Monitoring Of Heavy Metal Pollution Research Articles

Evaluation of dilute hydrochloric acid and acid ammonium oxalate as extractants for some heavy metals from Nile River sediments

The suitability of a 0.5 M HCl solution for extraction of Fe, Mn, Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, and Zn from Nile River sediments was evaluated by comparing its effectiveness with that of conventional acid ammonium oxalate (Tamm's solution) and aqua regia extraction solutions. The present study has shown that although the extraction data indicate that both 0.5 M HCl and acid ammonium oxalate solutions are able to extract heavy metals simultaneously from the adsorbed, organic, and precipitated phases of Nile sediments, the 0.5 M HCl solution is preferred. It provides a rapid, reliable, and inexpensive method of measuring environmentally mobile metal concentrations in the aquatic sediments. From an analytical chemistry point of view, the 0.5 M HCl extracts do not clog the atomizer of the spectrophotometer. Extraction with dilute HCl solution obviates the need to use chemicals, some of which are toxic or not available readily as a high-purity grade. A standard extraction method should be relatively simple, to conduct a routine analysis of large numbers of sediment samples, yet at the same time it should provide sufficient information for assessment of the environmental impact of particulate metals. Therefore, extraction with 0.5 M HCl solution is very suitable for heavy-metal pollution monitoring in the Nile River

Evaluation of heavy metal acute toxicity and bioaccumulation in soil ciliated protozoa

Laboratory toxicity tests, using ciliated protozoa, are scarce and they have been carried out usually with freshwater species. In this study, we have analysed the acute cytotoxicity of Cd, Zn and Cu in five different strains of very common soil ciliate species ( Colpoda steinii, Colpoda inflata and Cyrtolophosis elongata), which were isolated from very different soil samples (polluted or not with heavy metals). Soil ciliates are quite resistant to heavy metals pollution with regard to ciliates from other habitats. The toxicity sequence was Cd > Cu ≫ Zn. Results from Cd + Zn mixtures indicated that Cd cytotoxicity decreases in the presence of low or moderate Zn concentrations. A broad heavy metal resistance level diversity exists among isolates of colpodid ciliates and it is seen to be a genetic feature rather than a habitat dependence. Bioaccumulation is seen to be the main mechanism involved in the metal resistance, except for Cu. For the first time in ciliates, a fluorescent method has been applied to detect Zn intracellular deposits. This methodology might be an useful tool for monitoring heavy metal pollution in soils.

Biological effects in Tilapia nilotica fish as indicators of pollution by cadmium and mercury

Fish samples of Tilapia nilotica obtained from Lake Maryout were used to investigate the relationship between heavy metals and biological effects due to the industrial contaminations in the lake. Samples were examined for the activities of acetylcholinesterase, alkaline phosphatase and glutathione S-transferase. Meanwhile, levels of cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) were determined in both fish and water. Also, the electrophoretic patterns of proteins were presented as well as the amino acid composition of fish proteins. Results obtained revealed that the activities of all studied enzymes were markedly inhibited. Maryout samples contained higher concentrations of Hg and Cd than Nozha samples. Marked differences in electrophoretic patterns of proteins prepared from Maryout and Nozha fish samples were found. The nutritional quality of Maryout fish proteins was lower than that of Nozha samples due to the lower content of essential amino acids. Results obtained from field and laboratory exposures can give a useful indication for a proper use of biochemical responses as biomarkers in monitoring heavy metal pollution.

Exotic gene expression in transgenic plants as a tool for monitoring environmental pollution

Environmental monitoring can benefit from the application of molecular and biochemical techniques as biomarkers. In principle, molecular biomarkers may have some advantage over more classical, organismal level markers because of their sensitivity, efficiency and reproducibility. Nevertheless, some disadvantages such as the cost, resource requirements and lack of specificity have limited their widespread use. Molecular genetics and recombinant DNA technologies, however, allow to improve simplicity and cost, together with reliability, efficiency and sensitivity, of molecular biomarkers. The stress inducible promoter of the barley gene Hvhspl7, which is induced by a number of environmental stress (including some heavy metals), has been fused to the reporter gene GUS in a plasmid. This plasmid was used for stable transformation of tobacco. Some of the transgenic plants obtained after selection showed enhanced GUS expression after exposure to some heavy metals. Maintenance of the plants for three generations, and the analysis of the response to treatments, suggest that these transgenic plants may be utilised as an affordable biomarker for monitoring heavy metal pollution.

Use and abuse of heavy metal bioassays of lichens in cases of heavy metal pollution monitoring

Use and abuse of heavy metal bioassays of lichens in cases of heavy metal pollution monitoring

Comparative and interactive effects of mercury, cadmium and lead on tissue GSH levels in Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner): implications for monitoring heavy metal pollution

The effects of 45 days exposure to mercury, cadmium and lead on tissue GSH levels were studied in Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner). Liver, brain, gill filaments, intestine and caudal muscle were assayed after exposure to these heavy metals singly, or in combination. Significant increases in intestinal GSH concentrations consistently occurred after exposure to mixtures of heavy metals. Exposure to cadmium or lead did not change hepatic GSH levels, while exposure to two different concentrations of mercury caused significant increases in hepatic GSH.

Comparison of moss and bark samples as biomonitors of heavy metals in a highly industrialised area in Izmir, Turkey

The moss, Hypnum cupressiforme and bark of the pine, Pinus brutia have been used for passive monitoring of airborne heavy metal pollution by an iron-steel mill of an industrialised area of Izmir, Turkey. Six metals, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) have been monitored using atomic absorption spectrometry. Between 26.2.1992 and 13.8.1992 samples were taken on five occasions at a distance of 0.25, 1.0 and 2.5 km from the mill. The results show an accumulation of all six metals, with differences between the moss and bark samples and a decrease in concentration with distance from the mill. The arithmetic means of the measured heavy metal concentrations in the moss, Hypnum cupressiforme, were always much higher than those in the bark of the P. brutia, indicating that the moss H. cupressiforme is more suitable than the bark of P. brutia for use in monitoring heavy metal pollution. The results show that the study area, within 2.5 km from the iron-steel mill, is heavily polluted.

Metallothionein: Potential biomarker for monitoring heavy metal pollution in fish around Hong Kong

Metallothioneins (MTs) are a family of low-molecular-weight, cysteine-rich proteins that have a high affinity for divalent ions. Recently, MT level has become a major biomarker for monitoring metal pollution in fish. As a first step towards the development of a reliable and standard assay method for the detection of fish MTs in Hong Kong waters, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to obtain complementary DNAs (cDNAs) coding for goldfish ( Carrasius auratus) and tilapia ( Tilapia mossambica) MTs. Based on the cloned tilapia MT cDNA sequence, specific primers were designed to detect MT mRNA levels in tilapia tissues using RT-PCR. Screening of a common carp liver cDNA library also yielded MT cDNAs. For the development of an immuno-assay for monitoring MT levels in fish tissues, synthetic peptide, made according to the conserved teleost MT N-terminal amino acid sequences, was employed to raise anti-fish MT antibodies. These molecular and immunological probes will be useful in 1. testing the feasibility of using tilapia MT levels as a biomarker for monitoring metal pollution in Hong Kong fish and 2. determining the basic physiological significance of MT in metal tolerance in tilapia.

Reliability of heavy metal pollution monitoring utilizing aquatic animals versus statistical evaluation methods

Reliability of heavy metal pollution monitoring utilizing aquatic animals versus statistical evaluation methods

Bird feathers as bioindicators in areas of the German environmental specimen bank - bioaccumulation of mercury in food chains and exogenous deposition of atmospheric pollution with lead and cadmium

Feathers of selected bird species are used as pollution integrating biomonitors in areas of the German Environmental Specimen Bank. Lead, cadmium and mercury are analysed by Zeeman Solid Sampling AAS in feather vanes of selected bird species with different ecologies. In feather vanes there are quite different distribution patterns of lead and cadmium on the one hand and mercury on the other: lead and cadmium show strong gradients with respect to feather parts with high exposure to atmospheric influences. In contrast to this, mercury is distributed homogeneously. These different distribution patterns of lead and cadmium in feather vanes, in contrast to mercury, show that there are quite different incorporation paths. Cadmium and lead are deposited exogenously and indicate atmospheric pollution. Mercury in feathers is caused endogenously by food and physiology. Most of the mercury analysed in bird's feathers is in the ecotoxic methylated form and the contents in feathers depend on bioaccumulation in food chains. Feathers are suitable indicators for monitoring heavy metal pollution and give us information about incorporation paths and ecotoxic effects.

Ombrotrophic peat as a medium for historical monitoring of heavy metal pollution

Knowledge of historical trends in heavy metal deposition can aid the study and impact prediction of contemporary pollution. For this purpose, analysis of ombrotrophic peat cores has proved a valuable complement to other sedimentary analyses. However, doubts still remain concerning the mobility of heavy metals in peat. The debate cannot be resolved until the behaviour of these elements in peat is better understood.Peat cores were collected from hollows and hummocks on Ringinglow Bog in the southern Pennines. The cores were sliced into contiguous 1-cm slices. Samples were analysed for total concentrations of major elements (Al, Ca, K, Mg, Na) and trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Multivariate statistical analysis was conducted on the data.Preliminary results indicate relatively high concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn reflecting the influence of industrial activities in Sheffield and Manchester. As aluminium, cadmium, copper, lead and zinc exhibit similar profiles they may be suitable surrogates for monitoring historical pollution. However, other elements (e.g. Fe, K, Mn, Na) are clearly influenced by bog hydrology or plant translocation and would be inappropriate monitors.

Use of lake sediments in sulphur and heavy metal pollution monitoring: example from Finland

Abstract The use of ignited lake sediments rich in organic matter for monitoring S and heavy metal pollution was studied. In 1990,140 lake sediment samples were collected from four test areas in Finland and analysed, together with samples collected from the same sites 8–10 a earlier. In the Siilinjarvi test area which is exposed to strong SO 2 emissions, the concentrations of all heavy metals studied had increased. The median of the S values increased by 121%. The concentrations of Mn (84%), Pb (68%) and Ba (57%) also rose markedly. The test areas located in a background region of low pollution showed no systematic increase in concentration. Lake sediment samples whose organic content is dominantly in the range of 10–70% LOI form the most effective sample media. The monitoring should always be based on several samples (here 23–37 samples/100 km 2 ). Mixed lake sediments taken from the upper part of the sediment layer can be used in the pollution monitoring, but only rough conclusions can be drawn from the concentration variation.

Reliability of heavy metal pollution monitoring utilizing aquatic animals versus statistical evaluation methods

Heavy metal concentrations in two snail and two fish species were used to compare the pollution of four sites on the River Zala and on the Kis-Balaton Reservoir (Hungary). The effectiveness of different statistical methods (t- and Bartlett's test, analysis of variance and analysis of covariance) were compared. The most reliable results were obtained by using analysis of covariance, with body weight as the covariate, taking the seasonality in metal concentrations into consideration. The different species showed the same relations among sampling stations if analysis of covariance was applied. It is essential to use statistical methods that account for the most important effects (covariates); otherwise, the reliability of the information supported by biomonitors is compromised.

Bioaccumulation and depuration of some trace metals in the mussel, Perna viridis (Linnaeus).

Bivalves are well known for their ability to concentrate heavy metals in their tissue from environmental water. Experimental studies on the accumulation of these pollutants by molluscs have been extensively conducted. The depuration of accumulated metals in a toxicant free medium has also been studied. Bivalve molluscs may form useful tools in monitoring heavy metal pollution. However, such studies are scant in tropical species. This paper reports the bioaccumulation and depuration of Hg, Cu, Zn and Pb by the mussel Perna viridis (Linnaeus) from seawater and explores its suitability as an indicator organism for metal pollution.

Comparison of mussels and crustacean plankton to monitor heavy metal pollution

The ability of freshwater organisms (mussels — Unio pictorum L. and crustacean plankton —Cladocera and Copepoda species) to monitor heavy metal pollution was compared under field conditions, near the effluent discharge of a sewage water treatment plant at Lake Balaton (Hungary). The mussels were transferred from their less polluted habitat to the study area. The crustacean plankton was collected at this site The concentrations of Hg Cd Cr Cut Pb, Zn, and Fe were measured m the gills of the transplanted mussels as well as the natural zooplankton in the summer period, using the AAS method. Both mussel gills and the zooplankton showed periodically high Fe-, Zn-, and Cu-concentrations. An elevated level of Hg was only observed in mussels, while high Pb- and Cr-concentrations were found only in crustacean plankton. Accordingly the zooplankton seems a more suitable model for monitoring heavy metal pollution under these field conditions.

Monitoring effects of air pollution with the aid of trunk base phenomena in Italian beech forests soil

Abstract Trunk base phenomena like acidification and accumulation of heavy metals in the upper soil of the drainage area of beech stem flow water are investigated in various Italian beech forests. Changes in soil chemistry could be determined by comparison with normal soil samples from the middle of the stand, only influenced by canopy drip. Soil acidification in trunk base areas is demonstrated with aid of changes in cation exchange saturation like (Ca+Mg)-, Al- and (Fe+H)- saturation and changes in buffer ranges. Also Pb and Cu are accumulated in the upper soil of trunk base areas. Acidification and heavy metal accumulation are only detectable in beech forests in the northern and central part of Italy. Only stands more in the south and one stand in north-west of Italy, all sited far away from industry and not in reach of winds from industrialized region don't show trunk base phenomena. Further the practicality of trunk base phenomena for monitoring acid and heavy metal pollution is discussed.

Use of the pocketbook mussel, Lampsilis ventricosa, for monitoring heavy metal pollution in an Ozark stream.

Missouri has been recognized for lead production since the early 1800's and has been the primary producer of lead for the US since 1902. Huge piles of coarse to finely ground dolomitic residue (tailings) occur throughout the Old Lead Belt. Tailings contain relatively high concentrations of heavy metals and have resulted in the contamination of stream ecosystems. In 1977 a dam on the abandoned Desloge tailings pond in the Old Lead Belt ruptured and an estimated 90,000 cubic meters of tailings entered Big River. Erosion of tailings into Big River continue from this site as well as from other tailings piles in the region. The objective of this study was to determine which tailings ponds were the major sources of heavy metals in Big River by using caged pocketbook mussels (Lampsilis ventricosa C. Barnes 1823). The pocketbook mussel was selected for this study because it occurs throughout the Big River drainage basin, and it is large, and relatively unaffected by handling and confinement for extended periods of time.

Biological Monitoring of Heavy Metal Pollution: Land and Air

Journal of Environmental QualityVolume 13, Issue 1 p. 173-174 Book Review Biological Monitoring of Heavy Metal Pollution: Land and Air M. H. Martin and P. J. Coughtrey. Applied Science Publishers, Ltd., Ripple Road, Barking, Essex, England; Elsevier Science Publishing Co., Inc., 52 Vanderbilt Ave., New York, NY 10017. 1982. 475 p. $80.00 W. A. Norvell, W. A. Norvell U.S. Plant, Soil, and Nutrition Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Ithaca, NY, 14853Search for more papers by this authorR. M. Welch, R. M. Welch U.S. Plant, Soil, and Nutrition Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Ithaca, NY, 14853Search for more papers by this author W. A. Norvell, W. A. Norvell U.S. Plant, Soil, and Nutrition Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Ithaca, NY, 14853Search for more papers by this authorR. M. Welch, R. M. Welch U.S. Plant, Soil, and Nutrition Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Ithaca, NY, 14853Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 January 1984 https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1984.00472425001300010034xCitations: 1AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume13, Issue1January‐March 1984Pages 173-174 RelatedInformation

Freshwater molluscs as accumulation indicators for monitoring heavy metal pollution

Freshwater molluscs as accumulation indicators for monitoring heavy metal pollution

Biological Monitoring of Heavy Metal Pollution. Land and Air. By M. H. Martin and P. J. Coughtrey. London and New York: Applied Science Publishers. [Pollution Monitoring Series.] 1982. Pp. xii + 475, numerous figures and plates. Price £39.00.

Biological Monitoring of Heavy Metal Pollution. Land and Air. By M. H. Martin and P. J. Coughtrey. London and New York: Applied Science Publishers. [Pollution Monitoring Series.] 1982. Pp. xii + 475, numerous figures and plates. Price £39.00. - Volume 15 Issue 2