Assessing the influence of thermal structure variation on Fe and P mobility in sediments cores using Yellow Spring Instrument, diffusive gradient technology, and HR Peeper for sustainable water quality management.

The freshwater ecological characteristics in terms of the daily inventory of thermal stratification, spatial variation of O2 distribution, and the mobility of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) at the water sediment interface (WSI) are prudent freshwater assessment indices for water quality management protocol. The study conducted daily observations within a monsoon-influenced region, utilizing high-resolution techniques such as HR Peeper, Yellow Spring Instrument (YSI), and ZrO-Chelex diffusive gradient technology (DGT) to analyze PTEs, specifically phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe),within the water-sediment interface (WSI) under different temperatures and oxygen conditions. The 66-day field study showed that high thermal structure contributed significantly to production Fe ions and P from sediment under reductive dissolution of FeOOH. The study also revealed that P and Fe exhibited comparable spatial distribution patterns at the WSI, indicating a linked relationship between these PTEs. This correlation was reinforced by high Pearson correlation coefficients ranging from 0.7 to 0.9 (bilateral, p < 0.05) indicating that the concentrations of labile P were predominantly influenced by the release of phosphorus bound to iron. The fluxes of the PTEs were positive with a range of Fe, 3.3-81.5 mg/m2 day and P, 0.03-0.5 mg/m2 day showing the sediments liberated the PTEs into the benthic water. Again, high positive fluxes (Fe≈60 mg/m2 day, P≈0.5 mg/m2 day) for PTEs were obtained when stratification was high (anoxic conditions) and low (Fe≈5 mg/m2 day, P≈0.08 mg/m2 day) when stratification did not exist. This depicts that Fe/P dynamics were hinged mainly on hypoxic conditions in the benthic water under the reductive dissolution of FeOOH. The findings showed that organic materials (both solid and dissolved) correlated (> 0.7) significantly with (positive high values) Fe. This indicates that their interaction contributed to the reservoir water deterioration. However, Ca2⁺ and Mg2⁺ had little impact on the liberation of Fe-DOC-P from sediments due to their inability to compete with Fe for binding to DOC and P, as shown by their low correlation values. The research provides in-depth insights into the dynamics of PTEs on a daily timescale and offers valuable information for water management practices in inland reservoirs, particularly concerning the cycling of phosphorus (P) and its effects on ecosystem health.

Impact of Eucalyptus residue leaching on iron distribution in reservoir sediments assessed by high-resolution DGT technique.

Blackwater occurs every winter in reservoirs with Eucalyptus plantations. The complexation reaction between ferric iron (Fe3+) and Eucalyptus leachate tannic acid from logging residues (especially leaves) is the vital cause of water blackness. However, the effect of Eucalyptus leaf leaching on the dynamic of iron in sediments and its contribution to reservoir blackwater remain unclear. In this study, two experiments were conducted to simulate the early decomposition processes of exotic Eucalyptus and native Pinus massoniana leaves in water (LW) and water-sediment (LWS) systems. In LW, high concentrations of tannic acid (>45.25 mg/L) rapidly leached from the Eucalyptus leaves to the water column, exceeding those of Pinus massoniana leaves (<1.80 mg/L). The chrominance increased from 5~10 to 80~140, and the water body finally appeared brown instead of black after the leaching of Eucalyptus leaves. The chrominance positively correlated with tannic acid concentrations (R=0.970, p<0.01), indicating that tannic acid was vital for the water column's brown color. Different in LWS, blackwater initially emerged near the sediment-water interface (SWI) and extended upward to the entire water column as Eucalyptus leaves leached. Dissolved oxygen (DO) and transmission values in the overlying water declined simultaneously (R>0.77, p<0.05) and were finally below 2.29 mg/L and 10%, respectively. During the leaching of Eucalyptus leaves, the DGT-labile Fe2+ in sediments migrated from deep to surface layers, and the diffusive fluxes of Fe2+ at the SWI increased from 12.42~19.93 to 18.98~26.28 mg/(m2·day), suggesting that sediment released abundant Fe3+ into the aerobic overlying water. Fe3+ was exposed to high concentrations of tannic acid at the SWI and immediately generated the black Fe-tannic acid complex. The results indicated that the supplement of dissolved Fe3+ from sediments is a critical factor for the periodic blackwater in the reservoirs with Eucalyptus plantations. Reducing the cultivation of Eucalyptus in the reservoir catchment is one of the effective ways to alleviate the reservoir blackwater.

A sediment diagenesis model on sediment oxygen demand in managing eutrophication on Taihu, China.

Blue-green algae (CyanoHABs), photosynthetic bacteria that create a harmful aquatic environment, have been a trending issue on Taihu for over a decade. CyanoHABs adapt to varying climatic changes, which explains why the problem on Taihu still thrives. One major drive that keeps the algae is Sediment Oxygen Demand (SOD). In this paper, seasonal and spatial variations of SOD that contribute immensely to nutrient growth in Lake Taihu were done using the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC). The results were analyzed based on Nitrogenous SOD (NSOD) and Total SOD (TSOD). Summer results ranged from - 0.05754 to - 0.0826 (- 0.75658 to - 0.83902) (g/m2/day) and Winter values ranged from - 0.3022 to - 0.40171 (- 1.34486 to - 1.48856) (g/m2/day) indicate a gradual decrease in NSOD (TSOD) values respectively. Relatively higher values in summer are attributed to warmer surface water which sets up thermal stratification to increase the internal loading of nitrogen. Lower winter values are related to inverse stratification, where lower oxygen concentration decreases the SOD to trigger ammonium accumulation in the water column. NSOD (TSOD) values for Autumn results ranged from - 0.1039 to - 0.24786 (- 0.96251 to - 1.39454) (g/m2/day) and Spring values of - 0.43019 to - 0.35959 (- 1.48297 to - 0.54089) (g/m2/day). Transition seasons (i.e., Autumn and Spring) results are impacted by wind mixing that allows dissolved oxygen and nutrients in the whole water column. However, spring values depict a gradual increase in SOD value attributed to spring turnover and gradual stratification, which decrease nutrient concentration. In contrast, decreasing SOD values in autumn are related to mixing, but temperature decreases tend to increase nutrient concentrations. Carbonaceous sediment oxygen demand (CSOD), due to sulfide oxidation, presents high values from the difference between TSOD and NSOD. Based on the high values of CSOD, it is highly recommended that more research on eutrophic Taihu lakes would consider delving into CSOD.

Effects of anthropogenic nitrogen additions and elevated CO2 on microbial community, carbon and nitrogen content in a replicated wetland.

Anthropogenic deposition of nitrogen (N) and elevated CO2 (eaCO2) are expected to increase continuously and rapidly in the near future and influence global carbon cycling. These parameters affect the ecosystem by regulating the microbial community and contribute to soil organic matter decomposition. The study was performed to understand the effects of N additions (4 and 6mgl-1) and eaCO2 (700 ppm) on carbon (C)/nitrogen (N) content in the soil, microbial community, and plant biomass (Alternanthera philoxeroides species). The results showed that when the atmospheric CO2 concentration was raised, the total organic carbon (TOC) in the soil statistically increased (P < 0.05) by 4% and 3% under low and high N additions respectively, while the inorganic carbon content also increased by 1% and 3% (P > 0.05) under the same conditions. The increase in the soil TOC content was a result of the movement of carbon from water to the soil due to the presence of vascular tissues of plants in the water. The redundancy analysis (RDA) results revealed that the presence of plant species was responsible for the carbon content increment in the soil. The plant biomass content increased by 30.96% (P = 0.081) and 31.36%, (P = 0.002) under low and high N addition respectively due to the increment in atmospheric CO2. The nitrogen content in the plant species decreased (p > 0.05) by 8.62% and 6.25% at low and high N addition respectively when atmospheric CO2 was raised. This suggests that soil microbes competed with the plants for inorganic nitrogen in the soil and the microbes used up the inorganic nitrogen before it got to the plants. The gram-positive bacteria and fungi population decreased under high N addition and eaCO2 while gram-negative bacteria increased, suggesting that N additions and eaCO2 affected the microbial function and correlated with the nitrogen reduction in the soil. The results from this study serve as a guide to researchers and stakeholders in making policies with regard to the constant increasing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.

Scaled-up multi-anode shared cathode microbial fuel cell for simultaneous treatment of multiple real wastewaters and power generation.

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is lauded for its capacity to valorize organic substrates in wastes, providing a solution to environmental pollution and energy crisis. While different types of organic substrates affect removal efficiency and current output, most MFCs are designed to only be able to utilize one type of wastewater. However, many real wastewater treatment sites generate more than one type of wastewater which hinders the installation of most MFCs. This study aimed to investigate the performance of the novel-designed multi-anode shared cathode MFC (MASC-MFC) compared with a standard single anode/cathode MFC (SAC-MFC) and the simultaneous treatment of different types of real wastewaters (sewage, slaughterhouse, and hospital) in one MFC unit. The MASC-MFC (9025 mW/m2 at 23.332 mA/m2) produced 1.7 times and 1.6 times higher in power density and current density and 2.2 times lower in internal resistance than the standard single anode/cathode MFC (SAC-MFC). A maximum COD removal efficiency of 62.7% was achieved with synthetic wastewater. Feeding the MASC-MFC with multiple real wastewaters decreased maximum power density 3.5 (2599 mW/m2) times and increased internal resistance 2.7 times. Stable current generation 1.575 mA was achieved over 300 h despite the different and complex wastewater physio-chemical compositions. The MASC-MFC achieved over 40% and approximately 30% coulombic efficiency independently in all the anode chambers irrespective of the type of real wastewater used, demonstrating the MASC-MFC's capacity to treat different real wastewaters with the added benefit of electricity production.

Relationship between water quality, heavy metals and antibiotic resistance genes among three freshwater lakes.

Urban recreational lakes are impacted by consistent anthropogenic activities and are significant sources of heavy metals and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In this study, three urban lakes of varying size and anthropogenic impact in Nanjing, China, were investigated for the abundance of ten ARGs, six physicochemical factors and four heavy metals. Correlations between heavy metals and physicochemical parameters against ARGs were performed to investigate the presence of ARGs in the lakes. The water quality data indicated that the lakes were on par with levels 3 and 4 of the Chinese surface water environmental standards, signifying disturbing pollution levels in the lakes. The lakes were dominant with high amounts of sul1, sul2 and strA genes, and the sum of these three genes appropriated over 38.9-84.4% in all three lakes, while the sum of tetM, tetQ and ermB genes occupied a minor proportion (0.1-1.4%). High levels of vancomycin resistance genes were found in the three lakes. Spearman analysis indicated that Chlα, cadmium, lead and copper had a significant positive correlation with sul2 and strB. The results of redundancy analysis displayed that Chlα and co-selection with certain heavy metals were the major factors driving the propagation of specific genes in three lakes. We believe our study contributes by adding further knowledge to existing antibiotic resistance gene abundance studies in recreational urban lakes with significant anthropogenic impacts.

A radial basis function neural network based multi-objective optimization for simultaneously enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus removal in a full-scale integrated surface flow treatment wetland-pond system.

In this study, a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) model was developed and implemented in a multi-objective optimization procedure to determine the optimal hydraulic loading rate (HLR), hydraulic retention time (HRT), and mass loading rates (MLR) for enhanced removal of nitrogen and phosphorus by an integrated surface flow treatment wetland-pond system treating drinking source water in Yancheng, China. Prior to modelling, the system's 6-year nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiencies were found to trend downwards as effluent concentrations trended positively. Meanwhile, operating parameter interaction effects impacted final effluent quality. Thus, total nitrogen and total phosphorus removal were simulated by an RBFNN model with satisfactory R2 of 0.99 and 0.98 respectively. Optimal average HLR, HRT and MLR for 80% simultaneous removal efficiencies were subsequently determined to be 0.10860 ± 0.03 md-1, 30.43 ± 9.96 d and 306.416 ± 89.54 mgm-2d-1 respectively. The results highlight the feasibility of the RBFNN modelling based optimization procedure for treatment wetlands.

A multi-emission analysis of organic and inorganic pollutants during the combustion of sludge with high and low calorific value coals.

To achieve allowable gas emission limits and eliminate the high cost and challenges associated with pre-treatment of sludge before incineration, a new technique was proposed to co-incinerate wet printing and dyeing sludge with different calorific values of coal while conducting a full evaluation of organic and inorganic emission of pollutants. Different proportions (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%) of the wet sludge-coal slurry (peat) were incinerated using a commercialized fluid bed (circulating) incinerator. The results showed the that flue gas emitted contained sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and heavy metals in bottom ash. The ΣPCBs content produced from the 7 congeners was 6.4014 µg/m3 with more than 65% below tetra-chlorinated biphenyls which are the most harmful and persistent. An increment in the sludge (peat) ratio caused the content of SOx to decrease drastically, while the content of NOx exhibited two maxima. The heavy metal concentrations of Cd, Zn, Mn, Pb, Fe, Ni, Cr, and Cu decreased with increasing sludge ratio. The leaching toxicity of heavy metals in the bottom ash proved to be lower than the limit values for hazardous waste. The PCDD/F 1-TEQ emissions of the flue gas increased from 0.06844 to 0.10779 ng/m3 as the proportion of sludge increased in peat. The I-TEQ values of the PCDD/Fs showed a slight increment with increasing sludge ratio. The sum of the PCDD/Fs (ideally at 20-30%) does not exceed the 0.1ng/Nm3 of the EU and the 0.5 ng TEQ/Nm3 of the new Chinese emissions standard. Statement of novelty Different calorific values of coal of different proportions were incinerated with wet printing and dyeing sludge in order to achieve the new allowable gas emission limits, tap heat energy and eliminate high cost.

Combined use of high-resolution dialysis, diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT) technique, and conventional methods to assess trace metals in reservoir sediments.

Recently, reservoirs in southern China are witnessing incidents involving black water, which are harmful to the aquatic ecosystem. This study unravels the cause of the black water events by studying the occurrence and the ecological risks of contaminants (Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn, Ni, TFe, Mn, S, P, and DOC) in sediments of Tianbao reservoir. Due to the significantly high concentration of TFe, Mn, and P in the sediments, the study further used the thin film diffusion gradient (DGT) technology and high-resolution dialysis method to investigate the movement of Fe2+, Mn2+, S2-, and reactive P within the sediments. The ecological risk assessment (threshold effect level and probable effect level) showed that the sediments had a low concentration of Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn, and Ni. High organic matter from the Eucalyptus plantation surrounding the reservoir, as well as the intense thermal stratification of the reservoir, caused the hypolimnion to be hypoxic (DO < 2 mg/L). The diffusion fluxes at the water-sediment boundary (WSB) demonstrated a significant movement of Fe2+, Mn2+, and PO43- from the sediments into the overlying water, while the movement of S2- was in both directions due to hypoxia. A high correlation Fe-DOC (r = 0.9), Fe-S (r = 0.8), and Mn-S (r = 0.7) and the redox interaction of Fe2+, Mn2+, S2-, P, and DOC at the hypoxic WSB caused the production of black substances in the hypolimnion contributing to the so-called black water reservoir.

Iron, thermal stratification, Eucalyptus sp., and hypoxia: drivers to water blackening in southern China reservoirs.

The management of black water depends primarily on the knowledge of the dynamics of organic matter (OM), iron (Fe), sulfide (S), and manganese (Mn), at the water-sediment boundary (WSB). However, the mechanistic path of these substances leading to black water remains unsettled. In this study, a 35-day field study was conducted using the thin-film diffusion gradient technology (DGT) and the planar optrode to address the unknown combined effects of Fe, Mn, OM, S, and tannins from Eucalyptus species on Tianbao reservoir.Our results indicated that the hypolimnion was hypoxic due to thermal stratification, which caused the reduction of insoluble Fe and Mn from sediments to bottom water. Correlation analysis (Fe:S (r:0.5-0.9); Mn:S (r:0.2-0.8)) and elevated fluxes (Fe2+, Mn2+, S2-) connoted that these parameters interacted chemically to give black matter. The content of OM, Fe2+, and tannic acid in the benthic region diminished remarkably (p < 0.05) from day 1 (strong stratification) to day 35 (weak stratification), connoting that these parameters also interacted chemically to give black matter. The turbidity (clarity of the water) increased from day 1 to 35 with a significant difference (p < 0.05) recorded on day 14 confirming that black water was formed on this day when the thermal structure of the reservoir was annihilated. Correlation analysis supported the assertion that the variability in oxygen and redox conditions caused changes in Fe, Mn, and OM content at the WSB.The finding from the field research provides useful information to stakeholders on how to improve the quality of freshwater management designs.

Spatial Distribution and Environmental Significance of Phosphorus Fractions in River Sediments and Its Influencing Factor from Hongze and Tiaoxi Watersheds, Eastern China.

This study explored the spatial distribution of phosphorus fractions in river sediments and analyzed the relationship between different phosphorus fractions and their environmental influence on the sediments within different watersheds in Eastern China. River sediments from two inflow watersheds (Hongze and Tiaoxi) to Hongze and Taihu Lake in Eastern China were analyzed by the sequential extraction procedure. Five fractions of sedimentary phosphorus, including freely sorbed phosphorus (NH4Cl-P), redox-sensitive phosphorus (BD-P), bound phosphorus metal oxide (NaOH-P), bound phosphorus calcium (HCl-P), and residual phosphorus (Res-P) were all analyzed. The orders of rankings for the P fractions of the rivers Anhe and Suihe were HCl-P > NaOH-P > BD-P > NH4Cl-P and HCl-P > BD-P > NaOH-P > NH4Cl-P, respectively. For the rank order of the Hongze watershed, HCl-P was higher while the NH4Cl-P contents were significantly lower. The rank order for the Dongtiaoxi River was NaOH-P > HCl-P > BD-P > NH4Cl-P, and that of Xitiaoxi River was NaOH-P > BD-P > HCl-P > NH4Cl-P. Compared with the phosphorus forms of the Tiaoxi watershed, NaOH-P contents were significantly higher compared to HCl-P, which was significantly higher in the Hongze watershed. In comparison, NH4Cl-P contents were significantly lower in both. Variations may be attributed to differential discharge of the P form in the watershed due to land-use changes and urban river ambient conditions.

A study on the occurrence of black water in reservoirs in Eucalyptus Plantation region.

Tianbao reservoir in southern China (surrounded by Eucalyptus plantation) serves as a source of drinking water for the inhabitants. However, the reservoir water experiences black water (BW) of which the cause remains unclear. In this study, field observation and simulated laboratory experiment were conducted to understand the cause of the BW. The diffusive gradient in thin-film (DGT) device monitored the spatial changes in concentration of iron (Fe2+), manganese (Mn2+), sulfide (S2-), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) at the SWI. The planar optode (PO) showed that hypoxia contributed immensely to the high positive fluxes Fe2+, Mn2+, and S2- measured, which co-precipitated to form black materials (FeS and MnS) at the SWI. The co-precipitation between Fe-S and Mn-S was supported by their significant positive correlation (Fe-S: r > 0.05, p < 0.05, Mn-S: r > 0.2, p < 0.05). Significant reduction (p < 0.05) in tannins concentration from November (strong thermal stratification) to December (weak thermal stratification) indicated that Fe2+ and tannins reacted during the mixing of reservoir water in December due to weak stratification. The simulated experiment confirmed that fresh Eucalyptus leaves produces a significant (p < 0.05) amount of tannins during hypoxia and reacts with Fe2+ to produce black water. A high positive correlation (r > 0.8) between Fe2+ and DOC demonstrated that Fe2+ and DOC combined and contributed to the reservoir water blackening. The study provides a better understanding on the impact of Eucalyptus plantation on water quality and provide guidance for scientific planting of Eucalyptus plantation in reservoir basins in southern China to ensure safe drinking water.

Evaluating the phytoplankton, nitrate, and ammonium interactions during summer bloom in tributary of a subtropical reservoir.

The rational eutrophication management largely depends on the knowledge of the dynamics in the dissolved inorganic nutrients especially nitrogen forms which trigger exponential primary productivity in eutrophic systems. The present study investigated the phytoplankton interactions with the dissolved N forms, nitrate (NO3) and ammonium (NH4) in a sub-tropical Yangtze River tributary, China vulnerable to multiple anthropogenic stressors following the impoundment of the largest hydraulic structure, the Three Gorges Dam. Results indicated strong NO3 inhibition by the low NH4 pool exerting toxic effects on the major phytoplankton groups, particularly the Bacilliariophyta (relative abundance < 1%) while significant Cyanophyta proliferation prevailed (relative abundance ≥ 90%). Strong N limitation exacerbated by NH4 deficit and P replete condition characterizes the summer bloom in the tributary. The biomass attenuation kinetics revealed significantly fast NH4 metabolism, half-life (t1/2= 1.4 d, K = 0.00750 ± 0.004 d-1) as the first-order rate adequately fitted into the experimental data although, the second-order rate also demonstrated considerable goodness of fit. The growth responses induced by the Si enrichment potentially suggested possible secondary limitation by Si with the likelihood of intensification should the ecosystem phytoplankton community dominance shifts from Cyanophyta to the Bacilliariophyta. The response of P enrichment on growth was attributed to luxury consumption rather than limitation as responses only became significant towards the end of the study. The study, therefore, presents the first report of biomass ageing rate worthy of incorporation into the recent bloom management protocol for the development of predictive ecosystem dynamics.

A Sediment Diagenesis Model of Seasonal Nitrate and Ammonium Flux Spatial Variation Contributing to Eutrophication at Taihu, China.

Algal blooms have thrived on the third-largest shallow lake in China, Taihu over the past decade. Due to the recycling of nutrients such as nitrate and ammonium, this problem has been difficult to eradicate. Sediment flux, a product of diagenesis, explains the recycling of nutrients. The objective was to simulate the seasonal spatial variations of nitrate and ammonium flux. In this paper, sediment diagenesis modeling was applied to Taihu with Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC). Latin hypercube sampling was used to create an input file from twelve (12) nitrogen related parameters of sediment diagenesis and incorporated into the EFDC. The results were analyzed under four seasons: summer, autumn, winter, and spring. The concentration of NH4-N in the sediment-water column increased from 2.744903 to 22.38613 (g/m3). In summer, there was an accumulation of ammonium in the water column. In autumn and winter, the sediment was progressively oxidized. In spring, low-oxygen conditions intensify denitrification. This allows algal blooms to continue to thrive, creating a threat to water quality sustainability. The sediment diagenesis model, coupled with water quality measured data, showed an average relative error for Total Nitrogen (TN) of 38.137%, making the model suitable. Future studies should simulate phosphate flux and measure sediment fluxes on the lake.

Spatial variations in and environmental significance of nitrogen forms in river sediments from two different watersheds in eastern China.

Nitrogen is considered an essential nutrient element limiting water productivity, and its distribution in sediments directly affects its release potential. This study aimed to analyse the spatial characteristics, distribution, and influence of nitrogen forms in two different river catchments situated in eastern China. Using sequential extraction methods, the study divided sediment nitrogen into four forms, namely, an ion-exchangeable form (IEF-N), weak acid-extractable form (WAEF-N), strong alkali-extractable form (SAEF-N), and strong oxidant-extractable form (SOEF-N). The results for the two catchments showed significant differences in the physicochemical properties as well as variations in space. The mean proportion of total transferable nitrogen (TTN) in the Anhe, Suihe, Dongtiaoxi, and Xitiaoxi rivers accounted for 50.64%, 32.87%, 34.63%, and 40.45%, respectively. The results also revealed a higher total TTN in the Hongze watershed than in the Tiaoxi watershed. The order of mean TTN in sediments from the Hongze watershed was SOEF-N > SAEF-N > IEF-N > WAEF-N, whereas that for the Tiaoxi watershed was SOEF-N > SAEF-N > WAEF-N > IEF-N. The distribution of nitrogen forms in the sediments was significantly impacted by the sediment composition and environmental factors, as shown by correlation and redundancy analysis (RDA).

High resolution evidence of iron-phosphorus-sulfur mobility at hypoxic sediment water interface: An insight to phosphorus remobilization using DGT-induced fluxes in sediments model.

The deterioration of reservoirs in southern China due to the kinetics of Iron (Fe), Phosphorus (P) and sulphide (S) at the sediment-water interface (SWI) is a major problem that needs urgent attention. Studies on the biogeochemistry of Fe, P, and S using high-resolution profile techniques in reservoirs in this region are limited. The diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT) technique, high-resolution dialysis, DGT-computer imaging densitometry (CID), DGT-induced fluxes in sediments (DIFS) and planar optode (PO) device were used to describe the dynamics Fe-P-S in SWI during hypoxia. The results showed the release of Fe-P-S in SWI was due to sulfate reduction and iron reduction influenced greatly by hypoxia. Positive apparent fluxes were recorded indicating that the sediments release Fe-P-S to the overlying water. High positive correlations (r2 > 0.7) for DGT-labile Fe and DGT-labile P in sediments revealed that iron-bound P controlled the release of P at SWI during reductive dissolution. The low correlation between DGT-labile Fe and DGT-labile S (r2 < 0.4) disclosed the combative nature between sulfate reduction and iron reduction process. The low correlation occurred because of the co-precipitation between Fe and S, forming black materials such as monosulfide (FeS) and pyrite (FeS2) in a hypoxic environment. The DIFS model showed the resupply ability (R-values) of P in sediments belonged to the partially sustained case with a steady state case of resupply at TB3 (Tc = 1088s, Kd = 1005.61 cm3/g R = 0.72, K-1 = 0.19 day-1) and TB4 (Tc = 712 s, Kd = 712.53 cm3/g, R = 0.78, K-1 = 0.46 day-1). The resupply rate belonged to the non-steady state case at TB1 (Tc = 10,990 s, Kd = 396.3 cm3/g, R = 0.35, K-1 = 0.07 day-1) and TB2 (Tc = 6097 s, Kd = 578.5 cm3/g, R = 0.45, K-1 = 0.10 day-1). The DGT-CID-PO-DIFS provided a deep insight on the mechanism of Fe-P-S and remobilization of P at SWI leading to Blackwater events and eutrophication.

Nitrate repletion during spring bloom intensifies phytoplankton iron demand in Yangtze River tributary, China.

Most aquatic systems show characteristic seasonal fluctuations in the total nutrient pool supporting primary productivity. The nutrient dynamics essentially exacerbate critical demand for the counterpart micronutrients towards achieving ecosystem equilibrium. Herein, the phytoplankton demand for iron (Fe) uptake under high concentration of nitrate-nitrogen during spring in Xiangxi Bay, China, was studied. Our result confirmed that significant Fe concentrations (P = 0.01) in both autumn (0.62 ± 0.02 mgL-1) and winter (0.06 ± 0.03 mgL-1) relative to spring (0.004 ± 0.01 mgL-1) are linked to the low NO3-N paradigms during autumn and winter. As NO3-N showed a sharp increase in spring, a dramatic reduction in the Fe pool was observed in the entire tributary, driving the system to a critical Fe limited condition. Bioassay study involving Fe additions both alone and in combinations led to maximum growth stimulation with biomass as chla (16.44 ± 0.82 µgL-1) and phytoplankton cell density (6.75 × 106 cellsL-1) which differed significantly (P = 0.03) with the control. Further, the study demonstrated that Fe additions triggered biomass productions which increased linearly with cell densities. The P alone addition caused biomass production (15.26 ± 2.51 µgL-1) greater than both NO3-N (9.15 ± 0.66 µgL-1) and NH4+N (13.65 ± 1.68 µgL-1) separate additions but reported a low aggregate cell density (3.18 × 106 cellsL-1). This indicates that nutrient and taxonomic characteristics e.g., high cell pigment contents rather than just the cell bio-volume also determine biomass. The Bacilliarophyta, Chlorophyta, and Cryptophyta with the total extinction of Cyanophyta characterized the bloom in spring. The anthropogenic NO3-N input into XXB would have driven to higher NO3-N than NH4+N situation, and incapacitated the Cyanophyta that preferentially utilize NH4+N. Our study provides a useful report for incorporation into the monitoring programs for prudent management of phytoplankton bloom and pollution across the eutrophic systems.

Study on nutrient limitation of phytoplankton growth in Xiangxi Bay of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China.

After the impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), algal blooms in the sidearm tributaries have resulted from increasing nutrient loads along the major tributaries. Field sampling and in situ nutrient addition bioassay were implemented to examine the nutrient limitation of phytoplankton growth and bloom initiation during autumn in Xiangxi Bay of the TGR. Result shows that P is the primary limiting nutrient for algal growth and bloom in Xiangxi Bay during autumn. The treatment involving the combination of N, P and Si had a significant (p < .05) additional effect on the growth of phytoplankton. The N, P, Si combined treatment increased growth by 10-50% relative to the N and P treatments from day 1 to day 4, respectively. Trace metal additions involving Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu and/or in combination with N, P, and Si initially resulted in an extremely low growth rate which later increased significantly (p < .05) towards the end of the study. The present study provides an insight into the responses of different phytoplankton taxa in autumn under nutrient conditions in the tributary bay. The nutrient limitation study is recognized as the first step to mitigating the bloom while proposing an effective nutrient control strategy. The outcome of which can provide the basis for formulating sustainable watershed management. Multiple nutrients reductions with P as primary concern are required for a lasting management solution to the risk of bloom in the TGR.

Nutrient addition bioassay and phytoplankton community structure monitored during autumn in Xiangxi Bay of Three Gorges Reservoir, China.

The increasing freshwater ecosystem nutrient budget is a critical anthropogenic factor promoting freshwater eutrophication and episodic bloom of harmful algae which threaten water quality and public health. To understand how the eutrophic freshwater ecosystem responds in term of phytoplankton community structure dynamics to a sudden rise in nutrient concentrations, a microcosm study by nutrient addition bioassay was implemented in Xiangxi Bay (XXB) of Three Gorges Reservoir, China. Our results showed that dissolved trace elements supply adequately altered the phytoplankton community structure creating a regime shift from cyanobacteria-dominated to essentially Chlorophytes-dominated system, relative abundance (>70%). Combined N, P, and Si led to maximum growth stimulation accompanied by the highest chlorophyll yield (82.7 ± 14.01 µgL-1) and growth rate (1.098 ± 0.12 µgL-1d-1). N separate additions resulted in growth responses which did not differ while P -addition differed significantly (p∠0.05) with the control justifying a P limited system. Si enrichment stimulated diatom growth, relative abundance (20.62%) and maximum utility rate (USi = 83.37 ± 0.33%). This study also reveals that increasing nutrient loading from anthropogenic sources adequately decrease the ecological diversity (H < 1) and community overlap (CC ≤ 0.5) intensifying competition and succession which then select the fast-growing taxa to dominate and expand. Result points to the need for multiple nutrient control of N, P and Si loading into XXB through a prudent nutrient management protocol for lasting bloom mitigation in the tributary bay.

Harmful algal blooms under changing climate and constantly increasing anthropogenic actions: the review of management implications.

The present review reports all management approaches (physical, chemical, and biological) traditionally adopted in mitigating the global impact of harmful cyanobacterial blooms (cyanoHABs). It recognizes that each mitigation strategy shows characteristic associated limitations and notes that no remedial step has provided a sustainable solution to HABs on a global scale. It emphasizes that the putative anthropogenic N&P inputs reduction through improved wastewater treatment and regulation of point and non-point sources-agricultural fertilizers only offer a short term solution. These approaches are rather preventive than curative hence, do not address concerns relating to the recovery of already-eutrophic and hypereutrophic systems. It raises new concerns on the implications of non-agricultural pollutants such as hydrocarbon fractions in bloom accretions often neglected while addressing HAB triggers. It also accesses the global impacts of HABs as it pertains to socio-economic implications in the geographically diverse world. It, therefore, proposes that Integrated Management Intervention involving the merging of two or more mitigation steps be administered across the aquatic continua as a prudent management solution to complement the current N&P dual management paradigm. It stresses that the contemporaneous adoption of management options with both preventive and curative measures is a key to sustainable HAB management. This review provides sufficient advances and current scenarios for approaching cyanoHABs. Further, it advocates that future research perspectives tackle the mitigation design beyond the short-term nutrient regulations and the parochial attention to the point and non-point N&P input sources.