Concentrations of heavy metals in sediment and organisms during a harmful algal bloom (HAB) at Kun Kaak Bay, Sonora, Mexico

In early April 2003, fishermen from Kino Bay Sonora alerted us about a massive die-off of fish and mollusks occurring at Kun Kaak Bay. Phytoplankton samples taken on 17 May 2003 reported the presence of a harmful algal bloom composed of Chatonella marina, Chatonella cf. ovata, Gymnodinium catenatum and Gymnodinium sanguineum. On 22 of May, we collected samples of water, sediment and organisms at the affected area. Physicochemical parameters and nutrients were measured in water samples from different depths. Sediment and benthic organisms were analyzed for Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb and Hg. We found concentrations of heavy metals higher than background levels for this area. Cadmium and Lead concentrations in sediment from the HAB area were up to 6x greater than background levels and Cd in mollusks was 8x greater than regulations allow. A relationship between elevated Cd and Pb concentrations in sediment and the survival of toxic dinoflagellates is suspected.     

Empirical relationships for estimating stream depletion by a well pumping near a gaining stream

Siting wells near streams requires an accurate estimate of the quantity of water derived from the river due to pumping. A number of hydrogeological and hydraulic parameters influence this value. This study estimates stream depletion under steady-state conditions for a variety of hydrogeological systems. A finite differences model was used to analyze several hydrogeological situations, and for each of these the stream depletion was estimated using an advective transport method. An empirical equation for stream depletion was obtained for the case of a stream that partially penetrates the aquifer and a pumping well that is screened over a portion of the aquifer. The derived equation, which is valid for both isotropic and anisotropic conditions, expresses stream depletion as a function of the unit inflow to the river, the discharge of the pumping well, the well screen length, the distance between the river and pumping well, the wetted perimeter, and a new parameter called "overlap," which is defined to be the distance between the riverbed and the top of well screen. The overlap parameter makes it possible to consider indirectly the vertical component of flow, which is accentuated when the well is screened below the streambed. The formula proposed here should be useful in deciding where to locate a pumping well and to decide the appropriate length of its screen.     

Implications of ground water chemistry and flow patterns for earthquake studies

Ground water can facilitate earthquake development and respond physically and chemically to tectonism. Thus, an understanding of ground water circulation in seismically active regions is important for earthquake prediction. To investigate the roles of ground water in the development and prediction of earthquakes, geological and hydrogeological monitoring was conducted in a seismogenic area in the Yanhuai Basin, China. This study used isotopic and hydrogeochemical methods to characterize ground water samples from six hot springs and two cold springs. The hydrochemical data and associated geological and geophysical data were used to identify possible relations between ground water circulation and seismically active structural features. The data for delta18O, deltaD, tritium, and 14C indicate ground water from hot springs is of meteoric origin with subsurface residence times of 50 to 30,320 years. The reservoir temperature and circulation depths of the hot ground water are 57 degrees C to 160 degrees C and 1600 to 5000 m, respectively, as estimated by quartz and chalcedony geothermometers and the geothermal gradient. Various possible origins of noble gases dissolved in the ground water also were evaluated, indicating mantle and deep crust sources consistent with tectonically active segments. A hard intercalated stratum, where small to moderate earthquakes frequently originate, is present between a deep (10 to 20 km), high-electrical conductivity layer and the zone of active ground water circulation. The ground water anomalies are closely related to the structural peculiarity of each monitoring point. These results could have implications for ground water and seismic studies in other seismogenic areas.     

Impact of mineral fouling on hydraulic behavior of permeable reactive barriers

This paper describes reactive transport simulations conducted to assess the impact of mineral fouling on the hydraulic behavior of continuous-wall permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) employing granular zero-valent iron (ZVI) in carbonate-rich alluvial aquifers. The reactive transport model included a geochemical algorithm for simulating corrosion and mineral precipitation reactions that have been observed in ZVI PRBs. Results of simulations show that porosity and hydraulic conductivity of the ZVI decrease over time and that flows are redistributed throughout the PRB in response to fouling of the pore space. Under typical conditions, only subtle changes occur within the first 10 years (i.e., duration of the current field experience record with PRBs), and the most significant changes do not occur until the PRB has operated for at least 30 years. However, changes can occur sooner (or later) if the rate at which mineral-forming ions are delivered to the PRB is higher (or lower) than that expected under typical conditions (i.e., due to higher/lower flow rate or inflowing ground water that has higher/lower ionic strength). When the PRB is more permeable than the aquifer, the median Darcy flux in the PRB does not change appreciably over time because the aquifer controls the rate of flow through the PRB. However, seepage velocities in the PRB increase, and residence times decrease, due to porosity reductions caused by accumulation of minerals in the pore space. When fouling becomes extensive, bypassing and reductions in flow rate in the PRB occur.     

Remediation of DNAPL source zones with granular iron: laboratory and field tests

Degradation of dissolved chlorinated solvents using granular iron is an established in situ technology. This paper reports on investigations into mixing iron and bentonite with contaminated soil for in situ containment and degradation of dense nonaqueous phase liquid source zones. In the laboratory, hypovials containing soil, water, bentonite, iron, and free-phase trichloroethene (TCE) were assembled. Periodic measurement of TCE, chloride, and degradation products showed progressive degradation of TCE to nondetectable levels. Subsequently, a demonstration was conducted at Canadian Forces Base Borden near Alliston, Ontario, Canada, where, in 1991, a portion of the surficial aquifer was isolated and free-phase tetrachloroethene (PCE) was introduced. Using a drill rig equipped with large-diameter mixing blades, three mixed zones were prepared containing 0%, 5%, and 10% granular iron by volume. The bentonite was added to serve as a lubricant to facilitate injection of the iron and to isolate the contaminated zone. Analysis of core samples showed reasonably uniform distributions of iron through the mixed zones. Monitoring over a 13-month period following installation showed, relative to the control, a decline in PCE concentrations to virtually nondetectable values. Reaction rates in the laboratory tests were similar to those reported in the literature, while the rate in the field test was substantially lower. The lower rate may be a consequence of mass transfer limitations under the static conditions of the field test. Results indicate that mixing iron and bentonite into source zones may be an effective means of source-zone remediation, with the particular advantage of being relatively immune to effects of geologic heterogeneity.     

Changes in algal, coral and fish assemblages along water quality gradients on the inshore Great Barrier Reef

Macroalgae, hard corals, octocorals, and fish were surveyed on 10 to 13 inshore coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef, along a water quality gradient in two regions with contrasting agricultural land use. A water quality index was calculated for each reef based on available data of particulate and dissolved nutrients, chlorophyll and suspended solids. Strong gradients in ecological attributes occurred along the water quality gradient. Macroalgae of the divisions Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta increased with increasing nutrients, while Phaeophyta remained similar. Octocoral richness and abundances of many hard coral and octocoral taxa decreased, and none of the hundreds of species increased. At reefs in higher nutrient environments, hard coral and octocoral assemblages were composed of subsets of the many species found in lower nutrient environments, whereas fish and macroalgal assemblages consisted of contrasting suites of species. The study identifies species groups that are likely to increase or decrease in abundance with changing water quality.     

Synergistic effects of diuron and sedimentation on photosynthesis and survival of crustose coralline algae

Effects of short-term exposure to sedimentation and diuron, separately and in combination, on the photophysiology and survival of crustose coralline algae (CCA) were examined in controlled time-course experiments, using pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM) chlorophyll fluorometry. These experiments indicated that the effects of sediments and diuron, when applied in isolation, were often reversible, with recovery time dependent upon sediment type and diuron concentration. Exposure to fine (<63 microm grain size), nutrient-rich estuarine sediments reduced effective quantum yields (Delta F/F(m')) of photosystem II in CCA species more than exposure to the same amount of fine (<63 microm grain size) calcareous sediments. Significant inhibition of photosynthesis (Delta F/F(m')) was also observed at diuron concentrations > or =2.9 microg L(-1). Fine estuarine sediments in combination with 0.79 microg L(-1) dissolved diuron, caused yields (Delta F/F(m')) to drop by 60% compared with controls after 24 h. The combined exposure to sediments and diuron also retarded recovery, thus Delta F/F(m') values were still only 60% of the controls after 9 days recovery in clean seawater. Mortality of CCA was observed in some fragments treated with combinations of sediment and diuron. Our results suggest that sediment deposition and exposure to diuron can negatively affect the photosynthetic activity of CCA, with sedimentation stress being significantly enhanced by the presence of trace concentrations of diuron.     

加拿大地理学

今天,我愿意为我们杰出的来访者概述一下加拿大地理学的状况,讨论学科组织的一些主要特点,评论它的主要实力所在。尽管二十世纪初,在魁北克和安大略两地较老的大学里开设地理学课程,但直到1935年时,才在多伦多大学出现第一个独立的地理系。它是由在他的祖国澳大利亚巳经建立起杰出学术声誊,后来在芝加哥大学任教的格里菲思·泰勒(Griffth Taylor)教授创立的。     

Conduit properties and karstification in the unconfined Floridan aquifer

Exchange of water between conduits and matrix is an important control on regional chemical compositions, karstification, and quality of ground water resources in karst aquifers. A sinking stream (Santa Fe River Sink) and its resurgence (River Rise) in the unconfined portion of the Floridan Aquifer provide the opportunity to monitor conduit inflow and outflow. The use of temperature as a tracer allows determination of residence times and velocities through the conduit system. Based on temperature records from two high water events, flow is reasonably represented as pipe flow with a cross-sectional area of 380 m2, although this model may be complicated by losses of water from the conduit system at higher discharge rates. Over the course of the study year, the River Rise discharged a total of 1.9 x 10(7) m3 more water than entered the River Sink, reflecting net contribution of ground water from the matrix into the conduit system. However, as River Sink discharge rates peaked following three rainfall events during the study period, the conduit system lost water, presumably into the matrix. Surface water in high flow events is typically undersaturated with respect to calcite and thus may lead to dissolution, depending on its residence time in the matrix. A calculation of local denudation is larger than other regional estimates, perhaps reflecting return of water to conduits before calcite equilibrium is reached. The exchange of matrix and conduit water is an important variable in karst hydrology that should be considered in management of these water resources.     

The biodegradation efficiency on diesel oil by two psychrotrophic Antarctic marine bacteria during a two-month-long experiment

Two psychrotrophic bacterial strains isolated from Antarctic seawaters were investigated for their capability to degrade commercial diesel oil. The efficiency of hydrocarbon utilization was studied at 4 and 20 degrees C over a period of two-months. Strains were cultured in a mineral liquid medium supplemented with diesel oil as the sole source of carbon and energy. The viable counts for the bacterial abundance estimation and the culture extractions for the subsequent gas-chromatographic analysis were carried out simultaneously. The biodegradation efficiency was higher at 20 degrees C than at 4 degrees C for both strains and the decrease in hydrocarbon concentrations reached more than 85% after 60 days of incubation at 20 degrees C. Our results suggest the possible exploitation of these two bacterial strains in future biotechnological processes, directly as field-released micro-organisms both in cold and temperate contaminated marine environments.