It's time to reevaluate the list of priority polycyclic aromatic compounds: Evidence from a large urban shallow lake.

Monitoring only 16 priority PAHs (Pri-PAHs) may greatly underestimate the pollutant load and toxicity of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in aquatic environments. There is an urgent need to reevaluate the list of priority PACs. To determine which PACs deserve priority monitoring, the occurrence, sources, and toxicity of 78 PACs, including 24 parent PAHs (Par-PAHs), 49 alkylated PAHs (Alk-PAHs), 3 oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs), carbazole, and dibenzothiophene were investigated for the first time in Lake Chaohu sediments, China. Concentrations of ∑Par-PAHs, ∑Alk-PAHs, and ∑OPAHs ranged from 35 to 165, 3.4-26, and 7.7-26 ng g-1, respectively. Concentrations of 16 Pri-PAHs have decreased by 1-2 orders of magnitude compared to a decade ago, owing to the effective implementation of PAHs emission control measures. Comparisons with the sediment quality guidelines indicated that 16 Pri-PAHs have negligible adverse effects on benthic organisms. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) model results showed that coal combustion was the major source of PACs (accounting for 23.5 %), followed by traffic emissions (23.4 %), petroleum volatilization (21.9 %), wood/biomass combustion (18.2 %), and biological/microbial transformation (13.1 %). The toxicity of PACs was assessed by calculating the BaP toxic equivalent concentrations (TEQBaP) and toxic units. It was found that Par-PAHs were the predominant toxic substances. In addition, monomethyl-BaPs, OPAHs, BeP, and 7,12-DMBaA should be prioritized for monitoring due to their noticeable contributions to overall toxicity. The contributions of different sources to the toxicity of PACs were determined based on PMF model results and TEQBaP values, which revealed that combustion sources mainly contributed to the comprehensive toxicity of PACs in Lake Chaohu sediments.

Cyanobacteria blooms potentially enhance volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from a eutrophic lake: Field and experimental evidence.

Eutrophication promotes massive cyanobacteria blooms (CBBs), leading to the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To investigate the effects of cyanobacteria on VOC emissions, field campaigns were carried out in eutrophic Chaohu Lake at six sites with different microalgae densities during CBBs in summer 2019, and incubation experiments were performed in the laboratory. The results showed that the lake water was the primary source of VOCs at six sampling sites in Chaohu Lake during CBBs, with an average total VOC flux of 81.2 ± 20.6 µg m-2 h-1. Alkanes were the most abundantly emitted VOCs, with a share of 23.1-63.7% of total emitted VOCs, followed by aromatics (16.6-46.3%). The fluxes of total VOCs were significantly greater at sites B and/or C than at site A in July, and at site B' and/or C' than at site A' in August in Chaohu Lake. The fluxes of total VOCs from living and decayed cyanobacteria in the experimental treatments were two orders of magnitude higher than the corresponding values in the control treatments in the laboratory incubation. Taken together, these results suggested that CBBs potentially enhanced VOC emissions from the eutrophic lake, and that cyanobacteria acted as an important source of VOCs. Additionally, non-methane hydrocarbons (i.e., alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics) predominated among the released VOCs during the stabilization and senescence stages, while oxygenated volatile organic compounds (i.e. alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and furans) prevailed during the apoptosis stage and aromatics and volatile organic sulfur compounds predominated during the decomposition stage, suggesting that VOC emissions varied markedly at different life stages.

Microbial bioavailability of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in the sediments of Lake Shankou, Northeastern China.

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) extracted from Lake Shankou sediments using KCl was isolated into hydrophobic and hydrophilic fractions. The bioavailabilities of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic fractions to three types of bacterial communities collected from sediments, activated sludge and compost products were examined. The DON recoveries obtained by DAX-8 and cation exchange resins treatment were 96.17%±1.58% and 98.14%±0% for the samples obtained from N4 and N14 stations, respectively. After 25 days of incubation at 25°C, most DON (59% to 96%) was degraded. Hydrophilic DON exhibited a higher reduction rate than hydrophobic DON during the growth phase. Untreated wastewater from Changshuihe town was the main degradable DON source to station N4, and 93% of hydrophilic DON and 80% of hydrophobic DON were degraded. Station N14 received a large amount of refractory DON from forest soils and exhibited DON degradation rates of 82% and 71% for the hydrophilic and hydrophobic fractions, respectively. Amino acid contents and fluorescence intensities were also analyzed. Approximately 27% to 74% of amino acids were taken up by day 5, and their concentration gradually increased in the following days due to the decomposition of dissolved proteins. Parallel factor analysis resulted in identification of tryptophan-like proteins, tyrosine-like proteins and FA-like substances. During the growth phase, 40%-51% of the tryptophan-like proteins were taken up by bacteria, and the accumulation of tyrosine-like proteins was attributed to the release of biotic substances. The concentration of the FA-like substances decreased due to microbial decomposition.

Arsenic fractionation and contamination assessment in sediments of thirteen lakes from the East Plain and Yungui Plateau Ecoregions, China.

Arsenic (As) fractions in the sediments of seven lakes from East Plain Ecoregion and six lakes from Yungui Plateau Ecoregion, China, were investigated. Results indicated that the total As concentrations in sediment samples of lakes of the East Plain Lake Ecoregion are higher than those of Yungui Plateau Lake Ecoregion. Residual As is the main fraction in sediment samples of lakes from both ecoregions, followed by reducible As and soluble or oxidizable As. The total As is correlated to oxidizable As and residual As in sediment samples from both lake ecoregions. As distribution in sediment samples of lakes of the East Plain Ecoregion appears to be affected by human activity, while the As origin mainly comes from natural sources in sediment samples of lakes in the Yungui Plateau Ecoregion. The potential ecological risk index and geoaccumulation index values suggest "low to moderate" risk degree and "unpolluted to moderately polluted" for As in the studied lake sediments.

Determining reference conditions for TN, TP, SD and Chl-a in eastern plain ecoregion lakes, China.

Establishing the nutrient reference condition (baseline environmental condition) of lakes in an ecoregion is a critical consideration in the development of scientifically defensible aquatic nutrient criteria. Three methods were applied to determine reference conditions in the Eastern plain ecoregion lakes with respect to total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), planktonic chlorophyll a (Chl-a) and Secchi depth (SD). The reference condition value for the lakes in the Eastern plain ecoregion by the trisection method is TP of 0.029 mg/L, TN of 0.67 mg/L, Chl-a of 3.92 mg/m3, SD of 0.85 m, and the reference condition range by the lake population distribution approach is TP of 0.014-0.043 mg/L, TN of 0.360-0.785 mg/L, Chl-a of 1.78-4.73 mg/m3, SD of 0.68-1.21 m. Additionally, empirical models were developed for estimating the reference Chl-a concentration and SD successfully for lakes in the Eastern plain ecoregion. Overall, the data suggest that multiple methods can be used to determine reference conditions and that in Eastern plain ecoregion lakes the reference condition corresponds to a mesotrophic status.

[Measurement of dissolved organic nitrogen with nanofiltration pretreatment and its distribution characteristics in landscape water].

In this study, we present a nanofiltration (NF90, NF270) pretreatment to increase the precision of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) measurements in water samples. The variations of DON measurements with and without NF pretreatment were investigated. And the effects on the removal of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) by NF90 and NF270 were compared. As shown in the results, the average removal rates reached 30.7%, 55.9% of NH4(+)-N, 50.0%, 73.1% of NO3(-) -N and 42.9%, 72.0% of NO2(-)-N for NF90 and NF270 pretreatment, respectively. NF270 was obviously more effective to remove the DIN species. Concentrations of DON measured using traditional methods varied from 0.09 to 0.46 mg x L(-1), with negative concentration (-0.08 mg x L(-1)) at site 2 and the DIN/TDN ratio ranged from 85.3% to 105%; while the concentrations of DON measurements varied from 0.03 to 0.58 mg x L(-1), and the DIN/TDN ratio ranged from 76.1% to 90.6% for NF90 pretreatment and varied from 0.10 to 0.59 mg x L(-1), and the DIN/TDN ratio ranged from 47.5% to 84.5% for NF270 pretreatment. The results indicated that nanofiltration pretreatment could effectively remove the DIN species, decrease the standard deviation of DON measurements and increase the precision of DON measurements. The distribution of DON in water samples of Beijing Olympic Forest Park was investigated. The results showed that there was seasonal variation in the concentrations of DON in landscape water from the Olympic Forest Park. And there was significant difference between the north and south part. The DON concentrations were less than 0.2 mg x L(-1) in November, March and May and higher in July in the north part, while the DON concentrations were lower in May and higher in November and March in the south part, ranging from 0.40-0.65 mg x L(-1).

Establishing eutrophication assessment standards for four lake regions, China.

The trophic status assessment of lakes in different lake regions may provide important and fundamental information for lake trophic state classification and eutrophication control. In this study, a region-specific lake eutrophication assessment standard was established through a frequency distribution method based on chlorophyll-a concentration. The assessment standards under the oligotrophic state for lakes in the Eastern plain, Yungui Plateau, Northeast Plain and Mountain Mongolia-Xinjiang regions are total phosphorus of 0.068, 0.005, 0.011, 0.005 mg/L; total nitrogen of 1.00, 0.16, 0.37, 0.60 mg/L; Secchi depth of 0.60, 8.00, 1.55, 3.00 m; and COD(Mn) of 2.24, 1.00, 5.11, 4.00 mg/L, respectively. Moreover, a region-specific comprehensive trophic level index was developed to provide an understandable assessment method for the public. The results indicated that the frequency distribution analysis based on chlorophyll-a combined with trophic level index provided a useful metric for the assessment of the lake trophic status. In addition, the difference of eutrophication assessment standards in different lake regions was analyzed, which suggested that the sensitivities of algae to nutrients and the assessment standard of trophic status possessed significant regional differences for the four lake ecoregions. Lake eutrophication assessment standards would contribute to maximizing the effectiveness of future management strategies, to control and minimize lake eutrophication problems.

A 60-year sedimentary record of natural and anthropogenic impacts on Lake Chenghai, China.

Recent sediments from Lake Chenghai, China, were investigated at high temporal resolution to trace both natural and anthropogenic effects on the lake using total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), organic phosphorus (Po), inorganic phosphorus (Pi) and organic carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes (delta13Corg and delta15N) in a 137Cs-dated sediment core. The results indicated that the sedimentary record covers the last 60 years, during which the lake had undergone apparent changes in nutrient sources and productivity in response to nutrient loading. Prior to the late 1980s, the nutrient contents in sediments mainly originated from algae and lake productivity was relatively stable. Since the late 1980s, increasing TOC, TN and TP concentrations together with the change of delta13Corg and delta15N suggested anthropogenic perturbations in nutrient loading and lake productivity. Endogenic nutrients derived from algae and anthropogenic inputs were two important sources of sedimentary nutrients. The anthropogenic nutrients mainly originated from the discharge of industrial wastewater and artificial cultivation of Spirulina after the middle 1980s, and domestic wastewater discharged from Yongsheng County since 1993.

A 100-year sedimentary record of natural and anthropogenic impacts on a shallow eutrophic lake, Lake Chaohu, China.

In this study, the sediment profiles of total organic carbon, total nitrogen, C/N ratios, total phosphorus, N/P ratios, C/P ratios, particle sizes, and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes (δ(13)C and δ(15)N) were used to investigate natural and anthropogenic impacts on Lake Chaohu over the past 100 years. Before 1960, Lake Chaohu experienced low productivity and a relatively steady and low nutrient input. The increasing concentration and fluxes of total organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, together with changes in the δ(13)C and δ(15)N of organic material in the sediment cores, suggested that the anthropogenic effects on trophic status first started because of an increase in nutrient input caused by a population increase in the drainage area. With the construction of the Chaohu Dam, an increase in the utilization of fertilizer and the population growth which occurred since 1960, stable depositional conditions and increasing nutrient input resulted in a dominantly algae-derived organic matter source and high productivity. Nutrient input increased most significantly around 1980 following the rapidly growing population, with concomitant urbanization, industrial and agricultural development. This study also revealed that the concentration and distribution of nutrients varied between different areas of sediment within Lake Chaohu because of the influence of different drainage basins and pollution sources.

A 100 year sedimentary record of heavy metal pollution in a shallow eutrophic lake, Lake Chaohu, China.

This study has worked on the evaluation of the temporal and spatial evolution of heavy metal contamination in sediment taken from a shallow eutrophic lake, Lake Chaohu, China, over the last 100 years, and thereby used (137)Cs and (210)Pb dating, a PIRLA procedure, statistical analysis, geochemical normalization and a enrichment factor calculation (EF). Concentrations of 5174, 29 325, 10.7, 36.4, 20.4, 386.0, 21.1 and 38.4 mg kg(-1) for Ti, Fe, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn, respectively, are proposed as natural background values for the Lake Chaohu based on a PIRLA procedure. The contamination history from the last 100 years can be divided into two periods. Before the 1960s, heavy metal contamination did not occur and there was no spatial difference for heavy metal distribution. Since the 1960s, heavy metal enrichment and contamination has occurred, and the west half of the lake region showed a higher degree of contamination than the east half to various intensified anthropogenic activities. In the east half of the lake region, the anthropogenic source of heavy metals mainly originated from agricultural intensification, whereas in the west half of the lake it originated from city runoff and industry as well as agriculture. In all anthropogenic heavy metals, Co is only from industry.

[Characteristics of organic phosphorus fractions in different trophic sediments of lakes, China].

In this study, the characteristics of organic phosphorus fractions in sediments of seven lakes with different drainage basin feature, ecological structure, and polluted levels from different regions were investigated, and the relationships between organic phosphorus (Po), inorganic phosphorus (Pi) and bioavailable characters were also discussed. The difference of the related content of Po in different sediments indicated the discrepancy of phosphorus sources and biogeochemical cycles in different lakes. Organic matter (OM) was significantly correlated with Po (R2 = 0.80, p < 0.01), and except for Lake Qilu, OM was significantly correlated with labile Po, moderately labile Po and nonlabile Po in all studied sediments (R2 were 0.85, 0.52, 0.80 respectively, p < 0.01). The moderately labile Po and nonlabile Po were the main fraction of Po in all studied lakes, and the relative contributions to total Po were 15.12%-66.73% and 27.99%-77.72%, respectively. The mean proportion of labile Po was 6.1% in studied sediments. The rank order of Po fractions was residual Po > HCl-Po > fulvic acid-Po > humic acid-Po > NaHCO3-Po with mean relative proportion 8.3:3.1:2.2:1.8:1.0. Labile Po was significantly correlated with total phosphorus (TP), Pi , Po, NaHCO3-Pi and NaOH-Pi . Furthermore, Labile Po was also significantly correlated with T), Po and NaOH-Pi in all studied sediments, which suggested that labile Po was transformed into bioavailable phosphorus and the nonlabile Po may become a potential source of available phosphorus, although it was considered as highly resistant fraction.

[Rapid determination of chemical components in interstitial water of lake sediments using near-infrared spectroscopy].

The near infrared reflectance spectra (NIRS) of interstitial water samples of lake sediments in Chaohu lake were determined by near-infrared reflectance spectrometry. The respective near NIRS calibration models for predicting total nitrogen (TN), total organic carbon (TOC), phosphorus ( PO3(3-)), ammonia nitrogen(NH3-N) and silicate (SiO3-) were built using partial least squares (PLS) algorithm with two spectral pretreatment tools including, wavelet compression combining orthogonal signal correction (OSC) and orthogonal signal correction (OSC) combining wavelet compression. The correlation coefficients between measured values and predicted values in calibration set for TN, NH3-N, PO3(3-), TOC and SiO3(3-) were 0.975, 0.989, 0.937, 0.862 and 0.888, respectively. RMSEC (root mean square error of the calibration) for TN, NH3-N, PO3(3-), TOC and SiO3- were 0.353, 0.238, 0.031 3, 2.005 and 2.674 mg x L(-1), respectively. The correlation coefficients between measured values and predicted values in validation set for TN, NH3-N, PO3(3-), TOC and SiO3- were 0.912, 0.918, 0.773, 0.337 and 0. 856, respectively. RMSEP(root mean square error of the prediction)for TN, NH3-N, PO3(3-), TOC and SiO3- were 1.424, 0.945, 0.081, 7.866 and 4.273 mg x L(-1), respectively.

Phosphorus fractionation in different trophic sediments of lakes from different regions, China.

The characteristics of organic phosphorus (P(o)) fractions in the sediments of nine lakes from the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River region, Yungui Plateau, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Northeast China Region, and Mongolia-Xinjiang Plateau, China were investigated and the differences of the different lakes on P fractionation was discussed. The results indicated that organic matter (OM) showed significant positive correlations with P(o) in sediment samples, and the rank order of the P(o) fractions was: residual P(o) > HCl-P(o) > fulvic acid-P(o) > humic acid-P(o) > NaHCO(3)-P(o) with mean relative proportions 7.4 : 3.4 : 2.4 : 1.7 : 1.0. The labile and moderately labile P(o) were the main fractions in the sediments for shallow eutrophic lakes except for Lake Qilu, however, nonlabile P(o) was dominant in the sediments from deep lakes. Labile P(o) was significantly correlated with total phosphorus (TP), inorganic phosphorus (P(i)), P(o), NaHCO(3)-P(i), HCl-P(i) and NaOH-P(i), and the nonlabile P(o) was significantly and positively related to OM, TP, P(o) and NaOH-P(i).

[Rapid determination of nutrient components in lake sediments using near infrared spectroscopy].

The lake sediments record important environmental evolution information of lake in recent 100 years. However, a rapid and precise combination analytical method measuring nutrient components in lake sediments can not be established. The near infrared reflectance spectra (NIRS) of sediment coring samples were determined by near-infrared reflectance spectrometry. The respective near NIRS calibration models for predicting total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), total organic carbon (TOC) and total phosphorus (TP) were built first in China using partial least squares (PLS) algorithm with six spectral pretreatment tools including first-order derivate, wavelet denoise, orthogonal signal correction (OSC), wavelet denoise combining orthogonal signal correction (OSC), first-order derivate combining orthogonal signal correction (OSC), and orthogonal signal correction (OSC) combining wavelet compression. The results showed that although NIR all calibration models can not well predict TOC, the first-order derivate combining OSC spectral calibration model had a good prediction for TC and TN, and for TP OSC spectral calibration model was good. The correlation coefficients between measuring values and predicted values in validation set for TC, TN and TP were 0.76, 0.87 and 0.81, respectively. RMSEP (Root mean square error of the prediction) for TC, TN and TP were 0.13%, 0.0082% and 0.012%, respectively. The study has an important significance of driving the domestic researches on spectroscopy characteristic of lake sediments and establishment of rapid analytical technique determining nutrient components of lake sediments.