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Meyer JS, Lloyd EH, Bevers S, Ranville JF. Physical-Chemical Recovery of a Montane Stream After Remediation of Acid Mine Drainage: Timing and Extent After Turning off the Tap. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:495-511. [PMID: 36349955 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We monitored physical-chemical conditions in the North Fork of Clear Creek in Colorado (USA) before, during, and after the start of remediation (lime treatment) to remove metals from two major inputs of acid mine drainage (AMD) water. In addition, we analyzed historical monitoring data that extended back more than two decades. Concentration-discharge (C-D) and load-discharge (L-D) plots accounted for discharge dependence in concentrations and loads of metals, major ions, and other water chemistry parameters. Total and dissolved concentrations, and loads of the metals decreased after remediation began, with the largest decreases usually during low stream flow. However, postremediation concentrations and loads remained slightly to considerably higher than reference, probably because of unidentified groundwater seeps and/or small surface flows. Dissolved Cu concentrations decreased much less than total Cu concentrations, because the percentage of total Cu in the dissolved phase increased considerably as particulate Fe (PFe) concentration decreased. We conclude that 1) water chemistry can change to a new steady state or pseudo-steady state relatively quickly after major AMD inputs to a stream are remediated; 2) elevated flows during snowmelt and rainfall periods can mobilize additional amounts of major ions and metals, resulting in in-stream concentrations that are manifestations of both dilution and mobilization; 3) although lime treatment of AMD-related waters can decrease metal concentrations, it does not decrease elevated concentrations of major ions that might impair sensitive stream invertebrates; 4) although Fe is toxic to aquatic organisms, PFe adsorbs other metals and thereby provides protection against their toxicity; and 5) use of C-D and L-D plots and element ratios can indicate the presence of unidentified AMD inputs to a stream. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:495-511. © 2022 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph S Meyer
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, USA
- Applied Limnology Professionals, Golden, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Shaun Bevers
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, USA
| | - James F Ranville
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, USA
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Kotalik CJ, Cadmus P, Clements WH. Before-After Control-Impact field surveys and novel experimental approaches provide valuable insights for characterizing stream recovery from acid mine drainage. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 771:145419. [PMID: 33736129 PMCID: PMC7980037 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Mineral extraction has resulted in widespread stream impairment due to habitat degradation and water quality impacts from acid mine drainage (AMD). The North Fork of Clear Creek (NFCC), Colorado, USA was historically impaired by AMD from two major point-source inputs, with some stream segments devoid of aquatic life prior to remediation. In the summer of 2017, the North Clear Creek Water Treatment Plant (NCCWTP) began AMD water treatment. To predict and characterize the biological recovery of NFCC to improvements in water quality, we conducted stream mesocosm and field experiments, as well as biomonitoring of benthic communities using a Before-After Control-Impact (BACI) study design. The NFCC stream community responded rapidly to improved water quality. Benthic algal biomass increased at impacted sites and macroinvertebrate surveys showed significant increases in abundance, taxa richness, and emerging adult aquatic insects. However, the dominant taxa colonizing downstream segments of NFCC differed considerably from those predicted based on previous field and experimental results. We hypothesize that this discrepancy is the result of differences in metal exposure regimes observed between our field and mesocosm approaches (i.e., fluctuating vs stable), colonization attributes (i.e., open vs closed system), and spatiotemporal differences in metal sensitivity due to macroinvertebrate phenology. We expect continued biological recovery in NFCC, but habitat impairment and residual sources of metals will continue to impair aquatic life until those stressors abate. Applying a combination of controlled experimental and BACI field approaches to predict and evaluate AMD-remediation projects in the future will improve the ability to understand the physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms influencing stream recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Kotalik
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA.
| | - Pete Cadmus
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA; Aquatic Research, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
| | - William H Clements
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
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Silva AE, Barnes BF, Coyle DR, Abernethy EF, Turner KL, Rhodes OE, Beasley JC, Gandhi KJK. Effects of industrial disturbances on biodiversity of carrion-associated beetles. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 709:135158. [PMID: 31905577 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Energy production systems such as nuclear reactors and coal-burning power plants produce a multitude of waste contaminants including radionuclides, trace elements, and heavy metals. Among invertebrates, much of the effort to understand the impact of these contaminants has focused in aquatic environments, while relatively less attention has been on terrestrial communities. We investigated the effects of trace element and radionuclide contamination on assemblages of beetles that are drawn to vertebrate carrion. Samples were collected from riparian sites at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina to compare trap catches (i.e., measure of relative abundance) of beetles and species diversity along a habitat gradient (0-300 m) away from an aquatic habitat and between uncontaminated and contaminated sites. We collected 17,800 carrion-associated beetles representing 112 species in nine families, which were classified as either scavenger or predatory beetles. Beetle catches and species diversity were generally higher at contaminated than uncontaminated sites. These trends were likely driven by scavenger species, which showed similar patterns between sites, whereas patterns of catches and species diversity were variable between sites for predatory beetles. Species compositions of contaminated and uncontaminated sites were generally distinct, however habitat edges appeared to substantially affect beetle assemblages. Overall, our study suggests carrion beetle assemblages are sensitive to edge effects and may exhibit variable responses to the presence of anthropogenic contaminants or disturbances associated with energy production systems. Such results reflect the inherent variability among individual beetle species, populations, and communities to local environmental conditions, and underscores the need for multi-taxa approach in environmental impact assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ansley E Silva
- D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Brittany F Barnes
- D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - David R Coyle
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, 121 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Erin F Abernethy
- Integrative Biology Department, Oregon State University, 2701 SW Campus Way, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
| | - Kelsey L Turner
- D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
| | - Olin E Rhodes
- D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
| | - James C Beasley
- D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
| | - Kamal J K Gandhi
- D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Kotalik CJ, Cadmus P, Clements WH. Indirect Effects of Iron Oxide on Stream Benthic Communities: Capturing Ecological Complexity with Controlled Mesocosm Experiments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:11532-11540. [PMID: 31483623 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b04236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Ferric iron (Fe(III)) oxyhydroxides commonly precipitate at neutral pH and in highly oxygenated conditions in waterways receiving acid mine drainage, degrading stream benthic communities by smothering of habitat, primary producers, and aquatic invertebrates. Stream mesocosms were used to expose naturally colonized benthic communities to a gradient of ferric Fe (0-15 mg/L) for 14 days to estimate the effects of Fe precipitates on primary production, larval and emerging adult aquatic insects, and the macroinvertebrate community structure. Community composition was significantly altered at concentrations near or below the US Environmental Protection Agency chronic Fe criterion (1.0 mg/L). Iron exposure significantly decreased larval and emerging adult abundances of Baetidae (mayfly) and Chironomidae (Diptera); however, while Simuliidae (Diptera) larvae were not reduced by the Fe treatments, abundance of emerged adults significantly decreased. Iron substantially decreased the colonization biomass of green algae and diatoms, with estimated EC20 values well below the Fe criterion. In contrast, cyanobacteria were stimulated with increasing Fe concentration. By integrating environmentally realistic exposure conditions to native benthic communities that have complex structural and functional responses, the ability to predict the effects of Fe in the field is improved. Traditional toxicity testing methodologies were not developed to evaluate indirect effects of contaminants, and modernized approaches such as community mesocosm experiments better characterize and predict responses in aquatic ecosystems outside the laboratory. Therefore, the development of water quality standards would benefit by including mesocosm testing results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Kotalik
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology , Colorado State University , Fort Collins , Colorado 80521 , United States
| | - Pete Cadmus
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology , Colorado State University , Fort Collins , Colorado 80521 , United States
- Aquatic Research, Colorado Parks and Wildlife , Fort Collins , Colorado 80526 , United States
| | - William H Clements
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology , Colorado State University , Fort Collins , Colorado 80521 , United States
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Liu X, Chen Q, Ali N, Zhang J, Wang M, Wang Z. Single and joint oxidative stress-related toxicity of sediment-associated cadmium and lead on Bellamya aeruginosa. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:24695-24706. [PMID: 31240645 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05769-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The biotoxicity of heavy metals in sediments toward benthic organisms has evoked great concern for the health of freshwater ecosystems. This study applied a sediment toxicity testing protocol to investigate the single and joint toxicity of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) on Bellamya aeruginosa. B. aeruginosa were exposed to different concentrations of Cd (5, 25, and 100 mg/kg), Pb (20, 100, and 400 mg/kg), and their different concentration combinations. A suite of biomarkers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), metallothionein (MT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), were measured after 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of exposure to evaluate their oxidative stress status. Cell apoptosis of soft tissue was also determined after exposure. Results revealed that these endpoints represented sensitive biomarkers for the characterization of the oxidative stress response induced by these metals. Specifically, a decrease of SOD and GPx and an increase of MDA were indicative of the potential failure of the antioxidant defense system in neutralizing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in the exposure of the Pb-treated group. The integrated biomarker response (IBR) index revealed the most significant sub-lethal toxicity for Pb-spiked sediments, leading to the highest rate of cell apoptosis (70.8%). Exposure to Cd resulted in a time- and dose-dependent effect on MT levels, which suggested active detoxification of this metal. Exposure to the mixture resulted in amelioration of Pb toxicity, likely due to the competitive binding of Cd to active enzyme, with the result of an observed antagonistic interaction. This study indicated that B. aeruginosa represents a good biomonitor for assessing Cd and Pb contamination of sediments, and laid the foundation for their potential risk assessments in freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Center for Eco-Environmental Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing, 210029, China
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 10084, China
| | - Qiuwen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing, 210029, China.
- Center for Eco-Environmental Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Nasir Ali
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 10084, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- School of Civil Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China
| | - Min Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Center for Eco-Environmental Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Zhiyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Center for Eco-Environmental Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing, 210029, China
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Huang X, Luo D, Zhao D, Li N, Xiao T, Liu J, Wei L, Liu Y, Liu L, Liu G. Distribution, Source and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal(oid)s in Water, Sediments, and Corbicula Fluminea of Xijiang River, China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16101823. [PMID: 31126009 PMCID: PMC6572011 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16101823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A total of 43 water and sediment samples, and 34 Corbicula fluminea samples were collected in Xijiang River in southern China to determine the spatial distribution and sources of 12 metals/metalloids (V, Co, Cr, Ni, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, As, Sb, and Tl) and to assess the pollution levels and ecological risks of the pollutants. The results showed that the levels of the metals/metalloids (except for Tl) in the river water from almost all of the sampling sites met the Chinese national surface water quality standards. However, the concentrations of the metals/metalloids in the sediments exceeded the background values by a factor of 1.03–56.56 except for V, Co, and Mn, and the contents of Zn, Cd, and Pb in the Corbicula fluminea soft tissue exceeded the limits of the Chinese Category I food Quality Standards. The spatial distribution analysis showed that the concentrations of the contaminants in the lower reaches of Xijiang River were higher than in the upper reaches. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF), biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), and the potential ecological risk index (RI) were obtained to assess the pollution levels and ecological risks. The results indicated that Cu, Cd, and Zn were the most prone to bio-accumulation in the Corbicula fluminea soft tissue, and the lower reaches showed a much higher pollution level and risk than the upper reaches. The metals/metalloids in the sediments posed serious threat on the aquatic ecosystem, of which Cd, As, and Sb are the most risky contaminants. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) indicated Cr, Ni, Cu, Mn, Cd, Pb, and As in the sediments came from relevant industrial activities, and V and Co originated from natural sources, and Sb from mining activities, Zn and Tl came from industrial activities and mining activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuexia Huang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
- Linköping University-Guangzhou University Research Center on Urban Sustainable Development, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
- Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Dinggui Luo
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
- Linköping University-Guangzhou University Research Center on Urban Sustainable Development, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
- Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Dongye Zhao
- Environmental Engineering Program, Department of Civil Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
| | - Ning Li
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Environmental Monitoring Station, Nanning 530028, China.
| | - Tangfu Xiao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Jingyong Liu
- Ecological Environment Information System and Big Data Research Team, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Lezhang Wei
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
- Linköping University-Guangzhou University Research Center on Urban Sustainable Development, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Yu Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
- Linköping University-Guangzhou University Research Center on Urban Sustainable Development, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Lirong Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Guowei Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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