Relationships between organic matter composition and methyl mercury content of offshore and carbon-rich littoral sediments in an oligotrophic lake

2003 ◽  
Vol 60 (7) ◽  
pp. 888-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Kainz ◽  
Marc Lucotte ◽  
Christopher C Parrish
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Methyl Mercury ◽  
Lacustrine Sediments ◽  
Desulfovibrio Desulfuricans ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Mercury Content ◽  
Sulfate Reducing ◽  
Littoral Sediments ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Offshore Sediments

Relationships between organic matter (OM) compounds and methyl mercury concentrations ([MeHg]) have been examined in littoral and offshore sediments of Lake Lusignan (Québec). The highest [MeHg] were generally found at the sediment–water interface with exceptionally high concentrations at littoral sites (5.8 ± 1.3 ng·g dry weight–1), which were four times more elevated than at offshore sites (1.6 ± 0.77 ng·g dry weight–1). Source-specific fatty acid (FA) biomarkers identified that littoral sediments contained more than twice as much terrestrial and bacterial OM compounds than offshore sediments, whereas the amount of labile algal OM was three times higher at littoral sites. Results indicate that [MeHg] were higher in the presence of labile OM substrates, and the amount of terrestrial OM compounds could not predict [MeHg]. Correlations between [MeHg] and FA of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (a sulfate-reducing bacterium producing MeHg) could significantly account for 36% of [MeHg] at offshore sites; however, no significant relationships were found at littoral sites. This study illustrates that the microbial dynamics involved in producing and degrading MeHg in lacustrine sediments are complex and cannot be predicted solely by the quantification of FA biomarkers in D. desulfuricans or by biomarkers in the OM itself.

scholarly journals Characteristics of bottom sediments of Lake Widryńskie

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 207-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Szymański ◽  
Julita Dunalska ◽  
Michał Łopata ◽  
Izabela Bigaj ◽  
Rafał Zieliński
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Bottom Sediments ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Calcium Carbonates ◽  
Dominant Component ◽  
Littoral Sediments ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Made In ◽  
Profundal Zone

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition of Lake Widryńskie bottom sediments (max. depth. 27.0 m, area 123.9 ha). The sampling of bottom sediments was conducted once, on 16 August 2010. Sampling was made in 10 specific areas. Among the 10 samples, 4 samples were taken from the littoral and sublittoral zones, while the rest were taken from the profundal zone. The dominant component of the sediments was silica and calcium carbonates were subdominant. Based on the survey, it was determined that silica occurred in greater numbers in littoral sediments, while in sublittoral sediments there was increased participation in the chemical composition of organic matter. The elements that build a capacity complex were a small percentage of the dry weight of sediment. Sediment from the vicinity of inflows contains higher amounts of silica, which confirmed the impact of the catchment on the chemical composition of sediments.

Pathogenicity of Pythium torulosum to roots of Agrostis palustris in black-layered sand produced by the interaction of the cyanobacteria species Lyngbya, Phormidium, and Nostoc with Desulfovibrio desulfuricans

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (11) ◽  
pp. 2193-2197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clinton F. Hodges
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Desulfovibrio Desulfuricans ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Agrostis Palustris ◽  
Golf Greens ◽  
Sulfate Reducing ◽  
Shoot Dry Weight ◽  
Black Layer ◽  
Pythium Torulosum

Studies were initiated to determine the pathogenicity of Pythium torulosum to Agrostis palustris roots growing in sand with subsurface black layer produced by the interaction of cyanobacteria and the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio desulfuricans. The interaction of P. torulosum with cyanobacteria and D. desulfuricans was also evaluated. Pythium torulosum decreased the dry weight of roots and shoots of A. palustris to 41 and 35%, respectively, of the control plants in the absence of black layer and the organisms responsible for its formation. The combination of P. torulosum and D. desulfuricans, in the absence of black layer, induced the most severe decrease in root (20% of controls) and shoot (25% of controls) dry weights. Damage to roots induced by P. torulosum in combination with various isolates of cyanobacteria, in the absence of black layer, was equal to that of P. torulosum alone; shoot dry weight loss was less than that caused by P. torulosum alone. Pathogenicity of P. torulosum to roots when combined with cyanobacteria and D. desulfuricans in the presence of black layer was the same as that with P. torulosum alone and in combination with cyanobacteria; shoot dry weight did not differ from that of P. torulosum combined with cyanobacteria. The presence of cyanobacteria with P. torulosum and D. desulfuricans in black-layered sand decreased root and shoot dry weight loss induced by the two latter organisms. Key words: anaerobic, black plug layer, golf greens, sulfate reduction.

scholarly journals The role of sulphate-reducing bacteria in mercury-contaminated estuarine sediments : a case study of Durban Bay

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elizabeth Anne Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Methyl Mercury ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
Desulfovibrio Desulfuricans ◽  
Estuarine Sediments ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Sulfate Reducing ◽  
Initial Survey ◽  
Reducing Bacteria

Stimulated by the findings of international researchers, that the sulfate-reducing microorganism Desulfovibrio desulfuricans could be incriminated in the process of mercury bio-methylation, it was decided to test this hypothesis on sediments from selected areas of Durban Bay where elevated levels of the bio-hazardous heavy metal had previously been detected. The Environmentek Division of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (Durban) is involved in an ongoing chemical assessment of heavy metal contamination (including levels of mercury) in the sediments of this estuary, but nothing is currently understood about the form in which mercury exists or the biological processes that could be determining its fate. The purpose of this project was to attempt to answer some of these questions. The study involved attempting to isolate, identify and quantify microorganisms of the species Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens in one hundred and eighty sediment samples taken from three designated sites in the bay. Each sample was additionally analysed for total and methyl mercury and sulfate content, as well as a number of physical parameters. Based on the outcome of the initial survey, it was envisaged that further laboratory experimentation would be conducted to determine whether or not isolates were responsible for the production of the highly toxic organic mercury and whether this process was occurring in situ in the sediments. The findings of this project were contrary to what had been expected. Total mercury concentrations (apart from one instance) did not appear to be appreciably elevated in the areas under study. Similarly, the levels of methyl mercury were fourrd to be either diminished or absent. Numbers of D. desulfuricans were low and not uniformly distributed throughout the sediments. Cl. perfringens was more in evidence, but counts were not perceptibly increased. Sulfate levels were consistently high, indicating significantly impaired rates of sulfate reduction. Difficulty experienced in sub-culturing

scholarly journals CHROMIUM IN SOIL ORGANIC MATTER AND COWPEA AFTER FOUR CONSECUTIVE ANNUAL APPLICATIONS OF COMPOSTED TANNERY SLUDGE

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 297-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mara Lucia Jacinto Oliveira ◽  
Ademir Sérgio Ferreira de Araujo ◽  
Wanderley José de Melo
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Permanent Plots ◽  
Tannery Sludge ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Organic Matter Fractions ◽  
Cr Concentration

Tannery sludge contains high concentrations of inorganic elements, such as chromium (Cr), which may lead to environmental pollution and affect human health The behavior of Cr in organic matter fractions and in the growth of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) was studied in a sandy soil after four consecutive annual applications of composted tannery sludge (CTS). Over a four-year period, CTS was applied on permanent plots (2 × 5 m) and incorporated in the soil (0-20 cm) at the rates of 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 Mg ha-1 (dry weight basis). These treatments were replicated four times in a randomized block design. In the fourth year, cowpea was planted and grown for 50 days, at which time we analyzed the Cr concentrations in the soil, in the fulvic acid, humic acid, and humin fractions, and in the leaves, pods, and grains of cowpea. Composted tannery sludge led to an increase in Cr concentration in the soil. Among the humic substances, the highest Cr concentration was found in humin. The application rates of CTS significantly increased Cr concentration in leaves and grains.

Nitrogen in the excreta of dairy cattle: changes during short-term storage

1993 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Whitehead ◽  
N. Raistrick
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Particulate Material ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Total N ◽  
Continuous Stream ◽  
Rate Of Hydrolysis ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Hydrolysis Of

SUMMARYThe concentration of N in samples of urine from dairy cattle fed on grass herbage, or grass or maize silage, sometimes with additional concentrate feeds, ranged from 6·0 to 13·8 mg N/l with 67–91% of the total N being present as urea. The concentration of N in 11 samples of dung was 0·32–0·52% on a fresh weight basis (2·74–3·82% N in dry weight). About 18% of the dung N was contained in particulate material of > 0·2 mm diameter,c.72% in fine particulate plus colloidal material, andc.10% was soluble in the presence of A12(SO4)3.When urine was stored for 3 weeks, the urea component was hydrolysed with the formation of ammonium. The rate at which hydrolysis occurred was greatly influenced by temperature. Hydrolysis of urea was complete within 2 days at 35 °C, within 7 days at 20 °C and within 21 days at 10 °C, but was onlyc.90% complete after 21 days at 5 °C. The rate of hydrolysis of urinary urea-N at 20 °C was increased slightly by inoculation with slurry, dung or soil, and was also increased slightly by the greater aeration resulting from a continuous stream of bubbled air. No nitrification was detected, even in urine that was aerated for 6 weeks, probably because the process was inhibited under the conditions of high pH (9–10) and high concentrations of ammoniacal N.When dung was stored for 3 weeks at 5 or 10 °C, there was little change in the amount of organic matter or in the form of N. However, at higher temperatures, some mineralization occurred and the amount of organic matter declined by 8% at 20 °C and by 17% at 35 °C. About 10% of the organic N was converted to ammonium during 3 weeks at 20 °C, andc.18% at 35 °C.With a slurry prepared from approximately equal amounts of urine, dung and water, more of the dung material was mineralized than with the dung stored alone:c.15% of the organic matter was lost during 3 weeks at 5 °C and c. 34% at 35 °C. Despite this loss of organic matter, there was net immobilization of soluble N during the 3-week period by the solid fractions of the slurry, at all four temperatures.

scholarly journals Possible Factors Causing Older Radiocarbon Age for Bulk Organic Matter in Sediment from Daihai Lake, North China

Radiocarbon ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanhong Wu ◽  
Sumin Wang ◽  
Liping Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Lake Water ◽  
Lacustrine Sediments ◽  
Fish Bone ◽  
Radiocarbon Age ◽  
Daihai Lake ◽  
Submerged Aquatic Plant ◽  
Bulk Organic Matter ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Semi Arid Region

Many factors may influence the radiocarbon age results of lacustrine sediments, among which the hardwater effect is particularly important. Daihai Lake is a closed lake located in the semi-arid region of Inner Mongolia, China. High concentrations of HCO3- and CO32- and high pH values in the lake water imply that there is a hardwater effect when using bulk lacustrine sediment samples for 14C dating. To correct the apparent 14C age, we present a pilot study based on a series of 14C ages of lake surface sediment, lake water, submerged aquatic plant (Myriophyllum), fish bone (Cyprinus carpio), and surface soil samples from and around Daihai Lake. Assuming that the relationship between the 14C/12C ratio of DIC and of atmospheric CO2 was constant (at 0.816), the hardwater effect ages calculated for the past 8000 yr would have varied from 949 to 1788 yr. Together with the reservoir effect and soil organic matter input, the hardwater effect is a major factor causing changes in apparent age when using bulk organic matter for 14C dating.

Potential Contribution of Nutrients and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from the Creeks of Cootes Paradise Marsh

1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 485-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Chow-Fraser ◽  
Barb Crosbie ◽  
Douglas Bryant ◽  
Brian McCarry
Keyword(s):  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Engine Combustion ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Derivatives Of

Abstract During the summer of 1994, we compared the physical and nutrient characteristics of the three main tributaries of Cootes Paradise: Spencer, Chedoke and Borer’s creeks. On all sampling occasions, concentrations of CHL α and nutrients were always lowest in Borer’s Creek and highest in Chedoke Creek. There were generally 10-fold higher CHL α concentrations and 2 to 10 times higher levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in Chedoke Creek compared with Spencer Creek. Despite this, the light environment did not differ significantly between Spencer and Chedoke creeks because the low algal biomass in Spencer Creek was balanced by a relatively high loading of inorganic sediments from the watershed. Laboratory experiments indicated that sediments from Chedoke Creek released up to 10 µg/g of soluble phosphorus per gram (dry weight) of sediment, compared with only 2 µg/g from Spencer Creek. By contrast, sediment samples from Spencer Creek contained levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon that were as high as or higher than those from Chedoke Creek, and much higher than those found in Borer’s Creek. The distribution of normalized PAH concentrations suggests a common source of PAHs in all three tributaries, most likely automobile exhaust, since there were high concentrations of fluoranthene and pyrene, both of which are derivatives of engine combustion.

Biological Mechanisms of H2S Formation in Sewer Pipes

1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 907-914 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Attal ◽  
M. Brigodiot ◽  
P. Camacho ◽  
J. Manem
Keyword(s):  
Suspended Solid ◽  
Urban Wastewater ◽  
Biological Mechanisms ◽  
Sewer Pipes ◽  
Sulfate Reducing ◽  
Biological Phenomena ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Reducing Bacteria

The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the biological phenomena involved in the production of hydrogen sulfide in urban wastewater (UWW) systems. It is found that the UWW itself naturally possesses the biomass needed to consume the sulfates. These heterotrophic sulfate-reducing bacteria populations, though immediately active in strict anaerobic conditions, are present only in very low concentrations in the UWW. A concentration of them was studied within the pressure pipes, in the form of deposits, and this justifies the high concentrations of sulfides measured in certain wastewater networks. There are two reasons why the ferrous sulfate used as a treatment in any wastewater networks should not cause the production of additional sulfides. Firstly, the sulfate consumption kinetics are always too slow, relative to the residence time of the water in the pipe, for all of the sulfates to be consumed anyway. Secondly, the amount of assimilable carbon, soluble carbon, and carbon from suspended solid (SS) hydrolysis is insufficient.

Methyl mercury in zooplankton—the role of size, habitat, and food quality

2002 ◽  
Vol 59 (10) ◽  
pp. 1606-1615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Kainz ◽  
Marc Lucotte ◽  
Christopher C Parrish
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Methyl Mercury ◽  
Size Fraction ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Calanoid Copepods ◽  
Bacterial Food

Pathways of methyl mercury (MeHg) accumulation in zooplankton include ingestion of organic matter (OM). We analyzed fatty acid (FA) biomarkers in zooplankton to (i) investigate the effect of allochthonous and autochthonous OM ingestion on MeHg concentrations ([MeHg]) in zooplankton and (ii) examine how algal and bacterial food sources affect MeHg bioaccumulation. We partitioned bulk zooplankton samples (i.e., >500, 202, 100, and 53 μm) from Lake Lusignan (Québec) and measured [MeHg] and [FA] in each fraction. [MeHg] increased with increasing body size and was significantly higher in pelagic than in littoral macrozooplankton (>500 μm). The amount of the ingested terrestrial FA biomarker 24:0 indicated that less than 1% of the total FA in zooplankton was derived from allochthonous sources. More than 60% of the ingested FA originated from algal biomarkers and <10% from bacterial biomarkers. Relative amounts of algal-derived essential FA and bacterial FA were not associated with [MeHg] in any size fraction. In pelagic zones, the amount of MeHg in zooplankton related positively to the number of large organisms such as Calanoid copepods and Daphnia. We propose that the accumulation of MeHg in lacustrine zooplankton depends on the zooplankton habitat rather than on the quality of ingested food.

Physiologic studies with the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio desulfuricans: Evaluation for use in a biofuel cell

1996 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 358-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Cooney ◽  
Edouard Roschi ◽  
Ian W. Marison ◽  
Ch. Comminellis ◽  
Urs von Stockar
Keyword(s):  
Desulfovibrio Desulfuricans ◽  
Biofuel Cell ◽  
Sulfate Reducing
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