Geochemistry and flooding as determining factors of plant species composition in Dutch winter-flooded riverine grasslands

Dutch water policy aims for more frequent, controlled flooding of river valley floodplains to avoid unwanted flooding elsewhere; in anticipation of increased flooding risks resulting from climate changes. Controlled flooding usually takes place in winter in parts of the valleys which had not been subject to flooding in the last decades. It may thus affect existing nature with its conservation values. The goal of this study was to clarify the geochemical and hydrological factors determining plant species composition of winter-flooded river valley grasslands. A correlative study was carried out in 43 sites in 13 Dutch river valley floodplains, with measurements of flooding regime, vegetation composition, soil nutrients and soil pH status. With the use of canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) the plant species composition was investigated in relation to the geochemical variables and the winter winter-flooding regime. We found that the distributions of target species and non-target species were clearly correlated with geochemical characteristics and flooding regime. Clustering of sites within the CCA plots has led us to distinguish between four types of winter flooding in our areas: floodplains with (a) accumulating rain water, (b) low groundwater levels flooded with river water, (c) discharging groundwater and (d) high groundwater levels flooded with river water. Our major conclusions are (1) the winter groundwater level of winter-flooded grasslands was important for evaluating the effects of winter flooding on the geochemistry and plant species composition, and (2) winter winter-flooding effects were largely determined by the nature of the flooding. A high frequency of flooding particularly favoured a small set of common plant species. In areas with groundwater seepage, winter flooding may provide geochemical conditions suitable for diverse vegetation types with rare species. Rainwater flooded sites appeared less suitable for most target species.     

Extreme fluctuations in water quality of eutrophic fish kill lakes: Effect of sediment mixing

Variations in nutrient content and dissolved oxygen concentrations in two shallow winterkill pothole lakes are described. The chemical systems of these lakes are displaced from a steady state during anoxic conditions under ice cover in winter or after a sudden collapse of algal blooms and their bacterial decomposition in summer. Due to their reductive character and high content of soluble nutrients, lake sediments play an important role in formation of water quality of these lakes. In contact with overlying water when upwelled by wind action or artificial neration, they cause a significant depletion of dissolved oxygen and a release of ammonia into water column.     

Behaviour of alkylphenol polyethoxylate surfactants in the aquatic environment—III. Occurrence and elimination of their persistent metabolites during infiltration of river water to groundwater

The behaviour of various persistent metabolites derived from nonylphenol polyethoxylate (NPnEO) surfactants was studied during infiltration of river water to groundwater at two field sites situated in the northern part of Switzerland (Glatt River and Sitter River). Nonylphenol (NP), nonylphenol monoethoxylate (NP1EO), nonylphenol diethoxylate (NP2EO), nonylphenoxy acetic acid (NP1EC) and nonylphenoxy(ethoxy) acetic acid (NP2EC) were observed in the two investigated rivers at relatively high concentrations with average values of the individual types of nonylphenolic compounds ranging from 1.8 to 25 μg/l. The average concentrations of NP, NP1EO and NP2EO in groundwater were significantly lower (range <0.1–1 μg/l) suggesting an efficient elimination of these compounds during infiltration. In contrast, the elimination of nonylphenoxy carboxylic acids was less efficient. Most of the observed elimination occurred in the first 2.5 m of the aquifer, while further decrease in concentration was rather slow. In one sampling period, residual concentrations of nonylphenolic compounds up to 7.2 μg/l were detected in a pumping station used for drinking water supply which is situated 130 m from the Glatt River bed. Concentrations of NP, NP1EO and NP2EO in both river water and groundwater showed a pronounced seasonal variability with higher values observed during winter. The data suggest that low temperatures, which prevail in winter, significantly reduce the elimination efficiency of NP and to a lesser extent of NP1EO, while the behaviour of NP2EO was not affected. Such a behaviour indicates biogical transformation as the responsible elimination process. A comparison of average elimination efficiences of nonylphenolic compounds with those of pentachlorphenol (PCP) and nitrilotriacetate (NTA) gives the following sequence: NTA ≧ NP2EO > NP1EO > NP > PCP > NP1EC = NP2EC.     

Oxygen and pH fluctuations in rivers

A mathematical model for oxygen fluctuations in a river reach, involving photosynthesis, total community respiration, and reaeration is presented. Analogy is established between diurnal oxygen fluctuations and diurnal pH-fluctuations. Comparison is made between oxygen production and respiration, and carbon dioxide consumption and production.Twin curve analysis of diurnal oxygen fluctuations and diurnal pH-fluctuations is made of measurements on a single river reach in Denmark. The measurements were carried out about once a month for a little more than one year. The analysis has revealed seasonal variations of the river parameters: total daily gross production of oxygen, total community respiration and reaeration coefficient. These parameters are important for river modelling.     

Physical and chemical properties of pond waters receiving warm-water effluent from a thermal power plant

The effects of cooling water discharge from one small thermal power plant on the physical and chemical properties of the water in a natural closed pond in central Finland were studied over a 2 year period. The principal changes in the pond caused by the warm water discharge into the surface water layer were (1) a shortened duration of winter ice cover (ice cover only during short periods from December to March) and (2) the early and prolonged chemical and thermal stratification of the pond water (April–October). This prolonged stratification resulted in a strong hypolimnetic oxygen depletion along with other consequences associated with anoxic bottom waters. Increased phytoplankton growth was evident in February causing a rapid decrease in silica, phosphate and total phosphorus concentrations. The depth of euphotic layer decreased rapidly from 4 to 1 m following early ice-out as the phytoplankton and rotifer densities increased.     

Effect of watershed parameters on mercury distribution in different environmental compartments in the Mobile Alabama River Basin, USA

Total mercury (THg) and mono-methylmercury (MeHg) levels in water, sediment, and largemouth bass (LMB) (Micropterus salmoides) were investigated at 52 sites draining contrasting land use/land cover and habitat types within the Mobile Alabama River Basin (MARB). Aqueous THg was positively associated with iron-rich suspended particles and highest in catchments impacted by agriculture. Sediment THg was positively associated with sediment organic mater and iron content, with the highest levels observed in smaller catchments influenced by wetlands, followed by those impacted by agriculture or mixed forest, agriculture, and wetlands. The lowest sediment THg levels were observed in main river channels, except for reaches impacted by coal mining. Sediment MeHg levels were a positive function of sediment THg and organic matter and aqueous nutrient levels. The highest levels occurred in agricultural catchments and those impacted by elevated sulfate levels associated with coal mining. Aqueous MeHg concentrations in main river channels were as high as those in smaller catchments impacted by agriculture or wetlands, suggesting these areas were sources to rivers. Elevated Hg levels in some LMB were observed across all types of land use and land cover, but factors such as shallow water depth, larger wetland catchment surface area, low aqueous potassium levels, and higher Chl a concentrations were associated with higher Hg burdens, particularly in the Coastal Plain province. It is suggested that the observed large variability in LMB Hg burdens is linked to fish displacement by anglers, differences in food web structure, and sediment biogeochemistry, with surficial sediment iron oxides buffering the flux of MeHg from sediments to deeper water pelagic food webs.     

Arsenic speciation in the River Zenne, Belgium

Arsenic species have been assessed in the Zenne River, a sewage contaminated tributary of the Scheldt estuary, in winter 2003. The highest total dissolved As concentrations were found in the middle part of the river with values up to 3.6 microg L(-1). Particulate As concentrations increase towards the mouth of the River with highest levels of 2 microg L(-1). A very good correlation between the % of dissolved As and % of dissolved Fe was observed. They both linearly decrease with the amount of dissolved oxygen. In the middle part of the Zenne River where the oxygen levels were lowest, even below 1 mg L(-1), As(III) was the dominant species. In the other parts (upstream and downstream) of the river, As(V) was dominant. A linear relation between the measured redox values and those calculated via the As(III)/As(V) couple exists, but the range of measured Eh values is much larger than the calculated ones. No methylated dissolved As species were found during our survey.     

Snow and ice concentrations of selected persistent pollutants in the Ob-Yenisey river watershed

As one of the largest river systems attached to the Arctic Basin, the Ob-Yenisey watershed has the potential to be a major supply route of persistent organic pollutants into marine ecosystems of the Arctic Ocean. Snowfall and ice formation taking place in the Ob-Yenisey river basin and shelf are key components of the system of processes responsible for the transfer of pollutants from this high latitude river to the adjacent Kara and Barents Seas. Here we examine a large data set on persistent organic pollutants in snow and ice determined for areas within the Ob (interior and coastal), Yenisey and adjacent shelf. Data on the levels of total oil hydrocarbons, as well as individual components for groups (PAHs, HCHs, CBs, DDTs, PCBs) were examined in this investigation for two time periods: winter (1992)-spring (1993) and winter (1993)-spring (1994). Spatial averaging of each data set for individual years was performed in order to identify large-scale geographical trends in contaminant distributions within the four regions. The analysis indicates that mean pollutant concentrations in snow are consistent throughout the watershed. Comparing data from 1992/1993 and 1993/1994, in all cases, concentrations do not vary appreciatively among the different regions. A similar finding was observed for concentrations of pollutants in ice. Persistent organic pollutants for the Ob-Yenisey watershed are in most cases not dissimilar to measurements carried out in the far north of Canada. The exception is summation operator DDT. Concentrations of this pollutant are an order of magnitude higher in the Ob-Yenisey watershed as compared to the Canadian Arctic (0.09 ng/l).     

Fecal coliform accumulation within a river subject to seasonally-disinfected wastewater discharges

As pathogen contamination is a leading cause of surface water impairment, there has been increasing interest in the implications of seasonal disinfection practices of wastewater effluents for meeting water quality goals. For receiving waters designated for recreational use, disinfection during the winter months is often considered unnecessary due to reduced recreational usage, and assumptions that lower temperatures may reduce pathogen accumulation. For a river subject to seasonal disinfection, we sought to evaluate whether fecal coliforms accumulate during the winter to concentrations that would impair river water quality. Samples were collected from municipal wastewater outfalls along the river, as well as upstream and downstream of each outfall during the winter, when disinfection is not practiced, and during the summer, when disinfection is practiced. During both seasons, fecal coliform concentrations reached 2000–5000 CFU/100 mL, nearly an order of magnitude higher than levels targeted for the river to achieve primary contact recreational uses. During the summer, wastewater effluents were not significant contributors to fecal coliform loadings to the river. During the winter, fecal coliform accumulated along the river predominantly due to loadings from successive wastewater outfalls. In addition to the exceedance of fecal coliform criteria within the river, the accumulation of wastewater-derived fecal coliform along the river during the winter season suggests that wastewater outfalls may contribute elevated loads of pathogens to the commercial shellfish operations occurring at the mouth of the river. Reductions in fecal coliform concentrations between wastewater outfalls were attributed to dilution or overall removal. Combining discharge measurements from gauging stations, tributaries and wastewater outfalls to estimate seepage, dilution between wastewater outfalls was estimated, along with the percentage of the river deriving from wastewater outfalls. After accounting for dilution, the residual reductions in fecal coliform concentrations observed between outfalls were attributed to actual fecal coliform removal. The estimated rate of removal of 1.52 d^?1 was significantly higher than die-off rates determined by previous researchers at similarly low temperatures in laboratory batch experiments, indicating the potential importance of other removal mechanisms, such as predation or sedimentation.     

Recovery from groundwater extraction in a small catchment area with crystalline bedrock and thin soil cover in Sweden

An experiment has been in progress since 1997 in a small catchment area (28,000 m(2)) with crystalline bedrock and thin soil cover to study the conceivable impact on groundwater conditions of tunneling and the use of groundwater. The impact on hydrology and hydrochemistry from intensive extraction of groundwater at a depth of 50 m in the bedrock has been studied at Lake G?rdsj?n in Sweden. The catchment area was first monitored under pristine conditions, followed by four and a half years of extraction and then a recovery phase. The geological conditions result in a low buffer capacity and high sensitivity to acidification. During the period of extraction, the surface runoff decreased by approximately 50% compared to a nearby reference area. The groundwater extraction caused increased fluctuation in groundwater levels in a wetland, which in turn caused oxidation of reduced sulfur to sulfate. The sulfate concentrations increased almost 100-fold in some instances, causing a lowering of the pH by one unit in shallow groundwater. Since extraction of the groundwater was discontinued, the pH has gradually risen and the sulfate concentrations have decreased. However, the concentration of sulfate in groundwater in the wetland has remained stable at approximately double the pre-experiment levels. Magnesium concentrations were lower after the experiment, caused by exhaustion of the magnesium pool in the wetland through acidification. The extraction of water from the bedrock shortened the retention times and increased the recharge of groundwater in the bedrock. After extraction was terminated, the groundwater levels in the boreholes recovered within a month to levels similar to those before extraction. The hydrochemistry of the bedrock groundwater, which was strongly affected by the hydrochemistry of shallow groundwater during the experiment, has also gradually begun to regain its pre-extraction signature. However, the surface runoff has remained low during the first 2 years of recovery, at about 60% of the volume compared to the unaffected catchment area. This could be explained by delayed recovery in resaturation of the shallow rock that was unsaturated during the experiment.     

Long term prospective of the Seine River system: confronting climatic and direct anthropogenic changes

To explore the evolution of a human impacted river, the Seine (France), over the 21st century, three driving factors were examined: climate, agriculture, and point source inputs of domestic and industrial origin. Three future scenarios were constructed, by modification of a baseline representative of recent conditions. A climate change scenario, based on simulations by a general circulation model driven by the SRES-A2 scenario of radiative forcing, accounts for an average warming of +3.3 degrees C over the watershed and marked winter increase and summer decrease in precipitation. To illustrate a possible reduction in nitrate pollution from agricultural origin, a scenario of good agricultural practices was considered, introducing catch crops and a 20% decrease in nitrogen fertilisation. Future point source pollution was estimated following the assumptions embedded in scenario SRES-A2 regarding demographic, economic and technologic changes, leading to reductions of 30 to 75% compared to 2000, depending on the pollutants. Four models, addressing separate components of the river system (agronomical model, hydrogeological model, land surface model and water quality model), were used to analyse the relative impact of these scenarios on water quality, in light of their impact on hydrology and crop production. The first-order driving factor of water quality over the 21st century is the projected reduction of point source pollution, inducing a noticeable decrease in eutrophication and oxygen deficits downstream from Paris. The impact of climate change on these terms is driven by the warming of the water column. It enhances algal growth in spring and the loss factors responsible for phytoplankton mortality in late summer (grazers and viruses). In contrast, increased seasonal contrasts in river discharge have a negligible impact on river water quality, as do the changes in riverine nitrate concentration, which never gets limiting. The latter changes have a similar magnitude under the three scenarios. Under climate change, riverine and groundwater nitrate concentrations increase and crop production is advantaged with reduced growing cycles and increased yields. In contrast, nitrate concentrations decrease under the good agricultural practices scenario, with a limited decrease in crop production. When these two scenarios are combined, the changes in nitrate concentrations balance each other and crop yields increase. The results of this numerical exercise indicate that the potential changes to the Seine River system during the 21st century will not lead to severely degraded water quality.     

Toxicological relevance of emerging contaminants for drinking water quality

The detection of many new compounds in surface water, groundwater and drinking water raises considerable public concern, especially when human health based guideline values are not available it is questioned if detected concentrations affect human health. In an attempt to address this question, we derived provisional drinking water guideline values for a selection of 50 emerging contaminants relevant for drinking water and the water cycle. For only 10 contaminants, statutory guideline values were available. Provisional drinking water guideline values were based upon toxicological literature data. The maximum concentration levels reported in surface waters, groundwater and/or drinking water were compared to the (provisional) guideline values of the contaminants thus obtained, and expressed as Benchmark Quotient (BQ) values. We focused on occurrence data in the downstream parts of the Rhine and Meuse river basins. The results show that for the majority of compounds a substantial margin of safety exists between the maximum concentration in surface water, groundwater and/or drinking water and the (provisional) guideline value. The present assessment therefore supports the conclusion that the majority of the compounds evaluated pose individually no appreciable concern to human health.     

Setting action levels for drinking water: are we protecting our health or our economy (or our backs!)?

Clean and healthy drinking water is important for life. Drinking water can be drawn from streams, lakes and rivers, directly collected (and stored) from rain, acquired by desalination of ocean water and melting of ice or it can be extracted from groundwater resources. Groundwater may reach the earth's surface in the form of springs or can be extracted via dug or drilled wells; it also contributes significantly to river baseflow. Different water quality issues have to be faced when utilising these different water resources. Some of these are at present largely neglected in water quality regulations. This paper focuses on the inorganic chemical quality of natural groundwater. Possible health effects, the problems of setting meaningful action levels or maximum admissible concentrations (MAC-values) for drinking water, and potential shortcomings in current legislation are discussed. An approach to setting action levels based on transparency, toxicological risk assessment, completeness, and identifiable responsibility is suggested.     

Evaluation of phosphorus concentrations in relation to annual and seasonal physico-chemical water quality parameters in a UK chalk stream

The aim of this paper was to examine historical physico-chemical water quality parameters (1990-1997) in the River Frome, East Stoke (NGR SY867868), in order to show both annual and seasonal (monthly) trends. EpCO2 (defined as the partial pressure of CO2 in natural water divided by the equilibrium partial pressure of CO2) levels ranged from mean values of 6.32+/-0.41 in spring/summer to 7.86+/-1.17 in autumn/winter. A decreasing trend in mean annual EpCO2 was also observed, with a high of 9.61 in 1990 and a low of 5.22 in 1996. The variations were attributed to changes in pH, which showed an inverse relationship with river discharge (r2=0.47). Both pH and EpCO2 levels were strongly linked to biological activity with increases caused by primary productivity. Filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations correlated with river discharge. The results showed that the majority of the phosphorus load was transported during storm events, which agrees with results from an export coefficient model predicting phosphorus loading in the Frome catchment. Recent River Frome monitoring campaigns using an in situ flow-injection (FI)-based monitor were in agreement with phosphorus concentration and related physico-chemical trends observed during historical sampling and laboratory analysis.     

青藏工程走廊昆仑山口—清水河段主要水害问题及水文地质机理

通过野外实地调查发现,青藏工程走廊昆仑山口-清水河段发育的主要水害包括:地表水及地下水受人工拦挡,当排水措施不畅时产生路基积水,由于水的热交换作用使基底附近地下冰融化,导致路基下沉引起的水害;密集上升泉使冻胀-融陷地质作用强烈,冻土融沉及冻胀引起路基塌陷变形及翻浆冒泥引发病害;修筑公路取土坑密布地段,路基一侧或两侧地面积水引起水害;地下水强径流带与地下水浅藏带由于水位变化引起水害;河流冲刷、岸坡侵蚀导致的岸坡后退水害。     

Organic and minerogenic acidity in Finnish rivers in relation to land use and deposition

The role of organic and minerogenic acidity in controlling pH levels in Finnish rivers was studied by measuring total organic carbon (TOC) and non-marine sulphate (*SO(4)) concentrations in river water of the main river basins and their sub-basins. The basins are located along a latitudinal gradient (60 degrees N to 69 degrees N) and cover 297,322 km(2), 88% of the total area of Finland. The basins are predominately covered by coniferous forests and peatlands, and are located in areas with low sulphate deposition (80-430 mg S m(-2) a(-1)). The proportion of the basin covered by forests on mineral soils ranges from 29 to 64% and the proportion of peatlands from 3 to 60%. The percentage of peatland is highest in northern Finland (28-60%), whereas the proportion of forests on mineral soils increases towards the south. The majority of the agricultural land is located in southern and western Finland. *SO(4) concentrations were positively correlated with the proportion of agricultural land in the basin. Moreover, the percentage of peatlands had a positive correlation with the concentrations of TOC and organic anion. High peatland proportion and high TOC and organic anion concentrations decreased pH values in the river water, whereas no correlation between *SO(4) concentrations and pH was observed. The average organic anion concentration exceeded the average *SO(4) concentration in river water in 17 basins out of the 86 studied basins. The organic anion-dominated areas were situated in northern basins, reflecting the high extent of peatlands in these areas. *SO(4) dominated in southern Finland and in western coastal areas, where the extent of agricultural land, acid sulphate soils and the deposition of sulphate is highest.     

Calcite saturation in eastern UK rivers

Calcite saturation in eastern UK rivers is assessed in relation to the potential kinetic inhibition of calcite precipitation. Two well established inhibitors are considered: soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP, i.e. inorganic monomeric phosphorus); and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The rivers show a range of calcite saturation levels from approximately 1 hundredth to approximately 100-fold. The greatest range occurs for the northernmost river considered, the Tweed, where the waters range from highly unsaturated to highly oversaturated. The lowest range occurs for the most southerly rivers (the Great Ouse and the Thames) where the waters are consistently oversaturated with respect to calcite. The contrasting patterns relate to a greater diversity of water quality within the northern regions. Thus, during the winter, the main waters are derived from the upland areas with acidic soils and low weathering rates. During the summer baseflow periods, groundwater inputs are more important and high photosynthesis results in particularly high pHs and calcite oversaturation. In contrast, for the southern rivers, the main source of water during both the summer baseflow and the winter highflow periods comes from calcium carbonate rich aquifer sources. Statistical analysis of pH vs. the logarithm of the calcite saturation index for each river indicates strong linear features with individual gradients of approximately 1. This linearity results from an autocorrelation (the logarithm of the saturation index is calculated from the pH) and this indicates that calcite solubility controls are not operative in any of the rivers examined. A comparison of calcite saturation levels and SRP and DOC concentrations show a pattern inconsistent with kinetic hindrance, although some structure is observed, probably due to the mixing reactions between point and diffuse sources of water with contrasting chemistry.     

河南平原第四系地下水氢氧同位素特征与补给分析

河南平原第四系地下水氢氧同位素分布特征,总体上由北向南呈渐高趋势,浅、深层地下水系统水的δ18O值变化规律基本一致。平原北部系统水的δ18O值最低,并随着距离黄河越来越近而变得愈来愈小,呈现出"∨"型变化的特征。平原南部系统水的δ18O值最高,并随着距离淮河越来越近而变得愈来愈大,呈现出"∧"的变化特征。平原中部系统水的δ18O值介于该二者之间,且变化较平缓。浅层系统水主要为大气降水补给。深层系统水受开采作用,使得浅层水的越流补给已成为主要的补给来源。此外,平原北部浅层系统水,黄河侧渗补给亦是沿岸地下水的重要补给来源;而平原南部浅层系统水在接受降水补给的同时,还受到淮河的排泄。     

季节变动带内岩溶隧道涌突水危险性评价

季节变动带内岩溶隧道,枯水季节隧道涌水主要由含水层中的静储量以及地下暗河的枯期动储量构成,丰水季节由静储量及洪水期地下暗河动储量构成。由于降雨通过地表的洼地、落水洞迅速补给地下暗河,涌突水的剧增将对隧道施工带来极大的危害。因此,季节变动带内岩溶隧道涌突水危险性评价尤显重要。本文以滇东高原某岩溶隧道K5+850~K10+800段为例,根据段内枯水期稳定涌水量和雨季最大涌水量预测结果和岩石的可溶性(K₁)、地质构造因素(K₂)、地表汇水条件(K₃)、地下水化学特征(K₄)、隧洞埋深与地下水位的关系(K₅),分别进行了涌突水危险性评价。最后以段内地面暴雨前后实际涌水量变化验证涌突水危险性评价结果。     

Chemical water quality in Thailand and its impacts on the drinking water production in Thailand

In Thailand, surface water and groundwater are the main water sources for tap water and drinking water production. Thirty-six different samples from surface waters from Chao Praya and Mae Klong rivers, tap waters, bottled drinking waters, groundwaters and commercial ice cubes from around the Bangkok area were collected. Water samples were also taken from two waterworks in the Chonburi province. The extensive survey showed that, overall in all water samples investigated, there was only a minor pollution which could be traced back to the analyses performed including amongst others total organic carbon, inorganics and heavy metals, pesticides, organochlorine compounds, volatile organic compounds, surfactants, pharmaceuticals and disinfection by-products. However, whenever organic micropollutants could be detected in surface water, such as, e.g. the herbicide atrazine, they were also present in the tap water produced thereof proving that the present treatment steps are not sufficient for removal of such pollutants. The concentration of disinfection by-products was higher in tap water produced from Chao Praya river than from Mae Klong river. Disinfection by-products were also found in bottled drinking water. Commercial ice cubes contained anionic surfactants and their metabolites at elevated concentrations. The data of this study constitute the first set of homogenous data for the chemical water quality and also aid development of new water quality criteria in Thailand.