Current efforts to monitor and conserve the Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca in Hungary

The globally threatened Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca has been one of the flagship species of Hungarian bird conservation efforts since the 1980s. Due to these conservation activities and positive land-use changes during the last 2 decades, the Hungarian Imperial Eagle population increased from as few as approximately 20 pairs in the early 1980s to 81 pairs by 2006. Between 2002 and 2005 as part of a LIFE-Nature project, MME/Birdlife Hungary carried out particularly intensive monitoring, conservation, research, and public awareness actions. The main goal of the project was to secure the long-term sustainable increase in the Imperial Eagle population after Hungary's European Union accession in 2004. New methods were developed and applied to census and monitor the breeding and wintering population sizes. Standardized baseline land-use mapping and surveys were introduced to detect long-term land-use and prey density changes in priority areas for Imperial Eagles and to monitor the effects of key mortality factors, such as electrocution. Historical information and data gathered before and during the project period were assimilated using a Geographic Information System and incorporated into a comprehensive set of Imperial Eagle Management Guidelines.     

Organochlorine and heavy metal contamination in non-viable eggs and its relation to breeding success in a Spanish population of Lesser Kestrels (Falco naumanni)

Residues of organochlorines, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, lead, copper and zinc) were measured in unhatched eggs of Lesser Kestrels (Falco naumanni) collected in southern Spain in 1988-1991. Although contaminants were detected in all eggs, the amounts were generally below levels known to have negative effects on reproduction. This is consistent with the relatively high hatching rate (about 80%) in the studied population. The nestling mortality was severe, however, apparently due to starvation. It cannot be discounted that pesticides had an indirect effect on the kestrel's breeding success by reducing the populations of prey.     

Studies on the indicator for heavy metal contamination in environments (1) Heavy metal contents of hair,nail and moustache

Heavy metal (Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, Fe, Zn, and Mn) contents of the samples from 10 males were followed throughout a year. The values were characteristic of the individuals, and some correlationships between the contents of different metals were shown.     

Microbial indicators of heavy metal contamination in urban and rural soils

Urban soils and especially their microbiology have been a neglected area of study. In this paper, we report on microbial properties of urban soils compared to rural soils of similar lithogenic origin in the vicinity of Aberdeen city. Significant differences in basal respiration rates, microbial biomass and ecophysiological parameters were found in urban soils compared to rural soils. Analysis of community level physiological profiles (CLPP) of micro-organisms showed they consumed C sources faster in urban soils to maintain the same level activity as those in rural soils. Cu, Pb, Zn and Ni were the principal elements that had accumulated in urban soils compared with their rural counterparts with Pb being the most significant metal to distinguish urban soils from rural soils. Sequential extraction showed the final residue after extraction was normally the highest proportion except for Pb, for which the hydroxylamine-hydrochloride extractable Pb was the largest part. Acetic acid extractable fraction of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were higher in urban soils and aqua regia extractable fraction were lower suggesting an elevated availability of heavy metals in urban soils. Correlation analyses between different microbial indicators (basal respiration, biomass-C, and sole C source tests) and heavy metal fractions indicated that basal respiration was negatively correlated with soil Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn inputs while soil microbial biomass was only significantly correlated with Pb. However, both exchangeable and iron- and manganese-bound Ni fractions were mostly responsible for shift of the soil microbial community level physiological profiles (sole C source tests). These data suggest soil microbial indicators can be useful indicators of pollutant heavy metal stress on the health of urban soils.     

Toxicity and heavy metal contamination of surficial sediments from the Bay of Thessaloniki (Northwestern Aegean Sea) Greece

Surficial sediments (the fraction < 2000 microm) from the Bay of Thessaloniki, in the Northwestern Aegean Sea, Greece were examined for heavy metal and organic carbon contents, as well as for acute LUMIStox toxicity of pore waters (PWs), wet sediment elutriates (WSEs) and dry sediment elutriates (DSEs) obtained from the solid material remaining after PW extraction. WSEs where not toxic. EC20/50 values could be measured in some DSE and PW samples. In all sediment samples, the DSE toxicity was greater than the corresponding PW toxicity. Sediment concentrations of total and labile Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Zn, Mn, Ni and Fe were determined and evaluated in relation to sediment quality guidelines. Pollution levels ranged from low to high for certain metals. A misfit between sediment toxicities calculated from heavy metal concentrations and those biologically measured was observed. Toxicity values were in general poorly correlated with sediment's heavy metal or organic carbon content. As significant correlation was however found between the DSE toxicity with total Ni and labile Fe, as well as for the PW toxicity with total Ni, labile Fe and labile Cr.     

Sediments as monitors of heavy metal contamination in the Ave river basin (Portugal): multivariate analysis of data

The concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) were determined in river sediments collected at the Ave river basin (Portugal) to obtain a general classification scenery of the pollution in this highly polluted region. Multivariate data analysis techniques of clustering, principal components and eigenvector projections were used in this classification. Five general areas with different polluting characteristics were detected and several individual heavy metal concentration abnormalities were detected in restricted areas. A good correlation between the overall metal contamination determined by multivariate analysis and metal pollution indexes for all sampling stations was obtained. Some preliminary experiments showed that the metal concentrations normalised to the volatile matter content in the sediment fraction with grain size <63 microm seems to be an adequate method for assessing metal pollution.     

Organochlorine, PCB, PAH, and metal concentrations in eggs of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from northwest Florida, USA

Composite samples of unhatched and physically unaltered loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta, eggs collected from 20 nests along northwest Florida were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and metals. Chemical analyses revealed that turtle eggs contained detectable amounts of metals, PAHs, and PCBs. Only one OCP, p,p'-DDD, was detected, and its presence was restricted to eggs from two nesting sites. None of the PCB concentrations exceeded the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) action limit. Concentrations of dioxin-like PCB congeners, 105, 118, and 126, and total PCBs were also detected and are contributors to the toxic burden of loggerhead sea turtle eggs. Concentrations of PAHs, 1,2,5,6-dibenzanthracene, 1-methyl naphthalene, C1-naphthalene and naphthalene were variable at nesting sites. Comparison of mean metal burdens in eggs from different beaches suggested that no uniform geographic gradients exist. Presence of OCPs, PCBs, PAHs and metals and their additive or synergistic toxicity is a concern to loggerhead sea turtle eggs; however, additive or synergistic impacts for loggerhead sea turtles are largely undocumented.     

Organochlorine contaminants in complete clutches of Morelet's crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) eggs from Belize

Seven complete clutches of Morelet's crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) eggs were collected in northern Belize and examined for organochlorine (OC) pesticide residues. The primary OC detected, p,p-DDE, was found in every egg analyzed (n=175). Other OCs detected included p,p-DDT, p,p-DDD, methoxychlor, aldrin, and endosulfan I. Concentrations of individual OCs ranged from 4 ppb (ng chemical/g egg wet weight) to greater than 500 ppb. A statistical evaluation of p,p-DDE levels in three complete clutches was used to derive the minimum number of eggs needed from a clutch to precisely determine the mean p,p-DDE concentration representative of that clutch. Sample sizes of 8 (80% confidence level) and 11 (90% confidence level) were determined to yield an accurate estimate of contaminant levels in a full clutch of eggs. The statistically recommended sample size of 11 eggs (at 90% confidence level) was successfully tested on the four additional clutches.     

Patterns of metal soil contamination and changes in terrestrial cryptogamic communities

Correlations between terricolous bryophyte- and lichen- vegetation and edaphic parameters (pH, organic matter, nitrogen, Carbon/nitrogen ratio, Cation Exchange Capacity, and Cd, Pb and Zn soil contents) of soils submitted to a gradient of metal contamination in northern France were performed using statistical analysis. Six classes can be distinguished according to the low-, intermediate- and high-trace metal levels respectively, leading to the conclusion that bryophyte- and lichen-groupings have a strong bioindicative value of the heavy metal pollution of soils.     

Organochlorine compounds (PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs) in seafish and seafood from the Spanish Atlantic Southwest Coast

Concentrations and congener specific profiles of PCDD/Fs and PCBs were determined in edible fish and seafood species from the Coast of Huelva, in the Spanish southwest Atlantic coast. Five fish species, namely wegde sole (Dicologoglossa cuneata), common sole (Solea vulgaris), white seabream (Diplodus sargus), sardine (Sardina pilchardus), angler fish (Lophius piscatorius), two shellfish species (Donax trunculus and Chamelea gallina), common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) and prawns (Parapenaeus longirostris), frequently found and consumed in the area were analysed. Concentrations ranged from 861 to 23787pg/g wet weight for total PCBs, while 2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs showed concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 1.18pg/g wet weight. WHO-TEQ concentrations ranged from 0.038 to 0.186pg WHO-TEQ(PCDD/Fs)/g wet weight, values well below the maximum concentrations established by the EU. When non- and mono-ortho PCBs were included the values increased to a maximum of 0.99pg WHO-TEQ(PCDD/Fs+PCBs)/g wet weight. The PCB and PCDD/F accumulation pattern found in the samples analysed showed a distribution typically reported for marine samples, and no remarkable differences were found between species. The PCBs were the ones contributing with the highest percentage to the total TEQ content in most species studied. Concerning the seafood, specially prawns and shellfish, the opposite was observed and PCDD/Fs were found to contribute with a higher percentage than PCBs. The congener specific contribution to the TEQ showed PCB 126 followed by 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF as the most abundant ones.     

Reduction of organochlorine residues in Goshawk eggs (Accipiter gentilis) from Northern Germany (1971-2002) and increasing eggshell index

We investigated unhatched eggs (n = 57) of Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) from the period 1988--2002 and compared them with eggs (n = 134) from 1971--1978. Mean concentrations of PCBs, sigmaDDT and HCB in the earlier period were (mg kg(-1) lipid weight) 50.1, 126.6, and 117.7, while the values from the later period were statistically significantly lower: 27.7, 4.1, 0.1, respectively. Nevertheless, the concentration of PCB is relatively constant during the last 8-10 years. The variability of residues was lower within clutches than among clutches. No age-dependent accumulation in eggs could be demonstrated. A statistically significant lower shell index was measurable for the period 1971--1978, while this index during 2001--2002 was relatively high as it was during the late 18th century. We are suggesting a threshold value for effect concentrations on shell index. Residues of the DDT-group had an influence on the number of fledged young per nest site.     

Application of artificial neural networks to predict the heavy metal contamination in the Bartin River

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In this study, copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) analyses were performed, and the results were modelled by...     

Organochlorine and heavy metal residues in the water/sediment system of the Southeast Regional Park in Madrid, Spain

A study into levels of contamination by organochlorine compounds (insecticides and PCBs) and heavy metals (Cd and Pb) in the water/sediment system of the Southeast Regional Park (SERP) in Madrid, Spain, has been carried out. Residue levels of xenobiotics were determined in surface and underground waters and sediments from selected sites throughout the protected area. The results showed these contaminants to be widespread throughout the studied area. p,p'-DDT concentration levels were consistently higher than its metabolite p,p'-DDE, indicating a recent use of this organochlorine insecticide in the area. PCB levels exceeded, in the majority of the cases, the levels taken as the maximum (100 ng/microl) for highly polluted waters. Cd and Pb levels found in water samples were under the detection limits of the methodology used. Pb levels found in sediment samples were higher than Cd.     

Assessment of heavy metal contamination in Hindon River sediments: a chemometric and geochemical approach

The aim of this study was to assess the level of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the surface sediments of the Hindon River, India that receives both treated and untreated municipal and industrial discharges generated in and around Ghaziabad, India. Mean metals concentrations (mg kg⁻¹) were in the range of; Cu: 21.70-280.33, Cd: 0.29-6.29, Fe: 4151.75-17318.75, Zn: 22.22.50-288.29, Ni: 13.90-57.66, Mn: 49.55-516.97, Cr: 17.48-33.70 and Pb: 27.56-313.57 respectively. Chemometric analysis was applied to identify contribution sources by heavy metals while geochemical approaches (enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index) were exploited for the assessment of the enrichment and contamination level of heavy metals in the river sediments. Chemometric analysis suggested anthropic origin of Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Ni while Fe showed lithogenic origin. Mn and Cr was associated and controlled by mixed origin. Geochemical approach confirms the anthropogenic influence of heavy metal pollution in the river sediments. The study suggests that a complementary approach that integrates chemometric analysis, sediment quality criteria, and geochemical investigation should be considered in order to provide a more accurate appraisal of the heavy metal pollution in river sediments. Consequently, it may serve to undertake and design effective strategies and remedial measures to prevent further deterioration of the river ecosystem in future.     

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in eggs of red-legged frogs (Rana aurora) and northwestern salamanders (Ambystoma gracile) in an agricultural landscape

Organochlorine pesticides were widely used in the past in Sumas Prairie, British Columbia, Canada. In the 1990s, the hatching success of amphibians from agricultural sites was significantly depressed in the Sumas Prairie compared to reference sites. Therefore, in this study, organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in eggs of red-legged frogs (Rana aurora) and northwestern salamanders (Ambystoma gracile) from the Sumas Prairie. Egg masses were sampled from three agricultural sites that were exposed to agricultural runoff, and three reference sites that had lower agricultural runoff exposures. Not only was there little difference in contamination between agricultural and reference sites, but the levels of pesticides and PCBs found were lower than the concentrations reported to cause developmental or behavioural problems in amphibians.     

Modelling the extra and intracellular uptake and discharge of heavy metals in Fontinalis antipyretica transplanted along a heavy metal and pH contamination gradient

Samples of the aquatic bryophyte Fontinalis antipyretica Hedw. were transplanted to different sites with the aim of characterizing the kinetics of the uptake and discharge of heavy metals in the extra and intracellular compartments. The accumulation of metals in extracellular compartments, characterized by an initial rapid accumulation, then a gradual slowing down over time, fitted perfectly to a Michaelis-Menten model. The discharge of metals from the same compartment followed an inverse linear model or an inverse Michaelis-Menten model, depending on the metal. In intracellular sites both uptake and discharge occurred more slowly and progressively, following a linear model. We also observed that the acidity of the environment greatly affected metal accumulation in extracellular sites, even when the metals were present at relatively high concentrations, whereas the uptake of metals within cells was much less affected by pH.     

Investigating the chromium status,heavy metal contamination,and ecological risk assessment via tannery waste disposal in sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya and South Africa)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - To mitigate the negative environmental and public health concerns associated with increased industrial discharges amid the rapid industrial growth,...     

Climate change impacts on the leaching of a heavy metal contamination in a small lowland catchment

The Keersop catchment (43km(2)) in the south of The Netherlands has been contaminated by the emissions of four zinc ore smelters. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of future projected climate change on the hydrology and the leaching of heavy metals (i.e. Cd and Zn) in the catchment. The numerical, quasi-2D, unsaturated zone Soil Water Atmosphere Plant model was used with 100-year simulated daily time series of precipitation and potential evapotranspiration. The time series are representative of stationary climates for the periods 1961-1990 ("baseline") and 2071-2100 ("future"). The time series of future climate were obtained by downscaling the results of eight regional climate model (RCM) experiments, driven by the SRES A2 emissions scenario, using change factors for a series of climate statistics and applying them to stochastic weather generator models. The time series are characterized by increased precipitation in winter, less precipitation in summer, and higher air temperatures (between 2°C and 5°C) throughout the year. Future climate scenarios project higher evapotranspiration rates, more irrigation, less drainage, lower discharge rates and lower groundwater levels, due to increased evapotranspiration and a slowing down of the groundwater system. As a result, lower concentrations of Cd and Zn in surface water are projected. The reduced leaching of heavy metals, due to drying of the catchment, showed a positive impact on a limited aspect of surface water quality.     

PCB, DDT, arsenic, and heavy metal (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) concentrations in chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) eggs from Southwest Spain

This work presents the concentrations of twenty PCB congeners, p,p'-DDT, and its two main metabolites, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-TDE, As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn found in common chameleon eggs from nine different nests located in Southwest Spain. Of the heavy metals and arsenic, Zn and Cu exhibited the highest concentrations in egg contents (ranging from 10100 to 12950 and from 567 to 706 ng g(-1) wet weight basis [w.w.], respectively) and eggshells (ranging from 5605 to 13290 ng g(-1)w.w. for Zn and from 1487 to 4361 ng g(-1)w.w. for Cu). Total PCB concentrations in egg contents ranged from 32 to 52 ng g(-1)w.w. and were higher than total dichlorodiphenylethanes concentrations (ranging from 0.67 to 1.9 ng g(-1)w.w., calculated as the sum of p,p'-DDT plus p,p'-DDE and p,p'-TDE). Comparison of the data from the present study with the data from a study conducted in 1997 revealed a large decrease in Pb concentration and a twofold increase in PCB concentrations. Taking into account all the pollutants investigated, the contamination level found in common chameleon eggs from Southwest Spain was generally lower than has been reported in the literature for eggs of different reptile species. However, it should be borne in mind that most of the data found in the literature refer to highly polluted areas.