Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Study on water quality and genotoxicity of surface microlayer and subsurface water in Guangzhou section of Pearl River

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In order to understand the water quality and the genotoxicity of various surfaces in the Guangzhou section of the Pearl River during January to December of 2008, we investigated and studied the current water situation of the surface microlayer (SML) and the subsurface water (SSW) in Guanzhou section (Zhongda Dock and Yuzhu Dock) of the Pearl River by chemical analysis and biological monitoring method (Vicia faba micronucleus test). The results showed that during these months concentrations of the indexes of the two docks water such as total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), chemical oxygen demand (COD) exceeded the national III level of surface water quality, and the indexes of SML were much higher than the ones of SSW (P < 0.05), and the exceeding rate of TN, TP of SML was 100%. According to the eutrophic evaluation standard, the water bodies of SML and SSW in the two docks were in a eutrophication during these months. The eutrophication and pollution of SML was more serious, and the highest index of eutrophication (E value) was up to 81.9, which also had obvious difference with COD and TP (P < 0.05). The water of SML in the two docks enriched to N, P, and chlorophyll a (Chl. a) seriously, and the enrichment factor of SML in Zhongda Dock to N, P, and Chl. a was 0.71 ∼ 2.78, 0.98 ∼ 1.18, and 0.49 ∼ 13.99, respectively, and the one in the Yuzhu Dock was 1.09 ∼ 1.52, 1 ∼ 1.14, and 0.72 ∼ 4.07, respectively. Through inspecting the water genotoxicity of various layers by V. faba micronucleus test, we could know that the average annual MCN‰ of SML and SSW in the two docks was 6.09‰, 5.53‰, 5.57‰, and 5.249‰, respectively. In general, the above value of SML was a little higher than the one of SSW, but there was not a remarkable difference (P > 0.05). This research shows that the water quality in a medium to heavy eutrophication in the Guangzhou section of Pearl River belongs to national III ∼ IV level, and SML has the capability of enrichment to the pollutants such as N and P and induces the increase of micronucleus rate of V. faba tip cell. The study also indicates that there may be genotoxicity matters such as N, P in water body.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abd-Allah, A. M. A. (1999). Organ chlorine contaminants in microlayer and subsurface water of Alexandria Coast, Egypt. Journal of AOAC International, 82, 391–398.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, G. R., Li, M., & Jin, B. (1985). A preliminary study on the utilization of micronucleus test technique in Vicia faba root tips to detect the pollution of Qing Shan Lake. China Environmental Science, 5(4), 1–7 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chi, J., Huang, G. L., & Lu, X. (2003). DEHP enrichment in the surface microlayer of a small eutrophic lake. Water Research, 37, 4657–4662.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crank, J. (1975). The mathematics of diffusion, 2nd ed. London: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dachs, J., Eisenreich, S. J., Baker, J. E., & Jeremiason, J. D. (1999). Coupling of phytoplankton uptake and air-water exchange of persistent organic pollutants. Environmental Science Technology, 33, 3653–3660.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deng, B. P., & Yang, Y. F. (2009). Comparative studies on water quality and community structure of zooplankton between the sea surface microlayer and the subsurface microlayer in mar-culture area s in Dapeng Cove. Journal of Jinan University (Natural Science), 30(1), 101–105 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Guitart, C., Garciaflor, N., & Bayona, J. M. (2007). Occurrence and fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the coastal surface microlayer. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 54, 186–194.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, J. T., & Burzell, L. A. (1972). A simple microlayer method for small samples. Limnology Oceanology, 17, 156–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, L. M., Jian, W. J., & Song, X. Y. (2004). Species diversity and distribution for phytoplankton of the Pearl River during rainy and dry seasons. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 149, 588–596.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jin, X. C., Liu, H. L., & Tu, Q. Y. (1990). Eutrophication of lakes in China. Chinese Environmental Science Publication, Beijing, 121–133.

  • Kong, Z. M., Zang, Y., & Wu, Q. L. (1998). Monitoring the genotoxicity of Lake Taihu, using two kinds of micronucleus tests. Environmental Pollution, 99, 279–183 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kucklick, J. R., & Bidleman, T. F. (1994). Organic contaminants in Winyah bay, South Carolina pesticides and polycyclic aromatic-hydrocarbons in subsurface and microlayer waters. Marine Environmental Research, 37, 63–78.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liss, P. S. (1975). Chemistry of the sea-surface microlayer. Chemical oceanography. New York: Academic Press, pp. 193–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marcato-Romain, C. E., Guiresse, M., & Cecchi, M. (2009a). New direct contact approach to evaluate soil genotoxicity using the Vicia faba micronucleus test. Chemosphere, 77(3), 345–350.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marcato-Romain, C. E., Pinelli, E., & Porurrut, B. (2009b). Assessment of the genotoxicity of Cu and Zn in raw and anaerobically digested slurry with the Vicia faba micronucleus test. Mutation Research, 672(2), 113–118.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Munster, U., Heikkinen, E., & Knulst, J. (1998). Nutrient composition, microbial biomass and activity at the air–water interface of small boreal forest. Hydrobiologia, 363, 261–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Environmental Protection Bureau. (1997). Analytical methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 3rd ed. China: Environmental Science Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pan, M. X., Zhang, Z. B., & Wang, A. D. (2000). Biological and chemical studies of sea-surface microlayer at daya Bayα. (B) diurnal variations of biological and chemical characteristics. Tropic Oceanology, 19(2), 57–63.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peng, Y. H., Wang, Z. D., & Pan, M. X. (2000). Studies on BOD and COD of sea surface microlayer (MSL) and subsurface layer (SSL) water in Day Bay. Transactions of Oceanology and Limnology, 14, 13–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurl, O., & Obbard, J. P. (2004). A review of pollutants in the sea surface microlayer (SML): A unique habitat for marine organisms. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 48, 1016–1030.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, G. P., Jing, W. W., & Kang, Z. Q. (2008). Spatial variations of dimethylsulfide and dimethylsulf on propionate in the surface microlayer and in the subsurface waters of the South China Sea during springtime. Marine Environmental Research, 165, 85–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, J., Yang, Y. F., & Yang, C. C. (2007). Study on the eutrophic status and the genetic toxicity of water body in certain sections of the Pearl River and several artificial lake. Journal of Chongqing University (Natural Science Edition), 30(9), 139–143 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, Z. G., Zhang, Z. W., & Liu, L. S. (2000). Study progresses on sea surface microlayer. Marine Environmental Science, 19(3), 75–80.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, H. G., & Jiang, S. H. (1987). Studies on the mutagenic activity of source-water and tap water. Environmental Science in China, 4, 71–74.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, People’s Republic of China

    Jiang Yu

  2. Key Laboratory of Aquatic Eutrophication and Control of Harmful Algal Blooms of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, 510632, People’s Republic of China

    Jiang Yu, Hui-ming Lu & Yu-feng Yang

  3. Commission on Environmental Consultation, Macao SAR Government, Macao, 999078, People’s Republic of China

    Wai-tim Ho

Authors
  1. Jiang Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wai-tim Ho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hui-ming Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yu-feng Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jiang Yu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yu, J., Ho, Wt., Lu, Hm. et al. Study on water quality and genotoxicity of surface microlayer and subsurface water in Guangzhou section of Pearl River. Environ Monit Assess 174, 681–692 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1487-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1487-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation