Heavy Metal Concentrations In Water Research Articles

Spatial patterns of submerged macrophytes and heavy metals in the hypertrophic, contaminated, shallow reservoir Lake Qattieneh/Syria

Our investigation on macrophytes in Lake Qattieneh, a large, shallow reservoir in western Syria, is a first assessment of ecological status of this lake. We studied spatial distribution patterns of aquatic macrophyte vegetation and heavy metal concentrations to determine if they can be used as indicators of point sources of pollution. Industrial and municipal point sources at the lake shore increase nutrient load and contamination by heavy metals. Water analyses revealed high concentrations of some heavy metals at some littoral sites: Ni 88.7 μg L −1, Cr 49.99 μg L −1, Co 14.38 μg L −1, and Cu 11.65 μg L −1. Despite hypertrophic conditions and high heavy metal contamination, we recorded several submerged macrophyte species with heterogeneous spatial distribution patterns. Whereas Potamogeton pectinatus L. dominates in the eastern part of the lake, near industrial point sources, both Myriophyllum spicatum L. and Potamogeton lucens L. form extended patches in the western part of the lake. The shallow, littoral areas near villages are dominated by Ranunculus trichophyllus Chaix in Villars and Ceratophyllum demersum L. The west–east gradient in nutrient and heavy metal concentrations in waters and sediments are reflected by the spatial distribution of submersed species. While the heavy metal concentrations of the water body vary considerably in different seasons, the contents in submersed macrophytes integrate seasonal variations of longer time periods. Spatial distribution and tissue accumulation of littoral macrophyte species reflect the environmental conditions at respective sites such as heavy metal contents in water and sediment.

Heavy Metal Pollution and Chemical Profile of Cauvery River Water

Analysis of water, plankton, fish and sediment reveals that the Cauvery River water in the downstream is contaminated by certain heavy metals. Water samples have high carbonate hardness. Concentrations of all elements and ions increase in the downstream. Main ions are in the following order: Na > HCO3 >Mg > K > Ca> Cl > SO4. Heavy metal concentration in water was Cr >Cu ≈ Mn > Co > Ni > Pb > Zn, in fish muscles Cr > Mn > Cu > Ni > Co > Pb ≈ Zn, in phytoplanktens Co > Zn > Pb > Mn > Cr and in the sediments the heavy metal concentration was Co > Cr > Ni ≈ Cu > Mn > Zn > Pb. Although, the quality of Cauvery River may be classified as very good based on the salt and sodium for irrigation, Zn, Pb and Cr concentration exceeded the upper limit of standards. Metal concentrations in the downstream indicate an increase in the pollution load due to movement of fertilizers, agricultural ashes, industrial effluents and anthropogenic wastes. An immediate attention from the concerned authorities is required in order to protect the river from further pollution.

Content of the Heavy Metals in Water and Bottom Sediments of the Ingulets River

The paper deals with the impact of the big mining and smelting center of Ukraine — Kryvbas — on the river Ingulets' hydrosystem. The authors cited 15-year results of investigation of the heavy metal content in water and bottom sediments.

Spatial and temporal variation of heavy metal levels in phytoperiphyton in small streams of Northwest Russia

The accumulation dynamics and the spatial and temporal variation of heavy metals in streams located in different regions in the Republic of Karelia (Northwestern Russia) were determined by collecting attached algal communities dominated by diatoms (Didymosphenia geminaia, Gomphonema spp.), green (Zygnema spp., Mougeotia spp.) and blue-green (Stigonema mamillosum) algae. Simultaneously, a heavy metal concentration in water was studied.

English

The accumulation of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, B, As) was measured in water, plankton and sediment samples taken from different areas of Lake Uluabat during January 2003 to February 2004. The sequential extraction used in this study is useful to assess the potential mobility of heavy metals in the sediment indirectly. In this study, Cu, Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni and Zn concentrations were detected at higher levels at Lake Uluabat for selected stations, especially in plankton samples. The magnitude of heavy metal concentrations in water and plankton samples was determined as B>Zn>As>Cd>Pb>Ni>Cr and Zn>Ni>Cu>Cr>Cd>Pb, respectively. The mobile heavy metals in sediment samples were sequences as Pb>Cu>Cr>Ni>Cd>Zn, whereas the magnitude of easily mobilizable metal concentration was determined as Pb>Ni>Cr>Cu>Cd>Zn. Concentration of Cu and Cr in mobile fraction is detected higher than in easily mobilizable fraction. Concentration of Pb, Cd, Zn and Ni in mobile fraction is detected in lower levels than in easily mobilizable fraction.

Multivariate analysis of heavy metals concentrations in river estuary

Multivariate statistical techniques such as multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and discriminant analysis (DA) were applied for analyzing the data obtained from two rivers in the Penang State of Malaysia for the concentration of heavy metal ions (As, Cr, Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Hg) using a flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS) for Cr, Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb, As and cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS) for Hg. The two locations of interest with 20 sampling points of each location were Kuala Juru (Juru River) and Bukit Tambun (Jejawi River). MANOVA showed a strong significant difference between the two rivers in terms of heavy metal concentrations in water samples. DA gave the best result to identify the relative contribution for all parameters in discriminating (distinguishing) the two rivers. It provided an important data reduction as it used four parameters (Zn, Pb, Cd and Cr) affording 100% correct assignations. Results indicated that the two rivers were different in terms of heavy metals concentrations in water, and the major difference was due to the contribution of Zn. A negative correlation was found between discriminate functions (DF) and Cr and As, whereas positive correlation was exhibited with other heavy metals. Therefore, DA allowed a reduction in the dimensionality of the data set, delineating a few indicator parameters responsible for large variations in heavy metal concentrations. Correlation matrix between the parameters exhibited a strong evidence of mutual dependence of these metals.

Heavy metal concentrations in water and sediments in Tasik Chini, a freshwater lake, Malaysia

The purpose of this paper are to determine the concentration of heavy metals namely cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) in water and sediment; and to investigate the effect of sediment pH and sediment organic matter on concentration of cadmium, copper and lead in sediment at oxidation fraction. For this purpose the concentration of heavy metals were measured in water and sediments at 15 sites from Tasik Chini, Peninsular Malaysia. The sequential extraction procedure used in this study was based on defined fractions: exchangeable, acid reduction, oxidation, and residual. The concentration of heavy metals in residual fraction was higher than the other fractions. Among the non-residual fractions, the concentration of heavy metals in organic matter fraction was much higher than other fractions collected from all sampling sites. The pH of the sediment in all sites was acidic. The mean pH ranges from 4.8 to 5.5 with the higher value observed at site 15. Results of organic matter analysis showed that the percentage of organic matter present in sediment samples varies throughout the lake and all sites of sediments were relatively rich in organic matter ranging from 13.0% to 34.2%. The highest mean percentage of organic matter was measured at sampling site 15, with value of 31.78%.

Assessment of the health of a river ecosystem due to the impact of pollution from industrial discharge using instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and neutron activation analysis (NAA) were employed in the determination of heavy metal concentrations in water, plant and sediment samples to assess the extent of heavy metal pollution in a river system which is located within an industrial zone. Elemental concentrations of As, Pb, Hg, Cr, Cu, Cd, Ni and Zn were measured in the samples. Statistical analysis was performed on the data obtained to look for trends in the pollution pattern of these elements on the river system. The trend in concentrations of heavy metals pollution in water samples is in the order of Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr > As > Pb > Hg > Cd, whereas in plants the order is Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > As > Hg > Cd and in sediments Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > As > Hg.

Specific features of bioaccumulation of heavy metals in mollusks within the scope of assessment of the environmental state

115 Intense anthropogenic cumulative toxicological pollution of water bodies makes it necessary to develop the conservation measures and, hence, efficient methods for assessment of the surface water quality. Heavy metals (HMs) are the most toxic agents among those polluting water bodies; in addition, HMs are accumulated in the bodies of hydrobionts at concentrations higher than in the surrounding water [1]. Small amounts of HMs are vitally important for the living organisms; however, high HM concentrations produce a toxic effect. The question of HM deficiency and excess in hydrobiont tissues is far from being solved and remains urgent in terms of the assessment of environmental pollution. An adequate response to different HM concentrations in water is characteristic of mollusks [1‐5], which accumulate HMs in their bodies up to the toxic levels causing pathology, malformations, and mutations [4]. In this study, we aimed at determining the specific features of HM accumulation in mollusks, as well as the limiting levels of potentially toxic HMs in various HM medium gradients. We tried to find a parameter indicating the degree of ecotoxicological hazard in a mollusk population, which may be related to the toxic environmental pollution. As a result of our study, the levels of HM accumulation were determined in both normal mollusks and those with malformations developed under the conditions of various HM medium gradients. Accumulation of the most toxic microelements was found to depend on the ratio of the macroelement concentration in tissues to that in the aquatic medium. The environmental state can be assessed from the parameter of ecotoxicological hazard for the indicator mollusks. The materials were obtained during the Interna

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Water, Sediment, Fish and Some Benthic Organisms from Tigris River, Turkey

In this study concentrations of heavy metals, such as Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in water, sediment, muscle, liver and gill of fish (Silurus triostegus, Mastacembelus simack, Mystus halepensis, Orthrias euphraticus) the muscle and liver of crab (Potamon fluviatilis), the internal organs of fresh water snail (Physa acuta), and mussel (Unio elongatulus), and in whole biomass of green algae (Spirogyra sp.) examples collected seasonally from three selected sites (I, II, and III) of Tigris River and from a reference site on Resan Creek. In general, the average Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, and Fe values in Sites I, II, and III were found to be high in spring and summer. The concentrations of heavy metals in the Tigris River are compared with previous studies in the same sites. The results showed that Cu levels have gradually decreased during recent years. In Tigris River, among the living organisms, i.e., those which are living in benthic region and showing biomonitor characteristic, crab, snail, green algae, mussel and fish are seen to be formed in sequence. Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn values obtained from the muscle of fish and from the mass of internal organs of mussel and snail were found to be under the acceptable values suggested.

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Water, Sediments and Body Tissues of Red Worm (Tubifex spp.) Collected from Natural Habitats in Mumbai, India

Live feeds, especially Tubifex spp., which are collected from a wide variety of polluted habitats, are used by aquarium fish keepers in India. These habitats receive domestic sewage and industrial wastes from nearby residential and industrial areas. Reports of morbidity and mortality from aquarium fish culturists in and around Mumbai led to the present investigations on the ecology of these habitats with a view to assess the water quality, presence of heavy metals in the environment and their bioaccumulation in Tubifex worms, and to examine whether these habitats could be exploited to meet the demand of the industry. Six natural red worm (Tubifex spp.) collection centres in Mumbai and Thane districts of Maharashtra state in India constituting a major source of live Tubifex supply to aquarium fish industry were evaluated for pollution, heavy metal concentration in water, sediments and in the body tissues of Tubifex. Data revealed the presence of heavy metals in water and sediments at collection sites and bioaccumulation of cadmium, iron, lead, zinc and copper in body tissues of Tubifex worms. Cadmium ranged from 2.38 to 7.21 mg/kg, iron 671.9 to 5738 mg/kg, lead 14.95 to 33.49 mg/kg, zinc 60.20 to 166.60 mg/kg and copper 29.38 to 108.90 mg/kg of dry Tubifex worms. The study suggests that all the six collection sites are polluted and the red worms contaminated with heavy metals and hence, unfit for use in aquaria or feeding any variety of fish or crustaceans in the hatcheries.

Analysis of total and dissolved heavy metals in surface water of a Mexican polluted river by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

The present area of study is located in the Upper Course of the Lerma River (UCLR). The Lerma is one of the most important rivers of Mexico, where it drains highly populated and industrialized regions. The aim of the present study is to determine the heavy metal concentration of Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu and Pb in dissolved and total phases of the UCLR by means of Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (TXRF). The surface water samples were collected at 8 sites distributed following the stream flow direction of the river. Four sampling campaigns were carried out in each site in a 1-year period. A sample preparation method was applied in order to obtain the total and dissolved fraction and to destroy the organic matter. The total heavy metal average concentration decrease in the following order: Fe (2566 μg/L) > Mn (300 μg/L) > Cu (66 μg/L) > Cr (21 μg/L) > Pb (15 μg/L). In general, the heavy metal concentrations in water of the UCLR are below the maximum permissible limits.

Heavy metal concentrations in water and surface sediments of Maharlou Lake, SE of Shiraz, Iran

Heavy metal concentrations in water and surface sediments of Maharlou Lake, SE of Shiraz, Iran

Flood impact on water quality of small urban streams

Flood situation (August 2002) in small urban streams radically changed status of water ecosystem, which had been created naturally and anthropogenically for a long time. The aim of the after-flood research has been to record development of a creek recovery in positive as well as negative sense: recovery of benthic colonisation and reloading of contaminants (heavy metals) in bottom sediment. The Botic creek (its one section) was chosen as an experimental stream. This section of the creak is influenced by combine sewer system (two overflows - CSOs) as well as storm sewer system (one outlet - SSO). Heavy metals concentrations in water, sediment and body tissue of benthic organisms of the Botic creek and quality of benthic communities were monitored long term before flood. Comparison of results before and after flood can better assess impact of extreme water stage on a small stream.

Heavy-metal pollution and arseniasis in Hetao region, China.

In the Hetao region in northern China drinking water has become toxic due to the presence of arsenic (As) and other heavy metals in soil and water. The 7 counties in this region cover approx. 6100 km2, and in all 180,000 people are suffering from the toxic effects of contaminated drinking water. However, very few studies have been carried out in the region on the possible source of this arsenic. This paper is based on studies of the distribution of heavy metals in soil and groundwater. Results show that the average content of As is 0.483 microg g(-1) in groundwater and 13.74 microg g(-1) in soil. These levels are higher than the drinking water standard of 0.05 microg g(-1) recommended by the World Health Organization in 1984, and for the local background level in soil (5.20 microg g(-1)). This heavy-metal content in water and soil decreases gradually with increasing distance from the contaminated area, which fronts the Yin Mountains. The ratios of the Pb and Sr isotope contents in water are closely related to the ratios found in the water of the regions' mining area, and the ratios in soil correspond to the content of As in groundwater and soil in the area where pathological changes have been detected. Results suggest that the contaminants originate in the ore deposit zone fronting Yin mountains in the upper reaches of the Hetao Region.

Assessment of arsenic and heavy metal concentrations in water and sediments of the Rio Grande at El Paso–Juarez metroplex region

The Rio Grande located along the US–Mexico border is affected by anthropogenic activities along its geographical course. Runoff and wind deposition of smelting residues may contribute to the pollution of the Rio Grande in the El Paso–Ciudad Juarez area. Few studies have addressed the presence or impacts of heavy metals or arsenic in this ecosystem. This study reports a survey of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and arsenic (As) in water and sediments of the Rio Grande collected from seven sites in the El Paso–Juarez region. Since water quality influences metal content in water, physical (temperature, flow and conductivity), and chemical (pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, alkalinity, and water hardness) parameters were measured at each site. Arsenic and heavy metal levels were determined using Inductively Couple Plasma (ICP) emission spectroscopy following EPA procedures. Zinc and lead were found as both total and dissolved metals in most of the samples, with concentrations of total recoverable metals reaching up to 105 and 70 μg/l, respectively. Most metals were found in sediment samples collected from four of seven sites. The highest Cu concentration (35 mg/l) was found at the American Dam site. Concentrations of metals found through this survey will be used as a reference for future studies in monitoring arsenic, heavy metals, and their impacts in the Rio Grande.

Heavy metal concentration in water and soil of different ecological areas of Tyva Republic

The concentration of the most common heavy metals (HM) in the drainage waters and mobile soil forms of areas 1 and 2 of the Tyva Republic was studied. The average Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Co and Hg content in the water samples was established to be within permissible concentration limits. Pb and Cd level in the water samples of area 2 was 1.7 and 3 times higher, respectively, than the maximum permissible concentration (MPC), The analysis of the soil samples from the examined areas revealed that the HM content does not exceed the MPG. However, the Cu, Pb and Cd levels were exceed in the soil of area 2 as compared to area 1 (P<0.05-0.01).

Effects of mining activities on heavy metal concentrations in water, sediment, and macroinvertebrates in different reaches of the Pilcomayo River, South America.

From 1997 until 1999 the extent and the ecological effects of zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium pollution were studied in different reaches of the South American Pilcomayo River. A comparison of metal concentrations in water, sediment, and chironomid larvae, as well as the diversity of macroinvertebrate species, was made between sites near the origin of the Pilcomayo River, with hardly any mining activities, sites in the Potosí region, with intensive mining, and sites located 500 km or further downstream of Potosí, in the Chaco plain. Samples were also collected in an unpolluted river (Cachi Mayu River) and in the Tarapaya River, which is strongly contaminated by mine tailings (1000 tons a day). The upper parts of the Pilcomayo River are strongly affected by the release of mine tailings from the Potosí mines where mean concentrations of lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc in water, filtered water, sediment, and chironomid larvae were up to a thousand times higher than the local background levels. The diversity of the benthic macroinvertebrate community was strongly reduced in the contaminated parts; 97% of the benthic macroinvertebrates consisted of chironomid larvae. The degree of contamination in the lower reaches of the river, however, was fairly low because of sedimentation processes and the strong dilution of mine tailings with enormous amounts of clean sediment from erosion processes. Analysis of sediment cores from the Ibibobo floodplain, however, reveal an increase of the heavy metal concentrations in the lower reaches since the introduction of the contaminating flotation process in the mine industry in 1985.

Heavy metal concentrations in water and tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) from grow-out farms in Sabah, North Borneo

Concentrations of a number of heavy metals, including Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in samples of water and muscle tissue of tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) from two farms. One farm was located in Tuaran (farm-A) and the other in Likas (farm-B) near Kota Kinabalu. While Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mo, Pb and Zn concentrations were higher in the water from farm-A, other metal concentrations (Cd, Mn and Ni) were higher in farm-B. Tiger prawns raised in farm-A had comparatively higher concentrations of Co, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb. Those grown in farm-B had higher levels of Cd, Fe, Mn, Mo and Zn. No general correlation between metal levels was discernible in the prawn tissue. The data suggested complexities in uptake and retention of metals in tiger prawn. This animal seemed to resist the build-up of certain metals whereas it allowed the entry of others to the extent of exceeding the proportion that occurred in the environment. Some of the controlling factors include the nature of the metals, environmental factors, the body's reaction, physiological tolerance, tissue thresholds and regulatory mechanisms.

Distribution of trace metals in the Hindon River system, India

The distribution of trace metals (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Ni) in water, suspended and bed sediments of the River Hindon, a highly polluted river in western Uttar Pradesh (India) has been studied. The river is polluted by municipal, industrial and agricultural effluents, and flows through the city of Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar and Ghaziabad districts. The heavy metal concentrations in water were observed to depend largely on the amount of flowing water and are negatively correlated with flow. Sediment analysis indicates that the large amount of heavy metals is associated with organic matter, the fine-grained sediment fraction and Fe/Mn hydrous oxides. A high positive correlation of most of the metal ions in sediments with iron, manganese and organic matter indicate that these constituents play a major role in transport of metal ions. The heavy metal concentrations generally increased with the decreasing particle size of the sediments. Lower metal concentrations in bed sediments during post-monsoon season established that monsoon had a slight effect on status of metals in sediments by causing renewal and mobilization of metals from the sediments.