Distribution and geochemical processes of boron in the multimedia of Lake Qinghai,China

Lake Qinghai on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau is the largest lake in China. This study investigated the concentration and geochemical processes of boron (B) in lake water, lake sediment and river samples collected from Lake Qinghai and the Buha River. In addition, lake sediment pore water samples were analyzed. The concentrations of B and major ions, including K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl^? and SO₄^2?, were analyzed in all the water samples. The average concentration of B was 0.07?mg?L^?1, 6.37?mg?L^?1, 12.79) mg?L^?1 and 59.42?mg?kg^?1 for river water, lake water, pore water, and sediment, respectively. There were significant (p?<?0.05) and positive (r?=?0.70) relationships between the B concentrations in bottom water of the lake and in lake sediment, indicating that B diffusion from the sediment plays an important role in the concentration of B in bottom lake water. The differences in B concentrations and B/major ion molar ratios of the river water, lake water, and pore water indicated the following geochemical processes: 1) B is enriched in the lake water through evaporative concentration; 2) B is removed from the lake water through mineral precipitation as well as sorption onto colloids; 3) Solid-phase B in sediments was released through dissolution driven by organic matter mineralization. B/Cl and Na/Cl molar ratios alone are not enough to identify the sources of B in the water of inland closed-basin saline lakes because of these processes.     

Hydrochemistry of Lake Rara: A high mountain lake in western Nepal

High altitude ecosystems have important natural ecological functions but are under increasing impacts from human activities and climate change. A detailed analysis of the water chemistry of Lake Rara, a high mountain lake in western Nepal, was carried out in October 2015 and April 2016. A total of 31 water samples were collected. Major ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, SO₄^2?, NO₃^? and Cl^?) were analysed by ion chromatography. Si and PO₄^3? were analysed following the standard protocols. Conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity and dissolved oxygen (DO) were measured on‐site. The lake is oligotrophic characterized by low PO₄^3? concentration (0.06 ± 0.01 mg/L), high DO values (6.73 ± 0.06 and 10.89 ± 0.86 mg/L), alkaline pH (8.42 ± 0.3 and 8.32 ± 0.23) and low conductivity (189.93 ± 5.3 and 189.22 ± 5.8 μS/cm). The concentrations of the major cations were in the order of Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺ > Na⁺ (during both seasons), and for anions, it was HCO₃^? > SO₄^2? > Cl^? > NO₃^? and HCO₃^? > Cl^? > NO₃^? > SO₄^2? during postmonsoon and premonsoon, respectively. One‐way ANOVA revealed significant seasonal variations (p  < 0.05) in most of the physicochemical parameters. The increased concentrations of most of the ions in the premonsoon time probably reflect long‐range transport of materials through dry deposition, whereas higher concentrations of NO₃^? and Cl^? in some sites possibly reflect the localized impacts of settlement and grazing. The lake water was classified as Ca(Mg)HCO₃. High (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)/Tz⁺ ratio (0.97 in postmonsoon and 0.95 in premonsoon) and low (Na⁺ + K⁺)/Tz⁺ ratio (0.03 in postmonsoon and 0.04 in premonsoon) confirm carbonate weathering as the principal source of major ions with bedrock geology governing the water chemistry. The findings of this study build on the baseline dataset for assessing future anthropogenic influence on the lake and subsequent development for future lake management strategies.     

Comparisons between the chemical compositions of lake water,inflowing river water,and lake sediment in Nam Co,central Tibetan Plateau,China and their controlling mechanisms

The chemical composition of lake water and inflowing river water was investigated in Nam Co (lake), Tibetan Plateau, in September 2005. Lake water samples (n = 76) were collected at different depths along a south–north transect of the eastern part of the lake while water samples were collected from 69 rivers flowing into the lake; a sediment core was collected at 64 m midway along the water survey transect to investigate salt precipitation. Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ were the dominant cations, accounting for 76.2% and 60.6% of the lake and river water cations, respectively while HCO₃⁻ was the dominant anion accounting for 70.8% and 93.4% of lake and river anions, respectively. CaCO₃ precipitation from the water column decreased Ca²⁺ in the lake water, with the relative proportion of other ions increasing significantly. Evaporation–crystallization processes largely control Nam Co lake-water chemistry, while rock weathering is the dominant processes influencing the chemistry of river water; carbonate and silicate weathering are the major sources of ions in these rivers.     

Long‐term irreversible changes in a lake ecosystem affected by the Indian Ocean Tsunami

This study focused on ecosystem responses to the environmental perturbations caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami in a small lake that was a freshwater body in 1996, prior to the tsunami. The physicochemical and biological characteristics of Kokilamedu Lake (KKM) revealed drastic changes, compared with pretsunami conditions. Monthly average observations on water quality indicated the electrical conductivity of the water increased steeply to 17.41 mS cm^?1 in 2009, from the lowest pretsunami value of 1.83 mS cm^?1 (range of 1.83–5.25 mS cm^?1). Simultaneously, the nitrate + nitrite (NO₃ + NO₂) values increased significantly from 0.49 μmol L^?1 in 1996 to 74.47 μmol L^?1 in 2006. Silicate (SiO₄‐Si) exhibited a dramatic increase in concentration, from an average of 64.87 μmol L^?1 in the pretsunami period to 309.71 μmol L^?1 the post‐tsunami period (2009–2010). Inorganic phosphate had increased to a maximum of 9.59 μmol L^?1 from a pretsunami maximum of 1.09 μmol L^?1. The chlorophyll‐α concentrations did not respond to the increased nutrient stoichiometry of the lake. There was a decreased chlorophyll‐α concentration under post‐tsunami conditions. The recent infilling of the lake with sediment during the tsunami, associated with wind‐driven resuspension reduced the light penetration. There was a significant improvement in dissolved oxygen concentrations (2006–2010 average of 8.27 mg L^?1) in the lake, however, compared with the pretsunami values (1994–1995 average of 5.94 mg L^?1). The algal component is now dominated by blue‐green algae, while green algae had dominated in the pretsunami period. Pre‐ and post‐tsunami observations from a control site did not exhibit such dramatic shifts from the 1995 and 1996 conditions, whereas a shift was apparent in the case of KKM. Certain marine fishes have adapted to this altered ecosystem. These marine species encountered (Elops machnata, Cociella punctata, Sphyraena jello, Platycephalus indicus, Glossogobius giuris) might have been recruited during the intrusion of the tsunami waves.     

Microbial processes at the land–water interface,and cross‐domain causal relationships,as influenced by atmospheric deposition of pollutants in three freshwater lakes in India

The effects of long‐term atmospheric deposition of pollutant elements on the trans‐surface causative relationships at three lake sites having different catchment characteristics were investigated in this study. The selected determinants included lake productivity, bottom sediment quality, and a suite of microbial variables (microbial biomass (C_mic); basal respiration; substrate‐induced respiration; bacterial:fungal ratio; metabolic quotient; and alkaline phosphatase and FDAase activities) measured at the land–water interface, in relation to atmospheric deposition of phosphate; nitrate; ammonium; sulphate; calcium; and magnesium. The results indicated significant between‐site differences (P < 0.001) in the atmospheric deposition of phosphate (0.21–1.96 kg.h^?1.year^?1); nitrate (2.77–28.05 kg.h^?1.year^?1); ammonium (0.58–11.60 kg.h^?1.year^?1); sulphate (5.64–32.15 kg.h^?1.year^?1); calcium (4.50–30.00 kg.h^?1.year^?1); and magnesium (1.50–12.15 kg.h^?1.year^?1), as well as a consistently increasing input of these ions across time. The catchment vegetation had important effects on microbial variables that, in turn, affected lake productivity. Interfaces of woodland lake were found to be rich in phenolics, supporting low C_mic and activities. Except for alkaline phosphatase, which declined over time, atmospheric deposition of pollutant elements increased the C_mic and activities at the land–water interface. The time lag correlation analysis indicated the C_mic and lake productivity relationships were significantly altered by atmospherically driven nitrogen and phosphorus inputs, with a time lag of 2–3 years. Despite being supportive, aerial nutrient inputs appeared to have a destabilizing effect on both, microbial biomass and lake productivity variables. These observations indicate that if present atmospheric deposition trends of pollutant elements continue, it will modify the cross‐domain causative relationships of inland lentic systems over the long term. These study results are relevant for the formulation of strategies for managing freshwater tropical lakes.     

Quality Evaluation of Groundwater Resources using Geostatistical Methods (Case Study: Central Lorestan Plain,Iran)

In this research, based on the qualitative data of 40 wells, variations of water quality parameters of the Central Plain Aquifer were evaluated using kriging and IDW (Inverse Distance Weighting) methods. Owing to the normal distribution of the studied parameters (except Na⁺, SO₄^2?, and TH: total hardness), ordinary kriging was used for modeling. The analysis of the data trends indicated that all the variables were influenced by in two general trends, i.e., NW–SE and NE–SW. In fact, these trends were a result of the effect of the structural conditions on aquifer properties such as transmissivity and flow direction. Variogram analysis (based on C₀ near zero and C₀/σ² ratio between 0.0–0.5) showed that the Na⁺, TDS (total dissolved solids), Ca²⁺, and TH variables have a good spatial structure and the BOD (biochemical oxygen demand), COD (chemical oxygen demand), NO₃^?, and EC variables have poor spatial structure. The BOD, COD, NO₃^?, and EC (electrical conductivity) variables have the smallest range and isotropic distribution. On the other hand, the Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, SO₄^2?, Cl^?, HCO₃^?, pH, TDS, TH and Alk (alkalinity) parameters are characterized by anisotropic distributions. The Na⁺, TDS, Ca²⁺, and TH variables have the largest range. The results showed that both the IDW and kriging methods have close estimates to one another. The pH variable decreases toward the outlet whereas the EC and TDS variables increase along the direction of water flow and toward the outlet. The distributions of the BOD and COD variables do not perfectly match with the aggregation of industrial activities in the central part as well as the agricultural activities in the southeastern and central parts of the aquifer. The distributions of the Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Alk variables completely follow the geology condition and regional spread of carbonate formations. The Na⁺ concentration increases from the center toward the outlet. The concentration of the Cl^? variable is the highest in the central part of the plain due to the concentration of agricultural and industrial activities. The distribution of the SO₄^2? variable is influenced by a natural factor (lithology), especially in the southeastern parts and the outlet as well as artificial factors (agricultural and industrial activities) in the central and southeastern parts of the aquifer. The NO₃^? variable, which is directly influenced by agricultural and livestock-farming activities, has its maximum concentration in the southeastern areas.     

Diffusion analysis and modeling of kinetic behavior for treatment of brine water using electrodialysis process

In this study, the removal of monovalent and divalent cations, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺, in a diluted solution from Chott-El Jerid Lake, Tunisia, was investigated with the electrodialysis technique. The process was tested using two cation-exchange membranes: sulfonated polyether sulfone cross-linked with 10% hexamethylenediamine (HEXCl) and sulfonated polyether sulfone grafted with octylamine (S-PESOS). The commercially available membrane Nafion® was used for comparison. The results showed that Nafion® and S-PESOS membranes had similar removal behaviors, and the investigated cations were ranked in the following descending order in terms of their demineralization rates: Na⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺. Divalent cations were more effectively removed by HEXCl than by monovalent cations. The plots based on the Weber–Morris model showed a strong linearity. This reveals that intra-particle diffusion was not the removal rate-determining step, and the removal process was controlled by two or more concurrent mechanisms. The Boyd plots did not pass through their origin, and the sole controlling step was determined by film-diffusion resistance, especially after a long period of electrodialysis. Additionally, a semi-empirical model was established to simulate the temporal variation of the treatment process, and the physical significance and values of model parameters were compared for the three membranes. The findings of this study indicate that HEXCl and S-PESOS membranes can be efficiently utilized for water softening, especially when effluents are highly loaded with calcium and magnesium ions.     

Effects of diversion on the chemistry of a stream in Japan

On the upper reaches of the Ishite River, Japan the stream water is diverted completely at about 3 km above the Ishitegawa Reservoir, except under flood conditions. The chemical composition of the regenerated streamflow 2.4 km downstream from the diversion was determined 70 times during two years (1986-7) to investigate the effects of the diversion on water chemistry. Factor analysis suggested that two main factors controlled the water chemistry. Factor 1 explained 45.7% of the total variance and was correlated positively with the concentrations of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, HCO^? ₃, SO^2? ₄ and Cl^?, which seemed to reflect the leaching of dominant ions from the catchment soil. The factor 1 score was correlated negatively with the ecological ‘Ca-Mg index’ (r² = 0.912), a low value of which is necessary to avoid phosphorus enrichment by phytoplankton in the downstream reservoir. The diversion seemed to contribute to this purpose because the log flow-rate value was correlated positively with the index (r² = 0.730). On the other hand, factor 2 explained 10.2% of the total variance and was correlated positively with NO^? ₃ concentration and negatively with pH. Factor 2 was considered in relation to the partial pressure of dissolved CO₂ gas in the stream water and appeared to be a complex biological factor that reflected CO₂ production in the catchment soil and consumption in the stream.     

The occurrence of microcystin-LR in Lake Chivero, Zimbabwe

Lake Chivero is a eutrophic reservoir, initially constructed to supply drinking water to the City of Harare, Zimbabwe. Blooms of blue‐green algae have been a problem in the lake for many years and concern has been expressed about the toxins produced by Microcystis spp. The concentrations of the toxin, microcystin‐LR, produced in cultures of Microcystis aeruginosa from Lake Chivero, were investigated from March–April 2003. Microcystin‐LR was found in algal cells cultured from the lake water in concentrations ranging between 18.02 and 22.48 µg L^?1, with a mean concentration of 19.86 µg L^?1. These concentrations are the highest recorded to date for the lake, raising concerns about the possible effects of the toxin on the health of people who are drinking the water. Based on these study results, there is a need to control eutrophication, reducing algal blooms in order to prevent their potentially detrimental effects from blue‐green algal toxins produced under such conditions.     

多种修复技术对城市内河水质及微生物群落的影响

采集城市内河水样,分别采用曝气增氧、碳源添加、生物投菌和综合修复等技术,在实验室进行水质修复模拟实验,并以水质参数、微生物多样性及丰度为鉴定指标,分析不同修复技术对城市河流水质的修复效果及其对河流微生物群落结构的影响。结果表明,曝气、生物投菌和综合修复技术可以提高河流微生物群落结构多样性,水体微生物群落以变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)和疣微菌门(Verrucomicrobia)为主;而使用碳源添加技术的水样,河流微生物的多样性下降明显,变形菌门(Proteobacteria)的相对丰度达到了93%;水质修复方面,曝气增氧技术和生物投菌技术都仅能降低水体COD质量浓度,无法降低水体TN及NH+4-N质量浓度;碳源添加和综合修复技术,对水体TN和NH+4-N的去除效果明显,但投加碳源的河流水体中的COD质量浓度显著上升;相关性分析结果表明,影响水体微生物群落结构的主要环境因子为COD和DO。     

Growth and Smoltification of Three Norwegian Strains of Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar Reared under Different Thermal Regimes

A comparative study was performed with juvenile Atlantic salmon Salmo salar from three stocks in Western Norway that differ in their natural conditions. One is from warm, lowland river conditions (Årdal), one is from cold glacial river conditions (Stryn) and the last one (Suldalslågen) is from a hydropower‐regulated river. The salmon parr were tagged and reared at 4, 5.5 and 7 °C and simulated natural water temperature (SNT) for river Suldalslågen. Size distribution was unimodal at 4 °C, with a change to a bimodal distribution, representing potential 1+ and 2+ smolts, at the other temperature regimes. The relative biomass of 1+ smolts varied between the stocks as Stryn (cold glacial river) stock had the highest number of smolts at 7 °C and the Suldalsågen stock (hydropower‐regulated river) displaying the highest number at the SNT regime. Overall, the Stryn stock, originating from cold river conditions, seemed to be well adapted to growth and smoltification at cold temperatures, whereas salmon parr from river Suldalslågen seem to be better adapted to the natural temperature regime (SNT) of this river than the other two stocks. This was reflected in the gill Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase as the Suldalslågen stock showed increasing activity from 16 April (4.2 µmol ADP mg protein^?1 h^?1) to 10 May (9.2 µmol ADP mg protein^?1 h^?1), and at the end of the experiment, enzyme activity in Suldalslågen stock was significantly higher than both Stryn (5.7) and Årdal (5.9 µmol ADP mg protein^?1 h^?1) stock. In contrast, the warm lowland stock, Årdal, fish had low Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase activity with no distinct peak at any of the sampled dates from March through May. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Limnological characteristics and trophic state of Paso de las Piedras Reservoir: An inland reservoir in Argentina

The current trophic status of Paso de las Piedras Reservoir was evaluated by analysing different physicochemical, biological and environmental variables, in relation to its water quality, and application of two different classification criteria. Water quality sampling was conducted at four sampling sites from June 2004 to June 2005. During this study, 183 phytoplankton taxa were identified. The phytoplankton abundance exhibited a maximum of 368.037 × 10³ cells.mL^?1 in February 2005, and at least 1.133 × 10³ cells.mL^?1 in October 2004. An almost exclusive dominance of Cyanobacteria was observed between December 2004 and May 2005, the product of a large relative abundance of Anabaena circinalis and Microcystis natans which, together with other companions, were the reason for an algal bloom characterized by an average density of 133.05 × 10³ cells.mL^?1, and an average chlorophyll concentration of 28.7 mg.m^?3. These study results indicate that the seasonal variations of physical, chemical and biological parameters in the waters of this reservoir were essentially a consequence of environmental and hydrological conditions in the dam area. In contrast, the spatial variations inside the lake were the result of the characteristics of the water inflow provided by its two main tributaries. The N:P ratio suggests neither nutrient is a limiting factor for maximum algal biomass in the lake, indicating that variations in the phytoplankton community structure, and development of phytoplankton blooms, would be more constrained by environmental and hydrological conditions than nutrient competition. The high concentration of measured nutrients could be attributed to the concurrence of various non‐point sources. The phytoplankton species richness was high, exhibiting values even higher than those mentioned in previous studies. Considering the two trophic classification systems, and based on total phosphorus data, the reservoir is classified within the hypertrophic category. In contrast, considering only the chlorophyll and turbidity data, the lake would be classified within the eutrophic category.     

Spatial variations in nutrients and other physicochemical variables in the topographically closed Lake Baringo freshwater basin (Kenya)

Spatial physicochemical parameters were determined from 39 sampling sites distributed throughout Lake Baringo during December 2010. Mean values of temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration and electrical conductivity decreased successively with depth, while the pH remained constant. Only the turbidity values increased marginally with depth. Of the surface water parameters, mean (range) values of dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, electrical conductivity, water transparency and turbidity were 6.9 (4.5–8.4) mg L^?1, 8.3 (7.8–8.5), 573 (556–601)μS cm^?1, 33 (28–37) cm and 43.3 (32.7–54.6) NTU, respectively. Mean and range values of total nitrogen (TN), nitrate‐nitrogen(NO₃‐N), ammonia nitrogen (NH₄‐N), total phosphorus (TP) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) were 788.4 (278–4486) μg L^?1, 4.5 (2.4–10.0) μg L^?1, 42.6 (33.8–56.3) μg L^?1, 102.9 (20.3–585.3) μg L^?1 and 23.5 (15.2–30.5) μg L^?1, respectively. Dissolved silica concentrations ranged from 19.7 to 32.7 mg L^?1, with a mean value of 24.7 mg L^?1. The chlorophyll‐a concentrations were quite low, ranging from 1.4 to 4.9 μg L^?1, with a mean value of 4.2 μg L^?1. In contrast to previous reported values, a key finding in the present study is a relatively high water transparency, indicating a relatively clear water column, due possibly to the fact that the sampling was conducted during the dry period. The nutrient levels remained low, and the chlorophyll‐a concentration also was an almost all time low value. A TP value of 20 μg L^?1 and higher confirms strongly eutrophic conditions prevailing in the lake, with an extremely low potential for fish production and low species diversity, consistent with other studies. The results of the present study, therefore, reinforce the database for future management and monitoring plans for the Lake Baringo ecosystem, which lies adjacent to known geothermally active zones and a saline Lake Bogoria.     

Recruitment of Heliozoa, rhizopods and rotifers from the sediments of an extremely acidic lake during spring and early summer

The goal of this study was to investigate the recruitment of zooplankton from the littoral sediment of Lake 111, an acidic lake in north‐east Germany, in April (spring) and June (early summer), and its role in coupling the benthos and the pelagic. Maximum heliozoan and rhizopod recruitment occurred in early summer from sediment cores incubated at ambient water temperatures (20°C). Conversely, recruitment of the rotifer Cephalodella sp. was highest in spring at ambient spring temperatures of 12°C. A combination of passive and active recruitment processes is likely responsible. The seasonal abiotic and biotic sediment characteristics were relatively constant and therefore not likely responsible for the observed temporal recruitment pattern. The sediment water and carbon content ranged from 20 to 50% (mean = 29 ± 6% standard deviation) and 2–12% (mean = 5 ± 2% standard deviation), respectively. Similarly, there was little variation in the chlorophyll‐a (mean = 0.2 ± 0.2 µg Chl‐a g^?1 dry weight ≡ 6.1 ± 3.9 mg Chl‐a m^?2). The in situ sediment bacterial density (0.82 × 10⁹ ± 0.26 × 10⁹ g^?1 dry weight ≡ 1.01 × 10⁹ ± 0.34 × 10⁹ cells cm^?3) was high. In contrast, the abundance of zoobenthos and their resting stages was low (< 25 individuals cm^?3, and mean of 90 ± 75 cysts cm^?3, respectively), with no temporal pattern being observed. Temperature was the only abiotic factor influencing recruitment. This study suggests that, even in relatively young, chemically extreme lakes, the benthos can play an important role in whole lake microbial processes and zooplankton community composition. Such benthic repositories of resting stages potentially provide protection against adverse environmental changes.     

Anthropogenic and seasonal influences on the dynamics of selected heavy metals in Lake Naivasha, Kenya

Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in the Eastern Rift Valley of Kenya (0°45′S and 36°20′E). It has no surface outlet and is perceived to be under anthropogenic stress. Being situated at the basin of the rift valley, the lake acts as a sink for wastes from the town of Naivasha and the surrounding horticultural industry. Flux experiments were conducted to investigate the dynamics of heavy metals between the sediment–water interface in Lake Naivasha. In situ benthic flux experiments were conducted at two sites, one near the municipal wastewater inflow to the lake (site SS), and one at the papyrus field near the horticultural farms (site SH). Sediment samples from the exposed riparian land were collected during the dry season after the lake has receded, and the fluxes of selected metals were determined in the laboratory under simulated conditions. Aluminium in situ benthic flux at site SS averaged 7 mmol m^?2 h^?1, and was correlated positively with pH (Pearson correlation coefficient (r) = 0.89). While the in situ benthic flux of aluminium at site SH averaged 1 mmol m^?2 h^?1. In situ benthic fluxes of copper and manganese were predominantly positive at site SS, but not at site SH. The papyrus field at site SH played an important role in buffering of the lake in regard to the selected metals investigated in this study. Redox‐sensitive metals were precipitated in the benthic flux experiment for this site.     

Microbial quality of water in Barekese reservoir and feeder streams in Ghana

Concern is growing in Ghana about the high incidence of water‐related diseases and deaths resulting from use of water contaminated with microorganisms. This water often remains unsafe for human consumption because of inadequate decontamination of microbially infected water. Data are presented in this study on the microbial quality of Barekese reservoir, which is the main drinking water reservoir for the city of Kumasi and its environs (population = 2, 5 million), and nine feeder streams in its catchment. Water samples were collected from 13 sampling sites and analysed for Escherichia coli, total and faecal coliforms. Furthermore, 18 faecal coliform isolates were randomly selected from all sampling sites and confirmed as E. coli using Analytical Profile Index 20E system. Escherichia coli, total and faecal coliforms were enumerated using the most probable number method. Mean bacterial indicator numbers from all sampling sites ranged from 1.45 × 10⁴ to 9.50 × 10⁷ 100 mL^?1 for total coliforms, 1.60 × 10³ to 9.00 × 10⁵ 100 mL^?1 for faecal coliforms and 1.50 × 10¹ to 9.50 × 10³ 100 mL^?1 for E. coli. Indicator numbers exceeded the World Health Organization (0.100 mL^?1) for E. coli and Ghana Water Resources Commission‐Target Water Quality Range of 5–100 100 mL^?1 for total coliforms and 0.100 mL^?1 for faecal coliforms in water used for domestic purposes. The identified isolates in Barekese Reservoir and its feeder streams belonged to Serratia, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Salmonella and Klebsiella genera. Bacterial numbers were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the feeder streams, compared with Barekese Reservoir water. This finding indicates the feeder streams pose health risks to local communities that withdraw water from them. The results of this study highlight the urgent need to raise public awareness on the adverse effects of water‐quality degradation through improper waste disposal methods in order to decrease the cost of treating the reservoir water.     

Variations in zooplankton community structure and water quality conditions in three habitat types in northern Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria is vulnerable to increasing eutrophication, which has become manifested in ecological changes not yet fully understood. From October 2009 to January 2010, the influence of water quality on zooplankton community structure in three habitats in northern Lake Victoria, including sewage lagoons at the lake shores, Napoleon Gulf (NG) and the interface between the lake and the Nile River (also known as Source of the Nile River), was examined. Selected physico‐chemical parameters (dissolved oxygen concentration; water temperature; electrical conductivity; water depth) were measured in‐situ, while water samples were collected for chlorophyll‐a determinations. Zooplankton was sampled with conical plankton net (mesh size 60 μm; 0.25‐m mouth diameter). The NG and Source of the River Nile (SN) sampling sites exhibited significantly higher species richness, relative to the Sewage Lagoons (SL) site (F_2,69 = 68.533; P < 0.05). Higher mean densities and dry biomass of zooplankton was generally a characteristic of the SL site (8715 ± 3241 ind L^?1; 1862 ± 451 μg L^?1), compared to the NG (119 ± 24 ind L^?1; 53 ± 8 μg L^?1) and SN sites (151 ± 26 ind L^?1; 58 ± 9 μg L^?1). Copepoda constituted a high numerical composition of the zooplankton at the NG and SN sites (>90% for both sites), while Rotifera dominated the zooplankton community at the SL site (97%). The mean values (±SE) of soluble reactive phosphorus (4060.7 ± 776.6 μg L^?1) and nitrate–nitrogen (2121.7 ± 355.5 μg L^?1) were much higher for the SL site, compared with the SN (8.2 ± 1.1 μg L^?1; 28.6 ± 5.3 μg L^?1, respectively), and NG site (7.8 ± 0.8 μg L^?1; 32.7 ± 5.4 μg L^?1, respectively). This study indicated the nutrient‐rich conditions observed at the SL site suppress the zooplankton species diversity, but favour species‐specific abundance and biomass. These study results indicate the zooplankton community structure can be used as a biological indicator of water quality in the Lake Victoria region.     

浅层地下水水化学特征与土体盐分相关性研究

为研究南通地区浅层地下水与土体盐分特征的相关性,采集了31件水样、220件土样,并收集了60组水质资料,分析了浅层地下水水化学特征和土体盐分特征.研究表明:浅层地下水自西向东,TDS逐渐增大,主要为咸水和盐水,水化学类型为Cl—Na型,TDS与各离子(K+、Na+、Ca2+、Mg2+、Cl-、SO42-)的相关性高;土...     

The responses of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Lake Wamala (Uganda) to changing climatic conditions

Changes in the catches of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758), in Lake Wamala (Uganda) have been observed since its introduction. The factors contributing to these changes, however, are not well understood. This study examined changes in species composition, size structure, size at first maturity, length–weight relationship and condition factor of Nile tilapia in Lake Wamala, in relation to changes in temperature, rainfall and lake depth, to provide a better understanding of the possible role of changing climatic conditions. There was an increase in the minimum, maximum and average temperatures since 1980, but only the minimum (0.021 °C year^?1) and average temperatures (0.018 °C year^?1) exhibited a significant trend (P < 0.05). Rainfall increased by 8.25 mm year^?1 since 1950 and accounted for 79.5% of the water input into the lake during the period 2011–2013, while evaporation accounted for 86.2% of the water loss from the lake. The lake depth was above 4 m during the years when the rainfall exceeded the average of 1180 mm, except after 2000. The contribution of Nile tilapia to total fish catch and catch per unit effort (CPUE) increased with rainfall and lake depth up to the year 2000, after which they decreased, despite an increased rainfall level. The lake depth was positively correlated with the average total length and length at 50% maturity (r = 0.991 and 0.726, respectively), while the slopes of the length–weight relationships differed significantly between high and low lake depths [t₍₆₎ = 3.225, P < 0.05]. Nile tilapia shifted from an algal‐dominated diet during the wet season to include more insects during the dry season. The results of this study indicate Nile tilapia in Lake Wamala displays a typical r‐selected reproductive strategy, by growing to a small size, maturing faster and feeding on different food types, in order to survive high mortality rates under unfavourable conditions attributable to higher temperatures, low rainfall and low lake water levels.     

Study of water quality of springs in Petra region,Jordan: A three-year follow-up

Petra region area was located in south part of Jordan has grown and urbanized rapidly. This area depends on the groundwater as a water resources. This study was undertaken to assess the physical, chemical quality of spring water of Petra region during a 36-months survey (September 2002 to September 2005). The samples were analyzed for temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, major cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺), major anions (Cl⁻, NO⁻ ₃, HCO⁻ ₃, SO²⁻ ₄, PO³⁻ ₄, F⁻) and trace metals (Fe²⁺, Al³⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺ Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Mn²⁺). Water quality for available springs in the study area showed high salinity due to longer period of contact with rocks. The chemistry of spring water samples were alkaline earth waters with prevailing bicarbonate and alkaline earth waters with prevailing bicarbonate chloride. Some springs showed that elevated nitrate, sulfate contents which could be due to percolation from septic tanks, cesspools and irrigational activities. The infiltration of wastewater from cesspools and septic tanks into groundwater was considered the major source of water pollution. The results showed that there were considerable variations among the examined samples with respect to their physical and chemical parameters, which lie below the maximum permissible levels of the Jordanian and WHO drinking water standards. The results indicate that the trace metals of springs water of Petra region do not generally pose any health or environmental problems.