Heavy metal contamination from mining sites in South Morocco: Monitoring metal content and toxicity of soil runoff and groundwater

The aim of the present work is the assessment of metal toxicity in runoff, in their contaminated soils and in the groundwater sampled from two mining areas in the region of Marrakech using a microbial bioassay MetPLATE™. This bioassay is based on the specific inhibition of the β-galactosidase enzyme of a mutant strain of Escherichia coli, by the metallic pollutants. The stream waters from all sampling stations in the two mines were all very toxic and displayed percent enzyme inhibition exceeding 87% except SWA₄ and SWB₁ stations in mine C. Their high concentrations of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) confirm the acute toxicity shown by MetPLATE. The pH of stream waters from mine B and C varied between 2.1 and 6.2 and was probably responsible for metal mobilization, suggesting a problem of acid mine drainage in these mining areas. The bioassay MetPLATE™ was also applied to mine tailings and to soils contaminated by the acidic waters. The results show that the high toxicity of these soils and tailings was mainly due to the relatively concentration of soluble Zn and Cu. The use of MetPLATE™ in groundwater toxicity testing shows that, most of the samples exhibited low metal toxicity (2.7–45.5% inhibition) except GW3 of the mine B (95.3% inhibition during the wet season and 82.9% inhibition during the dry season). This high toxicity is attributed to the higher than usual concentrations of Cu (189 μg Cu l⁻¹) and Zn (1505 μg Zn l⁻¹). These results show the potential risk of the contamination of different ecosystems situated to the vicinity of these two metalliferous sites. The general trend observed was an increase in metal toxicity measured by the MetPLATE with increasing total and mobile metal concentrations in the studied matrices. Therefore, the MetPLATE bioassay is a reliable and fast bioassay to estimate the metals toxicity in the aquatic and solids samples.     

Heavy metals in water, sediment and tissues of Liza saliens from Esmoriz–Paramos lagoon, Portugal

Esmoriz–Paramos lagoon is an ecosystem of great ecological importance that is located on the northwest coast of Portugal and has been degraded as a result of industrial and anthropogenic activities. Concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) were measured in water, sediment and in tissues (liver and muscle) of Liza saliens, which is the dominant fish from the lagoon. Comparisons between metal concentrations in water and sediments were made with those in tissues of fish caught at the lagoon. Metals in water were quantified predominantly bound to particulate and equalled or exceeded the limit of chronic reference values. Metal concentrations in sediments varied among sampled sites. The relative order of concentrations was “Zn > Cu ∼ Pb > Cr” the same pattern observed for metals in water. Metals in fish tissues showed higher concentrations in liver (262 mg Cu·Kg⁻¹ and 89 mg Zn·Kg⁻¹) than in muscle (<3 mg Cu·Kg⁻¹ and 26 mg Zn·Kg⁻¹), while Pb and Cr were not detected. These results suggest that Cu and Zn are the metals of major concern in the lagoon. Mullet detritivorous feeding habits, bioaccumulation pattern and the high sediment metals concentrations relative to the water suggest that sediments can be the most important source of contamination in this ecosystem. The positive relationship found between Cu in liver and fish length demonstrates that time of exposure is a crucial factor in bioaccumulation. Condition indices (K and HSI) in mullets from the lagoon were higher compared to mullets from sea, suggesting abnormal condition in the lagoon population. We conclude that metals chronic exposure in the lagoon can impose considerable fish stress. The results also show that the lagoon is an area of environmental concern.     

Concentration of heavy metals in Karanja reservoir, Bidar district, Karnataka, India

In this study, some heavy metals concentrations (Zn, Pb, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni) and other physico-chemical parameters were studied during October 2001 to September 2003 in Karanja reservoir, Bidar district. Water quality parameters were collected monthly basis whereas heavy metals were analyzed by Atomic Adsorption Spectrometer (AAS). Heavy metals have shown within the permissible limits, except Fe and Ni were recorded higher values in southwest monsoon, where as Mn has showed higher concentration in northeast monsoon in and summer. All other physico-chemical parameters are with in the permissible limit. Water is moderately hard and reservoir is productive.     

近期我国生态环境状况变化趋势分析研究

利用2000年和2005年遥感监测数据及相关统计数据,从生物丰度、植被覆盖、水网密度、土地退化和环境质量五个方面综合评价近五年来我国的生态环境变化趋势,并分析生态环境状况的变化与生物丰度指数等五个因子之间的相关关系.该评价不包括香港特别行政区、澳门特别行政区和台湾省.     

长江下游典型滨海地区农业土壤重金属污染特征

为揭示长江下游滨海地区农业土壤重金属污染状况,以滨江临海的南通市为例,网格化布点,采集表层农业土壤样品共计334个,对其重金属Cu、Pb、Cr、As、Hg含量进行了测定分析.结果表明,研究区域表层农业土壤中各重金属含量均已超过其背景值,且以Pb污染最为严重;区域性差异较大,以滨海的如东、海门、启东污染最为严重,且以海门、启东As含量最高;各重金属间相关性不显著,来源途径不止一种.从而提出南通市农业土壤重金属污染的防治应立足于防重于治的方针,着重滨海地区,以Pb、As污染源为主,并对污染土壤进行修复.     

环境质量评价的生物方法研究

环境质量的生物评价是以生物对环境污染的表现为基础的.环境质量评价的生物方法包括环境指示生物的选择,环境质量生物评价指标的确定和环境质量分类等3个步骤.论述了环境污染的生物表现,提出了选择环境指示生物的原则,给出了环境质量生物评价的3类指标,建立了环境质量4级分类体系.     

广西一个典型矿业镇环境中重金属污染分析

广西河池市是我国重要的有色金属基地.以该市一个典型的矿业镇作为研究对象,采集了该镇周围23个旱地土壤样品,并在镇里布设两个大气采样点采集了可吸入颗粒物(PM10)样品,运用ICP-MS分析了样品中20种金属元素的含量,采用地积指数法判定旱地土壤和可吸入颗粒物中污染元素及来源.结果表明,这些与人们生活密切的环境介质(旱地土,可吸入颗粒物)均受到了多种重金属元素的复合污染,其共同的污染元素有Cd、As、Sb、Pb、Xn、Cu,而其中致癌元素Cd和As污染最为突出.大气可吸入颗粒物与旱地土壤中各污染元素的污染强度排序相同,均为Cd＞As＞Sb＞Pb＞Zn＞Cu.经过现场调查和识别,污染源主要来自当地开放性运矿产生的扬尘所致.因此加强该地区矿石运输管理是保护该地区耕地和人群健康的需要.     

ICP-MS法同时测定地表水中18种金属元素

以115In-103Rh为双内标校正系统,采用电感耦合等离子体质谱法同时测定地表水中铜、锌、硒、砷、汞、镉、铅、铁、锰、钼、钴、铍、锑、镍、钡、钒、钛、铊等18种金属元素,优化了测量同位素、内标元素等试验条件。18种金属元素在0μg/L～100μg/L范围内线性良好,检出限为0.006μg/L～0.123μg/L,标准样品的测定值均在保证值范围内,平行测定的RSD为1.7%～4.2%,实际水样加标回收率为89.0%～100%。     

基层环境监测站业务风险管理现状与对策

简述了基层环境监测业务风险管理现状及存在的问题,对业务风险管理的认识程度不高,业务风险管理的系统性不强,缺少环境监测业务风险管理指导性文件。提出,应树立正确的环境监测业务风险理念,建立环境监测业务风险管理组织机构,健全与监测工作紧密结合的业务风险管理体系,优先监控风险高的环境监测工作,大力培养风险管理人才。     

电镀企业竣工环保验收监测及后续监管中存在问题探讨

结合电镀企业竣工环保验收监测工作实践,对单位产品基准排水量和排气量的计算和评价,电镀标准中对污染物处理设施排气量的规定,第一类污染物在不同采样点评价标准的选择,重金属排放总量计算以及后续电镀企业废水、废气、污泥监管中存在的问题进行了探讨,并提出了相应的建议。