Biomonitoring of heavy metals (Cd,Hg, and Pb) and metalloid (As) with the Portuguese common buzzard (Buteo buteo)

The accumulation of heavy metals in the environment may have a wide range of health effects on animals and humans. Thus, in this study, the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) in the blood and tissues (liver and kidney) of Portuguese common buzzards (Buteo buteo) were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) in order to monitor environmental pollution to these elements. In general, Hg and As were the elements which appeared in the highest and lowest concentrations, respectively. A highest percentage of non-detected concentration was found for blood Cd (94.6 %) but, in turn, it was the only metal that was detected in all kidney samples. The kidney was the analyzed sample which showed the highest concentrations of each element evaluated. Statistically, significant differences among blood, liver, and kidney samples were observed for As and Cd (P?相似文献   

Spatial distribution of trace metals (Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) and oligo-elements (Mg, Ca, Na and K) in surface sediments of the Gulf of Tunis (Northern Tunisia)

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the levels and spatial distribution of trace metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Hg, Zn, Fe, and Mn), oligo-elements (Mg, Ca, Na and K), total organic carbon (TOC), and total nitrogen (TN) in the fine fraction of surface sediments collected from 38 stations in Gulf of Tunis (Mediterranean Sea, Northern Tunisia) between 2004 and 2005. The results showed that metals, oligo-elements, TOC, and TN concentrations in the sediments of the Gulf of Tunis are generally low compared to those found in other similar coastal marine areas. The spatial distribution of metals showed areas of major accumulation of Pb, Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn in the central area of the Gulf and near the Mejerda River. The marine currents are influencing factors on metal accumulation in sediments. The principal component analysis applied to our elemental analytical results showed that there is a positive correlation between Fe, Zn, Cu, and Pb. These metals have a stronger affinity with site connection in the sediments than Ca and Mn.     

Determination of Ni(CO)4, Fe(CO)5, Mo(CO)6, and W(CO)6 in sewage gas by using cryotrapping gas chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Evidence for the occurrence of Ni(CO)4 in addition to Mo(CO)6 and W(CO)6 in fermentation gases from a municipal sewage treatment plant is presented for the first time. The gases were sampled at the top of the sewage sludge digester using Tedlar bags, and were analysed using cryotrapping followed by gas chromatography coupled with inductively coupled mass spectrometry (GC-ICP-MS). The use of an ICP-MS as an element-specific detector gives sufficiently low detection limits for metals and was coupled to a packed column gas chromatograph. This method provides information about the speciation of volatile transition metals in contrast to previously used methods for the determination of Ni(CO)4 in gas samples. The element-specific detection of three different isotopes (m/z 58, 60, 62) and the correspondence of the samples' retention times with those of the standard provided convincing evidence that Ni(CO)4 is present in the fermentation gas. The concentrations found were in the sub-ppb level, which is at least one order of magnitude lower than the threshold level of 1 ppb (v/v). In addition, Mo(CO)6 and W(CO)6 were also measured in the sub-ppb range in contrast to the absence of Fe(CO)5. The stabilities of Ni(CO)4, Fe(CO)5, and Mo(CO)6 were tested in a carbon monoxide atmosphere. In the presence of distilled water, the following order of stability was found after 11 weeks: Fe(CO)5 < Ni(CO)4 < Mo(CO)6. In the presence of an aqueous solution containing nickel, molybdenum, tungsten and iron, however, only Fe(CO)5 was significantly decomposed (< 0.3% recovery); Ni(CO)4 and Mo(CO)6 were stable after 11 weeks. No W(CO)6 was formed. The low stability of Fe(CO)5 in the presence of water could be the reason why no volatile iron compound was found in sewage gas. This study showed that GC-ICP-MS can be employed to identify species-specific traces of metal carbonyls in process gases such as sewage gas.     

Chemical speciation and partitioning of trace metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb) in the lower Athabasca river and its tributaries (Alberta, Canada)

Concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Pb were measured in particulate and dissolved phases at 11 sites located upstream and near Athabasca oil sands development. The in situ discrimination between non-labile and labile dissolved metals was done using diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) devices. The DGT-labile fraction of Co and Ni was 30% lower near development sites whereas Cu, Cd and Pb showed minor changes spatially. It was found that an 8-fold increase in dissolved organic matter (DOM) near development induced a rapid decrease in DGT-labile metals. Dissolved metal concentrations were used along with DOM, major ions, nutrients, pH and conductivity to calculate the distribution of dissolved metal species using the speciation model WHAM. Labile-DGT metal concentrations agreed well with WHAM-predicted concentrations. It was also found that a significant amount of metals were associated with the non-DGT labile fraction (i.e. colloidal DOM) and colloid abundance was more important than suspended particulate matter abundance in influencing metal mobility near Athabasca oil soils development. Since changes in colloidal DOM levels are likely to be the result of surface mining activities, this confirms the serious effects of oil sands activities on metal biogeochemical cycles in the lower Athabasca River.     

Interpreting major industrial landscapes: Social follow-up on meanings, the case of two aluminium smelters, Alcan (Alma, Canada) and Pechiney (Dunkirk, France)

Landscape is becoming an object of growing social concern and, as such, an object of mediation between major industrial producers and local communities. The question of the capacity of environmental assessment to address this issue is thus raised. Until now, landscape studies have focused on visual aspects, although subjective dimensions such as perceptions and meanings have been recognised. The research in this article concerns the subjective dimensions, and is presented with a view to further the understanding of the process of the social interpretation of landscape as it relates to heavy industrial sites. Within a socioconstructivist perspective, two case studies (a longitudinal follow-up and an ex-post) of two aluminum smelters, one in Alma (Quebec, Canada) and the other in Dunkirk (France) were conducted. The results show that nearby residents' interpretations of landscape varied according to three sets of factors related to 1) the dynamics of regional development and the historical place of industry in the community, 2) the relationship between residents and the industry and local governance capacities, and 3) the social impacts experienced. To conclude, three ways of using qualitative methodologies for social and environmental follow-up in a socioconstructivist approach to landscape are proposed.     

Adsorption of antimony(V) by floodplain soils, amorphous iron(III) hydroxide and humic acid

Antimony (Sb) emissions to the environment are increasing, and there is a dearth of knowledge regarding Sb fate and behaviour in natural systems. In particular, there is a lack of understanding of sorption of the oxidised Sb(V) species onto soils and soil phases. In this study sorption of Sb(V) by two organic rich soils with high levels of oxalate extractable Fe was examined over the pH range of 2.5-7. Furthermore, the sorption behaviour of Sb(V) was examined in two phases mimicking those dominant in the experimental soils, namely a solid humic acid and an amorphous Fe(OH)3, across the same pH range. Sorption of Sb by the soils and the humic acid fitted a Freundlich type isotherm, with the equation parameters reflecting changes in bonding affinity corresponding to pH changes. The soils sorbed >75% of the added Sb in all trials, and 80-100% at pH values less than approximately 6.5. The Fe(OH)3 retained >95% of the added Sb in all experiments. The humic acid sorbed up to 60% of the added Sb at acidic pH values, but sorption decreased to zero at higher pH values. Further adsorption studies are recommended, such as examining the effects of ion competition and changes in ionic strength.     

Seasonal and Interannual Variations in the Frequency and Severity of Deformities in Larvae of Chironomus riparius (Meigen, 1804) and Prodiamesa olivacea (Meigen, 1818) (Diptera, Chironomidae) collected in a polluted site

Larvae of Chironomus riparius and Prodiamesa olivacea were sampled at intervals overthe period November 1993 and October 1995 from theriver Sar in Galicia (N.W. Spain), with the aim ofinvestigating possible temporal variations in thefrequency of deformed individuals and in `Toxic Score'values (Lenat, 1993), a score for severity of theabnormalities calculated for each species. The resultsobtained indicate that, in both species, deformitiesare more frequent during the colder period of theyear. Similarly, Toxic Score values are higher duringthis period. These finding suggest that studies usingchironomid larvae as indicators of contaminationsshould involve sampling over an extended period, tominimize the influence of temporal variation.     

Effects of Cadmium (CdCl2) on development and hatching of eggs in European squid (Loligo vulgaris Lamarck, 1798) (Cephalopoda: Loliginidae)

This is the first study related to the effects of cadmium (Cd) on the development and hatching of eggs of Loligo vulgaris. The eggs were exposed to concentrations varying from 10 to 100,000 μg Cd/l for up to 1 month. During the study period natural sea water salinity (37 PSU), ambient temperature (ranging 16.5–21.5°C) and light conditions of 12-h light: 12-h dark for 744-h were used prior to the hatching. For 96-h, mortality rate of 100% of the eggs was found at cadmium concentration of 100,000 μg Cd/l, and the same mortality rate of the eggs were found at 1,000 and 10,000 μg Cd/l for 744-h and 696-h, respectively. Hatching took place between hours 456 and 576 in the control group and between hours 480 and 576 in 10 and 100 μg Cd/l groups. Total hatching rates were calculated to be 98.2 ± 1.6% for control group, 99.4 ± 0.6% for 10 μg Cd/l group and 98.6 ± 1.2% for 100 μg Cd/l group. Hatching successes were estimated as 69.5 ± 13.8% for control group, 84.5 ± 8.2% for 10 μg Cd/l group and 76.9 ± 5.9% for 100 μg Cd/l group. In the 100,000 μg Cd/l treatment, the egg degeneration began from animal pole of the eggs in 16 h, and 50% and 100% of them died in the initial stage at 72-h and 96-h, respectively. In the 10,000 μg Cd/l group, the eggs which reached at stage 19 (IX) were deformed and 50% and 100% of them died at 312-h and 696-h, respectively. In 1,000 μg Cd/l group, however, the eggs developed abnormally from stage 21 (X–XI) and reached at stage 29 (XIX), and 50% and 100% of them died in 624-h and in 744-h, respectively. There were significant differences in survival rates of the eggs among the concentrations (p < 0.05). The current study demonstrated that Cd adversely affects the development, survival and hatching of L. vulgaris eggs; however, no mortality was observed in 10 μg Cd/l and 100 μg Cd/l groups.     

Spectrophotometric determination of platinum(IV) in alloys, complexes, environmental, and pharmaceutical samples using 4-[N,N-(diethyl)amino] benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone

4-[N,N-(Diethyl)amino] benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (DEABT) is proposed as an analytical reagent for the spectrophotometric determination of platinum(IV). The DEABT forms 1:2 yellow complex with Pt(IV), which is sparingly soluble in water and completely soluble in water–ethanol–DMF medium. The Pt(IV)–DEABT complex shows maximum absorbance at 405 nm. Beer’s law is valid up to 7.80 μg cm^???3, and optimum concentration range for the determination of platinum(IV) is 0.48–7.02 μg cm^???3. The molar absorptivity and Sandell’s sensitivity of the method are found to be 1.755 × 10⁴ dm³ mol^???1 cm^???1 and 0.0012 μg cm^???2, respectively. The relative error and coefficient of variation (n?=?6) for the method does not exceed ±0.43% and 0.35%, respectively. Since the method tolerates a number of metal ions commonly associated with platinum, it can be employed for the determination of platinum in environmental samples, pharmaceutical samples, alloys, catalysts, and complexes. The method is rapid as the Pt(IV)–DEABT complex is soluble in water–ethanol–DMF medium and not requiring any time consuming extraction method for the complex.     

Diversity of birds at Panipat refinery, Haryana (India)

Avifaunal study was carried out in Panipat refinery area before and after commissioning. A total of 63 birds were observed during the study, of which 39 and 49 birds were present during 1992 and 2001 respectively. Of these, 25 birds were common during both the study period. Blue rock pigeon was most dominant during 1992 whereas house sparrow was dominant during 2001. Species diversity index was found to be 5.26 and 6.64 in respective years. Jaccard's and Sorenson similarity indices were 0.40 and 0.57 respectively. Majority of birds were insectivorous in habits followed by granivorous birds in 1992 and piscivorous birds in 2001. The study reveals that less diversity was observed in 1992 when Panipat refinery was commissioned, but more birds especially aquatic ones were observed after the commissioning of the refinery. This has been attributed to increase in birds habitats due to developments of wetlands in and outside refinery, development of green belt around refinery and increase in green cover of area due to boosting of agroforestry and social forestry.     

Mercury Contamination of the EEL (Anguilla Anguilla) and Roach (Rutilus Rutilus) in East Anglia, UK

The muscle tissue total mercury (THg) and organomercury (OrHg) concentrations of eel (Anguilla anguilla) and roach (Rutilus rutilis) from the Hg-contaminated River Yare and the uncontaminated Ormesby Broad were compared to their respective bed sediment THg and OrHg concentrations in order to determine if fish in the River Yare had begun to approach 'background' levels. While eel from the Yare had higher flesh concentrations (260 g kg-1) than those from Ormesby Broad (102 g kg- 1), roach were found to have similar concentrations regardless of location (55 and 54 g kg-1 for Yare and Ormesby respectively). However, roach in the Yare had significantly higher body burdens of Hg and organomercury, which when analysed over time (1985–95) showed a decreasing trend approaching the levels observed in fish from Ormesby Broad, suggesting that roach are an overall better biomonitor of contamination then eel. This said, the elevated levels of Hg found in fish from Ormesby Broad indicate the existence of a diffuse source such as atmospheric deposition to the surface waters of East Anglia.     

Concentration of four heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic) in organs of two cyprinid fish (Cyprinus carpio and Capoeta sp.) from the Kor River (Iran)

Concentration of heavy metals in aquatic animals mainly occurs due to industrial contamination. In this study, the concentrations of four heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic) in organs of two cyprinid fish and in water collected from three sections of the Kor River, Iran were determined using the inductively coupled plasma method. Pathological and hormonal changes due to metal contamination were also measured. The concentrations of heavy metals in tissue of fish from the middle sampling zone were significantly higher (p?<?0.05) than those from the other two sampling zones, whereas no significant differences (p?>?0.05) were detected between the two sexes and species. High levels of metals were found in the ovaries and testes; estradiol in females and progesterone and testosterone in males from the middle study site were significantly (p?<?0.05) lower than values from the other two sites. Pathological changes in blood cells, liver, and kidneys of fishes were significantly higher in highly polluted areas (middle sampling zone). These results show that industrial activities have polluted the river and that the maximum concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Hg were higher than the permissible levels for human consumption.     

Toxic metal (Pb, Cd, As and Hg) and organochlorine residue levels in hake (Merluccius merluccius) from the Marmara Sea, Turkey

Toxic metals (Pb, Cd, As and Hg) and organochlorine residue levels were measured in hake (Merluccius merluccius) from the Marmara Sea. Biota samples were collected by a trawling cruise of the R/V ARAR in August and December 2009. The concentrations of toxic metals varied between Pb, 3.23-14.4; Cd, <0.01-2.14; Hg, 0.01-0.18 and As, 0.01-0.21 [Formula: see text]g g(-1) dry wt. Pb levels in the Marmara Sea were found to be higher than the critical limits set by the both Turkish Ministry of Environment for Aquatic Products (1 μg g(-1) wet wt.) and European countries (2.0 μg g(-1), UNEP 1985). In contrast, As and Hg levels were found to be lower than the critical limits for two periods. Cd contents of fish from the Marmara Sea were also comparable to or slightly lower than contents of fish from the Southern Black Sea Shelf. The results of organochlorine residues ranged between total HCH, <0.05 and 99 ng g(-1); endrin, <0.001 and 381 ng g(-1); alpha-endosulphan, <0.05 and 90 ng g(-1); beta-endosulphan, <0.05 and 15.3 ng g(-1); o,p DDE, 3.5 and 52.4 ng g(-1); p,p DDE, 7.4 and 139 ng g(-1); o,p DDD, 1.5 and 90.2 ng g(-1) and p,p DDD, 2.7 and 86 ng g(-1) wet weight. The rivers for the distribution of organochlorine levels in the Marmara Sea ordered from highest to lowest as Dil R. > Susurluk R. > Biga R. > G?nen R. The high levels of o,p and p,p DDE, and o,p and p,p DDD compounds, which are metabolites of DDT, indicate its illegal use. Toxic metal and organochlorine residue levels of fish are significantly higher than levels from the Mediterranean Sea.     

Speciative determination of Cr (III) and Cr (VI) in dyeing waste water of Dil Creek discharge to Izmit Gulf (Izmit-Kocaeli, Turkey) by ICP-AES

Wastewater pollution in industrial areas is one of the most important environmental problems. Heavy metal pollution, especially chromium pollution in wastewater sources from dyeing and tannery has affected the life on earth. This pollution can affect all ecosystems and human health directly or by food chain. Therefore, the determination of chromium in this study is of great importance. Dil Creek is located in the eastern Marmara region and discharges into the Izmit Gulf. This water source is used for irrigation in agriculture and as drinking water for animals. In this study, a rapid, sensitive and selective method for the speciative direct determination of Cr (III) and Cr (VI) in dyeing waste water samples collected from the nearest station to Izmit Gulf of Dil Creek in May 2006 by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) has been developed. An analysis of a given sample is completed in about 15 min for ICP-AES the method. As the result of the chromium analysis, the limit of quantification (LOQ) for the Cr (III), Cr (VI) and total Cr were founded as 0.0111 ± 0.0002 mg/l (RSD, 1.80%), 0.0592 ± 0.0010 mg/l (RSD, 1.70%) and 0.0703 ± 0.0020 mg/l (RSD, 2.84%) respectively. In addition, the general mathematical formula has been developed to calculate the concentration of Cr(III), which can be applied to any other metal species. The result of Cr (VI) analysis indicated that water quality of Creek was IV. class quality according to the inland water classification. In order to validate the applied method, recovery studies were performed.     

Mass occurrence of the ctenophore Bolinopsis vitrea (L. Agassiz, 1860) in the nearshore southern Adriatic Sea (Kotor Bay, Montenegro)

The ctenophore Bolinopsis vitrea has been rarely observed in the Mediterranean Sea. A bloom of B. vitrea is here reported for the first time in the southern Adriatic Sea in the spring and summer of 2009, together with its effect on the plankton of Kotor Bay. Ctenophores were found below 5 m depth only. Results of the investigation indicate that mass occurrence of B. vitrea could have a great impact on the Kotor Bay ecosystem. Their predation on copepods would reduce grazing pressure on phytoplankton, favouring an uncommon bloom of the latter. It is evident that B. vitrea are capable of altering rapidly the composition and biomass of coastal plankton communities when present in large masses. This first evidence of such events for this species may indicate changes in the functioning of marine ecosystems of the southern Adriatic.     

由吸烟所致~(210)Pb、~(210)Po照射剂量的研究

本文对国外3种名烟、国内畅销47种烟及新疆7种烟进行研究。结果表明:香烟中~(210)Po和~(210)Pb平衡系数为0.801;烟雾中~(210)Po和~(210)Pb比值为1.15,表明烟雾中~(210)Po量比~(210)Pb多;主流烟雾中~(210)Po占整支烟~(210)Po量的12.93％,而~(210)Pb占8.17％;烟咀阻留~(210)Po效率为(52.0±10.7)％,阻留~(210)Pb效率为(58.3±7.2)％;估算了每日吸一盒烟的人,20年肺和支气管剂量当量,约1.38 ×10~(-2)S_v。     

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

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