Toxicity of zinc,cadmium and copper to the shrimp Callianassa australiensis. III. Accumulation of metals

Callianassa australiensis (Dana) that survived 14 d acute lethality studies were analysed to determine the concentrations of zinc, cadmium and copper in the whole shrimp and in various parts of the body. Using regression analysis, the influence of each metal upon the uptake of the others was studied. Zinc and cadmium appeared to enhance the uptake of each other. In a mixture of zinc and copper, the uptake of zinc was enhanced and that of copper was inhibited. In a mixture of cadmium and copper, the uptake of copper was inhibited by the presence of cadmium, but cadmium uptake was unaffected in the presence of copper. In a mixture of all three metals, similar effects were observed except that zinc and copper, occurring together, appeared to have no effect upon cadmium uptake. Additional 14 d experiments with cadmium suggested that accumulation of this metal was a function of metal concentration in the water and of duration of exposure. The whole shrimp cadmium concentration also appeared to be a function of the size of the shrimp. The variation in concentration factors is described and the need for further research on the effects of combinations of metals on various organisms is emphasized.     

Kinetics of trace metal accumulation and excretion in the polychaete <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nereis diversicolor</Emphasis>

The comparative kinetics of the accumulation of the trace metals copper, zinc and cadmium have been measured in the estuarine burrowing polychaete worm Nereis (Hediste) diversicolor from two sites: (a) a metal-rich site, Restronguet Creek, Cornwall, UK, which hosts a copper- and zinc-tolerant population of worms, and (b) the Blackwater estuary, Essex, UK as a control site. A sediment transfer experiment showed that the Blackwater worms responded to the increased copper bioavailability in Restronguet Creek sediment by accumulating significantly increasing copper concentrations over 50 days. The Restronguet Creek worms showed no significant change in copper concentration over 50 days in sediment from either site or in sand. Nevertheless, electron microscopy showed that some Restronguet Creek worms do appear to excrete accumulated copper, probably in association with renewal of the cuticle over a long time scale. The Blackwater worms did not accumulate extra zinc from the zinc-rich Restronguet Creek sediment, in probable reflection of the regulation of body zinc concentration by N. diversicolor. Radiolabelled zinc and cadmium were accumulated from labelled sediment and labelled solution by worms from both sites. The rate of uptake of labelled zinc from sediment was significantly greater in the Restronguet Creek worms, as was the rate of uptake of labelled cadmium from 10 μg l⁻¹ dissolved exposure; other rates of uptake did not differ between populations. Mucus, which is secreted by Restronguet Creek worms in response to enhanced copper exposure, adsorbed very small proportions of zinc and cadmium present in solution, indicating that the mucus does not act as an adsorption barrier against excessive metal uptake by these worms.     

Contribution to the ecotoxicological study of cadmium,copper and zinc in the mussel Mytilus edulis

A regulation of internal levels of some essential metals has been observed in various animals, whereas the bioaccumulation of several non-essential metals parallels their overloads in water. In the mussel Mytilus edulis L., we have attempted to determine if such a phenomenon exists by comparing the patterns of accumulation of copper and zinc vs cadmium. With this aim, mussels collected in the Bay of Bourgneuf (France) in November 1983 were exposed to these metals for 16 d. At external levels of zinc as high as 100 gl^-1, mussels were able to maintain a normal concentration in all groups of organs for 4 d. The ability of mussels to limit the bioaccumulation of copper and zinc varied from organ to organ, and decreased with higher levels of contamination and longer periods of exposure. In contrast, at the lowest experimental concentration and the lowest period of exposure, a significant increase of cadmium in mussel tissues was generally observed. Even at the highest sub-lethal doses, the levels of copper and zinc in mussel tissues were not much higher than the natural levels (contaminated:background ratios= 2.3 to 6.1), whereas the bioaccumulation of cadmium was less well restricted (contaminated:background ratios=136 to 192). The use of mussels as a bioindicator of pollution seems doubtful for essential metals, particularly as regards short-term pollution, since the levels of these trace elements in the organisms are largely independent of their concentration in the ambient seawater.     

Uptake of cadmium and zinc by the mussel Mytilus edulis and inhibition by calcium channel and metabolic blockers

The mussel Mytilus edulis is extensively used to monitor metal contamination of estuarine and marine systems. Nonetheless, the mechanisms of metal uptake are poorly understood. To characterise the systems involved in cadmium and zinc uptake, the interaction between the two metals and the effects of different calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil) and inhibitors of active transport and metabolism (ouabain, sodium cyanide, 2,4 dinitrophenol) on the uptake of calcium, cadmium and zinc in Mytilus edulis have been studied. To separate direct from indirect effects of the inhibitors on metal uptake, their influence on the physiological condition of the mussels was also investigated. This was done by measuring clearance, respiration and excretion rates under the different exposure regimes and determining the scope for growth as an integrative index for physiological condition. The study has shown that the uptake of cadmium and zinc by Mytilus edulis can be modulated by calcium channel blockers and other inhibitors. The inhibitors also influenced physiological condition, but a significant correlation with the effects on metal uptake did not exist in most cases. Cadmium and zinc also inhibit each other's uptake, but the type of inhibition is not yet clear. The effects of the inhibitors on cadmium and zinc uptake are very different from the effects on calcium uptake, indicating that cadmium and zinc are preferentially taken up through other gateways. Overall, a significant degree of linear association is found between the effects of the inhibitors on the uptake of cadmium and zinc, suggesting common uptake routes. In addition, the effects of the calcium channel antagonist on the uptake of the metal ions are organ dependent, indicating that other types of channels are involved in the uptake of the metal ions in the gills and digestive system. Received: 16 February 1999 / Accepted: 23 September 1999     

The common mussel Mytilus edulis as an indicator of pollution by zinc,cadmium, lead and copper. I. Effects of environmental variables on uptake of metals

The net uptake of zinc, cadmium, lead and copper by the common mussel Mytilus edulis (L.) exposed to different conditions was investigated with a view to using this species as an indicator of contamination of the marine environment by these metals. The variables studied were season, position of the mussel in the water column, water salinity, water temperature, and the simultaneous presence of all four metals. Each of these 5 variables affected the net uptake of some or all of the metals studied under some conditions. Seasonal variation in concentrations of zinc, cadmium and copper was found in samples collected at three separate locations. The relationship of seasonal variation to tissue weight and absorption route of the metals is discussed. Near to freshwater inputs of trace metals, the concentrations of zinc, cadmium and lead in mussels were found to vary according to the depth at which the mussels were collected; in summer when freshwater run-off is less, this effect was absent. Low salinities did not affect the net uptake of zinc by mussels, but increased the net uptake of cadmium and decreased that of lead. Low temperatures had no effect on the net uptake of zinc or lead; the net uptake of cadmium was unaffected by low temperatures at high salinities but was decreased by low temperatures at low salinities. The presence of the other metals had no effect on the individual net uptake of either zinc, cadmium or lead. A sampling programme was devised to eliminate the effects of these environmental variables and to allow the use of M. edulis as an indicator of zinc, cadmium and lead in marine and estuarine environments. In contrast to the other metals, the net uptake of copper by the mussel was extremely erratic, and was affected by salinity and temperature changes and by the presence of the other metals and changes in their relative concentrations. The effects of other metals on the net uptake of copper cannot be easily eliminated or allowed for; it is, therefore, suggested that the mussel should not be used as an indicator of copper in the marine environment.     

Metal interaction during accumulation by the mussel Mytilus edulis planulatus

Mytilus edulis planulatus (Lamarck) were collected from Howden, South-east Tasmania in autumn 1981. Interaction effects of cadmium, copper and zinc during accumulation by mussels exposed for ten days to all three metals simultaneously were examined in a series of experiments in which each metal was tested at three concentrations. In general, interaction effects were most evident at the highest concentrations tested (20 g l^-1 Cd; 20 g l^-1 Cu; 200 g l^-1 Zn) and led to a reduction in the accumulation of cadmium and an increase in that of copper and zinc. More specifically, high levels of zinc caused a decrease in cadmium uptake and an increase in copper accumulation. The presence of copper resulted in depressed cadmium accumulation while zinc accumulation increased. Cadmium tended to enhance zinc accumulation, but copper accumulation was only affected to any great extent when zinc was also present.     

Liver Metallothionein Level and Metal Content in Fish of Chung-Kung Stream,Taiwan-Tilapia and Liza Macrolepsis

A survey of Chung-Kung sttream fish was undertaken on six occasions from March 1994 to August 1995. Tilapia (Oreochromis hybrid) and Liza macrolepsis were the major species found downstream and were chosen as the target species for metallothionein (MT) analysis of liver tissue. in total MT of 77 tilapia and 48 Liza macrolepsis liver samples were analyzed. Significantly higher values (p >0.05) were found for the August 1995 samples than for samples taken earlier at site B (6 km from the sea) for tilapia and at site A (estuary) for Liza macrolepsis. Liver zinc, copper and cadmium were analyzed for the 1995 samples. for tilapia, liver MT concentration was found to correlate well with zinc concentration (r = 0.84, p > 0.001). for Liza macrolepsis, good correlation was found for MT with both zinc (r = 0.89, p > 0.001) and copper (r = 0.90, p > 0.001). These results indicate that in the Chung-Kung stream, zinc and copper may be the major inducers of fish liver MT. Since these two species are ubiquitous in tropical areas, they would provide a good biomarker for evaluation of integrated metal exposure in the tropical aquatic environment.     

海河流域沉积物中典型重金属的生态风险评估及验证

沉积物重金属污染及其生态风险评估日益受到关注,而沉积物质量基准是开展生态风险评估的有力工具。本研究通过物种敏感度分布法(species sensitivity distributions, SSD)和急慢性毒性比(acute to chronic ratios, ACR)推导了镍、铜、锌、镉和铅的沉积物质量基准(sediment quality guideline, SQG)。在获得合理的重金属沉积物慢性毒性数据的基础上,采用S-Logistic模型拟合镍、铜、镉和铅的慢性SSD曲线,采用S-Gompertz模型拟合锌的慢性SSD曲线。得到镍、铜、锌、镉和铅沉积物质量基准低值(sediment quality guideline low value, SQGlow)分别为18.6、69.9、107、1.26和38.4 mg·kg~(-1),应用ACRs,得到相应的沉积物质量基准高值(sediment quality guideline high value, SQGhigh)分别为167、226、556、10.1和384 mg·kg~(-1)。与加拿大和澳大利亚重金属沉积物基准值具有一定的可比性。选择花翅摇蚊(Chironomus kiiensis)、伸展摇蚊(Chironomus tentans)和霍甫水丝蚓(Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri)3种底栖生物作为受试生物,验证基准值对海河流域沉积物重金属毒性的预测能力。结果表明,利用SQGs预测沉积物毒性的总准确率为76.2%,3种底栖生物验证准确率从高至低为:花翅摇蚊>伸展摇蚊>霍甫水丝蚓。     

镉对籽粒苋耐性生理及营养元素吸收积累的影响

初步阐明了镉对籽粒苋耐性生理及营养元素吸收积累的影响,为进一步揭示籽粒苋的镉耐性与镉富集机理奠定了基础。通过对生物量的监测,对叶绿素、蛋白质、游离氨基酸、大量元素及微量元素等的含量的测定,阐明镉胁迫对籽粒苋生长生理、抗胁迫耐性、营养元素吸收分配的影响。研究结果显示,镉胁迫对籽粒苋的生长抑制作用不明显,植株生物量随着镉浓度的提高而轻微降低。随着镉处理浓度的提高,叶绿素含量下降幅度显著;蛋白质和游离氨基酸含量变化幅度不明显;钾含量无大幅变化;镉、磷、钙、镁、锌、铁、锰、铜含量变化幅度较显著。镉、钾、磷、锰的迁移系数随着镉处理浓度的提高无显著变化;钙的迁移系数呈上升趋势;镁、锌、铁、铜的迁移系数均呈下降趋势。这些结果表明：镉胁迫降低籽粒苋叶绿素含量,抑制植株光合作用,继而抑制了植株的生长,但其程度不明显;镉胁迫条件启动活性氧防御机制;引起植株体内部分养分代谢紊乱。结论：低浓度镉处理条件下,籽粒苋受镉离子影响,抗氧化能力下降。在高浓度镉处理条件下,籽粒苋调节了营养元素的吸收和分配,启动了一系列活性氧防御机制,提高了抗胁迫能力。     

Patterns of trace-metal distribution in tissues of Pleoticus muelleri (Crustacea: Decapoda: Solenoceridae)

Trace-metal distribution in tissues of the shrimp Pleoticus muelleri Bate from the Patagonian region, Argentina, was related to sex, size and physiological condition. Concentrations of cadmium, copper, manganese and zinc were determined in the digestive gland, male reproductive system and muscle of adult specimens. Significant (p<0.01) sex-dependent differences in mean metal concentrations (g g^-1 wet wt) were found in the following tissues of males and females, respectively: digestive gland, Cu, 82.9 and 30.8; Zn, 32.5 and 44.9; reproductive system, Zn, 12.8 and 38.6; Mn, 1.7 and 3.1; Cd, 0.29 and 0.58. Metal levels of muscle showed no significant differences between sexes. Cadmium was not detected in muscle, suggesting that its incorporation into this tissue was strictly regulated. Metal concentrations in the male reproductive system were in general weakly correlated (0.001<p<0.05) with either body size or the concentration of metals in the digestive gland. The developing ovary incorporated substantial amounts of zinc, while cadmium and copper levels decreased at proportional rates (p<0.001). The patterns of the variations in the concentrations of these metals in the ovary strongly suggested that a regulatory mechanism operated throughout oogenesis. Manganese was not involved in this presumptive mechanism. The results of this study are discussed in terms of concentrations and in absolute amounts for standardized individuals.     

Accumulation of copper within the “Hepatopancreatic” caeca of Corophium volutator (Crustacea: Amphipoda)

The concentrations of various metals in specimens of Corophium volutator (Pallas) which have been taken from a site that receives freshwater drainage with a high concentration of copper, zinc and manganese, are compared with those in individuals from a site with a normal concentration of these metals for coastal waters. The amphipods at the contaminated site contain 259 g g⁺¹ dry weight of copper, which is three times that of individuals from the uncontaminated site. The concentrations of the other metals do not differ substantially between the two populations. The hepatopancreatic caeca of the midgut of amphipods with a high concentration of copper have numerous granules of homogeneous electron-dense material which can aggregate within the multivesicular bodies. Some of the amphipods with a lower concentration of copper have similar granules, but these are fewer in number. X-ray microporbe analysis shows that these granules contain copper and sulphur, and occasionally calcium. Various tests on the granules in frozen section indicate that they are relatively insoluble in a wide range of reagents and that the copper is probably complexed with organic matter.     

深圳市农林土壤重金属累积现状及风险评价研究（Heavy Metal Accumulation Characters and Risk Assessment in the Soil of Agriculture and Forest of Shenzhen Area）

为探讨深圳市农林土壤重金属的污染现状,系统采集了深圳市菜地、果园、林地和荒地4种土地利用的52个土壤样品,测定了Cu、Pb、Cd、Zn、Cr、Ni6种重金属的全量,对深圳市农林土壤重金属20余年来的累积状况进行了分析并进行了初步的风险评价.结果发现,深圳农林土壤均存在不同程度的重金属累积,总体而言,Cu、Pb、Zn、Cr和Ni的累积较轻,Zn的最大含量尚未超过其80年代末背景值的最大值;Cd的累积最为严重,其最大含量已为背景最大值的16倍.以GB15618-1995为标准,对深圳农林土壤的重金属风险进行评价后发现,Cu的污染最轻,仅20%的菜地土壤超过国家一级标准,Pb50%超过国家一级标准,但尚未超过二级标准;Zn、Cr和Ni均有一定比例的样点超过二级标准,最少4%,最高50%,但未有超过三级标准的样点;Cd的风险最大,不仅有大量超过一、二级标准的样点,而且超过三级标准的样点也占有一定的比例(菜地、果园、林地和荒地土壤中Cd含量超过三级标准的比例分别为10%、23%、29%和50%).深圳农林土壤中的Cd污染应该引起相关部门的重视.     

Feeding and digestion in Corophium volutator (Crustacea: Amphipoda)

New observations on the feeding behavior of Corophium volutator, collected from the Menai Strait, Anglesey, UK in 1981, show that detritus drawn into one entrance of the U-shaped burrow is pushed out at the opposing entrance either uningested or as faeces. Periodically, the amphipod turns around in the burrow and recommences feeding, so both the uningested material and the faeces may be reworked by the mouthparts. A feeding individual produces, on average, 16 faecal pellets every 10 min, at a seawater temperature of 18°C. When fed on detritus dyed with azo-carmine, approximately 12 pellets are produced before the foregut, intestine and hindgut are completely clear of previously ingested material and the dye appears in the faeces. Dye which enters the ventral caeca takes between 12 and 48 h to clear this tissue and, furthermore, it is only cleared when the amphipod is feeding. It is concluded that ingested coarse material is subjected only to a primary phase of digestion in the stomach, and that it takes 4 to 24 min to clear the gut. Fine material which enters the ventral caeca is subjected to a secondary phase of digestion and absorption which takes 24 to 48 h. Particles of thorium dioxide and ferritin incorporated in the diet are absorbed by the B- and ageing RF-cells in the ventral caeca. Non-specific esterases occur in the apical regions of the same cells, the mature cells of the anterior dorsal caeca and the cells at the anterior of the intestine. Protease activity is greatest in the lumen of the ventral caeca and the large vacuole of the B-cells. Apart from the lumen of the posterior caeca, there is some protease activity throughout the lumen of the gut. Carbohydrates were localised primarily in the R/F-cells towards the proximal region of the ventral caeca. Lipid was confined to the R/F-cells in the same region.     

Interindividual variability in metal status in the shore crab<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Carcinus maenas</Emphasis>: the role of physiological condition and genetic variation

The relations between genetic variation, physiological condition, size and metal status in the shore crab Carcinus maenas (L.) were investigated. Shore crabs were collected at three sites around the island of Funen, Denmark, and carapace width, colour, moulting stage and major ions and protein in the haemolymph were determined. Concentrations of water, cadmium, copper and zinc in midgut glands, muscles and gills were measured, and allozyme variation at 15 loci was studied. Generally, tissue water content and copper, zinc and cadmium concentrations decreased from the moulting stages C₃ over C₄ to D crabs, whereas the opposite was true for copper and zinc concentrations in gills and muscle. However, the water content of the tissues increased with the size of the crabs. Since tissue water contents changed consistently over moulting stages, conclusions on changes in metal concentrations sometimes diverged when expressed on a dry versus wet weight basis. Regarding allozymes, esterase, malate dehydrogenase and phosphoglucomutase were polymorphic. The crabs showed a low level of genetic variability for both polymorphism (0.14) and for heterozygosity (0.07) at the three sites. Allelic frequencies showed very low levels of differentiation among the samples, no evidence of inbreeding and no population subdivision. Multilocus heterozygosity was positively correlated with size. Concentrations of copper and zinc in midgut gland, muscle tissue and gill were not correlated with genotype, whereas a weak correlation between phosphoglucomutase genotypes and concentrations of cadmium in the midgut gland was found.Communicated by M. Kühl, Helsingør     

The effects of exposure to zinc and cadmium separately and jointly on the free amino acid pool of Gammarus pulex (L.)

Effects of the heavy metals zinc and cadmium on the free amino acid (FAA) pool of Gammarus pulex were studied at different metal concentrations and combinations as well as different exposure times. The dominant effect of these two metals was the reduction of most free amino acids and the whole FAA pool, except in the 10‐day low zinc and cadmium concentration exposures which resulted in a rise of free amino acid pool.

Among the free amino acids, the most sensitive to zinc exposure, were alanine, glutamic acid, arginine, and taurine; valine, leucine, asparagine, and isoleucine were among the most sensitive to cadmium. No predictable changes of individual free amino acids were shown in the mixed metals exposures. Elevation of taurine concentration was constant in seven of the eight treatments, it is suggested that this elevation may be related to the hepatopancreatic damage observed and induced synthesis of metallothioneins.     

Preliminary observations on the effect of heavy metals from mining and smelting on nitrogen-fixing bacteria in some British soils

Nitrogen fixation by free-living non-symbiotic bacteria has been qualitatively estimated in several surface soils and mine wastes from mineralised areas in Derbyshire and Cornwall, using a technique based on acetylene reduction. Fresh samples contaminated with varying amounts of one or more of the metals lead, zinc, cadmium and copper, together with appropriate controls, showed no ability to reduce acetylene, indicating an absence of nitrogen fixation. Addition of activeAzotobacter chroococcum resulted in acetylene reduction in the majority but not all of the samples. The effects of varying concentrations of lead, zinc, cadmium and copper on the growth ofAzotobacter chroococcum andBeijerinckia lactogenes were tested in laboratory culture.     

An assessment of copper,zinc and cadmium contamination and their ecotoxicological effects in O. mediterranea Costa, 1853 (Amphipoda,Talitridae)

This study was conducted to compare metals bioaccumulation in the Talitrid O. mediterranea collected from the banks of Bizerte lagoon. Individuals were exposed to a series of contaminated soil with different concentrations of cadmium, copper, and zinc. Biological and physiological responses were highlighted. Body metals concentrations were measured in the talitrid using flame atomic emission spectrometry. Results showed that after the second week, the mortality increased especially with cadmium exposure, and a mass gain was obtained between weeks for copper and zinc. Furthermore, the concentration factor indicated that O. mediterranea could be considered as a macroconcentrator of copper and zinc. Histopathological analysis showed that the different metals concentrations induced significant changes in the morphology and in the ultrastructural organisation of hepatopancreatic cells. Significant alterations obtained after metals exposure were the increase in the number of the majority cell organelles. Also, heavy metals were present in the form of numerous granules with different size in the cell surface. Furthermore, metals exposure affected the brush border causing the disruption of microvilli filament. Through these results, O. mediterranea could be a good indicator providing measurable responses. It could be an attractive candidate for the biochemical study of heavy metals toxicity in coastal ecosystems.     

The toxicity of heavy metals to embryos of the American oyster Crassostrea virginica

The acute toxicity of 11 heavy metals to embryos of the American oyster Crassostrea virginica was studied and the concentrations at which 50% of the embryos did not develop were determined. The most toxic metals and their LC₅₀ values were mercury (0.0056 ppm), silver (0.0058 ppm), copper (0.103 ppm) and zinc (0.31 ppm). Those metals that were not as toxic and their LC₅₀ values were nickel (1.18 ppm), lead (2.45 ppm) and cadmium (3.80 ppm). Those metals that were relatively non-toxic and their LC₅₀ values were arsenic (7.5 ppm), chromium (10.3 ppm) and manganese (16.0 ppm). Aluminum was non-toxic at 7.5 ppm, the highest concentration tested.     

Combined effects of copper and cadmium on Chlorella pyrenoidosa H.Chick: subcellular accumulation,distribution, and growth inhibition

Disposal of waste into aquatic ecosystems may cause microalgae to be exposed to various metals, e.g. copper and cadmium. The effects caused by combinations of metals may be more serious. Evaluations of subcellular fate, bioaccumulation, and biological effects of metals on aquatic organisms are generally derived from experiments with individual metals. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of exposure of Chlorella pyrenoidosa to copper and cadmium in combination on subcellular accumulation, distribution, and growth. The algae were exposed for 72 h to copper at concentrations of 13 – 25 µmol L^?1, cadmium at about 6 µmol L^?1, and combinations thereof. The levels of copper and cadmium in subcellular organelles, heat-denaturated protein, metal-rich granules, and heat-stable protein were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Exposure of C. pyrenoidosa to copper and cadmium in combination inhibited growth more strongly than copper and cadmium individually. Highest accumulation was observed in metal-rich granules and heat-stable proteins. Administration of both metals in combination affected their subcellular distribution: copper was mainly distributed into the metal-rich granules (70%–80%) and heat-stable proteins (9%–24%), cadmium in the metal-rich granules (88%–98%).     

Tessaria absinthioides: a possible bio‐monitor for Cd,Pb, and Cu,in the middle and lower basin of the loa river,North Chile

Some ecotoxic metals such as Cd, Pb, and Cu in Tessaria absinthioides were quantified to study its possible use as a bio‐indicator and/or bio‐monitor of these metals. This plant was chosen for its abundance in the area under study, along Chile and even in southern Latin America. For Cd, Pb, and Cu in all three parts of the plant (leaves, stems and roots) a different concentration pattern in each sampling areas was observed. In sampling areas Coya Sur and La Cascada copper and cadmium concentration decrease in order: leaves > roots > stems. In samples collected in Xalquincha the lowest concentrations of Cd and Pb were observed in stems. A maximum of cadmium concentration (9ug/gd.w. in leaves) was found in samples from La Cascada, a inflow to river Loa in Calama. High concentrations of lead were found in roots and leaves. Collected data demonstrate that the main pathway for cadmium is from ground water via roots into the plant. Some data obtained for lead and copper indicate that the influence of dust particles adsorbed on leaves and stems can be higher than uptake from ground water.