Abstract
There is increasing evidence that platinum group elements (PGE) are pollutants of emerging concern worldwide. Limited information exists on levels, particularly in regions where PGEs are mined. A passive sampling device (i.e., the artificial mussel (AM)) and transplanted indicator organisms (i.e., the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminalis africana) were deployed along a PGE mining gradient in the Hex River, South Africa, and concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb, Pt, V, and Zn were determined after six weeks of exposure. Results showed differential uptake patterns for Pt, Cr, and Ni between the AMs and clams indicating availability differences. For monitoring purposes, a combination of AMs and indicator organisms provides a more holistic assessment of element exposure in aquatic environments.
Highlights
In recent decades, the environmental concentrations of platinum group elements (PGE) have increased in different environmental matrices worldwide since these precious metals have been used more often in a number of applications [1]
The difference between the results of the artificial mussels (AM) and the transplanted clams should not be seen as a shortcoming and was expected based on results from previous studies
The present study demonstrated that the transplanted clams and AMs accumulated different metals at different concentrations, which could be attributed to the accumulation of metals in different forms showing different biological availabilities
Summary
The environmental concentrations of platinum group elements (PGE) have increased in different environmental matrices worldwide since these precious metals have been used more often in a number of applications [1]. Mining activities in South Africa greatly contribute to PGE emissions in the environment [1]. It is in the platinum mining regions of the North-West Province of South Africa where PGE and associated metals show increased levels in the aquatic environment [2,3]. Bioaccumulation is an important process where living organisms take up toxicants at a greater rate than the rate at which they eliminate these substances [4]. Many factors can influence the bioaccumulation of metals in the environment such as pH, conductivity, temperature, and salinity, as well as biotic factors such as age, body size, and reproductive status of the bioaccumulating organism [4]
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