Temporal patterns of algae in different urban lakes and their correlations with environmental variables in Xi’an,China

Urban lakes were critical in aquatic ecology environments,but how environmental factors affected the distribution and change characteristics of algal communities in urban lakes of Xi’an city was not clearly.Here,we investigated the algal community structure of six urban lakes in Xi’an and evaluated the effects of water quality parameters on algae.The results indicated that the significant differences on physicochemical parameters existed in different urban lakes.The maximum concentration of total phosphorus in urban lakes was(0.18±0.01)mg/L and there was a phenomenon of phosphorus limitation.In addition,51 genera of algae were identified and Chlorella sp.was the dominant algal species,which was affiliated with Chlorophyta.Network analysis elucidated that each lake had a unique algal community network and the positive correlation was dominant in the interaction between algae species,illustrating that mature microbial communities existed or occupied similar niches.Redundancy analysis illustrated that environmental factors explained 47.35% variance of algal species-water quality correlation collectively,indicating that water quality conditions had a significant influence on the temporal variations of algae.Structural equation model further verified that algal community structure was directly or indirectly regulated by different water quality conditions.Our study shows that temporal patterns of algal communities can reveal the dynamics and interactions of different urban ecosystem types,providing a theoretical basis for assessing eutrophication levels and for water quality management.

Biogeographic distribution patterns of algal community in different urban lakes in China: Insights into the dynamics and co-existence

Urban lake ecosystems are significant for social development,but currently we know little about the geographical distribution of algal community in urban lakes at a large-scale.In this study,we investigated the algal community structure in different areas of urban lakes in China and evaluated the influence of water quality parameters and geographical location on the algal community.The results showed that obvious differences in water quality and algal communities were observed among urban lakes in different geographical areas.Chlorophyta was the dominant phylum,followed by cyanobacteria in all areas.The network analysis indicated that algal community composition in urban lakes of the western and southern area showed more variations than the eastern and northern areas,respectively.Redundancy analysis and structural equation model revealed that nutrients and p H were dominant environmental factors that affected the algal community,and they showed higher influence than that of iron,manganese and COD Mn concentration.Importantly,algal community and density exhibited longitude and latitude relationship.In general,these results provided an ecological insight into large-scale geographical distributions of algal community in urban lakes,thereby having potential applications for management of the lakes.

Effects of seasonal climatic variability on several toxic contaminants in urban lakes: Implications for the impacts of climate change

Climate change is supposed to have influences on water quality and ecosystem. However, only few studies have assessed the effect of climate change on environmental toxic contaminants in urban lakes. In this research, response of several toxic contaminants in twelve urban lakes in Beijing, China, to the seasonal variations in climatic factors was studied. Fluorides, volatile phenols, arsenic, selenium, and other water quality parameters were analyzed monthly from2009 to 2012. Multivariate statistical methods including principle component analysis, cluster analysis, and multiple regression analysis were performed to study the relationship between contaminants and climatic factors including temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and sunshine duration. Fluoride and arsenic concentrations in most urban lakes exhibited a significant positive correlation with temperature/precipitation, which is mainly caused by rainfall induced diffuse pollution. A negative correlation was observed between volatile phenols and temperature/precipitation, and this could be explained by their enhanced volatilization and biodegradation rates caused by higher temperature. Selenium did not show a significant response to climatic factor variations, which was attributed to low selenium contents in the lakes and soils. Moreover, the response degrees of contaminants to climatic variations differ among lakes with different contamination levels. On average, temperature/precipitation contributed to 8%, 15%, and 12% of the variations in volatile phenols, arsenic, and fluorides,respectively. Beijing is undergoing increased temperature and heavy rainfall frequency during the past five decades. This study suggests that water quality related to fluoride and arsenic concentrations of most urban lakes in Beijing is becoming worse under this climate change trend.

Simulation of internal nitrogen release from bottom sediments in an urban lake using a nitrogen flux model

Nutrient release from sediment is considered a significant source for overlying water. Given that nutrient release mechanisms in sediment are complex and difficult to simulate, traditional approaches commonly use assigned parameter values to simulate these processes. In this study, a nitrogen flux model was developed and coupled with the water quality model of an urban lake. After parameter sensitivity analyses and model calibration and validation, this model was used to simulate nitrogen exchange at the sediment–water interface in eight scenarios. The results showed that sediment acted as a buffer in the sediment–water system. It could store or release nitrogen at any time, regulate the distribution of nitrogen between sediment and the water column, and provide algae with nitrogen. The most effective way to reduce nitrogen levels in urban lakes within a short time is to reduce external nitrogen loadings. However, sediment release might continue to contribute to the water column until a new balance is achieved. Therefore, effective measures for reducing sediment nitrogen should be developed as supplementary measures. Furthermore, model parameter sensitivity should be individually examined for different research subjects.

Ecosystem health assessment of urban rivers and lakes-Case study of “the six lakes”in Beijing,China

The assessment of the ecosystem health of urban rivers and lakes is the scientific basis for their management and ecological restoration.This study developed a three-level indicator system for its assessment.The results indicated that:Zhonghai and Nanhai are in the state of transition from unhealthy to critical state and all the other lakes are in unhealthy states.Water environmental quality,structure and function of the aquatic ecosystem,and the structure of waterfront areas were the constraints.Nanhai was ranked as poor and the others were all ranked as very poor.However,the ecological environment of Zhonghai and Nanhai were better than the others,the sums of the degree of membership to the healthy state and critical state were all close to 0.6.and the restorations of these lakes were moderate.The sums of the degree of membership to the healthy state and critical state of the other lakes were under 0.3,as it was difficult to restore these lakes.Some suggestions on scientific management and ecological restoration of the six lakes were proposed:①To control non-point pollution and to improve the water quality of six lakes and the water entering into these lakes;②To improve the hydrological conditions of six lakes;③To rehabilitate the aquatic ecosystem and waterfront areas.

Review of Restoration Technology and Multi-environmental Factors Analysis of West Lake Ecosystem in Hangzhou City

The urban lake ecosystem has the characteristics of long-term,complex and comprehensive in its ecological restoration process because it is related to social and economic activities at multiple levels.Located in Hangzhou City,China,the West Lake is a national-level scenic spot and a world heritage cultural landscape.It provides key ecosystem services for the city and has a significant impact on the urban ecological environment and the well-being of citizens.The West Lake has undergone an 1800-year governance process in history,realizing the harmonious coexistence with Hangzhou City.Since modern times,due to the rapid development of urbanization and industrialization,the water quality of the West Lake and its freshwater ecosystem have been greatly damaged.Since 2002,Hangzhou City has achieved the overall restoration of the West Lake ecosystem through a series of measures,such as water diversion projects,dredging projects,and the West Lake comprehensive protection project,and the water environment and lakeshore landscape have been greatly improved.This study analyzed the restoration technology of the West Lake ecosystem from two scales of the watershed and the site and discussed the water ecological governance system of the West Lake in the past 20 years.Through thedata analyses of the West Lake land use,vegetation,TP,TN,NH_(3)-N,COD_(Mn) and other multi-environmental factors,the results showed that the water quality,transparency and eutrophication of the West Lake had been greatly improved.At the same time,the application of large-scale restoration methods and technologies also required long-term observation,and attention should be paid to the proliferation of alien species and the loss of heritage value,so as to further avoid potential ecological risks caused by ecological restoration.

Effects of Biodegradable Detergents in Morphological Parameters of Liver in Two Neotropical Fish Species(Prochilodus lineatus and Astyanax altiparanae)

Indiscriminate disposal of residues of domestic and/or industrial origin in aquatic ecosystems resulting from urban activities causes concern about their effects on the fauna. Substances absorbed by animals, such as those cited above, are metabolized by the liver, as it is the main target organ of several pollutants and also exercises basic vital functions in the organism. For this reason the liver is used as the main and most reliable biomarker in environmental studies. Thus the objective of the present study was to identify hepatic alterations resulting from exposure to water contaminated by a few commercial brands of biodegradable detergents and their effects when present together with several other contaminants found in nature. For such, a solution of 1 ppm of biodegradable detergents and water from an urban lake were tested on two widely distributed native Brazilian fish (Astyanax altiparanae and Prochilodus lineatus). Several alterations were found on the liver, including cytoplasm vacuolization, nuclear displacement, macrophage recruitment and reduced liver glycogen, showing a degenerative process in the liver of the fish, due to the action of contaminants.

Long-term phosphorus reduction and phytoplankton responses in an urban lake(USA)

Eutrophication is one of the primary factors causing harmful cyanobacteria blooms in freshwater lakes.This study investigated the long-term changes in water quality and summer phytoplankton assemblages in Oswego Lake,OR,USA,in relation to phosphorus reduction through hypolimnetic aeration and alum applications.Both water quality and phytoplankton assemblages were sampled biweekly during the summers from 2001 to 2013.The concentrations of total phosphorus,soluble reactive phosphorus,and total nitrogen decreased 66%,93%and 31%,respectively,in response to the hypolimnetic aeration and alum treatments since 2005.Summer phytoplankton assemblages showed a 62%reduction of cyanobacteria biovolume and a shift from cyanobacteria dominance(2001–2005)to diatom and chlorophyte dominance(2006–2013).Cluster analysis identified four statistically different groups of summer phytoplankton assemblages(denoted Groups 1–4).Nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis indicated that the four groups were associated with different water quality conditions.Group 1 occurred prior to hypolimnetic aeration and was primarily comprised of cyanobacteria,associated with water conditions of high nutrients and high primary production.Group 2,dominated by cyanobacteria and chlorophytes,occurred between hypolimnetic aeration and alum surface application.Group 3 was dominated by diatoms and occurred after alum surface application.Group 4 included R-strategist phytoplankton that quickly respond to environmental changes and occurred in the years following alum injection,drawdown,and inflow alum treatment.Both Group 3 and 4 were associated with reduced nutrients in the lake.We conclude that these lake management practices had strong effects on both production and community compositions of phytoplankton,and advocate for future studies on large-scale climate impacts on lake ecosystems and to identify corresponding best management practices.

Liver histological changes and lipid peroxidation in the amphibian Ambystoma mexicanum induced by sediment elutriates from the Lake Xochimilco

Lacustrine sediments accumulate pollutants that input from the lake watershed and can be released to the water column by sediment resuspension; thus, pollutants can change their bioavailability and exert adverse effects to aquatic biota. Shallow-urban lakes are particularly susceptible to receive pollutants from urban discharges and sediment resuspension. Lake Xochimilco, in Mexico City, an urban-shallow lake, faces multiple problems： urban sprawl, overexploitation of aquifers, drying of springs, discharge of wastewater from treatment plants, and sediment resuspension. The aquatic biota living in this ecosystem is continuously exposed to the release of pollutants from the sediments. We assessed the risk that pollutants released from sediments from Lake Xochimilco, Touristic（TZ） and Agriculture zone（AZ）, can exert on a native amphibian species of the lake（Ambystoma mexicanum） through exposure bioassays to sediment elutriates. We evaluate alterations in the amphibian by three approaches： biochemical（level of lipid peroxidation,LPO）, cellular（ultrastructure） and the liver histology of A. mexicanum and we compare them with a batch control. Additionally, we assessed heavy metals（Pb, Cd and Hg） in elutriates.Elutriates from TZ showed the highest concentrations of the metals assessed. Organisms exposed to sediment elutriates from either study sites showed higher LPO values than control organisms（p 〈 0.05）. Organisms exposed to elutriates from the TZ showed the most conspicuous damages： hepatic vasodilation of sinusoids, capillaries with erythrocytes,leukocyte infiltration and cytoplasmic vacuolation in hepatocytes. The biological responses assessed reflected the risk that faces A. mexicanum when is exposed for prolonged periods to sediment resuspension in Lake Xochimilco.