Heavy metal accumulation in Halimione portulacoides: intra- and extra-cellular metal binding sites

Salt marsh plants can sequestrate and inherently tolerate high metal concentrations found in salt marsh sediments. This work intended to understand the Halimione portulacoides (L.) Aellen strategies to prevent metal toxicity, by investigating the metal location in different plant organs and in the cell. A sequential extraction was performed on leaves, stems and roots of H. portulacoides in order to determine and compare the metal (Zn, Pb, Co, Cd, Ni and Cu) concentration in several fractions of the plant material (ethanolic, aqueous, proteic, pectic, polissacaridic, lenhinic and cellulosic). This study shows that all plant organs of H. portulacoides mostly retain metals in the cell wall (65% is the average for all studied metals stored in the root cell wall, 55% in the stems and 53% in the leaves), and the metal content in the intracellular compartment is much lower (21% in roots, 25% in stems and 32% in leaves). High levels of heavy metal in the sedimentary environment do not cause toxicity to H. portulacoides, because H. portulacoides immobilizes them in different cell compartments (cell wall+proteic fraction+intracellular) outside key metabolic sites.     

Effect of new soil metal immobilizing agents on metal toxicity to terrestrial invertebrates

Application of 5% (w:w) novel metal immobilizing agent reduced the water soluble, the calcium chloride extracted as well as the pore water concentration of zinc in soils from Maatheide, a metal contaminated site in the northeast of Belgium. Addition of the metal immobilizing agents also eliminated acute toxicity to the potworm Enchytraeus albidus and the earthworm Eisenia fetida and chronic toxicity to the springtail Folsomia candida. Cocoon production by E. fetida, however, was still adversely affected. These differences may be explained by the species dependent routes of metal uptake: F. candida is probably mainly exposed via pore water while in E. fetida dietary exposure is probably also important. From these results it is clear that organisms with different exposure routes should be used simultaneously to assess the environmental risk of metal contaminated soils.     

Modelling trace metal partitioning in forest floors of northern soils near metal smelters

Trace metal (TM) mobility and toxicity varies with changing soil conditions. Geochemical models can account for the influence of soil characteristics on TM behaviour. We tested the effectiveness of the Stockholm humic model (SHM), and the NICA-Donnan model (NDM) to estimate partitioning coefficients (logKd) in 26 forest floor horizons of podzolic soils enriched in trace metals from deposition by metal smelters. We wanted to know if a consistent approach could be applied to model metal partitioning in forest floors without optimizing each individual soil. When optimized, the SHM reproduced the partitioning of Cd, Cu and Zn but not Pb. It was necessary to revise the affinity constants for the NDM to simultaneously simulate the partitioning of the four metals. Revised affinity constants for the NDM model based on a fixed definition of soil organic carbon, i.e., a fixed ratio of fulvic and humic acids per unit carbon, reproduced metal partitioning more effectively in an independent data set of 16 soils than the use of generic affinity constants available for these models. From the perspective of the applicability of these models to risk assessment, this result suggests geochemical models using affinity constants that have been verified and/or modified against multiple soils from a region can provide good estimates of metal partitioning on a regional scale.     

Strategies of heavy metal uptake by three plant species growing near a metal smelter

Some higher plant species have developed heavy metal tolerance strategies which enable them to survive and reproduce in highly metal-contaminated soils. We have investigated such heavy metal uptake and accumulation strategies of two absolute metallophyte species (Armeria maritima ssp. halleri and Cardaminopsis halleri) and one pseudometallophyte (Agrostis tenuis) growing near a former metal smelter. Samples of plant parts and soil were analysed for Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu. In soil, there were two dominant types of metal concentration gradients with depth. Under the absolute metallophytes, extremely high metal contents were measured in the surficial Ah horizon, followed by a strong decrease in the underlying soil horizons (L(11) and L(12)). Under the pseudometallophyte, metal concentrations in the Ah horizon were much lower and fewer differences were observed in metal concentrations among the Ah, L(11), and L(12) horizons. The concentrations of Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu in Agrostis tenuis roots were greater than concentrations in leaves, indicating significant metal immobilisation by the roots. For C. halleri, Zn and Cd concentrations in leaves were >20,000 and >100 mg kg(-1), respectively, indicating hyperaccumulation of these elements. Armeria maritima ssp. halleri exhibited root concentrations of Pb and Cu that were 20 and 88 times greater, respectively, than those in green leaves, suggesting an exclusion strategy by metal immobilisation in roots. However, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu concentrations in brown leaves of Armeria maritima ssp. halleri were 3-8 times greater than in green leaves, suggesting a second strategy, i.e. detoxification mechanism by leaf fall.     

Heavy metal accumulation by recombinant mammalian metallothionein within Escherichia coli protects against elevated metal exposure

In an effort to minimize the impact on the environment or improve the properties of choice, most engineered nanoparticles used for commercial applications are surface functionalized. The release of these functionalized engineered nanoparticles (FENPs) into the environment can be either deliberate or accidental. Scientific research to date has tended to focus on evaluating the toxicity of FENPs, with less attention being given to exposure assessments or to the study of their general behavior in natural environments. We have therefore investigated the effects of environmental parameters such as pH, NaCl concentration, and natural organic matter concentration on the aggregation kinetics of FENPs with time resolved dynamic light scattering, using functionalized gold nanoparticles (FAuNPs) as a representative of these particles. We also investigated the effects of average particle size, the type of surface capping agent, and particle concentration on FAuNP aggregation kinetics. Our results show that the physico-chemical properties of the capping agent have a greater influence on the aggregation behavior of FAuNPs than either their core composition or their particle size.     

Phytostabilization of a metal contaminated sandy soil. II: Influence of compost and/or inorganic metal immobilizing soil amendments on metal leaching

A lysimeter approach (under natural climatologic conditions) was used to evaluate the effect of four metal immobilizing soil treatments [compost (C), compost+cyclonic ashes (C+CA), compost+cyclonic ashes+steel shots (C+CA+SS)) and cyclonic ashes+steel shots (CA+SS)] on metal leaching through an industrially contaminated soil. All treatments decreased Zn and Cd leaching. Strongest reductions occurred after CA+SS and C+CA+SS treatments (Zn: -99.0% and -99.2% respectively; Cd: -97.2% and -98.3% respectively). Copper and Pb leaching increased after C (17 and >30 times for Cu and Pb respectively) and C+CA treatment (4.4 and >3.7 times for Cu and Pb respectively). C+CA+SS or CA+SS addition did not increase Cu leaching; the effect on Pb leaching was not completely clear. Our results demonstrate that attention should be paid to Cu and Pb leaching when organic matter additions are considered for phytostabilization of metal contaminated soils.     

Noble metal catalysts for methane removal

Using a bench-scale rig, the activities of Pt, Pd and Pt+Pd catalysts supported on gamma-Al(2)O(3) and on TiO(2) (anatase) for the complete oxidation of methane (300 ppmv) in air have been measured as a function of temperature; values of T(10), T(50) and T(90) together with the Arrhenius parameters (activation energy and pre-exponential factor) are reported. Pt is less active than Pd when deposited on the surface of the TiO(2), but more active when deposited on gamma-Al(2)O(3), however when combined, the Pt+Pd mixture is more active than either metal individually. The T(10) for Pt+Pd/gamma-Al(2)O(3) was being as low as 228 degrees C. The significance of the Arrhenius parameters, for metal containing catalysts is that they exhibit compensation with increasing activation energy, while securing a more rapid increase in conversion from 0% to 100% when the temperature is increased.     

Conservative heavy metal total discharge schemes

Currently, according to Taiwan’s Water Pollution Control Act, the environmental control of waterbodies and water quality depends on the effluent standards and the standard of water quality in the rivers. The Act demands that each stationary pollution source comply with the effluent standard before being discharged into the rivers, and that the overall water quality in the river shall not exceed the declared standard of water quality. To improve the condition of the waterbodies and water quality of the rivers, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) in Taiwan has made stricter regulations concerning the discharge standard. Such regulations will help to reduce the weight of individual pollutants discharged; the discharged wastewater, however, will still gradually worsen the water quality of the rivers even after complying with the effluent standard since some of the pollutant dischargers may decrease the concentration of pollutants by diluting the water before discharging; thus, the total weight of metals discharged in the rivers will not be reduced, and the water quality in the areas where the pollutant sources are concentrated will not thereby be significantly improved. To protect the irrigation water and farmlands from being polluted by discharged heavy metals in industrial wastewater, the EPA started controlling the sources in accordance with the total quantity control (TQC) as defined in the Water Pollution Control Act, in the hope of perfecting the environmental protection of waterbodies and water quality, as well as ensuring clean water sources without any pollution for the rivers, land, and people.     

Fish community responses to metal pollution

The effect of metal pollution on fish communities was assessed at 47 sites, including a Cd and Zn gradient. Fish community structure was assessed by applying diversity indices, index of biotic integrity and the abundance/biomass comparison method (ABC-index). To relate the community responses to metal pollution, toxic unit values for dissolved metals (TU(w)) and for metals in fish liver (TU(t)) were calculated. If all sites were considered only a good relationship was found between the IBI and the TU(w), with 56% of the variation in IBI being described. Within the pollution gradient (sites 1--12) the described variation increased up to 85%. Relating the community structure to TU(t), the described variation in IBI further increased to 87%. Our results indicate that besides water quality other factors influenced diversity and ABC-index. The IBI proved a suitable index for the assessment of metal pollution, provided that other water quality characteristics meet the water quality criteria.     

燃煤电厂重金属排放与周边土壤重金属污染评价

为研究燃煤电厂重金属排放对周边土壤重金属污染的影响,测定了某燃煤电厂烟囱入口烟气中Cd、Cr、Hg、Ni、Pb、As含量,同时根据当地气象及地形条件,在燃煤电厂周边采集19个土壤样品,分析了土壤中重金属含量及分布情况,并对其污染程度进行评价.结果表明,燃煤电厂烟气中6种重金属元素的质量浓度为0.02～2.00μg/m3...     

Remediation of heavy metal polluted sediment by suspension and solid-bed leaching: estimate of metal removal efficiency

Remediation of heavy metal polluted sediment by extracting the metals with sulfuric acid can be performed as follows: abiotic suspension leaching, microbial suspension leaching, abiotic solid-bed leaching, and microbial solid-bed leaching. Abiotic leaching means that the acid is directly added, while microbial leaching means that the acid is generated from sulfur by microbes (bioleaching). These four principles were compared to each other with special emphasis on the effectiveness of metal solubilization and metal removal by subsequent washing. Abiotic suspension leaching was fastest, but suspending the solids exhibits some disadvantages (low solid content, costly reactors, permanent input of energy, high water consumption, special equipment required for solid separation, large amounts of waste water, sediment properties hinder reuse), which prevent suspension leaching in practice. Abiotic solid-bed leaching implies the supply of acid by percolating water which proceeds slowly due to a limited bed permeability. Microbial solid-bed leaching means the generation of acid within the bed and has been proven to be the only principle applicable to practice. Metal removal from leached sediment requires washing with water. Washing of solid beds was much more effective than washing of suspended sediment. The kinetics of metal removal from solid beds 0.3, 0.6 or 1.2m in height were similar; when using a percolation flow of 20lm(-2)h(-1), the removal of 98% of the mobile metals lasted 57-61h and required 8.5, 4.2 or 2.3lkg(-1) water. This means, the higher the solid bed, the lower the sediment-mass-specific demand for time and water.     

Effect of shore position and environmental metal levels on body metal burdens in the barnacle, Elminius modestus

Body (thorax and prosoma) weight, shell growth, and Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and Ca levels were measured in artificially settled Elminius modestus over a 14-month period following transfer to high, mid and low tide positions in the uncontaminated Menai Strait and two mid tide sites within a Zn and Cu polluted bay on the North West coast of Anglesey. Barnacles showed higher mortality and slower growth at the upper shore position than at any other site. There was no evidence of Zn and Cu regulation by the bodies or shells, and both seemed to reflect environmental levels. Body metal levels were lowest in early winter and the highest second year values were found in January (Zn), March (Cu, Fe) or May (Ca). Higher shore barnacles contained larger concentrations of Zn than mid or low tide animals. Differences in feeding activity and the amount of testes may account for these variations. Reciprocal transplants between polluted and 'clean' sites indicate that body Cu and Zn accumulation and loss was very rapid. Spatial and temporal changes in shell metal levels closely mirror that of the body.     

Heavy metal phytoremediation from a meta-analytical perspective

We conducted a literature survey and correlated heavy metal (HM) uptake and plant growth factors from published data to estimate the effectiveness of phytoextraction. The indicators of the actual plant HM uptake showed positive correlations with soil-HM concentrations, while the relative plant HM uptake showed negative correlations. Plant growth was negatively correlated with both the plant and soil-HM concentrations. These significant relationships were found for the majority of HM tested (e.g. Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, and Fe) with a few exceptions (e.g. Ni, Co, and Mn). After fitting the correlation coefficients, the highest proportion of variance among the studies was mainly due to the experimental parameters or the plant species. When the metabolic costs of HM uptake are taken into account, the phytoextraction appears to be less effective beyond critical HM concentrations. Despite these constraints, it is emphasized that HM phytoextraction can play an important role in bioremediation.     

Algal-bacterial interactions in metal contaminated floodplain sediments

The aim of the present study was to investigate algal-bacterial interactions in a gradient of metal contaminated natural sediments. By means of multivariate techniques, we related the genetic structure (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, DGGE) and the physiological structure (community-level physiological profiling, CLPP) of the bacterial communities to the species composition of the algal communities and to the abiotic environmental variables, including metal contamination. The results revealed that genetic and physiological structure of the bacterial communities correlated with the species composition of the algal community, but hardly to the level of metal pollution. This must be interpreted as an indication for a strong and species-specific linkage of algal and bacterial species in floodplain sediments. Metals were, however, not proven to affect either the algal or the bacterial communities of the Dutch river floodplains.     

Heavy metal fates in laboratory bioretention systems

Key to managing heavy metals in bioretention is to understand their fates in bioretention facilities. In this study, pot prototypes filled with bioretention media were built to simulate the conditions of natural growth of plants. Synthetic runoff with different heavy metal loadings (copper, cadmium, lead, and zinc) was periodically applied. Metal accumulations in tissues of grasses -Panicum virgatum, Kentucky-31, and Bromus ciliatus, were investigated after 230d of growth and multiple runoff treatment events. After 183d of periodic runoff application, the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd with low and high loadings had the same trends in the plant tissues, Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd, following the trend of the input metal concentrations. The fates of input metals were 88-97% captured in soil media, 2.0-11.6% not captured by bioretention media, and 0.5-3.3% accumulated in plants. Compared to the metals retained by the soil, the percentages of input metals taken up by plants were relatively low due to the low plant biomass produced in this study. Greater biomass density would be required for the vegetation to have a valuable impact in prolonging the lifetime of a bioretention cell.