Environmental dynamics of nitrogen and phosphorus release from river sediments of arid areas

Human activities lead to the accumulation of a large amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in sediments in rivers.Simultaneously,nitrogen and phosphorus can be affected by environment and re-enter the upper water body,causing secondary pollution of the river water.In this study,laboratory simulation experiments were conducted initially to investigate the release of nitrogen and phosphorus from river sediments in Urumqi City and the surrounding areas in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China and determine the factors that influence their release.The results of this study showed significant short-term differences in nitrogen and phosphorus release characteristics from sediments at different sampling points.The proposed secondary kinetics model(i.e.,pseudo-second-order kinetics model)better fitted the release process of sediment nitrogen and phosphorus.The release of nitrogen and phosphorus from sediments is a complex process driven by multiple factors,therefore,we tested the influence of three factors(pH,temperature,and disturbance intensity)on the release of nitrogen and phosphorus from sediments in this study.The most amount of nitrate nitrogen(NO_(3)^(–)-N)was released under neutral conditions,while the most significant release of ammonia nitrogen(NH_(4)^(+)-N)occurred under acidic and alkaline conditions.The release of nitrite nitrogen(NO_(2)^(-)-N)was less affected by pH.The dissolved total phosphorus(DTP)released significantly in the alkaline water environment,while the release of dissolved organic phosphorus(DOP)was more significant in acidic water.The release amount of soluble reactive phosphorus(SRP)increased with an increase in pH.The sediments released nitrogen and phosphorus at higher temperatures,particularly NH_(4)^(+)-N,NO_(3)^(–)-N,and SRP.The highest amount of DOP was released at 15.0℃.An increase in disturbance intensity exacerbated the release of nitrogen and phosphorus from sediments.NH_(4)^(+)-N,DTP,and SRP levels increased linearly with the intensity of disturbance,while NO_(3)^(–)-N and NO_(2)^(–)-N were more stable.This study provides valuable information for protecting and restoring the water environment in arid areas and has significant practical reference value.

Effect of dissolved phosphorus on alkaline phosphatase activity in marine microalgae

Alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) and dissolved phosphorus were monitored during the batch cultures of two bone microalgae. Results indicate that variation of APA was in the shape of 'S' curve. Different specs of dissolved phaphorus had different effects on APA. The concentrations of dis solved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and and molecular dissolved organic phosphorus (SDOP) had a sig nificant effect on APA, while the concentration of large molecular dissolved organic phosphorus (LDOP) had a little effect on APA., and the increase of APA could accelerate the decomposing of LDOP in the medium. Results also show that algae species and abundance had why a little effect on APA.

Changes in nitrogen and phosphorus and their effects on phytoplankton in the Bohai Sea

Systematic studies of the changes in dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN) and dissolved inorganic phosphorus(DIP) and their effects on phytoplankton over the last 30 years in the Bohai Sea are presented.The amount of sewage disposal,use of fertilizer and the Huanghe River runoff were found to have a significant influence on the DIN or DIP concentrations in the Bohai Sea over the last 30 years.Moreover,the changes in DIN and DIP resulted in changes in the limiting nutrients of phytoplankton in the Bohai Sea from nitrogen in the early 1980s to nitrogen-phosphorus in the late 1980s,and then to phosphorus after the 1990s.In addition,changes in nitrogen and phosphorus had a significant effect on the phytoplankton community structure.The half saturation constant(Ks) was used to evaluate the effect of nutrients on the phytoplankton community structure in the Bohai Sea over the last 30 years.Cell abundance percentages of dominant phytoplankton species with high Ks values for phosphorus and low Ks values for nitrogen have decreased since the 1980s,while those of dominant phytoplankton species with low Ks values for phosphorus and high Ks values for nitrogen increased during this period.

Continuous flow analysis of dissolved total phosphorus in seawater by UVK_(2)S_(2)O_(8) online digestion method

Several methods for analysis of dissolved total phosphorus in seawater were reviewed. Discussions were focused on UVirradiation and persulphate oxidation methods which are the most popular dissolved organic phosphorus determinationmethods presently. The compounds used for the phosphorus recovery test were categorized into three groups accordingto their chemical structure. It was found that low power UV irradiation can decompose POC or PC bonds efficientlybut may be inefficient for POP bonds. Heating-bath in acid condition is useful for decomposing POP bonds. Usingthe continuous flow analysis system (Auto-analyzer II), UV digestion and heating-bath, series experiments were carriedout based on the above analysis. Eleven model compounds were employed for the phosphorus recovery test and thefactors influencing the decomposition efficiency of dissolved compounds containing phosphorus were clarified. Finally,the optimal design for determination of dissolved total phosphorus in seawater based on the routine continuous flowanalysis system was presented. For the organic mono-phosphate, the recovery is more than 90% and a recovery of33%~51% was obtained for inorganic or organic polyphosphates. Up to now, this is the highest decompositionefficiency for dissolved phosphorus based on the continuous flow analysis system.

Integrating Source and Transport Factors with Best Management Practices to Derive an Index for Assessing Phosphorus Mobilization Risks from Mauritius Sugarcane Fields

Application of phosphorus (P) fertilisers to sugarcane fields in Mauritius increased almost four-fold per unit area over the past 60 years. Some of the applied P accumulated in the soils and can therefore be transported eventually to surface waters resulting in the eutrophication thereof. Precaution measures such as an appropriate P index as a management tool is required. Source factors (dissolved P, particulate P, P application rates, methods and timing), transport factors (soil erosion, runoff potential and precipitation factor) and a best management practices multiplier were integrated to derive an index for assessing risks of P mobilisation from the island’s sugarcane fields. Farmers and their advisors can use the proposed P index during the planning process before sugarcane fields are planted and will be applicable for the whole crop cycle of 6 - 7 years if factors in the index do not change. The index can be also valuable in the selection of alternative management practices that could reduce the risks of P losses from sugarcane fields where the potential of P movement is initially high. Sensitivity analyses and edge-to-plot field tests showed that the P index needs further improvement, especially the estimation of soil erosion rates. The P index can, however, be applied by farmers and their advisors if they are well informed about the index’s capability.

Composition characterization and transformation mechanism of dissolved organic phosphorus in wastewater treatment using 31P NMR spectroscopy

The migration and transformation of phosphorus components in wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs)play a crucial role in the convergence and circulation of phosphorus.However,the composition and variation of dissolved organic phosphorus(DOP)in WWTPs were unclear because of its complex nature,hindering its efficient detection.In this study,the DOP species and their transformation during the treatment process in WWTP were comprehensively analyzed.First,two enrichment methods were assessed for their effectiveness at facilitating wastewater analysis:lyophilization and aluminum salt precipitation.Aluminum salt precipitation was found to be better because its application allowed 31P nuclear magnetic resonance(31P NMR)spectroscopy to identify more species in the secondary effluent:orthophosphate(Ortho-P)(81.1%–89.3%of the dissolved total phosphorus),pyrophosphates(Pyro-P)(0%–2.3%),orthophosphate monoesters(Mono-P)(7.0%–10.77%),orthophosphate diesters(Di-P)(1.0%–2.96%),and phosphonate(Phos-P)(1.7%–5.16%).Furthermore,the variation and transformation mechanism of phosphorus,particularly those of DOP,during the entire sewage-treatment process were elucidated.Among the treatment steps,biological treatment combined tertiary treatment achieved better DOP removal efficiencies.Therein,biological treatment mainly removed Mono-P and Di-P with removal efficiencies of 33.3%and 41.7%compared with the effluent of the grit chamber.Di-P has higher bioavailability and is more easily converted and utilized by microorganisms than Mono-P.However,Phos-P,with low bioavailability,was hardly utilized by microorganisms,which showed only 18.4%removal efficiency in biological treatment.In tertiary treatment,coagulation process exhibited higher removal ability of Ortho-P(69.1%)and partial removal efficiencies of DOP,resulting in an increase in the DOP proportion in TP.In addition,Phos-P could not be effectively removed through the biological treatment and was only partially reduced via the adsorption process by large particles,zoogloea or multinuclear hydroxyl complexes.The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for efficient phosphorus removal in WWTPs.

Cyanobacterial extracellular alkaline phosphatase:detection and ecological function

Dissolved inorganic phosphorus is an important form of directly bioavailable phosphorus for cyanobacteria in natural water.Dissolved organic phosphorus could be used by cyanobacteria via alkaline phosphatase,which is produced mainly by bacteria and also cyanobacteria itself.Herein,we review the current knowledge of extracellular phosphatase excreted by cyanobacteria,highlighting the development of detection method and its ecological roles in regulating pho sphorus cycling in freshwater systems,which is based on reports for around 100 species of cyanobacteria.Recommendations are suggested concerning the extracellular phosphatase produced by bloom-forming cyanobacteria in terms of the ecological role,followed by a discussion of the future prospects for the study.

Degree of nutrient consumption as an aging index of upwelling or vertically mixed water in the northern Taiwan Strait

In order to determine the relative aging status of upwelled or vertically mixed water in the northern Taiwan Strait, a recently developed method of calculating the degree of nutrient consumption (DNC) was employed. Upwelling was detected at a water depth of about 75 m in summer. Bottom waters in the aphotic zone and newly-upwelled waters in the euphoric zone were found to be low in terms of their DNC. In general, a low DNC was noted alongside the other traditional upwelling indicators, such as lower temperature and degree of oxygen saturation, but higher salinity, apparent oxygen utilization, nutrient contents and chlorophyll-a. Enhanced vertical mixing, but without an apparent upwelling signal, was detected near the same location in winter.

Use of flue gas desulfurization gypsum to reduce dissolved phosphorus in runoff and leachate from two agricultural soils

Controlling dissolved phosphorus(DP)loss from high P soil to avoid water eutrophication is a worldwide high priority.A greenhouse study was conducted in which flue gas desulfurization gypsum(FGDG)was applied by using different application methods and rates to two agricultural soils.Phosphorus fertilizer was incorporated into the soils at 2.95 g kg^(-1)to simulate soil with high P levels.The FGDG was then applied at amounts of 0,1.5,and 15 g kg^(-1)soil on either the soil surface or mixed throughout the soil samples to simulate no-tillage and tillage,respectively.Ryegrass was planted after treatment application.The study showed that FGDG reduced runoff DP loss by 33%and leachate DP loss 38%in silt loam soil,and runoff DP loss 46%and leachate DP loss 14%in clay loam soil,at the treatment of 15 g kg^(-1)FGDG.Mixing applied method(tillage)provided strong interaction with higher FGDG.To overall effect,the mixing-applied method performed better in controlling DP loss from silt loam soil,while surface-applied(no tillage)showed its advantage in controlling DP loss from clay loam soil.In practice it is necessary to optimize FGDG concentrations,application methods,and DP sources(runoff or leachate)to get maximized benefits of FGDG application.The FGDG application had no negative effects on the soil and ryegrass.

Growth and alkaline phosphatase activity of Chattonella marina and Heterosigma akashiwo in response to phosphorus limitation

The growth and alkaline phosphatase activity（APA） of two raphidophyceae species Chattonella marina and Heterosigma akashiwo were investigated in response to P-limitation and subsequent addition of dissolved inorganic phosphorus（DIP, Na H2PO4） and two dissolved organic phosphorus（DOP） compounds： guanosine 5-monophosphate（GMP） and triethyl phosphate（TEP）. APA levels increased greatly after P-starvation as the decrease of the cellular phosphorus quotes（Qp）. C. marina responded to P-limitation quickly and strongly, with 10-fold increase in APA within 24 hr after P-starvation. The larger difference between maximal and minimal QP values in C. marina indicated its high capacity in P storage. APA of H. akashiwo was maximally enlarged about 2.5 times at 48 hr of P-starvation. After the addition of nutrients, cell numbers of C. marina increased in all treatments including the P-free culture, demonstrating the higher endurance of C. marina to P-limitation. However, those of H. akashiwo increased only in DIP and GMP cultures. APA increased only after the addition of the monophosphate ester GMP. The results suggest that quick responses of C. marina to P-limitation, high capacity in P storage as well as endurance for P-depletion provide this species an ecological advantage in phytoplankton community competition under DIP-limited conditions.

Spatial and temporal variations of two cyanobacteria in the mesotrophic Miyun reservoir, China

Spatial variations in phytoplankton community within a large mesotrophic reservoir （Miyun reservoir, North China） were investigated in relation to variations in physico-chemical properties, nutrient concentrations, temperature and light conditions over a 5 month period in 2009. The dynamics of phytoplankton community was represented by the dominance of cyanobacteria through summer and fall, following with a short term dominance of chlorophyta in late fall, and a relatively high abundance of diatom in October; on the other hand, maximum phytoplankton biomass was recorded in the north shallow region of Miyun reservoir with a higher nutrients level. Particular attention was paid to the impacts of environmental conditions on the growth of two cyanobacteria genera, the toxin-producing Microcystis and the taste ＆ odor-producing Oscillatoria. Microcystis biomass was in general greatly affected by water temperature and mixing depth/local water depth ratio in this reservoir, while the Oscillatoria biomass in the surface and middle layers was greatly affected by total dissolved phosphorus, and that in the bottom layer was related with the Secchi depth/local water depth ratio. Abundant Oscillatoria biomass was observed only in late September when Microcystis biomass decreased and allowed sufficient light go through.

Incubation experiment demonstrates effects of carbon and nitrogen on microbial phosphate-solubilizing function

Dear Editor,Phosphorus（P）ultimately comes from rock weathering in natural ecosystems（Porder et al.,2007）,and thus solubilization of rock phosphate plays a crucial ecological role in P supply for the ecosystems.Especially,microbial solubilization of rock phosphate is a vital process for the replenishment of available P in alpine ecosystems where the weathering degree of soil is low.