Copper Concentrations In Sediments Research Articles

Establishing an SI-traceable Copper Concentration in the Candidate Reference Material MURST ISS A1 Antarctic Sediment Using Isotope Dilution Applied as a Primary Method of Measurement

I. PAPADAKIS, P. D. P. TAYLOR and P. DE BIÈVRE, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 1997, 12, 791 DOI: 10.1039/A700750G

Relationship between copper speciation in sediments and bioaccumulation by marine bivalves of Taiwan

This paper evaluates the relationships between copper species in sediments and accumulation by the purple clam ( Hiatula diphos) and venus clam ( Gomphina aeguilatera) collected from the field and culture (aquaculture) ponds in the polluted coastal area of Lukang, Taiwan. Sediment was sampled along with the molluscs, including oysters ( Crassostrea gigas), purple clams ( Hiatula diphos), rock-shells ( Thais clavigera), venus clams ( Gomphina aeguilatera), and hard clams ( Meretrix lusoria), from two unique environments of Lukang during the period from August 1993 to July 1994. The data indicate that the total copper concentrations in sediments from culture ponds (185 μg g −1) was higher than those of the field (44·0 μg g −1). Copper species in sediments were analyzed by a sequential leaching technique. Results show that concentrations of various copper species in the sediments are in the range of 1·14 ± 0·59 to 13·2 ± 22·4 μg g −1 and 0·36 ± 0·24 to 133 ± 36·7 μg g −1 for the two environments, respectively. Also the exchangeable copper in sediment from culture ponds was 15 times higher than that from the field. In addition, the sum of exchangeable and copper carbonates had the highest percentages of copper in both the pond sediment (86·6 %) and the field sediment (50·7 %). Maximum copper concentrations (309 ± 35·1 μg g −1) in oysters were much higher than those in the other benthic organisms by about 4–127 times. Similarly, the data also showed that copper concentrations in Thais clavigera were 12–32 times higher than those in other benthic organisms. Copper concentrations in various benthic organisms differed significantly ( p < 0·05) from that in Thais clavigera. This capacity makes Thais clavigera a potential candidate for monitoring copper in marine sediments. In terms of copper species, the best correlation was generally obtained between copper carbonates in sediments and copper concentrations in Hiatula diphos ( r = 0·886∗). A strong multiple regression correlation ( p < 0·05, r 2 = 0·7894) also indicates that the copper carbonates may dominate as the available form of copper to Hiatula diphos from various environments in the Lukang coastal area under natural physicochemical conditions.

Responses of Phytoplankton Photosynthesis and Phosphorus Kinetics to Resuspended Sediments in Copper Sulfate‐Treated Ponds

AbstractSix farm ponds (dugouts) and one lake that differ in the history of copper sulfate (CuSO4) treatment were selected for studies of effects of sediments resuspension on phytoplankton. All sites are located within 50 km of Peace River, Alberta, and are shallow, hardwater, and eutrophic. Effects of sediment resuspension on phytoplankton photosynthesis were assessed by changes in the photosynthesis‐irradiance (P‐I) curve parameters, Pmax and a, after addition of sediment at 2% v/v to lakewater samples; the effects on phytoplankton P‐state were assessed by changes in 32P‐PO4 turnover time. Copper concentrations in sediments of Gour no. 4, the dugout that had received the largest dosage of CuSO4, were 60‐times greater than untreated sites but were only 1.5 to 3‐times greater at the other treated sites. Changes of Pmax and a were not correlated with Cu concentrations in the sediments. Instead, the prevailing P‐state in lakewater could better explain the observed trends in Pmax after sediment addition. Pmax values decreased at sites where phytoplankton were P‐limited (32P‐PO4 turnover time &lt;63 min) and increased at more P‐sufficient sites (32P‐PO4 turnover time &gt;63 min). Stimulation of Pmax and increase in 32P‐PO4 turnover time were positively correlated. With the exception of Gour no. 4, values of a increased in all treatments. Similar changes in Pmax and a in response to sediment addition occurred in laboratory experiments with P‐sufficient cultures of Anabaena flos‐aquae. We suggest that, with the exception of grossly Cu‐polluted sediments, resuspension of sediments in waters previously treated with CuSO4 will enhance phytoplankton photosynthesis by increasing P availability, and possibly by supplying Cu at trace metal levels.

Responses of estuarine benthic macrofauna in copper-contaminated sediments to remediation of sediment quality

A 2-year microcosm experiment was undertaken to investigate the impact of copper on the benthic fauna of the lower Tyne Estuary (UK). During a 1-year simulated contamination period, 1 mg l −1 copper was supplied at 2-weekly 30% water changes, at the end of which the sediment concentrations of copper in contaminated microcosms reached 411 μg g −1. Toxicity effects reduced populations of the four dominant taxa ( Malacoceros fuliginosus, Capitella capitata, nematodes and Tubificoides spp.). When copper dosage was ceased and clean water supplied, sediment copper concentrations fell by 50% in less than 4 days, but faunal recovery took up to 1 year, with the pattern varying between taxa. Since the copper leach rate was so rapid it is concluded that after remediation, contaminated sediments show rapid improvements in chemical concentrations, but faunal recovery may not be detected until some time later. Reasons for this are discussed.

Influence of pollution and acidification on metal concentrations in Finnish Lapland lake sediments

Fifteen Finnish Lapland lakes have been investigated to study pollution levels and possible acidification effects on nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and aluminium (Al) concentrations in sediments. Four lakes have average water pH lower than 6.0 and alkalinity lower than 0.050 meq/1. Contamination factor (Cf, ratio of metal concentrations in the uppermost to the deepest layers for a given lake sediment core) of Pb is high, particularly for acidic and acidifying lakes (Cf=5.2–10.4). Ni, Cu, Co, Zn and Cd concentrations increase insignificantly towards sediment surface of some lakes (with a neutral pH) with the rare exception. The influence of passible lake acidification consists of decreasing Cu, Cd, Al, Zn concentrations and organic material contents (loss on ignition) towards the sediment surface. The buffer capacity index (BCI), determined as the ratio of the sum of alkaline and alkaline-earth metals (K, Na, Ca, Mg) to Al, is lower for acidic lakes (from 0.12 to 0.36), whereas for the other lakes the BCI values are higher (from 0.42 to 1.34). Thus, BCI-values, decreased contents of Al, Cd, Zn and Cu, as well as organic matter contents (OMC in the upper lake sediment suggest acidification of freshwater environments.

Predicting the acute toxicity of copper in freshwater sediments: Evaluation of the role of acid‐volatile sulfide

AbstractAcid‐volatile sulfide (AVS) has been proposed as an important partitioning phase determining the bioavailability of cationic metals in sediments. The objective of this research was to evaluate the role of AVS in determining copper toxicity in sediments from two sites heavily contaminated with copper: Steilacoom Lake, Washington, and the Keweenaw Watershed, Michigan. Sediments from the two sites were used in 10‐d toxicity tests with the amphipod Hyalella azteca, and results of the toxicity tests were compared to bioavailability predictions based on copper and AVS concentrations in the test sediments, as well as copper concentrations in the sediment interstitial (pore) water. Normalization of sediment copper concentrations to AVS accurately predicted sediments that were nontoxic when molar copper‐to‐AVS ratios were less than one; however, toxicity also was frequently not observed in samples with molar copper‐to‐AVS ratios significantly greater than one. In contrast, measurement of pore‐water copper concentrations and subsequent comparison of these concentrations to water‐only copper toxicity data for Hyalella azteca resulted in accurate predictions of the presence and extent of copper toxicity in the test sediments. These results indicate that AVS alone is not an appropriate partitioning phase for predicting copper bioavailability in freshwater sediments.

Factors affecting trace-metal bioaccumulation in Finnish headwater lakes

Fourteen unpolluted Finnish headwater lakes with pH values varying from 4·8 to 7·0 were studied for trace-metal concentrations in water, sediment, aquatic plants ( Nuphar luteum L., Sparganium sp.), aquatic insect larvae ( Limnophilus sp., Phryganea sp.) and fish ( Esox lucius L., Perca fluviatilis L., Coregonus sp., Salvelinus fontinalis L., Salmo trutta L.). Trace-metal deposition was estimated by analysing the snowpack. Non-parametric correlation analysis was carried out between trace metal concentrations in biota and pH, ANC, TOC, CA + Mg concentration in water and a given metal concentration in water and sediment. Bioaccumulation of several trace metals increased with increasing acidity and decreasing ANC in water. This was especially true for Pb and Cd. Aquatic plants were, in general, the best indicator group concerning differences in trace-metal bioaccumulation in lakes with different acidity. There was some evidence that a higher concentration of TOC in water may reduce bioaccumulation of Pb, Cd and Zn in aquatic plants and fish. The copper concentration in sediment was the only background variable explaining Cu concentration in aquatic insects. Multivariate analysis of the whole background data gave comparable preliminary results. Over 80% of the trace metal concentrations in biota of different lakes was explained by the background variables. In general, elevated concentrations of most of these trace metals can be expected to occur in the biota of acidified low calcareous lakes.

Trace metals in the benthic habitat of the Maarsseveen Lakes system, The Netherlands

The cadmium, zinc, lead and copper concentrations in benthic invertebrates and sediment were determined during two consecutive winters in the Maarsseveen Lakes system. A sequential extraction procedure was applied to estimate the bioavailability of the trace metals in the sediment. Based on the trace metal analyses of organisms and sediment, it is concluded that the Maarsseveen Lakes system has background levels of cadmium, zinc, lead and copper. As the majority of metals was present in geochemically more stable sediment phases, the sequential extractions provided limited additional information on trace metal bioavailability.

Primary production and pigments in three low alkalinity connected reservoirs receiving mine wastes

A comparative study of primary production and pigments, conducted from April 1981 to April 1982, in a chain of three low alkalinity reservoirs situated in north of Portugal revealed significant lower values (159 mg C m−2 d−1 and 19.8 mg m−2 as chlorophyll a, growing season means) in the reservoir receiving wastes rich in copper from a tungsten copper pyrite mine. This contrasts specially with the situation observed in the upstream reservoir which presents the highest values (409 mg C m−2 d−1 and 55.2 mg m−2) recorded in the system. Eventual effects of the mine discharge on phytoplankton biomass and photosynthesis such as high turbidity and copper toxicity are discussed. Results point out to be the presence of copper responsible for the alterations in the phytoplankton community. The system exhibits similar photosynthetic capacity which indicates an adaption to the relatively high copper concentrations in water and sediments.

Sulfide control of cadmium and copper concentrations in anaerobic estuarine sediments

Equilibrium concentrations of the toxic trace metals copper and cadmium were calculated for the physico-chemical conditions characterizing pore waters of anaerobic estuarine sediments using available thermodynamic data and assuming simple sulfide minerals control solubilities. Polysulfide complexes are responsible for the solubility of copper in the cuprous (Cu(I)) oxidation state. Predicated copper concentrations, assuming covellite (CuS) is the controlling solid phase, are in reasonable agreement with copper analyses in a wide range of sulfidic waters and sediment pore waters. In the absence of thermodynamic data, no account could be taken of possible polysulfide complexes of cadmium. However, bisulfide complexes appear to account satisfactorily for observed solubilities assuming the existence of greenockite (CdS) as the controlling solid phase. Anaerobic estuarine sediments may act as a sink for copper and cadmium in the common situation in which free sulfide concentrations are controlled by the coexistence of iron sulfide and iron oxide minerals. However, where free sulfides reach high concentrations of 10 −3 M or more, the concomitant increase in concentration of bisulfide and polysulfide complexes may result in the sediments acting as a source of copper and cadmium.

Toxicity of copper‐spiked sediments to freshwater invertebrates

AbstractNatural freshwater sediments from two Oregon sites were spiked with copper in the laboratory and two static toxicity tests were conducted with series of copper concentrations ranging from 59 to 10,600 mg/kg of dry sediment. Water (800 ml) was added to 1‐liter test beakers over the sediment (200 ml) and repeatedly removed and replaced to lower the aqueous copper concentrations. When copper concentrations stabilized, i.e., attained equilibrium between water and sediment, the midge Chironomus tentans, the cladoceran Daphnia magna and the amphipods Hyalella azteca and Gammarus lacustris were introduced as test animals in solid‐phase sediment toxicity bioassays. Based on dry‐weight sediment copper concentrations, LC50 values (48‐h for Daphnia, 10‐d for other organisms) ranged from 681 to 2,296 mg/kg.

Application of a selective simulation and sampling technique to the interpretation of stream-sediment copper anomalies near South mountain, Pennsylvania

Two hundred twenty-seven stream sediment samples from sixty-five square mile area of native copper occurrences near South Mountain, Pennsylvania, were collected and analyzed spectrometrically for copper content as part of regional prospecting program.To enhance the recognition of meaningful anomalies, i.e., those likely to reflect the geographical locations of ore bodies, technique for selectively simulating the effects of certain interfering factors was developed and applied to the trace metal data.Quantitative models were constructed to estimate the expression of 1. cultural features, 2. known faults, 3. metabasaltic rocks, and 4. existing prospects and workings in the regional copper distribution. The simulated influences of these factors were then removed from the original data to increase the relevance of residual copper anomalies to prospective metal sources.It was observed that the cultural features model removed number of the original anomalies from the copper geochemical landscape. It was also noted that the effects of metabasalt were more strongly reflected in the stream sediment copper concentrations than those of faults, although previous authors have proposed fault control as an explanation for the local native copper occurrences.The procedure, which is described in detail, provides an a priori method for dealing objectively with the effects of specified factors on regional trace metal patterns.By increasing the likelihood of association between the geochemical data and the potential locations of mineral deposits, its utility as prospecting tool is improved.