The influence of body size, condition index and tidal exposure on the variability in metal bioaccumulation in Mytilus edulis

Mussels are commonly used to monitor metal pollution despite high inter-individual variability in tissue concentrations. In this study, influences of body size, condition index and tidal height on concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were investigated. Body weight was inversely related to metal concentrations and for Cd, Mn, Pb and Zn the regression was affected by tidal height. Except for As, Fe and Mn metal concentrations were inversely related to physiological status though no differences between essential and non-essential metals were obvious. After correcting for body size, tidal height was related positively to As, Cd and Zn, negatively related to Cu, Fe and Mn while Co, Cr, Ni and Pb were independent of tidal height. The study recommends stringent measures during sampling for biomonitoring or metal concentrations at each location must be normalized to a common body size, CI and tidal height.     

Heavy metal monitoring of marine algae from the Turkish Coast of the Black Sea, 1998-2000

Concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in macroalgae samples collected from the Turkish Coast of the Black Sea. Certain algae species were chosen among the green, brown and red algae species at Sile and Sinop sampling stations from 1998 to 2000. In general, as regards the influence of the collection sites on the whole metal accumulation, Sinop is considered to be more polluted than Sile. The concentrations of the heavy metals in Cystoseira barbata algae are compared with previous studies in the same stations. The results showed that all metal levels have gradually decreased during past years. At the same time, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb levels in the present study are lower than in Bosphorus and Marmara Sea algae. However, Mn and Zn concentrations are higher than Bosphorus but lower than at Marmara. According to these findings the heavy metal pollution decreased in Turkish Coast of the Black Sea during the years investigated.     

Dissolved heavy metal concentrations of the Kralkızı, Dicle and Batman dam reservoirs in the Tigris River basin,Turkey

Water samples were collected at monthly intervals during 1 year of monitoring from Kralk?z?, Dicle and Batman dam reservoirs in the Tigris River basin to assess the concentrations of dissolved heavy metals and to determine their spatial and seasonal variations. The results indicated that dissolved heavy metal concentrations in the reservoirs were very low, reflecting the natural background levels. The lowest total metal concentrations in the three dam reservoirs were detected at sampling sites close to the dam wall. However, the highest total concentrations were observed at sites, which are located at the entrance of the streams to the reservoirs. Fe, Cr and Ni were the most abundant elements in the reservoirs, whereas Cd and As were the less abundant. The mean concentrations of dissolved metals in the dam reservoirs never exceeded the maximum permitted concentrations established by EC (European Community), WHO and USEPA drinking water quality guidelines. All heavy metals showed significant seasonal variations. As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb displayed higher values in the dry season, while higher values for Zn in the wet season. Cluster analysis grouped all ten sampling sites into three clusters. Clusters 1 and 2, and cluster 3 corresponded to relatively low polluted and moderate polluted regions, respectively. PCA/FA demonstrated the dissolved metals in the dam reservoirs controlled by natural sources.     

Influence of hydrological regime on pore water metal concentrations in a contaminated sediment-derived soil

Options for wetland creation or restoration might be limited because of the presence of contaminants in the soil. The influence of hydrological management on the pore water concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn in the upper soil layer of a contaminated overbank sedimentation zone was investigated in a greenhouse experiment. Flooding conditions led to increased Fe, Mn, Ni and Cr concentrations and decreased Cd, Cu and Zn concentrations in the pore water of the upper soil layer. Keeping the soil at field capacity resulted in a low pore water concentration of Fe, Mn and Ni while the Cd, Cu, Cr and Zn concentrations increased. Alternating hydrological conditions caused metal concentrations in the pore water to fluctuate. Formation and re-oxidation of small amounts of sulphides appeared dominant in determining the mobility of Cd, Cu, and to a lesser extent Zn, while Ni behaviour was consistent with Fe/Mn oxidation and reduction. These effects were strongly dependent on the duration of the flooded periods. The shorter the flooded periods, the better the metal concentrations could be linked to the mobility of Ca in the pore water, which is attributed to a fluctuating CO(2) pressure.     

应用地质累积指数评价抚顺市PM10中元素的污染

2006-2007年采暖季、风沙季和非采暖季分别在抚顺市的6个采样点采集PM10样品,用等离子体原子发射光谱(ICP-AES)法测定样品中Ti、Al、Mn、Mg、Ca、Na、K、Cu、Zn、As、Pb、Cr、Ni、Co、Cd、Fe、V等17种元素的含量,并用地质累积指数对其污染状况进行初步评价。结果表明:(1)从PM10中元素在不同采样点的含量看,抚顺市PM10中Ti、Mn、Mg、Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、Ni、Co这9种元素在各采样点间的差别较大;Al、Ca、Na、K、As、Cd、Fe、V这8种元素差别较小。(2)从PM10中元素在不同采样季的含量看,抚顺市PM10中Mn、Mg含量的季间差别较大,其余15种元素季间差别较小。(3)Zn、Cd污染较重;Ti、Al、Mg、Ca、Na、K、As、Fe和V污染较轻;其他6种元素在6个采样点和3个采样季污染程度差别较大。(4)水库采样点各元素污染级别均不是最高;新华采样点PM10中Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、Ni、Co、Cd污染级别均较高。(5)3个采样季PM10中Cd、Zn污染均较重,属于重度或严重污染;在采暖季PM10中Cu、Pb、Cr的地质累积指数较风沙季、非采暖季大;在非采暖季PM10中Mn、Co受到的污染比采暖季和风沙季稍严重。     

Metal accumulation and performance of nestlings of passerine bird species at an urban brownfield site

The use of passerine species as bioindicators of metal bioaccumulation is often underutilized when examining the wildlife habitat value of polluted sites. In this study we tested feathers of nestlings of two common bird species (house wren and American robin) for accumulation of Pb, Zn, As, Cr, Cu, Fe in comparison of a polluted, urban brownfield with a rural, unpolluted site. House wren nestlings at the study site accumulated significantly greater concentrations of all target metals except Zn. At the polluted site we found significant species differences of metal concentrations in feathers, with house wrens accumulating greater concentrations of Pb, Fe, and Zn but slightly lesser accumulations of Cr and Cu than American robins. Although house wren nestlings demonstrated significant accumulation of metals, these concentrations showed little effect on size metrics or fledge rates during the breeding season compared to nestlings from the control site.     

The use of mosses as environmental metal pollution indicators

The possibility of using mosses as environmental indicators of metal pollution has been investigated. Mosses of the species Bryum argenteum were collected from different parts of Piedmont (Italy), ranging from highly polluted areas to nearly uncontaminated mountain areas. Periodical samplings were planned in every site on a monthly base, in order to check variations of metal uptake throughout one year; correlations with pluviometric and thermal patterns were investigated for all sampling stations. On every moss sample 20 elements, ranging from major (K, P, Al, Ca, Fe and Mg) to minor (Mn, Na, Ti and Zn) and trace (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Pb and Sr), were quantitatively determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry or graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectrometry, depending on the needed sensitivity. Statistical analyses, carried out with principal component analysis and cluster analysis methods, revealed that a good correlation exists between metal content in mosses and pollution degree in the areas sampled.     

Seasonal changes in metal levels (Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn and Ca) within the grey field slug, Deroceras reticulatum, living in a highly polluted habitat

Slugs (Deroceras reticulatum) (Muller)) were collected from a disused Pb/Zn mine site for a period encompassing 3 years. The analysis of whole body replicates, collected monthly for a period of one year, demonstrated a large variability in metal concentrations for each of the five metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn and Ca) analysed. Nevertheless, a number of significant monthly differences in metal levels were found, the most regular being for Ca, and the least regular for Cu. Significant differences in metal body burdens were also found between slugs collected during the same month, but in consecutive years. The presence of such large and irregular variability greatly restricts the potential value of terrestrial slugs as biomonitors of heavy metal contamination.     

Effects of past sewage sludge additions on heavy metal availability in light textured soils: implications for crop yields and metal uptakes

The effect of heavy metal additions in past sewage sludge applications on soil metal availability and the growth and yield of crops was evaluated at two sites in the UK. At Gleadthorpe, sewage sludges enriched with salts of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) had been applied to a loamy sand in 1982 and additionally naturally contaminated Zn and Cu sludge cakes in 1986. At Rosemaund, sewage sludges naturally contaminated with Zn, Cu, Ni and chromium (Cr) had been applied in 1968-1971 to a sandy loam. From 1994 to 1997, the yields of both cereals and legumes at Gleadthorpe were up to 3 t/ha lower than the no-sludge control where total topsoil Zn and Cu concentrations exceeded 200 and 120 mg/kg, respectively, but only when topsoil ammonium nitrate extractable metal levels also exceeded 40 mg/kg Zn and 0.9 mg/kg Cu. At Rosemaund, yields were only decreased where total topsoil Cu concentrations exceeded 220 mg/kg or 0.7 mg/kg ammonium nitrate extractable Cu. These results demonstrate the importance of measuring extractable as well as total heavy metal concentrations in topsoils when assessing likely effects on plant yields and metal uptakes, and setting soil quality criteria.     

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) leaves as biomonitors of atmospheric metal pollution in arid and semi-arid environments

The leaves of date palms were evaluated as a possible biomonitor of heavy metal contamination in Ma’an city, Jordan. Concentrations of (Fe), (Pb), (Zn), (Cu), (Ni), and (Cr) were determined in washed and unwashed leaves and soil samples collected from different sites with different degrees of metal contamination (urban, suburban, industrial, highway and rural sites); separate leaves were taken from outside the city to be used as a control sample. Samples collected from industrial sites were found to have high concentrations of all metals except those of Cu, Ni and Pb, which were found at high levels in the highway site samples which is associated with the road traffic. The difference between unwashed and washed samples showed that metal pollutants exist as contaminants, particularly Pb, Zn and Ni, which varied in concentration, depending on the source of the metal.     

Metal concentrations in water,sediment and gudgeon (Gobio gobio) from a pollution gradient: relationship with fish condition factor

This study assesses the applicability of a sentinel fish species as a biomonitor of metal pollution. Gudgeon (Gobio gobio) were collected from 14 sites in metal polluted lowland rivers in Flanders, including a clear Cd and Zn pollution gradient. Fish tissues were analysed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. Metal levels in organs were related to levels in water and sediment. At some sites Cd and Zn levels were up to 50 times higher compared to reference values and literature. Significant relationships between Cd and Zn in fish tissue and environmental levels were found, especially in the pollution gradient where up to 70% of the observed variation could be described. Condition factor differed significantly among the sampling sites but could not be directly related to the environmental metal levels. Nevertheless, in the pollution gradient, threshold tissue concentrations could be defined above which the condition factor was always low.     

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.     

Effect of metal accumulation on metallothionein level and condition of the periwinkle Littorina littorea along the Scheldt estuary (the Netherlands)

Metal (i.e. Ag, As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn) and metallothionein (MT) concentrations in the soft tissue of Littorina littorea were measured along the heavily polluted Western Scheldt (WS) and relatively clean Eastern Scheldt (ES) estuary. Along the WS metal and MT levels in periwinkles reflected the known downstream decreasing pollution gradient. Surprisingly in ES animals As, Mn and Zn concentrations decreased from east to west reflecting past pollution. Compared to the WS metal concentrations of ES periwinkles were significantly lower and both estuaries were maximally discriminated from each other based on their Cd soft tissue concentration using a canonical discriminant analysis. Furthermore, no overall difference was found in MT levels among animals from both estuaries. Using previously obtained condition data (i.e. dry/wet weight ratio and lipid content) the relation between soft tissue metal concentration (i.e. Cd, Cu and Zn) and fitness indicators (i.e. MT and condition data) was examined using a canonical correlation analysis. Periwinkles with a high metal load (i.e. Cd and Zn) also had high MT levels but were in a relatively poor condition.     

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.     

Comparison of heavy metal bioaccumulation in freshwater molluscs of urban river habitats in Vienna

Two bivalve species (Anodonta sp. and Unio pictorum) and two gastropod species (Radix ovata and Viviparus sp.) were tested as bioindicators in moderately metal-polluted Danube River habitats of Vienna. Molluscs, two sediment fractions and water samples were collected between April 1993 and May 1994 at six sampling sites located at five waters in Vienna. The unionid clams were dissected into viscera, gill, mantle, adductor muscle and shell, gastropods into soft body and shell. Analyses of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn were carried out with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Bioaccumulation of metals varied strongly according to sampling site, metal and mollusc species. Cd, Cu and Zn loads of the molluscs exceeded environmental concentrations, but not so for the apparently less bioavailable Pb. Sampling site had a significant influence on metal bioconcentrations, e.g. the Neue Donau sampling sites, where traffic emissions probably caused increased metal contents. High environmental metal concentrations in Danube harbours were poorly reflected by the bioindicator species. The gastropods showed about 20-fold higher concentrations than the bivalves. This may indicate a higher Cu regulation capacity of bivalves. The suitability of the investigated mollusc species as bioindicators depends on their specific relationship to the environmental compartment. Anodonta sp. and R. ovata concentrations were more likely related to the contents of the fine sediment fraction, which may be explained by their close association to the sediments. The metal concentrations of the deposit- and filter-feeder Viviparus sp. correlated more closely with suspended matter and filtrate contents.     

Evaluation of heavy metal concentrations of edible wild-grown mushrooms from China

ABSTRACT

The heavy metal contents (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn) of eight species of wild edible mushrooms from China were determined. The analyses were performed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometry after microwave digestion. The contents of Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn in caps of mushroom samples were 0.7–7.2, 16.2–70.4, 371–1315, 12.5–29.8, 7.1–58.5, and 77.8–187.4 mg kg^?1 dry matter (dm), respectively, while considerable differences were found to be 1.8–25.9, 9.8–36.3, 288–6762, 13.3–103.9, 5.9–78.7, and 38.7–118 mg kg^?1 dm for stipes. The results indicated that higher levels of Co, Fe, and Ni were found in the mushrooms samples analyzed. Zinc and manganese levels were similar to previous reports, whereas Cu was lower than literature values. Correlation analysis suggested that significant correlations were found between the minerals determined and the greatest amount of contamination is associated with Co, Mn, Ni, and Fe. The results of this study indicate that heavy metal contents in mushroom species are mainly related to the mineral resources of sampling sites.     

Effects of heavy metal pollution on red wood ant (Formica s. str.) populations

We studied the species composition, mound population densities, relative abundance and colony sizes of red wood ants along a well known air pollution gradient of a copper smelter in Southwest Finland. The dominant species, Formica aquilonia, was further studied for heavy metal (Al, Cu, Cd, Ni, Zn, As, Pb, Hg) levels and morphological characters (body mass, head width, labial gland disease) of workers. We found five species belonging to Formica s. str., and two of them showed changes in their relative abundance, which could not be explained by natural habitat differences. Nest mound volumes were 34% smaller in the polluted area, suggesting that smaller colonies can be maintained there. The heavy metal levels in F. aquilonia workers were higher in the polluted area for all metals, except Hg. The largest relative differences between the study areas (polluted/unpolluted) were found for As (4.1), Ni (2.4), Cu (2.1) and Pb (1.8). Morphological characters of workers were not related to the heavy metal levels. Our data showed that red wood ants can tolerate relatively high amounts of heavy metals and maintain reproducing colonies even in a heavily polluted area, but on the basis of smaller colony sizes, pollution stress may also cause trade-offs in reproduction.     

Changes in elemental uptake and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation during the life cycle of Thlaspi praecox Wulfen

Elemental uptake and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonisation were studied during the life cycle of field collected Cd/Zn hyperaccumulating Thlaspi praecox (Brassicaceae). Plant biomass and tissue concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, Fe and Ni were found to vary during development, while no variation in P, K, Ca, Mn and Cu tissue concentrations were observed. The lowest Cd bioaccumulation in rosette leaves (BAF(RL)) observed during seeding was partially attributed to lower translocation from roots to rosette leaves and partially to high translocation to stalks, indicating a high Cd mobility to reproductive tissues, in line with our previous studies. The highest intensity of AM colonisation (M%) was observed in the flowering phase and was accompanied by increased root Cd, Zn, Pb and Fe contents. In addition, a positive correlation between AM colonisation and Fe contents in rosette leaves was found. The results indicate developmental dependence of AM formation, accompanied by selective changes in nutrient acquisition in T. praecox that are related to increased plant needs, and the protective role of AM colonisation on metal polluted sites during the reproductive period.     

Analysis of tree rings using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to record fluctuations in a metal pollution episode

Analysis of Acer pseudoplatanus L. (sycamore) tree rings using ICP-MS was used to assess the impact of metal deposition on trees growing in the vicinity of a metal refinery at Prescot, north-west England compared to a reference site at Croxteth 6 km distant receiving minimal deposition. No difference in tree growth between sites was recorded. Large reductions in Cu and Cd deposition since the late 1970s was accompanied by a steep decline in Cd concentrations in the outer rings in trees close to the refinery. A similar reduction in Cu concentrations was less apparent due to a tendency for Cu to increase in the outer rings. Zinc and Ni were higher in xylem at Prescot compared to Croxteth. There was no trend in Zn concentrations at either site although Ni concentrations increased in trees close to the refinery after 1982. Manganese concentrations in xylem were much higher at Prescot; Mn levels declined until the late 1970s and then increased slightly in later years interspersed by large concentration peaks within individual years during the 1980s. There was little change in Mn concentrations in trees at Croxteth during this period. Calcium, Mg and Sr concentrations remained steady or declined slightly in rings formed since 1965 in trees at Croxteth. Concentrations of Ca, Mg and Sr were higher in rings formed prior to the mid 1970s in trees at Prescot, but declined steadily after this period, although peaks in concentrations of each element were recorded in individual years during the 1980s. Phosphorous concentrations in rings increased towards the cambium at Croxteth, although P levels decreased in rings formed after 1982 at Prescot. No difference in K concentrations between sites was recorded. Lead concentrations in xylem at both sites declined steadily in rings formed after 1970, although concentrations were higher at the reference site. Analysis of individual sycamore tree rings appears to record short-term changes in pollution episodes, with little lateral movement of elements occurring. It is suggested that changes in element concentrations in trees close to the refinery are a result of reduced metal deposition combined with increased soil acidity due to reduced buffering capacity of metal ions in rainfall.     

Heavy metal concentrations in a soil-plant-snail food chain along a terrestrial soil pollution gradient

We investigated concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb in the compartments of a soil-plant (Urtica dioica)-snail (Cepaea nemoralis) food chain in four polluted locations in the Biesbosch floodplains, the Netherlands, and two reference locations. Total soil metal concentrations in the polluted locations were 4-20 times higher than those in the reference locations. Positive relationships between the generally low leaf concentrations and the soil concentrations were found for Zn only (r2 = 0.20). Bioaccumulation of Zn, Cu and Cd was observed in the snail tissues. We found positive relationships between the snail and leaf concentrations for all metals (range r2 = 0.19-0.46). The relationships between soil and snail concentrations were also positive, except for Cu (range r2 = 0.15-0.33). These results suggest transfer of metals to C. nemoralis snails from U. dioica leaves and from the soil. Metal transfer from polluted leaves to C. nemoralis is more important than transfer from the soil.