Seabird feathers as monitors of the levels and persistence of heavy metal pollution after the Prestige oil spill

We measured heavy metal concentrations in yellow-legged gulls (n = 196) and European shags (n = 189) in order to assess the temporal pattern of contaminant exposure following the Prestige oil spill in November 2002. We analysed Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni and V levels in chick feathers sampled at four colonies during seven post-spill years (2003-2009), and compared results with pre-spill levels obtained from feathers of juvenile shag corpses (grown in spring/summer 2002). Following the Prestige wreck, Cu (4.3-10 μg g⁻¹) and Pb concentrations (1.0-1.4 μg g⁻¹) were, respectively, between two and five times higher than pre-spill levels (1.5-3.6 and 0.1-0.4 μg g⁻¹), but returned to previous background concentrations after three years. Our study highlights the suitability of chick feathers of seabirds for assessing the impact of oil spills on heavy metal contamination, and provides the best evidence to date on the persistence of oil pollution after the Prestige incident.     

Predatory insects as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution

Heavy metal concentrations of different predatory insects were studied near by a steel factory and from control sites. Waterstriders (Gerridae), dragon fly larvae (Odonata), antlion larvae (Myrmeleontidae) and ants (Formicidae) were analyzed by AAS. In most cases the metal concentrations were higher near the factory, but e.g. waterstriders had higher cadmium concentrations in control area. Discriminant analysis clearly reveals that all these insect groups can be used as heavy metal indicators. However, the commonly used ants were the least effective in indicating the differences between the factory and control sites. Waterstriders are good in detecting differences in iron and manganese, but seem to be poor in accumulating nickel and lead. Antlions are efficient in detecting differences in iron. Antlions and ants are effective in accumulating manganese; as well antlions are efficient in accumulating cadmium. Waterstriders are poor in accumulating lead, but antlions and ants are effective.     

Lichens as integrating air pollution monitors

In this work an attempt to combine the results of lichen mapping with the quantitative levels of certain trace elements in Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. collected on a national scale is presented. An Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) was calculated using a simple method of mapping lichens based on the assessment of the cover and frequency of crustose, foliose and fruticose lichens on different tree species. For determination of trace elements in lichens k0-instrumental neutron activation analysis was used. From the IAP results it can be concluded that the epiphytic lichen flora look quite poor with more than 70% of the territory in the fourth and third classes, which represent highly polluted and moderately polluted air. By comparing IAP results with elemental levels in H. physodes using multivariate statistical methods it was found that the elemental levels do not have a direct negative effect on the diversity of lichens but can help in identification of the type of possible pollution sources and their origin.     

苕溪流域典型区域重金属污染特征

从苕溪流域景观单元角度研究重金属污染特征,因人类活动是重金属污染的主要来源,所以在苕溪流域内选择采集典型工业区、农业区和城镇生活区附近河道的沉积物,分析各典型区域重金属Pb、Cd、Cr、As、Hg、Cu和Zn的含量特征,并用潜在生态危害指数法评价。结果表明,按照《土壤环境质量标准》,苕溪流域典型工业区主要是Hg、Cu和As的污染,典型农业区和城镇生活区主要是Hg的污染。各元素间的相关性分析表明,在工业区:Zn-As、Zn-Pb和As-Pb之间存在相关关系,说明它们的同源性很高。在农业区:Cu-As、Cu-Cd之间存在显著相关关系,其来源有可能相似。在城镇生活区Zn-As、Zn-Cd之间存在很高的相关性,说明它们有很高的同源性。由多种重金属潜在潜在生态风险评价结果可知:苕溪流域典型工业区、城镇区和农业区的沉积物处于低潜在生态风险。     

海浪河水环境重金属污染健康风险评价

为阐明海浪河地表水体中重金属污染物的分布特征与风险水平,对研究区域内As、Cd、Zn、Cu、Pb、Mn等重金属污染物浓度进行了分析检测,并采用美国环境保护局(USEPA)推荐的健康风险评价模型对水体中重金属引起的健康风险进行了评价。结果表明,各采样点的重金属监测数据中As、Cd、Zn 和Cu均达到Ⅱ类水质标准,符合水环境功能区划要求,Pb是海浪河主要超标污染物。海浪河重金属As和Cd的健康风险值远远大于Zn、Cu、Pb和Mn的健康风险值,风险值相差4~5个数量级。致癌物As的健康风险值最大,在S5和S6采样点分别达到了5.81×10-5和9.43×10-5a-1,均高于最大可接受风险水平5.0×10-5a-1。     

Trees as bioindicator of heavy metal pollution in three European cities

Concentrations of four heavy metals were determined in tree leaves and bark collected from polluted and non-polluted areas of three European cities (Salzburg, Belgrade and Thessaloniki) for a comparative study. Platanus orientalis L. and Pinus nigra Arn., widespread in urban northern and southern Europe, were tested for their suitability for air quality biomonitoring. Leaves and barks were collected uniformly of an initial quantity of about 30 g of each sample. Analysis was accomplished by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after total digestion. Site-dependent variations were found with the highest concentration level measured in Belgrade, followed by Thessaloniki and Salzburg. A higher accumulation of heavy metals was found in bark compared to leaves. Pine tree bark, accumulating higher concentrations of trace metals compared to plane tree bark, shows a higher efficiency as bioindicator for urban pollution. Both indicator species are suitable for comparative studies on bioindication of urban air pollution.     

Assessment of the environmental significance of heavy metal pollution in surficial sediments of the River Po

The magnitude and ecological relevance of metal pollution of the middle Po river deriving from the River Lambro tributary was investigated by applying different (complementary) sediment quality assessment approaches: (1) comparisons of concentrations with regional reference data, and (2) comparisons with consensus-based sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), as well as by investigations of the partitioning patterns of target heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn). Total metal concentrations in the surficial sediments revealed significant pollution inputs on the whole river stretch investigated, with a distinct peak at the inlet of the River Lambro. Based on the geoaccumulation index of target heavy metals, the middle reach of River Po has to be considered as moderately polluted with Cd (1相似文献   

Monitoring heavy metal pollution by aquatic plants

Introduction

The copper bioaccumulation by the floating Lemna minor and by the completely submerged Ranunculus tricophyllus as a function of exposure time and copper concentration was studied, with the aim of proposing these species as environmental biosensors of the water pollution.

Results

The results show that both these aquatic angiosperms are good indicators of copper pollution because the copper uptake is the only function of metal concentration (water pollution).

Conclusion

Uptake behavior is reported as a function of the time and concentration, based on the results of a 3-year study. Kinetic evaluations are proposed.     

Persistent organic pollution characterization of sediments in Pearl River estuary

As a byproduct of rapid urbanization and industrial development in the Pearl River estuary of South China, excessive release of various types of persistent toxic substances were conveyed from agricultural, industrial and municipal discharges at upstream section down into the estuary largely via various river outlets. In this paper, a persistent organic pollution (POP) characterization of sediments in the estuary is undertaken. More than one bioavailable toxicants are detected to play active roles in causing toxicity of marine sediments in the estuary. POPs may be transported for long distances to the downstream end of the Pearl River delta region. The data suggests that DDT might still be applied illegally within the region recently and that the prevalent levels of DDTs and HCHs in sediments are likely to pose detrimental biological effects on benthic organisms. The findings have significant implications in order to understand the environmental changes, to determine reasonable ways for future development, and to maintain a sustainable environment in the Pearl River estuary region.     

Epiphytic lichens as sentinels for heavy metal pollution at forest ecosystems (central Italy)

The results of a study using epiphytic lichens (Parmelia caperata) as sentinels for heavy metal deposition at six selected forest ecosystems of central Italy are reported. The woods investigated are characterized by holm oak (Quercus ilex), turkey oak (Quercus cerris) and beech (Fagus sylvatica) and represent the typical forest ecosystems of central Italy at low, medium and high elevations, respectively. The results showed that levels of heavy metals in lichens were relatively low and consequently no risk of heavy metal air pollution is expected for the six forest ecosystems investigated. However, for two of them there are indications of a potential risk: the beech forest of Vallombrosa showed signs of contamination by Pb as a consequence of vehicle traffic due to the rather high touristic pressure in the area, and the holm oak forest of Cala Violina showed transboundary pollution by Mn, Cr and Ni originating from the steel industry in Piombino. Epiphytic lichens proved to be very effective as an early warning system to detect signs of a changing environment at forest ecosystems.     

三亚河红树林自然保护区水环境-红树植物-沉积物重金属污染综合分析

以三亚河红树林自然保护区为研究区,在分析沉积物重金属污染及红树植物对重金属富集转运差异的基础上,探讨了保护区水环境、沉积物重金属和红树植物重金属间的联系及重金属污染来源。结果表明:(1)沉积物中Hg为极强污染,Pb、Zn和Cu为中等污染,其他重金属无污染;研究区整体的潜在生态风险指数为中等,其中Hg为主要贡献者。(2)保护区河段雨季水体污染物浓度明显高于干季,雨、干季水质总体均表现出中上段(A段)中间段(B段)出口段(C段);(3)3种红树植物对Cd均表现出强富集,对Pb表现为弱富集能力;(4)沉积物重金属和水质参数之间有显著的相关性,红树植物会影响沉积物中重金属形态,并通过主动运输方式富集和转移重金属。(5)研究区上游农业生产活动及市区交通和工厂企业综合排污是重金属的主要污染来源。     

Speciation as a screening tool for the determination of heavy metal surface water pollution in the Guadiamar river basin

The Guadiamar river basin has traditionally received pollutants from two main sources: in its northern section of mining origin, and in its southern section (next to Do?ana National Park) from urban-industrial and agricultural sources. In April 1998, the spill of 6 million m3 of mining wastes (acidic waters and sludge) severely polluted the Guadiamar river basin with heavy metals, which caused serious damage to the local ecosystem. There is a direct association between the physicochemical speciation of an element and its toxicity, biological activity, bioavailability, solubility, etc. This work describes a distribution study of the metals Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu by speciation analysis of surface waters in eleven sampling points of the Guadiamar river basin. Four metal fractions were determined using anodic stripping voltammetry: labile metal forms, H+ exchangeable metal forms, strongly inert forms (associated with organic and inorganic matter in solution), and forms associated with suspended matter. Total concentrations in surface waters followed the trend Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd. The speciation study showed that Zn and Cd were present to a large extent in available forms (labile and H+ exchangeable), while Pb and Cu were found mostly in the less available forms (strongly inert). Moreover, the available forms were found in the northern section (mining pollution) and the strongly inert forms in the southern section (urban, industrial and agricultural pollution). These results can illustrate the potential value of speciation to discern between different sources of pollution.     

黄河三角洲实验区表层沉积物重金属污染特征及防控策略

分析了黄河三角洲实验区内表层沉积物中重金属的空间分布特征,评价了其污染状况和生态风险,并根据评价结果提出了相应的重金属污染防控措施。结果表明：表层沉积物(0~20 cm)中Cu、Zn、Cr、Cd、Pb、Ni、As和Hg的平均质量分数分别为24.87,73.75,78.16,0.21,25.66,34.66,13.68,0.02 mg·kg⁻¹;各重金属均呈现南岸高于北岸的空间分布特征,且所有元素质量分数的最高值均出现在景区“鸟岛”处;内梅罗综合污染指数分析表明,鸟岛属于中污染到重污染,其余采样点均为轻污染;地累积指数评价表明沉积物中Cd和Hg污染相对严重;潜在生态风险指数表明研究区总体属于轻微-中等生态危害。黄河三角洲邻近核心区的实验区表层沉积物中重金属综合污染程度较低,但存在局部污染较重的区域,Cd和Hg是主要的潜在生态风险因子。基于以上研究结果,建议针对黄河三角洲实验区采取预防为主的防控策略,同时应加强区内Cd和Hg的监测并适时开展修复工作。     

Taiwan's industrial heavy metal pollution threatens terrestrial biota

The bioconcentration levels of essential (Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn) and non-essential (As, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Sn) elements have been investigated in different terrestrial biota such as fungi, plant, earthworm, snail, crab, insect, amphibian, lizard, snake, and bat including the associated soil, to investigate the ecosystem health status in Kenting National Park, Taiwan. High bioconcentrations of Cd, Hg, and Sn in snail, earthworm, crab, lizard, snake, and bat indicated a contaminated terrestrial ecosystem. High concentrations of Cd, Hg, and Sn in plant species, effective bioaccumulation of Cd by earthworm, snail, crab and bat, as well as very high levels of Hg found in invertebrates, amphibians, and reptiles revealed a strong influence from industrial pollution on the biotic community. This study for the first time presents data on the impact of heavy metal pollution on various terrestrial organisms in Taiwan.     

大辽河主要污染源重金属特征及污染评价

为了解大辽河水环境中重金属污染来源及其污染程度,对大辽河上游来水以及主要排污口的表层水体和表层沉积物主要重金属(Cr、Co、Cd、Mn、Zn、Ni、Cu、Pb、As)浓度进行了研究,并分别采用综合污染指数评价法和地累积指数评价法对表层水体和表层沉积物污染程度进行了评价。结果表明,大辽河上游来水中Cr、Cd、Zn、Cu、As、Pb元素浓度均低于《地表水环境质量标准》(GB 3838—2002)Ⅰ类标准规定的限值;太子河中Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、Cd、Pb元素浓度较高,海城河Mn、As元素浓度较高;主要排污口水体中Cr、Cu、As、Cd、Pb元素浓度均低于GB 3838—2002的Ⅰ类标准规定的限值,其中纱厂潮沟、港监潮沟排污口水体重金属浓度较高。大辽河沉积物重金属浓度表现出自上游向下游递减的特征,西潮沟、港监潮沟排污口沉积物重金属浓度高于其他排污口。综合污染指数评价法表明,大辽河水质情况较好,太子河存在较高的潜在污染风险;而地累积指数评价法表明,大辽河主要汇入河流和主要污染源沉积物重金属污染程度大多为清洁,只有西潮沟排污口沉积物中As处于轻度污染,需要引起注意。     

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.     

Periphyton as a bioindicator of mercury pollution in a temperate torrential river ecosystem

Mercury presents a potential risk to the environment and humans, especially in its methylated form. It is among the highest priority environmental pollutants. River Idrijca (Slovenia) is highly contaminated with mercury due to past mercury mining. The aim of this work was to investigate whether the periphyton community in rivers such as Idrijca is a suitable indicator of Hg pollution and of changes in mercury methylation and could serve as an early warning system of increased input of MeHg in the food chain. Periphyton is the only site of primary production in temperate torrential rivers such as Idrijca and is therefore an important link in the food chain. It is also a potential site of Hg accumulation and its introduction to higher trophic levels. Our aim was to assess the response of the periphyton to seasonal and spatial variations in mercury levels and to evaluate its potential as an early warning system of changes in mercury reactivity and mobilization The results indicate that periphyton in a torrential river is too complex and unpredictable to be used as a sole indicator of mercury concentrations and changes in the river. Nevertheless, it can complement environmental measurements due to its importance in the riverine food web.     

城市街道灰尘重金属污染研究进展

国外学者对城市街道灰尘中重金属的积累分布、粒径效应及其生物有效性等已展开了一系列有效研究,而中国城市街道灰尘重金属污染相关研究起步较晚,研究内容主要包括重金属污染特征与空间分异。综述了城市街道灰尘重金属污染现状、粒径效应、来源以及重金属含量影响因素等方面的研究进展,并从对今后的城市街道灰尘重金属污染研究方向进行了展望。     

Heavy metal pollution in sediments of the Pasvik River drainage

The purpose of this paper is to study the regional impacts of heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Co, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg) on the watershed of the Pasvik River. On the basis of sediment investigations at 27 stations of the watershed, background concentrations of the heavy metals, vertical distribution of heavy metals in sediments, heavy metal concentrations in surface sediments, contamination degree, and risk index were determined. The atmospheric emissions of Ni, Cu, Co, Zn, Cd and Hg from the smelters and waste waters from tailing dams and mines of the Pechenganickel Company are likely to be the main sources of increasing concentrations observed in recent sediments of the lower river reaches. Lead showed a different pattern from the other heavy metals--increasing Pb concentrations in the upper sediment layers towards the Norwegian side.