Trace Element Contamination Research Articles

Assessment of potentially toxic trace element contamination in urban allotment soils and their uptake by onions: A preliminary case study from Sheffield, England

Toxic trace element (TTE) contamination in urban soils may pose potential health risks, especially in cities with previous industrial activities. This study aimed to investigate soil contamination in urban allotments in Sheffield, the uptake of TTEs in autumn and spring sown onions (Allium cepa), and their potential risks on human health via consumption of the crops. Paired soil and plant samples were taken in triplicates from four private allotments to assess potentially elevated levels of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), and chromium (Cr). These elements in soils exceeded the ambient background levels for England. Both Pb and As exceeded some UK and EU soil tolerable limits. Concentration factors (CF) were calculated as the ratio of trace element in the plant as compared to that in the soil, and uptake rates were in the order Zn>Cu>Cr>Pb>As. Concentrations were higher for most TTEs in spring sown onions (SSO), and had significantly higher CF (p < 0.05) for Pb and Cr than autumn sown onions (ASO), whereas the opposite was true for As. Toxic elements in plants did not exceed FAO/WHO intake limits when considering TTE content per plant and consumption rates. Human health risk assessment calculations using target hazard quotients (THQ) and hazard indexes (HI) indicated that consuming onions alone did not pose an immediate health risk.

Assessment of trace elements pollution in sea ports of New South Wales (NSW), Australia using macrophytobenthic plant Ecklonia radiata as a bio-indicator

In this study seaweeds (Ecklonia radiata) from six major sea ports of NSW, Australia were used as a bioindicator to assess the distribution and levels of trace elements accumulation in the ports compared to the background ecosystem. Bioconcentration ratio (BCR), biota sediment accumulation factor (BSAF), enrichment factor, multivariate statistical analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to identify trace elements contamination. The results illustrate BCRs of Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, As and Ba in E. radiata whereas the BASFs portray boron enrichment in all sea ports along with bioaccumulation of As in Port Jackson and Pb in Port Botany. However, trace elements variations between studied and background locations was found to be significant for Port Kembla and Newcastle. The principal component analysis result explained four principal groups with 76.25% cumulative variance. Cluster analysis was further performed to detect major groups of elements and sites to portray interconnection between the contaminants and the locations.

Trace Element Provision in Parenteral Nutrition in Children: One Size Does Not Fit All.

Routine administration of trace elements is recognised as a standard of care in children requiring parenteral nutrition. However, there is a lack of global consensus regarding trace elements provision and dosing in pediatric parenteral nutrition. This review provides an overview of available evidence regarding trace elements supply and posology in parenteral nutrition in neonates and children. Trace elements provision in children should be tailored to the weight and clinical condition of the child with emphasis on those at risk of toxicity or deficiency. Based on current evidence, there is a need to review the formulation of commercial solutions that contain multiple-trace elements and to enable individual trace elements additives to be available for specific indications. Literature supports the removal of chromium provision whereas manganese and molybdenum supplementation are debated. Preterm neonates may have higher parenteral requirements in iodine, selenium and copper than previously recommended. There is growing support for the routine provision of iron in long-term parenteral nutrition. Further studies on trace elements contamination of parenteral nutrition solutions are needed for a range of trace elements.

Ectomycorrhizal Fungal Communities and Their Functional Traits Mediate Plant-Soil Interactions in Trace Element Contaminated Soils.

There is an increasing consensus that microbial communities have an important role in mediating ecosystem processes. Trait-based ecology predicts that the impact of the microbial communities on ecosystem functions will be mediated by the expression of their traits at community level. The link between the response of microbial community traits to environmental conditions and its effect on plant functioning is a gap in most current microbial ecology studies. In this study, we analyzed functional traits of ectomycorrhizal fungal species in order to understand the importance of their community assembly for the soil–plant relationships in holm oak trees (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota) growing in a gradient of exposure to anthropogenic trace element (TE) contamination after a metalliferous tailings spill. Particularly, we addressed how the ectomycorrhizal composition and morphological traits at community level mediate plant response to TE contamination and its capacity for phytoremediation. Ectomycorrhizal fungal taxonomy and functional diversity explained a high proportion of variance of tree functional traits, both in roots and leaves. Trees where ectomycorrhizal fungal communities were dominated by the abundant taxa Hebeloma cavipes and Thelephora terrestris showed a conservative root economics spectrum, while trees colonized by rare taxa presented a resource acquisition strategy. Conservative roots presented ectomycorrhizal functional traits characterized by high rhizomorphs formation and low melanization which may be driven by resource limitation. Soil-to-root transfer of TEs was explained substantially by the ectomycorrhizal fungal species composition, with the highest transfer found in trees whose roots were colonized by Hebeloma cavipes. Leaf phosphorus was related to ectomycorrhizal species composition, specifically higher leaf phosphorus was related to the root colonization by Thelephora terrestris. These findings support that ectomycorrhizal fungal community composition and their functional traits mediate plant performance in metal-contaminated soils, and have a high influence on plant capacity for phytoremediation of contaminants. The study also corroborates the overall effects of ectomycorrhizal fungi on ecosystem functioning through their mediation over the plant economics spectrum.

Genetic variation of the epigeic earthworm Lumbricus castaneus populations in urban soils of the Paris region (France) revealed using eight newly developed microsatellite markers

Urban soils are subject to intense environmental pressures, e.g. physical disturbance, surface transformation and pollution, which greatly impact the activity of soil organisms. The epigeic earthworm Lumbricus castaneus (Savigny, 1826) is known to be tolerant to trace elements contamination of soils and was found to be abundant in the urban context. In order to investigate how urban environmental stressors shape the population genetic variation of this species, we developed 8 microsatellite loci from a microsatellite-enriched genomic library. Polymorphism was explored in 6 populations (153 individuals) from the Paris region. The number of alleles per locus varied from 7 to 29. The average expected heterozygosity within populations ranged from 0.596 to 0.705. These new microsatellite markers revealed a significant genetic structure at fine spatial scale, highlighting that they could be particularly useful for genetic studies of populations in urban soils.

Tracing the sources of suspended sediment and particle-bound trace metal elements in an urban catchment coupling elemental and isotopic geochemistry, and fallout radionuclides

The excessive supply of contaminants from urban areas to rivers during the last centuries has led to deleterious impacts on aquatic ecosystems. The sources, the behavior, and the dynamics of these contaminants must be better understood in order to reduce this excessive anthropogenic pollution. Accordingly, the current research investigated the particle-bound trace element (TE) contamination of the 900-km2 Orge River (Seine basin, France) and the potential sources of these particles (agricultural or forest soils, channel banks, road deposited sediments), through the analysis of multiple fallout radionuclides, elemental geochemistry, and lead isotopic composition on suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected during a hydrological year at four stations following an increasing urbanization gradient (300 to 5000 inhab.km−2). Fallout radionuclide measurements showed an increasing contribution of recently eroded particles from urban areas to the SPM in downstream direction. However, this contribution varied depending on hydrological conditions. A greater contribution of particles originating from urban areas was observed during low stage periods. On the contrary, the contribution of agricultural soils and channel banks that are less enriched in contaminants and fallout radionuclides was higher during seasonal floods, which explained the dilution of radionuclide contents in sediment transiting the river during those events. Trace element contamination of SPM in Cu, Zn, Pb, and Sb increased from moderate to significant levels with urban pressure in downstream direction (with corresponding enrichment factors raising from 2 to 6). In addition, Pb isotopic ratios indicated that the main source of Pb corresponded to the “urban” signature found in road deposited sediments. The low variations in lead isotope ratios found in the SPM for contrasting hydrological conditions demonstrated the occurrence of a single source of Pb contamination. These results demonstrate the need to better manage urban runoff during both flood and low precipitation events to prevent the supply of diffuse particle-bound contamination to rivers draining urban areas.

High cadmium and mercury concentrations in the tissues of the orange-back flying squid, Sthenoteuthis pteropus, from the tropical Eastern Atlantic

The orange-back flying squid, Sthenoteuthis pteropus, plays an important role in the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean (ETA) pelagic food web, as both predator and prey. Specimens of S. pteropus were caught off the Cape Verde Islands and concentrations of Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V, and Zn were measured in the digestive gland. Among the analysed elements, Cd showed the highest average concentration with values among the highest ever recorded in cephalopods. In addition to the digestive gland, Hg concentrations were also analysed in the buccal mass and mantle tissue. Among the three tissues, buccal mass showed the highest Hg concentrations. In females, Hg concentrations in the buccal mass were positively correlated with stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) and mantle length, showing both bioaccumulation with age and bioamplification along the trophic levels. High Cd and Hg concentrations in the digestive gland and muscle respectively would lead to elevated exposure of squid-eating top predators such as yellowfin tuna, swordfish or dolphinfish, which are commercially harvested for human consumption. This study provides a deeper understanding of the trace element contamination in an abundant and ecologically important, but poorly studied pelagic squid in the ETA.

Trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in road gully sediments from different land uses, Hong Kong

This study investigated the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments collected from gully pots for road drainage in Hong Kong. The presence and intensity of anthropogenic contamination of road gully sediments were assessed. Identifications of potential sources of trace elements and PAHs were performed to help understand the situation for future control of pollution to the land and aquatic environments. Gully sediment samples were collected from gully pots of 18 roads that are potentially exposed to different pollution sources in Hong Kong. The selection of roads considered different road features, adjacent land uses, and traffic volumes. Composite samples were collected for the analysis of trace elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn) and PAHs by an accredited environmental testing laboratory. Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (Cf), modified degree of contamination (mCd), ecological risk factor (Er), and pollution load index (PLI) were used to assess the level of ecological risk of trace element contamination. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) and PAH diagnostic ratios were applied to identify the sources of trace elements and PAHs. Elevated trace element concentrations were commonly found in gully sediments. The concentrations of Zn (267–3700 mg kg−1) were the highest compared to the other trace elements. Noticeable high concentrations of Cu (27–1020 mg kg−1), Pb (21–332 mg kg−1), and Cr (14–439 mg kg−1) were found in all samples. The PAH contents were moderate to high (0.6 to 24.7 mg kg−1). Commercial/industrial emissions and road features that cause frequent acceleration-deceleration and turning events showed important influences on the contaminant levels. Strong correlations between the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn were identified, implying that these trace elements are likely from common sources. The contamination assessment indices reflect significant sediment pollution. The ecological risk ranges from the considerable/moderate-risk class to over the high-risk class. The collected gully sediments are identified as highly contaminated and need to be isolated from the environment upon final disposal. Through the comprehensive analysis of the collected data, this study provides a detailed insight into the contaminant levels of road gully sediments and potential sources of contamination. Disposal of gully sediments and potential impacts due to release of contaminants into the downstream aquatic environment during rainstorm events should receive attention and need further investigation.

Variability in responses of soil nematodes to trace element contamination

Free-living soil nematodes and plant parasites were previously repeatedly tested for their use as bioindicators of soil contamination. We investigated soil nematode communities from grasslands in four different industrial areas in Slovakia to estimate their responses to heavy metals. We considered differences or similarities in behavioural reactions of nematodes to different quantities of selected heavy metals in the soil. Using the CCA analysis and t-value biplot diagrams with van Dobben circles, we split individual nematode genera by their tolerance/intolerance to the particular heavy metal into several clusters. Our results showed that (a) representatives of nematode genera showed concurrently positive and negative associations with two or more heavy metals, (b) most nematode genera expressed a strong positive relation with Ni and to a lesser extend with Cr and Zn, (c) taxonomically closely related nematodes did not demonstrated similar responses to the same pollutant. We assume that nematode genera with a higher level of tolerance to trace elements should be prioritized in the heavy metal bioindication instead of sensitive species, due to their longer persistence in the stressed environment and better indicative ability. We pointed nematode genera, which according to received results may serve as suitable sentinels for specific soil pollutants.

The mobility and plant uptake of gallium and indium, two emerging contaminants associated with electronic waste and other sources

Gallium (Ga) and indium (In) are increasingly susceptible to soil contamination via disposal of electronic equipment. Chemically similar to aluminium (Al), these elements may be mobile and bioavailable under acidic conditions. We sought to determine extent and nature of Ga and In mobility in the soil – plant system and thus their potential to enter the food chain. Batch sorption experiments on a high fertility silt loam (pH 5.95, CEC 22 meq 100 g−1) showed strong retention of both elements to the soil matrix, with mean distribution coefficient (KD) values of 408 and 2021 L kg−1 for Ga and In respectively. KD increased with concentration, which we attributed to precipitation of excess ions as insoluble hydroxides. KD decreased with increased pH as Ga/In(OH)2+ and Ga/In(OH)2+ transitioned to Ga/In(OH)4-. Movement into the aboveground portions of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was low, with bioaccumulation factors of 0.0037 for Ga and 0.0002 for In; foliar concentrations peaked at 11.6 mg kg−1 and 0.015 mg kg−1 respectively. The mobility of Ga and In in the soil - plant system is low compared to other common trace element contaminants such as cadmium, copper, and zinc. Therefore, Ga and In are likely to accumulate in soils and soil ingestion, either directly, via inhaled dust, or dust attached to food, will be the largest pathway into the food chain. Future work should focus on the effect of redox conditions on Ga and In, as well as uptake into acidophilic plants such as Camellia spp., which accumulate Al.

Dissolved and particulate trace elements in late summer Arctic melt ponds

Melt ponds are a prominent feature of Arctic sea ice during the summer and play a role in the complex interface between the atmosphere, cryosphere and surface ocean. During melt pond formation and development, micronutrient and contaminant trace elements (TEs) from seasonally accumulated atmospheric deposition are mixed with entrained sedimentary and marine-derived material before being released to the surface ocean during sea ice melting. Here we present particulate and size-fractionated dissolved (truly soluble and colloidal) TE data from five melt ponds sampled in late summer 2015, during the US Arctic GEOTRACES (GN01) cruise. Analyses of salinity, δ18O, and 7Be indicate variable contributions to the melt ponds from snowmelt, melting sea ice, and surface seawater. Our data highlight the complex TE biogeochemistry of late summer Arctic melt ponds and the variable importance of different sources for specific TEs. Dissolved TE concentrations indicate a strong influence from seawater intrusion for V, Ni, Cu, Cd, and Ba. Ultrafiltration methods reveal dissolved Fe, Zn, and Pb to be mostly colloidal (0.003–0.2 μm), while Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, and Cd are dominated by a truly soluble (<0.003 μm) fraction. Isotopically light dissolved Fe in some melt ponds suggests that photochemical and/or biologically driven redox cycling also takes place. Comparisons of particulate TE/Al ratios to mean crustal values indicate influences from lithogenic sources, including natural aerosols and/or sedimentary material, with significant enrichments for some elements, including Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb, that may result from anthropogenic aerosols, biogenic material, and/or in situ scavenging of dissolved TEs. Our results indicate that melt ponds represent a transitional environment in which some atmospherically-derived TEs undergo physical and/or chemical changes before their release to the surface ocean. As a result, the ongoing changes in sea ice areal extent, thickness, and melt season length are likely to influence the bioavailability of atmospheric TE input to the surface Arctic Ocean, with material released from snow and sea ice via melt ponds earlier in the summer and with more extensive direct deposition to the ocean surface.

Regional risk assessment of trace elements in farmland soils associated with improper e-waste recycling activities in Southern China

Trace elements contamination in soils caused by improper electrical waste (e-waste) recycling activities has attracted a lot of attention, and soaring levels of trace elements in e-waste recycling sites and the adjacent farmlands were well-recognized. However, the knowledge of pollution degree, ecological risk of trace elements in a whole e-waste recycling region was still limited. In this study, soil samples collection was conducted in a typical e-waste recycling region (approximately 30 km2), and the concentrations of eight trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were analyzed. Moreover, pollution index, enrichment factor, potential ecological risk, hazard quotient, and hazard index were calculated and used to assess the risk of the ecosystem and human health. The results showed that the mean concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Hg were significantly higher than their standard values of China; the excess portion was 90.2% for Cu, 87.4% for Cd, and 47.6% for Hg, indicating the regional contamination of these metals. The values of enrichment factors further demonstrated that Cd, Cu, and Hg were the most significantly enriched metals in the study area, which might be associated with e-waste activities. On the other hand, the concentrations of Cr and Ni were comparable with their background values, suggesting that they were mainly affected by soil parent materials. Health risk assessment indicated that the carcinogenic risk for the local habitants was unacceptable. Results of this study suggest that soil remediation strategies in e-waste recycling region should not only focus on the sites where e-waste recycling facilities located (i.e. hot spots), but consideration should also be given to control regional risk in farmlands.

Trace element contaminant uptake in phytocap vegetation and implications for koala habitat, Lismore, Australia.

Phytocapping is increasingly regarded as an economical and environmentally sustainable post-closure landfill management strategy. During 2013, a phytocap comprised of koala habitat trees was established on a historic landfill site in Lismore as part of an Australian trial program (A-ACAP). This case study was conducted to determine trace element contamination of the Lismore phytocap soil and foliage, and identify risks to grazing koalas. Foliage of Eucalyptus tereticornis, a key koala food tree, and Acacia melanoxylon, a reference native species, were assessed at the phytocap and an uncontaminated reference site. Concentrations of Ag, As, Hg and Pb were significantly higher in foliage from the phytocap compared to that from the reference site (p < 0.0001df 7, 52). Mean trace element concentrations in phytocap E. tereticornis foliage were compliant with state and international standards for contaminants in food and animal feed (NSW State Government, 2010; WHO and FAO, 2015) and soil was compliant with national health-based investigation levels for contaminated sites (NEPC, 2011). However, contaminant distribution was not homogenous, and As and Pb concentrations exceeded guidelines in some soil and foliage samples. Based on available guidelines and weekly dietary intake calculations, risks to koala health posed by trace element contamination of phytocap foliage are currently low, though should be managed by continued monitoring as the vegetation matures.

Assessment of trace element contamination of urban surface soil at informal industrial sites in a low-income country.

Trace elements released by human activity are ubiquitously detected in surface soil. The trace element contamination statuses of 20 sampling stations at two busy informal industrial sites of Harare city, Zimbabwe, were evaluated using geochemical indices. Spectrophotometric determinations of concentrations of trace elements in surface soil indicated generally higher values than the reference site and the average upper earth's crust. High contamination factors were observed for trace elements across sampling stations at Gazaland and Siyaso informal industrial sites. Concentrations exhibited heterogeneous distribution of trace elements in surface soil varying with the nature of activity at a sampling station. The pollution load index and degree of contamination suggested highly contaminated surface soil with Cd, Cu and Pb particularly where the following activities were done: (1) welding, (2) automobile maintenance and (3) waste dumping. These results may be very important to reduce soil contamination. Paving surfaces may help to reduce dispersal of trace elements deposited on surface soil to other stations and minimise human exposure via inhalation and contact.

Distribution and environmental assessment of trace elements contamination of water, sediments and flora from Douro River estuary, Portugal

The present study evaluated the content and distribution of several trace elements (Li, Be, Al, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb, and U) in the Douro River estuary. For that, three matrices were collected (water, sediments and native local flora) to assess the extent of contamination by these elements in this estuarine ecosystem. Results showed their occurrence in estuarine water and sediments, but significant differences were recorded on the concentration levels and pattern of distribution among both matrices and sampling points. Generally, the levels of trace elements were higher in the sediments than in the respective estuarine water. Nonetheless, no correlation among trace elements was determined between water and sediments, except for Cd. Al was the trace element found at highest concentration at both sediments and water followed by Zn. Pollution indices such as geo-accumulation (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF) and contamination factor (CF) were determined to understand the levels and sources of trace elements pollution. Igeo showed strong contamination by anthropogenic activities for Li, Al, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ba and Pb at all sampling points while EF and CF demonstrated severe enrichment and contamination by Se, Sb and Pb. Levels of trace elements were compared to acceptable values for aquatic organisms and Sediment Quality Guidelines. The concentration of some trace elements, namely Al, Pb and Cu, were higher than those considered acceptable, with potential negative impact on local living organisms. Nevertheless, permissible values for all trace elements are still not available, demonstrating that further studies are needed in order to have a complete assessment of environmental risk. Furthermore, the occurrence and possible accumulation of trace elements by local plant species and macroalgae were investigated as well as their potential use as bioindicators of local pollution and for phytoremediation purposes.

Clinical and pathogenetic role of endogenous and exogenous metals in gonocoxarthrosis, contained in the prosthetic knee and hip joints

Topicality. Gonocoxarthrosis is accompanied by microelementoses proceeding with a disorder in the body levels of many essential and toxic metals. After endoprosthesis replacement, the content of such metals as Co, Cr, Ti, and others in the blood changes. They are able to determine the "durability" of the prosthesis transplantants and the further course of osteoarthosis (osteoarthritis) of the knee and hip joints.Objective — to determine levels of metals in blood and hair of patients with gonococcemia, which were part of a joint endoprosthesis (Al, Co, Cr, Fe, Mo, Ni, Ti, V), comparing with the indicators of Co, Cr, Mo, Ni, Ti and V in the soil of areas of patients residence, to evaluate the clinical and pathogenetic significance of endogenous and exogenous microelements in different variants of the disease.Matherial and methods. The study involved 87 patients with gonarthrosis (45% men and 55% women aged on average age 53 years). I, II and III stages of the disease respectively were diagnosed in 28%, 41% and 31% of the observations, polyarthrosis occurred in 53%, osteochondrosis — 92%, spondiloarthrosis of bootastic joints in 71% of clinically symptomatic synovitis 67%. To study the performance of metals in the organism the atomic absorption spectrometer "SolAAr-Mk2-MOZe" with electrographyte atomizer (UK) was used. Assessment of anthropogenic trace element contamination of soil by metals was made by sanitary stations and the regional offices of the State committees for Hydrometeorology, environmental control and environmental safety.Results. If gonocoxarthrosis in the blood serum is accompanied by a significant rise in blood levels of Ti and V, in hair — Al, Fe and Ti, while decreasing in the first object of study Fe, and the second Co, Cr and Mo, and further development of lesions of the hip joints occurs with higher blood levels of Ti and V, in the hair — Ti against the background of oppression of the contents of the Cr. Indicators correlate among themselves, depending on the degree of severity of the disease, affect the severity of degenerative inflammatory changes. The level of Ti in the soil is directly correlated with the concentrations of Fe and Mo in the serum, and the settings in the hair of Al, Co, Cr, Mo, Ni, Ti and V in the hair depending on the content of Co, Cr, Ni and V in the soil, and the integral indexes of the severity of microelements in blood and hair of patients with gonarthrosis has direct dispersion-correlation connections, respectively, with the indices Cr and V in the soil, with Co, Ti and V have an impact on the formation of the epiphyseal osteoporosis, ligamentos, trabecular edema of the femur and of the patella, damage to the anterior cruciate ligament.Conclusions. Gonocoxarthrosis is accompanied by microelementoses of metals contained in endoprothesis of knee and hip joints, which is closely associated with the same level of metals in the soil of the region of patients residence and forces the necessitaty of study of the status of the trace element composition in blood and hair of patients in the process of dynamic observation after joint replacement taking into account the nature of the environmental areas.

Correction: TURDI, M. et al. Trace Elements Contamination and Human Health Risk Assessment in Drinking Water from the Agricultural and Pastoral Areas of Bay County, Xinjiang, China; Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13, 938.

In the original version of our article[...].

Trace Elements in Marine Sediment and Organisms in the Gulf of Thailand.

This review summarizes the findings from studies of trace element levels in marine sediment and organisms in the Gulf of Thailand. Spatial and temporal variations in trace element concentrations were observed. Although trace element contamination levels were low, the increased urbanization and agricultural and industrial activities may adversely affect ecosystems and human health. The periodic monitoring of marine environments is recommended in order to minimize human health risks from the consumption of contaminated marine organisms.

Spatial variations in trace element concentrations of the sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus, a first reference study in the Mediterranean Sea

A study on Trace Elements (TE) from sea urchin gonads has been conducted in the western Mediterranean Sea. Contamination data were used to determine a Trace Method Pollution Index (TEPI). TE concentrations varied considerably depending on the location of the sampling stations. The results showed that five trace elements (Zn, Fe, As, Al, Cu) are ubiquitous. The geographical area considered (Corsica) represents an important range of environmental conditions and types of pressure that can be found in the western Mediterranean Sea. TEPI was used to classify the studied sites according to their degree of contamination and allowed reliable comparison of TE contamination between local and international sites. TE contamination of the western Mediterranean Sea displayed a north-to-south gradient, from the Italian coasts down through the insular Corsican coasts to the north African littoral. Due to the increasing environmental pressure on the Mediterranean Sea, a regular monitoring of TE levels in marine organisms is necessary to prevent any further environmental deterioration.

Seasonal variations and environmental risk assessment of trace elements in the sediments of Uppanar River estuary, southern India

Twenty four surface sediments were gathered from the Uppanar river estuary, southern India to evaluate the trace element contamination risk in the sediments. The circulation of organic matter and calcium carbonate were controlled by algal blooms and shell fragments. Moreover, the concentrations of iron and manganese in the estuarine sediments were possibly contributed by riverine sources and geogenic processes. The geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor and contamination factor reveals that the sediments were contaminated by copper and chromium. The pollution load index recommends that the estuarine sediments have the risk of pollution. The sediment pollution index highlights that the majority of the sediments are low polluted sediments. The potential ecological risk index discloses that the Uppanar river estuary is under moderate risk. The statistical analysis reveals that the organic matter content is managed by fine fractions and the majority of the trace elements are associated with each other having similar origin.