Large microplastic particles in sediments of tributaries of the River Thames,UK – Abundance,sources and methods for effective quantification     

Alice A. Horton  Claus Svendsen  Richard J. Williams  David J. Spurgeon  Elma Lahive 《Marine pollution bulletin》2017,114(1):218-226

Sewage effluent input and population were chosen as predictors of microplastic presence in sediments at four sites in the River Thames basin (UK). Large microplastic particles (1 mm–4 mm) were extracted using a stepwise approach to include visual extraction, flotation and identification using Raman spectroscopy. Microplastics were found at all four sites. One site had significantly higher numbers of microplastics than other sites, average 66 particles 100 g^? 1, 91% of which were fragments. This site was downstream of a storm drain outfall receiving urban runoff; many of the fragments at this site were determined to be derived of thermoplastic road-surface marking paints. At the remaining three sites, fibres were the dominant particle type. The most common polymers identified included polypropylene, polyester and polyarylsulphone. This study describes two major new findings: presence of microplastic particles in a UK freshwater system and identification of road marking paints as a source of microplastics.

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This study is the first to quantify microplastics of any size in river sediments in the UK and links their presence to terrestrial sources including sewage and road marking paints.  相似文献   

Spatiotemporal variation of streambed quality and fine sediment deposition in five freshwater pearl mussel streams,in relation to extreme drought,strong rain and snow melt     

《Limnologica》2020

Oxygenated streambeds are considered a key requirement for the successful recruitment of stream fauna, including highly endangered freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera. Excessive amounts of fines impede exchange between open water and interstitial, leading to colmation and low oxygen levels in the juvenile habitat. Understanding the dynamic relationship between sediment delivery, transport, deposition and remobilization in relation to anthropogenic drivers is still poorly understood, yet is essential for conservation and restoration.This study analysed spatiotemporal sediment dynamics and interstitial habitat quality in five pearl mussel streams at the border region between Bavaria, Saxony and the Czech Republic during 2018 and 2019, comparing extremely dry periods with higher discharge events caused by snow melt and rainfall. Physicochemical habitat conditions within the streambed and sediment deposition were recorded in high spatial resolution along the stream courses, with a particular focus on the effects of tributaries and outflows of man-made fishponds.Habitat conditions were unsuitable for juvenile pearl mussels at the majority of sites, indicated by pronounced differences in physicochemical parameters between open water and the substrate, independent of discharge conditions. Sediment deposition varied markedly between discharge events, in terms of both the quality and quantity of deposits. Snow melt resulted in the highest sedimentation rates, but the smallest proportion of fine particles. During low flow conditions, fine sediment deposition was highly variable, ranging from 0.048 to 4.170 kg/week/m², mostly independent of flow velocity. High spatiotemporal variation was observed within and amongst stream systems, revealing different longitudinal patterns of fine sediment deposition, with catchment land use as the main driver. Temporal variability in sediment deposition was mainly associated with the discharge condition while abiotic parameters varied mainly with season.The high site-specificity of sedimentation rates and substrate conditions in response to different discharge events highlights the importance of an adapted conservation management which considers anthropogenic effects at the local scale.  相似文献   

Freshwater tufa stromatolites in the basal Purbeck Formation (Upper Jurassic), Isle of Portland,Dorset     

Christopher T. Perry 《Geological Journal》1994,29(2):119-135

Recent interpretations of the tufaceous limestones from within the ‘Caps Beds’ on the Isle of Portland have suggested a depositional environment of intertidal flats and lagoons with typically higher than normal marine salinity levels, a stark contrast with earlier ideas of a freshwater origin. However, evidence is presented in this paper to show that these deposits are indeed most likely to be freshwater in origin. The micro-fabrics observed are typical of those seen in freshwater tufas forming at the present day, and contrast with those observed within intertidal/subtidal stromatolites. Furthermore, the Portland deposits lack syndepositional evaporite deposits, they lack recognizable intertidal deposits, and any lagoonal sediments observed are depositionally distinct from the tufas. Finally, the soil horizons observed are clear evidence of periodic subaerial exposure and isolation from marine influences. Four facies types are identified on Portland: (1) tufaceous limestone; (2) littoral grainstones; (3) subaerial stromatolites; and (4) paleosols. Each facies is repeated a number of times through the sequence, and evidence is presented to show that these formed in a marginal marine setting as a response to a series of minor transgressive (soils to freshwater lakes/lagoon to saline marine/lagoonal) and regressive events (saline marine/lagoonal to soils). The tufa stromatolite deposits themselves, which are often developed around cylindrical holes (representing former tree trunks and branches), are shown to have developed seasonally, by the precipitation of carbonate, due to microbial activity within the freshwater lake environment. Precipitation appears to have been most intense around tree bases (and any associated vegetation), where an active biofilm developed on the underlying soil substrate. Two distinct textures are recognized in this material: (1) micro-porous and (2) macro-porous. These developed together in a crudely laminated, semi-concentric pattern around the holes and together may represent a seasons growth of tufa.  相似文献   

Anthropogenic Eutrophication and Red Tide Outbreak in Lacustrine Systems of the Kashmir Himalaya     

M. A. Kahn 《洁净——土壤、空气、水》2000,28(2):95-101

Red tide, a recurrent phenomenon has become conspicuous in several Kashmir lake ecosystems since 1991. The responsible organism (Euglena pedunculata), a rare flagellate rediscovered in the Kashmir Himalaya (Khan 1993) caused first and unprecedented red tide outbreak, constituting a maximum of 96% of resident numerical phytoplankton density in Dal Lake. At present, conflicting hypotheses exist on the generation of causal assemblage(s) imparting redness to waters: Jeeji Bai (1991) linked its origin to acid precipitation – a fallout of burning oil‐fields during the Gulf War – whilst Khan (1993) holds local factor(s) responsible. Field/experimental studies support the latter contention that the influx of untreated sewage, in unison with warm temperatures, high levels of PhAR, iron and interruption to hydrological flow‐pattern together with absence/or reduction in grazing activity created conducive environmental milieu for red tide outbreak. Dal Lake “red tide” drifted the bloom‐inoculum to other waters, including Lake Wular, where additional ecological niches were carved out, threatening the aesthetic value and biological diversity of Kashmir lakes. Ecological monitoring indicates frequent seasonal red tide occurrence in Dal Lake (including summer‐autumn event of 1998) which testifies its unabated eutrophication status. Further studies are needed on ecological adaptability and biogeographic distribution of this rare and unique red tide‐causing flagellate.  相似文献   

Echyridella menziesii (Bivalvia: Hyriidae) as a predator of zooplankton of different sizes; are large non-indigenous Daphnia a potential food source?     

Anita A. C. Pearson 《新西兰海洋与淡水研究杂志》2019,53(3):327-337

Interactions between two recent invaders to New Zealand, the cladocerans Daphnia galeata and D. pulex, and native filter-feeding freshwater mussels, are unknown. We examined predation rates of the common native mussel Echyridella menziesii (kākahi, kāeo) on non-native Daphnia (comparatively large zooplankton in New Zealand), relative to two common native species, the smaller cladoceran Bosmina meridionalis and rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus. Controlled laboratory experiments were conducted in which each zooplankton species was exposed to bivalve predation for a two-hour period. Comparing treatments to non-mussel controls, removal rates of non-indigenous D. pulex and native B. calyciflorus were statistically significant. Nevertheless, kākahi removal rates may not be ecologically significant for daphnids (1.7% D. galeata and 7.4% D. pulex). Kākahi removed 8.8% of B. meridionalis and 30.2% of B. calyciflorus, suggesting that small, feeble zooplankton species (particularly rotifers) are most susceptible to predation, and potentially function as an energy source for native freshwater mussels.  相似文献