SPATIAL VARIATION OF Zn GEOCHEMICAL FRACTIONS IN THE SURFACE SEDIMENTS OF THE STRAITS OF MALACCA: NATURAL OR ANTHROPOGENIC?

1INTRODUCTION Studiesonheavymetalcontaminationinsedi mentshavealwaysbeenfocusedonthecoastalandin tertidalareas(Sivalingam,etal.,1980;Ismail,1993;Ismail,etal.,1993;IsmailandRosniza,1997;Yap,etal.,2002a,2002b).Theheavymet alconcentrationsfoundinthesediments…     

HEAVY METAL POLLUTION IN SURFACE SEDIMENTS COLLECTED FROM DRAINAGES RECEIVING DIFFERENT ANTHROPOGENIC SOURCES FROM PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Surface drainage sediments were collected, between January and April in 2005, from 6 sampling sites in Peninsular Malaysia suspected to have received different anthropogenic sources. These drainages included sites near a petrochemical plant, an electronic factory, a metal factory and 2 townships in addition to a relatively unpolluted site (a reference site). Based on the aqua-regia method, the metal concentrations for all the sampling sites except for the agricultural site (reference site) at Sg. Benut were between 60.92-1 019 μg/g dry weight for copper (Cu), 65.32-1 266.6μg/g dry weight for plumbum (Pb), 1.46-15.93 μg/g dry weight for cadmium (Cd), 330.10-484.14 μg/g dry weight for zinc (Zn) and 47.03-120.90 μg/g dry weight for nickel (Ni). All of these ranges were significantly (p< 0.05) higher than those (Cu: 8.77 μg/g; Pb: 57.42 μg/g; Cd: 0.96 μg/g; Zn: 68.21 μg/g; and Ni: 17.87 μg/g) of the reference site at Sg. Benut that only received agricultural disposal. The concentrations for the 5 metals from all the sites (except for the reference site) were higher than the Sediment Quality Values for Hong Kong by Chapman et al (1999) for the 5 metals. Based on the sequential extraction technique, 3 geochemical fractions [easily, freely leachable and exchangeable (EFLE), acid-reducible and oxidisable-organic] were also useful in identifying these polluted sites. The elevated metal concentrations found in the sediments might be related to point sources of industrial effluent and urban waste. Hence, the results emphasized the necessity for the treatment of effluents into this drainage area. As part of the effort to control illegal discharges and dumping into drainages, public awareness should be enhanced.     

BIOMONITORING OF AMBIENT CONCENTRATIONS OF CADMIUM,COPPER, LEAD AND ZINC IN THE COASTAL WETLAND WATER BY USING GILLS OF THE GREEN- LIPPED MUSSEL PERNA VIRIDIS

1 INTRODUCTIONThe use of marine mussels for the biomonitoringpurposes is widely found in the literatures. However,the use of a particular tissue/organ for more accurateindicators of metal bioavailability and contaminationwere continually reported. For exa…     

BIOMONITORING OF AMBIENT CONCENTRATIONS OF CADMIUM, COPPER, I,EAD AND ZINC IN THE COASTAL WETLAND WATER BY USING GILLS OF THE GREEN- LIPPED MUSSEL PERNA VIRIDIS

The distribution and concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were determined in the gills and remaining soft tissues of Perna viridis collected from 12 geographical sites （ 10 from the west and 2 from the east coastal waters） of Peninsular Malaysia. All samples showed that the levels of Cd, Pb and Zn were generally higher in the gill than those in the remaining soft tissues. These results could be due to the fact that gills are the first organ of metal accumulation and larger surface area with mucus sheets in the organ. Since the mussel gill is a better accumulator of Cd, Pb and Zn of ambient seawater than remaining soft tissue, it is a potential indicator of ambient levels of dissolved metals in the ambient seawater. However, further validations based on laboratory conditions are needed.     

Recent heavy metal accumulation in Dongjiu and Xijiu lakes,East China

Taihu Lake has been recognized as a seriously contaminated waterbody with regard to Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn over the last two decades. The input of pollutants has increased due to economic and social development and population increase. Seventy percent of the pollutants in Taihu Lake comes from rivers, with the Yili River being a major source of pollutants. Lakes Xijiu and Dongjiu are connected to the Yili River and Taihu Lake and are sites where material is preferentially deposited because of hydrodynamic conditions. Sediment cores were collected from Xijiu Lake (core XJ-1) and Dongjiu Lake (core DJ-5) to investigate anthropogenic heavy metal contamination. Concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn gradually increased since the late 1930s, peaked in 1970, and then dropped slightly. A sudden increase in concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn occurred in 1991 and peaked again in 1996, then dropped markedly. Maximum concentration of Cd in core XJ-1 was 21.2 mg kg⁻¹ and mean concentration was 12.1 mg kg⁻¹. In core DJ-5, the maximum and mean concentrations were 6.9 and 5.4 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Cr showed a pattern of variation different from the other heavy metals, but its concentration also dropped after peaking in 1996. Enrichment factors and anthropogenic factors revealed that human activities in the catchment played a key role in the heavy metal contamination. Increases in Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentration were caused by industrial development, particularly from non-ferrous metal smelting industries. The recent drop in Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations is attributed to pollution reduction measures instituted by the government. Cr was influenced by both natural and anthropogenic processes.     

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Sediment and Intertidal Gastropod Nerita lineata from Two Opposing Sites in the Straits of Malacca

The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni and Fe were determined in the surface sediment and marine gastropod Nerita lineata collected in May 2005 from the intertidal zone of Dumai, Sumatera, Indonesia and Johor, Peninsular Malaysia. The results showed that metal concentrations in sediment and the soft tissue of N. lineata varied at different sampling stations. Mean heavy metal concentrations were 0. 92 μg/g(Cd) ;6.40 μg/g(Cu) ;32.77 μg/g(Pb) ;54.41μg/g(Zn) ;11.56 μg/g(Ni) and 2.97%(Fe) in sediment from Dumai and 1.15 μg(Cd) ;26.73 μg/g(Cu) ;53.45μg/g(Pb) ;130.77 μg/g(Zn) ;20.79 μg/g( Ni ) and 2.72% (Fe) in sediment from Johor. Concentrations of metals in gastropod N. lineata were 0.71 μg/g(Cd) ;15.16 μg(Cu) ;9.35 μg/g(Pb) ;94.69 μg/g(Zn) ;5.08 μg/g(Ni) and 397.97 μg/g(Fe) in samples from Dumai and 1.24 μg(Cd) ;18.02 μg/g(Cu) ;19.75 μg/g(Pb) ;95.09 μg/g(Zn) ;5.57 μg/g ( Ni ) and 473. 56 μg/g (Fe) in samples from Johor. Although they were not statistically significant (p >0.05), heavy metal concentrations in N. lineata were correlated with the concentrations of respective metals in sediment in both samples from Dumai and Johor. In general, samples of sediment and gastropod from Johor accumulated significantly higher heavy metal concentrations when compared to samples from Dumai(p < 0. 05). Higher concentrations of metals were recorded in samples collected from the stations close to the industrial and anthropogenic activities in both Dumai and Johor areas. However, most of the concentrations were still comparable to the previous reported studies from other geographical areas.     

Spatial Distribution and Anthropogenic Assessment of Heavy Metals in the Surface Sediments of Klang River

The study was conducted to quantify the concentration and distribution of metals (Cd, Zn, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Fe) in the surface sediments and to assess the status of metal contaminations in the Klang River, Malaysia. The concentrations of metals (μg∕g, Fe%, dry weight) were as follows: 0.57-2.19 μg∕g Cd; 31.89-272.33 μg∕g Zn; 5.96-24.47 μg∕g Ni; 10.57-52.87 μg∕g Cu; 24.23-64.11 μg∕g Pb and 1.56%-3.03% Fe. Sequential extraction technique (SET) showed that mean anthropogenic portions of metals were in the order of Zn (60.22%), Cu (56.01%), Cd (45.63%), Ni (42.08%), Pb (33.22%) and Fe (10.26%). The highest concentrations of metals ( p<0.05) were found in the stations located close to industrial parks and highly populated areas. The results of the present study showed that the effectiveness of total organic carbon (TOC) contents in controlling the distribution and enrichment of metals was a more important factor compared to grain size. The study also indicated that the control of metals pollution from direct influx of domestic wastes and insufficiently treated industrial wastes in the Klang River was an important and desirable way to minimize the detrimental effects of metals.     

沅江下游入湖段河床沉积物重金属污染特征

对沅江入湖沉积物进行钻探取样,利用等离子质谱仪（ICP-MS）对沉积物重金属进行分析。结果表明：重金属Ba、Sc、V、Th、U、Cu、Co、Ni、Cr等在沉积物中含量变化相对稳定,分布相对均匀;而Mn、Zn、Pb、Mo、Cd、Tl、Bi等重金属的含量变化大,分布不均匀。重金属含量柱状剖面变化特征及富集系数（EF值）的计算结果显示：沉积物中Cd达显著富集,而Sc、V、Mn、Pb、Bi等为中等富集程度。沉积物中存在3个重金属富集层,即中下部Pb、Tl、Bi富集层;中上部Pb、Cr、Ni、Cu富集层;浅表部V、Cr、Mn、Ni、Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、Tl、Bi等多种重金属富集层。地累积指数（I_geo）和综合富集指数（EI）评价结果显示：沅江入湖沉积物重金属污染程度自河床深部向浅部,污染程度趋于增强,污染元素组合趋于由Pb-Bi的单一元素组合向由V-Cr-Mn-Ni-Cu-Zn-Pb-Cd-Bi组成的复合元素组合变化。且自上游向下游,沉积物重金属污染程度趋于降低。这种重金属污染空间变化特征与区域人为活动有关,值得进一步研究。     

GEOCHENICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ELEMENTAL DISTRIBUTION IN THE YANGTZE RIVER

I.IntroductionTlleYangtzeXiveroriginates0nthenorthernsideoftheTananlaMoulltail1ns0lltheQinghai-TibetPlateauinsouthwesternpartofQinghaiProvince,traversingacrosseightprovincesandanautonomousregionandfinallyPOuringintotheEastChinaSea.The638O-kilollleter-l0ngYallgtzeXivercoversadrainagearea0fl.8mi1lionkin'.0fthe53firstclasstributaries,26haveadrai1lageareaexceedinglO,OO0km2each.lnthevastdrainageareaoftheYangtzemver,tl1eeco-envir0nmentalconditi0nsdiffergreatlyfr0m0neregiontoan0ther.Topograp…     

A Comparative Study of Distribution of Heavy Metal Concentrations in the Pomacea insularum Collected from Polluted and Unpolluted Sites of the Freshwater Ecosystem in Malaysia

The snails (Pomacea insularum) were collected from polluted and unpolluted sites at Juru River and the Universiti Putra Malaysia Lake, respectively. Besides the shells, the soft tissues of snails were dissected into 6 different parts: intestine, operculum, foot, pennial sac, lung sac and the remainder. They were analyzed for the concentrations of Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, Ni and Fe. The present study found 6 interesting points. First, all the metal levels found in the different parts of P. insularum collected from Juru River were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those in the snails of unpolluted lake. These results were also supported by the sediment data in which the Juru River sediment had significantly (p<0.05) higher levels of metal than those in the unpolluted lake. Second, the high levels of Cd and Pb were found in the shell of P. insularum, indicating that it is a potential biomonitoring material for these metals. Third, intestine accumulated elevated levels of Zn, Ni and Fe and thus is a potential biomonitoring organ for the 3 metals. Fourth, high levels of Cu were found in the lung sac and this phenomenon could be related to this metal binding to metallothionein in this organ. Fifth, elevated level of Pb found in the soft tissues of P. insularum indicated that this snail is not suitable for human consumption since its pollution level was higher than the food safety guideline for Pb. Sixth, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the different sizes (small sizes: 30.5-33.2 mm; large sizes: 37.7-40.4 mm) of P. insularum. The first 5 points supported the use of different soft tissues of P. insularum as biomonitoring organs of heavy metal pollution in the freshwater ecosystem in Malaysia although further validation is required.     

Heavy metal storage in near channel sediments of the Lahn River, Germany

Heavy metal pollution in urban, industrial, and mined watersheds of Europe is well documented, but less is known about metal contamination in agrarian watersheds or those with no history of mining. Along a 75-km reach of the Lahn River, central Germany, near-channel flood-plain sediments (<5 m from the active channel) have mean concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn that exceed background values. Vertically, metal concentrations are highest at 15 or 20 cm below the flood plain. Although mean metal concentrations in the watershed are below mean values found in more industrial watersheds of western Europe, individual near-channel sites along the Lahn River have metal concentrations approaching those found in more urbanized drainage basins. Several sites along the Lahn are “excessively contaminated” with Cd and “moderately/strongly” contaminated with Cu, Pb, and Zn. Metal concentrations are generally higher and more variable downstream from metal-producing locations and in the vicinity of industrial facilities. Topographic and geomorphic factors appear to have minimal influence on near-channel metal concentrations. The elevated concentrations of metals in geomorphically sensitive channel banks and near-channel sediments raise the possibility of future metal pollution in the Lahn River watershed even as metal emissions to the environment decline.     

黄河水体中重金属的形态分配

本文运用模式计算方法对黄河水体中重金属的形态分配进行了研究。结果表明,pH是控制重金属形态分配的最重要因素,其次是重金属的初始浓度和悬浮物含量。并得出,在黄河水体中,cu、Pb主要以沉淀态存在,zn则以吸附态为主,水体中游离态重金属含量很低。上述结果将为拟建中的小浪底水库工程的重金属环境影响预测提供一定的科学依据。     

COMPARISON OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN SURFACE SEDIMENT OF TANJUNG PIAI WETLAND WITH OTHER SITES RECEIVING ANTHROPOGENIC INPUTS ALONG THE SOUTHWESTERN COAST OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

1 INTRODUCTIONOur sampling trip to Tanjung Piai wetland in2002 showed that the site had not been developed andrecognized yet as a wetland of international importance(Ramsar). Recently, our field trip in January 2005to the same site to collect sediment sam…     

Heavy metal contamination of an arid river environment: Gruben River, Namibia

The dispersal of metalliferous pollution from several spoil heaps produced during 20th century copper mining in the Gruben River valley, Namibia is examined. The Gruben River flows through an extremely arid environment with an average rainfall of ˜25 mm p.a. The potential for physical and chemical remobilisation of Cu, Zn and Ni is assessed by examining the spatial and temporal distribution of metal-contaminated sediment deposited within the confines of the channel. The relationships between metal content, grain size, geomorphic environment and the downstream distribution of metals are discussed. The phase-specific heavy metal concentrations of sediments, collected as part of the downstream sampling programme, are also examined using progressively more aggressive sequential acid extractions. In addition, metal concentrations are compared with Dutch guidelines for soil contamination to ascertain the extent of environmental risk.Total metal concentrations show that the Gruben valley is highly contaminated, particularly with respect to Cu and Ni concentrations, which exceed Dutch target values for Cu (36 ppm) in 94.7% and Ni (35 ppm) in 90.5% of samples, respectively. Zn concentrations are much lower with only 6.3% of the samples exceeding the target value (140 ppm). As might be expected, the metal–sediment concentrations of Cu are the most highly elevated, with a peak value of 10,500 ppm being recorded from material collected from suspended sediment transported during a minor flow event that occurred in March 1999. Lower energy and fine-grained sedimentary environments are shown to be clearly associated with higher metal concentrations. Sequential extractions of metals show that of the three principal elements considered in this study, only a negligible proportion of Cu (0.41%) is held in the exchangeable phase. Ni and Zn were below detection limits. Although the total metal concentrations in the Gruben River valley sediments are extremely high and are in themselves a concern, the small percentage of metals held in the exchangeable phase and the low potential for remobilisation under the arid conditions would suggest that they pose only a minor risk to the environment.     

近60年来星云湖沉积物中重金属污染记录

文章以星云湖08XY-4号钻孔岩芯为研究对象,通过对岩芯的137Cs和210Pb测年和多种元素组分(重金属元素Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb、Zn,成岩组分Fe、Mg、Al、有机质、碳酸盐和烧失量)的含量分析,系统研究了星云湖近60年来底泥中重金属的来源和污染历史,并借助地积累指数法对星云湖的重金属污染程度进行了评定。结果表明20世纪80年代末期以前,星云湖沉积物中元素Cd、Cr、Cu主要为自然来源,之后受当地工业化蓬勃发展的影响,人类活动对湖泊重金属含量的影响显著增强;元素Pb的污染历史早于20世纪50年代,与全球很多区域Pb污染要早于其它多数重金属污染这一现象相似;此外,可能受当地特殊的工业发展历史影响,1973～1991年期间星云湖遭受严重的Zn污染,平均污染指数值达到3.25,按Muller污染指数分级属4级偏重污染。综合来看,当前星云湖的污染程度仍然较轻,但是近期人类活动的影响已明显显现,需要加以重视。     

Heavy metal pollution from copper smelting during the Shang Dynasty at the Laoniupo site in the Bahe River valley,Guanzhong Basin,China

Heavy metal pollution is hazardous for the environment and human health. However,there are few studies of heavy metal pollution caused by historic metallurgical activity. The Laoniupo site in the Bahe River valley, Guanzhong Basin, China, was an important settlement of the Shang Culture(1600–1046 BCE). We studied two stratigraphic profiles at the Laoniupo site, which were used for measurements of magnetic susceptibility, heavy metal concentrations, and AMS ~(14) C ages to provide evidence of copper smelting activity at the site during the Shang Dynasty. The Nemerow Pollution Index and Geoaccumulation Index were calculated to assess the heavy metals record(Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cr, and As) in the topsoil on the loess tableland. According to the Single Pollution Index, the topsoil was slightly polluted by As and unpolluted by Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cr; according to the Nemerow Composite Pollution Index the topsoil was mildly polluted; and according to the Geoaccumulation Index, the topsoil was moderately polluted by As, slightly polluted by Cu, and unpolluted by Zn, Ni, Pb and Cr. The main cause of the heavy metal pollution in the topsoil is the presence of copper slag in the cultural layers that was disturbed by modern farming activity.     

青海湖流域沙柳河下游沉积物中重金属污染风险评价

对青海湖流域沙柳河下游沉积物中As、Cd、Pb、V、Cr、Mn、Ni、Cu和Zn 9种重金属元素的含量进行了分析测定,采用污染系数、富集系数、地累积指数和潜在生态危害指数评估了其污染程度。结果表明：无论在横向还是纵向上,重金属元素含量均低于青海湖土壤背景值;重金属元素污染系数和富集系数均小于2,且大多数样品的值低于1（高于1者多为Cd、Cu、Ni、Zn,且具高值）;地累积指数均为负值（除QB-19中Cd和Cu分别为0.10和0.02）;潜在生态风险因子大多低于30,潜在生态危害指数大多低于70。沙柳河下游沉积物尚未出现重金属污染,具有低的生态风险,但该流域重金属的人为排放确实存在（主要是Cd、Cu、Ni、Zn等）,而且在近代排放更为显著。     

Historical trace metal loading to a large river recorded in the sediments of Lake St. Croix,USA

The global cycling of anthropogenic trace metals intensified during the twentieth century, impacting aquatic systems throughout the world. There are, however, few quantitative records showing the history of this contamination in large rivers. Here we present a well-dated sedimentary record of trace metal accumulation in Lake St. Croix, a natural riverine lake on the St. Croix River (Minnesota and Wisconsin, USA), revealing the history of heavy metal inputs to the river over the past 200 years. Concentrations of Hg, Pb, Ag, Cd, Cr and Zn and stable Pb isotopes were measured in eight ²¹⁰Pb-dated sediment cores collected from profundal depositional areas throughout the lake. Time trends of trace metal concentrations and accumulation rates differed greatly between the upper lake (above Valley Creek) and the lower lake, reflecting contrasting sediment sources along the flow axis of the lake. For most of the study period (1800–2000 AD), sediment deposited throughout the lake derived almost exclusively from the suspended sediment load carried by the main-stem river into the lake. From 1910 through 1970, however, large inputs of eroded soils and stream channel sediments from side-valley tributaries resulted in greatly increased sediment and trace metal accumulation in the lower lake. Anthropogenic accumulation rates of Hg, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Ag in the upper lake correlate well with those from Square Lake, a small, relatively undisturbed nearby lake that has received trace metal inputs almost exclusively via atmospheric deposition. The similarity of these records suggests that atmospheric deposition was primarily responsible for trace metal accumulation trends in upper Lake St. Croix. Trace metal accumulation in the lower lake was also strongly influenced by atmospherically derived inputs, but metal contributions from native soils were important, as well, during the period of elevated sediment inputs from side-valley tributaries. Concentrations and accumulation rates of trace metals in both upper and lower lake sediments have decreased substantially since the 1970s due to decreased atmospheric inputs and sediment loadings, but accumulation rates remain well above pre-settlement values. Metal inputs to Lake St. Croix have been far lower than those to nearby Lake Pepin, located on the Mississippi River downstream of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, but there nevertheless remains a clear record of anthropogenic impact on the relatively pristine St. Croix River.     

湘江沉积物重金属元素环境地球化学特征

在前人研究的基础上,对湘江干流河道表层沉积物及入湖三角洲地区沉积物中的重金属富集特征、赋存状态等进行了总结;对湘江沉积物中重金属的污染来源进行了分析,湘江沉积物重金属的富集种类主要受流域富集矿产的控制,重金属污染主要是人为活动导致的点源污染集中和高排放引起的;另外,运用Hakanson潜在生态风险指数和地累积指数对湘江沉积物中重金属的潜在生态风险和污染程度进行了评价,结果显示Cd、Pb、As、Zn、Cu、Hg等重金属在湘江沉积物中存在不同程度的污染,其中Cd、Hg、As、Pb、Cu污染严重同时潜在生态危害也大,应引起重视。