Micro-computed tomography scanning approaches to quantify,parameterize and visualize bioturbation activity in clogged streambeds: A proof of concept

Fine particle clogging and faunal bioturbation are two key processes co-occurring in the hyporheic zone that potentially affect hyporheic exchange through modifications in the sediment structure of streambeds. Clogging results from excessive fine sediment infiltration and deposition in rivers, and it is known to decrease matrix porosity and potentially reduce permeability. Faunal bioturbation activity may compensate for the negative effect of clogging by reworking the sediment, increasing porosity, and preventing further infiltration of fines. Although both processes of clogging and bioturbation have received significant attention in the literature separately, their combined effects on streambed sediment structure are not well understood, mostly due to the lack of a standard methodology for their assessment. Here, we illustrate a novel methodology using X-ray computed tomography (CT), as proof of concept, to investigate how, together, clogging and bioturbation affect streambed porosity in a controlled flow-through flume. By visualising gallery formations of an upward conveyor macroinvertebrate; Lumbriculus variegatus as a model species, we quantified bioturbation activity in a clogged streambed, focusing on orientation, depth, and volume at downwelling and upwelling areas of the flume. Gallery creation increased the porosity of the streambed sediment, suggesting a potential improvement in permeability and a possible offset of clogging effects. We illustrate the promising use of X-ray CT as a tool to assess bioturbation in clogged streambeds, and the potential role of bioturbation activity supporting hyporheic exchange processes in streambeds, warranting further studies to understand the extent of bioturbation impacts in natural systems.     

水库生态调度现状与展望

生态调度是在兼顾水库调度的社会、经济效益的基础上重点考虑生态因素的水库调度新模式。简要介绍了生态流量、生态调度等概念,同时对世界各地生态调度实践的过去(2000年以前)和现在(2000～2019年)的研究情况进行了综述,并对未来的研究进行了展望。生态调度研究最早于20世纪40年代从研究河流最小生态流量开始,期间提出水文学方法、水力学方法、生境模拟法等200多种生态流量计算方法。现阶段有关生态调度的探索强调将生态因子纳入传统的水库调度过程,由早期的单目标生态调度发展成多目标生态调度,包括生态水量调度、水质调度、泥沙调度和水生生物资源调度。联合调度、梯级调度、分层取水调度等方式被应用于水库调度实践中并取得了显著的成效。此外,大量研究显示,通过工程措施、生物措施和管理措施可以很好地解决生态调度过程中的一些难题。然而,对生态调度机制的研究仍旧匮乏,大量基于经验统计的生态调度工作难以从本质上解决经济发展与生态效益之间的矛盾。因此,从机理层面构建生态调度模型是目前亟待解决的问题,也将成为生态调度领域的新热点。此外,如何对生态调度的效果特别是其对水生态系统健康的效果进行量化,也是当今亟待解决的现实问题。     

Biomic river restoration: A new focus for river management

River management based solely on physical science has proven to be unsustainable and unsuccessful, evidenced by the fact that the problems this approach intended to solve (e.g., flood hazards, water scarcity, and channel instability) have not been solved and long‐term deterioration in river environments has reduced the capacity of rivers to continue meeting the needs of society. In response, there has been a paradigm shift in management over the past few decades, towards river restoration. But the ecological, morphological, and societal benefits of river restoration have, on the whole, been disappointing. We believe that this stems from the fact that restoration overrelies on the same physical analyses and approaches, with flowing water still regarded as the universally predominant driver of channel form and structural intervention seen as essential to influencing fluvial processes. We argue that if river restoration is to reverse long‐standing declines in river functions, it is necessary to recognize the influence of biology on river forms and processes and re‐envisage what it means to restore a river. This entails shifting the focus of river restoration from designing and constructing stable channels that mimic natural forms to reconnecting streams within balanced and healthy biomes, and so levering the power of biology to influence river processes. We define this new approach as biomic river restoration.     

In‐stream construction‐induced suspended sediment in riverine ecosystems

Construction activities within the wetted‐perimeter of rivers, referred to as in‐stream construction, are prevalent economically and environmentally motivated activities having direct interactions with sensitive lotic environments. Currently, there is a paucity of research related to in‐stream construction activities and their effects on aquatic ecosystems. In‐stream construction‐induced suspended sediment may result in harmful effects to aquatic flora and fauna. Regulatory frameworks worldwide focus primarily on concentration, with limited consideration for duration and no consideration for spatial extents of suspended sediment exposures. This research develops theoretical concentration, duration, and spatial extent exposure risk relationships for riverine ecosystems to demonstrate the influence of each mechanism during typical in‐stream construction activities. To reduce exposure risk, concentration and duration may be considered pragmatically, based on anticipated activity characteristics and site conditions. Spatial exposure characteristics are important to consider, as illustrated by our finding that activities located near the channel centerline may result in greater exposure risk than similar activities conducted near the streambank. Current regulatory frameworks worldwide do not sufficiently consider all exposure risk mechanisms present during in‐stream construction‐induced suspended sediment releases, possibly inhibiting efforts to reduce adverse environmental effects. This research improves our understanding of suspended sediment in lotic environments and may help environmental managers better evaluate and manage in‐stream construction activities.     

Biofilm Responses to Flow Regulation by Dams in Mediterranean Rivers

Dams regulate downstream hydrology and modify water quality, which in turn can impinge on the biota, especially in rivers naturally subject to large hydrological variability, such as those under Mediterranean climate. The effect of dams on biofilms was analysed in three tributaries (Cinca, Siurana and Montsant) of the Ebro River (NE Spain). We hypothesized that flow regulation would lead to lower spatial variability of biofilms on the streambed and to a decrease in their metabolic rate per unit biomass, especially during low flow periods. Biofilm characteristics were studied in five transects evenly spaced along river reaches upstream (control) and downstream (impact) of dams in each river, along with riverbed granulometry, hydraulics and water chemistry. Chlorophyll‐a, respiratory activity, photosynthetic capacity and efficiency, and extracellular enzymatic activities (β‐d ‐glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase and leucine‐amino‐peptidase) of epilithic biofilms were measured in different seasons. Spatial variability of chemical and biological variables was reduced downstream of the dams. Chlorophyll‐a concentration, photosynthetic efficiency and respiration capacity were higher in impact than in control reaches, but generally, low inorganic phosphorus concentrations resulted in comparable phosphatase activities downstream and upstream of dams. On the other hand, β‐d ‐glucosidase and leucine‐amino‐peptidase activities were higher at impact reaches. Biofilms were thicker and metabolically more active at the impact reaches, with higher ability to transform dissolved organic matter. Overall, results from this study provide evidence that dams can largely affect the structure and activity of river biofilms, with foreseeable important consequences for river ecosystem functioning. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

河南省水生态文明建设试点城市生态系统健康评价

在总结城市生态系统的属性并分析其健康内涵的基础上, 通过频度统计法, 建立评价指标体系。采用海明贴 近度, 建立模糊物元模型, 对河南省第一批水生态文明城市建设试点郑州、 洛阳、 许昌 2000 年- 2013 年间城市生态 系统的健康水平进行评价, 分析影响城市生态系统健康发展的各要素, 结果表明: 郑州、 洛阳和许昌整体的城市生态 系统健康水平呈上升趋势, 但健康改善程度并不显著, 且部分指标有恶化趋势; 相同时期内, 城市生态系统的健康水 平排序由高到低依次为郑州、 洛阳、 许昌, 但其增长速率则为许昌最快、 郑州最慢; 各城市不同要素之间的健康程度 差别较大, 且不同城市各要素之间的协调性较低。因此, 未来应针对健康程度较差的要素重点发展, 提高各要素之 间的协调性, 进一步提高城市生态系统整体的健康水平。     

Rehabilitating rivers and enhancing ecosystem services in a water-scarcity context: the Yarqon River

After the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, the increase in urban and agricultural water demand and the increased flow of poorly treated sewage had a severe impact in one of the most ecologically important rivers in Israel, the Yarqon. The attempt to reverse this situation began with the creation of the Yarqon River Authority in 1988. In the last 20 years, the authority has implemented or collaborated in several projects that have significantly contributed to enhancing the provision of ecological services. This article aims to analyze the case of the pollution and subsequent rehabilitation of aquatic ecosystem services in the Israeli water-scarcity context.     

含植物河道水动力特性研究进展

水生植物群落是河流生态系统的重要组成部分,利用天然植被护坡固土、净化水质、改善河流生态环境已成为河流生态修复的重要措施。本文从水生植物影响下的河道水流阻力特性及水流结构两方面,总结了国内外对含植物河道水动力特性的研究进展,并对该领域的未来研究方向提出了展望。     

碟形湖在鄱阳湖湿地生态系统的作用和意义

"碟形湖"是指鄱阳湖湖盆区内枯水季节显露于洲滩之中的季节性子湖泊,具有特殊的地貌特征和水文特性、复杂多变的湿地景观和丰富的生物多样性等特征.在碟形湖及其周边,湿生与水生植物群落有序分布、季节性演替;静水水域有利于底栖动物和鱼类生长育肥;缓慢下降的水位、逐渐伸展的泥滩为越冬候鸟持续提供丰富的食物和歇息环境,全湖80%以上的水鸟在碟形湖区域越冬.高低不一、分布广泛的碟形湖群有效地缓解了干旱、洪水灾害对鄱阳湖湿地生态系统的冲击,对于维护全球生态系统的完整性和生物多样性具有重要作用.最后提出了加强碟形湖保护和管理的对策.     

流域一、二级水生态分区技术及在辽河流域的应用

基于驱动力-压力-状态-影响-响应指标分析框架,提出水生态一、二级分区所适用的指标类别,在环境要素与水生态系统因子相关性分析和环境要素空间变异尺度分析基础上,建立了流域水生态一、二级分区指标体系。采用"自上而下"和"自下而上"相结合的分区方法,在辽河流域进行了水生态一、二级分区应用研究,将辽河流域划分为4个水生态一级分区和8个二级分区,并对各个水生态分区的特征进行了总结。辽河流域分区应用表明,水生态分区过程中仍然存在较大的主观因素,尤其是水生态二级分区边界的确定。