Extent Of Metal Pollution Research Articles

Assessment of metal concentrations from recreational rivers in a tropical region (Jengka, Malaysia)

A recreational river may be exposed to some extent of metal pollution. Two rivers, namely Sungai Weh and Sungai Jempul, were selected for this study, as both areas offer recreational activities for residents in Jengka, Pahang, Malaysia. This study examines the concentration of selected metals (Fe, Mn, and Pb), elucidates the possible sources, evaluates the toxicity loads, and estimates the potential health risk. Metal concentrations were analysed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The concentrations were found in the sequence of Fe > Pb > Mn. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) suggested that the metals’ origins included both anthropogenic activities and natural sources. About 16.66% of Pb should be removed from the river water to ensure safety, based on the heavy metal toxicity load calculation (HMTL). Children are more vulnerable to non-cancer and cancer risks than adults. The findings indicate that comprehensive monitoring of water quality parameters and thorough exposure assessment should be performed.

Trace metal pollution and its impacts on the macroinvertebrate community assemblage in a tropical reservoir

AbstractThe extent of metal pollution in the sediment of Osinmo reservoir was determined with a view to assessing the impact of heavy metal concentrations on the community assemblage of the macroinvertebrates there‐in. The range of the mean concentrations of heavy metals are as follows: Pb (6.66–7.89 mg/kg), Cu (1.04–2.63 mg/kg), Mn (34.03–61.69 mg/kg), Zn (3.59–8.17 mg/kg) and Ni (0.08–0.1 mg/kg).The mean concentration of the investigated heavy metals in the reservoir sediment followed the order Mn > Pb > Zn > Cu > Ni. Insignificant variation of the heavy metals was observed amidst the three reaches of the reservoir except for Mn which showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). Although the insect groups were generally more sensitive to the sediment parameters than the noninsect group, the community assemblage was observed not to have been significantly impacted by these variations. The values obtained from enrichment analysis of the metals were generally lower than the background values and this indicated that a significant portion of the heavy metals in the sediment was derived from natural sources thus suggesting the existence of a stable ecological community in the Reservoir.

Assessment of metal contamination in water and sediments from major rivers in South Korea from 2008 to 2015

This study is the first report to evaluate (8 years data) the contamination degree and distribution characteristics of metals in the surface water and sediments of four Korean rivers (Nakdong, Yeongsan, Geum, and Han). Eight years of data were evaluated, and metal concentrations in the river water were found to be below permissible limits but high enough to cause detrimental effects (under chronic exposure) to aquatic organisms. The analysis of metals in the river sediments showed the following trend: Zn > Cu > Cd > Pb > Ni > As > Cr > Hg. The concentrations of metals in sediments (especially in the Geum and Han rivers) were above the permissible limits reported by international agencies. Concentrations of Cu, Ni, and Zn were high enough to pose risks to aquatic communities. In sediments, metals pollution was also evaluated using different indices, such as enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (Cd), modified degree of contamination (mCd), and pollution load index (PLI). The CF, EF, and Igeo indices demonstrated that most of the river sediment samples were moderately to heavily contaminated by Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. The PLI values were above one in the Geum and Han river sediments, which indicated polluted conditions. Similarly, Cd indicated a considerable to very high degree of contamination, while mCd indicated a low to moderate degree of contamination in all four river sediments. Finally, it was found that the extent of metals pollution in the Korean rivers reached a critical condition, which could be detrimental to the biota of the rivers, as well as to humans in the long term.

Assessment of metal contamination in the sediments of Vembanad wetland system, from the urban city of southwest India

Surface sediments in the Vembanad wetland system, southwest India were analyzed for metals. Assessing the extent of metal contamination in Vembanad wetland surface sediments using individual and combined metal pollution indices shows high heterogeneity of sediment characteristics, sources, sedimentary dynamics and geochemical processes and deciphering natural to anthropogenic contribution. The metal distributions varied greatly in the northern and southern stations suggesting sediment heterogeneity. Sediment concentrations of Cd, As, Pb and Zn were high and exceeded the standard value. Enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index, modified degree of contamination and pollution load index showed that the sediments are moderate to extremely polluted in most of the northern sites. It suggests that Cd and As fell under the extreme amount of metal contamination followed by Pb and Zn which comes under strongly contaminated level. The close relationship of sedimentological and geochemical parameters could be due to the intrinsic relationship of the physico-chemical condition and provenance to the Vembanad wetland system. The main contaminated metal contribution appears to be the anthropogenic input and a small amount from the weathered rocks and sediments present in the course of the rivers. The extent of metal pollution in the Vembanad wetland system implies that the condition may impact the biota and also human health in the vicinity of the wetland.

Assessing the ecological health risk in a conserved mangrove ecosystem due to heavy metal pollution: A case study from Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve, India

ABSTRACTSundarbans Biosphere Reserve (SBR) is the world's largest contiguous conserved mangrove forest with unique flora and fauna, but it still has to bear the brunt of anthropogenic disturbances due to huge population pressure. This study aimed to identify the sources, extent of metal pollution (Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn), and their potential ecological risk in this fragile ecosystem. Sediments were collected from 10 locations with varied levels of anthropogenic pressure from the fringe of the reserve forest. Cluster analysis (CA) and factor analysis (FA) identified Ni, Cd, and Pb as the major anthropogenic pollutants in this area. Concentrations of Pb (27.79–47.07 mg/kg) and Cd (0.8–3.3 mg/kg) were found to be higher in areas reliant on fossil fuel-operated motorboats for transport and dependent on rechargeable batteries to cope with the shortage of electricity. The contamination factor (Cf), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), and ecological risk index (ERI) highlight that populated areas are mostly exposed to Cd, Pb, and Cr contamination. Interpolation maps identified that the central part of the area is acutely affected by Cd pollution, whereas the main ecotourism routes within the reserve forest have high Pb concentrations. This study concludes that conservation-friendly ecotourism and improper disposal of batteries can also pose a threat to this ecosystem and these possibilities could be considered during formulation of conservation plans.

Metal enrichment and contamination in a karst cave associated with anthropogenic activities in the Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa

The Wonderfontein Spruit has been severely polluted as a result of anthropogenic activities (i.e. mining and industry) in the Witwatersrand Basin (South Africa). Although the extent of metal pollution within this surface freshwater system has been well studied, no such efforts have been made with emphasis on the associated cave environments. The Wonderfontein Cave, a highly interconnected network of passages, is one such system exposed to metal pollution by the influx of water from the Wonderfontein Spruit. This not only poses a severe threat to the associated subterranean ecosystem, but also to freshwater resources as water within the Wonderfontein Cave drains into the underlying aquifer. Subsequently, this study was aimed at assessing enrichment (pollution) and contamination levels of selected metals within the Wonderfontein Cave. While enrichment was calculated using enrichment factors, the geoaccumulation index provided contamination levels. Sampling was undertaken during April and September 2013, which represented the high and low flow periods, respectively. Results from the multivariate analysis indicated that especially sediments collected from the Wonderfontein Cave were enriched with metals. Furthermore, Cadmium, and Uranium occurred in extreme contamination levels. The soils, however, were positively related to only Arsenic, Chromium, and Manganese enrichment with substantially lower contamination levels recorded. Furthermore, the observed spatial variation in metal enrichment and contamination was likely subject to the hydrological setting of the Wonderfontein Cave, while temporal variation could have been a result of fluctuating water levels (dilution effect). This study provides evidence that efforts should be made to better manage and conserve subterranean environments to preserve subterranean life and protect freshwater resources.

Assessment of Trace Metal Contamination in Water and Sediment of Some Rivers in Bangladesh

Trace metal contamination is a major problem globally, especially in developing countries. In this study, the levels of trace metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb) in water and sediment of some peripheral rivers of Dhaka City, Bangladesh, were investigated. Huge amount of municipal wastes, industrial effluents and agricultural runoff from the periphery of Dhaka City notably are dumped to these rivers. Most of the effluents channeled into these rivers are not treated. Sediment and water samples were collected from selected stations along the various rivers in winter and summer seasons and analyzed for the trace metals of concern. Considering the sampling sites, the decreasing order of total metal concentration in water samples were Cr > Cu > As > Ni > Pb > Cd and in sediment were Cr > Pb > Ni > Cu > As > Cd. Total concentrations of Cr, As and Pb in the water samples were higher than WHO guidelines for drinking water quality for some sites. Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) revealed high values of Cd for all the stations. The extent of metal pollution in the rivers around Dhaka City implied that the condition is much frightening and probably severely affecting the aquatic ecology of the rivers.

Metal contents of Porites corals from Khang Khao Island, Gulf of Thailand: Anthropogenic input of river runoff into a coral reef from urbanized areas, Bangkok

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) has been used to assess the impact of metal pollution on Porites skeletons taken from the Gulf of Thailand since the 1980s. The collection period coincided with a series of laws enacted by the Thai government to curb environmental pollution. The extent of metal pollution by riverine input, including aerosol deposits, was assessed by comparing the metal/Ca (Me/Ca) ratios in the Thai corals to the ratios of another colony of corals sampled from Rukan-sho, a relatively unpolluted coral reef located in Okinawa, Japan. In this comparison, high riverine inputs of Ba, V, Cd and Pb were observed in the Thai coral samples. Higher V/Ca ratios found in the Thai corals compared to the Rukan-sho coral suggest anthropogenic V inputs due to fuel oil pollution in the Gulf since the late 1990s. The levels of Cd in the coral suggest a gradual decrease in the Gulf in the late 1990s, with a drastic drop in concentration from the 1980s. The historical variation in Pb/Ca ratios recorded in the coral skeletons suggests that exposure to anthropogenic Pb was a result of discharge from urbanized areas from 1984 to 1998, which has been gradually reduced since Thailand prohibited the use of leaded gasoline in the late 1990s.

Effect of Mercury Pollution on the Urban Environment and Human Health

As developing countries to become industrialized and urbanized, heavy metal pollution is likely to reach disturbing levels. These countries should learn from the mistakes of the developed nations and recognize that rapid deterioration of the environment can occur. There is a lack of data on the nature and extent of metal pollution either at local and regional level, particularly to assist in the understanding of metal cycling in the environment. Although most countries recognize the need to combat pollution, environmental, controls are either nonexistence or inadequate. So in this article we emphasized on one of the most important environment pollutant (Hg) and effect of mercury on the human health and at the end of the article some important and easy ways for preventing mercury hazards will be recommended.

Distribution of Heavy Metals around the Dashkasan Au Mine

The aim of the study is to determine the major source and extent of metal pollution in the vicinity of Dashkasan gold mine. Dashkasan mine has resulted in extensive contamination of soils by Arsenic (As) and potentially toxic ore-related elements including Mercury (Hg), Antimony (Sb) and Cadmium (Cd). Soils samples were collected and analyzed for As, Cd, Hg, Pb and Sb. The concentration of each heavy metal is controlled by different parameters (soil pH, iron and aluminum oxide content, clay content, organic matter and cation exchange capacity). The maximum content in the soils were 485, 3.2, 100, 2710 and 640 mg/kg for As, Cd, Hg, Pb and Sb, respectively. In particular, the extracted concentration of As, Cd, Hg and Sb are in excess of the tolerable levels. Positive correlation with organic matter and clay content but not with pH has been observed for most of elements analyzed in this study. Enrichment factor (EF) analysis and cluster analysis (CA) highlighted the lithogenic origin of heavy metals. It also revealed the need for detailed geochemical surveys in the future in order to decrease the uncertainty of discrimination between lithogenic and anthropogenic origin of metals of interest.

Metals in airborne particulate matter from the first and second industrial complex area of Taejon city, Korea

To understand the metal distribution characteristics in a rapidly urbanized area, we collected and analyzed particulate matter (PM) samples for the metal concentrations. Using our measurement data for various metal species, we examined both the extent of metal pollution in the study area and the seasonality in their distribution characteristics. Results showed that each metal exhibited their occurrences in diverse concentration ranges over several orders of magnitude such as the mean values ranging from minimum value of 0.07 (Be) to maximum value of 1633 ng m −3 (Fe). In addition, the extent of metal pollution in the study area was in general comparable with those typically observed from a strongly polluted urban area, if comparison was made with the results of previous studies. Examinations of their temporal distribution patterns indicated that most of metals tend to exhibit seasonal peaks during winter (or spring) seasons, similarly to the observed pattern for PMs. Moreover to explain the factors regulating their mobilization properties, the data were analyzed through the application of correlation analysis. Results of our correlation analysis showed that most metals can exhibit strong positive correlations each other, while they tend to be inversely correlated with most of important meteorological parameters (including air temperature and precipitation). Based on the overall results of our study, we conclude that the site may be strongly impacted by man-made sources but that many characteristics of their cycling are not significantly different from those generally observed from natural environments.

Determination of lead and other metals in a residential area of greater Calcutta

The aim of the study was to determine the major source and extent of metal pollution in a residential area of Greater Calcutta. In this area approximately 50 000 people reside in the vicinity of a lead factory that produces lead ingots and lead alloys. Many people, especially children, are affected by lead toxicity. Soils, waters, road dust, leaf dust, leaves and pond sediments were sampled in and around the factory area. Aliquots of the samples were mineralized with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide in a microwave system. Lead and 19 other elements were quantified in the digests by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The performance of the procedure was confirmed by analyzing NBS-BCR standard reference soil, leaves, sediment samples. The soils are highly contaminated not only with lead (4.7%), but also with Cd (0.08%), Ag (0.001%), Cu (0.02%), Zn (1.0%), As (1.0%), Mo (0.003%), Sn (0.003%) and Hg (0.03%) (metal concentrations given in parentheses are maximum). Moving away from the smelter, most of metal concentrations, especially Pb, As, Mo, Cu, Hg, Zn, Cd, Sn and Ag, decreased exponentially over increasing distance. In the residential areas near the smelter, notably to the west side of the factory, metal concentrations significantly breached the threshold trigger values set in India by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Particulate materials from the smelter stack appear to contaminate soils up to at least 0.5 km. However, abnormally high metal levels in the immediate smelter area may be due to primarily fugitive emissions. The surface waters are only contaminated by arsenic ranges from 0.05 to 13.5 mg/l, but the ground water is currently not polluted by lead and arsenic. An appropriate treatment plant with some intervention measures should be taken to save the locality.

Metal pollution of river Msimbazi, Tanzania

Abstract The Msimbazi River in Dar es Salaam is polluted with industrial, urban and agricultural waste waters. A preliminary investigation on the extent of metal pollution (Hg, Cr, Cu, Zn, Fe, Ni, Cd, Mn, Al) was made from samples of sediments and biological indicators. The metal concentrations were in general low, but some of our results indicated industrial pollution.