Distribution, correlation, and source apportionment of selected metals in tannery effluents, related soils, and groundwater—a case study from Multan, Pakistan

The short-term responses of H₂O₂-depletion-related parameters in moss Hypnum plumaeforme to the combined stress induced by Pb and Ni were investigated. The results showed that the Pb and Ni stress induced dose-dependent accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The increase of peroxidase (POD) activity and decrease of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity were observed under the combined heavy metal application. The antioxidants, ascorbate (AsA) and proline content, increased significantly when the metals were applied together. The study indicated that the cell damage caused by Pb stress was higher than that caused by Ni stress, Pb and Ni had synergistic effect in inducing the oxidative stress in moss H. plumaeforme, especially under the combination of high concentration of Ni (0.1 and 1.0 mM) and Pb. Content of proline, H₂O₂ and the activity of POD, all showed a dose-dependent increase under Pb and Ni stress, suggesting their practical value as biomarkers in moss biomonitoring, especially in the case of light pollution caused by heavy metals without the changes in the appearance of mosses.     

Oxidative stress in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and armored catfish (Pterygoplichthys anisitsi) exposed to diesel oil

Considering that diesel oil is one of the most common aquatic contaminants, we compare the oxidative stress between two species of fish with different habitats (Pterygoplichthys anisitsi, benthic and Oreochromis niloticus, nektonic) exposed to diesel oil. Malondialdehyde concentrations (MDA) and the activities of ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase were all analyzed in the fishes' livers and gills after 2 and 7 days of exposure to different concentrations of diesel (0.1 and 0.5 mL/L). In the tilapia, MDA levels and the activities of EROD and GST activity in the liver, as well as MDA levels and the activities of GST and SOD in the gill had statistically significant differences between the treatments and between the times of exposure. For the catfish, the same occurred in the case of MDA, EROD, and SOD in the liver and in CAT and SOD in the gills. There were significant differences in the enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation between the species. Although the activity of most enzymes seemed to be more expressive and responsive to diesel in O. niloticus, diesel oil also caused significant effects on oxidative stress parameters in P. anisitsi, even though this species is benthic and thus has less access to insoluble fractions of diesel oil. Therefore, both species can be used as sentinel organisms in environmental biomonitoring of diesel contamination.     

Critical analysis of the potential of Ipomoea nil'Scarlet O'Hara' for ozone biomonitoring in the sub-tropics

This study aimed to analyze critically the potential of Ipomoea nil'Scarlet O'Hara' for O(3) biomonitoring in the sub-tropics. Four field experiments (one in each season of 2006) were carried out in a location of the city of S?o Paulo mainly polluted by O(3). Each experiment started with 50 plants, and lasted 28 days. Sub-lots of five plants were taken at intervals between three or four days long. Groups of four plants were also exposed in closed chambers to filtered air or to 40, 50 or 80 ppb of O(3) for three consecutive hours a day for six days. The percentage of leaf injury (interveinal chloroses and necroses), the concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidases (POD) were determined in the 5th, 6th and 7th oldest leaves on the main stem of the plants taken in all experiments. Visible injury occurred in the plants from all experiments. Seasonality in the antioxidant responses observed in plants grown under field conditions was associated with meteorological variables and ozone concentrations five days before leaf analyses. The highest levels of antioxidants occurred during the spring. The percentage of leaf injury was explained (R(2) = 0.97, p < 0.01) by the reduction in the levels of AA and activity of POD five days before the leaf analyses and by the reduction in the levels of particulate matter, and enhancement of temperature and global radiation 10 days before this same day. Although I. nil may be employed for qualitative O(3) biomonitoring, its efficiency for quantitative biomonitoring in the sub-tropics may be compromised, depending on how intense the oxidative power of the environment is.     

Analysis of selected biomonitors to evaluate the suitability for their complementary use in monitoring trace element atmospheric deposition

The biomonitoring properties of oak tree bark compared with the epiphytic moss Hypnum cupressiforme and the influence of the tree bark, as its growth substrate, on the content of heavy metals in moss were investigated. Samples of the epiphytic moss H. cupressiforme and oak tree bark (Quercus spp.) were collected in Eastern Romania at a total of 44 sampling sites. Parallel moss and bark samples were collected from the same sides of the trunk circumference. V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, In, Tl, Sn, Pb, and Bi were determined by ICP-MS. Principal component analysis was used to identify possible sources of metals in bark and moss. Six factors explaining 87 % of the total variance in the data set were chosen. The main factors represent long-range atmospheric transport of elements (Zn, Cd, (Pb), Bi, (Mo), (Tl)), local emissions from industrial sources (As, Cr, Ni, V), road traffic (Pb, Zn) and agricultural activities (Cu, (Zn)). The element concentrations in moss and bark samples are of the same order of magnitude. For almost all the elements, higher concentrations were obtained in moss. Significant correlations between concentrations in moss and bark samples were obtained for 7 of the 13 elements: V, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, In, and Bi, all typical anthropogenic pollutants. The use of tree bark for monitoring purposes might be an alternative in areas where there is a scarcity of mosses.     

Comparison of two metal surveys by moss Tortula ruralis in Budapest, Hungary

Moss transplants of Tortula ruralis were used as active biomonitoring organisms as part of a monitoring study to assess the metals (Al, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) associated with ambient particles on mosses in Budapest, the capital town of Hungary. The moss samples were collected in a nature conservation area from a semi-arid sand grassland (Festucetum vaginatae danubiale), less than 1 month before transplantation. Moss cushions were exposed to pollution in Budapest during October–November 1993 and February–March 1994. In the study area, 16 sites were marked out as measuring sites, in accordance with the structure of the city. A similar stand was established in the Botanical Gardens of the Szent István University in Gödöll? as a control site. ICP-AES analysis of moss for metals showed the ability of Tortula ruralis to accumulate the metals under study. Control site showed lower impact in comparison to the other sites.     

Effects of coal spoil amendment on heavy metal accumulation and physiological aspects of ryegrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lolium perenne</Emphasis> L.) growing in copper mine tailings

Copper mine tailings pose many threats to the surrounding environment and human health, and thus, their remediation is fundamental. Coal spoil is the waste by-product of coal mining and characterized by low levels of metals, high content of organic matter, and many essential microelements. This study was designed to evaluate the role of coal spoil on heavy uptake and physiological responses of Lolium perenne L. grown in copper mine tailings amended with coal spoil at rates of 0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, and 20%. The results showed that applying coal spoil to copper mine tailings decreased the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn contents in tailings and reduced those metal contents in both roots and shoots of the plant. However, application of coal spoil increased the DTPA-extractable Cr concentration in tailings and also increased Cr uptake and accumulation by Lolium perenne L. The statistical analysis of physiological parameters indicated that chlorophyll and carotenoid increased at the lower amendments of coal spoil followed by a decrease compared to their respective controls. Protein content was enhanced at all the coal spoil amendments. When treated with coal spoil, the activities of superoxide dismutases (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) responded differently. CAT activity was inhibited, but POD activity was increased with increasing amendment ratio of coal spoil. SOD activity increased up to 1% coal spoil followed by a decrease. Overall, the addition of coal spoil decreased the oxidative stress in Lolium perenne L., reflected by the reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in the plant. It is concluded that coal spoil has the potential to stabilize most metals studied in copper mine tailings and ameliorate the harmful effects in Lolium perenne L. through changing the physiological attributes of the plant grown in copper mine tailings.     

Trace element biomonitoring using mosses in urban areas affected by mud volcanoes around Mt. Etna. The case of the Salinelle, Italy

Trace element impact was assessed using mosses in a densely inhabited area affected by mud volcanoes. Such volcanoes, locally called Salinelle, are phenomena that occur around Mt. Etna (Sicily, Italy) and are interpreted as the surface outflow of a hydrothermal system located below Mt. Etna, releasing sedimentary fluids (hydrocarbons and NaCl brines) along with magmatic gases (mainly CO(2) and He). To date, scarce data are available about the presence of trace elements, and no biomonitoring campaigns are reported about the cumulative effects of such emissions. In this study, concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn were detected in the moss Bryum argenteum, in soil and water. Results showed that the trace element contribution of the Salinelle to the general pollution was significant for Al, Mn, Ni, and Zn. The comparison of trace concentrations in mosses from Salinelle and Etna showed that the mud volcanoes release a greater amount of Al and Mn, whereas similar values of Ni were found. Natural emissions of trace elements could be hazardous in human settlements, in particular, the Salinelle seem to play an important role in environmental pollution.     

Analysis of mosses and topsoils for detecting sources of heavy metal pollution: multivariate and enrichment factor analysis

In order to assess the contribution of emission sources to the pollution of areas remote from industrial facilities, a combined approach of enrichment factor analysis and multivariate statistics was used for detecting the origin of heavy metal pollution in the Zlatibor ecosystem, in Serbia. Samples of moss (Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Scleropodium purum, Hypnum cupressiforme and Thuidum delicatulum) and of topsoil (0-5 cm) were collected in 2005. The concentrations of seven heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined in moss and soil samples by atomic absorption spectrometry. The results obtained by enrichment factor analysis and two multivariate statistical methods, principal component analysis and cluster analysis, enabled discrimination of the lithologic and anthropogenic sources of heavy metals in the mosses. Enrichment factors, calculated to evaluate the contribution to the metal content in moss from anthropogenic sources, revealed pollution of the investigated area by Cd and Pb, originating from long-range transport and fossil fuel burning.     

Cross-border response of mosses to heavy metal atmospheric deposition in Southeastern Bulgaria and European Turkey

First cross-border atmospheric pollution of 11 heavy metals and toxic elements assessed by Hypnum cupressiforme was reported for a part of Southeastern Europe (Southeastern Bulgaria and European Turkey). Moss monitoring technique followed the main requirements of European Moss Survey. Moss samples were collected in April 2006 both in Bulgaria and Turkey. Concentration of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn were determined by ICP-AES. Interlaboratory parallel calibration (exchanged four moss samples from each country), standard reference moss materials (M2 and M3) results ensured the study. ANOVA showed no differences between measured results in both laboratories at the 99% confidence level. Principle Component Analyze proved two factors: F1 group of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni, and V and F2 of Cu, Pb, and Zn as main atmospheric pollutants. Results obtained showed approximately Cu and Pb high concentrations around Istanbul and Burgas and Zn pollution in Istanbul district. Arsenic cross-border atmospheric pollution in the study area of Southeastern Europe was found.     

Assessment of Atmospheric Deposition of Heavy Metals and Other Elements in Belgrade Using the Moss Biomonitoring Technique and Neutron Activation Analysis

This study aimed at assessing atmospheric deposition of heavy metals and other elements using the moss genera Brachythecium sp. (B. rutabulum and B. salebrosum) and Eurhynchium sp. (E. hians and E. striatum) collected in autumn 2004 in the urban area of Belgrade. The concentrations of 36 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Tb, Dy, Hf, Ta, W, Hg, Th, U) were determined in moss and local topsoil samples by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The concentration of elements in moss positively correlated to those obtained for topsoil. High enrichment factors for As, Zn, Mo, Br, Sb, Se, Hg and Cl, calculated to continental crust composition, gave an evidence for anthropogenic impact on urban area, mainly due to intensive vehicular traffic and fossil fuel combustion. The concentration of elements in moss, characteristic for fossil fuel combustion, obtained in this study were substantially lower than in the previous investigation (2000) conducted in the area of Belgrade. The level of concentrations for V, Cr, Ni, and As in moss from this study correlated to those measured for neighboring countries, and were several times higher than the base-level data from low polluted areas. The level of accumulated elements in both investigated moss genera were similar and all studied species could be combined for biomonitoring purposes in urban areas.