中国商品有机肥重金属分析

测定了来自10个地区不同生产原料的118个商品有机肥样品的重金属含量.结果表明:(1)商品有机肥样品中的Cd、Hg、Pb、Cr、As、Zn、Cu、Ni的平均值分别为0.600、0.120、7.34、84.30、9.45、202.91、91.06、11.01 mg/kg.(2)河南、湖北、上海的商品有机肥中8种重金属平均值均较高;内蒙古的商品有机肥中Cr平均值为20.32 mg/kg,广西的商品有机肥中Zn平均值为51.36mg/kg,远低于所有样品中Cr和Zn平均值.(3)以猪粪为主要生产原料的商品有机肥中重金属平均值最高.(4)Cr超过中国商品有机肥重金属限量标准、欧盟生态标志法的重金属限量标准、加拿大堆肥重金属限量标准(A级)和加拿大堆肥重金属限量标准(B级);As、Cd超过中国商品有机肥重金属限量标准、欧盟生态标志法的重金属限量标准和加拿大堆肥重金属限量标准(A级);Cu、Zn超过欧盟生态标志法的重金属限量标准和加拿大堆肥重金属限量标准(A级);Hg超过加拿大堆肥重金属限量标准(A级);Pb超过中国商品有机肥重金属限量标准;Ni均未超标.     

Heavy metals contents in agricultural topsoils in the Ebro basin (Spain). Application of the multivariate geoestatistical methods to study spatial variations

In this work the content of seven heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) and other parameters (the pH, organic matter, carbonates and granulometric fraction) in agricultural topsoil in the Ebro basin are quantified, based on 624 samples collected according to an 8 by 8 km square mesh. The average concentrations (mg/kg) obtained were: Cd 0.415+/-0.163, Cr 20.27+/-13.21, Cu 17.33+/-14.97, Ni 20.50+/-22.71, Pb 17.54+/-10.41, Zn 17.53+/-24.19 and Hg 35.6+/-42.05 microg/kg. The concentration levels are relatively low in areas of high pH and low organic matter content concentration. The results of factor analysis group Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn in F1 and Cr y Ni in F2. The spatial heavy metals component maps based on geostatistical analysis, show definite association of these factors with the soil parent material. The local anomalies (found in Cu, Zn and Pb) are attributed to anthropogenic influence.     

Mobility of Zn, Cd and Pb in soils as affected by poultry litter extract--I. Leaching in soil columns

Application of poultry litter to cropland may increase metal mobility, because the soluble organic ligands in poultry litter can form water-soluble complexes with metals. In this study, one uncontaminated soil and two metal-contaminated soils were sampled. A portion of the uncontaminated soil was amended with Zn, Pb, and Cd at rates of 400, 200, and 8 mg kg(-1), respectively. Packed soil columns were leached with H2O, EDTA, CaCl2, and poultry litter extract (PLE) solutions separately. No leaching of Zn, Cd, and Pb with the PLE was found in the uncontaminated soil. The retention of PLE-borne Zn indicated the potential for Zn accumulation in the soil. A large portion of the metals was leached from the metal-amended soil, and EDTA solubilized more Zn, Cd, and Pb than CaCl2 and PLE. In the metal-contaminated soils, the leaching of Zn and Cd with PLE was consistently larger than that for CaCl2, indicating that these metals were mobilized by organic ligands. The PLE did not mobilize Pb in these soils. The utilization of poultry litter in metal-contaminated soils might accelerate the movement of Zn and Cd in soil profiles.     

The effects of soil amendments on heavy metal bioavailability in two contaminated Mediterranean soils

Two heavy metal contaminated calcareous soils from the Mediterranean region of Spain were studied. One soil, from the province of Murcia, was characterised by very high total levels of Pb (1572 mg kg(-1)) and Zn (2602 mg kg(-1)), whilst the second, from Valencia, had elevated concentrations of Cu (72 mg kg(-1)) and Pb (190 mg kg(-1)). The effects of two contrasting organic amendments (fresh manure and mature compost) and the chelate ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on soil fractionation of Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn, their uptake by plants and plant growth were determined. For Murcia soil, Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. was grown first, followed by radish (Raphanus sativus L.). For Valencia soil, Beta maritima L. was followed by radish. Bioavailability of metals was expressed in terms of concentrations extractable with 0.1 M CaCl2 or diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). In the Murcia soil, heavy metal bioavailability was decreased more greatly by manure than by the highly-humified compost. EDTA (2 mmol kg(-1) soil) had only a limited effect on metal uptake by plants. The metal-solubilising effect of EDTA was shorter-lived in the less contaminated, more highly calcareous Valencia soil. When correlation coefficients were calculated for plant tissue and bioavailable metals, the clearest relationships were for Beta maritima and radish.     

调理剂对堆肥产品重金属生物有效性的影响

城市污泥中重金属含量及其生物有效性是限制污泥农用的主要因素,因此,研究污泥堆肥化处理过程中重金属生物有效性,对污泥的农用具有重要意义。实验以城市污泥为原料,以菌菇渣和秸秆为调理剂,设置4个处理:A(污泥∶菌菇渣∶秸秆=1∶0.4∶0.025)、B(污泥∶菌菇渣∶秸秆=1∶0.3∶0.025)、C(污泥∶秸秆=1∶0.12)和D(污泥∶秸秆=1∶0.09),进行好氧堆肥实验,采用BCR顺序提取法测定各种形态的重金属,研究堆肥前后重金属形态的变化规律。结果表明,城市污泥中Cu、Ni、Pb和Cr主要以可氧化态及残渣态存在,生物有效性较低,而Zn和Cd主要以酸溶态和可还原态存在,生物有效性较高;堆肥过程显著降低了Cu、Zn、Ni和Pb的生物有效性,并改变了Cu、Zn、Ni、Pb、Cr和Cd的形态分布,使污泥中的Cu、Zn、Ni、Pb和Cd向着更稳定的可氧化态或残渣态转变;污泥经过堆肥处理后,Cu、Zn和Ni 3种重金属生物有效性关系为:ABCD,与其他处理相比,处理A残渣态的Pb和Cr增加比例较多,综合来看,处理A对重金属生物有效性的降低最为明显,重金属钝化效果最佳。     

水培翅碱蓬对重金属吸收的研究

由于人类活动以及工业化的迅速发展,滩涂湿地正在遭受前所未有的污染和破坏,其中重金属污染是主要污染问题之一。生物修复技术是近年发展起来的新型环境污染治理方法,它在去除污染的同时还具有较高的环保价值,因此受到人们的广泛关注。以中国北方滩涂湿地的优势种植物翅碱蓬(Suaeda heteroptera kitag)为研究对象,通过测定翅碱蓬体内重金属的含量,分别探讨了翅碱蓬对单一Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd及Cu和Zn、Pb和Cd混合重金属的吸收规律、翅碱蓬不同部位对Cu的积累特性。实验结果表明,翅碱蓬对Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd的最大吸收速率分别为31、101、34、62mg/(kg.d);Cu的存在,促进了翅碱蓬对Zn的吸收,翅碱蓬各部位对Cu的积累量大小为根>茎>叶。     

渤海南部表层沉积物重金属污染及潜在生态风险评价

利用电感耦合等离子体/质谱仪(ICP/MS)测定了渤海南部21个站位表层沉积物中Cr、Cu、Zn、Cd和Pb共5种重金属浓度,比较分析了重金属来源及分布特征,同时应用Hakanson潜在生态危害指数法进行潜在生态风险评价.结果表明,调查区域沉积物中Cr、Cu、Zn、Cd、Pb的平均质量浓度分别为43.67、17.27、...     

Transfer of cadmium, lead, and zinc from industrially contaminated soil to crop plants: a field study

The documeneed adverse health effects of soil Cd and Pb have led to public concern over soil contamination with metals. A 4-year field experiment was conducted to study the transfer of Cd, Pb, and Zn from soil contaminated by smelter flue-dust to crop plants grown in a rotation. The soil was amended with Pb?Zn smelter flue-dust (2-66.8 kg per 10 m(2) plot) to simulate the long-term effect that the smelting of non-ferrous metal ore has on arable soils. The treated soil became strongly contaminated with metals (Cd 3.2-106 mg/kg, Pb 146-3452 mg/kg, Zn 465-11 375 mg/kg). Concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in barley grain, barley straw meadow bluegrass, red clover, and potatoes were generally low. The highest metal concentrations were found in potato tubers (intact), meadow bluegrass, and barley straw. The observed reduction in crop yield was probably the result of possible nutrient imbalances rather than of metal (Zn, Cu) phytotoxicities. Zn and Cd uptake by the plants can be described by the saturation (plateau) model (y = ax(b), b < 1). The relationship between Pb in the soil and plants was linear with an extremely low slope (0.0001-0.0003). No excessive dietary intake of Cd is expected when Cd concentrations in barley grain and potato tubers grown on the contaminated soil are not higher than 0.6 and 1.0 mg/kg, respectively. Based on the risk analysis and taking into account the saturation model of the soil-plant metal relationship, it was concluded that, under the conditions of this experiment (neutral soil pH), soil with Cd concentrations of up to 30 mg/kg is still safe for production of these crop plants.     

Heavy metal pollution in China: Origin,pattern and control

GOAL, SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Heavy metal is among one of the pollutants, which cause severe threats to humans and the environment in China. The aim of the present review is to make information on the source of heavy metal pollution, distribution of heavy metals in the environment, and measures of pollution control accessible internationally, which are mostly published in Chinese. METHODS: Information from scientific journals, university journals and governmental releases are compiled focusing mainly on Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Partly Al, As, Cr, Fe, Hg, Mn and Ni a included also in part as well. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In soil, the average contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn are 0.097, 22.6, 26.0 and 74.2 mg/kg, respectively. In the water of the Yangtze River Basin, the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn are 0.080, 7.91, 15.7 and 18.7 microg/L, respectively. In reference to human activities, the heavy metal pollution comes from three sources: industrial emission, wastewater and solid waste. The environment such as soil, water and air were polluted by heavy metals in some cases. The contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn even reach 3.16, 99.3, 84.1 and 147 mg/kg, respectively, in the soils of a wastewater irrigation zone. These contaminants pollute drinking water and food, and threaten human health. Some diseases resulting from pollution of geological and environmental origin, were observed with long-term and non-reversible effects. CONCLUSIONS: In China, the geological background level of heavy metal is low, but with the activity of humans, soil, water, air, and plants are polluted by heavy metals in some cases and even affect human health through the food chain. RECOMMENDATIONS AND OUTLOOK: To remediate and improve environmental quality is a long strategy for the polluted area to keep humans and animals healthy. Phytoremediation would be an effective technique to remediate the heavy metal pollutions.     

Partition and size distribution of heavy metals in the flue gas from municipal solid waste incinerators in Taiwan

This study investigates the partition of heavy metals in both solid and gas phases in the flue gas from municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerators. Six MSW incinerators in Taiwan were examined and heavy metals in the flue gas at the inlets and outlets of air pollution control devices (APCDs) were analyzed. Heavy metals including Hg, Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu and Cr were sampled by USEPA Method 29 and further analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS). Experimental results revealed that the removal efficiencies of the APCDs for the heavy metals Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu and Cr greatly exceeded 90%, but that of Hg did not. Two groups of heavy metals upstream of APCDs were observed. Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu and Cr were present mainly in the solid phase with a solid to gas ratio (S/G) of over 12.3. However, in most cases, mercury appeared mainly in the gas phase with an S/G ratio from 0.15 to 1.04, because it has a low boiling point. Additionally, treatment with the APCDs increased the S/G ratio of mercury because gaseous mercury could be removed by injecting powdered activated carbon (PAC) into the flue gas. Moreover, the distribution of particle sizes in the solid phase was bimodal. Finer particles (d(p)2.5 microm) contained more Cr and Hg.     

Heavy metal content in vegetables and fruits cultivated in Baia Mare mining area (Romania) and health risk assessment

Information about heavy metal concentrations in food products and their dietary intake are essential for assessing the health risk of local inhabitants. The main purposes of the present study were (1) to investigate the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd in several vegetables and fruits cultivated in Baia Mare mining area (Romania); (2) to assess the human health risk associated with the ingestion of contaminated vegetables and fruits by calculating the daily intake rate (DIR) and the target hazard quotient (THQ); and (3) to establish some recommendations on human diet in order to assure an improvement in food safety. The concentration order of heavy metals in the analyzed vegetable and fruit samples was Zn?>?Cu?>?Pb?>?Cd. The results showed the heavy metals are more likely to accumulate in vegetables (10.8–630.6 mg/kg dw for Zn, 1.4–196.6 mg/kg dw for Cu, 0.2–155.7 mg/kg dw for Pb, and 0.03–6.61 mg/kg dw for Cd) than in fruits (4.9–55.9 mg/kg dw for Zn, 1.9–24.7 mg/kg dw for Cu, 0.04–8.82 mg/kg dw for Pb, and 0.01–0.81 mg/kg dw for Cd). Parsley, kohlrabi, and lettuce proved to be high heavy metal accumulators. By calculating DIR and THQ, the data indicated that consumption of parsley, kohlrabi, and lettuce from the area on a regular basis may pose high potential health risks to local inhabitants, especially in the area located close to non-ferrous metallurgical plants (Romplumb SA and Cuprom SA) and close to T?u?ii de Sus tailings ponds. The DIR for Zn (85.3–231.6 μg/day kg body weight) and Cu (25.0–44.6 μg/day kg body weight) were higher in rural areas, while for Pb (0.6–3.1 μg/day kg body weight) and Cd (0.22–0.82 μg/day kg body weight), the DIR were higher in urban areas, close to the non-ferrous metallurgical plants SC Romplumb SA and SC Cuprom SA. The THQ for Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd was higher than 5 for <1, <1, 12, and 6 % of samples which indicates that those consumers may experience major health risks.     

Characterization and spatial distribution of heavy metals in sediment from Cedar and Ortega rivers subbasin

The Cedar and Ortega rivers subbasin is a complex environment where both natural and anthropogenic processes influence the characteristics and distributions of sediments and contaminants, which in turn is of importance for maintenance, dredging and pollution control. This study investigated the characteristics and spatial distribution of heavy metals, including lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd), from sediments in the subbasin using field measurements and three-dimensional kriging estimates. Sediment samples collected from three sampling depth intervals (i.e., 0-0.10, 0.11-0.56 and 0.57-1.88 m) in 58 locations showed that concentrations of Pb ranged from 4.47 to 420.00 mg/kg dry weight, Cu from 2.30 to 107.00 mg/kg dry weight, Zn from 9.75 to 2,050.00 mg/kg dry weight and Cd from 0.07 to 3.83 mg/kg dry weight. Kriging estimates showed that Pb, Cu and Cd concentrations decreased significantly from the sediment depth of 0.10 to 1.5 m, whereas Zn concentrations were still enriched at 1.5 m. It further revealed that the Cedar River area was a potential source area since it was more contaminated than the rest of the subbasin. Comparison of aluminum (Al)-normalized metal concentrations indicated that most of the metals within the top two intervals (0-0.56 m) had concentrations exceeding the background levels by factors of 2-10. A three-dimensional view of the metal contamination plumes showed that all of the heavy metals, with concentrations exceeding the threshold effect level (TEL) that could pose a threat to the health of aquatic organisms, were primarily located above the sediment depth of 1.5 m.     

Concentration and health risk evaluation of heavy metals in market-sold vegetables and fishes based on questionnaires in Beijing,China

Concentrations of heavy metals (As, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, and Zn) in market vegetables and fishes in Beijing, China, are investigated, and their health risk to local consumers is evaluated by calculating the target hazard quotient (THQ). The heavy metal concentrations in vegetables and fishes ranged from not detectable (ND) to 0.21 mg/kg fresh weight (f.w.) (As), ND to 0.10 mg/kg f.w. (Cd), and n.d to 0.57 mg/kg f.w. (Pb), with average concentrations of 0.17, 0.04, and 0.24 mg/kg f.w., respectively. The measured concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, and Zn are generally lower than the safety limits given by the Chinese regulation safety and quality standards of agriculture products (GB2762-2012). As, Cd, and Pb contaminations are found in vegetables and fishes. The exceeding standard rates are 19 % for As, 3 % for Cd, and 25 % for Pb. Pb contaminations are found quite focused on the fish samples from traditional agri-product markets. The paper further analyzed the health risk of heavy metals in vegetables and fishes respectively from supermarkets and traditional agri-product markets; the results showed that the fishes of traditional agri-product markets have higher health risk, while the supermarkets have vegetables of higher heavy metal risk, and the supervision should be strengthened in the fish supply channels in traditional agri-product markets.     

过磷酸钙与石灰混施对污染农田低累积玉米生长和重金属含量的影响

通过田间实验,研究了过磷酸钙和石灰混施对重金属污染农田上低累积玉米产量以及籽粒、茎叶重金属含量的影响,并分析了施用过磷酸钙和石灰后土壤pH和有效重金属含量的变化。结果表明,与单施过磷酸钙和单施石灰相比,过磷酸钙和石灰混施更能显著提高玉米生物产量,且过磷酸钙和石灰均有一定的后效。单施石灰处理、石灰与过磷酸钙混施处理都均显著降低玉米籽粒Cd、Zn和Cu含量,其中以中量(0.4 kg/m2)、高量石灰(0.6 kg/m2)+中量过磷酸钙(0.2kg/m2)处理效果最佳,其玉米籽粒Cd、Zn和Cu含量降低到了国家食品卫生标准允许的含量水平。石灰处理均不同程度地提高了玉米籽粒Pb含量,配施过磷酸钙也不能明显降低玉米籽粒Pb含量,但仍低于饲料卫生标准允许的含量水平。另外,单施石灰处理和石灰与过磷酸钙混施处理均显著降低了玉米茎叶Cd、Pb、Zn和Cu含量,可以安全用作有机肥。     

Residual metal concentrations in soils and leaf accumulations in tobacco a decade following farmland application of municipal sludge

The objectives of this investigation were to examine the long-term residual effects of metal loading through sewage sludge applications on the total vs. diethylene triamine pentacetic acid (DTPA) extractable metal concentrations in soil and leaf accumulations in tobacco. Maryland tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), cv. 'MD 609', was grown in 1983 and 1984 at two sites in Maryland that had been amended in 1972 with dewatered, digested sewage sludge from washington, DC, at rates equal to 0, 56, 112 and 224 mg ha(-1). The metal concentrations in the sludge, in mg kg(-1) dry weight, were: 1300 Zn, 570 Cu, 280 Pb, 45 Ni and 13 Cd. Soil samples collected from the surface horizon and composite leaf samples of cured tobacco were analyzed for total Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, Ni and Cd concentrations. The soil samples were also examined for soil pH and DTPA extractable metals. Equations were generated using polynomic and stepwise regression analyses which described the relationships between total vs. DTPA extractable soil metals, and between DTPA soil and soil pH vs. plant metal concentrations, respectively. Significant increases were observed for both total and DTPA extractable metal concentrations for all metals, with all but total Mn and Ni being significant for linear and quadratic effects regarding sludge rates. However, linear relationships were found between DTPA extractable vs. total soil concentrations for all elements except Pb and Ni which were quadratic. Significant increases in plant Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni and Cd and decreases in Fe were observed with increased sludge rates. Plant Pb levels were unaffected by sludge applied Pb. Linear relationships were observed between plant Zn and Cd and DTPA soil metal levels: however, Mn and Cu levels were described by quadratic and cubic relationship, respectively. Relationships between plant Fe and Pb and DTPA extractable concentrations were nonsignificant. Additional safeguards to protect crop contamination from heavy metals such as Cd were discussed.     

微生物矿化修复重金属污染土壤

以选矿厂附近土壤为研究对象,分析了土壤中交换态重金属含量,As、Pb、Cd、Zn和Cu的交换态浓度为14.01、4.95、0.64、33.46和12.95 mg/kg。基于生物矿化原理,利用碳酸盐矿化菌生长代谢过程产生的脲酶来分解底物尿素,产生碳酸根离子,固结重金属离子,使得土壤中活泼的重金属离子转变为碳酸盐矿物态,降低其危险。研究了温度、pH和重金属离子对酶活性的影响,发现环境30℃温度有利于促进酶活性;在弱酸性条件下,底物分解量减少15%;重金属离子在低浓度时对脲酶活性影响不大,浓度提高后对酶活性抑制作用没有加剧。将制备好的微生物矿化修复制剂喷洒于1 000 m2的污染土壤中,实验结果发现,土壤中交换态重金属离子含量在0～20 cm范围内明显减少,As、Pb、Cd、Zn和Cu的交换态浓度分别减少至2.37、1.25、0.31、16.67和3.42 mg/kg。     

Heavy metals in coastal wetland sediments of the Pearl River Estuary, China

Sediment quality in coastal wetlands of the Pearl River Estuary was concerned since the wetlands were used for land reclamation, aquaculture and wildlife protection, and meanwhile served as one of the main ultimate sinks for large amount of heavy metals discharged from the rapidly developing Pearl River Delta. Total concentrations of heavy metal, such as Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Cd, and their chemical speciation were investigated. Results showed that the sediments were significantly contaminated by Cd, Zn and Ni with concentration ranges of 2.79-4.65, 239.4-345.7 and 24.8-122.1mg/kg, respectively. A major portion (34.6-46.8%) of Pb, Cd, and Zn was strongly associated with exchangeable fractions, while Cu, Ni and Cr were predominantly associated with organic fractions, residual, and Fe-Mn oxide. Cd and Zn would be the main potential risk and the sediment quality is no longer meeting the demand of the current wetland utilization strategies.     

Concentrations and composition of PCB congeners in the air around stored used capacitors containing PCB insulator oil in a suburb of Bangkok, Thailand

Accumulation of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd was studied in snails fed for 120 days on diets contaminated with each metal separately and with all metals mixed together. The concentrations of Zn in food were in the range 39 to 12 200 mg kg(-1), Cu 9-1640 mg kg(-1), Pb 0.4-12 700 mg kg(-1), and Cd 0.16-146 mg kg(-1) on a dry weight basis. At the highest concentrations of all metals the consumption rates decreased significantly. For the remaining concentrations, Zn and Cu were accumulated in soft tissue in proportion to their concentrations in food. The lowest treatments of Pb and Cd did not cause any increase in soft tissue concentrations of these metals but at average treatments, a clear increase was observed. Copper was accumulated especially efficiently, exceeding concentrations in food throughout the whole range of treatments. Except for the lower end of experimental treatments, Zn was accumulated approximately in direct proportion to its concentration in the diet. Lead was the most efficiently regulated metal, with soft tissue concentrations always substantially lower than in food. Approximately 60% of Zn, 90% of Cu, 43% of Pb and 68% of Cd on average was assimilated from food. The assimilation efficiency of food alone was ca 74%. The concentrations of metals in shells increased significantly with exposure, but (with one exception) the concentrations in shells did not exceed 5% of those found in soft tissue. We argue that snails are more important as agents of food-chain transport of Cu and Cd, than of Zn or Pb. Our results indicate also that snails are not able to deposit significant quantities of metals in their shells, at least during the time scale of our laboratory experiment.     

Trace metal contamination of sediments in an e-waste processing village in China

This study examined trace metal contamination of sediments in Guiyu, China where primitive e-waste processing activities have been carried out. It was found that some river sediments in Guiyu were contaminated with Cd (n.d.-10.3mg/kg), Cu (17.0-4540mg/kg), Ni (12.4-543mg/kg), Pb (28.6-590mg/kg), and Zn (51.3-324mg/kg). The (206)Pb/(207)Pb and (208)Pb/(207)Pb ratios of the Pb-contaminated sediments of Lianjiang (1.1787+/-0.0057 and 2.4531+/-0.0095, respectively) were lower than those of Nanyang River (1.1996+/-0.0059 and 2.4855+/-0.0082, respectively), indicating a significant input of non-indigenous Pb with low (206)Pb/(207)Pb and (208)Pb/(207)Pb ratios. Copper, Pb and Zn in the non-residual fractions noticeably increased in the contaminated sediments compared to those in the uncontaminated sediments. A genuine concern is associated with potential transport of the contaminated sediments downstream and enhanced solubility and mobility of trace metals in the non-residual fractions.     

Heavy metal concentrations in marine molluscs from the Moroccan coastal region

Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), clams (Venerupis decussatus) and oysters (Crassostrea gigas) were sampled seasonally during 2004-2005, from different coastal environments of Morocco in order to measure their accumulated heavy metal concentrations. The concentrations of Hg and Pb were determined by AFS and ICP-MS methods, respectively, whilst the remaining metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Zn and Ni) were quantified by AAS. The soft tissue concentrations of the mussels were on average 7.2 mg kg(-1) (Cd), 9.6 mg kg(-1) (Pb), 0.6 mg kg(-1) (Hg), 26.8 mg kg(-1) (Cu), 8.8 mg kg(-1) (Cr), 292 mg kg(-1) (Zn), 20.8 mg kg(-1) (Mn) and 32.8 mg kg(-1) (Ni). The highest tissue heavy metal concentrations were recorded in the south from the industrial area of Jorf Lasfar. The relationships between metal concentration and season in each species showed very similar annual profiles with a peak observed around spring-summer. Statistical analysis indicated that different species showed different bioaccumulation of metals depending on study site and season.