Trace Metals In Sediment Samples Research Articles

Monitoramento ambiental da qualidade dos sedimentos e do status dos vestígios de metais em um rio tropical perene no sul da Índia: uma exploração usando análise multivariada

Abstract: Aim The Kallada River is exposed to several kinds of pollution from domestic, civic, recreational, and agricultural activities and human settlements. The objectives of the study were to assess sediment quality, especially the trace metal concentration and to compare with the previous reports on the sources of pollutants in the Kallada River. Methods A total of 12 sediment variables including the following metals: iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), and zinc (Zn) were analyzed. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to detect trace metal concentration in the sediment samples. Statistical tools such as Pearson’s correlation, Principal component analysis (PCA), and Cluster analysis (CA) were employed to analyze the data and source of pollutants. Results This investigation indicated that Fe was the most accumulated element in the sediments, and the midstream (K6 and K10) and downstream sites (K11 to K15) showed a much higher concentration level than the upstream sites. The concentrations of trace metals in sediment samples followed the order Fe> Mn> Cu>Zn. Conclusions The present study concluded that major sources of pollutants were sewage and civic effluents and agricultural discharges. These may cause a severe threat to the Kallada River and health risk to the local populations, which rely on the river, primarily for drinking purposes. Hence, appropriate conservation policies to reduce pollution are therefore essential.

Trace metal fractions, sources, and risk assessment in sediments from Umurbey Stream (Çanakkale-Turkey).

Trace metal contamination has become a worldwide problem for aquatic systems, as sediments act as a sink for trace metals. This study was conducted to assess geochemical fractions, sources and potential risks of trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in sediments of Umurbey stream (Çanakkale-Turkey). Sediment samples were taken from seven different locations of Umurbey stream. Aqua regia wet digestion procedure was applied to determine total contents of trace metals and BCR sequential extraction procedure was applied to determine geochemical fractions of trace metals. Trace metal total values were ordered as Zn > Pb > Cr > Cu > Ni > Cd. Just because of topography, geology, and agricultural practices, S4, S5, S6, and S7 sampling points had greater total trace metal concentrations than the other locations. Potential mobility of trace metals in sediment samples was ordered as Cd (62.1%) > Zn (60.8%) > Pb (54.8%) > Cu (46.1%) > Cr (43.0%) > Ni (29.7%). Cd, Zn, Pb, and partially Cu were encountered mostly in mobile phases. Multivariate analyses revealed that pollution in sediment samples was originated from not only anthropogenic but also natural factors. Except for Zn, trace metal concentrations were found to be at tolerable levels of biota. When the contamination factor and risk assessment code results were assessed together, it was observed that Cd, Zn, and partially Pb were weakly adsorbed onto sediments, thus might pose risks on environment in the long run.

Assessment of trace metals and its pollution load indicators in water and sediments between Upper and Grand Anicuts in the Cauvery

This study focuses on the contamination level of trace metals in river water, its sediments, the surrounding groundwater and its soil sediments. The region stretching between Upper Anicut and Grand Anicut in the Cauvery delta in Trichy District, Tamil Nadu, India, was chosen for study. This stretch of the river Cauvery experiences maximum quantum of water flow during the monsoon season. Once a perennial river, in recent decades, it experiences only seasonal flow. The Cauvery is the lifeline of millions of people and various flora and fauna. The Cauvery irrigates thousands of hectares of cultivable land, and its delta has sustained the enviable name—the ‘Granary of the South.’ However, the contamination of water and sediments poses grave threat to all life forms. In this study, by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) the presence of seven trace metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Fe, Pb and Zn in water and sediments was ascertained. The trace metal contamination level in sediments was predicted by pollution load indicators such as pollution load index (PLI), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF) and contamination factor (CF).The concentration level of trace metals in water and sediments was determined for four different seasons of a year, at 11 locations (five from river sites and six from land sites) along the Cauvery. A higher-level concentration of Fe 2.18 mg/l and 2.95 mg/kg was found in water and sediments, respectively, during the four different seasons. It was also found to have a low-level concentration of Ni with a range of 0.09 mg/l and 0.24 mg/kg in water and sediments, respectively, for four different seasons. Based on pollution load indicators, the PLI values of trace metals in sediment samples in all four seasons were less than zero; the Igeo values of trace metals in sediment in all four seasons were less than zero; the contamination factor (CF) values of all heavy metals except cadmium in sediments samples in all seasons were less than zero; the enrichment factor (EF) value of trace metals in all sediment in all four seasons was higher than 40. Eventually, it was disclosed that the study area was lightly contaminated by the presence of the trace metals Fe and Cd than other trace metals. It is a known fact that all living organisms need some trace metals including cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, strontium and zinc. When the levels of essential metals exceed the desirable limit, they prove to be detrimental to the organisms. Similarly, the presence of nonessential metals like cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead, arsenic and antimony in water bodies causes undesirable effects on human and aquatic life. Once these metals enter into the system, they are capable of reacting with a variety of binding sites in the human body. Thus, this study assumes significance.

Distribution, source apportionment, bioavailability and ecological risks of metals in reef sediments and corals of the Persian Gulf (Iran): Khark Island, Chirouyeh, and Hendorabi Island

Abstract The concentrations of some trace metals in the Acropora downingi coral skeleton and sediment samples of Khark Island, Chirouyeh and Hendorabi Island in the northern part of the Persian Gulf were evaluated to determine the ecological risks of trace metal contamination in the sediment. Risk assessment indices revealed that Cd in all of the studied areas as well as Ni and Pb in Chirouyeh site would be expected to cause ecological risk occasionally. Moreover, Chirouyeh site showed a high tendency for trace metal adsorption. Khark and Chirouyeh sites showed higher risk values than the unpopulated Hendorabi, indicating that the anthropogenic activities had a significant impact on the trace metal contamination. Multivariate clustering dendrogram and Pearson's correlation coefficient indicated that Pb originated mainly from anthropogenic sources, Cu originated from both anthropogenic and natural sources, while other metals mainly originated from natural sources. The adsorption rate of trace metals in sediment samples was significantly correlated with the physico-chemical properties of the environment, whereas the uptake of trace metals by the Acropora downingi corals seemed to be dependent on their metabolic factors. Overall, the results showed that coral (Acropora downingi) reef ecosystems of the Persian Gulf are at the low to moderate risk of trace metal contamination of the bottom sediment. Overall, this study provides a 'snapshot' of the status of trace metals pollution in the coral reef ecosystems of the Persian Gulf, and also highlights the need for long-term studies in order to understand, monitor and mitigate further trace metal pollution in the region.

Fractionation And Environmental Risk Of Trace Metals In Surface Sediment Of The East China Sea By Modified BCR Sequential Extraction Method

Geochemical fractionation of Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Cobalt (Co), Zink (Zn), Iron (Fe) and Manganese (Mn) in sediment of the East China Sea were determined using four-stages of modified BCR sequential extraction method combination with ICP-MS. The total concentration of trace metals in sediment samples were in the following order: Fe >Mn>Pb> Zn > Co > Cd. Cd is present mainly in acid soluble fraction. Pb and Mn are in the group with presenting of easy reducible fraction and acid soluble fraction. Fe and Co were found in a group with mainly in residual fraction, while Zn was distributed in all four fractions. The highest contamination factors were found for Cd and Mn while the lowest were found for Fe and Co in almost station. The result showed low risk for Fe and Co in all station, Pb (except S2 and S3), Zn at S3,S6 and S7, and Mn at S1. A medium risk is indicated for Pb at S2 and S3, Zn at S1 and S5, and Mn at S2 and S6. A high risk showed for Zn at S2 and S4, and Mn at S4 and S5, while Cd at almost station (except S4) was very high risk.

Relationship between periphyton biomarkers and trace metals with the responses to environment applying an integrated biomarker response index (IBR) in estuaries.

Estuaries are under great anthropogenic pressure. The presence of contaminants such as trace metals, organics and organometallics in the Haihe basin, Baohai Bay China indicates a deterioration of environmental quality. In this study the ecological status of three estuaries in Haihe basin was evaluated in relation to the presence of trace metals. An integrated biomarker response index (IBR) method was applied that combined biomarker responses in natural periphyton present on surface sediment with general "stress index". Sediment samples were collected at 11 sites throughout three estuaries of Haihe basin (Luanhe, Haihe and Zhangweixin) during three seasons. The IBR values indicated that the temporal variation of biological status was autumn (3.35) < spring (3.38) < summer (4.07) (The higher the value, the worse the biological status), while the spatial variation was Zhangweixin (0.73) < Luanhe (3.31) < Haihe (6.96) in spring and autumn, and Luanhe (1.79) < Zhangweixin (3.64) < Haihe (7.69) in summer. The risk quotients of trace metals in sediment samples were calculated based on the corresponding Effects Rang Low values. The temporal variation of risk quotients was autumn (10.76) < spring (11.78) < summer (15.99), while the estuarine variation was Luanhe (8.47) < Zhangweixin (12.29) < Haihe (19.42). The IBR values and risk quotients were fitted into cubic regression equations. It is proven that the good assessment of periphyton integrated biomarker responses to biological status and contaminated risk in estuarine zones.

Long-term monitoring of metal pollution in sediments from the estuary of the Nerbioi-Ibaizabal River (2005–2010)

This work aims to investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of trace metals in sediment samples taken from the Nerbioi-Ibaizabal River estuary (Bilbao, Basque Country) over the course of a long-term surveillance monitoring programme from 2005 to 2010. Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) and the geoaccumulation indexes (Igeo) were used to assess the environmental risk posed by metal content in the estuary sediment.Sediment was collected at eight different sites in the estuary every three months over the period of investigation. A total of 14 elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, V and Zn) were selected and the concentration of each was measured in all samples. Additionally, conductivity, pH and the concentration of carbonate, total organic carbon and fulvic and humic acids were also measured in those samples collected in sampling campaigns from March 2006 to October 2008.The concentration of most of the metals systematically decreased over the period of investigation. There are still some points of the estuary (those located in the surroundings of the Gobela and Galindo tributaries), however, where concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn are significantly higher than the background values estimated for the area. According to the mean Effects Range Median quotients (mERMqs) calculated for these sites, sediments may still pose a toxicological threat to living organisms. Metal content in inner estuary sediment is low.Specific point sources of metals to the estuary, together with background contamination of diffuse origin, are probably responsible for this situation.

English

This article reports on the level of toxic trace metals (Cd, Pb, Mn, Zn, Cu and Ni) in surface water and sediment along the Blaauwbankspruit in the West Rand District of South Africa. This spruit serves as receiving channel of wastewaters from sewage treatment plant and a gold mine. Some physical and chemical influences of released wastewater on the quality of the surface water, which is utilized for agricultural purposes was studied. Total trace metals in water and sediment samples were digested using mineral acid and then analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry. The mean concentrations of analyzed trace metals in water samples ranged from trace – 0.05, trace –0.11, 4.35 – 942.2, 0.10 – 0.41, 0.08 – 0.88 and 0.15 – 0.42 mg/l for Cd, Pb, Mn, Zn, Ni and Cu, respectively. The mean levels of trace metals in sediment samples also ranged between trace – 0.12,trace – 0.38, 12.3 – 2957.2, 0.13 – 2.57, 0.39 – 1.96 and 0.18 – 2.84 mg/g, respectively, in the above metallic order. Higher metallic load in sediments, compared to those in water samples were obtained. Safety limits, specified by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry for the use of water for domestic and irrigational purposes were exceeded in many samples. This further highlights the serious concern regarding the use of contaminated surface water. In addition, higher values of determinants obtained from sampling points close to the wastewater treatment plant and the mine exit channels strongly revealed their influence on the general quality of the stream. Detection of metals such as cadmium and lead above acceptable limits has dire consequences across the food chain.

Journal Scan

This work aims to investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of trace metals in sediment samples taken from the Nerbioi-Ibaizabal River estuary (Bilbao, Basque Country) over the course of a long-term surveillance monitoring programme from 2005 to 2010. Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) and the geoaccumulation indexes (Igeo) were used to assess the environmental risk posed by metal content in the estuary sediment.Sediment was collected at eight different sites in the estuary every three months over the period of investigation. A total of 14 elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, V and Zn) were selected and the concentration of each was measured in all samples. Additionally, conductivity, pH and the concentration of carbonate, total organic carbon and fulvic and humic acids were also measured in those samples collected in sampling campaigns from March 2006 to October 2008.The concentration of most of the metals systematically decreased over the period of investigation. There are still some points of the estuary (those located in the surroundings of the Gobela and Galindo tributaries), however, where concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn are significantly higher than the background values estimated for the area. According to the mean Effects Range Median quotients (mERMqs) calculated for these sites, sediments may still pose a toxicological threat to living organisms. Metal content in inner estuary sediment is low.Specific point sources of metals to the estuary, together with background contamination of diffuse origin, are probably responsible for this situation.

Determination of trace metals in the River Yeşilırmak sediments in Tokat, Turkey using sequential extraction procedure

Sequential extraction procedure (acid extractable, reducible, oxidizable, and residual) proposed by BCR was applied for the determination of trace metals in the River Yesilirmak sediments, Tokat, Turkey. The determination of trace metals in sediment samples was performed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The proposed method showed satisfactory recovery, detection limits and standard deviation for trace metals determination in sediment samples. Generally, most of the elements were found in the oxidizable and residual fractions. The total concentrations of trace metals analyzed were found to be (mg/kg) Cu: 37.9, Mn: 392.2, Zn: 126.2, Fe: 3726, and Pb: 29.6, respectively. Results obtained are in agreement with data reported in the literature.

Trace metal distribution in different chemical fractions of marine sediments along the eastern Aegean shelf

The major objective of this study was to carry out sequential chemical extraction for the partitioning of particulate trace metals in sediment samples, collected along the eastern Aegean shelf during cruises July‐August 1994, in the framework of a National Marine Measurement and Monitoring Programme for the Aegean Sea. Five metals, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cr were examined in each of sediment samples. Three chemical fractions of the sediments were separated and concentrations of the trace metals were determined by AAS techniques. The three different leaches used were hydroxylamine hydrochloride‐acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide and nitric‐perchloric acids. Metals were concentrated mainly in the fraction extracted by nitric‐perchloric acids. Lead in the first fraction were found in the sediments of Northern part of Aegean, where the concentration of organic material was high. The total concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr were higher in Izmir Bay than the other sampling points. The distribution of Pb concentrations was the highest in Edremit Bay and Izmir Bay.

Sedimentation rate and bioturbation in the Arabian Gulf

The Arabian Gulf is a shallow marginal sea of the Indian Ocean. It is a semi-closed basin which extends for nearly 1000 km from Shatt Al-Arab, the nexus of the Tigris, Euphrates, and Karun Rivers in the northwest, to the Strait of Hormuz in the southeast, and covers a surface area of about 239 000 km 2. In addition to Shatt Al-Arab, river inflow into the Gulf occurs primarily on the Iranian northeastern side, the estuary of major rivers such as the Hendijan, the Rud Hilleh, and the Mand. The bathymetry of the Inner Sea basin shallows to the northwest and to the west coast (Reynolds 1993), whilst the basin floor is asymmetric with its axis lying close to the Iranian Coast. It slopes gradually from the shallow deltaic northern part to deeper waters in the south, with the depth rarely exceeding 100 m (only 36 m on average). It is a region of great interest to environmental scientists. It is bordered by rock sequences which contain the richest oil deposits in the world, and one-third of world oil energy is transported through this body of water. Despite the tremendous stress exerted by oil production and transportation, this area was also a subject of man-made pollution. Between 19 and 30 January 1991, an estimated 10.8 million (1.7 Mm 3) barrels of oil were spilled deliberately by Iraqi troops in the Gulf waters, mainly from seven abandoned tankers and the Al-Ahmadi Sea Island terminal near the coast of Kuwait, in addition to smaller discharges from the Iraqi Mina Al-Bakr terminal and nearby sunken tankers, and the Saudi Ras Al-Zur refinery at Mina Sa'ud (Tawfiq and Olsen 1993). It is also estimated that 8 million (1.3 Mm 3) barrels of oil fallout from the smoke plumes of the 727 oil well blowouts and fires in Kuwait oil fields, started in late February 1991 by departing Iraqi troops, were deposited in the Gulf marine environment (Al-Rabeh et al. 1992; Literathy 1993). The airborne fallouts, which contained oil-combustion products, particularly ash, and trace metals originally present in the burnt crude oil, doubled the size of the oil slick and made the event the largest of its kind in the history of marine pollution (Reynolds 1993). As part of the efforts exerted by the international community to assess the impact of the Kuwait oil slick, an integrated programme was planned and sponsored by the Regional Organization for the Protection of Marine Environment (ROPME), the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The programme was partially achieved through a 100-day cruise in the region from February to June 1992 aboard the NOAA research vessel “Mt. Mitchell”. During this cruise, the Arabian Gulf was extensively surveyed and a large number of samples was collected for more than 100 offshore sampling stations. Two years later an integrated project plan was formulated by ROPME and IOC to study the long-term impact of the oil slick on the Gulf marine environment. As part of this plan, arrangements were made for a group of scientists to cruise the region aboard the Japanese research vessel “Umitake Maru” between 15 and 26 December 1993. The main objective of the Japanese cruise, however, was to study the effect of the oil slick on marine biota. Therefore, a limited number of sediment core samples was collected during the cruise from only 20 sampling stations selected for such biological studies (Al-Ghadban et al. 1996). Massoud et al. (1986) and Al-Abdali et al. (1996) carried out a series of sedimentological and geochemical studies on 112 sediment core samples (≈ 15 cm deep) collected from the Arabian Gulf during the 1992 Mt. Mitchell cruise to investigate the petroleum hydrocarbon and trace metal pollutants transferred from the Kuwait oil slick to the sea bed and residing in these sediments. Also, measurements taken for total organic carbon (TOC), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), and selected trace metals in sediment samples collected during the 1993 Umitaka Maru cruise were also compared with those made on samples collected from the same offshore sampling stations during the 1992 Mt. Mitchell cruise to throw light on the status of oil pollution in the Arabian Gulf and the fate and effect of the Kuwait oil slick three years after the oil was spilled. None of the previous studies provided detailed information about the nature and importance of sedimentation rate and bioturbation in the Arabian Gulf. Both environmental factors have certain implications in any data interpretation that concerns the fate of pollutants in any marine environment.

Trace metal distribution in different chemical fractions of nearshore marine sediments

The major objective of this study was to carry out sequential chemical extractions for the partitioning of particulate trace metals in sediment samples, collected from False Bay. Eight metals, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, were examined in each of 65 samples. Three chemical fractions of the sediments were separated and the concentrations of the trace metals were determined in each, by atomic absorption techniques. The three different leaches used were hydroxylamine hydrochloride-acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and nitricperchloric acids. Fe and Pb were concentrated mainly in the fraction extracted by nitric-perchloric acid, while Cu, Zn and Ni were found mainly in the peroxide fraction. Most of the metals in the peroxide phase were found in the finer sediments in the central area of the bay, where the concentration of organic meterial was high. The metal concentrations (except for Pb) correlated well with the organic content of the sediments.