MELIMEX,an experimental heavy metal pollution study: Regulation of trace metal concentrations in limno-corrals

In three limno-corrals of the MELIMEX project the transport paths of the trace metals Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb and the reaction of the systems on increased metal loads were investigated. The metal balances lead to the conclusion that the biomass is the main factor responsible for the regulation of trace metal concentration. The observed sequence of relative residence times of the trace metals can be described with a steady-state model. Additional metal load decreases the ability of the limnic system to lower the metal concentration. The production of phytoplankton and its assimilation capacity for metals are reduced leading to relatively higher metal concentrations in the lake.     

MELIMEX,an experimental heavy metal pollution study: Behaviour of heavy metals in an aquatic food chain

Phytoplankton, periphyton and zooplankton samples, chironomid andSialis sp. larvae, and fry of trout and bream collected from unpolluted and artificially metal-polluted limno-corrals were analyzed for mercury, copper, cadmium, zinc and lead. The results indicate that these metals are not accumulated through the food chain and suggest that increased metal concentrations in the environment favor the growth of phytoplankton organisms with a low metal sorption capacity.     

风浪扰动对太湖水体悬浮物重金属含量的影响

通过离心浓缩的方法,获取太湖梅梁湾口东岸处(即梅梁湾与贡湖湾的交界处)不同风浪条件下的悬浮颗粒物．冷冻干燥,微波消解,ICP-AES的方法测定了其中Co、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb、Zn等重金属元素及Al、Ca、Fe、Mn等相关金属元素的含量．结果发现,小风浪(2 m/s)、中风浪(7 m/s)和大风浪(11 m/s)下：①水体总悬浮颗粒态金属的量依次大幅度增加;②单位悬浮颗粒物中各金属元素的含量在不同风浪下变化不同．Ca在小、中、大风浪下含量依次增大;Zn在小、中、大风浪下含量依次减少;Mn和Cu的含量变化趋势相同：与小风浪相比,中风浪下Mn、Cu的含量显著增大;与中风浪相比,大风浪下含量显著减少;其它元素Al、Fe、Ni、Pb、Co、Cr等在单位悬浮物中,中风浪与小风浪相比含量减少,大风浪与中风浪相比含量略微增加．研究表明：①金属元素在水体总悬浮物中的含量主要受风浪影响,但风浪对单位悬浮物中金属含量的影响则因元素而异;②除Cu、Mn、Zn外,悬浮物中重金属含量随粒径增大含量减少．     

MELIMEX,an experimental heavy metal pollution study: Particle size distributions in limno-corrals

The particle size distributions in three limno-corrals, located in Baldeggersee, Switzerland, have been determined by means of a Zeiss Micro-Videomat image analyzer as a function of depth and time. The distributions were measured biweekly over a period of 1 year at depths of 0 m, 2.5 m, 5 m, 7.5 m and 10 m (=above bottom). Two of the limno-corrals were charged with heavy metals, whereas the third was uncharged and served as a reference. The shape of the distributions as well as the particle concentrations in the uncharged container did not differ from the ones in the charged limno-corrals. The distributions were found to be self-preserving and independent on heavy metal load, time, depth and particle concentrations. As an average, the dependence of the distributions on the particle diameter was found to be ?1.5 to ?2.5.     

Calcium alginate immobilized marine microalgae: experiments on growth and short-term heavy metal accumulation

Growth of 11 calcium alginate immobilized marine microalgal species belonging to eight taxonomical groups has been checked in the present work. Cellular densities inside the calcium alginate beads were monitored during 17 days. Good growth and maintenance of the structure of the beads were both found for some of the assayed species. One of those species (Tetraselmis chui, Prasinophyceae) was selected in order to perform a short term (up to 24 h) heavy metal accumulation experiment. Beads of calcium alginate containing (or not) cells of T. chui were exposed to 820 μg L⁻¹ Cu and 870 μg L⁻¹ Cd separately during a 24 h period, and accumulation of heavy metals in the beads was measured after this time and compared. Concentration of each metal in the supernatants was monitored at 5, 10, 60 min and 24 h from the beginning of the experiment. After 24 h, practically all Cu was removed by the beads. Beads with immobilized algae removed around 20% of total Cd, while beads without algae removed half of that percentage.     

MELIMEX,an experimental heavy metal pollution study: Effects of increased heavy metal load on uptake of glucose by natural planctonic communities

Glucose uptake in lake water samples has been determined with short-time¹⁴C-experiments at different additions of the single heavy metals Cu⁺⁺, Zn⁺⁺, Cd⁺⁺, Pb⁺⁺, Hg⁺⁺ and at different additions of a combination of all metals. The degree of a metal induced inhibition of glucose uptake varied from lake to lake and from season to season, whereby the addition of legally tolerated concentrations of 10 μg Cu/l and 200 μg Zn/l inhibited glucose uptake in most samples significantly, as well as the simultaneous addition of all metals. The legally tolerated limit of 1 μg Hg/l inhibited glucose uptake in Lake Lucerne samples almost completely, showed however no effect in samples of Lake Baldegg. The equimolar toxicity sequence of heavy metals for heterotrophic microorganisms has been determined as: Hg>Cu>Cd>(Zn. Pb). Glucose uptake of plankton sampled from metal polluted limno-corrals was less inhibited than that of the control plankton, when heavy metals were added to the samples singly or in combination. It is assumed that this effect is due to the natural selection of more resistant plankton species.     

Preparative isolation and characterization of heavy metal complexes from acid mine drainage and surface wastewater

A preparative method was developed to sample dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and heavy metals (Ni, Mn) from polluted surface waters. Main focus was set on the preparative production of freeze‐dried samples mainly composed of organic ligands from heavy metal complexes. First characterizations were done in the aqueous phase. Finally, freeze‐dried samples provide stable organic matter for multiple characterizations. Acid mine drainage of the former mining area of Ronneburg (Germany) hold elevated concentrations of heavy metals and low concentrations of DOC. Municipal wastewater, passing the spoil pile, held elevated concentrations of DOC and low concentrations of heavy metals. Dissolved components smaller than 0.45 μm and larger than 1 nm were concentrated by nanofiltration. Organic heavy metal complexes were isolated from this solution by size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC). Different size classes of molecules were collected from the column effluent, depending on their elution time, and were characterized by UV spectroscopy, ICP‐OES, and DOC measurements. All samples held organic heavy metal compounds with different retention times. The organic heavy metal complexes in acid mine drainage had higher retention times than complexes from municipal wastewater. Most interestingly, we found different affinities of heavy metals to different size classes of DOC. This affinity of the heavy metals differs with size and origin of the DOC.     

Phytoplankton distribution and productivity in a highly turbid, tropical coastal system (Bach Dang Estuary, Vietnam)

Phytoplankton diversity, primary and bacterial production, nutrients and metallic contaminants were measured during the wet season (July) and dry season (March) in the Bach Dang Estuary, a sub-estuary of the Red River system, Northern Vietnam. Using canonical correspondence analysis we show that phytoplankton community structure is potentially influenced by both organometallic species (Hg and Sn) and inorganic metal (Hg) concentrations. During March, dissolved methylmercury and inorganic mercury were important factors for determining phytoplankton community composition at most of the stations. In contrast, during July, low salinity phytoplankton community composition was associated with particulate methylmercury concentrations, whereas phytoplankton community composition in the higher salinity stations was more related to dissolved inorganic mercury and dissolved mono and tributyltin concentrations. These results highlight the importance of taking into account factors other than light and nutrients, such as eco-toxic heavy metals, in understanding phytoplankton diversity and activity in estuarine ecosystems.     

Evaluation of induction of metallothionein-like proteins (MTLPs) in the polychaetes for biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution in marine sediments

Polychaetes are suitable organisms for evaluation of impact of sediment pollution. We evaluated toxicity of cadmium and copper and measured metallothionein-like proteins (MTLPs) in the polychaete Perinereis nuntia. At the same concentration ranges copper was unexpectedly more toxic than cadmium. Copper also caused no significant increase in MTLPs in the polychaetes. When P. nuntia and another polychaete species, Cirratulus cirratus were cultured in the contaminated sediments collected from Lake Sihwa (Korea), a high mortality of 80% was observed on day 6 in P. nuntia in the sediment with the highest metal concentration. However, no mortality was observed up to 35 days in C. cirratus in any sediment. MTLP contents between two species also varied. These findings suggest that MTLP induction response in the polychaetes varies with the metal type and species and it may be used as a biomarker of sediment pollution in the polychaetes after further validation and field trials.     

Growth and survival of Halimione portulacoides stem cuttings in heavy metal contaminated soils

The halophytic shrub Halimione portulacoides demonstrates a high tolerance to heavy metal contamination and a capacity for accumulating metals within its tissues. On the Iberian Peninsula, this species has colonized habitats with high levels of metal pollution. The aim of this study is to analyze the response of H. portulacoides stem cuttings to this pollution. Growth, photosynthesis and metal uptake were examined in H. portulacoides through an experiment in which stem cuttings were replanted in metal-contaminated soil. This condition decreased growth and lowered both photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance. Reduced photosynthetic performance was largely due to the reduced concentration of photosynthetic pigments. Despite these responses, there was some important evidence suggesting the phytoremediatory potential of Halimione stem cuttings. The results of our study indicate that this salt-marsh shrub may represent a biotool of value in the restoration of polluted areas.     

Evaluation of induction of metallothionein-like proteins (MTLPs) in the polychaetes for biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution in marine sediments

Polychaetes are suitable organisms for evaluation of impact of sediment pollution. We evaluated toxicity of cadmium and copper and measured metallothionein-like proteins (MTLPs) in the polychaete Perinereis nuntia. At the same concentration ranges copper was unexpectedly more toxic than cadmium. Copper also caused no significant increase in MTLPs in the polychaetes. When P. nuntia and another polychaete species, Cirratulus cirratus were cultured in the contaminated sediments collected from Lake Sihwa (Korea), a high mortality of 80% was observed on day 6 in P. nuntia in the sediment with the highest metal concentration. However, no mortality was observed up to 35 days in C. cirratus in any sediment. MTLP contents between two species also varied. These findings suggest that MTLP induction response in the polychaetes varies with the metal type and species and it may be used as a biomarker of sediment pollution in the polychaetes after further validation and field trials.     

西藏巴松错浮游植物功能群垂直分布特征及其与环境因子的关系

为了解青藏高原湖泊浮游植物功能群垂直分布特征与环境因子的关系,本文选取西藏东南部最大的高山冰川堰塞湖之一的巴松错为研究对象,于2017年11月(枯水期)和2018年9月(丰水期)在湖心利用挂锤式深水采样器进行浮游植物垂直分层采样,共设置7个断面,采集水样84个.应用浮游植物功能群、相关性分析、冗余分析(RDA)等方法,对巴松错浮游植物功能群垂直分布特征及其与环境因子的关系进行了研究.结果表明:1)巴松错水体稳定性强,水温有明显的分层现象,枯水期在30~60 m处形成温跃层,丰水期在1~15 m和30~60 m处形成双温跃层;2)巴松错浮游植物群落共鉴定7门76属242种,物种组成均表现为硅藻蓝藻绿藻型结构;3)根据浮游植物功能群分类方法,可划分为25个功能群,分别为A、B、C、D、E、F、G、H1、H2、J、L M、L O、M、MP、N、P、S1、S2、T、W1、W2、X1、X2、X3和Y,优势功能群从枯水期的MP、D、L O、P转变为丰水期的D、F、L O、MP、N、P,其中MP功能群为巴松错浮游植物群落绝对优势群;4)通过RDA表明,不同水情期浮游植物功能群垂直分布特征受环境因子影响差异较明显,整体上,pH、总氮和氨氮浓度是影响浮游植物功能群分布格局的主要环境因子.     

The status of the ecological environment and a proposed protection strategy in Sanya Bay,Hainan Island,China

Sanya Bay encompasses a high diversity of natural habitats, ranging from coral reefs, rocky and sandy shores and mudflats to mangroves. Seasonal physicochemical and biological investigations were conducted from 1998 to 1999 and again in April 2000. Water-related environmental quality in Sanya Bay is in good condition. The levels of dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and heavy metals are within the first class of National Seawater Quality Standards for China. Annual mean values of chlorophyll a of 0.93 mg m(-3) and phytoplankton primary productivity of 440.8 mgC m(-2)d(-1), respectively, were found in the waters, both of which show a significant correlation with inorganic nitrogen. A mean new productivity of 144.6 mgC m(-2) d(-1) was recorded in summer. Sanya Bay is rich in natural resources and biodiversity with 235 species of phytoplankton and 129 species of zooplankton identified in the survey. The annual mean abundance of phytoplankton and zooplankton were 1564 x 10 cells m(-3) and 121 individuals m(-3), respectively, with an annual mean zooplankton biomass of 129 mg m(-3). A total of 243 species of fish were sampled in the survey including many of high economic value. Three hundred and eighty-four species of benthos in 121 families were found by mud sampling and trawling. The average biomass of benthic organisms was 11.55 gm(-2), with a density of 31 individuals m(-2). Molluscs were the dominant group, followed by crustaceans; coelenterates exhibited the lowest biomass. One hundred and twenty-six species from 48 families of intertidal organisms were collected by frame sampling, with a mean annual biomass of 644.7 gm(-2) and average density of 816 individuals m(-2). The highest biomass of 1673.5 gm(-2) was collected in a coral reef region, while the highest density of 1219 individuals m(-2) occurred in a mangrove region. The coastline is characterized by coral reefs that accounts for 30% of the total coastline length in the bay, so coral reefs are a key ecosystem that are important for maintaining the regional marine resources and biodiversity. We need to pay much more attention to such diverse marine resources to maintain the integrity and function of these coastal ecosystems.     

The interpretation of body trace metal concentrations in neogastropods from Hong Kong.

Three species of neogastropods, i.e., Thais clavigera, Thais luteostoma and Morula musiva, were collected from 12 sites in the coastal waters of Hong Kong, including clean and known metal-enriched ones. Accordingly, body trace metal concentrations varied greatly. Copper and zinc body concentrations compared poorly with those of accepted biomonitors and presumed metal contamination profiles. Much is known about the feeding ecology of neogastropods on local shores and where direct observational data were not available, their diets could, nevertheless, be estimated reliably. Accumulated metal concentrations can be interpreted with regard to dietary history. T. luteostoma, for example, had body copper concentrations of 51.8 microg g(-1) on an exposed shore and a diet of mainly barnacles. In contrast, on a sheltered shore (but only some 250 m distant) where the diet consisted mainly of oysters, body copper concentrations were approximately 15 times greater at 833 microg g(-1). Similar results were obtained for T. clavigera. The results of this analysis suggest that neogastropods can play a significant role in trace metal trophic transfer studies, especially as their representatives are intertidally and subtidally ubiquitous and can be spatially separated into tropical specialists and temperate generalists.     

Influence of mangrove reforestation on heavy metal accumulation and speciation in intertidal sediments

To investigate the influence of mangrove reforestation on heavy metal accumulation and speciation in intertidal sediments, core sediments from a restored mangrove forest and adjacent mud flat in Yifeng Estuary (southeastern China) were analyzed. The chemical speciation of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr and Ni) was determined according to a sequential extraction procedure. Special attention was paid to the upper 20 cm of sediment, in which metal accumulation was enhanced and speciation was obviously modified. Mangrove reforestation decreased the concentrations of all metals in the acid-soluble fraction and increased metal concentrations in the oxidizable fraction. Increased Pb, Zn and Cu concentrations and decreased Ni and Cr concentrations were observed in the reducible fraction. These results suggest that mangrove reforestation facilitated the accumulation of heavy metals in the upper sediment layers but decreased their bioavailability and mobility.     

砷污染治理背景下阳宗海浮游植物生物量的时空分布模式及驱动因子

在社会经济发展和流域开发持续的背景下,砷污染已成为我国部分水体面临的重要环境问题,目前对砷污染防控的生态效应与修复效果评价仍缺乏系统识别。湖泊生态系统中浮游植物是重要的生产者,砷等重金属污染可以直接影响浮游植物生长、物种演替和初级生产力水平,浮游植物已成为指示砷污染水平及其生态效应的敏感指标。本研究以长期受到砷污染胁迫并经历污染治理的阳宗海为研究对象,设置南、中、北3个调查位点,于2015年4月-2019年12月对浮游植物和水质因子开展季节调查和空间分析,通过识别浮游植物生物量的时空分布模式与驱动因子,评价了砷污染与治理下浮游植物生物量的变化机制和生态修复效果。调查结果显示,采样期间阳宗海浮游植物以蓝藻门为主,浮游植物的生物量范围为0.7~30.4 mg/L,平均生物量在2016年最低((3.0±1.8) mg/L)、在2017年最高((10.5±8.9) mg/L)。ANOVA分析结果显示,浮游植物生物量存在显著的季节差异而空间差异不明显。相关分析结果显示,阳宗海浮游植物生物量与砷浓度和透明度呈显著负相关,而与水体温度和pH呈显著正相关。多元线性回归分析进一步显示,砷和水温是驱动阳宗海浮游植物生物量变化的显著环境因子。由此可见,在重金属污染湖泊经过修复后,水体砷遗留物的毒性效应仍然对浮游植物生长产生了明显的抑制作用,表明了水体重金属污染物可能具有长期的沉积物释放作用与持久的生态毒理效应。     

Assessment of heavy metal contamination of roadside soils in Southwest China

Topsoil (0–20 cm) samples were collected from the edge of roads to the locations about 200 m off the roads along the four roads with different transportation periods in October 2005. Total concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined using the inductively coupled plasma atomic absorption spectrometry in order to assess and compare road transportation pollution. Results showed that with the exception of As, Cu and Pb, the average concentrations of heavy metals were generally, higher than the regional elemental background values. Most soil samples were moderately or highly polluted by Cd or Ni, but the contamination index (P _i ) values for As, Pb and Zn were lower than other heavy metals in all sites. Among the four roads, heavy metal pollution was heavier for Dali Road due to longer transportation periods, while low or no contamination could be observed for the other roads. However, the integrated contamination index (P _c ) values showed a generally low contamination or no contamination level for all soil samples in this region, followed by the order of Dali Road > Dabao Highway > Road 320 > Sixiao Highway. The same pollution source of these heavy metals was found using factor analysis.     

Characterizing the effect of heavy metal contamination on marine mussels using metabolomics

Marine mussels (Mytilus) are widely used as bioindicators to measure pollution in marine environments. In this study, (1)H NMR spectroscopy and multivariate statistical analyses were used to differentiate mussel groups from a heavy metal-polluted area (Onsan Bay) and a clean area (Dokdo area). Principal component analysis and orthogonal projection to latent structure-discriminant analysis revealed significant separation between extracts of mussels from Onsan Bay and from the Dokdo area. Organic osmolytes (betaine and taurine) and free amino acids (alanine, arginine, glutamine, phenylalanine, and threonine) were more highly accumulated in Onsan Bay mussels compared with Dokdo mussels. These results demonstrate that NMR-based metabolomics can be used as an efficient method for characterizing heavy metal contamination derived from polluted area compared to clean area and to identify metabolites related to environments that are contaminated with heavy metals.