Monitoring metals in the vicinity of a municipal waste incinerator: temporal variation in soils and vegetation

The aim of this study was to determine the temporal variation in the concentrations of arsenic (As), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), tin (Sn), thallium (Tl), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) in soil and vegetation near an old municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI). In October 1997, 24 soil and 24 herbage samples were collected at the same sampling points in which samples were also taken in October 1996. With the exception of an increase in the levels of Be and Ni, no significant differences in soils between both surveys were found; only Cr and V (decreases) and Hg (increase) showed significant variations in herbage samples during the last year. The concentrations of most elements in soil and vegetation samples collected near the MSWI are within the ranges previously reported for soil and vegetation in the vicinity of MSWIs.     

Metal contamination of urban soils in the vicinity of a municipal waste incinerator: one source among many

Concern from local residents about possible contamination with metals and PCDD/F (dioxins and furans) from fugitive and stack emissions from the Byker municipal solid waste incinerator in Newcastle upon Tyne led the City Council to initiate a study of the concentration of these pollutants in soils. We report here the results for the metals and arsenic. Soils were sampled at distances up to 2.25 km from the incinerator stack. The intensity of sampling in concentric zones was four times greater in the northeast (down-wind) direction, and twice as great in the northwest and southeast directions, compared to the southwest (up-wind) direction. In total 163 samples were collected and analyzed for total As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Concentrations were generally elevated above background levels, but were typical of those found in other urban areas. For As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn, contamination hotspots were identified. These were spread throughout the sampling area, and there was no evidence of greater concentrations down-wind of the incinerator compared to other directions, nor of any trend in concentration at increasing distance from the incinerator. We concluded that metal contamination resulting from the incinerator could not be detected in an environment with generally elevated concentrations. Potential sources for many of the hotspots of contamination were identified in a survey of historic land use based on maps of the locality dating back to 1856. Detailed investigations of particular areas with serious contamination will now be undertaken by the local authorities using the CLEA (Contaminated Land Exposure Assessment) model.     

Soil contamination by metals: A survey in industrial and rural areas of southern Italy

Samples of soil from agricultural land around the industrial district of the city of Bari in Apulia and from rural areas of that region were analyzed, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, for levels of As, Bi, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, and Zn.All elements, except Se, were present in all samples from the industrial district, whereas Hg was not detectable in the rural soils; Bi, Cd, and Sn were found only in 50–60% of them. The average levels of Hg, Cd, Cu, Mn, and Ni in soils close to the industrial area always appeared to be higher than the mean levels in rural soils and the common ranges known for world soils.The findings suggest the existence of a metal contamination of soils in the industrial area.     

Trace elements in foods and meals consumed by students attending the faculty cafeteria

The content and intake of some trace elements (Pb, Cd, Ni, Hg, Cr) in meals, consumed by students attending the Faculty Cafeteria, were assessed. The study was carried out over 6 days of the 2nd week of February, 1993 and in three consecutive days of the second week of May. In those periods 10453 and 4055 students attended the cafeteria, respectively. After recording the ingredients and the preparation and cooking methods, some edible portions of foods and dishes were collected, homogenised, lyophilised and kept in polyethylene bottles until analysis. We found few differences in food content and dietary intake of some (Ni and Cr) but not all trace elements between February and May. Higher levels of Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr were present in bread (21.5+/-14.0, 5.6+/-0.02, 55.6+/-1.7 and 66.9+/-0.1 microg/100 g of edible portion, respectively), followed by meat, filled pasta and cheese, whereas lower values were observed in vegetables and fruit. The highest Hg content was recorded in the pasta group. Among the most frequently consumed foods and meals, the highest levels of P, Pb, Cr, Hg, Ni were found in bread, meat and pasta. The calculation of mean trace element intake, corrected for leftovers, showed pasta, bread and meat as the main sources of Pb, Cd, Ni, Hg and Cr over the two periods. The estimated potential tolerated weekly intake (PTWI) resulted high for Pb and Cd and low for Hg. Finally, a large variability in trace element content between raw and cooked foods was observed. These results give valuable information on trace element content of foods to be used for preparation of meals at the Faculty cafeteria in different seasons.     

Concentration and fate of trace metals in Mekong River delta

In the Mekong River delta and its associated coastal zone trace elements concentrations (Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb) were measured in the dissolved phase (DP) during dry (March 1997) and wet (October 1997) seasons. As, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Al were also measured in suspended matter (SM) and total and organic carbon, trace elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) and macro elements in superficial sediments (S). Trace metal concentrations in DP and SM during the contrasting hydrological conditions were generally found within the range observed for uncontaminated environment. The average DP concentrations (nM) in the river for March and October are: Cd 0.03 and 0.09, Cu 15 and 14, Ni 7.8 and 8.4, Pb 0.51 and 0.50, respectively. In general there is no significant difference between the concentrations observed during dry and wet season. The evolution of the DP trace metal concentration in the surface water within the salinity gradient suggests no noticeable exchange between the particulate and dissolved phase. This result is in good agreement with those observed in most plume structures studied so far. The average concentrations in the SM (microg/g) (March, October) at the river end-member are: As (24; 11), Co (17; 9), Cr (49; 29), Ni (32; 18), Pb (42; 19) and Al (113,000; 67,000), respectively. All trace elements show higher concentrations in March than in October, with an average increase of two times. This is essentially related to grain size effect since smaller particles were supplied during dry season. These differences are not reflected in the mixing zone, which integrates the seasonal variations. The concentration of major elements (C total, C organic, Si, Al, Ca, K, Fe, Mg, Ti), trace elements (Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Mn, Cr, Cd, Hg) in superficial sediments, show similar values during the two seasons and does not show any important variation with depth, indicating either a very fast sedimentation rate and/or the absence of any significant contamination.     

The use of lichen (Cetraria nivalis) and moss (Rhacomitrium lanuginosum) as monitors for atmospheric deposition in Greenland

Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Hg, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, As, V, Al and Fe are reported from soil, humus, moss (Rhacomitrium lanuginosum) and lichen (Cetraria nivalis) sampled at four locations in Greenland. For Al, Fe, Cr and V the levels in soil were highest followed by humus and R. lanuginosum and with the lowest levels in C. nivalis. The same was true for Pb, Cu and Ni but without as great a difference between medias. For Cd and Hg, the lowest levels were found in soil. For Zn and As, the media with highest levels differed between locality. Data were examined by a principal component analysis. Three principal components explained 87% of the total variation. The dominant elements in the first component were Fe, Al, V, Ni, Cr, Cu and Pb. This component is interpreted as a soil dust factor. The concentrations in R. lanuginosum and C. nivalis of these elements are believed to be highly influenced by soil dust. Pb concentrations in moss and lichen may also be influenced by other sources as Pb also had some correlation's with the third component. Zn and Cd and to a lesser extent. As were the dominant elements in the second component. The third component was highly dominated by Hg with a lesser influence of Pb and As, Zn, Cd and Hg concentrations in R. lanuginosum and C. nivalis are believed to be influenced by other sources than soil dust which may be long-range atmospheric transport. In general, both the within locality and the between locality variability in the values of the three components decreased in the order soil, humus, R. lanuginosum and C. nivalis. The lichen C. nivalis is looked at as an indicator with greater potential for monitoring atmospheric deposition of elements than the moss R. lanuginosum.     

Concentrations of 17 elements, including mercury, in the tissues, food and abiotic environment of Arctic shorebirds

Exposure to contaminants is one hypothesis proposed to explain the global decline in shorebirds, and is also an increasing concern in the Arctic. We assessed potential contaminants (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, V, and Zn) at a shorebird breeding site in Nunavut, Canada. We compared element levels in soil, invertebrates and shorebird blood to assess evidence for bioconcentration and biomagnification within the Arctic-based food chain. We tested whether elements in blood, feathers and eggs of six shorebird species (Pluvialis squatarola, Calidris alpina, C. fuscicollis, Phalaropus fulicarius, Charadrius semipalmatus, and Arenaria interpres) were related to fitness endpoints: adult body condition, blood-parasite load, egg size, eggshell thickness, nest duration, and hatching success. To facilitate comparison to other sites, we summarise the published data on toxic metals in shorebird blood and egg contents.Element concentrations and invertebrate composition differed strongly among habitats, and habitat use and element concentrations differed among shorebird species. Hg, Se, Cd, Cu, and Zn bioconcentrated from soil to invertebrates, and Hg, Se and Fe biomagnified from invertebrates to shorebird blood. As, Ni, Pb, Co and Mn showed significant biodilution from soil to invertebrates to shorebirds. Soil element levels were within Canadian guidelines, and invertebrate Hg levels were below dietary levels suggested for the protection of wildlife. However, maximum Hg in blood and eggs approached levels associated with toxicological effects and Hg-pollution in other bird species. Parental blood-Hg was negatively related to egg volume, although the relationship varied among species. No other elements approached established toxicological thresholds. In conclusion, whereas we found little evidence that exposure to elements at this site is leading to the declines of the species studied, Hg, as found elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic, is of potential concern for breeding bird populations.     

Heavy metals in urban soils: a case study from the city of Palermo (Sicily), Italy

Concentrations of V, Mn, Cd, Zn, Ni, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Hg and Sb were measured on 70 topsoil samples collected from green areas and parks in the city of Palermo (Sicily) in order to: (1) assess the distribution of these heavy metals in the urban environment; (2) discriminate natural and anthropic contributions; and (3) identify possible sources of pollution. Mineralogy, physico-chemical parameters, and major element contents of the topsoils were determined to highlight the influence of 'natural' features on the heavy metal concentrations and their distribution. Medians of Pb, Zn, Cu and Hg concentrations of the investigated urban soils are 202, 138, 63 and 0.68 mgkg(-1), respectively. These values are higher, in some case by different orders of size, than those of unpolluted soils in Sicily that average 44, 122, 34 and 0.07 mg kg(-1). An ensemble of basic and multivariate statistical analyses (cluster analysis and principal component analysis) was performed to reduce the multidimensional space of variables and samples, thus defining two sets of heavy metals as tracers of natural and anthropic influences. Results demonstrate that Pb, Zn, Cu, Sb and Hg can be inferred to be tracers of anthropic pollution, whereas Mn, Ni, Co, Cr, V and Cd were interpreted to be mainly inherited from parent materials. Maps of pollutant distribution were constructed for the whole urban area pointing to vehicle traffic as the main source of diffuse pollution and also showing the contribution of point sources of pollution to urban topsoils.     

Application of high Cu compost to Swiss chard and basil

A greenhouse container experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of high Cu compost on basil and Swiss chard productivity, and the accumulation of As, Ca, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Na, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, S and Se in growth medium and plant tissue. The Cu content of the compost was over 1200 mg/kg, much higher than Canadian standards for type B compost quality. The treatments consisted of control soil (0% compost), and 20, 40 and 60% (by volume) of high Cu compost added to soil. All compost application treatments (20, 40 and 60%) resulted in increased dry matter yields in Swiss chard and basil. Addition of high Cu compost influenced basil plant development. Plants from the 20 and 40% treatments had higher numbers of buds and flowers. There were no differences between the control and 60% compost treatments with respect to flower initiation. Addition of 20, 40 and 60% compost to the soil resulted in increased EXCH fractions of Cu, but not of Mn and Zn. Compost additions resulted in increase in the HNO(3) extractable, CARB, FeMnOX, and in OM fractions of Cu, Mn and Zn in soils. Compost application increased soil pH and EC, soil HNO(3) extractable Ca, K, Mg, P, Na, B and Pb, but did not alter soil HNO(3) extractable Cd, Co, Cr, Mo, Ni, Se. Increased rates of compost application decreased tissue Ca in basil, tissue Na in both plants, increased tissue K, Mg in both plants, but, did not alter tissue P, Co, Cr, Mo, Ni of either plants, and B in basil. Tissue As, Hg, Pb, and Se from all treatments were under the detection limits of VGA-AAS (for As, Hg, Se) and ICP (for Pb). Compost additions altered basil oil chemical composition. Copper in the essential oil of basil was below 0.25 mg/l. In conclusion, the addition of high rates of relatively immature high Cu compost may not always increase Cu concentration in plants and in plant oils.     

The spatial and temporal trends of Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn in Seine River floodplain deposits (1994-2000)

Fresh floodplain deposits (FD), from 11 key stations, covering the Seine mainstem and its major tributaries (Yonne, Marne and Oise Rivers), were sampled from 1994 to 2000. Background levels for Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn were established using prehistoric FD and actual bed sediments collected in small forested sub-basins in the most upstream part of the basin. Throughout the Seine River Basin, FD contain elevated concentrations of Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn compared to local background values (by factors>twofold). In the Seine River Basin, trace element concentrations display substantial downstream increases as a result of increasing population densities, particularly from Greater Paris (10 million inhabitants), and reach their maxima at the river mouth (Poses). These elevated levels make the Seine one of the most heavily impacted rivers in the world. On the other hand, floodplain-associated trace element levels have declined over the past 7 years. This mirrors results from contemporaneous suspended sediment surveys at the river mouth for the 1984-1999 period. Most of these temporal declines appear to reflect reductions in industrial and domestic solid wastes discharged from the main Parisian sewage plant (Seine Aval).     

First national survey of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in Hungary by the analysis of mosses

The atmospheric deposition of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, V and Zn in Hungary was investigated by using moss species as bioindicators. Our research was part of an international mapping project (Atmospheric Heavy Metal Deposition in Europe) [NORD 21 (1987) 1-44; NORD 9 (1994)] carried out in the most European countries in the 1990s to determine and to compare atmospheric heavy metal background pollution by standardized methods. Sampling was performed at 116 sites distributed over Hungary in the autumn of 1997. Moss species of Hypnum cupressiforme (72.4%) were preferred. But where it could not be collected, other species were taken. Unwashed, dried samples were digested with H(2)O(2)/HNO(3), and the concentrations of heavy metals were determined by ICP-AES. The results reflect local emission points. Background mean levels of Cd, Fe and Ni were mildly elevated in comparison to European means [NORD 9 (1994)]. Probably, that was due not only to pollution, but to the use of Hypnum cupressiforme, which can accumulate higher concentrations of heavy metals compared to other species. The results are presented on colored contour maps obtained with the SURFER program (Golden Software Inc. Co).     

Evaluation of metal concentrations in edible vegetables grown in compost amended soil

Agricultural uses of compost usually have a positive effect on the yield of vegetable crops for human consumption. However, compost that contains heavy metals can transfer these components to soils and plants. To evaluate the contamination levels of metals in soil, compost, and edible vegetables, the Mn, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Ni total contents were measured. Metal availability in soils, as well as other variables – the pH, CEC (cation exchange capacity), total nitrogen, organic carbon, particle size distribution and mineralogy of the clay fraction – were examined in the soil samples. The analysed compost samples were produced from urban solid waste, cattle manure, and edible vegetable and tree pruning residues. The values of pH, CEC, total nitrogen, organic matter, exchangeable hydrogen and carboxylic groups were measured in the compost samples. Of the six metals examined in the soils, in general, Mn and Zn attained the highest concentrations, followed by Cu. Relatively high Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb concentrations were found in the soils. Metal concentrations extracted with DTPA were below the critical levels in soils, i.e. the levels above which toxicity is likely. In general, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu and Ni concentrations in compost were lower than those reported by other workers, while Mn levels were within the range for this metal in compost. The results showed that there was an effect of the vegetable type (p < 0.01) for all the parameters examined. High Pb concentrations were found in lettuce and chive as compared with the tolerance limit for this metal in fresh vegetables in Brazil. Cadmium concentrations were also enhanced in the fresh vegetables compared with the typical concentrations of metals in plants. Zinc, Cu, Cd, and Ni concentrations were lower than the tolerance limits established for foods by the Brazilian legislation.     

Biomonitoring of trace elements in the leaves and fruits of wild olive and holm oak trees

Biomonitoring of trace elements is essential to assess ecosystem health, in particular in landscapes influenced by human activity. The Guadiamar Valley (SW Spain) was polluted in 1998 by a spill from an open-pit pyrite mine affecting about 55 km2. In this paper, we used two common species of tree, namely wild olive and holm oak, to biomonitor the concentration of nine trace elements-As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Tl and Zn-in this spill-affected area over the 3-year period 1999-2001. We analysed the leaves and fruits of trees growing in the spill-affected terraces, and compared them with adjacent trees in the non-affected upper terraces. The main trace elements polluting the soil were Zn, As, Pb and Cu. In general, the oak leaves were richer in trace elements than the olive leaves, reaching phytotoxic levels for As and Pb, while the olive fruits (pulp) were more polluted than the oak seeds (protected inside a hard pericarp), reaching toxic values for Cd and Pb. The concentration of trace elements in the leaves and fruits decreased with time and, in consequence, the toxicity risk to the food web diminished.     

Trace metal and organochlorine residue levels in red mullet (Mullus barbatus) from the eastern Aegean, Turkey

The levels of trace metals and organochlorine residue were determined in red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in the framework of a MED-POL II Project for the Aegean Sea during 1994-1998. Samples were analyzed seasonally from July 1994 to January 1998. The concentrations of trace metals found varied with Hg: 16-200 microg kg(-1), Cd: 0.57-4.5 microg kg(-1) and Pb: 40-207 microg kg(-1) wet weight. The order of trace metal concentrations found in Mullus barbatus was Pb > Hg > Cd. Correlation coefficients were calculated between Hg, Cd, and Pb concentrations and fork lengths to be Hg: 0.5852, Cd: -0.081, Pb: 0.5823, respectively. Cadmium levels are lower than the results in fish tissues reported from Mediterranean regions. The results of organochlorine residues measured varied between Aldrin: 0.10 and 0.61 microg kg(-1), t-DDD: 0.86 and 4.5 microg kg(-1) and t-DDE: 10 and 18 microg kg(-1) wet weight. Correlation coefficients for measured organochlorine residues and fork lengths are Aldrin: 0.6422, t-DDD: 0.2237 and t-DDE: 0.5484. The levels of mercury, lead and organochlorine residues are similar to the results in fish from Mediterranean countries.     

Heavy metals in fish from the Barents Sea (summer 1994)

To assess the significance of metals in biota of the Barents Sea, preliminary information is presented for the concentrations of Cd, Pb, Hg, Ni, Cu and Zn in liver and muscle tissues of 15 marine fish species collected in the summer of 1994. Lead and Ni concentrations are below limits of detection (< 0.3 and 1.0 mg kg-1 dry wt.) in all tissues, as is Cd in muscle (< 0.10 mg kg-1). Generally, most of our results are within the reported literature range for various Arctic marine systems, especially regarding some commercially important species like cod and redfish, indicating that metal levels are not elevated. However, the interspecific variability is substantial and some remarkably high Cd levels (2.4 and 8.1 mg kg-1 dry wt.) in livers of Anarhichas species (catfish) and Raja fyllae (round skate) point to the problem of a general 'cadmium-anomaly' in polar marine waters, previously inferred from reported results for various pelagic and benthic invertebrates.     

Trophodynamics of mercury and other trace elements in a pelagic food chain from the Baltic Sea

Mercury (Hg) and 13 other trace elements (Al, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) were measured in phytoplankton, zooplankton, mysis and herring in order to examine the trophodynamics in a well-studied pelagic food chain in the Baltic Sea. The fractionation of nitrogen isotopes (δ¹⁵N) was used to evaluate food web structure and to estimate the extent of trophic biomagnification of the various trace elements. Trophic magnification factors (TMFs) for each trace element were determined from the slope of the regression between trace element concentrations and δ¹⁵N. Calculated TMFs showed fundamental differences in the trophodynamics of the trace elements in the pelagic food chain studied. Concentrations of Al, Fe, Ni, Zn, Pb and Cd showed statistically significant decreases (TMF < 1) with increasing trophic levels and thus these trace elements tropically dilute or biodilute in this Baltic food chain. Cu, As, Cr, Mn, V, Ti and Co showed no significant relationships with trophic levels. Hg was unique among the trace elements studied in demonstrating a statistically significant increase (TMF > 1) in concentration with trophic level i.e. Hg biomagnifies in this Baltic food chain. The estimated TMF for Hg in this food chain was comparable to TMFs observed elsewhere for diverse food chains and locations.     

The influence of a city on element contents of a terrestrial moss (Hylocomium splendens)

Forty terrestrial moss (Hylocomium splendens) samples were collected along a 120-km-long south-north transect running through Norway's largest city Oslo. Concentrations of 29 chemical elements (Ag, Al, Au, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Pt, S, Sb, Sr, Th, Ti, and Zn) and values for loss on ignition (475 degrees C) are reported. Silver (Ag), Al, Au, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mo, Ni, Pb, Pt, Sb, Th, Ti, and Zn all show a characteristic Oslo peak when element concentrations are plotted against location of the sample site along the transect. Gold (Au) and Pt show the greatest relative enrichment of all elements in the city (ca. 10x "background"). Titanium (Ti), which is related to local minerogenic dust rather than anthropogenic emissions, shows a significant peak in Oslo. Loss on ignition, a measure of the amount of organic material in a sample, shows a negative peak in Oslo and at sites close to a known dust source. Input of fine dust thus appears to dominate many of the observed element concentrations in moss. The concentrations of Na are clearly influenced by the input of marine aerosols and show decreasing concentrations from south (near Oslo Fjord) to north (inland). The major plant nutrients Ca, K, Mg, P and S, as well as Hg, are the few elements displaying no spatial dependency along the transect. Element concentrations reach background variation levels at a distance of 20-40 km from the city centre.     

Concentrations of heavy metals and plant nutrients in water, sediments and aquatic macrophytes of anthropogenic lakes (former open cut brown coal mines) differing in stage of acidification.

Concentration of heavy metals (Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, V and Zn) as well as macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S) were measured in water, bottom sediments and plants from anthropogenic lakes in West Poland. The collected plants were: Phragmites australis, Potamogeton natans, Iris pseudoacorus, Juncus effusus, Drepanocladus aduncus, Juncus bulbosus, Phalaris arundinacea, Carex remota and Calamagrostis epigeios. Two reference lakes were sampled for Nymphaea alba, Phragmites australis, Schoenoplectus lacustris, Typha angustifolia and Polygonum hydropiper. These plants contained elevated levels of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu and Mn, and part of the plants contained in addition elevated levels of Mn, Fe, Pb, Ni and Zn. Analyses of water indicated pollution with sulfates, Cd, Co, Ni. Zn, Pb and Cu, and bottom sediments indicated that some of the examined lakes were polluted with Cd, Co and Cr. Strong positive correlations were found between concentrations of Co in water and in plants and between Zn in sediments and plants, indicating the potential of plants for pollution monitoring for this metal. Heavy metal accumulation seemed to be directly associated with the exclusion of Ca and Mg.     

Trace elements, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in New Zealand common dolphins (Delphinus sp.)

Trace elements, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine (OC) pesticide levels were determined in tissues collected from stranded and bycaught common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) from New Zealand waters between 1999 and 2005. The concentrations of mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and silver (Ag) were determined in blubber, liver and kidney tissue. PCBs (45 congeners) and a range of OC pesticides including dieldrin, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites DDE and DDD were determined in blubber samples. Cr and Ni were not detected in any of the samples and concentrations of Co, Sn and Pb were generally low. Concentrations of Hg ranged from 0.17 to 110 mg/kg wet weight. Organochlorine pesticides dieldrin, HCB, o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE were present at the highest concentrations. Sum DDT concentrations in the blubber ranged from 17 to 337 and 654 to 4430 microg/kg wet weight in females and males, respectively. Similarly, Sigma45CB concentrations ranged from 49 to 386 and 268 to 1634 microg/kg wet weight in females and males, respectively. The mean transmission of SigmaDDTs and ICES7CBs between a genetically determined mother-offspring pair was calculated at 46% and 42%, respectively. Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides determined in the present study are within similar range to those reported for Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhyncus hectori) from inshore New Zealand waters.     

Environmental assessment of a road site built with MSWI residue

A 23-year-old road built with MSWI residue (mix of fly and bottom ashes) was investigated through the environmental assessment of the residue, soils (adjacent to and underlying the road) and seepage waters. The pH and ANC_4.3 of the material indicate a low carbonation and a high alkaline stock. The material leaches few trace elements. The underlying road soil shows significant effects with respect to K and Na, attributable to the MSWI residue. Effects regarding Cd, Cr, Cu and Ni are observed, yet pollution thresholds are not exceeded. Compared to groundwater thresholds, the MSWI residue percolate is of poor to very poor quality (French reference system — FWQAS) in terms of pH, K, Na, Cl⁻, F⁻, As and Cu. It lies above the intervention values of the Dutch Soil Protection Act (DSPA) for Cu, Ni and Pb. Downstream, water from the road shoulder (W_Sdr) is of very poor quality with respect to Na and Cl⁻, and fair to poor quality regarding K. All other parameters comply with the best quality thresholds (FWQAS and DSPA). The high Cl⁻ concentration of W_Sdr would not fit for direct discharge in any watercourse. Toward a weakly-mineralised water, Cd and Cu would also be penalizing. The geometry of the road site creates penalizing conditions increasing the washing of the MSWI residue. The road structure does not cause downstream effect as regards trace elements, but effects exist for Cl⁻, Na and K. Opposite downstream effects are observed (Ca, Mg, Mn and SO₄²⁻) due to farming treatments and the nature of the local soil.