Heavy Metal Transport in the Hindon River Basin, India

Total mass transfers of heavy metal in dissolved and particulate form has been determined in the downstream section of river Hindon, an important tributary of river Yamuna (India). The contribution of different point sources to the river Hindon has also been assessed. The river Kali has the largest contribution to the river Hindon. The highest metal loads were related to the highest flow of the river and thereby increased both by surface runoff and sediment resuspension. The contribution of monsoon months to the total transported load was also calculated and it was observed that monsoon months contributes more than 40% of total loading annually for all the metals. The metal fluxes from the river Hindon were compared with other rivers of Indian sub-continent.     

海河干流(市区段)表层沉积物重金属污染及变化趋势分析

根据1990—2006年监测资料,对海河干流（市区段）沉积物中重金属的现状和变化趋势进行了分析,采用地积累指数和Hakanson危害指数对海河干流（市区段）沉积物重金属富集现状和对水生生物危害进行评估。结果显示：海河干流（市区段）表层沉积物除Zn外,均呈现污染下降趋势。海河干流（市区段）沉积物中重金属对生物潜在危害顺序为Cd〉Hg〉As〉Cu〉Pb〉Cr〉Zn,各项指标对生物潜在危害性上游大于下游。     

Metal Fractionation Studies in Surfacial and Core Sediments in the Achankovil River Basin in India

The Fractionation of Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Mn and Cd in the sediments of the Achankovil River, Western Ghats, India using a sequential extraction method was carried out to understand the metal availability in the basin for biotic and abiotic activities. Spatial distribution of heavy metals has been studied. Sediment grain size has significant control over the heavy metal distribution. The fluctuations in their concentration partly depend upon the lithology of the river basin and partly the anthropogenic activities. The sediments are dominated by sand and are moderately to strongly positively skewed and are very leptokurtotic in nature. The quartzite and feldspars are abundant minerals along with significant amount of mica with low clay content. The core sediments show increasing trend of heavy metal concentration with depth due to the recent addition of anthropogenic sources and post-diagenic activities. Significant amount of Cd (18%) was found in carbonate fraction, which may pose environmental problems due to its toxic nature. Small concentrations of metals, except Cd and Cu, are in exchangeable fraction, which indicate low bio-availability. Enrichment Factor (EF) for individual metals shows the contribution from terrregious and in part from anthropogenic sources. Selective Sequential Extraction (SSE) study shows the variation in specific metal distribution pattern, their distribution in different phases and their bio-availability. Maximum amount of the metals were bound to the non-residual fractions (mainly Fe-oxides). Overall, bio-availability of these micronutrients from sediments seems to be very less. Non-residual phase is the most important phase for majority of heavy metals studied. Among the non-residual fraction, maximum amount of the heavy metals bound to Fe-oxides. The study high lights the need for in-depth study of heavy metals distribution and fractionation in the smaller river basins to get precise information on the behavior and transport of heavy metals in the fluvial environment and their contribution to the world ocean.     

Heavy Metal Accumulation in the Gastropod, Cetithium Scabridum L., from the Kuwait Coast

An in-depth study on various locations along the Kuwait Coastdifferentiated by the nature of coastal topography, humanhabitation and industrialization was made during the year1995–1997 in relation to the gills of the gastropod, Cerithium scabridum, a bio-indicator of heavy metal pollution.The maximum concentration of heavy metals in the gills of C. scabridum, seawater and particulate matter was observed inStations III when compared to the metal concentrations in theother seven stations. Co-efficient Variance (CV) revealed anincrease in the accumulation of Cu and Pb in gills, seawater andparticulate matter in winter than in summer. However, the CV wasnoted to be lower in winter than in summer in the case of Cr andV, in gills of C. scabridum and Ni in the case of seawatersamples. Further, by ANOVA, except V, significant relationshipswere noted between the heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Pb and Ni) andvarious locations in the gills of C. scabridum.     

Heavy metal binding fractions in the sediments of the Godavari estuary,East Coast of India

Sequential chemical extraction was used to study the operationally determined chemical forms of five heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Co and Ni) and their spatial distribution in the sediments. The binding behaviour of heavy metals associating with Fe–Mn oxides showed a good correlation towards Cu, Zn and Co, but moderate linear dependence with Ni and Pb. Among the five metals, correlation between Fe–Mn oxide bound Cu and Fe–Mn oxides (r = 0.95) is highest. The coefficient of determination (r ²) in organically bound heavy metals versus organic matter (OM) ranges from 0.772 to 0.952, which indicates a good linear dependence. The OM fraction in the sediments is more accessible to heavy metals and is the major ligand available for complexation. In particular, Zn and Cu are preferentially bound to OM. In general, Zn co-precipitation with carbonates is the dominant chemical form when Fe–Mn oxide and OM are less abundant. In this study, however, carbonates were less abundant, hence Zn bound to carbonates was less pronounced. Based on the results, even if the excessive binding sites are contained in the sediments, competition of various complexation reactions between sediment phases and heavy metals could dominate metal association.     

Laboratory and Field Assessment of Arsenic Testing Field Kits in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India

High concentrations of arsenic in ground waters in West Bengal and Bangladeshhave become a major cause for concern in recent years. Given the enormity and the severity of the problemof arsenic poisoning, a task of evaluating the commercially available arsenic detection field kits for their capabilities was undertaken. In the light of the findings, generic specificationswere recommended which could form the basis forindigenous manufacture of these kits in the arsenic affected countries. This article presents the results of the laboratory and fieldevaluation conducted in Bangladesh and West Bengalof five arsenic testing field kits. The salient features of the kits, their merits and limitationshave been brought out. Based on the criteria of kitdesign, quality of chemicals used, colourcomparator charts, detection range, time required for analysis, cost etc., a comparative ranking ofthe kits has been made to facilitate the choice of the kit to meet specific requirements.     

Assessment of Atmospheric Deposition of Heavy Metals and Other Elements in Belgrade Using the Moss Biomonitoring Technique and Neutron Activation Analysis

This study aimed at assessing atmospheric deposition of heavy metals and other elements using the moss genera Brachythecium sp. (B. rutabulum and B. salebrosum) and Eurhynchium sp. (E. hians and E. striatum) collected in autumn 2004 in the urban area of Belgrade. The concentrations of 36 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Tb, Dy, Hf, Ta, W, Hg, Th, U) were determined in moss and local topsoil samples by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The concentration of elements in moss positively correlated to those obtained for topsoil. High enrichment factors for As, Zn, Mo, Br, Sb, Se, Hg and Cl, calculated to continental crust composition, gave an evidence for anthropogenic impact on urban area, mainly due to intensive vehicular traffic and fossil fuel combustion. The concentration of elements in moss, characteristic for fossil fuel combustion, obtained in this study were substantially lower than in the previous investigation (2000) conducted in the area of Belgrade. The level of concentrations for V, Cr, Ni, and As in moss from this study correlated to those measured for neighboring countries, and were several times higher than the base-level data from low polluted areas. The level of accumulated elements in both investigated moss genera were similar and all studied species could be combined for biomonitoring purposes in urban areas.     

Heavy Metal Contents and Magnetic Properties of Playground Dust in Hong Kong

This study examined the levels of seven heavy metals (namelyzinc, copper, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese and iron) andtheir associations with magnetic properties in playground dustof Hong Kong. Results showed that the playground dust containedhigh concentrations of Zn (mean = 1883 g g^-1), Cu(mean = 143 g g^-1) and Cr (mean = 263 g g^-1).Qualitative examination of dust samples under microscope indicated local traffic as one of the important pollutant sources. Magnetic measurements indicated that these anthropogenicpollutants mainly consisted of coarse-grained multidomain (MD) ferrimagnetic minerals. Superparamagnetic (SP), stable single domain (SSD) ferrimagnetic grains and non-ferrimagnetic mineralswere present in relatively small amounts. Significant correlations between heavy metals and various magnetic parametersindicated a strong affinity of heavy metals to magnetic minerals hence pointed out the potential of magnetic properties for simpleand rapid proxy indications of heavy metal pollution in playground dust.     

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Water, Sediment, Fish and Some Benthic Organisms from Tigris River, Turkey

In this study concentrations of heavy metals, such as Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in water, sediment, muscle, liver and gill of fish (Silurus triostegus, Mastacembelus simack, Mystus halepensis, Orthrias euphraticus) the muscle and liver of crab (Potamon fluviatilis), the internal organs of fresh water snail (Physa acuta), and mussel (Unio elongatulus), and in whole biomass of green algae (Spirogyra sp.) examples collected seasonally from three selected sites (I, II, and III) of Tigris River and from a reference site on Resan Creek. In general, the average Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, and Fe values in Sites I, II, and III were found to be high in spring and summer. The concentrations of heavy metals in the Tigris River are compared with previous studies in the same sites. The results showed that Cu levels have gradually decreased during recent years. In Tigris River, among the living organisms, i.e., those which are living in benthic region and showing biomonitor characteristic, crab, snail, green algae, mussel and fish are seen to be formed in sequence. Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn values obtained from the muscle of fish and from the mass of internal organs of mussel and snail were found to be under the acceptable values suggested.     

Heavy Metal Pollution Assessment in Sediments of the Izmit Bay, Turkey

Surface sediments in the fraction < 63 μm collected from eight stations along the north coastline of Izmit Bay, north-eastern Marmara Sea, Turkey, were analyzed for major (organic carbon, Al, Ba, Fe and Mg) and trace (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn) elements by using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Sediments heavily contaminated are evaluated by the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQG) of US EPA. The results were compared with the marine sediment quality standards (SQS), as well as literature values reported to assess the pollution status of the sediments. The enrichment factors (EFs) were calculated to evaluate actual level of contamination for all the elements using the earth crust as reference matrix, based on elemental values by Mason which show a normal pattern near to unity. The analysis revealed two groups of elements: (i) Arsenic, Cd, Pb, and Zn are the most enriched elements; (ii) Barium, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mo and Ni are at background levels. The results show that road traffic run-offs, paint industries and coal combustion are among the most significant sources.     

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Water, Sediments and Body Tissues of Red Worm (Tubifex spp.) Collected from Natural Habitats in Mumbai, India

Live feeds, especially Tubifex spp., which are collected from a wide variety of polluted habitats, are used by aquarium fish keepers in India. These habitats receive domestic sewage and industrial wastes from nearby residential and industrial areas. Reports of morbidity and mortality from aquarium fish culturists in and around Mumbai led to the present investigations on the ecology of these habitats with a view to assess the water quality, presence of heavy metals in the environment and their bioaccumulation in Tubifex worms, and to examine whether these habitats could be exploited to meet the demand of the industry. Six natural red worm (Tubifex spp.) collection centres in Mumbai and Thane districts of Maharashtra state in India constituting a major source of live Tubifex supply to aquarium fish industry were evaluated for pollution, heavy metal concentration in water, sediments and in the body tissues of Tubifex. Data revealed the presence of heavy metals in water and sediments at collection sites and bioaccumulation of cadmium, iron, lead, zinc and copper in body tissues of Tubifex worms. Cadmium ranged from 2.38 to 7.21 mg/kg, iron 671.9 to 5738 mg/kg, lead 14.95 to 33.49 mg/kg, zinc 60.20 to 166.60 mg/kg and copper 29.38 to 108.90 mg/kg of dry Tubifex worms. The study suggests that all the six collection sites are polluted and the red worms contaminated with heavy metals and hence, unfit for use in aquaria or feeding any variety of fish or crustaceans in the hatcheries.     

Potential Use of the Plant Antioxidant Network For Environmental Exposure Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soils

In recent years, awareness has risen that the total soil content of pollutants by itself does not suffice to fully assess the potential ecotoxicological risks involved. Chemical analysis will require to be complemented with biological assays in a multidisciplinary approach towards site specific ecological risk assessment (SS-ERA). This paper evaluates the potential use of the plants' antioxidant response to metal-induced oxidative stress to provide a sensitive biological assay in SS-ERA. To this end, plants of Phaseolus vulgaris were grown for two weeks on 15 soils varying in contamination level. Morphological parameters and enzymatic plant responses were measured upon harvest. Foliar concentrations of the (heavy) metals Al, Cu, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn were also determined. Metal mobility in the soil was further assessed by determining soil solution and NH₄OAc extractable levels. In general more significant correlations were observed between plant responses and foliar metal concentrations or exchangeable/soluble levels than between plant responses and the total soil content. The study demonstrates the potential use of the plants' antioxidant defence mechanisms to assess substrate phytotoxicity for application in SS-ERA protocols. However, the system, based on calculation of a soil Phytotoxicity Index (PI), will require adaptation and fine-tuning to meet the specific needs for this type of environmental monitoring. Large variation was observed in phytotoxicity classification based on the various test parameters. The thresholds for classification of the various morphological and enzymatic response parameters may require adaptation according to parameter stress sensitivity in order to decrease the observed variation. The use of partial PI's (leaves and roots separately) may in addition increase the sensitivity of the system since some metals show specific effects in one of both organs only. Loss of biological functionality of enzymes, as was observed for ICDH in one of the more strongly contaminated soils, may also be recognized as an additional stress symptom when assigning phytotoxicity classification, whereas the current system only considers increasing enzymatic capacities. Other easily distinguishable parameters, which could be added to the current indexation are: failure to germinate and the incapacity to develop roots in the toxic substrate.Additional research will be required to determine the possible application range of soil properties for this biological assay and to further improve its performance in SS-ERA.     

Studies on the Uptake of Heavy Metals by Various Plant Species on Chromite Minespoils in Sub-tropical Regions of India

The presence of heavy metals (Cr, Ni and Fe) in soil and accumulated by herbs, shrubs and trees regenerated naturally on the minewaste-dumps of Sukinda chromite mines (TISCO sector) were investigated. There was significant correlationship between Cr and Fe in the soil where a tree species (Catunaregam spinosa) occurred. Guazuma ulmifolia and Diospyros montana also did show significant correlation between leaf, stem and soil for Cr, Ni and Fe. Among the shrubs (Calotropis gigantea, Chromolaena odorata, Phyllanthus reticulatus and Woodfordia fruticosa) significant and positive correlations were obtained for Cr and Ni in soil and iron and nickel in leaf and chromium and nickel in stem. Among the annual herbs, whole plant of tephrosia purpurea and Borrevia articularis showed significant and positive correlation with chromium and nickel with the maximum correlation coefficient value. It was concluded that the above information would be useful in revegetation programmes in subtropical regions having seasonal rainfall.     

Assessment of the Heavy Metal Pollution Effects on the Soil Respiration in the Baix Llobregat (Catalonia, NE Spain)

A main goal of investigations is to determine could a soilrespiration be an indicator of the soil pollution. In this case a measured levelof the soil oxygen consumption depends of its pollution. It alsomeans that the pollution reduces biological processes in edaphon.Investigated soil samples were taken from polluted andnon-polluted places in the Baix Llobregat near Barcelona (Catalonia, NE Spain). Soil samples were taken from the top ofsoil (0–5 cm) without a litter. Soil analysis were done, determining percentage shares of coarsefragments, coarse sand, fine sand, coarse silt, fine silt, clay,CaCO₃, organic matter as well as water pH and conductivityCE (1:5 [mS cm^-1]). Also were determined (in mg kg^-1)quantities of heavy metals, as Fe, Al, Mn, Zn, Cr, Ni, V, Cu, Cd, Pb.The soil respiration was investigated in temperatures15 and 30 °C and with controlled humidity.The respiration in 30 °C is number of times greater thenin 15 °C both for polluted and non-polluted soils.Particularly high coefficients of correlation between the soilrespiration and soil pollution in polluted soils were obtainedfor Pb: r = 0.75 in 15 °C and r = 0.98 in30 °C; for Ba: 0.90 and 0.57; for V: 0.99 and 0.81. In non-polluted soils highest correlation coefficients are for Pb: r = 0.70 in 15 °C; Fe: 0.60 and 0.72; Al: 0.68 and0.64; Mn: 0.51 and 0.66; Ba: 0.63 and 0.61; Cr: 0.94 and0.70; Ni: 0.64 and 0.65; Cu: 0.69 and 0.48; as well as V: 0.62in 15 °C; and Cd: 0.69 in 15 °C.This way the soil respiration could be a good indicator of the soil pollution.     

Heavy Metal Transport and Behavior in the Lower Columbia river, USA

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate temporal changes in heavy metal content of lower Columbia River sediment following terminated or reduced soluble heavy metal loading from the world's largest lead-zinc refinery and mining districts in the USA and Canada. Sediment cores were collected from two fine sediment depositional sites (∼600 km downstream) in August 1999 and were analyzed for total metal content, texture, and age/dating parameters. Zinc, cadmium and lead contents in 1999 declined by only a factor of two over their depth profile maxima (dated as between 1970 and 1980). In sharp contrast, more than a 10-fold decrease in dissolved metal loading occurred during this same period. Zinc in filtered Columbia River water at downstream locations also declined by > 10-fold, consistent with the reduced upper river solute-metal loading. Once soluble metal releases are reduced or terminated, the solute half-time in Columbia River water is months versus ∼20 yr for adsorbed metals on surficial (or resuspended) bed sediments. The much slower rate of decline for sediment, as compared to the solute phase, is attributed to resuspension, transport and redeposition of irreversibly bound metals from upstream sedimentary deposits. This implies downstream exposure of benthic or particle-ingesting biota can continue for years following source remediation and/or termination of soluble metal releases. Accordingly, contaminant contents of both particulate and solute phases of river water, as well as sediment core sections, are suggested for assessing long-term biotic exposure/response to mitigation activities in the Columbia River and similar fluvial ecosystems.     

Geochemical fractionation of trace elements in sediments of Hugli River (Ganges) and Sundarban wetland (West Bengal, India)

A sequential extraction procedure was carried out to determinate the concentrations of 11 elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) in different geochemical phases of sediments collected along the Hugli (Ganges) River Estuary and in the Sundarban mangrove wetland, eastern coastal part of India. The chemical speciation of elements was determined using the three-step sequential extraction procedure described by the European Community Bureau of Reference. Total metal concentration was determined using a microwave-assisted acid digestion procedure. Metal concentrations were near the background level except for As for which a moderate pollution can be hypothesized. The mobility order of the metals was: Cd?>?Mn?>?Cu?>?Zn?>?As?>?Co?>?Pb?>?Ni?>?Fe?>?Cr?>?Al. The highest percentage of Cd (>60%) was found in the most labile phase. Residual fraction was prevailing for Fe, Cr and Al, while Pb was mainly associated with the reducible fraction. Data were compared with Sediment Quality Guidelines to estimate the relationship between element concentrations and adverse biological effects on benthic community, finding the possibility of some toxic effects due to the presence of As in the entire studied area and Cd, only in Calcutta.     

Fractionation and Sequential Extraction of Heavy Metals in the Soil of Scrapyard of Discarded Vehicles

Chemical and physical size fractionation of heavy metals were carried out on 20 soil samples from the scrap yard area. Tessier method was used in sequential extraction. Cadmium showed the highest levels among the other elements studied in the exchangeable fraction (about 33%), while other elements showed low levels in this fraction (≥1%). Lead and manganese were mostly found in the Fe–Mn oxide fraction, zinc and iron were mostly in residual fraction, while copper was mostly found in the organic fraction of the soil. Soil samples were size-fractionated into four sizes: 1000–500, 500–125, 125–53, and less than 53 μm. The highest levels of Fe, Cu, Pb, Mn, and Cd were found in the medium fraction (500–125 μm), while zinc showed its highest levels in the fine fraction (125–53 μm). The order of heavy metal load in the size fractions was found to be medium > fine > coarse > silt for Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, and Cd, where it was found as fine > medium > coarse > silt for zinc.     

Metal Pollution Assessment of Sediment and Water in the River Hindon, India

The metal pollution in water and sediment of the River Hindon in western Uttar Pradesh (India) was assessed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. The metal concentrations in water showed wide temporal variation compared with bed sediment because of variability in water discharge and variations in suspended solid loadings. Metal concentrations in bed sediments provided a better evaluation of the degree and the extent of contamination in the aquatic environment, Santagarh and Atali being the most polluted sites of the river. The ratio of heavy metals to conservative elements (Fe, Al, etc.) may reveal the geochemical imbalances due to the elevated metal concentrations normally attributed to anthropogenic sources. Metal/Al ratios for the bed sediments of the river Hindon were used to determine the relative mobility and general trend of relative mobility occurred Fe > Mn > Zn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cu > Cd.     

Element Levels in Snakes in South Carolina: Differences Between a Control Site and Exposed Site on the Savannah River Site

Levels of 18 elements, including lead, mercury, selenium, and uranium, were examined in three species of snakes from an exposed and reference site on the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site in South Carolina. We tested the hypotheses that there were no differences as a function of species, and there were no difference between the exposed and control site for blood and muscle (tail) samples for banded water snake (Nerodia fasciata), brown water snake (N. taxispilota) and cottonmouth (Akistrodon piscivorous). The banded water snakes collected were significantly smaller than the other two species. For blood, there were significant species differences only for barium, copper, selenium, uranium and zinc, while for muscle tissue there were significant interspecific differences in aluminum, arsenic, barium, cobalt, cesium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, manganese, strontium, vanadium and zinc, suggesting that muscle tissue in the tail is a better indicator of potential interspecific differences. It is also easier logistically to collect tail tissue than blood. Where one species had significantly higher levels than the other species in muscle tissue levels, cottonmouth had higherlevels of five elements (aluminum, cobalt, lead, mercury, vanadium), brown water snake had two (lead, strontium), and banded water snake had only barium. There were few significant differences between the control and reference site for levels of blood, but several for muscle tissue. All three species had significantly higher levels of arsenic and manganese at Tim's Branch than the reference site, and nickel and uranium were significantly higher for banded watersnake and cottonmouth, the larger species. Individuals with high exposure of one element were exposed to high levels of other elements.     

Interspecific and Locational Differences in Heavy Metal Levels in Four Species of Birds Near Sydney, Australia

We examined the levels of cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury, and selenium in four species of birds near Sydney, New South Wales, Australia in January, 1996. Molted contour feathers were collected from silver gull, Larus novaehollandiae (Royal National Park and downtown Sydney), sulphur-crested cockatoo, Cacatua sulphurea (Blue Mountains, Royal National Park, and Sydney), Australian white ibis, Threskiornis molucca (Sydney), and rock dove Columba livia (Royal National Park and Sydney). We tested the null hypothesis that there were no species or locational differences in metal levels. There were significant species differences in all metals, with rock doves having the highest levels of cadmium, chromium, lead, and manganese, and silver gulls having the highest levels of mercury and selenium. Metal levels were generally low in cockatoos, and were lowest in those from the Royal National Park. For silver gulls, cadmium, lead, and chromium levels were highest at Sydney, and there were no locational differences in manganese, mercury, and selenium levels. For rock doves, cadmium, chromium and manganese were higher in Sydney, and there were no locational differences in lead, mercury, and selenium. Overall, cadmium and chromium levels were significantly higher in Sydney than in the Royal National Park for all species, and there were no locational differences in mercury levels. Although the levels of most metals in feathers from these Australian birds were within the ranges reported worldwide, lead levels in ibises and rock doves were among the highest reported worldwide, suggesting a cause for concern.