Natural and Artificial Radionuclides in River Bottom Sediments and Suspended Matter in the Czech Republic in the Period 2000-2010

The concentrations of natural radionuclides, radium-226, radium-228, and potassium-40, and the artificial radionuclide caesium-137, in river bottom sediments and suspended matter were monitored in the Czech Republic by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute during the period 2000-2010 and 2001-2010 respectively. The data were used to evaluate the natural background levels of these radionuclides and the impact of human activities on the water environment. For potassium-40 in sediments, the natural background level was estimated to be 570 Bq/kg. To evaluate the background level for radium-226, the river sites affected by human activities (mining and processing uranium ore, coal) were eliminated from the assessment. The average natural background values were 47.8 Bq/kg for radium-226 and 47.2 Bq/kg for radium-228 in sediments and 86.5 Bq/kg for radium-226 and 87.9 Bq/kg for radium-228 in suspended matter. The river sediments were identified as good indicators of radioactive contamination, especially radium-226, which recorded historic contamination due to former uranium mining and milling. The radium-226 contamination rate was assessed using the ratio of radium-226 to radium-228. This ratio was used to classify sediment according to the relative contamination from the uranium industry. The residual contamination of caesium-137 due to the Chernobyl accident in 1986 was also assessed. Average values of caesium-137 were 14.0 Bq/kg in sediments and 25.0 Bq/kg in suspended matter.

Using Natural Radionuclides to Trace Sources of Suspended Particles in the Lower Reaches of the Yellow River

Natural radionuclides are powerful tools for understanding the sources and fate of suspended particulate matter(SPM).Particulate matter with different particle sizes behaves differently with respect to adsorption and desorption.We analyzed the activi-ties and distribution characteristics of multiple natural radionuclides(238U,226Ra,40K,228Ra,7Be and 210Pbex)on size-fractionated SPM at the Lijin Hydrographic Station(Huanghe or Yellow River)every month over a one-year period.Results showed that medium silt(16–32µm)was the main component.As expected,the activity of each radionuclide decreased with an increase of particle size.We examined the sources of SPM with different particle sizes using activity ratios of 226Ra/238U,228Ra/226Ra,40K/238U and 7Be/210Pbex,and concluded that SPM with different particle sizes originated from different sources.Our results indicate that fine SPM(<32µm)was mainly from the erosion of soil along the lower reaches of the Yellow River,while coarse SPM(>32µm)was mainly derived from resuspension of riverbed sediment.During high runoff periods,the concentration of SPM increased significantly,and the pro-portion of fine particles originating upstream increased.Naturally occurring radioactive isotopes,especially on size-fractionated par-ticles,are therefore seen as useful tracers to understand the sources and behaviors of riverine particles transported from land to sea.

The increased storage of suspended particulate matter in the upper water of the tropical Western Pacific during the 2015/2016 super El Nino event

The climate variability induced by the El Nino-Southern Oscillation(ENSO)cycle drives significant changes in the physical state of the tropical Western Pacific,which has important impacts on the upper ocean carbon cycle.During 2015-2016,a super El Nino event occurred in the equatorial Pacific.Suspended particulate matter(SPM)data and related environmental observations in the tropical Western Pacific were obtained during two cruses in Dec.2014 and 2015,which coincided with the early and peak stages of this super El Nino event.Compared with the marine environments in the tropical Western Pacific in Dec.2014,an obviously enhanced upwelling occurred in the Mindanao Dome region;the nitrate concentration in the euphotic zone almo st tripled;and the size,mass concentration,and volume concentration of SPM obviously increased in Dec.2015.The enhanced upwelling in the Mindanao Dome region carried cold but eutrophic water upward from the deep ocean to shallow depths,even into the euphotic zone,which disrupted the previously N-limited conditions and induced a remarkable increase in phytoplankton blooms in the euphotic zone.The se results reveal the mechanism of how nutrient-limited ecosystems in the tropical Western Pacific respond to super El Nino events.In the context of the ENSO cycle,if predicted changes in biogenic particles occur,the proportion of carbon storage in the tropical Western Pacific is estimated to be increased by more than 52%,ultimately affecting the regional and possibly even global carbon cycle.This paper highlights the prospect for long-term prediction of the impact of a super El Nino event on the global carbon cycle and has profound implications for understanding El Nino events.

Spatial Variation and Risk Assessment of Arsenic and Heavy Metals in Surface Water and Suspended Particulate Matter in Tail Reaches of the Yellow River, China

To determine the pollution levels and potential toxic risks of arsenic(As) and heavy metals(Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) in water and suspended particulate matter(SPM) in tail reaches(including freshwater reach and low-salinity reach) of the Yellow River as the Flow-Sediment Regulation Project(FSRP) has been carried out for approximately 15 yr, the surface water and SPM were sampled at pre-flood(April) and post-flood seasons(October). Results showed that similar changes of As and metal levels in water and SPM were observed along the tail reaches at pre-flood or post-flood season. Compared to pre-flood season, the levels of As, Cu, Cr and Ni in freshwater reach and the concentrations of Cr and Ni in low-salinity reach rose greatly at post-flood season. The levels of As and metals in SPM of freshwater reach or low-salinity reach at pre-flood season were significantly higher than those at post-flood season(P < 0.01).The pollutions of As and metals in surface water of tail reaches at pre-flood or post-flood season were not serious. The SPM in freshwater reach at pre-flood season were polluted by Cd, As, Cr, Cu and Ni while those in low-salinity reach were polluted by Cd and Cr. The SPM in freshwater reach at post-flood season were polluted by Cd and Pb while those in low-salinity reach were polluted by Cd and Cr.Cd was identified as heavy metal of primary concern at both pre-flood and post-flood seasons. Combined with the existed data reported in present research, this study found that the toxic risk of As and metals in SPM of tail reaches at pre-flood season was higher than that at post-flood season, implying that the implementation of FSRP during flooding season, to a great extent, reduced the toxic risk of these elements. With the long-term implementation of FSRP, the pollution levels of As and metals(particularly for Cd) in SPM of tail reaches might be elevated and the potential toxic risk primarily produced by Cr, Ni and As might be increased if effective measures were not taken in future.

Characteristics and Origins of Suspended Pyrite in the Mixing Zone of the Yangtze Estuary

For a long time,most studies about pyrite have focused on sediments while only a few have focused on pyrite in water.In this study,a method that combines the scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and the energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry(EDS)was used to compare pyrite particles suspended in water to those in associated bottom sediments,both obtained from the mixing zone of the Yangtze Estuary.It was found that the pyrite particles in the two media have similar morphologies and size distributions.The particle morphology mainly includes two types,single crystal and aggregate,and the particle size mainly ranges from 0.5 to 2μm.The pyrite particles in water exhibit an increase in relative content towards the sea,and their transport and deposit processes are mainly affected by hydrodynamic conditions.It is concluded that the pyrite particles in the suspended matter mainly derived from the resuspension of sediments,which are products of the early diagenesis.Precursor minerals may appear during the formation of pyrite,but are generally restricted by the diagenetic environment and local microenvironment.

Sources and implications of particulate organic matter from a small tropical river——Zuari River, India

Transitional ecosystems,estuaries and the coastal seas,are distinctively affected by natural and anthropogenic factors.Organic matter(OM)originating from terrestrial sources is exported by rivers and forms a key component of the global biogeochemical cycles.Most previous studies focused on the bulk biochemical and anthropogenic aspects affecting these ecosystems.In the present study,we examined the sources and fate of OM entrained within suspended particulate matter(SPM)of the Zuari River and its estuary,west coast of India.Besides using amino acid(AA)enantiomers(L-and D-forms)as biomarkers,other bulk biochemical parameters viz.particulate organic carbon(POC),δ13C,particulate nitrogen(PN),δ15N and chlorophyll a were analyzed.Surprisingly no significant temporal variations were observed in the parameters analyzed;nonetheless,salinity,POC,δ13C,PN,δ15N,glutamic acid,serine,alanine,tyrosine,leucine and D-aspartic acid exhibited significant spatial variability suggesting source differentiation.The POC content displayed weak temporal variability with low values observed during the post-monsoon season attributed to inputs from mixed sources.Estuarine samples were less depleted than the riverine samples suggesting contributions from marine plankton in addition to contributions from river plankton and terrestrial C3 plants detritus.Labile OM was observed during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons in the estuarine region.More degraded OM was noticed during the pre-monsoon season.Principal component analysis was used to ascertain the sources and factors influencing OM.Principally five factors were extracted explaining 84.52%of the total variance.The first component accounted for 27.10%of the variance suggesting the dominance of tidal influence whereas,the second component accounted for heterotrophic bacteria and their remnants associated with the particulate matter,contributing primarily to the AA pool.Based on this study we ascertained the role of the estuarine turbidity maximum(ETM)controlling the sources of POM and its implications to small tropical rivers.Thus,changes in temporal and regional settings are more likely to affect the natural biogeochemical cycles of small tropical rivers.

Organophosphate esters in water,suspended particulate matter(SPM)and sediments of the Minjiang River,China

As organic pollutants of emerging concern,organophosphate esters(OPEs)have shown toxicity to organisms after entering the water environment.However,research on OPEs in freshwater in Southwest China is very limited.The levels,distribution and partitioning behavior of OPEs in the Minjiang River and their influencing factors is still unknown.In this study,six OPEs,tri-n-butyl phosphate(Tn BP),tri(2-chloroethyl)-phosphate(TCEP),trichloropropyl phosphate(TCPP),triphenyl phosphate(TPh P),tributoxyethyl phosphate(TBEP),and tris(2-ethylhexyl)-phosphate(TEHP),were determined in surface water,suspended particle matter(SPM)and sediments of the Minjiang River.The results showed that the average concentrations of∑_(6)OPEs in surface water,SPM and sediments of the Minjiang River were 199.32±124.95 ng/L,38463.79±45641.89 ng/g dry weight(dw)and 76.45±28.00 ng/g dw,respectively.High concentrations of OPEs were detected in SPM samples,indicating that more attention should be paid to pollution in SPM.It is worth noting that the variation trend of OPEs in SPM was almost opposite to that in water but basically similar to that in sediment.The proportions of alkyl OPEs in∑_(6)OPEs increased from surface water to SPM and sediments.Alkyl OPEs were the main pollutants in SPM(10.44%–80.88%of∑_(6)OPEs,mean of 54.52%)and sediments(59.08%–81.30%of∑_(6)OPEs,mean of 68.91%),whereas chlorinated OPEs were the most abundant components in surface water(43.16%–75.99%ofδ∑_(6)OPEs,mean of 55.50%).The water-sediment partition coefficient(logKOC)of OPEs was 4.97–7.58,while the water-SPM partition coefficient was 6.71–10.00.No significant correlations were found between log KOW and logKOC.KOW was not the main factor affecting the distribution of OPEs in the Minjiang River,China.

Effect of Co-Culture of Chinese Shrimp(Fenneropenaeus chinensis) and Sea Cucumber(Apostichopus japonicus Selenka) on Pond Environment

Monoculture of sea cucumber(pond S) and polyculture of shrimp with sea cucumber(pond SS) were established to evaluate the effect of shrimp on the environmental conditions of sea cucumber farming pond. Contributions of sediment organic matter(SOM2) resuspended from benthic sediment and the suspended particulate organic matter(SPOM) deposited from the water column to the precipitated organic matter(SOM1) collected with sediment traps were estimated with carbon stable isotope analysis. The results showed that the levels of SPOM and SOM2 in pond SS significantly decreased in comparison with those in pond S at the end of experiment(P < 0.05), indicating that co-culturing shrimp in sea cucumber farming pond could purify the farming water. Carbon stable isotope analysis showed that the proportion of SOM2 in SOM1 in pond SS(84.97% ± 0.38%) was significantly lower than that in pond S(95.20% ± 0.30%)(P < 0.05), suggesting that the resuspension of organic matter from benthic sediment into overlying water was reduced in polyculture pond. In contrast, the proportion of SPOM in SOM1 in pond SS(15.03% ± 0.38%) was significantly higher than that in pond S(4.80% ± 0.30%)(P < 0.05), indicating that the sedimentation of SPOM from water column was enhanced in pond SS owing to the biodeposition effect of shrimp.

Feasibility Analysis of MERIS as a Tool for Monitoring Lake Guiers (Senegal) Water Quality

ENVISAT/MERIS scenes of Lake Guiers covering the period 2003-2010 were processed for concentration retrieval of chlorophyll a (CHLa), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and colored fraction of dissolved organic matter (CDOM), i.e. the three main parameters relevant to the water quality management of the lake. Estimates in the range of 30 - 117 μg CHLa L-1 (average 62.13 μg·L-1), 0.10 - 29.0 mg SPM L-1 (average 22.01 mg·L-1), and 1.10 - 1.90 CDOM m-1 (average 1.33 m-1) were recorded, suggesting the possibility of occasional poor quality waters in some compartments of the lake. The values calculated as part of this study are consistent with literature data. On the basis of these estimates, interpretations were made as to the feasibility of applying MERIS data for synoptic environmental monitoring purposes. The data were subjected to statistical analysis, including regression analysis and significance tests. Estimates of CHLa and CDOM revealed some level of correlation, which suggests that phytoplankton biomass degradation may account for nearly 47% of the dissolved optical compounds CDOM. Notable areas of high CHLa and CDOM concentrations are found in the southern inshore zone, an environment with less water agitation. In contrast, SPM concentrations tend to increase in environments of very shallow water marked by high water turbulence and bottom mobility. However, it was not possible to fully assess the model performance and detection accuracy of the results due to lack of ground truths. Nonetheless, the results show concentrations that compared well with the insitu data from earlier studies and data reported elsewhere from other lacustrine systems. Therefore, it can be inferred from this study that MERIS data present a useful low-cost (i.e. cost effective and readily available) approach for environmental monitoring of Lake Guiers waters with excellent spatial coverage. In addition, the study highlighted the minimal effect of the so-called “bottom effect” on model predictions, despite the small depth of the lake.

Classification of contaminants and treatability evaluation of domestic wastewater

Long-term sampling and analysis were conducted in a domestic wastewater treatment plant for the investigation on the characteristics of the representative contaminants in raw sewage such as SS,COD,BOD5,TP,and TN.All these constituents were classified into dissolved and suspended groups by using a 0.45-μm membrane filter,and the concen-tration of each constituent in each group was analyzed.As a result,almost 100%of the SS was found to be suspended matter,as well as about 65% of COD,60% of BOD_(5),50% of P,and 20%of N.All these could be easily removed by sedimentation or coagulation/sedimentation.A treatability evaluation diagram was proposed for a rational selection of wastewater treatment process in accordance with raw water quality.

Developing water quality retrieval models with in situ hyperspectral data in Poyang Lake,China

Applying remote sensing techniques to develop the retrieval models and further to obtain the spatiotemporal information of water quality parameters is necessary for understanding,managing,and protecting lake ecosystems.This study aimed to calibrate and validate the retrieval models for estimating the concentrations of chlorophyll a(C_(CHL)),suspended particulate matter(C_(SPM)),and dissolved organic carbon(C_(DOC))with the in situ hyperspectral measurements in Poyang Lake,China in 2010 and 2011.The model calibration and validation results indicated that:(1)for C_(CHL)retrieval,significantly strong and moderate correlations existed between the measured and estimated values(with the correlation coefficient r=0.92 and r=0.76)using the exponential model and the three-band model,respectively,with biased estimation observed for the exponential model;(2)for retrieving C_(SPM),there was a strong correlation between the measured and estimated values(r=0.95)using the exponential model;and(3)no significant correlation between measured and estimated C_(DOC)values was found with our developed models.More work is needed to allow the water quality of Poyang Lake to be accurately and steadily estimated,especially for C_(CHL)and C_(DOC).