Historical Deposition of Riverine Contamination on Terrestrial Floodplains as Revealed by Organic Indicators from an Industrial Point Source

Berger, Michael; Schwarzbauer, Jan

doi:10.1007/s11270-015-2708-8

Cited by 17 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…However, this approach has some limitations. The organic indicators analyzed in modern deposits are dominantly synthetic compounds such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and halogenated pollutants (e.g., Berger & Schwarzbauer, 2016;Peck, Linegaugh, & Hornbuckle, 2006). Furthermore, investigated pollution histories are dominantly restricted to industrial time periods of approximately the last 200 years (e.g., Francu, Schwarzbauer, Lana, Nyvlt, & Nehyba, 2010;Gocht, Moldenhauer, & Püttmann, 2001).…”

Section: F I G U R Ementioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular organic indicators for human activities in the Roman harbor of Ephesus, Turkey

et al. 2017

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Intensive organic‐geochemical analyses were applied to sediment core samples from the Roman harbor of Ephesus that date to the open, protected, and post‐harbor time periods. Screening analyses revealed a substance spectrum comprising n‐alkanes, fatty acids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and selected terpenoids. All these substance groups have been quantified and show a significant increase of concentration in the samples affected by the intensive use of Ephesus’ Roman harbor. However, a unique indicator substance or a single anthropogenic marker compound directly reflecting ancient harbor activities has not been identified. Nonetheless, systematic changes in the patterns of some major organic substance groups (PAHs, fatty acids, and n‐alkanes) point to a significant change in the composition of organic matter (OM), which might reflect increased anthropogenic impacts during Ephesus’ flourishing period. These observations are likely related to enhanced anthropogenic use of natural products, such as waxes, and subsequent discharge by municipal sewage or the direct use and emission of such products in the harbor area. This study clearly demonstrates the usefulness of indicative organic compounds and changes in their patterns through time to detect the activities of ancient civilizations. This approach can be transferred to other sedimentary geoarchives associated with former settlement activities.

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Section: F I G U R Ementioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular organic indicators for human activities in the Roman harbor of Ephesus, Turkey

et al. 2017

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“…As in other parts of the world, these aquatic systems come under stress from anthropogenic uses and are frequently highly contaminated (CONAGUA, ). The main sources of this problem are untreated domestic wastes and chemicals from industries (Berger & Schwarzbauer, ). Despite this, the local population continues using this water for their basic needs, irrigation, and recreation purposes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Planktonic indicators of water quality: A case study in the Amacuzac River Basin (State of Morelos, Mexico)

Nandini

Ramı́rez-Garcı́a

Gutierrez-Ochoa

2019

River Research & Apps

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Planktonic organisms are good indicators of water quality but are rarely used in Mexican riverine studies in spite of the high level of contamination in these lotic waters. In this study, we focused on the plankton of the river Amacuzac in Mexico and a large saline waterbody, Lake Tequisquitengo, which is located in the Amacuzac river basin. We collected samples at three sites in the River Amacuzac and one at Lake Tequisquitengo from May 2015 to March–April of 2016. We analysed the physicochemical variables, coliform bacteria, and biological oxygen demand levels. We also quantified phytoplankton and zooplankton. Our results indicate that the study sites are mesotrophic with high densities of diatoms and cyanobacteria. Among the zooplankton, the dominant organisms were rotifers. The constancy of planktonic taxa was high in the lake but low in the river. The Descy index ranged from 2.9 to 4.5 in the river and from 4.0 to 5.0 in the lake. The saprobic index shows that the system is β‐mesosaprobic. The species diversity was higher in the river than in the lake. Our study shows that plankton can efficiently be used to evaluate the water quality in rivers and lakes.

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“…Hydromorphological dynamics, chemical pollution and depositional processes were strongly impacted by diking along the main channel and disconnection of lateral channels since the beginning of the 19th century (Tümmers, 1999). Several studies have focused on the storage and remobilization of heavy metals (Schulz-Zunkel and Krueger, 2009;Ciszewski and Gryar, 2016;Falkowska et al, 2016;Grygar and Popelka, 2016) and/or organic pollutants in major floodplains worldwide (Lair et al, 2009;Zimmer et al, 2010;Berger and Schwarzbauer, 2016). Most studies concerned with the Rhine focused on the industrialized Lower Rhine region including the Rhine-Meuse delta (Evers et al, 1988;Middelkoop, 2000;Gocht et al, 2001;de Boer et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studying past functioning and disturbance histories as keys to understanding current forms and processes of floodplains can provide insights into current functioning and hydromorphological sensitivity to changes (Kondolf and Larson, 1995;Mika et al, 2010). Historical hydromorphological adjustments should be evaluated on an accurate spatial scale and at a high temporal resolution to identify past evolutionary processes and causal relationships (Bogen et al, 1992;Horowitz et al, 1999). Interdisciplinary and retrospective studies, however, rarely combine different data sources to obtain a comprehensive view of functional changes (Bravard and Bethemont, 1989;Trimble and Cooke, 1991;Lawler, 1993;Gurnell et al, 2003;James et al, 2009;Rinaldi et al, 2013;Lespez et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Interdisciplinary and retrospective studies, however, rarely combine different data sources to obtain a comprehensive view of functional changes (Bravard and Bethemont, 1989;Trimble and Cooke, 1991;Lawler, 1993;Gurnell et al, 2003;James et al, 2009;Rinaldi et al, 2013;Lespez et al, 2015). Furthermore, historical studies rarely consider sediment dating and pollution (Bogen et al, 1992;Garban et al, 1996;Horowitz et al, 1999;Woitke et al, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Long-term temporal trajectories to enhance restoration efficiency and sustainability on large rivers: an interdisciplinary study

Eschbach

Schmitt

Imfeld

et al. 2018

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. While the history of a fluvial hydrosystem can provide essential knowledge on present functioning, historical context remains rarely considered in river restoration. Here we show the relevance of an interdisciplinary study for improving restoration within the framework of a European LIFE+ project on the French side of the Upper Rhine (Rohrschollen Island). Investigating the planimetric evolution combined with historical high-flow data enabled us to reconstruct pre-disturbance hydromorphological functioning and major changes that occurred on the reach. A deposition frequency assessment combining vertical evolution of the Rhine thalweg, chronology of deposits in the floodplain, and a hydrological model revealed that the period of incision in the main channel corresponded to high rates of narrowing and lateral channel filling. Analysis of filling processes using Passega diagrams and IRSL dating highlights that periods of engineering works were closely related to fine sediment deposition, which also presents concomitant heavy metal accumulation. In fact, current fluvial forms, processes and sediment chemistry around Rohrschollen Island directly reflect the disturbances that occurred during past correction works, and up to today. Our results underscore the advantage of combining functional restoration with detailed knowledge of the past trajectory to (i) understand the functioning of the hydrosystem prior to anthropogenic disturbances, (ii) characterize the human-driven morphodynamic adjustments during the last 2 centuries, (iii) characterize physico-chemical sediment properties to trace anthropogenic activities and evaluate the potential impact of the restoration on pollutant remobilization, (iv) deduce the post-restoration evolution tendency and (v) evaluate the efficiency and sustainability of the restoration effects. We anticipate our approach will expand the toolbox of decision-makers and help orientate functional restoration actions in the future.

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Historical Deposition of Riverine Contamination on Terrestrial Floodplains as Revealed by Organic Indicators from an Industrial Point Source

Cited by 17 publications

References 23 publications

Molecular organic indicators for human activities in the Roman harbor of Ephesus, Turkey

Molecular organic indicators for human activities in the Roman harbor of Ephesus, Turkey

Planktonic indicators of water quality: A case study in the Amacuzac River Basin (State of Morelos, Mexico)

Long-term temporal trajectories to enhance restoration efficiency and sustainability on large rivers: an interdisciplinary study

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