Sediment Interstitial Water Research Articles

Relationship Between the Vertical Distribution of Nutrients and Bacterial Community Structures in Sediment Interstitial Waters of Stratified Reservoirs with Different Water Temperatures

In order to study the relationship between the vertical distribution of nutrients and bacterial community structures in sediment interstitial waters of stratified reservoirs with different water temperatures, MiSeq high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze and compare the structural characteristics of sediment bacterial communities after reservoirs were built. Additionally, redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to assess the bacterial communities and environmental factors with Cannoco software. The results showed that the temperature difference between the surface and bottom layer of the Xiaowan Reservoir was 3.3℃, and the maximum thermal gradient was 0.2℃·m-1; thus, it was a typical stratified reservoir. The temperature difference between the surface and bottom layer of the Manwan Reservoir was 0.1℃; thus, it was a typical mixed reservoir. The average concentrations of NH4+-N and NO3--N in sediment interstitial waters of the Xiaowan Reservoir were 2.233 mg·L-1 and 0.030 mg·L-1, while those of Manwan were 2.569 mg·L-1 and 0.016 mg·L-1, respectively. In the different reservoirs, the concentrations of NH4+-N showed upward trends, and while variation of NO3--N was not obvious, the content of NO3--N reached a minimum value in the deep layer. In comparisons between reservoirs, only NO3--N showed a significant difference, in which Xiaowan had obviously higher concentrations than Manwan. The bacterial community structures in the Xiaowan and Manwan reservoir sediments had the same dominant bacteria at the phylum, class, and genus levels. The differences of water temperature stratification had no significant effect on nutrients and microorganisms in the sediments. Under the influence of other factors, the denitrifying bacteria in the Manwan Reservoir sediments were more abundant than those in the Xiaowan Reservoir, and the nitrifying bacteria and anammox bacteria in the Xiaowan Reservoir sediments were more abundant than those in the Manwan Reservoir. In the same reservoir, the denitrifying bacteria in the bottom of the sediments were more abundant, and the organic degradation bacteria, nitrifying bacteria, anammox bacteria, and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria were less abundant in this zone. These trends contributed to the differences of nutrients vertically in the different reservoirs.

DETERMINACIÓN DE LA DISTRIBUCIÓN DE CONTAMINANTES EMERGENTES EN AGUA INTERSTICIAL EN SEDIMENTOS DE HUMEDAL MEDIANTE LA OPTIMIZACIÓN Y VALIDACIÓN DE UN MÉTODO ANALÍTICO

The present work shows the methodology (study of a method) for the analysis of four emerging pollutants. Each studied pollutant represents a family from emerging pollutants (an estrogenic compound, an antibacterial, a pharmaceutical and a fragrance). The method was optimized to be used in a complex environmental matrix such as sediment interstitial water of a wetland with high organic matter content. The extraction of the compounds was carried out by solid phase extraction technique and quantified by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry in single ion monitoring mode. The method was validated using the “Single Laboratory Method Validation Process” through the determination of the performance parameters of the method. The optimized method was applied to the analysis of sediment interstitial water from the canals of the periurban agricultural zone of Xochimilco, Mexico. This preliminary study showed that the sampling point close to the wastewater discharge area from the secondary treatment wastewater plant had the highest concentration of emerging pollutants. Also, an inversely proportional relationship was observed between the concentrations of ibuprofen and musk with the concentration of organic matter in the sediments. The optimization of the method and the ratification with sediment interstitial water samples from the wetland, showed the worthiness of the method for the evaluation of the presence and distribution of emerging pollutants.

Spectral Evolution Characteristics of DOM in Sediment Interstitial Water During the Formation Stage of Thermal Stratification in the Main Reservoir Area of the Zhoucun Reservoir

Based on three-dimensional fluorescence spectra (EEMs) combined with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectra, we analyzed the vertical distribution and characteristics of dissolved organic matter in sediment interstitial water during the formation stage of thermal stratification in the Zhoucun Reservoir. The results show that the UV-Vis absorption coefficient varies between -400% and 400%, indicating the different properties of DOM(dissolved organic matter) at different depths. The changes of E2/E3 show that the proportion of fulvic acid in DOM increases with the stratification of the reservoir and fulvic acid accounts for the main proportion with autochthonous characteristics based on E3/E4>3.5 and SR>1. Two fulvic-like substances (C1, C3), two protein-like substance (C2, C5), and two humic-like substances (C4, C6) were identified with the PARAFAC model. Moreover, fulvic-like and protein-like substances account for most of substances. The total DOM fluorescence intensity and the fluorescence intensity of each component show a decreasing trend with the occurrence of stratification and exhibit significant vertical and temporal differences. Based on the analysis of FI, HIX, BIX, and β:α in sediment interstitial water, the high BIX, FI, β:α and low HIX indicate that the DOM of sediment interstitial water has strong autochthonous components and original characteristics of aquatic bacteria.

Nutrient Exchange between Sediments and Overlying Waters in the Modaomen Estuary (China) over a Complete Semidiurnal Tide Cycle: Implications of Saltwater Intrusion

ABSTRACT Long, A.; Xie, Q.; Yu, X.; Xiao, H., and Zhou, W., 2018. Nutrient exchange between sediments and overlying waters in the Modaomen estuary (China) over a complete semidiurnal tide cycle: Implications of saltwater intrusion. Spatial and temporal variations of inorganic nutrients (, , , , and ) and some relevant environmental parameters, including temperature, salinity, pH, Eh, dissolved oxygen (DO), in surface sediments and overlying waters were investigated during the cruise held on 16 to 19 April 2016 over a complete tidal cycle (a spring and neap tide together) in the Modaomen estuary, Pearl River, China. It was found that the dominant component of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN, expressed as sum of , , and ) was in sediment interstitial waters and in overlying waters. Overlying waters contained higher concentration of and lower concentrations of and than interstitial waters. The exchange flux of inorganic nutrients between sediments and overlying waters was calculated using the Fick diffusio...

Characteristics of Nitrogen Release at the Sediment-Water Interface in the Typical Tributaries of the Three Gorges Reservoir During the Sensitive Period in Spring

Overlying water and sediment interstitial water samples were acquired to study the nitrogen release between sediments and water interfaces in Xiangxi Bay in April 2016 during the Sensitive Period in spring. The spatial distribution of different forms of nitrogen in the sediment was analyzed, the diffusion fluxes of different forms of nitrogen in the sediments and water systems were also measured, and a correlation analysis with environmental factors was conducted. The results show that overlying water and sediment interstitial water ρ(TN) ranges from 1.10 to 6.90 mg·L-1 and 6.19 to 32.57 mg·L-1 respectively; indicating the nitrogen concentrations in the overlying and interstitial water of sediments have a certain variation along the process and vertically. The interstitial water nitrogen concentrations in the upstream area are higher than those in the downstream area. The interstitial water ρ(NH4+-N) in the sediment is significantly larger than that in the overlying water, but the interstitial water ρ(NO3--N) in the sediment is slightly smaller than that in the overlying water. Xiangxi Bay sediment acts as a source of NH4+-N; however, for NO3--N it is a sink. The diffusive fluxes of NH4+-N range from 2.70 to 4.72 mg·(m2·d)-1; and the diffusive fluxes of NO3--N range from -1.61 to -0.62 mg·(m2·d)-1. Nitrogen is mainly present in the form of ammonium nitrogen in the sediment of Xiangxi Bay. The ρ(NH4+-N) in the sediment ranges from 69.97-1185.97 mg·kg-1, ρ(NO3--N) ranges from 2.78-38.17 mg·kg-1, and the ρ(NH4+-N) in sediments in the surface at 0-8 cm changes with the same trend.

The putative functions of lysogeny in mediating the survivorship of Escherichia coli in seawater and marine sediment.

Escherichia coli colonizes various body parts of animal hosts as a commensal and a pathogen. It can also persist in the external environment in the absence of fecal pollution. It remains unclear how this species has evolved to adapt to such contrasting habitats. Lysogeny plays pivotal roles in the diversification of the phenotypic and ecologic characters of E. coli as a symbiont. We hypothesized that lysogeny could also confer fitness to survival in the external environment. To test this hypothesis, we used the induced phages of an E. coli strain originating from marine sediment to infect a fecal E. coli strain to obtain an isogenic lysogen of the latter. The three strains were tested for survivorship in microcosms of seawater, marine sediment and sediment interstitial water as well as swimming motility, glycogen accumulation, biofilm formation, substrate utilization and stress resistance. The results indicate that lysogenic infection led to tractable changes in many of the ecophysiological attributes tested. Particularly, the lysogen had better survivorship in the microcosms and had a substrate utilization profile resembling the sediment strain more than the wild type fecal strain. Our findings provide new insights into the understanding of how E. coli survives in the natural environment.

Cross Validation of Two Partitioning-Based Sampling Approaches in Mesocosms Containing PCB Contaminated Field Sediment, Biota, and Activated Carbon Amendment.

The Gold Standard for determining freely dissolved concentrations (Cfree) of hydrophobic organic compounds in sediment interstitial water would be in situ deployment combined with equilibrium sampling, which is generally difficult to achieve. In the present study, ex situ equilibrium sampling with multiple thicknesses of silicone and in situ pre-equilibrium sampling with low density polyethylene (LDPE) loaded with performance reference compounds were applied independently to measure polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in mesocosms with (1) New Bedford Harbor sediment (MA, U.S.A.), (2) sediment and biota, and (3) activated carbon amended sediment and biota. The aim was to cross validate the two different sampling approaches. Around 100 PCB congeners were quantified in the two sampling polymers, and the results confirmed the good precision of both methods and were in overall good agreement with recently published LDPE to silicone partition ratios. Further, the methods yielded Cfree in good agreement for all three experiments. The average ratio between Cfree determined by the two methods was factor 1.4 ± 0.3 (range: 0.6-2.0), and the results thus cross-validated the two sampling approaches. For future investigations, specific aims and requirements in terms of application, data treatment, and data quality requirements should dictate the selection of the most appropriate partitioning-based sampling approach.

Sediment toxicity identification evaluation (TIE phases I and II) based on microscale bioassays for diagnosing causes of toxicity in coastal areas affected by domestic sewage.

Domestic sewage is a major problem in highly urbanized coastal areas worldwide. In the present study, toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) phases I and II were applied to sediment interstitial water from 2 locations along the São Paulo coast in southeastern Brazil: the sewage outfalls from the city of Santos, a densely urbanized area, and the city of Bertioga, a less urbanized area. An adapted microscale sea urchin embryo-larval development bioassay was employed. Phase TIE-I manipulations were 1) ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) addition, 2) aeration at modified pH, 3) C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE), and 4) addition of Na2 S2 O3 . The results of the Santos TIE-I indicated toxicity by sulfides and substances with affinity to C18 resin. In Bertioga, toxicity was the result of NH3 , metals, and arsenic, as well as substances with affinity to C18 resin. Phase TIE-II aimed to specify the causes of toxicity by testing the toxicity of eluates of the sublation and C18 SPE manipulation. The results reinforced the role of both surfactants and nonpolar compounds as causative agents of toxicity in both Santos and Bertioga. Chemical analyses of sediment interstitial water or whole sediment ruled out the influence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the toxicity of both sampling sites. Other hydrophobic substances may play a role in the toxicity of Santos and Bertioga effluents. Efforts to remove such substances from sanitary effluents must be prioritized. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1820-1832. © 2017 SETAC.

Effect of Different Adding Means of Ignited Water Purification Sludge on Phosphorus Adsorption and Forms

The adsorption of external phosphorus (P) and the distribution of dissolved inorganic P (DIP) in the sediment interstitial water and sedimentary P forms were researched under the ignited water purification sludge (IWPS) addition (mixing and capping). The results showed that the adsorption ability of the IWPS increased obviously, compared with the water purification sludge (WPS). It indicated that the Smax increased by 43.7%, the EPC0 decreased by 69.1% and the DPS decreased by 54.4%. The contribution of P disappearance in the overlying water had almost no difference between the mixing and capping with IWPS, but it was obviously higher than the control in both cases. Under the mixing condition, the adsorption of external P by unit IWPS was 2.3 times of that under the capping condition, if the contacting probability between the IWPS and the overlying water was considered. Under the capping condition, the DIP in the sediment interstitial water (1-2 cm) was 33.17 times (average) of that under the mixing condition. It was attributed to the decrease of the dissolved oxygen penetration due to capping. Under the mixing condition, the external P tended to form Ca-P, while the percentages of NH4Cl-P and Fe/Al-P to Tot-P were bigger under the capping condition. It was suggested that the improvement of the sedimentary microenvironment by mixing with the IWPS was favorable for the adsorption of the external P and the immobilization of the internal P.

Records from Marsh Foraminifera and Grapevine Growing Season Temperatures Reveal the Hydro-climatic Evolution of the Minho Region (nw Portugal) from 1856–2009

Abstract A hydro-climatic reconstruction is proposed for the Minho region (NW Portugal), integrating two different proxies: grape harvest dates (GHD) as a proxy of temperature variations, and benthic marsh foraminifera as a proxy of salinity of sediment interstitial waters. The reconstructed and measured mean maximum temperatures (GSTmax) of grapevine-growing season (March to August) were combined with data on benthic foraminiferal assemblages from the Caminha tidal marsh (Minho River estuary) to characterize the main hydro-climatic episodes in the region during the last 154 years. Results emphasize that, in the brackish setting of the Minho estuary, where foraminiferal species usually associated with low salinity occur, higher GSTmax had an impact on the hydrological balance of the marsh by enhancing evapotranspiration and increasing interstitial salinity. These conditions favored the occurrence of marsh species such as Jadammina macrescens and Trochammina inflata. The influence of the North Atlantic European meteorological teleconnection patterns on recent climatic variability of the Minho region was also examined from 1950–2009. Data support the hypothesis that persistent positive modes of spring-summer Scandinavian Oscillation Mode (SCA) and summer Eastern Atlantic/ Western Russia Oscillation Mode (EA/ WR) patterns triggered lower GSTmax, especially in the 1960s–1980s. Those conditions, in-phase with a positive precipitation anomaly (1958–1983), reduced the Caminha tidal marsh salinity, leading to the increase of low salinity species: Trochamminita salsa/irregularis, Haplophragmoides manilaensis, Miliammina fusca and Miliammina spp. Both proxies provide valuable tools for understanding the interactions between large-scale circulation modes and hydro-climatic conditions at regional and local scales.

Sources and conservative mixing of uranium in the Taiwan Strait

Seawater samples are collected in the spring of 2013 from the Taiwan Strait for the analysis of uranium (U) concentrations and isotopic compositions using MC-ICP-MS, and the geochemical behavior patterns of U in the Taiwan Strait are then investigated. Average concentrations of individual U isotopes are (3.23±0.14) μg/kg for 238U, (2.34±0.09)×10–2 μg/kg for 235U and (2.05±0.07)×10–4 μg/kg for 234U. Correspondingly, the U isotopic compositions are 155±18 for δ234U and 138±2 for 238U:235U. The U concentrations and isotopic ratios in the Taiwan Strait are similar to those of open ocean seawater, suggesting the dominance of the open ocean input to the strait’s U pool. However, river input, as suggested by the slightly lower salinity than that of the open ocean, also affected the U concentrations and isotopic compositions in the strait. From a compilation of U concentrations in the Taiwan Strait and adjacent areas, including the Jiulong Estuary and Zhujiang Estuary, the Xiamen Bay and the northern South China Sea, a strong and significant relationship between U concentration and salinity [U:S; U=(0.093 4±0.002 4)S+(0.092 0±0.061 5)] is revealed, suggesting conservative mixing of U in the Taiwan Strait. To better understand the U geochemistry in the Taiwan Strait, a multiple endmembers mixing model is applied to estimate the contributions of potential sources. The open ocean seawater contributed 69%–95% of U in the Taiwan Strait, with river water approximately 2%, and dust deposition only around 0.13%. Therefore, the model results supported the open ocean input source and the conservative mixing behavior of U derived from the observation of U concentrations and isotopic ratios and U:S ratios. The sediment interstitial water may be an important source of U to the Taiwan Strait with a possible contribution of 3%–29%, consistent with previous investigations based on radium isotopes. However, further investigations are warranted to examine the U concentration in the sediment interstitial water and its input to the overlying seawater in the Taiwan Strait.

The robustness of single-point Tenax extractions of pyrethroids: Effects of the Tenax to organic carbon mass ratio on exposure estimates

Use of Tenax extractable concentrations to estimate biological exposure to hydrophobic organic contaminants is well documented, yet method variation exists between studies, specifically in the ratio of Tenax mass to organic carbon mass in the sediment (Tenax:OC ratio) being extracted. The effects of this variation on exposure estimates are not well understood. As Tenax is theoretically in direct competition with organic carbon for freely dissolved chemical in sediment interstitial water, varying the Tenax:OC ratio could impact single-point Tenax extraction (SPTE) exposure estimates. Therefore, the effects of varying Tenax:OC ratios on SPTE pyrethroid concentrations from field-contaminated and laboratory-spiked sediments were compared to bioaccumulation by Lumbriculus variegatus. The Tenax:OC ratio had minimal effect on SPTE pyrethroid concentrations. The SPTE pyrethroid concentrations obtained using the highest and lowest Tenax:OC ratios ranged from 0.85- to 3.91-fold different, which is unlikely to contribute substantial error to bioaccessibility estimates. Comparisons to Tenax exposure endpoints from previous research reveal the variation in these endpoints is likely due to toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic differences; processes common to exposure estimates provided by any chemical extraction technique. As the pyrethroid concentrations in the experimental sediments caused toxicity to L. variegatus, thus affecting bioaccumulation, the SPTE concentrations overestimated bioaccumulation. However, SPTE concentrations strongly correlated with growth inhibition regardless of the Tenax:OC ratio, providing accurate estimates of the correct exposure endpoint. Tenax masses of 0.500–0.800 g should provide sufficient Tenax to achieve Tenax:OC ratios of at least 5:1, which will provide accurate exposure estimates while retaining the ease of conducting SPTEs.

Concentration of Phosphorus in Sediments Interstitial Water as Affected by Distribution of Aquatic Plants in Dianchi Lake

In order to reveal the effect of aquatic plants distribution on the mass concentration of phosphorus in sediment interstitial water, the mass concentrations of Dissolved Total Phosphorus (DTP), Soluble Reactive Phosphorus (SRP) and Dissolved Organic Phosphorus (DOP) in the sediment interstitial water and overlying water from areas with or without plants in the same site of Dianchi were studied. The vertical variation characteristics of phosphorus forms in sediment interstitial water were analyzed to explore the effect of aquatic plants on the phosphorus forms in sediment interstitial water. The results showed: ①Aquatic plants had an significant effect on the phosphorus mass concentration of the sediment interstitial water in different Dianchi lakes. However, they varied with different distribution sites and depth. ②Aquatic plants significantly decreased the percentage of DOP contribution in the sediment interstitial water. The average contribution of DOP with aquatic plants was 32.87%, while that without plants reached 57.68%; ③Aquatic plants significantly inhibited the release of inorganic phosphorus in sediments and promoted the transformation of DOP. The SRP diffusion flux at sediment-water interface with aquatic plants was increased by 39.99% as compared with that without plants; ④The growth of aquatic plants significantly reduced the concentration of phosphorus in sediment interstitial water, especially DOP, and the reduction rate of the sediment interstitial water DOP was from 38.02% to 85.49%. Therefore, the analysis of the contribution and reduction rate of aquatic plants on the sediment interstitial water DOP was of great importance in understanding the relationship between aquatic plants and DOP, as well as the mineralization of organic phosphorus in sediments.

Fluid flow and water–rock interaction across the active Nankai Trough subduction zone forearc revealed by boron isotope geochemistry

Compositional changes, dehydration reactions and fluid flow in subducted sediments influence seismogenesis and arc magmatism in subduction zones. To identify fluid flow and water–rock interaction processes in the western Nankai Trough subduction zone (SW Japan) we analyzed boron concentration and boron isotope composition (δ11B) of pore fluids sampled across the subduction zone forearc from depths of up to ∼922m below seafloor during four Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expeditions. The major structural regimes that were sampled by coring include: (1) sedimentary inputs, (2) the frontal thrust zone, (3) the megasplay fault zone, and (4) the forearc basin. From mass balance consideration we find that consumption of boron (B) by ash alteration and desorption of B from the solid phase, mediated by organic matter degradation, produces a net decrease in B concentrations with depth down to ∼120μM and variable δ11B values in the range of ∼+20‰ and +49‰. Interstitial water in sediments on the incoming oceanic plate are influenced by more efficient mobilization of exchangeable B from the solid phase due to higher temperatures and alteration of the oceanic crust that acts as a sink for 10B. At the tip of the megasplay fault zone, elevated B concentration and B isotopic composition suggest that underthrust coarse-grained slope sediments provide a pathway for fluids out of the upper (<2km) accretionary prism. Silt and sand layers in the underthrust section of the downgoing plate favor fluid escape in seaward direction from depths equivalent to the temperature range of 60–150°C. At both locations the δ11B signature evolves during updip migration through re-adsorption. Mass balance considerations suggest a shallower fluid source depth compared to pore fluids sampled previously near the décollement zone along the central portion of the Nankai margin.

Salinity and water temperature assessment of the tidal marshes from the W Portuguese coast, as an ecological tool to palaeoenvironmental reconstructions based on Foraminifera and Ostracoda assemblages

A seasonal study of temperature and salinity of estuarine and sediment interstitial water of tidal marshes was undertaken along three estuaries of W Portuguese coast (Minho, Tejo and Mira).The climatic N-S transition from wet Atlantic to Mediterranean features appear clearly imprinted in the distribution of tidal marsh assemblages, like foraminifera and ostracoda, mainly reflecting the water salinity gradient control.The Minho low estuary tidal marsh tends to be flooded by estuarine water ranging from 0.5‰ to 32‰ in each tide cycle, even during dry seasons. However, the marsh hydrological balance sustains a more stable environment where the salinity of interstitial water measurements yielded 8‰ to 16‰. In contrast the Tejo and Mira salt marsh flooding waters record a narrow range between 33‰ and 36‰, in spring, and between 29‰ and 36‰ in autumn. The climatic control of evaporation/ precipitation balance produces an enhanced salinity of marsh interstitial water, that can reach hypersaline conditions, with maximum records of 53‰ in Tejo and 48‰ in Mira lower estuaries.These environmental differences along the W Portuguese coast are recorded by the tidal marsh assemblages, namely foraminifera and ostracoda. In the low salinity Caminha salt marsh, living foraminifera are essentially composed by the agglutinated species Haplophragmoides manilaensis, Miliammina fusca, Pseudothurammina limnetis Psammosphaera sp. and Trochamminita salsa. The modern ostracoda assemblage includes Leptochytere baltica, Leptochytere psammophila, Leptocythere sp. A and Tuberoloxoconcha sp.1. In the Tejo and Mira salt marsh Ammonia beccarii, Ammonia tepida, Haynesina germanica, Jadammina macrescens, Trochammina inflata, are the dominant foraminifera and Loxoconcha malcomsoni, Terrestricythere cf. elisabethae, Tuberoloxoconcha cf. atlantica and Xestoleberis labiata prevail as well as many other more marine ostracoda species, such as Basslerites teres and Leptocythere fabaeformis.This study highlights that the knowledge of driven ecological parameters of modern assemblages (usually preserved in fossil record), is fundamental to support reliable paleoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.

Pore Water Collection, Analysis and Evolution: The Need for Standardization.

Investigating the ecological impacts of contaminants released into the environment requires integration of multiple lines of evidence. Collection and analysis of interstitial water is an often-used line of evidence for developing benthic exposure estimates in aquatic ecosystems. It is a well-established principle that chemical and toxicity data on interstitial water samples should represent in-situ conditions; i.e., sample integrity must be maintained throughout the sample collection process to avoid alteration of the in-situ geochemical conditions. Unfortunately, collection and processing of pore water is not standardized to address possible geochemical transformations introduced by atmospheric exposure. Furthermore, there are no suitable benchmarks (ecological or human health) against which to evaluate adverse effects from chemicals in pore water; i.e., empirical data is lacking on the toxicity of inorganic contaminants in sediment interstitial water. It is clear that pore water data is best evaluated by considering the bioavailability of trace elements and the partitioning of contaminants between the aqueous and solid phases. It is also evident that there is a need for sediment researchers and regulatory agencies to collaborate in developing a standardized approach for sediment/pore water collection and data evaluation. Without such guidelines, the number of different pore water collection and extraction techniques will continue to expand, and investigators will continue to evaluate potentially questionable data by comparison to inappropriate criteria.

GRADIENTES DE FIJACION DE NITROGENO ÉN LOS SEDIMENTOS MARINOS ASOCIADOS A ARRECIFES CORALINOS EN EL SUROESTE DE PUERTO RICO

Marine sediment samples and interstitial water from five stations at the southwest of PuertoRico with different characteristics in composition, were submitted to acetylene reduction technique for nitrogen fixation quantification and ammonium analysis respectively. All stations showed positive results. Glucose addition to the samples increased nitrogen fixation in a proportion of 50 to 200. Organic matter per cent correlated to both: nitrogen fixation and ammonium concentration, indicated a direct proporcionality. In addition nitrogen fixation correlated to the ammonium concentration per station, showed that nitrogen fixation could be limited by the ammonium ion presence in those benthic systems.

Effects of the introduction of pre-treated wastewater in a shallow lake reed stand

AbstractReed stands may be employed in the amelioration of water quality or even in the treatment of wastewater. In this study, the nutrient concentrations of (i) the above- and below-ground Common Reed (Phragmites australis) biomass, and (ii) surface and interstitial water were analyzed in a natural stand used in wastewater treatment. The reed stand was located in Hungarian part of Lake Fertő/Neusiedler See, by the shore near Fertőrákos Bay. The nitrate, phosphate and dissolved organic nitrogen concentrations of surface water were found to be higher on the inlet side of the reed stand compared to the outlet. The N and P concentrations in the above-ground biomass and P concentrations in the below-ground biomass increased after the introduction of pre-treated wastewater. The inter-annual differences in the characteristics of sediment interstitial water and in the nutrient content of reed tissues were assessed using statistical methods. The samples taken before and after the introduction of the pre-treated wastewater in the parcel formed different clusters. The results of the study provide further evidence that the nutrient retention capacity of natural stands ofP. australismay be employed in the treatment of wastewater while protecting and preserving the valuable natural assets of the lake.

Navigating the tmdl process: sediment toxicity

A key step in the development of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) allocations for water bodies impaired due to sediment toxicity is the identification of chemicals responsible for toxicity. Sediment toxicity identification evaluation procedures (TIEs) are one of the primary tools used in this process. This project evaluated standardized and recently developed sediment TIE methods developed by the US EPA and others, to determine their utility for identifying chemicals responsible for toxicity. In this study, formulated sediments were spiked with five chemicals: copper, fluoranthene, tetrachlorobenzene, nonylphenol and ammonia. Experiments were conducted using sediments spiked with single chemicals and chemical mixtures. Toxicity tests used the estuarine amphipod Eohaustorius estuarius and the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca. TIEs were conducted using solid-phase (whole sediment) and sediment interstitial waters. Our results indicate that the TIE methods are sufficient to characterize and identify toxicity due to single and multiple chemicals using spiked sediments. One key finding from the spiked sediment experiments is that methods to elute chemicals from extraction media used in solid-phase and interstitial water TIEs require further refinement to ensure complete and consistent elution of sorbed chemicals. An additional finding is that both solid-phase and interstitial water TIE procedures provide useful lines of evidence and that both approaches should be used in a weight-of-evidence approach in the sediment TIE process. In the final phase of this project, we evaluated the TIE procedures using ambient samples collected from three marine sites and three freshwater sites. Marine sediments were collected from Switzer Creek in San Diego Bay, Upper Newport Bay in Newport Beach, and Consolidated Slip, in Long Beach Harbor, all of which are sites in southern California. Freshwater sediments were collected from two additional sites in California: San Diego Creek, in Newport Beach, and Alisal Slough, in Salinas. The final freshwater sediment was collected from a site in Indiana Harbor. Multiple solid-phase and interstitial water TIEs were conducted on each sediment and results of these were combined with chemical analyses and other lines-of-evidence to evaluate the methods. The results indicate that sediment TIE methods are sufficiently developed to characterize toxicity due to general classes of chemicals such as cationic metals, organic chemicals, and ammonia. Methods to improve extraction and elution of metal and organic chemicals in highly toxic sediments require further refinement in order to allow identification of specific chemicals responsible for toxicity as part of the Phase II TIE process. These refinements include determining the appropriate masses of solid-phase extraction media to allow complete removal of toxic chemicals from sediments and interstitial waters. In addition, we recommend that additional studies be designed to determine optimal equilibration periods to maximize removal of toxic chemicals using resin amendments in solid-phase sediment TIEs. As in the spiked-sediment TIEs, we observed inconsistent elution of toxic chemicals from extraction media used in solid-phase and interstitial water Phase II TIEs with the ambient samples. These procedures require additional work to ensure that chemicals responsible for toxicity are completely eluted from extraction media. Improvement of the Phase II TIE elution and solvent handling steps should facilitate better identification of chemicals responsible for toxicity, particularly in situations where toxicity is due to highly insoluble chemicals. When these considerations are satisfactorily addressed, the methods evaluated are capable of providing useful lines of evidence that can be combined to successfully identify sediment toxicants. This title belongs to WERF Research Report Series ISBN: 9781843397663 (Print) ISBN: 9781780403786 (eBook)

Using 224Ra/228Th disequilibrium to quantify benthic fluxes of dissolved inorganic carbon and nutrients into the Pearl River Estuary

The 224Ra/228Th disequilibrium that was recently observed in coastal sediments has been proven to be an excellent proxy for tracing the benthic processes that regulate solute transfer across the sediment–water interface. In order to better utilize this proxy, there is a need to understand the reaction kinetics of 224Ra in sediments. In this study, depth profiles of 224Ra and 228Th in bulk sediments were collected along a transect in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE). Together with bulk sediment measurements, dissolved 224Ra, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and nutrients (NO2−+NO3−, NH4+) in pore water and in the overlying waters were also determined. A marked deficit of 224Ra with respect to 228Th with large spatial variations was observed in the PRE sediments. By use of a diagenetic model for the distributions of dissolved and adsorbed 224Ra in sediments, we infer that adsorption removes 224Ra from aqueous phase at a rate of 0.1±1.1–2000±400d−1. In addition, adsorption of 224Ra exhibits a rate sequence of oxic freshwater>anoxic freshwater>anoxic brackish water, probably reflecting the effect of the redox conditions and ionic strength on the adsorption–desorption kinetics of 224Ra.Benthic fluxes of 224Ra were estimated from the observed deficit of 224Ra in the sediments using a one-dimensional (1D) mass balance exchange model. We demonstrated that irrigation was the predominant process that controls solute transfer across the sediment–water interface, whereas molecular diffusion and sediment mixing together contributed <5% of the total 224Ra fluxes from bottom sediments. We then utilized the 224Ra/228Th disequilibrium approach to quantify the benthic fluxes of DIC and nutrients. We showed that sediment interstitial waters delivered approximately 42±6×109mol of DIC and ∼16±1×109mol of NH4+ into the PRE in the dry season. In contrast, it removed about 13±1×109mol of NO3− from the overlying water column. The benthic flux of DIC is equivalent to ∼18% of the riverine input in this season. In terms of nutrients, our results suggest that bottom sediments are a major sink of water column NO3−, and are a predominant source of NH4+ in the PRE. Overall, this study indicates that irrigation is an important process and must be considered in the mass balance of DIC and nutrients in estuaries.