Long-term Monitoring of Irrigation Ditch Sediment Metal(loid)s in the Animas and San Juan River Watershed, New Mexico (USA) after the Gold King Mine Spill

The concentrations of metals in bottom sediment in the Tanzanian waters of Lake Victoria and the nature of suspended particulate matter (SPM) were analysed. The objective of the study was to compare levels of metals in sediment from different locations and to establish their sources. Metal concentrations were higher in sediment in locations within urban catchments. There were significant differences between sites for concentrations of Cu, Cr, Zn, Hg and Pb in sediment. Mercury concentration was higher in Nungwe Bay sediment compared to other areas, and Cr was higher in Magu Bay, while Cu, Pb and Zn were higher in Mwanza Gulf. Watershed characteristics such as urbanisation, and lake characteristics such as algal biomass, influence the nature of SPM, and hence the concentration of metals in the sediment. The potential to distinguish between different origins of metals in the lake, if the sources of SPM are well construed, is demonstrated.

Faunus ater is a favoritemollusca that is often found on the Bale River. Local people use these snails as food for consumption along with their main food. Bale River itself is located adjacent to the cement factory, used water washing machines distributed to the river is feared to support the presence of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) metals in the river. This study aims to analyze the relationship of Pb and Zn content in sediments to the content of Pb and Zn in Faunus ater. Data collection was carried out in Februari until April 2018. The relationship between Pb and Zn content in sediments with Pb and Zn content in the body of Faunus ater was analyzed by correlation analysis. The results of the data analysis showed that the metal content of Pb and Zn in sediment and Faunus aterwere found to vary. The highest Pb content in sediment was found at station 2 in March, amounting to 32.87 mg / kg. while the highest Zn content was found at station 1 in March amounting to 84 mg / kg. The relationship of heavy metals Pb and Zn in sediments to the content of Pb and Zn in the body of Faunus ater showed a negative correlation. The conclusion of this study is that there is no correlation between the content of Pb and Zn heavy metals in sediments on the content of lead Pb and Zn in the body of Faunus ater at the Bale Lhoknga River in Aceh Besar District.

The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of metals in sediments and surface water within the Lago Paranoa catchment in Central Brazil, and to evaluate metal enrichments due to anthropogenic activities. Concentrations of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti and Zn were analyzed in sediment samples from sediment sources under different land uses, in alluvial sediment profiles, and in water samples. Principal component analysis was used to investigate the impact of different land use types on metal concentrations in source sediments. The anthropogenic impact of different land uses on metal concentrations in sediments was quantified by the calculation of enrichment factors, using the local geological background as reference. The data showed that different anthropogenic activities are related to specific metal enrichments in source and alluvial sediments. Particularly urban areas with high-density block development were characterized by higher enrichments of Cd, Cr, Pb, Sr and Zn compared to the local background values. Sediments from agricultural areas had higher concentrations of Cr, Cu and Ni compared to urban areas, which is caused by higher contents of clay and not due to human impact. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb in surface water samples of the main rivers discharging into Lago Paranoa were very low. The values of Al, Fe, Mn, Sr and Zn differed between the sub-catchments and showed seasonal variation. Metal concentrations depended substantially on terrestrial inputs from anthropogenic and natural sources. The analysis of effluent water samples indicated that there is a temporary metal input into the lake from the two wastewater treatment plants, which might have caused metal enrichments in sediments and water. The regression analyses showed that there is a strong correlation between metal concentrations in alluvial sediments and corresponding water samples, as well as between metal accumulation in the alluvial sediments and shares of urban areas in the sub-catchment.

Tin, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ag and Hg concentrations were measured in waters, sediments and three ubiquitous sedentary molluscs: the oyster, Saccostrea glomerata, a rocky intertidal gastropod, Austrocochlea porcata, and a sediment-dwelling gastropod, Batillaria australis, at 12 locations along the far south coast of NSW, Australia, from Batemans Bay to Twofold Bay during 2009. Metal concentrations in water for Sn, Cd, Ag and Hg were below detection limits (< 0.005 μg/L). Measurable water metal concentrations were Cu: 0.01-0.08 μg/L, Zn: 0.005-0.11 μg/L and Pb: 0.005-0.06 μg/L. Mean metal concentration in sediments were Sn < 0.01-2 μg/g, Cu < 0.01-605 μg/g, Zn 23-765 μg/g, Cd < 0.01-0.5 μg/g, Pb < 0.01-0.3 μg/g, Ag < 0.01-0.9 μg/g and Hg < 0.01-2.3 μg/g. Several locations exceeded the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council and Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand (Australian and New Zealand guidelines for fresh and marine water quality 2000) low and high interim sediment quality guidelines' levels for Cu, Zn, Cd and Hg. Some sites had measurable Sn concentrations, but these were all well below the levels of tributyltin known to cause harm to marine animals. Elevated metal concentrations are likely to be from the use of antifoulants on boats, historical mining activities and agriculture in the catchments of estuaries. All molluscs had no measurable concentrations of Sn (< 0.01 μg/g) and low mean Ag (< 0.01-1.5 μg/g) and Hg (< 0.01-0.5 μg/g) concentrations. Mean Cu (24-1516 μg/g), Zn (45-4644 μg/g), Cd (0.05-5μg/g) and Pb (0.05-1.1 μg/g) in oysters were close to background concentrations. Oysters have Cd and Pb concentrations well below the Australian Food Standards Code (2002).] There were no significant correlations between metal concentrations in sediments and in organisms within locations, and no relationship with levels of boating activity and suspected antifouling contamination. Although not pristine, the low levels of metal contamination in sediments and molluscs in comparison with known metal-contaminated areas indicate that this region is not grossly contaminated with metals and suitable for the development of mariculture.].

Sediments of two dam reservoirs in SE Poland, Zalew Zemborzycki (ZZ) and Brody Iłżeckie (BI) were studied. The sediments from both reservoirs were sampled in the transects perpendicular to the shoreline, at the river inflow and the frontal dam. The total concentration of Mn, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr and Ni was determined by ICP-EAS method after the sample digestion in the mixture of concentrated HNO3 and HClO4 acids. The statistical analyses: value intervals, mean values, variation coefficient, the median and the skewed distribution were performed. To estimate differences between the means for transects, Tukey’s test was applied with least significant difference (LSD) determination. The maps of the metal spatial distribution were drawn and sediment quality according to the geochemical and ecotoxicological criteria evaluated. Differences between the reservoirs in terms of heavy metals concentration in bottom sediments, and regularities in their spatial distribution were found. In the ZZ sediments the concentration was at the level of geochemical background (Zn, Cr), slightly (Cd, Cu, Ni) or moderately (Pb) contaminated sediments. The metal concentration in the sediments of the BI was up to eight times higher as compared to the ZZ. Moreover, sediments from the BI reservoir showed a greater variability of metal concentration than those from ZZ, which resulted from the dredging operation performed in the part of the reservoir. Metal concentration in sediments of the dredged part was ca. 2–5 times lower than in the undredged one, which indicates that after the dredging operation, accumulation of these metals was slight. The concentrations of Zn, Pb and Cd from the undredged part of BI were at the level of contaminated sediments and exceeded the probable effects level (PEL). In the ZZ, the greatest accumulation of metals occurred in the upper part of the reservoir and at the frontal dam, and the lowest in the middle part of the reservoir. In BI, the lower outflow of water in this reservoir caused a lower metal concentration in the sediments at the frontal dam, as compared with the other sediments in the undredged part of the reservoir. The results indicate that in small and shallow reservoirs, areas of accumulation of heavy metals depend on such factors as a parent river current, reservoir depth, water waving, reservoir shape (narrowing, coves/bays), and type of water outflow.

Heavy metal contamination from historic mining in upland soil and estuarine sediments of Egypt Bay, Maine, USA

To characterize the partitioning of metals in a stream ecosystem, concentrations of trace metals including As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were measured in water, colloids, sediment, biofilm (also referred to as aufwuchs), macroinvertebrates, and fish collected from the Boulder River watershed, Montana. Median concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Zn in water throughout the watershed exceeded the U.S. EPA acute and chronic criteria for protection of aquatic life. Concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in sediment were sufficient in the tributaries to cause invertebrate toxicity. The concentrations of As, Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn in invertebrates from lower Cataract Creek (63, 339, 59, 34, and 2,410 microg/g dry wt, respectively) were greater than the concentrations in invertebrates from the Clark Fork River watershed, Montana (19, 174, 2.3, 15, and 648 microg/g, respectively), that were associated with reduced survival, growth, and health of cutthroat trout fed diets composed of those invertebrates. Colloids and biofilm seem to play a critical role in the pathway of metals into the food chain and concentrations of As, Cu, Pb, and Zn in these two components are significantly correlated. We suggest that transfer of metals associated with Fe colloids to biological components of biofilm is an important pathway where metals associated with abiotic components are first available to biotic components. The significant correlations suggest that Cd, Cu, and Zn may move independently to biota (biofilm, invertebrates, or fish tissues) from water and sediment. The possibility exists that Cd, Cu, and Zn concentrations increase in fish tissues as a result of direct contact with water and sediment and indirect exposure through the food chain. However, uptake through the food chain to fish may be more important for As. Although As concentrations in colloids and biofilm were significantly correlated with As water concentrations, As concentrations in fish tissues were not correlated with water. The pathway for Pb into biological components seems to begin with sediment because concentrations of Pb in water were not significantly correlated with any other component and because concentrations of Pb in the water were often below detection limits.

The relationship between metal concentration and organic matter in sediments and metal concentration in the aquatic macrophyte Eriocaulon septangulare

The aim of this research was to investigate the type of relationships between the concentrations of heavy metals in bottom sediments and in selected roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.), organs. The material studied included kidney, liver, gill, and muscle tissues of roach caught in selected areas of the Oder River. The contents of Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu were analyzed in fish organs. The content of heavy metals in roach organs differed depending on the organ or, in some cases, on the feeding site. The concentration of heavy metals in bottom sediments also depended on the site of their collection. Positive mutual correlations between concentrations of selected metals in fish and bottom sediments were found. The contamination of bottom sediments in the lower reaches of the Oder River with Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu was diverse and depended on the sampling area. The accumulation of metals in the organs of the studied fish varied and was positively correlated with the concentration of metals in sediments.

Heavy metals in water, sediment and tissues of Leuciscus cephalus from a stream in southwestern Turkey

Near-field receiving water monitoring of trace metals and a benthic community near the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant in South San Francisco Bay, California--2006

Contamination of heavy metals in sediment is regarded as a major crisis globally, with a large SHARE in developing countries, such as Bangladesh. The objective of this study is to assess the contamination level and seasonal variation of heavy metals and their ecological risk in sediments. Heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb) in sediments were investigated from eight different sites of Paira River situated at the southern part of Bangladesh and metals were measured by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The mean concentration of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb in sediments was 45, 34, 30, 12, 0.72 and 25 mg/kg dw, respectively. Metals in sediment during winter were higher than summer season. The concentrations of metals in sediment were compared with both background and toxicological reference values. The comparative results suggested that the selected metals created an adverse effect on the aquatic ecosystems of the studied river. The pollution load index for three sites were higher than baseline values indicating progressive deterioration of sediments by heavy metal. Potential ecological risks of metals in sediment indicated moderate to considerable risk. This study suggested that more attention should be directed to the comprehensive risk assessment of heavy metals of this riverine aquatic environment.

Background.Efforts are needed to evaluate heavy metal concentrations in aquatic sediments which serve as repositories and as sources of contamination of other habitats.Objectives.The present study assessed temporal changes in the pH, particle size and concentration of metals in sediments of a mining-affected river in Zambales, Philippines.Methods.Sediment samples were collected at different periods in four stations along the river using a modified Van Veen grab. The samples were subjected to quartering, air-drying, and sieved through a mesh of 40 mm prior to X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy analysis using Thermo Scientific Niton XL3t to determine metal concentrations. The sediment particle size was analyzed by the sieve method and soil pH by the electrode method.Results.Measured metal concentrations in the sediment were as follows: iron (Fe)> calcium (Ca)> chromium (Cr)> nickel (Ni)> manganese (Mn) with averages of 174.6 mg/g, 7.89 mg/g, 6.54 mg/g, 4.82 mg/g, and 2.75 mg/g dry matter (DM), respectively. The mean pH of riverine sediments was generally neutral, except for Station 4. In terms of particle size, silt and clay fractions increased in the upstream station but decreased in the midstream and downstream stations across the sampling periods. The flooding brought by Typhoon Koppu resulted in lowered concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cr, and Ni and an upsurge in Ca and potassium levels.Discussion.Most of the heavy metals (Fe, Ni, Cr, Mn) exceeded the probable effect level (PEL) for inorganics in sediments, suggesting that the adverse effects of these metals on the environment and aquatic organisms are expected to occur frequently. In comparison with Station 4, which was less affected by siltation, there was a sign of metal enrichment in the area. This indicates that soil erosion and runoff, which might have been triggered by vegetation loss, mineral extraction, and agricultural activities, had a significant impact on the quality of river sediments.Conclusions.The findings of the study point to the need for the formulation and implementation of appropriate regulatory measures for the protection and rehabilitation of the heavy metal-loaded river.Competing Interests.The authors declare no competing financial interests.

The coastal waters of Palu Bay are vulnerable to pollution from various activities of the surrounding population. This study aimed to determine the content of heavy metals Pb, Cd, and Cu in the water and sediment of the coastal waters of Palu Bay. The analysis of heavy metal content (Pb, Cd, and Cu) in water and sediment was conducted using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Based on the research, the results showed that the heavy metal content in the water ranged from undetected to 0.04 mg/L for Pb, undetected for Cd and Cu. The heavy metals content in the sediment ranged from 2.17 to 13.8 mg/kg for Pb, undetected to 0.17 mg/kg for Cd, and 5.02 to 37.67 mg/kg for Cu. The Pb content in the water has significantly exceeded the quality standard as stipulated in the Minister of Environment Decree No. 51 of 2004. The Pb content in the sediment is still within safe limits according to Canadian quality standards. The Cd content in the sediment exceeded the quality standard at station 6, while for the other 9 stations, it was not detected. The Cu content in the sediment at 5 stations (2, 3, 4, 5, and 10) has exceeded the Canadian quality standard of 18.7 mg/kg.

Wetlands act as kidneys of land and facilitate remediation of metals and other harmful pollutants through uptake by aquatic macrophytes. The aim of the present study was to investigate metal concentrations in sediments and plants, sources of metal origin, and contamination level in Uchalli Wetland Complex. Sediment samples were collected from 15 randomly selected sites. Metal concentrations (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr, As, Mn) in sediments and macrophytes were determined during summer and winter seasons using the inductively coupled plasma technique. Metal concentrations in sediments during summer and winter seasons were in the order as follows: As > Mn > Zn > Cr > Ni > Cd > Pb > Cu and As > Mn > Zn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd >Cu respectively. All analyzed metals were within European Union (EU) limits. In macrophytes, these metals were in the order as follows: Mn > As > Ni > Zn > Cr > Cd > Cu > Pb and As > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cd > Pb during summer and winter seasons respectively. Contamination degree (Cd) (1.023-5.309) for these lakes showed low contamination during both seasons; mCd values (below 1.5) showed very little contamination degree, while the pollution load index (0.012 to 0.0386) indicated no metal pollution in these lakes. PCA applied on sediment showed that Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, and Cd had anthropogenic sources of origin. As and Mn were due to natural processes while Ni could be resultant of both anthropogenic and natural sources. PCA on macrophytes showed that Ni, Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu; Cd, As; Mn had anthropogenic, natural, and anthropogenic + natural sources of origin. The study concluded that metal concentrations in sediments were not up to dangerous level.