Pollution status,ecological risk assessment and source identification of heavy metals in road dust from an Industrial Estate in Trinidad,West Indies

Road dust in an industrial estate could potentially contain toxic heavy metals as a result of various anthropogenic sources. This study investigated sixteen samples from various locations throughout the Point Lisas Industrial Estate in Trinidad, West Indies. Samples were acid-digested and analysed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, which revealed that concentrations for Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn ranged from 2.48–5.45?μg/g, 14.2–70.5?μg/g, 15.3–130?μg/g, 219–1330?μg/g, 20.0–62.1?μg/g, 43.5–113?μg/g and 105–1154?μg/g, respectively. Different methods (Geoaccumulation index, pollution index, integrated pollution index, enrichment factor and ecological risk assessment) of assessing heavy metal contamination in road dust indicated negligible to moderate degrees of pollution, in which the associated potential ecological risk was considered low. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Cluster analysis (CA) grouped the heavy metals according to potential sources and indicated that the accumulation of heavy metals in the road dust of the Estate were influenced mainly by vehicular and industrial processes.     

成都市河流表层沉积物重金属污染及潜在生态风险评价

根据流经成都市内的三条河流（府河、南河、沙河）表层沉积物重金属数据，采用Hakanson潜在生态危害指数法对重金属的潜在生态风险进行了评价。结果表明（1）重金属潜在的生态危害因子（Er^i）说明大多属于轻微生态危害范畴，产牛生态危害的主要重金属是Hg、Cd，Cu、Pb次之，As影响最小；（2）多种重金属的生态系统的潜在生态风险指数（RI）表明河流重金属污染属于轻微生态危害和接近中等生态危害，其受危害程度由强至弱的次序为：府河，南河，沙河。     

Sediments distribution of trace metals in a coastal lagoon (Southern Sardinia,Mediterranean Sea): assessment of contamination and ecological risk

Coastal lagoons are subject to several sources of contaminations. To shade light on the contamination level of the Santa Gilla lagoon (Tyrrhenian Sea) we investigated the spatial distribution of Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn and Hg in sediments and their correlation with grain size and organic matter contents. Moreover, sediment contamination levels and the ecological risk associated with metal concentration were assessed using different abiotic indicators. The lagoon is characterised by low levels of contamination, with exceptions for Pb and Hg, whose distribution reflects the position of an old chlor-alkali plant and that of an airport. These results indicate that the restoration put in place 30 years ago have not reached the expected target and that the presence of the airport deserves further attention. In the outer section of the lagoon, where clam fishery occurs, we observed low levels of contamination suggesting that such artisanal fishery could somehow help mobilising metals. We conclude that the area exposed to Hg pollution, though tentatively restored, still suffers of a potential risk of ecosystem deterioration. We pinpoint that further investigations on the mobility, bioavailability and toxicity of metals are needed to finally address the actual impairment of the Santa Gilla lagoon.     

湘江底泥重金属污染特征与生态风险评价

本研究于湘江共采集了29个典型重金属污染断面底泥样品,测定了底泥中重金属Cd、Pb、Cr、Cu、Mn和Zn的含量及其有效态含量,并采用改进潜在生态风险指数法评价了底泥重金属的潜在生态风险.研究结果表明,湘江底泥存在主要由重金属Cd、Pb、Cr、Cu、Mn和Zn构成的复合污染,其含量范围依次为2.83—29.15 mg·kg-1、8—1784 mg·kg-1、10.00—4884.28 mg·kg-1、9—674 mg·kg-1、744.83—16246.22 mg·kg-1和61.50—3771.11 mg·kg-1;参考土壤环境质量Ⅲ级标准的断面超标率依次为100%、10.34%、6.90%、3.54%、100%和24.14%;有效态百分含量范围依次为25.04%—66.63%、8.75%—50.00%、1.14%—35.08%、3.70%—39.00%、1.99%—65.79%和7.48%—47.96%;生态风险评价结果表明,Cd的潜在生态风险最高,其次是Pb和Mn,潜在生态风险指数贡献率(MRI)依次为90.37%、4.17%、3.03%,干流的潜在生态风险高于支流的生态风险,达到极强危害水平的采样断面占72.41%,主要集中于永州、衡阳、株洲、湘潭、长沙和郴州.     

镇江市古运河河岸沉积物重金属分布特征及潜在生态风险评价

对镇江市古运河河岸7个表层沉积物中重金属As、Cu、Pb、Cd、Zn、Cr含量进行测定,并通过富集系数、地累积指数法、潜在生态风险评价以及主成分分析等对沉积物重金属的分布特征进行综合分析与评价.结果表明:(1)古运河河岸带沉积物Cr、Cu、Zn、As、Pb和Cd元素的含量平均值分别为45.07、41.70、254.06、19.67、45.88、0.75 mg·kg-1,p H平均值为7.98.对比《国家土壤环境质量标准》可知,沉积物中Cu、Zn、Pb、As属于超一级标准,而Cd属于超二级标准.(2)6种重金属的富集系数表现为:AsCdPbZnCuCr,且综合富集系数在空间上表现为:G2G5G1G4G3G7G6;(3)古运河河岸表层沉积物地累积指数表现为AsCdPbCuZnCr,6种重金属中As富集量最大,Cr的富集量最小.(4)单项潜在生态危害系数结果表明,Cr、Cu、Zn、Pb均为轻微生态危害程度,As和Cd处于中等生态危害程度.从RI值判断,古运河河岸沉积物总体处于轻微生态危害.(5)相关性和主成分分析结果表明,Pb、Cu、Cr、Cd是决定第一主成分的4个主要因子,且Cu与Pb、Cd以及Pb与Cd元素具有相同的污染源.As、Zn在第二主成分中具有较高的载荷值,且As与Zn之间的相关性较弱,表明这两种重金属并非来自同一污染源.     

An evaluation of heavy metals contamination in soils from Ganzhou navel orange orchards by geoaccumulation indexes and statistical analysis

Heavy metal pollution in orchard soils is of increasing concern owing to the potential health risk via the food chain. The evaluations of the degree of heavy metal contamination and the potential sources in soils from navel orange orchards in the Ganzhou district were investigated in the present study with the geoaccumulation index and hierarchical cluster analysis. The soil samples were collected from 280 navel orange orchards located in the 18 counties of the Ganzhou district. The concentrations of heavy metals in the samples were determined using atomic fluorescence spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with sample preparation by microwave digestion system. The results of the geoaccumulation index showed that the Ganzhou navel orange orchards were practically uncontaminated with Hg, As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, and Cu, while uncontaminated to moderately contaminated with Ni. The results of cluster analysis indicated that four distinct clusters emerged for 18 sampling counties, and the considerable differences between clusters were derived from the different kinds of polluted substances. Results of the assessment of geoaccumulation index of heavy metals in soils will be helpful for the formulation of strategic sustainable agriculture in Ganzhou navel orchards and improvement of the navel orange yield and quality.     

龙塘镇电子垃圾拆解区土壤和河流底泥重金属赋存形态及生态风险

龙塘镇是珠三角电子垃圾拆解区之一,采用AAS方法对该地土壤和河流底泥沉积物中5种重金属(Cd、Cr、Cu、Zn和Pb)含量进行测定分析,结果显示周围农田土壤中Cd含量是《国家土壤质量标准》二级标准的3倍左右,是广东省土壤背景值的20倍左右;拆解区土壤Cd超标最为严重,最高达5.67倍,超过广东省土壤背景值达36.17倍;拆解区下游0—1500 m河流底泥中Cd、Cr、Cu、Zn和Pb含量大幅增加且部分金属超标,Cd在0—40 cm深度内含量总体逐渐降低,仍远超背景值,Cu含量采样深度内递减规律最显著且在0—10 cm内含量超标,Cr、Zn和Pb除部分点位在表层积累较多外,其余与背景值相差不大且未超标.采用BCR(the Community Bureau of Reference)法提取重金属不同形态可知,底泥中Cd主要以弱酸溶态和可还原态为主,Cu主要以可氧化态存在,Cr主要以残渣态存在,而Zn和Pb则以可还原态为主;其中Cd的可提取态比例较高(60%),容易释放出来形成"二次污染".潜在生态风险结果表明,河流底泥中Cd生态危害程度属于极强(Ei320);其他金属Cr、Cu、Zn和Pb危害风险程度属于轻微(Ei40);金属Cd对整个RI值贡献最大(88%),应重点加强对Cd污染的防控.     

Concentrations of some elements in the sediments of a river in Anhui Province,China

A total of 49 sediment samples from New Bian River near the city of Suzhou in northern Anhui Province, China, were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry for As, Cr, Pb, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Ni. Geoaccumulation indices (I_geo) were used to assess the influence of human activities. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis were also performed. The geoaccumulation indices were in the order of As > Cu > Cr > Ni > Mn > Zn > Pb > Fe, the first four of which had values above 0.5. We considered New Bian River to be moderately contaminated with As, Cr, Cu, and Ni. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis indicated that the presence of Fe, Cu, Ni, Mn, Zn, and Pb in New Bian River was caused by soil or rock weathering, whereas the elevated levels of As and Cr depended upon urban, agricultural, and industrial factors. The sampling stations around the towns were dominated by Component 2 (As and Cr), and the sampling stations that distributed along New Bian River were dominated by Component 1 (Fe, Cu, Ni, Mn, Zn, and Pb).     

深圳蛇口渔港沉积物重金属分布及潜在生态风险评价

沉积物重金属污染对水生生态系统具有潜在危害.渔港是海岸带水环境的重要组成部分.对取自深圳蛇口渔港的10个表层沉积物样品中的As、Cd、Cu、Pb和Zn等典型重金属元素进行了分析,探讨了其空间分布;运用地积累指数法(Igeo)和生态危害指数法(RI),评价了表层沉积物中重金属的富集程度和潜在生态风险,初步探讨了其污染来源.结果表明:(1)蛇口渔港海域沉积物重金属Cu的污染十分严重,Zn和Pb污染较严重,其浓度均为港内>港口>港外;(2)渔港内沉积物重金属的富集达重度污染程度,潜在生态危害风险强.其中,又以Cu的富集程度最高,潜在生态危害风险最强;(3)渔港内Cu的污染,可能与电子工业废水的排放,以及渔业特有的防附着生物涂料有关.     

Fuzzy comprehensive assessment of metal contamination of water and sediments in Ondo Estuary,Nigeria

A more reliable methodology for evaluating metal contamination of coastal water and sediments using fuzzy comprehensive assessment (FCA) is presented by this study. Ten metals (As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) were investigated in water and sediments from ten sampling sites and formulated into fuzzy matrix based on three contamination classifications of pristine, moderately enriched and extremely impacted categories using regulatory limits as criteria. The products of the matrices from membership function of the observed data and the weight matrices generate indices that classify the degree of metal impact on the sites. The results of the FCA show that the estuary is negatively impacted by metals in a range of 45.5–75.1% membership in the extremely impacted category with potential adverse effects on the ecosystem of the neighbouring Atlantic Ocean. The crude oil exploration activity at site 1 is the major source input of the metals beside Fe and Mn which are natural to the geological structure of the area while domestic waste discharges contribute notably to metal contamination in some sites.     

Spatial distribution and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments from a typical plateau lake wetland, China

Surface sediment (0-15 cm) samples were collected from 31 different grid points throughout the Yilong Lake in April 2004. Samples were subjected to a total digestion technique and analyzed for As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cu, and Zn in order to study spatial distribution characteristics based on Kriging method and assess their ecological risks posed by these heavy metals. Results showed that the mean concentrations of these heavy metals were lower than potential effect levels. Patches of higher heavy metal concentrations occurred in the inflow area of the Cheng River and northeast area nearby the road and railway. The higher concentrations of As and Cr also appeared in the east area (lake outlet), while the patches of lower concentrations were uniformly distributed at the southwest corner between Luosewan and Xiaoguoxi. The heavy metal loads such as As, Cd and Pb might come from the common sources due to industrial sewage and traffic pollution, while higher concentrations of Ni, Cr, and Zn in these sediments were dominated by parent rocks. However, Cu originated from both sources. Sediments with respect to As, Cd and Cu were grouped below the effect range low (ERL) at all sites, and with respect to Cr and Pb were grouped into the range from ERL to the effect range median (ERM) at more than 50% of sampling sites. The mean heavy metal toxic units in the Yilong Lake decreased following the order Pb > Cr > As > Ni > Zn > Cd > Cu, with higher contributions to the sum of toxic units of Pb, Cr and As.     

Heavy metals contamination of soils under oak ecosystems in the Sofia region

We studied the contamination of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in soils under oak ecosystems of urban (U), suburban (SU), and rural (R) regions in Sofia, Bulgaria. The urban sampling sites are located in the large forest parks of Sofia under oak ecosystems, while the others are located between the centre of the town and the surrounding mountains and are also from oak ecosystems. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in soils were measured for identifying the sources and degree of contamination, and calculating the concentration coefficients (Hc) and enrichment factors (EF). The result of applying principal component analysis (PCA), showed that Cd and Pb accounted for the anthropogenic pollution and could be inferred as its tracers, whereas Cu is located mainly in the parent material. The Zn concentration levels were controlled both by its original content in the parent material as well as by anthropogenic pollution. The results obtained for the city forest parks allow for their successful use for recreation purposes.     

北部湾潮间带沉积物中重金属和多氯联苯的分布特征及生态风险评价

选择北部湾9个典型采样点,研究了潮间带沉积物中重金属和多氯联苯(PCBs)的分布特征和生态风险.分析结果表明,Hg、As、Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr等重金属和总PCBs的平均含量分别为0.100、10.00、19.89、45.97、208.65、0.098、17.86 mg.kg-1和1.48!g.kg-1.重金属和PCBs表现出不同的空间变化规律.相关性分析表明,北部湾潮间带的重金属主要来自人为污染;沉积物的粒度参数和有机质含量等性质特征是影响PCBs分布和迁移的重要因素;重金属和PCBs总量之间不存在明显的相关性.生态风险评价结果表明,PCBs和Cd是北部湾潮间带最主要的生态风险因子,Zn和PCBs是优势污染物;研究区域总体处于中等生态风险等级,表明沿岸港口和临海工业等人为活动已经对北部湾滨海地区造成了一定的环境压力.     

淮河中下游底泥中PAHs的分布及其生态风险评价

通过使用气相色谱质谱仪(GC/MS)测定淮河中下游底泥中多环芳烃(PAHs)单体的含量,探讨其分布特征及进行污染物生态风险评价。结果表明:淮河中下游底泥中PAHs含量总平均值为293.8ng·g-1,变化范围较大,总体呈中游高下游低的趋势;PAHs的种类和环数分布及菲/蒽、荧蒽/芘比值显示何台渡口至新集乡段底泥中的PAHs主要来源于化石燃料的高温燃烧与裂解,而安淮村至小河头段主要来源于化石燃料的低中温不完全燃烧或天然成岩过程;对照有关底泥的生态风险评价标准,淮河中游平圩和洛河段可能具有生物负效应,而其它地区的潜在生态风险则很小。     

湖南某植烟土壤重金属含量及其生态风险评价

采集了湖南某植烟区表层土壤样品112份,测定了土壤中6种重金属元素的含量,并采用单因子污染指数法、综合污染指数法和潜在生态危害指数法对其污染状况进行评价.结果表明,植烟区土壤重金属平均含量分别为36.25(Cu)、69.78(Zn)、37.66(Pb)、0.36(Cd)、12.71(As)、0.27(Hg)mg·kg-1.6个元素的变异系数在32.57%—59.03%之间,属于中等变异,元素分布不均.污染评价结果表明,植烟区土壤重金属Cu、Zn、Pb、As的单因子污染指数平均值小于1,其污染较轻.而重金属Cd和Hg的超标率为54.46%和58.04%,土壤受到Cd和Hg污染.潜在生态风险指数评价结果显示植烟区土壤重金属属于轻度污染.相关性分析结果表明Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd之间呈显著相关性,As和Hg相关性显著,说明其同源性较高.来源分析表明,研究区Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd污染来源东北部主要为矿区污染,西南部主要是人为源,As主要来源为成土母质和生活源,Hg主要为大气污染源.     

Mercury distribution,speciation and potential ecological risk assessment in sediments from Lake Taihu,China

Abstract

Twenty-one surface sediments collected from seven surroundings areas of Lake Taihu in two different years were analyzed for total mercury (THg) concentrations, physicochemical characteristics and speciation using a sequential extraction method to assess spatial distribution, sources, and potential ecological risk. Surface sediments from Lake Taihu contained elevated levels of Hg in two sampling years with THg levels ranging from 77 to 346?ng/g (mean 145?ng/g) in October 2010 and ranging from 122 to 573?ng/g (mean 266?ng/g) in November 2012, respectively. The mean THg concentrations in all studied surface sediments exhibited an increasing trend over time. The oxidizable fraction (F3) and residual fraction (F4) were the predominant Hg species in sediments, while more mobile Hg phases of acid-soluble fraction (F1) and reducible fraction (F2) made up less than 0.5% THg. Significant relationships were found between total organic carbon (TOC) and THg and geochemical speciation indicating an important role for organic matter in affecting distribution, mobility, and bioavailability of Hg in sediments. As evidenced by Hakanson’s potential risk index the total ecological risk of Hg was low in the entire Lake Taihu in 2010 but considered moderate in Zhushan Bay, West Coast, and Meiliang Bay in 2012. These findings provide conservation managers with information needed to more effectively regulate the environment of Lake Taihu.     

Mercury in surface sediments and benthic organisms from Guaymas Bay,east coast of the Gulf of California

In order to know the concentration of mercury in surface sediments, macroalgae and clams from Guaymas Bay, Mexico, 20 surface sediment samples and several individuals of Codium amplivesciculatum (3), Enteromorpha clathrata (4), Gracilaria subsecundata (2), Ulva lactuca (2), Chione subrugosa (80) and Crassostrea gigas (40) were collected and their Hg concentration was measured by a cold vapor Hg analyzer, after acid digestion. In addition, granulometric analysis and quantification of total organic carbon, aluminum, iron and manganese contents in sediments were performed. A Pearsons correlation matrix was determined and, the enrichment factor, the geoaccumulation index and the biota-sediment accumulation factor were calculated. Mercury concentrations in sediments ranged from 0.3 to 2.3 μg g⁻¹, with the central and northern portions showing the highest values. Macroalgae had a content of Hg that oscillated from 0.058 to 0.134 μg g⁻¹, while the average concentrations of this metal for clams and oysters were 0.063 and 0.230 μg g⁻¹, respectively. A clear effect of Guaymas City and the anthropogenic activities carried out around the Guaymas Bay has been observed and the enrichment factor and the geochemical index suggest that sediments from this coastal ecosystem are moderately to strongly contaminated with Hg. However, according to the figure of the maximum human consumption of Hg per week recommended by the World Health Organization, people can ingest clams without risk to their health.     

The distribution of heavy metals in deposited urban dusts and sediments, Coventry, England

Samples of urban dusts and sediments have been collected and categorised into three compartment those which act mainly as sources, those undergoing transport and those which have been deposited. The sediments were fractionated into <63m to match similar sized lacustrine sediments and <2mm to represent natural and anthropogenic fluvially transported sediments. Preliminary results of total heavy metals analysis show that the <2mm fraction of the source group exhibits the greatest variabilty in metal concentrations. Overall, however, the <63m fraction dominates regardless of compartment. Some heavy metal concentrations decrease through the sourcetransportdeposit process, possibly due to selective onward transport of finer material or other anthropogenic processes unique to the urban environment (e.g. street cleansing). Sitespecificity is indicated in a comparison with other similar studies.     

长江口海域表层沉积物污染及其潜在生态风险评价

根据2004年8月份长江口海域表层沉积物的监测基础资料,采用单因子污染参数法和Hakanson前在生态风险指数法,通过分析长江口不同水域表层沉积物中典型污染要素PCB,Hg,Cd,Pb,As的质量分数,评价了长江口表层沉积物的质量状况。定量确定了长江口表层沉积物的潜在生态风险程度、主要污染因子和潜在生态风险因子;分析了近年来长江口表层沉积物总的潜在生态风险和单个污染要素的潜在生态风险的变化趋势。结果表明:长江口表层沉积物质量状况良好,各典型污染要素的质量分数值均小于背景值,典型污染要素的平均综合指数Cd为1.37,典型污染要素的污染程度由高至低顺序为As>Pb>Hg>PCB>Cd,As是主要环境污染因子;长江口各水域表层沉积物总的对水域均只具有低潜在生态风险,其由高至低的排列顺序为杭州湾北岸>长江口南支>长江口北支>长江口外;各典型污染物对水域也均只具有低潜在生态风险,其由高至低顺序为Hg>PCB>Cd>As>Pb,Hg是主要潜在生态风险因子;近年来,长江口表层沉积物总的潜在生态风险和单个污染物的潜在生态风险均呈现增加趋势。     

AVS-SEM relationships and potential bioavailability of trace metals in sediments from the Southeastern Mediterranean sea,Egypt

In risk assessment of aquatic sediments, much attention is paid to the difference between acid volatile sulfide (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) as indicators of metal bioavailability. Distribution of AVS and SEM (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined in 20 representative sampling sites collected along the Egyptian Mediterranean coast. Total SEM concentration [ΣSEM] ranged from 0.012 to 0.241 μmoleg^?1. AVS concentrations were much more variable, showing significant spatial variations. The values ranged from 0.015 to 31.326 μmoleg^?1. The different relationships between AVS and SEM to establish mechanical models such as the ratio of ΣSEM and AVS [ΣSEM/AVS], the difference between the ΣSEM and AVS [ΣSEM–AVS], or the organic carbon normalised difference between SEM and AVS [ΣSEM-AVS]/f_oc models were used as parameters to evaluate potential bioavailability. Considering SEM/AVS model, sediments at the Western Harbour, Eastern Harbour, Ras El-Burr, El-Gamil East, and Port Said stations are occasionally toxic, while according to SEM-AVS model, no indication of associated adverse toxic effect would occur at any of the sampling sites. Calculated [ΣSEM-AVS]/f_oc was<130 μmoleg^?1 in the sediments indicating that sediments should pose a low risk of adverse biological effects owing to cadmium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc. Association of adverse effects to aquatic organisms was determined, using the classification of the sediments according to the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs). The marine Threshold Effect Levels (TEL) and Probable Effect Levels (PEL) were used in this work and in order to obtain a more realistic measure of predicted toxicity, mean PEL quotients (PELq) were calculated. The mean PELq calculated for the sampling sites was (0.11–1.5) and categorised as slightly toxic at all stations except Baghoush, Nobarreya and western harbour, which had PELq<0.1 and categorised as non-toxic. The obtained data concluded that the remobility and bioavailability of trace metals contained in surfacial sediments of the Egyptian Mediterranean coastal area are low.