Ecological risk assessment of sediment in wastewater discharging area by means of metal speciation

This study was designed to evaluate the influence of wastewater discharge to the marine ecosystem after treatment plant construction. Heavy metal concentrations in sediment and bioavailability of the metals were analyzed and ecological risks were assessed using the results. Metal speciation for sediments collected in the wastewater discharging area was measured by a Shimadzu AA-680 atomic absorption spectrometer. The distribution of the metals among various geochemical phases was determined. Biological samples collected and analyzed were four species of crustacea, four species of bivalve, and seven species of fish. Exchangeable fraction of superficial sediment (0–2 cm layer) was Zn 35.09%, Ph 5.30%, Cu 0.86%, Cr 0.01% and Fe 0%. However, exchangeable fraction of deep layer sediment (15–20 cm) was not detected for all metals analyzed. Deeper sediments were found to have more residual fraction, and bioavailable phases decreased by depth, which provides an indication of the seriousness of wastewater discharge effect in this enclosed bay. The chemical concentrations observed to be associated with biological effects were sorted. The comparisons were made with regard to the potential for adverse biological effects. The potential of adverse biological effects in the sediments of wastewater discharge site was estimated as Zn 69.8%, Pb 35.8%, Cu 29.1%, and Cr 21.1%, respectively. Mullet (Mugil cephalus) among biological samples had the highest concentration of Zn in the muscle and liver organs. The bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of Zn by the mullet, mussel, oyster and crab were the highest among heavy metals determined. This result was well related to 81.6% of bioavailable phase Zn and 69.8% of adverse biological effects for the surface sediment.     

Atomic absorption spectrometric determination of chromium, copper, lead, mercury, and zinc in sediments collected in Bayou d'Inde, southwestern Louisiana

The concentrations of the metals chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and zinc (Zn) were determined in sediment cores taken from Bayou d'Inde in southwestern Louisiana. Previous studies had reported elevated concentrations of these trace metals in sediments along this waterway. The current study, conducted more than a decade later, was designed to determine if these metals had migrated from the areas of highest concentrations. Concentrations as high as 400 mg/kg for Cr, 1100 mg/kg for Cu, 10 mg/kg for Hg, and 600 mg/kg for Pb and Zn were found. Areas of high concentrations of metals were isolated within a distance of about 1 km from the most highly contaminated areas in the bayou. Low concentrations of metals were found at the mouth of the bayou. Estimated sedimentation rates of 0.67-1.2 cm/yr were based on the burial of the sediments originally studied. The concentrations of the metals studied remained high and were also highly localized, both spatially and temporally.     

Exchangeable fraction of elements in alluvial sediments under waste disposal site (Zagreb, Croatia)

Concentrations of Ag, Ba, Cd, Ce, Cs, Co, Cr, Eu, Fe, Rb, Sc, Sr, Th, and Zn exchangeable fractions were determined in alluvial sediments at waste disposal site area in the vicinity of water-well field. Samples have been leached with 0.5M NH₄Cl at a sample/solution ratio of 120 during 24 hours without shaking. INAA of dry NH₄Cl residues show that the concentrations of exchangeable elements determined in the most of the sediments below the wastes have natural levels. Ag, Ba and Sr are readily exchangeable; Rb, Cs and Zn have lower exchangeability, while Cd, Ce, Th, Sc, Eu, Cr, Fe and Co are rather immobile. Extremely high total and exchangeable silver concentration was found at 6.5–6.8 meters below waste in the aerated layer occasionally under the water table. Exchangeable concentrations in deeper water-bearing sediment layers are not elevated. Due to this, one can presume that the upper sediment layers act as chemical filter generally preventing the infiltration from overlying wastes into water-bearing layers.     

Determination of trace metals in the River Ye?il?rmak sediments in Tokat, Turkey using sequential extraction procedure

Sequential extraction procedure (acid extractable, reducible, oxidizable, and residual) proposed by BCR was applied for the determination of trace metals in the River Yesilirmak sediments, Tokat, Turkey. The determination of trace metals in sediment samples was performed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The proposed method showed satisfactory recovery, detection limits and standard deviation for trace metals determination in sediment samples. Generally, most of the elements were found in the oxidizable and residual fractions. The total concentrations of trace metals analyzed were found to be (mg/kg) Cu: 37.9, Mn: 392.2, Zn: 126.2, Fe: 3726, and Pb: 29.6, respectively. Results obtained are in agreement with data reported in the literature.     

Sediment Assessment of the Pchelina Reservoir,Bulgaria

The temporal dynamics of anthropogenic impacts on the Pchelina Reservoir is assessed based on chemical element analysis of three sediment cores at a depth of about 100–130 cm below the surface water. The ¹³⁷Cs activity is measured to identify the layers corresponding to the 1986 Chernobyl accident. The obtained dating of sediment cores gives an average sedimentation rate of 0.44 cm/year in the Pchelina Reservoir. The elements’ depth profiles (Ti, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Mo, Sn, Sb, Pb, Co, Cd, Ce, Tl, Bi, Gd, La, Th and U_nat) outline the Struma River as the main anthropogenic source for Pchelina Reservoir sediments. The principal component analysis reveals two groups of chemical elements connected with the anthropogenic impacts. The first group of chemical elements (Mn, Fe, Cr, Ni, Cu, Mo, Sn, Sb and Co) has increasing time trends in the Struma sediment core and no trend or decreasing ones at the Pchelina sampling core. The behavior of these elements is determined by the change of the profile of the industry in the Pernik town during the 1990s. The second group of elements (Zn, Pb, Cd, Bi and U_nat) has increasing time trends in Struma and Pchelina sediment cores. The increased concentrations of these elements during the whole investigated period have led to moderate enrichments for Pb and U_nat, and significant enrichments for Zn and Cd at the Pchelina sampling site. The moderately contaminated, according to the geoaccumulation indexes, Pchelina Reservoir surface sediment samples have low ecotoxicity.     

Environmental mobility of trace metals in sediments collected in the Lake Balaton

In environmental pollution studies on solid materials sequential extraction techniques are used for the identification of the main binding sites of trace metals. A four-step sequential extraction procedure was applied to the determination of the distribution of elements like Cd, Cu, As, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn, Al, Fe, and Mn in sediment samples collected in the Lake Balaton. The fractions were (1) exchangeable and bound to carbonate, (2) bound to Fe/Mn oxide, (3) bound to organic matter and sulfides, and (4) acid-soluble. Elements were mainly accumulated in the stable, acid-soluble fractions. Arsenic and Cd-ions were found in low concentration (1.2–13 mg/kg and < 1 mg/kg, respectively) in the samples. Based on the results determined at 15 sampling points it can be stated that the Lake Balaton has not yet been polluted by the elements investigated.     

Geochemical variability of copper and iron in Oman Margin sediments

An analysis of the geochemical distribution of selected trace metals among various geochemical phases of the sediments in the Oman Margin was carried out using a sequential extraction technique. The present study showed that most Cu in abyssal sediment is associated with only oxidisable mainly organic and sulphide bound metals with insignificant bound to exchangeable, carbonates, easily/moderately reducible fraction. The preservation of Cu in the sediments indicates the importance of primary production and upwelling in the overlying waters and an organic flux in the sedimentary deposition of open-ocean environments. The early diagenetically formed oxidisable mainly organic and sulphide fraction are not degraded and results in a pronounced association of Cu with organic fraction in the sediments of the Oman continental margin. The strong correlation between Cu, TOC and Fe oxides associated with the oxidisable fraction in one of the core indicates that it is likely to be the presence of sulphides.     

Labile metal content of sediments-fractionation scheme based on ion-exchange resins

The labile metal content of sediments can be evaluated by equilibrating sediment suspensions with ion-exchange resins. By use of a sequence of strong-acid and weak-acid cation-exchangers (H(+)- and Na(+)-form) and chelating resins, extraction can be performed at pH values ranging from 2 to 10. The results allow the total metal content to be subdivided into seven categories designated as (i) low-pH labile, (ii) weak-acid labile, (iii) exchangeable and readily desorbed at sediment-suspension pH, (iv) weak-base labile, (v) high-pH labile, (vi) non-labile soluble forms and (vii) detrital metal content. The sediment suspensions are mixed overnight with the different types of exchanger (held in porous containers) and the cations transferred from the sediment are subsequently back-extracted from the resins into 0.05M EDTA (pH 7.5). The EDTA extracts are analysed for Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ca, Mg, Fe and Al. Analysis of the aqueous phase left in contact with the sediment residue gives the amount of non-labile species released. Eighteen sediments, containing various levels of metal contamination, and an effluent dam sludge have been examined by this technique. All the exchangers released Ca and Mg from the sediments, and the H(+)-form exchangers also released Fe and Al. Some of the Fe, Al and to a lesser extent Zn released by the sediment/exchanger interactions was present as non-labile "soluble" species. The advantages and limitations of this "labile metal" fractionation scheme have been considered.     

表层沉积物(生物膜)非残渣态组分的选择性萃取分离及其吸附铜/锌的特性

采用化学萃取技术对表层沉积物(生物膜)的非残渣态组分(铁、锰氧化物及有机质)进行了分离, 并研究了表层沉积物(生物膜)非残渣态和残渣态组分吸附铜、锌的特性. 结果表明, 0.1 mol/L NH2OH·HCl+0.1 mol/L HNO3, (NH4)2C2O4-H2C2O4缓冲溶液和体积分数为30%的H2O2可选择性地萃取分离表层沉积物(生物膜)非残渣态的锰氧化物、铁锰氧化物和有机质, 萃取率为63.15%～97.59%, 同时对非目的组分影响较小; 表层沉积物(生物膜)及其各组分对铜的吸附能力均大于对锌的吸附能力, 且生物膜及其各组分对铜、锌的吸附能力均高于表层沉积物及其相应组分对铜、锌的吸附能力; 表层沉积物(生物膜)非残渣态组分对铜、锌的吸附能力均大于残渣态组分, 且非残渣态组分中锰氧化物的单位吸附能力最强, 其次是铁氧化物, 而有机质的单位吸附能力较弱, 比锰氧化物低2个数量级, 说明生物膜对水体中痕量重金属的迁移转化作用强于表层沉积物, 而表层沉积物(生物膜)中金属(铁、锰)氧化物对水中痕量重金属起主要控制作用.     

象山港海底沉积物中重金属的赋存形态

以象山港海底沉积物为研究对象,采用了五步连续萃取法对象山港区域表层沉积物中重金属(Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn)赋存形态进行了研究,分析了各形态重金属在象山港不同采样点中的分布特征和影响因素.结果表明,象山港海域表层沉积物中各重金属元素主要来源于自然输入的残留态,人为输入的各种活性形态所占比例相对较少,但受两种因素的影响的差...     

A comparison of an optimised sequential extraction procedure and dilute acid leaching of elements in anoxic sediments, including the effects of oxidation on sediment metal partitioning

The effect of oxidation of anoxic sediment upon the extraction of 13 elements (Cd, Sn, Sb, Pb, Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As) using the optimised Community Bureau of Reference of the European Commission (BCR) sequential extraction procedure and a dilute acid partial extraction procedure (4 h, 1 mol L⁻¹ HCl) was investigated. Elements commonly associated with the sulfidic phase, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Fe exhibited the most significant changes under the BCR sequential extraction procedure. Cd, Cu, Zn, and to a lesser extent Pb, were redistributed into the weak acid extractable fraction upon oxidation of the anoxic sediment and Fe was redistributed into the reducible fraction as expected, but an increase was also observed in the residual Fe. For the HCl partial extraction, sediments with moderate acid volatile sulfide (AVS) levels (1-100 μmol g⁻¹) showed no significant difference in element partitioning following oxidation, whilst sediments containing high AVS levels (>100 μmol g⁻¹) were significantly different with elevated concentrations of Cu and Sn noted in the partial extract following oxidation of the sediment. Comparison of the labile metals released using the BCR sequential extraction procedure (ΣSteps 1-3) to labile metals extracted using the dilute HCl partial extraction showed that no method was consistently more aggressive than the other, with the HCl partial extraction extracting more Sn and Sb from the anoxic sediment than the BCR procedure, whilst the BCR procedure extracted more Cr, Co, Cu and As than the HCl extraction.     

耐高盐碱蓬对湿地土壤中金属元素的富集特征研究

基于秦皇岛滨海湿地人工种植耐高盐碱蓬修复工程试验,通过分析湿地土壤沉积物及耐高盐碱蓬中不同金属元素的含量与变化,研究了耐高盐碱蓬对金属元素的富集特征。结果显示:湿地沉积物中Fe、Mn、Cr、Pb和Zn的浓度较高,分别为8 210. 94、110. 04、8. 78、8. 25、10. 95 mg/kg,Cd的浓度最低,平均值为0. 022 mg/kg,湿地试验区土壤中同一金属元素变异程度较小,分布较均匀。碱蓬体内重金属含量根据采集地点的不同有差异,但与各站位中土壤的重金属分布特征存在正相关性;其中碱蓬内Fe、Mn、Zn、Cu的平均含量相对较高,且Fe、Mn、Ni、Cu、As、Cd、Pb元素在碱蓬根中的平均含量高于茎叶,而Cr在茎中的平均含量最高,Zn和Mo在叶中的含量最高。碱蓬的根、茎、叶对Cd的富集效果最好,其次为Mo、Cu,对Fe、Mn、Zn、As和Pb的富集效果相对较差,说明碱蓬对沉积物中不同金属元素的富集移出率存在差异。金属元素在碱蓬中的转移系数研究表明,Mo、Zn、Cd和Mn等元素可由根部转移到叶中,而Fe、Ni、Pb、As和Cu等金属元素固定在根部,该研究可为利用碱蓬修复湿地重金属污染提供理论基础。     

Application of nuclear analytical techniques for assessment of coastal impact

Marine sediments contain a record of past events and proved to be an interesting indicator matrix for this study. Instrumental neutron activation analysis and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence techniques offer adequate sensitivity for analysis of trace elements. Grain size analysis of sediment samples before and after tsunami showed a shift in textural characteristics of the sediment which is not observed during regular monsoon and seasonal changes. Some general characteristics of sediments revealed sand content ranges between 39 and 65% and silt from 33 to 53%. Clay content was found low averaging 5.4% and varied from 2 to 13% (by weight). The concentration of Cu, Ni, Fe, Pb, Zn, Mn, Rb, Sr, Ti, K, and Ca varies from 12 to 53, 19?C46, 21,952?C36,785, 21?C39, 39?C67, 335?C856, 47?C61, 223?C400, 4,991?C8,054, 11,000?C15,791, and 5,878?C11,214?mg?kg^?1, respectively. The positive correlation was observed for Cu, Ni, Ti, K, and Rb with respect to Fe. The negative correlation was observed for Ca, Sr, Zn, and Pb with respect to Fe, indicating the different source for these metals in the marine sediment. Decrease of the particle-reactive element in the tsunami impacted sediment indicates removal of clay component in the sediment, which is supported by the presence of low Th/U ratio.     

Heavy metal in sediments and bioaccumulation in the bivalve Corbula gibba in a drilling discharge area

The longterm bioavailability of heavy metals in sediments of a Northern Adriatic Sea shelf area affected by drilling mud and cutting discharges was discussed. Levels of Mn, Cu, Cr, Zn and Pb in different geochemical phases of the sediment and in soft tissues of the bivalve Corbula gibba were recorded and the relationships between biological and geochemical metal investigated. Total metal content, acetic acid extractable-, exchangeable-, carbonate-, easily reducible-, moderately reducible-, oxidable- and residual-fractions were determined on sediment samples. Corbula gibba was collected from wet sediments at the same times and sites, and the soft-tissue metal contents were determined. Correlations show that the fractions with greatest bioavailability are the exchangeable and carbonate for Cr and the exchangeable, carbonate, easily and moderately reducible fractions for Zn. Data also show a possible bioavailability of Pb only from the residual fraction, consisting of very resistant matter of more recent anthropogenic origin. Near the platform, total Mn content in sediments and in C. gibba tissues show a strong correlation suggesting that this organism is sensitive to variations of the Mn-oxi-hydroxides superficial film. No relationships were found between biological and sediment-bound Cu, however the discharged muds did not cause Cu enrichment. The metal fraction determined by weak acetic acid extraction at no point seems related to metal levels in Corbula gibba.     

Trace metal speciation in coastal and off-shore sediments from Ross Sea (Antarctica)

The information on total metal concentration in sediments is not sufficient to assess the metal behaviour in the environment, while speciation studies are more effective in estimating environmental impact of contaminated sediments. Concerning metal distribution in Antarctic marine sediments, several studies reported total or extractable (by means of a unique reagent) content, but only few publications dealt with metal speciation.This work presents the total content and speciation pattern of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in 12 cm sediment cores, sampled both in coastal and off-shore sites of the Ross Sea shelf area, within the framework of the Italian National Antarctic Programme (PNRA). The total content results of metals are comparable with the background values and the speciation highlights good environmental quality of the studied areas. Only Cd and Pb, in fact, are present in significative amount in non residual phases (acid-extractable and reducible, respectively).     

Geochemical fractions and modeling adsorption of heavy metals into contaminated river sediments in Japan and Thailand determined by sequential leaching technique using ICP-MS

In order to provide information on the chemical processes in sediment fractions and their adsorption models, we investigated the contaminated sediments of the Sumida River in Tokyo, Japan and the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand. Samples were leached through a sequential leaching technique to perform metal concentration analysis for the sediment fraction assessment and then samples were tested for the model adsorption of the highest level of sediments contaminated by heavy metals using the isotherm Langmuir and Freundlich equations. Metal (Pb, Cd, Zn, As, Cu, Ca, Fe, and Mn) concentration in the leached solutions was analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The pattern of geochemical fractions in both sediment samples showed the maxima leached levels of Cd (38.6 %), Ca (55.2%), and Mn (41.3%) in the soluble fraction; Pb (52.1%), and Zn (56.7%) in the reducible fraction; Cu (61.2%) in the oxidizable fraction; and As (47.1%) and Fe (55.9%) in the residual fraction. The total level fractions of Pb (62.6 ppm), Zn (240 ppm), As (27.2 ppm), Fe (16,636 ppm) and Mn (419 ppm) in the Chao Phraya River sediments were higher compared to those in the Sumida River, indicating the high anthropogenic effect in Bangkok. In the most contaminated sediments, the higher adsorption capacity of heavy metal concentrations was contributed by SiO_2, CaCO_3, and Al₂O₃ determined by the X-ray diffraction and organic contents. The model of adsorption of Cd fitted to the linear form of Langmuir’s equation with the correlation coefficients (r² = 0.94), b (0.467) and k (7137), whereas Pb, Cu, Cr, and Zn conformed to the model of the Freundlich equation.     

印度洋热液区贻贝及栖息沉积物中金属元素的特征分析

本研究采集了印度洋热液区贻贝生物及其栖息沉积物样品,分析了生物体及沉积物中常见微量元素及稀土元素的含量与分布特征,研究了生物体与沉积物金属元素的相关性,以及稀土元素的生态化学特征等.结果表明:印度洋热液区沉积物中常见微量金属主要为Fe(96.62 mg/kg)、Mn(1.143 mg/kg)和Zn(322.6 μg/kg),微量元素归一化计算得Fe含量比值高达98.15%,可获悉该热液区沉积物主要为铁矿类物质.深海贻贝中微量元素及稀土元素的分布趋势与深海沉积物中元素分布存在较好的相关性,相关性系数分别为0.991与0.996,近海贻贝中金属元素的含量及分布与深海贻贝存在差异性.深海沉积物与贻贝中轻重稀土元素均呈现分馏现象,且贻贝中富集轻稀土比较显著;从稀土配分模式可知,沉积物与贻贝中的Eu与Gd均呈现异常现象,深海沉积物和深海贻贝中Eu异常现象较为显著.深海沉积物、贻贝及近海贻贝中δEu分别为9.50、10.68和0.23,而δCe分别为2.21、2.71和4.38,表明近海贻贝中稀土元素富集来源与深海贻贝存在差异性,深海沉积物与深海贻贝稀土元素具有同源性.     

Sequential extraction of U, Th, Ce, La and some heavy metals in sediments from Ortigas river, Spain

The extractable contents of U, Th, Ce, La, Cu, Cr, Ni and Zn in two sediment samples collected from the Ortigas river have been analysed using the three step sequential extraction procedure (SEP) described by BCR, Community Bureau of Reference (now Standards Measurements and Testing Programme) of the European Union. In order to perform a mass balance, a fourth step has been included, i.e. digestion of the residue from the third extraction step. ICP-AES was used for the determination of Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Th, Ce and La. Because of the inadequate sensitivity of ICP-AES for the analysis of uranium, ICP-MS was used for the determination of this element. Standard addition method was required, because of the matrix effects. Finally, SEP was applied to the Ortigas river sediments, showing that most of the elements were found mainly associated with the residual sediment fraction, except for uranium, which was found as an exchangeable species in approximately 60% of its total content. Recoveries of 86-108% have been obtained.     

Distribution of heavy metals of agricultural soils of central Greece using the modified BCR sequential extraction method

The state of heavy metal (Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, and Cr) pollution was studied, in 440 texturally different soil profiles in Thessaly, an intensely cultivated region in Central Greece. The study was carried out in 2004 and 2005 on 220 soil samples for each year. Soil samples were classified in three soil orders: Endisols, Alfisols, and Vertisols according to the Soil Taxonomy System. The pseudo-total concentrations of heavy metals were determined by the aqua regia procedure. Heavy metals were also determined after division into four fractions by sequential extraction with (a) acetic acid (exchangeable and specifically adsorbed metals), (b) a reducing agent (bound to Fe/Mn hydroxides), (c) an oxidizing agent (bound to soil organic matter), and (d) aqua regia (bound to mineral structures, residual). The concentrations of all the metals studied were higher in the topsoil (0–30?cm) and lower in the second soil layer (30–60?cm). Concentrations of 70–82% of Cd, 39–64% of Cu, 41–69% of Ni, 29–51% of Zn, 75–89% of Pb, and 52–87% of Cr were found in the first two fractions. Cd appeared to be the most mobile of the metals studied, while Cu and Zn were found in forms associated with soil organic matter. The chemical partitioning patterns of Pb and Cr indicated that these metals are largely associated with the Fe–Mn hydroxides, while Cr was also found in the residual fractions. Significant correlations between heavy metals fractions and soil physicochemical parameters were obtained and discussed.     

Experimental assessment of a large sample cell for laser ablation-ICP-MS, and its application to sediment core micro-analysis

The coupling of laser ablation (LA) to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) enables the direct analysis of solid samples with micrometric resolution. Analysis is often restricted to relatively small samples owing to the dimensions of conventional ablation cells. Here, we assess the performance of a large rectangular, commercially-available sample cell which enables analysis over a 10.2?×?5.2 cm² area. Comparison with the conventional cell shows a small to moderate performance decrease for the large cell resulting from the dilution of ablated particles in a larger volume with a 4–31% lower signal output and longer signal tailings. The performance of this cell is however sufficient for the determination of both major and trace elements in many kinds of samples. The applicability of the large cell LA-ICP-MS setup was demonstrated by the determination of Al, Si, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn Pb and U in sediment core sections at a resolution of 0.6 mm. Detection limits for sediment analysis were 7 mg Al kg^?1, 68 mg Si kg^?1, 0.5 mg Mn kg^?1, 20 mg Fe kg^?1, 0.2 mg Cu kg^?1, 0.3 mg Zn kg^?1, 0.08 mg Pb kg^?1 and 0.003 mg U kg^?1. Cyclic patterns, which would have been overlooked by conventional analysis at cm resolution, were observed in analysed sediments. This study demonstrates the potential of LA-ICP-MS in environmental analysis, with the large sample cell setup offering the possibility to analyse a wider range of samples without sectioning.