Heavy metals contamination in water and three species of most consumed fish sampled from Caspian Sea, 2011

The present study is an attempt to evaluate the heavy metal contamination in the marine environment of the Caspian Sea of Iran. The concentrations of zinc, chromium, cadmium, and lead were measured in water and dorsal muscle of fish sampled from 10 selected stations along Gorgan coast using atomic absorption spectrophotometry during summer of 2011. The average concentrations of lead in water and fish samples (115.29?±?14.78 and 113.23?±?27.01 μg/L) were significantly higher than that of cadmium and chromium (P?<?0.05). The highest heavy metals content was observed in Cyprinus carpio samples. The heavy metals concentrations in the samples were within the acceptable recommended standards. But, elevating levels of heavy metals in water and fish made a serious concern about ecosystem and food chain contamination. It is recommended that protective authorities should carry out a continual assessment on the levels of pollutants in the sea.     

Variation characteristics and ecological risk of heavy metals in the south Yellow Sea surface sediments

Eight cruises were conducted on the south Yellow Sea (SYS) from 1998 to 2005. Variations and the potential ecological risk of heavy metals were studied using the survey data collected during October 2003. The metal content (except for As) was high in the central area where the fine grain size sediments were dominant, and low inshore area where more coarse sediments were present. This suggested that grain size was important in determining distributions of heavy metals. In some local areas, other influencing factors, such as organic content, sedimentation rate, burial efficiency and metal's existing form were discussed. The annual averages of metals showed a stable trend with appreciable fluctuations in 8 years. Using potential ecological risk index (E (RI)) to evaluate the integrated pollution effect of heavy metals, 38.7% of the investigated area was in a moderate degree of contamination, while 77.8% was under moderate ecological risk. However, no distinct correlation was found between E (RI) and plankton biomass. In conclusion, the sediment quality of SYS was good, and the ecological risk was low in general.     

Heavy metals in water, sediments and wetland plants in an aquatic ecosystem of tropical industrial region, India

Concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Fe, Pb, Zn, Hg, Ni, and Cd) and macronutrients (Mn) were measured in industrial effluents, water, bottom sediments, and wetland plants from a reservoir, Govind Ballabh (G.B.) Pant Sagar, in Singrauli Industrial region, India. The discharge point of a thermal power plant, a coal mine, and chlor-alkali effluent into the G.B. Pant Sagar were selected as sampling sites with one reference site in order to compare the findings. The concentrations of heavy metals in filtered water, sieved sediment samples (0.4-63 microm), and wetland plants were determined with particle-induced X-ray emission. The collected plants were Aponogeton natans, L. Engl. & Krause, Cyperus rotundus, L., Hydrilla verticillata, (L.f.) Royle, Ipomoea aquatica, Forssk., Marsilea quadrifolia, L., Potamogeton pectinatus, L., Eichhornia crassipes, (Mart.) Solms Monogr., Lemna minor, L., Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleid. Linnaea, Azolla pinnata, R.Br., Vallisneria spiralis, L., and Polygonum amphibium, L. In general, metal concentration showed a significant positive correlation between industrial effluent, lake water, and lake sediment (p < 0.01). Likewise, significant positive correlation was recorded with metals concentration in plants and lake ambient, which further indicated the potential of aforesaid set of wetland macrophytes for pollution monitoring.     

Distribution of heavy metals in water, particulate matter and sediments of Gediz River (Eastern Aegean)

The present paper is the first document of heavy metal levels in surficial sediment, water and particulate matter of the Gediz River collected from five different sites in August, October 1998, February, June 1999. The present work attempts to establish the status of distribution and environmental implications of metals in the sediment, water and particulate matter and their possible sources of derivation. The concentrations of mercury ranged 0.037–0.81, 120–430; lead 0.59–1.5, 190–8,100; copper 0.24–1.6, 30–180; zinc 0.19–2.9, 10–80; manganese 30–170, 20–490; nickel 0.39–9.0, 100–510; iron 1.3–687, 100–6,200 μg/l in water and particulate matter, respectively. The maximum values in water were generally obtained in summer periods due to industrial and agricultural activities at Muradiye. The particulate metal concentrations also generally showed increased levels from the upper Gediz to the mouth of the river. Calculation of metal partition coefficients shows that the relative importance of the particulate and the water phases varies in response to water hydrochemistry and suspended solid content, but that most elements achieve a conditional equilibrium in the Gediz River. The metals ranged between Hg: 0.25–0.49, Cr: 59–814, Pb: 38–198, Cu: 15–148, Zn: 34–196, Mn: 235–1,371, Ni: 35–175, and Fe: 10,629–72,387 mg/kg in sediment. The significant increase of metals found in Muradiye suggested a pollution effect, related to anthropogenic wastes. Also, relatively high concentrations of Ni and Mn occurred in sampling site upstream, due to geochemical composition of the sediments. Maximum values of contamination factor for metals were noticed for sediment of Muradiye. The sampling stations have very high degree of contamination indicating serious anthropogenic pollution.     

Optimal water and waste-load allocations in rivers using a fuzzy transformation technique: a case study

In this paper, a new methodology is developed for integrated allocation of water and waste-loads in river basins utilizing a fuzzy transformation method (FTM). The fuzzy transformation method is used to incorporate the existing uncertainties in model inputs. In the proposed methodology, the FTM, as a simulation model, is utilized in an optimization framework for constructing a fuzzy water and waste-loads allocation model. In addition, economic as well as environmental impacts of water allocation to different water users are considered. For equitable water and waste load allocation, all possible coalition of water users are considered and total benefit of each coalition, which is a fuzzy number, is reallocated to water users who are participating in the coalition. The fuzzy cost savings are reallocated using a fuzzy nucleolus cooperative game and the FTM. As a case study, the Dez River system in south-west of Iran is modeled and analyzed using the methodology developed here. The results show the effectiveness of the methodology in optimal water and waste-loads allocations under uncertainty.     

Heavy metals in water and in tissues of himri (Carasobarbus luteus) from Orontes (Asi) River, Turkey

Concentrations of heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb ve Zn) were measured in running water and in tissues (muscle, liver, gill, skin and gonads) of one commercially valuable fish species (Carasobarbus luteus) from the Orontes (Asi) River (Güzelburç region) in Hatay (Southeastern Turkey). Results for levels in water compared with national and international water quality guidelines were found at the highest concentrations in international criteria’s WHO, EC and EPA, but Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb were found to exceed permissible level of drinking water in national criteria TSE-266 whereas Fe, Zn and Cr concentrations were within the permissible levels for drinking. The present study showed a significant seasonal variation (p?p?>?0.05), which showed seasonal variation of only Zn (p?C. luteus were below the permissible limit for human consumption, level of Cu being very close to the permissible limit. Consequently, continuous monitoring of heavy metal concentration in edible freshwater fish will be needed in Orontes River.     

Characterization of heavy metals in water and sediments in Taihu Lake, China

To explore a comprehensive status of heavy metals in the Taihu Lake, which is one of the most important waters in China, water and sediment samples were taken throughout the lake during April to May of 2010, and metal elements (Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sn, Sb, Zn, Mn) were analyzed in the water column, interstitial water and sediment. Relevant standards were used to assess the sediment and water quality. Results show that, in the lake water column, the average concentration of all metals ranged from 0.047 μg/l (Cd) to 8.778 μg/l (Zn). The concentration in the river water was usually higher than in the lake water for many metals. In the interstitial water Mn was significantly higher than that in water column, and other metals had no significant difference between the two media. In the surface sediment, average metal content ranged from 1.325 mg/kg (Cd) to 798.2 mg/kg (Mn). Spatially, contents of many metals were higher in Zhushan Bay than in other lake areas, and there existed a clear content gradient from the river to the lake for both water and sediment. On the sediment profiles, many metals presented an increasing trend from the depth of 15-20 cm to the top, which is indicative of the impact of increasingly intensive human activities from that period. Quality assessment indicates that metals in water phase are generally safe compared with USEPA "National Recommended Water Quality Criteria," with the exception of Mn in the interstitial water and Sb in the river water. Whereas the sediment is widely contaminated with metals to some extent compared with the "Consensus-Based Sediment Quality Guidelines," and Cu, Cr, and Ni are more likely to raise ecological risks. This work could be a basis for the ongoing China's criteria strategy.     

Distribution of heavy metals in water and sediments of selected sites of Yamuna river (India)

The concentration of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn metals in water and sediments of Yamuna river were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in the year 1981. The data showed that there was considerable variation in the concentration of elements from one sampling station to the other which may be due to the variation in the quality of industrial and sewage wasters being added to the river at different sampling stations. The sediment samples collected from different sampling stations were also analysed for calcium carbonate, organic matter, potassium, and phosphorus.     

Speciation of metals in bed sediments and water of Qaraaoun Reservoir, Lebanon

Determination of only total element in sediments does not give an accurate estimate of the likely environmental impacts. Speciation study of metals in sediment provides information on the potential availability of metals (toxic) to biota under various environmental conditions. In water, the toxic metal specie is the free hydrated metal ion. The toxicity of metals depends especially on their chemical forms rather than their total metal content. The present study focuses on Qaraaoun Reservoir, Lebanon. Earlier studies focused only on total metal concentrations in sediment and water. The objective of this study was to determine metal speciation (Fe, Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd) in the (operationally defined) sediment chemical fractions and metal speciation in reservoir water. This would reflect on metal bioavailability and toxicity. Water samples and bed sediments were collected from nine sites during the dry season and a sequential chemical fraction scheme was applied to the <75-??m sieve sediment fraction. Metal content in each fraction was determined by the FAAS technique. The data showed that the highest percentages of total metal content in sediment fractions were for: Fe in residual followed by reducible, Cr and Ni in residual and in reducible, Cu in organic followed by exchangeable, Zn in residual and in organic, Pb in organic and carbonate, Cd was mainly in carbonate. Total metal content in water was determined by ICP-MS technique and aqueous metal speciation was predicted using AQUACHEM software interfaced to PHREEQC geochemical computer model. The water speciation data predicted that a high percentage of Pb and Ni were present as carbonate complex species and low percentages as free hydrated ions, highest percentage of Zn as carbonate complex species followed by free hydrated ion, highest percentage of Cd as free hydrated ion followed by carbonate complex species. The sensitivity attempt of free hydrated ion of Ni, Zn, Pb, and Cd in reservoir water revealed dependence of Zn and Cd on pH and alkalinity, while Ni and Pb were only dependent on pH.     

Impacts of the fish farms on the water column nutrient concentrations and accumulation of heavy metals in the sediments in the eastern Aegean Sea (Turkey)

Pulp and paper mill effluents may cause harmful effects to the aquatic environment due to the combined influence of physical factors, toxic compounds, and nutrient enrichment. In the present study, the effectiveness of secondary treatment in reducing the toxicity of an elemental chlorine-free bleached-kraft pulp mill effluent was evaluated. To characterize the toxicity of the effluent, before and after the implementation of secondary treatment, a battery of tests with organisms bearing different functions at the ecosystem level was used, namely Vibrio fischeri (5-min luminescence), Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (72-h growth), Lemna minor (7-day growth), Daphnia magna (21-day reproduction and 24-h postexposure feeding), Chironomus riparius (9-day growth), and Danio rerio (28-day growth). For the effluent sample collected before the implementation of secondary treatment, P. subcapitata was the most sensitive organism followed by V. fischeri and D. magna, and no toxic effects were observed toward the other organisms. For the effluent sample collected after the implementation of secondary treatment, the effluent caused no toxic effects on any of the tested species. The present results demonstrated not only that secondary treatment efficaciously reduced effluent toxicity toward the selected test organisms but also the usefulness of a battery of tests to characterize the toxicity of pulp mill effluents.     

Heavy metal in surface sediments of the Liaodong Bay, Bohai Sea: distribution, contamination, and sources

In an effort to assess the potential contamination and determine the environmental risks associated with heavy metals, the surface sediments in Liaodong Bay, northeast China, were systematically sampled and analyzed for the concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, As, and Hg. The metal enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (I _geo) were calculated to assess the anthropogenic contamination in the region. Results showed that heavy metal concentrations in the sediments generally met the criteria of China Marine Sediment Quality (GB18668-2002); however, both EF and I _geo values suggested the elevation of Pb concentration in the region. Based on the effect-range classification (TEL-PEL SQGs), Cu, Pb, Ni, and As were likely to pose environment risks, and the toxic units decreased in the order: Ni?>?Pb?>?Cr?>?Zn?>?As?>?Cu?>?Hg. The spatial distribution of ecotoxicological index (mean-ERM-quotient) suggested that most of the surface sediments were “low–medium” priority zone. Multivariate analysis indicated that the sources of Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu, and Hg resulted primarily from parent rocks, and Pb or As were mainly attributed to anthropogenic sources. The results of this study would provide a useful aid for sustainable marine management in the region.     

Fractionation and ecotoxicological implication of potentially toxic metals in sediments of three urban rivers and the Lagos Lagoon,Nigeria, West Africa

The potential environmental impact of sediment-bound Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in three trans-urban rivers in Lagos state and in the Lagos Lagoon was assessed by use of the modified Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction. The quality of the data was checked using BCR CRM 143R and BCR CRM 701. Good agreement was obtained between found and certified/indicative values. Of the rivers, the Odo-Iyaalaro, was generally the most contaminated and the Ibeshe the least. Higher concentrations of metals were generally found in the dry season compared to the wet season. Cadmium and Zn were released mostly in the acid exchangeable step of the sequential extraction, indicating that they have the greatest potential mobility and bioavailability of the analytes studied. Chromium and Cu were associated mainly with the reducible and oxidisable fractions, and Pb predominantly with the reducible and residual fractions. Sediments with the highest pseudototal analyte concentrations also released higher proportions of analytes earlier in the sequential extraction procedure. The study suggests that, during the dry season, potentially toxic metals (PTM) may accumulate in sediments in relatively labile forms that are released and can potentially be transported or bioaccumulate in the rainy season. Application of risk assessment codes and Hankanson potential risk indices indicated that Cd was the element of greatest concern in the Lagos Lagoon system. The study indicated that there is a need to strengthen environmental management and pollution control measures to reduce risk from PTM, but that even relatively simple strategies, such as seasonal restrictions on dredging and fishing, could be beneficial.     

Metal levels in sediments and transplanted mussels in Pagassitikos Gulf (Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean)

Metal concentrations were determined in surface sediments and transplanted mussels in a shallow semi-enclosed bay, Pagassitikos Gulf, Aegean Sea. Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg, and As levels in sediments were enriched close to point sources of pollution, i.e., Volos Port and cement plant. Fe, Mn, Cr, and Ni spatial distributions in sediments were rather uniform with increasing concentrations towards deeper sites, suggesting natural enrichment, whereas levels found in the port, although elevated, were not the highest in the study area. Spatial variations in concentrations of most metals in mussels transplanted nearshore were generally in accordance to those in sediments, with the highest Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, and Cu levels in the port and the highest Hg levels close to the cement plant. Concentrations of metals in sediments and transplanted mussels were comparable to those reported in Mediterranean areas. Results indicate that pollution point sources contribute to anthropogenic metal enrichment in the study area.     

The distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in surface sediments of Bohai Sea Bay,China

The residues of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in 19 surface sediments of Bohai Sea Bay were determined in this study. Total OCP concentration in surface sediment ranged from 9.01 to 18.04 ng/g dry weight, with a mean concentration of 12.50 ng/g. These findings are in the mid-range of pesticide concentrations compared to those reported in other regions worldwide. DDTs and HCHs were the predominant species. The α-HCH/β-HCH ratios and the predominant γ-HCH indicate that the technical HCH contamination was due mainly to historical usage, although there appeared to be a fresh input of lindane. The results from \(\left( {\mbox{DDD}\,\mbox{+}\,\mbox{DDE}} \right)\mbox{/}\sum {\mbox{DDTs}} \) and DDD/DDE calculations suggest that the usage of DDT in agricultural activities was not terminated, and the historical/fresh inputs of DDT in these areas could be more easily degraded into DDD under an anoxic condition. PCA implies that the recent usage of DDT could serve as important fresh input sources for OCPs.