The Influence of Anthropogenic Contamination On Metals Release From Coastal Sediment Suspensions with Aerated Sea Water

The zinc, cadmium, copper and lead release from the uncontaminated and contaminated coastal sediments with aerated sea water was studied. the metals transfer to the dissolved forms was monitored during one-two months by differential pulse anodic voltammetry (DPASV). the sediments with different initial degree of contamination were sampled in the Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan around Vladivostok-the biggest city in Russian Far East. Sediment contamination by metals led to increased release to solution of zinc due to sulphide oxidation and cadmium on account of organic matter decomposition. the copper behaviour was complicated by strong binding with organic matter and enhancements of copper release can only be seen in sediment with a low organic matter content. Significant lead transfer to dissolved forms was not observed regardless of sediment contamination. the temperature affected the release of cadmium and copper through enhanced organic matter destruction. the dissolved metal fluxes from the sediment transformation are compared with metal fluxes towards bottom. Such comparisons show that second contamination by dissolved metals of the studied coastal environment may be important for cadmium only.     

The Influence of Anthropogenic Contamination On Metals Release From Coastal Sediment Suspensions with Aerated Sea Water

The zinc, cadmium, copper and lead release from the uncontaminated and contaminated coastal sediments with aerated sea water was studied. the metals transfer to the dissolved forms was monitored during one-two months by differential pulse anodic voltammetry (DPASV). the sediments with different initial degree of contamination were sampled in the Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan around Vladivostok-the biggest city in Russian Far East. Sediment contamination by metals led to increased release to solution of zinc due to sulphide oxidation and cadmium on account of organic matter decomposition. the copper behaviour was complicated by strong binding with organic matter and enhancements of copper release can only be seen in sediment with a low organic matter content. Significant lead transfer to dissolved forms was not observed regardless of sediment contamination. the temperature affected the release of cadmium and copper through enhanced organic matter destruction. the dissolved metal fluxes from the sediment transformation are compared with metal fluxes towards bottom. Such comparisons show that second contamination by dissolved metals of the studied coastal environment may be important for cadmium only.     

Schwermetallbelastung von Dreissena polymorpha in Donau und Drau und ihre Bedeutung als Bioindikator

Goal and Scope

This study was undertaken to investigate the differences in heavy metal burden between the organisms and environmental compartments and to evaluate the role of Dreissena polymorpha as a bioindicator organism.

Methods

The concentrations of zinc, copper, cadmium and lead in whole soft body and selected tissues of D. polymorpha at two river habitats in Austria were examined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Concentrations in organisms were compared to those in sediment and water.

Results and Conclusion

Zebra mussels of the river Drau showed generally higher heavy metal concentrations as compared to mussels of the river Danube and contained elevated zinc and cadmium levels as compared to metal concentrations found in soft tissues of zebra mussels from uncontaminated sites in Germany and The Netherlands. The essential metals zinc and copper were mainly accumulated in gills, foot and byssal gland tissue of the mussel, in contrast to the non-essential metals cadmium and lead which were found predominantly in the midgut gland. The heavy metal concentrations in both, sediments and mussel tissue, were higher than in water samples. There was no correlation between the concentrations in water and in the organisms except for zinc. In contrast, correlations were found between concentrations in sediments and mussel soft tissue.

Recommendation and Perspective

Further investigations should include the examination of sediments and consider the mechanism of food uptake to assess the role of D. polymorpha as a bioindicator organism.     

Flooding and the Distribution of Selected Metals in Floodplain Sediments in St. Maries, Idaho

The link between sediment contamination and flooding is not well established, since flooding may exacerbate problems by spreading pollutants throughout the floodplain, or alternatively may dilute contaminants in source areas. To determine the substance of such relationships, the pattern of sediment contamination was examined in a small Idaho town following flooding in 1996. Four heavy metals were tested, nickel, chromium, zinc and copper, in 97 soil samples obtained from sites across the floodplain of the St. Joe River. Flood history and land-uses at each sample site were noted. Results showed that contamination levels generally were not high, with flood areas having lower concentrations than non-flood areas. A stronger relationship could be argued for land-use, with higher concentrations of contamination associated with some industrial sites. High levels of contamination were also found in several samples taken from recreational areas. Further research looking at the potential sources of contamination in relation to characteristics of the flood hydrology would seem pertinent.     

Sources,spatial variation,and speciation of heavy metals in sediments of the Tamagawa River in Central Japan

Sediments of the Tamagawa River in central Japan were studied to explain the spatial variation, to identify the sources of heavy metals, and to evaluate the anthropogenic influence on these pollutants in the river. Sediment samples were collected from 20 sites along the river (five upstream, four midstream, and 11 downstream). Heavy metal concentrations, viz. chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, and molybdenum, in the samples were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. The chemical speciations of heavy metals in the sediments were identified by the widely used five-step Hall method. Lead isotopes were analyzed to identify what portion is contributed by anthropogenic sources. The total heavy metal concentrations were compared with global averages for continental crust (shale) and average values for Japanese river sediments. The mean heavy metal concentrations were higher in downstream sediments than in upstream and midstream samples, and the concentrations in the silt samples were higher than those in the sand samples. Speciation results demonstrate that, for chromium and nickel, the residual fractions were dominant. These findings imply that the influence of anthropogenic chromium and nickel contamination is negligible, while copper, zinc, and lead were mostly extracted in the non-residual fraction (metals in adsorbed/exchangeable/carbonate forms or bound to amorphous Fe oxyhydroxides, crystalline Fe oxides, or organic matter), indicating that these elements have high chemical mobility. The proportion of lead (Pb) isotopes in the downstream silt samples indicates that Pb accumulation is primarily derived from anthropogenic sources.     

Mesoscale variability of organic matter composition in nw adriatic sediments

We investigated the spatial variability of sediment organic matter content and composition in three areas (A, B and C) of the Northwestern Adriatic Sea, subjected to a putative gradient of trophic state ( i.e. , increasing distance from the Po river outflow) in order to determine the appropriate sample size and replication. The analysis of the mesoscale variability was carried out comparing variability on the scale of meters ( i.e. among different deployments) with the variability observed on a scale of several kilometres ( i.e. among different sampling areas). Sediment samples, collected on April 1999, October 1999, April and October 2000, were analysed for chloropigment content (chlorophyll-a and phaeopygments) and protein, carbohydrate and lipid concentrations. Chloropigment, protein, carbohydrate and lipid concentrations were high, indicating that this system shares trophic conditions typical of highly productive environments. All organic matter components displayed a distribution independent from the increasing distance from the Po river outflow and a clear spatial variability, characterised by significant differences among different areas, but not among deployments. Carbohydrates were the biochemical compound displaying the highest spatial variability among the three areas. Chloropigment, protein, carbohydrate and lipid concentrations displayed also significant temporal changes. When spatial and temporal variability were compared, chlorophyll-a, phaeopigment and protein concentrations displayed a higher temporal than spatial variability. Conversely, for carbohydrates and lipids spatial and temporal variability was of the same order of magnitude. Organic matter composition displayed limited changes among areas, but a strong temporal variability. The results from the Adriatic sea suggest that analyses from sediments collected from a single deployment are sufficient for assessing organic matter concentration and composition over areas of several hundreds of square meters. However, for estimating organic matter composition over larger spatial scales ( i.e. miles) the identification of different sampling areas is needed.     

Chemical Stability of Capped Dredged Material Disposal Mounds in Long Island Sound, Usa

Geochemical analysis and visual inspection of cores collected from capped dredged material mounds revealed that in many cores, cap material was clearly distinguishable, both visually and chemically, from mound material. Contaminated dredged sediments were disposed in Long Island Sound eleven and seven years prior to sampling, and capped with uncontaminated dredged sediments. Core data provided no conclusive evidence of physical disturbance of, or chemical migration from, the contaminated mound sediments. Obvious chemical gradients of contaminant concentrations, which we propose are indicators of chemical migration, were not detected in the cores. Heterogeneity of the cap and mound sediments in some cores made the interface less distinct. We postulate that the preservation of spatial variability of sediment texture and associated contaminants observed within dredged material mounds is a result of the dredging process. Preservation of the textural and contaminant history of dredged sediments within finegrained cohesive cap materials provides evidence of the absence of physical or chemical disturbance.     

Chemical Stability of Capped Dredged Material Disposal Mounds in Long Island Sound,Usa

Geochemical analysis and visual inspection of cores collected from capped dredged material mounds revealed that in many cores, cap material was clearly distinguishable, both visually and chemically, from mound material. Contaminated dredged sediments were disposed in Long Island Sound eleven and seven years prior to sampling, and capped with uncontaminated dredged sediments. Core data provided no conclusive evidence of physical disturbance of, or chemical migration from, the contaminated mound sediments. Obvious chemical gradients of contaminant concentrations, which we propose are indicators of chemical migration, were not detected in the cores. Heterogeneity of the cap and mound sediments in some cores made the interface less distinct. We postulate that the preservation of spatial variability of sediment texture and associated contaminants observed within dredged material mounds is a result of the dredging process. Preservation of the textural and contaminant history of dredged sediments within finegrained cohesive cap materials provides evidence of the absence of physical or chemical disturbance.     

酸雨对长江三角洲地区四种典型土壤中锌解吸的影响

近年来酸雨危害频繁发生,特别是长江三角洲地区,酸雨致使土壤中重金属锌的吸附和解吸发生了一定的变化。选取具有代表性的长江三角洲地区4种典型土壤,通过加入外源重金属锌培育污染土样,在不同pH的酸雨下对已污染土样进行解吸。通过实验探究土壤母质对于重金属锌的吸附及解吸的特点,为国家制定土壤标准提供可靠的数据支持。结果表明：土壤中锌的解吸量随着pH的降低而增加;比较不同母质发育而成的土壤,在pH=4.0、5.6模拟已污染土壤中锌的解吸量顺序为：沟沟堆积母质〉湖相沉积物母质〉河相沉积物母质〉海相沉积物母质。在pH=2.0、3.0时,河相沉积物母质、湖相沉积物母质解吸量迅速增加,超过海相沉积物母质锌的解吸量。     

MESOSCALE VARIABILITY OF ORGANIC MATTER COMPOSITION IN NW ADRIATIC SEDIMENTS

We investigated the spatial variability of sediment organic matter content and composition in three areas (A, B and C) of the Northwestern Adriatic Sea, subjected to a putative gradient of trophic state ( i.e. , increasing distance from the Po river outflow) in order to determine the appropriate sample size and replication. The analysis of the mesoscale variability was carried out comparing variability on the scale of meters ( i.e. among different deployments) with the variability observed on a scale of several kilometres ( i.e. among different sampling areas). Sediment samples, collected on April 1999, October 1999, April and October 2000, were analysed for chloropigment content (chlorophyll-a and phaeopygments) and protein, carbohydrate and lipid concentrations. Chloropigment, protein, carbohydrate and lipid concentrations were high, indicating that this system shares trophic conditions typical of highly productive environments. All organic matter components displayed a distribution independent from the increasing distance from the Po river outflow and a clear spatial variability, characterised by significant differences among different areas, but not among deployments. Carbohydrates were the biochemical compound displaying the highest spatial variability among the three areas. Chloropigment, protein, carbohydrate and lipid concentrations displayed also significant temporal changes. When spatial and temporal variability were compared, chlorophyll-a, phaeopigment and protein concentrations displayed a higher temporal than spatial variability. Conversely, for carbohydrates and lipids spatial and temporal variability was of the same order of magnitude. Organic matter composition displayed limited changes among areas, but a strong temporal variability. The results from the Adriatic sea suggest that analyses from sediments collected from a single deployment are sufficient for assessing organic matter concentration and composition over areas of several hundreds of square meters. However, for estimating organic matter composition over larger spatial scales ( i.e. miles) the identification of different sampling areas is needed.     

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.     

Assessment of Trace Metals in the Sediments From the Coastal Zone of Alexandria, Egypt

Freshly deposited surface sediments from the Alexandria coastal zone were collected and analysed in 1995 for their trace metal concentrations. Metal concentrations in the sediments vary between sites within a wide range for copper, zinc, iron, lead, chromium and cadmium. the statistical analysis between the metal concentrations and the different constituents (organic carbon, total nitrogen, silt, clay and total iron) showed significant correlations. the enrichment factors for the sediments ranged between 3 and 4-fold for copper, chromium and zinc and reached up to 9-fold for lead and 113-fold for cadmium. the highest index for cadmium and lead may be attributed to the anthropogenic inputs from the surrounding area, where they are highest in lower discharge areas.     

基于人工神经网络方法的河北省近海沉积物重金属污染综合评价

利用误差反相传播神经(BP)网络对河北省近海沉积物中的铅、镉、锌、汞、砷5种重金属元素的污染水平进行分析,利用自组织特征映射(SOFM)网络对上述重金属元素分布特征进行分类,通过分类与污染水平量化值的结合,进行综合评价。SOFM把52个沉积物样品分别划分为3、4、6类和9类。对比各种分类,分为3类的物理意义较明确,每个类别分别对应高中低不同的污染物浓度水平,差异显著、分类方式比较合理。通过此种分类可以判断河北省近海的沉积物重金属污染在不同海域存在一定的差别,整体上是离海岸越远,沉积物的重金属污染水平越高,距海岸较近的海域内,沉积物的重金属污染水平较低,但渤海湾内的重金属污染水平高于其他海域。     

Metal contamination of riverine sediments below the Avoca mines, south east Ireland

The River Avoca is severely polluted by discharges of acid mine drainage (AMD) from the abandoned sulphur and copper mines at Avoca. The riverine sediments were studied during a low flow period to establish the degree of contamination and to identify the major processes affecting sediment metal concentrations. pH plays a major role in the regulation of zinc adsorption and desorption in sediments, showing a significant correlation (p&0.001). The zinc concentration in the sediment falls below background levels after the input of AMD. However, the metal precipitated when the pH increased downstream of a fertiliser factory (pH8.0), some 7 km below the mine. In contrast Cu and Fe significantly increased (p0.001) both in the sediment (0--30 mm depth) and the surface ochre immediately below the mixing zone. Copper removal appears to be primarily by co-precipitation. Higher sediment enrichment factors for all metals were obtained in the surface sediment layer (ochre) deposited on larger stones and in floc material collected in sediment traps, compared with the subsurface sediment. Cadmium was not recorded in any of the sediment collected at the detection limit used (0.01 g g-1). Metal deposition in the sediments was found to be spacially variable, so sub-sampling is required, although replicates show little variation. Results indicate that short term variation in metal inputs is identified by sampling the surface layer only, whereas sampling of the subsurface layer (<63 m fraction) is more suitable for identifying long-term trends in sediment quality. The implication of sediment analysis in assessing environmental impact is discussed.     

Contamination of Surface Soils, River Water and Sediments by Trace Metals from Copper Processing Industry in the Churnet River Valley, Staffordshire, UK

The impacts of a functional and a demolished copper processing works on the aquatic and terrestrial environment in the vicinity of the works was investigated by determining the levels of selected trace metals in river water, river sediments, channel margin sediments and overbank soils. Samples were taken at five sites within an area of the Churnet Valley in Staffordshire, where the River Churnet flows through the two works. Analysis of river water samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) has shown that only copper is present above background levels considered to typify uncontaminated rivers. Analysis of river sediments, channel margin sediments and overbank soils by nitric-perchloric acid digestion and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) analysis has indicated contamination by arsenic, cadmium and copper in the vicinity of both works. Arsenic and copper are deposited primarily within the aquatic environment, although some contamination of the terrestrial environment by copper is also observed. Cadmium is deposited primarily within the terrestrial environment. The deposition of arsenic and copper in river and channel margin sediments respectively is also related to current and historical contamination.     

Patterns of bioaccumulation of an essential trace element (zinc) and a pollutant metal (cadmium) in larvae of the prawn Palaemon serratus

Palaemon serratus Pennant larvae from females caught near Roscoff (France) or the Bay of Biscay in 1983, were reared in the laboratory. From hatching to the first stage after metamorphosis, the larvae were exposed to zinc and cadmium introduced separately or together into the rearing medium. At the end of experimental contamination, the concentrations of the two metals in the organisms were determined. The level of zinc in organisms was mainly independent of its concentration in the water, suggesting that the bioaccumulation of this essential trace element is controlled by some physiological process. The accumulation of cadmium in the larvae paralleled the overloads of this metal in the water. Increased zinc concentrations in water have little or no effect on the cadmium levels in organisms. The most important interaction between these two metals is an antagonism exerted by cadmium on the biological uptake of zinc.     

生物扰动对沉积物中重金属迁移转化影响的研究进展

沉积物是重金属在环境中迁移转化的重要媒介。生物扰动能改变沉积物的物理化学组成,从而影响沉积物中重金属的赋存形态和迁移转化特征。文章介绍了生物扰动的定义和种类,生物扰动的影响因素以及扰动过程中影响污染物释放的主要因素,并综述了近年来生物扰动对沉积物中重金属镉、铜、锌、铅和其他重金属的环境行为影响。     

The rock oyster Saccostrea glomerata as an indicator of trace metals in Hong Kong

An urgent need for a sub-tropical and tropical indicator organism for use in the biological monitoring of pollutants is recognised. To this end, preliminary studies have been undertaken to test the indicator ability of the rock oyster Saccostrea glomerata (=Crassostrea glomerata Gould) for monitoring the trace metals cadmium, copper, iron and zinc. A survey of these trace metals in rock oysters from 54 sites in Hong Kong waters revealed elevated levels of metals in several areas. Profiles of metal abundance in S. glomerata agreed substantially with the distribution of industrial and domestic discharges in Hong Kong, and also with patterns of contamination found in studies of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas and of sediments. Application of POLYDIV statistical analysis to these data has aided their interpretation and confirmed the relationship between known areas of contamination and elevated metal levels in S. glomerata. This oyster, which exhibits an unusually great capacity to accumulate a range of elements from the ambient environment, thus appears to be a reliable indicator organism, and may be of great value in global monitoring studies.     

The relationship between epilithic periphyton (biofilm) bound metals and metals bound to sediments in freshwater systems

Surficial sediments and epilithic periphyton (biofilm) were sampled from six sites on the River Churnet and five sites on the River Manifold in Staffordshire and analysed for cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). The sites demonstrated a wide range of sediment trace metal concentrations determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and atomic absorbtion spectroscopy (AAS). Biofilm was removed from the substrate using physical abrasion and 0.005 M ethylenediaminoethanetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) extractant. The European Standards, Measurements and Testing Programmes (BCR) operationally defined geochemical speciation scheme was used to determine the exchangeable, acid soluble fraction of the sediments. Significant positive correlations were determined between the EDTA extractable biofilm and the exchangeable sediment fraction for Cd, Cu and Zn but not for Pb. Natural epilithic periphyton may be a potential metal biomonitor particularly of Cu, Cd and Zn in aquatic systems and provide supporting information in relation to potential sediment toxicity.     

Determination of enzymatic activities for the characterization of sediments

In‐vivo enzymatic activity tests have been used for the characterization of sediments. Sediment samples representing three typical situations on the river Elbe and one reference site on the river Spree were investigated from March to October 1993. Fresh sediments and pore water were analyzed for their dehydrogenase and proteolytic enzymatic activities, respectively. The dehydrogenase and protease activities varied depending on sampling site, date and kind of sample. From the mean values of the dehydrogenase activities over the whole period of investigation significant differences between the sampling sites became evident. The dehydrogenase activity of pore water rather than that of the whole sediment is suitable to differentiate between anthropogenically influenced and not influenced sites. The dehydrogenase activities in the contaminated samples were extremly higher than those in the uncontaminated samples. In contrast to this, samples from the uncontaminated sites showed a considerably higher specific proteolytic activity. This fact is interpreted as a possible enzymatic inhibition.