Concentrations of some heavy metals in water, sediment and fish species from the Atatürk Dam Lake (Euphrates), Turkey

Concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn) were measured in the water, sediment and fish species (Acanthobrama marmid, Chalcalburnus mossulensis, Chondrostoma regium, Carasobarbus luteus, Capoetta trutta and Cyprinus carpio) from the Atatürk Dam Lake, Turkey. Among the heavy metals studied Cd, Co, Hg, Mo and Pb were not detected in water, sediments and fish samples, while Ni was undetectable levels in fish samples. Levels of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn varied depending on different tissues. The results of this study indicated that a general absence of serious pollution in the dam lake is due to heavy metals, where as the concentrations of elements found could mainly be attributed to geological sources.     

Concentrations,bioaccumulation, and health risk assessments of heavy metals in fishes from Nigeria’s freshwater: a general overview

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Heavy metals (HMs) have attracted global attention due to their toxicity, persistence, and accumulation in aquatic fish in the polluted water...     

Bioindication of heavy metals in the town Wrocław (Poland) with evergreen plants

In this paper the results are reported of a study on the concentration of macroelements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S and Fe) and heavy metals (Ni, Cr, Co, V, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ba and Sr) in soil and in three species of the evergreen plants Ilex aquifolium, Mahonia aquifolium and Rhododendron catawbiense. These plants are collected in the Botanical Garden of the Polish town Wrocław (which is exposed to atmospheric exhausts of heavy traffic, chemical factories, metal smelters and a heat and power plant partly alimented with lignite and coals) and in two presumed unpolluted reference (background) sites, one in Poland (the Dendrological Garden in Wojslawice near Niemcza, south from Wrocław) and the other in The Netherlands (the Botanical Garden of the University of Nijmegen).Analyses of both soil and plant samples point to the pollution of the Wrocław Botanical Garden by Ni, Cr, Co, Cd via the atmosphere and pollution by Zn, Pb and Hg probably via atmosphere and soil. Especially pollution with Hg via soil is supported by a significant positive correlation between Hg content in soil and in all the examined species of which Ilex aquifolium seemed to be the best monitor of soil pollution with this element.     

Heavy-metal pollution assessment in the coastal lagoons of Jacarepaguá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Jacarepaguá lagoon receives the waste from 239 industries and domestic sewage. Bottom sediment analysis revealed that metal pollution is not spread over the lagoons but restricted to the discharge areas of the main metal-carrier rivers. Metal concentrations in superficial water showed the following concentrations values in ng/ml: Zn, 9.63+/-3.59; Pb, 0.61+/-0.43; Cu, 0.94+/-0.45; Mn, 12.7+/-8.0. Metal concentration in fish (average of seven different species) presented the following results, in mg/kg wet weight: Cr, 0.08+/-0.01; Cu, 0.4+/-0.15; Zn, 4.6+/-3.4; Fe, 2.4+/-1.3; Mn, 0.4+/-0.3. These results imply, considering fish consumption rate and the RfD (USEPA Reference Dose), that the local population is not exposed to undue health risks. Metal concentrations in the water may, however, increase due to their dissolution induced by pH and redox changes in the sediments.     

Uptake of heavy metals and As by Brassica juncea grown in a contaminated soil in Aznalcóllar (Spain): the effect of soil amendments

Two crops of Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. were grown in a field experiment, at the site affected by the toxic spillage of acidic, metal-rich waste in Aznalcóllar (Seville, Spain), to study its metal accumulation and the feasibility of its use for metal phytoextraction. The effects of organic soil amendments (cow manure and mature compost) and lime on biomass production and plant survival were also assessed; plots without organic amendment and without lime were used as controls. Plots, with or without organic amendment, having pH < 5 were limed for the second crop. Soil acidification conditioned plant growth and metal accumulation. The addition of lime and the organic amendments achieved higher plant biomass production, although effects concerning metal bioavailability and accumulation were masked somewhat by pH variability with time and between and within plots. Tissue metal concentrations of B. juncea were elevated for Zn, Cu and Pb, especially in leaves of plants from plots with low pH values (maxima of 2029, 71 and 55 microg g(-1), respectively). The total uptake of heavy metals in the plants was relatively low, emphasising the problems faced when attempting to employ phytoextraction for clean-up of pluri-contaminated sites.     

Concentrations of heavy metal and radioactivity in surface water and sediment of Hazar Lake (Elaziğ, Turkey)

Concentration of heavy metals and natural gross radioactivity were measured in the surface water and sediment of Hazar Lake (Elazi?, Turkey). Eight sampling sites were pre-defined in different locations of the lake. A preliminary study on heavy metals (Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Cr, Co and Pb), major elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) concentrations and natural radioactivity related to 226Ra, gross-alpha and gross-beta radiations in the surface water and deep sediments were determined. The obtained results showed that, in general, the heavy metals (Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu and Pb) and major elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) concentrations in water did not exceed WHO (World Health Organization, 1999), EC (Europe Community, 1998), EPA (Environment Protection Agency, 2002) and TSE-266 (Turkish Standard, 1997) guidelines. Generally, heavy metals and major elements concentration of the sediments were found decrease in sequence of Fe>Mg>Ca>Mn>Zn>Ni>Cr>Cu>Co>Pb. The results of this study indicated that a general absence of serious pollution in the Hazar Lake. The results obtained from the radioactivity determination indicate that the surface water radioactivity concentration of 226Ra, gross-alpha and gross-beta were ranging from 0.52+/-0.02 to 2.02+/-0.06 Bq/l and from 0.65+/-0.03 to 2.52+/-0.07 Bq/l and from 0.01+/-0.01 to 0.14+/-0.01 Bq/l, respectively. Deep sediment radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra is ranging from 0.07+/-0.03 to 0.32+/-0.07 Bq/g.     

Continental-scale spatial distribution,sources, and health risks of heavy metals in seafood: challenge for the water-food-energy nexus sustainability in coastal regions?

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Rare information on the seafood safety and the coastal water-food-energy nexus sustainability in terms of seafood safety is available. This study...     

Deposition of acidic components and heavy metals in the Federal Republic of Germany for the period 1979–1981

The paper discusses the results of the measurement of wet and dry deposition of sulfate, nitrate, chloride and heavy metal aerosols which were obtained from a network established in the Federal Republic of Germany during 1979 to 1981. The results characterize the deposition-pattern with respect to time and space.     

A tropical rainforest clearing experiment by biomass burning in the state of Pará, Brazil

Results are described of a forest clearing experiment conducted in Tomé Acu, located approximately 250 km south of Belém, the capital of the Brazilian northern state of Pará. An area of 3 ha of virgin forest was cut in July 1994 and left to dry until October of the same year, when fire was set. Post burning was also performed 30 days after the main fire. The test location biomass content per hectare was measured by indirect methods using formulas with parameters of forest inventories. The carbon content of the several biomass compartments was determined in a CHN analyzer. The combustion completeness was estimated by selecting ten 2+2 m² areas and 24 large trunks and examining their consumption rates by fire. The 2+2 m² areas were used to determine the completeness of small parts of biomass (those whose characteristic diameters were lower than 10 cm) and the trunks to determine the efficiency of the larger parts (characteristic diameters larger than 10 cm). The overall process combustion completeness was estimated to be 20.1%. Considering that the combustion gases of carbon in open fires contain approximately 90% of CO₂ and 10% of CO in volumetric basis, the emission rates of these gases by the burning process were estimated as 70.2 and 5.0 t ha^-1, respectively.     

Dating of marine sediments and time evolution of heavy metal concentrations in the Bay of Cádiz, Spain

In this paper the time evolution of heavy metal concentration of Pb, Zn, Cd and Hg, in the sediments of the Bay of Cádiz (southwest of Spain) is studied during the past century, as a result of the industrial influence in the zone. The study has been performed using sedimentary profiles that have been extracted from the seabed. The measurement of 210Pb and 137Cs radionuclides has provided the dating of the sediment layers, up to a depth corresponding to the age of 115 years. The relative sedimentation rates obtained are around 0.2 cm/year. The 137Cs activity profile reflects the concentration of this radionuclide in the atmosphere and into aquatic systems during the second half of the twentieth century. This profile has been used to ratify the results provided by the 210Pb dating method.     

Nest placement of the giant Amazon river turtle, Podocnemis expansa, in the Araguaia River, Goiás State, Brazil

The giant Amazon river turtle (Podocnemis expansa) nests on extensive sand bars on the margins and interior of the channel during the dry season. The high concentration of nests in specific points of certain beaches indicates that the selection of nest placement is not random but is related to some geological aspects, such as bar margin inclination and presence of a high, sandy platform. The presence of access channels to high platform points or ramp morphology are decisive factors in the choice of nesting areas. The eroded and escarped margins of the beaches hinder the Amazon river turtle arriving at the most suitable places for nesting. Through the years, changes in beach morphology can alter nest distribution.     

Mobility of heavy metals from polluted sediments of a semi-enclosed basin: in situ benthic chamber experiments in Taranto’s Mar Piccolo (Ionian Sea,Southern Italy)

In situ benthic flux experiments were conducted at two stations in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Italy), one of the most industrialised and contaminated coastal areas of the Mediterranean. Sediments of the two stations are notably different in their trace metal content, with a station closer to a Navy harbour showing higher mean concentrations of almost all investigated metals (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn). Conversely, both stations are characterised by significant Hg contamination, compared to the local baseline. Results of a sequential extraction scheme on surface sediments suggest a relatively scarce mobility of the examined metals (Zn > Ni > Cr > As > Cu > Pb). A Hg-specific extraction procedure showed that most of the element (93.1 %) occurs in a fraction comprising Hg bound to Fe/Mn oxi-hydroxides. Reduction of these oxides may affect Hg remobilisation and redistribution. Porewater profiles of dissolved trace metals were quite similar in the two sites, although significant differences could be observed for Al, Cu, Fe and Hg. The highest diffusive fluxes were observed for As, Fe and Mn. Mobility rates of several trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) were directly measured at the sediment–water interface. Results from benthic in situ incubation experiments showed increasing dissolved metal concentrations with time, resulting in higher fluxes for Cu, Fe, Hg, V and Zn in the most contaminated site. Conversely, fluxes of Mn, Ni and Pb were comparable between the two stations. The estimated flux of Hg (97 μg m^?2 day^?1) was the highest observed among similar experiments conducted in other highly contaminated Mediterranean coastal environments. Benthic fluxes could be partially explained by considering rates of organic matter remineralisation, dissolution of Fe/Mn oxy-hydroxides and metal speciation in sediments. Seasonal and spatial variation of biogeochemical parameters can influence metal remobilisation in the Mar Piccolo area. In particular, metals could be promptly remobilised as a consequence of oxygen depletion, posing a serious concern for the widespread fishing and mussel farming activities in the area.     

The impact of heavy metals on the grey garden slug, Deroceras reticulatum (Müller): Metal storage, cellular effects and semi-quantitative evaluation of metal toxicity

Laboratory-reared grey garden slugs, Deroceras reticulatum, were exposed to soil and food treated with solutions of three metal salts (CdCl2, ZnCl2, PbCl2) in three environmentally relevant concentrations, each for 21 days. Metal concentrations were determined in the soil, food and slugs by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Zinc was localized ultrastructurally in the hepatopancreatic cells by means of energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM). Zinc, and also high amounts of copper, could be detected by electron spectroscopical imaging (ESI) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in spherites of the basophilic cells. Ultrastructural responses to metal impact were investigated in two cell types of the hepatopancreas (digestive and basophilic cells) and the cellular responses were found to be dose- and metal-dependent. In order to evaluate the toxicity of the respective metal concentrations to the slugs, the ultrastructural reactions were semi-quantified and summarized as complex reaction patterns of numerous organelles. This novel approach provides a basis for the use of data from standardized tests as a background for risk assessment studies in the field.     

Selected trace metals in oysters (Crassostrea iridescens) and sediments from the discharge zone of the submarine sewage outfall in Mazatlán Bay (southeast Gulf of California): chemical fractions and bioaccumulation factors

Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in the soft tissue of Crassostrea iridescens and the associated surface sediments (bulk and bioavailable metal concentrations) from an area influenced by a sewage outfall in Mazatlán Bay (southeast Gulf of California), were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Significant spatial differences in metal concentrations in both the bulk and bioavailable forms in the sediments were identified. An enrichment of Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in sites located on a south-north transect was detected indicating a dominant influence of the sewage outfall toward the north. C. iridescens accumulated more Zn, Cu, Ni, Fe, Cd; and less Mn, Cr and Pb than were bioavailable in the sediments, as measured using conventional extraction analysis. The degree of enrichment and the bioavailable metal concentrations in the sediments of the south portion of Mazatlán Bay is discussed. The potential ability of C. iridescens as a biomonitor of metallic pollutants is postulated.     

Evidence of reproductive disturbance in Astyanax lacustris (Teleostei: Characiformes) from the Doce River after the collapse of the Fundão Dam in Mariana,Brazil

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The Fundão Dam collapsed, on November 5th, 2015, dumping more than 50 million/m3 of iron ore tailings, enriched with metals, into the Doce River...     

Investigation of the accumulation of ash,heavy metals,and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to assess the stability of lysis–cryptic growth sludge reduction in sequencing batch reactor

The accumulation of ash, heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (collectively called potential accumulating substances, PAS) was evaluated to ascertain the stability of lysis–cryptic growth sludge reduction process (LSRP) for municipal sludge treatment. One sequencing batch reactor (SBR) incorporated with homogenization was run to test the LSRP and another SBR as a control. The continuous monitoring results for 2 months showed that the ash and heavy metals slightly increased, and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons decreased by 18.0%, indicating that there may be negligible accumulations during the LSRP. Their accumulations met pattern I, as demonstrated by statistical analysis, proving no PAS accumulation for LSRP. This was further confirmed by sludge activity and system performance. Moreover, the mechanism for no PAS accumulation was discussed. It was concluded that the LSRP was stable with no worries about PAS accumulation under the operational conditions.     

Mercury in two fish species from the Paraná river floodplain, Paraná, Brazil

Total mercury concentrations were measured in dorsal muscle tissue of two edible fish species, Prochilodus scrofa 'curimba' and Pseudoplatystoma corruscans 'pintado', respectively detritivorous and carnivorous. Fish species were sampled monthly between February 1993 and January 1994 and bimonthly between April 1994 and February 1995 in three subsystems of Paraná river' system (Ivinhema River/Lake Patos; Baía River/Lake Guaraná and Paraná River/Cortado Channel), between Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul. Total mercury was determined by HNO3/H2SO4/V2O5 digestion, SnCl2 reduction, and vapour generation method analysis (CGCH 900), adapted to Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (CGAA 7000 ABC). The mean mercury concentrations varied from 82.0 to 310.5 ng g(-1) and from 68 to 294.4 ng g(-1) in 'curimbas' and 'pintados', respectively. Mercury level increases in sexually mature 'curimbas'. Mercury values detected do not exceed the prevailing criteria for issuance of fish consumption advisories (< 500 ng g(-1)).     

Arsenic in the soils of Zimapán, Mexico

Arsenic concentrations of 73 soil samples collected in the semi-arid Zimapán Valley range from 4 to 14 700 mg As kg(-1). Soil arsenic concentrations decrease with distance from mines and tailings and slag heaps and exceed 400 mg kg(-1) only within 500 m of these arsenic sources. Soil arsenic concentrations correlate positively with Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations, suggesting a strong association with ore minerals known to exist in the region. Some As was associated with Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides, this association is less for contaminated than for uncontaminated samples. Very little As was found in the mobile water-soluble or exchangeable fractions. The soils are not arsenic contaminated at depths greater than 100 cm below the surface. Although much of the arsenic in the soils is associated with relatively immobile solid phases, this represents a long-term source of arsenic to the environment.     

The sea–air exchange of mercury (Hg) in the marine boundary layer of the Augusta basin (southern Italy): Concentrations and evasion flux

The first attempt to systematically investigate the atmospheric mercury (Hg) in the MBL of the Augusta basin (SE Sicily, Italy) has been undertaken. In the past the basin was the receptor for Hg from an intense industrial activity which contaminated the bottom sediments of the Bay, making this area a potential source of pollution for the surrounding Mediterranean. Three oceanographic cruises have been thus performed in the basin during the winter and summer 2011/2012, where we estimated averaged Hg_atm concentrations of about 1.5 ± 0.4 (range 0.9–3.1) and 2.1 ± 0.98 (range 1.1–3.1) ng m⁻³ for the two seasons, respectively. These data are somewhat higher than the background Hg_atm value measured over the land (range 1.1 ± 0.3 ng m⁻³) at downtown Augusta, while are similar to those detected in other polluted regions elsewhere. Hg evasion fluxes estimated at the sea/air interface over the Bay range from 3.6 ± 0.3 (unpolluted site) to 72 ± 0.1 (polluted site of the basin) ng m⁻² h⁻¹. By extending these measurements to the entire area of the Augusta basin (∼23.5 km²), we calculated a total sea–air Hg evasion flux of about 9.7 ± 0.1 g d⁻¹ (∼0.004 t yr⁻¹), accounting for ∼0.0002% of the global Hg oceanic evasion (2000 t yr⁻¹). The new proposed data set offers a unique and original study on the potential outflow of Hg from the sea–air interface at the basin, and it represents an important step for a better comprehension of the processes occurring in the marine biogeochemical cycle of this element.     

Overview on recent advances of magnetic metal–organic framework (MMOF) composites in removal of heavy metals from aqueous system

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Developing a novel, simple, and cost-effective analytical technique with high enrichment capacity and selectivity is crucial for environmental...