Sediment Accumulation Factors Research Articles

Temporal and Spatial Comparison of Mercury Bioaccumulation in the Lower Trophic Levels of a Post-glacial Lake Food Web.

Total mercury (Hg) concentrations and carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotopes were quantified among aquatic invertebrate and sediment samples collected from Keuka Lake in New York's Finger Lakes region to evaluate temporal and spatial variability in Hg bioaccumulation and trophic ecology among these lower trophic levels. Hg concentrations ranged from 6.3 to 158.8ng/g (dry wt) across dreissenid mussel, zooplankton, and juvenile (< 10mm) and adult (≥ 10mm) mysid shrimp (Mysis diluviana) samples. Hg concentrations were higher in samples collected from the western basin in 2015 relative to those for samples collected from this basin in 2022 (p < 0.001). While no specific mechanisms could be identified to explain this difference, higher δ15N values for zooplankton collected in 2015 support conclusions regarding the role of zooplankton trophic status on Hg concentrations in these populations. Spatial patterns in Hg concentrations were of generally low variability among samples collected from the lake's east, west and south basins in 2022. Trophic positions as inferred by δ15N were represented by adult mysids > juvenile mysids > large zooplankton (≥ 500µm) > dreissenid mussels ≥ small zooplankton (64-500µm). Differences were evident among the regression slopes describing the relationships between sample Hg concentrations and δ15N values across the lake's three basins (p = 0.028). However, this was primarily attributed to high δ15N values measured in dreissenid mussels collected from the south basin in 2022. Biota sediment accumulation factors ranged from 0.2 to 2.3 and were highest for adult M. diluviana but mysid δ13C values generally supported a pelagic pathway of Hg exposure relative to benthic sediments. Overall, these results provide additional support regarding the contributions of lower trophic levels to Hg biomagnification in aquatic food-webs.

Mercury distribution, exposure and risk in Poyang Lake and vicinity, China

Mercury (Hg), especially methylmercury (MeHg), which is highly neurotoxic, is a global pollutant that can affect human health because of its accumulation in aquatic products. Poyang Lake, an inland lake in China, has been significantly affected by human activity, yet there is limited understanding of local mercury contamination and potential exposure pathways to humans. In this study, we explored the risks of mercury exposure by sampling sediments, plants, and aquatic organisms in the lake and surrounding areas and analyzing total Hg (THg) and MeHg levels. Sediment sampling was conducted at the main lake, rivers, rice paddies, and fishponds. Two dominant species of plants and 15 species of aquatic organisms were sampled and analyzed. We assessed the characteristics of mercury in sediments using the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), mercury exposure using the biomagnification factor (BMF) and biota sediment accumulation factor (BSAF), and risks using thresholds for adverse effects. The highest THg concentrations (137.04 ± 44.3 ng g−1 dw) were detected in the main lake sediments, whereas the highest MeHg concentrations (0.47 ± 0.6 ng g−1 dw) were detected in fishpond sediments. Mercury accumulation in the main lake sediments could be assessed as contaminated (Igeo > 0: 81.6%). Yellow catfish had the highest mercury concentration (THg 770.69 ± 199.7 ng g−1 dw; MeHg 741.93 ± 168.8 ng g−1 dw). Piscivores were adversely affected by carnivorous fish (50.8%), but all fish concentrations did not exceed the food safety standards recommend by China and the WHO. The mercury exposure results revealed significant Hg biomagnification and enrichment (BMF >1: 94.55%; BSAFmax = 1218). Long-term monitoring of aquatic organisms is warranted.

Potentially toxic element assessment and biological accumulation in two sea cucumbers species Holothuria poli and Holothuria tubulosa

Knowledge of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) and tissue accumulation profiles of holothurians is limited, especially in Greek seas, so there is no complete picture of their role as bioindicators. This will result in an understanding of their ecology and by extension, their contribution to the marine ecosystem. In this particular study, a total of 7 elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn) were analyzed from the edible muscle tissue and gut contents of two species of sea cucumbers, Holothuria poli and Holothuria tubulosa, as well as surface sediment samples in the marine area of Pagasitikos Gulf. According to the results presented, H. tubulosa for the majority of PTEs had significantly higher values than H. poli in the edible muscle tissue, while in the gut content, H. poli had the highest values. The Biota Sediment Accumulation Factor (BSAF) was calculated to determine the elemental uptake of sea cucumbers. As Cd and Mn showed the highest BSAF values in both species. In addition, the sediment results were compared to sediment quality guidelines, and it was found that Cr exceeded the Medium Impact Range (ERM) values in 80% of the samples, while other elements were found between the Low Impact Range (ERL) and ERM values. The aim of the study was to present the increasing accumulation of elements in the tissues of sea cucumbers so that they represent a significant challenge for their commercial and economic use.

Mercury Contamination as an Indicator of Fish Species' Trophic Position in the Middle Araguaia River, Brazil.

This study evaluates the use of mercury (Hg) concentrations in fish muscle tissue to determine a species' trophic position (TP) in its environment. A campaign conducted in 2019 along 375 km in the middle Araguaia River basin, Brazil, resulted in 239 organisms from 20 species collected. The highest total mercury (THg) concentrations were found in Pellonacastelnaeana (6.93 µg·g-1, wet weight) and in Triportheus elongatus (3.18 µg·g-1, wet weight), whose TPs were different according to the FishBase database. However, they occupied the same trophic level in this study. The intra-specific comparison showed a difference in Hg concentrations between individuals captured in distinct sites. The study of the biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) showed that spatiality interferes with a species' TP. Statistical analyses revealed that when we used a predicted species' TP based on each individual's size, it explained 72% of the variability in THg concentration across all fish species. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that standard length and FishBase values are positively associated with THg (R2 = 0.943). These results point to Hg as a viable indicator of a fish species' TP since it reflects regional, biological, and environmental factors, as demonstrated here for the middle Araguaia River.

Development of a field-deployable analytical workflow for determining current status and indicative human health risks at a historic dl-POPs hotspot

This paper introduces an integrated workflow that effectively evaluates environmental and health risks of dioxin-like Persistent Organic Pollutants (dl-POPs) at industrial hotspot regions. The developments of validated, cost effective and user-friendly analytical strategies which can be field deployable are quintessential for routine monitoring of dl-POPs, particularly in developing countries. This study addresses the lacunae by enabling an exclusive gas chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometer based analytical workflow substituting conventional magnetic sector high resolution mass spectrometer technique and validated the methodology as per the European Union regulation 644/2017. The viable monitoring utility of the methodology for predicting enviro-food-health nexus was field-tested by analyzing fish and sediment samples from the Eloor-Edayar industrial belt, a solitary POPs hotspot in India. The profiles of congeners indicate that dl-POPs were formed through precursor pathways, suggesting the potential release of chlorinated precursor species from surrounding industrial area as the root cause. Fish samples from hotspots were observed to have 8 times higher levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/furans (PCDD/Fs) and 30 times higher levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) than the control sites. A strong statistically significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation was observed between dl-POPs levels in fish and sediment samples at the study site and the Biota sediment accumulation factors for PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs ranged from 0.019 to 0.092 and 0.004 to 0.671 respectively. The estimated weekly intake from fish consumption in the study region was observed to be 3 to 24 times higher than the maximum levels set by the European food safety authority (2 pgTEQ kg−1bwweek−1). Hence, the periodic surveillance of dl-POPs employing user friendly/validated confirmatory tools stands highly imperative to safeguard human health and environment. Keywords: Dioxin and PCBs, GC-MS/MS, POPs Hotspot, Biota-sediment accumulation factor, Correlation analysis, Health risk assessment.

Distribution of Silver (Ag) and Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) in Aquatic Environment

Nanomaterials, classified as emerging pollutants that are toxic to the environment, are known to bioaccumulate across different trophic levels in the aquatic ecosystem. This study therefore investigates the distribution of silver and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the aquatic environment of Skudai River, Johor, Malaysia. Water, sediment, plant, and fish samples were collected seasonally along four sites along Skudai River between May 2018 and April 2019. All samples were subjected to Ag analysis using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The analysis demonstrated that the concentration of Ag detected in water samples ranging from 0.001 to 0.505 mg/L was the lowest, whereas in the plants, 0.235 to 4.713 mg/kg of Ag was quantified. The upper sediments contained 0.036 to 28.115 mg/kg of Ag, whilst fish samples presented the highest accumulation of Ag, averaging between 9.144 and 53.784 mg/kg of Ag. Subsequently, the formation of silver nanoparticles was further proven by TEM-EDX analysis, where the detected size of AgNPs ranged from 20 nm to 35 nm. The overriding conclusion implied by bioaccumulation factor (BAF) and biota–sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) calculations suggested that Skudai River was indeed polluted by Ag and AgNPs. The values obtained stipulated that silver accumulation is occurring at an alarming rate and could therefore endanger fish consumers.

Mercury Levels in Sediment, Water and Selected Organisms Collected in a Coastal Contaminated Environment: The Marano and Grado Lagoon (Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy)

Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant capable of bioaccumulates/biomagnifies along the trophic chain and posing concerns for organisms and humans. The historical mining in Idrija (NW Slovenia) and the more recent activity of a chlor-alkali plant (CAP) sited in Torviscosa (NE Italy) causes diffuse Hg contamination in the Marano and Grado Lagoon (MGL, northern Adriatic Sea, Italy). Despite the importance of fishing and aquaculture for local inhabitants, knowledge of the Hg content of MGL fish is still scarce and fragmentary. This paper reports the results obtained from the collection of sediments, water, and biota during the implementation of the WFD/2000/60/CE. The solid phase is characterised by high Hg concentrations (up to 7.4 mg kg−1) with a net positive gradient moving eastward, but chemical speciation suggests the prevalence of cinnabar (not mobile) species. The scarce mobility of Hg is attested to by the low concentrations found in surface waters. Hg in fish often exceeds the limit set for commercialization (0.5 mg kg−1 ww), especially in the Grado basin, but its content is variable depending on the size and habits of species. Although there was a significant linear relationship between THg content in sediment and tissues of Chelon auratus, the values of the biota sediment accumulation factor (BSAF), which were always less than one, suggest that the Hg bioavailable for transfer from sediment to biota is low. Additionally, the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) calculated on C. auratus’s daily consumption showed that adverse effects on human health are out of the question at least for the Marano basin.

Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of antibiotics in the aquatic and terrestrial food webs of the Yellow River Delta

Antibiotic pollution caused by aquaculture industries is a common problem in the wetland of the Yellow River Delta (YRD). Aquatic and terrestrial food webs coexist and interact in wetlands. However, there are few comparative studies on antibiotics in these two food webs. This study investigated the occurrence, bioaccumulation, and trophic transfer of 19 antibiotics in the aquatic and terrestrial food webs of the YRD, and discussed the effects of physicochemical parameters in different food webs. The total concentrations of antibiotics in aquatic organisms and terrestrial organisms ranged from 11.61 to 63.08 ng/g dry weight (dw) and 4.21–9.11 ng/g dw, respectively. BAF (bioaccumulation factor), BSAFa (biota sediment accumulation factor), and BSAFt (biota soil accumulation factor) were used to explore the bioaccumulation capacity of antibiotics. The calculation results of these three factors showed that fluoroquinolones (FQs) had the highest bioaccumulation capacity. As for the trophic transfer, the total concentrations of antibiotics were biodiluted in the aquatic food web while biomagnified in the terrestrial food web. Physicochemical parameters of the antibiotics showed that log Kow (octanol-water partition coefficient)/log Dow (pH-dependent distribution coefficient) and log Koa (octanol-air partition coefficient) were good predictors for antibiotic bioaccumulation in the aquatic and terrestrial organisms of the YRD, respectively. In addition, the increasing log Dow and log Koa led to a rise of TMF (trophic magnification factor) in the aquatic food web while a decrease of TMF in the terrestrial food web. Overall, these results provide insights into the mechanisms on bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of antibiotics in different food webs.

Bioaccumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances by freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates: Impact of species and sediment organic carbon content

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic environments have caused global concern due to their persistence, toxicity, and potential bioaccumulation of some compounds. As an important compartment of the aquatic ecosystem, sediment properties impact PFAS partitioning between aqueous and solid phases, but little is known about the influence of sediment organic carbon content on PFAS bioaccumulation in benthic organisms. In this study, three freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates – worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), mussels (Elliptio complanata) and snails (Physella acuta) – were exposed for 28 days to PFAS spiked synthetic sediment equilibrated with a synthetic surface water. Using microcosms, sediment organic carbon content – 2%, 5% and 8% – was manipulated to assess its impact on PFAS bioaccumulation. Worms were found to have substantially greater PFAS bioaccumulation compared to mussels and snails. The bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) and biota sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) in worms were both one to two magnitudes higher than in mussels and snails, likely due to different habitat-specific uptake pathways and elimination capacities among species. In these experiments, increasing sediment organic carbon content decreased the bioaccumulation of PFAS to benthic macroinvertebrates. In worms, sediment organic carbon content was hypothesized to impact PFAS bioaccumulation by affecting PFAS partitioning and sediment ingestion rate. Notably, the BSAF values of 8:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (FTS) were the largest among 14 PFAS for all species, suggesting that the benthic macroinvertebrates probably have different metabolic mechanisms for fluorotelomer sulfonic acids compared to fish evaluated in published literature. Understanding the impact of species and sediment organic carbon on PFAS bioaccumulation is key to developing environmental quality guidelines and evaluating potential ecological risks to higher trophic level species.

A Guideline Value for Dioxin-Like Compounds in Marine Sediments.

Sediments to be dredged as part of the installation of a harbor crossing in Sydney, Australia, contained measurable concentrations of dioxin-like compounds. To assess the suitability of these sediments for ocean disposal, a defensible sediment quality guideline value (SQGV) for dioxin-like compounds, expressed as pg toxic equivalent (TEQ)fish /g dry weight, was required. There were deemed to be too many uncertainties associated with a value derived using effects data from field studies. A similar issue was associated with values based on equilibrium partitioning from sediment to pore water, largely associated with the wide range of reported sediment:water partition coefficients. Greater certainty was associated with the use of a tissue residue approach based on equilibrium partitioning between sediment and organisms determined using tissue concentrations in fish, the most sensitive aquatic biota, and biota:sediment accumulation factors. The calculation of an appropriate SQGV used data for dioxin-like compounds in both fish and sediments from Sydney Harbor. A conservative SQGV for dioxin-like compounds of 70 pg TEQ/g dry weight was deemed to be adequately protective of biota that might be exposed to these contaminants in sediments at the ocean spoil ground. The approach is transferable to similar situations internationally. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:257-271. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Specific-accumulation and trophic transfer of UV filters and stabilizers in marine food web

The occurrence and distribution of benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BUVs) and UV filters in marine environments (sediment and seawater) and 20 biota species in the South Korea were investigated to assess their transfer through the marine food web. The total concentrations in the seawater samples were 4.73–8.60 ng/L for BUVs and 1.20–4.88 ng/L for UV filters; while, the total concentrations in the sediment samples were 0.581–6.62 ng/g dw for BUVs and 1.05–6.79 ng/g dw for UV filters, respectively. The total concentrations of BUVs and UV filters were a little higher in benthic invertebrates (BUVs: 131 ng/g lipid weight [lw], UV filters: 41.7 ng/g lw) than fish (BUVs: 99.2 ng/g lw, UV filters: 28.0 ng/g lw) but there were no statistical differences (Mann–Whitney U test, p > 0.05). UV-326 was dominant (fish: 37.9%, benthic invertebrate: 48.7%) of the total BUVs. While, benzophenone-3 (fish: 34.1%, benthic invertebrate: 40.8%) and ethylhexyl methoxy cinnamate (fish: 41.0%, benthic invertebrate: 37.8%) were the dominant UV filters. The bioaccumulation factor and trophic magnification factor indicated that UV-326 can both bioaccumulate and biomagnify (bioaccumulation factor >5000 and biota–sediment accumulation and trophic magnification factors >1). Several other BUVs were found to be able to either bioaccumulate (UV-320, UV-P, UV-329, and UV-234) or biomagnify (UV-327 and UV-928). Most of the analyzed UV filters were found not to be likely to bioaccumulate.

Transfer of 7 Organic UV Filters from Sediment to the Ragworm Hediste diversicolor: Bioaccumulation of Benzophenone-3 and Further Proof of Octocrylene Metabolism

Organic UV filters are continuously released in aquatic ecosystems due to their widespread use, especially in touristic coastal environments. Generally, organic UV filters are poorly soluble in water and tend to accumulate in the sediment compartment. This represents a conceivable risk for sediment-dwelling organisms and a potential for transfer of the UV filters up the food chain. This study aimed to assess the potential transfer of seven UV filters including benzophenone-3 (BP3), bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (BEMT), butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BM), methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (MBBT), 2-ethylhexyl salicylate (ES), diethylhexyl butamido triazone (DBT), and octocrylene (OC) from artificial spiked sediment (10 µg.g−1 dry weight) to sediment-dwelling worms. All UV filters were detected in the worms after 28 days of exposure, but only BP3 was apparently bioaccumulated, with a biota sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) of 12.38 ± 4.65. However, metabolomic profiling revealed that OC was metabolized by the worms into 11 fatty acid conjugates, demonstrating that OC did also accumulate in the worms in the form of OC–fatty acid conjugates. Here, the sole quantification of the parent organic UV filter underestimated the accumulation factor and the exposure of organisms. In general, it is therefore important to pair the conventional method (BSAF calculus) with other techniques, such as metabolomics, to assess the actual potential for bioaccumulation of xenobiotics including transformed xenobiotics.

Mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in sediment and biota: A case study in a lagoon in Central Italy

A quantification of total mercury (Hgtot) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in sediment and mussels was carried out in the east basin of the Orbetello lagoon in order to assess their bioaccumulation potential. The sediment was sampled in four macroareas, mussels were transplanted in the same sites and collected after seven weeks. The results show that Hgtot concentrations in sediments exceeded (0.21–16.9 mg/kg dry weight (dw)) the environmental quality standard of the Italian legislation (0.3 mg/kg dw). The Hgtot concentration in mussels (0.050–0.324 mg/kg wet weight (ww)) does not exceed the limit values (0.5 mg/kg ww) of the European food legislation. The biota–sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) derived for MeHg (80–306.7) and a biomagnification factor (BMF) greater than 1 for Hgtot demonstrate that in the lagoon, these compounds can be transferred in the upper levels of the trophic chain and pose a risk to human health.

A nationwide survey of trace metals and Zn isotopic signatures in mussels (Mytilus edulis) and oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from the coast of South Korea

Thirteen trace metals and Zn isotopic signatures were investigated in mussels and oysters collected from the coast of South Korea to evaluate their bioavailability in bivalve mollusks. The average Cu, Zn, and Cd concentrations were 2.6–17.7 times higher in oysters than mussels, and high biota sediment accumulation factors (>30) were observed for these metals in oysters. Except for Pb in mussels, most metals had no correlation with total sediment concentrations. In oysters, Fe, V, Cu, Zn, Sn, and Pb concentrations were significantly correlated with sediments. The average values of δ66ZnIRMM3702 in mussels, oyster, and sediments were +0.09‰, +0.12‰, and −0.06‰, respectively. Soft tissues of mussels and oysters with high Zn concentrations tended to contain lighter Zn isotopes. The results indicate that oysters are a better biomonitoring organism for metal contamination than mussels and can be used in the monitoring and management of coastal environments and ecosystems.

Spatiotemporal distribution and risk assessment of short-chain chlorinated paraffins in 30 major rivers in Taiwan

Because of their highly persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic properties, short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) have become emerging contaminants and have been included in Annex A (elimination) of the Stockholm Convention since 2017. The contamination of SCCPs has been observed in the environment and biota worldwide but has not been detected in Taiwanese river ecosystems. Thus, this study aimed to determine the occurrence of SCCPs in sediments and fish from 30 major rivers in Taiwan and to evaluate the risk of SCCPs to river ecosystems and human health. The concentrations of SCCPs in sediments and fish ranged from ND (not detected) to 12.6 mg/kg dw and ND to 2.07 mg/kg ww, respectively. The concentrations of SCCPs in sediments were significantly correlated with some indicators of the discharge sources and water quality variables, indicating that SCCPs were released via human activities and various discharges into rivers and accumulated in sediments. The bioaccumulation of SCCPs in fish exhibited species-specific profiles and was related to environmental contamination levels and the living pattern and trophic level of the fish. The SCCP levels in sediments from 20 major rivers in Taiwan might pose a potential ecological risk to river ecosystems according to the criteria of the Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines in Canada, the biota–sediment accumulation factor and the risk quotient. Consumption of SCCP-contaminated river fish by different gender and age groups showed no significant health risk to residents in Taiwan evaluated by the estimated daily intake and hazard quotient. However, there was a health concern for the 0- to 3-year-old group due to the consumption of contaminated river fish at a bioaccessibility of 100% for SCCPs by the margin of exposure. Routine monitoring of SCCPs in river ecosystems is needed to protect aquatic organisms and human health.

A translocation analysis of organophosphate pesticides between surface water, sediments and tissues of common reed Phragmites australis

This study investigated the ability of common reed, Phragmites australis to take up organophosphate pesticides (OPPs). The study site was the agriculturally polluted Sundays Estuary in South Africa. Surface water, leaves, roots, and deep-rooted-sediments of P. australis were collected along the length of the estuary and analysed for 13 different OPPS. The extraction of OPPs in plant tissues was performed by QuEChERS method followed by GC-MS analysis. The highest concentration of OPPs was found in leaves (16.41–31.39 μg kg−1 dw), followed by roots (13.92–30.88 μg kg−1 dw), and sediments (3.30–8.07 μg kg−1 dw). Of the 13 targeted OPPs, only one compound was not detected across the four sample matrices, thus reflecting widespread contamination in the Sundays Estuary. The biota sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) values of pyraclofos, quinalphos, fenitrothion, phosalone, EPN, diazinon, chlorpyrifos, pyrazophos, and isazophos were higher than one implying that P. australis possesses the ability to bioaccumulate these compounds. The root-leaf translocation factors (TFr-l) of these pesticides were higher than 1, suggesting that P. australis possesses the capacity to move these pesticides from roots to leaves. The insignificant correlation observed between log BSAF and log Kow and log TFr-l and log Kow implies that OPPs uptake by P. australis tissues were not dependent on log Kow. Our study demonstrates that P. australis possesses the potential to effectively remove OPPs from contaminated water and sediment.

Bioaccumulation of trace metals in the ocypodid burrowing crab, Paratylodiplax blephariskios, in Richards Bay Harbour, South Africa

Bioaccumulation of metals in an endemic ocypodid burrowing mud crab, Paratylodiplax blephariskios, was investigated in contaminated mudflats of the subtropical Richards Bay Harbour (RBH), South Africa. Following sampling of water, sediment and mud crabs from three sites (Bhizolo, Mzingazi and Richards Bay Coal Terminal) in RBH during 2016/2017, tissue and sediment samples were oven dried for 48 hours, weighed and digested in an advanced microwave digester. Samples were then analyzed in triplicate for Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Highest tissue concentrations of Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were recorded at Bhizolo. High Biota Sediment Accumulation Factor (BSAF) values for Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn at all sites confirmed that crabs bioaccumulated these metals. The high Cr concentration in sediment (Bhizolo: 104 ± 18.2 µg g−1; Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT): 104 ± 29.2 µg g−1; Mzingazi: 94.1 ± 38.7 µg g−1) was not reflected in the biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) value, suggesting low bioavailability of Cr. High BSAF values for Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn suggest that the threshold of regulation in P. blephariskios was exceeded, resulting in net bioaccumulation.

Water, sediments and fishes: First multi compartment assessment of metal pollution in a coastal environment from the SW Atlantic

This is an integrated assessment of the distribution of Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb in dissolved water, sediments and muscle fish tissues (Cynoscion guatucupa, Micropogonias furnieri, Mustelus schmitti and Ramnogaster arcuata) from the Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina.Within the water fraction (μg L−1), Hg and Pb concentrations ranged from below the limit of detection (<LOD) to 0.53 and 54, respectively. For Cd and Cr, values varied from 0.060 to 0.56 and from 1.6 to 18, respectively. In the sediment fraction (μg g−1) values ranged from <LOD to 0.21 and 0.47 for Cd and Hg, respectively, from 11 to 18 for Cr and from 5.1 to 10 for Pb. Metals in fish muscle tissues (μg g−1) ranged from <LOD to 2.8, 0.53 and 0.52 for Cr, Hg and Pb, respectively. All Cd values were <LOD.This marine environment is potentially vulnerable to anthropogenic pollution since dissolved Cr, Hg and Pb values exceeded established environmental quality guidelines. Moreover, the sediment pollution indices indicated a deterioration of the estuarine environment, with Cr and Pb associated to anthropogenic impacts, whereas Hg could be occasionally associated with adverse biological effects.The biota to water accumulation factor (BWAF) reflected that fish species showed potential to accumulate Cr (BWAF: 73–510) and, especially, Hg (BWAF: 1000–8000). The high biota to sediment accumulation factor found for Hg (up to 9.8) indicated that fish species behaved as macro or micro concentrators.These results highlights the importance of a multi compartment approach in pollution assessment, with implicances for future works.

Study on the Evaluation of (Heavy) Metals in Water and Sediment of Skadar Lake (Montenegro), with BCF Assessment and Translocation Ability (TA) by Trapa natans and a Review of SDGs

Skadar Lake is a crypto-depression, a shallow lake, near to the Adriatic coast; the largest in the Balkan Peninsula and in southeastern Europe. The Lake is a very complex aquatic ecosystem in which anthropogenic activities have a long history in terms of the impact on wildlife and the overexploitation of natural resources. Such consequences related to heavy metals represent a global problem. Heavy metal pollution can cause severe ecological consequences in aquatic ecosystems. These pollutants accumulate in the aquatic biota from water, sediment and through the food chain, the impact can magnify. Aquatic macrophytes are good indicators of the health of a water body. This research was carried out to evaluate heavy metals concentration in water, sediment and in the aquatic macrophyte Trapa natans (water chestnut), with BCF (bio-concentration factor), BSAF (biota sediment accumulation factor) and TA (translocation ability), in order to determine the water quality of this specific part of the aquatic ecosystem of Skadar Lake near to the settlement of Vranjina, a fishing village. The determination of heavy metals was carried out by ICP-OES. (Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry). Statistical analysis was established by R statistical computing software, version 3.5.3. The metal concentration in the water decreases in the following sequential order: As &gt; Pb &gt; Zn &gt; Cu = Al = Cr &gt; Cd = Hg. Meanwhile in the sediment, the descending sequence is as follows: Cr &gt; Zn &gt; Cu &gt; Pb &gt; As &gt; Cd &gt; Hg. The ability of plants to absorb and accumulate metals from the aqueous growth medium was assessed using a bio-concentration factor. The BCF in the stem, leaf and fruit has high values, mainly, of Al, Cr, Cu and Zn, while for the biota sediment accumulation factor, the highest values were recorded for the following elements: Hg, Cd, Cu and Zn. Analysis of the translocation ability of TA shows the dominance of four metals: Pb, Cd, Hg and As. A significant positive Kendall’s correlation coefficient between sediment and stem (R = 0.73, p &lt; 0.05), stem and leaf (R = 0.87, p &lt; 0.05) and leaf and fruit (R = 1, p &lt; 0.05) was established.

Spring-neap tides influence on bioavailability of metals and bioaccumulation in edible biota of the Zuari (tropical) Estuary.

Role of spring and neap tides on metal bioavailability and bioaccumulation in edible biota was studied in the Zuari Estuary. Moderate to very high range of contamination factor for Fe, Mn, Cr, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb at one or more stations and tides suggesting their anthropogenic origin. The anthropogenic input of metals was supported by pollution load index. Relatively high bioavailable concentration of Fe, Mn, Cr, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb indicated their toxicity to biota. Total metal concentration, viz., Fe, Mn, Cr, Zn, Cu and Cd, and bioavailable content Mn, Cd, and Pb were higher during spring tide than neap tide at one or more stations which revealed their low mobility under flooded conditions. The above observation was well supported by higher concentration of Fe, Mn, Cr, Zn, Cu, and Pb in Polymesoda erosa at the middle estuary during neap tide than subsequent spring tide. Further, an increase in concentration of metals bound to certain bioavailable fractions toward the surface of the cores revealed their possible bioavailability to the biota with changes in the physicochemical properties of the Zuari estuary. Biota sediment accumulation factor revealed macro level accumulation of Cd and suggested its toxicity to marine biota.