Environmental Factors Affecting Freshwater Snail Intermediate Hosts in Shenzhen and Adjacent Region, South China.

Sound knowledge of the local distribution and diversity of freshwater snail intermediate hosts and the factors driving the occurrence and abundance of them is crucial to understanding snail-borne parasitic disease transmission and to setting up effective interventions in endemic areas. In this study, we investigated the freshwater snails, water quality parameters, physical characteristics of habitats, predators and competitors, and human activity variables at 102 sites during December 2018 and August 2019 in Shenzhen and adjacent areas in China. We used decision tree models and canonical correspondence analysis to identify the main environmental and biotic factors affecting the occurrence and abundance of snail species. A total of nine species of snail were collected throughout the study area, with Biomphalaria straminea, Sinotaia quadrata, and Physella acuta being the most predominant species. Our study showed that the most important variables affecting the abundance and occurrence of snail species were the presence of predators and competitors, macrophyte cover, chlorophyll-a, substrate type, river depth, and water velocity. In terms of human activities, snail species occurred more frequently and in larger numbers in water bodies affected by human disturbances, especially for sewage discharge, which may reduce the occurrence and abundance of snail predators and competitors. These findings suggest that proper management of water bodies to reduce water pollution may increase the abundance of snail predators and competitors, and should be considered in integrated snail control strategies in the study area.

Fabrication of H2O2 slow-releasing composites for simultaneous Microcystis mitigation and phosphate immobilization.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a widely accepted algicide in controlling cyanobacterial blooms. However, this method includes two disadvantages: 1) a low H2O2 concentration (<5 mg L-1) is required; 2) H2O2-induced cell lysis causes phosphorus (P) contamination. To overcome the drawbacks, a H2O2 slow-releasing composite (HSRC) based on calcium peroxide (CaO2) was fabricated to substitute liquid H2O2. According to the results, a higher CaO2 dose increased H2O2 yield and releasing rate. H2O2 yield of 160 mg L-1 CaO2 in HSRC reached 32.9 mg L-1 and its releasing rate was 0.407 h-1. In addition, a higher temperature decreased H2O2 yield and increased H2O2-releasing rate. Besides, HSRC endowed with a remarkable ability to immobilize P. Higher CaO2 dose, pH value, and temperature increased the rate of P immobilization. The highest rate was 0.185 h-1, which occurred with 160 mg L-1 CaO2 in HSRC at 25 °C and pH 8.0. Toxicity assays showed that HSRC exerted sustaining oxidative stress on Microcystis aeruginosa. Accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species resulted in the disruption of enzymatic systems and inactivation of photosystem. Tracking the variations of cell growth and H2O2 concentration during HSRC treatments, it suggested that the lethal effect on Microcystis aeruginosa was achieved with a super-low H2O2 concentration (<0.3 mg L-1). In addition, cell lysis did not cause a sudden rise in P concentration due to the P immobilization by HSRC. Therefore, HSRC successfully offsets the drawbacks of liquid H2O2 in mitigating cyanobacterial blooms. It may be a novel and promising algicide that not only kills cyanobacteria but also reduces eutrophication momentarily.

Response of phytoplankton to banana cultivation: A case study of Lancang-Mekong River, southwestern China.

This study examined the possible effects of banana cultivation on phytoplankton biomass and community structure in southwest China along the Lancang-Mekong River. Water and phytoplankton samples were collected on March (dry season) and August (rainy season), and physical-chemical properties of water, phytoplankton biomass and community structure were determined. The results indicated that the banana cultivation resulted in increases in sediment, total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations at estuaries of Lancang-Mekong River branches. Cultivation decreased phytoplankton diversity, abundance and biomass, as well as changed the phytoplankton community structure at estuaries of branches. Sediment concentration (increased by cultivation) was considered as the dominant influence factor of phytoplankton biomass and community structure. However, at downstream sites (primary channel), banana cultivation did not cause (result from its huge flow) the significant changes in physical-chemical properties of water, phytoplankton biomass or community structure.

Spatiotemporal patterns of surface-suspended particulate matter in the Three Gorges Reservoir.

An investigation was conducted in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) seasonally from September 2010 to June 2011 to screen the distribution pattern of suspended particulate matter (SPM). Concentration of SPM, particulate nitrogen (PN), particulate phosphorus (PP), bioavailable particulate phosphorus (BAPP), and chlorophyll a (Chl a) were determined synchronously. Concentration of SPM was higher in the flood season than in the dry season and higher in the mainstream than in the tributaries. Chl a, PN, PP, and BAPP showed similar temporal pattern with SPM distribution. Particulate elements were significantly correlated with concentrations of SPM (p < 0.05). The proportion of algae-derived SPM in total SPM was higher in the tributaries than that in the mainstream. The results revealed that the spatiotemporal heterogeneity determined by hydrodynamics was the characteristic of SPM distribution. The source of SPM was mostly allochthonous. It could be deduced that SPM was an important factor affecting the water quality and algal growth in TGR by releasing or absorbing particulate nutrient.

[Relationship between pCO2 and algal biomass in Xiangxi Bay in spring].

Water temperature (WT), pH, HCO3-, dissolved oxygen and the concentration of Chl-a in Xiangxi Bay were measured in spring. The partial pressure of carbon dioxide was calculated by the chemical balance and Henry's Law while CO2 flux by the thin-layer diffusion model. Results showed that pCO2 of surface water in Xiangxi Bay varied from 8.34 microatm to 168.70 microatm with a mean of 49.01 microatm. pCO2 increased along the stream with Chl-a decreased from upstream to the estuary. The mean of pCO2 was 117.92 microatm on the diurnal scale, ranging from 74.43 microatm to 168.70 microatm, and the mean concentration of Chl-a was 3.04 mg x m(-3) with the range from 2.22 mg x m(-3) to 4.55 mg x m(-3). There were statistically significant negative correlations between values for pCO2 and Chl-a (r = -0.844, P < 0.01). Phytoplankton photosynthesis in Xiangxi Bay played a crucial role in the spatial and temporal distribution of pCO2. The undersaturation observed suggests that surface waters in Xiangxi Bay represented a sink for atmospheric CO2 in spring, and the exchange rate of CO2 was estimated to be -35.17 mmol x (m2 x d)(-1).

[Diurnal changes in greenhouse gases at water-air interface of Xiangxi River in autumn and their influencing factors].

With the closed chamber and gas chromatography method, a 24-hour continuous monitoring was carried out to understand the greenhouse gases fluxes across the water-air interface of the Xiangxi River Bay, the Three-Gorges Reservoir in Autumn. Results indicated that the fluxes of CO2, CH4 and N2O across the water-air interface showed an obvious diurnal variation. The absorption and emission process of CH4 showed strong diurnal variation during the experimental period, reaching the highest emission at 1 am, whereas CO2 and N2O were emitted all day. The fluxes of CO2 ranged from 20.1-97.5 mg x (m2 x h)(-1) at day and 32.7-42.5 mg x (m2 x h)(-1) at night, the fluxes of N2O ranged from 18.4-133.7 microg x (m2 x h)(-1) at day and 42.1-102.6 microg x (m2 x h)(-1) at night. The fluxes of CO2 had positive correlation with wind speed and negative correlation with pH. The fluxes of N2O had positive correlation with pH.

Responses of phytoplankton functional groups to the hydrologic regime in the Daning River, a tributary of Three Gorges Reservoir, China.

Daning River is a deep tributary of Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) in China, with water level fluctuations of 30 m annually. It was assumed that the hydrologic regime would be the main driving force in the self-assembling of the phytoplankton community in the river. In order to test this hypothesis, limnological study was performed monthly in the estuary, midstream and upstream of this tributary from May 2008 to April 2009. We identified 17 phytoplankton functional groups among 63 genera. These phytoplankton functional groups varied significantly, both seasonally and longitudinally. During the flood season (March-September), low water level and high inflows caused a marked increase in the turbidity, especially in the estuary and upstream, allowing functional group MP (the meroplanktonic diatoms) to dominate the phytoplankton community. Meanwhile, constant water level and high temperature led to the stability and thermal stratification in the midstream. These conditions resulted in a high phytoplankton biomass and the dominance of phytoplankton functional groups Y (Cryptomonas spp.) and Lo (motile Peridiniopsis niei and Peridinium) that were adapted to water stratification. During the dry season (October-February), although the inflows were low and water retention time was long, the thermal stratification was disrupted by the disturbance due to the impoundment of TGR, and the water column was deeply mixed. The phytoplankton biomass reduced and functional groups changed: group Lo declined, and group C (small diatom Cyclotella meneghiniana) increased in the estuary and midstream. Group Y replaced group MP to dominate the phytoplankton community in the upstream with the water becoming clear and stagnant. It could be deduced that the dynamics of phytoplankton in the Daning River were mainly influenced by hydrologic regime.

Temporal variation and spatial distribution of PAH in water of Three Gorges Reservoir during the complete impoundment period.

Bioavailable concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in water of Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) using semipermeable membrane devices during the period of completely impounding water. ∑PAH concentrations in water of TGR in the period of completely impounding water were 15-381 ng L(-1). ∑PAH concentrations increased from town or counties to big industrialized cities in TGR, indicating urbanization effects on PAH pollution in the water. Tributaries in TGR have a certain contribution of PAH pollution to the mainstream of Yangtze River and their pollution could not be neglected. An obvious decrease of PAH concentration was observed after 175-m water impounding in 2011 in TGR. Several factors may account for this decrease, including execution of comprehensive treatment and management measures in TGR, less rainfall in 2011, and sedimentation effect caused by the dam. Passive sampling method has been successfully applied in the investigation of trace PAH in water of TGR and proved to be a useful and efficient tool for the management and sustainable development of the big reservoir. The results of the study provide valuable information about PAH pollution in the whole reservoir including some tributaries, and the pollution status is dynamically related with human activities. Therefore, PAH could be used as a marker compound or indicator in the network monitoring system to surveil and trace the pollution status in TGR.

Contamination status of dioxins in sediment cores from the Three Gorges Dam area, China.

In order to screen dioxin pollution in sediment of Three Gorges Dam (TGD) area, three sediment cores were obtained from two sites in 2010~2011; each core was divided into different samples with every 10 cm depth. Sediment dating determined by radiometry ((137)Cs, (210)Pb) and concentrations of dioxins were analyzed by high-resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The results indicated: Sediment dating showed no significant difference among all the samples from the same core and the two locations (ANOVA, p>0.05). The total amount of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD)/Fs in all sample ranged from 30.7 to 371 pg/g dry weight (d.w.), with the mean value of 66.2 pg/g d.w. PCDDs occupied 60.33~85.22 % of dioxins in each sample, and PCDFs contributed to a very small extend. There was no significant difference in the dioxin concentration between 2010 and 2011 and in the two locations (t test, p>0.05), but the vertical distribution of dioxins showed significant different in different depths. Toxic equivalent (TEQ) (WHO 2005, Humans) of samples ranged from 0.15 to 1.60 pg/g d.w.; the mean was 0.41 pg/g d.w. No significant difference was found in TEQ between 2010 and 2011(t test, p>0.05). It could be concluded that the distribution of dioxins showed the spatial heterogeneous which resulted from the strong mixing and sediment deposition characteristics. Dioxin concentration in sediment cores was low with very low environmental risk potential. Dioxins at the two sites had the same origin, and exogenous input was the main source. It is the first report on the dioxins concentrations in sediment cores in the TGD area.

Phytoplankton variation and its relationship with the environment in Xiangxi Bay in spring after damming of the Three-Gorges, China.

Following the completion of the Three-Gorges Dam, there was a strong spring phytoplankton bloom in Xiangxi Bay of Three-Gorges Reservoir. However, our knowledge of relationship between spring phytoplankton bloom and environmental factors was still limited. In this study, phytoplankton species composition, biomass, chlorophyll a concentration and environmental factors at two sampling sites in Xiangxi Bay were investigated during 25 March to 18 May 2007. The Xiangxi Bay was eutrophic with the lowest values of total nitrogen and total phosphorus being 0.80 and 0.07 mg/L, respectively. A total of 66 algal taxa belonging to seven phyla and 45 genera were identified. Peridiniopsis niei Liu was the most abundant species which preferred standing water. Canonical correspondence analysis and correlation analysis revealed that nitrate was significantly associated with phytoplankton growth. The phytoplankton chlorophyll a concentration was correlated significantly negatively with nitrate concentration, and nitrate concentration was very low during bloom periods. Heavy rainfall was the main reason of phytoplankton chlorophyll a concentration and biomass decreasing and blooms disappearing. In addition, heavy rainfall also brought more nitrate into the Bay which provided sufficient nitrogen source for blooms occurring again.

Determination of PAH, PCB, and OCP in water from the Three Gorges Reservoir accumulated by semipermeable membrane devices (SPMD).

Bioavailable water concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and organochlorine pesticides (OCP) were measured in the water column from Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) collected in May 2008 using semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs). The sampling sites spanned the whole reservoir from the upstream Chongqing to the great dam covering more than 600 km long distance with water flow velocities ranging from <0.05 to 1.5 ms(-1). This is the first experience of SPMD application in the biggest reservoir in the world. The results of water sampling rates based on performance reference compounds (PRC) were tested to be significantly correlated with water flow velocities in the big river. Results of back-calculated aqueous concentrations based on PRC showed obvious regional variations of PAH, PCB and OCP levels in the reservoir. Total PAH ranged from 13.8 to 97.2 ngL(-1), with the higher concentrations occurring in the region of upstream and near the dam. Phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene and chrysene were the predominant PAH compounds in TGR water. Total PCB ranged from 0.08 to 0.51 ngL(-1), with the highest one occurring in the region near the dam. PCB 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180, 118 were the most abundant PCB congeners in the water. The total OCP ranged from 2.33 to 3.60 ngL(-1) and the levels showed homogenous distribution in the whole reservoir. HCH, DDT and HCB, PeCB were the major compounds of OCP fingerprints. Based on water quality criteria, the TGR water could be designated as being polluted by HCB and PAH. Data on PAH, PCB and OCP concentrations found in this survey can be used as reference levels for future POP monitoring programmes in TGR.