Methodological approach for metal pollution evaluation in sediments collected from the Taranto Gulf

The concentrations of Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, V, and Sn were determined in marine sediments collected from Taranto Gulf (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy). The aim of this article is to study the methodological approach in order to evaluate total metal levels determined in marine sediments of a contaminated area (Taranto Gulf, Southern Italy), to identify contaminated areas and to predict adverse biological effects based on Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs). The results are discussed in relation to geological characteristics of sediments in order to define background levels and anthropogenic input. Experimental results were elaborated by multivariate statistical techniques and Geographical Information System (GIS) software. The geoaccumulation index I _geo and two sets of SQGs (in particular (a) the threshold effect level (TEL), the probable effect level (PEL) and (b) the effect range-low (ERL) and the effect range median (ERM)) have been used for environmental evaluation of metal concentrations. Results show that in Taranto coastal area, Mar Piccolo basin represents the most contaminated area. A comparison with results from other Mediterranean areas demonstrates that for some metals (such as Cd, Pb, and Hg) Taranto seas represent one of the most polluted areas in the Mediterranean Sea. A comparison of metal levels with SQGs also suggests an ecotoxicological risk for benthic organisms mainly in the first inlet of Mar Piccolo.     

Heavy metals in the polychaete Glycera longipinnis from the southwest of India

Metal concentrations in sediment and in whole tissue of the benthic polychaete Glycera longipinnis collected along the southwest coast of India were analysed. Relative seasonal accumulation of metals (Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd, Hg) was studied by categorising the habitat as less polluted or highly polluted based on metal contamination routed through industrial and urban sources. The metal content in tissues varied seasonally in the ranges, Cu: 2.21–27.08 μg·g^?1, Pb: 0.06–4.92 μg·g^?1, Cr: 1.73–29.20 μg·g^?1, Ni: 1.60–4.61 μg·g^?1, Zn: 14.72–82.30 μg·g^?1, Cd: 0.04–1.38 μg·g^?1and Hg: below decetable limits to 0.86 μg·g^?1. Concentration of heavy metals was found to be high in the whole body of G. longipinnis pooled from the polluted transects. The results of this study suggest that G. longipinnis may act as a useful biological indicator for heavy metal pollution along the southwest coast of India.     

Distribution of Pb,Cr, Cu and Zn in the marine-coastal region of Zanzibar (Tanzanian archipelago,East Africa)

In Tanzania, a large amount of domestic and industrial wastes are daily released to the aquatic environment without prior treatment. The present paper establishes the status of distribution and environmental implications of heavy metals in water, sediment, suspended particulate matter and biota (Anadara antiquata) from two marine coasts in Zanzibar, Tanzania. These metals are derived from the industrial areas through rivers and storm water outflows. Heavy metal concentrations in the collected samples were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Concentrations were significantly higher in the Malindi compared to the Fumba coast (ANOVA, p?=?.001). Calculation of metal partition coefficients shows that the relative importance of the particulate and the water phases varies in response to water parameters and suspended solid content, but that most elements achieve a conditional equilibrium in these coasts. Higher metal concentrations found in Malindi suggest a pollution effect related to anthropogenic activities. Mean metal burdens in the tissues of A. antiquata from both Malindi and Fumba coasts were significantly higher than in other compartments analysed (ANOVA, p?<.05). Maximum values of contamination factor and contamination degree for metals were noticed for sediments from both Malindi and Fumba coasts. It is imperative to understand that metal concentrations of coastal environments depend not only on industrial and household waste inputs but also on the geochemical composition of the area.     

An assessment of heavy-metal contamination in surface sediments of the Suez Gulf using geoaccumulation indexes and statistical analysis

An assessment of marine pollution due to metals was made in the Suez Gulf based on surface costal sediment collected from 18 locations along the Gulf. The samples were dried and acid-digested, and the metal contents (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (air-acetylene) with deuterium background correction. An evaluation of the heavy-metal pollution status of the Gulf was carried out using enrichment factors (EF) and geo-accumulation Indexes (I_geo). Also, heavy-metal concentrations in Suez Gulf sediments were evaluated using the Effect Range-Low (ERL) and the Effect Range-Median (ERM). The results of a Spearman correlation and factor and cluster analysis of the heavy metals analysed in the collected sediment were discussed. The main source of contamination is offshore oil field and industrial wastes, which arise due to the ineffective and inefficient operation equipments, illegal discharge and lack of supervision, and prosecution of offenders.     

Spatial structure and habitat associations of demersal assemblages in the Gulf of Lions: a multicompartmental approach

Experimental trawl surveys were performed in the Gulf of Lions. A multicompartmental approach was used to study the spatial distribution of demersal assemblages and to estimate their associations with two other components of the ecosystem: the benthic macrofauna and substratum type. At the Gulf scale, we found that these components explained 38 and 19% of the total variability of the spatial organization of groundfishes, respectively. Our results showed that groundfish and benthic macrofauna species were primarily distributed along a coast–open sea gradient and secondarily along a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal variability of the spatial organisation of species was maximal in the shelf area, whereas the upper-slope and coastal areas were characterized by strong homogeneity. Although no partitioning could be made based on their spatial distribution, the coastal groundfish assemblages were split into two groups. In the first group, groundfishes were strongly associated with both benthic macrofauna and type of substratum; in the second group, they were strongly independent of these two components. Furthermore, in the Gulf of Lions, the presence of productive zones associated with the Rhône river plume or with shelf-break upwelling seemed to attract some groundfishes. This study illustrates how useful such a multicompartmental approach can be for both fisheries management and community ecology.     

Genetic mechanisms of pollution resistance in a marine invertebrate.

Pollution is a common stress in the marine environment and one of today's most powerful agents of selection, yet we have little understanding of how anthropogenic toxicants influence mechanisms of adaptation in marine populations. Due to their life history strategies, marine invertebrates are unable to avoid stress and must adapt to variable environments. We examined the genetic basis of pollution resistance across multiple environments using the marine invertebrate, Styela plicata. Gametes were crossed in a quantitative genetic breeding design to enable partitioning of additive genetic variance across a concentration gradient of a common marine pollutant, copper. Hatching success was scored as a measure of stress resistance in copper concentrations of 0, 75, 150, and 350 microg/L. There was a significant genotype x environment interaction in hatching success across copper concentrations. Further analysis using factor analytic modeling confirmed a significant dimension of across-environment genetic variation where the genetic basis of resistance to stress in the first three environments differed from that in the environment of highest copper concentration. A second genetic dimension further differentiated between the genetic basis of resistance to low and high stress environments. These results suggest that marine organisms use different genetic mechanisms to adapt to different levels of pollution and that the level of genetic variation to adapt to intense pollution stresses may be limited.     

Evaluating heavy metal contamination of riverine sediment cores in different land-use areas

• Metal pollution was studied in riverine sediments from different land-use areas. • Cd was the most serious heavy metal contaminant in riverine sediment cores. • Riverine sediment cores from industrial area were most polluted by heavy metals. • B1 fraction determined metal pollution, risk and toxicity in riverine sediments. Anthropogenic activities are regarded as the main sources of heavy metal pollution, yet few studies have investigated the effects of land-use setting on heavy metal accumulation in riverine sediments. Based on both total contents and geochemical fractions, heavy metal pollution, risk and toxicity were determined in riverine sediment cores from different land-use areas (mountain area- MA, farm area- FA, city area- CA, and industrial area- IA) of the Yang River Basin in North China. The results showed that FA had higher contents of riverine sedimentary Cu; CA had higher contents of Cd; IA had higher contents of both Cd and Zn. Most riverine sediments from FA and IA were contaminated with the investigated metals, although these concentrations were evaluated to have low potential ecological risk and no toxicity to benthic organisms. However, a high proportion of Cd in the B1 fraction of riverine sediments in IA indicating high risk should receive more attention. The B1 fraction largely determined the contamination, risk and toxicity levels associated with heavy metals in the riverine sediments of the Yang River Basin.     

Etude préliminaire des effets de la pollution globale sur le peuplement planctonique des ports Nord de Marseille

A preliminary study of hydrological and biological parameters has been undertaken on surface waters of the Northern Harbour of Marseilles, France. The present work is part of a broader research scheme relating to secondary zooplankton production in an environment half closed off from the sea. It represents a primary contribution to the exploration of halfclosed or closed marine spaces which come under the influence of pollution and eutrophic factors. The complexity of the harbour milieu is discussed, and the basic problems defined. The harbour waters are characterized by high concentrations of seston; this parameter enables a delimitation dividing polluted waters from the Marseilles Gulf waters to be determined. Other hydrological parameters, although of more complex nature, may also help, in some cases, in characterizing harbour waters. High temperory concentrations of characteristic holoplankton species, which seem to find here their preferred biotope, divide the harbour milieu from the open waters of the Gulf, as do other meroplanktonic or semi-benthic species. Finally, the half-closed milieu studied here provides, for particular periods and under conditions still to be specified, a eutrophic milieu which promotes intensive growth of zooplankton and phytoplankton.     

菌根技术在重金属污染修复中的研究与展望

菌根技术作为一种生物新技术对于重金属污染土壤的生物修复正在为全球环境工作者所关注。在土壤中菌根及其庞大的菌丝体网可以分泌大量的生物化学物质，改变植物根际环境及重金属的存在状态或降低重金属的毒性；还可以通过在植物体内的累积以及菌根真菌菌丝体的螯合等各种机制，实现对重金属的提取和固定，达到菌根重金属修复的目的。文章通过讨论菌根植物对重金属修复的作用机制，提出今后菌根技术在重金属植物修复中的新思路；认为应在通过广泛调查、筛选超积累菌根植物的基础上，不断探索植物一微生物一菌根体系修复问题，同时认为应将基因工程引入菌根植物的重金属修复研究中，以促进土壤重金属污染的生物修复。     

Alterations inras-gene expression and intracellular distribution of protein kinase C in the spongeGeodia cydonium in response to marine pollution

The siliceous spongeGeodia cydonium Jameson was used to study the influence of pollution in marine environments on selected parameters of the intracellular signal transduction pathway. The parameters chosen were: intracellular distribution of protein kinase C (PK-C),ras-gene expression and DNA polymerasealpha (DNA Polalpha) activity. Both PK-C andras-gene product (ras-protein) have previously been established to be key molecules in the intracellular signalling pathway in sponges; increased level ofras-protein mediates events following sponge cell-cell contact. Three unpolluted and three polluted sites in the off-shore seawater around Rovinj (Yugoslavia) were selected for the study in 1989. The state of pollution of these sites has been well-defined in a series of previous studies (1976 to 1989). Transplantation of regenerating sponge cubes ofG. cydonium to the polluted sites resulted in pronounced changes in the parameters chosen, compared to controls exposed to unpolluted environments. Expression ofras gene was increased by three- to five-fold after exposure of regenerating sponge tissue to the impacted sites. At the site with the highest pollutional load,ras mRNA level was about 50% of that at the reference sites. In parallel experiments it was established that, in response to pollution, a translocation of PK-C from the cytosolic to membrane fraction occurred. At the most impacted site, most of the enzyme activity was cytosolic. DNA Polalpha-activity, as a measure of sponge cell proliferation, decreased in a pollutioncorrelated manner. Our results indicate that the intracellular signalling system within sponge cells is activated in response to moderate pollution but is depressed in heavily polluted environments.     

A comparative seasonal study of two populations of Hypnea musciformis from the East and West Coasts of Florida,USA I. Growth and chemistry

Dry weight levels of the red alga Hypnea musciformis (Wulfen) Lamouroux from Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal sites in florida, USA were lowest in the late winter and early spring, increasing through the summer and highest in the fall. There was a two-month lag in the Gulf coast population's dry weight pattern, indicating differing growth patterns. Chlorophyll a, phycoerythrin and phycoerythrin/chlorophyll a ratios were highest in the winter and lowest in the summer for both populations. Total pigment levels for H. musciformis from the Atlantic coast site were significantly greater than those of the Gulf coast. Protein and carbohydrate percentages were inversely related in both populations, with carbohydrate levels highest in summer and protein levels highest in winter. The Gulf coast population contained significantly more protein than the Atlantic coast plants. Carrageenan levels were highest in spring and lowest in fall, the Atlantic coast population generally had higher levels than the Gulf coast population. The differences in seasonal patterns and levels of the chemical constituents were reflected by distinct morphological characteristics for each population. The Atlantic coast population was larger, darker, more coarse in texture and possessed more crozier branch tips than the Gulf coast plants. These distinctions represent acclimitization responses that relate to habitat differences.     

An assessment of contamination and ecological risk of metals in sediments of the Guaracara,Caparo and Couva rivers in Trinidad,West Indies

The presence of metals in an aquatic environment can serve as a biomarker for pollution and can be used to evaluate its contamination status. Rapid industrialisation in recent decades has propelled Trinidad and Tobago to be one of the most developed nations within the Caribbean region and has stimulated the awareness of potential ecological risks from various industrial activities affecting the rivers of Trinidad. Sediment samples from three rivers along the West coast of Trinidad were analysed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. For all three rivers, the metal concentrations in sediments were in the range of 0.40–2.31?μg/g, 12.77–33.04?μg/g, 14.51–72.89?μg/g, 224.90–4472.83?μg/g, 8.20–43.08?μg/g, 22.63–38.34?μg/g and 92.0–5462.60?μg/g for Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, respectively. Assessment of the pollution status indicated that all three rivers were considered polluted, with significant contributions from Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn. The potential ecological risk for all three rivers, however, was low and multivariate statistics revealed that mainly anthropogenic sources contributed to the metal concentrations in sediments of all three rivers.     

Environmental contamination using accumulation of metals in marine sponge,Sigmadocia fibulata inhabiting the coastal waters of Gulf of Mannar,India

Coastal marine ecosystems in many parts of the world are under unrelenting stress caused by urban development, pollutants and other ecological impacts such as building of infrastructure, land reclamation for port and industrial development, habitat modification, tourism and recreational activities. The present work is a first extensive field study using the marine sponge, Sigmadocia fibulata as a bioindicator to detect metal pollution between inshore and offshore environment of the ‘Gulf of Mannar’, India. Samples of S. fibulata were collected from different places of inshore (0.1–0.5?km) and offshore (3–5?kms) locations. Metal concentrations in water and bioaccumulation in sponges were determined by ICP-MS (Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry). Enrichment of metal contamination was more in the inshore, when compared to offshore environment. Higher concentrations of metals Fe, Al, Ni, Mn, Cu, Cr, Co, Ba, Zn, V, Pb and Cd in inshore waters (3–6.4 times than offshore) may be due to the discharge of monsoonal rains, carrying a discharge of industrial and agricultural wastes and sewage directly into the coast. This is substantiated by a highly significant positive correlation between concentrations of metals in the water and accumulation in sponges. The bioaccumulation of metals in sponge tissue were in order of Fe?>?Al?>?Ni?>?Mn?>?Cu?> Cr?>?Co?>?Ba?>?Zn?>?V?>?Cd?>?Pb in both the inshore and offshore regions. Apparently, the macromolecule composition (sugars, proteins and lipids) was significantly reduced by the accumulation of metals in inshore sponges. The current findings indicated that the frequent monitoring is necessary to assess the eco-health of the marine environment by choosing bio-indicator species like S. fibulata, which provide accurate, reliable measurements of environmental quality.     

Distribution quantitative de la méiofaune dans l'aire d'épandage de l'égout de Marseille

A quantitative analysis of meiofauna was carried out at ten sample stations distributed along a transect off Marseilles' (France) sewage outfall in November, 1981. The meiofauna was counted and average and total biomass of nematodes and copepods were calculated for each station. Comparison of data between stations or groups of stations was made using statistical tests. The results revealed three sectors in which effects of pollution on meiofauna differed: (1) A heavily polluted coastal zone (at a distance of 30 to 150 m from the outfall), relatively poor in meiofauna, which, however, was not completely absent-as were macrobenthic organisms; the meiofauna was composed mainly of nematodes and copepods, but acarians and naupliar larvae (probably copepods) were also numerous; the copepods were uncommonly large in size, and alone consituted most of the total benthic biomass in this zone. (2) An intermediate zone (400 to 1 150 m away from the coast), also polluted and much richer in meiofauna than the coastal zone; the meiofauna groups were more diversified, annelids (mainly polychaetes) increasing in number, while acarians became scarce and copepods decreased in size; at 400 m away from the outfall, where the sediment is strongly polluted, the nematode population consisted of large individuals which contributed greatly to the biomass; at 400 and 800 m, the distribution of both meiofauna and macrobenthos was heterogeneous; at 1 150 m away from the outfall, maximal meiofaunal densities were recorded, due primarily to an increase in nematode numbers; here, unlike all the stations nearer to the coast, total nematode biomass was greater than copepod biomass. (3) An off-shore zone (1.8 to 4 km distant from the coast), slightly polluted, where meiofauna densities were reduced and individuals decreased in size with increasing depth. Generally, an enrichment in the meiofauna was evident from the coastal to the intermediate zone. Enrichments induced by urban pollution have been recorded previously, but not, as in the present study, at a distance of 1 km away from the outfall, succeeding to a highly impoverished coastal zone. Thus, by supplying organic matter and nutrients, Marseilles' sewage can enrich sediments, but only to a certain distance away from the outfall, where the deleterious effects of pollutants are attenuated.     

Lionfish alter benthic invertebrate assemblages in patch habitats of a subtropical estuary

Invasive lionfish (primarily Pterois volitans) have spread throughout the Caribbean region, Gulf of Mexico, and the Southeast US coast, and resulting impacts on reef fish populations have been well documented. We examined whether lionfish can likewise affect benthic invertebrate communities, using an in situ caging experiment, in the Loxahatchee Estuary, Florida, USA. We found that lionfish caused significant declines in the three most abundant benthic invertebrate species, driving an overall shift in assemblage composition. For example, grass shrimp (Palaemonidae) abundance was reduced by nearly 90 % in the presence of lionfish. Species richness of benthic organisms was significantly higher when lionfish were present, suggesting potentially complex emergent effects of lionfish predation on benthic assemblages. Despite the fact that this experiment was conducted in just a single location using relatively small experimental units, we show altered benthic invertebrate communities could well be an additional outcome of the lionfish invasion.     

Differential tolerance to metals among populations of the introduced bryozoan Bugula neritina

Resistance to heavy metals is a potentially important trait for introduced marine organisms, facilitating their successful invasion into disturbed natural communities. We conducted laboratory and field experiments to examine differential resistance to copper (Cu) between two source populations of the introduced bryozoan Bugula neritina, originating from a polluted (Port Kembla Harbour, NSW, Australia) and an unpolluted (Botany Bay, NSW, Australia) environment. A laboratory toxicity test was conducted to test the relative resistance of B. neritina recruits from the two sources, by measuring the attachment success, survival and growth of individuals exposed to a range of Cu concentrations (0, 25, 50 and 100 μg l⁻¹ Cu). Upon completion, reciprocal transplantation of the colonies to the original polluted and unpolluted locations was carried out to assess ongoing survival and growth of colonies in the field. B. neritina colonies originating from the polluted Port Kembla Harbour had increased resistance to Cu relative to populations from an unpolluted part of Botany Bay. There appeared to be a cost associated with increased metal tolerance. In the laboratory, Botany Bay recruits displayed significantly higher growth in control treatments and significantly poorer growth at 100 μg l⁻¹ Cu with respect to Port Kembla Harbour individuals, which showed unusually uniform and low growth irrespective of Cu concentration. No difference in attachment success or post-metamorphic survival was observed between populations. Field transplantation showed copper resistance in Port Kembla Harbour colonies constituted an advantage in polluted but not benign environments. The findings of this study provide evidence of the benefits to invasive species of pollution tolerance and suggest that human disturbance can facilitate the establishment and spread of invasive species in marine systems.     

High Cu and Cd pollution in sediments from Sisimiut, Greenland. Adsorption to organic matter and fine particles

High concentrations of Cu of up to 200 mg/kg, and Cd of up to 4.0 mg/kg, were found in sediments from the aquatic environment around Sisimiut, Greenland. These concentrations are four times higher than the limiting concentration where toxicological effects are expected. The pollution could be linked to human activities in Sisimiut, a link that have not been investigated previously in Greenland. Except from the most polluted samples there was good correlation between heavy metal concentration and organic matter. Also some relationship between fine fraction and heavy metal concentration was observed.     

Biological benthic tools as indicators of coastal marine ecosystems health

Coastal marine ecosystems are increasingly subjected to environmental stress and degradation due to pollution. Several research programmes have addressed this problem and produced relevant data sets for specific areas, often including consistent sets of environmental and biological variables. The value of existing information gathered from these types of data can be largely increased by combining them into a common data set to determine globally applicable relationships. To perform this exercise, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO has recently formed the Ad hoc Study Group on Benthic Indicators (http://www.ioc.unesco.org/benthicindicators) with the aim of developing robust indicators of benthic health. In this paper, initial products and ongoing activities of this international initiative are described and discussed. An expansion of initial IOC/UNESCO research on benthic fauna-organic carbon relationships is also presented. As part of this follow-up research, the relationship between total organic carbon concentrations of sediment and abundance, biomass and species diversity of benthic macrofauna was evaluated using data sets from 2 different regions of the world comprising 3 different coastal marine environments. The ability of identifying threshold levels in selected variables that could serve as indicators of related adverse environmental conditions leading to stress in the benthos is envisaged within the frame of a larger joint analysis, carried out by the IOC/UNESCO Study Group on Benthic Indicators, of merged data sets from several coastal regions worldwide.     

Community response patterns: evaluating benthic invertebrate composition in metal-polluted streams.

Human activities are modifying the condition and character of ecosystems at a rapid rate. Because of these rapid changes, questions concerning how ecosystems and their assemblages respond to anthropogenic stressors have been of general interest. Accurate prediction of assemblage composition in ecosystems with anthropogenic degradation requires that we assess both how assemblages respond to stressors and the generality of the responses. We ask whether assemblage composition among stream sites becomes more similar after exposure to a common stressor. Using data from biological monitoring programs in the southern Rocky Mountain ecoregion of Colorado and in West Virginia, we compare benthic invertebrate similarity and assemblage composition among sites having different levels (background, low, medium, and high) of heavy-metal pollution. Invertebrate assemblages were most similar within the background metal category, and similarity was progressively lower in low, medium, and high metal categories. An analysis of the frequency of occurrence of genera within metal categories reveals taxonomic shifts that conform to expectations based on metal tolerance of benthic invertebrates. However, different metal-tolerant genera were found at different metal-impacted sites, suggesting that local abiotic and biotic processes may influence the identity of the metal-tolerant genera that become established in polluted sites. Low community similarity in the medium and high-metal categories suggests that accurate prediction of assemblage composition at impacted sites may be challenging.     

Biological benthic tools as indicators of coastal marine ecosystems health

Coastal marine ecosystems are increasingly subjected to environmental stress and degradation due to pollution. Several research programmes have addressed this problem and produced relevant data sets for specific areas, often including consistent sets of environmental and biological variables. The value of existing information gathered from these types of data can be largely increased by combining them into a common data set to determine globally applicable relationships. To perform this exercise, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO has recently formed the Ad hoc Study Group on Benthic Indicators (http://www.ioc.unesco.org/benthicindicators) with the aim of developing robust indicators of benthic health. In this paper, initial products and ongoing activities of this international initiative are described and discussed. An expansion of initial IOC/UNESCO research on benthic fauna-organic carbon relationships is also presented. As part of this follow-up research, the relationship between total organic carbon concentrations of sediment and abundance, biomass and species diversity of benthic macrofauna was evaluated using data sets from 2 different regions of the world comprising 3 different coastal marine environments. The ability of identifying threshold levels in selected variables that could serve as indicators of related adverse environmental conditions leading to stress in the benthos is envisaged within the frame of a larger joint analysis, carried out by the IOC/UNESCO Study Group on Benthic Indicators, of merged data sets from several coastal regions worldwide.