Advective Mixing of Pore Waters and Ecology of Sandy Sediments of the Ocean Shelf

Sand sediments are widely distributed in the shelf zone of the World Ocean. The main physical and ecological peculiarity of marine sands is the mobility of pore waters and their mixing with the near-bottom waters of the sea. The mixing is closely related to turbulent processes in the water column; the most important of these processes is wave mixing. This causes filtration of seawater through the sand, ensuring therefore, perhaps, the most large-scale filtration process on the Earth. Advective mixing redistributes dissolved oxygen and nutrients between the pore waters of the sand and the bulk of the seawater column and determines redox conditions in the sediment column, which usually are either oxidative or suboxic; the metals with variable valence, mostly iron, serve as a redox buffer. The regeneration of nutrients and nitrification of ammonia also take place in the sand column. The instability of advective mixing is considered as the major difficulty for qualitative assessment of energetic metabolism and regeneration of nutrients in sands as well as for revealing the ecological role of marine sands in coastal ecosystems.     

Interferences between root plaque formation and phosphorus availability for isoetids in sediments of oligotrophic lakes

Freshwater isoetids exchanges a high proportion of the photosynthetically produced oxygen over the extensive root system and, therefore, they influence the redox potential (E_h) and phosphorus (P) availability in their sediments. Because isoetids rely on the sediment for P uptake, P may be a key element in controlling the distribution of isoetids. We investigated biomass and P availability to isoetids (Littorella uniflora and Isoetes lacustris) in a transect of five stations across the littoral zone in oligotrophic Lake Kalgaard, Denmark. At the two shallowest stations (0.6 and 1.0 m depth) the redox potential in the low organic rhizosphere sediment was high (>300 mV) and low concentrations of reduced exchangeable iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) compounds in the sediment and of precipitated Fe and Mn oxides on isoetid roots (plaques) were found. The concentration of sediment P pools was low and so was isoetid P content and isoetid biomass. At intermediate water depth (1.8 m) sediment E_h was high (300 mV) and isoetids showed low root plaque concentrations. However, higher concentration of P pools in the rhizosphere was found at 1.8 m and isoetids showed the highest P content and biomass. At deeper stations (2.8 and 4.6 m depth) E_h was low (<100 mV) in the high organic rhizosphere and high concentrations of plaques were found. The P content in the sediment was high, however, isoetids showed low biomass and low P content. We suggest that the low P content in isoetids growing on P rich organic sediments is partly due to inhibition of the P uptake because of adsorption of P to the oxidized Fe and Mn plaques. However, ratios between oxidized Fe and Fe-bound P, 150 for plaques and 40 for sediment, suggest the isoetids are able to access some of the P that is bound in the plaques. The pools of dissolved P in the porewater were 25–1100 times lower than the estimated annual P requirement for net growth of isoetids while solid fraction P pools were 20–260 times higher than the estimated annual P requirement. Clearly, the oxygen release from isoetid roots decreases the availability of P either by keeping the entire rhizosphere oxidized (low organic sediments) or by the formation of root plaques (high organic sediments).     

Phosphorus dynamics in shallow eutrophic lakes: an example from Zeekoevlei,South Africa

Zeekoevlei is the largest freshwater lake in South Africa and has been suffering from hyper-eutrophic conditions since last few decades. We have used total P (TP), dissolved phosphate (PO₄ ³⁻), organic P (OP), calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) bound P fractions to investigate the relevant physical, chemical and biological processes responsible for sedimentation and retention of P and to study phosphorus (P) dynamics in this shallow lake. In addition, redox proxies (V/Cr and Th/U ratios) are used to study the prevailing redox conditions in sediments. Adsorption by CaCO₃ and planktonic assimilation of P are found to control P sedimentation in Zeekoevlei. Low concentration of the labile OP fraction in surface sediments restricts the release of P by bacterial remineralisation. Low molar Ca/P and Fe/P ratios indicate low P retention capacity of sediments, and P is most likely released by desorption from wind-induced resuspended sediments and mixing of pore water with the overlying water column. Handling editor: J. Saros     

Dynamics of Redox Changes of Iron Caused by Light–dark Variations in Littoral Sediment of a Freshwater Lake

Depth profiles of oxygen concentration and the redox status of acid-extractable iron were measured in littoral sediment cores of Lake Constance incubated under a light–dark regimen of 12 h. While oxygen penetrated to 3.4±0.2 mm depth in the dark, photosynthetic oxygen production shifted the oxic–anoxic interface down to 4.0±0.2 mm or 5.9±1.6 mm depth, at low or high light intensity, respectively, and caused a net oxygen efflux into the water column. After a light–dark or dark–light transition, the oxygen concentration at the sediment surface reached a new steady state within about 20 min. The redox state of the bioavailable iron was determined in 1-mm slices of sediment subcores. After a dark period of 12 h, 85% of the acid-extractable iron (10.5 μmol cm⁻³ total) in the uppermost 8 mm was in the reduced state. Within 12 h at low or high light intensity, the proportion of ferrous iron decreased to 82 or 75%, respectively, corresponding to net rates of iron oxidation in the range of 244 and 732 nmol cm⁻³ h⁻¹, respectively. About 55 or 82% of the iron oxidation at low or high light intensity occurred in the respective oxic zone of the sediment; the remaining part was oxidized in the anoxic zone, probably coupled to nitrate reduction. The areal rates of iron oxidation in the respective oxic layer (21 or 123 nmol cm⁻² h⁻¹ at low or high light intensity, respectively) would account for 4 and 23% of the total electron flow to oxygen, respectively. Light changes caused a rapid migration of the oxic–anoxic interface in the sediment, followed by a slow redox reaction of biologically available iron, thus providing temporal niches for aerobic iron oxidizers and anaerobic iron reducers.     

Variations of Mn,Fe and S concentrations in sediment pore waters of Ria Formosa at different time scales

Intertidal sediments of Ria Formosa have been surveyed at different time scales. Pore water of short sediment cores was collected bimonthly at five stations, from May 1993 to June 1994, around low-tide. One location was studied intensively every 1.5 hour, during a 6-hour air-exposure period, and during 20 minutes (1, 5, 10 and 20 minutes) immediately after tidal water had inundated the sampling site. Determinations of vertical profiles of pH, Eh, water content, O₂, total dissolved Mn (Mn_diss), total dissolved Fe (Fe_diss) and inorganic sulphur [(HS^–)_t] were carried out in all samples. The results obtained indicate that daily variations of Mn_diss, Fe_diss and (HS^–)_t concentrations appear to be superimposed to the seasonal ones. Probably, the renewal of the pore water at periods of tidal inundation causes advective transport of manganese and exchange of iron, between the pore water and the solid fraction of the sediment that masks seasonal fluctuations induced by temperature and organic matter input variations.     

Porewater oxidation,dissolved phosphate and the iron curtain

The process of dissolved phosphate removal from aqueous solution, which occurs during oxidation of soluble ferrous compounds to insoluble ferric forms, was examined in soils of two tidal freshwater marshes. Sites of amorphous iron deposition and sorption or co-precipitation of phosphate were found to be in surface soils and along creekbanks, where both ion diffusion and porewater advection move dissolved iron and phosphate from reduced to oxidized regions. Profiles of extractable iron and total phosphorus from creekbank and interior soils were consistent with hypothesized differences between a high and a low marsh. Porewater concentrations of dissolved phosphate were higher in creekbank soils of the high marsh, compared with water actually discharging from the creekbank during tidal exposure. We propose that an iron curtain of ferric hydroxides functions as a barrier to diffusive and advective movement of dissolved phosphate along surfaces of tidal freshwater marshes, and has important implications for the distribution and availability of phosphorus in other types of wetlands and aqueous systems.     

Effect of ducks on CH4 emission from paddy soils and its mechanism research in the rice-duck ecosystem

The effect of ducks on CH₄ emission from paddy soils and its mechanism were probed in order to decide the optimum number of ducks in the rice-duck ecosystem. Methane emission fluxes from paddy soils were measured by the static box technique. The correlations between methane emission and soil physical and chemical characteristics were also analyzed. The results showed that significant differences (p < 0.01) existed in the dissolved oxygen content of water body in the treatment fields, and the more the ducks, the higher the dissolved oxygen content. Secondly, the soil redox matter content and methanogenic bacteria population of the rice-duck ecosystem reduced more sharply than those of the no-duck rice farming, resulting in a lower methane production. Thirdly, the amount of methane emission differed between the treatments—the more the ducks, the less the methane emission. Other related analyses showed that the negative correlation was significant (p < 0.001) between the methane emission flux and dissolved oxygen content of water body. However, CH4 emission flux had significantly positive correlation (p < 0.01) with the soil redox matter content and rice field methanogenic population.     

Resuspension studies in cylindrical microcosms: Effects of stirring velocity on the dynamics of redox sensitive elements in a coastal sediment

Effects of resuspension on the release of dissolved, redox sensitive elements (Fe, Mn) was studied in cylindrical microcosms. Effects from changing water stirring velocity in sediment pools were evaluated through measurements of pore water profiles of dissolved Mn, Fe and redox potential. Mn was a good natural marker to follow such effects. At current velocities below the threshold velocity for resuspension (37 cm s-1), Mn release rates to overlying water were 100 times higher compared to steady-state values. Pulse increases in Mn concentration were the result of convective currents inside flow chambers. These results were strongly supported by measurements of Eh profiles in the sediment pore water. Furthermore, impacts from increasing stirring velocity were found down to 1.9 cm depth below the resuspended layer of sediment.     

Juncus bulbosus as a pioneer species in acidic lignite mining lakes: interactions, mechanism and survival strategies

Bulbous rush ( Juncus bulbosus ) initiates plant colonization in extremely acid lakes resulting from coal mining operations. Various analytical techniques (methylene blue/agar method, Ti³⁺-citrate solution) X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) were used to assess the mechanisms and strategies employed by J. bulbosus to overcome the extreme conditions. The plant releases oxygen into the rhizosphere in turn increasing the redox potential and inducing iron oxide plaque formation. XRD showed that the iron oxide of the plaque is mainly goethite that has been developed in the presence of CO₂; SEM showed that there is a micro-space between the roots and sand grains which is inhabited by microorganisms. Furthermore, SEM-EDX studies on internal iron distribution demonstrate that iron toxicity is delayed by the physiological and biochemical structure of the plant. It is suggested that J. bulbosus uses a variety of mechanisms and strategies (morphological, physiological and biochemical adaptation) which are mainly complementary and which interact with each other to help J. bulbosus to manage its growth and survival in an extreme environment.     

Biogeochemistry of manganese- and iron-rich sediments in Toolik Lake,Alaska

The sediments within Toolik Lake in arctic Alaska are characterized by extremely low rates of organic matter sedimentation and unusually high concentrations of iron and manganese. Pore water and solid phase measurements of iron, manganese, trace metals, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur are consistent with the hypothesis that the reduction of organic matter by iron and manganese is the most important biogeochemical reaction within the sediment. Very low rates of dissolved oxygen consumption by the sediments result in an oxidizing environment at the sediment-water interface. This results in high retention of upwardly-diffusing iron and manganese and the formation of metal-enriched sediment. Phosphate in sediment pore waters is strongly adsorbed by the metal-enriched phases. Consequently, fluxes of phosphorus from the sediments to overlying waters are very small and contribute to the oligotrophic nature of the Toolik Lake aquatic system. Toolik Lake contains an unusual type of lacustrine sediment, and in many ways the sediments are similar to those found in oligotrophic oceanic environments.     

Evidence for rapid microscale bacterial redox cycling of iron in circumneutral environments

The potential for microscale bacterial Fe redox cycling was investigated in microcosms containing ferrihydrite-coated sand and a coculture of a lithotrophic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacterium (strain TW2) and a dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing bacterium (Shewanella alga strain BrY). The Fe(II)-oxidizing organism was isolated from freshwater wetland surface sediments which are characterized by steep gradients of dissolved O₂ and high concentrations of dissolved and solid-phase Fe(II) within mm of the sediment–water interface, and which support comparable numbers (10⁵–10⁶ mL⁻¹) of culturable Fe(II)-oxidizing and Fe(III)-reducing reducing. The coculture systems showed minimal Fe(III) oxide accumulation at the sand-water interface, despite intensive O₂ input from the atmosphere and measurable dissolved O₂ to a depth of 2 mm below the sand–water interface. In contrast, a distinct layer of oxide precipitates formed in systems containing Fe(III)-reducing bacteria alone. Examination of materials from the cocultures by fluorescence in situ hybridization indicated close physical juxtapositioning of Fe(II)-oxidizing and Fe(III)-reducing bacteria in the upper few mm of sand. Our results indicate that Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria have the potential to enhance the coupling of Fe(II) oxidation and Fe(III) reduction at redox interfaces, thereby promoting rapid microscale cycling of Fe. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Manganese inhibition of microbial iron reduction in anaerobic sediments

Potential mechanisms for the lack of Fe(II) accumulation in Mn(IV)‐con‐taining anaerobic sediments were investigated. The addition of Mn(IV) to sediments in which Fe(III) reduction was the terminal electron‐accepting process removed all the pore‐water Fe(II), completely inhibited net Fe(III) reduction, and stimulated Mn(IV) reduction. In a solution buffered at pH 7, Mn(IV) oxidized Fe(II) to amorphic Fe(III) oxide. Mn(IV) naturally present in oxic freshwater sediments also rapidly oxidized Fe(II). A pure culture of a dissimilatory FE(III)‐ and Mn(FV)‐reducing organism isolated from the sediments reduced Fe(III) to Fe(II) in the presence of Mn(IV) when ferrozine was present to trap Fe(II) before Mn(IV) oxidized it. Depth profiles of dissolved iron and manganese reported in previous studies suggest that Fe(II) diffusing up from the zone of Fe(III) reduction is consumed within the Mn(IV)‐reducing zone. These results demonstrate that preferential reduction of Mn(IV) by Fe(III)‐reducing bacteria cannot completely explain the lack of Fe(II) accumulation in anaerobic, Mn(IV)‐containing sedments, and indicate that Mn(IV) oxidation of Fe(II) is the mechanism that ultimately prevents Fe(II) accumulation.     

Considerations on the possibility of microbial clogging of re-injection wells of the wastewater generated in a water-dissolved natural gas field

Brine produced from water-dissolved natural gas reservoirs should be returned to the reservoirs after the resources are recovered to prevent land subsidence. However, the ability to re-inject the brine gradually decreases and is only rectified by carrying out backwashing treatment of re-injection wells. Because the brine contains high levels of iodine also, it is also recovered from the brine using sulfuric acid and oxidizing agents. These chemicals may stimulate the growth of microorganisms that may cause the clogging. In this study, we used column experiments to investigate the possibility of the microbial clogging.Significant clogging was observed on the columns that were treated by the brine containing both indigenous microorganisms and dissolved oxygen. In particular, iodide-oxidizing bacteria were detected from the columns and original brine dominantly; therefore, it was assumed to have an important influence on the clogging. Iodine that was produced by iodide-oxidizing bacteria corroded iron in the sand under the presence of dissolved oxygen. Eluted Iron formed ferric hydroxide colloid in the brine and it caused the clogging of the pore spaces.We also demonstrated that deoxidized brine inhibited the iodide-oxidizing bacteria from becoming dominant and the column from the clogging through the column experiments. From these results, we can suggest removing dissolved oxygen as the most feasible countermeasures for the clogging.     

Transport of iron and manganese in relation to the shapes of their concentration-depth profiles

A model is presented which describes the transport of iron and manganese in the vicinity of a redox boundary. It is based on input of a particulate component, to form a point source, from which soluble species diffuse along a concentration gradient. The shapes of concentration-depth profiles in marine and freshwater sediments and water columns are reviewed and discussed in terms of the model. Transport, either entirely within a water column or within the sediment, may be simply treated because the rate of vertical transport can be regarded as constant. The discontinuity in the rate of vertical transport which occurs at the sediment-water interface can provide a complicated example of the model, especially when it coincides with the redox boundary. Authigenic mineral formation processes can modify the model, sometimes to such an extent that it becomes invalid. This is particularly true for soluble iron profiles in organically rich marine sediments. Sampling interval is critical to the resultant profile shape and must be relevant to the particular environment, e.g. metres in water columns and millimetres in sediments. The differences in the rates of reduction and oxidation of iron and manganese tend to modify both the position of the profile with respect to the redox-cline and its stage of development in a seasonally anoxic system. It is these factors which determine why most of the iron which reaches a sediment is permanently incorporated whereas manganese is re-released. This mechanism determines the average ratio of iron to manganese in sedimentary rocks. The development of peaked profile shapes in water columns implies that under certain conditions dissolved iron and manganese may be transported from the water column to the pore waters of the sediment.     

Particulate matter filtration and seasonal nutrient dynamics in permeable carbonate and silicate sands of the Gulf of Aqaba,Red Sea

This study compares mineralization in permeable silicate and carbonate sands in the shallow shelf of the Gulf of Aqaba. From July 1999 to March 2000, we monitored concentrations of inorganic nutrients in water and pore water at two neighboring sites, one dominated by silicate, the other by carbonate sand. Although the carbonate was coarser than the quartz sand, organic matter, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), and ortho-phosphate concentrations in the biogenic carbonate sediment always exceeded those in the terrigenic silicate sands (factor 1.5–2.0 for organic matter, 1.7–14.0 for nutrients). Higher nutrient concentrations in the water column during winter months caused increases in pore-water nutrient concentrations in both sediments down to 10 cm depth with no significant delay, emphasizing the effect of advective transport of solutes and particles into permeable sands. An experiment was conducted where sieved clean quartz and carbonate sands of same grain size (250–500 µm) were incubated in-situ. Although exposed to the same water and boundary current conditions, the sieved carbonate sand accumulated more organic matter and developed higher nutrient concentrations than the incubated silicate sediment. We conclude that the mineralogical characteristics of the carbonate sand (higher porosity, sorption capacity and pH buffer capacity) enhance the filtration capacity, and the biocatalytic conversion efficiency relative to the smooth crystalline quartz grains.     

水体溶氧影响陆生植物喜旱莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)和牛鞭草(Hemarthria altissima)对完全水淹的耐受力

溶氧是水环境中一个重要的环境因子,为了探讨水中的溶氧含量水平是否会对陆生植物的耐淹能力造成影响,研究了陆生植物喜旱莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)和牛鞭草(Hemarthria altissima)在遭受不同溶氧含量水体完全淹没后的生长表现、存活情况和非结构碳水化合物的变化。实验结果表明:(1)水体中的溶氧含量显著影响了处于完全水淹环境中的喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草的存活。受高溶氧水体完全水淹的喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草主茎的完好程度和存活叶的数量均显著高于遭受低溶氧水体完全水淹的喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草,喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草在高溶氧水体完全水淹后的生物量比低溶氧水体完全水淹后要高;(2)水体中的溶氧含量显著影响了处于完全水淹环境中的喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草的生长,受高溶氧水体完全水淹的喜旱莲子草主茎伸长生长和不定根生长显著强于受低溶氧水体完全水淹的喜旱莲子草,在不定根的生长上牛鞭草也具有同样的表现。(3)高溶氧水环境有利于减小被完全淹没的喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草的碳水化合物消耗,两种植物在受高溶氧完全水淹后体内具有的非结构性碳水化合物含量均比受低溶氧完全水淹后高。(4)喜旱莲子草比牛鞭草能更好地耐受完全水淹,当处于低溶氧完全水淹时表现得更为明显,本研究表明入侵物种喜旱莲子草比本地物种牛鞭草具有更强的环境适应能力和水淹耐受能力。     

Phosphorus dynamics during decomposition of mangrove (Rhizophora apiculata) leaves in sediments

Rhizophora apiculata leaf litter decomposition and the influence of this process on phosphorus (P) dynamics were studied in mangrove and sand flat sediments at the Bangrong mangrove forest, Phuket, Thailand. The remaining P in the mangrove leaf litter increased with time of decomposition to 174% and 220% of the initial amount in the litter in sand flat and mangrove sediment, respectively, although about 50% of the dry weight had been lost. The incorporation of P into the litter was probably associated with humic acids and metal bridging, especially caused by iron (Fe), which also accumulated in considerable amounts in the litter (5-10 times initial concentration). The addition of leaves to the sediment caused increased concentrations of dissolved reactive phosphate (DRP) in the porewater, especially in sand flat sediment. The DRP probably originated from Fe-bound P in the sediment, because decomposition of buried leaf litter caused increased respiration and reduced the redox potential (E_h) in the sediments. Binding of P to refractory organic material and oxidized Fe at the sediment-water interface explains the low release of DRP from the sediment. This mechanism also explains the generally low DRP concentration in the mangrove porewater, the low nutrient content of the R. apiculata leaves, but also the higher total sediment P concentration of the mangrove sediment as compared to sediments outside the mangrove. Both the low release rates for DRP from the sediment and the accumulation of P associated with leaf litter decomposition tend to preserve P in the sediments.     

泥炭沼泽湿地关键元素地球化学特征及其对碳排放的影响机制

硫、铁是泥炭沼泽湿地（泥炭地）中重要的生源要素,其参与下的生物地球化学过程对泥炭地碳循环意义重大。选取德国中部两处典型的雨养型泥炭地高海拔样点（TBP）和低海拔样点（TSP）,通过原位采集泥炭剖面孔隙水和可溶性气体等,研究了硫、铁元素等地球化学变化规律,结合DOC、甲烷（CH₄）和二氧化碳（CO₂）浓度分布,探讨其对泥炭地碳排放的影响。研究结果表明：（1） TBP中总还原无机硫（TRIS）浓度随深度先增后减,且上部0-87 cm平均浓度远高于87 cm深度以下,上部硫酸盐还原作用强烈。结合上部亚铁、硫化氢（H₂S）浓度分布,得知该范围内H₂S主要是通过微生物硫酸盐还原作用（BSR）生成,同时H₂S在孔隙水扩散过程中易与亚铁结合为硫化亚铁,进而生成稳定的黄铁矿,这一反应过程在约60 cm处减缓。（2） TBP、TSP两处采样点中DOC与亚铁、硫酸盐均有较强相关性,是由于地下水位的波动影响氧化还原程度以及微生物活性。两处采样点DOC均与亚铁呈显著正相关关系,表明铁氧化物在厌氧环境中被还原溶解产生亚铁,与其结合的有机碳被释放到溶液中从而导致DOC浓度的升高。TBP中DOC与硫酸盐呈显著负相关关系,表明硫酸盐作为电子受体被还原的过程中消耗酸度使pH值升高,增强了其中微生物的活性,DOC浓度由此增加。（3） CH₄与硫酸盐、TRIS浓度在剖面上均呈现相反变化趋势,表明硫酸盐输入的增加以及硫酸盐还原活动均会抑制CH₄生成。CO₂/CH₄均大于4,表明硫酸盐作为替代电子受体会使厌氧条件下碳矿化转向多CO₂和少CH₄生成。此外,亚铁对于CH₄生成一定程度上会起到低促高抑的效果,而对于CO₂的生成的影响较弱。表明硫酸盐对于CH₄和CO₂生成的影响高于亚铁。研究着重探究硫、铁等关键元素地下部生物地球化学过程对碳排放的影响机制,研究结果可为泥炭地碳排放核算提供理论支撑。     

Removal of Arsenic and Zinc Using Different Laboratory Model Wetland Systems

Industrial and mining activities are an increasing threat to natural sites like wetlands and ponds because of the pollution by heavy metals and particularly arsenic (As) which they create. Four different laboratory scale model wetland systems, simulating a subsurface water wetland (SWW), free water surface wetland (FWSW), hydroponic system (HP), and an algae pond (AP) were initially loaded with water containing 5 mg/L of Zn and 0.5 mg/L of As as the main contaminants. The experiments run discontinuously and water losses by evapotranspiration were compensated periodically by distilled water. SWW, FWSW and HP were planted with Juncus effusus. The aim of this investigation was above all to study the removal of As in anthropogenically influenced stagnant wetland systems. The AP system showed almost no changes in all parameters measured. In addition, for the HP system no depth gradients of the parameters could be observed. Nevertheless, the total concentrations decreased slightly over 90 days by about 25 % for As and about 30 % for Zn. Within the gravel bed systems (SWW and FWSW) As and Zn were completely removed from the water, whereas for both parameters the removal process in the SWW was considerably faster. In both gravel bed systems the changes in the iron concentrations and the redox potentials were completely different. During periods of comparatively low redox potential, the iron concentration of the pore water increased from 0.1 mg/L up to 3.0 mg/L for the FSW and to 6.8 mg/L for the SWW. In periods of a higher redox potential the iron concentration decreased. The utmost As removal from the water was found in the SWW. It was noted that this could not be explained by either the adsorption on the gravel or by the plant uptake alone. It can be assumed that by the combination of both effects within one system soil bound crystalline iron, which has a low As binding capacity, is dissolved and can function as a co‐precipitation agent for As in oxic zones such as possibly on the rhizoplane of helophytes.     

Oxygen depletion induced by adding whey to an enclosure in an acidic mine pit lake

Neutralization of acidic mine pit lakes by biotechnological means results in the production of labile metal-sulfides. These reaction products can theoretically be stored sustainably in the lake, provided reducing conditions are maintained at the lake bottom. In a field mesocosm experiment, we tested, if reducing conditions can be maintained in an acidic mine pit lake by the addition of a complex organic substrate.An enclosure of 30 m diameter was covered by a floating foil, and whey was repeatedly added to the water column to stimulate microbial respiration. A suspension of whey was successfully mixed into the enclosure by means of a boat motor. Whey was completely dissolved and subsequently consumed by microbial respiration in the water column. This resulted in oxygen consumption leading to anoxic conditions. About 10 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹ oxygen permanently entered the enclosure from the atmosphere, while a minor amount of oxygen was produced by primary production. By careful monitoring and repeated additions, it was possible to keep the bottom of the enclosure permanently anoxic, even during mixing periods in autumn and spring. Fe³⁺, however, was not reduced significantly. A laboratory experiment revealed that microbial iron reduction was inhibited by both low concentrations of organic substrates and low temperature. Since Fe^III is a potential oxidizing agent, it is questionable, if the stability of metal-sulfides in acidic mine pit lakes can be increased by the addition of complex organic substrates.