Variations In Metal Concentrations Research Articles

Multivariate analysis of heavy metal contents of sediments from Gumusler creek, Nigde, Turkey

In this study, heavy metal contents of samples from Gumusler creek in Turkey were studied and the metal contamination characteristics were investigated. In this respect, considering the pollutant sites in the area, systematic sediment samples were collected in a zone starting from the manifestation part of the water to the entrance of the Karasu creek in Gumusler town. Samples were taken from lower section of the river bed at 30 stations along Gumusler creek, 13 km in length and their heavy metal contents were analyzed with XRF Spectrometer. Correlation coefficients, element coefitic coefficient correlation, dendogram hierarchical cluster, model summary and Annova analysis statistical methods were applied to data. Strong positive correlations were determined for some elements which are believed to have possibly the same origin. In addition, mineralizations in the area are thought to cause variation in metal contents. Results of chemical analysis show that soil limit values and clark values were exceeded. The heavy metal accumulation in the creek is believed to be derived from non-operated Sb-Hg-W and Fe quarries.

Insoluble detoxification of trace metals in a marine copepod Tigriopus brevicornis (Müller) exposed to copper, zinc, nickel, cadmium, silver and mercury

The marine harpacticoid copepods Tigriopus brevicornis were collected along the French Atlantic Coast (Loire Atlantique) and subsequently exposed to different lethal and sublethal concentrations of various metals (copper, zinc, nickel, cadmium, silver and mercury) for varying lengths of time. Ultrastructural investigations of control and experimentally exposed copepods were performed to investigate the intracellular localization of metals using transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). Copepod digestive epithelium cells as well as the cuticular integument were found to be the major metal storage tissues. Different types of metal-containing granules were found in both metal-exposed copepods and the controls: (1) within lysosomes, (2) in intracellular calcospherites and (3) in extracellular tiny granules. The elemental composition of the granules was determined on ultrathin sections by means of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results were interpreted by considering previous data in order to understand how Tigriopus brevicornis copes with the presence of metals in its environment.

Determination of Metals in Seafood and Fish in Southwest Louisiana

This review presents results of concentrations of various metals in seafood such as shrimp, oysters, alligators, crayfish, and crabs. The majority of results are presented from the authors' area of interest, namely southwest Louisiana. This area is typical and fairly representative of many areas around the world where the seafood industry and industrial chemical plants co‐exist. Inclusion of organics and near by areas of southwest Louisiana as well as selected results from around the world are presented for completeness. Heavy and toxic metals including Hg, Pb, and Cd have attracted the most interest. Concentrations of metals in seafood are often higher than expected. Studies on soil and sediments have allowed extrapolation of toxicity in seafood.

Seasonal variations in metal content of two Unio pictorum mancus (Mollusca, Unionidae) populations from two lakes of different trophic state

To assess the impact of lake trophy on trace element accumulation by Unio pictorum mancus, a population from the mesooligotrophic Lake Maggiore was compared with a population from the eutrophic Lake Candia. The element content in soft tissue and shell biomass, the seasonal variations of element concentrations in soft tissues and shell, and the relationship between element concentrations in the water and those in the tissues were estimated in pursuit of this objective. Thirteen mussel samplings were performed in Lake Maggiore between May 2003 and September 2004 and in Lake Candia between June 2003 and August 2004. Filtered water samples were collected seasonally. Water, shell and soft tissue samples were analysed by ICP-OES and ICP-MS for the measurement of following elements: Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, As, Pb, Co, Cr, Mo, V, Cd, Be and Ca. The element concentrations in the mussel tissues and shell from Lake Maggiore were higher than those from Lake Candia. Due to the higher population density and higher element concentrations in the mussels of Lake Maggiore, the element content in the biomass per m2 in this lake far exceeded that in Lake Candia. The element concentrations in the mussel tissues, but not in their shells, of both lakes showed a seasonal pattern of variation; this was to be expected as a result of the slower turnover time of the elements in the shell than in the tissues. For all the elements, except Mo, Cr and Be, the "concentration factor" (C.F.) value was higher in Lake Maggiore than in Lake Candia mussels, ranging from 10 to 104 and 10 to 103 respectively. The higher concentrations in the mussel tissues from Lake Maggiore were justified not merely by the higher element concentrations in the lake water, but probably also because other causes, such as element concentrations in food and element abundance in available forms, combine to affect the concentrations of the elements in the tissues.

Biological and ecological factors related to trace element levels in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from European waters

Selected trace elements (Cd, Cu, Hg, Se, Zn) were measured in the kidneys and the liver of 104 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded along the coasts of France, Galicia (Spain), Ireland, Scotland (UK), and the Netherlands. Generally, relatively low concentrations of toxic elements were encountered in the tissues of European porpoises, except for two individuals, which displayed high hepatic Hg concentrations. Also, elevated Cd levels obtained in Scottish porpoises could be related to their feeding preferences and this result suggests an increase of the proportion of cephalopods in their diet with latitude. Moreover, significant geographical differences were seen in hepatic Zn concentrations; the elevated Zn concentrations displayed by porpoises from the Netherlands may relate their poor health status. Variation in metal concentrations within porpoises from the North Sea is likely to reflect a long-term segregation between animals from northern (Scotland) and southern areas (the Netherlands), making trace elements powerful ecological tracers.

Metal accumulation in earthworms inhabiting floodplain soils

The main factors contributing to variation in metal concentrations in earthworms inhabiting floodplain soils were investigated in three floodplains differing in inundation frequency and vegetation type. Metal concentrations in epigeic earthworms showed larger seasonal variations than endogeic earthworms. Variation in internal levels between sampling intervals were largest in earthworms from floodplain sites frequently inundated. High and low frequency flooding did not result in consistent changes in internal metal concentrations. Vegetation types of the floodplains did not affect metal levels in Lumbricus rubellus, except for internal Cd levels, which were positively related to the presence of organic litter. Internal levels of most essential metals were higher in spring. In general, no clear patterns in metal uptake were found and repetition of the sampling campaign will probably yield different results.

Study of metals concentration levels in Patella piperata throughout the Canary Islands, Spain

In order to assess the extent of metal contamination at rocky shores of the Canarian Archipelago, metal concentrations have been measured in Patella piperata (Gould, 1846), using the standard atomic absorption spectrophotometer technique. Ranges of elements concentrations measured (in microg g(-1)) found in the biota were: Cd (0.36 +/- 0.26 microg g(-1) dry wt.), Cu (2.05 +/- 0.91 dry wt.), Pb (1.57 +/- 1.14 microg g(-1)dry wt.) and Zn (10.37 +/- 4.60 microg g(-1) dry wt.). Variation in metal concentrations in Patella, was tested by using non-parametric statistical methods. Cd content had a maximum in the Archipelago Chinijo, northward of Lanzarote Island. The metal concentrations recorded at the clean stations may be considered carefully if they are used like background levels.

Within- and Between-Person Variation in Environmental Concentrations of Metals, PAHs, and Pesticides Measured in NHEXAS, Maryland

Within- and Between-Person Variation in Environmental Concentrations of Metals, PAHs, and Pesticides Measured in NHEXAS, Maryland

Considerations on the sample size of wood mice used to biomonitor metals

The concentrations of various metals (Zn, Cu, Mn and Cr) in liver, kidneys and brain from specimens of the wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus captured from 5 sites were measured. Two of the sites were in a restored mine dump, another in an area characterized by serpentized soils and the remaining two were control sites. The sample size required for statistical differentiation of the sampling sites was calculated from the mean values and the variability in bioaccumulation corresponding to each of the sites. The relationship between the sample size and the results of the statistical test used to reveal significant differences between the mean concentrations of metals in organs from A. sylvaticus is demonstrated. The homeostatic control exerted by the wood mice on the tissue levels of metals reduced the interpopulational variability, thereby homogenizing the mean bioaccumulation corresponding to the different sampling stations. The sample size, tissue regulation of the levels of heavy metals and the patterns of variability are of vital importance in evaluating the usefulness of A. sylvaticus as a biomonitor of heavy metals.

Levels of metals, PCBs, PCNs and PAHs in soils of a highly industrialized chemical/petrochemical area: Temporal trend

In 2005, the concentrations of various metals and organic pollutants were analyzed in soils collected in different areas of Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain), where an important chemical/petrochemical complex is located. The levels of seven elements (As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Mn, Pb and V), as well as those of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in soils, and compared with those obtained in a background study carried out in 2002. Only Cd and Pb showed significant higher concentrations in the petrochemical zone, while no significant differences were found for the remaining elements. In turn, vanadium was the only element showing a significant increase in the concentration between 2002 and 2005. With regard to the organic pollutants, no significant differences were found according to the area of sampling. However, an increase in naphthalene levels was observed during the period 2002–2005 in soils of the chemical and petrochemical areas. According to the present results, it is suggested that the levels of vanadium must be periodically monitored to assure that the important industrialization of Tarragona does not mean health risks for the population living near the complex.

Influence of sediment provenance on background values of potentially toxic metals from near-surface sediments of Po coastal plain (Italy)

Systematic variability in metal concentrations is recorded in near-surface (1 m deep) Late Quaternary sediments of Po coastal plain, across the boundary between alluvial deposits of Apenninic provenance and a formerly active, now abandoned, delta lobe of the Po River. In the latter area, high Cr and Ni concentrations, exceeding the national standard limits, are attributed to sediment provenance from ultramafic source rocks of Po catchment basin, and not to anthropogenic impact. Spatial distribution of carbonate-related elements, such as Ca and Sr, displays consistent differences between the two areas, confirming a primary control of provenance domains on sediment composition. Accurate facies characterization of near-surface sediments, coupled with detailed information on sediment dispersal patterns, enable a reliable interpretation of the spatial variability of major elements and trace metals in the study area. Particularly, detailed reconstructions of source area composition and changes in flow directions through historical times allow precise correlation of apparently anomalous geochemical patterns with distinctive depositional events, such as shifts in channel course, crevasse splay formation and beach-ridge evolution. The findings of unusually high, natural (provenance-controlled) heavy metal concentrations in pre-industrial near-surface levels highlight the contribution of a sedimentological approach to a reliable interpretation of geochemical data. This should be taken into account when determining background values versus anthropogenic impact.

On-line detection of metal pollutant spikes in MSW incinerator flue gases prior to clean-up

SUWIC’s unique mobile metals emissions monitoring laboratory has been used to measure metal pollutant spikes in the flue gas from a municipal solid waste incinerator, prior to gas clean-up. The laboratory has a heated sampling probe that extends into the plant, allowing the simultaneous on-line measurement of the concentrations of more than 30 metals by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP–OES). As little is known about temporal variation in metal concentrations, this capability is seen as a major advance. The graphs of continuous measurements show that the elemental loading is far from uniform, and that concentrations fluctuate far more than may have been conventionally expected. There are occasional significant spikes in the emission profiles for cadmium and mercury, which are believed to be due to specific items in the waste feed material. Continuous monitoring measurements are of significant value for those seeking to model metal behaviour in combustion and in pollution control devices.

Spatial and Temporal Variations in Trace Metal Concentrations in the Cockle, Austrovenus Stutchburyi from Otago, New Zealand

This is the first comprehensive study of sources of variation in metal concentrations within the whole tissues of a shallow burrowing, filter-feeding intertidal clam, Austrovenus stutchburyi. Samples were collected from 12 sites in April, August, November and February in 1993-1994 in the vicinity of Otago Harbour and Peninsula, New Zealand. Total tissue trace metal concentrations (microg g(-1) dry weight) were measured in individual animals for the essential metals : Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni and the non-essential Cr using trace-metal clean acid-digestion and ICP-OAES techniques. Average metal concentrations were 3-60 microg g(-1) for Cu, 40-118 microg g(-1) for Zn, 2-12 microg g(-1) for Mn, 5-35 microg g(-1) for Ni and 1-44 microg g(-1) for Cr. These levels decreased with body weight and differed amongst sites except for Cr in February (mid-summer). Highest concentrations occurred at sites close to a city (Dunedin) and within the central harbour region although the Cu, Zn, Ni and Cr concentrations did not correlate with the environmental gradient or season. At one coastal site, samples of both the blue mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and cockles gave similar trends in trace metal levels. These results suggest that the cockle could be a useful trace metal biomonitor within NZ estuaries.

Seasonal and spatial patterns of metals at a restored copper mine site. I. Stream copper and zinc

Seasonal and spatial variations in metal concentrations and pH were found in a stream at a restored copper mine site located near a massive sulfide deposit in the Foothill copper-zinc belt of the Sierra Nevada, California. At the mouth of the stream, copper concentrations increased and pH decreased with increased streamflow after the onset of winter rain and, unexpectedly, reached extreme values 1 or 2 months after peaks in the seasonal hydrographs. In contrast, aqueous zinc and sulfate concentrations were highest during low-flow periods. Spatial variation was assessed in 400 m of reach encompassing an acidic, metal-laden seep. At this seep, pH remained low (2−3) throughout the year, and copper concentrations were highest. In contrast, the zinc concentrations increased with downstream distance. These spatial patterns were caused by immobilization of copper by hydrous ferric oxides in benthic sediments, coupled with increasing downstream supply of zinc from groundwater seepage.

Rapid natural acid weathering, physical erosion, and debris-flow hazards in scar areas developed on hydrothermally-altered rocks along the Red River Valley near Questa, New Mexico, USA

In southern Rocky Mountains, catchments characterized by acidic, metalliferous waters that are relatively unaffected by human activity usually occur within areas that have active or historical mining activity. The US Geological Survey has utilized these mineralized but unmined catchments to constrain geochemical processes that control the surfaceand ground-water chemistry associated with near surface acid weathering as well as to estimate premining conditions. Study areas include the upper Animas River watershed, Lake City, Mt. Emmons, and Montezuma in Colorado and Questa in New Mexico. Although host-rock lithologies range from Precambrian gneisses to Cretaceous sedimentary units to Tertiary volcanic complexes, mineralization is Tertiary in age and associated with intermediate to felsic composition, porphyritic plutons. Pyrite is ubiquitous. Variability of metal concentrations in water is caused by two main factors: mineralogy and hydrology. Parameters that potentially affect water chemistry include: host-rock lithology, intensity of hydrothermal alteration, sulfide mineralogy and chemistry, gangue mineralogy, length of flow path, precipitation, evaporation, and redox conditions. Springs and headwater streams have pH values as low as 2.5, sulfate up to 3700 mg/L and high dissolved metal concentrations (for example: A1 up to 170 rag/L; Fe up to 250 mg/L; Cu up to 3.5 mg/L and Zn up to 14 mg/L). With the exception of evaporative waters, the lowest pH values and highest Fe and A1 concentrations occur in water draining the most intense hydrothermally altered areas consisting of the mineral assemblage quartz-sericite-pyrite. Stream beds tend to be coated with iron floc, and some reaches are underlain by ferricrete. When iron-rich ground water interacts with oxygenated waters in the stream or hyporheic zone, ferrous iron is oxidized to ferric iron, which is less soluble, leading to the precipitation of iron oxyhydroxides. Ground-water wells have been drilled and sampled in two unmined, alpine catchments to characterize constituent concentrations, to identify hydrogeochemical processes controlling constituent concentrations, to determine rock hydraulic properties, and to delineate flow paths. By using an integrated approach to investigating surface and ground waters in these acidic catchments a more complete understanding of the hydrogeologic framework is gained.

Influence of nutritional factors upon the variation of essential metal concentrations on wound healing

Many wound healing processes could benefit from the correct concentration of essential metal species. The influence of some nutritional factors (drinking water, preferred drinks, etc.) and non-nutritional factors (age, sex, site of the wound, etc.) on the concentration of essential metals around normally healing acute wounds was investigated.Blood and the wound fluids collected with regard to post operative periods of day one, three and five from clean wounds of patients undergone various surgical procedures were analyzed for concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ca, Sn, Cr, Cd and Pb using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. All the data were tested for normality by Ryan-Joiner normality test (α = 0.05) and one-way ANOVA was done for the normally distributed data.The Fe concentrations of day one samples are similar to the blood and lower in day three and five. Ca is stable in the wound fluid. Zn and Cu seem to be accumulated around the site of healing wounds. The concentration of Mn varies with the healing. Except for Zn, Cu and Mn the wound fluid is not significantly vary with nutritional factors and non-nutritional factors.The results show quite wide variations in the concentrations of Ca, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn in the wound fluid and also an adequate supply of Zn and Cu is essential for the healing process. Non-nutritional factors are not so important for the variation of these metal concentrations around the acute wounds.

Recent changes of atmospheric heavy metals in a high-elevation ice core from Muztagh Ata, east Pamirs: initial results

AbstractAl, Mn, Rb, Sr, Ba, Cs, Bi and Sb were measured at various depth intervals of a 41.6 m firn/ ice core drilled at an elevation of 7010 m near the top of Muztagh Ata glacier, east Pamirs (38˚17’ N, 75˚06’ E), central Asia. These data, spanning the mid-1950s to 2000, were obtained by analyzing 101 sections using a sector-field double-focusing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) instrument. This study provides the first time series for these metals from central Asia. Concentrations are 11.7–329 ng mL−1 for Al, 0.33–42.7 ng mL−1 for Mn, 0.42–17.8 ng mL−1 for Sr, 0.04–1.4 ng mL−1 for Rb, 0.18–10.4 ng mL−1 for Ba, 2–167 pg mL−1 for Cs, 2–51 pg mL−1 for Sb and 1–31 pg mL−1 for Bi. Large variations in metal concentrations were found during the study period. Pronounced increases in concentrations were observed for Sb and Bi from the mid-1960s to the beginning of the 1990s, suggesting increased anthropogenic sources of Sb and Bi in central Asia during the same period. However, the decrease of Sb and Bi concentrations during the mid- to late 1990s reflects a reduction in anthropogenic activities in central Asia.

Temperature and pH Dependence of Some Metals Leaching from Fly Ash of Municipal Solid Waste

Abstract. Municipal solid waste combustion leads to concentration of various metals in the solid residue (fly ash) remaining after combustion. These metals pose serious environmental hazard and require proper handling and monitoring in order to control their harmful effects. Leachability of some metals from fly ash was examined in fly ash and Milli-Q water mixture (liquid-to-solid ratio, 100) under various temperature and pH conditions in the laboratory. The leaching experiments conducted for 24 hours showed that pH was generally more important than temperature in controlling the amount of metals leached out of the fly ash. However, at a given pH, rise in temperature led to different degree of (usually one to two fold) enhanced or reduced leaching of metals. Owing to amphoteric nature of oxides of Al, Cr, Pb and Zn, these metals often yielded typical pattern of increase and decrease in their concentrations with change in pH. The extent of leaching of Cr and Pb in our experiments suggests that decrease of pH to acidic range in the case of Pb and to neutral to acidic range for Cr over a long period of storage of fly ash at solid waste dumping site may facilitate leaching of these metals from fly ash, leading to contamination of groundwater to the level that exceeds beyond the level permitted by the environmental laws.

Metal levels in estuarine macrophytes: Differences among species

With the aim of studying the interspectific differences in the bioaccumulation of a series of elements in six species of estuarine macrophytes, we measured the concentrations of various metals (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn), as well as C and N, in several species of macroalgae and one species of seagrass in estuaries in northwest Spain. To facilitate the interpretation of the results, we also determined the concentrations of the same metals in sediments. Contamination by particulate metal did not appear to be important. The levels of Cu in the different species were generally high in comparison with those found in similar studies; in contrast, the concentrations of Pb and Zn were relatively low. The metal concentrations showed greater variability and a distibution that was further from normal than those of C and N. In general the highest concentrations of elements were found inEnteromorpha spp. andZostera noltii, and the lowest occurred inUlva spp. There were several significant positive correlations among tissue concentrations of Cr, Cu, and Ni. There were also significant correlations between tissue concentrations of N and Zn, suggesting possible synergetic effects between them. Cluster analysis clearly revealed that the chemical composition ofZ. noltii differed from that of the macroalage. Macroalgae were not grouped according to their taxonomic position, therefore it appears that the concentrations of the elements depended more on the ecological traits of the macroalgal species rather than on any possible, physiological differences among different taxonomic groups. Of the species studied,Ascophyllum nodosum andEnteromorpha spp. appeared to be the best biomonitors of metal contamination.

The effect of paleo-oceanographic changes on the sedimentary recording of hydrothermal activity in the Red Sea during the last 30,000 years

The restricted exchange of water with the Indian Ocean makes the Red Sea extremely sensitive to global oceanographic changes, such as sea-level variations linked with Quaternary climate change. The 120 m global sea level lowering during the last glacial maximum caused great reduction in water exchange with the open ocean. At that time, salinities reached 50‰, and were beyond the tolerance of planktonic foraminifera. Some topographic depressions located on the Red Sea axial zone are the centre of hydrothermal activity. They are filled with hot brines and contain metalliferous sediments. We studied three sediment cores in the axial part of the Red Sea, one from the metal-rich Suakin Deep depression, and two cores sampled outside any deep, at two different depths. The sediment of the core located in the anoxic brine-filled Suakin Deep contained no benthic foraminifera, indicating the deep was filled by a brine pool during the recovered period of marine isotopic stages 1, 2, and 3. The distribution of benthic foraminifera in the two other cores indicates that Red Sea waters were saltier during stage 2 and 3 than today, and that at 2000 m depth, Red Sea waters were anoxic during stage 2 and dysoxic during stage 3. Profiles of Fe, Mn, and Zn indicate that the sedimentary flux of metals was higher during stage 1 than during stage 2 in hydrothermal brine-filled deeps. In contrast, the sedimentary flux of metal in cores outside the anoxic depressions was higher during stage 2. The shape of the metal profiles can be attributed to hydrological changes that induced variations of redox conditions in water column during isotopic stage 1, 2, and 3. During interglacial periods, metals dissolved in anoxic brines precipitated at the redox boundary that corresponded to the brine–seawater interface, so that metals precipitated only in the deeps. During glacial period, the deep water was anoxic, and the redox boundary was located above the brine–seawater interface. Therefore, the hydrothermal metals could diffuse into the anoxic deep Red Sea water and be precipitated over a large area. This interpretation suggests that the observed variations of metal concentrations are not only related to fluctuations of the hydrothermal fluid discharge, but also to the varying redox conditions in the deep Red Sea water.