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[Display omitted] • Adjusting different reaction temperatures of HTL, platform chemical and bio-oil fuel were produced. • The bio-oil yield of paper mill sludge reaches 44 wt% at 340℃. • The main composition aldehyde and ketone substances accounted for more than 40 %. As a kind of industrial hazardous solid waste, paper mill sludge (PMS) was hard to treated by conventional process because of its high moisture, high organic content and and high environmental risk. The hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) shows excellent potential for the conversion to a wide variety of organic matter with high water contents including various kinds sludge into fuels or value-added chemicals. In this paper, the liquefaction potential for PMS under different reaction temperatures were investigated, and the products were classified into several main components based on the results of GC-MS. The results showed that the highest yield of bio-oil was 44 % (wt/wt dry PMS without ash) at 340 °C with simply compound composition. And the bio-oil product has above 26 % long chain hydrocarbon and 22 % cycloketones. It has potential for conversion to biomass platform compounds. It can be used as bio-fuel for heat recovery of alkali recovery system of paper mill. So, adjusting different reaction temperatures of HTL, the properties of products can meet the different requirements for platform chemical and/or bio-oil fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The improvement of batch photofermentative biohydrogen production was investigated using ultrasonication pre-treatment on a combined effluent of palm oil and pulp and paper mills. The effects of the amplitude (30–90%) and ultrasonication duration (5–60 min) were investigated in terms of their influences on the biohydrogen yield and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. The recommended ultrasonication parameters were found at the higher ranges of amplitude and duration (A70T45). Using A70T45 ultrasonication, the production of biohydrogen at 30 °C could be enhanced up to 8.72 mL H 2 /mL medium , with a total COD removal of 36.9%. During pre-treatment at A70T45, an energy input of 775 J/mL was supplied to disintegrate complex compounds into simpler structures. As a result, an increase in the soluble organic matter concentration was achieved, which led to enhanced biohydrogen production. On the other hand, the lowest biohydrogen yield (4.67 mL H 2 /mL medium ) and total COD removal (28.8%) were obtained in the control without pre-treatment. The enthalpy of the photofermentation process was estimated to be 141.1 kJ/mol with a threshold temperature of 30.9 °C based on a modified Arrhenius approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper industry is one of the most significant industrial branches that contributes to water pollution. Recent studies regarding the chemical composition of wastewaters from modern paper production sites are sparse, and organic contaminants originating from this source may remain undetected and uncontrolled. Therefore, for this study, non-target screening analyses of wastewaters from five different paper production sites were performed, including an extended analysis of one facility, for the identification of volatile non-polar to semi-polar organic contaminants. The identified contaminants were also traced in the adjacent river. Several specific agents related to paper production, including photoinitiators, ink and thermal paper constituents, were present in most wastewaters and were therefore considered to be characteristic paper industry contaminants. A couple of contaminants identified in this study are being reported for the first time and might be toxic, but have been neglected in previous studies. Bisphenol A and 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol were found in untreated wastewaters, treated wastewater and in river water. Bisphenol A was present in river water downstream from where the paper industry discharges at a concentration that was reported to affect the reproduction of gastropods. Thus, our findings imply that paper industry discharges pose a risk to the populations of sensitive macroinvertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents recently obtained palebotanical data regarding the evolution of Lake Paleolotos in the Middle Pleistocene. Its evolution was more complicated than the development of the adjacent lakes in the coast of Peter the Great Bay (the Sea of Japan). The Middle Pleistocene lacustrine sediments accumulated in the downstream of the Tumannaya River (the most southwestern area of Primorye, Russia Far East) were studied using diatom and pollen analytical methods. We found that the Lake Paleolotos arose during Marine Isotope Stage 11 (MIS 11) and disappeared during MIS 6. For more than half of its existence (MIS 11–8), it was a freshwater oligotrophic basin with a depth of at least 20 m, with clear waters and poor organic matter content. The lake occupied most of the modern accumulative plain on the left bank of the Tumannaya River, reaching a size of at least 10–12 km across. During MIS 7–6 Lake Paleolotos turned into a shallow-water basin (its depth most likely did not exceed 1–3 m) of a eutrophic type with turbid waters rich in organic matter. Palynological data suggest that during MIS 11, 9 and 7 the area adjacent to the Lake was covered with coniferous/broad-leaved forests with presence of some thermophilic plants of North China and North Korea Flora (Castanea , Celtis , Magnolia , Tsuga and Cupressaceae). This indicates that vegetation zones were displaced by about 500–700 km to the north relative to their present position. During periods of cooling they were replaced by coniferous/small-leaved forests with the participation of shrub species of birch and alder (MIS 10) and coniferous/small-leaved forests consisted of pine, birch, and spruce with the participation of elm and oak (MIS 8 and 6). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activated carbon fiber, also known as the third generation of activated carbon material, is a new type of activated carbon material after powder and granules, made of the organic fiber. Activated carbon fiber has a strong adsorption capacity due to its large specific surface area, and can adsorb and remove organic matter in water, including some carcinogenic or toxic macro-aromatic substances. Physical adsorption is caused by electrostatic interaction between the surface molecules of the adsorbent and the adsorbate molecules, which is characterized by adsorption without selectivity. Chemical adsorption is due to the chemical bonding between the two molecules, forming a strong chemical bond and also the surface complex. Chemical adsorption has the certain selectivity, generally monolayer adsorption. With the large increase in vehicle usage and the exhaust emissions from equipment such as oil-fired boilers, the pollution of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide gas has become an important issue in environmental management. Adsorption or catalytic conversion of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide is an important means of treatment. This paper integrates the smart city scenario to construct the novel scenario for the analysis and research. The simulation results prove the effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Soils under anthropic uses showed more remarkable changes in soil properties with rainfall seasonality than soils under natural páramo. • Land-use change from natural vegetation to potato and onion crops followed by fallow reduces soil organic matter and water content and increases bulk density. • Land-use change could impair the ability of páramo catchments for streamflow buffering and this could increase surface runoff and reduce base flow. High-Andean páramos deliver essential ecosystem hydrological services from a combination of soil, vegetation, and climate characteristics, particularly in their natural state. However, agricultural activities considerably affect the páramo's ability to store, regulate, and supply water. Although there is information on the effect of potato crops (Solanum tuberosum) on páramo soils' properties, the effect of spring onion (Allium fistulosum) crops has been studied less. In addition, dry páramos are underrepresented in existent páramoś research. This study assessed the effect of rainfall seasonality (RS) and land-use change (transformation from páramo vegetation to crops) on soil hydrophysical properties associated with hydrological services (streamflow buffering) in a dry páramo in the Eastern range in Colombia. Six dominant land uses were studied: natural páramo vegetation (low slope, steep slope, and dense shrublands) and anthropic use (onion crops, potato crops, and fallow). An in-depth random stratified discrete design (0–5, 10–15, and 20–25 cm) was used to collect samples for analysis of soil organic matter (SOM), bulk density (BD), pH, and electrical conductivity (EC). Hydrophysical properties were measured at the soil surface: water retention capacity (WRC), structural stability (SS), and infiltration capacity (IC). Soils under anthropic uses showed more remarkable changes in soil properties with RS than soils under natural páramo. On the other hand, land-use change from natural vegetation to potato and onion crops followed by fallow leads to a reduction in SOM (9.8 %) and an increase in BD (0.19 gcm−3), especially at the surface level. In addition, this leads to a loss of WRC (20 % at field capacity), an increase in unstable aggregates (13 %), water erosion, and a loss of IC (44 mmh−1). This paper demonstrates the impact of land use on soil hydrophysical properties that compromise the maintenance of hydrological services and contributes to a better understanding of the complexity of Andean páramos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing development of technologies and processes for resource treatment and recovery is offering endless possibilities for creating new plant-wide configurations or modifying existing ones. However, the configurations’ complexity, the interrelation between technologies and the influent characteristics turn decision-making into a complex or unobvious process. In this frame, the Plant-Wide Modelling (PWM) library presented in this paper allows a thorough, comprehensive and refined analysis of different plant configurations that are basic aspects in decision-making from an energy and resource recovery perspective. In order to demonstrate the potential of the library and the need to run simulation analyses, this paper carries out a comparative analysis of WWTPs, from a techno-economic point of view. The selected layouts were (1) a conventional WWTP based on a modified version of the Benchmark Simulation Model No. 2, (2) an upgraded or retrofitted WWTP, and (3) a new Wastewater Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRF) concept denominated as C/N/P decoupling WWTP. The study was based on a preliminary analysis of the organic matter and nutrient energy use and recovery options, a comprehensive mass and energy flux distribution analysis in each configuration in order to compare and identify areas for improvement, and a cost analysis of each plant for different influent COD/TN/TP ratios. Analysing the plants from a standpoint of resources and energy utilization, a low utilization of the energy content of the components could be observed in all configurations. In the conventional plant, the COD used to produce biogas was around 29%, the upgraded plant was around 36%, and 34% in the C/N/P decoupling WWTP. With regard to the self-sufficiency of plants, achieving self-sufficiency was not possible in the conventional plant, in the upgraded plant it depended on the influent C/N ratio, and in the C/N/P decoupling WWTP layout self-sufficiency was feasible for almost all influents, especially at high COD concentrations. The plant layouts proposed in this paper are just a sample of the possibilities offered by current technologies. Even so, the library presented here is generic and can be used to construct any other plant layout, provided that a model is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal gasification technology is the core of clean and efficient utilization of coal, while coal gasification fine ash (CGFA) is the solid waste inevitably produced in the coal gasification process. Due to the high residual carbon content and water retention of CGFA, the solubility of its silica-aluminium-calcium-containing minerals is poor, which affects its potential cementing properties in construction materials. In this paper, the basic physicochemical properties were investigated, and it was found that small particles of CGFA (CGFA-S) had more active mineral components, lower residual carbon content (17.17%) and weaker water retention (6.91%), which facilitated the removal of impurities and water. In addition, the best effects were achieved at a heat treatment temperature of 650 °C, which exposed the minerals and increased the solution solubility, and the leaching concentrations of Si4+, Al3+, and Ca2+ increased by 21.2%, 44.6%, and 97.8%, respectively. However, when the temperature was too high (815 °C), the minerals recrystallized, leading to structural instability and dissolution difficulties, and the concentrations of the three major ions were reduced by 84.4%, 82.0%, and 42.2%, respectively, compared with the control.Finally, the optimal heat treatment temperature was 650 °C, with the highest exothermic hydration rate (11.92 mW/g) and the highest cumulative exothermic heat (199.81 J/g). The hydration products were tightly bound, and the cement mortar specimens had the highest compressive strength, with a 28d strength of 45.4 MPa. • The physicochemical properties of CGFA were analyzed based on particle size. • The extraction effect and microstructure of ash in CGFA were tested. • The hydration activity of thermally modified CGFA was investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the climate change and human activity, the frequency and intensity of algal blooms have increased significantly. Recent studies have shown that during the bloom event, evaluated levels of cyanobacteria could infiltrate the drinking water treatment process and emerge in the filtered and disinfected water, thus threatening the safety of the drinking water supply. Among these concerned cyanobacteria, Microcystis aeruginosa is one of the most commonly detected species that cause algal bloom in a fresh water body. The present work was designed to investigate the transport and retention behaviour of Microcystis aeruginosa in a packed column to resolve the mechanisms that drive the transport behaviour of Microcystis under various operational conditions. The results showed that lab-cultured Microcystis aeruginosa could effectively break through the packed column regardless of ionic strength, media size or flow rate, as well as the presence of dissolved organic matter in the water under the conditions investigated. Such behaviour significantly contradicts those of fluorescent microspheres, which are commonly considered as ideal colloids. In addition, the combined impacts of pre-oxidation technologies and filtration on Microcystis aeruginosa removal were tested systematically. It was found that even the cells have been lysed/oxidized, no significant improvement of cell removals were observed in packed column. This paper provides a significant and comprehensive record of transport and retention behaviour of Microcystis aeruginosa in porous media. The results found herein suggest that in addition to the effort preventing toxin release/exposure during bloom events in source water, engineers and researchers should also pay attention to the transport and retention of Microcystis aeruginosa and other algal cells in filters to minimize the risk of breakthrough of cyanobacteria cells in the drinking water treatment process. Image 1 • Microcystis aeruginosa could breakthrough filters regardless of operational conditions. • DLVO theory do not adequately explain transport behaviour of Microcystis aeruginosa. • Presence of TOC could not impact the retention of Microcystis aeruginosa. • Oxidization process deactivated Microcystis aeruginosa but did not improve retention. • Transport behaviour of Microcystis aeruginosa is different to the one of microspheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We use emergy analysis model to evaluate the ecosystem services. • The services supply and flow between ecosystems and urban area were identified. • Urban ecosystem has gradually transformed from a positive to a passive participant. • Attention should be paid to water supply and retention service of the wetland. Chongming Island, the largest alluvial island in the world, is an ecologically sensitive area. Due to its green space, farmland, estuaries and coastal wetlands and its proximity to the city of Shanghai (45 km, home to 24.2 million people), the island supports important agricultural and fisheries economies. This paper carries out an evaluation of the ecosystem services (ES) on Chongming Island, Shanghai, based on the emergy analysis method, identifying the service supply and flow between ecosystems and urban area. Results show that from the ecosystem-type perspective, the tidal wetland ecosystem provides the most service to Chongming Island, accounting for 45.2% ES emergy in 2012, followed by the agricultural ecosystem (34.5%) and the freshwater wetland ecosystem (6.3%). From ecosystem service-type perspective, water supply, flood storage and aquatic product supply are the main emergy outputs of the wetland ecosystem and account for 51.1%, 17.6% and 25.2% of the emergy, respectively. Food supply is the main emergy of the cropland ecosystem output and accounts for 58% of the emergy. Organic matter production and water retention are the main services provided by the forest ecosystem, accounting for 33.6% and 30.0% of the total emergy respectively. Based on the systematic emergy dynamic analysis, on the one hand, the wetland and forest ecosystems played more significant roles in water supply and retention while the cropland ecosystem had a less important role in food supply from 2002 to 2012. On the other hand, the urban ecosystem has gradually transformed from a positive to a passive participant in the role of supplier and user for ecosystem services. Finally, policy options are proposed to promote land use planning and restore/maintain ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is still no direct evidence for the existence of water ice and organic matter on the moon. The main goal of developing a miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF MS), Lunar Water Molecular Analyzer Mass Spectrometer (LWMA MS), is to detect water ice, organic matter and other chemical components in situ on the moon. The miniature LWMA MS in this paper is composed of sampling introduction tube, gas charge tube, ion source, TOF mass analyzer and detector. The SIMION software was used to simulate the miniaturization design of the ion source and mass analyzer. Meanwhile, the developed miniature TOF MS was evaluated systematically. Its resolution is 151 for water and 163 for nitrogen, the mass range is from 1 to 500 amu, the stability of water is 3% during 12 h. Moreover, it was proved that the developed LWMA MS is able to detect water ice and organic matter through the experiments of the lunar soil simulant. • A miniature LWMA MS is developed. • The resolution is 151 for water and 163 for nitrogen. • The mass range is from 1 to 500 amu. • The stability of H 2 O is 2.98% for 12 h. • The designed LWMA MS is able to detect the water ice and organic matter in situ lunar investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Water content data in liquid CO 2 between (-55 and -10)°C • Impact of impurities on the dehydration requirement. • Two different modelling approaches used to calculate water content CCS is expected to become an important contribution to the mitigation of carbon dioxide emissions. Transportation of CO 2 from the capture site to the permanent storage reservoir plays a key role, and transportation by ship is now viewed as a relevant alternative for certain combinations of captured CO 2 volume and distance. This paper presents experimental equipment, methods and new results for the water content of carbon dioxide and impure carbon dioxide in equilibrium with hydrates at temperatures between (-55 and -10)°C and pressures between (3 and 120) bar, hence in both vapour and liquid phases. The experimental data are compared with predictions from two thermodynamic models: the Cubic-Plus-Association equation of state and an approach using Multi-Fluid Helmholtz Energy Approximation (MFHEA) equations of state (EoS). In all cases, the hydrate-forming conditions are modelled by the solid solution theory of van der Waals and Platteeuw. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Simulation and validation of first principle based model. • Systematic selection of manipulated variable for control purpose. • Multiple model based control strategy implementation for the MFC to address nonlinearity of the system. Water and energy scarcity are among the most serious challenges currently faced by the society. Microbial fuel cell is one such a technology, which simultaneously produces water and energy from waste water or organic matters. A robust control strategy is needed for smooth and continuous operation of cell. In this paper, first principle based model of microbial fuel cell is simulated and validated with experimental data from the literature. Selection of the manipulated variable is carried out by analyzing the dynamic and steady state response of the cell. It is found that the inlet substrate flow rate is the most suitable manipulated variable among all the considered variables. A multiple model based control strategy is developed using various switching criteria such as recursive Bayesian, k-nearest neighbour, and Hotelling's T 2 methods. An efficacy of the proposed control scheme is tested on servo and regulatory problems and comparison of switching methods are presented. Settling time for positive and negative set points is found to be 133 and 93 h, respectively and shows 47.3% improvement over the single model linear controller. This work helps in understanding the dynamics of the cell and development of robust nonlinear control for the microbial fuel cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Pampas region of Argentina agriculture is dominated by intensive no-till (NT) soybean cropping which produce negative consequences on soil quality. A group of farmers started to use the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) which include a higher crop rotation, use of winter cover crops and nutrient restoration. In this NT system earthworms have a significant role in soil functioning, particularly in organic matter cycling and soil structure formation. The aim of this paper was to examine the contribution of earthworm activity to the process of C incorporation and soil structure maintenance in soils with different NT variants of: NT with GAP for 30 years (NT + r30); NT with some of the GAP for 12 years (NT-r12) and NT with soybean monoculture (NTm). Also a natural grassland (NA) was sampled as a reference. Earthworm aggregates were obtained by gently separating them from surrounding soil. Fine (HOC) and coarse (POC) organic matter fractions, water-stable aggregates (WSA) and mean weight diameter (MWD) were calculated for earthworm aggregates and bulk soil. In all sites only one species (Aporrectodea caliginosa) was found, with higher density in the NA, followed by NT + r30, that had about 9 times more earthworms than NTm. The number of earthworm aggregates was higher in the NT + r30 followed by the NA, both showing differences with the other NT systems. The earthworm aggregates in NA and NT + r30 had significantly more POC than the surrounding soil (230% increase in NA and 100% NT + r30). Earthworm casts had higher values of MWD and WSA than physical soil aggregates in both NA and NT + r30 management treatments. Our results show the existence of a positive feedback loop we called earthworm-driven virtuous cycle. The increase in earthworm abundance promotes higher production of earthworm aggregates which are richer in organic matter and more water stable than the surrounding soil. This has favourable results in terms of soil quality but also increase crop yields (57% in maize and 18% in soybean), by means of biologically mediated soil processes, which is a highly desirable way to sustainability of agricultural production. Farmers, politicians and the whole society should pay more attention to soil as a key component supporting agricultural production by means of internal biological soil functioning. • The only earthworm species present in all treatments was Aporrectodea caliginosa s.s. • No-till with good agricultural practices (NT + r30) had 9 times more earthworms than NT monoculture. • Cast density was higher in NT + r30 followed by the natural grassland (NA) and NT monoculture. • Particulate organic matter content was 230 in NA and 100% in NT + r30 higher in casts than in bulk soil. • In both, NA and NT + r30, casts were more stable to water than physical aggregates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the issues of eutrophication and the potential risk of phosphorus (P) shortage, it is essential to remove and recover P from P-containing streams to close this nutrient cycle. Electrochemical induced calcium phosphate (CaP) precipitation was shown to be an efficient method for P recovery. However, the influence of natural organic matter (NOM) is not known for this treatment. In this paper, the behavior of NOM and its effect on CaP precipitation was studied. In contrast to studies where NOM hindered CaP precipitation, results show that the interaction of NOM with CaP improves the removal of P, independent of the types of NOM. The P removal at the average increased from 43.8 ± 4.9% to 58.5 ± 1.2% in the presence of 1.0 mg L −1 NOM. Based on the yellow color of the CaP product, NOM is co-precipitated. The bulk solution pH with and without buffers has totally different effects on the precipitation process. Without buffer, CaP precipitates on the cathode surface in a wide pH range (pH 4.0–10.0). However, the precipitation process is completely inhibited when the bulk solution is buffered at pH 4.0 and 6.0. This is probably due to neutralization of OH − by the buffers. Regardless of the presence or absence of NOM and solution pH, the recovered products are mainly amorphous CaP unless the electrolysis time was increased to seven days with 4.0 A m −2 , in which crystalline CaP formed. These findings advance our understanding on the interaction of Ca, P and NOM species for the application of electrochemical method for P recovery from real wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Wełnowiec municipal dump, Katowice, Poland, rehabilitated with coal waste, is self-heating and igniting. This paper presents a novel application of the use of electrical- and resistivity geophysical methods in the investigation of burning coal waste to help explain why the heating occurred. Geoelectrical methods allowed the internal structure of the dump to be revealed, and the municipal wastes and their rehabilitation cover containing coal waste to be differentiated. Instead of a planned 2.2-m-thick multi-barrier system, the cover consists of irregularly distributed material of varying thickness (<1 to 8 m) and organic carbon content (>5%). This caused the fire to arise 3–4 years after the coal waste deposition. In areas where the rehabilitation layer is <3 m thick, a landslide enabled oxygen access, initiating self-heating. Changes in conductivity clearly identify sites of active burning where measured conductivity values are more than twice those for parts of the dump with no thermal activity. Field observations in particular, complemented to a degree by petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical data, enabled four types of heating zones to be distinguished, namely, (1) initial zones of fire overtaking new volumes of coal waste, (2) active zones with temperatures < 400–500 °C in exhalation vents, (3) overburned zones characterized by long-lasting high temperatures (800-900 °C) and (4) short-lived zones, ephemeral (<1–2 months) with temperatures between 70 and 100 °C. The geophysical methods applied could not distinguish between these zones. The combined results strongly suggest that the use of coal waste as a remediation layer covering waste dumps should be prohibited. Coal waste which, by its nature, is too prone to unpredictable self-heating and self-ignition with the potential environmental consequences that follow. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • unexpected self-heating and ignition of coal wastes used for rehabilitation of the Wełnowiec municipal dump, Katowice, Poland • a novel application of the use of electrical- and resistivity geophysical methods in the investigation of burning coal waste • distinguishing of four self-heating zones based on field observations, complemented by petrography, mineralogy, geochemistry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic matter (OM) has numerous geochemical and ecological functions in inland waters and can affect water quality. Different parameters of aquatic OM are measured with various methods as no single analytical tool can provide definitive structural or functional information about it. In the present paper we review different OM metrics used in the European Union (EU) lake surveillance monitoring programmes and assess their suitability to provide sufficient data about the brownification and enrichment with oxygen consuming substances in European lakes. In the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), metrics of OM are not mandatory physico-chemical parameters, but only recommended parameters to characterize water transparency, oxygenation conditions or acidification status. Our analysis shows that, as lake OM is monitored under the WFD in only 14 countries, no Europe-wide conclusions on the situation regarding brownification and organic enrichment can be drawn based on these data. Applied parameters in lake surveillance monitoring programmes are biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), water colour (WCol), and yellow substance. Different national OM metrics used avoid getting a broad picture of lake OM concentration changes in Europe over the last decades. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that the possibilities to convert different OM parameters to each other are limited because empirical relationships between them are region-specific. OM sensors for continuous measurements and remote sensing surveys could improve the effectiveness of lake OM monitoring, especially its temporal and spatial representativeness. It would be highly suggested to include in lake monitoring programmes also methods (e.g. absorbance or fluorescence spectroscopy) allowing to characterize the composition of OM as it influences strongly the biogeochemical role of OM in lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the pathways of acesulfame potassium (ACE-K) electro-degradation on a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode and the removal/mineralization of ACE-K in different environmental water matrices (biologically treated (hospital) wastewater (BTW), river water (RW), and ground water (GW)). The ACE-K was initially electrochemically transformed to an unknown compound ( m / z  = 196) and then organic acids and inorganic compounds before mineralization. In the water matrices, ACE-K was completely degraded (pseudo-first-order apparent rate constants = (1.22‒2.25) × 10 −3  s −1 ). Before electrolysis, all ACE-K spiked solutions showed aromaticity (SUVA 254 ), while during electrolysis the variation of aromaticity was consistent with that of total organic carbon removal. The spike of ACE-K covered or lowered the intensities of fluorescence excitation-emission peaks in humic acid-like, aromatic protein I, and fulvic acid-like regions for BTW and those in soluble microbial by-product-like and tyrosine regions for RW and GW. After 120 min electrolysis, the ACE-K-associated fluorescence peaks disappeared but the original dissolved organic matter (DOM)-related ones slightly remained, so the removal/mineralization was harder for the DOM than for the ACE-K in the tested matrices. Electrolysis or spiking ACE-K increased the Microtox acute toxicity response in BTW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper shows there is excellent potential to remove organic carbon by biological activated carbon (BAC). In surface waters, the reported biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC) is low (5–21%) which matches with the removal efficiency of most BAC after prolonged operation. Hence, it is thought that organic carbon removal by BAC cannot be further improved. To understand the full potential, water was incubated over a long period with granules obtained from a column of saturated BAC, i.e., exposed to the same source water over 9 months. The prolonged incubation removed between 43 and 52% of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), out of which physical adsorption accounted for 14–17%. The traditional BDOC method removed only 12–15% of DOC. Highest percentage removal was obtained for waters from the smallest reservoir with the lowest retention time. However, a significant amount of biodegradable organic matters (BOM) are still present in the reservoirs having longest storage time. Lowest possible DOC at the end of incubation was controlled by the adsorbed organic matter on BAC granules as confirmed by the aseptic desorption test with Milli-Q water. The results indicated there is a significant potential of a BAC treatment to remove organic carbon, but the traditionally experienced limitations of BAC should be overcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil aquifer treatment (SAT) is a managed aquifer recharge system in which the quality of the feed water (stormwater or wastewater treatment plant effluent) is further improved during soil passage. This paper provides an overview of SAT systems for wastewater treatment and reuse, and summarises design, removal efficiencies and pre-and post-treatment options as well as cost aspects of SAT using infiltration basins. SAT is an environment-friendly and robust multi-contaminant removal system which is effective in removing pathogens, nitrogen, bulk organic matter and the majority of organic micropollutants. The contaminant removal efficiency of SAT system, however, depends on several factors including source water quality, local hydrogeological conditions and process conditions applied. The performance of SAT system can be further improved by proper site selection and appropriate design of its components including pre- and post-treatment. SAT serves as an environmental and psychological barrier for water reuse applications. It is equally attractive for developed as well as developing countries and flexible enough to allow adaptation to local requirements by combining it with conventional (above the ground) natural or engineered water and wastewater treatment technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal algal blooms in drinking water sources release intracellular and extracellular algal organic matter (AOM) in significant concentrations into the water. This organic matter provides precursors for disinfection by-products (DBPs) formed when the water is subsequently chlorinated at the final disinfection stage of the potable water treatment process. This paper presents results of AOM characterisation from five algal species (three cyanobacteria, one diatom and one green) alongside the measurement of the DBP formation potential from the AOM of six algal species (an additional diatom). The character was explored in terms of hydrophilicity, charge and protein and carbohydrate content. 18 DBPs were measured following chlorination of the AOM samples: the four trihalomethanes (THMs), nine haloacetic acids (HAAs), four haloacetonitriles (HANs) and one halonitromethane (HNM). The AOM was found to be mainly hydrophilic (52 and 81%) in nature. Yields of up to 92.4 μg mg −1 C carbonaceous DBPs were measured, with few consistent trends between DBP formation propensity and either the specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) or the chemical characteristics. The AOM from diatomaceous algae formed significant amounts of nitrogenous DBPs (up to 1.7 μg mg −1 C). The weak trends in DBPFP may be attributable to the hydrophilic nature of AOM, which also makes it more challenging to remove by conventional water treatment processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy, water and carbon are inextricably linked. The limited endowments, uneven temporal and spatial distribution of energy and water resources pose great challenges to China’s sustainable development. In this paper, a bottom-up model (China TIMES model) is developed to integrate China’s energy system with water resources, to project water demand in power sector and to assess the impacts of China’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) and water constraints on power generation portfolio out to the year 2050. The modelling results show that: (1) under reference scenario, electricity generation will increase from 4518 TW h in 2010 to 13,270 TW h in 2050, with CO 2 emission from 3.1 Gt to 6.1 Gt and water withdrawal from 59 Gm 3 to 104 Gm 3 ; (2) CO 2 mitigation target can help reduce water withdrawal in power sector by promoting the expansion of renewable technologies; (3) by affecting the cooling mixture, water cost has significant impact on water withdrawal in power sector; (4) when both CO 2 and water constraints are considered, renewable technologies will be more prevalent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulation alters the characteristics of rivers by transforming parts of them into lakes, affecting their hydrology and also the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics and dynamics. Reservoirs have proven to be very effective retaining particulate materials, thereby avoiding the downstream transport of suspended sediment and the chemical substances associated with it (e.g. Carbon, C, or Nitrogen, N). The study of fluvial transport of C and N is of great interest since river load represents a major link to the global C and N cycles. Moreover, reservoirs are the most important sinks for organic carbon among inland waters and have a potential significance as nitrogen sinks. In this respect, this paper investigates the effects of a Pyrenean reservoir on the runoff, suspended sediment, C and N derived from the highly active Ésera and Isábena rivers. Key findings indicate that the reservoir causes a considerable impact on the Ésera–Isábena river fluxes, reducing them dramatically as almost all the inputs are retained within the reservoir. Despite the very dry study year (2011–2012), it can be calculated that almost 300,000 t of suspended sediment were deposited into the Barasona Reservoir, from which more than 16,000 were C (i.e. 2200 t as organic C) and 222 t were N. These values may not be seen as remarkable in a wider global context but, assuming that around 30 hm 3 of sediment are currently stored in the reservoir, figures would increase up to ca. 2.6 × 10 6 t of C (i.e. 360,000 t of organic C) and 35,000 t of N. Nevertheless, these values are indicative and should be treated with caution as there is incomplete understanding of all the processes which affect C and N. Further investigation to establish a more complete picture of C and N yields and budgets by monitoring the different processes involved is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A visual platform that combined Raman spectrometer was built to observe water at temperatures from 293 K to 1013 K. • The extent of hydrogen bonding in liquid water and supercritical water were estimated. • Compared with temperature, density has a greater effect on the degree of hydrogen bonding in supercritical water. • Hydrogen bonds still exist in supercritical water even at temperature of 1013 K (ρ = 49.8 g/L). Supercritical water is widely used as a superior reactant or solvent in the gasification of biomass and coal. Research shows that hydrogen bonding could reduce the potential energy of chemical reaction between water molecules and organic molecules. However, it is still uncertain whether hydrogen bonds exist in supercritical water at the temperature of coal gasification process (above 873 K). In this paper, a high temperature and pressure visualization platform (T max = 1013 K) was built. The hydrogen bonding degree of water from liquid to supercritical is obtained in a wider temperature range. It is a remarkable fact that hydrogen bonds still exist in supercritical water even at temperatures as high as 1013 K. These hydrogen bonds mainly exist in the form of dimer and trimer, which is a significant factor that can't be ignored in the study of gasification mechanism of coal and organic matter in supercritical water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The principal reason for the high energy costs for biological wastewater treatment is the poor transfer efficiency of oxygen to the bulk water phase. The current paper describes a biofilm reactor in which oxygen transfer to the bulk solution is avoided by alternating anaerobic submersed (2 h) and drained (1 h) operation of the biofilm. During the submersed phase the biofilm enriched for glycogen accumulating organism (GAO) stored the organic carbon (acetate) as poly-hydroxy-alkanoate (PHA). After draining the reactor, this carbon stored as PHA was biologically oxidised, using oxygen directly from the atmosphere. The 12 Cmmol/L (384 mg/L BOD) of acetate was completely removed during long term automated operation of the reactor for 9 months with a cycle length of 3.3 h. As the process specifically removes dissolved organic carbon but not N or P it could possibly be coupled with novel processes such as Anammox or nutrient recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper addresses two potential applications for electrochemical ammonia oxidation within the operation of recirculating aquaculture systems, in which nearly complete removal of N species is required. In one described application, a physical–chemical ammonia oxidation method is suggested to entirely replace conventional biological treatment methods (i.e. nitrification/denitrification). The second described method is suggested as a final polishing step for removing ammonia from effluents of denitrification reactors supplied with intrinsic organic matter, prior to the discharge of the water. Empirical results and cost assessment are reported for the second alternative, while the first, which was recently published, is discussed with respect to improvements, operational conditions and field tests required to induce its commercial application. The polishing alternative was shown capable of efficiently removing TAN in the effluents of RAS denitrification reactors fed with intrinsic organic solids. The cost for treating denitrification reactor effluents with TAN concentration of 10 mgN/L was estimated at 6.67 cent/m 3 of discharged water. Since the chloride ion concentration in seawater and in most brackish waters is high, combining the intrinsic organic carbon denitrification process with subsequent ammonia polishing by electrochemically produced active chlorine may be a competitive approach for the removal of nitrogen species from seawater and brackish water RAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The “biological pump” is the process by which photosynthetically-produced organic matter in the ocean descends from the surface layer to depth by a combination of sinking particles, advection or vertical mixing of dissolved organic matter, and transport by animals. Particulate organic matter that is exported downward from the euphotic zone is composed of combinations of fecal pellets from zooplankton and fish, organic aggregates known as “marine snow” and phytodetritus from sinking phytoplankton. Previous reviews by Turner and Ferrante (1979) and Turner (2002) focused on publications that appeared through late 2001. Since that time, studies of the biological pump have continued, and there have been >300 papers on vertical export flux using sediment traps, large-volume filtration systems and other techniques from throughout the global ocean. This review will focus primarily on recent studies that have appeared since 2001. Major topics covered in this review are (1) an overview of the biological pump, and its efficiency and variability, and the role of dissolved organic carbon in the biological pump; (2) zooplankton fecal pellets, including the contribution of zooplankton fecal pellets to export flux, epipelagic retention of zooplankton fecal pellets due to zooplankton activities, zooplankton vertical migration and fecal pellet repackaging, microbial ecology of fecal pellets, sinking velocities of fecal pellets and aggregates, ballasting of sinking particles by mineral contents, phytoplankton cysts, intact cells and harmful algae toxins in fecal pellets, importance of fecal pellets from various types of zooplankton, and the role of zooplankton fecal pellets in picoplankton export; (3) marine snow, including the origins, abundance, and distributions of marine snow, particles and organisms associated with marine snow, consumption and fragmentation of marine snow by animals, pathogens associated with marine snow; (4) phytodetritus, including pulsed export of phytodetritus, phytodetritus from Phaeocystis spp., picoplankton in phytodetritus, the summer export pulse (SEP) of phytodetritus in the subtropical North Pacific, benthic community responses to phytodetritus; (5) other components of the biological pump, including fish fecal pellets and fish-mediated export, sinking carcasses of animals and macrophytes, feces from marine mammals, transparent exopolymer particles (TEP); (6) the biological pump and climate, including origins of the biological pump, the biological pump and glacial/interglacial cycles, the biological pump and contemporary climate variations, and the biological pump and anthropogenic climate change. The review concludes with potential future modifications in the biological pump due to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chilean Patagonia is characterized by an irregular geography involving many islands, peninsulas, channels, sounds and fjords, that prevent direct interaction between oceanic water masses and freshwater river discharges at the head of the continental fjords. In this paper, we evaluate the potential sources and composition of organic matter along the Serrano River basin and the adjacent channels and fjords in Southern Chilean Patagonia (51–52°S), as well as their importance for marine planktonic organisms. In spring of 2009, evidence of C:N ratio, δ 13 C, δ 15 N and fatty acids composition in particulate organic carbon (POC), surface sediment, soil, plankton, and vegetal tissue, as well some physical and chemical characteristics (i.e. salinity, dissolved oxygen, NO 3 − , NH 4 + , PO 4 −3 , Si(OH) 4 ), were measured in samples collected during the CIMAR 14 Fiordos oceanographic cruise. Significant differences in δ 13 C-POC were found between the terrestrial and marine environments but not within fjord stations. Along the fjord region, the high C:N ratio and depleted δ 13 C values in POC samples suggest that particulate organic matter (POM) in the upper level of the water column (0–10 m depth) is supported by different sources. Terrestrial organic carbon exported by rivers may constitute a significant subsidy, up to 70% based on two end-member mixing model, to the fjord ecosystem. Furthermore, terrestrial carbon might account for a significant percentage of the zooplankton body carbon, estimated both by using isotopic (∼24–61%) and fatty acid analysis (∼14–61%). Isotopic analyses in marine sediment samples suggest that POC seems to be decoupled from terrestrial-influenced surface sources at the fjord stations, and the contribution of surrounding vegetation seemingly unimportant for carbon export to the benthos. Local hydrographic and geomorphological characteristics might determine the presence of oceanographic frontal zones, which in turn might explain differences in carbon sources found between POM and the surface sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Accurate quantification of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in surface and soil pore waters is crucial for understanding changes in water resources under the influence of climate and land use changes. Sampling and laboratory analysis of DOC content at a sufficient temporal frequency are especially difficult to achieve for natural DOC sources like the extensive boreal and arctic mire landscapes due to their remoteness. Therefore, the goals of this paper are (1) to investigate the performance of a portable, high-resolution ultraviolet–visible light spectroscopic method for determining the DOC content of surface and soil pore water samples from a boreal mire complex and (2) to compare the spectroscopic method with other DOC measurement techniques, e.g., the wet heated persulfate oxidation method and a laboratory, expulsion-based spectrophotometric method and (3) to assess different multivariate models that relate absorbance measurements with DOC contents. The study indicates that high-resolution spectroscopic measurements provide a simple, robust and non-destructive method for measuring DOC content. These measurements are of short duration (<1 min) and the sample analysis is portable, rendering this method particularly advantageous for in situ investigations at remote field locations. The study also demonstrates that if absorbances at specific wavelengths are used as proxies for DOC concentration, it is recommended to create site-specific calibration models that include more than one wavelength to achieve the optimal accuracy of the proxy-based DOC quantification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a layered sensor was developed for simultaneous measurement of skin water content and softness. The sensor consisted of a thin stainless steel film on top of a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) film. Electrostatic and piezoelectric effects generated voltages which were measured simultaneously in the stainless steel and PVDF films while the sensor was repeatedly in contact with/released from the skin. The voltages in the films depended on the skin water content and softness. The layered sensor measured the skin water content and softness at the same position using the voltage waveforms. The relationships between the voltages obtained using the layered sensor and results obtained with commercial moisture and softness sensors were evaluated. The potential of the proposed sensor for skin condition measurements was evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a recognized indicator of natural organic matter (NOM) in surface waters. The aim of this paper is twofold: to evaluate the impact of geophysical characteristics, climate and ecological zones on DOC concentrations in surface waters and, to develop a statistical model to estimate the regional variability of these concentrations. In this study, multilevel statistical analysis was used to achieve three specific objectives: (1) evaluate the influence of climate and geophysical characteristics on DOC concentrations in surface waters; (2) compare the influence of geophysical characteristics and ecological zones on DOC concentrations in surface waters; and (3) develop a model to estimate the most accurate DOC concentrations in surface waters. The case study involved 115 catchments from surface waters in the Province of Quebec, Canada. Results showed that mean temperatures recorded 60 days prior to sampling, total precipitation 10 days prior to sampling and percentages of wetlands, coniferous forests and mixed forests have a significant positive influence on DOC concentrations in surface waters. The catchment mean slope had a significant negative influence on DOC concentrations in surface waters. Water type (lake or river) and deciduous forest variables were not significant. The ecological zones had a significant influence on DOC concentrations. However, geophysical characteristics (wetlands, forests and slope) estimated DOC concentrations more accurately. A model describing the variability of DOC concentrations was developed and can be used, in future research, for estimating DBPs in drinking water as well evaluating the impact of climate change on the quality of surface waters and drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we review the current understanding of biomineralization in perforate foraminifera. Ideas on the mechanisms responsible for the flux of Ca2+ and inorganic carbon from seawater into the test were originally based on light and electron microscopic observations of calcifying foraminifera. From the 1980s onward, tracer experiments, fluorescent microscopy and high-resolution test geochemical analysis have added to existing calcification models. Despite recent insights, no general consensus on the physiological basis of foraminiferal biomineralization exists. Current models include seawater vacuolization, transmembrane ion transport, involvement of organic matrices and/or pH regulation, although the magnitude of these controls remain to be quantified. Disagreement between currently available models may be caused by the use of different foraminiferal species as subject for biomineralization experiments and/or lack of a more systematic approach to study (dis)similarities between taxa. In order to understand foraminiferal controls on element incorporation and isotope fractionation, and thereby improve the value of foraminifera as paleoceanographic proxies, it is necessary to identify key processes in foraminiferal biomineralization and formulate hypotheses regarding the involved physiological pathways to provide directions for future research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Páramo soils are porous, humid and rich in organic matter, which buffers streamflow. • Agriculture increases macroporosity and promote loss of nutrients and organic matter. • Grazing compacts the soil and reduces porosity, infiltration and water retention capacity. • Afforestation reduces soil moisture, organic matter and water retention capacity. • Land-use change in páramos reduces streamflow buffering and increases flashiness. The páramos biome of the northern Andes is a collection of high-mountain tropical grassland wetland ecosystems that provides important ecosystem services including hydrological buffering and water supply. Human activities in these ecosystems transform vegetation cover and soil hydro-physical properties, affecting their hydrological performance and water quality and quantity. Here, we conducted a systematic review on the influence of land use (agriculture, livestock grazing, and afforestation) on the hydro-physical properties of páramo soils and analyzed its implications for streamflow buffering. Our review protocol identified 32 relevant papers, from which key hydro-physical properties linked to streamflow variability were available: soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (SOC), porosity, bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and water retention capacity (WRC). The analysis shows that soils with native cover are characterized by a porous structure that allows a high WRC and SOM content. Agriculture increases macroporosity but it leads to bare fallow plots that promote loss of nutrients and SOM. Burning generates hydrophobic aggregates that affect WRC. Livestock grazing produces soil compaction and increases bulk density, reducing infiltration and WRC. Lastly, afforestation with exotic species (e.g. pines, eucalyptus) decreases SOM and WRC by changing soil structure. In general, the analyzed land-use activities generate hydrophobic aggregates, increase bulk density, promote erosion and runoff, and impair hydrological buffering capacity. This integrated evidence from multiple empirical studies can be used to effectively communicate the effects of different land use practices on páramo soils, provide information for modelling in data-scarce situations, and contribute to decision making processes for land use planning and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new analytical tool was developed using natural dye from grapes. • Grape extract was used to quantify humic acid (HA) in water and soft drink. • Chromametry, UV–Vis and FTIR-ATR were used for the quantifications. • Chromametry sensed HA better than the spectroscopic techniques. • Red was found to quantify HA better than green and blue in a commercial soft drink. Natural anthocyanin dyes are safe for human and the environment due to their biocompatibility and rapid biodegradability. In this paper, an aqueous anthocyanin extract from grapes was used as a colouring reagent for the determination of humic acid (a cancer-promoting agent) in water and caffeine/phosphoric acid-containing caramelized soft drink. Three techniques, viz: chromametry, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV–Vis) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed for comparative quantifications. The results showed that the chromametry technique exhibited better sensing performance than the spectroscopic techniques in terms of the limit of detection (LOD) and % recovery. However, both chromametry and UV–Vis techniques agreed that the presence of HA could easily be detected in the soft drink at a spiked concentration of 6.4 ppm where less interference occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrodialysis has been considered to be a competitive technology in the treatment and reclamation of organic saline wastewater. As a kind of typical compounds in industrial wastewater, the mass transfer property of organic electrolyte were important to the operation of the treatment process and product quality. The benzoic acid/sodium benzoate and citric acid/sodium citrate in the electrodialysis process and diffusion process were investigated in this paper. The effects of cations (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+) and anions (Cl- and SO 4 2-) were discussed. The mass transfer of organic acids and their salts through the ion exchange membrane has two forms: electromigration and diffusion, both of which were affected by the degree of ionization, molecular size and molecular structure. The contribution of electromigration was found to be predominant over that of diffusion as a current is applied. The influence of inorganic ions mainly includes dehydration of organic matter and water content of the membrane. These opposite effects play different roles in the mass transfer of organic acids and their salts through the ion exchange membrane with and without current. It was also shown that the existence of organic acids and their salts had little effect on the mass transfer properties of inorganic salts. Image 1 • The transfer of weak organic acids & salts were affected by ionization, molecular size and structure. • The transfer of weak organic acids & salts is contributed by the neutral molecules and acid ions. • The hydration capacity of inorganic ions is the critical parameter affecting the organic transfer. • The transfer of salt and water were affected little by the organics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ultrasound degraded the molecular structure of humic acids. • Sonochemical effects (HO) responsible for fluorescence reduction. • No TOC and colour removal with ultrasound pre-treatment. • O 3 achieved a significant reduction in TOC and almost a complete colour removal. • Ultrasound pre-treatment may reduce subsequent O 3 dosage for humic acid degradation. This paper presents an intensification study of an ozonation process through an ultrasonic pre-treatment for the elimination of humic substances in water and thus, improve the quality of water treatment systems for human consumption. Humic acids were used as representative of natural organic matter in real waters which present low biodegradability and a high potential for trihalomethane formation. Ultrasonic frequency (98 kHz, 300 kHz and 1 MHz), power (10–40 W) and sonicated volume (150–400 mL) was varied to assess the efficiency of the ultrasonic pre-treatment in the subsequent ozonation process. A direct link between hydroxyl radical (HO) formation and fluorescence reduction was observed during sonication pre-treatment, peaking at 300 kHz and maximum power density. Ultrasound, however, did not reduce total organic carbon (TOC). Injected ozone (O 3) dose and reaction time were also evaluated during the ozonation treatment. With 300 kHz and 40 W ultrasonic pre-treatment and the subsequent ozonation step (7.4 mg O 3 /L gas), TOC was reduced from 21 mg/L to 13.5 mg/L (36% reduction). HO attack seems to be the main degradation mechanism during ozonation. A strong reduction in colour (85%) and SUVA 254 (70%) was also measured. Moreover, changes in the chemical structure of the macromolecule were observed that led to the formation of oxidation by-products of lower molecular weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• New advances of excitation-emission matrix interpretation methods are reported. • Findings in investigation of water works by fluorescence techniques are summarized. • Assistances from fluorescence focus on evaluation, observation and correlation. • Limitation of fluorescence characterizing organic matter are emphasized. • Failure in using fluorescence monitoring membrane filtration is pointed out. Fluorescence technology has been increasingly applied in dissolved organic matter (DOM) characterization due to its remarkable sensitivity and selectivity. Interest in using fluorescence technology to investigate drinking water treatment with a focus on coagulation, adsorption, membrane filtration and disinfection is growing. Fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy, also known as three-dimensional fluorescence (3D-EEM) or fluorescence fingerprinting, is one of the most predominant approaches because of the massive amount of data, visual maps and multidimensional information it provides. Various EEM map interpretation methods have been developed. This paper reviews current predominant 3D-EEM interpretation methods (ranging from basic methods, peak picking and fluorescence regional integration (FRI) to chemometric methods) and summarizes the latest findings and problems related to practical applications. The correlations between optical and physicochemical properties, such as molecular weight and hydrophilic-hydrophobic properties, are investigated. Novel findings on drinking water trains obtained with the assistance of these interpretation methods are discussed and broadly classified as follows: a) evaluating water treatment performance, b) observing DOM behavior, c) monitoring and predicting micropollutants and disinfection byproducts (DBPs). The importance of using artificial intelligence in fluorescence technology and developing advanced real-time sensors, the weaknesses of fluorescence spectroscopy and the need for combination with other technologies (e.g., fractionation techniques) are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The limitations of instability and low permeability of graphene oxide (GO) membranes in aqueous applications, such as water treatment, represent significant obstacles to their wider application. In this paper, we describe the development and testing of a novel composite membrane based on GO and MXene. The unique heterogeneous structure of the GO/MXene membrane demonstrated a synergistic effect, in terms of substrate rejection and permeability, which varied according to the relative proportions of GO and MXene. Due to its advantageous two-dimensional (2D) interlayer channels and hydrophilicity, a composite membrane (~550 nm) with a GO/MXene mass ratio of 1/4 exhibited much greater water flux (71.9 L m−2 h−1.bar−1) compared to a reference GO membrane (6.5 L m−2 h−1.bar−1) under the same experimental conditions. Moreover, the composite membrane showed excellent stability in water over one month. The rejection of common small molecule organic dyes (NR, MB, CV, BB) was found to exceed 99.5%, and similar excellent removal efficiencies were found for two representative types of natural organic matter in raw waters (HA and BSA). The superior water flux of the GO/MXene composite membrane compared to the reference GO membrane was mainly attributed to the moderate increase of interlayer spacing of the membrane and the decrease of oxygen-containing functional groups. Image 1 • Novel GO/MXene composite membranes were fabricated for water treatment. • Interlayer spacing of membrane can be adjusted by changing mass ratio between GO and MXene. • The composite membrane exhibited high flux and excellent rejection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Submarine channels, and the sediment density flows which form them, act as conduits for the transport of sediment, macro-nutrients, fresher water and organic matter from the coast to the deep sea. These systems are therefore significant pathways for global sediment and carbon cycles. However, the conditions that permit or preclude submarine channel formation are poorly understood, especially when in association with marine-terminating glaciers. Here, using swath-bathymetric data from the inner shelf and fjords of northwest and southeast Greenland, we provide the first paper to analyse the controls on the formation of submarine channels offshore of numerous marine-terminating glaciers. These data reveal 37 submarine channels: 11 offshore of northwest Greenland and 26 offshore of southeast Greenland. The presence of channels is nearly always associated with: (1) a stable glacier front, as indicated by the association with either a moraine or grounding-zone wedge; and (2), a consistent seaward sloping gradient. In northwest Greenland, turbidity current channels are also more likely to be associated with larger glacier catchments with higher ice and meltwater fluxes which provide higher volumes of sediment delivery. However, the factors controlling the presence of channels in northwest and southeast Greenland are different, which suggest some complexity about predicting the occurrence of turbidity currents in glacier-influenced settings. Future work on tidewater glacier sediment delivery rates by different subglacial processes, and the role of grain size and catchment/regional geology is required to address uncertainties regarding the controls on channel formation. • Most complete inventory of submarine channels offshore Greenland • Submarine channels are more common offshore of southeast Greenland. • Controls on channel formation are defined and used to construct conceptual model. • Observations from other glacier-influenced settings show support for these criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Many aspects of to the vertical and lateral transport of organic matter particles produced in the upper ocean are still not clear. This study documents the production, vertical and lateral displacement of the particulate organic matter fraction formed by dinoflagellate cysts in nepheloid layers present off Cape Blanc in November 2015. The position and extent of cyst production in the upper water column has been assessed by collecting the export rain of cysts with floating sediment traps. This has been compared to cyst associations in different intermediate nepheloid layers in the water column along two onshore-offshore transects. We document that highest cyst export production took place at the rim of a newly formed upwelling eddy/filament. We observed lateral transport up to 130 km off the shelf break into the deeper ocean in the bottom nepheloid layers (BNL) and in intermediate nepheloid layer (INL). The depth of the INL gradually increased from 600 m closest to the shelf break to 1300 m at the most offshore station. Transport in the BNL was observed in the more onshore part between 750 and 2300 m water depth. Cyst associations in both layers were comparable, indicating a common source. The large abundance of living cysts in these layers suggest that this source had a recent origin rather than being the result of resuspension of older sediment. The cyst associations of these samples differed from those of a second INL deeper in the water column as well as from samples from the more offshore part of the BNL. This indicates that the particles in this deeper INL and the offshore part of the BNL had a different origin. This origin could not be identified therefore no conclusions were drawn with respect to the extent to which these particles have been transported vertically or laterally. The cyst associations in the surface sediments differed from those of the nepholoid layers and the upper water column and did not reflect the effects of lateral transport as registered from the water column. The surface sediments contained a higher proportion of cysts that are highly resistant to aerobic degradation than the samples from the water column. This indicates that the former were modified predominantly by species-specific post depositional degradation. Selective degradation altering the cyst associations was not observed for the nepheloid layers. Highlights • Dinoflagellate cysts transport is studied during upwelling off Cape Blanc in November 2015. • Dinoflagellate cysts trace lateral and vertical transport of Particulate Organic Matter. • Lateral cyst transport occurs in intermediate and bottom nepheloid layers. • Lateral cyst transport was restricted to 150 km off the shelf break. • Cysts in the bottom- and upper intermediate nepheloid layers had a common source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Transpolar Drift (TPD) is a mechanism for the rapid transport of shelf-modified Siberian river waters across the Arctic Ocean and out through Fram Strait. We present results from three trans-Arctic research cruises in August–September 2014–2016 to investigate the distribution and dynamics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the upper waters across the North Pole, from Svalbard to the Mackenzie River mouth, and in two important outflow gateways of the Arctic Ocean (Fram Strait and Lancaster Sound). Fluorescence measurements of DOM obtained using in situ sensor and laboratory-based spectroscopic analyses, coupled with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) were used to map components of DOM at high spatial resolution. The optical properties showed a completely different composition with a much stronger humic-like signal observed in surface waters in the Makarov Basin than in the adjacent Canada Basin, likely due to the substantial amount of Siberian runoff transported by the TPD. The high levels of humic-like in TPD-influenced surface waters were traced from southern Makarov shelves up to the Lomonosov Ridge near the North Pole. Lower DOM levels were observed in the eastern Amundsen basin waters, likely the result of mixing with terrestrial-poor DOM Atlantic waters. The annual flux of humic-like C2 transported to the Atlantic through Fram Strait was estimated at 1816 ±926 r.u. km3. This study reveals the importance of shelf processes and TPD in supplying humic-like material to the central Arctic Ocean to Fram Strait. • Significant differences in fluorescence composition were found between the four main Arctic basins. • A much stronger terrigenous signal was observed in Makarov Basin waters than in the adjacent Canada Basin. • The annual flux of humic-like transported to the Atlantic Ocean was estimated at 1816± 926 r.u. km−3 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied organic matter in the central Black Sea and its northeastern and northwestern shelf break within three weeks in November 2013 to test the hypothesis that in situ production could explain lateral and vertical variability in its composition and distribution. The wide spatial coverage over a short period of time achieved during this study revealed longitudinal variability in organic matter characteristics reflecting productivity at the Black Sea surface. Particulate organic matter was dominantly autochthonous in the central Black Sea. Allochthonous influence of river discharge was only traced on the northwestern shelf by high concentrations but low freshness of particulate organic matter. Compared to the NW shelf break and central Black Sea, primary production was high near the NE shelf break, likely fueled by input from the Azov Sea. Vertical patterns were similar throughout the deep Black Sea and appeared to also be governed by in situ processes rather than reflect variability in the surface water. As concentrations of organic matter decreased with depth, its elemental and isotopic composition indicated chemoautotrophic production at the oxic-anoxic interface and organic matter degradation in the benthic boundary layer. Though profiles of dissolved organic carbon indicated a minor source in anoxic deep water, likely linked to chemosynthesis and reflux from sediments, a negative deviation of concentrations from a conservative mixing line between two endmembers suggested net removal of labile dissolved organic carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

234 Th-derived carbon export fluxes were measured in the Atlantic Ocean under the GEOTRACES framework to evaluate basin-scale export variability. Here, we present the results from the northern half of the GA02 transect, spanning from the equator to 64°N. As a result of limited site-specific C/ 234 Th ratio measurements, we further combined our data with previous work to develop a basin wide C/ 234 Th ratio depth curve. While the magnitude of organic carbon fluxes varied depending on the C/ 234 Th ratio used, latitudinal trends were similar, with sizeable and variable organic carbon export fluxes occurring at high latitudes and low to negligible fluxes occurring in oligotrophic waters. Our results agree with previous studies, except at the boundaries between domains, where fluxes were relatively enhanced. Three different models were used to obtain satellite-derived net primary production (NPP). In general, NPP estimates had similar trends along the transect, but there were significant differences in the absolute magnitude depending on the model used. Nevertheless, organic carbon export efficiencies were generally < 25%, with the exception of a few stations located in the transition area between the riverine and the oligotrophic domains and between the oligotrophic and the temperate domains. Satellite-derived organic carbon export models from Dunne et al. (2005) (D05), Laws et al. (2011) (L11) and Henson et al. (2011) (H11) were also compared to our 234 Th-derived carbon exports fluxes. D05 and L11 provided estimates closest to values obtained with the 234 Th approach (within a 3-fold difference), but with no clear trends. The H11 model, on the other hand, consistently provided lower export estimates. The large increase in export data in the Atlantic Ocean derived from the GEOTRACES Program, combined with satellite observations and modeling efforts continue to improve the estimates of carbon export in this ocean basin and therefore reduce uncertainty in the global carbon budget. However, our results also suggest that tuning export models and including biological parameters at a regional scale is necessary for improving satellite-modeling efforts and providing export estimates that are more representative of in situ observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transport and fate of organic matter (OM) sources within the Avilés submarine canyon (Cantabrian Sea, Southern Bay of Biscay) were studied using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios. The isotopic composition of settling particles and deep bottom sediments closely resembled that of surface particulate OM, and there were no marked differences in the isotopic composition of settling particles inside and outside of the AC. This indicates that the Avilés Canyon (AC) receives inputs of sinking OM mostly from the upper water column and less through advective near-bottom down-canyon transport. Sinking OM fluxes are of marine and terrestrial origin in proportions which vary seasonally. Analysis of δ 13 C in the canyon fauna indicates a dependence on OM mainly produced by marine phytoplankton. A tight coupling of isotopic signatures between pelagic organisms and benthic suspension feeders reflects an active biological vertical transport of OM from the surface to the deep-sea. The food web presented seasonal variations in the trophic niche width and the amplitude of the primary carbon sources, reflecting seasonality in the availability of fresh particulate OM. Those seasonal changes are larger for benthic organisms of lower trophic levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remineralization of organic matter in the mesopelagic zone (ca. 150–700 m) is a key controlling factor of carbon export to the deep ocean. By using a tracer conservation model applied to climatological data of oxygen, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and nitrate, we computed mesopelagic respiration near the ESTOC (European Station for Time-Series in the Ocean, Canary Islands) site, located in the Eastern boundary region of the North Atlantic subtropical gyre. The tracer conservation model included vertical Ekman advection, geostrophic horizontal transport and vertical diffusion, and the biological remineralization terms were diagnosed by assuming steady state. Three different approaches were used to compute reference velocities used for the calculation of geostrophic velocities and flux divergences: a no-motion level at 3000 m, surface geostrophic velocities computed from the averaged absolute dynamic topography field, and surface velocities optimized from the temperature model. Mesopelagic respiration rates computed from the model were 2.8–8.9 mol O 2 m 2 y −1 , 2.0–3.1 mol C m 2 y −1 and 0.6–1.0 mol N m 2 y −1 , consistent with remineralization processes occurring close to Redfield stoichiometry. Model estimates were in close agreement with respiratory activity, derived from electron transport system (ETS) measurements collected in the same region at the end of the winter bloom period (3.61±0.48 mol O 2 m −2 y −1 ). According to ETS estimates, 50% of the respiration in the upper 1000 m took place below 150 m. Model results showed that oxygen, DIC and nitrate budgets were dominated by lateral advection, pointing to horizontal transport as the main source of organic carbon fuelling the heterotrophic respiration activity in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dominance of Oxygen Minimum Zone in the eastern part of the Arabian Sea (ASOMZ) instead of the more bio-productive and likely more oxygen consuming western part is the first part of the paradox. The sources of oxygen to the ASOMZ were evaluated through the distributions of different water masses using the extended optimum multiparameter (eOMP) analysis, whereas the sinks of oxygen were evaluated through the organic matter remineralization, using the apparent oxygen utilization (AOU). The contributions of major source waters to the Arabian Sea viz. Indian Deep water (dIDW), Indian Central water (ICW), Persian Gulf Water (PGW) and Red Sea Water (RSW) have been quantified through the eOMP analysis which shows that the PGW and RSW are significant for the eastward shift of ASOMZ instead of voluminous ICW and dIDW. The distribution of Net Primary Production (NPP) and AOU clearly suggest the transport of organic detritus from the highly productive western Arabian Sea to its eastern counterpart which adds to the eastward shifting of ASOMZ. A revised estimate of the seasonal variation of areal extent and volume occupied by ASOMZ through analysis of latest available data reveals a distinct intensification of ASOMZ by 30% and increase in its volume by 5% during the spring-summer transition. However, during this seasonal transition the productivity in the Arabian Sea shows 100% increase in mean NPP. This disparity between ASOMZ and monsoonal variation of productivity is the other part of the paradox, which has been constrained through apparent oxygen utilization, Net Primary Production along with a variation of core depths of source waters. This study reveals a subtle balance between the circulation of marginal oxygen-rich water masses from the western Arabian Sea and organic matter remineralization in the eastern Arabian Sea in different seasons that explains the maintenance of ASOMZ throughout the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold-water corals (CWCs) are important ecosystem engineers in the deep sea that provide habitat for numerous species and can form large coral mounds. These mounds influence surrounding currents and induce distinct hydrodynamic features, such as internal waves and episodic downwelling events that accelerate transport of organic matter towards the mounds, supplying the corals with food. To date, research on organic matter distribution at coral mounds has focussed either on seasonal timescales or has provided single point snapshots. Data on food distribution at the timescale of a diurnal tidal cycle is currently limited. Here, we integrate physical, biogeochemical, and biological data throughout the water column and along a transect on the south-eastern slope of Rockall Bank, Northeast Atlantic Ocean. This transect consisted of 24-h sampling stations at four locations: Bank, Upper slope, Lower slope, and the Oreo coral mound. We investigated how the organic matter distribution in the water column along the transect is affected by tidal activity. Repeated CTD casts indicated that the water column above Oreo mound was more dynamic than above other stations in multiple ways. First, the bottom water showed high variability in physical parameters and nutrient concentrations, possibly due to the interaction of the tide with the mound topography. Second, in the surface water a diurnal tidal wave replenished nutrients in the photic zone, supporting new primary production. Third, above the coral mound an internal wave (200 m amplitude) was recorded at 400 m depth after the turning of the barotropic tide. After this wave passed, high quality organic matter was recorded in bottom waters on the mound coinciding with shallow water physical characteristics such as high oxygen concentration and high temperature. Trophic markers in the benthic community suggest feeding on a variety of food sources, including phytodetritus and zooplankton. We suggest that there are three transport mechanisms that supply food to the CWC ecosystem. First, small phytodetritus particles are transported downwards to the seafloor by advection from internal waves, supplying high quality organic matter to the CWC reef community. Second, the shoaling of deeper nutrient-rich water into the surface water layer above the coral mound could stimulate diatom growth, which form fast-sinking aggregates. Third, evidence from lipid analysis indicates that zooplankton faecal pellets also enhance supply of organic matter to the reef communities. This study is the first to report organic matter quality and composition over a tidal cycle at a coral mound and provides evidence that fresh high-quality organic matter is transported towards a coral reef during a tidal cycle. [Display omitted] • We measured physical conditions and food supply at a cold-water coral reef over 24h. • Large variability in environmental conditions and food supply over the tidal cycle. • Internal waves transport fresh organic matter to the cold-water coral reef. • Organic matter delivered to the cold-water coral reef is of high quality. • The reef community feeds on variety of sources, but depends on surface production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time-series sediment traps were deployed at 4 depths in the eastern Fram Strait from July 2007 to June 2008 to investigate variations in the magnitude and composition of the sinking particulate matter from upper waters to the seafloor. Sediment traps were deployed at 196 m in the Atlantic Water layer, at 1296 and 2364 m in the intermediate and deep waters, and at 2430 m on a benthic lander in the near-bottom layer. Fluxes of total particulate matter, particulate organic carbon, particulate organic nitrogen, biogenic matter, lithogenic matter, biogenic particulate silica, calcium carbonate, dominant phytoplankton cells, and zooplankton fecal pellets increased with depth, indicating the importance of lateral advection on fluxes in the deep Fram Strait. The lateral supply of particulate matter was further supported by the constant fluxes of biomarkers such as brassicasterol, alkenones, campesterol, β-sitosterol, and IP 25 at all depths sampled. However, enhanced fluxes of diatoms and appendicularian fecal pellets from the upper waters to the seafloor in the presence of ice during spring indicated the rapid export (15–35 days) of locally-produced large particles that likely contributed most of the food supply to the benthic communities. These results show that lateral supply and downward fluxes are both important processes influencing the transport of particulate matter to the seafloor in the deep eastern Fram Strait, and that particulate matter size dictates the prevailing sinking process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we have used stable isotopes of megafauna, microbial mats and particulate organic matter to examine the effect of depth and vent fluid composition on the carbon sources at two proximal, chemically distinct hydrothermal vent fields along the Mid-Cayman Rise. The basalt hosted Piccard vent field (4980 m) is twice as deep as the ultramafic hosted Von Damm vent field (2300 m) and has very different faunal assemblages. Of particular note is the presence of seep-associated fauna, Escarpia and Lamellibrachia tubeworms, at the Von Damm vent field. We identify a greater range of carbon sources and a suggestion of increased photosynthetic inputs to the Von Damm vent field compared to Piccard vent field. Rimicaris hybisae shrimp are the only abundant species shared between the two vent fields with δ 13 C values ranging between −22.7 and −10.1‰. Higher concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in the vent fluids at Piccard is proposed to be responsible for varying the relative contributions of the carbon fixation cycles used by their epibionts. Seep-associated fauna at Von Damm rely on elevated, thermogenic hydrocarbon content of the vent fluids for their carbon source (δ 13 C values ranging from −21.3 to 11.6‰). They also derive energy from hydrogen sulfide formed by the microbial reduction of sulfide (δ 34 S values ranging from −10.2 to −6.9‰). The tubeworms have very short roots (buried at most a centimeter into rubble), suggesting that microbial sulfate reduction must be occurring either in the shallow subsurface and/or in the anterior part of the tube. Overall, megafauna at Von Damm vent field appear to have a smaller food chain length (smaller δ 15 N range) but a greater breadth of trophic resources compared to the megafauna at the Piccard vent field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trophic relationships of 21 species from an oceanic zooplankton community were studied using stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen. Zooplankton and suspended particulate organic matter (POM) were sampled in three different water types in the western Tasman Sea: inner shelf (IS), a cold core eddy (CCE) and a warm core eddy (WCE). δ 15 N values ranged from 3.9‰ for the parasitic copepod Sapphirina augusta to 10.2‰ for the euphausiid, Euphausia spinifera. δ 13 C varied from −22.6 to −19.4‰ as a result of the copepod Euchirella curticauda and E. spinifera. The isotopic composition of POM varied significantly among water types; as did the trophic enrichment of zooplankton over POM, with the lowest enrichment in the recently upwelled IS water type (0.5‰) compared to the warm core eddy (1.6‰) and cold core eddy (2.7‰). The WCE was an oligotrophic environment and was associated with an increased trophic level for omnivorous zooplankton (copepods and euphausiids) to a similar level as carnivorous zooplankton (chaetognaths). Therefore carnivory in zooplankton can increase in response to lower abundance and reduced diversity in their phytoplankton and protozoan prey. Trophic niche width comparisons across three zooplankton species: the salp Thalia democratica , the copepod Eucalanus elongatus and the euphausiid Thysanoessa gregaria , indicated that both niche partitioning and competition can occur within the zooplankton community. We have shown that trophic relationships among the zooplankton are dynamic and respond to different water types. The changes to the zooplankton isotopic niche, however, were still highly variable as result of oceanographic variation within water types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]