A large scale survey of trace metal levels in coastal waters of the Western Mediterranean basin using caged mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis)

A large scale study of trace metal contamination (Hg, Cd, Pb and Ni) by means of caged mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis was undertaken along the coastal waters of the Western Mediterranean Sea within the context of the MYTILOS project. Individual mussels from an homogeneous population (shell size 50 ± 5 mm) obtained from an aquaculture farm were consecutively caged and deployed at 123 sites located in the Alborán, North-Western, South-Western and Tyrrhenian sub-basins for 12 weeks (April-July) in 2004, 2005 and 2006. After cage recoveries, both the metal content in the whole mussel tissue and the allometric parameters were measured. Statistical analysis of the datasets showed significant differences in concentrations between sub-basins for some metals and mussel condition index (CI). Linear regression models coupled to the CI were revisited for the data adjustment of certain trace metals (Hg, Cd and Ni), and four level categories were statistically derived to facilitate interregional comparison. Seawater masses surrounding coastal areas impacted by run-off from land mineralised coasts and industrial activities displayed the highest concentration ranges (Hg: 0.15-0.31 mg kg(-1) dw; Cd: 1.97-2.11; Ni: 2.18-3.20 and Pb: 3.1-3.8), although the levels obtained in most of the sites fitted within moderate or low categories, and they could be considered as baseline concentrations. However, few sites considered little-influenced by human activities, at present, showed high concentrations of Cd, Ni and Pb, which constitute new areas of concern. Overall, the use of active biomonitoring (ABM) approach allowed to investigate trace metal contamination in order to support policy makers in establishing regional strategies (particularly, with regard to the European Marine Strategy Directive).     

Development of the Coastal Intensive Site Network (CISNET)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have formed a partnership to establish pilot sites for the development of a network known as the Coastal Intensive Site Network (CISNet). CISNet is composed of intensive, long-term monitoring and research sites around the U.S. marine and Great Lakes coasts. In this partnership, EPA and NOAA are funding research and monitoring programs at pilot sites that utilize ecological indicators and investigate the ecological effects of environmental stressors. NASA is funding research aimed at developing a remote sensing capability that will augment or enhance in situresearch and monitoring programs selected by EPA and NOAA. CISNet has three objectives: 1) to develop a sound scientific basis for understanding ecological responses to anthropogenic stresses in coastal environments, including the interaction of exposure, environment/climate, and biological/ecological factors in the response, and the spatial and temporal nature of these interactions, 2) to demonstrate the value of developing data from selected sites intensively monitored to examine the relationships between changes in environmental stressors, including anthropogenic and natural stresses, and ecological response, and 3) to provide intensively monitored sites for development and evaluation of indicators of change in coastal systems.     

Evaluation of geochemical associations as a screening tool for identifying anthropogenic trace metal contamination

Geochemical association plots are used as a screening tool for environmental site assessments and use empirical log–log relationships between total trace metal concentrations and concentrations of a major (i.e., reference) soil metal constituent, such as iron (Fe), to discern sites with naturally elevated trace metal levels from sites with anthropogenic contamination. Log–log relationships have been consistently observed between trace metal and reference metal concentrations and are often considered constant. Consequently, we used a regional geochemistry data set to evaluate background trace metal/Fe log–log associations across soils with highly diverse composition. Our results indicate that, although geochemical associations may be proportional, they significantly differ across predominant United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) soil orders. This suggests that highly complex interactions between soil-forming factors and variable secondary clay mineral composition affect the ratio of trace metals to Fe concentrations in soils. Also, intra-order variability in trace metal/Fe ratios generally ranged multiple orders of magnitude which suggest that the order level of the USDA soil taxonomic system is insufficient to reasonably classify background trace metal concentrations. Consequently, geochemical association plots are a useful screening tool for environmental site assessments, but ubiquitous application of generic background metal data sets could result in erroneous conclusions. Because significantly different ratios were observed across predominant USDA soil orders, an agglomerative clustering technique was used to elucidate hierarchical patterns of association. We present these results as a mechanism to aid environmental assessors in screening candidate background metal data sets for their applicability to site-specific soil composition; although site-specific background metal data should be utilized if ample pristine reference sites with similar (i.e., sub-order) soil composition can be identified and sampled.     

Prevalence of multidrug-resistant,coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus in nasal carriage,food, wastewater and paper currency in Jalandhar city (north-western), an Indian state of Punjab

Eighteen sites impacted by abandoned mine drainage (AMD) in Pennsylvania were sampled and measured for pH, acidity, alkalinity, metal ions, and sulfate. This study compared the accuracy of four acidity calculation methods with measured hot peroxide acidity and identified the most accurate calculation method for each site as a function of pH and sulfate concentration. Method E1 was the sum of proton and acidity based on total metal concentrations; method E2 added alkalinity; method E3 also accounted for aluminum speciation and temperature effects; and method E4 accounted for sulfate speciation. To evaluate errors between measured and predicted acidity, the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), the coefficient of determination (R ²), and the root mean square error to standard deviation ratio (RSR) methods were applied. The error evaluation results show that E1, E2, E3, and E4 sites were most accurate at 0, 9, 4, and 5 of the sites, respectively. Sites where E2 was most accurate had pH greater than 4.0 and less than 400 mg/L of sulfate. Sites where E3 was most accurate had pH greater than 4.0 and sulfate greater than 400 mg/L with two exceptions. Sites where E4 was most accurate had pH less than 4.0 and more than 400 mg/L sulfate with one exception. The results indicate that acidity in AMD-affected streams can be accurately predicted by using pH, alkalinity, sulfate, Fe(II), Mn(II), and Al(III) concentrations in one or more of the identified equations, and that the appropriate equation for prediction can be selected based on pH and sulfate concentration.     

Monitoring urban heavy metal pollution using the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is one of the most successful birds in the urban environment, and has a global distribution. The present study aims to provide baseline data about metals in sparrows from urban environments in the West Bank and to investigate the possibility of using the House Sparrow to monitor metal pollution in urban environments. Concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn were measured in different tissues and organs of male and female juvenile (1-4 weeks old) and adult House Sparrows from the West Bank. Tissues and organs had the following order of metal richness: liver > stomach > bone > lung, feathers > muscles > egg contents, brain > heart > egg shell. Significant correlation coefficients were observed for the concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Zn in the egg shell and for the egg contents. Male and female Sparrows showed no significant differences in their metal concentrations. Adult Sparrows collected from rural areas were found to have significantly less Cu, Pb, and Zn (but not Cd) concentrations than those from urban environments. In order to investigate metal accumulation with age, metal concentrations were plotted against age stage (egg, 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-week-old juveniles and adults). Significant relationships were observed between age stage and Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations. The results provide some evidence for the potential of the House Sparrow as a biomonitor for urban heavy metal pollution. However, further issues regarding metal physiological regulation and the correlations between metals in the environment and those in tissues of the House Sparrows have to be addressed before recommending this bird as a biomonitor for urban metal pollution.     

Heavy metals in the fishery products of low Lazio and the use of metallothionein as a biomarker of contamination

This study aims to investigate the use of metallothionein as a biomarker and its environmental impact on aquatic systems. According to the species’ characteristics, the interactions of toxic elements with living organisms in marine water can lead to biomagnifications in the trophic chain or bioconcentration of what is in the water. In many aquatic organisms, the presence of metallothionein proteins was studied. The chemical analysis of these bioindicators establishes, therefore, a sensitive method for the measurement of bioavailability which, over the years, allows for the quantification of the current pollution agents in the environment. Two study areas were selected along the Latium coasts. They are differentiated by their economic activities and their kind and level of environmental impact (mainly on marine pollution). These areas were selected in order to differentiate the maximum degree of both economic development and environmental quality. In particular, the presence of pollutants in the sea due to land activities was evaluated to compare the quality of the fishing products obtained from locations subject to various environmental impacts. The heavy metal concentrations were evaluated in water samples taken from different 30 sections of the fishes in order to understand the metabolism and origin of these contaminants. The primary metals studied were: mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu). All data produced were analyzed via multivariate analyses in order to provide a final and reliable indicator.     

Estimation and analysis of terrestrial net primary productivity over India by remote-sensing-driven terrestrial biosphere model

Concentrations of cadmium, copper, and lead were determined in surficial sediments and the soft tissues (foot and gills) of swan mussel Anodonta cygnea from two sampling sites in Anzali wetland, which is an internationally important wetland registered in the Ramsar Convention. The metal contents in the mussel species from the studied region were comparable to other world areas. In most cases, the levels of the metals either fell within the range for other areas or were lower. There were significant differences between the tissues for the accumulation of Cd and Pb. Only in the case of Pb accumulation in gills significant differences between the specimens from the selected sampling sites could be observed. Age-related correlations were found in the case of Cu accumulation in foot and Cd levels in gills. No weight-dependent trend could be observed for the accumulation of the three elements. There was significant negative width-dependent relationship in the case of Cu. A significant negative correlation was also found between the maximum shell height and Cu accumulation in the gills. The only association among the elements in the selected soft tissues was found between Cd and Pb. Highly significant differences could be found between the sampling sites from the concentration of the elements in sediments point of view. The pattern of metal occurrence in the selected tissues and sediments exhibited the following descending order: Pb, Cu>Cd for gills, Cu>Pb, Cd for foot, and Cu>Pb>Cd for sediments. The mean concentrations of Cd and Pb in the sediments from the study area were higher than the global baseline values and world average shale. In the case of Cu, our results were somewhat higher than the baseline values but well below the world average shale.     

基于多源大数据可视化的城市居民区绿地土壤环境监测点位布设及采样研究

为科学合理的监测城市居民区绿地土壤环境状况,对居民区绿地土壤监测点位布设和采样的方法进行研究,包括代表性居民区的选取、监测点采样位置的确定、点位数量的确定等.通过多源大数据可视化手段选取某城市代表性的居民区,对其居民区内绿地土壤重金属(镉、汞、砷、铅、铜、铬、锌和镍)进行监测.结果表明:多源大数据的应用对城市土壤监测布...     

运用线性拟合法评定水中总磷的测量不确定度

采用Top—Down不确定度评定理念，利用实验室日常质控数据，结合标准样品的线性校准方法（线性拟合法），评定水中总磷的测量不确定度，并将评定结果与GUM评定法相比较，相对偏差≤20％。指出线性拟合法适用于测量系统校准函数成线性，且实验总残差符合常数剩余标准差假定情况下的不确定度评定。     

Ratio and population density of psammolittoral meiofauna as a perturbation indicator of sandy beaches in South Africa

Since 1975, pollution surveys have been carried out along the South African south and west coasts as part of a monitoring program of unpolluted areas and known and anticipated impact areas. To evaluate these data a reference or baseline level was needed. In unpolluted beaches a close relationship between meiofauna and sediment grain size was found and granulometric analysis was found to be important. This relationship was used to evaluated perturbation effects. It was found that contamination by chemical effluent depressed numbers of the nematodes and harpacticoids drastically. Mechanical perturbation increased the number of harpacticoid copepods but did not affect nematode densities. Oil in beaches decreased the number of harpacticoids, while normal nematode densities were found. Organic enrichment increased the number of nematodes, harpacticoid numbers remained normal while the perturbation effect due to sewage increased the number of both taxa.Explanations for these effects are given, together with related chemical analyses. The application of these results to other sandy beaches elsewhere is discussed briefly.     

采用能力验证数据评估环境监测结果测量不确定度

测量不确定度评估是实验室检测能力的体现,能力验证是实验室质量控制的有效方法,对环境监测领域实验室采用能力验证数据进行测量结果不确定度评估方法进行了研究。依据Nordtest准则,根据实验室内再现性标准差和测量偏倚,评估了重铬酸钾法测定水中质量浓度为100 mg/L的化学需氧量测量结果的相对不确定度为6.00%。该评估方法避免了ISO GUM评定方法自下而上不确定度评估过程的繁琐,还充分考虑了实验室内外误差的来源,能够促进环境监测结果不确定度评定的一致性。     

Snapshot of Vibrio parahaemolyticus densities in open and closed shellfish beds in Coastal South Carolina and Mississippi

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a Gram negative, halophilic bacterium that is ubiquitous in warm, tropical waters throughout the world. It is a major cause of seafood-associated gastroenteritis and is generally associated with consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, especially oysters. This study presents a snapshot of total V. parahaemolyticus densities in surface waters and shellstock American oysters (Crassostrea virginica) from open and closed shellfish harvesting areas, as well as “more rural areas” on two different US coasts, the Atlantic and the Gulf. Sampling was conducted from 2001 to 2003 at five sites near Charleston/Georgetown, SC and at four locations in the Gulfport/Pascagoula, MS area. V. parahaemolyticus numbers were determined by a direct plating method using an alkaline-phosphatase-labeled DNA probe targeting the species-specific thermolabile hemolysin gene (tlh) that was used for identification of bacterial isolates. The greatest difference between the two coasts was salinity; mean salinity in SC surface waters was 32.9 ppt, whereas the mean salinity in MS waters was 19.2 ppt, indicating more freshwater input into MS shellfish harvesting areas during the study period. The mean V. parahaemolyticus numbers in oysters were almost identical between the two states (567.4 vs. 560.1 CFU/g). Bacterial numbers in the majority of surface water samples from both states were at or below the limit of detection (LOD?=?<10 CFU/mL). The bacterial concentrations determined during this study predict a low public health risk from consumption of oysters in shellfish growing areas on either the Gulf or the Atlantic US coast.     

Risk assessment near uncontrolled hazardous waste sites: Role of monitoring data

The traditional approach of coupling estimates of human exposures to individual chemicals with laboratory studies of the toxicity of the chemicals as the basis for quantitative assessments of risk is not adequate when considering problems near hazardous waste sites. For example, there are (a) too many chemicals and mixtures involved, (b) containment uncertainties, and (c) future exposure problems associated with groundwater and soil contamination. Among the items to be considered in expanding the dimensions of risk assessment methodologies of the past are (a) identification of chemical groups or of dominant toxic chemicals of principal concern and the likely man-made as well as natural pathways for environmental migration, (b) the role of biological monitoring in addition to traditional monitoring approaches, and (c) the coupling of monitoring data with past, current, and future population activity patterns and with epidemiological and other health data.Monitoring data is a key in risk assessments since there is little likelihood that materials balances or modelling will provide authoritative information concerning exposure levels. The use of monitoring data from control areas and from nationwide baseline surveys in developing comparative risk assessments is particularly important. Finally, recent experience provides us with a number of practical guidelines for designing and carrying out monitoring programs that will provide authoritative and useful data. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** AZ802019 00002     

Spatial contaminant heterogeneity: quantification with scale of measurement at contrasting sites

Material within the terrestrial environment is rarely homogeneously distributed, either spatially or temporally. One consequence of heterogeneity is that uncertainty is usually generated in measurements that are taken with the aim of characterising the environment. For example, a measurement of analyte concentration within soil taken from one sampling location on contaminated land can vary substantially when compared against another sample taken at effectively the same nominal location. The measurement uncertainty arising from the heterogeneity can substantially limit the reliability of the interpretations made upon environmental investigations. The sampling uncertainty usually outweighs the analytical uncertainty from the laboratory, often by a factor of 20 or more. One approach to reducing the uncertainty is to design a more suitable sampling strategy. This might be achieved by predicting the degree of heterogeneity prior to the investigation, but this is often difficult to achieve accurately. Another approach, which was investigated here, is to actually characterise the heterogeneity prior to the main investigation using rapid and inexpensive technology, such as in situ measurement techniques. In situ portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) and X-ray microprobe (XMP) techniques were employed to test the feasibility of this approach. Two contrasting contaminated land sites were chosen to characterise the two-dimensional spatial heterogeneity of heavy metal contamination in topsoil at a range of scales (50 m to 0.001 m). The spatial heterogeneity of contaminants, expressed as relative standard deviations, was found to differ between the two sites by a factor of two, largely due to the mode of deposition of pollution. The study also indicated that the heterogeneity did not change systematically with the scale of measurement between sampling locations at either site.     

Geochemical characterisation of major and trace elements in the coastal sediments of India

Thirty-five surface sediment samples from the Indian continental shelf were recovered offshore from the mouths of the major rivers (Brahmaputra, Ganges, Narmada, Tapti, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery) discharging into the coastal region of both east and west coasts were analysed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy for selected major (i.e. Al, Ca, Fe, K, Ti, Mg and Na) and trace elements (e.g. Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, Ni, P and V), after total dissolution. The main objectives are to understand the processes controlling major and trace elements in the surface sediments and to identify natural and anthropogenic sources in the coastal environment using statistically regressed elemental concentrations to establish regional baseline levels. Metal enrichments observed close to the major urban areas in the east and west coasts are associated with the industrialised activities areas rich in Cu and Co in both the east and west coast sediments. Normalisation of metals to Al indicated that high enrichment factors are in the order of Ca>Ti≥Fe>Na>Mg>Co>Cu>Ga>V>Ba except K and P depletion. This indicated that the characteristic of estuarine sediment showed higher level along the west coast of India, which was reflected in the coastal sediments as similar to the source of its origin from the riverine composition and its abundances.     

Ecosystem monitoring at global baseline sites

Integrated ecosystem and pollutant monitoring is being conducted at prototype global baseline sites in remote areas of the Noatak National Preserve, Alaska, the Wind River Mountains, Wyoming, and Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. A systems approach has been used in the design of these projects. This approach includes: (1) evaluation of source-receptor relationships, (2) multimedia (i.e., air, water, soil, biota) monitoring of key contaminant pathways within the environment, (3) the use of selected ecosystem parameters to detect anthropogenic influence, and (4) the application of a systems conceptual framework as a heuristic tool.Initial short-term studies of air quality (e.g. SO₂, NO₂) plus trace metal concentrations in mosses generally indicate pristine conditions at all three of the above sites as expected although trace metals in mosses were higher at the Wyoming site. Selected ecosystem parameters for both terrestrial (e.g. litter decomposition) and aquatic (e.g. shredders, a macroinvertebrate functional feeding group) habitats at the Wyoming site reflected baseline conditions when compared to other studies.Plans also are being made to use U.S. Department of Energy Research Parks for global change monitoring. This will involve cross-site analyses of existing ecological databases and the design of a future monitoring network based on a systems approach as outlined in this paper.     

Interspecific and locational differences in metal levels in edible fish tissue from Saudi Arabia

Metal levels in fish have been extensively studied, but little data currently exists for the Middle East. We examined the levels of metals and metalloids (aluminum, arsenic, copper, manganese, selenium, zinc, and mercury) in the flesh of 13 fish species collected from three fishing sites and a local fish market in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. We tested the following null hypotheses: (1) there are no interspecific differences in metal levels, (2) there are no differences in metal levels in fishes between market and fishing sites, (3) there are no size-related differences in metal levels, and (4) there are no differences in selenium:mercury molar ratio among different fish species. There were significant interspecific differences in concentrations for all metals. There was an order of magnitude difference in the levels of aluminum, arsenic, mercury, manganese, and selenium, indicating wide variation in potential effects on the fish themselves and on their predators. Fishes from Area II, close to a large commercial port, had the highest levels of arsenic, mercury, and selenium, followed by market fishes. Mercury was positively correlated with body size in 6 of the 13 fish species examined. Mercury was correlated positively with arsenic and selenium, but negatively with aluminum, cobalt, copper, manganese, and zinc. Selenium:mercury molar ratios varied significantly among species, with Carangoides bajad, Cephalopholis argus, Variola louti, and Ephinephelus tauvina having ratios below 10:1. These findings can be used in risk assessments, design of mercury reduction plans, development of fish advisories to protect public health, and future management decision-making.     

Interspecific and geographical variations of trace metal concentrations in cephalopods from Tunisian waters

The concentrations of six metals (Ag, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn) were investigated and compared in three tissues (arms, digestive gland, and mantle) of three cephalopod species from the Tunisian waters: the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris), the common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), and the European squid (Loligo vulgaris). Whatever the species or the sites, the digestive gland displayed the highest concentrations of Ag, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn, highlighting its major role in their bioaccumulation and detoxification. This is also true for Hg but only for the digestive gland of O. vulgaris. Muscle from the arms and the mantle contained thus relatively low trace metal concentrations except for Hg in L. vulgaris and S. officinalis. Geographic comparison of metal concentrations in Tunisian cephalopods from three locations indicates that higher concentrations of Ag, Pb, and Hg were observed in cephalopods from northern and eastern coasts, whereas the highest Cd levels were detected in the southeastern, reflecting different conditions of exposure. Comparing the trace element concentrations between species, Ag, Cd, Cu, Hg, and Zn concentrations were the highest in the digestive gland of octopuses. This may be related to the differences in ecological features and swimming behavior among different cephalopod species. Effects of length and sex on metal levels were also considered, indicating a limited influence of sex on metal concentration.     

Network design factors for assessing temporal variability in ground-water quality

Benchmark major ions and nutrients data were collected biweekly for about two years at 12 wells at two sites in a shallow sand and gravel aquifer in west-central Illinois. The purpose of the study was to explore the time series properties of ground-water quality data collected at a relatively high sampling frequency. A secondary purpose was to determine the relative magnitudes of natural and sampling-related sources of variance in ground-water quality time series. The absence of this kind of information has severely hindered the design of ground-water sampling programs in the past.An autocorrelation analysis showed that the median sampling frequency for which the predicted ratio of effective independent sample size to total sample size was 0.5 (50% sampling redundancy) ranged from 6 to 14 samples per year. For a predicted ratio of effective independent sample size to total sample size of 0.9 (10% sampling redundancy) the sampling frequency ranged from 3 to 6 samples per year. This suggests that, for the wells sampled, sampling frequencies much higher than monthly can result in considerable loss of information, and may not be cost effective. Care was taken in the design of the field and laboratory sampling protocol to minimize the effects of measurement error. The data analysis confirmed that this goal was accomplished. In most cases considerably less than five percent of the total variability could be attributed to sampling and analytical error. Because of the relatively short duration of the study (42 biweekly sampling occasions at most wells) it was not possible to identify the magnitude of seasonal variations reliably.     

Terrestrial snails as quantitative indicators of environmental metal pollution

Concentrations of cadmium, lead, copper and zinc were measured in individuals of Arianta arbustorum from different urban sampling sites. In comparison to snails from a reference site, the animals collected in the city showed higher concentrations of cadmium, lead, and copper, indicating elevated levels of metal pollution. The most pronounced difference in tissue concentrations between control animals and contaminated snails was observed for lead. Within the city, metal levels in snails differed significantly, even between adjacent populations. Arianta arbustorum is a suitable species for biomonitoring, because it is widespread, resident and easy to collect; it has a high capacity for metal accumulation and shows different concentrations depending on metal contamination of the sampling area. An interspecific comparison of metal concentrations in terrestrial gastropods was conducted to define background levels and classes of burden. Three pollution levels are distinguished on the basis of the snails' metal burden: no pollution (class 1: reference sites), moderate (class 2: traffic and other human activities in urban areas), and high pollution (class 3: mining and heavy industry).