Geochemical Distribution of Trace Elements in Groundwater from the North Mara Large‐Scale Gold Mining Area of Tanzania

The influence of large‐scale mining operations on groundwater quality was investigated in this study. Trace element concentrations in groundwater samples from the North Mara mining area of northern Tanzania were analyzed. Statistical analyses for relationships between elemental concentrations in the samples and distance of a sampling site from the mine tailings dam were also conducted. Eleven trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined, and averages of Fe and Al concentrations were higher than levels accepted by the Tanzanian drinking water guideline. Levels of Pb in three samples were higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) drinking water guidelines of 10 and 15 µg/L, respectively. One sample contained a higher As level than the WHO and USEPA guideline of 10 µg/L. The correlation between element concentrations and distance from the mine tailings dam was examined using the hierarchical agglomeration cluster analysis method. A significant difference in the elemental concentration existed depending on the distance from the mine tailings dam. Mann–Whitney U‐test post hoc analysis confirmed a relationship between element concentration and distance of a sampling site from the mine tailings dam. This relationship raises concerns about the increased risks of trace elements to people and ecosystem health. A metal pollution index also suggested a relationship between elemental concentrations in the groundwater and the sampling sites’ proximity from the mine tailings dam.     

Dissolved and particulate trace metals in meltwater from the Rhône glacier

Glacial meltwater and sediment at the source of the River Rhône have been analyzed to determine: 1. the partitioning of Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr. Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn between the water and particulate phase. 2. the particle size ranges which affect the dissolved trace metal ion composition of the meltwater and 3. the availability (potential release) of the ten trace metal ions from the sediment. Greater than 80% of the total Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn were found to be in operationally-defined (0.4 μm) dissolved forms. Fe and Al in the meltwater are primarily associated with particles in the size range 0.4–8 μm, while Cd. Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn occur with particles smaller than 0.1 μm. For the sediment, Cu, Ni and Pb were significantly present as exchangeable forms; only Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined as organicallybound forms.     

Accumulation of Heavy Metals by Amur Bay Sediments (the Sea of Japan) under the Effect of Biochemical Factors

Water Resources - The average concentrations of elements Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, V, Co, Cd, Ni, As, and Mo in the subcolloidal fraction of bottom sediments were determined in the northern and...     

Assessment of heavy metal pollution from the sediment of Tupilipalem Coast,southeast coast of India

Sediment from twelve stations was sampled from the Tupilipalem Coast, southeast coast of India, and the presence of a set of heavy metals was established including iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd). The heavy metals were assessed by factor analysis, the results of which showed positive and/or negative correlations among Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Cd. Factor analysis also indicated that heavy metals in the sediments of the study area have different natural and anthropogenic sources. Similarly, a sediment pollution assessment was done using the Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Enrichment Factor (EF), and Pollution Load Index (PLI). The Geoaccumulation Index indicated that the surface sediment of the Tupilipalem Coast was extremely contaminated with Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The calculation of enrichment factors showed a significant enrichment with respect to Pb, Zn, and Cd and a moderate enrichment with Cr, Cu, and Ni. The falling trend of average contents’ enrichment factors is Cd> Pb> Zn> Cu> Cr> Ni> Mn> Fe. The PLI values of the Cd show higher (>1) values due to the influence of distinct external sources like agricultural runoff, industrial activities, and other anthropogenic inputs. Ninety two percent of heavy metals under study showed the highest concentrations at station TP-5 where the Buckingham Canal and other agricultural and aquacultural effluents connect with the Bay of Bengal. This location is the second inlet which is periodically closed and it seemed that these parts of the study area are heavily affected by anthropogenic pollution.     

Determination of Partition Coefficients of Metals in Natural Tropical Water

The values for the partition coefficient (K_d) were calculated for Ca, Mg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, and Zn at 19 sites in the Capivara hydroelectric reservoir in Brazil. It was found that the relative values of K_d follow the order: Cr > Mn > Fe > Cu > Zn > Ni > Pb > Ca > Cd, differing from the values reported for K_d in aquatic systems in the northern hemisphere. A hierarchical cluster analysis and linear correlations showed that Cr is strongly associated with Fe and Cu, and that Cd is the only metal found in complexation with organic matter, explaining its higher solubility.     

Assessment of Urban Source Metal Levels in Influent,Effluent, and Sludge of Two Municipal Biological Nutrient Removal Wastewater Treatment Plants of Bursa,an Industrial City in Turkey

Removal of Al, As, Cd, total Cr (Tot. Cr), Cu, Total Fe (Tot. Fe), Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Zn from urban effluent by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) operated under five‐stage Bardenpho® process were investigated and water soluble metals in the dewatered sludge were quantified. Samples were collected from two WWTPs on a weekly basis over an approximately 2.5‐year time span. Tot. Fe and Al were the most abundant, As, Pb, Ni, Cu, and Cd were the least abundant metals in the influents of both WWTPs. Removal efficiencies above 75% were achieved for Tot. Cr, Tot. Fe, Al, and Cu, whereas, no significant removal was observed for As, Cd, Pb, Sb, and Sn. Removal of Tot. Cr, Cu, Tot. Fe, Zn, Al, Mn, and Ni were influenced by influent suspended solids concentrations, and of Tot. Cr, Zn, and Cd were influenced by their initial content in the influent. Zn removal efficiency of biological nutrient removal (BNR) system in this study was higher and Cd removal efficiency was lower than that of conventional activated sludge reported in the literature. No remarkable difference for metals such as Cu, Mn, Ni, and Pb was observed between the removal efficiencies of conventional system and BNR system.     

Elements in size-fractionated bottom sediments of the Elbe River in its Czech part

The concentrations of 45 elements, and the content of organic substances, amorphous inorganic substances and minerals were determined in 26 samples of Elbe River bottom sediments to determine the correlation between the element composition and the grain size in the ￡ \le 4, 4--8, 8--16, 16--32, 32--63 7m and bulk samples ￡ \le 63 7m fractions. The purpose of this study was to obtain information about the role of particle size and their mineral composition as a control of element concentrations in sediments, the potential remobilization of elements under changing environmental conditions, and the chemical speciation of the large excess concentrations of elements in this system.¶About 22--56% of the estimated element yield was associated with sediments with a grain size of less than 4 7m and 82--97% of the element yield was found in the fraction smaller than 32 7m. Sequential extraction carried out for 20 potentially reactive elements in the ￡ \le 63 7m bulk samples and the ￡ \le 4 7m fraction showed the increased importance of exchangeable ions in the order Mn = Ni < Mg < Sr < Cu < Zn < Ca < K < Cd < Na < Mo, reducible fractions Zn < Sr < Mo < Co < Cu < Ni < Pb < Mn < Cr < Be < V = Fe < As < Ag, oxidizable chemical phases As = Ca < Cd < K < Sr < Fe = Mn < Zn = Mg < Mo < Co = Ag < Pb < Li < Cu = V < Ni < Cr = Na < Be with small concentrations from lithogenic phases Mn < As < Pb < Sr < Zn = Cu = Na < Be < V < Ni < Cr < Fe < K < Mg < Li. The major accumulative phases were identified for the individual elements.     

Temporal variation in the diversity and cover of sessile species in rocky intertidal communities affected by copper mine tailings in northern Chile

Several coastal rocky shores in the northern Chile have been affected by the discharges of copper mine tailings. In spite of this, the temporal and spatial variation on the diversity and composition of their intertidal benthic communities has scarcely been studied. The objectives of the present study were to analyse and to compare quantitatively the temporal variation on the diversity, cover and composition of sessile species in rocky intertidal benthic communities of the northern Chilean coast, in relation to the presence of copper mine tailings. The results show that the drastic reduction on the sessile species diversity and the monopolization of the substrate exerted by the green algae Enteromorpha compressa, are common and permanent features of the intertidal rocky shores affected by copper mine tailings. Such spatial (between sites) and temporal (seasonal) variation of these changes has been associated with the relative concentrations of trace metals and inorganic particles of the mining wastes. Our results suggest that the mechanical effects of resuspended and settling tailings are a more likely cause.     

Distribution of dissolved and labile particulate trace metals in the overlying bottom water in the vistula river plume (southern Baltic Sea).

Overlying bottom water samples were collected in the Vistula River plume, southern Baltic Sea, (Poland) and analysed for dissolved and labile particulate (1 M HCl extractable) Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Fe and Ni, hydrological parameters being measured simultaneously. Particulate organic matter (POM), chlorophyll a and dissolved oxygen are key factors governing the chemical behaviour of the measured metal fractions. For the dissolved Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe and Ni two maxima, in the shallow and in the deeper part of the river plume, were found. In the shallow zone desorption from seaward fluxing metal-rich riverine particles account for markedly increased metal concentrations, as confirmed also by high particulate metal contents. For Pb, atmospheric inputs were also considered to have contributed to the elevated concentrations of dissolved Pb adjacent to the river mouth. In the deep zone desorption from detrital and/or resuspended particles by aerobic decomposition of organic material may be the main mechanism responsible for enrichment of particle-reactive metals (Cu, Pb, Zn) in the overyling bottom waters. The increased concentrations of dissolved Fe may have been due to reductive dissolution of Fe oxyhydroxides within the deep sediments by which dissolved Ni was released to the water. The distribution of Mn was related to dissolved oxygen concentrations, indicating that Mn is released to the water column under oxygen reduced conditions. However, Mn transfer to the dissolved phase from anoxic sediments in deeper part of the Vistula plume was hardly evidenced suggesting that benthic flux of Mn occurs under more severe reductive regime than is consistent with mobilization of Fe. Behaviour of Mn in a shallower part has been presumably affected by release from porewaters and by oxidization into less soluble species resulting in seasonal removal of this metal (e.g. in April) from the dissolved phase. The particulate fractions represented from about 6% (Ni) and 33% (Mn, Zn, Cu) to 80% (Fe) and 89% (Pb) of the total (labile particulate plus dissolved) concentrations. The affinity of the metals for particulate matter decreased in the following order: Pb > Fe > Zn > or = > Cu > Mn > Ni. Significant relationships between particulate Pb-Zn-Cu reflected the affinity of these metals for organic matter, and the significant relationship between Ni-Fe reflected the adsorption of Ni onto Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides. A comparison of metal concentrations with data from other similar areas revealed that the river plume is somewhat contaminated with Cu, Pb and Zn which is in agreement with previous findings on anthropogenic origin of these metals in the Polish zone of southern Baltic Sea.     

Spatial distribution of heavy metals in Hong Kong's marine sediments and their human impacts: a GIS-based chemometric approach

A geographic information system (GIS)-based chemometric approach was applied to investigate the spatial distribution patterns of heavy metals in marine sediments and to identify spatial human impacts on global and local scales. Twelve metals (Zn, V, Ni, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Ba, Hg, Fe, Cr and Al) were surveyed twice annually at 59 sites in Hong Kong from 1998 to 2004. Cluster analysis classified the entire coastal area into three areas on a global scale, representing different pollution levels. Backward discriminant analysis, with 84.5% correct assignments, identified Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, V, and Fe as significant variables affecting spatial variation on a local scale. Enrichment factors indicated that Cu, Cr, and Zn were derived from human impacts while Al, Ba, Mn, V and Fe originated from rock weathering. Principal component analysis further subdivided human impacts and their affected areas in each area, explaining 87%, 84% and 87% of the total variances, respectively. The primary anthropogenic sources in the three areas were (i) anti-fouling paint and domestic sewage; (ii) surface runoff, wastewater, vehicle emissions and marine transportation; and (iii) ship repainting, dental clinics, electronic/chemical industries and leaded fuel, respectively. Moreover, GIS-based spatial analysis facilitated chemometric methods.     

Distribution,fractionation, and contamination assessment of heavy metals in offshore surface sediments from western Xiamen Bay,China

Surface sediment samples were collected at 21 offshore sites in western Xiamen Bay, Southeast China.Total concentrations of Li, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Mn,Pb, Ba, Fe, and Ti were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry; Hg was determined by atomic fluorescence spectrometry. A modified BCR sequential extraction procedure was used to extract fractions of the above elements. Concentrations of Pb, Cr, and Hg at most sites met the primary standard criteria of Marine Sediment Quality except site S12 for Pb and S7 for Cr, while concentrations of Zn at 17 sites and Cu at seven sites exceeded the criteria. The mean concentration of Hg was three times higher than the background, with a possible source being the Jiulong River. Fe, Ti, Ba, Co, V, and Li dominated the residual phase, mainly from terrestrial input.Ni, Cr, Pb, and Hg in the non-residual phase varied largely between sites. Sr, Mn, Cu, and Zn were mainly in the nonresidual fraction. Most sites showed considerable ecological risk; exceptions were site S7(very high) and sites S10,S11, and S14(moderate). Cu showed moderate-to-high pollution and Pb exhibited no-to-low pollution, while other metals had a non-pollution status according to their ratios of secondary phase to primary phase(RSP). Results of two assessment methods showed moderate pollution and a veryhigh ecological risk for Cu, Zn, Ni, and Cr at site S7, which might be due to the local sewage treatment plant.     

Influence of the Aznalcóllar mining spill on the vertical distribution of heavy metals in sediments from the Guadalquivir estuary (SW Spain)

The Natural Park of Do?ana and the Guadalquivir estuary were impacted by the release of 6 million cubic meters of acid waste after the mine-tailing spill in Aznalcóllar (Andalusia, SW, Spain). Here is presented the monitoring of the accidental spill on vertical distribution of heavy metals in the estuarine sediments. The total concentration of six metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu), their chemical speciation and the organic carbon concentration were analyzed in sediment vertical profiles. The results obtained determine background levels similar to previously reported in the area. The analysis catalogues the impact of the accident on the estuary as acute and mainly associated with high concentrations of Zn and Cd. The recent enrichment in Zn and Cd and their geochemical association with the more mobile fractions of the sediment determine an environmental risk associated with the acute impact and detected in some of the areas of the estuary.     

The distribution and sources of heavy metals in Izmit Bay surface sediments affected by a polluted stream

Dil Deresi stream is a highly contaminated stream passing through the most heavily industrialized area of Izmit Bay. In this research, surface sediments in the <63-microm fraction collected from 34 sites at western part of Izmit Bay, Northeastern Marmara Sea, Turkey were analyzed by ICP-AES for Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn and Zn. Metal concentrations were compared with the marine sediment quality standards (SQS) and literature data to assess the pollution status of the sediments. Enrichment factors (EFs) were calculated to assess whether the concentrations observed represent background or contaminated levels. The analysis revealed three groups of elements: (1) Sn is the most enriched element; (2) As, Cd, Pb and Zn are minor enriched elements; and (3) Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn and Ni are at background concentrations. The distribution maps of the concentrations and enrichment factors for all heavy metals were also produced as a contour plot based on Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.     

Metal enrichment in beach sediments from Chennai Metropolis, SE coast of India

A survey on the Partially Extracted Trace Metals (PETMs) concentration (Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn, Cd) in beach sediments is reported for the first time from 57 different locations in Chennai Metropolitan City of Southeast coast of India. The concentration of PETMs suggests that they are mainly concentrated with organic matter in the crowded part of the industrial regions in the beaches from the northern part rather than the tourist beaches in the southern part of the city. The comparison on enrichment of trace metals indicates higher values of Pb, Ni in the beaches than lowest effect level (LEL) and effects range low (ERL) than the tourist beaches.     

Space-time variations of river water chemistry in RF southern Far East

Concentrations and seasonal variations of water chemistry, including dissolved and particulate forms of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, and Ni in rivers of Primorskii Krai are determined. It is shown that, unlike the macrocomposition, the effect of hydrological regime on the concentration of dissolved metal forms is controversial and depends on anthropogenic load, watershed landscapes, and pH variations. Elevated concentrations of dissolved metal forms are recorded in the beginning of spring flood and during low-water period. Beyond the limits of local impact of wastewater, the concentrations of dissolved forms of Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, and Cd in river waters of the region insignificantly differ from the clearest rivers of the World.     

Heavy metal concentrations in growth bands of corals: a record of mine tailings input through time (Marinduque Island,Philippines)

The impact of copper mining along the western coast of Marinduque Island was investigated. Historic input of mine tailings in the coastal region was traced through variations in heavy metal concentrations in Porites growth bands. Five samples were collected from three reefs showing different modes and extent of exposure to mine tailings. Baseline metal concentrations in Porites were established using a coral from a reef that is least exposed to contamination. The lowest mean values of Cu (0.7 microg/g), Mn (0.8 microg/g), and Zn (1.0 microg/g) were calculated from annual skeletal bands representing five years of growth. Conversely, a sample from a reef adjacent to an old tailings stockpile displayed consistently elevated metal values in its growth bands. Mean Cu, Mn, and Zn values for this coral are 3.1, 1.0 and 1.8 microg/g, respectively. Corals from the Ihatub reef showed a distinct metal concentration peak in their 1996 growth ring. These peaks coincide with a documented release of mine tailings in the Ihatub area during that year. Other metal peaks observed in coral samples correlate with years of high precipitation which may have resulted in increased sediment transport in the region. The metals are presumed to be mostly bound to the aragonite lattice of the coral skeleton, however, contribution from incorporated detrital materials to the observed metal signal (mainly of Fe) could not be easily discounted.     

Distribution and Chemical Forms of Heavy Metals in the Flood 1997 Sediments of the Upper and Middle Odra River and its Tributarie:, Poland

At the beginning of August 1997, 72 samples of flood sediments were taken along the Upper and Middle Odra river and its tributaries. The concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Co, Ni, Cr, Mn, and Fe in the bulk samples and in the <20 μm fraction were determined by AAS method. The contents of metals vary in wide ranges and are significantly higher in the <20 μm fraction of sediments. The range concentrations vary as following: Zn 274...3 656 mg/kg, Pb 79...1 773 mg/kg, Cd 1.7...11.8 mg/kg, Cu 38...2 244 mg/kg, Cr 14...384 mg/kg, Co 4...73 mg/kg, Hg 0.2...3.9 mg/kg, Mn 214...6 972 mg/kg, and Fe 1.5...16.3 %. The highest amount of the metals was found in the Wrocław and Głogów regions. The mobile (exchangeable and carbonatic fractions) portions of metals reached up to 50 % of Zn, 40 % of Pb and Cu and 60 % of Mn.     

云南阳宗海沉积物重金属污染时空特征及潜在生态风险

分析了阳宗海柱状及表层沉积物中Al、Fe、Mn、Zn、Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、As、Cd、Pb等金属元素的含量,结合沉积年代学,研究了沉积物重金属污染的时空变化和潜在生态风险特征.结果表明,表层沉积物中重金属含量具有一定的空间差异性,As、Cd、Cu、Pb和Zn在中东部湖区含量较高,而Cr、Co、Ni含量高值位于南、北湖区的近岸区域;柱状沉积物中,1990s之前As、Cd、Cu、Pb和Zn含量较为稳定,1990s中后期以来,其含量逐渐增加,并在2009-2010年前后达到最大值,此后逐渐下降;而柱状沉积物中Cr、Co、Ni含量变化趋势与Al、Fe相似,总体上由下向上逐渐降低,这主要与沉积物质地(粒度)逐渐变粗有关.重金属富集系数表明,阳宗海沉积物中主要污染元素为As、Cd、Cu、Pb和Zn,1990s中后期污染程度快速增加,2009-2010年前后达到峰值,此后污染程度逐渐降低;表层沉积物中Cu为未污染至"弱"污染水平;Zn、Pb为"弱-中等"污染水平,As为"中等-强"污染水平,Cd为"弱-强"污染水平,中东部湖区污染程度高于其他湖区,这可能与该湖区缺少入湖径流、自然碎屑物质沉积速率较低以及砷污染事件等人为源的重金属贡献影响更为显著有关.生态风险评价结果表明,在2002-2010年前后沉积物重金属达到"中等-强"潜在生态危害,主要贡献因子是Cd和As,近年来其生态风险等级逐渐降低;表层沉积物中重金属在中东部湖区具有"中等"程度潜在生态危害,而其他湖区表层沉积物重金属具有较低程度的潜在生态风险.     

Schwermetalle (Fe,Mn, Cd,Cr, Cu,Pb, Zn) im Pelagial des Bodensees (Obersee und Untersee) und des Greifensees

Monthly measurements were made over a one-year period to determine the heavy metals Fe, Mn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in the vertical profiles of Lake Constance (Obersee and Untersee) and Greifensee, by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. Fe and Mn exhibited the usual cyclical fluctuations depending on redox conditions in the hypolimnion. For Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn no concentration patterns were noted that would show their dependency on seasonal and vertical stratifications.      

In situ trace metal speciation in a eutrophic lake using the technique of diffusion gradients in thin films (DGT)

We evaluated the application of DGT (diffusion gradients in thin films) as a tool to determine Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, Pb and Mn concentrations and speciation in a hardwater eutrophic lake. This technique was used in situ during six sampling periods over one year in Lake Greifen. The DGT-labile species of Cu and Ni amounted to 15-25% of the total dissolved concentrations. Speciation by ligand-exchange/DPCSV indicated that Cu and Ni were predominantly organically complexed (>99%). Thus, the DGT-labile species for Cu and Ni were much more abundant than the free ionic and inorganic species determined by ligand-exchange/DPCSV. The results can be explained by incomplete metal exchange of very strong complexes with the chelating resin in the DGT devices, metal exchange of less abundant weaker complexes, and by slow diffusion of exchangeable organic complexes. For Zn (36 to >90% DGT-labile) and Mn (50 to 100% DGT-labile), the results indicated that these metals are less strongly organically complexed. A larger fraction of Zn occurred in DGT-labile species in the hypolimnion than it did in the surface water, probably due to a larger concentration of strong ligands in the productive surface water. DGT-labile Cd- (0.01-0.02 nM) and Pb-species (0.03-0.06 nM) were detected at very low levels. The combination of measurements of dissolved and DGT-labile species showed a decrease of Cu, Zn, Cd and Mn concentration at 2.5 m from June to August, which was probably linked to intensive sedimentation of organic matter during summer stagnation. Mixing and oxygenation of the lake in winter-spring led to an increase in dissolved and DGT-labile Ni, Zn and Cd, whereas Mn decreased in the hypolimnion.