Use of seaweeds for monitoring trace elements in coastal waters

Concentrations of a wide range of trace elements: arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, nickel, thorium, uranium, zinc and the rare earth elements, cerium, europium, samarium, terbium and ytterbium were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis in the brown alga,Fucus vesiculosus from Eckwarder Hörne, North Sea and from Rügen, Baltic Sea. Another brown alga,Sargassum filipendula from Sri Lanka, Indian ocean (representing an unpolluted control station) was similarly investigated. Cobalt, chromium and nickel concentrations were highest inF. vesiculosus from the North Sea while zinc was highest in samples from the Baltic Sea, reflecting high levels of these elements in coastal waters of the North and the Baltic sea. Cadmium, cobalt, nickel and zinc levels were lowest inS. filipendula from Sri Lanka, probably demonstrating lower levels of those elements in coastal waters. Concentration levels of hafnium, thorium, uranium, and the rare earth elements were highest inS. filipendula. Two years later in 1994,S. filipendula along withUlva sp. (green alga) was resampled from the same sampling site, and in addition to the above elements, six other trace elements (Ag, Ba, Br, Rb, Se and Sr) were determined.Sargassium filipendula showed a particular affinity for Ag, As, Br and Sr. For the other elements, marginal concentration differences were observed betweenS. filipendula andUlva sp., probably reflecting the regional background levels. Substantially higher concentrations of Hf, Th, U, and the rare earths were found again in the 1994Sargassum andUlva samples, reflecting the effect of a substrate rich in rare earth elements. The brown algae used in this study may be used to monitor trace elements in coastal waters.     

Determination of Trace Elements in Marine Sediments Collected Between the Volturno River and the Circeo Cape (Tyrrhenian Sea)

The determination of Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Gd, Hf, Mn, Rb, Sb, Sc, Ta, Tb, Th, Zn, Zr and Yb by instrumental neutron activation analysis in sediment samples collected from the Gulf of Gaeta (Central Tyrrhenian Sea) is described. The granulometric fractions of the sediments were grouped by cluster analysis into three granulometric facies (sand, clayey silt, and silty clay) which were then assumed to be the main factors controlling the distribution patterns of the elements. This assumption was confirmed by a discriminant analysis carried out on the trace element data.     

鼻咽癌与土壤环境中化学元素的相关性研究

利用土壤元素数据２０６９４４８个，鼻咽癌死亡调查资料２２５６０例，研究了鼻咽癌死亡率与土壤环境中６１个元素质量分数的相关性。结果表明，汞、铅、硒、针、锡、钛、钽、溴、碘元素质量分数与鼻咽癌死亡率呈非常显著的正相关；铪元素质量分数与鼻咽癌死亡率呈显著的正相关；铟、镱、镥、铀、锆、铋、碲元素质量分数与鼻咽癌死亡率呈较显著的正相关。锰、钠、镁、钙、锶元素质量分数与鼻咽癌死亡率呈非常显著的负相关；钾、钡元素质量分数与鼻咽癌死亡率呈较显著的负相关。钒、铷、铯、银、铝、镓、铊、钪、钇、镧、铈、钕、钆、镝、钬、铒、铥、钼、钨、铁、砷、镉、钴、铬、铜、氟、镍、锌、锂、铍、硼、镨、钐、铕、铽、锗、锑元素质量分数与鼻咽癌死亡率无明显的相关性。     

5种水培蔬菜对金属元素富集水平研究

检测分析了5种水培蔬菜中4种常量金属元素、18种稀有金属元素以及10种重金属元素含量,并与对照组陆生蔬菜金属元素含量进行比较,评价水培蔬菜的食用安全性。结果表明,污染水体中水培蔬菜的金属元素富集水平是不同的。常量金属元素平均富集系数为2~150倍;稀有元素平均富集量总体上高于陆生蔬菜;重金属元素富集系数大多在10倍左右,与陆生蔬菜重金属元素含量相比,两者均在同一水平,低于国家2001年10月1日执行的蔬菜农产品安全质量标准。     

Geochemistry of the barkinite liptobiolith (Late Permian) from the Jinshan Mine,Anhui Province,China

This paper discusses the geochemistry and mineralogy of the barkinite liptobiolith of the Late Permian age from the Jinshan Mine, Guangde County, Anhui Province, China. Samples were examined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry, ion-selective electrode, sequential chemical extraction, scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray, and optical microscopy. The coal is a medium-ash and high-sulfur resource. Minerals in the coal are composed of kaolinite, pyrite, calcite, and quartz. Pyrite and calcite are derived from seawater during peat accumulation. Quartz in the coal is of authigenic origin. Part of the kaolinite is from a land-source region, and part occurs as cell-fillings and is of authigenic origin. The results also indicate that the barkinite liptobiolith contains some toxic elements in high concentrations. Elements including Li, Be, Si, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Ga, Se, Y, Zr, Mo, the rare earth elements (REEs), W, Hg, Tl, Pb, Th, and U in the coals are enriched in the barkinite liptobiolith. Results of sequential chemical extraction showed that Li, Sc, Ti, Cr, Y, Zr, REEs, and Th in the coal mainly occur as silicates, while Be and W are related to organic matter. Pyrite is the dominant source of S, Mo, Hg, Tl, and Pb. Gallium only occurs in silicate, and U and V occur both in organic and silicate associations.     

Potentially toxic elements in some fresh water bodies in Ethiopia

A total of thirty three water samples were collected from Tinishu Akaki River, Lake Awassa, and Lake Ziway, Ethiopia. Multi-element determination of trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Ag, Cd, Sn, Hg, and Pb) in water samples was carried out by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after acidification with 1% HNO₃. The concentration (in µg?L^?1) of the elements were in the range of 1.0–19, <0.42–83, 1.1–1580, <45–1760, <0.11–2.0, 0.43–13, 0.77–13, 6–300, <0.94–2.0, <0.3–1.5, <0.012–0.63, 0.13–4.8, <0.29, and 0.2–7.2 for V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Ag, Cd, Sn, Hg, and Pb, respectively. The concentrations of all the quantified elements, with the exception of Mn, were in the range of the permissible limits of the Ethiopian, European Community, and World Health Organization for both drinking water quality guidelines and irrigation water guidelines. The accuracy of the method was validated by analyzing trace elements in water standard reference material (SRM 1643e). The measured values of trace elements in the SRM agreed well with the certified values at the 95% confidence level.     

Chemical composition of plant silica phytoliths

Silica phytoliths are a subgroup of biogenic opal. Silica phytoliths are formed in many plant species and remain preserved in soil and sediments after plant decay. The chemical composition of fossil phytoliths may reveal ancient plant taxa, soil composition and climate. However, actually detailed knowledge on silica phytolith composition is scarce. Here we present result of instrumental neutron activation analysis of barley awns, stems and leaves, and barley phytoliths. The elements of interest were Na, Mg, Al, Si, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, As, Br, Rb, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Yb, Hf, Ta, W, Th, and U. We compared three phytolith extraction methods: dry ashing, acid digestion, and acid digestion followed by incineration. We found that sole acid digestion is inefficient to remove organic matter. By contrast both dry ashing and acid digestion followed by incineration are suitable for phytolith analysis. Comparison of phytoliths with their source plant material shows that phytoliths are enriched in terrigenous elements such as Al, Sc, Ti, V, Cs, Fe, rare earth elements, and depleted in the major inorganic constituents of plants such as K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cl and Br.     

PIXE characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 particulates sizes collected in Ikoyi Lagos,Nigeria

Ambient concentrations of PM₁₀ (x?≤?10?µm) and PM_2.5 (x?≤?2.5?µm) particulate fractions collected from Ikoyi Lagos, Nigeria, as well as their elemental compositions are presented in this study. Both size-segregated fractions were collected using a double staged ‘Gent’ stack filter unit sampler. Elemental characterizations of dust laden filters were carried out using proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique. Twenty-two elements (Si, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Ag, Cd, and Ta) were detected as well as their concentrations and correlations were determined for both particulate size fractions. Their correlation matrix result indicates that some of the trace elements detected could have common source origins or similar chemical properties. The results were similar to the levels observed in moderately polluted urban areas and there is need for source identification and apportionment using receptor models in future studies.     

Biomagnification of trace elements in a benthic food web: the case study of Deer Island (Northern Yellow Sea)

In this study, we investigated the concentrations of ten trace elements (Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, and As) and their trophodynamics in a benthic food chain of Deer Island, Northern Yellow Sea. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, and As in the food chain ranged from 3.2 to 23.2, from 71 to 227, from 7.4 to 45.6, from 0.44 to 5.80, from 0.73 to 7.60, from 0.14 to 1.65, from 0.68 to 6.70, from 0.08 to 1.86, from 0.08 to 1.18, and from 0.24 to 3.92 mg kg^?1 dry weight, respectively. Among these trace elements, the linear regression between the log-transformed concentrations of Hg and Cd and δ¹⁵N values showed statistically significant increase (p<0.05) with the slopes of 0.134 and 0.144, indicating biomagnification of Hg and Cd occurred in the benthic food chain of Deer Island. While the linear regression for other eight trace elements (Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Ni, Cr, Pb and As) were characterised by extensive scatter with non-significant correlation coefficients (R ²=0.002–0.235) and slopes (p=0.079–0.875), indicating there were not biomagnified or biodiluted of these trace elements.     

Hazardous and essential trace elements profile in the different soft tissues of Lithophaga lithophaga (Linnaeus, 1758) from Southern Adriatic Sea (Italy)

A characterization study of 7 hazardous (Hg, Pb, Cd, As, Cr, U, and Ni) and 11 essential (Co, Mo, Se, Cu, Zn, V, Ca, Al, Sr, Mn, and Fe) trace elements in date mussels (Lithophaga lithophaga,Linnaeus, 1758) was carried out by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Date mussels (231 individuals), caught in the Gulf of Manfredonia (Southern Italy), were divided into 4 size-related groups. The different tissues (muscle, stomach, hepatopancreas and rest of soft tissues) were separated and analyzed to study the capability of absorption of this species. No particular differences were reported on the basis of the shell size; the soft tissues play an important role on the accumulation levels of hazardous and essential trace elements. These marine animals may be considered a good bioindicator of marine environmental pollution for their longevity and habitat permanence peculiarities.     

Neutron activation and atomic absorption analysis of Ulva Lactuca and Gracilaria Verrucosa from Thermaikos Gulf,Greece

NAA and AAS have been applied to determine the content of As, Br, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, La, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sc, Sm and Zn in Ulva lactuca and Gracilaria verrucosa from Thermaikos Gulf, Greece. The analytical data has been subjected to cluster and stepwise discriminant analysis. Thus the influence of some industrial sources on the pollution of water in the Gulf is detected and correlation between Zn‐Co‐Cr‐La; Br‐K; Cu‐Ni; Cd‐Sb‐Mn in the investigated algae is established.     

东北、内蒙古东部地区煤炭中微量元素含量及分布规律

研究了东北和内蒙东部各矿区煤炭中As,Ba,Be,Cb,Co,Cr,Cu,Hg,Li,Mn,Ni,Pb,Se,Sr,V,Zn,Zr的含量水平及分布规律.煤灰灰分中多数元素含量高于克拉克值、土壤背景值及植物干物质中含量,呈富集状态.相关矩阵和聚类分析表明,煤炭中微量元素含量与基质元素有密切的依存性.由于复杂的成煤过程,煤炭中微量元素呈现独特的集散规律.     

Concentration of polyvalent metals by seaweeds in Vostok Bay,Sea of Japan

Spectrophotometric methods were used to measure the contents of the polyvalent metals Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo and Zn in 16 species of red, brown, and green seaweeds and 2 species of higher water plants collected from the intertidal and sublittoral zones of Vostok Bay, Sea of Japan. Some of the species displayed a unique capability for increased accumulation of groups of several metals. We have termed this ability specific group concentration. Thus, Ptilota filicina concentrates Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Mo; Polysiphonia japonica Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Zn, Mo, and Cr; Rhodomela larix Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, and Cr; Agarum cribrosum Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, and Cr; Ulvaria splendens Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Cu; Ulva fenestrata Mn, Fe, Ni, and Cu; Enteromorpha prolifera Mn, Co, Zn, Mo, and Cr; codium yessoensis V, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Cr; Zostera asiatica Ti, Mn, Ni, and Mo; Phyllospadix iwatensis Ti, V, Mn, Fe, and Zn. Specific group concentration makes possible a new approach to the study of active transport of polyvalent metals, physiologically significant for live organisms, through cell membranes, and the study of the formation of complex metal compounds inside the cell, i.e., the study of the processes that determine the degree of element concentration. The contents of the metals studied in sea water and the accumulation coefficients were also determined. The variation range is extremely high both for the seaweed species and metals investigated. Maximum coefficients were noted for Mn: 1.8·10⁵; Ti: 4.4·10⁴; Fe: 2.4·10⁴; Cr: 1.2·10⁶.     

Relationships among multiple trace elements in coastal Casuarina equisetifolia ecosystems on Hainan Island, South China

Forty-six trace elements in coastal Casuarina equisetifolia plant–soil systems at nine sampling sites on Hainan Island were analyzed using ICP-MS. The relationships among the trace elements of the same group or the same periodicity of the Periodic Table in the plants and soils were complex and no consistent patterns were found. More combinations of elements occurred with high positive correlation coefficients within the same periodicity than within the same group of the Periodic Table, and there were more high positive correlations in soils than in plants. However, there were many element combinations in Block d (transition elements) with high positive correlation coefficients in plants. Markedly high positive correlation coefficients between individual rare earth elements and Y and among Zr, Nb, Cd existed in both plants and soils. The dendrograms obtained by cluster analysis show that rare earth elements had very similar occurrence and distribution in both soils and plants. Thus, they behaved as a coherent group of elements both geochemically and biogeochemically. The transition elements were more coherent in plants than in soils.     

Trace element geochemistry of the Keana brines field,middle Benue trough,Nigeria

A trace elements study of various samples from the Keana brines field, middle Benue Trough was carried-out to determine the extent to which Pb–Zn–S and BaSO₄ mineralisations have affected the quality of the brines and the waters in the area. Different sample media such as well-water, pond water, brine spring pool water, stream water, stream sediments etc. were analysed. Geochemical results show that Cu, Zn, Pb, As and S are concentrated in the waters (0.3, 0.36, 0.05, 0.07 and 1 1.5 ppm respectively). These elements are more concentrated in both the spring and pond waters, suggesting that the spring water could have acted as the transport medium for these elements released from deep-seated sources. Transitions elements (Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni and Sr) are concentrated in the waters. Compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) admissible limits, the well waters present very high concentrations in Cd (0.56 ppm) and Sb (0.40 ppm) (200× and 70× WHO admissible values respectively). There is a preferential concentration of transition elements (Ti, V, Fe, Co and Ni) in the sediments (41.38, 362, 52.21, 269 and 54 ppm respectively) than in the waters (0.70, 0.05, 5.6, 0.04 and 0.02 ppm respectively). Similarly, Cu, Zn, Pb and As are concentrated in the sediments (44, 72, 41 and 14 ppm respectively). The concentrations of transition elements (Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Co and Ni) in the refined salt were highly elevated (784, 363, 283, 105, 59.2 and 42.6 ppm respectively) (7000–10,000× well water). Similarly, the concentrations of As, Pb, Br and Sr in the refined salt were also alarming (11.6, 16.4, 16.4 and 122 ppm respectively), (1000, 700, 3000 and 20,000× well water values respectively). S on the other hand is absent. One of the striking features is the absence of I, Cd, Sb and Se in the refined salt crystals which were detected in the waters and the brines. Compared to WHO admissible values, the refined salt crystal concentrations for Ni (426 ppm) and Cr (283 ppm) were also very high (2000× WHO values respectively) and to a lesser extent Cu (26.9 ppm) and Zn (21.7 ppm) (12 and 7× WHO values respectively).     

Positive anomalous concentrations of Pb in some gabbroic rocks of Afikpo basin southeastern Nigeria

Gabbroic rocks have intruded the sedimentary sequence at Ameta in Afikpo basin southeastern Nigeria. Petrographic and geochemical features of the rocks were studied in order to evaluate their genetic and geotectonic history. The petrographic results show that the rocks contain plagioclase, olivine, pyroxene, biotite, iron oxide, and traces of quartz in three samples. Major element characteristics show that the rocks are subalkaline. In addition, the rocks have geochemical characteristics similar to basaltic andesites. The trace elements results show inconsistent concentrations of high field strength elements (Zr, Nb, Th, Ta), moderate enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements (Rb, Sr, Ba) and low concentrations of Ni and Cr. Rare earth element results show that the rocks are characterized by enrichment of light rare earth elements, middle rare earth elements enrichment, and depletion of heavy rare earth elements with slight positive europium anomalies. Zinc concentrations are within the normal range in basaltic rocks. There are extremely high concentrations of Pb in three of the rock samples. The high Pb concentrations in some of these rocks could be as a result of last episodes of magmatic crystallization. The rocks intruded the Asu River Group; organic components in the sedimentary sequence probably contain Pb which has been assimilated into the magma at the evolutionary stage of the magma. Weathering of some rocks that contain galena could lead to an increase in the concentration of lead in the gabbroic rocks, especially when the migration and crystallization of magma take place in an aqueous environment. Nevertheless, high concentration of lead is hazardous to health and environment.     

Fish as an indicator of aquatic environment: Multielemental neutron activation analysis of nutrient and pollutant elements in fish from Indian coastal areas

Fish is the main food in coastal areas and its analysis for toxic metals has been used as an indicator of the pollution status of the aquatic environment. Several different fish species from the three Indian coasts, Visakhapatnam in the east, Mumbai in the west and Mangalore in the south west and also inland freshwater fish from Nagpur in the central region for comparison were analyzed for up to 20 elements (As, Au, Ba, Br, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, Zn) by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Dried fish samples in powdered form were irradiated with thermal neutrons in a nuclear reactor followed by high resolution gamma ray spectrometry at different intervals. Several Reference Materials (RMs) of biological origin were analyzed for quality assurance and data validation. Elemental contents in different fish species vary in a wide range depending on the species, its size, location, and aquatic environment. Fish from Mangalore showed highest mean contents of Cr (14.8?±?29.9?µg?g^?1), Cu (1005?±?643?µg?g^?1) and Sb (849?±?888?ng?g^?1) whereas those from Mumbai exhibited highest Hg (2066?±?2146?ng?g^?1) and P (20.3?±?4.63?µg?g^?1) but lowest Cu (6.30?±?3.10?µg?g^?1) contents. Fish from all the regions showed significant amounts of nutrient elements such as Na, K, P, Mn, Fe, Se and Zn as well as some pollutant elements (Br, Cr, Sb, Hg). No regularity in variation of elemental contents with the size was observed. Prawn (Panaeus latisulcatus), a popular fish species from four different regions showed wide variation in elemental contents of Cr, Mn, Fe, Zn, Se, P including toxic pollutants, Sb and Hg. An attempt has been made to calculate daily dietary intake (DDI) for some nutrient elements from Indian fish. Elemental data for Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Se, and Zn have been compared with those from other fish exporting countries.     

Physicochemical characteristics and distribution of some metals in the ecosystem of Lake Nasser,Egypt

To know the interrelationship between some metals in different ecosystem components (water, sediment, aquatic plant and fish), many samples from these components were collected from four bights at the Nasser Lake, Egypt, and analyzed for Fe, Mn, Zn, Ca, Mg, Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, Cu and Cr using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Different distribution factors (bioaccumulation factor – BF, discrimination factor – DF and enrichment factor – EF) were applied on the results of analysis. Data showed that the relatively high concentration of measured metals in water samples are derived from fish farms, and discharge of tourism and trade ships. Applying single leaching sequential technique on sediment samples, using different extracting solutions, revealed a strong ability of trace metals to adsorb on or co-precipitate with amorphous Fe/Mn oxides. High concentrations of Fe, Mn, Co and Ni were measured in the intestine while high Cd and Cr concentrations were recorded in the stomach in both Tilapia (nilotica and galilea). Tilapia galilea accumulated high Pb, Cu and Zn concentrations in their stomach, while in nilotica high concentrations of Pb, Cu and Zn were measured in the intestine, liver and muscles, respectively. Myriophyllum spicatum (an aquatic plant) in the lake recorded high concentrations of Fe, Mn and Zn. Bioaccumulation factors of studied elements in the different bights components indicate that the elevated concentration of measured elements in the aquatic plant and Tilapia (nilotica and galilea) are derived from water, reflecting the increase of human activities in Nasser Lake in recent years. However, the present study concluded that all the elements studied were still below the natural back-ground levels, except Zn and Cu.     

Application of enrichment factor,geoaccumulation index,and ecological risk index in assessing the elemental pollution status of surface sediments

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - Sediment can accumulate trace elements in the environment. This study profiled the magnitude of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn pollution in...     

Geographic variation in statolith trace elements of the Humboldt squid, Dosidicus gigas, in high seas of Eastern Pacific Ocean

We applied the solution-based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to quantify trace elements in statoliths of Humboldt squid, Dosidicus gigas, collected from the high seas off Chile, Peru, and Costa Rica by Chinese squid jigging vessels during 2007–2009. All squid samples were aged and their spawning dates were back-calculated based on daily increments in statoliths. The most abundant trace elements in the whole statolith were Ca and Sr followed by other elements in the order of Fe, Mg, Zn, Ba, Cu, Mn, Ni, Al, Cr, Co, and U. Significant differences in Mn and Sr were found among samples from the three regions. Sr, Ni, Mn, and Co contributed significantly to the discrimination among the regions, with Co responsible for explaining most of the variation, followed by Ni, Mn, and Sr. Squid from the high seas off Costa Rica could be separated from those off Peru and Chile mostly due to the differences in Ni, Sr, and Co, while samples off Peru and Chile could be distinguished mainly because of differences in Mn and Co. Discriminant function analysis suggested that the overall cross-validated classification rate was 85.6 % with samples off Chile having the highest correct identification rates and samples off Costa Rica having the highest false classification rates. Significant positive relationships were found between sea surface temperature (SST) and Cr/Ca, Mn/Ca, and U/Ca, and there was a negative relationship between SST and Cu/Ca, Sr/Ca. This study suggests that the spatial difference in trace elements of statolith can be used to separate geographic populations of D. gigas and that elements having significant relationships with SST can be considered as natural indicators of ambient temperature.