Contamination Of Bottom Sediments Research Articles

Trace elements in aquatic environment. Origin, distribution, assessment and toxicity effect for the aquatic biota

Trace elements contamination and accumulation in bottom sediment represents a risk to environment and aquatic biota. Their anthropogenic or natural discharge, extension and cumulation can cause large scale of ecological destructions. Bioaccumulation and biomagnification is capable of leading to toxic level of these chemical substances in fish and other fresh water organisms (benthos, zooplankton), even when the exposure is low. The fish contamination through trophic structure can cause serious consequences to human health.The aim of the manuscript was to assemble and summarize the latest literature on the environmental and the aquatic biota effects of trace element contamination of bottom sediments. The article is also a review of new methods for trace elements elimination and their assessment to impact on aquatic organisms. Based on collected scientific publications in last 20 years the most common and important trace elements in aquatic ecosystem are Chromium, Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium and Copper. These compounds are dangerous for living organisms and can disrupt their homeostasis as well as a cardiovascular, nervous and digestive system. Nowadays exist many instrumental methods, which are available to determine the trace element concentration such as PMF, INNA, BCR, XRF and bioassay. In searched studies the most preferred and used analyse of trace element concentration in aquatic bottom sediments is bioassay. This biological method is good complement to physical and chemical analyses in procedures of sediment quality assessment. Bioassay method can indicate sensitive response of planktonic organisms to various trace elements and provide information about the real risk to aquatic life.

Causes of variations of trace and rare earth elements concentration in lakes bottom sediments in the Bory Tucholskie National Park, Poland

The objective of this study was to analyse spatial variability of the trace elements (TEs) and rare earth elements (REEs) concentration in lake bottom sediments in Bory Tucholskie National Park (BTNP); Poland. The following research questions were posed: which factors have a fundamental impact on the concentration and spatial variability of elements in bottom sediments, which of the elements can be considered as indicators of natural processes and which are related to anthropogenic sources. The research material was sediments samples collected from 19 lakes. The concentrations of 24 TEs and 14 REEs were determined. The analyses were carried out using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-QQQ). Cluster analysis and principal component analysis were used to determine the spatial variability of the TEs and REEs concentrations, indicate the elements that are the indicators of natural processes and identify potential anthropogenic sources of pollution. The geochemical background value (GBV) calculations were made using 13 different statistical methods. However, the contamination of bottom sediments was evaluated by means of the index of geo-accumulation, the enrichment factor, the pollution load index, and the metal pollution index. The BTNP area is unique because of its isolation from the inflow of pollutants from anthropogenic sources and a very stable land use structure over the last 200 years. This study shows high variability of TE and REE concentrations in lake sediments. The values of geochemical indices suggest low pollution of lakes bottom sediments. It was found that TEs originated mainly from geogenic sources. However, the concentrations of Li, Ni, Sc, Se, Be, Se, Ag, Re, Tl, Cd, Sb and U may be related to the impact of point sources found mainly in the Ostrowite Lake. Almost all REEs concentrations were strongly correlated and their presence was linked to with geochemical processes. The elements allowing to identify natural processes and anthropogenic pollution sources were Cr, Co, Cu, Ag, Cd, Zn, Bi, Re, Ba, Al and Rb in TEs group and Nd, Gd, Yb, Lu, Eu, Dy and Ce in REEs group. The analysis shows high spatial variability of TE and REE concentrations in lake sediments. The values of geochemical indices point to low pollution of lakes sediments. The anthropogenic sources only for two lakes had an impact on concentrations of selected TEs and REEs. The analyses allowed to identify elements among TEs and REEs documenting geochemical processes and those indicating anthropogenic sources of pollution.

Основные критерии оценок содержания тяжелых металлов в донных отложениях водных объектов

The main criteria for assessing the content of heavy metals in sediments of water bodies. At present, the methodology for rationing pollutants in bottom sediments of surface watercourses is clearly not sufficiently developed. There are various and significantly different approaches to the assessment of soil contamination with heavy metals. The maximum permissible concentration (MAC), which is the main criterion for assessing the levels of pollution, is not perfect and needs to be significantly adjusted. A number of methodological assessments of contamination of bottom sediments with heavy metals with comparative characteristics are considered, of which a method for estimating the anthropogenic load on a reservoir according to its geo-classes has been proposed as one of the best. The gross content of heavy metals in bottom sediments of water bodies does not give a sufficient idea of the possibility of secondary pollution of water masses and, as a result, subsequent toxic effects. A much more important indicator is their content and distribution by forms of existence in the solid phase and pore solution of bottom sediments. As a consequence, this article develops a topic for estimating possible secondary pollution of water bodies by determining the content and distribution of TM by forms of existence in the solid phase and pore sediment solution.

Microplastic abundance and accumulation behavior in Lake Onego sediments: a journey from the river mouth to pelagic waters of the large boreal lake

Contamination of bottom sediments with microplastics (MPs) was first studied in Lake Onego - the second largest lake in Europe. The studied region is the most populated part of the lake watershed and covers the estuarine part of a large river (Shuya River), the Petrozavodsk Bay and the pelagic part of the lake. The mean MPs concentration in the sediment was 2188.7 ± 1164.4 pieces per kg of dry weight. It is two times higher than the same in The Baltic Sea and is comparable with highly urbanized areas of the world. Possible reasons for such a high rate of MPs accumulation in Lake Onego can be due to both the proximity to their sources and accumulation behavior. MPs spatial distribution exhibited a predictable pattern along the transsection from the river mouth to pelagic waters. Fibers were the most abundant form comparing with other fractions (61 ± 13 % of the total), however different MPs shapes prevailed in various regions. Relationship between MPs content in sediment and physical and chemical sediment characteristics was established. Fibers accumulation is related to the medium silt fraction (0.01-0.05 mm) and indicates the presence of the major accumulation zones for MPs.

Estimation of total contamination of the clarifier of waste water in the town of Zhanaozen

The article presents the results of the degree of contamination of the settling tank and calculates thehydrochemical index of contamination. In the city of oil workers Zhanaozen insufficiently treated wastewater (WW) from municipal sewage treatment plants is discharged into a sump, which is a partially collapsed earthen container. The sump constantly contains waste water of various degrees of contamination, which are in it until a certain “critical” time. The special role of the sump is WW, being locatedwithin the city limits, it is almost a “man-made” object, which is a source of creating a “critical” environmental and sanitary-epidemiological situation for the population. Water and sediment samples wereanalyzed for heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Zn, Cr3+). The total pollution index was calculated to determinethe gross content of heavy metals Cr, Cu, Fe, Zn and metalloid As in bottom sediments. To obtain anobjective assessment of the degree of contamination of bottom sediments with heavy metals, severalindicators of total ZC pollution were used. In settling ponds (buffer ponds), the concentrations of pollutants in suspended solids and in the upper layers of sediments are much higher than the concentrationsof substances dissolved in the water column. The results of the assessment of the calculation of the totalpollution of the settling tank located almost within the city of Zhanaozen, which turns it into a dangerous object, allow us to develop the most economically feasible and environmentally friendly method forwater purification.Key word: Sedimentation tank, bottom sediments, waste water, heavy metals.

Adapted methodology for comprehensive contamination assessment of bottom sediments on the content of various forms of heavy metals

As a result of long-term studies of bottom sediments of lakes, rivers, ponds and reservoirs of the Republic of Tatarstan, considerable factual material has been accumulated, which enabled the translation of quantitative estimates into qualitative characteristics. This necessitated a comprehensive assessment and generalization of the exceedance of the thresholds set for all metals, similarly to the specific combinatorial water pollution index (SCWPI). At the same time, the authors emphasize the features of such a comprehensive assessment of bottom sediments, and also suggest methods and algorithms for solving emerging problems. We use the method of frequency characteristics of data series of metal content (Cd, Pb, Co, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr, Mn, Fe) in bottom sediments, score the relevant characteristics, generalize the point estimates and bring them to the appropriate classes of purity. As a result, a method for the integrated assessment of contamination of bottom sediments was developed and tested, which solves the problem of the integral assessment of the quality of bottom sediments in terms of a complex of pollutants using the example of heavy metals. The method is based on the approach of the SCWPI. Therefore, its results are comparable to combinatorial assessments of water quality, which will allow deriving a uniform assessment of the water body as a whole.

Analysis of ecotoxicological condition of Amur bay (the sea of Japan) based on chemical and toxicological indicators

Data on the Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn contents in the bottom sediments of Amur Bay are presented. Contamination of bottom sediments is particularly heavy near the central part of Vladivostok, where the concentration of all metals, except for Cd, exceeds the threshold levels, at which negative biological effects are possible. Biological tests of marine crustaceans were conducted between 2003 and 2014 on water toxicity in this most contaminated bay water area. However, only in August 2003, September 2003, and July 2007, the survival rate of mysids in the surface water of the entire inner area was credibly lower than that in the outer part of the bay. In the following years, the ecotoxicological condition of the bay water improved owing to the decrease in contamination.

Heavy Metals in Bottom Sediments of Lake Kenon (The Trans-Baikal Territory, Russia).

Concentrations of heavy metals in bottom sediments of Lake Kenon in descending order are distributed as follows: Mn > Zn > Pb > Mo > Cd. Spatial distribution of metals in bottom sediments of Lake Kenon depends on composition of bottom deposits (sands in shallow water and sapropel silt in the deep part), location of contamination sources (thermal power station, residential area), as well as density and duration of growth of aquatic plants. The greatest pollution of bottom sediments was observed in the area of TPP-1. Due to the intense and all-year-round process of aquatic vegetation growth in the area of TPP-1 contaminants are being accumulated in the bottom sediments of this part of the lake. However, plants that absorb metals in excess amounts and are passively moved by currents through of the system become a source of contamination of bottom sediments in relatively clean parts of the water reservoirs.

MODERN CONTAMINATION OF BOTTOM SEDIMENTS AND ECOLOGICAL STATE OF MACROZOOBENTHOS IN THE COASTAL ZONE AT VLADIVOSTOK (PETER THE GREAT BAY, JAPAN SEA)

Contamination of bottom sediments in Peter the Great Bay is spatially variable, but for majority of stations it exceeds the natural geochemical background and «safe» level with at least one pollutant, mainly with hydrocarbons, pesticides, cadmium and mercury. The main sources of contaminants are the waste discharge of Vladivostok and other cities (oil products, pesticides, phenols, heavy metals: Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Zn) and rivers fall into the northern parts of Amur and Ussuri Bays (Co, Mn, Ni, Fe). The Golden Horn Bay and the Bosphorus East Strait are the most polluted areas, where concentrations of both heavy metals and hydrocarbons exceed the natural background and «safe» level considerably. The Amur Bay has moderate contamination, and the Ussuri Bay is contaminated slightly. Recently the chemical contamination and eutrophication are the main factors that determine the ecological status of bottom populations, though the former one is valid locally, in the most contaminated areas only.

Indicators of processes of oil contamination of bottom sediments in natural water basins from the data of model experiments

Indicators of processes of oil contamination of bottom sediments in natural water basins from the data of model experiments

Methodology for assessment of technogenic contamination in water bodies at urban areas

The paper considers the problem of the influence of man-made load on the quality of water and bottom sediments of water bodies. The relationship of the state of the water body, the quality of the water in it and the level of contamination of bottom sediments is established. It has been shown that the rates and volumes of formation of bottom sediments and the level of contamination of their layers are different throughout the existence of a water body, which allows the use of bottom sediments as the main indicator of the ecological state of a water body, reflecting the level of anthropogenic impact on water ecosystems over time.

Contamination of bottom sediments by lead, zinc and cadmium in Rzeszow reservoir

Abstract The aim of the present study was to determine the level of contamination of the bottom sediments in the Rzeszow reservoir by the selected heavy metals Pb, Cd and Zn, and to identify the potential environmental risks of heavy metals content basing on available assessments and classification of bottom sediments. The Rzeszow reservoir is situated on the Wisłok River in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, southeaster Poland, was constructed on 1974. Nowadays, as a result of silting, the reservoir reduced its surface and depth, which does not have a positive effect on the assumed functions it is to perform. The study was conducted in 2016. The samples of sediment were collected in five locations. Samples were taken twice: in June and in October. The following concentrations have been determined: cadmium - 0.01 ÷ 0.92 mg•kg–1, zinc - 54.39 ÷ 128 mg•kg–1, lead - 2.98 ÷ 25.42 mg•kg–1. The decline trend in the sediment is following: Zn > Pb > Cd. For the assessment of sediment contamination, following methods: aquatic sediment quality classification used by the Polish Geological Institute - I class, Regulation of the Minister of Environment of April 16 2002 on the types and concentrations of substances contaminating the excavated material – unpolluted and LAW sediment classification – Pb - I/I-II, Cd - I/I-II/II and Zn - I/I-II. The obtained results were compared with the results obtained by the other authors in earlier years, which led to the estimated changes in the concentration of the tested metals.

Types of Cytogenetic Abnormalities in the Apical Root Meristem of Elodea canadensis from the Yenisei River Areas with Different Types of Anthropogenic Pollution

The change in the spectrum of chromosomal abnormalities in the apical root meristem of Elodea canadensis Michx. (elodea) growing in areas with different types of anthropogenic (radioactive and chemical) pollution of the bottom sediments of the Yenisei River is shown. In the samples of elodea collected in the zone of radioactive contamination of the river by discharges of the Rosatom Mining and Chemical Combine (MCC, Zheleznogorsk), the predominant type of abnormalities consist of chromosomal aberrations (bridges, stickiness, chromosomal fragmentation), as well as multiple abnormalities in one cell. The elodea samples from the areas of the Yenisei River with nonradioactive (chemical) contamination of bottom sediments by the enterprises of the city of Krasnoyarsk are predominantly characterized by abnormalities associated with the disturbance of the mitotic spindle of cell division.

SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTENT OF HEAVY METALS IN THE BELAYA RIVER ECOSYSTEM

This paper presents the results of the research on the content and spatial distribution of heavy metals in the system of “water – bottom sediments” of the Belaya River. Quantitative data were obtained and the authors performed comparative analysis of the pollution of various abiotic environments of the river ecosystem. The pattern of vertical distribution of heavy metals in bottom sediments is shown to be linked to the level of pollution and conditions of the river flowage. Concentration of dissolved and suspended forms of the studied elements (the content of Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn, the oxidation-reduction potential, рН, turbidity and water temperature) in water samples from different gauge stations of the Belaya River is characterized by heterogeneity. There is a clear tendency for the increase of the content of Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu down the river flow with the maximum concentrations in the foothill zone of the Republic. The studied heavy metals have prevalence of the suspended form of migration. Concentration of heavy metals in bottom sediments is considerably uneven in their distribution in different sites of the Belaya River. Bottom sediments are noticeably polluted with Zn and Pb at the village of Ministochnik, the aul of Bzhedugkhabl, and at the river mouth. In the lower watercourse of the Belaya River, contamination of bottom sediments with Cu prevails. In the gauge stations with low content of heavy metals, their vertical distribution is quite homogenous. In less polluted parts of the river, flowage plays an important role in vertical distribution of heavy metals. For example, with weak flowage (the part of the river from the village of Ministochnik to the aul of Bzhedugkhabl), the highest concentrations are in the surface layers of 0-10 cm in comparison to the layer of 10‒30 cm. With strong flowage (Dakhovskaya stanitsa), the lowest content of heavy metals is in the upper layer of 0‒10 cm, and the highest is in the layer of 10‒30 cm.

Gamma irradiation of resting eggs of Moina macrocopa affects individual and population performance of hatchlings

We investigated the effects of γ-radiation on the survival of resting eggs of the cladoceran Moina macrocopa, on the parameters of the life cycle of neonates hatched from the irradiated eggs and on the performance of the population initiated from irradiated eggs. The study showed that γ-radiation in a range of doses from the background level to 100 Gy had no effect on survival of irradiated eggs. The absorbed dose of 200 Gy was lethal to resting eggs of M. macrocopa. The number of clutches and net reproductive rate (R0) of hatchlings from eggs exposed to radiation were the strongly affected parameters in experiments with individual females. The number of clutches per female was drastically reduced for females hatched from egg exposed to 80–100 Gy. The most sensitive parameter was the R0. The estimated ED50 for the R0 (effective dose that induces 50% R0 reduction) was 50 Gy. Population performance was also affected by the irradiation of the resting stage of animals that initiated population. Populations that was initiated from hatchlings from resting eggs exposed to 100 Gy was of smaller size and with fewer juvenile and parthenogenetic females in comparison with control populations. Thus, we determined the dose-response relationship for the effect of gamma radiation on survival of resting eggs and individual and population responses of hatchlings from irradiated resting eggs. We conclude that for highly polluted areas contamination of bottom sediments with radioactive materials could affect zooplankton communities through adverse chronic effects on resting eggs, which will be transmitted to hatchlings at individual or population levels.

A mycological baseline study based on a multidisciplinary approach in a coastal area affected by contaminated torrent input

Fungi include a vast group of eukaryotic organisms able to colonise different natural, anthropised and extreme environments, including marine areas contaminated by metals. The present study aims to give a first multidisciplinary characterisation of marine bottom sediments contaminated by metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn), originating in the water leakage from an abandoned Fe-Cu sulphide mine (Libiola, north-western Italy), and evaluate how the chemical and physical parameters of water and sediments may affect the benthic fungal communities. Our preliminary results showed the high mycodiversity of the marine sediments studied (13 genera and 23 species of marine fungi isolated), and the great physiological adaptability that this mycobiota evolved in reaction to the effects of the ecotoxic bottom sediment contamination, and associated changes in the seawater parameters.

Environmental complexity of a port: Evidence from circulation of the water masses, and composition and contamination of bottom sediments

Ports are complex environments due to their complicated geometry (quays, channels, and piers), the presence of human activities (vessel traffic, shipyards, industries, and discharges), and natural factors (stream and torrent inputs, sea action, and currents).Taking these factors into consideration, we have examined the marine environment of a port from the point of view of the circulation of the water masses, hydrological characteristics, distribution of the sediment grain-size, mineralogical characteristics, and metal concentrations of the bottom sediments. Our results show that, in the case of the Port of Genoa (north-western Italy), the impact of human activities (such as a coal power-plant, oil depots, shipyards, dredging of the bottom sediments, etc.), natural processes (such as currents, fresh water and sediment inputs from the torrents), and the morphology of the basin, are important factors in the sediment, water, and metal distributions that have given rise to a complex environment.

Long term changes in the concentration of radium in discharge waters of coal mines and Upper Silesian rivers

According to the latest guidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA, 2016), coal mining is one of the most important contributors to occupational exposure. Coal mining contributes about 45% of the total annual collective dose obtained by workers due to the exposure at places of working. One of the sources of exposure in mining are formation brines with elevated concentrations of natural radionuclides, the most common are radium 226Ra and 228Ra. Radium isotopes often occur in formation waters in underground collieries in the Upper Silesian region (USCB) in Poland. Significant amounts of radium remain underground in the form of radioactive deposits created as a result of spontaneous deposition or water treatment. This phenomenon leads to the increase of radiation hazard for miners. The remaining activities of 226Ra and 228Ra are released into the rivers with mine effluents, causing the contamination of bottom sediments and river banks.The results of radioactivity monitoring of effluents and river waters are presented here to illustrate a trend of long-term changes in environmental contamination, caused by mining industry in the Upper Silesian Region.

The occurrence of heavy metals and metal-resistant bacteria in water and bottom sediments of the Straszyn reservoir (Poland)

The aim of this study is to investigate the distribution of selected heavy metals and metal–resistant bacteria in water and bottom sediments of the surface drinking water reservoir for Gdansk. The following sequence of metals in regard to metal concentration in sediments can be written down: Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd. The evaluation of metals accumulation was performed using the Muller index, to indicate the bottom sediment's contamination and geochemical classification of sediment quality according to Polish standards. The Muller geochemical index was changing in a wide range: < 1–4.1. Although the maximum value of Muller's geochemical index determined for copper indicates that the sediment is ‘strongly contaminated’, in general the analysed bottom sediments were classified as the I and II category according to Polish geochemical standards. From the microbiological side a significant part of heterotrophic bacteria isolated from the bottom sediment and surface water (raw and treated water) showed a resistance to 0.2 mM and 2 mM concentrations of zinc, copper and lead. The highest percentages of metal–resistant bacteria were recorded in the sediments of the reservoir (60%–88%). The share of metal–resistant strains in the raw water was significantly lower (34%–61%). The results indicate also that water treatment processes may contribute to the selection of resistant strains.

Environmental Assessment of Heavy Metals Contamination of Bottom Sediments of Oman Gulf, United Arab Emirates

To investigate the bottom sediments pollution characteristics and environmental assessments, twenty three samples were collected from Khor Kalba, Fujairah, Khor Fakkan and Dibba coastal areas, Oman Gulf, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The concentrations of copper, zinc, lead, iron, manganese, chromium, arsenic nickel, cobalt, cadmium, molybdenum and vanadium are varied between (9.00, 17. 15 , 11.62, 19812.8, 254.85, 156.57, 15.14, 497.46, 24.46, 5.02 and 19.40 ppm) respectively were obtained using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) at Geology Departments, UAE University. The levels of all heavy metals in all 23 samples collected do not exceed the safety limits set by the Dutch guidelines except of Ni. The levels of heavy metals enrichments in the bottom sediments were determined using contamination indices: the Contamination Factor (CF), Enrichment Factor (EF), Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), and Pollution Load Index (PLI). Geochemical analysis of the study area could be considered lightly or no polluted by heavy metals. This indicating a clear pattern of anthropogenic impact on Oman Gulf.