Chelator-induced bioextraction of heavy metals from artificially contaminated soil by mushroom (Coprinus comatus)

This study investigated the potential use of chelator-induced bioextraction of heavy metals from soil by Coprinus comatus in a pot experiment. Two production waves of the mushroom were obtained to determine biomass and metal concentration. The application of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or nitrilotriacetate (NTA) slightly inhibited the growth of C. comatus, but significantly enhanced the accumulation of heavy metals in fruiting bodies compared with the control. The highest concentrations of Pb, Cu and Cd reached 900.60, 783.61 and 23.64 mg·kg^?1 in a single pot, respectively. However, application of citric acid (CA) had no effect on metal uptake. Moreover, chelators applied to soil after fructification increased the dry biomass and metal concentration in fruiting bodies compared with those applied before sowing mycelia. EDTA was more efficient for inducing metal uptake by C. comatus than NTA or CA, and split applications of EDTA after fructification resulted in the highest total metal uptake by mushroom, i.e. 19.08±2.84, 17.57±0.69 and 0.55±0.06 mg for Pb, Cu and Cd, respectively, which were 130, 12 and 5 times values obtained with the control. Interestingly, many mushrooms turned blue after soil had been treated with chelator, indicating that these mushrooms are rich in Cu.     

Variation in trace element mobility and nitrogen metabolism of Verbascum olympicum Boiss. under copper stress

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of copper (Cu) stress on accumulation and transport of trace elements, nitrogen assimilation, and growth parameters of Verbascum olympicum. Eight-week-old seedlings were grown in Hoagland's solution and exposed to 0, 50, 250, or 500?µM CuSO₄ for seven days in laboratory conditions. Bioaccumulation of trace elements (boron, bismuth, cobalt, Cu, iron, lithium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, zinc) in the roots and leaves was determined by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry after one, three, and seven days. Chlorophyll content, nitrate reductase, and glutamine synthetase activities, soluble protein content, and biomass were determined. Copper accumulated in the roots and leaves (up to 19609.8 and 256.2?mg?kg^?1 dry weight, respectively). Other trace elements accumulated to higher levels in the roots of Cu-treated plants compared with those of control plants. High Cu concentrations decreased nitrogen-assimilatory enzyme activities. Compared with control plants, those treated with high Cu concentrations showed lower chlorophyll contents, total protein contents, and biomass. Nitrogen assimilation and growth parameters of V. olympicum were negatively affected by Cu treatment but mineral nutrition was not severely disrupted. The results support the suitability of V. olympicum as a candidate for phytoremediation of Cu-contaminated soils.     

Response of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) to heavy metals contamination in soils with different organic fertilisations

The response of green roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) to Cu/Pb contamination and manure application in soil was investigated using pot experiments. Subsamples of a mineral soil were treated with increasing doses (0–500 mg kg^?1) of Cu/Pb only and/or amended (at 10% w/w) with poultry or swine manure. Roselle plants were grown, monitored for changes in growth rate and post-harvest aboveground dry biomass and tissue Cu/Pb concentrations were determined. The plants were typically greenish with linear growth profiles at all metal doses, indicating some level of tolerance. Dry biomass yields decreased as metal dose increased. Poultry manure enhanced roselle biomass yields better than swine manure. Tissue Cu/Pb concentrations increased linearly as metal doses increased in unamended soils; whereas nonlinear responses were observed in manure-amended soils. Soil-to-plant transfer factors, T _f (%) indicated that Cu (13≤T _f (% )≤60) was more phytoavailable to roselle than Pb (11≤T _f (% )≤20). Tissue metal concentrations were modelled from soil pH, organic matter, plant available and pseudototal metal; but the models appeared more reliable with plant available metal as a covariate than with pseudototal metal content. These observations may become useful whenever phytoextraction is the remedial option for soils moderately contaminated by toxic metals.     

Effect of initial ratio of heavy metal to biomass on growth yield in batch culture of activated sludge

The effect of heavy metal on the observed growth yield (y_obs) was observed in batch culture of activated sludge. However, no attention has been paid to quantitatively describe the relationship between heavy metal concentration and y_obs so far. In this study, a growth yield model in relation to the ratio of initial heavy metal concentration (C_m) to initial biomass concentration (X ₀) was proposed for batch culture of activated sludge, and was verified with experimental and literature data. A significant decline in Y_obs was found with the increase of the C_m/X₀ ratio. It was clearly demonstrated that for a given initial heavy metal concentration, real strength of heavy metal exerted on unit biomass would be reduced with the increase of initial biomass concentration. This study for the first time revealed that the toxicity of heavy metal to microbial growth should be correlated with the C_m/X₀ ratio rather than to C_m only. A concept of effective C_m/X₀ ratio, namely (C_m/X₀ )₅₀ was then developed for more reasonably and reliably assessing toxicity of heavy metal to microorganisms.     

Uptake of seven metals by two macrophytes species: potential for phytoaccumulation and phytoremediation

Aquatic macrophytes can be used in the studies of quality of water ecosystems and in monitoring of metals and other pollutants. The aim of this study was to assess concentration levels, accumulation and distribution of seven metals in selected plant parts of Typha angustifolia L. and Iris pseudacorus L., in comparison with sediment and water samples of a reservoir. Metal content in the samples was determined by optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES iCAP 6500). The concentrations of all examined metals were higher in the sediment than in the water samples. In plants, metal concentrations depended on plant species and organs. The roots/rhizomes were primary organs for metal concentration and accumulation. T. angustifolia L. accumulated Mn and Cu, and I. pseudacorus L. accumulated Cd and Cu in the fruits. T. angustifolia L. hyperaccumulated As. The values of enrichment coefficients and translocation factors were: 0 to 3.31 and 0 to 2.39, respectively. The plant species investigated absorb, translocate and accumulate metals in their organs differently, which provides advantages in combining them for remediation of wasted aquatic ecosystems.     

Bioavailability of copper and cadmium in sediment of nanjing section of Changjiang river to aquatic organisms

Bioavailabilities of metals in sediment to aquatic organisms depend on the strength of metal bonding to particulates. The accumulation tests of Cu and Cd in carp and in snails have been studied in vitro with the solution containing semisynthetic sediment samples in which the contents of various speciation of metal in sediment have been extended. For carp, the accumulation of Cu and Cd is related to the concentration of dissolved metal which in turn is affected by the distributions of speciations in sediment under given environmental conditions. It is another pattern for snails, various speciations of metal in sediment can contribute indirectly to metal accumulation. The contribution ratio, or relative importance of various speciations of metal in sediment can be expressed by multiple linear regression formulas. The contribution of ion‐exchangable speciation and coprecipition with carbonate speciation is 10⁵ times larger than that of residue speciation in sediment.     

Phragmites australis as a heavy metal bioindicator in the Anzali wetland of Iran

In this study, levels of Fe, Cu, Cd, and Ni in the sediments and organs of Phragmites australis from three different sites in the Anzali wetland were measured. Heavy metal accumulation was higher in the roots of P. australis than in the shoots and leaves. There was a significant correlation between metal concentrations in roots and sediment. This result showed that the root of P. australis can be used as bioindicator for Fe, Cu, Cd, and Ni. Metal levels in sediment were recorded higher than the interim sediment quality guideline values, and the Cd and Ni content in P. australis were higher than the unpolluted levels in plants. This indicates the necessity for continuous monitoring of the metal levels and also evaluating the hazard risk of heavy metals in aquatic organisms in the Anzali wetland.     

腐殖酸作用下沉积物中纳米氧化铜对铜锈环棱螺生态毒性的影响

为了探讨不同水平腐殖酸作用下沉积物中纳米氧化铜(CuO-NPs)对底栖生物生态毒理学效应的影响,以铜锈环棱螺(Bellamya aeruginosa)为受试生物,通过腐殖酸和CuO-NPs加标沉积物的慢性(28 d)生物测试,研究了肝胰脏中Cu的生物积累、Na+K+-ATP酶(ATPase)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)以及过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性的变化规律.结果表明,在低浓度CuO-NPs处理组(60 μg·g1),沉积物中腐殖酸水平对Cu的生物积累以及ATPase、SOD和CAT活性均没有显著影响.在中、高浓度CuO-NPs处理组(≥180 μg·g-1),Cu的生物积累均随腐殖酸水平的增加而显著升高;肝胰脏ATPase活性随腐殖酸水平的增加而显著下降;当腐殖酸水平为0.05 g·g-1时,SOD活性显著高于未添加腐殖酸组,表现为显著诱导,当腐殖酸水平≥0.1g·g-1时,SOD活性开始下降,并具有浓度依赖性;随腐殖酸水平的增加,肝胰脏CAT活性总体上表现为浓度依赖性显著下降.由于沉积物中腐殖酸的存在,显著增加CuO-NPs在沉积物中的分散稳定性,更容易被铜锈环棱螺摄取,从而通过增加CuO-NPs的生物积累而增强对铜锈环棱螺的生态毒性.     

Biosorption of lead and cadmium using marine algae

The use of algae (Ulva fasciata, green and Sargassum sp., brown) to reduce lead and cadmium levels from mono-metal solutions was investigated. The brown algae showed higher efficiency for the accumulation of lead (～1.5 times) and cadmium (～2 times) than green algae. The optimum pH value is found to be between 4 and 5.5. Regarding biomass concentration, an increase in metals percentage removal and a decrease in metal uptake capacity coincided with the increase in biomass concentration. All light metals (Ca, Mg and Na) showed a suppressive effect on biosorption capacity. The enhancement of biosorption in the case of NaOH was obvious. The biosorption process (65–90%) occurred within 3?min. Experimental data were in high agreement with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Freundlich model for lead and cadmium biosorption using different biosorbents. In the desorption study, 0.2?mol?L^?1 HCl recorded the best concentration for the elution of metals from the biomass. The biosorption capacity decreased over the four operational cycles for both lead and cadmium. Infrared analysis showed that amino, hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups provide the major biosorption sites for metal binding. Use of the above-mentioned algae for cheap metal absorbance is considered as one water treatment criterion.     

Copper and zinc interaction on water clearance and tissue metal distribution in the freshwater mussel, Cristaria plicata, under laboratory conditions

Copper and zinc interaction on clearance from water and distribution in different tissues was investigated for the freshwater mussel, Cristaria plicata, under laboratory conditions. Clearance rate of Cu or Zn from water was highly dependent on exposure concentration. Interaction effect was most evident at 300 ??g??L^?1 Cu exposure and depressed the Zn clearance rate significantly (p<0.05). However, the presence of 100 ??g??L^?1 and 300 ??g??L^?1 Zn hardly affected the Cu clearance rate. The 300 ??g??L^?1 Cu presence enhanced Cu accumulation in each tissue most significantly (p<0.01), but caused Zn content to decrease in the gills by 62% (p<0.05), viscera by 49% (p<0.05) and foot by 31% (p<0.05), and increase in the mantle by 97% (p<0.05) and the muscles by 243% (p<0.05) for different Zn exposure treatments. The response of metal accumulation in various tissues of the test mussels indicated that Zn transferred from the gills, viscera and foot to the mantle and muscles might be one of the important characteristics of the Zn regulatory mechanism by leading to a narrow range of Zn concentration in the different tissues.     

Uptake of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn by the Water Hyacinth, Eichhornia Crassipes (Mart.) Solms from Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA) Leachates and Slurries

The main solid waste product from coal-fired power stations is pulverised fuel ash (PFA), which can be enriched in toxic elements. Disposal of PFA by dry (in landfills) or wet (by slurrying) disposal methods can release these elements into the environment. Thereafter, the contaminants can be taken up by biota such as Eichhornia crassipes, a common aquatic plant, which has the ability to accumulate elements from water. This study investigates the uptake of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn by E. crassipes grown in leachates and slurries prepared from two different PFA samples. PFA samples were obtained from Indraprastha Power Station (IPP Stn.) in New Delhi, India and the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station in the UK. E. crassipes grown in PFA leachates and slurries at 1:5 and 1:50 solid:liquid (PFA:deionised water) ratios show that the plant has a very high accumulation capacity for Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn from both leachates and slurries and the uptake of these metals is stronger in the roots than in the tops of the plant. Metal accumulation, as shown by the accumulation factor (AF) values, is higher from both leachates and slurries for plants grown in the 1:50 (PFA:DIW) ratios than in the 1:5 ratios, initial metal concentrations being higher in the 1:5 ratios than in the 1:50 ratios. Lower metal accumulation in the plants grown in slurries than in leachates is related to the high turbidity of growth medium in slurries resulting in ash particles adhering to the root surfaces thus reducing the surface area of metal absorption. Eichhornia plants are able to reduce the pH of all leachates, especially the highly alkaline Ratcliffe leachates to near neutral conditions. Accumulation of Cd and Zn by the plant is higher from the lower pH IPP leachates than the Ratcliffe leachates, indicating that these metals are more soluble and bioavailable in the acidic medium. However, accumulation of Cu and Ni is independent of the pH of the leachates, indicating that other factors, such as metal species, presence of complexing agents in the growth solutions, and effects of competing metal ions may be contributory factors towards the metal uptake and accumulation by the plant.     

Effects of vanadate supply on plant growth, Cu accumulation, and antioxidant capacities in Triticum aestivum L.

The effects of normal vanadate (V) supply (40 μM) on copper (Cu) accumulation, plant growth and reduction in Cu toxicity in wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) were investigated. The results showed Cu accumulation (mg g^?1 dw) in the applied V treatment was about 10.2 % in shoots and 16.7 % in roots higher up on exposure to excess Cu (300 μM) than that observed only in excess Cu plants. Compared with the treatment of the normal concentration used in Hoagland’s culture solution Cu (0.6 μM), excess Cu significantly induced lipid peroxidation indicated by accumulation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (MDA). The seedlings showed apparent symptoms of Cu toxicity and plant growth were significantly inhibited by excess Cu. The applied V significantly decreased lipid peroxidation in roots caused by excess Cu and inhibited the appearance of Cu toxicity symptoms. Moreover, the applied V effectively improved the antioxidant defense system to alleviate the oxidative damage induced by Cu. Although the addition of V could promote superoxide dismutase in both shoots and roots to reduce superoxide radicals, peroxidase and catalase in shoots and ascorbate peroxidase and dehydroascorbate reductase in roots were major enzymes to eliminate H₂O₂ in wheat seedlings.     

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.     

pH dependence of copper adsorption in vineyard soils of Geneva

Copper adsorption by vineyard soils of the Geneva canton was evaluated by batch equilibration experiments in a pH range from 4 to 6. The adsorption curves fit significantly to Freundlich function log q = n log C + log K_f, where q is adsorbed Cu concentration on the solid phase and C is solution Cu concentration at the end of the equilibration time. Moreover, we found that Freundlich parameters n and log K_f are moderately correlated to pH, yielding the following equations: log K_f = 0.23 pH + 0.51 (R ² 0.59) and n = –0.12 pH + 1.06 (R ² 0.59). Such equations may be useful to predict Cu mobility for risk assessment studies.     

Remediation rates and translocation of heavy metals from contaminated soil through Parthenium hysterophorus

The potential translocation of heavy metals by Parthenium hysterophorus over 30 and 90 days and its effect on biomass, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic activity were studied on 0, 10, 25, 50 and 100% fly-ash-amended soil (FAS). The results showed a decrease in chlorophyll content and photosynthetic area on exposure to 50–100% FAS. Heavy metal reduction was in the order Pb>Cd>Zn>Fe>according to accumulation trends. The plant exhibited good biomass growth on exposure to 25–50% FAS, but this decreased at>100% FAS. Heavy metal concentrations in P. hysterophorus after 90 days of the experiment were in the order Fe>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd>Ni. Parthenium hysterophorus was suitable for translocating Fe, Zn and Cu based on translocation factors (TF=1.5, 1.3 and 1.05), but was more efficient for Pb, Ni and Cd (TF=8.5, 4.3 and 3.3). Plant uptake of Pb, Ni and Cd was high, whereas translocation of Fe, Zn and Cu was poor. These results indicated that P. hysterophorus can efficiently reduce heavy metal pollution in soil.     

Nickel and copper accumulation strategies in Odontarrhena obovata growing on copper smelter-influenced and non-influenced serpentine soils: a comparative field study

The present investigation is the first in situ comparative study for the identification of Ni and Cu accumulation strategies involved in Odontarrhena obovata (syn. Alyssum obovatum (C.A. Mey.) Turcz.) growing in Cu-rich smelter-influenced (CSI) and non-Cu-influenced (NCI) sites. The total and Na₂EDTA (disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)-extractable metal concentration in soils and plant tissues (roots, stem, leaves and flowers) were determined for CSI and NCI sites. High concentrations of total Ni, Cr, Co and Mg in the soil suggest serpentine nature of both the sites. In spite of high total and extractable Cu concentrations in CSI soil, majority of its accumulation was restricted to O. obovata roots showing its excluder response. Since the translocation and bioconcentration factors of Ni?>?1 and the foliar Ni concentration?>?1000 μg g^?1, it can be assumed that O. obovata has Ni hyperaccumulation potential for both the sites. No significant differences in chlorophyll content in O. obovata leaves were observed between studied sites, suggesting higher tolerance of this species under prolonged heavy metal stress. Furthermore, this species from CSI site demonstrated rather high viability under extreme technogenic conditions due to active formation of antioxidants such as ascorbate, free proline and protein thiols. The presence of Cu in higher concentration in serpentine soil does not exert detrimental effect on O. obovata and its Ni hyperaccumulation ability. Thus, O. obovata could act as a putative plant species for the remediation of Cu-rich/influenced serpentine soils without compromising its Ni content and vitality.

     

Effect of Pseudomonas fluorescens on metal phytoextraction from contaminated soil by Brassica juncea

The present study deals with metal uptake by Brassica juncea in the presence of Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf 27 for Zn, Cu and Cd removal from brass and electroplating-industry effluent-contaminated soil. Inoculation of P. fluorescens significantly (p<0.05) increased water soluble (Ws) and exchangeable (Ex) metal content in contaminated soil in laboratory conditions and also enhanced plant biomass by 99% and chlorophyll content by 91% as compared to uninoculated plants in the greenhouse. The metal uptake by B. juncea followed the pattern Zn>Cu>Cd and increased with increasing plant growth duration. P. fluorescens inoculation increased root and shoot uptake of Zn by 3.05 and 2.69, Cu by 3.19 and 2.82 and Cd by 3.11- and 2.75-fold, respectively. BCF value for each metal was>1 and increased by 44%, 42% and 38% for Zn, Cu and Cd, respectively, in inoculated conditions, whereas TF remained unaffected and followed the order Zn>Cd>Cu. P. fluorescens inoculation also enhanced Ws fraction of Zn, Cu and Cd by 99%, 77% and 90% and Ex by 107%, 70% and 93%, respectively. Results depicted that association of B. juncea with P. fluorescens could be a promising strategy for enhancing soil metal bioavailability and plant growth for successful phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soils.     

Experimental studies on the effects of copper on a marine food chain

Effects of copper sulphate on a marine food chain were investigated in large tanks at Loch Ewe on the west coast of Scotland. The food chain consisted of phytoplankton, the bivalve Tellina tenuis da Costa, and O-group plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L). During initial months after settlement, T. tenuis siphons are an important food for juvenile plaice, which feed by grazing the siphon tips; these subsequently regenerate. Copper dose rates of 10, 30 and 100 μg Cu/1 were investigated; the distribution of added copper was monitored and its metabolic effects were determined. Copper levels in water, sand, in algae on tank walls, in T. tenuis shell and flesh, and in plaice muscle and viscera were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Copper accumulated in sand, T. tenuis flesh and shell, and plaice viscera. Accumulations were dose-dependent and in no case was a plateau concentration reached. Most of the added dose was taken up by the sand; accumulations in T. tenuis shell were small — less than twice background in all cases. High levels were found in T. tenuis flesh, where concentrations after 100 days were 270, 470 and 1100 μg Cu/g dry flesh for dose concentrations of 10, 30 and 100 μg Cu/1, respectively. The mean control concentration was less than 50 μg Cu/g dry flesh. There was no accumulation of copper in plaice muscle. Visceral accumulations after 100 days were 71, 147 and 567 μg Cu/g dry flesh for dose concentrations of 10, 30 and 100 μg Cu/1, respectively. The mean control level was 30 μg Cu/g dry flesh. The effect of copper on phytoplankton metabolism was investigated by measuring plant pigment levels and rates of primary photosynthetic fixation of C¹⁴-labelled bicarbonate. All dose concentrations reduced both the standing crop and the rate of photosynthesis per unit of chlorophyll a. The effects of copper on growth and condition of T. tenuis and P. platessa were investigated. All dose concentrations adversely affected T. tenuis condition (dry flesh weight for standard individual). The effect was most marked during deposition of winter reserves. In the absence of plaice predation, there was a decrease in the mean siphon weight for T. tenuis exposed to 30 and 100 μg Cu/1. For plaice, all dose concentrations of copper resulted in reduced growth, but there was no significant change in condition or biochemical composition. The ash weight of fish exposed to copper was significantly higher than for controls.     

Uptake and effects of copper and cadmium in the gonad of the scallop Placopecten magellanicus: concurrent metal exposure

Sea scallops Placopecten magellanicus in early gametogenesis from the southern shelf of Hudson Canyon, New Jersey, USA, were exposed in late winter 1984 to sublethal levels of Cu and Cd in a flowing seawater system at the NMFS Milford Laboratory. Exposure was to copper (10 and 20 gl^-1: low-Cu and high-Cu groups) or to a combination of copper and equimolar cadmium (10g Cu+17.7 g Cdl^-1: low-Cu/Cd group) for eight weeks, with sampling at 2-wk intervals. Copper had a strongly inhibitory effect on gamete production and maturation, which in some respects was partially moderated in the presence of cadmium in the female gonad only. Total gamete weight per scallop doubled in control individuals but dropped by 60% in both high-metal exposure groups over the 8-wk exposure period, with a smaller, temporary decrease in the low-Cu group. Cadmium did not add to the inhibition by copper of gamete development in the low-Cu/Cd group, but there was no partial recovery at 8 wk, as was seen in female scallops exposed to low-Cu alone. Gonadal RNA, higher in the females, decreased proportionately more in that sex than in the males of the metal exposure groups. Conversely, DNA levels were higher in the male than in the female gonad, and decreased sharply in all metal-exposed males. Gonadal protein concentration also dropped in all metal-exposed scallops with time and degree of metal exposure. Copper uptake in the gonad increased with time and metal exposure concentration, and cadmium increased in the low-Cu/Cd group with time. In contrast, manganese decreased significantly in the gonads of Cu-exposed scallops, especially in the high-Cu group. In the low-Cu/Cd group, manganese concentrations stabilized after an initial sharp drop at 2 wk in the low-Cu/Cd group, then rose at 6 and 8 wk. We ascribe this phenomenon to the induction by cadmium of metal-binding proteins (Fowler and Megginson 1986). In both sexes, gonadal magnesium concentrations did not change with increasing tissue burdens of copper and cadmium, but instead rose initially in proportion to the degree of metal exposure, homeostasis being maintained thereafter.     

Influence of dissolved organic matter from corn straw on Zn andCusorption to Chinese loess

The interaction of Zn and Cu with dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a significant physicochemical process affecting their sorption as well as mobility in soil. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of DOM from corn straw on the sorption of Zn and Cu by loess through batch adsorption technique. The sorption isotherms of Zn and Cu could be well described by the Freundlich equation, and the partition distribution coefficient (k) in the presence of DOM was reduced by 86% for Zn and 58% for Cu, as compared to the control receiving no DOM, suggesting that DOM had a stronger inhibitory effect on Zn sorption than that of Cu. In addition, the sorption of metal increased with an increase in pH for loess, with maximum inhibition on metal sorption observed at pH > 7.6 for Zn and pH > 5.5 for Cu in the absence ofDOM but Cu sorption of DOM was suddenly decreased with an increase of pH at pH > 7.9 in the presence of DOM. At a DOM concentration of <200 mg L^?1, sorption of Zn and Cu was reduced by 46% for Zn and 32% for Cu with an increase in DOM concentration.