Migration of total chromium and chloride anion in the Rocha River used for estimating degradation of agricultural soil quality at the Thiu Rancho zone

The Rocha River is a receptor to receive wastewater from household, hospital and industry, from where contaminants are transported in the river, affecting biodiversity and the ecosystem of the area. In this paper we estimated the maximum transport of total chromium and chloride anion by applying the analytical model of Ogata & Banks (1961), and the results obtained are grouped into three zones: Contaminated, transition, and uncontaminated. The analytical model was applied with 13 samples collected from the river piezometers installed near Rocha, where they are arranged in two lines, i.e. RH-1 to RH-6 as the first line and RH-9 to RH-12 as the second line. The total chromium concentrations range from 0.16 mg/L (RH-1) and 0.11 mg/L (RH-9) at the closest points to Rocha River, to 0.13 mg/L (RH-7) and 0.03 mg/L (RH-12) at the most remote points to the river. The advance of the pollutants does not exceed 50 meters with respect to the axis of the Rocha River.     

春、秋季考洲洋海水质量状况及评价方法初探

文章利用2017年11月（秋季）和2018年4月（春季）对惠州考洲洋海域开展的两个航次水环境调查数据,分析了考洲洋海域表层溶解氧（DO）、化学需氧量(COD)、无机氮(DIN)、无机磷(DIP)和石油类（OIL）等典型水质因子的水平分布和季节变化情况。结果表明,秋季溶解氧、化学需氧量、石油类分别在盐洲岛以东附近海域、考洲洋湾顶海域和盐洲岛东南海域出现高值区,而无机氮在整个考洲洋无明显区域分布差异,无机磷含量呈现考洲洋内湾到湾口逐渐递减的趋势;春季化学需氧量、无机磷均在考洲洋湾顶出现高值区域,无机氮在盐洲岛以东附近海域出现高值区,而溶解氧和石油类无明显变化。从季节变化来看,秋季考洲洋海域溶解氧、化学需氧量和石油类平均含量均比春季高;无机氮、无机磷则相反,平均含量秋季低于春季。同时,文章还分别利用单因子和综合因子方法对海水有机污染状况进行评价并对其进行比较分析,结果表明,有机污染评价指数法可充分考虑多种水质因子,更适合对考洲洋水环境质量进行评价,得到较为客观的综合评价结果。     

Organic matter characterisation and turnover in the sediment and seawater of a tourist harbour

A survey of a Ligurian tourist harbour was carried out during winter 2006 and summer 2007 in order to study the organic matter (OM) turnover through extracellular enzymatic activity. Seawater and sediments were sampled at six stations, three inside the port boundaries, one outside the port and two in an area influenced by the outflow of a minor river (Boate). The seawater showed OM turnover times similar to other oligo-mesotrophic coastal areas, and low concentrations of chlorophyll-a and inorganic nutrients. The sediments, instead, revealed high OM loads and a predominance of proteolysis. A significant reduction of the OM loads was observed in the outside station, indicating that the OM accumulation was due to the structures and activities of the harbour and to the Boate influence. The OM biotic recycling via enzymatic activity was enhanced especially during summer. Although the carbohydrates were probably highly refractory, their turnover was notably faster, due to glycolytic enzymatic activity that was enhanced more than the proteolytic in both the sediment and in the seawater. This suggested that the removal and recycling of OM were potentially efficient, and prevented the shift to eutrophication of the Rapallo harbour area.     

Depositional environment and hydrocarbon source potential of the Oligocene Ruslar Formation (Kamchia Depression; Western Black Sea)

The Oligocene Ruslar Formation is a hydrocarbon source rock in the Kamchia Depression, located in the Western Black Sea area. Depositional environment and source potential of the predominantly pelitic rocks were investigated using core and cuttings samples from four offshore wells. In these wells the Ruslar Formation is up to 500 m thick. Based on lithology and well logs, the Ruslar Formation is subdivided from base to top into units I–VI. Dysoxic to anoxic conditions and mesohaline to euhaline salinities prevailed during deposition of the Ruslar Formation. Relatively high oxygen contents occurred during early Solenovian times (lower part of unit II), when brackish surface water favoured nannoplankton blooms and the deposition of bright marls (“Solenovian event”). Anoxic conditions with photic zone anoxia were established during late Oligocene times (units III and IV) and, probably, reflect a basin-wide anoxic event in the Eastern Paratethys during Kalmykian times. Organic carbon content in the Ruslar Formation is up to 3%. Autochthonous aquatic and allochthonous terrigenous biomass contribute to the organic matter. Relatively high amounts of aquatic organic matter occur in the lower part of the Ruslar Formation (units I and II) and in its upper part (unit VI). Diatoms are especially abundant in the lower part of unit VI. The kerogen is of type III and II with HI values ranging from 50 to 400 mgHC/gTOC. Units I and II (Pshekian, lower Solenovian) are characterized by a fair (to good) potential to produce gas and oil, but potential sources for gas and oil also occur in the Upper Oligocene units IV–VI.     

Origins and maturity of organic matter in mid-Cretaceous black shales from ODP Site 1138 on the Kerguelen Plateau

We have conducted elemental, isotopic, and Rock-Eval analyses of Cenomanian–Santonian sediment samples from ODP Site 1138 in the southern Indian Ocean to assess the origin and thermal maturity of organic matter in mid-Cretaceous black shales found at this high-latitude location. Total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations range between 1 and 20 wt% in black to medium-gray sediments deposited around the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary. Results of Rock-Eval pyrolysis indicate that the organic matter is algal Type II material that has experienced modest alteration. Important contributions of nitrogen-fixing bacteria to the amplified production of organic matter implied by the high TOC concentrations is recorded in δ¹⁵N values between −5 and 1‰, and the existence of a near-surface intensified oxygen minimum zone that favored organic carbon preservation is implied by TOC/TN ratios between 20 and 40. In contrast to the marine nature of the organic matter in the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary section, deeper sediments at Site 1138 contain evidence of contributions land-derived organic matter that implies the former presence of forests on the Kerguelen Plateau until the earliest Cenomanian.     

Distributions and sources of bulk organic matter and aliphatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments of the Bohai Sea, China

Surface sediment samples from a matrix of fifty-five sites covering virtually the entire Bohai Sea (Bohai), China were analyzed for total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), n-alkanes, unresolved complex mixture (UCM), biomarkers and stable carbon isotopic composition (δ¹³C), and principal component analysis was performed for source identification of organic matter (OM). The distribution of organic carbon correlated well with sediment grain size with the finest sediments having the highest concentration, suggesting the influence of hydrodynamics on the accumulation of sedimentary organic matter (SOM). The corrected TOC/ON (organic nitrogen) ratios and δ¹³C indicated mixed marine and terrestrial sources of SOM. Results suggested that δ¹³C could be used as a potential indicator to observe the dispersion of Huanghe-derived sediments in Bohai. Total n-alkane concentrations varied over 10-fold from 0.39 to 4.94 μg g^− 1 (dry weight) with the maximum terrigenous/aquatic alkane ratio observed at the Huanghe River Estuary (HRE) due to more higher plant OM from riverine inputs. C₁₂–C₂₂ n-alkanes with even-to-odd predominance were observed in several central-eastern Bohai sites. The HRE and its adjacent area is the main sink for the Huanghe river-derived OC. The ubiquitous presence of UCM, biomarkers (hopanes and steranes) and PCA results indicated the presence of petroleum contamination in Bohai, mainly from offshore oil exploration, discharge of pollutants from rivers, shipping activities and atmospheric deposition.     

Carbon and nitrogen isotope composition of particulate organic matter in relation to mucilage formation in the northern Adriatic Sea

Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of particulate organic matter (POM) were studied approximately weekly during spring and summer 2003 and 2004 in the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea) in order to track the temporal variations and differences between two years. In parallel, particulate organic carbon (POC) and particulate nitrogen (PN), phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a), and N and P nutrients were monitored. All studied parameters, especially N and P nutrients and chlorophyll a, showed higher concentrations and larger variability in spring 2004. As a consequence the macroaggregates were produced in late spring 2004. The C and N isotope composition of POM was not directly linked to phytoplankton biomass dynamics. The δ¹³C_POC values covaried with temperature. In 2004, δ¹³C_POC variations followed the δ¹⁵N_PN values as well as the δ¹³C_DIC values which were probably more dependent on the photosynthetic use of ¹²C. Variations in δ¹⁵N_POM values were most probably the consequence of variations in N nutrient sources used in phytoplankton assimilation. The significant correlation between δ¹⁵N_PN values and nitrate concentrations in 2004 implies intense nitrate assimilation in the presence of higher nitrate concentration. This suggests nitrate as the key nutrient in the »new primary production«, later producing macroaggregates with a mean δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of − 19‰ and 5‰, respectively. A low fractionation factor ε, < 1‰, lower than that reported in other marine and lacustrine systems, was found probably to be a consequence of distinct phytoplankton species, i.e. several classes of autotrophic nanoflagellates, and specific growth conditions present in the Gulf of Trieste. The tentative use of C isotope composition of POM revealed a higher contribution of allochthonous organic matter in 2004 compared to 2003 due to higher riverine inflow.     

Effects of hydrostatic pressure on microbial alteration of sinking fecal pellets

We used a new experimental device called PASS (PArticle Sinking Simulator) during MedFlux to simulate changes in in situ hydrostatic pressure that particles experience sinking from mesopelagic to bathypelagic depths. Particles, largely fecal pellets, were collected at 200 m using a settling velocity NetTrap (SV NetTrap) in Ligurian Sea in April 2006 and incubated in high-pressure bottles (HPBs) of the PASS system under both atmospheric and continuously increasing pressure conditions, simulating the pressure change experienced at a sinking rate of 200 m d⁻¹. Chemical changes over time were evaluated by measuring particulate organic carbon (POC), carbohydrates, transparent exopolymer particles (TEP), amino acids, lipids, and chloropigments, as well as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved carbohydrates. Microbial changes were evaluated microscopically, using diamidinophenylindole (DAPI) stain for total cell counts and catalyzed reporter deposition-fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD-FISH) for phylogenetic distinctions. Concentrations (normalized to POC) of particulate chloropigments, carbohydrates and TEP decreased under both sets of incubation conditions, although less under the increasing pressure regime than under atmospheric conditions. By contrast, dissolved carbohydrates (normalized to DOC) were higher after incubation and significantly higher under atmospheric conditions, suggesting they were produced at the expense of the particulate fraction. POC-normalized particulate wax/steryl esters increased only under pressure, suggesting biochemical responses of prokaryotes to the increasing pressure regime. The prokaryotic community initially consisted of 43% Bacteria, 12% Crenarchaea and 11% Euryarchaea. After incubation, Bacteria dominated (90%) the prokaryote community in all cases, with γ-Proteobacteria comprising the greatest fraction, followed by the Cytophaga–Flavobacter cluster and α-Proteobacteria group. Using the PASS system, we obtained chemical and microbial evidence that degradation by prokaryotes associated with fecal pellets sinking through mesopelagic waters is limited by the increasing pressure they experience.     

Deposition rates, mixing intensity and organic content in two contrasting submarine canyons

The hydrographically different conditions characterising the Western Iberian Margin (NE Atlantic) and the Gulf of Lions (Mediterranean) may play an important role in determining the biogeochemical characteristics of the sediments. To investigate this, we compared the Nazaré and Cap de Creus canyons, and their respective adjacent open slopes in terms of the organic carbon (C_org) contents, chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentrations, C:N and chl-a:phaeopigment ratios, and also in terms of modelled mixing intensities, chl-a and ²¹⁰Pb deposition and background concentrations in sediments. Chlorophyll-a and ²¹⁰Pb profiles were fitted simultaneously with a reactive transport model to estimate mixing intensity, deposition and background concentrations. Further, to account for the possibility that the decay of chl-a may be lower in the deep sea than in shallow areas, we estimated the model parameters with two models. In one approach (model 1), the temperature dependent decay rate of chl-a as given by Sun et al. [Sun, M.Y., Lee, C., Aller, R.C. (1993) Laboratory Studies of Oxic and Anoxic Degradation of chlorophyll-a in Long-Island sound sediments. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 57, 147-157] for estuaries was used. In the other approach (model 2), an extra parameter was estimated to derive the chlorophyll-a degradation rate. An F-test, taking into account the different number of parameters in the models, was used to single out the model that significantly fitted the data best. In most cases, the model parameters were best-explained with model 1, indicating the empirical relationship by Sun et al. (1993) is a valid means to estimate the chlorophyll-a degradation rate in deep sea sediments. To assess the robustness with which the model parameters were estimated we provide a first application of Bayesian analysis in the modelling of tracers in sediments. Bayesian analysis allows calculating the mean and standard deviation for each model parameter and correlations among parameters. The model parameters for stations for which ²¹⁰Pb and chlorophyll-a profiles were available were robustly fitted as evidenced by an average coefficient of variation of 0.22. C_org contents, chl-a concentrations, chl-a:phaeo ratios, mixing intensities, depositions and background concentrations of chl-a and ²¹⁰Pb indicated that the Cap de Creus canyon and adjacent slope were less active in terms of organic matter accumulation and burial than the Nazaré canyon and respective open slope.     

Sedimentary labile organic carbon and pore water redox control on species distribution of benthic foraminifera: A case study from Lisbon-Setúbal Canyon (southern Portugal)

Rose Bengal stained benthic foraminifera were studied from 11 cores collected along two depth transects off southern Portugal: one in the Lisbon-Setúbal Canyon and the other along the canyon edge. The total standing stocks and distribution of foraminifera were investigated in relation to sediment and pore water geochemistry. Nitrate was used as a redox indicator, sedimentary chlorophyll a and CPE (chloroplastic pigment equivalents) contents as a measure of labile organic matter, and total organic carbon as a measure of bulk organic matter availability.The canyon sediments were enriched in organic carbon and phytopigments at all water depths in comparison with the canyon edge. Water depth seemed to control sedimentary phytopigment content, but not total organic carbon. No significant correlation was seen between pigment and total organic carbon content.The abundance of calcareous foraminifera correlated with the phytodetritus content, whereas a weaker correlation was observed for the agglutinated taxa. Therefore, calcareous foraminifera appear to require a fresher food input than agglutinated taxa. The foraminiferal species composition also varied with pigment content and nitrate penetration depth in the sediment, in line with the TROX concept. Phytopigment-rich (surficial CPE content >20 μg/cm³) sediments with a shallow nitrate penetration depth (∼1 cm depth) were inhabited by generally infaunal species such as Chilostomella oolina, Melonis barleeanus and Globobulimina spp. As the nitrate penetration increased to ∼2 cm depth in sediment and the pigment content remained relatively high (>15 μg/cm³), Uvigerina mediterranea and Uvigerina elongatastriata became dominant species. With declining CPE content and increasing nitrate penetration depth, the foraminiferal assemblages changed from the mesotrophic Cibicides kullenbergi-Uvigerina peregrina assemblage to the oligotrophic abyssal assemblage, mainly consisting of agglutinated taxa.