The concentration of Mn,Cu, Zn,Co, B,Sr, Cd and Pb in alluvial soils of the Ob River (forest-steppe,southern taiga and central taiga)

Three areas of the Ob River floodplain (forest-steppe, southern taiga and central taiga) were investigated. The total amount of Mn, Cu, Zn, Co, B, Sr, Cd and Pb was identified. The same elements were identified in ammonium acetate buffer extract, 1N HCl extraction and Tamm’s and Grimm’s soil extracts. The basic amount of trace elements in the soils is in the potentially unstable form, in Tamm’s and 1N HCl extracts (up to 74% of the total amount). The geochemical spectra of the investigated elements’ concentration in the soils and meadow vegetation are given. The Ob floodplain is not polluted as it has not been affected by industry, and that is why natural mechanisms of these soils can be easily detected. The content reduction regularity of most of the trace elements and their unstable forms in the soils from the south to the north of the Ob floodplain is observed. The same regularity concerns plants in which Co, Mo, B, Sr and Cd contraction and Mn, Zn and Cu increase are detected.     

Sub-cellular partitioning of Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb in the digestive gland of native Octopus vulgaris exposed to different metal concentrations (Portugal)

Concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb and their sub-cellular distributions were determined in composite samples of digestive glands of the common octopus, Octopus vulgaris caught from two areas of the Portuguese coast characterised by contrasting metal contamination. Minor contents of Zn (1%), Cu (2%), Cd (6%) and Pb (7%) were found in the insoluble fraction, consisting of nuclei, mitochondria, lysosomes and microsome operationally separated from the whole digestive gland through a sequential centrifugation. A tendency for linear relationships between metal concentrations in nuclei, mitochondria, lysosomes and whole digestive gland was observed. These relationships suggest that despite low metal content organelles responded to the increasing accumulated metals, which means that detoxifying mechanism in cytosol was incomplete. Poorer correlations between microsome and whole digestive gland did not point to metal toxicity in the analysed compartments. However, the high accumulated Cd indicated that O. vulgaris is an important vehicle of this element to its predators in the coastal environment.     

Variation of heavy metal concentrations (Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, V, and Zn) during the life cycle of the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis

The developmental changes in the concentration of 8 essential and non-essential heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cu, Co, Fe, Pb, V, Zn) in the tissues (digestive gland, cuttlebone and whole animal) of the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis collected in the bay of the river Seine were monitored from the end of the embryogenesis until the adult reproductive stage. Compared to embryos, juveniles after hatching displayed much higher concentrations of Ag, Cu, Fe and Zn, suggesting an efficient incorporation from seawater. Conversely, the amounts of Cd, Pb and V in hatchlings remained constant suggesting that these metals are barely bioavailable for juveniles. Once the juveniles start to feed, the digestive gland appears to play a major role in the storage of all metals. After only one month of benthic life, the digestive gland already contains up to 90% of the total metal body burden, indicating that it plays a major role in the storage and presumed detoxification of the selected metals. Metal concentrations in the digestive gland increase in a logarithmic fashion with age during the entire life of cuttlefish, except for Ag, which decreases as soon as cuttlefish migrate to open sea. This strongly suggests that (1) Ag is excreted from the digestive gland in relation to presumably lower exposure in less contaminated environments compared to coastal waters and (2) the digestive gland of cephalopods could be a very good indicator of Ag contamination in the marine environment.     

Assessment and biomonitoring of aquatic pollution by heavy metals (Cd,Cr, Cu,Pb and Zn) in Hammam Grouz Dam of Mila (Algeria)

Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn were determined in water, sediment and tissues of fish (Cyprinus carpio and Barbus setivimensis) from November 2014 to August 2015, in order to estimate the aquatic pollution in Hammam Grouz dam, by the technique of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentrations of heavy metals in the water and sediment were higher than the WHO standards. The calculation of Bioconcentration factor showed that all fish species studied have accumulated heavy metals in their tissues (gill, liver, muscle and kidney). The concentrations of metals in B. setivimensis were higher than those in C. carpio. The highest concentration of heavy metals was recorded in the gill while the lowest was recorded in the muscle and kidney. Our study reveals that these fish species can be used as bioindicators in the biomonitoring of metallic pollution in aquatic ecosystem.     

Adsorption of Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous single metal solutions by succinylated twice-mercerized sugarcane bagasse functionalized with triethylenetetramine

This study describes the preparation of two new chelating materials, MMSCB 3 and 5, derived from succinylated twice-mercerized sugarcane bagasse (MMSCB 1). MMSCB 3 and 5 were synthesized from MMSCB 1 using two different methods as described by Gurgel and Gil (2009). In the first method MMSCB 1 was activated with 1,3-diisopropylcarbodiimide and in the second with acetic anhydride (to form an internal anhydride) and later both were reacted with triethylenetetramine in order to obtain MMSCB 3 and 5. New obtained materials were characterized by mass percent gain, concentration of amine groups, FTIR, and elemental analysis. MMSCB 3 and 5 showed mass percent gain of 19.9 and 57.1%, concentration of amine groups of 2.0 and 2.1 mmol/g, and nitrogen content of 5.8 and 4.4%. The capacity of MMSCB 3 and 5 to adsorb Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ from aqueous single metal ion solutions was evaluated at different contact times, pHs, and initial metal ion concentrations. Adsorption isotherms were well fitted by Langmuir model. Maximum adsorption capacities of MMSCB 3 and 5 for Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ were found to be 59.5 and 69.4, 86.2 and 106.4, 158.7 and 222.2 mg/g, respectively.     

Heavy metal levels (Pb, Cd, Cr and Hg) in the adult general population near an urban solid waste incinerator

In 2005 an urban solid waste incinerator (SWI) was commissioned in Bilbao (Basque Country, Spain). Serum and urine samples were collected from 95 and 107 volunteers in 2006 and 2008 respectively, of which 62 were repeats from the same individuals. Blood lead levels (BPb) were determined, as were the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and mercury (Hg) in urine (UCd, UCr and UHg). The town of Alonsotegi and a borough of Bilbao (Altamira, Rekalde) were considered to be close, less than 2 km from the plant, and correspond to an urban environment with high traffic density. The areas of reference were a borough of Bilbao (Santutxu-Zurbaran), 5 km from the plant, also in an urban area with high traffic density, and a small town with little industrial activity and low traffic density (Balmaseda) 20 km from the plant; neither of these is downwind from the site with respect to prevailing winds. There was a significant correlation for BPb, r = 0.63 (p < 0.001), between the two surveys. However, there was no linear correlation for the other three metals (UCd, UCr and UHg), between the two sampling periods (p > 0.05). Multiple linear regression models did not show increases over time of the levels of BPb, UCd, UCr and UHg in the areas close to the SWI compared to those of areas located further away, after adjusting for confounding variables. These results reinforce the hypothesis that populations near modern plants for solid waste incineration do not manifest increased levels of heavy metals.     

Historical perspective of heavy metals contamination (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Zn) in the Seine River basin (France) following a DPSIR approach (1950-2005)

The Driver-Pressures-State-Impact-Response approach is applied to heavy metals in the Seine River catchment (65,000 km(2); 14 million people of which 10 million are aggregated within Paris megacity; 30% of French industrial and agricultural production). The contamination pattern at river mouth is established on the particulate material at different time scales: 1930-2000 for floodplain cores, 1980-2003 for suspended particulate matter (SPM) and bed-sediments, 1994-2003 for atmospheric fallout and annual flood deposits. The Seine has been among the most contaminated catchments with maximum contents recorded at 130 mg kg(-1) for Cd, 24 for Hg, 558 for Pb, 1620 for Zn, 347 for Cu, 275 for Cr and 150 for Ni. Today, the average levels for Cd (1.8 mg kg(-1)), Hg (1.08), Pb (108), Zn (370), Cu (99), Cr (123) and Ni (31) are much lower but still in the upper 90% of the global scale distribution (Cr and Ni excepted) and well above the natural background values determined on pre-historical deposits. All metal contents have decreased at least since 1955/65, well before metal emission regulations that started in the mid 1970's and the metal monitoring in the catchment that started in the early 1980's. In the last 20 y, major criteria changes for the management of contaminated particulates (treated urban sludge, agricultural soils, dredged sediments) have occurred. In the mid 1990's, there was a complete shift in the contamination assessment scales, from sediment management and water usage criteria to the good ecological state, now required by the 2000 European Directive. When comparing excess metal outputs, associated to river SPM, to the average metal demand within the catchment from 1950 to 2000, the leakage ratios decrease exponentially from 1950 to 2000 for Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn, meanwhile, a general increase of the demand is observed: the rate of recycling and/or treatment of metals within the anthroposphere has been improved ten-fold. Hg environmental trajectory is very specific: there is a marked decontamination from 1970 to 2000, but the leakage ratio remains very high (10 to 20%) during this period. Drivers and Pressures are poorly known prior to 1985; State evolution since 1935 has been reconstructed from flood plain cores analysis; Impacts were maximum between 1950 and 1970 but remained unknown due to analytical limitation and lack of awareness. Some Responses are lagging 10 y behind monitoring and have much evolved in the past 10 y.     

Critical budget of metal sources and pathways in the Seine River basin (1994-2003) for Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn

River basin metal pollution originates from heavy industries (plating, automobile) and from urban sources (Paris conurbation: 2740 km(2), 9.47 million inhabitants). The natural sources of metal have been found to be limited due to sedimentary nature of this catchment and to the very low river sediment transport (10 t km(-2) y(-1)). Several types of data have been collected to build the metal budget within the whole Seine River basin: field surveys, economical statistics and environmental models. Environmental contamination and related fluxes have been measured on atmospheric fallout, rural streams particles, and Seine River particles upstream and downstream of Paris and at river mouth. Metal pathways and budgets have been set up for (i) a typical cultivated area, (ii) a Paris combined sewer system, (iii) Paris conurbation and (iv) the whole catchment metal retention effect in floodplain and dredged material. Metal fluxes to the estuary have been decomposed into natural, urban domestic and other sources. The latter are within 1-2 orders of magnitude larger than waste water fluxes directly released into rivers according to an industrial census. These fluxes have been further compared to the annual use (1994-2003) of these metals. Metal excess fluxes exported by the river are now a marginal leak of metal inputs to the catchment (i.e. "raw" metals, metals in goods, atmospheric fallout), generally from 0.2 to 5 per thousand. However, due to the very limited dilution power in this basin, the contamination of particles is still relatively high. The Seine River basin is gradually storing metals, mostly in manufactured products used in construction, but also in various waste dumps, industrial soils, agricultural and flood plain soils.     

Health risk of Hg, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu to the inhabitants around Huludao Zinc Plant in China via consumption of vegetables

Huludao Zinc Plant in Huludao City, China is the largest zinc smelting plant in Asia. Heavy metals have contaminated its neighboring environment seriously. We collected 20 vegetables and the corresponding soil samples from eight sampling plots near Huludao Zinc Plant to investigate health risk of Hg, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu to the inhabitants around Huludao Zinc Plant in China via consumption of vegetables. Transfer factor (TF) values of Hg, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu from soil to vegetable and the target hazard quotients (THQs) to the possible health risks to local population through the food chain transfer were calculated accordingly. TF values of heavy metals from soil to vegetable decrease in the order of Cd>Zn>Cu>Pb>Hg. These TF values of leaves are higher than other tissues. Daily intakes of Hg, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu through the consumption of vegetables are 1.322, 574.3, 301.4, 5263, and 292.5 microg, respectively, for adults, and 1.029, 446.8, 234.5, 4095, and 227.6 microg, respectively, for children around Huludao Zinc Plant. This would lead to potential health risk, especially for children, since Cd or Pb individual THQ is high than 1. The total metal THQs (TTHQs) due to consumption of vegetables for adult and child are 5.79-9.90, 7.6-13.0, respectively. Comparing TTHQs in the sampling plots of different distances to Huludao Zinc Plant, it indicate that the health risks to inhabitants close to Huludao Zinc Plant (<500 m) is the highest, and at >1000 m distance is relatively higher than in 500-1000 m distance. However, the inhabitants who lived in 500-1000 m distance to Huludao Zinc Plant is also experiencing the adverse health risk due to TTHQ being higher than 1.     

Temporal trends of Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Spanish North-Atlantic coast 1991-1999

Temporal trends for heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn) in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Galician and Cantabrian areas in Spain, where samples were yearly collected from 1991 to 1999, are presented. This study was carried out by the Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo of the Instituto Espa?ol de Oceanografia (I.E.O.) as part of the Spanish contribution to the Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programme (JAMP) of the OSPAR Convention. The experimental work and subsequent statistical treatment, following OSPAR procedures and guidelines, are described. In order to carry out the statistical treatment of the data, median values of the different shell length classes were used for each contaminant, year and area. The Kendall T-b correlation coefficient was used with the purpose of demonstrating the existence of a downward significant temporal trend in the pollution levels, according to the advice of ICES Working Group on Statistical Aspects of Environmental Monitoring. A decrease of copper levels was detected in Vigo, Pontevedra and Arosa, of mercury in Pontevedra and A Coru?a, of lead in Vigo, Pontevedra, A Coru?a and Bilbao and of zinc in Pontevedra and A Coru?a. However, a cadmium positive trend was registered at Ria de Vigo. No significant trends were detected in the other cases.     

Influence of acid volatile sulfides and simultaneously extracted metals on the bioavailability and toxicity of a mixture of sediment-associated Cd, Ni, and Zn to polychaetes Neanthes arenaceodentata

Laboratory microcosm experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of acid volatile sulfides (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) in sediments on the bioavailability and toxicity of Cd, Ni, and Zn in sediments to polychaete worms Neanthes arenaceodentata. Cohorts of juvenile N. arenaceodentata were exposed to sediments spiked with metal mixtures containing Cd, Ni, and Zn (0.5-15 micromol x g(-1) of total SEM) with Low- (approximately 1 micromol x g(-1)), Medium- (approximately 5 micromol x g(-1)), and High-AVS concentrations (approximately 10 micromol x g(-1)) for 20 days to determine mortality, growth rate, and metal bioaccumulation. Tissue Cd and Zn concentrations at the end of the exposure were significantly higher in sediments with the low-AVS concentration at a given SEM concentration due to the increased dissolved metal concentrations in overlying water (OW). However, tissue Ni concentrations were not related to dissolved Ni in the OW. AVS concentrations also influenced the toxicity of metals to the worms. Significant mortality was observed only at the highest SEM treatments at Low-AVS series. Most individuals survived at the highest SEM treatments at Medium- and High-AVS series. Similarly, the growth rates of worms were reduced in treatments having higher molar differences between SEM and AVS ([SEM-AVS]). Overall, the bioavailability and toxicity of metals in sediments was not well predicted by sediment metal concentrations only, but considering the influence of geochemical factors (AVS) on the metal bioavailability improved the prediction of toxicity. Also, the relationship between tissue metal concentration and toxicity was used to determine which contaminant was most responsible for the observed toxicity of the metal mixture.     

Multiple site study of recent atmospheric metal (Pb, Zn and Cu) deposition in the NW Iberian Peninsula using peat cores

In order to estimate atmospheric metal deposition in Southern Europe since the beginning of the Industrial Period (~ 1850 AD), concentration profiles of Pb, Zn and Cu were determined in four ²¹⁰Pb-dated peat cores from ombrotrophic bogs in Serra do Xistral (Galicia, NW Iberian Peninsula). Maximum metal concentrations varied by a factor of 1.8 for Pb and Zn (70 to 128 μg g⁻¹ and 128 to 231 μg g⁻¹, respectively) and 3.5 for Cu (11 to 37 μg g⁻¹). The cumulative metal inventories of each core varied by a factor of 3 for all analysed metals (132 to 329 μg cm⁻² for Pb, 198 to 625 μg cm⁻² for Zn and 22 to 69 μg cm⁻² for Cu), suggesting differences in net accumulation rates among peatlands. Although results suggest that mean deposition rates vary within the studied area, the enhanced ²¹⁰Pb accumulation and the interpretation of the inventory ratios (²¹⁰Pb/Pb, Zn/Pb and Cu/Pb) in two bogs indicated that either a record perturbation or post-depositional redistribution effects must be considered. After correction, Pb, Zn and Cu profiles showed increasing concentrations and atmospheric fluxes since the mid-XX^th century to maximum values in the second half of the XX^th century. For Pb, maximum fluxes were observed in 1955-1962 and ranged from 16 to 22 mg m⁻² yr⁻¹ (mean of 18 ± 1 mg m⁻² yr⁻¹), two orders of magnitude higher than in the pre-industrial period. Peaks in Pb fluxes in Serra do Xistral before the period of maximum consumption of leaded petrol in Europe (1970s-1980s) suggest the dominance of local pollutant sources in the area (i.e. coal mining and burning). More recent peaks were observed for Zn and Cu, with fluxes ranging from 32 to 52 mg m⁻² yr⁻¹ in 1989-1996, and from 4 to 9 mg m⁻² yr⁻¹ in 1994-2001, respectively. Our results underline the importance of multi-core studies to assess both the integrity and reliability of peat records, and the degree of homogeneity in bog accumulation. We show the usefulness of using the excess ²¹⁰Pb inventory to distinguish between differential metal deposition, accumulation or anomalous peat records.     

Biomonitoring of Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb in the Baluarte River basin associated to a mining area (NW Mexico)

With the purpose of knowing seasonal variations of Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb in a river basin with past and present mining activities, elemental concentrations were measured in six fish species and four crustacean species in Baluarte River, from some of the mining sites to the mouth of the river in the Pacific Ocean between May 2005 and March 2006. In fish, highest levels of Cd (0.06 μg g^− 1 dry weight) and Cr (0.01 μg g^− 1) were detected during the dry season in Gobiesox fluviatilis and Agonostomus monticola, respectively; the highest levels of Hg (0.56 μg g^− 1) were detected during the dry season in Guavina guavina and Mugil curema. In relation to Pb, the highest level (1.65 μg g^− 1) was detected in A. monticola during the dry season. In crustaceans, highest levels of Cd (0.05 μg g^− 1) occurred in Macrobrachium occidentale during both seasons; highest concentration of Cr (0.09 μg g^− 1) was also detected in M. occidentale during the dry season. With respect to Hg, highest level (0.20 μg g^− 1) was detected during the rainy season in Macrobrachium americanum; for Pb, the highest concentration (2.4 μg g^− 1) corresponded to Macrobrachium digueti collected in the dry season. Considering average concentrations of trace metals in surficial sediments from all sites, Cd (p < 0.025), Cr (p < 0.10) and Hg (p < 0.15) were significantly higher during the rainy season. Biota sediment accumulation factors above unity were detected mostly in the case of Hg in fish during both seasons. On the basis of the metal levels in fish and crustacean and the provisional tolerable weekly intake of studied elements, people can eat up to 13.99, 0.79 and 2.34 kg of fish in relation to Cd, Hg and Pb, respectively; regarding crustaceans, maximum amounts were 11.33, 2.49 and 2.68 kg of prawns relative to levels of Cd, Hg and Pb, respectively.     

Dissolved and particulate metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb) in two habitats from an active hydrothermal field on the EPR at 13 degrees N

The distribution of Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd between the dissolved (<2 microm) and the particulate (>2 microm) fractions was measured after in-situ filtration in two hydrothermal habitats. The total metal concentration ranges exhibit a clear enrichment compared with the seawater concentration, accounting for the hydrothermal input for all the metals considered. Iron is the predominant metal (5-50 microM) followed by Zn and Cu. Cd and Pb are present at the nM level. At the scale studied, the behavior of temperature, pH and dissolved iron is semi-conservative whereas the other dissolved and particulate metals are characterized by non-conservative patterns. The metal enrichment of the >2 microm fraction results from the settlement and accumulation of particulate matter close to the organisms, acting as a secondary metal source. The enrichment observed in the dissolved fraction can be related to the dissolution or oxidation of particles (mainly polymetallic sulfide) or to the presence of small particles and large colloids not retained on the 2 microm frit. SEM observations indicate that the bulk particulate observed is characteristic of crystalline particles settling rapidly from the high temperature smoker (sphalerite, wurtzite and pyrite), amorphous structures and eroded particles formed in the external zone of the chimney. Precipitation of Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb with Fe as wurtzite, sphalerite and pyrite is the main process taking place within the area studied and is semi-quantitative. The distribution of the dominant observed fauna has been related to the gradient resulting from the dilution process, with the alvinellids worms colonizing the hotter and more variable part of the mixing zone, but also to the metallic load of the mixing zone. Dissolved and particulate metal concentrations are therefore necessary abiotic factors to be studied in a multiparametric approach to understand the faunal distribution in hydrothermal ecosystems.     

Accumulation de quelques metaux lourds (Cd,Cu, Pb et Zn) chez l'eperlan (Osmerus mordax) preleve sur la rive Nord de l'Estuaire du Saint-LaurentHeavy metal accumulation (Cd,Cu, Pb and Zn) by smelt (Osmerus mordax) from the North shore of the St Lawrence estuary

Heavy metals in trace amounts are normal constituents of marine organisms. At sufficiently high concentrations, heavy metals are toxic to living organisms and so it is important to know by how much their concentration may be increased before effects on marine or estuarine populations can be detected or commercial species become unsuitable as food. A method of removing metals is by storage in a particular tissue. Several different sites for storing metals were investigated and concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were examined in muscle, liver and gonads of the smelt (Osmerus mordax) from the North shore of the St Lawrence estuary. Copper and zinc are constituents of several enzymes and are absolutely essential for normal growth and development, while cadmium and lead are not known to have necessary physiological function. A modified wet digestion procedure was used to prepare biological samples for the determination of trace elements by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry procedure, using calibration standards made up in a matrix of similar acidity (Table 1). NBS reference material bovine liver was analyzed along with the samples and the results were within the specified tolerance (Table 2). Analyses were reported on a dry weight basis (Table 3) and the correlations with total body weight were determined by regression analysis. Copper (range 0.3–3.3 μg g^?1) and zinc (range 19–38 μg g^?1) in muscle fillets were found to be negatively correlated with total body weight (Fig. 1). Apparent decreasing concentrations in these two metal levels in muscle sample with increasing body weight were possibly due to factor such as dilution with growth. Growth may dilute metal concentrations in an organism if tissue is added faster than metal. Livers and gonads contained greater levels of the four metals than somatic muscle. Liver metal concentrations of Zn (range 29–108 μg g^?1) and Cd (range 0.06–0.37 μg g^?1) increased with total body weight. All equations fit data at P < 0.01 (Fig. 2). Positive correlations between size and metal concentrations suggest that net uptake may occur. Inessential, slowly exchanging metals such as Cd appear to reflect an uptake which tend to become a cumulative process (age dependence of concentrations). The occurrence of insignificant correlation between liver concentrations of Cu (mean value: 4 μg g^?1) and environmental concentrations of this metal was consistent with equilibration. Since fish are known to possess the metal binding protein metallothionein, a sequestering agent, detoxification of these metals in fish liver may be by sequestration rather than elimination. Increasing metal concentrations in liver may represent storage of sequestered products in that organ. In the gonads, no significant relationship exists between total body weight and trace metal contents. Results of t-test indicated that females had significantly greater Cu and Zn concentrations, but no significant difference existed between males and females for Cd concentrations (Figs 3 and 4). Thus, the relation between concentration and total body weight appears to be specific as to the species, tissues analyzed and environmental conditions. The comparison of metal concentrations in fish to assess variations in contamination levels requires understanding the relationship between metal concentration and body size within each population.     

Implications of short and long term (30 days) sorption on the desorption kinetic of trace metals (Cd, Zn, Co, Mn, Fe, Ag, Cs) associated with river suspended matter

The desorption kinetic of trace elements (Cd, Zn, Co, Mn, Fe, Ag, and Cs) associated with Loire river natural suspended particulate matter (SPM; 0.4-63 microm) was followed up on times varying from 0.5 h to 30 days, from SPM previously contaminated during 1 h, 24 h and 30 days. Long term sorption kinetics indicated that the difference between sorption occurring during the period 0-30 days (time investigated in this study) and the period 0-48 h (time often used for sorption experiments) ranges from few to 25% according to the element. Desorption kinetics show that, whatever the age of the complex formed during the sorption step, the release tends to equilibrium between complexed and dissolved elements equivalent to the equilibrium obtained for sorption after a given time. However, the time to get this equilibrium depends on the aging of the complex and on the element. All the above features indicate different types of complexes formation and strength of the binding according to the age of the complex and according to the element. Using a multi-compartmental model, simulating the transfer of metals between water and different types of particulate sites, the relationships between the parameters describing slow and rapid processes helped in explaining the "aging" effect observed.     

Metal concentrations (As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) in shorthorn sculpins, Myoxocephalus scorpius (Linnaeus), and Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus (Linnaeus), from the vicinity of Strathcona Sound, Northwest Territories

Concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead and zinc were determined in muscle and liver tissues from shorthorn sculpins and landlocked Arctic char collected in the vicinity of Strathcona Sound, N.W.T., prior to industrial activity. The concentration of arsenic in both muscle and liver tissues from shorthorn sculpins displayed a positive correlation to body weight over the entire size range, and substantially exceeded the maximum recommended level for arsenic in marine animal products established by the Canadian Food and Drug Directorate. The concentrations of the other four elements were either not correlated to body weight or else the data were non-linear. No correlation between the metal concentrations and body weight was found in Arctic char.     

Assessment of heavy metals contamination and its effects on oyster (Saccostrea cucullata) biometry parameters in the Asaluyeh port coasts,Persian Gulf,Iran

The current study examines biometric parameters and concentration of some heavy metals in soft tissues of Saccostrea cucullata in the Asaluyeh coast, Persian Gulf, Iran. The metals concentration in the soft tissue of the Saccostrea cucullata ranged as: Zn: 765–3411 mg kg^?1, Cu: 120.3–580.6 mg kg^?1, Cd: 0.13–3.5 mg kg^?1, As: 0.39–3.3 mg kg^?1, Pb: 0.05–1.64 mg kg^?1, Ni: 0.02–0.44 mg kg^?1, V: 0.06–0.32 mg kg^?1, Cr: 0.02–0.16 mg kg^?1 and Hg: 0.002–0.068 mg kg^?1. The results showed that the concentration of total heavy metals in oysters of the control station (CA) is usually lower. The results also indicated lack of correlation between oyster biometric parameters and bioaccumulated heavy metals, except between Cu and longitudinal diameter (R = 0.77). The concentration of heavy metals is higher than limits recommended by the World Health Organization, except for Cd and Pb.     

Comparative study of the Cd. Cu and Pb determination by AAS and by ICP-AES in river water : Application to a mediterranean river (Congost river, Catalonia, Spain)

The accuracy, precision, detection limit and rapidity in the determination of Cd, Cu and Pb in river water by AAS determination, previous extraction with APDC-MIBK system, is compared with direct determination method ICP-AES. Both methods show a similar detection limit and an analogous accuracy by the addition standard method. With a calibration curve only ICP-AES presents good accuracy, this technique is advantageous in long term precision and requires minimum sample preparation. The sample stability at different temperature conservation is studied. Finally both methods are applied to the determination of Cd, Cu and Pb in Congost river water.     

Comparison of a static and a dynamic in vitro model to estimate the bioaccessibility of As, Cd, Pb and Hg from food reference materials Fucus sp. (IAEA-140/TM) and Lobster hepatopancreas (TORT-2)

Bioaccessibility, the fraction of an element solubilized during gastrointestinal digestion and available for absorption, is a factor that should be considered when evaluating the health risk of contaminants from food. Static and dynamic models that mimic human physiological conditions have been used to evaluate bioaccessibility. This preliminary study compares the bioaccessibility of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) in two food certified reference materials (CRMs) (seaweed: Fucus sp., IAEA-140/TM; Lobster hepatopancreas: TORT-2), using two in vitro gastrointestinal digestion methods: a static method (SM) and a dynamic multicompartment method (TIM-1). There are significant differences (p < 0.05) between the bioaccessible values of As, Cd, Pb and Hg obtained by SM and TIM-1 in the two CRMs. The specific form in which the elements studied are present in the CRM may help to explain the bioaccessibility values obtained.