Growth of Plankton (Scenedesmus acutus (Chlorophyceae) and Moina macracopa (Cladocera)) on Domestic Wastewater

The population growth of the freshwater chlorophyte, Scenedesmus acutus and the cladoceran Moina macrocopa cultured in the laboratory and in microcosms of a wastewater treatment plant was studied. S. acutus was cultured in a defined algal medium and mixed with wastewater. On diets of S. acutus cultured using Bold medium or a mixture with wastewater, the peak densities of M. macrocopa were 6–7 ind. mL^?1, while on a diet of algae cultured on wastewater alone the cladoceran density fluctuated around 2 ind. mL^?1. Population growth rates of M. macrocopa, which ranged from 0.3 to 0.4 d^?1, were significantly lower on alga cultured in wastewater alone. The body size structure of M. macrocopa was larger on algae cultured in Bold medium than in wastewater. Peak densities of M. macrocopa were around 700 ind. L^?1 when the organic matter in the containers was supplemented with algae but it reached lower densities (400 ind. L^?1) when cultured on the organic matter in wastewater alone. Our study indicates that the nutrients in the final stages of wastewater treatment can support the growth of both phytoplankton and zooplankton.     

Foraging Inhibition in Two Cladocerans Feeding on Microcystis aeruginosa

Bloom‐forming cyanobacteria are known to negatively affect their herbivores, but the possible reasons leading to the foraging inhibition of different cladoceran species are uncertain and controversial so far. Hence, in order to understand how cyanobacteria affect the feeding behavior of cladocerans with different body sizes, feeding rates (FR) of zooplankton cladocerans Daphnia carinata and Moina macrocopa on the mixture of toxic or non‐toxic Microcystis aeruginosa with Scenedesmus quadricauda during a 24‐h period was investigated. FR of M. macrocopa was found generally low in the mixed toxic Microcystis diets, except for the sudden increase after 8 h of exposure, while FR of D. carinata decreased continuously in the mixed toxic diets. The dynamics of FR of both cladocerans on specific algae was similar to that of the total FR. There is no apparent selectivity displayed for either of the two cladoceran species on the mixed diets. There is no significant difference between the strains of Microcystis, suggesting that the feeding pattern of M. macrocopa maybe more of avoiding Microcystis rather than feeding inhibition resulted from the toxicity of algae. Unlike M. macrocopa, there was a significant difference in D. carinata between the strains of Microcystis over time. The reason for feeding inhibition of D. carinata might be toxicity after continuous exposure to the toxic cyanobacteria.     

Ratio of neonate to adult size explains life history characteristics in cladoceran zooplankton

The size ratio of adults to neonates varies greatly in cladocerans across taxa. In this study we tested the impact of this ratio (using length basis) on the selected life history parameters of nine species of freshwater cladocerans (Alona rectangula, Pleuroxus aduncus, Scapholeberis mucronata, Moina macrocopa, Moina wierzejskii, Ceriodaphnia dubia, Daphnia laevis, Diaphanosoma birgei and Daphnia pulex). Experiments were conducted on a mixed diet of Chlorella vulgaris (1.0·10⁶ cells mL^–1) and Scenedesmus acutus (0.5·10⁶ cells mL^–1) at (22 ± 1)°C. Using a cohort life table experimental design, we quantified age‐specific reproductive output. Body sizes of neonates and adults as well as dry weight were determined using standard procedures. We found that the ratio of neonate to adult body length decreased with increasing body size of the adult. In terms of clutch size, however, smaller taxa produced lower numbers of offspring than larger ones. The influence of ratio neonate/adult size on average lifespan, age at first reproduction and at the maximum clutch showed U‐shaped curves. In smaller taxa (< 700 μm) and larger taxa (> 1500 μm) the ratio between the neonate and adult body size was less than 0.4 or more than 0.6. In medium sized taxa (1000?1500 μm), the ratio of neonate to adult size was between 0.4 and 0.6. The results have been discussed in relation to the life history strategies of cladocerans.     

Population Growth of Zooplankton (Rotifers and Cladocerans) Fed Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus acutus in Different Proportions

In the present work we tested the effect of Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus acutus in different proportions on the population growth of Brachionus calyciflorus, Brachionus patulus, Ceriodaphnia dubia, and Moina macrocopa. In general, both rotifer species grew well on either type of algae. Regardless of algal mixture, B. calyciflorus had a shorter initial phase, while B. patulus needed more than a week to begin the exponential phase of growth. Both the rotifer species showed consistently better population growth with Chlorella than on Scenedesmus, or the mixture. At any given algal combination, B. patulus had higher peak values than B. calyciflorus. The rate of population increase (r) for both the rotifers varied from 0.18 to 0.48 d^—1 depending on the algal type and combination. Regardless of algal type and combination, B. calyciflorus had a much higher value of r than B. patulus. Both C. dubia and M. macrocopa grew on the algal types, whether offered separately or in mixture. Regardless of the treatment type, C. dubia needed a longer period (about 2 weeks) than M. macrocopa to reach peak abundances. Thus, our study did not support the view that Scenedesmus is consistently superior to Chlorella as a basic diet to the tested species of zooplankton.     

Comparison of life-history parameters and effectiveness in competition with Moina macrocopa between two Keratella tropica morphs

Competition and predation are the two major biotic interactions in zooplankton community. Various rotifer species exhibit polymorphism in lorica and spine morphology in the presence of predators and competitors, which effectively increases their defence competition capacity. This study compared life-history parameters between long-spined morph (LSM) and short-spined morph (SSM) of Keratella tropica at three temperatures. The results showed that both morphs showed significantly higher intrinsic rate of population increase at 25 °C than those at 20 °C and 30 °C. The intrinsic rate of population increase was significantly lower in LSM than SSM at 25 °C and 30 °C, and the net reproductive rate was significantly lower in LSM than SSM at 30 °C. These results suggested that K. tropica had cost on development of long spines, which, however, was dependent on temperature. Moreover, the competition outcome of LSM and SSM with Moina macrocopa were investigated at three densities of Scenedesmus obliquus (0.5 × 10⁶, 1.0 × 10⁶ and 2.0 × 10⁶ cells/mL) and three initial densities of M. macrocopa (0.1, 0.3 and 0.9 ind./mL), revealing that both LSM and SSM populations decreased significantly at all tested algal densities and Moina levels. LSM showed higher population growth rate than SSM at lower algal density (0.5 × 10⁶ cells/mL) and higher Moina densities (0.3 and 0.9 ind./mL), which suggested that LSM could be more effective to defend M. macrocopa. Three-way analysis of variance showed no significant effects of algal density on population growth rate of K. tropica, but interaction between algal density and M. macrocopa density significantly affected its population growth rate.     

Food Type Effects on the Population Growth Patterns of Littoral Rotifers and Cladocerans

Littoral rotifers and cladocerans feed on bacteria, phytoplankton, and detritus. In comparison to planktonic organisms their species diversity is high, yet little is known about their biology. In this study we present data on the functional response of the cladocerans Macrothrix triserialis and Alona rectangula, and the rotifer Brachionus macracanthus to different levels of the alga Chlorella vulgaris. Based on the incipient limiting level, we chose the food concentration and tested the population growth on four types of diets for three cladoceran species — Macrothrix triserialis, Alona rectangula, and Chydorus sphaericus — and three rotifer species — Brachionus macracanthus, Lecane quadridentata, and Platyias quadricornis. We studied growth rates of each of these species on diets of live Chlorella vulgaris, heat‐killed Chlorella vulgaris, baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and field collected detritus. The incipient limiting level was around 0.9 · 10⁶ cells mL^?1 of Chlorella for the tested zooplankton species. The population growth patterns showed that, in general, the cladocerans took 25…50 d to reach their peak population densities, which ranged from 10…75 ind. mL^?11. Among the rotifers L. quadridentata and B. macracanthus had equally high growth rates on live and heat‐killed forms of C. vulgaris while P. quadricornis grew best on detritus. The growth rates ranged from 0.03…0.21 d^?1. The similarities and differences between littoral and planktonic organisms in relation to food type and availability have been discussed.     

Microcosm experiments on the effect of nutrient enrichment and a soil layer on the development of freshwater plankton

We investigated the response of phytoplankton and zooplankton to experimental alteration of nitrate and phosphate levels in outdoor enclosures. Experiments were conducted in summer and winter and in the absence and presence of a layer of soil. The tubs (12 in all) except the two plain water controls were manured initially with a mixture of fresh cowdung (50g 1⁻¹), mustard oil cake (25 g l⁻¹) and poultry wastes (25 g l⁻¹; mostly excreta), prior to enrichment. Water samples were collected from the experimental tubs twice a week to measure selected physico-chemical and biological variables. Water temperature in the summer experiments ranged from 20–30 °C and during the winter experiments from 11–15 °C. The pH values ranged from 8.0 to 9.5 and the dissolved oxygen levels from 8.2–10.0 mg l⁻¹. The levels of soluble reactive phosphorus and nitrate nitrogen ranged from undetectable levels to 1800 μg l⁻¹ and 6000 μg l⁻¹, respectively. The increase in chlorophyll-a following enrichment was rapid (3–7 days) during summer, but slower in winter (7–14 days). The predominant phytoplankton species observed in the tubs belong to the genera Sphaerocystis, Chlorella, Scenedesmus, Cosmarium, Ulothrix, Zygnema, Gonium and Pandorina. The rotifer species observed were Brachionus calyciflorus, Rotaria neptunia, Lecane bulla, L. luna, L. unguitata, Euchlanis dilatata, Asplanchna intermedia, Pseudoharringia spp., Eosphora spp., Lepadella ovalis, Epiphanes brachionus, Hexarthra mira and Cephalodella gibba. The cladocerans observed were Macrothrix spp. and Alona spp.     

食物质量对盔形溞(Daphnia galeata)和脆弱象鼻溞(Bosmina fatalis)生活史参数的影响

枝角类体内氮磷比与生活史策略的选择密切相关,大型枝角类通常体内含磷量高、个体生长快、生殖率高,而小型枝角类体内含磷量低,个体生长相对较慢、生殖率低.由于大型枝角类对磷的需求比较高,我们假设大型枝角类生活史各参数对食物磷缺乏比小型枝角类更为敏感.本研究比较分析了食物碳磷比对流溪河水库两种枝角类（盔型溞（Daphnia galeata）和脆弱象鼻溞（Bosmina fatalis））生活史各参数的影响.实验设计了3个食物质量处理组：高磷（碳：磷=105）、中磷（400）和低磷（1450）,食物浓度均为2 mg C/L的蛋白核小球藻（Chlorella pyrenoidosa）.脆弱象鼻溞内禀增长率、幼溞生长速率、平均每窝产仔量和首次生殖时体长均随着食物碳磷比的升高而显著下降;首次生殖时间则随着食物碳磷比的升高而显著延长;新生幼溞体长在各食物处理中无显著差异.盔型溞幼溞生长速率、平均每窝产仔量和首次生殖时体长均随着食物碳磷比的升高而显著下降;内禀增长率和新生幼溞体长在高磷处理组显著高于中磷和低磷处理组,但在中磷和低磷处理组无显著差异;首次生殖时间在高磷处理组显著短于中磷和低磷处理组,但在中磷和低磷处理组无显著差异.结果表明,食物的磷缺乏降低了两种枝角类的内禀增长率和幼溞生长速率,并延长了性成熟时间;盔型溞的内禀增长率、首次生殖时间和平均每窝产仔量等生活史参数受食物磷限制的程度小于脆弱象鼻溞,导致盔型溞对脆弱象鼻溞有竞争优势.     

Simultaneous Analysis of Natural Free Estrogens and Their Conjugates in Wastewater by GC‐MS

A solid‐phase extraction (SPE)‐gas chromatography (GC)‐mass spectrometry (MS) analytical method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of natural free estrogens and their conjugates in wastewater samples. Natural free estrogens and their conjugates in wastewater were successfully separated by the oasis hydrophilic‐lipophilic balance solid phase extraction (Oasis HLB SPE) method, and the conjugates were initially enzyme hydrolyzed by β‐glucuronidase or arylsulfatase from Helix pomatia prior to derivatization. N‐methyl‐N‐(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA) plus 1% tert‐butyldimetheylchlorosilane (TBDMCS) was chosen as the derivatization reagent, and the most appropriate conditions of derivatization were determined to be at 95°C for 90 min. The recovery ratios of nine target chemicals were determined by spiking them in 1 L of ultra‐purified water or the influent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The recovery ratios of six out of nine for the analytes ranged from 73.3–114.9% with relative standard deviations (RSD) from 1.6–19.9%. The established method was successfully applied to environmental wastewater samples which were collected from one municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Osaka, Japan, for the determination of natural free estrogens and their conjugates. In the influent sample, E1, E2, E1‐3S, E3‐3S, and E1‐3G were detected at concentrations of 16.6, 9.6, 8.2, 21.9, and 3.2 ng L^–1, respectively. However, only E1 was detected at a high concentration of 44 ng L^–1 in the effluent sample, suggesting that it is the dominant natural free estrogen in the effluent.     

Organic carbon fluxes from the upper Yangtze basin: an example of the Longchuanjiang River,China

To investigate the effects of anthropogenic activity, namely, land use change and reservoir construction, on particulate organic carbon (POC) transport, we collected monthly water samples during September 2007 to August 2009 from the Longchuanjiang River to understand seasonal variations in the concentrations of organic carbon species and their sources and the yield of organic and inorganic carbon from the catchment in the Upper Yangtze basin. The contents of riverine POC, total organic carbon and total suspended sediment (TSS) changed synchronously with water discharge, whereas the contents of dissolved organic carbon had a small variation. The POC concentration in the suspended sediment decreased non‐linearly with increasing TSS concentration. Higher molar C/N ratio of particulate organic matter (average 77) revealed that POC was dominated by terrestrially derived organic matter in the high flows and urban wastewaters in the low flows. The TSS transported by this river was 2.7 × 10⁵ t/yr in 2008. The specific fluxes of total organic carbon and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) were 5.6 and 6 t/km²/yr, respectively, with more than 90% in the high flow period. A high carbon yield in the catchment of the upper Yangtze was due to human‐induced land use alterations and urban wastes. Consistent with most rivers in the monsoon climate regions, the dissolved organic carbon–POC ratio of the export flux was low (0.41). Twenty‐two percent (0.9 t/km²/yr) of POC out of 4 t/km²/yr was from autochthonous production and 78% (3.1 t/km²/yr) from allochthonous production. The annual sediment load and hence the organic carbon flux have been affected by environmental alterations of physical, chemical and hydrological conditions in the past 50 years, demonstrating the impacts of human disturbances on the global and local carbon cycling. Finally, we addressed that organic carbon flux should be reassessed using adequate samples (i.e. at least two times in low‐flow month, four times in high‐flow month and one time per day during the flood period), daily water discharge and sediment loads and appropriate estimate method. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anwendung von biologischen Testverfahren an Abwässern der Textilindustrie

Testing Effluents of the Textile Refining Industry with Biological Methods The environmental problems caused by the manufacture of finished textiles involve a long chain of individual processes. This “textile chain” includes very diverse enterprises of varied size and structure. The textile refiners occupy a key position in the “textile chain”. On the one hand, this is due to their use of an obscurely large number of chemicals which can end up in the wastewater as well as in the textile products. On the other hand, this key role of the textile refining industry is based on their central position between the preproduction stage and the consumers. This study dealt with the textile refining industry's wastewater. As measured by volume and contents of its wastewater, this industry can be counted among the major industrial plants which discharge into municipal wastewater treatment plants. German wastewater legislation includes the provision that substances which are toxic, persistent, capable of accumulating, carcinogenic, fetotoxic or mutagenic be kept out of natural waters as well as technically possible (Wasserhaushaltsgesetz WHG). Several biotest methods for examining the effect of the substances contained in the wastewater were incorporated into the appendix of the German wastewater regulation (Rahmenabwasser-Verwaltungsvorschrift based on § 7a WHG). The aim of this study was to show, with the aid of biotest methods, how strongly the wastewater of textile refining companies is polluted as compared to other known industrial branches and to what degree the pollution of these wastewaters is eliminated by the treatment in wastewater treatment plants. Finally, we experimented to find out which biotest methods were suited for the examination of these wastewaters. The study's results show that the ecotoxicity of the textile refining industry's wastewater was only extraordinary high in isolated cases as compared to other examined branches of industry. The textile wastewaters exhibit values of G_L = 3 to G_L = 96 in the luminescent bacteria test, G_D = 1 to G_D = 192 (with one exception of G_D > 30000) in the daphnia test and G_F < = 2 to G_F = 32 in the fish test. It turned out though, that a large number of the samples from the textile refining companies (27%) reacted mutagenically in the Ames test in their native state. Consecutive tests for chromosomal aberrations (V79 hamster cell test) also showed mutagenic potential in five out of nine native samples. The employed testing methods with fish, daphnia and luminescent bacteria demonstrate a higher sensitivity of the luminescent bacteria and/or the daphnia as opposed to the fish in most cases. As the fish test is controversial anyway on the grounds of animal protection, a replacement of the fish test by these other tests should be aimed at: on account of the different end points of the luminescent bacteria and the daphnia test, a combination of these tests appears most sensible.     

Hospital Laundry Wastewater Disinfection with Catalytic Photoozonation

Wastewater production in a hospital laundry and the treatment of the most critical wastewater stream, are assessed. Hospital laundry wastewaters are hazardous to the environment due to their high pollutant concentrations and the chemicals added during the clothes washing process. Heterogeneous photocatalysis with UV, O₃ and TiO₂ and their possible combinations were used for disinfection purposes. A ramp‐type reactor was used for TiO₂ (P25 Degussa) fixation and for photochemical diffusion of the ozonized air. After assessing 5‐day biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, pH, turbidity, and surfactant content, and checking for the presence of thermotolerant coliforms and Escherichia coli, it was concluded that UV/O₃/TiO₂ was the best process/combination, yielding a 100% disinfection rate and a microbiological inactivation of 0.5070 min^–1 for E. coli and of 0.5505 min^–1 for thermotolerant coliforms.     

Airborne Microorganisms Emitted from Wastewater Treatment Plant Treating Domestic Wastewater and Meat Processing Industry Wastes

Experiments were conducted to study the airborne microbial contamination generated by a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Aerosol samples were collected simultaneously, by sedimentation and impact methods, from the area and the surroundings of the WWTP. Total colony forming units (CFUs) of heterotrophic bacteria (HPC), as well as members of the Enterobacteriaceae, staphylococci, enterococci, actinomycetes, and microscopic fungi were determined. Bacterial (HPC) concentrations ranged between 10¹ and 10⁴ CFU/m³, fungi 0 and 10⁴ CFU/m³. Higher numbers of HPC bacteria in air samples were observed in summer, fungi in autumn. The main emission of microorganisms to atmospheric air was from the mechanical sewage treatment devices of the WWTP. The facilities of the biological sewage treatment of the plant did not generate large amounts of bioaerosols. In the air obtained from the premises of the WWTP, 25 species of the Enterobacteriaceae were isolated (Salmonella spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli). At the fence and in the surroundings only Pantoea spp. were identified. This suggests that the sewage bacteria were mainly discharged in the area of the WWTP. The presence of enteric bacteria, especially Enterobacteriaceae reflects the level of air pollution with bioaerosols from sewage and is an important factor during monitoring the quality of the air around WWTPs.     

Classification and origin of natural gases from Lishui Sag,the East China Sea Basin

Natural gases discovered up to now in Lishui Sag, the East China Sea Basin, differ greatly in gaseous compositions, of which hydrocarbon gases amount to 2%–94% while non-hydrocarbon gases are dominated by CO₂. Their hydrocarbon gases, without exception, contain less than 90% of methane and over 10% of C₂ ⁺ heavier hydrocarbons, indicating a wet gas. Carbon isotopic analyses on these hydrocarbon gases showed that δ ¹³C₁, δ ¹³C₂ and δ ¹³C₃ are basically lighter than −44‰, −29‰ and −26‰, respectively. The difference in carbon isotopic values between methane and ethane is great, suggesting a biogenic oil-type gas produced by the mixed organic matter at peak generation. δ ¹³ \( C_{CO_2 } \) values of nonhydrocarbon gases are all heavier than −10‰, indicating a typical abiogenic gas. The simulation experiment on hydrocarbon generation of organic matter in a closed gold-tube system showed that the proportion of methane in natural gases produced by terrigenous organic matter in the Lingfeng Formation marine deposit is obviously higher than that in natural gases derived from the aquatic and terrigenous mixed organic matter in the Yueguifeng Formation lacustrine deposit, consequently the proportion of heavier hydrocarbons of the former is remarkably lower than that of the latter. Moreover, δ ¹³C₁ values of natural gases produced by terrigenous organic matter in the Lingfeng Formation marine deposit are about 5‰ heavier than those of natural gases derived from the aquatic and terrigenous mixed organic matter in the Yueguifeng Formation lacustrine deposit while δ ¹³C₂ and δ ¹³C₃ values of the former are over 9‰ heavier than those of the latter. Currently the LS36-1 oil-gas pool is the only commercial oil-gas reservoir in Lishui Sag, where carbon isotopic compositions of various hydrocarbon components differ greatly from those of natural gases produced by the Lingfeng Formation organic matter but are very similar to those of natural gases derived from the Yueguifeng Formation organic matter, therefore, natural gases in the LS36-1 oil-gas pool are mainly derived from the Yueguifeng Formation lacustrine source rock rather than the Lingfeng Formation marine or Mingyuefeng Formation coal-measures source rocks.

     

Land-based nutrient enrichment of the Buccoo Reef Complex and fringing coral reefs of Tobago, West Indies

Tobago’s fringing coral reefs (FR) and Buccoo Reef Complex (BRC) can be affected locally by wastewater and stormwater, and regionally by the Orinoco River. In 2001, seasonal effects of these inputs on water-column nutrients and phytoplankton (Chl a), macroalgal C:N:P and δ¹⁵N values, and biocover at FR and BRC sites were examined. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN, particularly ammonium) increased and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) decreased from the dry to wet season. Wet season satellite and Chl a data showed that Orinoco runoff reaching Tobago contained chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) but little Chl a, suggesting minimal riverine nutrient transport to Tobago. C:N ratios were lower (16 vs. 21) and macroalgal δ¹⁵N values higher (6.6‰ vs. 5.5‰) in the BRC vs. FR, indicating relatively more wastewater N in the BRC. High macroalgae and low coral cover in the BRC further indicated that better wastewater treatment could improve the health of Tobago’s coral reefs.     

Investigating the distribution and sources of organic matter in surface sediment of Coombabah Lake (Australia) using elemental,isotopic and fatty acid biomarkers

Extensive physical and biological measurements were made of the surface sediments within the shallow, semi-urbanised Coombabah Lake in southern Moreton Bay, Australia. Sediment bulk parameters (C/N ratios, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) and fatty acid biomarkers were used to determine distributions and sources of organic matter in the intertidal sediments. The determination of organic matter sources within coastal and estuarine settings is important in understanding the roles of organic matter as energy and nutrient sources. Spatial variability of biomarker values within the sediments were interpreted by thematic maps employing the Krigging algorithm. Grain size analysis indicated the lake was dominated by mud (<63 μm) in the southern (landward) and sand (>63 μm) in the northern (seaward) lake regions, respectively. Surface sediment organic C and N values ranged from 0.12% to 1.76% and 0.01% to 0.12% dry weight, respectively, and C/N ratios averaged 16.3±3.19%. Sedimentary δ¹³C values ranged from −26.1‰ to −20.9‰, with an average value of −23.9±1.0‰. Sedimentary δ¹⁵N values ranged from +1.7‰ to +4.8‰, with an average value of +2.8±0.8‰. Bulk sediment parameters suggested that sedimentary organic matter is provided predominantly by allochthonous sources in the form of fringing mangroves. Thirty-nine individual fatty acids were identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The mean contributions of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), saturated fatty acids (SAFAs) and bacterial fatty acids (BAFAs) were, respectively, 13.9±11.4%, 7.6±4.1%, 53.6±8.6% and 18.2±4.6% of the identified fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), with BAFAs occurring in all sampled sediments. Fatty acid compositions varied throughout lake sediments, which indicated spatial differences in autochthonous and allochthonous organic matter sources, including terrestrial and planktonic (i.e. zooplankton, diatoms and other algal species) sources. The contribution of organic matter from shoreline mangroves was confirmed by the presence of LCFAs and 18:2ω6 and 18:3ω3, which are markers for mangroves in this ecosystem. BAFAs were identified in increased proportions in sediments adjacent to urban developments and dominated by mud. Grain size was identified as a dominant factor in the fatty acid compositions and contributing values to FAME pool. Spatial patterns of C/N ratios, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values, and fatty acid biomarker contributions illustrated that there is a greater contribution of autochthonous and labile organic matter to the sedimentary organic matter pool in the northern (marine entrance) sediments compared to the more allochthonous sourced organic matter of the southern region of the lake. This study details the distribution and sources of organic matter within Coombabah Lake and illustrates the usefulness of a multiple biomarker approach in discriminating organic matter sources within estuarine environments.     

Studies on the Pollution of the Kalinadi by Industrial Wastes Near Mansurpur Part 1: Hydrometric and Physico-Chemical Characteristics of the Wastes and River Water

Stream pollution by industrial wastes is posing a problem in Uttar Pradesh. In the present investigations an attempt has been made to study the ecological features of a section of the Kalinadi so as to find out the cumulative or detrimental effect of pollution on fish and fisheries by the effluent discharge of sugar factory and distillery wastes near Mansurpur (District Muzaffarnagar), U. P. This paper is part I of the project. The liquid wastes produced by the sugar factory vary from 66 × 10⁶ to 88 × 10⁶ litres/day excluding condenser water and contain variable quantities of cane fibres, cellulose, lime, waxes, fermented sugar juice, mollasses, and some quantities of sulphate, phosphate, and nitrogen, the oxygen being nil with high values of B. O. D. and C. O. D. The liquid waste from the distillery is called spent wash. The spent wash (62 × 10⁴ litres/day) is highly coloured and acidic (pH 4.3 … 2.9). The B. O. D. and C. O. D. values were very high in the order of 28,526 mg/1 … 45,146 mg/1 and 52,516 mg/1 to 66,862 mg/1. Thus total waste of about 17.3 × 10⁶ litres with no oxygen and high B. O. D. (9,600 mg/1 … 10,116 mg/1) is let off into the Kalinadi. Hydrometric observations on the Kalinadi show that the pollutional hazard is appreciable during the low flow period of the river. The wastes affect the river in a number of ways:

• - The deposition of cellulose fibres, organic and inorganic matter affects the substratum adversely. The blackish brown colour of the wastes affects the light penetration by limiting the growth of phytoplankton.
• - There appears to be no potential danger to the river from the electrolyte pollution as the specific conductivity lies below limiting values.
• - Changes in pH in river water due to the acidic nature of the wastes do not affect directly the fauna and flora, but the acidic condition becomes lethal in the presence of low oxygen and high temperature values.
• - The high load of organic matter present in the wastes draws heavily on the oxygen budget of the river and adversely changes the water and bottom quality of the river for a stretch of 10 km, which adversely affects the environmental condition of both fish and fish food.
• - The presence of sulphuric acid in distillery waste and hydrogen sulphide in river water is toxic to fish and fish food.
• - The decomposition of organic matter in an anaerobic condition and in another favourable environment, as with a low redox potential, the presence of sufficient organic matter and a constant supply of sulphur-reducing bacteria, produces more hydrogen sulphide which may be detrimental or sublethal in the presence of a low oxygen saturation and high temperature.
• - The oxygen level increases at each succeeding station through reaeration and dilution with the lowering of B. O. D. and C. O. D. The oxygen-sag curve is like a typical spoon with handle-shape.

     

The pelagic community of a gravel pit lake: Significance of Coleps hirtus viridis (Prostomatida) and its role as a scavenger

Coleps hirtus viridis was the dominant species of the planktonic ciliate community of Lake Fühlinger See (Germany) during the study in 1999 and 2000. Total ciliate densities ranged from 120 to 42,000 ind. l⁻¹ in 1999 and up to 8,000 ind. l⁻¹ in 2000. Coleps contributed up to 98% to both total ciliate abundance and biomass and made up an average of 64% of the total ciliate biomass. Oligotrichs (Rimostrombidium, Strobilidium) dominated the epilimnetic zone, whereas peritrich ciliates (Pelagovorticella, Vorticella) were predominantly located in the hypolimnion. The population maximum of Coleps changed locations from the epilimnion in early summer to the hypolimnion (up to 40,000 ind. l⁻¹) during stratification. High growth rates in the hypolimnion, presence of endosymbiontic algae and the ability to ingest detritus seem to be important for the success.Growth rates of Coleps in June were determined by Landry-Hassett dilution experiments in both the epilimnion and the hypolimnion. The instantaneous growth rates were similar in both layers (0.6 d⁻¹), but a distinctly higher instantaneous mortality was estimated for the epilimnion. These high loss rates may be due to grazing pressure by cladocerans.The significance of the histophagous feeding of Coleps was evaluated through an experiment using killed zooplankton. Parts of Daphnia magna were incorporated at rates of about 1,100 μm³ ind.⁻¹ h⁻¹ by Coleps without endosymbiotic algae and at rates of 500 μm³ ind.⁻¹ h⁻¹ by Coleps with endosymbionts. These high feeding rates support the conclusion that Coleps can use dead organic matter as an additional food source.     

食物质量和种间竞争对盔型溞(Daphnia galeata)和脆弱象鼻溞(Bosmina fatalis)种群增长的影响

竞争是调控水体浮游动物群落结构的生物因素之一.根据"大小效率假说",大型滤食性枝角类对小型枝角类有竞争优势.然而,大型滤食性枝角类体内磷含量通常高于小型枝角类,生长比小型枝角类更容易受食物磷缺乏的影响,食物的磷缺乏可能会改变大型枝角类和小型枝角类之间的竞争结果.本研究比较分析了食物碳磷比对两种常见枝角类（盔型溞（Daphnia galeata）和脆弱象鼻溞（Bosmina fatalis））的种群增长率、种群密度及种间竞争关系的影响.实验设计了3个食物质量处理组：高磷（碳：磷=105）、中磷（碳：磷=740）和低磷（碳：磷=2400）,食物浓度均为2 mg C/L蛋白核小球藻（Chlorella pyrenoidosa）;针对每一个食物质量处理组,盔型溞和脆弱象鼻溞分别单独培养或混合培养.盔型溞和脆弱象鼻溞平均最大种群密度分别为378~893和364~2399 ind./L;平均种群增长率分别为0.11~0.14和0.09~0.16 d^-1;平均体长分别为1.53~2.50和0.25~0.35 mm.种群增长率和体长均随着食物碳磷比的升高而显著下降,而最大种群密度在中磷处理组显著高于其它两个处理组.盔型溞种群增长率在单独培养和混合培养间无显著差异;脆弱象鼻溞种群增长率在混合培养时显著低于单独培养时.在高磷和中磷处理组,盔型溞最大种群密度在单独培养和混合培养间无显著差异,在低磷处理组,混合培养时最大种群密度显著低于单独培养时;在高磷处理组,脆弱象鼻溞最大种群密度在单独培养和混合培养间无显著差异,在中磷和低磷处理组,混合培养时显著低于单独培养时.结果表明,在食物碳不缺条件下,不管食物磷是否缺乏,盔型溞均比脆弱象鼻溞有竞争优势.     

Packed‐Column of Granular Activated Carbons for Removal of Chemical Oxygen Demand from Industrial Wastewater

In the present study, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal by packed‐columns of activated carbon (AC) derived from two different materials (coal activated carbon, CAC and wood activated carbon, WAC) is reported as part of an on‐site wastewater treatment system for handling small volumes of wastewater generated at wood‐floor industries for which there are no proper on‐site treatment options available in the market. The performance of the sorbents, the effect of bed depth (0.19 and 0.57 m) and volumetric load (0.10 and 0.24 m h^?1) on the breakthrough curve of sorption systems were studied. The results indicated the feasibility of using both ACs to treat these wastewaters. At the bed depth (0.57 m), volumetric load (0.24 m h^?1), and 30% breakthrough, CAC and WAC showed treatment capacity of 40.5 L kg^?1 in 250 h and 23.8 L kg^?1 in 63 h, respectively. This indicated that CAC requires longer retention times to reach a performance similar to WAC. The experimental data was fit into the bed depth‐service time model showing that under the same conditions, CAC had higher maximum sorption capacity (N₀) than WAC. Moreover, thermal regeneration at 500°C temperature could be a cost‐effective procedure since the reuse of spent AC through such regeneration process for further treatment could still achieve 90% of the initial sorption capacity, reducing then costs for the use of new sorbents and also the need for waste disposal.