Sedimentary records of anthropogenic contribution to heavy metal content in Oum Er Bia estuary (Morocco)

Levels of heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn), organic carbon content and textural characteristics in the superficial and cored sediments of Oum Er Bia estuary have been studied. The anthropogenic fluxes of heavy metals were determined in two sediment cores collected in the estuary, facing urban sewages. A dated estuarine core from the inter-tidal area was assessed using ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs data. These data indicate that the mean sedimentation rates are 0.38–68 cm year^?1. The analytical results and the radio-dating of sediment cores show extremely high concentrations of Zn, Pb and Cu in the sediments that can be ascribed mostly to the discharge of the liquid effluent from the sewage since the late 1960s, decreasing towards the present day. The pollution intensity of the estuary is determined by the enrichment factors, which show that the Oum Er Bia estuary is moderately polluted to polluted.     

Accumulation and translocation of heavy metals in soil and plants from fly ash contaminated area

The present investigation deals with the accumulation of heavy metals in fields contaminated with fly ash from a thermal power plant and subsequent uptake in different parts of naturally grown plants. Results revealed that in the contaminated site, the mean level of all the metals (Cd, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni, Mn and Fe) in soil and different parts (root and shoots) of plant species were found to be significantly (p<0.01) higher than the uncontaminated site. The enrichment factor (EF) of these metals in contaminated soil was found to be in the sequence of Cd (2.33) > Fe (1.88) > Ni (1.58) > Pb (1.42) > Zn (1.31) > Mn (1.27) > Cr (1.11) > Cu (1.10). Whereas, enrichment factor of metals in root and shoot parts, were found to be in the order of Cd (7.56) > Fe (4.75) > Zn (2.79) > Ni (2.22) > Cu (1.69) > Mn (1.53) > Pb (1.31) > Cr (1.02) and Cd (6.06) approximately equal Fe (6.06) > Zn (2.65) > Ni (2.57) > Mn (2.19) > Cu (1.58) > Pb (1.37) > Cr (1.01) respectively. In contaminated site, translocation factor (TF) of metals from root to shoot was found to be in the order of Mn (1.38) > Fe (1.27) > Pb (1.03) > Ni (0.94) > Zn (0.85) > Cd (0.82) > Cr (0.73) and that of the metals Cd with Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe; Cr with Pb, Mn, Fe and Pb with Fe were found to be significantly correlated. The present findings provide us a clue for the selection of plant species, which show natural resistance against toxic metals and are efficient metal accumulators.     

Assessment of metal contamination in soil banks of the Rhumel wadi (Northeast Algeria)

Levels of six trace metals were assessed in bank soils of the Rhumel wadi (Northeast Algeria) and their association with soil properties was investigated. Samples were collected at 10 sites. The soils are neutral to moderately alkaline, have high contents of carbonate, and are low in organic carbon and clay. Mean metal concentrations are 1.1 (Cd), 63 (Cr), 20 (Cu), 26 (Ni), 31 (Pb), and 98 (Zn) mg kg^?1. The Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn contents in soil from sites closest to Constantine City were higher than in uncontaminated soils worldwide, indicating accumulation due to human activities (residential, industrial, and agricultural). Statistical analyses (correlation and principal component analysis) demonstrated that Cd, Pb, and Zn are of anthropogenic origin in the urban areas, whereas Cr and Cu enrichment in some situations is caused by industrial activities, while Ni was geogenic.     

Heavy metal accumulation in water, sediments and fishes of Nallihan Bird Paradise, Turkey

The accumulation of some heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Cu and Ni was determined in water sediment and fish samples (Albumus escherichii, Cyprinus carpio and Silurus glanis) collected from Nallihan Bird Paradise (NBP) and its vicinity (Sariyar Dam). The results showed that these metals are found widespread throughout the study area, but metal concentrations in the water samples are below the detection limits (BDL). Pb, Cd, Cu and Ni contamination were determined in sediments and in fish tissues (muscle and liver) and it was seen that they were accumulated and biologically magnified in lish tissues. Metal concentration levels in sediment samples were higher than that of water and fish tissues. The highest amount of metal concentrations in sediment samples among seven stations were determined in Usakbuku (Pb: 0.49 ppm), Sakarya River (Cu: 1.12 ppm) and Sariyar (Ni: 0.77 ppm). Unlikely to the other stations, no metal residues were determined in the sediment samples ofAladag Creek Station.     

Terrigenous Inputs and Accumulation of Trace Metals in the Southeastern Taiwan Strait

Abstract

Terrigenous inputs and sedimentary fluxes of trace metals were studied to understand the metal sources, transport and sinks in the southeastern Taiwan Strait. the major terrigenous metals come from seven major rivers in the southwestern Taiwan, even though significant fractions of most metals were retained in estuaries. the net fluxes of river borne metals contributed from 65% (Pb) to 92% (Fe, Zn) of total inputs. the remainder was attributed to marine sewage discharges (0.6–6.9%) and atmospheric inputs (5.3–31.5%). Sedimentary fluxes of trace metals were spatially variable as a result of derivation from site-specific sedimentation rates and metal distributions in sediments. in spite of imbalance between sources and sinks of trace metals, an accumulation of metals in the sediment of southeastern Taiwan Strait was found for sites close to Taiwan Island. Surface enrichment of metals in near-shore sediments beginning around 1976 was coincident with a time of industrial boom in Taiwan. the metal enrichment hierarchy was found as (Cd, Pb < Cu < Zn < Mn, Fe).     

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Octopus vulgaris from coastal waters of Alexandria (Eastern Mediterranean)

Heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined in various tissues (hepatopancreas, branchial hearts, salivary gland, gills, genital tract, mantle, arms and skin) of Octopus vulgaris collected from three different contaminated sites in front of Alexandria (Egypt) during 2000. All collected tissues displayed high enrichment factors when compared to ambient levels. Heavy metal concentrations in most tissues displayed significant differences among sites, sizes and sex. This study suggests that hepatopancreas, and to a lesser extent branchial hearts, are better indicators of chronic Cu, Fe, Zn and Cd contamination than edible tissues. The enrichment factor (EF) for heavy metals in the hepatopancreas and in edible tissues allowed discriminating our samples into three main groups; (1) EF?>?55 (Cu), (2) EF ranging from 15 to 7.5 (Fe, Cd and Zn) and (3) EF?相似文献   

长江南京段近岸沉积物中重金属富集特征与形态分析

在对长江南京段八卦洲和杨中两个冲积洲近岸沉积物及其优势野生植物中A1、Cu、zn、Cr、Pb、Nj和Cd元素含量分析的基础上,分别考查了这些重金属的富集系数(EF)和生物富集因子(BCF),并采用BCR连续提取法对Cd的赋存形态进行了研究.结果表明,本区域长江近岸沉积物和野生植物中重金属存在不同程度的富集现象,两洲沉积物中Cu、Cr、Pb、Ni、Cd均有富集趋势,各元素EF>1的样品占总样品比例分别为Cu 50%、Cr40%、Pb40%、Ni 40%、Cd20%.而在野生桐蒿和芦蒿两种优势植物中Cd富集显著,其中桐蒿的BCF平均值高达2.57.采用BCR连续提取法对沉积物中Cd进行形态分析,结果显示,沉积物中Cd主要以酸溶/交换态(B1)和可还原态(B2)为主,二者分别为31.7%和45.5%,占到总量的70%以上,B1态远高于一般土壤和沉积物中重金属的分布,表现出很强的迁移性和生物可利用性.新生成沉积物较老沉积物中的B1态有显著增加,反映出沉积物越新,Cd的迁移性越强的趋势.研究结果说明长江城市段近岸沉积物中Cd受近期人为因素影响明显,具有一定的生态风险.     

Heavy metal contamination of soil,and bioaccumulation in vegetables irrigated with treated waste water in the tropical city of Varanasi,India

The present study was conducted to determine the heavy metal contamination in soil with accumulation in plants in waste water irrigated areas. Results revealed that waste water contained lower concentrations of Cr, Zn, Cu, and Pb except Cd (0.03) than the permissible limits prescribed by the World Health Organization. The maximum metal concentrations occurred in Brassica oleracea (Zn 63.80, Cu 12.25, Cr 10.65, Pb 3.63, and Cd 0.56 mg Kg^?1).The metal enrichment (EF of Cd 1.9, Cr2.9, Zn 4.8, Cu 6.5, and Pb 15.5) and degree of contamination (CF of Cd 2.9, Cr 2.0, Zn 2.3, Cu 2.7, and Pb 2.2) showed that accumulation of the five toxic metals increased during sewage irrigation as compared with the reference values, other Indian regions and globally. However, based on WHO standards for heavy metal contamination of soil and irrigation water, our data does not ensure safe levels for food.     

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

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

Trace Metal Distribution and Enrichment in Benthic, Estuarine Sediments: Southport Broadwater, Australia

The distribution and enrichment of selected trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sn, Zn) in benthic sediments of the Southport Broadwater, a semi-enclosed coastal body of water adjacent to the Gold Coast city, south-eastern Queensland, Australia, was studied with the objective of assessing the extent and degree of sediment contamination. Sediment samples from the 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm depth intervals of 32 sites within the Southport Broadwater and surrounding residential canals were analysed for particle size distribution, pH, organic C and ‘near-total’ major (Al, Ca, Fe, Mn) and trace (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sn, Zn) metal contents. Sediment contamination for each trace metal was assessed by (1) comparison with Australian sediment quality guidelines, (2) calculation of the index of geoaccumulation based on regional background values, and (3) geochemical normalisation against Al (i.e. the abundance of alumino-silicate clay minerals). Based on this approach, the results indicate that submerged sediments in the study area are not presently enriched with Cd, Cr or Ni, with the spatial distribution of these metals being very well explained by the abundance of alumino-silicate clay minerals. However, several sites were strongly enriched with Cu, Pb, Sn and Zn, arising from sources related to either urban runoff or vessel maintenance activities. The study indicates that several varying approaches are needed for a satisfactory assessment of contaminant enrichment in estuarine sediments.     

Heavy Metals in the Bed and Suspended Sediments of Anyang River, Korea: Implications for Water Quality

The objective of this study is to compare Anyang River bed sediments with water chemical composition and to assess the anthropogenic chemical inputs into the river system. Eight sampling locations were chosen along the river channel. Bed and suspended river sediments and water samples were collected, and analyzed for their chemical and physical composition. Data revealed that trace element concentrations in the river water were generally below world average, except for As, Mn, Ni and Cr. Among the three phases: water, bed and suspended sediment, more than 99% of the trace elements was associated with the bed sediment. Concentrations of trace elements in the sediment were a function a particle size distribution and organic content. The calculated degrees of enrichment based on the least influenced sample (ASD 1) indicated the river sediments were enriched with respect to background. The enrichment factors for Pb, Zn and As were relatively lower than for Cr, Co, Ni and Zn. The difference in the enrichment seems to reflect the human activities influence in the basin, and specially for Cd. Speciation of the elements in the five different chemical forms in the sediment by sequential extraction indicated that the reducible fraction was predominant for Fe, Zinc and Cu showed an irregular variation among the different fractions; whereas, Cd and Pb were more regular. Zinc and Cu highly existed mostly in exchangeable forms. Acid soluble and reducible forms were also important for most metals. The speciation implies that the metals associated with the sediment are subject to release into water bodies as goechemical variables (pH and Eh) change. Currently, the introduced metals are deposited near the source area and are mostly associated with the sediment, implying that the river bed sediment acts mainly as a sink, rather than a pool. The accumulated and enriched toxic trace elements can pose a potential pollution of river water.     

Heavy metal contamination in river water and sediments of the Swarnamukhi River Basin,India: risk assessment and environmental implications

The concentration of heavy metals was analyzed each of 20 river water, suspended sediments and bed sediments along the stretch of Swarnamukhi River Basin. River water is not contaminated with heavy metals except Fe and Mn. Contamination factor in sediments shows considerable to very high degree contamination with Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn. The sources of these metals could be residential wastes, sewer outfall, fertilizers, pesticides (M-45 + carbondine) and traffic activities apart from natural weathering of granitic rocks present in the basin area. Principal component analyses indicate the interaction between metals in different media. The comparison of metals (Cu, Pb and Zn) in bed sediments of Swarnamukhi River with the Indian and world averages indicates that the values obtained in the basin are above the Indian averages and far below to the world averages. Average shale values and sediment quality guidelines point toward the enrichment and contamination of Cu, Cr, Pb and Zn to several fold leading to eco-toxicological risks in basin.     

莱州湾表层沉积物中重金属时空分布、污染来源及风险评价

运用污染风险评价标准和方法研究了2010年5月(春)、8月(夏)、10月(秋)和12月(冬)莱州湾表层沉积物中7种重金属污染物的时空分布特征、来源及生态风险。结果表明,表层沉积物中Cr、Zn和Pb含量均呈现春季低于其他季节特征,秋季Hg含量是其他季节的4倍,Cu、As和Pb含量无显著季节差异。表层沉积物中Cr、Cu、Zn、As和Cd最高值出现在莱州湾中部及小清河河口等西部水域,来源呈现受自然作用影响较大的特征;而Hg和Pb最高值出现在龙口和界河河口等东部水域,来源呈现受周边工业污染物的人为排放影响较大的特征。基于地理累积指数、生态效应浓度以及Hakanson潜在生态风险指数的综合评价表明,13%~29%的研究区域的表层沉积物受到轻微程度的Cd、Hg和Pb污染,Cd和Hg高值水域达到中等生态风险程度;Hg和As在65%~68%的研究区域的表层沉积物中达到可能对沉积物底质环境及生物群落产生不利生态影响水平。基于对重金属污染物的评价结果,莱州湾表层沉积物质量较好,局部区域存在Hg、Pb、Cd和As的潜在污染风险。     

电子废物不当处置的重金属污染及其环境风险评价 Ⅳ. 电子废物不当回收地区流域水体沉积物的重金属污染

为了解电子废物不当处置活动对小流域内水体沉积物金属污染的影响,采集了位于广东省清远市龙塘镇和石角镇的电子废物焚烧和酸解活动核心区内水塘和水库的0～40cm沉积物以及附近河流大燕河表层(0～5cm)沉积物样本,分析了样本中的金属(水塘、水库:Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd、Cr;大燕河:Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd、Cr、Ni、Mg、Mn)含量.作为对照,对珠江口伶仃洋沉积物中的5种重金属(Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd、Cr)含量也进行了分析.结果表明,1)在核心区内,5种重金属的平均含量在接近酸解作坊的水塘沉积物中呈Cu(766.16mg·kg-1)>Zn(181.12mg·kg-1)>Pb(129.56mg·kg-1)>Cr(1.89mg·kg-1)≈Cd(1.12mg·kg-1),在其下游的水库沉积物中呈现相同的规律,但水塘沉积物的Cu、Zn、Pb含量均高于水库.水塘、水库沉积物重金属含量分布规律明显不同于伶仃洋沉积物,与伶仃洋沉积物相比,核心区水体沉积物Cu含量特别高,是伶仃洋沉积物的7～17倍,Pb和Cd则分别是伶仃洋的2.3～3.0倍和1.9～2.4倍,Zn、Cr含量与伶仃洋沉积物相近.2)Zn含量在核心区水体沉积物中均呈现出在20.0～30.0cm深度最高的趋势,Cu、Pb含量在水库沉积物中也有类似的表现,说明该深度的沉积物可能是电子废物回收处置活动最频繁的时期形成的,近年来随着政府取缔工作的加强,电子废物非法处置活动的减少,Zn、Cu、Pb含量有明显的下降.3)大燕河沉积物中6种重金属(Zn、Cu、Pb、Cr、Cd、Ni)的总含量表现为中游下段(1261.3mg·kg-1)>中游中段(1049.2mg·kg-1)>中游上段(401.8mg·kg-1)>上游(364.6mg·kg-1)>下游(215.4mg·kg-1).Cu、Zn、Pb和Cr含量均在中游下段的沉积物中出现最大值,次大值出现在中游中段,Ni、Cd在中游中段出现最大值,次大值出现在中游下段.中游中、下段沉积物中金属含量最大值和其上游(或中游上段)河段含量最低值的比值呈现Cu(10.1)>Cr(7.8)>Zn(3.8)>Cd(2.0)>Pb(1.9)>Ni(1.8),显示这些重金属主要从中游中、下段进入大燕河沉积物,其中Cu污染最为严重,而Cr污染可能与水土流失或当地其他活动释放的Cr有关.4)比较流域内土壤和各种沉积物以及伶仃洋沉积物中重金属的构成比例发现,核心区土壤和沉积物以及大燕河沉积物中的重金属具有明显的同源性.随着离源区距离的增加,重金属的构成比例中最明显的变化是Cu的比例下降以及Zn的比例上升。     

Fractionation of heavy metals in surface sediments of Taihu Lake, East China

The BCR (European Communities Bureau of Reference) three-step sequential extraction procedure was applied to fractionate heavy metals in the sediment of Taihu Lake. For the determination of total metal concentration of the sediments, sample digestion was achieved by using HF/H2O2/HNO3 (2/1/1) acid mixture in a microwave-irradiated closed vessel system. The concentrations of Cd, Ni, Cr, Zn, Cu and Pb in various extracts solutions were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results obtained from the BCR three-step sequential extraction indicated relatively high mobility of Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni in the sediments while Cd and Cr were poorly mobile. Enrichment of heavy metals was found in the sediments collected in the northern parts of Taihu Lake. In the sediments collected in the southern and western sides of the Lake, heavy metal concentrations were relatively low. The relationship between total organic carbon (TOC) and heavy metals concentrations in the sediments is discussed.     

Heavy metal contamination in the sediment and plants of the Sundarbans,India

Heavy metals are one of the hazardous contaminants in the total environment. The present study shows that the Sundarbans soil is contaminated with sludge and moderately contaminated with Cd and Co according to Contamination factor (CF), Enrichment factor (EF), Index of geo-accumulation (Igeo), and Ecological risk factor (ERF). The correlation, principle component analysis and factor analysis showed that Mn and Fe might have lithogenic origin whereas Cu, Pb, Co and Cd have anthropogenic inputs. The screening quick reference table (SQuiRT) shows that Cu and Cd may exert a possible toxic effect on the sediment dwelling biota. The phytoremediation study revealed that the endangered Heritiera fomes leaves can accumulate 80% of cadmium from the soil, which is highest based on this study as compared to other mangroves. The study also indicated that threatened date palm Phoenix paludosa leaves can accumulate 74% and 73% of Cu and Fe, respectively, from the soil. Now a day, there has been a spurt in mangrove plantations worldwide for the conservation of mangrove ecosystem using ecological engineering approaches. The present study is very much useful to choose a proper plant to decontaminate the soil from various heavy metal pollutants for effective management of mangrove wetlands.     

Fractionation of Heavy Metals in Surface Sediments of Taihu Lake, East China

The BCR (European Communities Bureau of Reference) three-step sequential extraction procedure was applied to fractionate heavy metals in the sediment of Taihu Lake. For the determination of total metal concentration of the sediments, sample digestion was achieved by using HF/H₂O₂/HNO₃(2/1/1) acid mixture in a microwave-irradiated closed vessel system. The concentrations of Cd, Ni, Cr, Zn, Cu and Pb in various extracts solutions were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results obtained from the BCR three-step sequential extraction indicated relatively high mobility of Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni in the sediments while Cd and Cr were poorly mobile. Enrichment of heavy metals was found in the sediments collected in the northern parts of Taihu Lake. In the sediments collected in the southern and western sides of the Lake, heavy metal concentrations were relatively low. The relationship between total organic carbon (TOC) and heavy metals concentrations in the sediments is discussed.     

Seasonal variation of heavy metals in sediment of Lake Ulansuhai,China

Sediment samples were collected from 10 sites in Lake Ulansuhai during summer and winter 2009 to reveal seasonal variations in sediment heavy metal levels. The geoaccumulation index (GI) was calculated to assess the severity of metal pollution. The GI values suggest that, in winter, the lake sediments were polluted slightly with Cu (GI=0.66–1.34), Zn (GI=0.59–1.35), Cr (GI=0.49–0.82) and Pb (GI=0.60–0.96), and moderately with Cd (GI=1.03–4.23). The degree of pollution was higher in winter than in summer. By contrast, the degree of pollution was higher in summer than in winter for Hg and As. Correlation analysis can be used to identify factors influencing seasonal variations in heavy metals. The concetrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr and Cd were negatively correlated with water temperature and hydrodynamic conditions, but positively correlated with organic matter concentration in the sediments and with a sediment particle size of<63 μm (p<0.01). Meanwhile, Hg and As concentrations were affected by redox state and salinity. Among the metals tested, Hg and Cd posed a more serious pollution risk.     

Distributions of heavy metals in the sediments of South Korean harbors

Bottom sediments of harbors in the South Korea have been long suspected for metal contamination due to ship-based and urban-based activities for the past several decades. A number of areas have been suspected to impair ecosystem services to the local residents and drawn complaints from main stakeholders. Twelve contamination suspected harbors were subject to evaluate the level of contamination of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb and Hg. The level of sediment contamination for each metal was evaluated comparing the relative enrichment of a given metal to pollution-insensitive aluminum. Regional background concentration of a given metal was also determined based on its down core measurement and sediment texture. Ecological risk posed by the presence of heavy metals was evaluated using the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) developed by United States National Ocean and Atmosphere Administration (US NOAA) as benchmarks for evaluating sediment chemistry to aquatic organisms. Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Hg in the surface sediment were found to be higher than a factor of 1.5 than background sediments, and the overall metal contaminations of surface sediment can be regarded as medium–high- to high-priority sites in the sense of SQGs.     

Geochemical distribution,bioavailability and potential toxicity of some trace metals in a complex micro-tidal estuary,Southwest India

The spatial and temporal variations of some trace metals in the surface sediments of Cochin Estuary were analyzed along with their geochemical associations to identify the possible sources, bioavailability and the health risks posed by them. The dominance of kaolinite and suggested that clay minerals distribution is influenced by sediment sorting. Total metal analysis revealed enrichment for Cd, Pb and Zn due to anthropogenic activities. The speciation analysis established that notwithstanding the large availability, carbonate as well as organic and sulfides bound fractions showed negligible associations with most of the metals. Hydrous Fe–Mn oxides appeared to play a major role in controlling the fate and transport of these metals in the sediments of Cochin Estuary. Lower contribution of the residual fractions for Cd (21%–26%), Pb (<60%) and Zn (24%–42%) indicated an obvious increase of other geochemical fractions. Risk assessment analysis revealed that regardless of total concentration, none of the analyzed metals were at safe levels in the estuary as appreciable percentages were found to be associated with mobile geochemical forms. The speciation study conspicuously established that the metals originating from non-geogenic sources are largely associated with the labile fractions and hence are more detrimental to the aquatic biota.