Behavior of mercury in the Patuxent River estuary

An overview of a comprehensive study of the behavior and fate of mercury in the estuarine Patuxent River is presented. Total Hg (Hg_T) and methylmercury (MeHg) exhibited weakly non-conservative behavior in the estuary. Total Hg concentrations ranged from 6 ng L^-1 in the upper reaches of the sub-urbanized tidal freshwater river to <0.5 ng L^-1 in the mesohaline lower estuary. Filterable (0.2 µm) Hg_T ranged from 0.2 to 1.5 ng L^-1. On average, MeHg accounted for <5% of unfiltered Hg_T and <2% of filterable Hg_T. Dissolved gaseous section Hg (DGHg) concentrations were highest (up to 150 pg L^-1) in the summer in the mesohaline, but were not well correlated with primary production or chlorophyll a, demonstrating the complex nature of Hg⁰ formation and cycling in an estuarine environment. Organic matter content appeared to control the Hg_T content of sediments, while MeHg in sediments was positively correlated with Hg_T and organic matter, and negatively correlated with sulfide. MeHg in sediments was low (0.1 to 0.5% of Hg_T). Preliminary findings suggest that net MeHg production within sediments exceeds net accumulation. Although Hg_T in pore waters increased with increasing sulfide, bulk MeHg concentrations decreased. The concentration of MeHg in sediments was not related to the concentration of Hg_T in pore waters. These observations support the hypothesis that sulfide affects the speciation and therefore bioavailability of dissolved and/or solid-phase Hg for methylation. Comparison with other ecosystems, and the negative correlation between pore water sulfide and sediment MeHg, suggest that sulfide limits production and accumulation of MeHg in this system.     

Biota and abiotic environment in the Westerschelde estuary

An estuary such as the Westerschelde is a highly dynamic environment, both on an ecological time scale where climatic and hydrodynamic forces, mainly the tides, shape a very variable environment and on a geological, evolutionary time scale, since estuaries are young and very unstable habitats.Low species diversity and high adaptability of the resident animal and plant populations are characteristic of estuarine habitats where large fluctuations in submersion, salinity, temperature etc. occur. The existing biota are therefore resilient to environmental stress and effects of the important influx of anorganic and organic pollutants from the river Schelde and its tributaries on the biota in the estuary are not easy to detect.Although water movement and sedimentation patterns in the Westerschelde are relatively well known, there exists little information on important ecological processes such as primary production and heterotrophic metabolism in the estuary.Contribution no. 405 of the Delta Institute, Yerseke.     

Particulate phosphorus in the Humber estuary

The biogeochemical controls on particulate phosphorus distribution in the Humber estuary have been investigated with regard to salinity and season. Surveys of the Humber were conducted in August 1991 and January, March and June 1992. Samples were collected for particulate phosphorus, dissolved phosphorus, suspended load and salinity analysis. Particulate phosphorus forms 16 to 93% of the total phosphorus present in the water column of the Humber estuary. Total particulate phosphorus concentrations in the Humber ranged from 1 to 45 μmol l⁻¹. This range is comparable to that observed in similar sized industrialized estuaries of the U.S.A. and northern Europe. Flocculation at low salinities was found to be a major influence on particulate phosphorus concentrations. Highest concentrations of particulate phosphorus were found in reaches below a salinity of 5 and may result in phosphorus being trapped in the sediments of the estuary. There is evidence that this phosphorus may be released as oxygen concentrations decrease during the summer. Suspended load, adsorption/desorption equilibrium and external inputs were also found to influence the particulate phosphorus concentrations.     

Mathematical modelling as a management tool for water quality control [2pt] of the tropical Beberibe estuary,NE Brazil

Sewage disposal in natural waters is a common problem in most countries. Large inputs of organic matter and nutrients from raw sewage to a weak hydrodynamic environment may lead to deterioration of the water quality. Widely available riverine and estuarine models such as QUAL-2E and MUDLARK can be used to adequately model these situations. Beberibe is a low hydrodynamic estuary that runs through a densely populated region in the Recife Metropolitan Area (RMA), Northeast Brazil, and receives untreated domestic sewage from aproximately 200000 inhabitants. The mouth of the estuary is shallow and tortuous, causing a large reduction in tidal propagation. The low river flow is strongly influenced by rain seasonality at the upstream boundary, with mean values varying from 4.9 m³ s^–1 in the wet winter to 1.4 m³ s^–1 during the dry summer. A major program to build sewage plants was planned to increase the water quality of the RMA rivers. This study focuses on water quality modelling of the Beberibe estuary basin, formed by the Beberibe River and two small tributaries. Numerical simulations of temperature, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrate, ammonia, phosphate and faecal coliforms were carried out, targeting the expected population growth in the following 20 years. The QUAL-2E and the MUDLARK models were coupled at the tidal intrusion limit, with the estuarine sector modelled by the MUDLARK while QUAL-2E was used in the upper river. A longitudinal dispersion coefficient related to tidal excursion was introduced into the MUDLARK algorithm to better determine the tidal effect on the distribution of water quality variables. Both models were calibrated successfully and verified with a 4 year water quality data series from the Pernambuco State Environmental Agency (Companhia Pernambucana do Meio Ambiente – CPRH). Results showed that the river flow is a major factor controlling the water quality. Even the most efficient treatment applied was not able to bring water quality up to all desirable levels during dry summer months, mainly considering dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand. Results also confirm that the spring-neap cycle does not significantly affect water quality, probably due to the strong tidal attenuation at the estuary mouth.     

长江口岛屿沙洲湿地陆向发育过程中表层沉积物氮营养盐的变化

研究针对长江口岛屿沙洲湿地陆向发育的不同时期表层沉积物中氮营养盐的变化规律,得出：（1）长江口岛屿沙洲湿地陆向发育过程中,表层沉积物环境也在不断变化,氮营养盐含量逐步增加,处在陆向发育前期的白茆沙,全氮含量较低,仅为30 mg/kg,而发育较为成熟的崇明东滩全氮含量较高,达470 mg/kg;同时随着岛屿沙洲湿地陆向发育,表层沉积物全氮分布越来越不均匀;（2）长江口岛屿沙洲湿地随高程梯度,全氮的含量逐步增加,其中芦苇带最高,420 mg/kg,光滩最低,110 mg/kg;这也说明岛屿沙洲陆向发育过程中,表层沉积物全氮含量逐步增加;另外,各形态无机氮含量占其所在高程无机氮的比例相对稳定,其中氨氮最高,59%～60%,亚硝酸盐最低,17%～19%,氨氮是无机氮的主要存在形式.     

Modelling the impact of agricultural management on soil carbon stocks at the regional scale: the role of lateral fluxes

Agricultural management has received increased attention over the last decades due to its central role in carbon (C) sequestration and greenhouse gas mitigation. Yet, regardless of the large body of literature on the effects of soil erosion by tillage and water on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in agricultural landscapes, the significance of soil redistribution for the overall C budget and the C sequestration potential of land management options remains poorly quantified. In this study, we explore the role of lateral SOC fluxes in regional scale modelling of SOC stocks under three different agricultural management practices in central Belgium: conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT) and reduced tillage with additional carbon input (RT+i). We assessed each management scenario twice: using a conventional approach that did not account for lateral fluxes and an alternative approach that included soil erosion‐induced lateral SOC fluxes. The results show that accounting for lateral fluxes increased C sequestration rates by 2.7, 2.5 and 1.5 g C m^?2 yr^?1 for CT, RT and RT+i, respectively, relative to the conventional approach. Soil redistribution also led to a reduction of SOC concentration in the plough layer and increased the spatial variability of SOC stocks, suggesting that C sequestration studies relying on changes in the plough layer may underestimate the soil's C sequestration potential due to the effects of soil erosion. Additionally, lateral C export from cropland was in the same of order of magnitude as C sequestration; hence, the fate of C exported from cropland into other land uses is crucial to determine the ultimate impact of management and erosion on the landscape C balance. Consequently, soil management strategies targeting C sequestration will be most effective when accompanied by measures that reduce soil erosion given that erosion loss can balance potential C uptake, particularly in sloping areas.     

Spatial and temporal variations in fish populations in the upper Thames estuary

Between February 1989 and August 1990, the upper Thames estuary contained 23 species of fish. Fish numbers were higher and relatively constant in the uppermost part of the estuary. Number of species was augmented in summer from fresh water and from downstream, coinciding with high temperature, low flow and high salinity. The eight most abundant species contributed to 98·5% of the total number. Flounder Pleuronectes flesus , dace Leuciscus leuciscus and perch Perca fluviatilis , recruited from May to August, and common goby Pomatoschistus microps , roach Rutilus rutilus and chub Leuciscus cephalus , from August to November. The upper estuary (salinity 0·34–2·96 p.s.u.) formed a species transition area between the freshwater but salinity-resistant roach, chub, and gudgeon Gobio gobio upstream, and the estuarine eurhyhaline common goby and flounder downstream. The three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus and cyprinids were more abundant at upstream while perch was more abundant at downstream sites. High abundances of gudgeon, chub and roach were associated with high transparency and dissolved oxygen and low salinity, while high abundances of perch were associated with high salinity and low transparency. Dace and three-spined stickleback were associated with high dissolved oxygen and low pH, and common goby with high pH. Flounder showed no clear preferences.     

Changes in basin geomorphology after implementation of the Oosterschelde estuary project

The completion in 1986/87 of an open storm-surge barrier in the inlet and of secondary dams in the landward parts of the Oosterschelde tidal basin (SW Netherlands) has had and will continue to have a significant impact on geomorphological developments. An analysis of historic data, and of recent detailed bathymetric and morphodynamic process data, indicates that former trends have reversed. At present the Oosterschelde is a sedimentation basin with a degrading intertidal area and silting up of channels. The continuing reduction in intertidal area, the decreasing geomorphological gradients, the increasing fine sediment content of channel deposits, combined with a general reduction in hydrodynamics, imply significant ecological effects.     

Sedimentation of river-transported particles in the Öre estuary,northern Sweden

Sedimentation of river transported particles in the Öre Estuary was studied during spring flow (April–May, 1989). River input was calculated as the product of discharge and particle concentration in the river water. The concentration of suspended matter in the estuary water was determined with a light-scattering probe at 25 depth profiles throughout the estuary. The sedimentation was measured using sediment traps on 5 stations along a line from the river mouth to the mouth of the estuary. Sampling was carried out on four dates with different water discharge.The extension of the particle plume varied during the observation period mainly due to variation in river discharge. The maximum extension of the river plume occurred during the peak of the spring flow and covered approximately 70% of the estuary area. The sedimentation rates were generally high and the average retention time for a particle in the water column was less than 1 day which verifies that the river transported fine-grained particles are primary deposited within the estuary. The major part of the river input of suspended matter was deposited near the river mouth. There was a surplus of the total sedimentation compared to the river input which was due to wave-induced resuspension, especially in the eastern part of the estuary.     

Changes in area,geomorphology and sediment nature of salt marshes in the Oosterschelde estuary (SW Netherlands) due to tidal changes

As a result of the construction of a storm-surge barrier across the mouth of the Oosterschelde (SW Netherlands) in 1987, the tidal range and mean high water level in the estuary have been reduced permanently to about 88% of their original values. During the final stage of construction (1985–1987) the tidal range and mean high water level were reduced even further for more than 18 months, by up to about 65% of their original values. This paper describes the consequences of these reductions for some abiotic aspects of the salt marshes.Strong ripening of the soil, especially in basins of the middle high salt marshes, resulted in the soils in these basins having more or less the dry nature of levees. This may cause moisture deficits for the vegetation during dry periods locally, and may lead locally to acidification of the soil as a result of oxidation of pyrite.Erosion of the edges of the salt marshes has increased in many places since 1986, both due to lowering of the surface level of the foreland, causing wave action to affect the marsh cliff more strongly than before, and weakening of cliff strength as a consequence of desiccation of the salt marsh soil and subsequent withering of plants and plant roots. In addition, the gradual salt marsh gradients have decreased on a large scale, as a consequence of increased wave attack and frost damage to Spartina. Finally, also due to desiccation and plant withering, levees have degraded and eroded, forming shoulders in the creeks.Settling, especially in the basins, has steepened and narrowed the height gradients between basin and levee.     

Temporal abundance patterns and growth of juvenile herring and sprat from the Thames estuary 1977–1992

Most herring Clupea harengus and sprat Sprattus sprattus sampled from West Thurrock power station intake screens, middle Thames estuary, between 1977 and 1992 were age-0 and followed regular patterns of seasonal occurrence. Juvenile herring entered the estuary in July, peaked in abundance November to March, and then declined. Juvenile sprat first appeared in September and peaked in abundance in January. Neither species was abundant in summer samples. While in the estuary, herring and sprat increased in length an average of 4·0 and 0·33 cm respectively. Abundance of both species was significantly affected by temperature, temporal trend, shoaling behaviour and seasonal variables, and of herring by suspended solids. Interactions between environmental variates did not influence the abundance of either species. As estuarine clupeids were influenced by a complex set of events within and outside the estuary, estuarine monitoring studies alone will not be sufficient for understanding the changes in estuarine fish communities resulting from future human activity.     

The influence of density gradients on the transport of solutes in a deep estuary

This paper reports on an investigation into the lower Forth estuary where a combination of hydrody namic, dye and salinity measurement techniques have been employed to quantify the effects of temporally varying vertical and transverse density gradients on the diffusion and dispersion processes. It is concluded that the interaction of velocity shear and weak longitudinal salinity induced density gradient produces a complex and profound effect on estuarine solute mixing processes.     

Colonisation patterns of adult macrobenthos in a polluted north sea estuary

Natural or anthropogenic disturbances, such as those caused by storm events, dredging, or pollution can lead to total or partial defaunation of sediments. Following such events, recovery of the community occurs through an influx of adults and propagules. The numbers and species of individuals arriving in the initial phase might be expected to vary according to natural environmental factors. In this study, adult macrofaunal colonisation was investigated with respect to season and tidal flow. Trays of azoic sediment were placed subtidally in the Tyne estuary, north-east England for 24 h periods, at approximately 4 week intervals between November 1992 and June 1994. Colonisation by the crustacean Parathalestris clausi, the oligochaete Tubificoides benedii and the polychaete Ophryotrocha hartmanni varied significantly with season, but not with tidal range. Colonisation of the sediments by the crustacean Carcinus maenas varied significantly with tidal range, but not with season. Colonisation by the polychaetes Capitella spp., Phyllodoce maculata, Eteone longa, Malacoceros fuliginosus, Nereis diversicolor,andTharyx spp. did not vary significantly according to season or tidal range. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Stress in estuarine communities: Lessons from the highly-impacted Bilbao estuary (Spain)

The highly-impacted Bilbao estuary was studied toquantify the response of estuarine communities tostress. Total heterotrophic biomass, a measure ofsediment infauna, declined sharply from the mouth tothe upper reaches of the estuary. Differentstatistical methods selected the depletion ofdissolved oxygen (DO) at the bottom of the watercolumn as the main correlate with the observedpattern. Biomass size-spectra (BSS) of estuarinecommunities suggested that `unimpacted' sites at themouth of the estuary had a high proportion of biomassin the larger size classes under regular andpredictable environmental conditions. In contrast, inthe impacted middle and inner parts of the estuarybiomass was concentrated in the smaller size classes,indicating a clear effect of stressful environmentalconditions on larger bodied organisms.A progressive increase of DO values has beenforecasted by the local Water Authority after thecompletion of a sewerage plan for the whole estuary,and predictions of water quality criteria were used toestimate community biomass figures following thismanagement. In order to predict the recovery at thelevel of individual species, several bioassays withthe native species Nereis diversicolor andScrobicularia plana were performed. Results obtainedwith the latter, more-sensitive species, suggest thatchemical contamination in sediments from the Bilbaoestuary has the potential to cause deleterious effectson indigenous benthic organisms, which could delayfaunal recovery in some parts of the estuary oncewater-oxic conditions improve.     

Geomorphology of Australian estuaries: Review and prospect

Over the past 30 years there has been a wealth of research examining the geomorphology of Australian estuaries. This paper reviews the major regional controls on estuarine geomorphic development and discusses the focus of research efforts to understand estuarine evolution, configuration and processes controlling geomorphic development and change. The presence and position of estuaries along the Australian coastline is controlled by large-scale climate-led changes in sea-level, the antecedent structure of the coast and tectonic activity. The configuration of Australia’s estuaries is controlled by a number of environmental factors identified by 34 including climate, oceanographic regime, sediment availability, structure and mineralogy, and tectonics. Interaction of these factors produce a range of estuarine configurations around the Australian continent from wave-dominated, microtidal, bar-built estuaries in the south to low energy macrotidal estuaries in the north which have produced extensive low-lying coastal plains. The principle focus of geomorphologists during the past 30 years has been understanding the medium to long-term development of estuaries in response to fluctuating sea-level over the past 125 000 years. Classifications and models of estuarine development and associated biological community response to estuary development have been identified based on lateral and vertical sedimentary sequences. Results have provided essential information on the physical resources and characteristics of estuarine systems including the distribution of sediment facies that host a variety of different ecological communities. There has been a paucity of research examining contemporary processes controlling geomorphic change in Australia’s estuaries. A morphodynamic approach to the study of estuaries is advocated that evaluates morphology-process responses as estuaries evolve. This approach requires increased research efforts to identify regional differences in estuarine geomorphic development, hydrodynamic processes and sedimentation. It is also advocated that studies examine how the morphodynamic behaviour of estuaries over thousands of years has influenced estuary ecology. Such studies will provide a more complete understanding of the factors influencing the morphology and ecology of contemporary estuaries.     

长江口九段沙湿地不同生境中大型底栖动物群落结构特征分析

2004年10月至2005年1月对九段沙湿地大型底栖动物的群落分布特征及环境因子进行了调查。选取6种主要生境的57个样方,分析大型底栖动物的种类、密度、生物量、多样性指数及均匀度指数等群落特征。共记录到28种大型底栖动物,主要由甲壳动物、环节动物、软体动物及昆虫幼体组成,优势种为谭氏泥蟹(Ilyrplaxdeschampsi)、光滑狭口螺(Stenothyraglabra)、堇拟沼螺(Assimineaviolacea)、绯拟沼螺(A.latericea)和霍甫水丝蚓(Limnodriuhoffmeisteri)。6种生境类型中以低潮位光滩大型底栖动物种类最为丰富,但其密度最低;海三棱藨草(Scirpusmariqueter)带底栖动物密度最高,并且其均匀度与其他生境存在显著差异;互花米草(Spartinaalterniflora)带下底栖动物的种类组成与其他生境有一定差异,但种类数、密度和多样性处于平均水平,总体群落结构没有显著差异。     

辽河河口区河流中石油类污染物归宿

以辽河油田某采油废水处理厂外排水中石油类污染物为对象,对比分析了不同季节条件下河流中石油类污染物的迁移特征,估算了石油类污染物不同归宿途径的贡献率.结果表明,不同季节条件下,河流中石油类污染物浓度的减少与迁移距离呈显著负相关,但各族组成(烷烃组分、芳烃组分、极性物质)的浓度与比例变化的季节差异显著;冬季河流中石油类污染物的主要归宿途径为沉淀作用(39.5%)与迁移输出(60.5%);以冬季沉淀作用为参考,夏季河流中石油类污染物的主要归宿途径贡献率分别为39.5%(沉淀作用)、42.4%(降解作用)18.1%(迁移输出),且污染物族组成的各归宿途径贡献率差别明显.     

Radium in the Suwannee River and estuary

A two-year study of radium in the Suwannee River has shown that groundwater discharge, via springs, is a very important source of radium both to the river and to offshore Gulf of Mexico waters. Dissolved radium is maintained within relatively narrow limits in the river by uptake into suspended particles. In the estuary, dissolved radium versus salinity profiles show distinctive nonconservative behavior with radium in significant excess of its linear mixing value at mid-salinities. Unlike the situation in many other estuaries, however, desorption of radium from particles cannot account for most of the observed excess. Thus, the anomalously high radium characteristic of much of the west Florida shelf apparently does not have a riverine source. Direct effusion of high-radium groundwater into these coastal waters is thought to be the major supplier of radium, and perhaps other elements as well.     

Radium in the Suwannee River and estuary

A two-year study of radium in the Suwannee River has shown that groundwater discharge, via springs, is a very important source of radium both to the river and to offshore Gulf of Mexico waters. Dissolved radium is maintained within relatively narrow limits in the river by uptake into suspended particles. In the estuary, dissolved radium versus salinity profiles show distinctive nonconservative behavior with radium in significant excess of its linear mixing value at mid-salinities. Unlike the situation in many other estuaries, however, desorption of radium from particles cannot account for most of the observed excess. Thus, the anomalously high radium characteristic of much of the west Florida shelf apparently does not have a riverine source. Direct effusion of high-radium groundwater into these coastal waters is thought to be the major supplier of radium, and perhaps other elements as well.     

Modelling the faecal coliform concentrations in the Bilbao estuary

Since 1984, an ambitious sewerage scheme is being implemented in the metropolitan area of Bilbao City (North Spain) in order to recover the environment of the highly polluted Bilbao estuary. To check the efficiency of this scheme, the performance of the sewer system and the water quality in the Bilbao estuary and beaches have been simulated during a future hypothetical bathing season. The system has been tested under dry and wet weather conditions, using selected historical rainfall records, in order to evaluate the effect of the faecal pollution arising from Combined Sewer Overflows on the water quality of the beaches located in the outer part of the estuary. The results obtained indicate that under dry weather and optimal operational conditions of the sewer and treatment works, the mandatory European standards on bathing waters will be met in all beaches. The discharges caused by storm overflows will increase the faecal contamination in the beaches compromising the compliance with the guideline standards. Therefore, a disinfection of the treatment works effluent, the main faecal discharge to the estuary, may be needed.