Heavy Metal Levels in Biota and Sediments in the Northern Coast of the Marmara Sea

Concentration of Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb and Cu were determinedin biota and sediment samples collected from the Marmara Sea in Turkey. The levels of Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb and Cu in the macroalgae are higher than previous studies in the Marmara Sea. Moreover, Cu and Zn concentrations at the present study are significantly high than Bosphorus and Black Sea algae. The order heavy metal concentrations in the mussel samples was: Fe > Zn > Ni > Mn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd > Co. The metal concentrations are generally lower when compared with the Black Sea mussels except Pb. At the same time, concentrations of Pb, Cu and Zn in the mussel species are lower when compared with the results in the Aegean Sea. The ranges of Mn and Cu in the tested fish samples are higher than Black Sea fish. On the other hand, Cd, Co, Cr, Zn and Pb concentrations are lower. The northern coast of the Marmara Sea having the highest metal concentrations in sediments as follows: Co, Cr, Ni, Fe at ?arköy ; Pb, Cu at M. Ere?li; Cd, Zn, Mn at Menek?e. The heavy metal levels in the sediment samples are lower than other areas in the Marmara Sea.     

Source discrimination of heavy metals in sediment and water of To Lich River in Hanoi City using multivariate statistical approaches

The concentrations of Mn, Fe, Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, As, and Cd were determined to evaluate the level of contamination of To Lich River in Hanoi City. All metal concentrations in 0–10-cm water samples, except Mn, were lower than the maximum permitted concentration for irrigation water standard. Meanwhile, concentrations of As, Cd, and Zn in 0–30-cm sediments were likely to have adverse effects on agriculture and aquatic life. Sediment pollution assessment was undertaken using enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index (I _geo). The I _geo results indicated that the sediment was not polluted with Cr, Mn, Fe, and Ni, and the pollution level increased in the order of Cu < Pb < Zn < As < Cd. Meanwhile, significant enrichment was shown for Cd, As, Zn, and Pb. Cluster and principal component analyses suggest that As and Mn in sediment were derived from both lithogenic and anthropogenic sources, while Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, and Ni originated from anthropogenic sources such as vehicular fumes for Pb and metallic discharge from industrial sources and fertilizer application for other metals.     

Geochemical fractionation of trace elements in sediments of Hugli River (Ganges) and Sundarban wetland (West Bengal, India)

A sequential extraction procedure was carried out to determinate the concentrations of 11 elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) in different geochemical phases of sediments collected along the Hugli (Ganges) River Estuary and in the Sundarban mangrove wetland, eastern coastal part of India. The chemical speciation of elements was determined using the three-step sequential extraction procedure described by the European Community Bureau of Reference. Total metal concentration was determined using a microwave-assisted acid digestion procedure. Metal concentrations were near the background level except for As for which a moderate pollution can be hypothesized. The mobility order of the metals was: Cd?>?Mn?>?Cu?>?Zn?>?As?>?Co?>?Pb?>?Ni?>?Fe?>?Cr?>?Al. The highest percentage of Cd (>60%) was found in the most labile phase. Residual fraction was prevailing for Fe, Cr and Al, while Pb was mainly associated with the reducible fraction. Data were compared with Sediment Quality Guidelines to estimate the relationship between element concentrations and adverse biological effects on benthic community, finding the possibility of some toxic effects due to the presence of As in the entire studied area and Cd, only in Calcutta.     

Speciation of metals in bed sediments and water of Qaraaoun Reservoir, Lebanon

Determination of only total element in sediments does not give an accurate estimate of the likely environmental impacts. Speciation study of metals in sediment provides information on the potential availability of metals (toxic) to biota under various environmental conditions. In water, the toxic metal specie is the free hydrated metal ion. The toxicity of metals depends especially on their chemical forms rather than their total metal content. The present study focuses on Qaraaoun Reservoir, Lebanon. Earlier studies focused only on total metal concentrations in sediment and water. The objective of this study was to determine metal speciation (Fe, Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd) in the (operationally defined) sediment chemical fractions and metal speciation in reservoir water. This would reflect on metal bioavailability and toxicity. Water samples and bed sediments were collected from nine sites during the dry season and a sequential chemical fraction scheme was applied to the <75-??m sieve sediment fraction. Metal content in each fraction was determined by the FAAS technique. The data showed that the highest percentages of total metal content in sediment fractions were for: Fe in residual followed by reducible, Cr and Ni in residual and in reducible, Cu in organic followed by exchangeable, Zn in residual and in organic, Pb in organic and carbonate, Cd was mainly in carbonate. Total metal content in water was determined by ICP-MS technique and aqueous metal speciation was predicted using AQUACHEM software interfaced to PHREEQC geochemical computer model. The water speciation data predicted that a high percentage of Pb and Ni were present as carbonate complex species and low percentages as free hydrated ions, highest percentage of Zn as carbonate complex species followed by free hydrated ion, highest percentage of Cd as free hydrated ion followed by carbonate complex species. The sensitivity attempt of free hydrated ion of Ni, Zn, Pb, and Cd in reservoir water revealed dependence of Zn and Cd on pH and alkalinity, while Ni and Pb were only dependent on pH.     

Assessment of heavy metal levels in sediment samples of Kapulukaya Dam Lake (Kirikkale) and lower catchment area

In this study, the concentrations of 13 elements (Al, Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, Zn, Co, As, Pb, Cu, Mo, Hg, and Cd) were determined in the sediments of three different sites in the Kapulukaya Dam Lake between May 2007 and November 2008. They ranged from 1.47 to 4.64 for Al, 0.92 to 3.48 for Fe (in percent), 326.60 to 1053.00 for Mn, 98.00 to 1,116.00 for Cr, 24.70 to 127.10 for Ni, 14.80 to 124.20 for Zn, 11.0 to 43.20 for Co, 5.00 to 29.30 for Cu, 9.10 to 69.70 for As, 8.60 to 34.00 for Pb, 2.50 to 5.20 for Mo, 1.00 to 1.60 for Hg, and 0.50 to1.80 for Cd in microgram per gram dry weight sediment. The contamination degree of the sediment was assessed on the basis of enrichment factor and corresponding sediment quality guideline. The calculated enrichment factors (EF, measured metal vs. background concentrations) indicated that the effect of man-made activities on the occurrence of concentrations could be accounted for the majority of heavy metals namely Mn, As, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr, Co, Mo, and Cd, whereas such affect was not detected for Hg and Pb. The maximum values of the EF were represented by As, minimum values by Hg at all sites. Mean EF values were 36.60 and 0.70 for As and Hg, respectively. This study has clearly assessed a certain level of heavy metal pollution in the region, based particularly on the findings from sediment.     

Heavy metal concentrations in water, suspended matter, and sediment from Gökova Bay, Turkey

The contents of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Hg) dissolved in water and suspended solids of Gökova Bay—partly and fully sampled in 2005 and 2006, respectively—are quite higher than the average values encountered in uncontaminated sea water. The high concentrations are associated with terrestrial inputs from the mining zones and anthropogenic (domestic + industrial) sources. Moreover, the distribution of Fe and Cu is affected by primary production because these elements function as nutrients in biological activities. The Cr, Ni, and Fe concentrations of surface sediments are above the shale average. The Cr and Ni contents of surface sediments representative of river mouths strongly correlate with total phosphorus contents. In a sulfide-poor environment, Pb and Cu were concentrated at a higher ratio in surface sediments than Cd, probably due to higher stabilities of their surface complexes with amorphous iron oxides and clay minerals existing as major components in the sediments. The exceptional enrichment of Zn may be attributed to double oxide formation with amorphous iron oxides in sediments. The high metal values are most probably caused by terrestrial inputs from anthropogenic sources and the mining zones at the southeast part of the bay. The Al, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Hg contents are below the shale average. The low values have possibly originated from the coarse-grained sandy sediments having a low affinity for metals. There are no distinct differences in the metal distributions in water and suspended matter between the years 2005 and 2006 in the bay, probably due to low sedimentation rates.     

Assessment of heavy metal concentration in the Khoshk River water and sediment, Shiraz, Southwest Iran

Heavy metal contents and contamination characteristics of the water and sediment of the Khoshk River, Shiraz, Southwest Iran were investigated. The abundance of heavy metals decreases as Zn > Mn > Cr > Ni >Pb > Cu > Cd in water samples and Mn > Cr > Pb > Ni > Zn > Cu > Cd in sediments, respectively. Based on the enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index values, sediments were loaded with Cr, Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd. Pearson correlation matrix as well as cluster and principal components analyses and analysis of variance were implemented on data from sampling sites. Based on the locations of sampling sites in clusters and variable concentrations at these stations, it was concluded that municipal, industrial, and domestic discharges in the Shiraz urban area strongly affected heavy metals concentrations in the Khoshk River water and sediment. Results obtained from principal components analysis of sediment samples showed that the high concentration of Ni was mainly from natural origin, related to the composition of parent rocks, while the elevated values of Cr, Zn, Pb, Cd, and Cu were due to anthropogenic activities.     

Evaluation of metal contamination in sediments from north of Morocco: geochemical and statistical approaches

Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cd and Hg were evaluated in surface sediments of two rivers from north of Morocco, known as Souani and Mghogha rivers. Significantly higher concentrations in mg kg^???1 dry weight (dw) of Mn (747.6 vs. 392.9), Cr (86.4 vs. 56.3), Zn (299.5 vs. 138.5) were found in sediment samples from Mghogha when compared with Souani river. Average concentrations of Cd and Hg in several sediment samples from both rivers were above the effect range median that predicts toxic effects to aquatic organisms. The calculation of enrichment factors showed that Mn, Cr, Cu and Ni were depleted, whereas Pb and Hg were enriched. The results of geoaccumulation index revealed that sediments of both rivers were unpolluted with most of the metals and moderately contaminated with Fe and Hg. Some of elevated concentrations of Hg, principally in Mghogha River, were due to anthropogenic sources including the direct discharges of industrial zone.     

Assessment of heavy metal contamination in Candarli Gulf sediment, Eastern Aegean Sea

Concentrations of selected heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg, Cr, Al, and As) in surface sediments from 18 stations in the Candarli Gulf were studied in order to understand current metal contamination due to urbanization and economic development in Candarli region, Turkey. The sediment samples were collected by box corer in Candarli Gulf in 2009 to assess heavy metal pollution. Heavy metal concentrations in surface sediment varied from 1.62% to 3.60% for Fe, 0.38?C2.53% for Al, 173?C1,423 for Mn, 8?C100 for Ni, 3?C46 for Cu, 55?C119 for Zn, 16?C138 for Pb, 0.2?C6.3 for Hg, 16?C71 for Cr, and 11?C37 mg kg^???1 for As. This study showed that the concentrations of Mn, Ni, Zn, Pb, Hg, and Cr in the surface sediment layers were elevated when compared with the subsurface layers. Both metal enrichment and contamination factors show that Hg, Zn, and Pb contamination exists in the entire study area and contamination of other metals is also present in some locations depending on the sources.     

Spatial distribution and metal contamination in the coastal sediments of Al-Khafji area,Arabian Gulf,Saudi Arabia

To document the spatial distribution and metal contamination in the coastal sediments of the Al-Khafji area in the northern part of the Saudi Arabian Gulf, 27 samples were collected for Al, V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, Sr, As, Fe, Co, and Ni analysis using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The results revealed the following descending order of the metal concentrations: Sr > Fe > Al > As > Mn > Ni > V > Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Co > Hg > Cd. Average levels of enrichment factor of Sr, As, Hg, Cd, Ni, V, Cu, Co, and Pb were higher than 2 (218.10, 128.50, 80.94, 41.50, 12.31, 5.66, 2.95, 2.90, and 2.85, respectively) and that means the anthropogenic sources of these metals, while Al, Zn, Cr and Mn have enrichment factor less than 2, which implies natural sources. Average values of Sr, Hg, Cd, Cr, Ni, and As in the coastal sediments of Al-Khafji area were mostly higher than the values recorded from the background shale and earth crust and from those results along coasts of the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The highest levels of Cu in the northern part of the studied coastline might be due to Al-Khafji desalination plant, while levels of Al, Ni, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn in the central part may be a result of landfilling and industrial sewage. The highest levels of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, and V in the southern part seem to be due to oil pollutants from Khafji Joint Operations (KJO). The higher values of Sr in the studied sediments in general and particularly in locality 7 could relate to the hypersalinity and aragonitic composition of the scleractinian corals abundant in that area.     

Distribution and solid-phase speciation of toxic heavy metals of bed sediments of Bharali tributary of Brahmaputra River

Heavy metal (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Cd) concentrations and their chemical speciations were investigated for the first time in bed sediments of Bharali River, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra River of the Eastern Himalayas. Levels of Fe, Mn, Pb, and Cd in the bed sediments were much below the average Indian rivers; however, Cu and Zn exhibit levels on the higher side. Enrichment factors (EF) of all metals was greater than 1 and a higher trend of EF was seen in the abandoned channel for most metals. Pb showed maximum EF of 32 at site near an urban center. The geoaccumulation indices indicate that Bharali river is moderately polluted. The metals speciations, done by a sequential extraction regime, show that Cd, Cu, and Pb exhibit considerable presence in the exchangeable and carbonate fraction, thereby showing higher mobility and bioavailability. On the other hand, Ni, Mn, and Fe exhibit greater presence in the residual fraction and Zn was dominant in the Fe?CMn oxide phase. Inter-species correlations at three sites did not show similar trends for metal pairs indicating potential variations in the contributing sources.     

Metal pollution records in core sediments of some Red Sea coastal areas, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

In the last three decades, the industrial and human activities in the coastal area of Saudi Arabia have increased dramatically and resulted in the continuous invasion of different types of pollutants including heavy metals. Seven sediment cores were collected from three major industrialized areas; Jeddah, Rabigh and Yanbu, along the coast of Saudi Arabia to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of metals and to assess the magnitude of pollution and their potential biological effects. Sediments were analyzed for texture, calcium carbonate contents, organic matter and metals (Al, Fe, Mn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn). Some metals like, Cr, Mn, Ni and Zn, were enriched in the upper 15 cm of core samples (recent deposition of sediments). Cadmium concentrations showed high fluctuations with depth and reverse pattern to that for Al, Fe and Mn which indicated land based sources of this element to the studied areas. Elevated concentrations of lead were recorded in the bottom layers of cores in Jeddah that indicated the most dramatic increase in usage of gasoline in early 1970s. The calculated contamination factors (CF's) were found in the following sequences: Cd > Pb > Ni > Cu > Zn > Cr > Mn for all studied areas. Results of Pollution Load Index (PLI) revealed that Jeddah is the most polluted area, followed by Rabigh while Yanbu is the least contaminated area. Except for Ni, the concentrations of most metals in the majority of sediment samples were believed to be safe for living organisms. As no data were available on the concentration of metals in core sediments in the coastal area of Saudi Arabia, the results of this study would serve as a baseline against which future anthropogenic effects can be assessed.     

Heavy metals in Yeniçağa Lake and its potential sources: soil,water, sediment,and plankton

The distribution and accumulation of heavy metals (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Sn, Ba, Pb) in the water, sediments, plankton of Yeniça?a Lake, and its potential sources (creeks, sewage, artesian well, soil) were investigated during 1-year study period as monthly or seasonally. Element analyses were performed by ICP–MS. Results showed that the trace and toxic elements (Al, As, Mn, Pb, Fe) concentration in lake water and/or its feeding sources were above the recommended water standards (WHO, EC, EPA, TS-266). It was found that the maximum accumulation of the heavy metals iron, aluminum, manganese, zinc, and barium in the sediment of Yeniça?a Lake. The accumulation order of trace metals were Fe > Al > Mn > Zn > Ba > Ni > Cr > As > Cu > Pb > Co > Mo > Sn > Cd in the lake, creeks sediment, and soil samples. The similar results suggest that the accumulation of heavy metals in the sediment is a natural process. Metals accumulated in the lake are naturally mixed from the soil. However, the presence of heavy metals in the analysis of artesian well water and sewage reveals that the transportation occurs also from the groundwater to the lake. The results obtained in plankton in Yeniça?a Lake showed that aluminum, iron, manganese, zinc, and barium were most accumulated elements in the plankton. The lower averages of lead prevalent in the water and sediment during some months were seen to have a significant mean accumulation in the plankton.     

Trace metal fractionation in the Pichavaram mangrove–estuarine sediments in southeast India after the tsunami of 2004

The geochemistry of coastal sediments of southern India was altered after the tsunami in 2004. A five-step sequential extraction procedure was applied to assess the effects of tsunami on mobility and redistribution of selected elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn). Ten surface sediments and three cores were analyzed for different metal fractions (exchangeable, carbonate, reduced, oxidized, and residual). Total metal concentrations increased in mangrove sediments after the tsunami, but their spatial distribution did not show significant variation (except Mn). The sediments were mixed by the tsunami, and there was lack of variation in metal concentrations in different fractions with depth (except Pb and Mn). High concentrations of Pb and Zn occurred in the oxide fractions, whereas Cu, Cr, Cd, and Ni were high in the organic and sulfide-rich fractions. Metals in the residual fraction (lattice bound) had the highest concentration suggesting their non-availability and limited biological uptake in the system. Most of the metals (except Mn) do not constitute a risk based on the different geochemical indices.     

Inventory compilation and distribution of heavy metals in wastewater from small-scale industrial areas of Delhi, India

Delhi has the highest cluster of small-scale industries (SSI) in India. There are generally less stringent rules for the treatment of waste in SSI due to less waste generation within each individual industry. This results in SSI disposing of their wastewater untreated into drains and subsequently into the river Yamuna, which is a major source of potable water in Delhi, thus posing a potential health and environmental risk to the people living in Delhi and downstream. To study the quantity, quality and distribution of heavy metals in liquid waste from industrial areas, wastewater, suspended materials and bed sediments were collected from industrial areas and from the river Yamuna in Delhi. This study has also focused on the efficiency of production processes in small-scale industries in India. Heavy metals such as Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd, Co and Pb were detected using a GBC 902 atomic absorption spectrometer. The concentration of heavy metals observed was as follows: Fe 2-212, Mn 0.3-39, Cu 0.2-20, Zn 0.2-5, Ni 0.6-6, Cr 0.2-53, Cd 0.08-0.2, Co 0.013-0.55, Pb 0.3-0.7 mg L(-1) in wastewater; Fe 5842-78 000, Mn 585-10 889, Cu 206-7201, Zn 406-9000, Ni 22-3621, Cr 178-10 533, Co 17-114, Cd 13-141, Pb 67-50 171 mg kg(-1) in suspended material; and Fe 3000-84000, Mn 479-1230, Cu 378-8127, Zn 647-4010, Ni 164-1582, Cr 139-3281, Co 20-54, Cd 37-65, Pb 228-293 mg kg(-1) in bed residues. This indicates that SSI could be one of the point sources of metals pollution in the river system.     

Variation of Metals in Bed Sediments of Qaraaoun Reservoir, Lebanon

The Qaraaoun Reservoir (impoundment of the River Litani) is the only artificial surface water body in the country, Lebanon. Earlier study on the water quality of the Qaraaoun Reservoir identified three water quality zoning with a central distinct zone suitable for multipurpose water usage. The objective of this study was to extend the earlier work by considering the total metal content of reservoir bed sediments and hence to evaluate factors that control metal deposition or capture. Water samples were collected from 15 sampling sites and sediment samples were simultaneously collected from 9 sites. Water parameters analyzed were pH, Eh, DO and temperature. Sediment samples were dried and sieved and sediment < 75 μ m was retained for analysis. Sediments were subjected to a stepwise heating process with aqua regia to extract the metals, and their content in sediments determined by ICP-MS. The sediment data revealed higher metal contents where the river entered the reservoir which matched higher concentrations of water parameters at the influx site. Regression analysis of total metals in sediments with distance from the river Litani influx point to the dam revealed a log trend for Fe, Cr and Ni, whereas, the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb were better described by a polynomial regression. Three sediment zones were identified: entrance, oxidation (central) and reducing (near dam) zones. Sediment contents of Zn, Cu and Pb correlated with organic content, whereas sediment Cr and Ni were associated with iron. It was concluded that sediments act as a sink for metals and the deposition of metals is primarily related to sediment organic content and the level of dissolved oxygen in water.     

Distribution and contamination assessment of heavy metals in sediment of the Second Songhua River, China

The Second Songhua River was subjected to a large amount of raw or primary effluent from chemical industries in Jilin city in 1960s to 1970s, resulting in serious mercury pollution. However, an understanding of other trace metal pollution has remained unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate trace metal contamination in the sediment of the river. Bottom sediment samples were taken in the river between Jilin city and Haerbin city in 2005. An uncontaminated sediment profile was taken in the Nen River at the same time. Total concentrations of Al, Fe, Mg, Ca, K, Na, Ti, Mn, V, Sc, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn in the sediment samples were measured by ICP-MS or ICP-OES, following digestion with various acids. Concentrations of Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn in the surface sediments were 5.1–14.7, 18.5–78.9, 2.4–75.4, 7.2–29.0, 13.5–124.4, and 21.8–403.1 mg/kg, respectively, generally decreasing along the course of the river from Jilin city to Haerbin city. Background concentrations of trace metals were reconstructed by geochemical normalization to a conservative element scandium. Results showed that concentrations of Co, Cr, and Ni in the sediment were generally only slightly higher than or equal to their background values, while concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Zn in the some sediment samples were significantly higher than their background values. In detail, the sediment at Jilin city was moderately contaminated by Cu, and the sediment of the Second Songhua River was moderately contaminated by Pb and Zn. The top layer (0–10 cm depth) and bottom layers (30–46 cm depth) of one sediment profile at Wukeshu town were generally moderately polluted by Pb and Zn. Synthetically, the surface sediment in the studied river section was classified as natural sediment without ecological risk by the sediment pollution index (SPI) of Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn. Only the 30–45 cm depth of the sediment profile at Wukeshu town was classified as low polluted sediment by the SPI of these metals, recording a historical contamination of the river in the 1960s to 1970s. This buried contamination of trace metals might pose a potential risk to water column under disturbance of sediment. Foundation item: The National Basic Research Priorities Program of China (2004CB418502)     

Trace metal concentrations in suspended particles, sediments and clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) from Jiaozhou Bay of China

Suspended particulate matter (SPM), sediments and clams were collected at three sites in Jiaozhou Bay to assess the magnitude of trace metal pollution in the area. Metal concentrations in SPM (Cu: 40.11-203; Zn: 118-447; Pb: 50.1-132; Cd: 0.55-4.39; Cr: 147.6-288; Mn: 762-1670 microg/g), sediments (Cu: 17.64-34.26; Zn: 80.79-110; Pb: 24.57-49.59; Cd: 0.099-0.324; Cr: 41.6-88.1; Mn: 343-520 microg/g) and bivalves (Cu: 6.41-19.76; Zn: 35.5-85.5; Pb: 0.31-1.01; Cd: 0.51-0.67; Mn: 27.45-67.6 microg/g) are comparable to those reported for other moderately polluted world environments. SPM showed a less clear pattern. Metal concentrations in sediments displayed a clear geographical trend with values increasing with proximity to major urban centers. The clams (on dry weight) showed a complex pattern due to the variability introduced by age-related factors. Cd showed an apparent reverse industrial trend with higher concentrations in clams collected at distant stations. Zn, Pb and Mn showed no clear geographical pattern, whereas Cu increased in the clams collected in the most industrialized area. In addition, the bioaccumulation factors (BAF) were calculated. The result indicated that the studied Ruditapes philippinarum in Jiaozhou Bay possessed different bioaccumulation capacities for Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb and Mn, and Cd, Zn had a relatively high assimilation of those metals from sediment particles. A significant relationship with clam age was observed for Zn (positive) and Cu (negative) suggesting different physiological requirements for both metals with age. Trace metal concentrations measured in the tissue of the investigated clam were in the range considered safe by the WHO for human use.     

Trace metals in the shells of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) from the Poland coast of Baltic sea

The Odiel salt marshes (Marismas del Odiel) are an important nature area declared a Biosphere Reserve, but they are greatly affected by pollution from the Odiel River. Surface sediments from this area were analysed using the latest version of the BCR sequential extraction procedure to determine the fractionation of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn among four geochemical phases (acid-soluble, reducible, oxidisable and residual). The total content of each of the metals and As was also determined. The results showed high concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, with maximums of 791 mg kg⁻¹ of As, 8.5 mg kg⁻¹ of Cd, 2,740 mg kg⁻¹ of Cu, 1,580 mg kg⁻¹ of Pb and 3,920 mg kg⁻¹ of Zn. The concentrations of Cr, Mn and Ni were low since there are no sources of pollution by them in the area. A comparison of the metal and As levels with the sediment quality guidelines showed that the pollution is sufficient to produce noxious effects in aquatic organisms in most of the Odiel salt marshes. Based on the chemical distribution of the elements, it was found that Cd and Zn were the most mobile (i.e., elements that can pass easily into the water under changing environmental conditions). However, Cr, Fe, Ni and As were present in the greatest percentages in the residual fraction, which implies that these elements are strongly linked to the sediments.