Elements In Seawater Research Articles

Effects of heavy elements (Pb, Cu, Zn) on algal food uptake by Elphidium excavatum (Foraminifera)

Foraminifera are unicellular organisms and play a pivotal role in the marine material cycles. Past observations have shown that the species Elphidium excavatum is the most common foraminifera in the Baltic Sea. Feeding experiments showed that the food uptake and thus the turnover of organic matter are influenced by changes of physical parameters (e.g., temperature, salinity). Since many areas of the Baltic Sea are strongly affected by anthropogenic activity and are strongly contaminated by heavy elements from shipping in the past, this study examined the effect of heavy elements pollution on the food uptake of the most common foraminiferal species of the Baltic Sea, E. excavatum which was a subject of several previous studies. Therefore, Baltic Sea seawater was enriched with metals at various levels above normal seawater levels and the uptake of 13C- and 15N-labelled phytodetritus was measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. For each combination of metal type, concentration and time point 20 individuals of E. excavatum (three replicates) were fed with the green algae Dunaliella tertiolecta. The effect of dose parameters was measured in a two-way analysis of variance. Significant differences of food uptake were observable at different types and levels of heavy elements in sea water. Even a 557-fold increase in the Pb concentration did not affect food uptake, whereas strong negative effects were found for higher levels of Zn (144 and 1044-fold) and especially for Cu (5.6 and 24.3-fold). In summary it can be stated, that an increase in the heavy elements pollution in the Kiel Fjord will lead to a significant reduction in the turnover of organic matter by foraminifera such as E. excavatum.

Contemporary ecological state of waters of the Caspian Sea during development of oil and gas deposits

Aim. This study was an attempt by the authors to identify the impact of oil production in the Caspian Sea on the quality of waters surrounding oil and gas-production platforms.Material and Methods. In 2018, by order of the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kazekoproekt carried out comprehensive marine research to assess the state of biological resources in the eastern part of the Caspian Sea. All studies were carried out according to standard methods accepted in international practice. Samples were collected in summer (July-August) 2018 and autumn (September) 2018.Results. An analysis of the materials of environmental studies carried out in the water area of the eastern part of the Caspian Sea in 2018 established the absence of biogenic concentrations in sea water in excess of the standard indicators. It was found that in the waters surrounding several stations in summer and autumn, concentrations of oil products were exceeded. The concentrations of pesticides in the waters of the northern Caspian Sea recorded in 2018 were not detected.Conclusion. It was found that in the eastern part of the Caspian Sea in 2018 there was no concentration of biogenic elements in sea water above the standard indicators. Of the heavy metals, an excess of maximum permissible concentrations was found only at one station - of copper in the summer over 159 sq. m and in the autumn over 121 sq. m. Of particular concern is the fact that at several stations in summer and autumn excessive concentrations of petroleum products were recorded. The concentrations of pesticides in the waters of the northern Caspian Sea recorded in 2018 were not detected.

The Role of Mineral Sea Water Bonding Process with Graphite-Aluminum Electrodes as Electric Generator

The development of alternative ecofriendly electric energy production technology is very essential. The development of electric generator by using sea water element to boost electron jump in electrode has been studied. The aim of this research is to develop an electrode material composite that can collaborate with sea water to produce electricity. The electrodes tested are copper, aluminum, activated carbon, wood powder, and graphite electrode powder. The result shows that each electrode produces different voltage when interacting with sea water. It is caused by the patterns of the electron movement disrupted by the electron of sea water in producing a new compound. The composite of graphite-aluminum generates high electricity of about 580 mV compared to other materials. The electrical conductivity of graphite material depends on the particle size which is larger at smaller particle size. This research elucidates the role of sea water elements in boosting kinetic energy of delocalized electron on graphite resulting in an electron jump.

Trace elements in beaks of greater hooked squid Onykia ingens: opportunities for environmental tracing

ABSTRACTUnmineralised squid beaks formed from α-chitin and protein are resistant to digestion in stomach acids and are thus useful in diet analysis. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to determine trace metals in beaks of greater hooked squid Onykia ingens collected from east and southeast of New Zealand, we found 23 trace metal elements making up 3.7% by mass, on average, of the beaks, ranging from fairly high concentrations of Na ( = 1637 ppm) to very low concentrations of Co ( = 0.01 ppm). Na, K, P, Ca, Mn, B and Zn (all of which are major elements in sea water) accounted for over 99% of the trace element content. Variation among and within beaks suggests that the sea water of origin may be identifiable from trace elements in squid beaks and that further investigation may allow trace element profiles to become useful geographic indicators for both squid and their predators.

Multi-element detection in sea water using preconcentration procedure and EDXRF technique

A method was optimized for detecting trace elements in sea water using Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) technique. Sea water samples were pre-concentrated using ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) as chelating agent and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) as organic phase. The preconcentrated samples were dried to form thin films on mylar substrate and analysed using EDXRF spectrometer. The multi-element standard samples prepared in synthetic sea water were used for EDXRF instrument calibration. The instrument was calibrated for 11 elements namely As, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Ga, Pb, Se, Sc, V and Zn using linear regression method for concentration up to 200 ppb. The detection limits achieved for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Ga, Pb, Se, Sc, V and Zn were 13, 70, 5.1, 36, 15, 36, 23, 11, 20, 13 and 40 ppb respectively. The optimized method was used for determination of elements in sea water collected from the Thane creek, Mumbai, India. The results were checked for accuracy by comparing it with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP AES) technique. The comparison showed the discrepancy of results to be insignificant at 95% confidence level.

Innovative transportable laboratories for polar science

ABSTRACTThe Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research and the British Antarctic Survey have built a transportable laboratory facility, named the Dirck Gerritsz Laboratory, to accommodate new scientific research on and from the western Antarctic Peninsula. The design provides a flexible, modular, plug-and-play, innovative and sustainable laboratory setup. The docking station houses four 20-foot ISO standard high-cube containers, each of which contains a different laboratory. Special technological features were used to minimise the environmental impact. The four laboratory containers are flexible and can be installed and used as required, and renewed or removed when necessary. The container laboratories have provided, since opening in 2013, enhanced facilities for global climate change research through studying the community composition of phytoplankton; the ecological impact of virus-induced mortality in different phytoplankton groups; dimethylsulphide and brominated compound fluxes; and CO2 concentrations and trace elements in sea water. Transportable research laboratory facilities provide an effective and efficient approach for undertaking scientific research in challenging environments and might be the start of a new way of undertaking research, including exchanging laboratory modules between research stations in Antarctica.

Assessing Toxic Elemental Concentrations in Marine Fish Trachurus capensis (Cape Horse Mackerel) and Implications for Public Health

While fish is considered a healthy component of the human diet, consumption of fish with high levels of trace metals in their flesh constitutes a public health risk as trace metals have been proven to be toxic with deleterious health effects. We investigated the concentration of toxic elements in sea water and also in different body parts of the fish Trachurus capensis caught off Durban using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). The highest metal concentration in fish body parts was observed for Pb followed by Zn. Significantly higher levels of Mn were observed in fish gills as compared to the tissue (muscle) and fish frame. With respect to bioaccumulation, significantly higher Pb levels were observed in fish tissues compared to As, Cr and Mn. In the frame, significantly higher Pb levels were observed compared to all other metals except Ba. There were no significant differences in the concentrations of different metals in fish gills. Overall, the toxic metal concentrations in the muscle of cape horse mackeral were below levels of concern for human consumption as defined by the FAO and WHO.

FEATURES OF MIGRATION OF HEAVY METALS IN THE NORTHERN CASPIAN ECOSYSTEM

Aim. Study of the forms of migration of heavy metals in water of the Northern part of the Caspian Sea, the characteristics of their accumulation in sediments and fish fauna are presented. Methods. The western part of the North Caspian Sea is investigated in 2002–2009. Complex of sampling, transportation, storage and handling of samples was carried out in accordance with the regulations and methods of measurement. Results. The main share of elements in sea water was transferred as a part of suspended particles. Most often ionic forms of migration of metals dominated over weighed in the central part of a shallow zone of pre-mouth of Volga River. The greatest number of cases of excess was recorded by metals of maximum-permissible concentration in the central part of the studied water area with depths from 5 m to 10 m. It is established that the index of impurity of waters of the changed in the range from 0,2 (waters alone) to 3,4 (the polluted waters). The surface water of the water area is located in the western part of the studied area. The greatest coefficients of ground accumulation (CGA) are characteristic for iron and the manganese, the least for Zincum. The western part of the studied water area belongs to areas with the greatest values of CGA of metals in the north part of the Caspian Sea: zone near Island Chechen and the region of Volga-Caspian Channel. Cases of excess of the admissible residual concentration for lead and cadmium are noted in Neogobius fluviatilis and sprat ordinary practically in 50 % of cases, and in 35 % in Rutilus caspicus . Most often all studied hydrobionts containing metals in concentration above admissible residual concentration were met in zone before mouth of Volga River. Main conclusions. The main form of migration of heavy metals in the water of the north part of the Caspian Sea is suspension. The largest accumulation of heavy metals was found in the sediments of the western part of the area. The content of heavy metals in fish reflects their accumulation in sediments.

水酸化ガリウム共沈濃縮-ICP-AESによる海水中の希土類元素の定量

水酸化ガリウム共沈濃縮-ICP-AESによる海水中の希土類元素の定量

Vanadium biomonitoring by using Perna perna (Linnaeus, 1758) mussels transplanted in the coast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil

The increased pollution in the aquatic ecosystem has led to the investigation of toxic elements in sea water by using marine organisms to assess marine pollution from human activities. Among these organisms, the mollusks bivalves have been used as biomonitors since they can accumulate trace elements and other substances, without the occurrence of their death. In this study, Perna perna mussels were transplanted from a mussel farm (reference region) to four sites located in coastal regions of Sao Paulo State, Brazil, close to anthropic discharge areas. Vanadium was determined in mussel tissues by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Quality control of V analysis was checked by analyzing biological reference materials and the results obtained were precise and in good agreement with the certified values. Comparisons between the V concentrations obtained in transplanted mussels indicated that those from Sao Sebastiao region, close to an oil terminal presented the highest concentration of this element, during spring.

Heavy metal incorporation in foraminiferal calcite: results from multi-element enrichment culture experiments with <i>Ammonia tepida</i>

Abstract. The incorporation of heavy metals into carbonate tests of the shallow water benthic foraminifer Ammonia tepida was investigated under controlled laboratory conditions. Temperature, salinity, and pH of the culture solutions were kept constant throughout the duration of this experiment, while trace metal concentrations were varied. Concentrations of Ni, Cu, and Mn were set 5-, 10-, and 20 times higher than levels found in natural North Sea water; for reference, a control experiment with pure filtered natural North Sea water was also analysed. The concentrations of Cu and Ni from newly grown chambers were determined by means of both μ-synchrotron XRF and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (LA-ICP-MS). The results of both independent analytical techniques agreed within the analytical uncertainty. In general, the concentration of the analysed elements in the tests increased in line with their concentration in the culture solutions. Potential toxic and/or chemical competition effects might have resulted in the decreased incorporation of Ni and Cu into the calcite of the specimens exposed to the highest elemental concentrations. Mn incorporation exhibited large variability in the experiment with the 20-fold increased element concentrations, potentially due to antagonistic effects with Cu. The partition coefficients of Cu and Ni were calculated to be 0.14 ± 0.02 and 1.0 ± 0.5, respectively, whereas the partition coefficient of Mn was estimated to be least 2.4. These partition coefficients now open the way for reconstructing past concentrations for these elements in sea water.

Chemical vapor generation of Cd and on-line preconcentration on a resistively heated W-coil prior to determination by atomic absorption spectrometry using an unheated quartz absorption cell

A resistively heated W-coil was used as an on-line trap for preconcentration and reatomization of Cd, using chemical reduction by NaBH4. The collected analyte species were reatomized rapidly and sent to an unheated quartz T-tube absorption cell for AAS measurement. Cadmium is revolatilized from the trap surface as atoms. The experimental parameters were optimized for the highest vapor generation, trapping and reatomization efficiencies. The concentration limit of detection calculated by the 3s of blank solution was found to be 4.0 ng l−1 for Cd using a sample volume of 4.2 ml; the enhancement factor in the sensitivity was 31 when compared to conventional HGAAS. These values are comparable with those obtained by in situ trapping in graphite furnaces or even ICP MS found in the literature. Sensitivity can be improved further using larger sample volumes since there are no apparent blank contamination problems. Three different standard reference materials, NIST SRM 1566b Oyster Tissue, NIST SRM 1573a Tomato Leaves and CRM 403 Trace Elements in Sea Water, were analyzed for the assessment of accuracy of developed method for Cd and the results were found to be in agreement with the certified values.

Effect on Metal Elements on Fading Laver in the Ariake Sea

A fading phenomenon of laver arose in the Ariake Sea, Japan from the end of 2000 to the beginning of 2001. It was said that consumption of the major nutrient (N, P. etc.) of sea water by the large phytoplankton caused this phenomenon. In the present study, the relationship between the fading phenomenon of laver and metal elements in sea water was examined. It was found that the amount of essential trace metal elements (especially Fe, Mn and Zn) of the faded laver was less than those of normal laver. In addition, the concentration of these metals in sea water collected near the area around the color-faded laver decreased extremely compared with previous data. From these results, it was deduced that not only the major elements (N and P), but also trace essential elements (Fe, Mn and Zn), could be consumed by phytoplankton. Therefore, the deficiency of these elements could be the major reasons for the fading phenomenon of laver in the Ariake Sea.

Long-term box modelling of 137Cs in the Mediterranean Sea

Environmental radiotracers can be used to understand the underlying processes of the environment where they are found. Amongst others, 137Cs, which is a soluble element in sea water, is transported with water masses in the oceans. A numerical model, in which the Mediterranean Sea was divided into 40 boxes (10 regions of 4 layers each), was developed to better understand the distribution and behaviour of 137Cs in the Mediterranean Sea. It was run with a realistic source term, including global fallout, the Chernobyl accident, the nuclear industry and river runoff, and was used to predict 137Cs concentrations during the period 1954–1994. 137Cs surface water predicted concentrations ranged from 0 to 36 Bq·m −3. In most boxes the most prominent feature was the existence of two 137Cs predicted concentration maxima, corresponding to maximum air concentrations due to nuclear weapons fallout (1963) and the Chernobyl accident (1986). Maximum concentrations were predicted in surface waters in all regions, generally decreasing as mean water depth increased. Largest spatial concentration gradients were predicted during, and shortly after, the global fallout maxima. After the global fallout maximum was reached, predicted concentrations decreased, first rapidly and later on more slowly, reaching relatively low levels immediately before the Chernobyl accident. The maximum 137Cs predicted concentrations due to the Chernobyl accident in surface waters of each box showed widely different values because the deposition pattern was highly irregular. Levels reached values similar to those predicted immediately before the Chernobyl accident more rapidly than in the case of the global fallout maxima. In order to perform model validation, results were compared with annual mean values in each box and, in general, were found to be in good agreement. The main achievements of the model and its limitations are discussed.

Comparison of the performance of FI-ICP-MS and FI-ETV-ICP-MS systems for the determination of trace elements in sea water

The performance of two flow injection systems (FI) for on line separation and pre-concentration of Cu, Cd, Pb, Bi, Au, Ag, As(III) and Se(IV) in sea water and determination by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry are compared. One system is coupled to the nebulizer of the spectrometer while the other one is coupled to an eletrothermal vaporizer also coupled to the same spectrometer. The matrix separation and analyte pre-concentration are accomplished by retention of the analytes complexed with the ammonium salt of O, O-diethyl dithiophosphate on C 18 immobilized on silica in a column coupled directly to the pneumatic nebulizer or to the auto-sampler arm of an electrothermal vaporizer. The eluate is on line diluted with water and introduced directly to the pneumatic nebulizer or vaporized after being automatically injected into the graphite tube, prior to the vaporization of the analytes. The conditions for the complexation–separation and elution were optimized. The accuracy was checked by the analysis of two certified sea waters, CASS-3 and NASS-4, from the National Research Council of Canada. Only As(III) could not be determined in the sea water medium. The recoveries for the non-certified elements were in the range 90–110%. The relative standard deviation are below 10% while the sampling frequencies are in the range 21–22 h −1, for both systems.

Preconcentration of Trace Elements in Sea Water with 8-Hydroxyquinoline Immobilized Polyacrylonitrile Hollow Fiber Membrane for Determination by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry

8-Hydroxyquinoline immobilized on polyacrylonitrile hollow fiber membrane was synthesized and used for the preconcentration of cadmium, lead, copper, mangenese, bismuth, indium, cobalt, beryllium and silver in sea water prior to their determination by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The optimum experimental conditions such as pH, sample flow rate and volume of eluents were investigated. The concentration factor of at least 300 for analytes of interest in sea water and separation of matrix components can be achieved. The recommended method has been applied for the determination of trace elements in coastal sea water. The results indicated that the recovery ranged from 91% to 107%, and the relative standard deviations were found to be less than 5% for trace elements at ng/L level.

SKIN SWABBING FOR GENETIC ANALYSIS: APPLICATION TO DUSKY DOLPHINS (LAGENORHYNCHUS OBSCURUS)

AbstractExfoliated skin was collected from bowriding dolphins with the use of a sterilized nylon scrub pad affixed to a wooden dowel. Initial tests of the effectiveness of the technique and dolphin behavioral responses were conducted on dusky dolphins off Kaikoura, New Zealand. During 14 sampling days, 128 contacts using this procedure were made with bowriding dolphins, of which 114 showed behavioral response. Responses during sampling were mild, with 11% of contacted individuals showing no visible response, and 66% of individuals which could be monitored for 30 sec after contact returning to bowride within 30 sec. Mean return time was 10 sec postcontact and did not vary significantly for groups of different sizes. Behavioral controls suggest that a proportion of responses could be explained by typical dolphin behavior in the presence of boats. Seventy‐eight percent of contacts resulted in successful collection of tissue samples. Sample time was three minutes on average. Size of group and behavioral state did not appear to influence sample time. Preliminary genetic analyses revealed that tissue collected by this technique was suitable for amplification and sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) via PCR. Comparisons of mtDNA control region sequences with those from known L. obscurus and other delphinid samples verified that this technique was robust against contamination from elements in sea water.

Preconcentration of trace elements in sea water with poly (acrylaminophosphonic - dithiocarbamate) chelating fiber for their determination by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A new ion exchange chelating fiber with aminophosphonic and dithiocarbamate groups based on polyacrylonitrile was used for the simultaneous preconcentration of beryllium, bismuth, cobalt, gallium, silver, lead, cadium, copper, manganese and indium in sea water. The optimum experimental parameters, such as fiber capacity, pH, sample flow rate and volume, eluant and effect of matrix ions on the preconcentration were investigated. The separation of analytes can be achieved from sea water with a concentration factor of at least 200 times. The method has been applied for the determination of trace elements in coastal sea water. The data obtained by this method agreed well with certified values.

Determination of tributyltin in toluene extract from sea water by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with a new matrix modifier

A new matrix modifier composed of calcium and chromium[VI] was proposed for the determination of tributyltin (TBT) in toluene extract from sea water containing sediment by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Fourteen inorganic and organic compounds (barium, calcium, chromium[VI], lanthanum, magnesium, nickel, palladium, strontium, calcium-chromium[VI], calcium-strontium, nickel isocaprylate, 5%-, 10%-aqueous solution of ascorbic acid and toluene-saturated solution of ascorbic acid) as a matrix modifier were comparatively studied and a matrix modifier composed from 5 μg of calcium and 1 μg of chromium[VI] was found to give the best performance. The interference effects of co-existing elements in sea water containing sediment (aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium and strontium) were studied. TBT in eight toluene extracts was determined by GFAAS with the proposed matrix modifier. The relative standard deviation was 3.0% for 63 ng ml −1 of TBT ( n = 11). The recoveries were 88–104%. The characteristic mass was 7 pg. The linearity range was 0–250 ng mg −1.

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the sequential determination of trace metals in sea water after electrothermal vaporization of their dithiocarbamate complexes in methyl isobutyl ketone

A sensitive method has been developed for the sequential determination of V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo and Sb in sea water using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after electrothermal vaporization of their dithiocarbamate complexes in methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). After complexion with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (NaDDTC), all trace analyte elements were simultaneously separated from sea water matrix and concentrated 20 fold in a single extract of MIBK, followed by introduction of 10 μL of the extract into argon plasma using a pyrolytic graphite rod electrothermal vaporizer (ETV). Sensitivity enhancement due to chemical modification using a mixed modifier of Pd(NO3)2-Mg(NO3)2 was observed for all the elements. The limits of detection ranged from 2 ng/L for Co to 329 ng/L for V. For replicate determinations of the elements in sea water, the repeatability was within 10% (as a coefficient variation), except for V (12.8%). The recovery test performed on a sea water sample resulted in a range value from 87% for Sb to 119% for V. The method has been successfully applied to sea water samples collected from the surface to the depth of 5000 m at a sampling station in the northwest Pacific Ocean.