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Salimi S, Scholz M. Importance of water level management for peatland outflow water quality in the face of climate change and drought. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:75455-75470. [PMID: 35653024 PMCID: PMC9553818 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20614-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The impact of different climate scenarios, drought, and water level management on the outflow water quality of peatlands has been investigated. A mesocosm experiment has been conducted within climate control chambers to simulate current (2016-2019 real-time) and future representative concentration pathway (RCP) climate scenarios (RCP 2.6, 4.5 and 8.5). To assess the efficiency of a management strategy for improving peatland water quality, water level adjustment was applied to half of the system at the same time for each climate scenario. Furthermore, the mesocosm experienced the 2018 European drought during the simulation years, and the corresponding impact was analyzed. The results of this study revealed a substantial and favorable impact of water level management on water quality of peatlands under different climate scenarios. The effect of water level management was the largest for ammonium (NH4-N) and 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), and the smallest for total phosphorus (TP). Drought had a strong impact on chemical variables, increasing their concentration and deteriorating the water quality of peatland outflow. However, water level management can stabilize the nutrient levels in peatland outflows, particularly during drought and under warmer climate scenarios, thus mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shokoufeh Salimi
- Division of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, 221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Miklas Scholz
- Division of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, 221 00, Lund, Sweden.
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, The University of Salford, Newton Building, M5 4WT, Salford, United Kingdom.
- Department of Civil Engineering Science, School of Civil Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, Kingsway Campus, Aukland Park 2006, PO Box 524, Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Department of Town Planning, Engineering Networks and Systems, South Ural State University (National Research University), Prospekt Lenin 76, Chelyabinsk, 454080, Russia.
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Peak Spring Flood Discharge Magnitude and Timing in Natural Rivers across Northern Finland: Long-Term Variability, Trends, and Links to Climate Teleconnections. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14081312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
In northern regions, like Finland, peak river discharge is principally controlled by maximum snowmelt runoff during spring (March–May). Global warming and climate change extensively influence both the quantity and temporal characteristics of peak discharge in northern rivers by altering snowpack accumulation and melt processes. This study analyzed peak spring flood discharge (PSFD) magnitude (PSFDM) and timing (PSFDT) in four natural rivers (Simojoki, Kuivajoki, Kiiminkijoki, and Temmesjoki) across northern Finland, in terms of long-term (1967–2011) variability, trends, and links to large-scale climate teleconnections. The PSFDM significantly (p < 0.05) declined in the Simojoki, Kuivajoki, and Kiiminkijoki rivers over time. Both the Simojoki and Kuivajoki rivers also experienced significant decreasing trends of about −0.33 and −0.3 (days year−1), respectively, in the PSFDT during 1967–2011. In these two rivers, the less and earlier PSFDs were principally attributable to the warmer spring seasons positively correlated with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in recent decades. Moreover, daily precipitation time series corresponding to the PSFD events showed no considerable effects on PSFDM and PSFDT changes in all the natural rivers studied. This suggests that less and earlier historical PSFDs in natural rivers at higher latitudes in northern Finland were primarily induced by warmer springtime temperatures influencing snowpack dynamics.
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Heikkinen K, Saari M, Heino J, Ronkanen AK, Kortelainen P, Joensuu S, Vilmi A, Karjalainen SM, Hellsten S, Visuri M, Marttila H. Iron in boreal river catchments: Biogeochemical, ecological and management implications. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 805:150256. [PMID: 34537693 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Iron (Fe) is an important element in aquatic ecosystems worldwide because it is intimately tied with multiple abiotic and biotic phenomena. Here, we give a survey of manifold influences of Fe, and the key factors affecting it in the boreal catchments and their waters. It includes the perspectives of biogeochemistry, hydrology, ecology, and river basin management. We emphasize views on the dynamics and impacts of different forms of Fe in riverine environments, including organic colloids and particles, as well as inorganic fractions. We also provide perspectives for land use management in boreal catchments and suggest guidelines for decision making and water management. Based on our survey, the main emphases of water protection and management programs should be (i) prevention of Fe mobilization from soil layers by avoiding unnecessary land-use activities and minimizing soil disturbance in high-risk areas; (ii) disconnecting Fe-rich ground water discharge from directly reaching watercourses; and (iii) decreasing transport of Fe to watercourses by applying efficient water pollution control approaches. These approaches may require specific methods that should be given attention depending on catchment conditions in different areas. Finally, we highlight issues requiring additional research on boreal catchments. A key issue is to increase our understanding of the role of Fe in the utilization of DOM in riverine food webs, which are typically highly heterotrophic. More knowledge is needed on the metabolic and behavioral resistance mechanisms that aquatic organisms, such as algae, invertebrates, and fish, have developed to counter the harmful impacts of Fe in rivers with naturally high Fe and DOM concentrations. It is also emphasized that to fulfil the needs presented above, as well as to develop effective methods for decreasing the harmful impacts of Fe in water management, the biogeochemical processes contributing to Fe transport from catchments via rivers to estuaries should be better understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Heikkinen
- Finnish Environment Institute, Freshwater Centre, Paavo Havaksen Tie 3, P. O. Box 413, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - M Saari
- Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering Research Unit, P. O. Box 4300, 90014, University of Oulu, Finland.
| | - J Heino
- Finnish Environment Institute, Freshwater Centre, Paavo Havaksen Tie 3, P. O. Box 413, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - A-K Ronkanen
- Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering Research Unit, P. O. Box 4300, 90014, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - P Kortelainen
- Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, FI-00790, Helsinki, Finland
| | - S Joensuu
- Tapio Ltd., Maistraatinportti 4, FI-00240 Helsinki, Finland
| | - A Vilmi
- Finnish Environment Institute, Freshwater Centre, Paavo Havaksen Tie 3, P. O. Box 413, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - S-M Karjalainen
- Finnish Environment Institute, Freshwater Centre, Paavo Havaksen Tie 3, P. O. Box 413, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - S Hellsten
- Finnish Environment Institute, Freshwater Centre, Paavo Havaksen Tie 3, P. O. Box 413, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - M Visuri
- Finnish Environment Institute, Freshwater Centre, Paavo Havaksen Tie 3, P. O. Box 413, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - H Marttila
- Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering Research Unit, P. O. Box 4300, 90014, University of Oulu, Finland
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Li X, Xu Y, Li M, Ji R, Dolf R, Gu X. Water Quality Analysis of the Yangtze and the Rhine River: A Comparative Study Based on Monitoring Data from 2007 to 2018. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2021; 106:825-831. [PMID: 33247787 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-020-03055-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring water environmental quality of large rivers is the basis of river evaluation and local environmental protection worldwide. This study compared the water quality of the Rhine and the Yangtze River, two of the world's most important arteries, based on monitoring data collected from their monitor stations from 2007 to 2018. Dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD)/dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) were used to evaluate their water quality. The changing trend, the temporal and special patterns were also analyzed. It was found that the overall water quality of the Rhine in the last decade (p = 0.95) was better than the Yangtze (p = 1.01). Notably, CODMn and NH3-N were identified as main pollution factors of the Rhine and the Yangtze, respectively. This study provided information for water quality modelling, therefore might be helpful for the water quality management of China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Ave., Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yichen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Ave., Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Mei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Ave., Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Rong Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Ave., Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Reto Dolf
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Ave., Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xueyuan Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Ave., Nanjing, 210023, China.
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Toivonen J, Hudd R, Nystrand M, Österholm P. Climatic effects on water quality in areas with acid sulfate soils with commensurable consequences on the reproduction of burbot (Lota lota L.). ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2020; 42:3141-3156. [PMID: 32185563 PMCID: PMC7518993 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-020-00550-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Due to discharge from acid sulfate (a.s.) soils, watercourses and coastal areas in the Gulf of Bothnia are periodically heavily acidified with high concentrations of potentially toxic metals. Data on water quality from 2005 to 2014 in an embanked lake, an estuary of four rivers in western Finland, showed repeated events with acidic water (pH < 5.5) with high concentrations of Al. Size fractionation and species modeling of Al showed that a significant part of the Al occurred as highly toxic small-size fractions (dissolved < 1 kDa and colloidal 1 kDa-0.45 µm) as free ions and complexed to sulfate. The larval abundance of the burbot (Lota lota L.) was shown to be sensitive to acidity during the wintertime spawning migration and spawning. Bearing in mind the importance of estuaries of the northern Baltic Sea as spawning and nursery areas of fish, the reoccurring failure in the reproduction of fish may cause a more serious threat for the lake and adjacent coastal fish stocks than the spectacular, but less frequent, mass kills of adult fish. This demonstrates the close relationship between climate, hydrology, water geochemistry and the aquatic coastal ecosystem in areas affected by a.s. soils. As the current forecast of climate chance indicates warmer winters with more continuous runoff, the effects can become even more prominent. This study also shows that the annual larvae abundance of burbot may be used as a bioindicator and an instrument for the fisheries for obtaining more comprehensive knowledge of the ecological effects of acidic metal discharge from a.s. soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janne Toivonen
- Department of Geology and Mineralogy, Åbo Akademi University, Akademigatan 1, 20500, Åbo, Finland.
| | | | - Miriam Nystrand
- Department of Geology and Mineralogy, Åbo Akademi University, Akademigatan 1, 20500, Åbo, Finland
| | - Peter Österholm
- Department of Geology and Mineralogy, Åbo Akademi University, Akademigatan 1, 20500, Åbo, Finland
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Vainio RK, Eulaers I, Laaksonen T, Vasko V, Jormalainen V. White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) nestlings as spatial sentinels of Baltic acidic sulphate soil associated metal contamination. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 718:137424. [PMID: 32325615 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Sulphate soils, characterised by low pH conditions, are found worldwide, and are potentially large sources of metal contamination, often exceeding industrial emissions. Metal leaching from sulphate soils has been shown to be harmful to aquatic organisms, but the cascading effect on exposure in apex avian predators has not been studied earlier. With the present study we aimed at evaluating the potential of white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) nestlings, collected from nests located either in sulphate soil or control areas, for monitoring spatial contaminant trends of metals typically associated with sulphate soils. In blood of white-tailed eagles, the concentrations of aluminium and cobalt were significantly higher in sulphate soil areas. In blood of great cormorants, the concentrations of copper and manganese were so, while the concentration of zinc was found to be lower. Also, we observed an interaction between the latitude and soil type in cobalt and lithium concentrations of great cormorants, showing that concentrations in the sulphate soil associated nestlings rose more steeply towards the north than in the control group. Latitudinal trends of higher concentrations in the south were found in cadmium, manganese, and copper of white-tailed eagle nestlings, while thallium of white-tailed eagle nestlings, and thallium and zinc of great cormorant nestlings showed a latitudinal trend of higher concentrations in the north. Concentrations of several metals correlated positively within a species indicating covariation in metal exposure. Generally, the metal concentrations in both species were similar to levels reported to be below toxicity thresholds in other species. These results indicate, that white-tailed eagle and great cormorant nestling metal burdens may indicate environmental contamination from acidic sulphate soil runoff, and that they may act as indicators of latitudinal gradient identifying different contamination sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- R K Vainio
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland.
| | - I Eulaers
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Fredriksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - T Laaksonen
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland; Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), 20014 Turku, Finland
| | - V Vasko
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
| | - V Jormalainen
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
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Guo W, Yang F, Li Y, Wang S. New insights into the source of decadal increase in chemical oxygen demand associated with dissolved organic carbon in Dianchi Lake. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 603-604:699-708. [PMID: 28364957 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) can be used an alternative index of water quality instead of chemical oxygen demand (COD) to reflect the organic pollution in water. The monitoring data of water quality in a long-term (1990-2013) from Dianchi Lake confirmed the increase trend of COD concentration in the lake since 2007. The similarities and differences in the DOC components between the lake and its sources and the contribution from allochthonous and autochthonous DOC to the total DOC in this lake were determined to elucidate the reason of COD increase based on C/N atomic ratios, stable isotope abundance of carbon and nitrogen, UV-visible spectroscopy, three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3DEEM) fluorescence spectroscopy. The terrigenous organic matter showed humic-like fluorescence, and the autochthonous organic matter showed tryptophan-like components. Agricultural runoff (9.5%), leaf litter (7.5%) and urban runoff (13.2%) were the main sources of DOC in the lake. Sewage tail was a major source of organic materials, 3DEEM for the indicates that sewage tail DOC composition did not change markedly over the biodegradation period, indicating that sewage tail contains a high load of DOC that is resistant to further biodegradation and subsequently accumulates in the lake. The change of land use in the catchment and the increase of sewage tail load into the lake are the key factors for the increase in COD concentration in Dianchi Lake. Thus, the lake should be protected by controlling the pollution from the urban nonpoint sources and refractory composition in point sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Guo
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Feng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory for Lake Pollution Control, Research Center of Lake Eco-environment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Yanping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory for Lake Pollution Control, Research Center of Lake Eco-environment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Shengrui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory for Lake Pollution Control, Research Center of Lake Eco-environment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pollution Process and Management of Plateau Lake Watershed, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650034, China..
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Mykrä H, Tolkkinen M, Heino J. Environmental degradation results in contrasting changes in the assembly processes of stream bacterial and fungal communities. OIKOS 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.04133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Heikki Mykrä
- Finnish Environment Inst., Freshwater Centre; PO Box 413 FI-90014, Oulu Finland
| | | | - Jani Heino
- Finnish Environment Inst., Natural Environment Centre, Biodiversity; Oulu Finland
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Hao S, Li X, Jiang Y, Zhao H, Yang L. Trends and variations of pH and hardness in a typical semi-arid river in a monsoon climate region during 1985-2009. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:17953-17968. [PMID: 27255317 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6981-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The rapid growth of urbanization and industrialization, along with dramatic climate change, has strongly influenced hydrochemical characteristics in recent decades in China and thus could cause the variation of pH and general total hardness of a river. To explore such variations and their potential influencing factors in a river of the monsoon climate region, we analyzed a long-term monitoring dataset of pH, SO4 (2-), NOx, general total hardness (GH), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), and Cl(-) in surface water and groundwater in the Luan River basin from 1985 to 2009. The nonparametric Seasonal Kendall trend test was used to test the long-term trends of pH and GH. Relationship between the affecting factors, pH and GH were discussed. Results showed that pH showed a decreasing trend and that GH had an increasing trend in the long-term. Seasonal variation of pH and GH was mainly due to the typical monsoon climate. Results of correlation analysis showed that the unit area usage amounts of chemical fertilizer, NO3 (-), and SO4 (2-) were negatively correlated with pH in groundwater. In addition, mining activity affected GH spatial variation. Acid deposition, drought, and increasing the use of chemical fertilizers would contribute to the acidification trend, and mining activities would affect the spatial variation of GH. Variations of precipitation and runoff in semi-arid monsoon climate areas had significant influences on the pH and GH. Our findings implied that human activities played a critical role in river acidification in the semi-arid monsoon climate region of northern China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaonan Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environment Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100875, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xuyong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environment Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Yan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environment Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Hongtao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environment Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Lei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environment Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100875, China
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Tolkkinen M, Mykrä H, Markkola AM, Muotka T. Human disturbance increases functional but not structural variability of stream fungal communities. Funct Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mikko Tolkkinen
- Finnish Environment Institute Freshwater Centre P.O. Box 413 FI‐90014 Oulu Finland
| | - Heikki Mykrä
- Finnish Environment Institute Freshwater Centre P.O. Box 413 FI‐90014 Oulu Finland
- Thule Institute University of Oulu P.O. Box 7300 Oulu FIN‐90014 Finland
| | | | - Timo Muotka
- Department of Ecology University of Oulu P.O. Box 3000 Oulu 90014 Finland
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Wallin J, Karjalainen AK, Schultz E, Järvistö J, Leppänen M, Vuori KM. Weight-of-evidence approach in assessment of ecotoxicological risks of acid sulphate soils in the Baltic Sea river estuaries. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 508:452-461. [PMID: 25506908 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.11.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Revised: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 11/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Acidity and leaching of metals from acid sulphate soils (ASSs) impair the water quality of receiving surface waters. The largest ASS areas in Europe are found in the coasts of the northern Baltic Sea. We used weight-of-evidence (WoE) approach to assess potential risks in 14 estuary sites affected by ASS in the Gulf of Finland, northern Baltic Sea. The assessment was based on exposure and effect profiles utilizing sediment and water metal concentrations and concurrent pH variation, sediment toxicity tests using the luminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri and the midge Chironomus riparius, and the ecological status of benthic macroinvertebrate communities. Sediment metal concentrations were compared to national sediment quality criteria/guidelines, and water metal concentrations to environmental quality standards (EQSs). Hazard quotients (HQs) were established for maximum aluminium, cadmium and zinc concentrations at low pH based on applicable US EPA toxicity database. Sediment metal concentrations were clearly elevated in most of the studied estuaries. The EQS of cadmium (0.1 μg/l) was exceeded in 3 estuaries out of 14. The pH-minima were below the national threshold value (5.5) between good and satisfactory water quality in 10 estuaries. V. fischeri bioluminescence indicated toxicity of the sediments but toxic response was not observed in the C. riparius emergence test. Benthic invertebrate communities were deteriorated in 6 out of 14 sites based on the benthic invertebrate quality index. The overall ecotoxicological risk was assessed as low in five, moderate in three and high in five of the estuary sites. The risk assessment utilizing the WoE approach indicated that harmful effects of ASSs are likely to occur in the Baltic Sea river estuaries located at the ASS hotspot area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaana Wallin
- Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Survontie 9 A, FI-40500 Jyväskylä, Finland.
| | - Anna K Karjalainen
- Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Survontie 9 A, FI-40500 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Eija Schultz
- Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Hakuninmaantie 6, FI-00430 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johanna Järvistö
- Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Survontie 9 A, FI-40500 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Matti Leppänen
- Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Survontie 9 A, FI-40500 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Kari-Matti Vuori
- Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Survontie 9 A, FI-40500 Jyväskylä, Finland
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12
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Virtanen S, Simojoki A, Hartikainen H, Yli-Halla M. Response of pore water Al, Fe and S concentrations to waterlogging in a boreal acid sulphate soil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 485-486:130-142. [PMID: 24704964 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.03.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2013] [Revised: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Environmental hazards caused by acid sulphate (AS) soils are of worldwide concern. Among various mitigation measures, waterlogging has mainly been studied in subtropical and tropical conditions. To assess the environmental relevance of waterlogging as a mitigation option in boreal AS soils, we arranged a 2.5-year experiment with monolithic lysimeters to monitor changes in the soil redox potential, pH and the concentrations of aluminium (Al), iron (Fe) and sulphur (S) in pore water in response to low and high groundwater levels in four AS soil horizons. The monoliths consisted of acidic oxidized B horizons and a reduced C horizon containing sulphidic material. Eight lysimeters were cropped (reed canary grass, Phalaris arundinacea) and two were bare without a crop. Waterlogging was conducive to reduction reactions causing a slight rise in pH, a substantial increase in Fe (Fepw) and a decrease in Al (Alpw) in the pore water. The increase in Fepw was decisively higher in the cropped waterlogged lysimeters than in the bare ones, which was attributable to the microbiologically catalysed reductive dissolution of poorly ordered iron oxides and secondary minerals. In contrast to warmer climates, Fepw concentrations remained high throughout the experiment, indicating that the reduction was poised in the iron range, while sulphate was not reduced to sulphide. Therefore, the precipitation of iron sulphide was negligible in the environment with a low pH and abundant with poorly ordered Fe oxides. Increased Fe in pore water counteracts the positive effects of waterlogging, when water is flushed from fields to watercourses, where re-oxidation of Fe causes acidity and oxygen depletion. However, waterlogging prevented further oxidation of sulphidic materials and decreased Alpw to one-tenth of the initial concentrations, and even to one-hundredth of the levels in the low water table lysimeters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seija Virtanen
- Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box 27, Latokartanonkaari 11, Environmental Soil Science, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland; Finnish Drainage Foundation, Simonkatu 12 B 25, 00100 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Asko Simojoki
- Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box 27, Latokartanonkaari 11, Environmental Soil Science, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Helinä Hartikainen
- Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box 27, Latokartanonkaari 11, Environmental Soil Science, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Markku Yli-Halla
- Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box 27, Latokartanonkaari 11, Environmental Soil Science, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
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Marttila H, Saarinen T, Celebi A, Kløve B. Transport of particle-associated elements in two agriculture-dominated boreal river systems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2013; 461-462:693-705. [PMID: 23770550 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.05.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2013] [Revised: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Transport of particulate pollutants in fluvial systems can contribute greatly to total loads. Understanding transport mechanics under different hydrological conditions is key in successful load estimation. This study analysed trace elements and physico-chemical parameters in time-integrated suspended sediment samples, together with dissolved and total concentrations of pollutants, along two agriculture- and peatland-dominated boreal river systems. The samples were taken in a spatially and temporally comprehensive sampling programme during the ice-free seasons of 2010 and 2011. The hydrochemistry and transport of particle-bound elements in the rivers were strongly linked to intense land use and acid sulphate soils in the catchment area, with arable, pasture and peat areas in particular being main diffuse sources. There were significant seasonal and temporal variations in dissolved and particulate fluxes, but spatial variations were small. Continuous measurements of EC, turbidity and discharge proved to be an accurate indicator of dissolved and particulate fluxes. Overall, the results show that transport of particle-bound elements makes a major contribution to total transport fluxes in agriculture-dominated boreal rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannu Marttila
- Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Laboratory, 90014 University of Oulu, Finland.
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14
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Pitkänen T, Ryu H, Elk M, Hokajärvi AM, Siponen S, Vepsäläinen A, Räsänen P, Santo Domingo JW. Detection of fecal bacteria and source tracking identifiers in environmental waters using rRNA-based RT-qPCR and rDNA-based qPCR assays. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:13611-20. [PMID: 24187936 DOI: 10.1021/es403489b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the use of RT-qPCR assays targeting rRNA gene sequences for the detection of fecal bacteria in water samples. We challenged the RT-qPCR assays against RNA extracted from sewage effluent (n = 14), surface water (n = 30), and treated source water (n = 15) samples. Additionally, we applied the same assays using DNA as the qPCR template. The targeted fecal bacteria were present in most of the samples tested, although in several cases, the detection frequency increased when RNA was used as the template. For example, the majority of samples that tested positive for E. coli and Campylobacter spp. in surface waters, and for human-specific Bacteroidales, E. coli, and Enterococcus spp. in treated source waters were only detected when rRNA was used as the original template. The difference in detection frequency using rRNA or rDNA (rRNA gene) was sample- and assay-dependent, suggesting that the abundance of active and nonactive populations differed between samples. Statistical analyses for each population exhibiting multiple quantifiable results showed that the rRNA copy numbers were significantly higher than the rDNA counterparts (p < 0.05). Moreover, the detection frequency of rRNA-based assays were in better agreement with the culture-based results of E. coli, intestinal enterococci, and thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. in surface waters than that of rDNA-based assays, suggesting that rRNA signals were associated to active bacterial populations. Our data show that using rRNA-based approaches significantly increases detection sensitivity for common fecal bacteria in environmental waters. These findings have important implications for microbial water quality monitoring and public health risk assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarja Pitkänen
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, United States
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15
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Räike A, Kortelainen P, Mattsson T, Thomas DN. 36 year trends in dissolved organic carbon export from Finnish rivers to the Baltic Sea. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2012; 435-436:188-201. [PMID: 22854090 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.06.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2012] [Revised: 06/21/2012] [Accepted: 06/30/2012] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Increasing dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in lakes, rivers and streams in northern mid latitudes have been widely reported during the last two decades, but relatively few studies have dealt with trends in DOC export. We studied the export of DOC from Finnish rivers to the Baltic Sea between 1975 and 2010, and estimated trends in DOC fluxes (both flow normalised and non-normalised). The study encompassed the whole Finnish Baltic Sea catchment area (301,000 km(2)) covering major land use patterns in the boreal zone. Finnish rivers exported annually over 900,000 t DOC to the Baltic Sea, and the mean area specific export was 3.5 t km(-2). The highest export (7.3t km(-2)) was measured in peat dominated catchments, whereas catchments rich in lakes had the lowest export (2.2 t km(-2)). Inter-annual variation in DOC export was high and controlled mainly by hydrology. There was no overall trend in the annual water flow, although winter flow increased in northern Finland over 36 years. Despite the numerous studies showing increases in DOC concentrations in streams and rivers in the northern hemisphere, we could not find any evidence of increases in DOC export to the northern Baltic Sea from Finnish catchments since 1975.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antti Räike
- Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), P.O. Box 140, FI-00251, Helsinki, Finland.
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Zhao X, Huang X, Liu Y. Spatial autocorrelation analysis of Chinese inter-provincial industrial chemical oxygen demand discharge. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2012; 9:2031-44. [PMID: 22829788 PMCID: PMC3397362 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph9062031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2012] [Revised: 05/15/2012] [Accepted: 05/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A spatial autocorrelation analysis method is adopted to process the spatial dynamic change of industrial Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) discharge in China over the past 15 years. Studies show that amount and intensity of industrial COD discharges are on a decrease, and the tendency is more remarkable for discharge intensity. There are large differences between inter-provincial discharge amount and intensity, and with different spatial differentiation features. Global spatial autocorrelation analysis reveals that Global Moran’s I of discharge amount and intensity is on the decrease. In space, there is an evolution from an agglomeration pattern to a discretization pattern. Local spatial autocorrelation analysis shows that the agglomeration area of industrial COD discharge amount and intensity varies greatly in space with time. Stringent environmental regulations and increased funding for environmental protections are the crucial factors to cut down industrial COD discharge amount and intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Zhao
- School of Government, Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing 210093, China;
| | - Xianjin Huang
- School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing 210093, China
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed;
| | - Yibo Liu
- International Institute for Earth System Sciences, Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing 210093, China;
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Saarinen TS, Kløve B. Past and future seasonal variation in pH and metal concentrations in runoff from river basins on acid sulphate soils in Western Finland. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2012; 47:1614-1625. [PMID: 22702821 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2012.680783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Drainage of acid sulphate soils (ASS) increases oxidation, leading to extensive leaching of acidity and metals to rivers (Al, Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni and Zn). This is often apparent during high runoff periods in spring and autumn after long dry periods with low groundwater levels and associated ASS oxidation. Regression models were used to study changes in these water quality variables according to various discharge scenarios. The knowledge of seasonal patterns of water quality variables in future is important for planning land use of the catchments in relation to WFD of European Union. The data showed that river water acidity (pH and metals) increased with discharge, with the correlation being strongest in low runoff periods in winter and summer and less clear in spring. With future climate change, river acidity can increase radically, especially during winters following extremely dry summers, and pH and metal peaks may occur even during winter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuomas S Saarinen
- Department of Process and Environmental Engineering, Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Laboratory, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
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