Heavy-metal contents in suspended solids of Meiliang Bay,Taihu Lake and its environmental significances

Surface water was taken from river mouth to the central area of Meiliang Bay, Taihu Lake, a large shallow eutrophic lake in China. Suspended solids were condensed by centrifugation 25 L surface water samples from each selected site. Suspended solids and surface sediments were further freeze-dried and microwave digested before determining the metals by ICP-AES. Among the metals analyzed in suspended solids and sediments, contents of Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn in suspended solids were significantly higher than those in sediments while contents of Al, Ba, Be, Ca, Co, Fe, K, Mg, Pb, and V in suspended solids were 10%—30% higher than those in sediments. Sr and Ti contents in suspended solids and sediments were very similar. Na content in suspended solids was lower than that in sediments. Heavy metals were significantly accumulated in suspended solids. From the river mouth to the center of Meiliang Bay, contents of Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in suspended solids showed a gradual decreasing trend indicating the river(Zhihugang River) still discharged large quantity of heavy metals to Meiliang Bay. The study suggests that the geochemical behaviors and ecological effects of heavy metals in suspended solids may serve as a good indicator for the pollution of lake.

Distribution and fluxes of suspended sediments in the offshore waters of the Changjiang (Yangtze) Estuary

The offshore waters of the Changjiang Estuary are the transitional areas where river-supplied water and sediment are transported to the sea, and material exchanges occur with the neighbored Hangzhou Bay and the Jiangsu waters. Field observations of currents and sediment properties were conducted to study temporal and spatial distributions of suspended sediments under various dynamical conditions. The high sediment concentrations were found to occur in the western and southern waters of the offshore, and the low concentrations occurred in the eastern and northern waters. This pattern of the suspended sediment concentration （SSC） distribution is obviously influ- enced by the runoff and tidal current. The significant difference of along-estuary SSC distribution indicates that the SSC is reduced gradually from the west to the east, and that in the spring tide is obviously higher than in the neap tide. The methods of mechanism analysis and equal-area grids were used to calculate the suspended sediment fluxes at the typical cross sections. It was found that 44 percent of total suspended sediments from the Changjiang River were deposited in the submarine delta, and more than 27 percent of sediments were transported southernly into the Hangzhou Bay, and only 9 percent of sediments was supplied and exchanged with the northern Jiangsu waters, and about 20 percent of sediments was delivered offshore to the sea.

Growth properties of mixed liquor suspended solids in SMBR for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment

This paper presents the performance results of a 366-day pilot-scale submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR) for treating high-strength pharmaceutical wastewater. The study focuses on the growth properties of mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) in SMBR operated at high volumetric loading rates. The influences of MLSS on COD removal,sludge yield,oxygen utilization rates and sludge viscosity are studied. Results show that the bioreactor can be operated at higher volumetric loading rate with a low sludge yield. VSS/SS and observed sludge yield coefficient (Yo) present a decreasing trend with the decrease of hydraulic retention time (HRT) . Sludge oxygen utilization rate decreases with the increase of mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) . A mathematical model between sludge viscosity and MLSS is developed.

Characterization of suspended solids and particle-bound heavy metals in a first flush of highway runoff

To investigate the dynamic characteristics of total suspended solids (TSS) and their particle-bound heavy metals in a first flush, the runoff sampling together with its flow rate measuring was conducted for three rainfall events at outfalls of highway in Shanghai from June to September 2007. Field samples were analyzed to determine the concentrations of TSS and particle-bound heavy metals, such as Zn, Pb, and Cu. Results show that the wash off behavior of TSS under varying runoff rate condition can be explained by different antecedent dry weather period (ADWP). Contribution of fine fraction (<45 μm) to TSS was generally higher than that of coarse fraction (>45 μm). When the runoff flow increased obviously, a significant contribution of the coarse fraction was observed for a certain rainfall events with long antecedent dry weather condition. The changes of total metals concentration and particle-bound metal concentrations were strongly dependent on the TSS variation. TSS was generally well correlated with most particulate-bound heavy metals. Of the heavy metals, the concentration of Zn was found considerably high and that of Pb was significantly low at North Zhongshan 2 Road, in Shanghai, China, but they are still within the range reported in the literature. Fluctuation of heavy metal contents in the coarse fraction during a first flush period was more significant compared with that in the fine fraction. The results will assist in the development of effective control strategies to minimize heavy metals and solids in highway runoff.

Modeling transportation of suspended solids in Zhujiang River estuary, South China

A three-dimensional transportation model for suspended solids (SS) in Zhujiang (Pearl) River estuary, South China, was developed by coupling with a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model. The model was validated using hourly measured data of sediment contents during 25–26, July 1999. The results showed that modeled contents matched well with measured ones and that the modeled top layer distribution agreed with the remotely sensed image of suspended solids in summer. The modeled results showed clearly the layers of sus- pended solids in depth, with larger sediment contents in lower layers though in the interface between salt water and freshwater the lowest contents appeared in middle layer. In overall, the suspended solids inflow from 8 rivers, transport southwestward, and carried by strong coastal flow in Zhujiang River estuary. Contours of sediment contents in the estuary spread further to the open sea during ebb tide rather than flood tide which reflects that the suspended solids in the estuary are land sourced.

The flocculation research on treating suspended solids contained mine drainage through goaf

Mine drainage could be filtered and purified through goaf. This innovative technique shows merits, such as high treatment efficiency, remarkable economic benefit and extensive wastewater recycle use. However, it was detected that capacities of purifying mine drainage for goaf were decreased after a period of application. As a result, the effluent could not meet the standard of recycle water. To solve the problem, coagulant was considered to add into mine drainage reducing its high turbid degrees to certain level. After the preliminary flocculation treatment, mine drainage was piped into goaf to purify. In this way, the load of goaf was eased up. Its usage time was also prolonged. Therefore, this paper carried out the coagulation-flocculation jar test for mine drainage to discuss the flocculation parameters. By the experiment, 10 % iron trichloride is selected from four inorganic coagulants as the optimum coagulant. The optimum dose, PH value and sedirs6-7 and 25 min. Velocity mentation time are respectively 2 mL per 800 mL Wastewater gradient G during the process of mixing and reaction is 696 .And the value of GT is 6.264 × 10^5. The values of G and GT will supply the basis for the design of flocculation pool in the project. The flocculation parameters will be significant for the reference of practice.

Relationship between nutrient pollutants and suspended sediments in upper reaches of Yangtze River

In order to study the relationship between nutrient pollutants and suspended sediments（SS） in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and two tributaries, water samples were collected from September 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011 at the Zhutuo, Cuntang, Beibei, Wulong, Qingxichang,Wanxian, and Fengjie cross-sections. In the laboratory, the SS concentration and the concentration of SS whose particle size was smaller than0.02 mm were measured. The phosphorus（P）, nitrogen（N）, and permanganate index（CODMn） concentrations in the natural water sample, the settled water sample, and two types of filtered water samples obtained through filter membranes with pore sizes of 0.02 mm and 0.45 mm were monitored synchronously. The results show that there are strong relationships between the P and CODMnconcentrations and the SS concentration. P mainly exists in particulate form, while N mainly exists in dissolved form. SS whose particle size is smaller than 0.02 mm accounts for a high proportion of sediments in the Yangtze River and has a strong effect on water quality. At the seven cross-sections, the amounts of P, N, and CODMnin particulate form in the wet season are higher than in the dry season and the adsorption amounts of P, N, and CODMnper unit mass of sediment are higher in the dry season than in the wet season.

Numerical Study on Seasonal Transportation of the Suspended Sediments in the Modern Yellow River Mouth Effected by the Artificial Water and Sediment Regulation

Since 2002, an artificial water and sediment regulation(AWSR) has been carried out, which largely reduced water and sediment discharged from the Yellow River into the Bohai Sea. Although the sediment transport in the Yellow River Mouth(YRM) has been observed and modeled intensively since AWSR, but preferentially for the non-storm conditions. In this study, a three-dimensional current-wave-sediment coupled model, DHI-MIKE numerical model, was used to examine the seasonal suspended-sediment transport in the YRM after the AWSR. Results show that the seasonal distribution of suspended-sediments in the YRM is dominated by wind and wave rather than river input. The major transport pathway of suspended-sediments is from the western Laizhou Bay to the Bohai Strait during the winter monsoon, especially in storm events. In addition, about 66% of the river sediments deposit within 30 km of the YRM, which is smaller than previous estimations. It suggests that the YRM has been eroded in recent decades.

MONITORING THE DIFFUSION OF SUSPENDED SEDIMENTS AND STABILITY OF TIDAL RADIAL SAND RIDGES AREA USING MULTI-SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING DATA

Nine Landsat TM tapes and images and MSS images, 10 NOAA tapes and images and 1 SAR image from 1973 to 1997 were used to analyze the diffusion of suspended sediments and the change of tidal radial sand ridges in the northern part of the Changjiang River delta, the South Yellow Sea. The results showed that the diffusion of suspended sediments was controlled by the tide, net current, and submarine topography in this area. The distribution of suspended sediments had close relationship with the submarine topography. The old Huanghe River delta and the Changjiang River comprise the main sediment supply for the formation of radial sand ridges, whose evolution can be divided into three stages since the Huanghe River changed its course and flowed northward into the Bohai Sea.

Relationship between suspended sediments from the Changjiang Estuary and the evolution of the embayed muddy coast of Zhejiang Province

South of Hangzhou Bay, Zhejiang Province, exhibits an embayed muddy coastline, with the muddy beaches of embayments extending continuously seaward.The source of sediments on this coast presents an interesting problem to marine geologists and geomorphologists .The total annual load of sediments from the rivers of Zhejiang is only 12×106t.These materials affect only the area near the river mouths. The paper showed that the sediment along the coast of Zhejiang mainly comes from the Changjiang Estuary through analysing the time and space variations of suspended sediment, the features of sediment and the sedimentary transport.The Changjiang River is the largest river system in China, its sediment to the sea amounting to 468×106t. The sediment during summer transports mainly eastward, and is affected by the water body with high temperature, salinity and transparency; the winter season is the period with high sediment concentration. The sediment of the Changjiang Estuary transports together with the longshore current of the East China Sea southward, the southern boundary can reach the sea region approximately 500 km from the Shacheng Harbour. The accretion rate seaward has been about 10 - 30 m since the 16th century. The sediment movement combined the longitudinal with the lateral, so that the muddy flats progress continuously seaward under the construction of the seashore profile .

APPLICATION OF REMOTE SENSING AND FUZZY MATH TO STUDY OF SUSPENDED SEDIMENTS DIFFUSION NEAR THE HUANGHE RIVER DELTA

Sediment grain size parameters and the percent of sand and clay near the Huanghe River Delta are used to estimate the Huanghe Riser load diffusion with fuzzy analysis. The results are confirmed by field investigation and the landform changes of the river estuary and sediment diffusive pattern indicated by Landsat MSS, TM images.

Practical Application of the Results for Optically Measured Total Suspended Solids Concentrations in the Drava River

The investigations described in this paper were performed in order to determine whether the concentrations of total suspended solids (TSS) in the Drava River, Slovenia, measured indirectly with optical sensors can be used to determine the amount and particle size of the suspended solids that can settle in stagnant water. The possibility of continuous monitoring of the TSS concentrations would allow a more reliable estimate of the amount of sediment in the accumulation lake of the planned, pumped-storage, hydroelectric power plant into which the water from the Drava River will be pumped. Therefore, during a period of one year, 90 water samples were taken directly at the optical sensors. The amount of sediments and their mineral and chemical compositions were investigated, and particle size analyses were made in 15 samples. Microbiological parameters, which included a determination of the amount of phytoplankton, zooplankton, bacteria, fungi and organic debris, were investigated in all the water samples, and the temperature and pH of the water were measured at the time when the samples were collected. The comparison of the parameters examined with the TSS concentrations showed that these concentrations can serve as a very good estimate of the amount of particles settled in the standing water, as well as of their size. These correlations are clearly expressed in the cases where the amounts of phytoplankton and organic debris in the water are low.

Role of Suspended Sediments and Mixing in Reducing Photoinhibition in the Bloom-Forming Cyanobacterium Microcystis

Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are becoming a global problem. Previous research of cyanobacterial bloom development has examined how high nutrient concentrations promote cyanobacteria dominance, and how positive buoyancy provides an ecological advantage over sinking phytoplankton. Tributaries responsible for loading nutrients into lakes often simultaneously contribute high concentrations of suspended sediments. High concentrations of suspended sediments may also influence blooms by affecting the ambient light climate, reducing photodamage, and increasing the efficiency of photosynthesis. We examined the effects of sediments and vertical mixing in potentially reducing photodamage to Microcystis by measuring photosynthetic parameters and pigment content of Microcystis in western Lake Erie during the 2008 bloom and in laboratory experiments. Photosynthetic efficiency increased with increasing sediment concentration in the lake and laboratory experiment. Content of photo-protective carotenoid pigments per dry weight decreased with increasing sediment concentrations, while the light-harvesting pigments, chl a and phycocyanin, increased with sediments. These results indicate that suspended sediments reduce photoinhibition for Microcystis. Further, photosynthetic damage was higher when Microcystis was concentrated on the surface compared to a mixed water column. Measurements of Microcystis abundance and light were also recorded, in addition to photosynthetic measurements. Greatest Microcystis abundances in Lake Erie were recorded during light-limiting conditions, which offer Microcystis both physiological and ecological benefits by reducing photoinhibition and increasing Microcystis’ advantage in light competition via buoyancy. Efforts to reduce cyanobacterial blooms may include reducing suspended sediments loads in combination with reducing nutrient loading.

The dissolution of total suspended solids and treatment strategy of tailwater in a Litopenaeus vannamei recirculating aquaculture system

In recirculating aquaculture systems(RASs),the effective treatment of aquaculture tailwater is essential to maintain the health of the RAS.This study investigated the optimal time and method for tailwater treatment during three periods of the aquaculture of the Litopenaeus vannamei:nursery(0–26 d),middle(27–57 d),and later(57–104 d).The variation of several water parameters during the dissolution of total suspended solid(TSS)in tailwater,applied with the effects of ozone on the microorganism and water quality parameters were investigated.Results showed that the TSS concentrations in tailwater decreased with time,although not significantly(P>0.05),whereas total ammonia nitrogen(TAN),nitrite(NO-2-N),and nitrate(NO_(3)^(-)-N)increased significantly(P<0.05).Therefore,TSS should be removed from the tailwater as early as possible,being most optimal within 4 h.Ozone removed 38.24%–48.95%of TSS,17.78%–90.14%of TAN,and 87.50%–98.90%of NO-2-N after 4 h of treatment.However,it resulted in the significant accumulation of NO_(3)^(-)-N.Moreover,the total number of Vibrio and bacterial counts in aquaculture tailwater was reduced completely by ozone within 4 h.Thus,these results provided technical details and data support for the effective treatment of tailwater from shrimp RAS.

Suspended Solids from Drained Peatlands in the East Coastal Zone of New Brunswick： Point Estimates and Climate Effects on the Environment

Peatlands represent one of the most important economic resources and abandoned peatlands after mining can be considered as ecological resources by re-vegetation restoration or management. However, some environmental problems like particles from peatlands and their effects in the water system have to be characterized. Since centuries, artificial drainage has been a current practice for the mining of peatlands. Mainly mined for horticultural purpose, New Brunswick＇s peatlands--predominantly located in the eastern of the province--cover about 140,000 ha. At the downstream end of the drainage system, the water from peatlands flow into sedimentation basins. Drainage waters are often laden with solid particles. Once they have flowed through the ponds to allow sediment settling, the water is released into the water system. This paper describes the spatio-temporal evolution of suspended solids from 12 New Brunswick drained peatlands. The studied sites were characterized by some heterogeneity in the concentration of suspended solids. This study also provides knowledge on the suspended solids amount that can be released by drained peatlands, and it proposes a function to estimate the concentration of suspended solids by using climate variables; and identifies some potential ecological risks.

Characterization of Suspended Solids and Heavy Metal Distributions during First Flush in Highway Runoff

Nonpoint source pollution has gradually received attention during stormwater flush in highway runoff. The understanding the pollutant characteristics will be criticat issue to treat these types of pollution. In the present study, two monitoring stations were selected to measure hydrology and to take sampling during first flushing events at the Zhong-Shan freeway and East-West expressway in the Miaoli County, Taiwan. The results of monitoring stations in 2007 storm events found that normally the peak concentrations of total suspended solids （TSS） and heavy metals occurred at the initial stormwater and then the concentrations decreased when the measured time elapsed. The highest and lowest heavy metal concentrations were Fe and Ni, respectively, during the stormwater. Particle size distribution （PSD） mostly ranged from 12μm and 96 μm at two measured sites. The event mean concentrations （EMCs） and loadings of TSS and heavy metals were also correlated with total runoff and total rainfall.

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.

Coastal Current Systems and the Movement and Expansion of Suspended Sediment from Changjiang River Estuary

This paper, with NOAA/AHHRR data for 2 years, discusses the expanding path and extent of suspended sediment from the Changjiang River, and the relationship between the suspended sediment expanding and coastal current systems by analyzing the thermal infrared imagery with the sediment imagery, which is acquired by correlating the atmosphere corrected AVHRR imagery with in-situ suspended sediment data. The coastal current systems affecting the sediment dispersal mainly include： the Taiwan Warm Current （TWC）, the Huanghai Sea Mixed Water （HSMW）, North Jiangsu near-shore current, and Zhejiang near-shore current etc. In winter, the current systems are stable. Their distribution affects the sediment from north Jiangsu expanding toward the Changjiang estuary in some degree .The front between Zhejiang coastal current and TWC blocks the expanding of sediment toward the sea. In the flood season, apart from the limitation by coastal current systems, the spatial and temporal distribution of suspended sediment is also affected by the runoff, which shows as the jet stream and fresh water. Spring and autumn are the transitional periods of the forming of expanding patterns of flood season and winter respectively. In addition, the re-suspended sediment caused by the wind wave may make the expanding range of near-shore sediment larger.

Variations in tidal currents and suspended sediment concentration of the upper part of the North Channel of Changjiang Estuary over the past 10 years

The tidal current duration （TCD） and velocity （TCV） and suspended sediment concentration （SSC） were measured in the dry season in December, 2011 and in the flood season in June, 2012 at the upper part of the North Channel of Changjiang Estuary. They were assimilated with the measured data in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007, using the tidal range＇s proportion conversion. Variations in TCD and TCV, preferential flow and SSC have been calculated. Influences of typical engineering projects such as Qingcaosha fresh water reservoir, Yangtze River Bridge, and land reclamation on the ebb and flood TCD, TCV and SSC in the North Channel for the last 10 years are discussed. The results show that： （1） currently, in the upper part of North Channel, the ebb tide dominates; after the construction of the typical projects, ebb TCD and TCV tends to be larger and the vertical average ebb and flood SSC decrease during the flood season while SSC increases during the dry season; （2） changes in the vertical average TCV are mainly contributed by seasonal runoff variation during the flood season, which is larger in the flood season than that in the dry season; the controlling parameters of increasing ebb TCD and TCV are those large-scale engineering projects in the North Channel; variation in SSC may result mainly from the reduction of basin annual sediment loads, large-scale nearshore projects and so on.