Heavy metal concentrations in sediment deposits on the Tar River floodplain following Hurricane Floyd

The relation between the magnitude of a flood event and the resulting environmental impacts remains unclear. This study examines the impact of the flood of record on heavy metal deposition on the Tar River floodplain in eastern North Carolina, USA. Samples of sediment deposited on the floodplain following Hurricane Floyd were collected from 85 sites along the lower Tar River basin and analyzed for heavy metal concentration. The Hurricane Floyd event is the flood of record for the Tar River basin. Despite the magnitude of the flood, little suspended sediment was deposited on the floodplain. In almost all cases the deposition was less than 0.2 cm. There was variability in heavy metal content from site to site, but the overall concentrations were lower than might be expected for a flood of the magnitude of Floyd. To aid in comparison of contamination levels, the heavy metal concentrations were normalized to two environmental standards; the EPA preliminary remediation goals for residential soil and the general background concentrations of stream sediments throughout the Tar River basin. Most samples were highly enriched in heavy metals relative to the background concentration of stream sediments. However, samples were generally not contaminated relative to EPA PRG regulations. Arsenic, which was significantly elevated in nearly all samples, was the only exception. This contradiction makes it clear that the standard to which contaminants are compared must be considered carefully. The overall low concentration of heavy metals was likely the result of smaller flooding from Hurricane Dennis, 10 days prior to Hurricane Floyd, moving most of the stored sediment out of the basin prior to wide-spread overtopping of the banks. The implication is that event sequencing is as important as flood magnitude when examining environmental impacts.     

江苏扬中长江漫滩沉积物重金属垂向分布特征及其背景值确定方法

对扬中长江漫滩柱状沉积物Cd、Pb、Cu、N i、Cr、Zn重金属垂向变化特征分析,表层20 cm以上,重金属含量普遍较高,表明了人类活动对长江重金属输入量呈现日益增加的趋势。通过重金属与Fe元素作线性回归方程,求得重金属的背景含量。相比而言,表层沉积物重金属含量反映了长江滩涂沉积物已经呈现明显的污染趋势。     

Historical variation and recent ecological risk of heavy metals in wetland sediments along Wusuli River,Northeast China

The 150-year historical changes in concentrations of pollution elements (Pb, Cu and Zn) in sediment profiles from two riparian freshwater wetlands along the Wusuli River (boundary river between China and Russia) were studied, and the ecological risk of heavy metals and their effects on four riparian wetlands during the urban development from Khanka Lake to Black Bear Island along the Wusuli River were assessed. Results showed that there are sharp increases of the enrichment factor and the ratio of anthropogenic/total of heavy metals in the sediment profiles during the 2000s, which showed that intensive human activities during city development had greatly affected heavy metals distribution since the 1960s. According to the principal component analysis, sediment textures, redox regimes, and organic matter contents accounted for 45.7, 23.6 and 16.5 % of the total variance of element concentrations, respectively. This study also showed that ecological risk of heavy metals was increased along the Wusuli River and closely related to the water quality of the rivers as their hydrological regimes likely affect wetlands.     

福建三沙湾海洋沉积物中重金属和过渡元素来源分析

依据2004年的调查资料,分析了三沙湾海洋沉积物的重金属和过渡元素的含量,对过渡元素的分布特征、过渡元素与重金属的相关性进行了系统研究,并探讨了其环境和物源意义。结果表明:沉积物中的Cd、Cu、Hg、Pb与Fe2O3有很好的相关性。三沙湾周边的山脉富含金属矿石,这种矿石含有Fe2O3、Ni和Mn等多种元素,矿石经过暴雨冲刷和江河径流将多种元素带入海洋沉积物中,使得Cu和Zn都有较高含量,高于中国浅海沉积物含量,高于福建省土壤背景值,说明这种现象主要是天然来源占多数,人为输入占少量。     

Heavy metal geochemistry and dispersion pattern in coastal sediments,soil, and water of Kedron Brook floodplain area,Brisbane, Australia

Hydrochemical monitoring and heavy metal speciation by sequential extraction techniques indicate direct relationships among enrichment of the heavy metals (copper, lead, zinc, iron, manganese, and cadmium), soil acidification, and salinization in Kedron Brook floodplain area of Brisbane, Australia. Assessment of modes of occurrence and distribution pattern of the heavy metals in soil, sediment, and water environments of this coastal plain indicates that the total concentrations and reactive fractions of these metals are elevated in soil and channel bed sediments. Such geochemical signatures reflect the complex influence of sources and a combination of natural and anthropogenic processes on concentration and dispersion within the coastal zone. According to a working model presented, the enrichment of the heavy metals, like cadmium, in the soil and sediment profiles is triggered by capillary pumping during low groundwater standing levels, when the metals are in a stable form associated with dry gels. During higher groundwater levels and occasional flood events, these metals become mobilized when the gel material is transformed into soluble colloidal phase.This study indicates that the potential impacts of heavy metal pollution on the coastal ecosystems can not be assessed and managed in isolation solely by considering the natural cause-effect relationships. The complex nature of sediment-soil-water interactions in the coastal hydrodynamic zones can produce a manifold of effects, including mobilization, concentration, and/or dispersion of heavy metals at both short and longer time scales. In the case of Kedron Brook, chemical erosion due to variation in natural climatic and hydrodynamic conditions contributes significantly to concentration of heavy metals in the coastal environments. Therefore, a sound understanding of the prevailing hydrogeochemical processes is essential for prediction of the fate of heavy metals and establishment of meaningful coastal zone management strategies.     

沿海表层沉积物中重金属的有效结合态

以浙江沿海表层沉积物为研究对象,系统地研究了重金属有效结合态与沉积环境、矿物组成和人为排放等环境因素之间的相互关系.结果表明:沿海表层沉积物中重金属的积累数量,呈现出潮汐河口沉积物>沿海沉积物>强潮汐河口沉积物的趋势,这反映了不同沉积类型对重金属富集作用的差异;重金属的有效结合态,总体上以铁锰氧化物结合态>碳酸盐结合态>硫化物及有机结合态>可交换态的顺序存在,但是不同的重金属或同种重金属在不同的采点,主要有效结合态的比例存在明显的差异,这不仅与重金属的地球化学性质、沉积环境和沉积物中的粘土矿物组成有关,更受到重金属污染物的人为排放量的影响.     

Partitioning of heavy metals into mineral and organic fractions in a sediment core from Tokyo Bay

Sediment core was collected from Tokyo Bay. The surface enrichment of heavy metals due to human activities is recognized in the sediment. Partitioning of Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn into sulfide, carbonate, organic and silicate fractions has been determined with selective chemical leaching techniques for ²¹⁰Pb-dated sediment core samples. The heavy metal contents of silicate fractions without exchangeable sites are almost constant against depth in sediment core. However, the Cu, Zn and Mn contents of sulfide, carbonate and organic fractions vary with depth. Most Cu and Zn in the polluted sediment layer are associated with the iron sulfide fraction.     

Geochemical behaviour and relative mobility of metals (Mn, Cd, Zn and Pb) in recent sediments of a retention pond along the A-71 motorway in Sologne, France

 Retention ponds have been dug along some of the motorways in France to minimize environmental pollution by keeping pollutants from spreading over the surrounding area. In the current work, eight core samples were collected from the bottom of a retention pond located along the A-71 motorway in Sologne to study the pollution of sediment by heavy metals and their diagenetic behaviour. The vertical concentration profiles of metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Fe and Mn) in sediment as well as in interstitial water were determined. Especially in the case of the sediment, a sequential extraction method was employed to investigate how the movement of each metal is associated with the other metals and with other solid phases such as organic matter. In addition, to investigate the relative mobility of the metals, the distribution coefficients (K_D) were also determined. The concentrations of the metals were always found to be highest in the topmost layer of sediment. This so-called surface enrichment is caused by a substantial increase of the non-detrital fraction of these metals at the sediment surface. For instance, the accumulation of Pb and Zn is associated with the increase in the "fraction II" in the sequential extraction. The accumulation of Cd at the surface (0–2 cm) is partly due to the liberation of Cd from the particles during early diagenesis. However, the major factor contributing to the accumulation of Cd at the sediment surface is attributed to the dissolution of Cd from polluted roadside soil during the periods of rainstorms and its subsequent redeposition on the sediment surface after being carried to the retention pond. K_D values for Zn and Cd were found to decrease with depth, while K_D values for Pb increased. Based on the K_D values, the relative mobilities of the studied metals were determined to be as follows: Mn>Zn>Cd>Pb, for the upper layer, and Mn>Cd>Zn>Pb, for the layers below. Received: 28 October 1996 / Accepted: 21 November 1996     

Heavy metal concentrations in floodplain surface soils, Lahn River, Germany

 Even relatively pristine drainage basins in industrial countries would appear to have received anthropogenic inputs of heavy metals. Investigation of floodplain surface soils in the Lahn River drainage basin, west-central Germany, indicates that the Cu concentration is 1.5 times the pre-industrial level, Pb and Zn contents twice the pre-industrial level; Cd, Co, and Cr concentrations are nearly equal to background metal values. Based on contamination standards developed for the Lahn River, floodplain soils are moderately contaminated with Pb and Zn, slightly contaminated with Cu. Metal contents are uniform across the floodplain, with the exception of a peak immediately adjacent to the Lahn River. Floodplain surface soil metal contents are less in the Lahn River basin than in larger drainage systems of Germany. Although Lahn River metalliferous sediments are presently immobile, they would, if eroded, contribute to downstream heavy metal concentrations. Consequently, metal storage in smaller drainage basins such as the Lahn should be considered in predictions of future metal loads in major river systems, for aggregate small basins could serve as significant metal contributors. Received: 21 August 1995 · Accepted: 23 January 1996     

Heavy metals on tidal flats in the Yangtze Estuary, China

 Five short cores were used to examine heavy metals on tidal flats in the Yangtze Estuary, China. Statistically insignificant trends in lead-210 and most metals with core depth are primarily due to high sedimentation rates. Metal contents are correlated with percent aluminum, which reflects the clay contents in the sediment, and they are also affected by proximity to sewage outlets and local industry. National standards for copper are exceeded in four cores, zinc in one core, and arsenic in all cores. Heavy metal contents are generally lower on the Yangtze tidal flats compared to most other estuaries because high sediment loads dilute metal inputs. Received: 1 June 1999 · Accepted: 15 August 2000     

Heavy metal contamination and their distribution in different size fractions of the surficial sediment of Haihe River, China

Heavy metal contamination and their distribution in different size fractions of the surficial sediment in Haihe River, China have been investigated. These results reveal that the heavy metal contamination of Haihe River is closely related to the contaminating sources along the river and has the order: Cd > Cu > Pb > Cr. The contents of these heavy metals in the sediment of Haihe River are at least two times higher than their background values and the highest contaminating metal, Cd, is 15.5 times higher than its background value and determined in the urban area of Tianjin city. The surficial sediments of Haihe River, with 70% particles smaller than 20 μm, belong to sandy clay containing about 28% clay and 42% silt. Electron micrographs and x-ray analysis show that the concentrations of heavy metals depend on the particle size of sediments. The highest concentrations for most metals exist in fine-grained sediments, which are mainly composed of silicates, oxides, and hydroxides of Si, Fe, and Al. In contrast, lower levels of heavy metals are usually found in the coarse sandy sediments, which are composed of quartz, feldspar, and other rocky substances. Based on the results in the present study of the surficial sediments of Haihe River, the contents of Cr, Cu, Pd, and Cd in finer sediments are 2.4, 3.9, 2.8, and 3.6 times higher than those in coarse sandy sediments, respectively. Obviously, because of rapid industrial development in this area during the last few decades, the surficial sediments of Haihe River, especially those finer fractions, have been seriously contaminated by heavy metals.     

Direct observation of heavy metal-mineral association from the Clark Fork River Superfund Complex: Implications for metal transport and bioavailability

Two sets of samples from riverbeds and adjacent floodplains, separated by 80 river kilometers, were collected from the Clark Fork River Superfund Complex, Montana, (the largest Superfund site in the United States), and studied primarily with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with several supporting techniques to determine heavy metal-mineral association. Seven of the eight samples studied were strongly influenced by material that once resided in mining and smelting dumps and impoundments; this material was transported downstream sometime during the last century and a half from the Butte/Anaconda areas. The eighth sample was from a deeper floodplain level and dates to premining days. The TEM observations afford a direct look, down to the nanometer level, at secondary mineral formation as a result of the breakdown of sulfides and silicates in the acid environment of this massive mine-drainage system. In the shallow, oxic floodplain sediments, heavy metals of concern in this system (As, Cu, Pb, and Zn) are taken up by the formation of sulfates (particularly Pb in jarosite), as well as hydrous metal oxides (As, Cu, Pb, and Zn in and on ferrihydrite, and a possibly new vernadite-like mineral). The oxides are long-lived in these systems, as they were also found in the anoxic riverbeds. Metals are also taken up by the formation of sulfides in sulfate-reducing environments as observed in the formation of nanoclusters of chalcopyrite and sphalerite. In all samples, clays make up between 5 and 20% of the sediment and carry significant amounts of Cu and Zn. The hydrous oxides, secondary sulfides, and clays provide several routes for metal transport downstream over long distances. Besides the potential bioavailability of heavy metals exchanged on and off the hydrous metal oxides and clays, nanometer-sized sulfides may also be highly reactive in the presence of biologic systems.     

An assessment study of heavy metal distribution within soil in upper course of Zarqa River basin/Jordan

Levels of heavy metals are found in soils and waters of the major tributary valleys of the Jordan Valley. Heavy metal content in soils irrigated by treated waste water were measured for a 40 km reach of Zarqa River. Soil samples from eight different sites along the upper course of this river were analyzed to determine the concentration of selected heavy metals (CO, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn). Silt forms the major component of the soils with an average of 54%. Clay fractions show an increase with depth from 17 to 41%. Trends in particle size distribution and metal contents were compared across sample sites. Samples contained moderate to considerable levels of Pb and Ni. Concentrations of Cu and Cr ranged between 33–59 and 65–90 ppm, respectively. These values represent a slight to moderate class of pollution. The concentration of Cr shows a decrease with depth and distance from the waste water plant. Cu, Zn, and Ni show increasing concentrations with depth but Pb and CO do not. The concentrations of the measured heavy metals increases near the waste water treatment plant but decreases with distance from the plant due to precipitation in the stream bed and dilution with stream water. This decline in metal content with distance from the treatment plant suggests that most metals reaching floodplain soils may derive from the same source. Although current metal concentrations are low to moderate, floodplain surface soils in this area should be regarded as a potential source for future heavy metal pollution downstream.     

中国北方某湖泊底泥污染分析及重金属潜在生态风险评价

以中国北方某湖泊(以下称A湖)为例,开展了底泥中氮磷污染及重金属生态风险评价研究,探讨多种评价方法的相关性,并分析底泥中氮磷元素向上覆水迁移造成水体富营养化的风险.选取A湖中心区域的10个底泥监测点位数据,对其总氮、总磷及重金属(Pb、Cr、As、Cd、Ni)含量进行分析,并采用有机污染指数法评价总氮污染,单因子指数法...     

郑州市土壤重金属污染状况和质量评价

本文采用电感耦合等离子体质谱、原子荧光光谱法对郑州市及周边地区化探扫面(1∶10万)采集的1014个表层土壤样品进行分析,结合单因子污染指数法、内梅罗指数法评价了土壤中重金属含量水平、形态特征和污染分布状况。结果表明,8种重金属的平均含量都低于《土壤环境质量标准》Ⅰ类土壤的临界值;从地表到深部重金属元素含量逐步降低;在测区1000 km2范围内,一级、二级、三级土壤面积分别占89.6%、9.4%、1.0%,土壤质量总体良好。在极个别中、重度污染区,重金属主要以难以迁移和被植物利用的残渣态、铁锰氧化态形式存在,目前对人及环境的实际危害很小。     

Biomarkers of selected heavy metal toxicity and histology of Chanos chanos from Kaattuppalli Island,Chennai, southeast coast of India

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals and its associated histological perturbations were studied in various tissues of Chanos chanos collected from Kaattuppalli Island, and they were compared with those of fish collected from the Kovalam coast. The concentration of four heavy metals: copper, lead, zinc and cadmium were determined in water, sediment and different tissues of fish (gills, liver and muscle). The result showed a marked difference between the two sites as well as significant variations within the water, sediment and biota samples. The decreasing trend of metals from both Kaattuppalli Island and Kovalam coast was in the order of Cd > Cu > Pb > Zn. Overall, the highest metal concentration was found in the sediment, water and biota collected from Kaattuppalli Island. The accumulation in the gills and liver of C. chanos was found to be quite high in comparison with that of muscle. These tissues were further investigated by light microscopy and the results were compared with the tissues from the reference site (Kovalam coast). The presence of large lipid droplets in the liver and increase of mucous cells in the gills were some of the most noticeable alterations observed that were related to heavy metal contaminants. It is concluded that histopathological biomarkers provide reliable and discriminatory data to augment heavy metal pollution in Kaattuppalli Island. Therefore, long-term monitoring is necessary to assess the eco-health of the Kaattuppalli Island environment by choosing a bio-indicator species like C. chanos, which provide accurate, reliable measurements of environmental quality.     

Industrialization affects heavy metal and carbon isotope concentrations in recent Baltic Sea sediments

Recent sediment cores of the western Baltic Sea were analyzed for heavy metal and carbon isotope contents. The sedimentation rate was determined from radiocarbon dates to be 1.4 mm/yr. The ‘recent age’ of the sediment was about 850 yr. Within the upper 20 cm of sediment, certain heavy metals became increasingly enriched towards the surface; Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu increased 7-, 4-, 3- and 2-fold, respectively, whereas Fe, Mn, Ni and Co remained unchanged. Simultaneously, the radiocarbon content decreased by about 14 per cent. The enrichment in heavy metals as well as the decrease in the ¹⁴C-concentration during the last 130 ± 30yr parallels industrial growth as reflected in European fossil fuel consumption within that same period of time. The near-surface sediments are affected by residues released from fossil fuels at the rate of about 30 g/m² yr for the past two decades. The residues have a pronounced effect on the heavy metal and carbon isotope composition of the most Recent sediments allowing estimates to be made for sedimentation, erosion and heavy metal pollution.     

厦门西港沉积环境变化及重金属的污染累积

通过测定柱状沉积物中的重金属、有机碳和硫化物含量, 结合沉积物粒度分析及现代沉积速率, 重现了厦门西港近70a的沉积环境变化及重金属的污染历史, 探讨了沉积环境对重金属累积过程的影响.结果表明, 厦门西港污染指示元素为Cu, Zn, Pb, As, 富集程度依次为As > Cu > Zn > Pb, 元素Cr, Cd和Hg在研究海域内没有富集现象.综观70a来, 厦门西港沉积物组成变化较大, 沉积环境变化明显, 重金属含量的垂向变化特征与当时的水动力、沉积环境变化紧密相关.研究表明, 沉积物来源越稳定, 沉积物粒径越小, 分选性越好, 则沉积物中重金属含量越高; 同时, 各层位的绝大部分重金属与有机碳和硫化物呈显著正相关关系.      

洪泽湖流域沉积物重金属元素的环境记录分析*

以淮河中下游洪泽湖湖底沉积物为研究载体,将放射性核素计年与沉积物重金属元素含量变化分析相结合,初步探讨了近百年来洪泽湖湖底重金属元素变化特征及人类活动对湖泊环境的影响。结果表明: 20世纪50年代初以前,洪泽湖沉积物中重金属元素主要为自然沉积,元素含量具有一致的变化趋势; \{1950~\}1978年,特别是1952年后各元素含量开始小幅度上升, Pb,Zn,As等元素均出现较为明显的累积峰值。原因在于1953年洪泽湖下游三河闸水利工程的修建,使部分重金属重新溶出吸附,导致沉积物中重金属元素含量发生波动,另一方面也反映出当时洪泽湖已经受到流域重金属的污染; \{1979~\}1989年间, Hg元素含量开始逐渐增加上升,系自然来源、人类污染及生物累积效应的影响; \{1990~\}2001年,大规模城乡开发活动对环境污染影响加剧,所有重金属元素均呈现逐渐增加的趋势,尤其在表层达到最高值,此阶段Hg和Cd的上升幅度较大,Hg元素平均含量为0.21ppm,Cd元素平均含量2.36ppm,超过土壤环境质量重金属评价三级标准。洪泽湖水体中Hg元素含量的上升,Cd元素含量的严重超标及其引起的生态效应问题应引起高度重视。     

Test of experimental set-ups for electrodialytic removal of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd from different contaminated harbour sediments

Electrodialytic removal of heavy metals from different harbour sediments was investigated. Electrodialytic remediation experiments in laboratory scale were made with calcareous and non-calcareous harbour sediments. Two different experimental set-ups were used for the study, one with stirring of the sediment slurry, the other without stirring. The removal of heavy metals was highest in the non-calcareous sediment, where 94% Cd, 91% Zn and 73% Cu were removed after 24 days. The highest removal obtained for the calcareous sediment was 81% Cd, 76% Zn, 75% Pb and 53% Cu after 21 days, with stirred sediment slurry. Electrodialytic experiments without stirring of calcareous sediment gave high removals (84% Zn, 58% Pb and 48% Cu), but there were problems with precipitations in the sediment, which limited the removal. The stirred experiments gave the highest removals of heavy metals and the voltage was the most stable in these experiments, and thus, the stirred set-up is the best choice for experimental set-up. The order in which the heavy metals were removed from the harbour sediments was Cd>Zn>Pb>Cu.