Distribution characteristics and controlling factors of typical antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes in river networks in western area of Wangyu River,China

Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) pose health risks in aquatic environments because of their persistence and mobility. River networks can provide a perfect opportunity for exploring the occurrence and enrichment of ARGs and antibiotics in freshwater environments. On this basis, the abundances of four types of antibiotics (sulfonamides, quinolones, tetracyclines, and macrolides) and 13 ARGs (sulⅠ, sulⅡ, tetA, tetB, tetO, tetW, qnrA, qnrS, qnrD, ermB, ermF, ermC, and ereA) were measured in the river networks of the west bank of the Wangyu River in China. The spatial distribution and temporal variation of these antibiotics and ARGs were characterized, and their controlling factors were analyzed. All four types of antibiotics were detected with high frequencies between 41% and 100%. Quinolone antibiotics exhibited the highest average concentration (286.53 ng/L). The concentrations of quinolones, tetracyclines, and macrolides were significantly higher in the winter than in the summer, whereas the concentration of sulfonamides was higher in wet periods than in dry periods. Of the 13 ARGs, sulI was the most abundant (1.28 ×10₅ copies per milliliter), followed by sulII and tetO (5.41×10⁴ and 4.45×10⁴ copies per milliliter, respectively). The canonical correspondence analysis showed that environmental factors, including dissolved oxygen, water temperature, total nitrogen, pH, and total phosphorus, had significant effects on the abundance of ARGs. sulⅠ, sulⅡ, tetA, and tetB were significantly correlated with 16S ribosomal RNA sequences, indicating that the bacterioplankton community might affect the distribution of ARGs. The correlation heat map analysis showed that the spread of ARGs was influenced by specific bacterial groups, such as Acidobacteria and Cyanobacteria, indicating that these bacterioplankton may be the hosts of environmental ARGs.     

Elucidation of mosaic patterns in gravel riverbeds using classifying flow velocity regimes obtained from a planar two-dimensional analysis

Gravel riverbeds in the middle reaches of Japanese rivers are essential habitats for various plants and animals. Disturbance from flooding is necessary for the formation of gravel riverbeds, but human control of rivers, such as dams and channelization, has altered flow and sediment regimes, thereby reducing disturbance. The flooding generates a mosaic pattern characterized by varying frequencies and intensities of disturbance in gravel riverbeds. Understanding the disturbance regimes that form mosaic patterns is important for the conservation of biodiversity in rivers. In this study, we proposed a method to extract mosaic patterns from flow velocity regimes obtained by planar two-dimensional analysis by classifying them with time-series clustering. Based on the distribution of Anaphalis margaritacea var. yedoensis on gravel riverbanks, we compared several past flooding events to identify mosaic patterns that are important for A. margaritacea var. yedoensis. The study site is the Echi River, which flows through Shiga Prefecture in Japan and into Lake Biwa. Using a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), orthomosaic images with an average ground resolution of 3.3 mm/pixel were created, and colony polygons of A. margaritacea var. yedoensis were created using image detection and visual correction. Hydraulic analysis was performed using iRIC ver2.3 (Nays2DH ver1.0). Time-series clustering was used to classify the flow velocity regimes for each computed mesh into 30 clusters. The relationship between the clusters of each flooding event and the distribution of A. margaritacea var. yedoensis was evaluated. Mosaic patterns were created by classifying the flow velocity regimes of each computational mesh calculated by planar 2D analysis into clusters using time-series clustering. After analyzing the relationship between each cluster and the area of distribution of A. margaritacea var. yedoensis, the first flooding event was determined to be the mosaic pattern that best explained the distribution of A. margaritacea var. yedoensis. Cluster 1, the “low peak, short duration type,” was considered the growth center of A. margaritacea var. yedoensis. The method used in this study is an innovative approach for obtaining mosaic patterns that quantifies these five elements of the disturbance regime.     

Bioecology of macrobenthic communities in the microtidal monsoonal Kodungallur–Azhikode Estuary,southwest coast of India

A comprehensive study of the macrobenthic communities in the Kodungallur–Azhikode Estuary (KAE) was conducted during 2009–2011 period. A total of 18,846 organisms were collected, with 60% being malacostracans, followed by polychaetes (20%), molluscs (9%) and ‘others’ group (11%). A total of 79 species in 71 genera belonging to 49 families were identified, with 33 spp. being polychaetes, 26 spp. being malacostracans, 11 spp. being molluscs and 9 spp. being in the ‘others’ group. A single species of opportunistic amphipod (Americorophium triaeonyx) comprised more than 62.05% of the total numerical abundance of macrobenthos. The other dominant species were Obelia bidentata, Arcuatula senhousia, Cirolana fluviatilis, Prionospio cirrifera and Capitella sp. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) results indicated environmental parameters such as water column salinity, turbidity, sediment Eh, substratum type, chlorophyll‐a concentration, depth and organic matter in sediment were the significant factors influencing the distribution of macrobenthic species in the KAE. The present study provides baseline information for future KAE benthic studies.     

Influence of salinity on light conditions and phytoplankton growth in a turbid river

A turbid lowland river in Australia was studied to describe factors influencing the light conditions for phytoplankton growth. Vertical attenuation coefficients correlated with nepholometric turbidity enabling estimation of euphotic depths (z _eu) from long term turbidity monitoring. Light conditions were assessed from the ratio of z_eu to the maximum water depth (z_m). Predominantly z_eu/z_m ratios were below 0.2, a value indicating the minimum light conditions required to support phytoplankton growth. A transitional state with z_eu/z_m between 0.2 and 0.35 occurred 15% of the time, while light sufficiency occurred for 30% of the time. Peaks in eukaryotic phytoplankton biomass developed when z_eu/z_m was at or above transitional values. Large increases in cyanobacterial numbers (Anabaena sp.) only occurred when z_eu/z_m exceeded 0.35. Turbidity increased quickly with elevated flows but did not decline substantially as flows reduced and light limiting conditions extended into low flow periods otherwise conducive to phytoplankton growth. However, during extended periods of reduced flows conductivity increased causing a substantial reduction in turbidity with concomitant improvements in light penetration. A turbidity of ca. 100 NTU marked the transition to light sufficiency at the study site and occurred at a conductivity of ca. 300 µS cm^?1 demonstrating that small changes in salinity can have major effects on light penetration. These results show that flow, salinity and turbidity all play a part in determining the growth conditions for phytoplankton in turbid rivers. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pareto Random Variables for Hydrological Modeling

Motivated by hydrological problems, the exact distributions of the sum X + Y, the product X Y and the ratio X/(X + Y) are derived when X and Y are independent Pareto random variables. A detailed application of the results is provided to extreme rainfall data from Florida.     

An Evaluation of CMIP5 GCM Simulations over the Athabasca River Basin,Canada

Long‐term hydrological forecasting, water resources management and other climate change impacts or adaptation analysis studies on large continental river basins, for example, the Athabasca River Basin (ARB) in Canada, desire a reliable climatic projection. This usually relies on general circulation models (GCMs) in the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). However, there is a lack of a systematic evaluation of CMIP5 GCM performances over the ARB that vary with multiple factors, for example, statistical metrics, temporal scales and spatial locations, challenging the reliability of water‐related or other studies over the ARB. For this gap to be filled, six CMIP5 GCMs, namely, IPSL‐CM5A‐LR, IPSL‐CM5A‐MR, MIROC‐ESM‐CHEM, MIROC5, GFDL‐ESM2G and GFDL‐ESM2M, and their ensemble mean are selected according to data availabilities of representative climate variables: Tmin, Tmax and Prec (TTP). Accuracies of the selected CMIP5 GCMs in reproducing TTP over the ARB are evaluated comprehensively. The ensemble mean cannot outperform any GCM in all cases in the ARB, although its overall accuracy seems to be higher in consideration of all cases. These accuracies vary with TTP, locations, metrics and scales. For instance, ESM2G shows the highest accuracies in reproducing monthly/seasonal variability and magnitudes of grid‐averaged TTP and inter‐annual variability of grid‐averaged annual means of Tmax; CM5A‐LR in multi‐year‐averaged spatial variability of TTP and magnitudes of spatially distributed multi‐year‐averaged Tmax; while the ensemble mean only in some aspects, for example, intraseasonal variability and magnitudes of TTP and inter‐annual variability and magnitudes of grid‐averaged annual means of TTP. GCMs should be systematically integrated according to accuracy variations. Multiple statistical metrics are recommended in GCM evaluations. These findings facilitate water resources systems analyses and other related studies in the ARB. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Note to the Variable Sorptivity Infiltration Equation

A simplification for the variable sorptivity infiltration equation of Poulovassilis et al. (1989) is proposed. The resulting equation has three parameters S _x, c and K ₀. From these, S _x and c are considered as fitting parameters and K ₀ as a physical one. The new empirical infiltration equation is tested for precision, parameter time-dependence and applicability for soil surveys. The test was carried out by comparison with reference solutions i.e. infiltration data obtainedexperimentally, analytically or numerically for two different head conditionsat the infiltration surface. A good agreement is observed for all examinedcases. The dependence of the fitting parameters S _x and c on the initialand boundary conditions, as well as the error that arises by taking intoaccount different values of them, are examined. In fine textured soilsparameter c seems to be very small, so that one can easily suppose that the proposed equation reduces to the well-known Philip's infiltration equation (Philip, 1957).     

Screening of Azolla strains for tolerance to ammonium

Sixty‐seven strains of seven species of Azolla were screened for tolerance to ammonium ion on the basis of their growth on the medium with or without 20 mmol/L ammonium. Azolla nilotica was the most sensitive species followed by Azolla rubra. Azolla pinnata var. pinnata was the most tolerant species. Twelve tolerant strains in Azolla mexicana, Azolla caroliniana, Azolla microphylla and A. pinnata var. pinnata were selected. No tolerant strain was found in Azolla filiculoides containing native strains in Japan.     

Assessing the environmental context of hand washing among school children in Limpopo,South Africa

Despite its simplicity and efficacy, the promotion of hand washing for disease prevention remains a challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings. This article reports on a quasi-experimental school-based study that aimed to improve habitual hand washing. Significant increases in hand washing occurred following improvements in hygiene and sanitation facilities (School A: t = 13.86, p = 0.0052). Smaller increases in hand washing occurred following education (School A: t = 2.63; p = 0.012; School B, no infrastructure improvements: t = 1.66, p = 0.239). Health policy and programming need to pay greater attention to the interplay of the structural, social and individual dimensions of unique contextual environments that influence habitual behaviours.     

Shallow and deep water aquatic vegetation potential for a midlatitude pool of the Upper Mississippi River System with drawdown

Prior to navigation dam and levee placement, the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) flowed through a wide floodplain supporting a diverse ecosystem. Diversity was created by variable flood frequencies and water flow, but presently high and static water levels supporting river navigation have caused low diversity of aquatic vegetation in locations within the UMR. A pool‐scale water level drawdown was proposed as a wetland management tool to mimic historic low water flow for UMR Navigation Pool 18, between Oquawka and Keithsburg, IL. The objectives of this research are to determine plant species, density, and diversity expected for a drawdown in Pool 18. A seedbank and propagule assay was used to evaluate drawdown plant species response. Emergence was tested using river bottom substrate samples collected in 2009 from the proposed drawdown area. Samples were treated at two hydrologic levels: shallow (3‐cm depth) and deep (16‐cm depth). Dominant species in the shallow flooded treatment were Gratiola neglecta, Leersia oryzoides, Eleocharis palustris, Sagittaria latifolia, and Ammania coccinea. Deep flooded dominant taxa included G. neglecta, S. latifolia, Vallisneria americana, and A. coccinea. Each treatment indicated a seedbank of moderate diversity with a shallow treatment diversity of D = 0.56 and deep treatment diversity of D = 0.44. Plant density for the shallow flooded treatment was 213 stems/m² (±112; 95% CI), and deep flooded hydrologic treatment, 206 stems/m² (±82; 95% CI). It is expected that this drawdown will provide an intermediate ecological disturbance resulting in greater species diversity and density currently lacking in this portion of the Upper Mississippi River System.     

Conversion of Toxic Components of Flue Gases of Cogeneration Plants

A method for conversion of toxic components of flue gases (NO _x and SO _x ) by intense ozonization and pulse treatment is suggested. Ozone-oxygen mixture produced from atmospheric air is ejected into the flue in the zone of pulsed positive corona. __________ Translated from Elektricheskie Stantsii, No. 8, August 2005, pp. 38 – 41.     

Numerical expressions of otolith shape and morphometric relationships for five fish species in tidal‐linked lagoons in the northern Arabian Sea

Otoliths from five fish species, including Acanthopagrus latus, Daysciaena albida, Ellochelon vaigiensis, Mugil cephalus and Mystus gulio, were used to develop numerical expressions involving otolith shape indices and morphometric parameters. A total of 342 fish specimens in lagoons (24°39′ 0N, 68°50′0E) were sampled from August 2014 to July 2015. A linear model related to fish sizes, otolith sizes and weights were applied, with estimated coefficients of determinations (r² = 0.99–0.53). Otolith shape indices, including form factor, roundness, aspect ratio, circularity, rectangularity and ellipticity for each fish species, also were analysed. The results of the present study are the first to describe relationships between otolith dimensions, fish morphometrics and shape indices of highly valued fish species and can be an important input for further trophic modelling to study food web dynamics.     

Biodiversity characteristics of small high-altitude tropical man-made reservoirs in the Eastern Rift Valley, Kenya

The biodiversity characteristics in eight small (0.065–0.249 km²) public man‐made reservoirs in the central part of the Eastern Rift Valley, Kenya, were studied between 1995 and 1998. A total of 71 phytoplankton species belonging to approximately 50 taxa were identified. Chlorophytes and cyanobacteria dominated the crop. The dominant taxa included Botryococcus, Syunura, Microsystis, Anabaena, and Cosmarium. A total of over 40 zooplankton species were identified. The community was composed mainly of crustacea, rotifers and protozoa. The most dominant group was Keratella but Brachionus and Nauplius were equally abundant. The diversity and abundance of benthic invertebrates was not high, and only 18 species were identified throughout the study period with the range of species number being 1–7 per reservoir. The benthic fauna was mainly composed of Lumbriculidae and Chironomid worms. A total of six monthly bird counts found an average of 60 birds per reservoir, and a total of 49 species was identified. Ducks, geese and coots dominated the waterfowl, especially during the dry season. Large‐scale breeding by Black‐headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala ) and Little Egret (Egretta garzetta ) was observed in one of the sites, and other species were also breeding in the reservoirs. The population of waterbirds in reservoirs was closely related to the biomass of benthic invertebrates, and the findings of the study indicate that the structure and dynamics of life forms within small man‐made reservoirs can serve as excellent sensors and indicators of the state of watershed health.     

Enhanced Channel Division Method for Estimation of Discharge in Meandering Compound Channel

Accurate prediction of shear force distribution along the boundary in open channels is a key to the solution of numerous hydraulic problems. The problem becomes more complicated for meandering compound channels. A model is developed for predicting the percentage of shear force at the floodplain (%S_fp) of two-stage meandering channels using gene-expression programming (GEP) by considering five dimensionless parameters viz. the width ratio, relative depth, sinuosity, bed slope, and meander belt width ratio as the inputs in the model. Basing on the %S_fp, the apparent shear force along the division lines of separation in compound channels is selected for discharge calculation using the conventional channel division methods. An Enhanced Channel Division Method (ECDM) is introduced to calculate discharge by assuming interface line at main channel and floodplain junction. A modified variable-inclined (MVI) interface is suggested having zero apparent shear determined from flow contribution in the main channel and floodplain. The MVI interface is further used to calculate discharge in the meandering compound channels. Performance of the GEP model is tested against other analytical methods of calculating %S_fp. Error between the observed and calculated discharges using the MVI interface is found to be the minimum when compared to other interface methods. The enhance channel division method is successfully applied for validating the two available overbank discharge values for the river Baitarani at Anandapur (drainage area of 8570 sq. km), giving the minimum errors of 0.31% and 1.02% for flow depths of 7.5 m and 8.63 m, respectively.

     

Design of earthen vegetated open channels

Modified formulas for Manning's equation are developed for use in the design of earthen open channels with submerged aquatic weeds. The proposed relations have their basis in field and experimental data. A multiple regression analysis was used to develop a relationship between the mean velocity, hydraulic radius, and water surface slope. The new formulas are dependent on the distribution of weeds along the channel's wetted perimeter and the percentage of vegetation density with respect to the cross-section area of the waterway.Notation A cross-section area - A _w area of weeds - B ₁ top width of channel flow - g acceleration of gravity - h height of roughness element - n Manning's coefficient - Q discharge of flow - R hydraulic radius - S water surface slope - S ₀ bed surface slope - V mean flow velocity     

基于REDRAW 模型的黄河河龙间近年蒸散发特性研究

基于参照干湿限的遥感蒸散发模型(REDRAW)反演了黄河中游河龙区间5个典型子流域2000—2010年的蒸散发,结合归一化植被指数(NDVI)分析了区域蒸散发的年内和年际特征。年尺度流域水量闭合验证结果表明,REDRAW模型反演的区域年蒸散发多年平均为358.3 mm,接近降雨径流之差351.4 mm,平均相对误差2.6%,年尺度ET反演结果较为合理,说明REDRAW在研究区域具有一定的适用性。区域蒸散发与NDVI年内变化较为一致,年际变化存在一定正相关,11年间增长趋势较为明显。区域NDVI的显著增加与植树造林等水保措施有关,结合流域的降雨径流等水文数据分析可知,植被覆盖的增加一方面增加蒸散发耗散,另一方面通过截留等作用促使径流减少。     

Effect of mixing patterns and light dose on growth of Anabaena circinalis in a turbid,lowland river

Anabaena circinalis is common in the lower Murray River, Australia, and may compromise water quality due to the release of toxins. The water is turbid and thermal structure may significantly affect light availability. An in situ experiment was designed to represent complete mixing, diurnal stratification and persistent stratification and test the effect on growth of A. circinalis. To represent the mixing treatments, cells were incubated in diffusion chambers that were adjusted to different positions in the water‐column throughout the day. Populations exposed to persistent stratification over six days grew significantly faster than the other treatments at a rate of 0.65 day^?1. However, growth of the diurnally stratified populations was slower than (0.28 day^?1), or similar to (0.40 day^?1) the mixed population (0.40 day^?1). Therefore, the growth of the subpopulations exposed to the euphotic zone was insufficient to counteract the slow growth of the majority that were confined to darkness during the stratified period. A relationship between growth rate (G) and average daily light dose (I) was constructed and growth rate at optimal light dose (G_max), slope of linear section of G–I curve (α), and light dose where lines of G_max and light‐limited portion of G–I curve intersect (I_k) were solved as 0.66 day^?1, 0.12 day^?1 (mol^?1 m^?2 day^?1)^?1 and 5.4 mol m^?2 day^?1, respectively. Using these parameters, a model was developed to predict possible differences in growth between diurnal and mixed populations under varying conditions of vertical light attenuation, mixed depth and incubation time. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Littoral zooplankton diversity in Himayat Sagar Reservoir,Telangana, India

The present study investigated zooplankton composition and diversity, along with physicochemical parameters from the littoral regions of Himayat Sagar Reservoir, Telangana, India. A total of 84 zooplankton species were found, including 60 rotifer species, 16 cladoceran species and eight copepod species. Keratella tropica, Lecane bulla, Coronatella rectangula and Mesocyclops sp. were observed frequently throught the study period. The Shannon Diversity Index ranged between H′ = 1.8 and 2.1, with a high diversity observed during the summer season. Dominance was greater during the monsoon and winter seasons, being represented by Brachionus calyciflorus, B. angularis, B. falcatus, Keratella tropica, Ceriodaphnia cornuta, Diaphanosoma sarsi and Mesocyclops sp. Correlation coefficients and principal component analysis indicated temperature, pH and nutrients had a major influence on zooplankton community changes in this reservoir. The environmental variables and diversity indices indicated seasonally fluctuating trophic conditions. Himayat Sagar Reservoir requires long‐term monitoring for assessment and better management of its faunal diversity and water quality.     

Advection,growth and nutrient status of phytoplankton populations in the lower River Murray,South Australia

To investigate the link between river flow, nutrient availability and development of algal blooms, growth rates of the major phytoplankton species were examined in situ in the lower River Murray, South Australia over the 1994/1995 summer. Eight sites were selected over a 54 km reach between Lock 1 and Nildottie and growth rates estimated by monitoring mean cell density in time‐aligned parcels of water as they travelled downstream. Discharge at Lock 1 during the period of study (3000–5000 ML day⁻¹) typified summer entitlement flows to South Australia. A large, shallow floodplain lake (lagoon), with an hydraulic connection to the river, supported a large population of cyanobacteria in summer, but inputs to the main channel did not substantially affect the abundance and composition of river phytoplankton. Mean net growth rates of Anabaena circinalis and A. flos‐aquae f. flos‐aquae were 0.132 and 0.176 day⁻¹, respectively, although individual rates varied from positive to negative. In contrast, the mean growth rate of the filamentous diatom Aulacoseira granulata was −0.15 day⁻¹, reflecting a decrease in population size with advection downstream. Mean cell densities of the three species did not exceed 5000 cells mL⁻¹ throughout the study. Growth bioassays conducted in the laboratory indicated that nitrogen was often the nutrient limiting algal growth, although it was not established whether nitrogen was limiting in situ. A conceptual model is presented, linking these findings with those of other work on the lower River Murray, to summarize the physical and chemical environmental factors governing the abundance of cyanobacteria in this reach of the river. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.