Metal Concentrations In Surface Water Research Articles

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Surface Water of the Lower Mekong River Basin (Vietnam)

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Surface Water of the Lower Mekong River Basin (Vietnam)

Health and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in water and sediments within a data scarce urban catchment in Tanzania – A case of Ngerengere River, Morogoro Municipality

Health and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in water and sediments within a data scarce urban catchment in Tanzania – A case of Ngerengere River, Morogoro Municipality

Assessments of heavy metal contaminations of surface water and sediment of Pülümür Stream (Türkiye)

The primary considerations within aquatic ecosystems are water and sediment quality, rendering it imperative to assess their concentrations, pollution levels, origins, and ecological hazards. In this study, heavy metal concentrations in surface waters and sediments of the Pülümür Stream were investigated to assess the level, distribution, source of pollution and the associated human risks. Water and sediment samples from the river were collected monthly from February 2021 to January 2022 and examined using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP– MS) technique. Metal concentrations in the sediment followed a decreasing or derivative sequence of Fe > Al > Mn > Ni > Cr > Zn > Cu > Pb > As >Cd > Hg. The ecological indices of the stream water have low degrees of contamination by heavy metals. Igeo and EF showed that most of the sites are moderately to highly polluted due to Ni, and Cr, while PLI and PERI showed a progressive deterioration of the environment at site 9. Moreover, the modified hazard quotient (mHQ) indicates low ecological risk for Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Hg metals, while Ni, As and Cr reach high pollution at sediment sites. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the presence of Zn, Cu, Pb, Hg, and Mn metals in the sediment analysis has a lithogenic source, and As, Ni, Cd, and Cr accumulate due to human activities, mainly domestic and agricultural irrigation wastes and mining wastes, all of which affect the aquatic environment. According to this study, more attention should be paid to the comprehensive monitoring of metals in the water and sediment for both aquatic biota and human risk of the Pülümür River.

Oral and dermal exposure to natural radionuclides and heavy metals in water and sediments of Nile River, Qena, southern Egypt

This study assessed the levels of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K) and heavy metals (Hg, Fe, Cr, As, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb) in surface water and sediment samples from the Nile River in Qena Governorate, southern Egypt, using a gamma-ray spectrometer, 3ʺ NaI (Tl) scintillation detector coupled with 1024 multi-channel analyzer, and an atomic absorption spectrometer. In surface water and sediments, the average activity concentrations of natural radionuclides were 40K (4.73 Bq L−1; 395.76 Bq kg−1) > 226Ra (0.41 Bq L−1; 18.14 Bq kg−1) > 232Th (0.30 Bq L−1; 17.98 Bq kg−1). The average heavy metal concentrations in surface water in µg L−1 were Fe (121.0) > Zn (33.80) > Cr (28.0) > Cu (8.62) > Pb (8.35) > As (1.19) > Hg (0.81) > Cd (0.12). In Nile sediments the concentrations in mg kg−1 were Fe (1670.0) > Zn (207.0) > Cr (29.40) > Cu (16.20) > Pb (4.32) > Hg (0.41) > Cd (0.31) > As (0.14). The heavy metal evaluation index (HMEI) calculations for water samples revealed that 31% of the samples were suitable for domestic use, while 69% were not. The geo-accumulation index, enrichment factor, and ecological risk factor for sediments were estimated, showing extreme enrichment for Hg and Zn with high ecological risk for Hg. Health risks for adults were evaluated due to oral and dermal exposure to Nile surface water and sediments from the study area, indicating minimal radiological risks and potential carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks from the metals.

Heavy metal concentrations in surface waters of Hurghada and environs, Red Sea Coast, Egypt, and their correlation with sediment distribution

This study investigates the properties and chemistry of surface water in Hurghada and its adjacent areas, with a focus on assessing the potential impact of human activities on water quality by measuring the concentrations of heavy metals in surface water samples. A total of fifty-nine surface water samples were collected and analyzed for various heavy metals, including manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) using the AAS technique.The results indicate that at the Desert Rose Resort transect, the average total concentrations of heavy metals were within the following ranges: Fe (average of 26.96 μg/L), Cu (average of 0.61 μg/L), Zn (average of 6.31 μg/L), and Pb (average of 0.75 μg/L). Conversely, at the Abu-Shaar transect, Ni (0.87 μg/L) and Cd (average of 0.02 μg/L) were the dominant heavy metals, while Mn exhibited the highest mean value (1.80 μg/L) at the El-Samaka Village transect. Notably, Hg was not detected in any of the samples within the study areas.Comparative analysis of heavy metal concentrations in Hurghada's surface waters with data from the Red Sea coast and other global regions reveals that the study areas maintain heavy metal concentrations well below the maximum permissible values for the marine environment. These findings suggest that human activities have not significantly impacted heavy metal levels in the region's surface waters.Additionally, statistical assessments, such as correlation coefficients (r), were employed to explore the relationships between heavy metal concentrations in water and sediment. These relationships provide valuable insights into the dynamic balance of elements within the sediment and their potential direct or indirect transfer into the water.

Metal Transport in the Mixing Zone of an Estuarine River to the Northern Gulf of Mexico

To better understand the pollution potential of metals in estuaries heavily concentrated with petrochemical industries, we measured concentrations of total recoverable metals in the lower Calcasieu River in southwestern Louisiana that flows into the northern Gulf of Mexico. Water samples were collected at six sites along the last 88 km reach of the river monthly between May 2013 and November 2015, during which salinity ranged from 0.02 to 29.5 ppt from upstream to downstream. The samples were analyzed for a series of total recoverable metals, including aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), boron (B), cadmium (Cd), calcium (Ca), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lithium (Li), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), silicon (Si), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn), of which only Al, As, B, Ca, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn, Si, Ti, and Zn had a detection rate higher than 30% over the 31-month study period. In the freshwater portion of the river, Si, Ca, Al, Fe, and Mg showed the highest concentration (8, 5, 4, 2, and 2 mg/L, respectively), while Li, As, Zn, Ti, and B had the lowest concentration (6, 16, 27, 34 and 50 µg/L, respectively). The concentrations of Al and Si declined by more than 30% from the freshwater to the river mouth, but the concentrations of Li and B increased by 61 and 66 times, respectively. None of these metals’ concentrations were found to exceed US EPA standards, but the rapid increase in Li and B concentrations may indicate a potential anthropogenic influence. On average, the Calcasieu River discharged a total of 35,484 tons of the elements each year (or 8059 kg/km2/yr), of which Si, Al, Ca, Fe, and Mg contributed 98%. Three major components of factors were extracted explaining 34, 20, and 13% (cumulative 67%) of the total variation in the metal concentrations. Salinity and pH were the major (>0.3) parameters in component 1 explaining the variability of B and Li; TSS was the major (>0.3) parameter in component 2 explaining the variation of Al, Fe, and Ti concentration; and temperature and DO% were the major (>0.3) parameters in component 3 explaining the variation of Mn concentration. Further studies on riverbed sediment metals and their effect on metal concentrations in surface water can help understand the metal sources and their potential effects on coastal aquatic ecosystems.

Study on spatial distribution, potential sources and ecological risk of heavy metals in the surface water and sediments at Shanghai Port, China

Heavy metal concentrations in surface waters and sediments of Shanghai port were measured to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics, sources and pollution degrees. The southern Shanghai port was heavily polluted by Cd, Pb, Cr and Cu in water, and the concentrations of Pb, Hg and Zn in sediments exceeded Effects Range Low. Cu, Pb, Cd and Cr in water were positively correlated in group, and they probably derived from industrial and domestic sewage, fossil fuel burning and vehicular pollution and represented 82.47 % of the contribution. Zn, Hg and As contaminations represented industrial and agricultural effluent sources and accounted for the remaining 17.53 %. Heavy metal pollution of Yangshan Port water was at high pollution, and the remaining sites were at low pollution. Most of the sampling sites were at moderate ecological risk in sediments, and the pollution of Cd, Hg and Zn were serious.

Assessment of seasonal changes in biochemical composition of freshwater bivalve, Parreysia cylindrica in relation to heavy metal pollution of Jayakwadi reservoir (M.S.), India

The objective of present study is to determine seasonal changes in biochemical content of freshwater bivalve, Parreysia cylindrica in relation to heavy metal pollution of Jayakwadi reservoir. Heavy metal concentrations were determined seasonally from surface water, soil sediment and soft body tissues of freshwater bivalve, Parreysia cylindrica. The heavy metal concentrations in surface water, soil sediment and soft body tissues of Parreysia cylindrica were highest during summer season than winter and monsoon season. The Protein, DNA, RNA and Ascorbic acid content were estimated during summer, monsoon and winter season from mantle, gills, digestive glands and whole soft body tissues. In the present study Protein, DNA, RNA and Ascorbic acid content were highest during monsoon than summer and winter season.

A comprehensive exploration on distribution, risk assessment, and source quantification of heavy metals in the multi-media environment from Shaying River Basin, China

Comprehensively understand the distribution of pollutants in the multi-media environment at basin scale is of major importance to the ecological risk assessment and pollution control. In this study, multi-media contamination characteristics of eight heavy metals in the water, soil, and sediment from the Shaying River Basin of China have been analyzed to probe their ecological risks and potential sources. Results revealed that heavy metal concentrations in pore water were higher than those in surface water. While the mean concentrations of most heavy metals increased follow the order of bankside soil (BS)<water-level-fluctuating zone soil (WLFZS)<sediment. The WLFZ was an important transition zone between the BS and sediment for pollutant exchange. The mean heavy metal concentrations in surface water were all below their corresponding water quality standards except Hg. Whereas the mean concentrations of Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd, and Hg in BS, WLFZS, and sediment exceeded their corresponding background values. The assessment results of pollution and risks indicated that Hg and Cd posed the highest potential risks in each medium. Furthermore, according to the factor analysis and PMF model, six potential sources were identified, in which agricultural, fuel combustion, and industrial sources were the dominant anthropogenic sources, accounting for 23.84%, 17.43%, and 14.25% of the total contribution.

Heavy metal contamination in surface water of Mohammedia wetland, Morocco

Assessing heavy metal concentrations in wetlands and identifying sources of metal contamination are critical steps in protecting wetlands. Using seven sampling stations, we evaluated the spatial variation of some heavy metal concentrations in surface waters of the Mohammedia wetland and a selected segment of the El Maleh wadi that feeds the wetland. Field observations made it possible to identify and map the pollution discharged into El Maleh wadi, carrying heavy metals into the wetland. The analyses showed that the concentrations of lead, manganese, and cadmium far exceed the thresholds relating to fish life in 100% of sampling stations. All the evidence points to heavy metals contamination of surface water in Mohammedia wetland, generated by industrial activities, wastewater discharges, and leachate from the old landfill located upstream.

Interannual variation in metal concentrations in surface waters of the Marico River, South Africa

This study was conducted to establish the interannual variation in the concentration of metals regarded as toxic to aquatic fauna in the Marico River of South Africa. Five surveys were conducted between 2013 and 2015 at six sites in the river. Water samples were collected and analysed for metals by means of ICP-MS, whereas pH was measured in situ. From these results it is evident that all the metals generally regarded as toxic to macroinvertebrates namely aluminium, titanium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium and lead, were detected at each of the sites, but not during every survey. Significant variations in the mean metal concentrations were demonstrated across all sites and surveys, with the intersurvey coefficient of variance exceeding 80% for all metals, except for Ti, Fe, Co and Ni. These results should be considered in defining the baseline metal concentrations of the Marico River.

VARIAÇÃO ESPAÇO-TEMPORAL DAS CONCENTRAÇÕES DE METAIS EM ZONAS ESTUARINAS DA BAÍA DE TODOS OS SANTOS, BAHIA, BRASIL

The knowledge of metal behavior in the aquatic environment is important for understanding its effects in estuarine zones and mangrove areas. These important and precious ecosystems are affected by many different factors that may vary temporally and spatially. The present study investigated the spatial and temporal variation of physicochemical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity, etc.) and metal concentrations (Zn, Fe, Ni, Cu) at three different locations along the Todos os Santos Bay, North East Brazil, by analyzing surface water, sediment and mangrove oysters (Cassostrea rhizophorae (Guildin, 1828)). Metal concentrations in surface waters and sediments differed between the three sampling times (March and August 2014; January 2015) and locations and were affected by fluctuating physicochemical parameters, which in this way also affected the metal bioconcentration in the oysters. The pH of the surface waters, for example, increased from the 1st to the 3rd sampling time while the concentrations of Zn and Fe decreased during the same period. The sediment concentrations of Zn and Fe were strongly correlated with organic matter content. These results suggests that seasonality as well as the different water and sediment properties along the bay directly affect metal concentration and bioavailability in the environment.

Distribution and mobilization of heavy metals at an acid mine drainage affected region in South China, a post-remediation study

Dabaoshan Mine Site (DMS) is the largest polymetallic mine in South China. The Hengshi River flowing next to DMS receives acid mine wastes leaching from the tailings pond and run-off from a treatment plant, which flows into the Wengjiang River. This study focuses on spatiotemporal distribution and mobilization of As, Cd, Pb, and Zn along the Hengshi River, groundwater, fluvial sediments, and soils, with a focus on As due to its high toxicity and the fact that mining is one of the main sources of contamination. Geochemical analyses (heavy metals, grain-size, X-ray diffraction, organic carbon and sulfur content) followed by geochemical modeling (PHREEQC) and statistical assessment were done to determine the physicochemical characteristics, toxicity risks, and behavior of heavy metals. Near the tailings pond, heavy metal concentrations in surface water were 2–100 times higher than the Chinese surface water standard for agriculture. Although water quality during the dry season has improved since the wastewater treatment plant started, heavy metal concentrations were high during rainy season. In groundwater, heavy metal concentrations were low and pose little risks. Soils along the Hengshi River were disturbed and they did not show any specific trends. The potential ecological risk of heavy metals was ranked as Cd > As > Cu > Pb > Zn in sediments and Cd > Cu > Pb > As > Zn in soils indicating multi-metal contamination and toxicity. As(III) was the predominant species in surface water during the dry season, whereas As(V) dominated during the rainy season. Arsenic levels in most sites exceeded the Chinese soil standard. Although As is assumed to have a moderate ecological risk in sediments and low risk in soils, anthropogenic activities, such as mining and land-use changes contribute to the release of As and other heavy metals and pose a risk for local residents.

Heavy metal concentrations in surface water, sediments and fish and their potential toxicity in highly degraded multipurpose peri-urban Eleyele Lake, Ibadan City, Oyo State, south-western Nigeria

Metal concentrations in water, sediments and gills and edible stomach muscle tissues of two fish species, African Sharptooth mud catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis nilot...

Water Quality Measurements with a Simple Molecular Analysis (PCR-RFLP) of the Microbiome in a Metropolitan River System in Japan

Urbanization has affected natural freshwater environments by contamination with sewage, toxic chemicals, and excess nutrients, which cause algal bloom, pollution, and ecosystem degradation. To ensure sustainable use of natural waters, appropriate monitoring methods are required. This study aims to investigate the diversity of the microbial community in a metropolitan river system in Japan using a low-cost DNA-based approach, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)-RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism), as a potential bioindicator of environmental change. Surface waters were sampled in seven sites in a river system. Water chemical parameters and concentrations of heavy metals were determined. Microbial DNA was extracted from the samples, ribosomal RNA was amplified with universal primers, and RFLP was scored by agarose gels. Water chemical analyses showed that surface water at the inflow point of a sewage treatment plant had signs of eutrophication. Heavy metal concentrations in surface water were low (&lt; 0.01 ppm) in all sites. The PCR-RFLP analysis showed polymorphisms both in 16S and 18S rRNAs, indicating that the method can detect at least a part of the microbiome changes in a river system. Sequencing of some fragments found the sequence close to a ciliate isolated in wastewater treatment plants, implying contamination from sewage. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified the RFLPs associated with chemical water parameters, which could be bioindicators of environmental pollution. We also found the RFLPs independent of water quality parameters, suggesting that this simple DNA-based analysis can also detect biological changes in water ecosystems that are not quantified by chemical measurements of water quality.

Evaluation of benthic macroinvertebrates as indicators of metal pollution in Brazilian rivers

ABSTRACT The evaluation of water resources quality is an important tool for controlling and monitoring water bodies, among which, the evaluation of toxic metal levels in benthic macroinvertebrates has been highlighted. This study aimed to evaluate the biological quality of the Alvorada and Mandaguari rivers and to evaluate the metal bioaccumulation by means of the metal concentrations in surface waters, bottom sediments and benthic macroinvertebrates. Samples of water, biological material and sediments were conducted at six sampling points, 3 points in each river during 12 months. Macroinvertebrates were sorted, identified and analysed from the biological metrics, BMWP′ index and statistical analyses. The samples of benthic macroinvertebrates and sediments were submitted to nitroperchloric digestion for further determination of the metal content. The metal concentrations in sediment had become high in both rivers, reaching values of up to 1752.50 mg kg−1 of Pb in point M1 and 53.80 mg kg−1 of Cd in point M3. Macroinvertebrate tissues exhibited high levels of toxic metals, reaching values of 146.11 mg kg−1 of Cr in point M1, 144.28 mg kg−1 of Pb and 3.11 mg kg−1 of Cd in point M3, which indicates the occurrence of bioaccumulation and insertion in the food chain. The results from the evaluation using the BMWP′ index do not present the real conditions of the watersheds, which suggests a review of the evaluation method. In addition, the environmental evaluation using macroinvertebrates is a good tool to verify the impacts in a river.

Trace metals in Northern New England streams: Evaluating the role of road salt across broad spatial scales with synoptic snapshots.

Mobilization of trace metals from soils to surface waters can impact both human and ecosystem health. This study resamples a water sample archive to explore the spatial pattern of streamwater total concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc and their associations with biogeochemical controls in northern New England. Road deicing appears to result in elevated trace metal concentrations, as trace metal concentrations are strongly related to sodium concentrations and are most elevated when the sodium: chloride ratio is near 1.0 (~halite). Our results are consistent with previous laboratory and field studies that indicate cation exchange as a metal mobilization mechanism when road salt is applied to soils containing metals. This study also documents associations among sodium, chloride, dissolved organic carbon, iron, and metal concentrations, suggesting cation exchange mechanisms related to road deicing are not the only mechanisms that increase trace metal concentrations in surface waters. In addition to cation exchange, this study considers dissolved organic carbon complexation and oxidation-reduction conditions affecting metal mobility from soils in a salt-rich environment. These observations demonstrate that road deicing has the potential to increase streamwater trace metal concentrations across broad spatial scales and increase risks to human and ecosystem health.

Trace metal concentrations in surface water and pore water sediment of coastal aquaculture ponds, Bangladesh

This study investigates contamination of surface water and pore water sediment by trace metals at the three coastal fish farms of Noakhali district in Bangladesh using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The World Health Organization (WHO) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standards were used as the baseline for the evaluation of surface water pollution and contamination of the sediments respectively. Cr and Cd concentrations in the surface water exceeded the reference limit, but there was no metal contamination of the pore water sediment. The average trace metals concentrations in both surface water and pore water sediment respectively showed similar trends Cr> Pb > Cu> Zn > Cd. All the metals studied exhibit negative Igeo values and CF<1 indicating uncontaminated sediment quality. The results of this study indicate that surface water of aquaculture ponds may be a possible source of trace metals which could be of health concern.

Potential health risk consequences of heavy metal concentrations in surface water, shrimp (Macrobrachium macrobrachion) and fish (Brycinus longipinnis) from Benin River, Nigeria.

Health risk consequences of consumption of heavy metal-contaminated water, shrimp (Macrobrachium macrobrachion) and fish (Brycinus longipinnis) from Benin River in Nigeria were evaluated. Three stations around Koko Community (Abialegbe, Ebenco/Optima and Total Facility) with known anthropogenic activities (industrial and petrochemical installations and loading) were studied. Samples of surface water, shrimp and fish were collected and analyzed using Buck scientific atomic absorption spectrophotometer, model 210VGP. Health risk indices were reported as Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ). Eight heavy metals were analyzed in water, shrimp and fish. Nickel (Ni) was observed to be the most dominant heavy metal in water, while Iron (Fe) was the most dominant in shrimp and fish. Heavy metal levels in water were below recommended limits set by World Health Organization (WHO) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) except for cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb). Assessment of non-carcinogenic health risk by target hazard quotient (THQ) indicated that THQ estimated for heavy metals in water (dermal exposure) and shrimp were below the threshold value of 1. However, THQ for heavy metals in water (oral exposure) and consumption of fish were above threshold value of 1 indicating potential health risk. Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ) estimated for heavy metals in water (oral exposure) and consumption of fish were above 1 indicating potential non-carcinogenic health risk to consumers. The continuous monitoring of heavy metals in Benin River is of necessity in order to ensure the safety of aquatic organisms and humans who rely heavily on aquatic resources.

Trace metal contamination as a toxic and structuring factor impacting ultraphytoplankton communities in a multicontaminated Mediterranean coastal area

Toulon Bay is a Mediterranean coastal marine ecosystem facing important anthropogenic pressures resulting in strong and multiple chemical contamination gradients. In this study, we examined the spatial variations of both abundance and structure of ultraphytoplankton in relation with resources and potentially toxic trace metal concentrations in surface water in Toulon Bay. Sampling and on-field measurements were conducted in February 2014 and February 2015 throughout the entire bay. Strong Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn contamination gradients in surface water were observed, with the highest levels being recorded in the most anthropized areas, while the open part of Toulon Bay presented levels close to those observed in the open sea. The abundance of Synechococcus-like cells was strongly negatively correlated to the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn, whereas the abundance of picoeukaryote-like cells was positively correlated to these four trace metals. Trace metal contamination appeared to be one of the most significant contributors to ultraphytoplankton structure by statistically explaining up to 58.4% of its spatial variability. Incubation experiments were conducted to assess the specific impact of trace metal contamination on ultraphytoplankton of Toulon Bay. During around one month, ultraphytoplanktonic communities isolated from an uncontaminated site (representative from offshore communities) were exposed to an artificial cocktail of trace metals representative of the most anthropized part of Toulon Bay (in concentrations and proportions). A 90–99% decrease of total ultraphytoplankton abundance was observed within six days, followed by its recovery before the end of the experiment. This exposure to the trace metal cocktail additionally induced a shift from a Synechococcus-like dominated community, representative of the open sea, to a photosynthetic picoeukaryotes dominated one, mimicking the ultraphytoplanktonic community encountered in the most contaminated sites of the bay. Exposure to either natural waters representing the contaminated sites of the bay or elutriate of sediment resuspension did not promote a noticeable toxic effect on the total abundance of ultraphytoplankton, but affected its community structure, suggesting complex interplays.