Distributions and Sources of Sedimentary Sterols as well as Their Indications of Sewage Contamination in the Guanting Reservoir, Beijing

Abstract

In this study, domestic sewage contamination in the Guanting Reservoir, one of the major water source reservoirs of Beijing, was examined using sterols as tracing molecular markers. Nineteen sediment samples in seven cross-sections in the Guanting Reservoir were collected, extracted, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Seven different sterols were identified and quantified from the surface sediment samples in the Guanting Reservoir. The total sterols in sediments of the reservoir ranged from 2.78 μg g−1 to 40.31 μg g−1 with the average concentration of 13.53 μg g−1. Concentrations of fecal sterols, coprostanol and epicoprostanol in the Guishui River reservoir area were generally higher than in the Yongding River reservoir area. The average concentrations of coprostanol and epicoprostanol in the Yongding River reservoir area were 0.41 μg g−1 and 0.34 μg g−1, respectively. The average concentrations of coprostanol and epicoprostanol in the Guishui River reservoir area were 0.72 μg g−1 and 0.70 μg g−1, respectively. Ratios of sterols indicated higher sewage pollution in regions close to river mouths and reservoir banks. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated three distinct sources of sterols from domestic sewage, phytoplankton, and terrestrial higher plants. This article identified the current situation of sewage contamination in sediments of the Guanting Reservoir, which could provide important references for further implementation of pollution control and basin management in the region.

A Comprehensive Review on Thermal Coconversion of Biomass, Sludge, Coal, and Their Blends Using Thermogravimetric Analysis

“…Sewage sludge contains a relatively higher nitrogen content than lignocellulosic biomass [96]. is comes from the protein fragments of samples and can favor its usage in fertilizer [97]. e proximate analysis reveals that the sewage sludge has a high ash content than lignocellulosic biomass, and this study shows that ash removal system should be installed with reactor while using this type of material.…”

Uso de esteróis como marcadores geoquímicos de fontes de contaminação aquática na Amazônia

“…Nesse sentido, compreender as fontes de contaminação e dos processos que ocorrem nessa região é de extrema importância para o desenvolvimento de estratégias de conservação e gestão adequada dos recursos hídricos desta região tão importante do Planeta, pois não somente a Amazônia, mas de uma forma geral, a poluição orgânica vem afetando cada vez mais as bacias hidrográficas, onde produto da descarga de águas residuais municipais e drenagem urbana, afeta negativamente a saúde humana e destes ecossistemas (Liyanage & Yamada, 2017;Wen et al, 2020).…”

“…A utilização de esteróis como marcadores geoquímicos busca identificar e quantificar a presença de fontes específicas de contaminação aquática, permitindo assim uma melhor compreensão dos processos de transporte e dispersão desses poluentes na Amazônia. Nesse cenário, os compostos de esteróis fornecem evidências mais consistentes da fonte e gravidade da poluição do esgoto quando comparados aos métodos tradicionais que usam microrganismos como a bactéria gram negativa Escherichia coli e marcadores moleculares (a exemplo do DNA) (Thomes et al, 2019;Wen et al, 2020). Além disso, essa abordagem pode auxiliar na identificação de áreas prioritárias para a implementação de medidas de controle e mitigação desses impactos.…”

Sedimentary sterol levels to track river contamination by sewage in one of the largest Amazonian cities (Belém - Pará), northern Brazil

“…Furthermore, sterols have been used to identify fecal pollution from landfill leachate (Zhang et al, 2008). These compounds have hydrophobic properties and are easily adsorbed to particles, allowing them to accumulate in sediments (Wen et al, 2020). Sterol markers provide much more consistent evidence of the source and the severity of sewage pollution compared to traditional methods that use microorganisms (e.g., Escherichia coli) (Cabral et al, 2019;Thomes et al, 2019;Wen et al, 2020).…”

“…These compounds have hydrophobic properties and are easily adsorbed to particles, allowing them to accumulate in sediments (Wen et al, 2020). Sterol markers provide much more consistent evidence of the source and the severity of sewage pollution compared to traditional methods that use microorganisms (e.g., Escherichia coli) (Cabral et al, 2019;Thomes et al, 2019;Wen et al, 2020). Particularly in tropical locations and low-density residential areas, microbiological indicators of household sewage, mainly fecal indicator bacteria of the coliform group, are thought to be non-specific and easily influenced by environmental conditions (Melo et al, 2023) provenientes de fontes tanto antropogênicas (esgotos domésticos e MO do aterro sanitário) quanto biogênicas autóctones (plantas superiores terrestres).…”