Heavy metal concentrations in shallow marine sediments affected by submarine tailings disposal and artisanal gold mining,Buyat-Ratototok district,North Sulawesi,Indonesia

Trace element concentrations in shallow marine sediments of the Buyat-Ratototok district of North Sulawesi, Indonesia, are affected by submarine disposal of industrial gold mine tailings and unregulated dumping of tailings and wastewater from small-scale gold mining using mercury amalgamation. Industrial mine tailings contained 590–690 ppm arsenic, 490–580 ppm antimony, and 0.8–5.8 ppm mercury. Tailings-affected sediment As and Sb concentrations were 20–30 times higher than in muddy sediments not contaminated with tailings, and 50–60 times higher than pre-mining average. Highest mercury concentrations were observed in sediments affected by small-scale mining using mercury amalgamation (5–29 ppm). Concentrations of most other trace elements were comparable in sediments affected by both types of mining and were slightly higher than regional averages for sediments collected before the onset of industrial mining. Elevated concentrations of both As and Sb in approximately equal proportions suggest tailings dispersal of at least 3.5 km. Mercury released from artisanal gold mining dispersed up to 4 km from river mouths. Slight increases in concentrations of non-mercury trace elements in areas affected by artisanal mining over pre-industrial mining concentrations were probably caused by increased rates of erosion. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Assessment of mercury mobility and bioavailability by fractionation method in sediments from coastal zone inundated by the 26 December 2004 tsunami in Thailand

The 26 December 2004 tsunami covered significant portion of a coastal zone with a blanket of potentially contaminated sediments. In this report are presented results on mercury concentrations in sediments deposited by the tsunami in a coastal zone of Thailand. Since the total mercury concentrations are insufficient to assess mercury mobility and bioavailability in sediment, its fractionation was applied. Sediments were sampled within 50 days after the event and analyzed by sequential extraction method. The procedure of sequential extraction involved five subsequent stages performed with solutions of chloroform, deionized water, 0.5 M HCl, 0.2 M NaOH, and aqua regia. The mean concentration of total mercury in sediments was 119 ± 50 ng g⁻¹ dry mass (range 66–230). The fractionation revealed that mercury is mainly bound to the least bioavailable sulphides 75 ± 6% (range 62–86), organomercury compounds 14 ± 7% (range 4–26), and humic matter 9 ± 7% (range 1–27). The lowest contributions bring fractions of water-soluble mercury 0.8 ± 1.0% (range 0.1–3.6) and acid soluble mercury 0.9 ± 0.5% (range 0.2–2.1). Although, the total mercury content is similar in a reference sample and in the tsunami sediments, the highly toxic organomercury fraction contribution is higher in the latter. The results were compared with chemical and sedimentological properties of the sediments but no significant correlations were obtained between them.     

Factors affecting the internal loading of phosphorus from calcareous sediments of Baiyangdian Lake in North China

Phosphorus (P) is the limiting macronutrient for primary production in most lakes. Sediment characteristics are strongly correlated to the internal P loading in lakes. This study investigated speciation of P, Fe, Al, and Ca in sediments of six sampling sites with varying trophic status in Baiyangdian Lake of North China during the period of July 2008 and March 2009. The results of sequential extraction experiments of the top sediments showed that total extractable P ranged approximately from 13 to 28 μmol g⁻¹ for all sampling sites and the rank order of P-fractions was HCl–P > NaOH₈₅–P > NaOH₂₅–P > BD–P > NH₄Cl–P. BD–P and BD–Fe had a consistent change with seasons. Their concentrations were both much higher in early spring and mid-autumn. BD–Fe, Al extracted with NaOH at 25°C and 85°C affected corresponding P concentration in sediments, while high concentration of extractable Ca from sediments showed no direct effects. According to the Kopáček et al. model of the molar ratios of Al:Fe and [NaOH₂₅–Al]:[NH₄Cl–P + BD–P], there was potential P release from sediments twice a year for some hypereutrophic sites in early spring and mid-autumn, especially in the former season.     

Heavy metals in sediments of a large, turbid tropical lake affected by anthropogenic discharges

 Bottom-water data and trace metal concentration of Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Co, Zn, and organic matter in surficial sediment samples from 13 sampling stations of Lake Chapala in Mexico were studied. The lake is turbid with a great amount of flocculated sediments as a result of wind mixing, sediment re-suspension, and Lerma River discharges. Al distribution pattern in sediments was used as an indicator of the Lerma River discharges into Lake Chapala. The highest values of Cu (33.27 ppm), Cr (81.94 ppm), Pb (99.8 ppm), and Zn (149.7 ppm) were detected in sediments near the lake outlet. The bioavailable metal fraction is low for all metals except Pb, which shows 65–93% of the total metal concentration in bioavailable form. The minimum energy zone in the lake was related to organic matter concentration and was located in the SE part of the lake. An analysis of the studied parameters shows two zones: eastern zone (fluvio-deltaic) and central-western zone (lacustrine). Received: 9 September 1998 · Accepted: 16 November 1998     

Transport of terrestrial organic carbon to the oceans by rivers: re-estimating flux- and burial rates

 This study re-estimates one important component in the global carbon cycle: the modern global fluviatile organic carbon discharge- and burial rates. According to these results, approximately 430×10¹² g of terrestrial organic carbon are transported to the ocean in modern times. This amount is higher than the latest estimates but takes into account new data from Oceania not previously considered in global flux studies. However, only the minor amount of 10% or approximately 43×10¹² gC year^–1 is most likely buried in marine sediments. This amount is similar to the burial of marine organic carbon in the coastal ocean (55×10¹² gC year^–1). Adding both estimates gives approximately 100×10¹² gC year^–1, which is the value calculated by Berner (1982) for "terrestrial" deltaic-shelf sediments. However, the results in this study suggest that on a global scale the organic carbon content in coastal ocean sediments is not solely of terrestrial origin but a mixture of nearly equal amounts of marine and terrestrial organic carbon. The major part of the terrestrial organic carbon that enters the ocean by rivers (approximately 400×10¹² gC year^–1) seems to be either (a) remineralised in the ocean, whereas the mechanism by which the terrestrial organic carbon is oxidised in the ocean are unknown; or (b) is dispersed throughout the oceans and accumulates in pelagic sediments. Received: 9 November 1998 / Accepted: 25 May 1999     

U-Pb geochronology of zircons from metasediments of the Ladoga Group (North Ladoga Region,Baltic Shield)

During our study we obtained the first age datings of detrital zircons from metasandstones of the Ladoga Group (North Ladoga Region, Russia) with the U-Pb isotopic method using the SHRIMP-II ion microprobe. The data obtained made it possible to clarify the lower age limit of sedimentation and to obtain additional age data for evaluating the chemical composition and an age of source areas. This work presents the results of isotopic-geochemical (Sm-Nd) and geochemical studies of metasediments. High LREE concentrations, a high La/Sc ratio and a low Cr/h ratio, and the presence of a distinct Eu-minimum (Eu/Eu* = 0.54–0.72) indicate a significant role of acidic terrigenous material in source areas. In addition, the data of the isotope analysis of detrital zircons show that sediments of the Ladoga Group accumulated from the destruction of Proterozoic rocks (1.9–2.0 Ga; a proportion in sediments is 60–70%) and, to a lesser extent, Archean rocks (2.54–2.74 and 2.9–3.01 Ga; the proportion in sediments is 30–40%). One of the Archean source areas could be granite-gneisses of the Pitkyaranta-Koirinoya dome structure with the U-Pb zircon age of 2659 ± 15 Ma. We have established the lower age limit of sedimentation as 1.9 Ga within the measurement error. The Sm-Nd model ages obtained (2.5–2.6 Ga for sediments of the Ladoga Group and over 3.4 Ga for granite-gneisses of the dome structure) suggest a significant contribution of ancient crustal source area into source rocks. Our age data agree well with those for svecofennides of Finland.     

Lithofacial complexes of quaternary deposits in the central and southeastern baltic sea

Geological and seismic profiling data (more than 25000 km of seismic profiles and about 1000 sediment sampling stations) collected during the last 30 yr by research vessels of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences are summarized. Seismic records are directly correlated with sediment cores. The distribution map (scale 1 : 500000) of Quaternary lithofacial complexes corresponding to certain stages of the Baltic Sea evolution is compiled. The following four complexes are distinguished (from the base to the top): (I) moraine, with maximum thicknesses 60 and 170 m in valleys and ridges respectively: (II) varved clay of periglacial basins and from the Baltic Ice Lake (BIL), up to 25 m thick in depressions; (III) lacustrinemarine homogeneous clay with a thickness up to 4–8 m in depressions; (IV) marine sediments (mud, aleurite, coarse-grained deposits) accumulated in environments with intense bottom currents activity (thickness 2–4 m in the Gotland Basin, 4–6 m in the Gdansk Basin, and 10–20 m in fans and prodeltas). The Quaternary sequence is cut through by inherited valleys, where the thickest Holocene sediments are noted. Today, these valleys serve as routes of sediment transport to slope bases and central parts of basins. Outblows of deep gas (through faults and fractures) and diagenetic gas (from sediments) to the bottom surface also occur in the valleys. Sedimentation rates are higher in the Gdansk Basin (up to 100–120 cm/ka). Thick sand, aleurite, and mud bodies are accumulated here (about 15–20 m in the Visla River prodelta). The sedimentation rate is slower in the Gotland Basin (up to 50–60 cm/ka), where thin (2–4 m) sections of more fine-grained mud occur     

The effect of grain size on the Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd speciation and distribution in sediments: a case study of Dongping Lake, China

This paper examines the surface sediments collected from Dongping Lake in China for speciation and distribution of toxic heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd) in different grain size fractions, and for the factors that need to be considered in potential hazard of metals to the environment. Four grain size fractions (<63, 63–78, 78–163 and 163–280 μm), divided in wet condition, and bulk samples less than 280 μm in diameter were analyzed for their distribution, density and appearance. A three-stage extraction procedure following the BCR protocol was used to chemically fractionate metals into “acid soluble”, “reducible”, “oxidizable” and “residual” fractions. Correlation analysis was used to analyze the datasets. The results showed that <63 μm grain size part constitutes the major proportion of the sediments, but its density is the smallest among the four grain size fractions. In general, the metal content curve against grain size presents “S” distribution, and the highest concentrations do not exist in <63 μm grain size. Appearance observation indicates that the adsorbed substance increases gradually along with the decreasing grain size. The dominant speciation of elements and the extent of pollution are responsible for the metal distribution in different grain size sediments. While studying bioavailability and mobilization of metals, it is advisable to take metal speciation, grain size distribution and density into consideration.     

Geochemistry of trace metals and Pb isotopes of sediments from the lowermost Xiangjiang River, Hunan Province (P. R. China): implications on sources of trace metals

This paper reports a geochemical study of trace metals and Pb isotopes of sediments from the lowermost Xiangjiang River, Hunan province (P. R. China). Trace metals Ba, Bi, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Pb, Tl, Th, U, Zr, Hf, Nb and Ta were analyzed using ICP-MS, and Pb isotopes of the bulk sediments were measured by MC-ICP-MS. The results show that trace metals Cd, Bi, Sn, Sc, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sb, Pb and Tl are enriched in the sediments. Among these metals, Cd, Bi and Sn are extremely highly enriched (EF values >40), metals Zn, Sn, Sb and Pb significantly highly (5 < EF < 20), and metals Sc, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu and Tl moderately highly (2 < EF < 5) enriched in the river sediments. All these metals, however, are moderately enriched in the lake sediments. Geochemical results of trace metals Th, Sc, Co, Cr, Zr, Hf and La, and Pb isotopes suggest that metals in the river sediments are of multi-sources, including both natural and anthropogenic sources. Metals of the natural sources might be contributed mostly from weathering of the Indosinian granites (GR) and Palaeozoic sandstones (PL), and metals of anthropogenic sources were contributed from Pb–Zn ore deposits distributed in upper river areas. Metals in the lake sediments consist of the anthropogenic proportions, which were contributed from automobile exhausts and coal dusts. Thus, heavy-metal contamination for the river sediments is attributed to the exploitation and utilization (e.g., mining, smelting, and refining) of Pb–Zn ore mineral resources in the upper river areas, and this for the lake sediments was caused by automobile exhausts and coal combustion. Metals Bi, Cd, Pb, Sn and Sb have anthropogenic proportion of higher than 90%, with natural contribution less than 10%. Metals Mn and Zn consist of anthropogenic proportion of 60–85%, with natural proportion higher than 15%. Metals Sc, Cr, Co, Cu, Tl, Th, U and Ta have anthropogenic proportion of 30–70%, with natural contribution higher than 30%. Metals Ba, V and Mo might be contributed mostly from natural process.     

Rare earth elements in the sedimentary cycle: A summary

The relative and absolute concentrations of rare earth elements (REE) in authigenic and biogenic phases of deep-sea sediments are quite different. Competition between these phases for REE has resulted in fractionation from the parent material, the latter consisting predominantly of terrigenous material, but with a contribution from marine volcanism. The strongest feature of this fractionation is a depletion of Ce, relative to La, in CaCO₃, opalline silica, phillipsite, phosphorite, barite, and montmorillonitic clays; and a Ce enrichment in Fe/Mn nodules. The distribution of REE in different masses of seawater strongly reflects their fractionation in sediments. Whereas the relative concentration of REE in rivers resembles that of shale, their removal from seawater by authigenic and biogenic phases results in: (1) a decrease of their total concentration; (2) a depletion of Ce; and (3) an enrichment of heavy REE relative to light REE. The order of fractionation for water masses in the Atlantic Ocean is:Antarctic intermediate water > North Atlantic deep water > Antarctic bottom water> shelf water > river water ～ shale.The shale-normalized pattern for the sum of REE in the authigenic and biogenic phases of pelagic sediment and in seawater resembles that of an admixture of shale and basalt corresponding presumably to the realtive inputs from continents and marine volcanism respectively. The estimated rate of accumulation of each REE in the sediment, however, is approximately 12 times the estimated rate of input of REE from these two sources.     

Bottom sediments of Kandalaksha Bay in the White Sea: The phenomenon of Mn

The redox stratification of bottom sediments in Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea, is characterized by elevated concentrations of Mn (3–5%) and Fe (7.5%) in the uppermost layer, which is two orders of magnitude and one and a half times, respectively, higher than the average concentrations of these elements in the Earth’s crust. The high concentrations of organic matter (C_org = 1–2%) in these sediments cannot maintain (because of its low reaction activity) the sulfate-reducing process (the concentration of sulfide Fe is no higher than 0.6%). The clearest manifestation of diagenesis is the extremely high Mn²⁺ concentration in the silt water (>500 μM), which causes its flux into the bottom water, oxidation in contact with oxygen, and the synthesis of MnO₂ oxyhydroxide enriching the surface layer of the sediments. Such migrations are much less typical of Fe. Upon oxygen exhaustion in the uppermost layer of the sediments, the synthesized oxyhydroxides (MnO₂ and FeOOH) serve as oxidizers of organic matter during anaerobic diagenesis. The calculated diffusion-driven Mn flux from the sediments (280 μmM/m² day) and corresponding amount of forming Mn oxyhydrate as compared to opposite oxygen flux to sediments (1–10 mM/m² day) indicates that >10% organic matter in the surface layer of the sediments can be oxidized with the participation of MnO₂. The roles of other oxidizers of organic matter (FeOOH and SO₄²⁻) becomes discernible at deeper levels of the sediments. The detailed calculation of the balance of reducing processes testifies to the higher consumption of organic matter during the diagenesis of surface sediments than it follows from the direct determination of C_org. The most active diagenetic redox processes terminate at depths of 25–50 cm. Layers enriched in Mn at deeper levels are metastable relicts of its surface accumulation and are prone to gradual dissemination     

Geochemical Characteristics of Amino Acids in Sediments of Lake Taihu, A Large, Shallow, Eutrophic Freshwater Lake of China

To examine the biogeochemistry of amino acids (AAs) in the sediment of Lake Taihu, surface sediments (0–3 cm) and deeper sediments (18–21 cm) were collected at 21 sites from different ecotype zones of the lake. AAs were extracted from the sediments, and the total hydrolyzable amino acids (THAA) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography instrument. The THAA contents in Taihu sediment were much lower than that in marine sediments, ranging from 6.84 to 38.24 μmol g⁻¹ in surface sediments and from 2.91 to 18.75 μmol g⁻¹ in deeper sediments in Taihu, respectively. AAs were a major fraction of the organic matter (OM) and organic nitrogen in Taihu sediments. The AAs on average contributed 8.2% of organic carbon (OC) and 25.0% of total nitrogen (TN) from surface sediments, and 5.9% of OC and 20.5% of TN in deeper sediments, respectively. AA composition provided very useful information about the degradation of OM. Glycine (Gly) and lysine (Lys) were the predominant forms of AAs in the sediments, irrespective of lake regions, followed by alanine, glutamic acid, serine (Ser), and aspartic acid (Asp). The high concentrations of Gly, Lys, and Ser suggested that these forms of AAs were relatively refractory during OM degradation in sediments. The relationship between the Asp/Gly ratio and Ser + Thr [mol%] indicated that OM in surface sediment was relatively fresher than that in deeper sediments. The AAs-based degradation index (DI) gave a similar conclusion. The composition and DI of AAs in surface sediments are markedly different across different zones in Taihu. The percentages of AAs to organic carbon (AA-C%) and total nitrogen (AA-N%) were higher in phytoplankton-dominated zones than those in macrophyte-dominated zones. These results suggest that DI could provide useful information about the degradation of OM in shallow lakes such as Taihu.     

Biogenic silica in wetlands and their relationship with soil and groundwater biogeochemistry in the Southeastern of Buenos Aires Province,Argentina

Although phytoliths constitute part of the wetland suspended load, there are few studies focused on the quantification of them in the biogenic silica (BSi) pool. So, the aim of this paper is both to determine BSi content (diatoms and phytoliths) and its relationship with dissolved silica in surface waters, and the influence of soil and groundwater Si biogeochemistry in Los Padres wetland (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina). In the basin of the Los Padres wetland, dissolved silica (DSi) concentration is near 840 ± 232 μmol/L and 211.83 ± 275.92 μmol/L in groundwaters and surface waters, respectively. BSi represents an 5.6–22.1% of the total suspension material, and 8–34% of the total mineralogical components of the wetland bottom sediments. DSi and BSi vary seasonally, with highest BSi content (diatoms specifically) during the spring–summer in correlation to the lowest DSi concentration. DSi (660–917.5 μmol/L) and phytolith (3.35–5.84%) concentrations in the inflow stream are higher than in the wetland and its outflow stream (19.1–113 μmol/L; 0.45–3.2%, respectively), probably due to the high phytolith content in soils, the high silica concentration in the soil solution, and the groundwater inflow. Diatom content (5–16.8%) in the wetland and its outflow stream is higher than in the inflow stream (0.45–1.97%), controlling DSi in this system. The understanding of the groundwater–surface water interaction in an area is a significant element for determining the different components and the role that they play on the local biogeochemical cycle of Si.     

Carbon and Oxygen Isotopes and Formation Conditions of the Upper Famennian Shale-Bearing Rocks in the Pripyat Trough,Southern Belarus

The behavior of stable carbon and oxygen isotopes in carbonates during the deposition and diagenesis of sediments in the bioproductive Upper Famennian Pripyat Trough (southern Belarus) is discussed. Limestones and clayey limestones (Corg 0.92 ± 0.11%) are characterized by very low δ13C values (–9.6 ± 0.3‰). Parental sediments of these rocks were deposited in the shallow-water zone during slow downwarping episodes of the seafloor. Lithification of the sediments took place in oxidative conditions of the diagenesis zone. Organic matter was actively oxidized by free oxygen. Carbon dioxide with isotopically light organic carbon formed in this process was used during the crystallization of diagenetic carbonates that are visually indiscernible from the sedimentational variety. Marls, clayey marls, and carbonate-bearing clays (Corg 6.02 ± 0.80%) are characterized by δ13C values as high as –3.5 ± 0.6‰. In combustible shales (Corg >10%), δ13C value is ‒1.2 ± 0.6‰). The clayey rocks mark the episodes of sedimentation in relatively deep-water conditions that appear during the uncompensated sagging of the basin floor. The diagenetic zone with free oxygen was significantly decreased or absent at all. Here, oxygen of marine sulfates was the main or single oxidizer of organic matter (sulfate reduction). The sulfate oxygen is a weaker oxidizing agent than free oxygen. Therefore, much more organic matter was retained and fossilized in clayey rocks than in carbonate rocks. Organic carbon released during the sulfate reduction and mobilized later for the diagenetic carbonate formation was insufficient for the significant decrease of δ13C values relative to the marine carbonate standard. Isotopic composition of carbonate oxygen in the studied rocks is invariable and does not depend on the content of clay and organic matter. In these rocks, δ18O values are at the level (approximately –5‰) shown for the Famennian in the Global Chemostratigraphic Chart. This fact is consistent with the supposition that oxygen isotope composition of atmospheric precipitates, which influenced the rock formation via continental flow, is close to that of sea water in low latitudes where the territory of Belarus was located in the Late Devonian.     

The chemical and physical characteristics of heavy metals in humus and till in the vicinity of the base metal smelter at Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada

 Trace element geochemistry of humus (<0.425 mm) and till (<0.002 mm) collected in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake area, northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, provides a regional context for assessing smelter contamination in the environment. The area includes a Cu-Zn smelter known to discharge As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, and Zn. In this study, sequential extraction analyses, scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction analyses were used on a suite of samples to determine: (1) the chemical and physical characteristics of heavy metals in surficial sediments related to distance from the smelter, (2) criteria for assessing the relative contribution of these metals from natural and anthropogenic sources, and (3) the potential of these metals for remobilization in the environment. Humus geochemistry reflects the anthropogenic and natural component of heavy metal concentrations. Smelter-related elements show anomalously high values adjacent to the smelter, decreasing with distance until background values are reached at 70–104 km, depending on the element. In humus, Zn is associated primarily with labile phases; Hg with non-labile phases. Adjacent to the smelter, high proportions and concentrations of Zn and Hg in non-labile phases, indicative of smelter-derived particulates, are confirmed by SEM examination. The particles occur as spheres, irregular grains, and with organics. With increasing distance from the smelter, the geochemical response to bedrock composition is more obvious than the anthropogenic input. Till geochemistry reflects the natural variation imposed by bedrock composition. At highly contaminated sites (<3 km from the smelter), increased percentages of smelter-related elements in labile phases suggests heavy metals are leached from humus to the underlying sediment. Received: 5 November 1996 · Accepted: 31 March 1997     

Mercury enrichments in core sediments in Hugli–Matla–Bidyadhari estuarine complex,north-eastern part of the Bay of Bengal and their ecotoxicological significance

Mercury concentrations (Hg_T) in fine-grained fraction (<63 μm) of core sediments of the Hugli–Matla–Bidyadhari estuarine complex, India were analyzed. Results revealed a wide range of spatial variations (<4–93 ng g⁻¹ dry weight) with a definite enhancement level at the lower stretch of the estuarine complex infested with mangrove plants, which might act as a sink to Hg_T. An elevated concentration of Hg was encountered in surface/subsurface layer of the core in majority of the cases resulting from physical, biogenic and postdepositional diagenetic processes that remobilized and resuspended the metal from deeper sediments. A strong positive correlation was observed between the Hg and clay fraction content of the sediments, while the correlations of Hg with Al, Fe and Mn were poor. Based on the index of geoaccumulation (I _geo) and effects range-low (ER-L) value, it is considered that the sediments are less polluted and thus there is less chance of ecotoxicological risk to organisms living in sediments.     

Estimation of the role of global biological filters in the geochemical migration of trace elements in the ocean: The marginal filter of the ocean

A quantitative estimate has been made for the contribution of biological processes to accumulation and transformation of the trace elements in the marginal biofilter of the ocean. It has been demonstrated that the proportion of phytoplankton having the largest biomass reaches 96–99% of the total mass of trace elements accumulated by biota. The mass of trace elements taken up by bivalved mollusks is tens to hundreds of times less than this, while that by macrophytes is an order of magnitude less than the latter. A dynamic parameter of the biogenic migration, namely the duration of the biological cycle of phytoplankton, has been calculated; this value does not exceed 2–3 days for Zn, Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb, Co, Fe, and Mn. First the trace metal balance in the whole body of mussels Mytilus spp. between the soft tissues and shells was calculated based on their weight proportion (0.1 and 0.9, correspondingly). As a result it was revealed that carbonate shells serve a great reservoir of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and As and biomineralization is an important process in their bioaccumulation. The suggested new approach can be applied when making environmental and geochemical estimates of biotic self-purification of water bodies and when using shells as mineral supplements.     

Ammonium release characteristics of the sediments from the shallow lakes in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River region,China

Ammonium release from sediments has significant effects on the water quality in eutrophic lakes. In this study, the ammonium release kinetics and adsorption–desorption processes were investigated in 13 sediments of 6 shallow lakes from the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River region, China. The results show that First Order Model best described the ammonium release process, the maximal release capacity had a strong correlation with organic matter (OM), cationic exchange capacity (CEC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). But it only had a weak correlation with Fe, Ca and Al. The ammonium release capacity in more polluted sediments was higher than that in less polluted sediments. The average release rate within 0–5 min was the highest among the experimental period, the amount released within 0–5 min accounted for approximately 50–70% of the total release capacity. The ammonium release rate had a significant and positive correlation with OM. But it did not have a strong correlation with TN, TP, Fe, Ca and Al. The ammonium potential release capacity (obtained when the water/sediment ratio was about 2,500) had strong and positive relation with OM and maximal release capacity, and it may provide useful information for the sediment release risk assessment. Henry Model best described the ammonium sorption isotherms, and ammonium adsorption–desorption equilibrium concentration can be considered as the ammonium release threshold to assess the release risk in the sediments.     

Study on effective species of heavy metals in lacustrine sediment core from Xijiu Lake,Taihu Lake catchment,China

The BCR sequential extraction procedure is applied to probe into the speciation distribution of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Zn, Cu and Pb) in lake sediments of Core XJ2 in Xijiu Lake, Taihu Lake catchment, China. The results showed that the effective species concentration of this five heavy metal elements increased obviously during the past century, the proportions of organic/sulphide fractions of Zn, Cu and Pb decreased while the Fe–Mn oxide fractions increased, and the proportion of Fe–Mn oxide fractions of Cd decreased while the exchangeable and carbonate fractions increased. The concentrations of exchangeable and carbonate fractions of these five elements were increased in the past century, especially the proportions of these fractions of Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb increased prominently. These changes could be attributed to the anthropogenic pollution. Since the changes of the heavy metal concentrations were corresponding to the history of human activities, especially the industry development, within the catchment.     

Floodplain sediments of the 2002 catastrophic flood at the Vltava (Moldau) River and its tributaries: mineralogy,chemical composition,and post-sedimentary evolution

Fine-grained floodplain sediments of the catastrophic 2002 flood deposited along the lower reaches of the Berounka and Vltava Rivers, Czech Republic, were not highly contaminated with heavy metals and other toxic elements. This is due to the dominantly mineral character of the sediments (C_tot in the range 3.97–5.01%, relatively low content of clay minerals), and due to the very high degree of contamination dilution by eroded pre-industrial non-contaminated floodplain sediments. Despite this high degree of dilution, the influence of the small Litavka River, draining the historical Pb–Zn–Ag Příbram ore region, is well visible. The Litavka River is one of important sources of Pb and Zn contamination in the whole Berounka–Vltava–Labe river system. The 2002 flood sediments deposited in the floodplain of the Berounka and Vltava Rivers show poor vertical chemical zoning, except for some components enriched in the uppermost layer by precipitation from evaporated pore-water contained in the mud, i.e. secondary carbonate. The content of C_carb of the sediments (0.05–0.15%) is partly represented by this secondary carbonate, which is later leached by rainwater, and partly by fragments of river mollusk shells. A majority of the heavy metals contained in sediments can be readily leached by diluted acids, and to a much smaller degree by rainwater.