Heavy metals,occurrence and toxicity for plants: a review

Metal contamination issues are becoming increasingly common in India and elsewhere, with many documented cases of metal toxicity in mining industries, foundries, smelters, coal-burning power plants and agriculture. Heavy metals, such as cadmium, copper, lead, chromium and mercury are major environmental pollutants, particularly in areas with high anthropogenic pressure. Heavy metal accumulation in soils is of concern in agricultural production due to the adverse effects on food safety and marketability, crop growth due to phytotoxicity, and environmental health of soil organisms. The influence of plants and their metabolic activities affects the geological and biological redistribution of heavy metals through pollution of the air, water and soil. This article details the range of heavy metals, their occurrence and toxicity for plants. Metal toxicity has high impact and relevance to plants and consequently it affects the ecosystem, where the plants form an integral component. Plants growing in metal-polluted sites exhibit altered metabolism, growth reduction, lower biomass production and metal accumulation. Various physiological and biochemical processes in plants are affected by metals. The contemporary investigations into toxicity and tolerance in metal-stressed plants are prompted by the growing metal pollution in the environment. A few metals, including copper, manganese, cobalt, zinc and chromium are, however, essential to plant metabolism in trace amounts. It is only when metals are present in bioavailable forms and at excessive levels, they have the potential to become toxic to plants. This review focuses mainly on zinc, cadmium, copper, mercury, chromium, lead, arsenic, cobalt, nickel, manganese and iron.     

铅锌矿自然扩散晕内重金属的污染特征及其防治技术

研究了湖南省郴县东坡铅锌矿自然扩散晕内重金属的污染特征及污染控制措施，结果表明，该区域内的环境污染是以Ｐｂ、Ｚｎ、Ｃｄ和Ａｓ为主的多金属复合污染，污染物在土壤中的化学形态以残渣态为主，水体中的细微尾矿砂颗粒物是重金属的主要迁移载体。该区域内作物中的Ｐｂ、Ｃｄ残留很高，用改变耕种制度的方法来控制铅锌矿区内的重金属污染是有效的     

Colliery spoil as a feedstock in fluidized-bed combustion

The implications of the development of fluidized-bed combustion for problems associated with the disposal of colliery spoil in the UK are examined. The combustion principle, history, present state of development and expected effluents from a full-scale installation are described. Spoil heap formation, quantity, location and content are examined. Activities to recover useful mineral values from spoil heaps and current washery rejects, and the uses of the materials to fuel a combustor are considered in terms of their economic and environmental implications. The logical development is expected to be the discontinuation of coal washery activities when the whole of a colliery's production is fed to a thermal generator. It is concluded that the overall implications in terms of spoil disposal should be beneficial.     

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

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

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

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

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

Goal and Scope

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

Methods

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

Results and Conclusion

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

Recommendation and Perspective

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

Klimawandel und Bachforellenrückgang – gibt es einen Zusammenhang? Resultate aus der Schweiz

Background, aim, and scope In response to a 60?% decrease in brown trout catch between 1980 and 2000, a Swiss-wide search was initiated to investigate possible causes. The project, named ‘Fischnetz’ (fishing net), investigated 12 hypotheses. One of those suggested a detrimental effect of global climate change. I report here which parameters changed and what the possible consequences for native brown trout are. Materials and methods The literature is critically analysed and results are synthesised to show the interactions between different climatic factors and their effects on fish. Results In the last 25 years, an increase in temperature by approximately 1?°C was indicated in the rivers of Switzerland. This is associated with an earlier emergence of trout from the gravel. Warming results in an upward shift of the preferred thermal habitats. Furthermore, an increase in the clinical outbreak of the Proliferative Kidney Disease PKD (for which a temperature of 15?°C for more than 2–4 weeks is necessary) can be recorded. The precipitation pattern changed and an intensification of high floods in winter results in higher erosion. This can in turn lead to an increased level of fine sediments which may affect health of juvenile brown trout and is assumed to reduce reproduction success. Discussion The consequences of climate change are discussed in concert with other anthropogenic factors. Storage reservoirs, as well as water withdrawal (and return of heated water, respectively) affect temperature profiles and sediment load. Fragmentation, channelization and straightening of rivers accelerate clogging and restrain fish from upward migration and evacuation to more suitable habitats. Conclusions With increasing temperatures a downsizing of habitats of cold-water fish species, as well as an increase of diseases which are temperature sensitive, is assumed. Recommendations and perspectives Mitigation measures which lead to a morphological improvement of river systems, such as river widening and improvement of the connectivity between river stretches and their tributaries, as well as improving river bank vegetation, are recommended.     

Hair burning and liming in tanneries is a source of pollution by arsenic,lead, zinc,manganese and iron

Heavy metals in the environment may be toxic for human and animals. Tanneries are a source of pollution by heavy metals. There is little information on heavy metals pollution in tanneries, especially on metals produced by the process of hair burning and liming. Liming is the first stage of chemical treatment where animal hair or wool is removed with sodium sulphide and calcium oxide. Here we studied cow, goat, buffalo and sheep hair, conventional liming agents and liming wastewaters from several sources. Samples were acid-digested and aliquots were analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy following APHA standard method to measure concentrations of arsenic, lead, cadmium, zinc, manganese and iron. Results show that the range of metal contents in hair or wool and liming agents are 1.3–8.2 mg/kg for arsenic, 0.02–21.8 mg/kg for lead, 17.7–121.0 mg/kg for manganese, 7.3–141.1 mg/kg for zinc and 119.6–10613.8 mg/kg for iron. Liming wastewaters contain 1.9–5.6 µg/L arsenic, 0.03–6.05 µg/L lead, 38.6–139.0 µg/L manganese, 144.0–171.5 µg/L zinc and 399.5–1069.0 µg/L iron. Cadmium was below detection limits. This is the first investigation that reveals that hair burning liming operation is a potential source of heavy metals in the environment.     

深圳市农林土壤重金属累积现状及风险评价研究（Heavy Metal Accumulation Characters and Risk Assessment in the Soil of Agriculture and Forest of Shenzhen Area）

为探讨深圳市农林土壤重金属的污染现状,系统采集了深圳市菜地、果园、林地和荒地4种土地利用的52个土壤样品,测定了Cu、Pb、Cd、Zn、Cr、Ni6种重金属的全量,对深圳市农林土壤重金属20余年来的累积状况进行了分析并进行了初步的风险评价.结果发现,深圳农林土壤均存在不同程度的重金属累积,总体而言,Cu、Pb、Zn、Cr和Ni的累积较轻,Zn的最大含量尚未超过其80年代末背景值的最大值;Cd的累积最为严重,其最大含量已为背景最大值的16倍.以GB15618-1995为标准,对深圳农林土壤的重金属风险进行评价后发现,Cu的污染最轻,仅20%的菜地土壤超过国家一级标准,Pb50%超过国家一级标准,但尚未超过二级标准;Zn、Cr和Ni均有一定比例的样点超过二级标准,最少4%,最高50%,但未有超过三级标准的样点;Cd的风险最大,不仅有大量超过一、二级标准的样点,而且超过三级标准的样点也占有一定的比例(菜地、果园、林地和荒地土壤中Cd含量超过三级标准的比例分别为10%、23%、29%和50%).深圳农林土壤中的Cd污染应该引起相关部门的重视.     

Role of Genetic Refuges in the Restoration of Native Gene Pools of Brown Trout

Abstract:  Captive-bred animals derived from native, alien, or hybrid stocks are often released in large numbers in natural settings with the intention of augmenting harvests. In brown trout ( Salmo trutta ), stocking with hatchery-reared non-native fish has been the main management strategy used to maintain or improve depleted wild brown trout populations in Iberian and other Mediterranean regions. This measure has become a serious threat to the conservation of native genetic diversity, mainly due to introgressive hybridization. Aware of this risk, the agency responsible for management of brown trout in the eastern Pyrenees (Spain) created "brown trout genetic refuges" to preserve the integrity of brown trout gene pools in this region. Within refuge areas, the prerefuge status with respect to fishing activities has been maintained, but hatchery releases have been banned completely. We evaluated this management strategy through a comparison of the stocking impact on native populations that accounted for stocking histories before and after refuge designations and fishing activities. In particular we examined the relevant scientific, cultural, and political challenges encountered. Despite agency willingness to change fishery policies to balance exploitation and conservation, acceptance of these new policies by anglers and genetic monitoring of refuge populations should also be considered. To improve management supported by genetic refuges, we suggest focusing on areas where the public is more receptive, considering the situation of local native diversity, and monitoring of adjacent introgressed populations. We recommend the use of directional supportive breeding only when a population really needs to be enhanced. In any case, management strategies should be developed to allow for protection within the context of human use.     

Removal of melanoidin present in distillery effluent as a major colorant: a review

Effluent originating from distilleries contain large amount of dark brown coloured wastewater called molasses spent wash (MSW). This MSW is the unwanted residual liquid waste to dispose because of low pH, high temperature, dark brown colour, high ash content, unpleasant odour and high percentage of organic and inorganic matter. Dark brown colour of MSW is due to the presence of melanoidin pigment. It reduces sunlight penetration in rivers and lakes which in turn decrease both photosynthetic activity and dissolved oxygen concentration affecting aquatic life. So the disposal of this effluent is one of the critical environmental issues. A number of treatment processes have been employed for the distillery waste management. This review paper present an overview of the pollution problems caused by melanoidin and the technologies employed globally for its removal.     

Different response of bacterial community to the changes of nutrients and pollutants in sediments from an urban river network

• Bacterial community varied spatially in sediments from the urban river network. • Key environmental factors shaping bacterial community were detected by RDA. • Bacterial co-occurrence networks changed at different levels of nutrient and metal. • Potential indicator species were selected to predict pollution risk in sediment. Microbial communities in sediment are an important indicator linking to environmental pollution in urban river systems. However, how the diversity and structure of bacterial communities in sediments from an urban river network respond to different environmental factors has not been well studied. The goal of this study was to understand the patterns of bacterial communities in sediments from a highly dense urbanized river network in the lower Yangtze River Delta by Illumina MiSeq sequencing. The correlations between bacterial communities, the environmental gradient and geographical distance were analyzed by redundancy analysis (RDA) and network methods. The diversity and richness of bacterial community in sediments increased from upstream to downstream consistently with the accumulation of nutrient in the urban river network. Bacterial community composition and structure showed obvious spatial changes, leading to two distinct groups, which were significantly related to the characteristics of nutrient and heavy metal in sediments. Humic substance, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, Zn, Cu, Hg and As were selected as the key environmental factors shaping the bacterial community in sediments based on RDA. The co-occurrence patterns of bacterial networks showed that positive interaction between bacterial communities increased but the connectivity among bacterial genera and stability of sediment ecosystem reduced under a higher content of nutrient and heavy metal in average. The sensitive and ubiquitous taxa with an overproportional response to key environmental factors were detected as indicator species, which provided a novel method for the prediction of the pollution risk of sediment in an urban river network.     

长江上游宜宾至泸州江段突发水污染风险评估

为防控长江上游重大突发水污染事件的发生,收集整理长江宜宾至泸州江段沿江水环境污染源及受体基础资料,构建水环境潜在污染风险分级评价体系。采用地统计学理论和地理信息系统(Geographic Information System,GIS)相结合的方法开展突发水污染风险分区评价研究,以揭示研究区江段突发水污染风险空间分布差异性。结果表明,污染源或受体热点分布主要集中在城镇化、工业化较快的地区,如宜宾市叙州区污染源最多,泸州市龙马潭区高风险污染源最密集,宜宾县和南溪县高敏感受体数量最多;其他区域污染源或受体分布较为均衡,未形成明显的冷点区域。水环境潜在污染高风险区集中分布在龙马潭区江段和江阳区江段,须提高该区域对潜在污染的风险管理能力,以降低污染事故发生的可能性。     

土壤重金属复合污染对作物的影响

本文采用盆栽试验，研究了石灰性土壤中铜、镍、铅、锌复合污染对大豆和水稻的影响，并讨论了离子冲量在表征复合污染的综合效应及污染金属总量控制中的应用。结果表明：对于水稻，共存元素协同使产量降低，它们的影响顺序是：铜＞锌＞镍＞铅；对于大豆，铜、铅、锌的存在降低了镍的毒性，影响顺序了：铜＞铅＞锌＞镍。供试元素在作物体内的累积、分布和迁移除了受到本身性质和添加量影响外，还受到元素相互作用的影响，后者的影响很     

Accumulation of lead, cadmium and chromium in some plants cultivated along the bank of river Ribila at Odo-nla area of Ikorodu, Lagos state, Nigeria

Heavy metal in soil samples and in washed and unwashed samples of Telfaria occidentalis (ugwu) and Talinum triangulare (waterleaf) cultivated on the bank of river Ribila in Odo-nla village were determined. The soil was moderately polluted with cadmium when compared with Federal Environmental Protection Agency standards. The difference between the unwashed and washed plant samples revealed that metal pollutants exist as superficial contaminants on the foliage surface which is the edible portion and if the foliage portion is washed thoroughly it may be safe for dietary consumption. There is no doubt that continuous discharge of effluent and gaseous emissions from the industries located in this area and dumping of domestic wastes into the river may lead to higher concentrations of these heavy metals in the soil and in the tissue of the leafy vegetables cultivated on the river bank over time. This can eventually lead to pollution of the soil and the cultivated plants, which are ready source of food for the people and other organisms in the food chain.     

Investment in territorial defence depends on rearing environment in brown trout (Salmo trutta)

In many animals, territoriality will arise or cease depending on environmental factors such as intruder rate and resource availability. We investigated the effect of rearing environment on territorial behaviour in ~1.5-month-old brown trout. In the laboratory, wild-caught (reared at a low density) and hatchery-reared (high density) trout were allowed to defend a territory against a size-matched intruder reared in the same or the other environment. Because territorial behaviour should be relaxed at high-rearing densities, we hypothesized that hatchery-reared trout should value their territories less and therefore invest less in defence compared with wild-caught trout. However, in all cases, territory owners were more likely to win the contest and hatchery-reared trout were just as likely as wild-reared to win mixed contests. Furthermore, pairs of hatchery-reared trout initiated contests sooner, fought longer and were more aggressive during the contest compared with pairs of wild trout. When hatchery-reared owners met wild intruders, the contest ended sooner compared with when the roles were reversed. We conclude that territorial behaviour in brown trout is largely innate, but that the hatchery environment has promoted more aggressive individuals. These results suggest that hatchery-reared trout invest more time and energy to obtain the same contest success as wild trout. In conclusion, the lack of experience of territorial defence in a high-density rearing environment seems to reduce the efficiency of territorial behaviour. In turn, this may have negative consequences for the performance of released hatchery fish in the wild.     

The Influence of Temperature and Salinity Upon the Acute Toxicity of Heavy Metals to the Banana Prawn (Penaeus merguiensis de Man)

Bioassays were conducted to determine the effects of temperature and salinity on the acute toxicity of mercury, copper, cadmium, zinc, nickel and lead to juvenile banana prawns (Penaeus merguiensis de Man). Tests were conducted at all combinations of 35, 30 and 20°C with 36 and 20° salinity over 96 h. The general rank order of metal toxicity was Hg > (Cu, Cd, Zn) > Ni > Pb. The toxicity of all metals increased with increased temperature. This was most noticeable in the high salinity treatments, particularly for copper and zinc. Salinity appeared to influence the toxicity of all metals tested although significant differences were only found for copper and lead at 20°C. At this temperature prawns were markedly more susceptible to both metals in low salinity sea water. The data are compared with lethal concentrations found for other crustaceans and are discussed in relation to existing water quality criteria.     

Trace Metal Voltammetric Determination of Otoliths of Tench Tinca Tinca (L.): Its Possible Uses in Monitoring the Quality of Fresh Waters

New data of heavy metals in otoliths of fresh water teleosts are reported. Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) has been used for determining copper, lead, cadmium and zinc in otoliths of tench, Tinca tinca (L.). the analytical procedure followed gives data of good repeatability and with low detection limits, in a simple and inexpensive way. Tench of age ranging from 3 to 8 years were examined. Four year old fish had maximum concentrations of heavy metals, and an otolith weight adequate for experimental determinations in bulked samples. Fresh water teleosts are less mobile than marine ones, and could be used for monitoring the quality of waters suspected for pollution, and eventually verifying the influence of the environmental variations on the metal bioaccumulation.     

Spoil disposal

Summary The colliery spoil problem in existing mining areas requires the same attention as that in the new coalfields. The Yorkshire coalfield has particular problems since so much land near collieries has already been tipped on. Suggested short-term and long-term solutions are outlined. Some will be successful, others may not.The Commission on Energy and the Environment has made many recommendations to improve the existing situation in the coalfields. How many of these will the Government support? The National Coal Board promised a high standard of environmental treatment at the Belvoir public inquiry. Will these high standards be reflected in developments on the existing coalfields?Effective day-to-day management can have beneficial results out of all proportion to expenditure. All collieries should match up to the high standards achieved at the better ones. Is there any reason why lagoons should be features of colliery spoil disposal for the next decade? Can colliery spoil be used more extensively as an alternative material in construction? The National Coal Board and the local authorities need a strategic plan for coal development including spoil disposal and in detail need an agreed plan for short-term spoil disposal at each colliery.Commitment and research is needed to look into methods of backstowage — which tackles the problem at source. Can other European experience help in this matter? Fluidised-bed technology may lead to a reduction in spoil. Maximum use will have to be made of local tipping opportunities, whether quarry, voids, opencast coal sites, new land forms or upgrading agricultural land — but they won't happen on their own. Effort and determination will be needed. Long-distance movement of spoil appears expensive. It cannot be financed under the NCB's present system of accounting and certainly not financed by local authorities. Costs may need to be met nationally. The financing of major spoil solutions may well be the major problem in making and progress in any direction — but a national resource such as coal should be developed through a national approach to overall costs.     

Ein Moosbiomonitoring zur Ermittlung atmosphärischer Elementeinträge in die Euroregion Neiße (D, PL, CZ)

This article describes a biomonitoring using mosses in order to determine the amount and distribution of the atmospheric deposition of 37 elements in the European region of the Neisse river following the political and economic changes. These results are compared with the findings in other regions. Additionally, the accumulation characteristics ofPleurozium schreberi andPolytrichum formosum, the two moss species used in the study, were compared with one another. Until the beginning of the 1990s, this region was part of the socalled “black triangle”, an area characterised by extremely high atmospheric dust pollution. Through the closing of numerous factories, the equipment of power plants with filters, and the decreasing importance of brown coal as a source of household heating, the situation has changed considerably. Today, the pollution levels in the European region of the Neisse river are comparable with those in the western part of Germany. Higher levels were only determined for Fe and Ti, which can be attributed to the broader usage of brown coal as a source of energy. In the area around Katowice, Poland, the levels of certain elements were found to be more than ten times higher than in the European region of the Neisse. These highly elevated levels of atmospheric contamination in the industrial district of Upper Silesia indicate that action is urgently needed.