB物种之间联系的紧密程度依赖于氮素的主要存在形态及其含量水平.NH_4~+-N含量较高的下游沉积物中微生物彼此之间关系及集聚程度更强,受外界环境变化的干扰程度更强,受人类活动引起环境变化的敏感程度更高.城市河流中氮素的形态和含量差异对甲烷的氧化过程有显著影响.探究城市河流沉积物中高含量的NH_4~+-N对甲烷产生及消耗的影响过程是控制河流温室气体排放的关键.     

Microbial Quality in Coastal Waters of Dardanelles in Relation to the Pollution Sources and Transport Pathways

The coastal water quality of Çanakkale Dardanelles (Turkey) was assessed based on bacteriological data and physical–chemical parameters. Total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC), and enterococci (ENT) bacteria along with physicochemical parameters were measured monthly up to a year at 12 different sampling sites located through both coastal lines of the strait. The fecal bacteria were abounded at several sampling sites such as B1, B3, G3, and G4 due to direct wastewater discharges and septic leakages or overloading. Storm water runoff and sediment resuspension were important pathways for the transport of coliform and ENT bacteria to the Dardanelles, as the region receives high precipitation and strong winds for most part of the year. The values of pH, temperature, and salinity were in typical ranges for the studied area. The microbiological and physicochemical data were correlated individually and in combination. The best fit correlations for bacterial data were attained between TC and FC or TC and ENT (R = 0.67 or ?0.68), while those for the combined data were obtained for TC with temperature (R = 0.94) and TC with salinity (R = ? 0.70).     

Concentration,composition and sources of PAHs in the coastal sediments of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Qatar,Arabian Gulf

Surface sediments were collected from sixteen locations in order to assess levels and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments of Qatar exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Samples were analyzed for 16 parent PAHs, 18 alkyl homologs and for dibenzothiophenes. Total PAHs concentration (∑PAHs) ranged from 2.6 ng g⁻¹ to 1025 ng g⁻¹. The highest PAHs concentrations were in sediments in and adjacent to harbors. Alkylated PAHs predominated most of the sampling locations reaching up to 80% in offshore locations. Parent PAHs and parent high molecular weight PAHs dominated location adjacent to industrial activities and urban areas. The origin of PAHs sources to the sediments was elucidated using ternary plot, indices, and molecular ratios of specific compounds such as (Ant/Phe + Ant), (Flt/Flt + Pyr). PAHs inputs to most coastal sites consisted of mixture of petroleum and combustion derived sources. However, inputs to the offshore sediments were mainly of petroleum origin.     

Desorption of Ba and226Ra from river-borne sediments in the Hudson estuary

The pronounced desorption of Ba and²²⁶Ra from river-borne sediments in the Hudson estuary can be explained quantitatively by the drastic decrease in the distribution coefficients of both elements from a fresh to a salty water medium. The desorption in estuaries can augment, at least, the total global river fluxes of dissolved Ba and²²⁶Ra by one and nine times, respectively. The desorptive flux of²²⁶Ra from estuaries accounts for 17–43% of the total²²⁶Ra flux from coastal sediments. Two mass balance models depicting mixing and adsorption-desorption processes in estuaries are discussed.     

Collection of intact sediment cores with overlying water to study nitrogen- and oxygen-dynamics in regions with seasonal hypoxia

Settled particles of fresh, labile organic matter may be a significant source of oxygen demand and nutrient regeneration in seasonally-hypoxic regions caused by nutrient inputs into stratified coastal zones. Studying the dynamics of this material requires sediment sampling methods that include flocculent organic materials and overlying water (OLW) at or above the sediment–water interface (SWI). A new coring device (“HYPOX” corer) was evaluated for examining nitrogen- (N) and oxygen-dynamics at the SWI and OLW in the northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOMEX). The HYPOX corer consists of a “Coring Head” with a check-valve, a weighted “Drive Unit,” and a “Lander,” constructed from inexpensive components. The corer collected undisturbed sediment cores and OLW from sediments at NGOMEX sampling sites with underlying substrates ranging from sand to dense clay. The HYPOX corer could be deployed in weather conditions similar to those needed for a multi-bottle rosette water-sampling system with 20 L bottles. As an example of corer applicability to NGOMEX issues, NH₄⁺ cycling rates were examined at hypoxic and control sites by isotope dilution experiments. The objective was to determine if N-dynamics in OLW were different from those in the water column. “Ammonium demand,” as reflected by potential NH₄⁺ uptake rates, was higher in OLW than in waters collected from a meter or more above the bottom at both sites, but the pattern was more pronounced at the hypoxia site. By contrast, NH₄⁺ regeneration rates were low in all samples. These preliminary results suggest that heterotrophic activity and oxygen consumption in OLW in the hypoxic region may be regulated by the availability of NH₄⁺, or other reduced N compounds, rather than by the lack of sufficient labile organic carbon.     

太湖草源性"湖泛"水域沉积物营养盐释放估算

于太湖草源性"湖泛"暴发期,采集柱状沉积物并应用peeper被动采样装置获得"湖泛"区原位沉积物间隙水.泥水样品分析表明:"湖泛"发生水域表层(0~7 cm)沉积物的含水率、孔隙度和有机质含量均明显高于对照区,其中有机质含量更是对照区样品的4倍左右,沉水植物残体促使表层沉积物物化性质改变的作用明显;"湖泛"发生水域表层沉积物间隙水中铵态氮(NH+4-N)、溶解性反应磷(SRP)及Fe2+含量远高于未发生区,植物残体降解对沉积物厌氧环境的营造显著.运用分子扩散模型对沉积物释放通量估算:"湖泛"发生区沉积物NH+4-N、SRP和Fe2+的释放速率分别是对照区的49.8、15.3和123.1倍.研究认为,草源性"湖泛"水体氮、磷等营养物含量升高的主要原因是沉积物的释放,而"湖泛"所营造的厌氧环境是氮、磷释放急剧增加的主要驱动因素.     

Spatial distribution of phosphorus forms in sediments in the Gulf of Gdańsk (southern Baltic Sea)

The paper analyses the concentrations of total phosphorus and its forms in sediments from the Gulf of Gdańsk on the basis of studies conducted at 25 sampling sites in 2001–05. The phosphorus speciation analysis was performed by sequential extraction. The extensive spatial variability of P_tot concentrations and speciation was found to be dependent on the physicochemical properties of the sediments, the oxygen conditions in the water and sediments, and the depth of the water column above the sediment surface. In the coastal zone, the sedimentation of riverine suspended matter and the sorption and chemisorption processes exert a considerable influence on P speciation. Over 70% of variation of total phosphorus concentration in sediments in the Gulf of Gdańsk could be explained by changes of proportion of fine fraction of sediments (grain size <0.0625 mm). Maximum P_tot concentrations were recorded in clays and silts in the deep water, stratified part of the Gulf of Gdańsk. In the coastal zone, where sandy sediments are dominant, phosphorus concentrations were much lower; this was due to the considerable dynamics of the bottom water and intensive sea floor transport. P_tot concentrations in the Gulf of Gdańsk sediments ranged from 1.75 to 957.17 μmol g⁻¹ d.w. Of all the forms of phosphorus, the highest concentrations were found for organic phosphorus (Org-P). Of its inorganic forms, the highest concentrations were of phosphorus bound to clay minerals and aluminium oxides (NaOH-P), the lowest ones were of loosely bound phosphorus (NaCl-P). On the basis of determinations of total phosphorus concentrations in sediments of a given type and the available data on the seabed areas covered by particular sediment types in the Gulf of Gdańsk, the mass of total phosphorus in the surficial sediment layer (0–2 cm) was estimated at ca. 15.6×10³ tonnes.     

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in sediments from South Bohai coastal watersheds,China

This study investigated the concentrations and distribution of Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in sediments of 12 rivers from South Bohai coastal watersheds. The highest concentrations of ΣPFAS (31.920 ng g⁻¹ dw) and PFOA (29.021 ng g⁻¹ dw) were found in sediments from the Xiaoqing River, which was indicative of local point sources in this region. As for other rivers, concentrations of ΣPFAS ranged from 0.218 to 1.583 ng g⁻¹ dw were found in the coastal sediments and from 0.167 to 1.953 ng g⁻¹ dw in the riverine sediments. Predominant PFAS from coastal and riverine areas were PFOA and PFBS, with percentages of 30% and 35%, respectively. Partitioning analysis showed the concentrations of PFNA, PFDA and PFHxS were significantly correlated with organic carbon. The results of a preliminary environmental hazard assessment showed that PFOS posed the highest hazard in the Mi River, while PFOA posed a relative higher hazard in the Xiaoqing River.     

Hydrochemical characteristics and salinization processes of groundwater in the shallow aquifer of Eastern Laizhou Bay,China

Groundwater salinization has become a crucial environmental problem worldwide and is considered the most widespread form of groundwater contamination in the coastal zone. In this study, a hydrochemical investigation was conducted in the eastern coastal shallow aquifer of Laizhou Bay to identify the hydrochemical characteristics and the salinity of groundwater using ionic ratios, deficit or excess of each ions, saturation indices and factor analysis. The results indicate that groundwater in the study area showed wide ranges and high standard deviations for most of hydrochemical parameters and can be classified into two hydrochemical facies, Ca²⁺‐Mg²⁺‐Cl^‐ facies and Na⁺‐Cl^‐ facies. The ionic ratio, deficit or excess of each ions and SI were applied to evaluate hydrochemical processes. The results obtained indicate that the salinization processes in the coastal zones were inverse cation exchange, dissolution of calcite and dolomite, and intensive agricultural practices. Factor analysis shows that three factors were determined (Factor 1: TDS, EC, Cl^‐, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and SO₄^2‐; Factor 2: HCO₃^‐ and pH; Factor 3: NO₃^‐ and pH), representing the signature of seawater intrusion in the coastal zone, weathering of water–soil/rock interaction, and nitrate contamination, respectively. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ammonium Ion, Humic Materials, and Trihalomethane Potential in Northeastern Kansas Ground Waters

Glacial buried-valley aquifers serve as primary sources of potable ground water in northeastern Kansas. A long known problem, however, is that a large percentage of well waters in this region exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits for nitrate (NO⁻₃). A detailed study of the hydrogeology and water quality of the buried valleys has confirmed the nitrate problem and led to a recognition that some well waters with low ( 5 mg/l) NO⁻₃ concentrations have anomalous ( 0.5 mg/l) ammonium ion (NH⁺₄) levels, with an NH⁺₄ range from <0.1 to 4.8 mg/l. The extractable NH⁺₄ concentrations in related glacial sediments range up to approximately 75 mg/kg, and the amounts generally increase from an average of 2 mg/kg in the topsoil downward to bedrock. Migration of brines from subjacent Permian or Pennsylvanian bedrock into the unconsolidated sediments locally may cause desorption of NH⁺₄ and an increase in its levels in the associated ground waters. Numerous test holes drilled in the study area showed a black scum on the fluid and cuttings, which may be from buried humic materials. Recently measured total organic carbon (TOC) contents of the ground waters confirm a significant level in some areas, with a range from 0.1 to 2.4 mg/l as C. Chlorination of water with dissolved organics may lead to production of halogenated compounds. Two public-water-supply well waters contained total trihalomethane (TTHM) levels close to the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 100 /μg/l in chlorinated samples quenched after one week. The presence of NH⁺₄ inhibits the formation of THMs, but it also can give rise to odor and taste problems in the finished water. The inhibition of THM formation by NH⁺₄ is achieved by reactions which compete with the organics for combination with chlorine. These reactions make maintaining appropriate chlorine residuals difficult and also may lead to production of undesirable side products. Present efforts to evaluate the regional water-quality problems are focused in Nemaha County, Kansas.     

Denitrification in a Laurentian Great Lakes coastal wetland invaded by hybrid cattail (Typha × glauca)

Wetland ecosystems maintain and improve water quality through the process of denitrification, an increasingly important ecosystem service due to global N pollution. Invasive plants have the potential to disrupt denitrification by altering the environmental conditions that facilitate this process. Great Lakes coastal wetlands are experiencing widespread invasion by highly productive hybrid cattail with largely uncertain biogeochemical effects. Through field and controlled mesocosm studies, we sought to determine the effects of cattail invasion through time on denitrification rates and associated environmental factors in a Great Lakes coastal wetland. In the field, we found that cattail density correlated with increased denitrification and a suite of environmental and plant community characteristics and denitrification rates were positively correlated with NH₄ ⁺, sediment organic matter, reduced water levels, and cattail stand age. Through our controlled mesocosm study, we documented conditions 1- and 5-year following invasion and found that denitrification rates and soil organic matter increased in year 5, and cattail and year-since-invasion altered plant communities and soil NH₄ ⁺. Only a weak correlation between denitrification rates and cattail treatments was noted, however, owing to high replicate variability. Our results indicate that with increasing cattail residence time, one ecosystem service, biodiversity, was negatively impacted, while two other services, denitrification and sediment carbon accumulation, were enhanced. Thus, this highly invaded wetland still provides valuable services to aquatic ecosystems and to society. A holistic perspective is therefore critical when evaluating invasive species impacts in which negative impacts are weighed against other ecosystem services, which may be stimulated.     

Pb-derived ages for the reconstruction of terrestrial contaminant history into the Mexican Pacific coast: Potential and limitations

²¹⁰Pb is widely used for dating recent sediments in the aquatic environment; however, our experiences working in shallow coastal environments in the Pacific coast of Mexico have demonstrated that the potential of ²¹⁰Pb for reliable historical reconstructions might be limited by the low ²¹⁰Pb atmospheric fallout, sediment mixing, abundance of coarse sediments and the lack of ¹³⁷Cs signal for ²¹⁰Pb corroboration. This work discusses the difficulties in obtaining adequate sedimentary records for geochronological reconstruction in such active and complex settings, including examples of ²¹⁰Pb geochronologies based on sediment profiles collected in two contrasting areas coastal areas (mudflats associated to coastal lagoons of Sinaloa State and the continental shelf of the Gulf of Tehuantepec), in which geochemical data was used to support the temporal frame established and the changes in sediment supply recorded in the sediment cores which were related to the development of land-based activities during the last century.     

Radium isotopes in sub-Arctic waters

Measurements of the²²⁸Ra/²²⁶Ra activity ratio in the waters of the Greenland, Norwegian and Labrador Seas and Baffin Bay reveal strong horizontal gradients in the surface waters. The coastal waters are dominated by²²⁸Ra injection from nearshore sediments. There is an inverse correlation between the²²⁸Ra/²²⁶Ra activity ratio and salinity in the 30–36‰ salinity range. Vertical profiles indicate that the²²⁸Ra/²²⁶Ra activity ratio is also strongly coupled toσ_θ except for some regions where²²⁸Ra is being injected into higher density water as these isopycnals intersect coastal areas. We use these measurements in the area of formation of North Atlantic Deep Water to estimate that this water mass forms with a²²⁸Ra/²²⁶Ra activity ratio of 0.10.     

Tropical harmful algal blooms: An emerging threat to coral reef communities?

Tropical harmful algal blooms (HABs) are increasing in frequency and intensity and are substantially affecting marine communities. In October/November 2008 a large-scale HAB event (> 500 km², dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides) in the Gulf of Oman caused the complete loss of the branching corals, Pocillopora and Acropora spp., and substantial reductions in the abundance, richness and trophic diversity of the associated coral reef fish communities. Although the causative agents of this C. polykrikoides bloom are unknown, increased coastal enrichment, natural oceanographic mechanisms, and the recent expansion of this species within ballast water discharge are expected to be the main agents. With rapid changes in oceanic climate, enhanced coastal eutrophication and increased global distribution of HAB species within ballast water, large-scale HAB events are predicted to increase dramatically in both intensity and distribution and can be expected to have increasingly negative effects on coral reef communities globally.     

Spatio‐temporal evaluation of the groundwater quality in Kafr Al‐Zayat District,Egypt

Eighteen groundwater well sites located in Kafr Al‐Zayat (Egypt) were sampled monthly from January 2009 to November 2011 for microbial content, Mn⁺², Fe⁺², total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness, NO₃^?, and turbidity. The data were analyzed combining the integrated use of factor and cluster analyses as well as the geostatistical semi‐variogram modeling. The prime objectives were to assess the groundwater suitability for drinking, to document the factors governing the spatio‐tempral variability, and to recognize distinctive groundwater quality patterns to help enable effective sustainability and proactive management of the limited resource. The groundwater microbial, Mn⁺², Fe⁺², TDS, and total hardness contents violated the drinking water local standards while the turbidity and the nitrate content complied with them. Factor analysis indicated that the microbial content is the most influential factor raising the variability potential followed, in decreasing order, by Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, TDS, NO₃^?, turbidity, and finally the total hardness. Turbidity resulting from urban and agricultural runoff was strongly associated with most of the quality parameters. Quality parameters fluctuate sporadically without concrete pattern in space and time while their variability scores peak in November every year. Three spatially distinctive quality patterns were recognized that were consistent with and affected by the cumulative effects of the local topography, depth to water table, thickness of the silty clay (cap layer), surface water, and groundwater flow direction and hence the recharge from contaminated surface canals and agricultural drains. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.