Biological Activity in a Heavily Organohalogen-Contaminated River Sediment (8 pp)

Background, Aims and Scope Sediments of the Spittelwasser creek are highly polluted with organic compounds and heavy metals due to the discharge of untreated waste waters from the industrial region of Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany over the course of more than one century. However, relatively few data have been published about the chloroorganic contamination of the sediment. This paper reports on the content of different (chloro)organic compounds with special emphasis on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F), and chlorobenzenes. Existing concepts for the remediation of Spittelwasser sediment include the investigation of natural attenuation processes, which largely depend on the presence of an intact microbial food web. In order to gain more insight in terms of biological activity, we analyzed the capacity of sediment microflora to degrade organic matter by measuring the activities of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes involved in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. Furthermore, the detection of physiologically active bacteria in the sediment, particularly of those known for their capability to reductively dehalogenate organochlorine compounds, illustrates the potential for intrinsic bioremediation processes. Methods PCDD/F and chlorobenzenes were analyzed by gas chromatography(GC)/mass spectrometry and GC/flame ionization detection, respectively. The activities of hydrolytic enzymes were determined from freshly sampled sediment layers using 4-methylumbelliferyl (MUF) or 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin-conjugated model compounds and kinetic fluorescence measurements. Physiologically active bacteria from different sediment layers were microscopically visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Specific bacteria were identified by 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. Results and Discussion The PCDD/F congener profile was dominated by dibenzofurans. In addition, the presence of specific tetra and pentachlorinated dibenzofurans supported the assumption that extensive magnesium production was one possible source for the high contamination. A range of other chloroorganic compounds, including several isomers of chlorobenzenes, hexachlorocyclohexane and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chloro-phenyl)ethane (DDT), was present in the sediment. Activities of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes showed a strong decrease in those sediment layers that were characterized by high contents of absorbable organic halogen (AOX), indicating disturbed organic matter decay. Interestingly, an abnormal increase of cellulolytic enzyme activities below the organochlorine-rich layers was observed, possibly caused by residual cellulose from discharges of sulfite pulping wastes. FISH revealed physiologically active bacteria in most sediment layers from the surface down to the depth of about 60 cm, including members of Desulfitobacterium (D.) and Sulfurospirillum. The presence of D. dehalogenans was confirmed by its partial 16S rRNA gene sequence. Conclusions Results of chemical sediment analyses demonstrated high loads of organochlorine compounds, particularly of PCDD/F. Several years after stopping the waste water discharge to Spittelwasser creek, this sediment remains a main source for pollution of the downstream river system by way of the ongoing mobilization of sediment during high floods. As indicated by our enzyme activity measurements, the decomposition potential for organic matter is low in organochlorine-rich sediment layers. In contrast, the comparably higher enzyme activities in less organochlorine-polluted sediment layers as well as the presence of physiologically active bacteria suggest a considerable potential for natural attenuation. Recommendations and Perspectives From our data we strongly recommend to explore the degradative capacity of sediment microorganisms and the limits for in situ activity towards specific sediment pollutants in more detail. This will give a sound basis for the integration of bioremediation approaches into general concepts to reduce the risk that permanently radiates from this highly contaminated sediment. Submission Editor: Dr. Henner Hollert (Henner.Hollert@urz.uniheidelberg.de)     

Influence of new town development on the urban heat island - The case of the Bundang area

Five new towns have been developed around the Seoul metropolitan area since 1996. However, these new towns generate lots of traffic and related problems in the areas including those new towns and Seoul as a result of increases in population and a lack of ecological-self-sufficiency. Currently, construction of another new town is under deliberation, and what should be a major consider is the notion that the new town be located within a wide, green zone. Many studies have revealed that green space can play an important role in improving urban eco-meteorological capability and air quality. In order to analyze the urban heat island which will be created by the new urban development, and to investigate the local thermal environment and its negative effects caused by a change of land use type and urbanization, Landsat TM images were used for extraction of urban surface temperature according to changes of land use over the last 15 years. These data are analyzed together with digital land use and topographic information. As a study result, it was found the urban heat island of the study area from 198.5 to 1999 rapidly developed which showed a difference of mean temperature above 2.0. Before the Bundang new town construction the temperature of the residential area was the same as a forest, but during the new town construction in 1991 analysis revealed the creation of an urban heat island. The temperature of a forest whose size is over 50% of the investigation area was lowest, and thus the presence of a forest is believed to have a direct cooling effect on the urban environment and its surroundings. The mean temperature of the residential and commercial areas in the study was found to be 4.5 higher than the forest, and therefore this part of land use is believed to be the main factor causing the temperature increase of the urban heat island.     

玛纳斯河流域生态问题的潜在风险性评估

玛纳斯河流域是中国干旱区最具代表性的山地-绿洲-荒漠生态系统,三大生态系统表现出的区域生态、经济要素的空间状况有所分异,所存在的生态安全问题的表现形式也各不相同。根据流域土地利用和水资源数据库,在生态经济功能分区的基础上,针对流域不同分区存在的生态安全问题,选取相应的17个生态风险评估指标,建立了生态-经济风险性评价模型,对流域各个生态经济功能亚区的生态问题潜在的风险性进行了生态风险评估。结果表明:Ⅰ1,Ⅱ1,Ⅱ2,Ⅱ3,Ⅲ1,Ⅲ2和Ⅲ3亚区的生态问题潜在的风险性在增大,说明生态问题日益突出,而Ⅰ1和Ⅱ4亚区生态问题潜在的风险性指数存在波动;Ⅰ,Ⅱ和Ⅲ三个大区中生态问题潜在的风险性指数最高的分别是Ⅰ1,Ⅱ1和Ⅲ1亚区。评价结果能够较为客观地反映了当地的实际情况,因而对流域可能出现的灾害性的环境问题及由此引起的巨大的经济损失提出了警示。     

改善太仓城区水环境原型调水实验研究及模型建立

为达到改善太仓城区水环境的目的,于2004年4月21日进行了调水实验.调水历时14 h,期间向城区调水21.8万m3.通过对监测点采样,得到水量、水质实测数据.根据实验数据,建立了符合太仓河网的水量水质数学模型,分析了从长江引水对太仓城区水环境的改善程度.同时对不同引水方案情况下城区水环境改善效果,以及截污和清淤对水环境的影响做了分析.研究表明,引水只能短期改善水环境;要根治水环境,必须从源头抓起,进行截污.     

河湖水系连通的理论探讨

在全球气候变化和水资源形势日趋严峻的背景下,为了从根本上提高水资源统筹配置能力、改善河湖健康状况和增强抵御水旱灾害能力,河湖水系连通作为国家新时期的一个治水方略被提出。当前关于河湖水系连通的理论基础研究要落后于实践,尚在探索之中。论文尝试从河、湖与水系等水循环基本概念入手,探讨水系的结构、特征和连通性,揭示水系连通的水循环物理机制,并进一步分析河湖水系连通的战略思想,探明其中涉及的几个关键水循环基础问题,包括水量平衡、能量平衡、水资源可再生性、水循环尺度等问题,为河湖水系连通战略的实施和理论体系的建立奠定基础。     

贵阳城市污水及南明河中氯霉素和四环素类抗生素的特征

采用固相萃取-高效液相色谱（UV检测）分析了贵阳城市污水、南明河水和沉积物中氯霉素和四环素类抗生素的特征.结果显示,南北两岸污水中氯霉素、土霉素、四环素和金霉素的平均含量分别为27.0、 2.3、 11.0、 1.1 μg·L^-1和21.2、 2.1、 9.5、 0.5 μg·L^-1,其中以氯霉素的污染为主;污水中抗生素的含量呈现明显的季节变化,这与用水量和疾病特点有关.南明河已广泛受到包括农业、养鱼塘、城市污水等来源的抗生素污染,其中城市污水是最重要的来源,受其影响,污水口下游的抗生素污染尤为严重.河水中氯霉素、土霉素和四环素在冬季的含量范围分别在2.1～19.0、ND～3.0、 0.8～6.8 μg·L^-1之间,夏季分别在0.2～1.3、ND～0.03、 0.2～0.3 μg·L^-1之间,金霉素只在冬季检出,含量范围在0.09～0.14 μg·L^-1之间;沉积物中4种抗生素在冬季的平均含量分别为147.6、 76.6、 99.2和1.6 μg·kg^-1;在夏季分别为195.8、 89.1、 34.4和9.0 μg·kg^-1.数据表明,河水中抗生素的含量受河水流量及来源特点的影响很大,冬季河水中抗生素的含量明显高于夏季;沉积物中抗生素的季节变化不明显.     

大龙潭水电站扩建小机组释放生态流量

恩施大龙潭水利枢纽于1995年5月完成环境影响评价,2003年8月开工建设,2006年5月建成投入使用,2006年10月进行竣工环保验收,验收审查时专家组发现,大坝下游至清江与带水河汇入口约700 m清江江段出现脱水现象,环保主管部门提出通过技术改造使大龙潭水利枢纽直接释放生态流量至电站坝下游,通过技术经济论证,大龙潭水利枢纽工程实施在水库大坝左岸8#坝段,将一处原用于龙凤坝自来水供给的预留管道口管道上追加连接一根长107 m直径为1.4 m的管道,将大坝上游的水引至左岸导流洞,在导流洞出口处安装一台1 600 kW小机组发电将出水直接放坝下游清江,使该河段电站坝下游脱水状态得到了恢复,经济和环境效益明显。     

沙颍河流域行政单元的排污权初始分配研究

初始排污权的有效分配是排污权交易制度实施的基础,结合中国现行行政特征,以行政单元作为排污权初始分配主体开展排污权初始分配研究。具体是：以沙颍河流域为例,根据淮河水利委员会制定的沙颍河流域水功能区划及COD、氨氮限排总量要求,以COD、氨氮作为排污权初始分配的客体,通过等比例削减方法对沙颍河流域内的行政单元进行了排污权初始分配,得到了流域内各市县级行政单元的COD、氨氮初始排放权,并在此基础上从政策可行性、区域合作性及上下游城市的协调性等方面提出了开展排污权初始分配的若干建议。     

辽河流域畜禽养殖污染源仿真研究

随着国家对流域水质改善要求的逐渐提高,流域污染源管理变得日益重要。提出了一种基于CPNTOOLS的辽河流域畜禽养殖行业污染源仿真技术,并采用CPNTOOLS软件对辽河流域内一家典型畜禽养殖基地进行了仿真研究,经过多次仿真与数据统计分析,分别得出了该畜禽养殖基地的CODCr,BOD5,NH3-N,TP,TN日排放量的正态分布均值在90%,95%,99%置信水平下的置信区间,并结合排水量分别计算出各污染物指标排放浓度的区间。结合BAT处理技术对污染物浓度削减进行了计算仿真,并得出了处理后CODCr,BOD5,NH3-N,TP,TN排放浓度的正态分布均值在90%,95%,99%置信水平下的置信区间以及排放浓度的极大值和极小值。     

汉江流域水污染现状及污染源调查

评价了汉江流域水质污染现状：汉江流域干流水质好于支流,从上游至下游污染状况逐渐上升,主要污染物为COD、TP、NH3-N,污染特征为有机污染型。对汉江流域污染源进行了调查：汉江流域面源污染大于点源,排放负荷较大的是农业地表径流、城镇生活污水、畜禽养殖。