Aquatic Ecosystem Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Treated sewage effluent is one of the most common types of pollution found in urban rivers. Both the quality and quantity of effluent result in various impacts on the receiving freshwater as well as marine environment. This paper outlines... more

Treated sewage effluent is one of the most common types of pollution found in urban rivers. Both the quality and quantity of effluent result in various impacts on the receiving freshwater as well as marine environment. This paper outlines these impacts from an ecological, social and economic perspective, and provides some suggestions on the way forward with regards prioritising wastewater

Changes in lake water temperature and trophic states were inferred using chironomid fossil assemblages from Lac Long Inférieur (Southern Alps, France). In the Late Glacial, a colder period, possibly analogous to the Younger Dryas, is... more

Changes in lake water temperature and trophic states were inferred using chironomid fossil assemblages from Lac Long Inférieur (Southern Alps, France). In the Late Glacial, a colder period, possibly analogous to the Younger Dryas, is characterised by a peak in Micropsectra, a cold stenothermic taxon. The increase in temperatures during the Late Glacial interstadial is indicated by a decrease in the percentages of cold stenothermic taxa (Tanytarsus lugens/Corynocera oliveri grp.) and by an increase in taxa linked to the development of vegetation in the littoral zone. The beginning of the Holocene is marked by the presence of taxa adapted to warmer and more eutrophic waters. During the Holocene, the progressive warming of the climate and increase in lake trophic status were indicated by the increase of eutrophic and warmer water indicators. An increase in tributary inflow into Lac Long Inférieur was also inferred by the increase in rheophilous taxa, reflecting increased snowmelt. During the Subatlantic, the composition of the chironomid spectra suggests a re-cooling of the climate and/or a decrease in lake trophic status.

Along with the sequent completion of Manwan and Dachaoshan Dam, the river continuum of the middle and lower reaches of the Lancang River was separated into three types of segments: reservoir, below-dam segment and downstream flowing... more

Along with the sequent completion of Manwan and Dachaoshan Dam, the river continuum of the middle and lower reaches of the Lancang River was separated into three types of segments: reservoir, below-dam segment and downstream flowing segment. The long-term series of water quality and river flow data over 20 years were analyzed in order to study the impact of dam construction and operation on water quality and water self-purification capacity of these different river segments. From pre-dam period to the first 7 years after Manwan Dam had been accomplished, the water quality of Manwan Reservoir became worse due to the accumulation of pollutants, and then to the next 5 years the water quality became better in virtue of the water self-purification of the reservoir. The cooperative operation of Manwan and Dachaoshan Dam had cumulatively positive impacts on water quality of their below-dam segment but no impacts on that of downstream flowing segment. From pre-dam period to the first 7 years after the closure of Manwan Dam, the water self-purification capacity of Xiaowan–Manwan segment for BOD5, CODMn and NH3–N decreased. Also, the water self-purification capacity of Manwan–Dachaoshan segment for BOD5 and CODMn decreased but for NH3–N increased. However, the water self-purification capacity of Jinghong–Ganlanba segment changed contrary to Manwan–Dachaoshan segment. In general, the construction of Manwan Dam negatively affected the water self-purification capacity of reservoir and below-dam segment but impose little impact on that of downstream flowing segment. This study suggested that it is necessary to pay attention to the effect of complicated temporal and spatial characteristics of dam on aquatic ecosystem.

ABSTRACT: Channel instability and aquatic ecosystem degradation have been linked to watershed imperviousness in humid regions of the U.S. In an effort to provide a more process-based linkage between observed thresholds of aquatic... more

ABSTRACT: Channel instability and aquatic ecosystem degradation have been linked to watershed imperviousness in humid regions of the U.S. In an effort to provide a more process-based linkage between observed thresholds of aquatic ecosystem degradation and urbanization, standard single event approaches (U.S. Geological Survey Flood Regression Equations and rational) and continuous hydrologic models (HSPF and CASC2D) were used to examine potential changes in flow regime associated with varying levels of watershed imperviousness. The predicted changes in flow parameters were then interpreted in concert with risk-based models of channel form and instability. Although low levels of imperviousness (10 to 20 percent) clearly have the potential to destabilize streams, changes in discharge, and thus stream power, associated with increased impervious area are highly variable and dependent upon watershed-specific conditions. In addition to the storage characteristics of the pre-development watershed, the magnitude of change is sensitive to the connectivity and conveyance of impervious areas as well as the specific characteristics of the receiving channels. Different stream types are likely to exhibit varying degrees and types of instability, depending on entrenchment, relative erodibility of bed and banks, riparian condition, mode of sediment transport (bedload versus suspended load), and proximity to geomorphic thresholds. Nonetheless, simple risk-based analyses of the potential impacts of land use change on aquatic ecosystems have the potential to redirect and improve the effectiveness of watershed management strategies by facilitating the identification of channels that may be most sensitive to changes in stream power.