Survey on composition and bioconcentration potential of 12 metallic elements in King Bolete (Boletus edulis) mushroom that emerged at 11 spatially distant sites

This paper provides data on baseline concentrations, interrelationships and bioconcentration potential of 12 metallic elements by King Bolete collected from 11 spatially distant sites across Poland. There are significant differences in concentrations of metals (Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Sr, Zn) and their bioconcentration potential in King Bolete Boletus edulis at 11 spatially distant sites surveyed across Poland. These have resulted from significant geographical differences in trace metal concentrations in a layer (0-10 cm) of organic and mineral soil underneath to fruiting bodies and possible local bioavailabilities of macro- (Ca, K, Mg, Na) and trace metals (Al, Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Sr, Zn) to King Bolete. The use of highly appreciated wild-grown edible King Bolete mushroom has established a baseline measure of regional minerals status, heavy metals pollution and assessment of intake rates for wild mushroom dish fanciers against which future changes can be compared. Data on Cd, Cu and Zn from this study and from literature search can be useful to set the maximum limit of these metals in King Bolete collected from uncontaminated (background) areas. In this report also reviewed are data on Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Sr and Zn accumulation in King Bolete.     

Metals in bulk deposition and surface waters at two upland locations in northern England

Concentrations of aluminium and minor metals (Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd, Ba, Pb) were measured in precipitation and surface water at two upland locations (Upper Duddon Valley, UDV; Great Dun Fell, GDF) in northern England for 1 year commencing April 1998. At both locations, the loads in bulk precipitation were at the lower ends of ranges reported for other rural and remote sites, for the period 1985-1995. The deposited metals were mostly in the dissolved form, and their concentrations tended to be greatest when rainfall volumes were low. The concentrations of Cu, Zn and Pb in deposition were correlated (r2 > or = 0.40) with concentrations of non-marine sulphate. Three streams, ranging in mean pH from 5.07 to 7.07, and with mean concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) < 1 mg l(-1). were monitored at UDV, and two pools (mean pH 4.89 and 6.83, mean DOC 22 and 15 mg l(-1)) at GDF. Aluminium and the minor metals were mainly in the dissolved form, and in the following ranges (means of 49-51 samples. microg l(-1)): Al 36-530. Mn 4.4-36, Ni 0.26-2.8, Cu 0.25-1.7, Zn 2.1-30, Cd 0.03-0.16, Ba 1.9-140, Pb 0.10-4.5. Concentrations were generally higher at GDF. Differences in metal concentrations between the two locations and between waters at each location, and temporal variations in individual waters, can be explained qualitatively in terms of sorption to solid-phase soil organic matter and mineral surfaces, complexation and transport by DOC, and chemical weathering. The UDV catchments are sinks for Pb and sources of Al, Mn, Sr, Cd and Ba. The GDF catchments are sources of Al, Mn, Ni, Zn, Sr, Cd and Ba. Other metals measured at the two locations are approximately in balance. Comparison of metal:silicon ratios in the surface waters with values for silicate rocks indicates enrichment of Ni and Cu, and substantial enrichment of Zn, Cd and Pb. These enrichments, together with high metal deposition in the past, make it likely that concentrations of the metals in the surface waters are governed by release from catchment pools of atmospherically-deposited metal. The catchments appear to be responding on a time scale of decades, possibly centuries, to changes in metal deposition. For the more acid waters at UDV, the calculated free-ion concentrations of Al are similar to published LC50 values for acute toxicity towards fish. The free-ion concentrations of Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd in all the surface waters are one-to-four orders of magnitude lower than reported LC50 values for fish.     

Source characterization for atmospheric trace metals over Kiel Bight

Atmospheric concentrations of Na, Al, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Ba and Pb are reported for 59 weekly air filter samples collected over the Kiel Bight. The contributions of sea salt, mineral dust and anthropogenic emissions to each of these elements were assumed to be represented by the concentrations of indicator elements, which were Na, Al and Zn, respectively. Based on this assumption a multiple regression analysis was applied to the concentration data. The results showed that atmospheric sea salt contributed significantly only to Sr and, of course, Na. Considerable portions of Al, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Rb, Sr and Ba were derived from mineral dust. Anthropogenic sources were responsible for total V, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Pb, and there was an anthropogenic component for most of the other elements.Moreover, the anthropogenic contribution was characterized by a nearly constant composition with respect to Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Ba and Pb, indicating that trace metals over the Kiel Bight are mainly derived from one source area. This conclusion was confirmed by correlating anthropogenic trace metal concentrations with the wind direction. A 40° wind sector directed to the south of the sampling site was identified as the major pathway for the transport of anthropogenic trace metals to the Kiel Bight.     

石灰干化污泥对土壤重金属稳定化处理的效果

以采自湖南省嘉禾县重金属复合污染土壤为研究对象,采用城市污水处理石灰干化污泥作为稳定剂,对污染土壤进行稳定化处理,并采用TCLP和BCR连续提取法对稳定化效果进行分析和评价。研究结果表明,单独使用石灰干化污泥,TCLP浸出浓度随着干化污泥质量分数的增加而显著减少,干化污泥的质量分数为40%时,稳定化率最大为Zn-98.92%、Cd-99.06%、Pb-96.84%;但是干化污泥的高pH值导致稳定后土壤中As的浸出增加。为了恢复植物生长功能,经过亚铁盐和磷酸调节pH后,石灰干化污泥稳定过的土壤pH有效降低,同时亚铁盐和磷酸有利于促进Pb和Zn的稳定效果;但是对Cd的稳定有负面影响;另外,亚铁盐的加入同时可以减少As的浸出浓度。经处理后土壤中重金属形态由不稳定态转为稳定态,使重金属的浸出浓度明显降低,减少了土壤重金属的浸出毒性。该研究结果表明,石灰干化污泥可以作为资源回收利用,应用于重金属污染土壤的修复中,并能改善稳定后土壤适宜植物生长的理化性质。     

The intestinal parasite Pomphorhynchus laevis (Acanthocephala) from barbel as a bioindicator for metal pollution in the Danube River near Budapest, Hungary

Concentrations of As, Al, Ag, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Sr, Tl, V and Zn were analyzed by inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in the intestinal helminth Pomphorhynchus laevis and its host Barbus barbus. The fish were caught in the Danube river downstream of the city of Budapest (Hungary). Ten out of twenty one elements analyzed were found at higher concentrations in the acanthocephalan than in different tissues (muscle, intestine, liver and kidney) of barbel. Considering the fish tissues, most of the elements were present at highest concentrations in liver, followed by kidney, intestine and muscle. Spearman correlation analyses indicate that there is competition for metals between the parasites and the host. The negative relationships between parasite number and metal levels in organs of the barbel support this hypothesis. The bioconcentration factors for Ag, As, Ba, Bi, Cu, Ga, Mn, Pb, Sr, Tl, and Zn showed that the parasites concentrated metals to a higher degree than the fish tissues. They accumulated the metals As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn even better than established bioindicators such as the mussel Dreissena polymorpha as revealed by data from the literature. The results presented here emphasize that acanthocephalans of fish are very useful as sentinels for metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems. Ratio of metal concentrations in the parasites and the host tissues provide additional information. Not including acanthocephalans in accumulation bioindication studies with fishes (as still customarily done) may lead to false results.     

Anthropogenic metal enrichment of snow and soil in north-eastern European Russia

Trace metal composition of winter snowpack, snow-melt filter residues and top-soil samples were determined along three transects through industrial towns in the Usa basin, North-East Russia: Inta, Usinsk and Vorkuta. Snow was analysed for Ag, Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn using ICP-MS (Ca and K by F-AAS for Vorkuta only), pH and acidity/alkalinity. Filter residues were analysed for: Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn using F-AAS and GF-AAS; top-soil samples were analysed for Ba, Cu, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, Zn using F-AAS. Results indicate elevated concentrations of elements associated with alkaline combustion ash around the coal mining towns of Vorkuta and Inta. There is little evidence of deposition around the gas and oil town of Usinsk. Atmospheric deposition in the vicinity of Vorkuta, and to a lesser extent Inta, added significantly to the soil contaminant loading as a result of ash fallout. Acid deposition was associated with pristine areas whereas alkaline combustion ash near to emission sources more than compensated for the acidity caused by SO2.     

The use of a sequential leaching procedure for heavy metal fractionation in green liquor dregs from a causticizing process at a pulp mill

A five-stage sequential leaching procedure was used to fractionate heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, As, V, Ba and Ti) in green liquor dregs into the following fractions: (1) water-soluble fraction (H2O), (2) exchangeable fraction (CH3COOH), (3) easily reduced fraction (HONH3Cl), (4) oxidizable fraction (H2O2 + CH3COONH4), and (5) residual fraction (HF + HNO3 + HCl). The green liquor dregs were derived from a causticizing process at a pulp mill at Kemi, Northern Finland. According to the leaching studies, the leachability of heavy metals in the water-soluble fraction varied between 0.5 and 2 mg kg(-1) expressed on a dry weight (d.w.) basis, indicating relatively low bioavailability of the metals. However, the concentration of Mn (2065 mg kg(-1); d.w.) showed a strong and of Zn (17.6 mg kg(-1); d.w.), Ni (39.7 mg kg(-1); d.w.) and Ba (32.0 mg kg(-1); d.w.) slightly tendency to be extracted in the exchangeable fraction. In addition, Zn, Mn, Ni, Co, V and Ba showed clear leachability in the easily reduced fraction, as well as Cd, Cu, Cr, Zn, Mn, As and Ba in the oxidizable fraction. For Cd, Cu, Cr, Zn, Mn, Ni, Co, Ba and Ti, the sum of leachable heavy metal concentrations in fractions 1-5 agreed relatively well with the "total" heavy metal concentrations. Recoveries of the sum of fractions 1-5 were 84-56% of those obtained by the US EPA method 3052 (i.e. concentrations obtained after microwave oven digestion with a mixture of HF and HNO3).     

Leachates of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash from Macao: heavy metal concentrations and genotoxicity

Heavy metals in municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MSWIBA) may leach into soil and groundwater and pose long-term risks to the environment. In this study, toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) was carried out on the MSWIBA from Macao. Heavy metals in leachates were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), and genotoxicity of leachates was also evaluated by micronucleus (MN) assay with Vicia faba root tip cells. The results showed that the concentrations of aluminium (Al), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) in the leachates were less than 0.01 mg l(-1), and those of iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo) were less than 0.1 mg l(-1). The concentrations of chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), selemium (Se), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba) and caesium (Cs) were between 0.11 mg l(-1) and 2.19 mg l(-1). Lead (Pb) concentrations, in particular, reached as high as 19.6 mg l(-1), significantly exceeding the maximum concentration limit (5 mg l(-1) for lead by TCLP). Compared with the negative group, a significant increase of MN frequencies was observed in the leachate-exposed groups (P<0.05). With the increase of heavy metals in the leachates, the toxic effects on the Vicia faba root tip cells increased, implying that heavy metals were the main factors causing the genotoxic effects. Our results suggested that apart from chemical analysis, bioassays like the MN assay of Vicia faba root tip cells should also be included in a battery of tests to assess the eco-environmental risks of bottom ashes before decisions can be made on the utilization, treatment or disposal.     

Inorganic elemental concentrations in birch bolete mushroom (Leccinum scabrum) and top soil: contamination profiles,bioconcentation and annual variations

Abstract

Analysis of inorganic and organic contaminants in foodstuffs aids in understanding the human exposure to these compounds via consumption. In this study, an edible mushroom species (Leccinum scabrum) and top soil samples were analysed for essential and toxic substances including phosphorus and inorganic elements over a period of three fruiting seasons. Analysis of silver (Ag), aluminium (Al), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), phosphorus (P), lead (Pb), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr) and zinc (Zn) in mushrooms and topsoil were performed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) with ultrasonic cross flow nebulizer. Total mercury was determined by cold-vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS). The results exhibited wide variation in concentrations of metals between soil and mushroom (cap and stipes) during three fruiting seasons. Positive bioconcentration factors (BFCs) indicate on bioaccumulation of several metals including, Cd, Cu, Hg, K, Mg, Na, P, Rb and Zn in caps and stipes of fruitbodies of this mushroom, while other metals such as Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Sr were not exhibiting significant positive BFCs. Over a period studied, the caps were characterised by different (p?<?0.05) concentrations of Al, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb and Sr. Contamination profiles, temporal fluctuations, BCFs should be taken into consideration when assessing the nutritional value of this mushroom.     

Leaching of metals from sewage sludge during one year and their relationship to particle size

Leaching of metals from sewage sludge can lead to their accumulation in topsoil and can also contaminate groundwater. Our objectives were to document the metal leachates and the size distribution of leached particles from sewage sludge and to identify possible correlations with physical factors. Results from monthly lysimeter sampling showed an initial release followed by decline for most metals. Cadmium, Ca, Sr, Li, Mn, Ni and Zn showed a "cyclic" behaviour. Filtration revealed that this "cyclicity" had no correlation to the size of released particles, but Al, Cr, Fe, Cu, Ag and Pb were clearly related to release of coarser particles most of the year. Total metal amounts leached during one year, relative to original sludge content, had the order Na>Ca=Mg>Mn>Sr>Zn>K>Li=Ni>Cd>Co>Rb>Ag>Cr>Ba=Cu>Ga>Al=Pb=Fe. There were no simple correlations between monthly measured leachate concentrations and precipitation, temperature or pH of precipitation. Occasional leachate sampling might give misleading values for metals with "cyclic" behaviour.     

Comparison of different analytical procedures in the determination of trace elements in lichens

A BCR standard reference material of lichen (CRM 482) was used to validate an analytical procedure consisting of a microwave oven digestion associated with ICP-OES, ICP-MS and GFAAS techniques for the analysis of trace elements (Al, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Ti, V and Zn) in biomonitor samples. Two different acid mixtures were used: (a) 7 ml of HNO3, 1 ml of H2O2; (b) 7 ml of HNO3, 1 ml of H2O2 and 200 microl of HF; all digestions were carried out using 100-250 mg samples brought to a final volume of 50 ml. The validation of the procedure was carried out by two laboratories in terms of accuracy and precision; the former was estimated as percentage recovery by comparing experimental data with certificate values; the latter evaluated according to ISO standard 5725. Real lichen samples were analysed too with the procedures above described. In certified CRM 482 and real lichen samples the procedure with HF showed higher recovery values for Al, Ti, V, Ba and Fe than the procedure without HF. For all the other elements the two procedures gave comparable results both in terms of accuracy and precision. The recovery obtained with HF procedure for all the elements was generally better than 90-103%.     

Heavy metals and metalloids in egg contents and eggshells of passerine birds from Arizona

Concentrations of inorganic elements were determined in eggs of passerine birds including the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) from four regions in Arizona. The main aim of the study was to determine the distribution of metals in egg contents and eggshells, with emphasis on the deposition of Sr in eggshells. Seventy eggs of 11 passerine species were collected at four nesting locations during 2000. Aluminum, Ba, Cr, Cu, Mn, Se, Sr, and Zn, were detected primarily in egg contents of all bird species. Arsenic, Ni, Pb, and V were detected primarily in eggshells. A proportion of most inorganic elements accumulated in the eggshell. Concentrations of Ba, Cu, Mn, Se, Sr, and Zn in egg contents and As, Ba, Cu, and V in eggshells of yellow-breasted chats (Icteria virens) were similar among locations. However, concentrations of Mn, Ni, Sr, and Zn in eggshells were significant different among locations. Except for Cu, Mn, Se, and Zn, concentrations of inorganic elements were 2-35 times greater in eggshells than in eggs. Most concentrations of metals and metalloids in eggs and eggshells of all the bird species were below levels known to affect reproduction or that have other deleterious effects. However, I found somewhat elevated concentrations of Sr in eggshells (highest MEAN=1505 microg/g dw, n=3) of yellow-breasted chats and willow flycatchers, and in egg contents of yellow warblers (Dendroica petechia) and song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Whether current observed concentrations of Sr in eggshells are affecting nesting birds in Arizona remains to be determined. Strontium and other metals could be associated with lower hatching success in some areas. This study shows that a proportion of many inorganic elements accumulates in the eggshell and that the potential effects on the proper structure and functioning of the eggshell should not be ignored.     

Wash effect of atmospheric trace metals wet deposition and its source characteristic in subtropical watershed in China

In order to better understand air pollution in deve-loping regions, such as China, it is important to investigate the wet deposition behavior of atmospheric trace metals and its sources in the subtropical watershed. This paper studies the seasonal change of trace metal concentrations in precipitation and other potential sources in a typical subtropical watershed (Jiazhuhe watershed) located in the downstream of the Yangtze River of China. The results show that typical crustal elements (Al, Fe) and trace element (Zn) have high seasonal variation patterns and these elements have higher contents in precipitation as compared to other metals in Jiazhuhe watershed. In addition, there is no observed Pb in base flow in this study, and the concentration magnitudes of Al, Ba, Fe, Mn, Sr, and Zn in base flow are significantly higher than that of other metals. During different rainfall events, the dynamic export processes are also different for trace metals. The various trace metals dynamic export processes lead to an inconsistent mass first flush and a significant accumulative variance throughout the rainfall events. It is found that in this region, most of the trace metals in precipitation are from anthropogenic emission and marine aerosols brought by typhoon and monsoon.

     

Leaching Dynamics Studies of Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator Ash

Abstract

An assessment of the short- and long-term hazards from municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) ash is made through the elemental analysis of 40 to 50 elements in the ash and leachates produced by several leaching procedures. The ash was analyzed using neutron activation analysis (NAA) and x-ray fluorescence (XRF). The leachates were analyzed using NAA and inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP). The leaching dynamics of an ash monofill were modelled with a series of extractions using simulated acid rain. An initial spike of the metals Ag, Ba, Be, Cr, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sr, and Zn in the leachates appears to be the greatest hazard posed by MSWI ash monofills. The elements As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, S, and Zn were identified as potential long term hazards utilizing a sequential extraction procedure which approximates the total amount of the elements available over the lifetime of the monofill.

The pH of the resulting leachate is the single greatest factor governing the concentration of metals in solution, more important than the concentration of the element in the ash. These results are applied to an assessment of the suitability of the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) in measuring leaching potential of an MSWI ash monofill.     

废弃等离子显示屏玻璃中重金属化学形态分布

通过BCR3步和BCR4步连续提取法,对等离子体显示屏玻璃中重金属的化学形态进行研究。结果表明,BCR3步连续提取法对废弃等离子体显示屏玻璃中重金属的提取比BCR4步连续提取法更稳定。废弃等离子体显示屏玻璃中Zn、Cu和Ag化学形态分布存在差异。BCR3步和BCR4步连续提取法均认为Ag以残渣态为主要赋存形态,对环境影响比较小;Cu的可交换与弱酸可溶态或交换态和碳酸盐结合态含量较少,潜在的环境风险也比较小;BCR3步和BCR4步连续提取法对Zn的形态分布结果评价不一致,BCR3步连续提取法表明Zn主要以可交换与弱酸可溶态为主,对环境影响较大,而BCR4步连续提取法结果认为Zn是以铁锰氧化态为主要存在形态。     

A comparative study of metal pollution and potential eco-risk in the sediment of Chaohu Lake (China) based on total concentration and chemical speciation

Total and extractable concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Zn were determined in surface sediments of west Chaohu Lake (China) by HCl-HNO₃-HF-HClO₄ digestion and an optimized BCR sequential extraction procedure, respectively. The metal pollution was evaluated by the enrichment factor approach, and the potential eco-risk was evaluated by the sediment quality guideline (SQG) and risk assessment code (RAC) assessments. The results indicated that both total and extractable metal concentrations were highly variable and were affected by sediment properties, even though the sediments were predominantly composed of <63-μm particles (>89 %). Enrichment factors of the metals based on the total and extractable concentrations all showed higher values in the northern lake area and decreasing values towards the south. This distribution indicated an input of anthropogenic metals via the Nanfei River. Anthropogenic Cu, Pb, and Zn in surface sediments showed comparable values for each metal based on the total and extractable concentrations, suggesting that anthropogenic Cu, Pb, and Zn resided predominantly in the extractable fractions. Sediment Cu had low eco-risk, and Pb and Zn had medium eco-risk by the SQG assessment, whereas the eco-risk rankings of Cu, Pb, and Zn were medium, low, and low–high, respectively, by the RAC assessment. Referencing to the labile (dilute acid soluble) metal concentrations, we deduced that the eco-risk of Cu may be largely overestimated by the RAC assessment, and the eco-risk of Pb may be largely overestimated by the SQG assessment. Overall, sediments Cu and Pb may pose low eco-risk, and Zn may pose low–high eco-risk.     

Metal concentrations of tadpoles in experimental ponds

Anuran tadpoles are found in a variety of habitats, many of which are acidified or have high ambient concentrations of metals from anthropogenic sources. A few studies that have been conducted on metals in tadpoles demonstrate that they can contain high concentrations of some metals but have not demonstrated clear relationships between ambient conditions and metal concentrations. This study examines the influence of soil, water treatment, amphibian species, and body portion analyzed on metal concentration in tadpoles. In northern cricket frogs, gray treefrogs, and green frogs, concentrations of Al and Fe exceeded 10 000 microg.g(-1) and Mg and Mn exceeded 1000 microg g(-1). Body concentrations of Ba, Be, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Sr increased with soil concentrations. Acidification reduced body concentrations of Be and Sr, and pH correlated with Be, Mg, and Sr. Gray treefrogs had significantly lower concentrations of most metals compared to northern cricket frogs, possibly because of differences in microhabitats and soil ingestion. More than half of most metals was sequestered in the gut coil of green frog tadpoles, probably mixed with soil. Depending on bioavailablity, many of the metals in gut coils and whole bodies of these tadpoles could be potentially toxic to predators.     

Metal accumulation by submerged macrophytes in eutrophic lakes at the watershed scale

Metal concentrations (Al, Ba, Ca, K, Li, Mg, Na, Se, Sr and Ti) in submerged macrophytes and corresponding water and sediments were studied in 24 eutrophic lakes along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River (China). Results showed that these eutrophic lakes have high metal concentrations in both water and sediments because of human activities. Average concentrations of Al and Na in tissues of submerged macrophytes were very high in sampled eutrophic lakes. By comparison, Ceratophyllum demersum and Najas marina accumulated more metals (e.g. Ba, Ca, K, Mg, Na, Sr and Ti). Strong positive correlations were found between metal concentrations in tissues of submerged macrophytes, probably because of co-accumulation of metals. The concentrations of Li, Mg, Na and Sr in tissues of submerged macrophytes significantly correlated with their corresponding water values, but not sediment values.     

Trace metal accumulation and fish pathologies in areas affected by mining and metallurgical enterprises in the Kola Region, Russia

Throughout the Kola region of Russia there has been a substantial increase of metal concentrations in water, which are related to local discharges from metallurgical and mining industry, transboundary transmissions as well as indirect leaching of elements by acid precipitation. This study presents data on the levels of Ni, Cu, Sr, Al, Zn, Co, Mn, Pb, Cd, Hg in the organs and tissues of fish, and evaluates relationships with water chemistry. Special attention is paid to fish pathologies, whose aetiology is related to the accumulation of metals and the associated changes of the elementary ratios within the organism. Ecotoxicological assessment of the copper nickel, strontium and acidification regimes also is considered in this article. In general we observed a large number of lakes that are heavily contaminated by Ni and Cu. Fish in these lakes contain high concentrations of Ni and Cu and display frequent pathologies, mostly associated with the kidneys. In lakes contaminated with Sr, there also are high Sr levels in fish and pathologies associated with skeletal tissues. Exposure to acidified water appears to increase the transport of metals (including Al, Ni and Cu) into fish and hence the toxic effects.     

The use of mosses as environmental metal pollution indicators

The possibility of using mosses as environmental indicators of metal pollution has been investigated. Mosses of the species Bryum argenteum were collected from different parts of Piedmont (Italy), ranging from highly polluted areas to nearly uncontaminated mountain areas. Periodical samplings were planned in every site on a monthly base, in order to check variations of metal uptake throughout one year; correlations with pluviometric and thermal patterns were investigated for all sampling stations. On every moss sample 20 elements, ranging from major (K, P, Al, Ca, Fe and Mg) to minor (Mn, Na, Ti and Zn) and trace (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Pb and Sr), were quantitatively determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry or graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectrometry, depending on the needed sensitivity. Statistical analyses, carried out with principal component analysis and cluster analysis methods, revealed that a good correlation exists between metal content in mosses and pollution degree in the areas sampled.