Correlations between speciation of Cd,Cu, Pb And Zn in sediment and their concentrations in total soft tissue of green-lipped mussel Perna viridis from the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Total concentrations and speciation of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in surface sediment samples were correlated with the respective metal measured in the total soft tissue of the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis, collected from water off the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The aim of this study is to relate the possible differences in the accumulation patterns of the heavy metals in P. viridis to those in the surface sediment. The sequential extraction technique was employed to fractionate the sediment into 'freely leachable and exchangeable' (EFLE), 'acid-reducible,' 'oxidisable-organic' and 'resistant' fractions. The results showed that significant (P<.05) correlations were observed between Cd in P. viridis and Cd in the sediment (EFLE fraction and total Cd), Cu in P viridis and Cu in the sediment (EFLE and 'acid-reducible' fractions and total Cu) and Pb in P viridis and Pb in the sediment ('oxidisable-organic' fraction and total Pb). No significant correlation (P > .05) was found between Zn in P viridis and all the sediment geochemical fractions of Zn and total Zn in the sediment. This indicated that Zn was possibly regulated from the soft tissue of P. viridis. The present results supported the use of P viridis as a suitable biomonitoring agent for Cd, Cu and Pb.     

Organochlorine compounds and heavy metals in the soft tissue of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis collected from Lake Faro (Sicily, Italy)

Three hundred samples of Mytilus galloprovincialis were collected from five stations (north, south, east, west and centre) of Lake Faro to evaluate the concentrations of organochlorine compounds and heavy metals. Quantitative determinations of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs were made by GC-ECD and confirmed with GC-MS. Concentrations of "essential" (Cu, Se and Zn) and "toxic" (As, Cd, Hg and Pb) metals were determined by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results obtained show the low residue levels of p,p'-DDE in six samples of M. galloprovincialis from southern (7.00-11.00 ng/g w.w. and 148.3-275 ng/g l.w.) and western (7.60-15.37 ng/g w.w. and 126.7-256.2 ng/g l.w.) areas of Lake Faro. No appreciable residues of PCBs were found in any of the samples examined. Zn concentrations (range 11.0-18.5 microg/g w.w.) were higher than Cu (range 188.3-396.0 ng/g w.w.) and Se (range 93.5-288.9 ng/g w.w.) in all areas of origin. Cd (range 41.9-63.8 ng/g w.w.), Pb (range 64.8-93.0 ng/g w.w.) and Hg levels (range 5.7-13.1 ng/g w.w.) showed lower concentrations than permitted MRLs. The As levels were below detection limits for the all mussel samples. In conclusion, the absence of PCBs, the low levels of p,p'-DDE, the concentrations of Cd, Hg and Pb below permitted MRLs in M. galloprovincialis, used as a "biological indicator", show that Lake Faro is not at contamination risk from these contaminants and moreover is free from health problems for the consumer of mussel products.     

Can the byssus of green-lipped mussel Perna viridis (Linnaeus) from the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia be a biomonitoring organ for Cd,Pb and Zn? Field and laboratory studies

Concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in total soft tissues (ST) and byssus (BYS) of the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis from 11 different geographical locations off the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia were determined. The metal concentrations distributed between the BYS and ST were compared. The results of this study indicated that higher levels of Cd (1.31 microg/g), Pb (38.49 microg/g) and Zn (206.52 microg/g) were accumulated in the BYS than in the total ST (Cd: 0.29 microg/g; Pb: 8.27 microg/g; Zn: 102.6 microg/g). Semi-static and short period controlled laboratory experiments were also conducted for the accumulation and depuration of Cd, Pb and Zn in the total ST and BYS of P. viridis. The ratios (BYS/ST) for Pb and Cd from the laboratory experiments showed that the total ST accumulated more metals than the BYS. Therefore, these laboratory results disagreed with those found for the field samples. However, the laboratory results for the Zn ratio (BYS/ST) agreed with those of the field samples. It was evident that when compared to the ST, the BYS was a more sensitive biomonitoring organ for Zn while it could be a complementary organ for Cd and Pb in the total ST. Since total ST of P. viridis had been reported to have regulative mechanism for Zn, its BYS can be used as a biomonitoring organ for the identification of coastal areas exposed to Zn pollution.     

Metal and metallothionein level in the heat-treated cytosol of gills of transplanted mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk

A stock of mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis was transplanted over 1 year to four sites in a semi-enclosed bay in Croatia which is under the influence of various sources of pollution. The positive correlation of metal (Cd, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe) and metallothionein (MT) tissue contents based on the analysis of heat-treated cytosol of gills with shell mass, as an indicator of mussel age, indicated to accumulation of metals, as well as the increase of MTs with mussel age. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that 74% of total variance of obtained results could be explained through two principal components. The first principal component was highly correlated with MT, Cd and Zn indices (metal or MT content/shell mass), and the second one with Cu, Mn, and Fe indices, as well as the gill index. High correlation of MTs with Zn and Cd is consistent with their affinity for binding to MTs.     

Heavy metals in organisms and sediments from Turkish Coast of the Black Sea, 1997-1998

During the period 1997-1998, macroalgae, sea snail, mussel, fish and sediment samples were collected at different stations of the Turkish Black Sea coast in order to establish the concentration of selected heavy metals. Heavy metals analyzed were Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb and Cu. The results showed that the Turkish Black Sea coast is facing heavy metal pollution. The metal concentrations in macroalgae, sea snail, mussel and sediment samples are very high. However, Cd, Pb and Cu concentrations in anchovy fish decreased, while Co, Fe, Zn, Cr, Mn and Ni contents had changed when compared previous data. The metal levels in macroalgae did not follow the same pattern as concentrations in sediments at the same station. On the other hand, concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu in sea snail, mussel and fish samples were related to sediment data in the examined stations.     

Heavy metal contamination of brown seaweed and sediments from the UK coastline between the Wear river and the Tees river

The concentration of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd, and Ag were determined in the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus and intertidal surface sediments from coastal locations of northeast England. Levels of heavy metals similar to those of polluted areas of the British coastline were detected. There is evidence of contamination (especially with Zn and Pb) in sediments from sites affected by colliery spoil and from the Wear estuary. The pelitic fraction ( < 63 microm) is usually more enriched in heavy metals, but it represents a very small percentage of the bulk samples. The fine-grained sand is a very important repository of contaminants especially where particles of colliery spoil, secondary mineral, and amorphous phases are present. Aqua regia-extracted Zn, Cu, and Pb in sediments are significantly correlated with those in seaweed. Despite the closure of all base metal and coal mines, and the cessation of many industrial activities in the region, sediments and brown algae are contaminated with heavy metals. The control site (Holy Island) and the Tees estuary appear to be the least affected.     

Metal concentrations in mussel Crenomytilus grayanus and oyster Crassostrea gigas in relation to contamination of ambient sediments

The relationship between Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, and Ni concentrations in soft tissues of mussels and oysters and those in ambient sediments was examined. The study area was the coastal habitats of the northwestern Sea of Japan, which has a broad range of contamination due to urban sewage. Significant increases of all metals, except Ni, were observed in mussel Crenomytilus grayanus at concentrations of easily leachable metals in ambient sediments higher than 2, 100, and 800 microg/g for Cd, Cu, and Zn, respectively. Pb was accumulated by the mussels with no distinct threshold in Pb contamination of sediments. After 2 months, C. grayanus transplanted from a pristine to a contaminated locality increased in Pb up to 12%, and Cu up to 68% of concentrations of these metals in the contaminated local mussels, but Zn and Cd concentrations increased only in the excretory tissue, not in the somatic tissue, or in the soft tissue as a whole. Such regulation of metal accumulation puts limitations on the use of C. grayanus for monitoring of slightly and moderately contaminated localities. On the other hand, the oyster Crassostrea gigas showed definite accumulation of all metals, except Ni, at moderate contamination of ambient sediments. As contamination of sediments increased, increases of Pb, Zn and Cu concentrations in C. gigas slowed, possibly due to physiological control at very high metal concentrations in oyster soft tissue. Thus, the mussel C. grayanus should be used mainly for the monitoring of heavy contaminated localities, and the oyster C. gigas is more suitable as an indicator of low and moderate contamination.     

Environmental contamination of heavy metals from zinc smelting areas in Hezhang County, western Guizhou, China

Total heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) concentrations were evaluated in smelting waste, soil, crop and moss samples collected from the Hezhang artisanal zinc smelting areas, Guizhou, China. Soil samples from the cornfield near the smelting sites contained extremely high Cd (5.8-74 mg kg(-1)), Pb (60-14,000 mg kg(-1)) and Zn (260-16,000 mg kg(-1)) concentrations. Elevated heavy metal concentrations were also found in corn plants and total Pb (0.80-1.5 mg kg(-1)) and Cd (0.05-0.76 mg kg(-1)) concentrations in corn grain have totally or partially exceeded the national guidance limits for foodstuff. Thus, the soil-to-crop transfer of heavy metals might pose a potential health risk to the local residents. Similar to the high heavy metal levels in soil and corn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations in moss samples collected from the smelting sites ranged from 10 to 110, 10 to 55, 26 to 51, 400 to 1200 and 330 to 1100 mg kg(-1), respectively, exhibiting a local spatial pattern of metals deposition from the atmosphere. Based on examination of Zn/Cd and Pb/Cd ratios of the analyzed samples, we have distinguished between the flue gas dust derived and smelting waste derived metals in different environmental compartments.     

Accumulation of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in plants and hyperaccumulator choice in Lanping lead-zinc mine area, China

A field survey of higher terrestrial plants growing on Lanping lead-zinc mine, China were conducted to identify species accumulating exceptionally large concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn of 20 samples of 17 plant species. Concentrations of Pb and Zn in soil and in plant were higher than that of Cu and Cd. Significant difference was observed among the average concentrations of four heavy metals in plants (except Cd and Cu) and in soil (except Pb and Zn) (P<0.05). For the enrichment coefficient of the four heavy metals in plant, the order of average was Pbtree>herbaceous, and herbaceous grew in soil with the highest concentrations of four heavy metals. In different areas, the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in plants and soils and enrichment coefficient were different. Plants in Paomaping had more accumulating ability to Pb, Cd and Zn, and plants in Jinfeng River had more accumulating ability to Cu. Six plant species, i.e. S. cathayana, Lithocarpus dealbatus, L. plyneura, Fargesia dura, Arundinella yunnanensis and R. annae in Paomaping, had high accumulation capacity. R. annae in Paomaping had hyperaccumulating capacity to Pb, Cd and Zn, L. plyneura to Pb and Cd, and S. cathayana to Cd, respectively.     

Metal/metalloid contamination and isotopic composition of lead in edible mushrooms and forest soils originating from a smelting area

High metal contents in edible mushrooms growing in severely contaminated industrial areas pose an important toxicological risk. In the presented study, trace element (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ag, As, Se) contents were determined in caps and stipes of three different edible mushroom species (Boletus edulis Bull. Fr., Xerocomus badius Fr. Gilb., Xerocomus chrysenteron Bull. Quél.). Additionally, information about the chemical fractionation of metals in separate soil horizons and Pb isotopic data from soils and fruiting bodies allowed a more detailed insight on the uptake mechanisms of metals by the studied mushroom species. Total metal and metalloid concentrations in the organic soil horizons reached 36234 mg Pb kg(-1); 11.9 mg Cd kg(-1); 519 mg Zn kg(-1); 488 mg Cu kg(-1); 25.1 mg Ag kg(-1); 120 mg As kg(-1) and 5.88 Se mg kg(-1). In order to evaluate the accumulation capacity of the studied species, bioconcentration factors (BCF) were calculated for separate trace elements. For selected metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu), a modified BCF calculation (using EDTA-extractable concentrations of metals in soil) was proposed. High contents of Pb (up to 165 mg kg(-1)) and Cd (up to 55 mg kg(-1)) exceeded all the regulatory limits in all the studied species. This was also the case for Se (up to 57 mg kg(-1)) in B. edulis. Intensive consumption of this species grown in such polluted areas can therefore pose toxicological risks for human health. A novel finding was that X. badius can act as an Ag accumulating species when grown at polluted sites due to the high concentrations of Ag (up to 190 mg kg(-1)) in caps. Pb isotopic data showed that Pb originating from the recent air pollution control residues is present mainly in the exchangeable/acid-extractable fraction of the organic horizons and is taken up by fruiting bodies; especially in the case of B. edulis, where fast Pb accumulation occurs. Due to the high species-dependent variations of metal contents, the studied mushrooms are not suitable as bioindicators of environmental pollution.     

鄱阳湖表层沉积物中砷及重金属赋存形态及其潜在生态风险

重金属污染是水体沉积物污染的主要问题之一,研究沉积物中重金属元素的赋存形态,探索水体中重金属的来源,可以为水体重金属污染治理修复提供理论基础。采用BCR三步连续提取法对鄱阳湖枯水期表层沉积物中As和7种重金属元素（Cd、Co、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb和Zn）的赋存形态进行了研究,并基于重金属风险评价代码（Risk Assessment Code, RAC）方法评估了鄱阳湖表层沉积物中的As和7种重金属元素的潜在生态风险。结果表明,鄱阳湖表层沉积物中As、Co、Cr、Cu、Ni和Zn主要以残渣态的形式存在(6160%~8518%);Pb主要以残渣态（5097%）和铁锰氧化物结合态（4102%）为主要的赋存形态,其可提取态所占比例为4903%,具有较高的二次释放潜力;Cd的赋存形态主要以弱酸提取态（4160%）和铁锰氧化态（2719%）为主,其可提取态所占比例高达7749%,潜在生态风险较大。RAC分析结果表明,鄱阳湖表层沉积物Cd的生态风险整体上位于高风险,需要加强对鄱阳湖Cd污染的关注。所有站点Cr的弱酸提取态所占比例均低于1%,表明鄱阳湖Cr污染的生态风险为无风险,As、Ni和Pb属于低风险,而Cu、Co和Zn位于低风险至中等风险     

Effects of cadmium and zinc on larval growth and survival in the ground beetle,Pterostichus oblongopunctatus

Carabid beetles, like Pterostichus oblongopunctatus, living in metal contaminated areas may be exposed to elevated levels of metals within their diets. However, when compared to other second order consumers, they have one of the lowest observed levels of metals, indicating methods of detoxification to deal with such toxicants. In this study, we investigated if chronic, multigenerational exposure to metals leads to resistance to toxic metal concentrations, and if so, what are the costs associated with them. Adult organisms were collected from two sites, a polluted and a reference site near Olkusz, in southern Poland. These adults were immediately mated, and eggs were collected twice weekly to assess the effects in the larvae of the F(1) generation. Larvae were randomly exposed to one of four artificial mediums: control, 50 mg kg(-1) Cd, 500 mg kg(-1) Zn, and a combined treatment of 50 mg kg(-1) Cd and 500 mg kg(-1) Zn to investigate possible interactions. Individuals were sacrificed at 10, 30, and 40 days. Although metals were not accumulated in larvae (p>0.05), larvae fed the Cd or the Zn treatment grew significantly slower, and had the lowest survival rate (p<0.05) in respect to control. Out of metal treated animals, those on the combined treatment of CdZn grew the quickest and had the highest observed survival (p<0.05). Although previous studies have demonstrated changes in adult population parameters under chronic, multigeneration exposure to toxic metal concentrations, our study did not reveal any changes in the larval stage.     

Heavy metals in water, sediments, plants and fish of Kali Nadi U.P. (India)

The distribution of heavy metals viz., Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in the water, sediments, plants and fish samples collected from the Kali Nadi (India) have been determined. The studies have shown that there was considerable variation in the concentration of heavy metals from one sampling station to the other which may be due to the variation in the quality of industrial and sewage wastes being added to the river at different places. The orders of the concentration of heavy metals in water, sediments, plants (Eicchornia crassipes) and fish (Heteropnuestes fossilis) were Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Co > Cd; Fe > Zn > Mn > Ni > Cr > Co > Cu > Pb > Cd; Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > Co > Pb > Cr > Cd and Fe > Zn > Mn > Ni > Pb > Co > Cr > Cu > Cd, respectively.     

Biologically available trace metals in Mytilus edulis from the coast of Northeast England

The concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd, and Ag were determined in soft tissue and shell material of mussel Mytilus edulis collected in the winter season from five coastal sites in the northeast of England. The trace metal levels observed were significantly high, particularly at locations affected by past coal mining activities (Blackhall) and present industrial sources (Middleton). The mussels from the chosen control site (Holy Island), a shellfish-designated area, were particularly enriched in Cu and Ag. The metal pollution index for the Bran Sands site, a heavily industrialised area on the Tees Estuary, was relatively low. At four sites out of five, the levels of Fe and Cu were negatively correlated with mussel size. No significant correlation with size was found for the other metals. With few exceptions, the elements Fe, Zn, and Mn accumulated preferentially in the soft tissue, whereas Pb, Cd, Cr, Ag, and Ni were more abundant in the hard part of the mussels. The Ag values in shell material were remarkably similar (about 6 mg kg⁻¹ – 7 mg kg⁻¹, dry wt) at all sites studied. In general, the data show that the mussels from the coastline studied accumulate metal concentrations comparable to or higher than the most contaminated sites reported in the literature.     

丹江口水库典型库湾及支流沉积物重金属污染分析及生态风险评价

对丹江口水库上游汉江支流及库湾沉积物中6种重金属元素的污染特征进行分析,采用效应阈值标准(NYSDEC)和Lars Hkanson潜在生态风险指数评价重金属的污染程度和环境风险。研究表明,库湾沉积物与支流沉积物中Ni、Pb含量较为接近;库湾沉积物中Cd、Cr、Cu、Zn含量分别高达186、2712、9991、4783 mg/kg,均超过支流沉积物中相应重金属含量2倍以上。各采样点表层（0~10 cm）沉积物中Pb含量均低于LEL值（最低效应阈值）,Cd、Ni含量均介于LEL值和SEL值（最高效应阈值）之间,而Cr、Cu、Zn含量均有超过SEL值的现象发生。考察沉积物重金属的富集程度发现各采样点表层沉积物中Ni和Pb均未发生富集,而Cd、Cr、Cu和Zn均存在不同程度的富集,其平均富集系数分别为712、180、163和284。根据重金属含量的相关性可知Ni和Pb主要来自于天然地球化学来源,而Cd、Cr、Cu和Zn则主要受人为源影响。以丹江口库区土壤（黄棕壤）中重金属背景值为参比,发现表层沉积物总体处于高生态风险,且以Cd生态风险为主;参与评价的5种重金属潜在生态风险程度顺序为Cd＞Cu＞Cr＞Zn＞Pb     

Impacts of sewage irrigation on heavy metal distribution and contamination in Beijing, China

A potential hazard to Beijing was revealed due to the accumulation trend of heavy metals in agricultural soils with sewage irrigation, which results in metal contamination and human exposure risk. Samples including soils and plants were collected to assess the impacts of sewage irrigation on the irrigated farming area of Beijing. Concentrations of the five elements Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Pb were determined in samples to calculate the accumulation factor and to establish a basis for environmental protection and the suitability of sewage irrigation for particular land use in the urban-rural interaction area of Beijing. Using reference values provided by the Beijing Background Research Cooperative Group in the 1970s, the pollution load index (PLI), enrichment factor (EF), and contamination factor (CF) of these metals were calculated. The pollution load indices (sewage irrigation land 3.49) of soils indicated that metal contamination occurred in these sites. The metal enrichment (EF of Cd 1.8, Cr 1.7, Cu 2.3, Zn 2.0, Pb 1.9) and the metal contamination (CF of Cd 2.6, Cr 1.5, Cu 2.0, Zn 1.7, Pb 1.6) showed that the accumulation trend of the five toxic metals increased during the sewage irrigation as compared with the lower reference values than other region in China and world average, and that pollution with Cd, Cu, Zn, and Pb was exacerbated in soils. The distributions of these metals were homogeneous in the irrigation area, but small-scale heterogeneous spatial distribution was observed. Irrigation sources were found to affect heavy metal distributions in soils. It was suggested that heavy metal transfer from soils to plants was a key pathway to human health exposure to metal contamination. However, with the expansion of urban areas in Beijing, soil inhalation and ingestion may become important pathways of human exposure to metal contamination.     

Growth response of Scenedesmus to different concentrations of copper, cadmium, nickel, zinc, and lead

The fresh water alga Scenedesmus was cultured in graded concentration of Cu, Cd, Ni, Zn, and Pb to evaluate the effect of these cations on the growth response of Scenedesmus. The effective concentration of metal which depressed the Scenedesmus growth for Cu was 0.5 mg l⁻¹, for Cd 0.5 mg l⁻¹, for Ni 2 mg l⁻¹, and for Zn 2 mg l⁻¹. The alga exhibited tolerance for high Pb concentrations up to 30 mg l⁻¹. Exposure of a Scenedesmus cell to each metal revealed anatomical changes and chloroplast disruption especially at high metal concentrations.     

滴水湖沉积物中重金属污染特征与评价

分析滴水湖及其周边沉积物中Hg、As、Cu、Cd、Pb、Zn和Cr等7种重金属含量特征,并用地累积指数法、潜在生态风险指数法和主成分分析法对沉积物中的重金属污染状况进行了评价和分析。结果表明,滴水湖沉积物中As和Pb低于上海市潮滩背景值,Hg、Cd、Zn和Cr均高于潮滩背景值,50%样点的Cu高于潮滩背景值;地累积指数法评价结果表明滴水湖沉积物中Cr的平均污染水平为偏中污染,Hg、Cd和Zn为轻度污染,As、Cu和Pb为清洁水平;潜在生态风险指数法评价结果表明滴水湖沉积物重金属为中等生态风险,Hg和Cd是潜在生态风险的主要贡献元素;主成分分析结果表明,滴水湖沉积物中Hg、Cu、Cd、Pb、Zn和Cr主要来自于人为源,As主要来自底质滩涂     

Long-term dynamics of heavy metal concentrations in the food and liver of bank voles (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Myodes glareolus</Emphasis>) in the period of reduction of emissions from a copper smelter

Long-term changes in the contents of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Рb) in the food and liver of bank voles (Myodes glareolus) inhabiting areas exposed to pollution from the Middle Ural Copper Smelter (MUCS) in the period of reduction of its emissions (1990–2015). The results show that 50-fold reduction of emissions has not resulted in an equivalent decrease in the dietary and body concentrations of metals: in the impact zone (1–2 km from the MUCS), Cu, Zn, and Pb concentrations remain unchanged, while Cd concentrations have increased twofold by the end of the observation period; in the background zone (20 km), Cu, Zn, and Cd concentrations remain unchanged, while Pb concentrations have decreased by a factor of 1.7–2.5; and no directed changes have been revealed in moderately polluted plots (4–6 km). The accumulation of heavy metals in the animal body depends primarily on the contents of these elements in food and on the system of elementspecific homeostatic barriers providing effective protection from the toxic effect of heavy metals.     

Innovative ‘Artificial Mussels’ technology for assessing spatial and temporal distribution of metals in Goulburn–Murray catchments waterways,Victoria, Australia: Effects of climate variability (dry vs. wet years)

The “Artificial mussel” (AM), a novel passive sampling technology, was used for the first time in Australia in freshwater to monitor and assess the risk of trace metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn). AMs were deployed at 10 sites within the Goulburn–Murray Water catchments, Victoria, Australia during a dry year (2009–2010) and a wet year (2010–2011). Our results showed that the AMs accumulated all the five metals. Cd, Pb, Hg were detected during the wet year but below detection limits during the dry year. At some sites close to orchards, vine yards and farming areas, elevated levels of Cu were clearly evident during the dry year, while elevated levels of Zn were found during the wet year; the Cu indicates localized inputs from the agricultural application of copper fungicide. The impacts from old mines were significantly less compared ‘hot spots’. Our study demonstrated that climate variability (dry, wet years) can influence the metal inputs to waterways via different transport pathways. Using the AMs, we were able to identify various ‘hot spots’ of heavy metals, which may pose a potential risk to aquatic ecosystems (sub-lethal effects to fish) and public (via food chain metal bioaccumulation and biomagnification) in the Goulburn–Murray Water catchments. The State Protection Policy exempted artificial channels and drains from protection of beneficial use (including protection of aquatic ecosystems) and majority of sites (‘hot spots’) were located within artificial irrigation channels.