Use of microbial community to evaluate performance of a wetland system in treating Pb/Zn mine drainage

The performance of a wetland system in treating lead (Pb)/zinc (Zn) mine drainage was evaluated by using the polyurethane foam unit (PFU) microbial community (method), which has been adopted by China as a standardized procedure for monitoring water quality. The wetland system consisted of four cells with three dominant plants: Typha latifolia, Phragmites australis and Paspalum distichum. Physicochemical characteristics [pH, EC, content of total suspended solid (TSS) and metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, and Cu)] and PFU microbial community in water samples had been investigated from seven sampling sites. The results indicated that the concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, and TSS in the mine drainage were gradually reduced from the inlet to the outlet of the wetland system and 99%, 98%, 75%, 83%, and 68% of these metals and TSS respectively, had been reduced in concentration after the drainage passed through the wetland system. A total of 105 protozoan species were identified, the number of protozoa species and the diversity index (DI) gradually increased, while the heterotrophic index (HI) gradually decreased from the inlet to the outlet of the wetland system. The results indicated that DI, HI, and total number species of protozoa could be used as biological indicators indicating the improvement of water quality.

黄土丘陵区县南沟流域生态恢复的生态经济耦合评价

探索一套简单、易于操作的小尺度生态经济耦合效应指标体系及其评价方法模型。【方法】基于生态经济协调理论,在继承传统指标的基础上,引用了2个创新性指标——能值可持续性指数(ESI)和生态压力指数(EFPI),应用模糊综合评价方法对县南沟流域生态恢复的生态经济耦合进行评价。【结果】县南沟"农-经济林果型"生态恢复模式的生态经济处于基本协调状态。【结论】"农-经济林果型"模式有效地改善了流域生态条件,促进了经济发展,产生了生态经济耦合效应。