Sustainability

Research

17 pages, 4844 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diversity and Their Response to Environmental Factors of Prokaryotic Ultraplankton in Spring and Summer of Cihu Lake and Xiandao Lake in China

by Cong Lan, Lili Sun, Yihan Hu, Yan Zhang, Jinjing Xu, Heng Ding, Rong Tang, Jianjun Hou, Yuntao Li and Xiaodong Wu

Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 11532; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511532 - 26 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1288

Abstract

Ultraplankton plays an important role in the biogeochemical cycles of aquatic ecosystems. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology, the community structure composition of prokaryotic ultraplankton and its relationship with environmental factors were analyzed. The results showed that Cihu Lake was experiencing eutrophication [...] Read more.

Ultraplankton plays an important role in the biogeochemical cycles of aquatic ecosystems. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology, the community structure composition of prokaryotic ultraplankton and its relationship with environmental factors were analyzed. The results showed that Cihu Lake was experiencing eutrophication and that Xiandao Lake was in the process of changing from mesotrophic to oligotrophic conditions. Cihu Lake and Xiandao Lake were regulated primarily by nitrogen nutrients. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Cyanobacteria, and Actinobacteriota were the major phyla of prokaryotic ultraplankton in both lakes. Among them, Cyanobacteria dominate in the summer in Cihu Lake, which can have seasonal cyanobacterial blooms. Seasonal variation significantly affects the diversity and community structure of prokaryotic ultraplankton in the lakes, with temperature and dissolved oxygen being the key environmental factors determining plankton community composition. The PICRUSt functional prediction analysis indicated a higher water purification and exogenous pollution remediation capacity of the microbial communities of Xiandao Lake, as well as in the spring samples of Cihu Lake. In this study, the diversity and spatial–temporal succession patterns of prokaryotic ultraplankton in Cihu Lake and Xiandao Lake were elucidated, providing a useful reference for the lake environmental protection and water eutrophication management in Cihu Lake and Xiandao Lake. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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16 pages, 2201 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) in Sediments and Water Quality of Wuli Lake, Taihu Lake Basin, China

by Shunmei Zhu, Ruping Peng, Xiaodong Wu, Xuguang Ge, Jiuyun Yang, Xiaowen Lin, Shuang Peng, Lan Feng and Nuoxi Wang

Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 10097; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310097 - 26 Jun 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1460

Abstract

Based on a field investigation conducted in May 2019, the spatial distribution characteristics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in sediments of Wuli Lake in the Taihu Lake basin were analyzed using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy and three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy. The results showed that: [...] Read more.

Based on a field investigation conducted in May 2019, the spatial distribution characteristics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in sediments of Wuli Lake in the Taihu Lake basin were analyzed using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy and three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy. The results showed that: (1) The overall water quality of West Wuli Lake was significantly better than that of East Wuli Lake. The water transparency, measured in Secchi depth (SD), of West Wuli Lake was higher than that of East Wuli Lake, while the suspended solids (SS), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) were higher in East Wuli Lake than in West Wuli Lake. (2) The spatial distribution of a(350), M and SR values of DOM in surface sediment in Wuli Lake differed; a(350) values were highest in the northwestern part of Wuli Lake, while M and SR values were highest in the eastern part. The mean value of SR in Wuli Lake was 2.12 ± 0.67, indicating that the DOM contained more authigenic humus; the mean M value was less than 3.5, indicating that the proportion of humic acid was higher than that of fulvic acid. (3) The ranges of the biogenic index (BIX), the humic index (HIX) and the fluorescence index (FI) of surface sediments in Wuli Lake were 0.64~0.85, 3.79~4.84 and 1.72~1.84, respectively, indicating that surface sediments in Wuli Lake were characterized by authigenic sources, and the humic components of DOM in sediments were characterized by a dual contribution from terrestrial and endogenous sources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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18 pages, 2280 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Abiotic and Biotic Effects on Microbial Diversity of Small Water Bodies in and around Towns

by Chao Peng and Pingping Li

Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 8151; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15108151 - 17 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2432

Abstract

Microbial communities play very important roles in pollutant treatment and absorption and material and energy cycling in wetlands. Among different wetland types, wetlands in and around towns are the most closely related to human life, but how human activities affect microbes in small [...] Read more.

Microbial communities play very important roles in pollutant treatment and absorption and material and energy cycling in wetlands. Among different wetland types, wetlands in and around towns are the most closely related to human life, but how human activities affect microbes in small water bodies has received little attention. In this study, nine small water bodies of three different landscape types were chosen in the Lishui District of Nanjing City, China. The microbial community characteristics of four different seasons were revealed by metagenomics in 2021, and the possible effects of abiotic and biological factors such as the effects of alien organisms on microbial communities were analyzed. The results showed significant differences in microbial community structure in different seasons and habitats. Abiotic and biological factors jointly affected the microbial communities, and the influence of water quality was greater than that of the habitat type and biological factors. This study shows that in addition to the water quality, the wetland biome structure, especially the abundance of alien species, may have an impact on microbial communities. The results emphasize that human activities such as land use and the introduction of alien species have significant impacts on the ecosystem structure and function. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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7 pages, 1380 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Ecological and Economic Impacts of Alien Invasive Yellow Flag (Iris pseudacorus L.) in China

by Wen Xiong, Hui Wang, Zhigang Wu, Keyan Xiao, Tao Li and Peter A. Bowler

Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 5905; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075905 - 29 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2071

Abstract

Non-native aquatic plants can alter the physiochemical condition of habitats and can have negative ecological and economic impacts. Thus, understanding the characteristics of non-native aquatic plant species is important as a foundation for the conservation of biodiversity and environmental management. The yellow flag [...] Read more.

Non-native aquatic plants can alter the physiochemical condition of habitats and can have negative ecological and economic impacts. Thus, understanding the characteristics of non-native aquatic plant species is important as a foundation for the conservation of biodiversity and environmental management. The yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus) is an emergent aquatic plant native to Africa, northwest Asia, and Europe that has been introduced through the aquarium trade to all continents except Antarctica. This species has recently been brought into China and it has established large and widespread naturalized populations causing serious ecological and environmental problems. Unfortunately, information about the yellow flag in China is very scarce. We summarize the introduction pathways, current distribution, and ecological impacts of the yellow flag through field surveys and a review of the literature. We hope that this study can provide useful information for researchers and wetland managers involved with non-native emergent plants in China and other regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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18 pages, 2472 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of the Potamogeton crispus on Phosphorus Changes throughout Growth and Decomposition: A Comparison of Indoor and Outdoor Studies

by Lizhi Wang, Liying Zhang, Hongli Song, Bin Dong, Yun Wang, Wanni Yu, Yuanzhi Wu, Xiaodong Wu and Xuguang Ge

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3372; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043372 - 12 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1358

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) transport and transformation in water were investigated using Potamogeton crispus. To compare and evaluate our indoor experiment with outdoor data, we used the simultaneous indoor experiment and field observation approach. The effects of P. crispus growth and decomposition on P [...] Read more.

Phosphorus (P) transport and transformation in water were investigated using Potamogeton crispus. To compare and evaluate our indoor experiment with outdoor data, we used the simultaneous indoor experiment and field observation approach. The effects of P. crispus growth and decomposition on P concentrations were investigated. P. crispus significantly reduced the P content of different forms in the water during the growth period, and significantly increased the P content of different forms in the water during the decomposition period, according to the findings. As a result, the P level of the water varied seasonally and regularly. The pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) of environmental factors in the water revealed an increasing trend during the P. crispus growth period and a negative trend during the decomposition period. The changing trend of chlorophyll a (Chl-a) and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) was inverse, decreasing during the growth period of P. crispus and increasing during the decomposition period. In the P. crispus growth environment, all forms of P in water were positively related to Chl-a, APA, and pH, and negatively related to DO. The comparison of the indoor experiment with field data revealed that the indoor experiment number has a larger standard deviation, indicating that the indoor experiment data fluctuated substantially. The indoor simulation experiment has the disadvantage of large data fluctuation. As a result, this study demonstrated that P. crispus regulated the P cycle in water via absorption and changes in environmental factors during the growth period, and released nutrients via decomposition during the decomposition period, thereby influencing the migration and transformation of P in the water. This work may be used as a reference for future research into the process of P exchange between sediments and water interfaces caused by P. crispus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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15 pages, 2607 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Regulation of Methane Emissions in a Constructed Wetland by Water Table Changes

by Chenyan Sha, Qiang Wang, Jian Wu, Wenan Hu, Cheng Shen, Beier Zhang and Min Wang

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1536; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021536 - 13 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1856

Abstract

Riparian wetlands release greenhouse gases and sequestration carbon as well, so their carbon source and carbon sink functions have become some of the key research issues of global climate change. In this present paper, the main controllable factors of the self-designed and constructed [...] Read more.

Riparian wetlands release greenhouse gases and sequestration carbon as well, so their carbon source and carbon sink functions have become some of the key research issues of global climate change. In this present paper, the main controllable factors of the self-designed and constructed riparian wetland, namely hydrological conditions and additional carbon sources, were artificially regulated, and then methane fluxes were measured. The results proved that the methane emissions were significantly positively correlated with the water level heights, and the methane emissions increased exponentially with the rise of water level when the water level was between −20 cm and +20 cm. According to the −20~0 cm water level, a small number of methane emissions was significantly different from the 10 cm and 20 cm water levels, which indicated that higher water level could significantly promote methane emission. When the water level reached above 0 cm, the methane emission gradually increased as the flooding time became longer; it reached the peak value after more than 20 days of flooding after which it decreased, which provided a scientific basis for optimal design and effective management of restored and constructed riparian wetlands, minimizing the methane emissions of riparian wetlands. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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21 pages, 5675 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Harvesting Intensity on the Growth of Hydrilla verticillata and Water Quality

by Shunmei Zhu, Xiaodong Wu, Mengdie Zhou, Xuguang Ge, Xingqiang Yang, Nuoxi Wang, Xiaowen Lin and Zhenguo Li

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 15390; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215390 - 18 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3328

Abstract

The effects of harvesting intensity on the growth of Hydrilla verticillata (L. fil.) Royle as well as water quality were studied in controlled experiments to provide a reference for managing submerged vegetation and purifying the water. The results showed that harvesting had a [...] Read more.

The effects of harvesting intensity on the growth of Hydrilla verticillata (L. fil.) Royle as well as water quality were studied in controlled experiments to provide a reference for managing submerged vegetation and purifying the water. The results showed that harvesting had a significant effect on the recovery of shoot growth and H. verticillata height. The harvested group recovered completely or mostly after two harvests, but the recovery time was significantly longer than the control group. The final biomasses of the harvested groups (15%, 30%, 45%, 60%, and 75% harvested) decreased to 66.61%, 49.13%, 43.95%, 43.77%, and 29.94% of the control group, respectively. The greater the harvesting intensity, the fewer the winter buds. Harvesting reduced the number of H. verticillata branches. Repeated harvesting at medium and low intensities during the rapid growth of H. verticillata effectively improved the water quality and inhibited the propagation and growth of phytoplankton. These results show that harvesting controlled the growth of H. verticillata, and that medium and low harvesting intensities were best when considering water quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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12 pages, 1772 KiB

Open AccessArticle

DNA Barcoding Revealing the Parrotfish (Perciformes: Scaridae) Diversity of the Coral Reef Ecosystem of the South China Sea

by Yayuan Xiao, Chunhou Li, Teng Wang, Lin Lin, Jiatong Guo, Qiumei Quan and Yong Liu

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 15386; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215386 - 18 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1793

Abstract

Parrotfish are an important group in the coral reef ecosystem that maintain ecological stability and have a close relationship with coral reefs. Around the world, parrotfish and coral reefs are being destroyed due to human activities and global climate change. Here, we investigated [...] Read more.

Parrotfish are an important group in the coral reef ecosystem that maintain ecological stability and have a close relationship with coral reefs. Around the world, parrotfish and coral reefs are being destroyed due to human activities and global climate change. Here, we investigated the diversity of parrotfish in the South China Sea (SCS) using DNA barcoding, and initially established a DNA barcode database of the SCS parrotfish. A total of 1620 parrotfish specimens, belonging to 23 species of 6 genera in the family Scaridae, were collected in the SCS, accounting for 64% of the parrotfish species in the SCS. Genetic distance analysis at each taxonomic level showed that the average genetic distance was 0.23% within species, 8.52% within genus and 13.89% within family. The average inter-specific distance was 37.04-fold the intra-specific distance. Barcode gap analysis showed that 6 of the 21 parrotfish species with multiple samples had no barcode gap, resulting in an overall identification success rate of 74%. The ABGD analysis revealed that there could be 37 potential operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and the BIN analysis showed 32 identifiable taxonomic units, which by far exceed the number of morphologically previously known species. Overall, this study complements the lack of parrotfish DNA barcode sequences, and our findings provide an important stepping-stone to further study the diversity of parrotfish in South China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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16 pages, 2850 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distribution Pattern of Coral Reef Fishes in China

by Juan Shi, Chunhou Li, Teng Wang, Jinfa Zhao, Yong Liu and Yayuan Xiao

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 15107; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215107 - 15 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2249

Abstract

Coral reefs are known as “tropical rain forests” in the ocean. Fish diversity is extremely high, accounting for one-third of marine fishes. To better protect and manage coral reef fishes, this study systematically compiled documents and databases published in China. We counted 2855 [...] Read more.

Coral reefs are known as “tropical rain forests” in the ocean. Fish diversity is extremely high, accounting for one-third of marine fishes. To better protect and manage coral reef fishes, this study systematically compiled documents and databases published in China. We counted 2855 species of coral reef fishes in China, which belong to 3 classes, 41 orders, 252 families, and 1017 genera. Among these, Perciformes was the dominant order, accounting for 57.31% of the total species. Gobiidae (7.43%), Labridae (5.36%), Pomacentridae (4.52%), and Serranidae (4.38%) were the main families, while other families accounted for less than 4%. Furthermore, 5.56% of coral reef fish species have entered the IUCN Red List. The present study found that coral reef fishes can be divided into nearshore and offshore. This was mainly because the nearshore coral reef fishes were more affected by human disturbance and runoff from the mainland, whereas offshore coral reef fishes were in areas with high salinity and temperature far from the mainland, where human disturbance was less. Coral reef fish species’ diversity had a significant positive correlation with coral species diversity (p < 0.05), mainly because corals provide habitat and shelter. This study is the first systematic compilation and analysis of coral reef fishes in China and provides a basic reference for global protection management and biological geographical analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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17 pages, 6198 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Longitudinal Patterns in Fish Assemblages after Long-Term Ecological Rehabilitation in the Taizi River, Northeastern China

by Caiyan Wang, Jian Shao, Baoshan Ma, Jun Xie, Dapeng Li, Xiangjiang Liu and Bin Huo

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 14973; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214973 - 12 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1497

Abstract

Fish assemblages inhabiting the Taizi River basin have been severely degraded by anthropogenic disturbances, which weaken the basin’s ecological function and limited revitalization of the northeast industrial base. Long-term ecological rehabilitation has been conducted to restore the fish fauna and improve habitat conditions. [...] Read more.

Fish assemblages inhabiting the Taizi River basin have been severely degraded by anthropogenic disturbances, which weaken the basin’s ecological function and limited revitalization of the northeast industrial base. Long-term ecological rehabilitation has been conducted to restore the fish fauna and improve habitat conditions. To explore fish distribution patterns and key factors after this ecological rehabilitation, a comprehensive and detailed survey of fish fauna was conducted twice in 2021 at 33 sampling sites in the Taizi River. A total of 50 fish species from 13 families were collected, and the dominant species were P. lagowskii, Z. platypus, C. auratus and P. parva. Compared to results reported over the last decade, the increasing trend in fish richness and the change in the longitudinal fish organization were detected. The abundance variation for P. lagowskii, Z. platypus, C. auratus, P. parva, R. ocellatus and H. leucisculus along the upstream to downstream axis contributed most to the fish distribution pattern. Species replacement and addition might have jointly caused the longitudinal changes in the fish fauna, but species replacement was the main underlying mechanism. The canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) results show that the fish structure pattern was mainly shaped by cultivated land coverage and urban land coverage. Our study provides reference sites for future fish-based bioassessment and implications for region-specific management in the Taizi River. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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18 pages, 3829 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of the Artificial Reef on the Structure and Function of Sediment Bacterial Community

by Fei Tong, Guobao Chen, Xue Feng, Yan Liu and Pimao Chen

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 14728; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214728 - 8 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2126

Abstract

The bacterial community in sediment is sensitive to artificial disturbance, and they respond differently to human disturbance, such as changing the nutrient cycling and energy flow in marine ecosystems. However, little is known about the dynamics and distribution of bacterial community structures in [...] Read more.

The bacterial community in sediment is sensitive to artificial disturbance, and they respond differently to human disturbance, such as changing the nutrient cycling and energy flow in marine ecosystems. However, little is known about the dynamics and distribution of bacterial community structures in marine sediments and potential biogeochemical functions during the long-time succession in marine ranching. In the present study, we compared the dynamics of the bacterial composition and potential biogeochemical functions of sediment to ten years (TR) and one-year new artificial reef (NR) areas using metagenomic next-generation sequencing technology. Results revealed that NR reduces the Pielou’s evenness and Shannon index. Similarly, nonmetric multidimensional scaling showed that the beta diversity of sediment bacterial communities in NR significantly differed between TR and non-artificial reef areas. Previously, TR biomarkers were frequently associated with organic matter decomposing and assimilating in the organically enriched sediments (i.e., Acinetobacter). The soluble reactive phosphate (SRP) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations were thought to be the primary driving forces in shaping the microbial community in sediment. Pseudomonas, Lactobacillus, and Ralstonia have a significant positive correlation with SRP, TP, nitrate, and TN, but a negative association with pH, Salinity, Hg, and depth. NR was found to have more negative correlation nodes, indicating that taxa face more competition or predation press. Vibrio served as the module-hubs in the network in all areas. In addition, chemoheterotrophy, aerobic chemoheterotrophy, and fermentation were the three most prominent functions of the three areas, accounting for 59.96% of the relative abundance of the functional annotation. Different bacteria in sediments may change the amount of biogeochemical cycle in the marine ranching ecosystem. These findings can increase our understanding of the succession of the microecosystem for the marine ranching sedimentary environment by revealing how artificial reefs affect the indigenous sediment bacterial community and their responses to environmental variation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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14 pages, 1508 KiB

Open AccessArticle

eDNA Metabarcoding Analysis of the Composition and Spatial Patterns of Fish Communities in the Sanbanxi Reservoir, China

by Xiuhui Ma, Hanwei Yang, Xue Zhong, Peng Zeng, Xianjun Zhou, Sheng Zeng, Xianghong Dong, Wenwu Min and Fujiang Huang

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 12966; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142012966 - 11 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1936

Abstract

The construction of a reservoir dam alters the environment within its basin, including composition of the fish community, fish biodiversity, and the river ecosystem itself. This study was conducted in the Sanbanxi Reservoir and used eDNA metabarcoding technology comprising eDNA capture and extraction, [...] Read more.

The construction of a reservoir dam alters the environment within its basin, including composition of the fish community, fish biodiversity, and the river ecosystem itself. This study was conducted in the Sanbanxi Reservoir and used eDNA metabarcoding technology comprising eDNA capture and extraction, PCR amplification, sequencing and database comparison analysis, and other environmental DNA metabarcoding standardized analysis processes to characterize the composition and diversity of fish communities and assess their current status. A total of 48 species of fish were detected. Previously, 68 species of fish were screened and identified in this reservoir based on the reports of Dai and Gu. The results for fish community composition showed that species of the order Cypriniformes are still the most dominant in the Reservoir with 38 species of cyprinids, accounting for 90.81% of all OTUs. Carp were no longer the dominant species, and Spinibarbus denticulatus, Homalopteridae, Cobitidae, and Sisoridae were not detected, with the exception of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (Cobitidae). These families have the common characteristic of being adapted to survive in fast-water, sandstone substrate habitats. The results also show that two of the sampling sites, sbx03 and sbx10, significantly differed from other sampling sites due to their geographical environment. The impact of the construction of reservoirs on freshwater fish communities is extreme, since the transformation from a lotic to a lentic habitat contributes to habitat destruction and constrains fish in movement. The change in the aquatic environment before and after the storage of water in the Sanbanxi Reservoir has reduced the number of fish species found in the reservoir, and species characteristically found in fast moving, rapids habitats are virtually absent. The profound change in the aquatic environment from that of a lotic to a lentic habitat leads to changes in the composition of fish populations in the reservoir and to a certain extent a reduction in the ecological stability and species diversity within the reservoir. Therefore, the protection of fish diversity in the reservoir is of great significance to the stability of the ecosystem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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9 pages, 1176 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Human Activities Aggravate VOC Pollution in the Huangshui River of the Tibetan Plateau

by Xi Yang, Xuwei Deng, Guangxin Li, Yu Liu and Qiang Gao

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 11983; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141911983 - 22 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1649

Abstract

Many xenobiotic compounds can threaten human health and natural ecosystems. The ability to predict the level of human activities and identify major impact factors is crucial for the design of pollutant risk-reduction plans. In this study, a total of 25 volatile organic compounds [...] Read more.

Many xenobiotic compounds can threaten human health and natural ecosystems. The ability to predict the level of human activities and identify major impact factors is crucial for the design of pollutant risk-reduction plans. In this study, a total of 25 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including eight alkenes, six alkanes, and eleven aromatics were identified at 11 monitoring locations along the Huangshui River of the Tibetan Plateau. GC-MS analysis was applied to detect the concentrations of the VOCs. The results showed that the alkene, alkane, and aromatic concentrations in the sediment were significantly higher than in the water in all seasons (p < 0.001). The VOC concentrations in summer were significantly higher than in spring and winter (p < 0.01). In addition, several VOCs were found to surpass the national standard, i.e., bromoform reached 312.43 μg/L in water during the summer (the national standard is 100 μg/L), carbon tetrachloride was 209.58 μg/L (the national standard is 2 μg/L), and vinyl chloride was 10.99 μg/L (the national standard is 5 μg/L), which were all related to human activities. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to comprehensively evaluate the water quality and the VOCs. The total organic carbon (TOC) was found to be responsible for the presence of the VOCs in the river, accounting for 77.93%, 81.97%, and 82.13% of the total variance in the datasets in spring, summer, and winter, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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14 pages, 994 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geographic Variation in the Species Composition of Parrotfish (Labridae: Scarini) in the South China Sea

by Qiumei Quan, Yong Liu, Teng Wang and Chunhou Li

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11524; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811524 - 14 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1652

Abstract

Since parrotfish in coral reefs are involved in key ecological processes, this study compiled species presence-absence data across 51 sites in the South China Sea to identify and explore the distribution and relationship between species and large-scale factors. A total of 50 species [...] Read more.

Since parrotfish in coral reefs are involved in key ecological processes, this study compiled species presence-absence data across 51 sites in the South China Sea to identify and explore the distribution and relationship between species and large-scale factors. A total of 50 species of parrotfish were recorded during the compilation, of which Scarus ghobban Forsskål, 1775 was the most common and widespread. The Nansha Islands, having a vast area of coral reefs and great proximity away from human interference, had the highest abundance with 41 species. Nestedness analysis indicated that the parrotfish community had statistically significant nested patterns in the South China Sea, and the Nansha Islands were the topmost site for the nested matrix rank. Scleractinian coral species richness and log(reef area) both had a significant effect on the site nested matrix rank (p < 0.05), which supports the habitat nestedness hypothesis in the South China Sea. Compared with browsers and excavators, scrapers were determined to be the most important functional group composition, while browsers had a greater contribution to the species nested matrix rank. A linear regression model showed that parrotfish species’ richness increased with increasing longitude, scleractinian coral species richness, and reef area. Longitudinal variations in the parrotfish species richness were related to its distance from the biodiversity hotspot in the Indo-Australian Archipelago. Parrotfish were mainly distributed in the temperature range of 26–29 °C, similar to the optimum temperature for coral growth. The Nansha Islands should be considered biodiversity conservation priority areas for the conservation of parrotfish in degraded coral reef habitats, particularly in the context of increasing natural variability and anthropogenic disturbances. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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13 pages, 1214 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pollution Evaluation and Health Risk Assessment of Trace Metals in Eleven Tissues of Mylopharyngodon piceus Collected from an Aquaculture Pond in Huzhou, near Southern Taihu Lake

by Rongfei Zhang, Jianhua Zhao, Qiang Sheng, Yixiang Zhang and Jinyun Ye

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11323; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811323 - 9 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1366

Abstract

Pollution evaluation and health risk assessment are critical procedures for residents consuming black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) contaminated with non-essential hazardous trace elements in an artificial wetland also known as an aquaculture pond. Samples were collected, dissected and digested to analyze the [...] Read more.

Pollution evaluation and health risk assessment are critical procedures for residents consuming black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) contaminated with non-essential hazardous trace elements in an artificial wetland also known as an aquaculture pond. Samples were collected, dissected and digested to analyze the pollution status and health risk associated with four heavy metals present in eleven tissues of black carp fish based on the metal pollution index (MPI) and target hazard quotient (THQ). The results indicated that the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb were 1.36 ± 0.04 mg/kg, 13.70 ± 0.50 mg/kg, 2.85 ± 0.10 mg/kg, and 4.98 ± 0.18 mg/kg in large black carp, while the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb were 4.27 ± 0.08 mg/kg, 50.84 ± 0.82 mg/kg, 9.33 ± 0.18 mg/kg, and 22.49 ± 0.42 mg/kg in small specimens. The MPI values showed that the heavy metal pollution detected in small fish was much more significant than in large fish. Notably, the polluted metals were more likely to accumulate in the viscera (e.g., brain and heart) rather than in the external tissues (e.g., muscle and epidermis). In addition, the estimated THQ and HI values for three edible tissues demonstrated that the health risk associated with muscle tissue intake of both small and large black carp was within the acceptable range, while the contaminants were likely to pose health risks associated with the consumption of fish head tissue. Small black carp are generally not fit for human consumption, thus both the epidermis and muscle of the fish are often cooked in China. However, the ingestion of large black carp is relatively safe. The contributions to THQ values of these four heavy metals decreased in the following sequence: Cr > Pb > Cd > Cu. Cr is the critical pollutant with its contribution to HI values measuring over 50%. We suggest that in artificial wetlands (e.g., aquaculture ponds) more attention should be paid to heavy metal pollution, the conservation of the aquaculture ecosystem, and effects on human health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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15 pages, 2438 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Water Depth on the Growth of Two Emergent Plants in an In-Situ Experiment

by Xiaowen Lin, Xiaodong Wu, Zhenni Gao, Xuguang Ge, Jiale Xiong, Lingxiao Tan and Hongxu Wei

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11309; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811309 - 9 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2707

Abstract

With the degradation of the global lake ecosystem, aquatic plants are more and more widely used in lake ecological restoration. The effects of water depths on the growth and photosynthetic fluorescence characteristics of two emergent plants (Typha orientalis and Zizania caduciflora) [...] Read more.

With the degradation of the global lake ecosystem, aquatic plants are more and more widely used in lake ecological restoration. The effects of water depths on the growth and photosynthetic fluorescence characteristics of two emergent plants (Typha orientalis and Zizania caduciflora) were studied in eutrophic Lake Gehu by in-situ experiments. The results showed that water depth had no significant effect on germination of emergent plants. The water depth changed the morphological characteristics of emergent plants. Plant height, tiller number, leaf length, leaf width, the number of leaf, and the root-shoot ratio decreased with increasing water depth, whereas the number of dead leaves increased with increasing water depth. The biomass of emergent plants was highest when water depth was 40 cm. Water depth had a significant effect on the photosynthetic fluorescence of the emergent plant. Fv/Fm tended to decrease first and then increase with increasing water depth. When the water depth was 20 cm, the ETRmax of emergent plants was significantly higher than that of plants at the other water depths. These results show the suitable water depth range for T. orientalis and Z. caduciflora is 20–60 cm. A deeper water depth for a long time is not conducive to the growth of emergent plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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14 pages, 2522 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Do Changes in Prey Community in the Environment Affect the Feeding Selectivity of Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) in the Pearl River, China?

by Yuguo Xia, Qianfu Liu, Shuli Zhu, Yuefei Li, Xinhui Li and Jie Li

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11175; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811175 - 6 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1524

Abstract

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) is a world-wide species and its ecosystem level influence is controversial. Therefore, understanding the feeding behaviour of silver carp is important for assessing ecosystem functioning in many freshwater habitats. In this study, we used 18S rRNA sequencing [...] Read more.

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) is a world-wide species and its ecosystem level influence is controversial. Therefore, understanding the feeding behaviour of silver carp is important for assessing ecosystem functioning in many freshwater habitats. In this study, we used 18S rRNA sequencing to identify the spatiotemporal taxonomic composition of water and fish gut samples. Significant seasonal and spatial variations were observed in the taxonomic compositions of water and fish gut samples (p < 0.05). Five selected environmental factors (temperature, total phosphorus, chlorophyll a, ammonia, and distance from the first dam downstream) significantly affected the taxonomic composition of water (p < 0.05). Additionally, the temperature was the most important factor affecting seasonal (winter and summer) variations in the prey community composition of water, whereas the distance from the dam was the key factor contributing to spatial differences in the community. Significant differences were observed in the taxonomic composition between the water and fish gut samples (p < 0.05). Feeding selectivity analysis revealed that the selection ratios of the top 20 prey taxa underwent slight spatial and temporal changes, but silver carp always preferred to feed on Peridiniales, unidentified Streptophyta, unidentified Trebouxiophyceae, and unidentified Chlorophyceae. These results indicate that changes in the prey community in the environment affect the taxonomic composition of the fish gut but do not affect feeding preferences. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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9 pages, 1521 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Response of Antioxidant Enzyme Activities of the Green Microalga Chlorococcum sp. AZHB to Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ Stress

by Changen Qiu, Weidong Wang, Yuheng Zhang, Guang-Jie Zhou and Yonghong Bi

Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10320; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610320 - 19 Aug 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 6935

Abstract

The green microalga Chlorococcum sp. AZHB, isolated from a wastewater treatment plant, can endure extremely environments contaminated by heavy metals, but little information is available about the physiological changes of microalgal cells after exposure to heavy metals. In this study, the response of [...] Read more.

The green microalga Chlorococcum sp. AZHB, isolated from a wastewater treatment plant, can endure extremely environments contaminated by heavy metals, but little information is available about the physiological changes of microalgal cells after exposure to heavy metals. In this study, the response of antioxidant enzyme activities of this microalgal species were examined in batch cultures exposed to different concentrations of Cu²⁺ or Cd²⁺ for 10 days. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content and activities of peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased with the increasing concentration of Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ from 0 to 200 mg/L. The activity of catalase (CAT) increased with the increase in concentrations of Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ from 0–0.1 mg/L and 0–5 mg/L, respectively, and decreased from 0.1 mg/L Cu²⁺ and 5 mg/L Cd²⁺, respectively. Our results suggest that the defense mechanisms of Chlorococcum sp. AZHB to heavy metals should be involved in the improvement of the antioxidant enzyme activity in microalgal cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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16 pages, 1834 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Urban River Morphology on the Structure of Macroinvertebrate Communities in a Subtropical Urban River

by Qiang Sheng, Wang Xu, Long Chen, Lei Wang, Yudong Wang, Yihong Liu and Linshen Xie

Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10046; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610046 - 13 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1822

Abstract

Channelization is the most common hydraulic modification of urban rivers. Here, we assessed the effects of urban river morphology on benthic communities by analyzing the characteristics of benthic communities at various sites in channelized and natural rivers of the Longgang River system in [...] Read more.

Channelization is the most common hydraulic modification of urban rivers. Here, we assessed the effects of urban river morphology on benthic communities by analyzing the characteristics of benthic communities at various sites in channelized and natural rivers of the Longgang River system in southern China. We detected four Clitellata species, five Oligochaeta species, one Polychaeta species, 10 Gastropoda genera/species, two Bivalvia genera/species, two Crustacea genera/species, and 14 Insecta genera/species. Insecta and Oligochaeta were the dominant classes in the wet and dry seasons, and Chironomus plumosus was the most dominant species. The density of Clitellata was significantly lower in channelized rivers (0–0.74 ind/m²) than in natural rivers (0.61–4.85 ind/m²). The Shannon’s diversity index was significantly lower in channelized rivers (0.66–1.04) than in natural rivers (0.83–1.28) in the wet and dry season. NH₃.N was positively correlated with Shannon’s diversity index, and chemical oxygen demand and river width were negatively correlated with Shannon’s diversity index. When the concentration of total phosphorus (TP) was low (<3 mg/L), it was positively correlated with Shannon’s diversity index. Our findings indicate that river channel morphology affects benthic faunal structure and diversity, but the effects varied among seasons. Minimized channelization will prevent the loss of aquatic biodiversity in subtropical urban rivers, as will preservation of natural rivers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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18 pages, 8226 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Open Innovation Web-Based Platform for Evaluation of Water Quality Based on Big Data Analysis

by Xiaofang Han, Hong Shen, Hongqing Hu and Jerry Gao

Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8811; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148811 - 19 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1921

Abstract

There are many models presented that assess water quality. However, the applications of the models are limited due to the difficulty of preparing input data and interpreting model output. In this paper, we developed a Web-based platform to assist researchers in analyzing water [...] Read more.

There are many models presented that assess water quality. However, the applications of the models are limited due to the difficulty of preparing input data and interpreting model output. In this paper, we developed a Web-based platform to assist researchers in analyzing water quality. The data from sensors can be automatically imported to the platform according to the configured information of data structures. The platform also provides conventional methods and big data methods for the users to analyze water quality. Moreover, the users can choose the water quality parameters according to the water usage. The presented platform can show the model output in a text format and a graphic format, which allows for the analysis to be better understood by the user. The platform integrates the input, analysis, and output together well and brings great convenience to the research on water quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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14 pages, 1300 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Biophysical Properties of Faecal Pellets from Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and Bighead Carp (Aristichthys nobilis)

by Ting Yuan, Qidong Wang, Shiqi Li, Geng Huang, Tanglin Zhang, Zhongjie Li and Jiashou Liu

Sustainability 2022, 14(12), 7201; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127201 - 12 Jun 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1622

Abstract

Fish faeces are a crucial component of solid wastes from cage culture systems. In order to investigate the environmental impacts of faeces from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), certain biophysical characteristics during faecal sinking at [...] Read more.

Fish faeces are a crucial component of solid wastes from cage culture systems. In order to investigate the environmental impacts of faeces from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), certain biophysical characteristics during faecal sinking at three temperatures (10, 20 and 30 °C for winter, spring-autumn and summer conditions, respectively) were assessed in the present study. Settling velocities of faeces from channel catfish (1.72–13.33 cm/s) and bighead carp (4.16–13.83 cm/s) accelerated with an increase in water temperature. For channel catfish faeces, there were positive correlations between settling velocity and physical properties, i.e., weight, volume, length and diameter; however, for bighead carp faeces, no linear relationship between settling velocity and length was found. The main faecal water absorption period for these two species occurred after 2.5 min of immersion. The main leaching period of faecal carbon and nitrogen was 0–2.5 min, and the leaching period of faecal phosphorus was 0–10 min. The nutrient contents in channel catfish faeces were significantly higher than those in bighead carp faeces. These results suggest that co-culturing channel catfish with bighead carp can effectively reduce the discharge of nutrients from aquaculture. The biophysical properties of these two types of fish faeces can also provide guidance in particle waste collection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetlands: Conservation, Management, Restoration and Policy)

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