Physiological Stress of High NH (4) (+) Concentration in Water Column on the Submersed Macrophyte Vallisneria Natans L.

The submersed macrophyte, Vallisneria natans L., was cultured in laboratory with NH (4) (+) -enriched tap water (1 mg L-1 NH4-N) for 2 months and the stressful effects of high ammonium (NH (4) (+) ) concentrations in the water column on this species was evaluated. The plant growth was severely inhibited by the NH (4) (+) supplement in the water column. The plant carbon and nitrogen metabolisms were disturbed by the NH (4) (+) supplement as indicated by the accumulation of free amino acids and the depletion of soluble carbohydrates in the plant tissues. The results suggested that high NH (4) (+) concentrations in the water column may hamper the restoration of submersed vegetation in eutrophic lakes.

Field and laboratory studies on pathological and biochemical characterization of microcystin-induced liver and kidney damage in the phytoplanktivorous bighead carp

Field and experimental studies were conducted to investigate pathological characterizations and biochemical responses in the liver and kidney of the phytoplanktivorous bighead carp after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of microcystins (MCs) and exposure to natural cyanobacterial blooms in Meiliang Bay, Lake Taihu. Bighead carp in field and laboratory studies showed a progressive recovery of structure and function in terms of histological, cellular, and biochemical features. In laboratory study, when fish were i.p. injected with extracted MCs at the doses of 200 and 500 mu g MC- LReq/kg body weight, respectively, liver pathology in bighead carp was observed in a time dose-dependent manner within 24 h postinjection and characterized by disruption of liver structure, condensed cytoplasm, and the appearance of massive hepatocytes with karyopyknosis, karyorrhexis, and karyolysis. In comparison with previous studies on other fish, bighead carp in field study endured higher MC doses and longer-term exposure, but displayed less damage in the liver and kidney. Ultrastructural examination in the liver revealed the presence of lysosome proliferation, suggesting that bighead carp might eliminate or lessen cell damage caused by MCs through lysosome activation. Biochemically, sensitive responses in the antioxidant enzymes and higher basal glutathione concentrations might be responsible for their powerful resistance to MCs, suggesting that bighead carp can be used as biomanipulation fish to counteract cyanotoxin contamination.

Phenotypic plasticity in gut length in the planktivorous filter-feeding silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

Phenotypic plasticity widely exists in the external morphology of animals as well as the internal traits of organs. In the present study, we studied the gut length plasticity of planktivorous filter-feeding silver carp under different food resources in large-net cage experiments in Meiliang Bay of Lake Taihu in 2004 and 2005. There was a significant difference in stocking density between these 2 years. Under a low stocking density and abundant food resources, silver carp increased their energy intake by feeding on more zooplankton. Meanwhile, silver carp adjusted their gut length to match the digestive requirements of food when exposed to different food resources. In the main growth seasons (from April to October), silver carp significantly increased their relative gut length when feeding on more phytoplankton in 2005 (p < 0.01, 9.23 +/- 1.80 in 2004 and 10.77 +/- 2.05 in 2005, respectively). There was a nearly significant negative correlation between zooplankton proportion in the diet and the relative gut length when silver carp were stocked in a high density (p = 0.112). It appears that silver carp might have evolved plasticity to change their gut length rapidly to facilitate efficient utilization of food resources. Such resource polymorphisms in the gut may be a good indication of temporal adaptation to resource conditions. Our work provided field evidence for understanding the functional basis of resource polymorphisms and the evolution of phenotypic plasticity in planktivorous filter-feeding fish.

Stable isotope changes in freshwater shrimps (Exopalaemon modestus and Macrobrachium nipponensis): trophic pattern implications

Trophic patterns of omnivorous freshwater shrimps, Exopalaemon modestus and Macrobrachium nipponensis, were investigated in two shallow eutrophic lakes by using stable isotope analysis. delta N-15 and delta C-13 of M. nipponensis and E. modestus increased with increasing body weight, which might be attributed to larger individuals ingesting organisms that feed higher up the food chain and/or increased assimilation of benthic food items with enriched isotopic signatures. Of the freshwater shrimps occurring in the studied lakes, those from Lake Taihu had significantly elevated delta N-15 and delta C-13 values (4.3% and 1.8%, respectively) compared with those from the less eutrophic Lake Chaohu, indicating that the isotopic signature might partially reflect the trophic states of their habitats. Mixing model results suggested that the benthic food web provides the primary carbon source for both shrimp species, and that E. modestus assimilated relatively more pelagic food sources than M. nipponensis in these lakes.

Reduction in microcystin concentrations in large and shallow lakes: Water and sediment-interface contributions

Blooms of cyanobacteria, or blue-greens, are known to produce chemicals, such as microcystins, which can be toxic to aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Although previous studies have examined the fate of microcystins in freshwater lakes, primary elimination pathways and factors affecting degradation and loss have not been fully explained. The goal of the present study was to explore sources of algal toxins and investigate the distribution and biodegradation of microcystins in water and sediment through laboratory and field analyses. Water and sediment samples were collected monthly from several locations in Lake Taihu from February 2005 to January 2006. Samples were analyzed for the presence of microcystin. Water and sediment were also used in laboratory studies to determine microcystin degradation rates by spiking environmental samples with known concentrations of the chemical and observing concentration changes over time. Some water samples were found to efficiently degrade microcystins. Microcystin concentrations dropped faster in water collected immediately above lake sediment (overlying water). Degradation in sediments was higher than in water. Based on spatial distribution analyses of microcystin in Lake Taihu, higher concentrations (relative to water concentrations) of the chemical were found in lake sediments. These data suggest that sediments play a critical role in microcystin degradation in aquatic systems. The relatively low levels of microcystins found in the environment are most likely due to bacterial biodegradation. Sediments play a crucial role as a source (to the water column) of bio-degrading bacteria and as a carbon-rich environment for bacteria to proliferate and metabolize microcystin and other biogenic toxins produced by cyanobacteria. These, and other, data provide important information that may be applied to management strategies for improvement of water quality in lakes, reservoirs and other water bodies. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In situ studies on the distribution patterns and dynamics of microcystins in a biomanipulation fish - bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis)

The distribution and dynamics of microcystins in various organs of the phytoplanktivorous bighead carp were studied monthly in Lake Taihu, which is dominated by toxic cyanobacteria. There was a good agreement between LC-MS and HPLC-UV determinations. Average recoveries of spiked fish samples were 63% for MC-RR and 71% for MC-LR. The highest MC contents in intestine, liver, kidney and spleen were 85.67, 2.83, 1.70 and 1.57 mu g g(-1) DW, respectively. MCs were much higher in mid-gut walls (1.22 mu g g(-1) DW) than in hind- and fore-gut walls (0.31 and 0.18 mu g g(-1) DW, respectively), suggesting the importance of mid-gut wall as major site for MC absorption. A cysteine conjugate of MC-LR was detected frequently in kidney. Among the muscle samples analyzed, 25% were above the provisional tolerable daily intake level by WHO. Bighead is strongly resistant to microcystins and can be used as biomanipulation fish to counteract cyanotoxin contamination in eutrophic waters. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

湖泊沉积物中有机磷的地球化学特征及其富营养化效应——以太湖、红枫湖、百花湖和洱海为例

磷是水生生态系统初级生产力的主要限制因子，也是造成湖泊富营养化的关键营养元素。湖泊富营养化现已成为世界性的环境问题，它不但制约了湖泊资源的可利用性,而且直接影响着人类的健康生存与社会经济的可持续发展。沉积物内源磷的释放是决定湖泊水体营养水平、影响湖泊富营养化治理成效的重要因素。因此，研究沉积物中磷的组成形态、含量分布及迁移转化等对于全面了解湖泊生态系统中磷的生物地球化学循环，有效控制和管理湖泊富营养化具有重要的意义。然而目前对沉积物中的无机磷(Pi)及其生物可利用性进行了大量的研究，有机磷(Po)作为沉积物中的重要化学成分，它的地球化学特征及其对湖泊富营养化的作用却了解甚少。 长江中下游地区和云贵高原地区是我国淡水湖泊的主要分布区，也是我国湖泊富营养化最为严重的地区。本论文工作选取两地区具不同流域特征、水文状况、生态结构、污染程度的代表性湖泊(太湖梅梁湾、鼋头渚、贡湖、东太湖, 红枫湖, 百花湖和洱海)为研究对象，结合传统的化学连续提取手段和最新的液体磷核磁共振(31P NMR)波谱分析，研究了这些湖泊沉积物中Po的形态、组成以及剖面分布特征，揭示了Po对湖泊富营养化的重要作用；并运用高效体积排阻色谱法、分子荧光光谱法探讨了它们与沉积物中有机质的关系。主要研究结果如下： 1. 采用改进的土壤Po分级体系研究湖泊沉积物中Po的赋存形态，沉积物中Po的回收率可达94.3－101.1%，平均为98.5±2.2%，说明了该方法基本上包括了沉积物中全部Po。这是因为本方法对活性Po和腐殖质磷萃取的时间更长，提取更为完全；对富里酸磷和胡敏酸磷的区分更加明确；还特别增加了残渣态有机磷(Residual Po)的测定，使得Po的形态分析更为周密和准确。沉积物中Residual Po的含量占总Po的29.9－57.2%，进一步表明了此方法的可取性，这将为以后开展湖泊沉积物中Po的形态研究奠定了基础。 2. 湖泊沉积物中磷形态的不同分布特征可能与两地区不同的湖泊类型、有机质降解过程的差异以及各种磷形态之间的相互转化有关。Po形态在不同污染程度沉积物中的含量与分布也充分说明了沉积物是水体富营养化的主要内源，Po对湖泊富养化的作用不容忽视。 3.太湖梅梁湾、鼋头渚和贡湖沉积物不同提取液中有机质的分子量分布特征可能表明了其中有机质和Po组成的差异，而沉积物中有机C/N和C/P比值分析和三维荧光光谱特征的相似形可能反映了太湖(浅水湖泊)沉积物中有机质与磷的地球化学特性及其相互关系。 4. 31P NMR的测定结果显示，湖泊沉积物中磷主要由正磷酸盐(Ortho-P)、磷酸单酯(Monoester-P)与二酯(Diester-P)组成，焦磷酸盐(Pyro-P)和膦酸盐(Phosphonate)的含量非常低。Ortho-P在重富营养化和浅水湖泊沉积物中的相对含量高于富营养化、中富营养化和深水湖泊沉积物，Monoester-P的分布特征正好相反，表明了这些磷化合物在不同湖泊生态系统磷的循环中的差异。此外，Monoester-P中肌糖磷酸的大量存在，也同时证实了前面Po化学连续提取中高含量的Residual Po。 5. 梅梁湾和洱海沉积物中总磷(TP)、Pi、Ortho-P、Monoester-P、总有机碳(TOC)和总氮(TN)表现出不同的剖面分布特征，说明了有机质和磷在不同湖泊环境中的分解转化规律，可能解释了内源磷的释放对两湖富营养化的影响。此外，Diester-P中DNA-P的剖面变化和前人报道的沉积物中DNA的分布特征正好吻合，表明了DNA-P主要来源于沉积物中细菌和微生物的DNA。

Novel precipitated zirconia-based DGT technique for high-resolution imaging of oxyanions in waters and sediments

Water-sediment exchange is a fundamental component of oxyanion cycling in the environment. Yet, many of the (im)mobilization processes overlay complex spatial and temporal redox regimes that occur within millimeters of the interface. Only a few methods exist that can reliably capture these porewater fluxes, with the most popular being high-resolution diffusive gradients in thin films (HR-DGT). However, functionality of HR-DGT is restricted by the availability of suitable analyte binding agents within the sampler, which must be simple to cast and homogeneously distributed in the binding layer, exhibit adequate sorption capacities, be resistive to chemical change, and possess a very fine particle size (≤10 μm). A novel binding layer was synthesized to meet these requirements by in situ precipitation of zirconia into a precast hydrogel. The particle diameter ≤0.2 μm of zirconia in this precipitated gel was uniform and at least 50-times smaller than the conventional molding approach. Further, this gel had superior binding and stability characteristics compared with the commonly used ferrihydrite HR-DGT technique and could be easily fabricated as an ultrathin gel (60 μm) for simultaneous oxygen imaging in conjunction with planar-optodes. Chemical imaging of anion and oxygen fluxes using the new sampler were evaluated on Lake Taihu sediments.

High Resolution measurement and mapping of tungstate in waters, soils and sediments using the low-disturbance DGT sampling technique.

Increasing tungsten (W) use for industrial and military applications has resulted in greater W discharge into natural waters, soils and sediments. Risk modeling of W transport and fate in the environment relies on measurement of the release/mobilization flux of W in the bulk media and the interfaces between matrix compartments. Diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) is a promising passive sampling technique to acquire such information. DGT devices equipped with the newly developed high-resolution binding gels (precipitated zirconia, PZ, or ferrihydrite, PF, gels) or classic/conventional ferrihydrite slurry gel were comprehensively assessed for measuring W in waters. FerrihydriteDGT can measure W at various ionic strengths (0.001–0.5 mol L−1 NaNO3) and pH (4–8), while PZDGT can operate across slightly wider environmental conditions. The three DGT configurations gave comparable results for soil W measurement, showing that typically W resupply is relatively poorly sustained. 1D and 2D high-resolution W profiling across sediment—water and hotspot—bulk media interfaces from Lake Taihu were obtained using PZDGT coupled with laser ablation ICP–MS measurement, and the apparent diffusion fluxes across the interfaces were calculated using a numerical model.

Biochemical and ultrastructural changes of the liver and kidney of the phytoplanktivorous silver carp feeding naturally on toxic Microcystis blooms in Taihu Lake, China

Many experimental studies have documented the impact of microcystins (MC) on fish based on either intraperitoneal injection, or oral gavaging via the diet, but few experiments were conducted by MC exposure through natural food uptake in lakes. In this study, the phytoplanktivorous silver carp were stocked in a large pen set in Meiliang Bay of Taihu Lake where toxic Microcystis blooms occurred in the warm seasons. Fish samples were collected monthly and MC concentrations in liver and kidney of the fish were determined by LC-MS. The maximum MC concentrations in liver and kidney were present in July when damages in ultrastructures of the liver and kidney were revealed by electron microscope. In comparison with previous studies on common carp, silver carp showed less damage and presence of lysosome proliferation in liver and kidney. Silver carp might eliminate or lessen cell damage caused by MC through lysosome activation. Recovery in the ultrastructures of liver and kidney after Microcystis blooms was companied with a significant decrease or even disappearance of MC. Catalase and glutathione S-transferase in liver and kidney of silver carp during Microcystis blooms were significantly higher than before and after Microcystis blooms. The high glutathione pool in liver and kidney of silver carp suggests their high resistance to MC exposure. The efficient antioxidant defence may be an important mechanism of phytoplanktivorous fish like silver carp to counteract toxic Microcystis blooms. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Persistent organic pollutants in water and surface sediments of Taihu Lake, China and risk assessment

Organic pollutants, especially persistent organic pollutants were examined in the water and surface sediments of Taihu Lake, China. Both 12 water and 12 sediment samples were collected over the lake. C-18 solid-phase extraction technique was applied to extract organic pollutants in collected water samples. Soxhlet extraction procedure was used to extract organic pollutants in sediment samples. The analysis was performed by GC-MS controlled by a Hewlett Packard chemstation. Two hundred and seventy-three kinds of organic chemicals in water were examined, 200 more than that detected in 1985; 188 kinds of chemicals in sediments were detected as well. Among them 21 kinds of chemicals belong to priority pollutants as well as 17 kinds to be the endocrine disruptors. The concentrations of the pollutants were more than 2 times higher than that in 1985. The possible source and relation to anthropogenic activity were discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.