Heavy Metal-contaminated Water Research Articles

안동.임하호에 서식하는 붕어(Carassius auratus) 조직 내 중금속 함량

안동호와 임하호의 수환경내 중금속의 오염정도와 서식 어종간의 중금속 축적 정도를 알아보기 위해 양호수의 수질, 저니 및 서식어종인 붕어를 이용하여 중금속 함량을 비교 분석하였다. 안동호와 임하호 수질과 저니내 중금속 함량은 안동호에서 높은 함량을 보이며, As는 함량의 차이가 큰 것으로 나타났다. 안동호와 임하호에 서식하는 붕어의 중금속 함량의 경우 안동호에 서식하는 붕어에서 높은 함량을 보이며, Cr, Cu, Cd 및 As는 함량의 차이가 큰 것으로 나타났다. 또한 비늘, 근육, 뼈 조직은 안동호와 임하호의 함량차이가 크며, 안동호에서 높은 함량을 나타냈다. 본 연구의 결과 안동호와 임하호의 수질과 저니 및 서식어종인 붕어의 중금속 함량은 안동호에서 임하호보다 중금속 함량이 높게 나타났으며, 안동호와 임하호의 함량차이도 큰 것으로 나타났다. 이는 안동호의 경우 안동호 상류 지점의 폐광산과 농경지로부터 하상퇴적물이 유입되어 하상퇴적물 속에 포함된 유기물을 붕어가 먹이로 섭취함으로써 중금속 함량에 영향을 미친 것으로 생각된다. Heavy metal contamination levels in Andong reservoir and Imha reservoir were measured with heavy metal contents in both water and sediment, and analyzed with heavy metal accumulation level in inhabitant fish, Carassius auratus, using an inductively coupled plasma spectrometer and an atomic absorption spectrometer. High levels of heavy metal contents in water, sediment and the tissues of C. auratus were detected. Likewise, relatively high levels of As were detected in water and sediment from Andong reservoir. In addition, higher levels of Cr, Cu, Cd and As content were detected in muscle and bone tissues of fish from Andong reservoir than those from Imha reservoir. As a result, the heavy metal content of water, sediment and inhabitant fish, C. auratus, in Andong reservoir was higher than Imha reservoir. We proposed that heavy metal contamination in water and inhabitant fish is attributed to various metals derived from abandoned mines and farmlands that are upstream of Andong reservoir.

Poultry litter-based activated carbon for removing heavy metal ions in water

Utilization of poultry litter as a precursor material to manufacture activated carbon for treating heavy metal-contaminated water is a value-added strategy for recycling the organic waste. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate kinetics, isotherms, and capacity of poultry litter-based activated carbon for removing heavy metal ions in water. It was revealed that poultry litter-based activated carbon possessed significantly higher adsorption affinity and capacity for heavy metals than commercial activated carbons derived from bituminous coal and coconut shell. Adsorption of metal ions onto poultry litter-based carbon was rapid and followed Sigmoidal Chapman patterns as a function of contact time. Adsorption isotherms could be described by different models such as Langmuir and Freundlich equations, depending on the metal species and the coexistence of other metal ions. Potentially 404 mmol of Cu2+, 945 mmol of Pb2+, 236 mmol of Zn2+, and 250-300 mmol of Cd2+ would be adsorbed per kg of poultry litter-derived activated carbon. Releases of nutrients and metal ions from litter-derived carbon did not pose secondary water contamination risks. The study suggests that poultry litter can be utilized as a precursor material for economically manufacturing granular activated carbon that is to be used in wastewater treatment for removing heavy metals.

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Mesoporous Silicas of the MSU-X Family for Environmental Applications

Submicron particles of mesoporous MSU-2 silica have been obtained by using Tergitol NP-9 as nonionic surfactant and TEOS as silica precursor. The material has been chemically modified with 5-mercapto-1-methyltetrazole and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, TEM, SEM, N2 adsorption, FT-IR spectroscopy, 29Si-NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and elemental analysis. The enviromental application of such material (denoted MTTZ-MSU-2b) in the treatment of heavy metal-contaminated waters has been demonstrated. The maximum adsorption capacity of this material was found to be 0.73 +/- 0.01 mmol/g for Pb(II) and 0.94 +/- 0.01 mmol/g for Zn(II), and is higher than the capacity of most of the other functionalized mesoporous materials previously reported. The very high access of these metal ions to the binding sites in the adsorbent has also been demonstrated (adsorption efficiency equal to 0.88 and 1.13 for Pb(II) and Zn(II), respectively).

Heavy metal contamination in water, soil, and vegetables of the industrial areas in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Cd, Fe, and Ni have been estimated in soils and vegetables grown in and around an industrial area of Bangladesh. The order of metal contents was found to be Fe > Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb > Ni > Cd in contaminated irrigation water, and a similar pattern Fe > Zn > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cu > Cd was also observed in arable soils. Metal levels observed in different sources were compared with WHO, SEPA, and established permissible levels reported by different authors. Mean concentration of Cu, Fe, and Cd in irrigation water and Cd content in soil were much above the recommended level. Accumulation of the heavy metals in vegetables studied was lower than the recommended maximum tolerable levels proposed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (1999), with the exception of Cd which exhibited elevated content. Uptake and translocation pattern of metal from soil to edible parts of vegetables were quite distinguished for almost all the elements examined.

Research Highlights

Research Highlights

Adsorption of Pb(II) on diatomite as affected via aqueous solution chemistry and temperature

To better understand the application of diatomite as an adsorbent for the removal of Pb(II) from heavy metal-contaminated water, in this paper, diatomite was used to adsorb Pb(II) from aqueous solution under various conditions. The results demonstrated that the adsorption of Pb(II) was strongly dependent on ionic strength at pH < 7.0, outer-sphere surface complexation or ion exchange may be the main adsorption mechanism of Pb(II) on diatomite at low pH values. No drastic difference of Pb(II) adsorption was observed at pH > 7.0, and the adsorption at high pH values was mainly dominated via inner-sphere surface complexation. The presence of HA/FA showed great influence on Pb(II) adsorption on diatomite. The adsorption of Pb(II) on diatomite was dependent on foreign ions (herein K +, Na +, ClO 4 −, NO 3 − and Cl −) in solution at pH < 8.0, and was independent of foreign ions at pH > 8.0. The thermodynamic parameters (i.e., Δ H°, Δ S°, Δ G°) were evaluated from the temperature dependent adsorption isotherms. The results indicated that the adsorption process of Pb(II) on diatomite was spontaneous and endothermic in nature.

Carbonaceous Hibiscus cannabinus L. for treatment of oil- and metal-contaminated water

The potential of carbonaceous Hibiscus cannabinus L. plant for use in the treatment of oil- and heavy metal-contaminated water is explored. The results from this work demonstrated that the material from this source was capable of sequestering oil and metal ions from the aqueous solutions. The maximum sorption to saturation capacities for diesel and cooking oil were 35 and 30 g g −1, respectively, well above that of the commercial adsorbent. The carbonaceous material was also effective for sequestering Mn 2+, Cu 2+ and Fe 2+. The equilibrium of metal ions adsorption was attained after 30 min for Mn 2+ and Cu 2+, and 60 min for Fe 2+ solutions. The sorption of the metal ions was in the order of Mn 2+ > Cu 2+ > Fe 2+, increased with increase in the dosage in the range between 60% and 92% removal, depending on the dosage amount. The quantitative removal of Mn 2+, Cu 2+, and Fe 2+ at pH 4.5, 50 mg L −1 initial concentration after 150 min equilibration time was 91.2%, 86.0% and 81.0%, respectively.

Removal of heavy metals by an enriched consortium

An enriched consortium obtained from lake-sediment was developed for the removal of heavy metals such as Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, and Zn from heavy metal-contaminated water. The removal efficiency of heavy metals in a shaking condition was generally higher than that in the static state. After the fifteenth enrichment with assorted heavy metals, the removal efficiencies in the shaking and static condition at an average concentration of 100 mg/L of each heavy metal were approximately 99 approximately 100% and 95 approximately 100%, respectively, depending on the type of heavy metal. An aerobically grown, pure culture isolated from an enriched culture was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing and identified as Ralstonia sp. HM-1. This strain was found to remove various heavy metals with an efficiency of approximately 97 approximately 100% at an average concentration of 200 mg/L of each heavy metal.

Cadmium removal from single- and multi-metal ( [formula omitted]) solutions by sorption on hydroxyapatite

Heavy metal contamination of waters and soils is particularly dangerous to the living organisms. Different studies have demonstrated that hydroxyapatite has a high removal capacity for divalent heavy metal ions in contaminated waters and soils. The removal of Cd from aqueous solutions by hydroxyapatite was investigated in batch conditions at 25 ± 2 ° C . Cadmium was applied both as single- or multi-metal ( Cd + Pb + Zn + Cu ) systems with initial concentrations from 0 to 8 mmol L −1. The adsorption capacity of hydroxyapatite in single-metal system ranged from 0.058 to 1.681 mmol of Cd/g of hydroxyapatite. In the multi-metal system competitive metal sorption reduced the removal capacity by 63–83% compared to the single-metal system. The sorption of Cd by hydroxyapatite follows the Langmuir model. Cadmium immobilization occurs through a two-step mechanism: rapid surface complexation followed by partial dissolution of hydroxyapatite and ion exchange with Ca resulting in the formation of a cadmium-containing hydroxyapatite.

MTBE biodegradation and degrader microbial community dynamics in MTBE, BTEX, and heavy metal-contaminated water

The aim of this investigation was to explore microbial community changes under various environmental groundwater conditions (single substrate, mixed substrates, and the presence of heavy metals) and link the changes with simultaneously diminishing substrate concentration in the microcosms. Most microorganisms from environmental microcosms or wastewater treatment plants cannot be cultivated artificially. Capturing microbial community fingerprints, therefore, requires applying a molecular biological technique. By using SSCP profiles of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA genes, it was demonstrated that with the repeated addition of substrates during long-term acclimation, substrate-utilizing populations in a microcosm gradually increased to become the dominant constituent. Conversely, the presence of metals inhibited community development and differentiation. It was also shown that substrate degradation rates increased under co-substrate conditions, with substrate-degraders easily adapting to the environment and becoming the dominant bacteria, a phenomenon attributed to the propensity of the fittest species to outgrow their competitors when presented with suitable substrates.

Effects of Exogenous Spermidine on Antioxidant System Responses of Typha latifolia L. Under Cd2+ Stress

Abstract: The effects of foliar spraying with spermidine (Spd), ranging in concentration from 0.25 to 0.50 mmol/L, on the antioxidant system under Cd2+ stress (range 0.1–0.2 mmol/L Cd2+) in Typha latifolia L. grown hydroponically were investigated in order to offer a referenced evidence for an understanding of the mechanism by which polyamines (PAs) relieve the damage to plants by heavy metal and improve the phytoremediation efficiency of heavy metal‐contaminated water. The results showed that Cd2+ stress induced oxidative injury, as evidenced by an increase in the generation of superoxide anion (O2‐), as well as the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in both leaves and caudices. With the exception of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the leaves, an increase in the activities of catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GR) was observed in both leaves and caudices, SOD activity was increased in caudices, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity was increased in leaves following Cd2+ treatment. The reduced glutathione (GSH) content in both leaves and caudices and the reductive ascorbate content in leaves was obviously increased, which were prompted by the application of exogenous Spd. Spraying with Spd increased the activity of GR and APX in both leaves and caudices, whereas the activity of SOD, CAT, and GPX was increased only in caudices following spraying with Spd. The generation of O2 ‐. and the H2O2 and MDA content in both leaves and caudices decreased after spraying with Spd. The decrease in MDA was more obvious following the application of 0.25 than 0.50 mmol/L Spd. It is supposed that exogenous Spd elevated the tolerance of T. latifolia under Cd2+ stress primarily by increasing GR activity and the GSH level.(Managing editor: Ping HE)

Biosorption of cadmium by Myriophyllum spicatum L. and Myriophyllum triphyllum orchard

The aim of this study was to characterize the biological treatment of heavy metal-contaminated water employing Myriophyllum species, namely M. spicatum L. and M. triphyllum. Both species were found to be capable of removing cadmium (Cd) from water; the latter significantly outperformed. Myriophyllum species were treated with 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16 mg l −1 cadmium solutions for 24, 48, 72, 96 h, respectively. Cd uptake of both species was the lowest at 2 mg l −1 and the highest at 16 mg l −1. Concentration related cadmium stress on both species exhibit significant difference on pigment levels (8–16 mg l −1). These findings contribute to the fact that submerged aquatic plants can be used for the removal of heavy metals.

Heavy metal contamination in water and sediments of an estuary in southeastern Turkey

The geochemical characteristics of some heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn and Ni) in the river and sea sediments, in the soil and in the river and groundwater of an estuary on the southeast coast of Turkey have been studied. In the sea sediments, the wastes from a chromium factory control these metal concentrations. The heavy metal contamination in the river sediments results from an existing chromite mine at the northern part of the area. These heavy metals are concentrated in the soil, but they do not penetrate into the groundwater because of the low permeability of the unsaturated zone in the region.

Heavy metal contamination of water, soil and produce within riverine communities of the Rı́o Pilcomayo basin, Bolivia

The Rı́o Pilcomayo heads on the Cerro Rico de Potosı́ precious metal–polymetallic tin deposits of Southern Bolivia. Mining of the Potosı́ deposits began in 1545 and has led to the severe contamination of the Pilcomayo's water and sediments for at least 200 km downstream of the mines. This investigation addresses the potential human health affects of metal and As contamination on four communities located along the upper Rı́o Pilcomayo by examining the potential significance of human exposure pathways associated with soils, crops and water (including river, irrigation and drinking water supplies). The most significantly contaminated agricultural soils occur upstream at Mondragón where Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations exceed recommended guideline values for agricultural use. Further downstream the degree of contamination decreases, and metal concentrations are below Dutch, German and Canadian guideline values. Metal and As concentrations in agricultural products from the four communities were generally below existing guidelines for heavy metal content in commercially-sold vegetables. Thus, the consumption of contaminated produce does not appear to represent a significant exposure pathway. A possible exception is Pb in carrots, lettuce and beetroots from Sotomayor and Tuero Chico; 37% and 55% of the samples, respectively, exceeded recommended guidelines. Most communities obtain drinking water from sources other than the Rı́o Pilcomayo. In general, dissolved concentrations of metals and As in drinking water from the four studied communities are below the WHO guideline values with the exception of Sb, which was high at Tasapampa. The inadvertent ingestion of contaminated water from irrigation canals and the Rı́o Pilcomayo represents a potential exposure pathway, but its significance is thought to be minimal. Given the degree of soil contamination in the area, perhaps the most significant exposure pathway is the ingestion of contaminated soil particles, particularly particles attached to, and consumed with vegetables. The risks associated with this pathway can be reduced by thoroughly washing or peeling the vegetables prior to consumption. Other exposure pathways that are currently under investigation include the consumption of contaminated meat from livestock and poultry, which drink polluted waters and the ingestion of contaminated wind-blown dust.

A novel technology to improve drinking water quality: a microbiological evaluation of in-home flocculation and chlorination in rural Guatemala

An estimated 1 billion persons in low-income countries do not have access to improved drinking water. Chlorine, a useful water treatment agent, is less effective in turbid water, and lacks a visible effect, limiting its acceptability. A product incorporating precipitation, coagulation, flocculation, and chlorination technology (combined product) to reduce microbial, organic and heavy metal contaminants in water was evaluated. The combined product's microbiological efficacy in Guatemalan villagers' households was evaluated. One hundred randomly selected households from four neighboring Guatemalan villages were enrolled. Three groups received the combined product and either the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) water storage vessel, a covered bucket with spigot, or no vessel. One group received chlorine bleach and the CDC water storage vessel, and one group no intervention. Household water samples were collected for 4 weeks and Escherichia coli, chlorine, and turbidity levels were measured. Potable water was defined as having less than one E. coli per 100 ml. Eight (8%) baseline water samples were potable. Follow-up water samples were more likely to be potable than control samples (combined product and traditional vessel 83%; combined product and CDC vessel 92%; combined product and covered bucket with spigot 93%; chlorine and CDC vessel 92%; versus control 5%). Among combined product users, 98% reported improved water clarity compared with 45% of chlorine bleach users (p < 0.0001). The combined product technology improved water potability as effectively as chlorine bleach; improved water clarity could motivate more persons to effectively treat their water.

Use of Artificial Zeolites to Reduce Copper Toxicity to Two Marine Microalgae

The treatment of seawater with ethylenediaminotetraacetic acid (EDTA), as a precautionary measure to avoid heavy metal toxicity, is a standard procedure in Latin American shrimp hatcheries. The recommended application rate of EDTA at concentrations of 5 to 10 g/m3 of seawater (Arellano Moncayo 1990) is costly. A possible alternative is the use of zeolites, some of which have been reported as effective in reducing heavy metal concentrations in industrial wastewaters (Andrews et al. 1991; Malliou et al. 1994; Misaelides and Godelitsas 1995). However, there is little literature available on the amelioration of heavy metal-contaminated water for aquaculture. Jain et al. (1996) obtained a substantial reduction of lead toxicity for freshwater fish using a natural zeolite, but no data are available for saltwater organisms. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the potential of four artificial zeolitic products for reduction of copper toxicity to algae in seawater.

Heavy metal detection

Researchers at Brigham Young University (Provo, UT, USA) have developed a new method for detecting heavy metal contaminants in water that could be incorporated into a flow-through sensor used in water streams. The team, led by Jerald Bradshaw, synthesised molcules that selectively chelated zinc ions that in turn were bound by fluorescent reporter molecules detectable under UV light. In the absence of zinc, no fluorescent signal is detected. The team has previously reported similar methods for detection of cadmium and mercury. (The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 13 July). MJD

Are metal mining effluent regulations adequate: identification of a novel bleached fish syndrome in association with iron-ore mining effluents in Labrador, Newfoundland

Little is known about the toxicity potential of chronic exposure to low levels of contaminants, including metals in the aquatic environment. Although water quality and effluent guidelines are in place in many countries, they have essentially evolved outside of an ecotoxicological framework which requires field investigations coupled with long-term chronic toxicity studies. The potential ecotoxicological effects of heavy metals are coming under greater scrutiny and we have carried out pilot field studies in a major lake chain in Labrador receiving effluents from iron-ore processing mills. Analysis by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry of heavy metal contaminants in water demonstrated a gradient of metals in the system with iron and manganese being dominant. Emphasis has been placed on studies on large lake trout and over three years of observations it has been established that the fish in the lake receiving the highest level of mine tailings is afflicted with a ‘clinically’ distinct skin bleaching syndrome in comparison with fish taken farther afield in the lake chain or outside the chain proper. Field staff have also commonly provided anecdotal evidence that the fish in the same lake are quite lethargic upon capture in comparison with fish taken in downstream lakes. More detailed studies have also now indicated that the syndrome is associated with changes in liver histology and hematology as well as the DNA oxidative damage reported earlier (Payne, J. F., Malins, D. C., Gunselman, S., Rahimtula, A., & Yeats, P. A. (1998). Marine Environmental Research, 46, 289–294). Using the weight of evidence approach it is indicated that iron-ore effluents are likely deleterious to fish. Also, since iron-ore effluents have traditionally been considered to be essentially ‘non-toxic’, field studies should be carried out at other non-ferrous metal mining sites to assess histopathological/physiological effects in fish populations. (Supported in part by the Toxic Chemicals Program, Department of Fisheries and Oceans.)

The effect of heavy metals and other environmental conditions on the anaerobic phosphate metabolism of Acinetobacter johnsonii.

A strain of Acinetobacter with potential for bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated waters was isolated from a wastewater-treatment plant operating an enhanced biological phosphate removal process. NMR and extractive methods showed that polyphosphate accumulated aerobically was degraded under anaerobic conditions both in the presence and absence of cadmium or uranium (0.2-0.5 mM). NMR showed that free phosphate was formed at the expense of polyphosphate, and an extractive technique indicated that this reaction could be stimulated by the presence of UO(2)2+ under these conditions. Energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis demonstrated that only cadmium could enter the cells, and co-localized with intra-cellular granules containing phosphate and other divalent metals. The effects of other environmental parameters on the anaerobic phosphate metabolism were also investigated. Between pH 5.5 and 8.0, phosphate release increased with increasing pH. Between 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C, phosphate release increased with increasing temperature. The presence of nitrate at concentrations of 10 mM and above inhibited anoxic phosphate release, but supplying tungstate in the growth medium prior to anoxic incubation reduced the production of active nitrate reductase and alleviated this effect.

Use of macroalgae as biological indicators of heavy metal pollution in Thermaikos Gulf, Greece.

Heavy metal concentrations in macroalgae are used to monitor the level of bioavailable metals in estuarine and sea shore areas. Macroalgae correspond to the characteristics for bioindicators, since they provide a time-integrated picture of the bioavailable pollutants (Phillips, 1977). Macroalgae have a relatively longlife span, they can offer an environmental picture over extensive periods of time and occur abundantly along the seashore (Phillips et al. 1986, Levine 1984, Fytianos et al. 1997). Different species are usually used to monitor metal concentrations in various geographical areas, according to heavy taxonomic distribution (Ho, 1990, Stratis et al. 1996). Algae accumulate metals by means of a two-stage process, consisting first of a rapid, reversible physico-chemical process of adsorption on the exterior surface, and then of a slower metabolically regulated intracellular uptake (Garnham et al. 1992). Consequently, metal concentrations are greatly dependent both on external factors which affect metal interactions with the cell wall (pH, salinity, inorganic and organic complexing molecules) and on physico-chemical parameters which control the metabolic rate (temperature, light, oxygen and nutrients). Since metal binding on the external wall is a continuous process during the life-span of algae, older tissues usually contain higher amounts of many metals (Shimshock et al. 1992, Barreiro et al. 1993). Algae bind only free metal ions, the concentrations of which depend on the nature of suspended particulate matter. This, in turn, consists of both inorganic and organic complexes (Martin et al., 1994). Only a few benthic algae satisfy all requirements for successful metal monitoring, due to virtually continuous seasonal and geographical distribution in estuaries, tolerance to large salinity variations and resistance to high pollution concentrations (Edwards, 1972). The macroalgae most extensively used for monitoring heavy metal contamination of water belong to the genera Fucus, Enteromorpha, Laminaria and Ulva. The studies of Shiber and Washburn (1978), Sawidis and Voulgaropoulos (1986) and Ho (1990) support the existence of a direct relationship, between metal concentrations in water and in the tissues of U. lactuca. These macroalgae assimilate dissolved nutrients during their growth and released them almost completely in superficial sediment during their mineralization, this later process follows the almost complete disappearance of macroalgae and continues throughout winter (Sfriso et al., 1988). Few areas in Greece are considered to be polluted by heavy metals and in most of them, studies have been made in order to define the level of metal accumulation in the soft tissues of different organisms (Vasilikiotis et al., 1983; Catsiki et al. 1991).