A 200-year record of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contamination in an ombrotrophic peatland in Great Hinggan Mountain,northeast China

Peat bogs are regarded as one of the faithful archives of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) deposition, and a large number of studies on PAHs accumulation in peatlands have been reported in Europe and North America. Comparatively little information is available on peat chronological records of atmospheric PAHs flux in China. We investigated the concentrations and historical accumulation rates of PAHs(AR PAHs) through geochemical analysis of three 210Pb-dated ombrotrophic peat cores from Great Hinggan Mountain, northeast China. Eight USEPA priority PAHs were detected and they are naphthalene(Nap), acenaphthylene(Acl), acenaphthene(Ace), fluorence(Flu), phenanthrene(Phe), anthracene(Ant), fluoranthene(Fla) and pyrene(Pyr), respectively. The average total eight PAHs(tPAHs) concentrations are 135.98- 262.43 μg kg-1 and the average AR tPAHs over the last two centuries are 96.45- 135.98 μg m-2 yr-1. The Ace, Acl and Phe account for 30.93- 54.04%, 25.29- 35.81%, and 9.14- 19.84% of the tPAHs, respectively, and have significant positive correlations with the tPAH. As a result, they are regarded as the iconic compounds of PAHs pollution in this area. A ca.200-yr atmospheric PAHs contamination history was reconstructed from the temporal sequences of bothconcentration and AR tPAHs, suggesting the variation of local environmental pollution. The main sources of the PAHs are identified by two isomer ratios as petrogenic origin including oil extraction and refining process as well as their combustions for industrial development. In addition, the contribution of coal combustion for industrial activities and resident heating could not be ignored. But prior to 1860, the undeveloped industry and most of agricultural activities might mainly account for the low level of PAHs, although it could infer a long-range input of atmospheric PAHs from other industrial areas. Therefore, there is a global implication to study longterm PAHs pollution records and all the results will provide practical significance in formulating policies to achieve sustainable and healthy development.     

Spatial variations in depth-distribution of trace metals in coastal wetland sediments from Quanzhou Bay, Fujian Province, China

Four short cores were obtained from the coastal wetland of the Quanzhou Bay, Fujian Province, China, and sediment samples were analyzed with a Mastersizer 2000 for grain size analysis and an Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES) for trace metal analysis. The results of grain size analysis show that the wetland sediments are mainly composed of silt and clay, and the distribution of median grain size is affected by human activities obviously. The results of trace metal analysis show that the wetland sediments mainly originate from terrestrial materials in the Luoyangjiang River estuary and from contaminants discharged from adjacent rivers in Shuitou area. The heavy metal contamination in Luoyangjiang estuary decreased from 1984 to 2004 due to industry transformation, but has increased since 2004 because of the discharge of contaminants to the Jinjiang River and much living sewerage to the bay, and a large number of trace metals are trapped within Spartina alterniflora marsh.     

Tracing environmental lead sources on the Ao mountain of China using lead isotopic composition and biomonitoring

Atmospheric lead(Pb) and other trace metals can transport over long distance and deposit on remote alpine ecosystems. In this work, the soil profiles, litter and dominant mosses along a large altitude were collected on Ao Mountain, Central China, to obtain the spatial distributions of Pb in these materials, decipher the possible factors controlling the distribution, and quantitatively distinguish the natural versus anthropogenic sources of Pb through the Pb isotopic tracing and biomonitoring. The results show that soil Pb concentrations(mg/kg) decreased significantly with depth, and they were markedly higher in the O(42.6± 2.7) and A(36.4 ± 2.2) horizons than in the litter(7.20 ± 1.9) and mosses(28.0 ± 3.9). The Pb enrichment in the surface soils(O and A horizons),litter and mosses existed in the relatively high altitudes, which was attributed to the influences from atmospheric wet deposition, plants, soil physicochemical properties and human activity. ThePb isotopic ratios identified the Pb sources as originating mainly from Chinese coal combustion,mining and smelting. Atmospheric Pb from southeastern, southwestern and northwestern regions could be deposited in the alpine ecosystem by long distance atmospheric transport. The anthropogenic Pb reached over 50% in the O and A horizons, and over 70% in the litter and mosses, which corresponded to the concentrations of 26.9, 17.7, 5.92 and 21.2 mg/kg, respectively. The results indicate that the mutual effects of climate and regional human activity could increase the Pb accumulation in remote alpine ecosystems.     

Partial function prediction of sulfate-reducing bacterial community from the rhizospheres of two typical coastal wetland plants in China

Sulfate-reducing bacteria(SRB) are ubiquitous anaerobic microorganisms that play significant roles in the global biogeochemical cycle.Coastal wetlands,one of the major habitats of SRB,exhibit high sulfate-reducing activity and thus play significant roles in organic carbon remineralization,benthic geochemical action,and plant-microbe interactions.Recent studies have provided credible evidence that the functional rather than the taxonomic composition of microbes responds more closely to environmental factors.Therefore.in this study,functional gene prediction based on PacBio single molecular real-time sequencing of 16 S rDNA was applied to deterrmine the sulfate-reducing and organic substrate-decomposing activities of SRB in the rhizospheres of two typical coastal wetland plants in North and South China:Zostera japonica and Scirpus mariqueter.To this end,some physicochemical characteristics of the sediments as well as the phylogenetic structure,community composition,diversity,and proportions of several functional genes of the SRB in the two plant rhizosphere s were analyzed.The Z.japonica meadow had a higher dis similatory sulfate reduction capability than the S.mariqueter-comprising saltmarsh,owing to its larger proportion of SRB in the microbial community,larger proportions of functional genes involved in dissimilatory sulfate reduction,and the stronger ability of the SRB to degrade organic substrates completely.This study confirmed the feasibility of applying microbial community function prediction in research on the metabolic features of SRB,which will be helpful for gaining new knowledge of the biogeochemical and ecological roles of these bacteria in coastal wetlands.     

The bounding-surfaces record of a barrier spit from Huangqihai Lake,North China:implications for coastal barrier boundary hierarchy

Ground-penetrating radar and trenching studies of a barrier spit on the north shore of Huangqihai Lake were made,that reveal important implications for the coastal washover barrier boundary hierarchy and interpretations of this depositional record.A four-fold hierarchy bounding-surface model,representing different levels of impact and genesis,is defined.Each level of the hierarchy is enclosed by a distinct kind of surface characterized by different ground-penetrating radar reflection features,sedimentary characteristics(color,grain size,sorting,rounding and sedimentary structures) and origin.We suggest that this hierarchical model can be applied to any coastal washover barrier deposits.     

THE WETLAND TYPES,FUNCTIONS ANDCONSERVATION IN CHINA

Wetland Is an important landscape existing almost DEFINITIONS OF WETLANDall over the world．In China，wetlands are distributedeverywhe。加mfrlgld－tern。。。ie zone to tropical zone，XU QI et al．dehned wetland as the soil which isfrom lmoral！o Inland from paln to pforeau and moisten by under－ground water or Is permanently ormountains．＞ome ot the wetlands share the sam。char－temno。rllv soak。d by ground。ater（XU，1995）．Thisacterlstlcs of other countries，and some are un…     

Chronology of coastal aeolian deposition and its paleo-environmental implications on the Liuao Peninsula of South China

Coastal dunes are a common geomorphic type in sandy coastal zones. They are a record of the coupled evolutionary processes of the wind and ocean waves. Many coastal dune fields have developed on the east coast of Fujian China and now occur as widespread typical coastal aeolian sand landforms on the Liuao Peninsula, Gulei Peninsula and Dongshan Island, but it is difficult to evaluate the dynamic geomorphologic process of sandy coast due to the lack of systematic and accurate chronological data. In this study, we selected the Hutoushan(HTS) aeolian dune on the Liuao Peninsula as the research object. Optical dating and grain-size analysis were applied to sand samples from the aeolian sequence of a profile of the HTS dune. The results show that the ages of seven samples of this profile were in the range of 37.8–0.19 ka from 4.0 to 0.2 m deep. These correspond to the Marine Isotope Stage 3(MIS3), abrupt climatic change events of 4.2 and 1.1 ka and the Little Ice Age(LIA), respectively. These samples displayed evidence of a longer-term climate trend in this area. The period of formation of this coastal aeolian dune corresponds to a cold and arid climate associated with the East Asia Winter Monsoon(EAWM). Periods of dune fixation and rubification are evidence of a hot and humid climate. Mobilization and stabilization of the aeolian dune is an important characteristic of the coastal evolution in South China since the late Pleistocene.     

Tourist Behaviors in Wetland Park： A Preliminary Study in Xixi National Wetland Park, Hangzhou, China

Public education as well as tourism and leisure are the two important functions of national wetland park, and tourist behaviors act as the guiding factor in the national wetland park construction and management. As the first national wetland park in China, Xixi National Wetland Park, located in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, will give constructive instructions to the construction and management of other wetland parks and ecotourism resorts. This paper analyzed the tourist behaviors in Xixi National Wetland Park. By the observation, in-depth interview and questionnaire, the results show that tourists in wetland parks are different from those in the other common destinations, and they are also different from those strict eco-tourists. In fact, the tourists in wetland park have unique characteristics, such as the intense perception to the functions of wetland ecosystem and the environment impact behaviors. Those tourists are preferred to natural landscapes in their motivations and expectations. Wetland landscapes are the main image to those tourists in the Xixi National Wetland Park. Tourist expectation, experience and satisfaction are all critical factors for the success of the planning and management in national wetland parks. Based on the results, some measures for the sustainable development of wetland parks, including to optimize wetland theme landscape and tourism products, to improve tourist facilities and services, to enhance quality of visitor experiences, and to implement total quality management based on tourist characteristics, are given to national wetland park ecotourism.     

Distribution and accumulation of soil carbon in temperate wetland,northeast China

Estimating carbon sequestration and nutrient accumulation rates in Northeast China are important to assess wetlands function as carbon sink buffering greenhouse gas increasing in North Asia. The objectives of this study were to estimate accreting rates of carbon and nutrients in typical temperate wetlands. Results indicated that average soil organic carbon(SOC), total nitrogen(TN) and total phosphorus(TP) contents were 37.81%, 1.59% and 0.08% in peatlands, 5.33%, 0.25% and 0.05% in marshes, 2.92%, 0.27% and 0.10% in marshy meadows, respectively. Chronologies reconstructed by 210 Pb in the present work were acceptable and reliable, and the average time to yield 0–40 cm depth sediment cores was 150 years. Average carbon sequestration rate(Carbonsq), nitrogen and phosphorus accumulation rates were 219.4 g C/(m~2·yr), 9.16 g N/(m~2·yr) and 0.46 g P/(m~2·yr) for peatland; 57.13 g C/(m~2·yr), 5.42 g N/(m~2·yr) and 2.16 g P/(m~2·yr) for marshy meadow; 78.35 g C/(m~2·yr), 8.70 g N/(m~2·yr) and 0.71 g P/(m2·yr) for marshy; respectively. Positive relations existed between Carbonsq with nitrogen and precipitations, indicating that Carbonsq might be strengthened in future climate scenarios.     

Chemical mechanism of flocculation and deposition of clay colloids in coastal aquifers

Seawater intrusion has become one of serious environmental problems in coastal areas. During the replacement of saline water by fresh water in the aquifers, in-situ clay could be released, transport and deposit in the porous media due to the change of hydrodynamic and geochemical conditions, which resulted in the increasing of particle size, plugging of pores and reduction of the permeability. Batch experiments and sand column experiments were explored to study the relationships between the flocculation of in-situ clay and geochemical conditions, by changing ionic strength and ionic type of clay suspension. Column outflow was analyzed for suspended particles and electrical conductivity. The total percentage of colloid straining and interception distribution in porous media was calculated. The results indicate that porous media had an effect on the interception of clay colloid particles with about 10 percent clay colloids captured due to the rough surfaces and spatial structure of porous media. Ionic strength played a key role on the permeability reductions. The higher ionic strength is, the greater the amount of colloidal particles trapped. Ionic type also had a significant effect on the interception of clay colloid particles. Ripening was the main mechanism for the interception within porous media when the bulk solution was potassium chloride while blocking happened when the bulk solution was sodium chloride. The distribution of clay colloids in porous media was heterogeneous. The closer to the sand column inlet was the less interception of clay colloids was. The results can provide the scientific basis for preventing the water sensitivity during the process of salty aquifer restoration.     

Seasonal changes of energy fluxes in an estuarine wetland of Shanghai,China

The energy budget and regulating factors were investigated over an estuarine wetland during one year of continuous measurement in 2006.The results show that the seasonal changes of the energy fluxes and Bowen ratio(β) were greatly affected by incoming shortwave radiation and canopy growth.During the non-growing season and early-growing season, sensible heat(H) dominated the energy flux, and β could reach a maximum of 2.5, while during most of the growing season, latent heat dominated the energy flux and β fluctuated from 0.4 to 1.0.The energy budget ratio in growing season was about 0.76, and the value would be higher if heat exchange during tidal flooding was in-cluded.During tidal flooding days, β was slightly higher than that at exposure days in most cases.Vegetation cover seems exert little effect on energy partitioning except in March when the standing dead grass intercepted the incoming radiation that might reach the soil surface and reduce the turbulence between soil and atmosphere, thus suppressing the evaporation from the soil though the soil mositure was high at that time.     

Modeling scenic quality of wetland landscape resources in South Dongting Lake, China

This study introduces a method to quantify the scenic value of wetland landscapes and provides the guidance on the allocation of efforts for the purpose of preserving the most important environments.Dongting Lake,a traditional tourist location,is one of the five largest freshwater lakes in China and a Grade 5A National Scenic Region. This study objectively analyzes the scenic resources of South Dongting Lake,and presents a model based on Quantification TheoryⅠto assess wetland scenic landscapes.Employing a multilinear regression relationship between land-scape factors and their associated scenic value,we built up the Wetland Landscape Quantification Model(WLQM), which was used to classify 221 landscapes into five grades.Finally,some suggestions are proposed regarding quantitative assessment and its use for the sustainable development of wetland environments.     

A singular spectrum analysis on Holocene climatic oscillation from lake sedimentary record in Minqin Basin, China

The total organic carbon (TOC) content series from the lake sediment of Minqin Basin (100°57′–104°57′E, 37°48′–39°17′N) in northwestern China, which has a 10 000-year-long paleo-climatic proxy record, was used to analyze the Holocene climate changes in the local region. The proxy record was established in the Sanjiaocheng (SJC), Triangle Town in Chinese, Section (103°20′25″E, 39°00′38″N), which is located at the northwestern boundary of the present Asian summer monsoon in China, and is sensitive to global environmental and climate changes. Applying singular spectrum analysis (SSA) to the TOC series, principal climatic oscillations and periodical changes were studied. The results reveal 3 major patterns of climate change regulated by reconstructed components (RCs). The first pattern is natural long-term trend of climatic change in the local area (Minqin Basin), indicating a relatively wetter stage in early Holocene (starting at 9.5 kaBP), and a relatively dryer stage with a strong lake desiccation and a declined vegetation cover in mid-Holocene (during 7–6 kaBP). From 4.0 kaBP to the present, there has been a gradually decreasing trend in the third reconstructed component (RC3) showing that the local climate changed again into a dryer stage. The second pattern shows millennial-centennial scale oscillations containing cycles of 1 600 and 800 years that have been present throughout almost the entire Holocene period of the last 10 000 years. The third pattern is a millennial-centennial scale variation with a relatively smaller amplitude and unclear cycles showing a nonlinear interaction within the earth’s climate systems.     

Value estimation of greenhouse gases exchange in wetland ecosystem of Sanjiang Plain, China

The objective of this study is to quantify the values of greenhouse gases (GHGs) exchange in carbon equivalents of marshes and paddy fields in the Sanjiang Plain, Heilongjiang Province, China. We obtained the GHGs exchange values based on comparable price by calculating the carbon sequestration values and the GHGs emission values of marshes and paddy fields respectively in four periods of 1982, 1995, 2000 and 2005. It is noted that the GHGs emission values are always negative. In this study, the marshes areas decreased from 1438977.0 to 775,132.2ha and the paddy fields areas increased from 417195.8 to 934205.0ha. The values of GHGs exchange of marshes varied from 135877.156×106 to 136882.534×106 yuan (RMB) and those of paddy fields varied from 1006.256×106 to 2767.645×106 yuan. The GHGs exchange values of marshes decreased from 1982 to 2005 on the whole, reversely, those of paddy fields increased, but those in 2005 were lower than those in 2000. In different periods, the GHGs exchange values were always higher in marshes than in paddy fields. The contribution rate of GHGs exchange values per unit area of marshes was also very high in different periods, and the maximum was up to 98.35% in 2005. As far as the whole wetland ecosystem (including marshes and paddy fields), assuming a linear change in GHGs exchange values, it represented a cumulative increase of 20926.757×106 yuan from 1982 to 2005. By adding GHGs exchange values increased during those four periods, we obtained a cumulative net increase values of GHGs exchange of wetland ecosystem of 18200.860×106 yuan. The results will be useful for understanding the indirect services provided by marshes and paddy fields.     

Phosphorus speciation in wetland sediments of Zhujiang (Pearl) River Estuary, China

Phosphorus fractions and adsorption-release characteristics of sediments in the Zhujiang(Pearl) River estuary wetland were investigated.Results showed that the total phosphorus(TP) content in surface sediments ranged from 648.9 mg/kg to 1064.0 mg/kg;inorganic phosphorus(IP) was the major fraction of TP and ranged from 422.5 mg/kg to 643.9 mg/kg.Among the inorganic phosphorus,the main fractions were phosphorus bound to Al and Fe(Fe/Al-P),and calcium-bound phosphorus(Ca-P),accounting for 23%–42% and 21%–67% of IP,respectively.The vertical distribution of TP contents were significantly positive correlated with organic phosphorus(Org-P) and Fe/Al-P contents.The bio-available phosphorus contents in vertical sediments varied from 128.6 mg/kg to 442.9 mg/kg,mainly existed in Fe-Al/P fraction,and increased from the bottom to top sediments.The transport of phosphorus in sediment-water interface was controlled by the soil characteristics.The active Fe and Al content was considered as the main factor that determines adsorption capacity in vegetated marsh wetland.The P buffering capacity of the sediments in vegetated marsh wetland was greater than that in mudflat wetland.The potential risk of eutrophication in the study area is high.Reducing terrestrial phosphorus discharge and preventing the sediment Fe/Al-P release to the interstitial water are the possible solutions to reduce the risk of eutrophication in estuary wetlands,and planting vegetation in estuary wetland can also reduce the release of phosphorus in surface sediment.     

Chemical and isotopic approach to groundwater cycle in western Qaidam Basin, China

Due to the extremely arid climate in the western Qaidam Basin, the groundwater almost becomes the single water source for local residents and industrial production. It is necessary to know the reliable information on the groundwater cycle in this region for reasonable and sustainable exploitation of the groundwater resources with the further execution of recycling economy policies. This study focused on the recharge, the flow rate and the discharge of groundwater in the western Qaidam Basin through investigations on water chemistry and isotopes. Hydrological, chemical and isotopic characteristics show that the groundwater in the western Qaidam Basin was recharged by meltwater from new surface snow and old bottom glaciers on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. In addition, the results also prove that the source water is enough and stable, and the rates of the circulation and renewal of the groundwater are relatively quick. Therefore, it can be concluded that the groundwater resources would guarantee the regional requirement if the meltwater volume of the mountains has not a great changes in future, moreover, water exploitation should be limited to the renewable amount of the groundwater reservoir in the western Qaidam Basin.     

Topographic influence on wetland distribution and change in Maduo County, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

Accurate information on the spatial distribution and temporal change of wetlands is vital to devise effective measures for their protection. This study uses satellite images in 1994 and 2001 to assess the effects of topography and proximity to channels on wetland change in Maduo County on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, western China. In 1994 wetlands in the study area extended over 6,780.0 km2. They were distributed widely throughout the county, with a higher concentration in the south, and were especially prominent close to streams. The pattern of wetlands demonstrated a bell-shaped distribution curve with elevation, ranging over hill slopes with gradients from 0-19°, the commonest gradient being around 3°. Although the aspects of these hill slopes range over all directions, there is a lower concentration of wetlands facing east and southeast. The extent of wetlands in 2001 decreased to 6,181.1 km2. Marked spatial differentiation in the pattern of wetlands is evident, as their area increased by 1,193.3 km2 at lower elevations but decreased by 1,792.2 km2 at higher ground, resulting in a net decrease of 598.8 km2. In areas with a gradient <2° or >9° the area of wetlands remained approximately consistent from 1994-2001. Newly retained wetlands are situated in relatively flat lowland areas, with no evident preference in terms of aspect. Wetlands on north-, east- and northeast-facing hillslopes with a bearing of 1-86° were more prone to loss of area than other orientations. The altered pattern of wetland distribution from higher to lower elevation on north-facing slopes coincided with the doubling of annual temperature during the same period, suggesting that climate warming could be an important cause.     

Effects of wetland vegetation on soil microbial composition: A case study in Tumen River Basin,Northeast China

Hydrology plays a dominant role in wetland plant distribution and microbial composition, but few studies explicitly attempted to relate the linkage between wetland vegetation and microbial community. The present study consisted of five wetland plant communities along three adjacent flood gradients zones (zone 1 dominated by Carex appendiculat, zone 2 dominated by Eleocharis ovate, and zone 3 dominated by Phragmites australis/Bidens pilosa/Calamagrostis angustifolia, which formed separate, monoculture patches). Gram negative and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) are more abundant in the site with short flooding period (zone 3) than in the site with long flooding period (zone 1), and they are also different in the P. australis, B. spilosa and C. angustifolia of zone 3. Principle Component Analysis (PCA) showed that the flooding period could explain 92.4% of variance in microbial composition. Redundancy Analysis (RDA) showed that available nitrogen (AN), total nitrogen (TN) and soil organic matter (SOM) could explain the 79.5% of variance in microbial composition among E. ovata, P. australis, B. pilosa and C. angustifolia. Results demonstrated that flooding period was the main factor in driving the microbial composition and plant-derived resources could influence soil microbial composition in the seasonally flooded zones.     

RESPONSES OF WETLAND ECO-SECURITY TO LAND USE CHANGE IN WESTERN JILIN PROVINCE, CHINA

1IN TR O D U C TIO NEco-security is the state in w hich the resources,envi-ronm entand ecosystem s thatconcern people are secure(M Aetal.,2004;SH Ietal.,2004).O therw ise,w e calliteco-security problem or ecologicalrisk.The eco-se-curity isdraw ing the in…     

Mercury distribution and accumulation in typical wetland ecosystems of Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China

Total mercury in soil,water,plant,insects,fishes and bird feathers were determined to study mercury distribution and accumulation in typical wetland ecosystems in the Sanjiang Plain,Northeast China.Results show that total mercury concentrations in soils of Deyeuxia angustifolia wetland and Carex lascarpa wetland are 0.046 mg/kg and 0.063 mg/kg,respectively.Total mercury concentration in water bodies is 0.053 μg/L on average.Of four plants studied,total mercury in moss is the highest with the mean of 0.132 mg/kg.Of 10 terrestrial insect species studied,total mercury in centipede(Scolopendra spp.) is the highest with the mean of 0.515 mg/kg while total mercury in grasshopper(Oxya spp.) bodies is the lowest.Total mercury concentrations in the herbivorous,omnivorous and predatory insects are 10.18 ng/g,16.47 ng/g and 213.35 ng/g on average,respectively.Total mercury concentrations of the adult feather(549.88 ± 63.04 ng/g),nestling feather(55.15 ± 23.53 ng/g),and eggshell(22.05 ± 5.96 ng/g) of the Grey heron(Ardea cinerea) are higher than those of the Great egret(Egretta alba)(adult feather:446.57 ± 90.89 ng/g;nestling feather:32.99 ± 17.15 ng/g;eggshell:21.02 ± 3.17 ng/g) in the wetlands of the Sanjiang Plain.The bioconcentration factors decrease in the order of piscivorous fish muscle > omnivorous fish muscle > herbivorous fish > insect.