Hong Hua-sheng

Determination and load of organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides at water from Jiulong River Estuary, China

Seventeen organic phosphorus pesticides (OPs) and 18 organic chlorine pesticides (OCs) at water from Jiulong River Estuary (JLRE) are determined by SPE-GC-(FPD and microECD). The contents of the total OPs (17) ranged from 134.8 to 354.6 ng/l (the mean is 227.2 ng/l). Total OCs concentrations varied from 115.4 to 414.7 ng/l in water (mean 237.7 ng/l). The levels of total hexachlorocyclohexane in water varied from 31.95 to 129.8 ng/l (mean 62.51 ng/l), and those of total DDTs were in the range 19.24-96.64 ng/l (mean 48.69 ng/l). The distribution and behavior characteristics of OPs indicate that five main OPs (methamidophos, dichlorvos, malathion, omethoate and dimethoate) occupied the most part of the total OPs, in addition, the sources of the OPs (mainly from current usage) are not stable. While the OCs mainly came from early application and were more stable. The OPs did not have obvious correlation with the dissoved organic carbon and suspended particulate matter at water from JLRE. It maybe due to the complicated hydrological kinetics in the estuary, and the higher water solubility and weak absorption (with organic matter) action of OPs. When compared with other areas, the OPs and OCs level in JLRE are some moderate.

Lessons learned from 'decentralized' ICM: an analysis of Canada's Atlantic Coastal Action Program and China's Xiamen ICM Program

Abstract Integrated coastal management (ICM) is a management process used by stakeholders in decision making to determine how coastal areas will be used and what activities can take place in them. While many ICM Programs are national government initiatives, some ICM Programs are ‘decentralized’, managed by community groups or local governments. This paper describes the Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP), an ICM Program in Atlantic Canada, and the Xiamen ICM Program, in Xiamen, China, and discusses their major differences. The most important difference between the two ICM Programs is that ACAP is a community-based program that uses a multi-stakeholder approach and consensus decision making, while the Xiamen ICM Program is managed by a coordinating office within a local government. After comparing the two programs, some general lessons learned about decentralized ICM from these case studies are noted. It is concluded that the appropriate use of either model for ICM depends on the cultural, economic and political environment of the program. However, stakeholder involvement, scientific consultation and the use of a detailed management plan are important components of any decentralized ICM program.

Preliminary study on the dissolved and colloidal organic carbon in the Zhujiang River estuary

This paper reports data on the dissolved and colloidal organic carbon in the Zhujiang (Pearl) River estuary. DOC concentration was 142 to 239 μmol/L in the freshwater taken in March 1997 from the four Zhujiang River tributaries flowing into the Lingdingyang estuary. High concentration was observed in the Humen tributary located near Guangzhou. The rapidly increased DOC concentration at low salinities (∼5) may be attributed to the exchange between macroparticulate and dissolved organic matter during the early stage of estuarine mixing. DOC concentration overall followed the mixing line until salinity 25, where the Deep Bay is located and where DOC was elevated. This elevated DOC may suggest a local organic matter source from Shenzhen. Using a cross-flow ultrafiltration (CFF) system equipped with a Millipore Prep-scale CFF 1 kD regenerated cellulose membrane, we also separated the colloidal organic matter from the truly dissolved fraction (<1 kD). CFF membranes were carefully evaluated for their applicability (retention characteristics, blank level and mass balance) to separate colloidal organic matter. COC in the study area ranged from 5 to 85 μmol/L, representing 3%–32% of DOC. The highest COC percentage was found at low salinities (<5) in both winter and summer. Evidence suggests in-situ production of colloidal material at this salinity range. Beyond this point, a very modest removal was observable until high salinities. Again, an increase in COC concentration was shown in the samples taken from the Deep Bay.

Persistent organochlorine residues in sediments of Hong Kong Victoria Harbour and Xiamen Western Bay

Samples of surface sediment were collected from Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong (Aug. 1992), and Xiamen Western Bay (Nov. 1993), and analysed for organochlorine (OC) pesticides (HCHs, DDTs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Concentration ranges of HCHs, DDTs and PCBs in the survey area of Victoria Harbour were from undetectable to 9.4 μg/kg, 1.38–97 μg/kg and 3.2–81 μg/kg, respectively; those for Xiamen Western Bay were 0.14–1.12 μg/kg, 4.45–311 μg/kg and 0.05–7.24 μg/kg, respectively. The determined residue levels and distribution patterns of these organochlorines are discussed, and the Harbour and Bay contamination levels are compared. Two sediment cores were collected (Oct. 1994) from Xiamen Western Bay for study on the vertical profiles and pollution history of the above contaminants. The vertical profile characteristics indicated that the inner part of Xiamen Western Bay was once polluted by PCBs moderately and that there are still new inputs of DDT.

A sulfotransferase specific to N-21 of gonyautoxin 2/3 from crude enzyme extraction of toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense CI01

Sulfotransferase (ST) is the first enzyme discovered in association with paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxin biosynthesis in toxic dinoflagellates. This study investigates the ST activity in crude enzyme extraction of a toxic dinoflagellate species, Alexandrium tamarense CI01. The results show that crude enzyme can transfer a sulfate group from 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS) to N-21 in the carbamoyl group of gonyautoxin 2/3 (GTX2/3) to produce C1/C2, but is inactive toward STX to produce GTX5. The crude enzyme is optimally active at pH 6.0 and 15°C. The activity is enhanced by Co2+, Mg2+, Mn2+ and Ca2+ individually, but is inhibited by Cu2+. Moreover, the activity shows no difference when various sulfur compounds are used as sulfate donors. These results demonstrate that the ST specific to GTX2/3 is present in the cells of A. tamarense CI01 and is involved in PSP toxin biosynthesis. In addition, the ST from different dinoflagellates is species-specific, which explains well the various biosynthesis pathways of the PSP toxins in toxic dinoflagellates.

The genotoxic effects of benzo[a]pyrene and methamidophos on black porgy evaluated by comet assay

In this study, two common pollutants (benzo[a]pyrene and methamidophos) in marine environment were tested by comet assay for their inducement ofin vivo genotoxic effect to the blood cells of black porgy (Acanthopagrus schlegeli). The fish was exposed to 2 μg/L of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and methamidophos, and their mixture. The assay was performed on whole blood at 2 h, 5 h, 24 h and 96 h exposure intervals. A significant increase in DNA damage was observed in each treatment with the pollutants. Additive effect of BaP and methamidophos was also found in the experiment. However, the decrease ratios of DNA damage for 5 h and 96 h exposure interals compared with 2 h and 24 h exposure ones, respectively, were noticed. This phenomenon may be explained by the function of repairing process via enzyme cytochrome P450 in the animal. Evidence of the genotoxicity of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on marine fish are discussed in this paper.

Study on respiratory electron transport system (ETS) of phytoplankton in Taiwan Strait and Xiamen Harbour

Phytoplankton respiratory electron transport system (P-ETS) activities were studied in two cruises in Taiwan Strait (Aug. 1997 and Feb.–Mar. 1998) and two cruises in Xiamen Harbour (Oct., 1997 and Apr., 1998). Results showed that P-ETS activity in the surface water of southern Taiwan Strait in summer was homogeneous [mean value of 0.106 μlO2/(L·h)], inhomogeneous in northern Taiwan Strait in winter. Variation of P-ETS activity in middle part of the Strait was not obvious between summer and winter. Mean P-ETS activity of Xiamen Harbour in autumn was 0.255 μlO2/(L·h) with a little higher value in Jiulong River estuary areas. In spring, P-ETS activity was more homogeneously distributed and the mean value was 1.076 μlO2/(L·h). P-ETS activity in spring was obviously higher than in autumn in Xiamen Harbour. Vertical distribution of P-ETS in Taiwan Strait was homogeneous at some stations in winter and in summer. An obvious daily variation of P-ETS activity was recorded at Stn 9837, high at midnight and low in the early morning. Significant correlation between P-ETS activity and Chl-a was observed. Results also showed that the ratio of estimated respiratory rate to photosynthetic rate varied seasonally, high in winter (0.41) and low in summer (0.12).

THE BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENTS IN THE JIULONG RIVER ESTUARY AND WESTERN XIAMEN BAY

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of photosynthetic pigments in samples from Western Xiamen Bay and the Jiulong River Estuary showed that their major carotenoids were fucoxanthin, peridinin, zeaxanthin, violaxanthin, and diadinoxanthin. Diatoms dominated in the spring bloom, dinoflagellates in summer. Violaxanthin and chlorophyll b indicated the appearance of chrysophytes and green algae, most of which were freshwater species. The high phytoplankton biomass region was located at the inner part of the bay. Diatoms and dinoflagellates dominnated phytoplankton communities, contributing to over 50% of total biomass. All the main diagnostic carotenoids were significantly (P<0.01) correlated negatively to dissolved inorganic phosphorus, suggesting that they were limited by phosphorus. The high negative linear relationship (P<0.0001) between dissolved inorganic phosphorus and peridinin (dinoflagellates indicator) implied the potential of dissolved inorganic phosphorus for triggering red tide events in this region.

Monitoring polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in sediment porewater by SPMD

A new mimic biological Semi-permeable Membrane Device (SPMD) introduced for sampling organic pollutants yielded satisfactory results when it was first used as a passive sampler to concentrate and determine 16 kinds of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by means of capillary GC on an HP 5890 GC-FID in coastal sediment porewater. The concentration of PAHs in sediment porewater for naphthalene(N), acenaphthlene(AL), acenaphthene(AE), fluorene(F), phenaphthene(P), anthracene(A), fluoranthene(FA), pyrene(Py), benzo[a]anthracene(B[a]A), chrysene(Chr), benzo[b] fluor- anthene(B[b]F), benzo[k]fluoranthene(B[k]F), benzo[a]pyrene(B[a]P), indeno[1,2,3,-cd]-Pyrene(1[123]P), dibenz[a, h]anthracene(D[ah]A) and benzo[g, h, i] perylene(B[ghi]P) were: 50.36, under detection limits(UD), 18.19, 8.41, 8.40, 1.44, UD, 8.01, 524.15, 168.47, 50.13, 123.66, 63.48, 27.40, 82.04 and 58,81 ng/L, respectively.

Strategic Environmental Assessment: A New Tool for Ecological Urbanization of Coastal Cities in China

Abstract Recently, there has been growing concerns about environmental issues related to urbanization in China. The intense natural resources utilization and increasing population has brought great pressure, especially in coastal areas, consequently affecting the sustainable development of coastal cities. In 2002, Environmental Impact Assessment Act (EIA Act) was enacted in China. Environmental impact assessment targeted at planning, one level of strategic environmental assessment (SEA), thus became a legislative requirement. This paper considers SEA to be one of the important approaches not only to control coastal pollution, but also to conserve coastal ecosystems and finally to achieve sustainable development during urbanization, thus it will be a set an example for other areas of China. The experience of SEA in Xiamen, a coastal city in southeast China, illustrates the potentials of SEA. This paper first briefly introduces the concept and potentials of SEA, then compares two SEA cases and a project EIA case in Xiamen, and finally identifies the key characteristics of SEA.