Study Of Metal Pollution Research Articles

Metal pollution in coarse sediments of Tuticorin coast, Southeast coast of India

Indian coastal waters are subjected to considerable pressure from sewage and industrial wastes, which are responsible for the contamination of the coastal sediments with consequent loss in biosphere. The present investigation attempts to study the significance of coarse material (Sand fraction) in the distribution of metals in polluted marine sediments. The study revealed that coarse Sand component contains a relatively significant proportion of the anthropogenic metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) and therefore it cannot be neglected in metal pollution studies of coastal sediments. Further, the distribution of anthropogenic metals in both Silt+Clay and Sand fraction follow the same suit indicating similar pollution sources. From the total sediment type (Silt+Clay and Sand fraction) all anthropogenic metals had a noticeable amount (>50%) in the acid extractable (and potentially bio-available) fraction. This article stresses the importance of coarse fraction in metal pollution studies in Indian coastal system.

Tracing of Industrial Aerosol Sources in an Urban Environment Using Pb, Sr, and Nd Isotopes

A comprehensive Pb-Sr-Nd isotope tracer study of atmospheric trace metal pollution has been performed in the urban environment of Strasbourg-Kehl. Filter dust of the principal pollutant sources (waste incinerators, thermal power plant and steel plant) and soot of car and ship exhausts have been analyzed. In addition tree barks (as biomonitors) and PM10 have been analyzed to trace and determine the distribution of the pollution in the environment. The industrial sources have highly variable epsilonNd values (-9.7 and -12.5 for incinerators and -17.5 for steel plant). Much higher epsilonNd values have been found for soot of car exhausts (-6 and -6.9). These high values make the Nd isotope system a powerful tool for the discrimination of traffic emissions but especially for the identification of diesel derived particles in the urban environment. The 206Pb/207Pb isotope ratios of gasoline are low (1.089) compared to diesel soot (1.159). The 26Pb/207Pb ratios of 1.151-1.152 for the steel plant and 1.152 for the solid waste incinerator are close to the Pb isotope ratio of diesel. The 87Sr/ 8Sr isotope ratios of the principal industrial sources vary significantly: 0.7095 for the domestic solid waste incinerator, 0.709 for the steel plant, and 0.7087 for car exhaust soot. PM10 aerosols collected in the urban center of Strasbourg show the influence of the pollutant sources at 3-7 km distance from the center. Most of the aerosols Pb isotopic compositions suggest Pb admixtures from at least three sources: a natural background and in function of the wind direction the domestic waste incinerator (S-wind) or the steel plant and the chemical waste incinerator (NE-wind). The traffic contribution can only be estimated with help of Nd isotopes. Therefore the clear identification of different pollutant sources in the urban environment is only possible by combining the three different isotope systems and is based on the fact that significant differences exist between the Pb, Sr, and Nd isotope ratios of the natural atmospheric background and pollutants containing Pb, Sr, and Nd of industrial origin with similar variable 206Pb/207Pb, 87Sr/ 86Sr, and 143Nd/144Nd.

Magnetic screening and heavy metal pollution studies in soils from Marambio Station, Antarctica

AbstractMagnetic screening as a cost-effective and non-time-consuming approach has been successfully carried out in Marambio soils and seems to be a suitable method for contamination assessment in Antarctic areas. Ferromagnetic minerals are found in most samples, and magnetite-like carriers are especially dominant in samples collected near pollution sources. Lead and zinc are the main trace elements that have adversely impacted on some areas in this station, both are end products from different pollution sources derived from fuel combustion and residues, solid waste, paints, etc. The correlation results between magnetic and chemical variables show moderate relationships varying from 0.409 to 0.663; this fact supports the use of magnetic parameters, such as magnetic susceptibility and bivariate ratios, for pollution monitoring. The magnetic properties, heavy metal contents, and related maps of these soils can be considered as a reference in the area for future temporal and/or spatial work.

REE characteristics and Pb, Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of steel plant emissions

A comprehensive Pb-Sr-Nd isotope and REE tracer study of atmospheric trace metal pollution by a steel plant situated to the north of the urban communities of Strasbourg (France) and Kehl (Germany) has been performed using tree barks as biomonitors. The 206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/207Pb isotopic ratios of the steel plant's filter dust are similar to values found in dust of waste incinerators. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio is similar to present-day ratios of Phanerozoic or Precambrian granitic rocks. The 143Nd/144Nd isotopic composition is very low and corresponds to an (Nd) value of -17.5. Such a low value is characteristic of old Precambrian granitic rocks and banded iron formations. Thus, this low (Nd) value might point to the origin of the iron necessary for the steel production. The fact, that this isotopic composition does not occur in crustal rocks of Western Central Europe makes the Nd isotope ratio a powerful tool to trace steel plants atmospheric emissions. The rare earth element (REE) distribution pattern of the steel plant's filter dust shows very specific fractionations like La and Nd enrichments which are traceable in tree barks over a distance of 4 km. The Pb, Sr and Nd isotope ratios not only enable the steel plant's emissions to be traced in a north-easterly direction, along the principal wind pathway but also enables the interference of this emission at 4 km NE from the steel plant with another atmospheric component originating from the Strasbourg Rhine harbour to be identified.

Review of magnetism and heavy metal pollution studies of various environments in Argentina

Abstract In recent years, the number of studies of pollution and magnetic proxies for environmental pollution in developed countries, especially European and North American countries, has gradually increased from the 80’s to date. Despite this trend that shows a positive interest in taking care of the environment and researching into the environmental impact of several human activities, pollution studies in Latin American countries have been reducing in number. Moreover, studies of magnetic proxies for pollution are scarce; in particular, studies of this nature has been carried out in Argentina over the past few years by Chaparro and coworkers. Studies of magnetic enhancement in soils due to the burning mechanism are discussed and the results of burnt soils affected by fires of different nature and natural soils are compared, taking into account their magnetic carriers. Nevertheless, this article deals mainly with the first studies of magnetic proxies for pollution conducted in a province in Argentina. Soils, lagoon and stream sediments from three areas were studied. These areas comprise La Plata, Chascomús, and Tandil districts. The influence of pollution was investigated in Tandil and La Plata, revealing magnetic enhancement and the presence of pollutants only in Tandil soils. On the other hand, stream and lagoon sediments were studied in La Plata and Chascomús. Magnetic carriers and the contents of some heavy metals were identified and investigated in both areas separately. Magnetic parameters show distinctive points and wide areas affected by pollution. Furthermore, this magnetic inference is supported by high contents of heavy metals, especially lead and zinc. Finally, a new statistical study of multiple correlation analysis concerning data from La Plata and Chascomús areas was tried in order to investigate the existence of a linear relation between sets of several magnetic parameters and several chemical variables.

Tree rings as Pb pollution archives? A comparison of 206Pb/ 207Pb isotope ratios in pine and other environmental media

Tree rings, if validated as an environmental archive for pollution, would provide a convenient, geographically widespread archive for studying the temporal and spatial distribution of atmospheric pollutants. We collected tree-ring records from Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.), ranging in age from 100 to 300 years and from one spruce ( Picea abies), from sites in southern and northern Sweden and analyzed their stable lead isotopic composition ( 206Pb/ 207Pb). These results are compared to the Pb isotopic composition in soil profiles from each of the sites and temporal changes in the 206Pb/ 207Pb ratio in peat and lake sediment deposits in Sweden. The mineral soils at each site are characterized by high 206Pb/ 207Pb ratios (>1.35), while the ratios in the mor layer are low (1.14–1.16) and characterized by atmospheric lead pollution. The 206Pb/ 207Pb ratios of the tree rings, typically approximately 1.18–1.20, indicate a significant (10–30%) contribution of Pb derived from the underlying mineral soil. While peat and lake sediment records show that the 206Pb/ 207Pb ratio of atmospheric deposition has varied over time, with a pronounced trough between approximately 1930 and 1990, the tree rings show no similar trend. Further comparison of published Pb isotope data from other tree-ring records with time series from peat bogs and herbarium samples also shows poor agreement, and indicates that tree rings always contain a mixture of pollution Pb and Pb from the underlying mineral soil. The majority of Pb in the wood is derived from atmospheric pollution either directly, through aerial interception, or indirectly, through uptake from the large pool of accumulated pollution Pb in the soil. Since the Pb isotope ratios of the wood indicate that some natural Pb is taken up into the tree, then it must also be concluded that some fraction of the pollution Pb in the wood is likewise taken up from the forest soil. Based on the Pb isotope analyses, we can only conclude that dendrochemical records are not useful in temporal studies of metal pollution.

The use of various methods for the study of metal pollution in marine sediments, the case of Euvoikos Gulf, Greece

This study presents the results on heavy metal (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn) analyses of sediments taken from Euvoikos Gulf, Greece, which is a semi-enclosed system receiving pollution loads from several urban and industrial sources and is affected by a strong tidal current. A sequential extraction schema and two single-step methods were used for the determination of trace metals. The data of the 1997 period are compared with data from previous studies carried out in the authors' laboratory in the area (1980, 1993) using various analytical techniques, in an attempt to evaluate both the evolution of pollution in the area and the effectiveness of analytical methods. It has been confirmed that a significant part of the pollution load remains in coastal localities in the vicinity of the land based pollution sources, whereas there are also some more remote sites where small polluted particles are transported, deposited and accumulated. The sedimentology regime of the area affects the concentration of metals in a rather complex way depending also on its content of carbonates, organic C and clay minerals. The study of sediment cores has indicated elevated metal concentrations in recent surface sediments. On the other hand, some environmentally positive trends were also observed (i.e. the reduction of mobile metals). A systematic monitoring is needed in the marine environment coupled with some reduction in pollution inputs and integrated management on the coastal zone because the overall hydrological characteristics of the area favour its rapid self-restoration.

The Significance of Coarse Sediments in Metal Pollution Studies in the Coastal Zone

The role of coarse material (sand fraction) in the distributionof metals in polluted marine sediments was investigated in theharbors and the coastal zone of Mytilene, island of Lesvos,Aegean Sea. It was found that sand fraction contains a relatively significant proportion of the anthropogenic metalsand therefore it cannot be neglected in metal pollution studiesof coastal sediments. Also the distribution of the anthropogenicmetals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) in both silt+clay and sand fractionsfollow the same pattern indicating similar pollution sources. In the bulk sediment (clay + silt + sand fraction) all anthropogenic metals had a significant amount (> 50%) in theacid-extractable (and potentially bio-available) fraction.

Magnetic normalization of particle size effects in a heavy metal pollution study of intertidal sediments from the Yangzte Estuary

Magnetic, granulometric and geochemical analyses were conducted on an intertidal sediment core from the Yangtze Estuary to evaluate the possibility of normalizing samples for particle size effects in a heavy metal pollution study by means of magnetic proxies. It has been found that the magnetic parameterϰARM, indicating fine grained ferrimagnetic minerals, correlates well with the clay content and organic matter concentration of the sediments.ϰARM also shows significant relationship with heavy metals. ThereforeϰARM is proposed as a proxy for clay content in the sediments, and can be used to compensate for the particle size effect in sedimentary heavy metal records, where magnetic minerals are not subject to significant post-depositional alteration.

Bioaccumulation of lead by the lichen Acarospora smaragdula from smelter emissions.

Accumulation of lead in the crustose lichen Acarospora smaragdula sensu lato is reported in the vicinity of an ore- processing plant where it is subjected to acidification and metal particulate fallout. A combination of light microscopy, X-ray element mapping, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and other analytical techniques identifies Pb accumulation within specific fungal tissues derived from smelter particles (PM10s). No Pb was detected within the photobiont layer. Our studies suggest that Pb is highly mobile under the prevailing acidic conditions, and is fixed within the lichen cortex and melanized apothecia. Lead is also accumulated within the medulla and at the rock-lichen interface where it may precipitate as amorphous botryoidal encrustations on medullary hyphae and iron-rich particles. Modern FESEMs and microprobes enable analysis of minute quantities of material, and are important tools in understanding the fate of metals within lichens necessary to develop their use as predictive and sensitive bioindicators of aerial particulate contaminants. We suggest that crustose lichens, hitherto largely ignored in metal pollution studies, may be useful bioindicators of aerial particulate contaminants in polluted areas where macrolichens are absent.

Home sweet home? A case study of household dust contamination in Hong Kong

It is well recognized that many heavy metals have chronic effects on humans and as such, they are potential environmental health hazards, particularly to young children (see, for example, Body P, Inglis G, Dolan P, Mulcahy D. Environmental lead: a review. Crit Rev Environ Control 1991;20:299–310). Considerable attention has been paid to the study of metal pollution in city air, roadside dusts and soils. However, there is a lack of concern of the presence of trace metals in house dust in the populous city of Hong Kong, where it has traditionally been assumed that such pollutants are rapidly dispersed by ocean breezes. This research aims at quantifying the concentrations of heavy metals within the home environment in Hong Kong and their relationships with environmental factors. The results of this study seem to suggest that traffic and the age of the building and neighborhood are more important factors than the types of industry and socioeconomic status in affecting household dust contamination. The metal burdens in Kwung Tong, an old area with heavy traffic, are significantly higher than other districts. When a Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance was performed on the ranked metal concentrations in different housing districts, the Chi-square values are all significant at a probability level of <0.001. This might be attributable to the fact that there is no highly contaminating industries (such as metal smelters, battery plants and petrochemicals) in Hong Kong. The dust metals may travel from the roads, through the windows and balconies, into the houses, as those homes that do not have their windows opened often had a lower level of contaminants in their house dust (median Cd=3.6 μg/g; median Cu=313.2 μg/g; median Pb=144.6 μg/g; median Mn=211.6 μg/g; and median Zn=1333.7 μg/g). Moreover, those occupants who sweep their floors or dust their furniture on daily bases, or use vacuum cleaners, had a lower level of metals inside their houses. Another finding of interest is that the color of the wall paint used in the house may be another factor influencing the contamination levels.

Iron reduction in tidal flat sediment indicated by magnetic measurements and its significance in the study of heavy metal pollution

Magnetic measurements and chemical analysis were conducted on the anoxic core sediment from the tidal flat along the southern bank of Yangtze Estuary. The synchronous increase in magnetite and heavy metal concentration at a depth of 54 cm is revealed, which reflects the anthropogenic input due to the near shore sewage discharge. However, the heavy metal concentration declines at the top of sediment column (4–20 cm) with the reduction of fine magnetite grains, as indicated by the magnetic measurements. It is inferred that selective dissolution of finer magnetite happens under the reduced environment. Such a phenomenon is significant for the heavy metal pollution study in the tidal flat sediments.

THE TOXICITY OF COPPER(II) SPECIES TO MARINE ALGAE, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO MACROALGAE

Ambient concentrations of dissolved copper(II) in seawater are very low. However, levels can increase as a result of natural and anthropogenic sources. Such increase can have profound effects on organisms in the vicinity resulting in inhibition of growth, reduced fecundity, and even death. This paper highlights the importance of pecieation when considering the toxic effects of cooper, with particular reference to macroalgae in a marine environment, and to encourage more biologists to take account of this in their studies of metal pollution. 104 refs., 2 figs., 4 tabs.

A field study of metal pollution in the south atlantic spanish littoral using striped venus clam as biomonitor

A field study of metal pollution in the south atlantic spanish littoral using striped venus clam as biomonitor

Particle size effect for metal pollution analysis of atmospherically deposited dust

The metallic compositions of 231 atmospherically deposited dust samples obtained from widely-differing environments in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, have been investigated in relation to the particle size distributions. Sample data are presented which show that particle size classification is very important when analysing dust samples for atmospheric metal pollution studies. By cross-correlation and comparison, it was found that the best way to express the results of the metal concentration trend was as an average of particle ratios. Correlations between the six metals studied, namely Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Li, were found for every particle size (eight categories) and reveal that the metal concentrations increased as the particle size decreased. On the basis of this work, it is strongly recommended that future international standards for metal pollutants in atmospherically deposited dusts should be based on particle size fractions.

Field studies using the oyster Crassostrea virginica to determine mercury accumulation and depuration rates

Mercury as an environmental hazard, especially with regard to human health, has been of concern since the Minamata disaster. From 1966 to 1970 a chlor-alkali plant in Point Comfort, Texas released mercury-enriched wastewater (up to 29.9 kgHg/day) into Lavaca Bay (TWQB 1977). Since 1970 the Texas Department of Health (TDH) has periodically closed and then re-opened portions of Lavaca Bay to the harvesting of crabs and finfish based on their levels ( 0.5 ppm Hg wet weight) of mercury. A 1988 closure remains in effect as of this writing. Mercury contamination in Lavaca Bay organisms thus continues to be a problem 22 years after the chlor-alkali plant ceased releasing mercury into the bay. The goal of the following research was to better understand the behavior of mercury in Lavaca Bay. Oysters have been widely used as indicator species in metal pollution studies. Most such programs have focused on the concentrations of metals in oysters from different geographic areas. This study, however, investigated the rate and amount of mercury a [open quotes]clean[close quotes] oyster would accumulate when transplanted to a contaminated estuary and the rate of mercury depuration by contaminated oysters placed in a clean environment. The oysters were additionally analyzed formore » Ba, Cu, Fe, P, and Zn to test for the possible involvement of these metals in mercury accumulation and depuration. 17 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.« less

Heavy metal pollution studies by resuspension experiments in Venice Lagoon

A mechanical device for sediment resuspension has been used in Venice Lagoon for sampling extremely thin surface sediment layers, allowing the characterization of the top few tenths or hundredths of a millimetre. The age of the resuspended layer was estimated at two sampling stations from the sedimentation rate to be about 2 weeks. Zinc and iron were determined (nitric acid extraction) in particles of the resuspended layers and in the corresponding underlying sediments. Lower metal concentrations were detected in sediments (43–323 μg/g for Zn and 9200–17400 μg/g for Fe) with respect to resuspended particles (63–424 μg/g for Zn and 12,200–25,400 μg/g for Fe). The remarkable concentration decreases of zinc (both in resuspended particles and in sediments) from the inner areas of the lagoon (Porto Marghera) seaward, can be attributed to the decreasing effects of industrial pollution. The relatively high concentrations of iron observed in areas far from Porto Marghera, can be explained by the contribution of runoff waters or by contamination from nearby polluted sediments. Higher metal concentrations in resuspended particles were observed in April than in February (1987). Concentration increases for zinc (from 7 to 91%) were more substantial than for iron (from not significant to 42%). Zinc uptake by plankton, followed by deposition of residual organic materials onto the sediment surface is suggested as an explanation of the higher metal concentrations detected in April. These results reflect the particular features of the proposed technique, which, at least for cohesive and fine grained sediments, seems to be promising for future applications in studies both on the tracing of metal pollution sources and on the migration processes of these contaminants between sediment and overlying water.

Effects of metals on early life stages of the brine shrimp,Artemia: A developmental toxicity assay

The need for simple, fast and inexpensive tests to study metal pollution in the marine environment has become more pressing as utilization of coastal waters increases. To address this concern, the influence of four metals, cupric sulfate, lead nitrate, zinc sulfate and nickel sulfate, on emergence and hatching of the brine shrimp, Artemia, has been assessed. Occurrence of these easily recognized developmental milestones provides a convenient method to assay metal effects on development. Copper and lead were about equally toxic, reducing the rate and extent of Artemia development at or below concentrations of 0.1 microM. Zinc was somewhat less toxic than copper and lead, while nickel was the least toxic. Emerging Artemia are much more sensitive to metals than are larvae and adults. Furthermore, in contrast to results obtained with larvae and adults, the toxicity of lead is high when prelarval stages are considered. It is apparent from the findings that use of early stages of Artemia is an alternative to the examination of slower growing animals for the study of metal pollution in coastal marine waters.

Ion-exchange phenomena regulate the environment of embryos in the eggs of freshwater fish

1. 1. Calcium-selective microelectrodes have been used to measure the activity of calcium in the perivitelline fluid of brown trout eggs, exposed to water with a range of Ca 2+ concentrations. Trans-chorion potential differences were also measured. 2. 2. These values are compared with those predicted by a model based on ion-exchange theory and the Donnan equilibrium. The model allows for partial-dissociation of acid-groups in both the perivitelline fluid and the chorion, and the effects of external pH and ion concentration on this dissociation. The ion-exchange properties of perivitelline fluid and chorion were determined by acid-base titration. 3. 3. The model has the potential to predict the effects of external pH and ion concentration on the distribution of many ions in fish eggs; especially in nutrient-poor waters. It is particularly relevant, therefore, to studies of acidification and metal pollution.

MELIMEX, an experimental heavy metal pollution study: Behaviour of heavy metals in an aquatic food chain

Phytoplankton, periphyton and zooplankton samples, chironomid andSialis sp. larvae, and fry of trout and bream collected from unpolluted and artificially metal-polluted limno-corrals were analyzed for mercury, copper, cadmium, zinc and lead. The results indicate that these metals are not accumulated through the food chain and suggest that increased metal concentrations in the environment favor the growth of phytoplankton organisms with a low metal sorption capacity.