Distribution of heavy metal concentrations in surface sediments in Dubai Creeks, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is developing rapidly and many developmental activities are concentrated around its Creek. The present study reports the lateral distribution of heavy metals and compares it with local historical record of heavy metal concentrations. For this purpose surface sediment samples were collected and analyzed for metal contents, total organic carbon content (TOC), mineralogy and grain size. The percentages of the different grain size fraction of the collected sediments were as follow 65% for sand size, 15% for silt size fraction, and the rest accounted for clay size fraction. The microscopic analyses indicate that the sediment composed mainly from carbonate and quartz with traces of rock fragments. Such mineral composition is not believed to be a potential source of heavy metal. The study found that the average recorded heavy metal concentrations in the collected sediment samples were 87, 96, 127, 38.5, and 279 ppm for Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, respectively. Those values were slightly higher than metal concentrations recoded in 2001 with 1.22 (Cr), 2.5 (Cu), 2.87 (Ni), 0.69 (Pb), and 2.1 (Zn) folds. However, in 2001 and 2003 the measured metal contents, along the creek, were lower than those of the average earth crust. Along the Creek most metals recorded the highest concentrations in the upper reach of the Creek. The distribution of the measured heavy metals was not affected significantly with the TOC values. The present study also documented obvious related point sources of pollution.     

Study of a Model for the Interaction Between Heavy Metals and Sediments of the Pisuerga River

Abstract

We have applied a competitive model, first proposed by Mouvet and Bourg, to explain the interaction between the heavy metals zinc, cadmium, lead, nickel and cobalt and bottom sediments from the Pisuerga River. Two sampling sites were chosen, the first located on an urban sewer and the second downstream from the polluting zone. The calculated constants for the first sediment were always lower than those found for the second one. The validity of the model is demonstrated by the existence of a correlation between the calculated constants and the first hydrolysis constants of the metals examined. All metal determinations were made by means of voltammetric techniques.     

Combining multivariate analysis and geochemical approaches for assessing heavy metal level in sediments from Sudanese harbors along the Red Sea coast

Multivariate statistical analysis and geochemical approaches were exploited for the assessment of the level of some heavy metals (Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb) in sediments from Sudanese harbors along the Red Sea coast. Principal component analysis, as a multivariate statistical analysis approach, was applied to identify contribution sources by heavy metals in sediments. While a single source (crustal) was recorded in the bulk sediments and coarse sediment grains (grain-size 1000-500 µm), two sources (crustal and anthropogenic) were recorded in fine sediment grains (grain-size < 500 µm). Furthermore, enrichment factor (EF), as a geochemical approach, appointed polluted sites by heavy metals in the study area. Based upon a previous study addressed the interpretation of EF values, minor to moderate anthropogenic enrichment were recorded in sediments from some sites in the study area. The main anthropogenic activities that believed to be the major sources of pollution by heavy metals in the study area are discharges from oil refinery, industry, shipping activity and domestic waste. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), as another multivariate statistical analysis approach, was applied for the concentrations of heavy metals in bulk sediments to group sediments according to their mineralogical composition. The output of HCA is that sediments from the Port-Sudan harbor can be divided mainly into three areas — east, west and south. For the Sawakin harbor, no apparent trend for the spatial distribution of heavy metals in sediments was recorded.     

Characterization of Metals in Surface Sediments from Xiaoyang River,Jiangsu, China

Some metal species and fractions have high affinity to anthropogenic activities, making it feasible to characterize the spatiotemporal characteristics of human-induced degradation of ecosystems. The accumulation of Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Pb, their fractions, physiochemical parameters, and nutrients was evaluated in the surface sediments at 11 sites on the Xiaoyang River in urban and suburban locations in Jiangsu, China for the assessment of pollution. The sediment quality was evaluated based on sediment quality guidelines, enrichment factors, geoaccumulation index, potential ecological risk index, and risk assessment code. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were used to identify the sources of the metals. The total concentrations of metals, enrichment factors, and geoaccumulation indices demonstrated that all sites were significantly polluted with Zn and significantly to moderately polluted by Cu, Pb, and Ni. Moreover, higher metal enrichment was present downstream through downtown Sheyang due to extensive human activities. However, the potential ecological risk indices and risk assessment codes revealed high bioavailability and toxicity of Pb in this region. These results indicated that the metal fraction showed higher susceptibility. The accuracy of the ecological risk assessment was evaluated in the river, indicating a heavy anthropogenic impact.     

Major and trace elements in sediments of the upper course of Lerma river

Summary The Lerma is one of the most important rivers of Mexico, where it drains highly populated and industrialized regions. The concentration of six major and trace elements: titanium, manganese, iron, zinc, copper and lead in the surface sediments of the upper course of Lerma river was investigated, in order to identify its distribution along the river and to recognize the principal sites of pollution. The surface sediment samples were collected at 8 sites distributed following the stream flow direction of the river. Major and trace elements concentrations were determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The results show that the metal concentrations in the sediments decrease in the sequence: Fe > Ti > Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb. Concentration of Fe, Mn and Ti were significantly higher than the other metals in site 8,200 meters downstream the Alzate Dam. The high concentrations and spatial variations of Zn, Cu and Pb in the middle sites of the upper course of the Lerma River indicate that the river pollution is probably associated with urban and industrial discharges.     

Comparison of sediment pollution in the rivers of the Hungarian Upper Tisza Region using non-destructive analytical techniques

The rivers in the Hungarian Upper Tisza Region are frequently polluted mainly due to mining activities in the catchment area. At the beginning of 2000, two major mining accidents occurred in the Romanian part of the catchment area due to the failure of a tailings dam releasing huge amounts of cyanide and heavy metals to the rivers. Surface sediment as well as water samples were collected at six sites in the years 2000–2003, from the northeast-Hungarian section of the Tisza, Szamos and Túr rivers. The sediment pollution of the rivers was compared based on measurements of bulk material and selected single particles, in order to relate the observed compositions and chemical states of metals to the possible sources and weathering of pollution. Non-destructive X-ray analytical methods were applied in order to obtain different kinds of information from the same samples or particles. In order to identify the pollution sources, their magnitude and fate, complementary analyses were carried out. Heterogeneous particulate samples were analyzed from a large geographical territory and a 4-year time period. Individual particles were analyzed only from the “hot” samples that showed elevated concentrations of heavy metals. Particles that were classified as anthropogenic were finally analyzed to identify trace concentrations and chemical states of heavy metals.     

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Water,Sediment and Fish from Izmit Bay,Turkey

Abstract

Mercury, cadmium and lead levels in water, sediment and fish samples from Izmit Bay, Turkey have been determined. Sampling and analysis methods are described. Variations of heavy metal concentrations from different sampling stations are discussed. Results indicate that the levels of mercury and cadmium were highest in the vicinity of a chlor-alkali plant while the highest concentration of lead was near a metallic pipe factory. The amounts of heavy metals found in the shoreline sediment samples were similar to those found in fish species from the bay.     

Exposure assessment of heavy metals in water and sediments from a Western Mediterranean basin (Rio Guadalhorce,Region of Andalusia,Southern Spain)

Concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb) were measured in sediment and water from a representative Western Mediterranean basin in South Spain: Guadalhorce River. In the later twentieth century, cities such as Málaga (capital of the Costa del Sol), have suffered the impact of the mass summer tourism. The ancient industrial activities, abandoned mine sites and the actual urbanisation and coastal development, recreation and tourism, wastewater treatment facilities, have been sources of pollution. This river has been heavily modified, with three dams for volume regulation purposes owing to the climatic cycles, with some years very dry and others with torrential rains. In this study, different indices to assessment of sediment contamination, statistical tools (Kruskall–Wallis test, Conglomerate analysis), sequential extraction methods and environmental quality guidelines have been employed to assess the possible contamination of this basin. Other physical–chemical parameters as chloride concentration, pH and conductivity were also measured. The results indicated that Ni and Cu were the most troublesome metals because they were more easily mobilisable than Cr and Pb; Ni exceeds the SQGs guidelines, and Cu presents considerable contamination. These metals were derived from lithogenic and anthropogenic sources, respectively, according to the enrichment factors (EF) values. Ni was the most dangerous because Ni concentrations exceeded the threshold effect concentration (TEC) below which harmful effects are unlikely to be observed, in 96.6% of the samples analysed and even the probable effect concentration (PEC) above which harmful effects are likely to be observed, in 56.6%. The cause of this pollution was postulated to be by abandoned Ni mines, which indicates that the pollution from mining persists during several decades. Multivariate analyses used in this study provide important tools for better understanding of the pollution source identification.     

Assessment of heavy metals emission from traffic on road surfaces

This study aims to analyse RDS heavy metal concentrations on road deposited sediment (RDS) using Riccarton Campus of Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland as a study site. RDS samples were collected at two transverse positions from different sites over a 4 month period in order to describe the influence of traffic on heavy metal emissions. The heavy metal concentrations of the RDS were determined by strong nitric acid digestion and atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean concentrations for Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Fe were found to be 213, 57, 1, 16, 15, 118, and 13497 mg kg-1 from samples near to the curb and 211, 79, 2, 15, 9, 35, and 14276 mg kg⁻¹ from samples 1 m from the curb respectively. Furthermore for both positions the highest concentrations for all metals were associated with the finer fraction (<63 μm) and stronger correlations between the metals were found further from the curb than near the curb, indicating that metals accumulating on the road surface further from the curb may likely be from the same source (traffic), while the sources of metals near the curb are more diverse.     

Sediment metal contamination in a creek flowing from a pristine to an industrial area of Trieste Province (Italy)

The following metals: Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) in fluvial sediments of Rosandra Creek, using two different, strong and mild sediment decomposition methods. The purpose was to obtain information about the contamination by metals and distribution paths of pollutants in the area crossed by Rosandra Creek: this little river is the unique epigeous watercourse in the Italian Karst and very few data can be found in literature. In this area, we can find a natural park, but also agricultural activities and an industrial district that was recently defined as "polluted site of national interest". By comparing the results of the strong and mild extraction we have obtained the percentage of extraction and enrichment factors for each metal in the different sediments of the sites R2 and R3 exposed to pollution, while the site R1 was considered as a pristine one because situated in the natural park. The computed enrichment factors are generally not very high, but copper, lead and zinc have factors that require attention. The principal component analysis (PCA) shows that the typically anthropogenic metals (as Cr, Pb, Cu and Zn) constitute the first factor, while the lithogenic metals, as Fe and Ni, constitute the second one; moreover the score plots permit to classify and distinguish the 3 sites: site R3, possibly the more exposed to contamination, has high scores both for anthropogenic and lithogenic metals.     

Contents of some heavy metals in plants from Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron) and some small lakes in wilderness areas of Michigan's Upper Peninsula as analyzed by neutron activation analysis

Our results indicate that the highest concentrations of heavy metals occurred in those plants collected near the mouth of the Saginaw River. The alga, Cladophora sp., and the flowering plant, Typha augustifolia (cat-tail), are notable for the high concentration of heavy metals that they accumulated. In addition, several other species that were sampled from small lakes in Michigan's Upper Peninsula contained higher concentrations of certain metals (Ba, Cr, Rb) than from any samples obtained from Saginaw Bay. Different organs of the same species, or of the same plant, such as cat-tail, vary widely in concentrations of the same elements. A computer-derived analysis of our data is presented, and the implications of our results as they relate to pollution by heavy metals in fresh-water lakes is discussed. This work was supported by a private subsidy from Edna Newnan, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan to whom we express our thanks for hernerous support. We also wish to thank the Division of Biological Sciences, The University of Michigan, for making funds available for the computer analyses performed in this study.     

Evaluation of trace-element pollution in Barada River environment by instrumental neutron activation analysis

The impact of tanning and electroplating industry on the eastern part of Barada River environment has been evaluated. Sediment, soil and plant samples were collected from nine sites at the river near the eastern industrial complex during 1999. Results of instrumental neutron activation analysis have shown high levels of Cr in sediment collected near the tanning factories; the highest value obtained being 2692 ppm. In addition, relatively high levels of Cr were also found in the agriculture soil collected near the riverbank in the industrial complex; Cr concentrations varied between 77 ppm and 327 ppm. However, Cr concentrations in plant leaves grown at riverbank were found low and this due to strong bounding of Cr to soil. Other trace metals such as copper and nickel were also high in sediment samples. The highest concentration of copper was about 4000 ppm, which is much higher than the natural levels; electroplating shops are the main source of this element in the area. Furthermore, concentrations of the studied trace metals have decreased as the sampling site distance became far from the industrial complex. In general, other trace elements were found to be at low concentrations, but the obtained data can be used as a baseline for future monitoring.     

Determination of differential heavy metal and trace element accumulation in liver, gills, intestine and muscle of sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) from the Danube River in Serbia by ICP-OES

The accumulation of heavy metals in fish has been extensively studied and well documented. However, the research has been mainly focused on the muscle tissue, while the distribution patterns among other tissues, such as liver and gills, have been mostly neglected. Within the present study, the concentrations of Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Zn and Li in the muscle, gills, liver and intestine of the sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) from the Danube River have been assessed by using the inductively-coupled plasma optical spectrometry. The analysis has revealed a high degree of differential accumulation of the studied heavy metals and trace elements in the tissues of the Danube sterlet. Liver appeared to be the main heavy metal storage tissue, while the lowest levels of analyzed metals were found in muscles. Heavy metal concentrations in the muscle were at acceptable levels for human consumption, except partly for cadmium. We conclude that, in order to enable a more efficient control of contaminants in fish products, there is an apparent need to resolve the problem of lack of legal limits for many metals in European legislation.     

北江干流沉积物重金属污染生态风险评价

通过北江干流水体沉积物重金属含量,研究其典型污染物的潜在生态风险。采集了北江干流韶关至清远段7份沉积物样品,经混酸消解后,以电感耦合等离子体质谱仪测定沉积物中重金属含量,并对沉积物重金属分布特征进行了分析。同时利用Hakanson的潜在生态危害指数（RI）评价模式,对北江干流沉积物重金属生态风险进行了评价。评价结果表明,北江干流沉积物中重金属综合生态危害程度均表现为很高级别,其生态危害因子Pb、Cd已成为北江干流突发性水污染事故潜在预警因子。     

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and neutron activation analysis of surficial sediments of the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea around Istanbul

Surficial sediment samples, collected from 27 sampling sites of the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea nearby Istanbul area in 1996 and 1999 years, were analyzed quantitatively for some heavy metals and some other elements by using radioisotope excited energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). The U and Th concentrations of the samples were determined by instrumental neutron activation (INAA). The results were compared with those from other contaminated and uncontaminated sedimentary materials. It is found that some elemental concentrations of the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea sediments are comparable with those in most other sea sediments in the vicinity of densely populated regions.     

北部湾文蛤体内氧化逆境标志物对重金属积累的响应研究

研究目的是通过评价北部湾文蛤（Meretrix meretrix）体内7种氧化逆境标志物对重金属积累的响应, 筛选出能够灵敏指示海域现场重金属污染压力的生物标志物. 2011年秋季, 在北部湾沿海潮间带6个典型站位采集文蛤样品, 测定软组织中重金属含量及鳃、内脏中7种氧化逆境标志物水平, 分析其空间、组织分布特征, 然后对标志物水平与重金属含量进行相关性分析. 结果表明, 文蛤软组织中重金属积累量和氧化逆境标志物水平在站位间存在很大差异. 大多数氧化逆境标志物具有明显的组织差异性, 鳃中的超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GPx）、谷胱甘肽转硫酶（GST）活性以及还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）、氧化型谷胱甘肽（GSSG）含量均高于内脏, 过氧化氢酶（CAT）在内脏中的活性较高, 而硫代巴比妥酸反应物（TBARs）在两组织中无明显的分布差异. 多种重金属共存的情况下, 鳃的GSH/GSSG与软组织Cd含量有显著相关性; 4种抗氧化酶中, 鳃CAT对Pb具有显著正响应, 内脏CAT、GST对As具有显著负响应. 鳃TBARs分别与Hg、Cd含量呈显著正相关、负相关, 内脏TBARs则与Pb含量呈负相关, 表明这些标志物能够灵敏指示重金属对文蛤抗氧化防御机能的影响, 适于作为评价北部湾重金属污染压力的指标.     

Determination of partition coefficients of metals in the Sava River environment

Site specific data and partition coefficients of stable elements in the Sava River environment have been measured. Distribution of metals in periphyton was similar to those found in sediments from the same locations. The concentration ratios of periphyton over sediments for Zn, As, Cd and Pb exceeded one. Thus the content of these metals in periphyton provides more information about anthropogenic pollution than either sediment or water samples collected at the periphyton site. In addition, the enrichment factors of the most abundant metals in the sediment samples have been calculated.     

Characterization of anthropogenic sediment particles after a transboundary water pollution of river Tisza using synchrotron radiation

At the beginning of 2000, a major mining accident occurred in the Romanian part of the Tisza catchment area due to tailings dam failure releasing huge amounts of heavy metals to the river. Sediment samples were taken from the main riverbed at six sites in Hungary, on March 16, 2000. The objective of this work was to characterize the anthropogenic particles in river sediment previously selected by single-particle electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA). The trace element composition, heterogeneity and heavy metal speciation of individual particles was studied using synchrotron radiation-based microbeam X-ray emission and absorption methods. Particles were selected only from samples regarded as polluted sediment. White-beam micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) allowed the quantitative determination of heavy metals such as cadmium in individual particles. The maximum observed concentration of cadmium (>700 μg/g) indicates that this highly toxic heavy metal is concentrated in individual anthropogenic particles. Using the combination of micro X-ray absorption near-edge structure and target-transformation principle component analysis, quantitative chemical speciation of copper and zinc was feasible on individual sediment particles. Heavy metals in most of the particles released from the pollution site remained in the sulfide form resulting in a limited mobility of these metals. Based on the information obtained using microanalytical methods, the estimation of the environmental mobility of heavy metals connected to microparticles becomes possible.     

Organometallic species of the elements tin, mercury and lead in sediments of the longitudinal profile of the River Elbe

In 1992, for the first time, a whole longitudinal sediment profile of the River Elbe from the Czech Republic to the North Sea has been sampled within the framework of the project Registration and assessment of harmful substances in the River Elbe: Heavy metals and heavy metal species. Organometallic species of the elements tin, mercury and lead have been determined. The species have been extracted together from the wet sediments using hexane after an in-situ ethylation with sodium tetraethylborate (NaBEt₄). Gas chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (GC-ICP-MS), a very sensitive hyphenated technique for multielemental speciation analysis, has been used for their separation and detection.