Distribution of heavy metals in water, particulate matter and sediments of Gediz River (Eastern Aegean)

The present paper is the first document of heavy metal levels in surficial sediment, water and particulate matter of the Gediz River collected from five different sites in August, October 1998, February, June 1999. The present work attempts to establish the status of distribution and environmental implications of metals in the sediment, water and particulate matter and their possible sources of derivation. The concentrations of mercury ranged 0.037–0.81, 120–430; lead 0.59–1.5, 190–8,100; copper 0.24–1.6, 30–180; zinc 0.19–2.9, 10–80; manganese 30–170, 20–490; nickel 0.39–9.0, 100–510; iron 1.3–687, 100–6,200 μg/l in water and particulate matter, respectively. The maximum values in water were generally obtained in summer periods due to industrial and agricultural activities at Muradiye. The particulate metal concentrations also generally showed increased levels from the upper Gediz to the mouth of the river. Calculation of metal partition coefficients shows that the relative importance of the particulate and the water phases varies in response to water hydrochemistry and suspended solid content, but that most elements achieve a conditional equilibrium in the Gediz River. The metals ranged between Hg: 0.25–0.49, Cr: 59–814, Pb: 38–198, Cu: 15–148, Zn: 34–196, Mn: 235–1,371, Ni: 35–175, and Fe: 10,629–72,387 mg/kg in sediment. The significant increase of metals found in Muradiye suggested a pollution effect, related to anthropogenic wastes. Also, relatively high concentrations of Ni and Mn occurred in sampling site upstream, due to geochemical composition of the sediments. Maximum values of contamination factor for metals were noticed for sediment of Muradiye. The sampling stations have very high degree of contamination indicating serious anthropogenic pollution.     

Long-term monitoring of the impact of a capture-based bluefin tuna aquaculture on water column nutrient levels in the Eastern Aegean Sea, Turkey

Capture-based aquaculture of Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean has been expanding rapidly but little is known about its environmental impact. In order to understand the consequences of this new sector, long-term monitoring is needed. For this purpose, we investigated the impact of a capture-based tuna farm located in the Gerence Bay (Aegean Sea) on the water column on a seasonal basis from 2005 to 2008, where in the water column, temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, nutrients (nitrite, nitrate, ammonium, and phosphate), and chlorophyll a, in the sediment organic carbon variables were measured. Although highest nutrient concentrations were observed at the cage station as compared to the two controls in the production period, differences were not statistically significant between stations. Monitoring of physico-chemical parameters, nutrients, and chlorophyll a in water column together with organic carbon in sediment did not show detectable impact of fattening of Atlantic bluefin tuna. This was probably caused by strong currents present in the area, location of the cages away from the coast, hence high water depth, controlled feeding, and periodic presence of tuna farming activity in the study area.     

Distribution and accumulation of heavy metals in the sediments of Akkaya Dam,Nigde, Turkey

Twenty-one surface sediment samples were collected from Akkaya Dam. Heavy metal concentrations (Mo, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, Fe, Cr, As, V and Cd), grain size, organic carbon and carbonate contents were studied in order to assess the extent of environmental pollution and to discuss the origin of these contaminants in sediments of dam. The sediments in the study area are mostly very fine sands. However, mud was observed in the northeast of the dam. Sediment pollution assessment was carried out using enrichment factor. The calculation of enrichment factors showed that Mo is depleted by 1.0 whereas Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, As, V, Cr and Cd are enriched by 3, 5.4, 7, 2.7, 2.2, 3.4, 42.3, 2.1, 1.8 and 7.2, respectively. Relatively high concentrations heavy metals occurred in north (textile industry area) and east (Karasu River) due to enrichment controlled by anthropogenic wastes. The results of correlation analysis show low–medium positive and negative correlations among metals, grain size, carbonate contents and organic carbon and indicate that heavy metals in sediments of the Akkaya Dam have different anthropogenic sources.     

Spatio-temporal variations of organic carbon and chlorophyll degradation products in the surficial sediments of Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea/Turkey)

The aim of this research is to determine the effects of Izmir Big Channel Waste Water Treatment Project on the sediment quality of Izmir Bay. Wastewater treatment improves the water quality. However, sediment does not respond to this treatment as fast as water column. Monitoring of bottom water and sediment quality is necessary for identification of the recovery of the whole ecosystem. For this purpose, bottom water and sediment samples were collected from three stations which are located in the middle and inner parts of the Izmir Bay on a monthly basis between January 2003 and December 2003. Values measured at stations ranged between; 0.54-12.82 microg/L for chlorophyll-a, 0.09-9.32 microg/L for phaeopigment, 0.05-1.91 mg/L for particulate organic carbon in bottom waters, 11.88-100.29 microg/g for chlorophyll degradation products and 1.12-5.39% for organic carbon in sediment samples. In conclusion, it was found that grazing activity explained carbon variations in sediment at station 2, but at station 1 and station 3 carbon variations in sediment were not related to autochthonous biological processes.     

Analysis of some heavy metals in the riverine water, sediments and fish from river Ganges at Allahabad

The river Ganges has been one of the major recipients of industrial effluents in India. The present paper deals with the study related to occurrence and bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn) in the riverine water, sediment, and the muscles of two cat fish species, Channa punctatus (C. punctatus) and Aorichthys aor (A. aor) procured from the river Ganges at Allahabad. The data obtained after water analysis reflected the order of occurrence of heavy metals to be Zn > Pb > Cu > Cr > Cd, respectively. The analysis of heavy metals in sediment indicated that among the five heavy metals tested; Zn was maximally accumulated followed by Pb, Cr, Cu and Cd. The trend of heavy metals accumulation in fish muscles was found to be similar to that observed in sediment and water such as Zn > Pb > Cu > Cr > Cd. Data indicated that Zn accumulated maximally in the sediment as well as muscles of both of the fish species in comparison to other metals.     

Distribution of heavy metals in water and sediments of selected sites of Yamuna river (India)

The concentration of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn metals in water and sediments of Yamuna river were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in the year 1981. The data showed that there was considerable variation in the concentration of elements from one sampling station to the other which may be due to the variation in the quality of industrial and sewage wasters being added to the river at different sampling stations. The sediment samples collected from different sampling stations were also analysed for calcium carbonate, organic matter, potassium, and phosphorus.     

Sediment pollution by heavy metals in the Strymonikos and Ierissos Gulfs,North Aegean Sea,Greece

Surface sediment samples from Strymonikos and Ierissos Gulfs wereanalyzed for Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr and Ni. The results showed that the sediment of Ierissos Gulf is more polluted with Cu, Pb, and Zn ascompared to that of Strymonikos Gulf. The benthal area located off the load-out facility of the mining operations in the town of Stratoni, in Ierissos Gulf is established as the most pollutedregion. The distribution of Cr and Ni in both gulfs indicates thenatural origin of these metals with the weathering of Strymon River and of other smaller rivers rocks being responsible for their enrichment.     

Variation characteristics and ecological risk of heavy metals in the south Yellow Sea surface sediments

Eight cruises were conducted on the south Yellow Sea (SYS) from 1998 to 2005. Variations and the potential ecological risk of heavy metals were studied using the survey data collected during October 2003. The metal content (except for As) was high in the central area where the fine grain size sediments were dominant, and low inshore area where more coarse sediments were present. This suggested that grain size was important in determining distributions of heavy metals. In some local areas, other influencing factors, such as organic content, sedimentation rate, burial efficiency and metal's existing form were discussed. The annual averages of metals showed a stable trend with appreciable fluctuations in 8 years. Using potential ecological risk index (E (RI)) to evaluate the integrated pollution effect of heavy metals, 38.7% of the investigated area was in a moderate degree of contamination, while 77.8% was under moderate ecological risk. However, no distinct correlation was found between E (RI) and plankton biomass. In conclusion, the sediment quality of SYS was good, and the ecological risk was low in general.     

Characterization of heavy metals in water and sediments in Taihu Lake, China

To explore a comprehensive status of heavy metals in the Taihu Lake, which is one of the most important waters in China, water and sediment samples were taken throughout the lake during April to May of 2010, and metal elements (Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sn, Sb, Zn, Mn) were analyzed in the water column, interstitial water and sediment. Relevant standards were used to assess the sediment and water quality. Results show that, in the lake water column, the average concentration of all metals ranged from 0.047 μg/l (Cd) to 8.778 μg/l (Zn). The concentration in the river water was usually higher than in the lake water for many metals. In the interstitial water Mn was significantly higher than that in water column, and other metals had no significant difference between the two media. In the surface sediment, average metal content ranged from 1.325 mg/kg (Cd) to 798.2 mg/kg (Mn). Spatially, contents of many metals were higher in Zhushan Bay than in other lake areas, and there existed a clear content gradient from the river to the lake for both water and sediment. On the sediment profiles, many metals presented an increasing trend from the depth of 15-20 cm to the top, which is indicative of the impact of increasingly intensive human activities from that period. Quality assessment indicates that metals in water phase are generally safe compared with USEPA "National Recommended Water Quality Criteria," with the exception of Mn in the interstitial water and Sb in the river water. Whereas the sediment is widely contaminated with metals to some extent compared with the "Consensus-Based Sediment Quality Guidelines," and Cu, Cr, and Ni are more likely to raise ecological risks. This work could be a basis for the ongoing China's criteria strategy.     

Metal levels in sediments and transplanted mussels in Pagassitikos Gulf (Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean)

Metal concentrations were determined in surface sediments and transplanted mussels in a shallow semi-enclosed bay, Pagassitikos Gulf, Aegean Sea. Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg, and As levels in sediments were enriched close to point sources of pollution, i.e., Volos Port and cement plant. Fe, Mn, Cr, and Ni spatial distributions in sediments were rather uniform with increasing concentrations towards deeper sites, suggesting natural enrichment, whereas levels found in the port, although elevated, were not the highest in the study area. Spatial variations in concentrations of most metals in mussels transplanted nearshore were generally in accordance to those in sediments, with the highest Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, and Cu levels in the port and the highest Hg levels close to the cement plant. Concentrations of metals in sediments and transplanted mussels were comparable to those reported in Mediterranean areas. Results indicate that pollution point sources contribute to anthropogenic metal enrichment in the study area.     

Assessment of some trace heavy metals and radioactivity concentration in water of Bendimahi River Basin (Van, Turkey)

The levels of heavy metals were determined in the water of Bendimahi River Basin, statistically analysed and compared to natural gross radioactivity concentration. Fifteen samples of water were collected from Bendimahi River and Van Lake for two seasons in 2005. Water samples were analyzed for eight trace elements and concluded together with gross-alpha and gross-beta radioactivity concentrations. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was used to determine the concentrations of heavy metals in water samples collected from Bendimahi River basin. Correlation analysis was made for radioactivity and heavy metal concentrations and the Pearson correlation coefficients between gross-alpha and gross-beta radioactivity and heavy metal were determined. The concentrations of all metals were found to be higher than WHO, EC, EPA and TSE-266 guidelines for drinking water, except for Zn and Cu. Generally, the heavy metal concentrations in water samples obtained in May and in August were found to be in sequence of Fe>Zn>Pb>Cr>Cu>Mn>Co>Cd and Fe>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cr>Mn>Co>Cd, respectively. The gross-alpha and gross-beta activity concentration varies between 0.063 and 0.782, 0.021 and 0.816 Bq l(-1) in samples collected in May, and 0.009 and 0.037, 0.081 and 3.116 Bq l(-1) in samples collected in August.     

Distribution of heavy metals in plants and fish of the Yamuna river (India)

The distribution of cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in the plants and fish of Yamuna river from Delhi to Allahabad, a distance of about 840 km, at five sampling stations was determined in the year 1981. The results have shown wide variations in the heavy metal levels from one sampling station to the other. The concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the plants (Eicchornia crassipes) were found to be 0.02–0.12, 2.7–21.3, 4.6–64.8, 9.8–114.0, 193.0–1835.0, 380.0–1443.0, 4.4–83.0, 4.8–30.2, and 22.1–356.5 g g^-1 respectively whereas in the fish (Heteropnuestes fossilis) were found to be ND-0.40, 2.3–13.7, 3.7–26.9, 8.33–58.1, 278.3–1108.0, 81.3–213.8, 2.8–32.7, 1.4–12.8 and 101.8–364.8 gg^-1 respectively on dry weight basis.     

Distribution of heavy metals in surface sediments from the South China Sea ecosystem, Malaysia

The concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, nickel, lead and zinc in surface sediments collected from the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, along the South China Sea, were measured by two methods instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The obtained results were use to determine the areal distribution of the metals of in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia and potential sources of these metals to this environment. The geochemical data propose that most of the metals found in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia constitute a redistribution of territorial materials within the ecosystem. Then, the metal concentrations can be considered to be present at natural background levels in surface sediments.     

Spatial properties of nutrient concentrations in the Baltic Sea

Using existing monitoring data, the present study attempts to characterize spatial patterns of surface water nutrients in the Baltic Sea. The analysis was made for two different spatial scales, differences between and within sub-basins.Non-parametric methods were chosen to reduce problems with the distributional properties of the data. By dividing the data into four seasons care was taken as to seasonality. To avoid bias due to different laboratory analysis, only data from Nordic countries were used, whose results did not apparently depart from each other. Bias due to different sampling frequency was another problem. This was reduced by using only the last observation in each season for every station and year.The results suggested differences in the nutrient concentrations between basins. The two northernmost basins (Bothnian Bay and Bothnian Sea) had lower phosphate concentrations and higher silicate concentrations compared to the rest of the Sea. Bothnian Bay and the Gulf of Finland had higher nitrate concentrations.The concentration structure within basins was studied using transects in both latitudinal and longitudinal direction. A gradient for phosphate and nitrate was found in the Gulf of Finland, with lower concentrations at the mouth. The Bothnian Sea showed lower concentrations in the middle of the basin compared to the coasts. The highest concentrations of phosphate were found close to the Finnish coast and for silicate the highest concentrations were located near the Swedish coast. It was not possible to study variation in the west-east direction within the Baltic proper, due to data shortage. For the transects in the north-south direction no differences were detected for nitrate and silicate. Phosphate gave one significant result during autumn for the transect in the eastern part of the Baltic proper.This study revealed several problems associated with the data available. Uneven sampling in space and time put severe constraints on the study. A better design of the monitoring program is suggested, where spatial properties are considered explicitly. Revision of the program in this direction is needed for reasonable calculation of total amounts and concentrations representative for a basin.     

Spatial distribution of heavy metals content in soils of Amik Plain (Hatay, Turkey)

The purpose of the study was to investigate the total and bio-available contents of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Ni, and Pb) and to determine their spatial variability in the Amik Plain, Turkey. Samples of surface and subsurface soil were collected at 132 sites in the research area. All of the total metal concentrations except Ni were considerably lower than their maximum allowable concentrations. Mean available Pb concentrations at both depths were above the permissible limits, while the other metal concentrations were within the proposed limits. Semivariograms of all the total metal contents, pH, and available Ni and Pb content were best fitted to spherical models, while available Cd and Co contents were best fitted to exponential models. Block kriging was used to interpolate values at unmeasured locations, generating maps of spatial variation for each heavy metal and pH.     

Determination of heavy metals in fresh water fish species of the River Ravi, Pakistan compared to farmed fish varieties

The untreated industrial and sewage wastes arising from industries and metropolitan activities make their passage to the River Ravi, Pakistan, where Balloki Headworks is one of the major sites of effluent concentration. This study was designed to evaluate the concentration of various toxic elements in fishes of that area compared to a nearby fish farm. The concentrations of heavy metals, such as As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, and Zn, and electrolytes Ca, K, and Na were determined in different edible and non-edible fresh water fish varieties. Fish samples were collected from two selected sites and were analyzed for aforementioned elements. Higher levels of As (35.74–45.33 ppm), Cd (0.35–0.45 ppm), Pb (2.1–3.0 ppm), Hg (83.03–92.35 ppm) while normal levels of Zn (37.85–40.74 ppm) and Cu (1.39–2.93 ppm) were observed. Mercury, higher levels of which trigger cough, impairment of pulmonary function, and psychotic reactions, was significantly higher in all studied categories. At the sites under study, there has been observed alarming levels of toxic metals which are needed to be monitored regularly.     

Biomonitoring of heavy metals in fish from the Danube River

The Croatian part of the Danube River extends over 188 km and comprises 58 % of the country’s overall area used for commercial freshwater fishing. To date, the heavy metal contamination of fish in the Croatian part of the Danube has not been studied. The main purpose of this study was to determine heavy metal levels in muscle tissue of sampled fish species and to analyze the measured values according to feeding habits of particular groups. Lead ranged from 0.015 μg^?1 dry weight in planktivorous to 0.039 μg^?1 dry weight in herbivorous fish, cadmium from 0.013 μg^?1 dry weight in herbivorous to 0.018 μg^?1 dry weight in piscivorous fish, mercury from 0.191 μg^?1 dry weight in omnivorous to 0.441 μg^?1 dry weight in planktivorous fish and arsenic from 0.018 μg^?1 dry weight in planktivorous to 0.039 μg^?1 dry weight in omnivorous fish. Among the analyzed metals in muscle tissue of sampled fish, only mercury exceeded the maximal level (0.5 mg kg^?1) permitted according to the national and EU regulations determining maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs, indicating a hazard for consumers of fish from the Danube River.     

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.     

The study of heavy metal pollution and accumulation in water, sediment, and fish tissue in Kızılırmak River Basin in Turkey

The accumulation of heavy metals such as Pb, Hg, Co, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Br were determined in water, sediment, muscle, and gill of three fish species (Leuciscus cephalus, Capoeta tinca, Capoeta capoeta) which were collected in K?z?l?rmak River Basin (Delice River). The metal concentration showed a general trend of Br>Zn> Pb>Cr>Cu>Hg>Co in water and Cr>Zn>Pb> Cu>Co>Hg>Br in sediment samples while Zn> Cu>Pb>Br>Cr>Hg>Co were in muscle and Zn>Pb>Cu>Cr>Br>Hg>Co were in the gill tissue.