Metal Pollution In Coastal Waters Research Articles

Uptake and accumulation of metals in Spartina alterniflora salt marshes from a South American estuary

Salt marshes are capable of reducing metal pollution in coastal waters, but this capacity is highly dependent on the metal, the physico-chemical characteristics of the sediment, the plant species, the production of biomass, the time of the year, etc. The aim of this study was to assess the uptake and accumulation of Pb, Ni, Cu and Zn in Spartina alterniflora from three salt marshes within the Bahía Blanca estuary (BBE), a human-impacted Argentinean system. Metal concentrations in sediments and plants showed the same order at all sites: Zn > Cu > Pb ≥ Ni. The site with lower organic matter and fine sediment content had lower metal concentrations in the sediments, but not a lower metal content in the plant tissues, meaning that the sediment characteristics influenced the metal concentrations in the sediment and their uptake by plants. Despite differences in sediment characteristics between sites, metals were always higher in the belowground tissues than in aboveground ones and, in general, higher in dead than in live tissues. Some metals were accumulated in plant tissues, but not others, and this is dependent on the metal and the sediment characteristics. Allocation patterns of metals in tissues of S. alterniflora were mainly dependent on metal concentrations, determining higher belowground pools, but the aboveground pools were important in some cases due to higher biomass. Partitioning of metals in above or belowground pools determines their fate within the estuarine system, since tissues can decompose in situ (belowground) or be exported (aboveground). Seasonal dynamics were important for some variables but were less noticeable than the differences between sites and tissues. Our results indicate that S. alterniflora from the BBE is efficient in accumulating some metals, despite usually low metal concentrations in sediments and plants. This accumulation capacity has implications for the whole system through the fate of the tissues.

The effects of heavy metal concentration on bio-accumulation, productivity and pigment content of two species of marine macro algae

Environmental pollution due to heavy metals is a world-wide problem in estuarine, coastal and marine waters. Metal pollution affects different organisms in different ways and the degree of the impact is site-specific. Aim of the present study was to determine the effects of heavy metals viz., Cu, Cd and Pb exposure on tissue accumulation, pigmentation and productivity of two marine macro algae, Fucus vesiculosus and Ulva lactuca under controlled laboratory conditions. Algae were collected from a reference location, Wemeldinge in the Eastern Scheldet Estuary in Netherlands. Metal concentrations were determined using ICP-MS. Productivity of algae was measured using Winkler method and the results were expressed as carbon equivalent. Pigment profiles of two species were analyzed by spectral absorbance over 250 -1100nm range. The results revealed that the metal accumulation in tissues significantly increased with increasing exposure to metal concentration whereas, pigmentation, and photosynthetic productivity decreased with increasing metal concentration. Hence, F. vesiculosus and U. lactuca could be used as bio-indicators to determine metal pollution in coastal waters.

Studi Bioakumulasi Logam Berat Merkuri (Hg) pada Teripang Lokal (Phyllophorus sp.) dari Pantai Timur Surabaya – Jawa Timur <br><i>[Study Of Bioaccumulation Heavy Metal Mercury (Hg) On Local Sea Cucumber (Phyllophorus sp.) from Surabaya East Coast – East Java]<I>

Abstract Sea cucumber is a commodity fishery that is traded international. One of the sea cucumber that has economic value is the local sea cucumber (Phyllophorus sp.) believed that contain compounds can be immunomodulatory. Phyllophorus sp. is one of the three dominant species of sea cucumbers in abundance and distribution in the Surabaya East Coast (Winarni,dkk., 2010). Coastal environmental issues that deserve the attention is the problem of heavy metal pollution in coastal waters. The highest toxicity of heavy metals for aquatic animals and humans are mercury (Hg) (Widowati dkk, 2008). The purpose of this study was to determine levels of heavy metals bioaccumulation of mercury (Hg) in the local sea cucumber (Phyllophorus sp.) From the East Coast Surabaya and to determine the heavy metal content of mercury (Hg) in the local sea cucumber (Phyllophorus sp.) has exceeded the threshold or does not. The experiment was conducted on the East Coast Surabaya and analisys of heavy metal Mercury (Hg) in Balai Besar Laboratorium Kesehatan (BBLK) Surabaya. The method used is the method of field observation and analyzed descriptively. The results showed levels of mercury bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Hg) from BCFo-w value from 454.78– 802.05 and BCFo-s from 31,42 – 111,26. This shows Phyllophorus sp. have the ability to accumulate heavy metals with low until middle accumulation level category. Mercury content of the Phyllophorus sp. obtained range from 0.031 to 0.061 ppm, sea water ranged from 0.0015 to 0.0023 ppm and sediments ranged from 0.0417 to 0.112 ppm. Mercury levels in Phyllophorus sp. and sediment is below the NAB, but the sea water has exceeded from NAB. Water quality parameters are still in normal conditions in accordance with the quality standards KMLH (2004) that temperatures 26-28 º C, pH 7-8, salinity ranged from 28-29 ‰, DO value range 4-5 mg / L and brightness between 2-3 m.

Variation in patterns of metal accumulation in thallus parts of Lessonia trabeculata (Laminariales; Phaeophyceae): implications for biomonitoring.

Seaweeds are well known to concentrate metals from seawater and have been employed as monitors of metal pollution in coastal waters and estuaries. However, research showing that various intrinsic and extrinsic factors can influence metal accumulation, raises doubts about the basis for using seaweeds in biomonitoring programmes. The thallus of brown seaweeds of the order Laminariales (kelps) is morphologically complex but there is limited information about the variation in metal accumulation between the different parts, which might result in erroneous conclusions being drawn if not accounted for in the biomonitoring protocol. To assess patterns of individual metals in the differentiated parts of the thallus (blade, stipe, holdfast), concentrations of a wide range of essential and non-essential metals (Fe, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cd, Ni and Al) were measured in the kelp Lessonia trabeculata. Seaweeds were collected from three sampling stations located at 5, 30 and 60 m from an illegal sewage outfall close to Ventanas, Chile and from a pristine location at Faro Curaumilla. For the majority of metals the highest concentrations in bottom sediment and seaweed samples were found at the site closest to the outfall, with concentrations decreasing with distance from the outfall and at control stations; the exception was Cd, concentrations of which were higher at control stations. The patterns of metal concentrations in different thallus parts were metal specific and independent of sampling station. These results and the available literature suggest that biomonitoring of metals using seaweeds must take account of differences in the accumulation of metals in thallus parts of complex seaweeds.

Patterns of RAPD markers and heavy metal concentrations in Perna viridis (L.), collected from metal-contaminated and uncontaminated coastal waters: Are they correlated with each other?

Genetic variation due to heavy metal contamination has always been an interesting topic of study. Because of the numerous contaminants being found in coastal and intertidal waters, there is always much discussion and argument as to which contaminant(s) caused the variations in the genetic structures of biomonitors. This study used a Single Primer Amplification Reaction (SPAR) technique namely Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) to determine the genetic diversity of the populations of the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis collected from a metal-contaminated site at Kg. Pasir Puteh and those from four relatively' uncontaminated sites (reference sites). Heavy metal levels (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) were also measured in the soft tissues and byssus of the mussels from all the sites. Cluster analyses employing UPGMA done based on the RAPD makers grouped the populations into two major clusters; the Bagan Tiang, Pantai Lido, Pontian and Kg. Pasir Puteh populations were in one cluster, while the Sg. Belungkor population clustered by itself. This indicated that the genetic diversity based on bands resulting from the use of all four RAPD primers on P. viridis did not indicate its potential use as a biomarker of heavy metal pollution in coastal waters. However, based on a correlation analysis between a particular metal and a band resulting from a specific RAPD primer revealed some significant (P < 0.01) correlations between the primers and the heavy metal concentrations in the byssus and soft tissues. Thus, the correlation between a particular metal and the bands resulting from the use of a specific RAPD primer on P. viridis could be used as biomonitoring tool of heavy metal pollution.

The accumulation levels of heavy metals (Ni, Cr, Sr, & Ag) in marine algae from southwest coast of India

In the context of use of marine algae as biological indicators of heavy metal pollution in coastal waters, six species of marine algae collected from the southwest coast of India were analysed for the levels of heavy metals (Ni, Cr, Sr, and Ag). Interspecies and interclass variations were determined on a spatial and temporal scale. The metal contents varied in the ranges, Ni: 0.20–21.06 µg g−1 (mean = 10.13 µg g−1), Cr: non-detectable level (ND)–37.18 µg g−1 (mean = 13.86 µg g−1), Sr: 2.19–103.90 µg g−1 (mean = 29.40 µg g−1), and Ag: ND–6.39 µg g−1 (mean = 1.80 µg g−1). Ni and Cr contents were of similar magnitude to those reported for algae from polluted areas.

Modification of trace metal accumulation in the green mussel Perna viridis by exposure to Ag, Cu, and Zn

To examine the Cd, Hg, Ag, and Zn accumulation in the green mussel Perna viridis affected by previous exposure to Cu, Ag, or Zn, the dietary metal assimilation efficiency (AE) and the uptake rate from the dissolved phase were quantified. The mussel's filtration rate, metallothionein (MT) concentration, and metal tissue burden as well as the metal subcellular partitioning were also determined to illustrate the potential mechanisms underlying the influences caused by one metal pre-exposure on the bioaccumulation of the other metals. The green mussels were pre-exposed to Cu, Ag, or Zn for different periods (1–5 weeks) and the bioaccumulation of Cd, Hg, Ag, and Zn were concurrently determined. Pre-exposure to the three metals did not result in any significant increase in MT concentration in the green mussels. Ag concentration in the insoluble fraction increased with increasing Ag exposure period and Ag ambient concentration. Our data indicated that Cd assimilation were not influenced by the mussel's pre-exposure to the three metals (Cu, Ag, and Zn), but its dissolved uptake was depressed by Ag and Zn exposure. Although Hg assimilation from food was not affected by the metal pre-exposure, its influx rate from solution was generally inhibited by the exposure to Cu, Ag, and Zn. Ag bioaccumulation was affected the most obviously, in which its AE increased with increasing Ag tissue concentration, and its dissolved uptake decreased with increasing tissue concentrations of Ag and Cu. As an essential metal, Zn bioaccumulation remained relatively stable following the metal pre-exposure, suggesting the regulatory ability of Zn uptake in the mussels. Zn AE was not affected by metal pre-exposure, but its dissolved uptake was depressed by Ag and Zn pre-exposure. All these results indicated that the influences of one metal pre-exposure on the bioaccumulation of other metals were metal-specific due to the differential binding and toxicity of metals to the mussels. Such factors should be considered in using metal concentrations in mussel's soft tissues to evaluate the metal pollution in coastal waters.

An overview of trace metal pollution in the coastal waters of Hong Kong

The state of metal pollution in Hong Kong's coastal waters has been assessed by measuring metal levels in: (i) the water column; (ii) sediments and (iii) in organisms, i.e. biomonitors. Current literature is reviewed. Data from sediment analysis have shown that metal pollution is most severe in the urban areas of Victoria Harbour, Tolo Harbour, Deep Bay and Northwestern waters. Bottom sediments in typhoon shelters are particularly heavily polluted with, for example, Cu levels from Kowloon Bay reaching 5300 mg·kg −1 in 1995. Since 1987, levels of pollution have generally either stabilized or fallen in Deep Bay and Victoria Harbour but have increased in Inner Tolo Harbour and Northwestern waters. Many biomonitors have been used to study metal pollution in Hong Kong, the most popular of which are barnacles, mussels (in particular Perna viridis) and algae (in particular Ulva lactuca). Biomonitoring studies generally recorded high levels of metal pollution in Victoria Harbour in the late nineteen seventies and early eighties, with increasing pollution of the semi-enclosed Tolo Harbour through the eighties and early nineties. In a recent study using barnacles, the levels of Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn were shown to be greatly reduced as compared to those recorded in 1986 and 1989, respectively. Levels of metal pollution in Hong Kong coastal waters may have lowered in the last 10 years.