Heavy Metal Contamination In Sediments Research Articles

Historical construction, quantitative source identification and risk assessment of heavy metals contamination in sediments from the Pearl River Estuary, South China

Historical reconstruction of heavy metals (HMs) contamination in sediments is a key for understanding the effects of anthropogenic stresses on water bodies and predicting the variation trends of environmental state. In this work, eighteen sediment cores from the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) were collected to determine concentrations and geochemical fractions of HMs. Then, their potential sources and the relative contributions during different time periods were quantitatively identified by integrating lead-210 (210Pb) radioisotope dating technique into positive matrix factorisation (PMF) method. Pollution levels and potential ecological risks (PERs) caused by HMs were accurately assessed by enrichment factors (EF) based on establishment of their geochemical baselines (GCBs) and multiparameter evaluation index (MPE). HMs concentrations generally showed a particle size- and organic matter-dependent distribution pattern. During the period of 1958–1978, HMs concentrations remained at low levels with agricultural activities and natural processes being identified as the predominant sources and averagely contributing >60%. Since the reform and opening-up in 1978, industrial and traffic factors become the primary anthropogenic sources of HMs (such as Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, and Ni), averagely increasing from 22.1% to 28.1% and from 11.6% to 23.4%, respectively. Conversely, the contributions of agricultural and natural factors decreased from 37.0% to 28.5% and from 29.3% to 20.0%, respectively. Subsequently, implementation of environmental preservation policies was mainly responsible for the declining trend of HMs after 2010. Little enrichment of sediment Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr and Ni with EFs (0.15–1.43) was found in the PRE, whereas EFs of Cd (1.16–2.70) demonstrated a slight to moderate enrichment. MPE indices of Cu (50.7–252), Pb (52.0–147), Zn (35.5–130), Ni (19.6–71.5), Cr (14.2–68.8) and Cd (0–9.90) highlighted their potential ecological hazards due to their non-residual fractions and anthropogenic sources.

Grain size and heavy metal assessment in barchan dunes surrounding the Talatan PV power generation area, Qinghai Province

Heavy metal contamination in sediments near photovoltaic (PV) power generation areas poses potential environmental risks, requiring detailed characterization and source apportionment to facilitate sustainable management. This research explores the characteristics of sediment grains and the concentrations of heavy metals present in surface sediments from barchan dunes proximal to the Talatan Photovoltaic (PV) power generation area, located within Gonghe County, Qinghai Province. The sediments displayed an average grain size within the medium sand range, with marginal differences discernible between the windward and leeward slopes. With the exception of Mn, Cu, Zn, V, Pb, and Ba, concentrations of the remaining metals were found to surpass the baseline levels established by Chinese aeolian soil data, alluding to potential anthropogenic influences. Through employing coefficients of variation in multivariate statistical analysis, it was identified that the concentrations of Cr and Co were significantly elevated, suggesting potential anthropogenic contamination, which may be associated with photovoltaic industrial activities. Specifically, the elevated concentrations of Cr and Co suggested anthropogenic contamination, potentially associated with photovoltaic industrial activities. Utilizing a combination of Correlation Coefficient Analysis, Principal Component Analysis, and Cluster Analysis, three potential sources of heavy metals were identified: (1) industrial origin for elements such as Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, and As; (2) elements with limited direct application in the photovoltaic industry but associated with materials and energy storage, namely Ba, V, and Mn; (3) anthropogenic inputs related to construction materials and battery storage systems in the photovoltaic park, specifically Co and Pb. The findings offer a significant understanding of the heavy metal characteristics and sources in proximity to the Talatan PV power generation area, emphasizing the impact of human activities on environmental quality. These insights underscore the necessity for enhanced monitoring and management of industrial activities to mitigate potential environmental impacts. Further research is recommended on a broader spatial scale to yield a more comprehensive understanding of this subject.

Heavy Metal Contamination Assessment in Sediments, Soils and Surface Waters in Agriculture-Based Rural Chhattisgarh, India, and Evaluation of Irrigation Water Quality

Regional geochemical mapping was carried out in Bilaspur and Korba Districts of Chhattisgarh, and stream sediments/slope wash, soil, and water samples were analyzed for concentration of heavy metals. The study contributes to understanding heavy metals contamination of sediments, soils, and water due to anthropogenic activity, mainly in agriculture-based rural areas. The study reveals that high geochemical anomalies observed for heavy metals like Ni, Cr, As, and Zn in sediments and soil samples are due to the extensive uses of phosphatic fertilizer and soil amendments in the form of poultry and swine manure. Water quality assessment of major streams in the study areas shows that the water is suitable for domestic and agricultural uses. Correlation analysis reveals that the chemical weathering of rock-forming minerals doesn’t control the surface water chemistry of the study area and is also an anthropogenic source of sodium in water. This study also shows the importance of the country’s geochemical mapping database, which will have much broader applications than conventional mineral exploration and geological mapping.

Assessment of heavy metal contamination of sediments in popular tourist beaches of the Kerala State, southern India: Implications on textural and mineralogical affinities and mitigation

Beaches form one of the most contaminated sedimentary environments by a myriad variety of anthropogenic activities, including tourism and recreational activities. The concentrations of metals and their pollution levels were studied for four tropical tourist beaches in Kerala state, Southern India. Bulk geochemical and mineralogical analyses of 16 sediment samples were performed to determine the environmental status and the environmental risk level using various geochemical indices. Based on the enrichment of TiO2 and SiO2 concentrations, the samples were grouped into ilmenite-rich samples (IRS) and quartz-rich samples (QRS) respectively and the geochemical signatures are significantly different. Mineralogically, the IRS group is dominated by ilmenite, quartz, sillimanite, zircon and rutile while the QRS group consists of quartz, spinel and calcite and garnets are common in both groups of sediments. Despite the variation in the trends of pollution indices, it has been found that Kovalam beach sediments are enriched with W, Th and U where, IRS with enrichment of W, U and Th while QRS only enriched with W and Th and not U. The mineralogical affinity of W with secondary tungsten-bearing minerals has been documented by the XRD analysis and these metals are mainly controlled by the geogenic sourced minerals. However, in terms of ecological risk, Pb, As and Cu have a considerable to moderate risk in both groups of sediments. Overall, both group of sediments shows a moderate risk. Based on the biological effect assessment the elements of concern are Pb and Zn in IRS and possible effect by the Cr, Cu and As in IRS and only by Cu in QRS. Though the prevalence of geogenic and anthropogenic processes and influences of metal enrichments are documented by the study, their relative influences, mobility and bioavailability need to be systematically studied.

Co-occurrence of toxic metals, bacterial communities and metal resistance genes in coastal sediments from Bohai bay

Sediment heavy metal contamination poses substantial risks to microbial community composition and functional gene distribution. Bohai Bay (BHB), the second-largest bay in the Bohai Sea, is subject to severe anthropogenic pollution. However, to date, there have been no studies conducted to evaluate the distribution of metal resistance genes (MRGs) and bacterial communities in the coastal sediments of BHB. In this study, we employed high-throughput sequencing based on 16S rRNA genes and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) to provide a comprehensive view of toxic metals, MRGs, and bacterial communities in BHB's coastal sediment samples across two seasons. We detected high levels of Cd in the summer samples and As in the autumn samples. The metal content in most autumn samples and all summer samples, based on ecological indices, indicated low ecological risk. Proteobacteria dominated all samples, followed by Desulfobacterota, Bacteroidota and Campilobacterota. Bacterial community variability was higher between autumn sampling sites but more stable in summer. We detected 9 MRG subtypes in all samples, with abundances ranging from 4.58 × 10−1 to 2.25 copies/16S rRNA copies. arsB exhibited the highest relative abundance, followed by acr3, czcA and arrA. The efflux mechanism is a common mechanism for sediment resistance to metal stress in Bohai Bay. Procrustes analysis indicated that bacterial community composition may be a determinant of MRGs composition in BHB sediments. Network analysis suggested that eight classes could be potential hosts for six MRGs. However, this type of correlation requires further validation. To summarize, our study offers preliminary insights into bacterial community and MRG distribution patterns in heavy metal-exposed sediments, laying the groundwork for understanding microbial community adaptations in multi-metal polluted environments and supporting ecological restoration efforts.

Assessment of environmental and carcinogenic health hazards from heavy metal contamination in sediments of wetlands

Sediment contamination jeopardizes wetlands by harming aquatic organisms, disrupting food webs, and reducing biodiversity. Carcinogenic substances like heavy metals bioaccumulate in sediments and expose consumers to a greater risk of cancer. This study reports Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn levels in sediments from eight wetlands in India. The Pb (51.25 ± 4.46 µg/g) and Cr (266 ± 6.95 µg/g) concentrations were highest in Hirakud, Cu (34.27 ± 2.2 µg/g) in Bhadrak, and Zn (55.45 ± 2.93 µg/g) in Koraput. The mean Pb, Cr, and Cu values in sediments exceeded the toxicity reference value. The contamination factor for Cr was the highest of the four metals studied at Hirakud (CF = 7.60) and Talcher (CF = 6.97). Furthermore, high and moderate positive correlations were observed between Cu and Zn (r = 0.77) and Pb and Cr (r = 0.36), respectively, across all sites. Cancer patients were found to be more concentrated in areas with higher concentrations of Pb and Cr, which are more carcinogenic. The link between heavy metals in wetland sediments and human cancer could be used to make policies that limit people's exposure to heavy metals and protect their health.

Improved Calculations of Heavy Metal Toxicity Coefficients for Evaluating Potential Ecological Risk in Sediments Based on Seven Major Chinese Water Systems.

Several methods have been used to assess heavy metal contamination in sediments. However, an assessment that considers both composite heavy metal speciation and concentration is necessary to accurately study ecological risks. This study improved the potential ecological risk index method and calculated the toxicity coefficients of seven heavy metals: Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), and Zinc (Zn). The newly calculated toxicity coefficients were validated by using previously published heavy metal distribution data of the Henan section of the Yellow River. The calculation procedure is based on the principle that the abundance of heavy metals in the environment and their bioavailable forms affect the toxicity of heavy metals. The toxicity coefficients for the seven heavy metals were calculated as follows: As = 10, Cd = 20, Cr = 5, Cu = 2, Ni = 5, Pb = 5, Zn = 1. Ecological risk assessment of the Henan section of the Yellow River using the improved toxicity coefficients revealed that the ecological risk of Cd and total heavy metals is higher than previous calculations, reaching the strength and moderate risk levels, respectively. The improved potential ecological risk index method is more sensitive to heavy metal pollution and thus provides a better indication of ecological risk. This is a necessary improvement to provide more accurate pollution assessments.

Assessment of heavy metals contamination of sediments and surface waters of Bitter lake, Suez Canal, Egypt: Ecological risks and human health

The concentrations of heavy metals in the surface waters and sediments of Bitter Lake were investigated to assess the level, distribution, and source of pollution and the associated ecological and human health risks. The ecological indices of the lake water indicate low contamination degrees by heavy metals. A dermal exposure-based health risk evaluation revealed no carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic impact on human health. The contamination factor (CF) for Cu, Ni, Pb, Mn, Fe, and Zn (CF < 1) indicate low contamination levels, while Cd reaches very high contamination in most sediment sites (CF ranges from 6.2 to 72.4). Furthermore, the potential ecological risk factor (Eri) and modified hazard quotient (mHQ) indicate low ecological risk for all metals except Cd, revealing high to very high-level ecological risk in most sites (Eri ranges from 185 to 2173 and mHQ from 1.8 to 6.3). This emphasizes the urgency of prompt actions to improve the environment in Bitter Lake.

Effect of Anthropogenic Disturbances on the Microbial Relationship during Bioremediation of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Sediment.

Soil, sediment, and waters contaminated with heavy metals pose a serious threat to ecosystem function and human health, and microorganisms are an effective way to address this problem. In this work, sediments containing heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Cd, As) were treated differently (sterilized and unsterilized) and bio-enhanced leaching experiments were carried out with the addition of exogenous iron-oxidizing bacteria A. ferrooxidans and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria A. thiooxidans. The leaching of As, Cd, Cu, and Zn was higher in the unsterilized sediment at the beginning 10 days, while heavy metals leached more optimally in the later sterilized sediment. The leaching of Cd from sterilized sediments was favored by A. ferrooxidans compared to A. thiooxidans. Meanwhile, the microbial community structure was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, which revealed that 53.4% of the bacteria were Proteobacteria, 26.22% were Bacteroidetes, 5.04% were Firmicutes, 4.67% were Chlamydomonas, and 4.08% were Acidobacteria. DCA analysis indicated that microorganisms abundance (diversity and Chao values) increased with time. Furthermore, network analysis showed that complex networks of interactions existed in the sediments. After adapting to the acidic environmental conditions, the growth of some locally dominant bacteria increased the microbial interactions, allowing more bacteria to participate in the network, making their connections stronger. This evidence points to a disruption in the microbial community structure and its diversity following artificial disturbance, which then develops again over time. These results could contribute to the understanding of the evolution of microbial communities in the ecosystem during the remediation of anthropogenically disturbed heavy metals.

Heavy Metals Assessment in Sediments Beds of Habbaniyah Lake, Iraq

Heavy Metals (HMs) concentrations in a sediment sample from Habbaniyah Lake (HL), Iraq (Cr, Cd, Ni, Fe, Co, Zn, Pb, and Cu). 33 locations have been selected in the field of study from October 2020 to April 2021 to evaluate the contamination of HMs in sediments by using pollution load index (PLI), contamination factor (CF), Contamination degree (CD), and geo-accumulation index (I-geo). Atomic Absorption Spectrometer AAS was used to determine heavy metal concentrations (USA Phoenix-986). The following are the average concentrations: 2152.97 mg/kg for Fe, 47.35 mg/kg for Pb, 25.18 mg/kg for Cr, 18.00 mg/kg for Ni, 10.60 mg/kg for Co, 9.57 mg/kg for Zn, 4.53 mg/kg for Cu and 3.53 mg/kg for Cd during the research time. The average concentration of Pb, Ni, Fe, and Cd surpassed the USEPA recommendation. Cd is responsible for extremely high contamination; Pb is responsible for moderate pollution and severe contamination at some places based on the contamination factor (CF). According to contamination degree (CD), The Lake is classified as significant pollution degree and very pollution degree in some sites. Results indicated that HL is not contaminated with HMs according to geo-accumulation index and PLI for all sample locations during the study period. The lake is unpolluted by Fe, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, and Cu according to contamination factor (CF), geo-accumulation index (I-geo), pollution load index (PLI), and Contamination degree (CD).

Heavy metals contamination in sediments of Bharalu river, Guwahati, Assam, India: A tributary of river Brahmaputra.

This study aimed to assess heavy metals in the surface sediments of the Bharalu river, India. Metal concentrations ranged from 6.65-54.6 mg/kg for Ni, 25.2-250.0 mg/kg for Zn, 83.3-139.1 mg/kg for Pb, and 11940.0-31250.0 mg/kg for Fe. The level of metal contamination was assessed using sediment quality guidelines, geo-accumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), pollution Load Index (PLI),Nemerow's pollution index (PIN), and potential ecological risk index. Pb exceeded the sediment quality guidelines at all sites indicating a potential threat to the river ecosystem. (Igeo) and EF also showed moderate to severe enrichment for Pb. Potential ecological risk (RI) showed low risk in the sediments, and Pb is the major contributor to ecological risk. Overall, pollution indices revealed comparably higher contamination of the sediments in the downstream sites than in the upstream site. PCA and correlation matrix analysis indicated both anthropogenic and natural origins for metals. Among anthropogenic sources, urban discharges and waste dumping could be mainly attributed to metal contamination in the river sediments. These findings may aid in developing future river management methods explicitly aimed at tackling heavy metal pollution to prevent further damage to the river ecosystem.

Assessment and sources of heavy metals in the suspended particulate matter, sediments and water of a karst lake in Guizhou Province, China

An integrated assessment of heavy metal (HM) contamination in dissolved matter, suspended particular matter (SPM) and sediments in lakes is essential. This study assessed the risks of HMs in the water, SPM and sediment of Caohai, China, and analyzed the changes in sediment HM contamination in conjunction with historical data. The HM transport was dominated by the SPM load, and the concentrations of Zn (179.07–1821.24 mg kg−1), Pb (53.63–181.46 mg kg−1), and Cd (3.68–21.31 mg kg−1) in SPM and sediment were 5.34–149.11 times higher than the upper continental crust (UCC) values. SPM and sediments were lightly to extremely polluted and had moderate to very high toxicity risks with Cd, Pb and Zn, and these three HMs originated from industrial and agricultural sources. The concentrations of Zn, Pb, and Cd in Caohai sediments increased by 36.7–187.9 % in 2022 compared to pre-2020. This research provides valuable reference data for the remediation of polluted karst lakes.

Relationship between Potential Trace Elements Contamination in Sediment and Macrofauna in the Upper Gulf of Thailand.

The relationship between heavy metal contamination in sediment and macrofauna in the upper Gulf of Thailand is presented as an indication of the environmental quality of coastal waters. This study aims to monitor five heavy metal elements (As, Cd, Mn, Ni, and Pb) between sediment and the sandworm (Perinereis quatrefagesi (P. quatrefagesi)). The geoaccumulation index (I geo), enrichment factor (EF), and contamination factor (CF), including the pollution load index (PLI), were used for statistical analyses by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and differences in the data were compared using the least significant difference (LSD) test. The sediment heavy metal concentrations were found to decrease (Al > Mn > Pb > Ni > Cd > As), and the quantity of heavy metal contamination in the sediment was not over the emergency point defined by the Pollution Control Department in Thailand. The Mn at the SH and SP points has I geo > 0 but <1 and is considered not polluted to moderately polluted. The EF overall is <2 and is deficient in mineral enrichment. The CF of the Samut Sakhon (SH) and Samut Prakan (SP) sites had high Al and Mn values, indicating a low pollution level, but the PLI had an all-site average of 0.0215 ± 0.0252, which is <1. This indicates that the present areas are close to ideal and not polluted. To measure heavy metals in macrofauna, P. quatrefagesi was assessed, and concentrations were found to decrease (Mn > Ni > Cd > Pb > As). The Mn between sediment and the sandworm was directly correlated (r = 0.976; p < 0.01). The sandworm performs as a bioindicator for the quality of coastal sediment, specifically with Mn; thus, the result present at a baseline level may grow in the future if there is no control measure for defensive measures.

Impact of microplastics on lead-contaminated riverine sediments: Based on the enzyme activities, DOM fractions, and bacterial community structure

Microplastics (MPs) are able to interact with diverse contaminants in sediments. However, the impacts of MPs on sediment properties and bacterial community structure in heavy metal-contaminated sediments remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the adsorption of Pb(II) by sediment-MPs mixtures and the effects of different concentration MPs on sediment enzyme activities, DOM fractions, and Pb bioavailability in riverine sediments, and further explored the response of sediment microbial community to Pb in the presence of MPs. The results indicated that the addition of MPs significantly decreased the adsorption amount of Pb(II) by sediments, especially decreased by 12.6% at 10% MPs treatment. Besides, the changes in enzyme activities, DOM fractions exhibited dose-dependent effects of MPs. The higher level of MPs (5% and 10%) tends to transform Pb into more bioavailable fractions in sediments. Also, MPs amendment was observed to alter sediment bacterial community structures, and community differences were evident in the uncontaminated and lead-contaminated sediments. Therein, significant increase of Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria and decrease of Firmicutes abundance in Pb-contaminated sediment at the phylum level were observed. These findings are expected to provide comprehensive information for assessing the combined ecological risks of heavy metals and MPs in riverine sediments.

Promoting removal of copper from sediment and production of bioelectricity by sediment microbial fuel cells using tea extracts

In a sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) in which both the cathode and the anode are embedded in the sediment, copper is removed from the anode zone by its migration to the cathode. However, the removal of copper in an SMFC is often limited by poor mass transfer in the sediment environment. Tea extracts are rich in tea polyphenols, which are antioxidizing and transfer electrons. Adding tea extract to the electrodes of an SMFC can not only increase the efficiency of reduction of copper but also minimize the internal resistance of the SMFC, increasing its power output and the migration of copper. The results herein reveal that (1) the peak redox current of tea extract that was obtained using 50 % ethanol as the extractant was 60 μA, which was 1.39 and 1.69 times those obtained using DI water and 75 % ethanol, respectively; (2) adding tea extract reduced the internal resistance of the SMFC by 12.5 %; (3) the SMFC to whose anode tea extract was added removed 70.7 % of copper and had a maximum power density of 19.45 mW/m3, which was 1.66 times that of the SMFC without the tea extract. The SMFC with added tea extract can potentially be used to remediate heavy metal-contaminated sediment.

In Situ Remediation Technology for Heavy Metal Contaminated Sediment: A Review.

Sediment is an important part of the aquatic ecosystem, which involves material storage and energy exchange. However, heavy metal pollution in sediment is on the increase, becoming an important concern for the world. In this paper, the state-of-art in situ remediation technology for contaminated sediment was elaborated, including water diversion, capping, electrokinetic remediation, chemical amendments, bioremediation and combined remediation. The mechanisms for these techniques to reduce/immobilize heavy metals include physical, electrical, chemical and biological processes. Furthermore, application principle, efficiency and scope, advantages and disadvantages, as well as the latest research progress for each restoration technology, are systematically reviewed. This information will benefit in selecting appropriate and effective remediation techniques for heavy metal-contaminated sediment in specific scenarios.

Heavy metal contamination, distribution and source apportionment in the sediments from Kavvayi Estuary, South-west coast of India

Heavy metal contamination in sediments poses serious threat to ecosystem and human health through food web. In this study, surface sediment samples from Kavvayi estuary were analyzed to understand the sources and pollution levels of heavy metals. The results revealed that the average contents (μg g−1) of eight selected heavy metals followed the order of Mn (65–795) > Cr (30–442) > Co (30–250) > Ni (15–175) > Zn (20–120) > Cu (5–55) > Pb (5–40). Enrichment factor (EF) and contamination factor (CF) analyses revealed that Pb, Ni and Cr shows moderate pollution levels, whereas Co indicates severe pollution levels. The rests of the heavy metals (Zn, Cu and Mn) were at no to low pollution levels. The correlation matrix combined with multivariate principal component analysis suggests the heavy metals, except for Co, mainly originated from natural weathering and erosion of rocks and soils in the catchment. The results of this study provide a comprehensive assessment of heavy metal contamination in the sediments of the Kavvayi region. The result can aid the development of effective remediation strategies and improve government decision-making and coastal management.

Assessing the ecological risk and ecotoxicity of the microbially mediated restoration of heavy metal-contaminated river sediment

Anthropogenic activities such as mining, smelting industries, and the application of pesticides in agriculture might result in contamination of multiple heavy metals in the environment. Heavy metal contamination of sediment is a serious environmental problem, and thus the remediation of contaminated sediment is a worldwide challenge. Several strategies have been developed for the remediation of contaminated sediment, however the ecological risk and ecotoxicity of the restored sediment have rarely been evaluated. We assessed whether river sediment highly contaminated with heavy metals could be restored using microbial bioleaching followed by evaluating the residual toxicity and ecological risk of the microbially remediated sediment. Sequential extraction revealed that the bioavailable levels of Cu, Ni, and Zn in the contaminated sediment exceeded sediment quality guideline (SQG) thresholds. It was consequently found that acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing Acidicaldus sp. SV5 effectively bioleached Cu, Ni, and Zn from the contaminated sediment, reducing the bioavailable fraction of these elements below SQG thresholds. The ecological risk assessment indicated that SV5-driven remediation significantly reduced the potential ecological risk of the contaminated sediment. The residual ecotoxicity of the microbially remediated sediment was also tested with the soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. There was a significant decrease in the body burden of Cu, Ni, and Zn in C. elegans and a reduction in the toxicological effect on survival, growth, and reproduction in the microbially remediated sediment. Our study suggests that a combination of chemical analysis, chemical-based ecological risk assessment, and ecotoxicity tests would be helpful for the development of efficient and eco-friendly strategies for the restoration of contaminated sediment, which could be incorporated into sediment quality management practices.

Copper removal from sediment microbial fuel cells with cathode with added slow-release oxygen beads: Performance, power output and microbial communities

Sediment microbial fuel cells can generate electrons by degrading organic contaminants in a sediment environment, promoting the migration of copper ions from the sediment to the cathode. They can thus be used to remove copper ions from sediment. Biochar-based oxygen-releasing beads were developed and added to the cathode in sediment microbial fuel cells to treat copper-contaminated sediment. The slow release of O2 from the oxygen-releasing beads and the adsorption of copper ions by the biochar increased the output voltage, degradation of organic pollutants and removal of copper ions by the sediment microbial fuel cells. The power density of the sediment microbial fuel cell with 10 g beads at the cathode was 66.2 mW/m2, which is 2.3 times that of without oxygen-releasing beads. The recovery percentage of copper ions in sediment microbial fuel cells with oxygen-releasing beads was 51.2%, which is 1.4 times the value, 34.8%, for sediment microbial fuel cell without beads. Therefore, adding oxygen-releasing beads improved the voltage output of the sediment microbial fuel cell and accelerated the migration of copper ions, solving the problem of low mass transfer in the sediment. Accordingly, significant amounts of copper compounds are formed on the cathode and surfaces of biochar-based oxygen-releasing bead, confirming that this technology can be effectively used to remediate heavy metal-contaminated sediment and to generate electricity.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Suburban River Sediment of Nantong (China) and Preliminary Exploration of Solidification/Stabilization Scheme

Sediments are sinks and sources of pollutants, playing a rather important role in metal migration and transformation. A set of toxic metals of Hg, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni and Cd in a suburban river sediment was investigated in the Yangtze River Delta of China, Nantong, and then, the solidification/stabilization scheme and resource-oriented utilization for heavy metal-contaminated sediment were explored. The results showed that all of the metals were apparently higher than the background values. The geo-accumulation index indicated that Ni, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd exhibited a none–moderately polluted degree, while Hg corresponded to the moderately contaminated grade. A correlation analysis showed that the contents of metals were not strongly affected by the pH and organic matter content (p &gt; 0.05), but they were associated with each other (p &lt; 0.05) and might have common natural and anthropogenic sources. Moreover, the leaching experiment revealed that the concentration of Ni exceeded the national standard of China for groundwater, which might cause environmental contamination. Thus, three effective solidification/stabilization formulations for amendments were developed: (1) zero valent iron (9.5% w.w.) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (0.5% w.w.); (2) sulphate aluminum cement (1% d.w.) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (0.3% d.w.) and (3) sulphate aluminum cement (1% d.w.), zero valent iron (0.5% d.w.) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (0.3% d.w.). The findings can provide an effective approach and theoretical basis for the treatment of heavy metal pollution in river sediments.