Distribution Of Trace Metals In Sediments Research Articles

Metal enrichment in sediments and bioaccumulation in edible bivalve Saccostrea cucullata from mudflats of a tropical estuary, India: a study to investigate toxicity and consumption suitability

Mudflat sediment cores from lower (C-1), middle (C-2), and lower regions of upper (C-3) Chapora Estuary were investigated for grain size composition, total organic carbon, total and bioavailable Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, and Zn to assess metal contamination. Accumulation of metals by Saccostrea cucullata was studied to understand metal toxicity. In core C-1, Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, and Zn showed an average concentration of 1.73%, 648ppm, 12ppm, 12ppm, 16ppm, and 25ppm, respectively, while core C-2 revealed their average concentration as 1.34%, 709ppm, 10ppm, 11ppm, 13ppm, and 28ppm respectively. In core C-3, an average concentration of Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, and Zn was 1.72%, 907ppm, 14ppm, 13ppm, 18ppm, and 31ppm respectively. Metals in sediments varied within the estuary due to hydrodynamics, discrepancies in metal sources and sand mining-induced remobilization of metals. Correlation and principal component analysis revealed Fe oxides as the key regulator of trace metal distribution in sediments along with clay and total organic carbon. Enrichment factor (EF) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) showed more or less moderate contamination of Mn in core C-3. Also, the potential contamination index (PCI) indicated moderate contamination of Mn in core C-3 using the shale value as background concentration, whereas the application of upper crustal value revealed moderate contamination of Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, and Ni in core C-1, Mn, Co, and Ni in core C-2 and of Cu, Co, and Ni in core C-3. Mn was severely to very severely contaminated in core C-3. The mean probable effect level quotient and mean effect range median quotient showed medium to low-level contamination of Cu, Ni, and Zn. Metals were considerably allied to Fe-Mn oxide and organic/sulphide fractions which revealed their bioavailability. Mn was 36% in labile form (lower estuary) and indicated a high risk to biota. Mn, Ni, and Zn in Saccostrea cucullata exceeded the permissible limit and suggested toxicity and non-suitability for human consumption.

Pollution assessment and land use land cover influence on trace metal distribution in sediments from five aquatic systems in southern USA

Trace elements and heavy metals concentrate in aquatic sediments, potentially endangering benthic organisms. Comparing the concentration of metals in different aquatic bodies will help evaluate their accumulation and distribution characteristics within these systems. Metal pollution and enrichment indices in sediments from diverse aquatic systems in Southern USA, including agricultural ponds, man-made reservoir, river, swamp, and coastal environment were investigated. Following total digestion of the sediments, the concentrations of chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd), antimony (Sb), lead (Pb), and uranium (U) were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Pb was found to be highly enriched in the sediment samples from all five environments. The samples from coastal and agricultural ponds showed highest degree of anthropogenic modification (enrichment factor >10), especially with Se, U, and Pb. Agricultural ponds, previously unknown as a metal hotspot, had the most deteriorated sediment quality as determined by high pollution load index (>1) and contamination factor (>6) for Cd and U. Principal component analysis comparing land use land cover distribution surrounding the aquatic systems to metal concentrations confirmed that agriculture-related land activities correlated well with majority of the metals. Overall, compared to agricultural ponds and coastal regions, sediments in river, swamp and man-made reservoir systems contained relatively fewer metal pollutants, the former two serving as collection points for metal-laden fertilizers and chemicals. The research provides key insights into simultaneously comparing metal accumulation in multiple water bodies and is useful to test and develop effective sediment quality guidelines.

CHARACTERISTICS OF MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY FROM HA TINH TO QUANG NAM (60-100M WATER DEPTH)

CHARACTERISTICS OF MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY FROM HA TINH TO QUANG NAM (60-100M WATER DEPTH)

Assessment of trace metal contamination in a historical freshwater canal (Buckingham Canal), Chennai, India

The present study was done to assess the sources and the major processes controlling the trace metal distribution in sediments of Buckingham Canal. Based on the observed geochemical variations, the sediments are grouped as South Buckingham Canal and North Buckingham Canal sediments (SBC and NBC, respectively). SBC sediments show enrichment in Fe, Ti, Mn, Cr, V, Mo, and As concentrations, while NBC sediments show enrichment in Sn, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Hg. The calculated Chemical Index of Alteration and Chemical Index of Weathering values for all the sediments are relatively higher than the North American Shale Composite and Upper Continental Crust but similar to Post-Archaean Average Shale, and suggest a source area with moderate weathering. Overall, SBC sediments are highly enriched in Mo, Zn, Cu, and Hg (geoaccumulation index (I(geo)) class 4-6), whereas NBC sediments are enriched in Sn, Cu, Zn, and Hg (I(geo) class 4-6). Cu, Ni, and Cr show higher than Effects-Range Median values and hence the biological adverse effect of these metals is 20%; Zn, which accounts for 50%, in the NBC sediments, has a more biological adverse effect than other metals found in these sediments. The calculated I(geo), Enrichment Factor, and Contamination Factor values indicate that Mo, Hg, Sn, Cu, and Zn are highly enriched in the Buckingham Canal sediments, suggesting the rapid urban and industrial development of Chennai Metropolitan City have negatively influenced on the surrounding aquatic ecosystem.

Sedimentation and trace metal distribution in selected locations of Sundarbans mangroves and Hooghly estuary, Northeast coast of India

Four sediment cores were collected from selected locations of Sundarbans mangroves and Hooghly estuary, northeast coast of India to establish (210)Pb geochronology and trace metal distribution in sediments. Core sites were chosen to reflect a matrix of variable anthropogenic input and hydrological conditions. The vertical distribution of (210)Pb(xs) ((210)Pb(total)-(226)Ra) provided reliable geochronological age to calculate the mass accumulation rates and historic trace element inputs and their variations. The mass accumulation rates ranged from 0.41 g cm(-2) year(-1) (estuarine region) to 0.66 g cm(-2) year(-1) (mangrove region). Both in mangroves and estuarine systems, Fe-Mn oxy-hydroxides are observed to be a major controlling factor for trace metal accumulation when compared to organic carbon. Core collected from Hooghly estuary shows less contamination when compared to the mangrove region due to high energy and mostly coarse grained. Fe-normalized enrichment factors (EFs) of trace metals were calculated based on crustal trace element abundances. The EFs are typically >1 for Cd, Pb, Co, and Cu indicating that these metals are highly enriched while other metals such as Zn, Ni, Cr, and Mn show no enrichment or depletion. Both Sundarbans mangroves and Hooghly estuary have been receiving considerable pollution loads from anthropogenic sources such as industrial, domestic, and shipping activities in recent times, indicating high concentration of metals in the top few layers. This study suggests that the variation in trace metals content with depth or between mangrove and estuarine system results largely from metal input due to anthropogenic activities rather than diagenetic processes.

Trace metal distribution in sediments of northern continental shelf of Crete Island, Eastern Mediterranean

The present study investigates the distribution of trace metals (Zn, Hg, Cd, Cu, and Pb), as indicators of pollution, in the surficial offshore shelf sediments along the northern coast of Heraklion Prefecture (Crete, Mediterranean Sea). The concentrations and the spatial distribution of the different trace metals, in relation to the sedimentological characteristics and the water circulation pattern of the entire continental shelf, are associated with human inshore sources of pollutants located along the coastline of the study area. Although the trace metal concentrations measured are higher than the background values, they are not considered to be dangerous to human health, as they are lower than the standard values given by the World Health Organisation, with only a few localised exceptions. Furthermore, results reveal the important role of local hydrodynamism that moves fine-grained material and associated trace metals offshore (seawards to wave breaking zone) and then transports them eastwards by entrapping them in the prevailing offshore shelf-water circulation.

Trace metal distribution in sediments of the Pearl River Estuary and the surrounding coastal area, South China

Surface sediments and sediment cores collected at the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) and its surrounding coastal area were analysed for total metal concentrations, chemical partitioning, and Pb isotopic compositions. The distribution of Cu, Cr, Pb, and Zn demonstrated a typical diffusion pattern from the land to the direction of the sea. Two hotspots of trace metal contamination were located at the mixed zone between freshwater and marine waters. The enrichment of metals in the sediments could be attributed to the deposition of the dissolved and particulate trace metals in the water column at the estuarine area. The similar Pb isotopic signatures of the sediments at the PRE and its surrounding coastal area offered strong evidence that the PRE was a major source of trace metals to the adjacent coastal area. Slightly lower 206Pb/ 207Pb ratios in the coastal sediments may indicate other inputs of Pb in addition to the PRE sources, including the inputs from Hong Kong and other parts of the region.

Grain size effect on trace metals distribution in sediments from two coastal areas of Chile.

Marine environment contamination by trace metals has received increased global attention during recent years. Presently it is widely recognized that marine ecosystem can become contaminated by trace metals from numerous and diverse sources. However, anthropogenic activities, such as mining and industrial processing of ores and metals, still remain the principal cause of the increased amount of heavy metals which have been dumped into oceans. After entering the aquatic environment trace metals are distributed among water, biotic and sediment compartments, this latter serving as a final sink for metal pollutants. The magnitude of this scavenging action of sediments depends on the physical, chemical and biological properties of the sediments. Concentrations of trace metals in sediments are usually of a greater magnitude order than concentrations in water. Sediments were considered as an important indicator for environmental pollution, they act as permanent or temporary traps for material spread into the environment. The purpose of this study was to determine the grain size effect on the copper, cadmium and zinc levels distribution in surface marine sediments along the Chilean Coast. 18 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.

Sediment transport in the Cauvery River basin: sediment characteristics and controlling factors

During the monsoon period, 75% of the annual rainfall, 73% of the annual water discharge and 85% of the annual sediment transport takes place in the Cauvery River. Basin geology and river water discharge are the major natural factors controlling the sediment transport. Sediment transport in the Cauvery River is greatly influenced by the presence of two major dams built across the river. An examination of the particle-size distribution of the suspended sediments shows that the less than 20 μm fraction accounts for nearly 60% of the total sediment transported by the river. At dam sites, coarse sediments are selectively removed from the suspended load. The suspended mineralogy is dominated by quartz and feldspar, followed by clay minerals and carbonates. Clay minerals average about 30% and are dominated by the montmorillonite type. The results of our study also demonstrate the importance of such sediment characteristics as particle size and mineralogy in controlling the trace metal distribution in sediments.

Trace metal distribution in sediments and benthic fauna of Haifa Bay, Israel

Haifa Bay, although adjacent to major chemical and other industries, showed no significant contamination of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn in the sediments or benthic biota except for one station opposite the polluted Kishon river estuary. There was moderate to low Hg contamination throughout the bay, derived from the outfall of a chlor-alkali plant. The levels of Hg in the surficial sediment and biota have not changed significantly over the last 7 years, a period when effluent treatment was operating at the chlor-alkali plant. Using pollutant laden particles from recognized point sources as tracers for sediment transport, it was concluded that the southern part of Haifa Bay is an area of net sedimentation. No sediment from this area was detected further north in the bay. Sediments introduced at the north of the bay spread both north and south. Within most of the bay there has been no major sediment accumulation or erosion over the past 7 years.

Influence of sedimentological features on the distribution of trace metals in marine sediments

The most important parameters influencing trace metal distribution in sediments are reviewed. The accent is put on sedimentation rate, grain size distribution and the knowledge of past events through sedimentological and mineralogical parameters. It is concluded that chemical data must be compared to sedimentological data before being interpreted.