Health status of red mullets from polluted areas of the Spanish Mediterranean coast,with special reference to Portmán (SE Spain)

A suite of general physiological indicators and hepatic biomarker responses were determined in red mullet (Mullus barbatus) from priority pollution areas of W Mediterranean Sea, including the highly metal polluted area of Portmán (Cartagena, SE Spain). Concentrations of metals and persistent organic pollutants in fish muscle tissue and sediment samples were also analysed. Our results showed that fish from Portmán accumulated the highest concentrations of mercury, lead and arsenic and also of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls congeners. In addition, they had significantly lower condition factor, muscle lipid content and gonadosomatic index, as well as the lowest levels of DNA integrity and the highest ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity in liver of the areas investigated. Contaminant body burden in fish only partly corresponded to chemical characteristics of the sediments in the areas in which they were collected. Our findings indicate that red mullets from Portmán had suboptimal health status that warrant further study.     

Lead, cadmium, copper, nickel and iron in limpets, mussels and snails from the coast of ras Beirut, Lebanon

Samples of Patella coerulea (Linnaeus), Brachydontes variabilis (Krauss), Monodonta turbinata (Born) and surface seawater were collected at eight locations along the coast of Ras Beirut, Lebanon, and analysed for lead, cadmium, copper, nickel and iron. With the exception of cadmium, the metal levels found in the three molluscs appear to be high in relation to levels reported by investigators from other coastal areas. The average values for lead, cadmium and nickel within these animals were quite similar. Concentrations of copper in P. coerulea were lower, but concentrations of iron were much higher than those found in both B. variabilis and M. turbinata. Further studies of metal levels in various other intertidal organisms from Ras Beirut, together with investigations into the possible effects of seasonal changes on metal concentration and distribution, are currently under way.     

Study of organic-calcium interactions: gypsum precipitation in tropical surface waters

This paper demonstrates the involvement of dissolved organic compounds in the precipitation of gypsum from near-surface seawater. The general solubility and oxidation behavior of these compounds is discussed. Qualitatively different results have been obtained between samples collected from remote areas and those collected from areas of intensive human use.     

南海西北部浅海沉积物重金属污染的综合评价

利用在南海西北部北部湾和海南岛周边海域采集的492个站位的底质沉积物样品,以同一海区内同时采集的柱状样品的底层样品和"清洁区"样品中各重金属元素含量值作为背景值,运用潜在生态危害指数法、沉积物富集系数法和ArcGIS软件,对其Cd、Zn、Pb、Cu和Crs种重金属元素分布特征及其上述2种污染指数的分布图进行了分析和比较...     

黄海及东海海域大气降水中的重金属

于2000年5月至2002年5月在黄海的千里岩岛和东海的嵊泗群岛两个采样点共采集了120多个降水样品，测定了pH值和重金属Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd的含量。结果表明，两个采样点的降水样品中重金属的浓度有明显的季节变化，冬季的浓度高于夏季。千里岩岛降水中的重金属的浓度明显高于嵊泗群岛，尽管其降雨量小于嵊泗群岛，千里岩岛大气降水中重金属的沉降通量仍大于嵊泗群岛。在千里岩岛，Pb以干沉降为主，而Cu、Zn、Cd的湿沉降占明显优势，表明在黄海海域湿沉降对重金属元素向海洋的输送起重要的作用。     

胶州湾及青岛近海表层沉积物重金属赋存形态研究

2008年11月和2010年11月分别在青岛近海6个站位和胶州湾9个站位采集了表层沉积物样品,应用连续提取法分离和测定其主要成分和重金属的赋存形态。结果表明,易还原态的重金属受铁锰氧化物体系显著影响,其中镍的迁移过程基本受控于该体系,有机结合态的铬和钡迁移变化受有机质一定影响,其他形态重金属主要受外源输入影响。Pb和Cr存在显著富集,相对其他金属污染较明显。Pb的生态风险最高。胶州湾东部,尤其是李村河口附近重金属污染程度和不稳定性都最为明显。     

河北黄骅近岸石油污染对海洋生物体内石油烃含量的影响

对河北黄骅沿海1995年2次调查所捕获的鱼、虾、贝类等18种样品的测定结果表明,受测海洋生物均检出石油烃,双壳类生物体内石油烃含量高于甲壳类和鱼类.该海域海洋生物体内石油烃含量水平远低于国内外污染严重的水域.从分析结果看,该海域目前石油污染特点主要以慢性油污染为主.     

The effect of human use of sandy beaches on developmental stability of Talitrus saltator (Montagu, 1808) (Crustacea, Amphipoda). A study on fluctuating asymmetry

In recent years, there has been an increasing intensity of human use of coastal areas in Galicia (NW Spain). Actually, there is great concern about rapid and unplanned urban and industrial development on certain locations, as this can generate adverse impacts on those areas. In this study, we selected three sandy beaches along the Galician coast (Chanteiro, Insuela and Valieros) facing different levels of anthropic pressure, and we analysed Talitrus saltator individuals with the aim of elucidating whether anthropogenic pressures on beaches such as tourism or pollution have an influence on the incidence of morphological developmental alterations in sandhoppers in the field. Specifically, levels of fluctuating asymmetry were selected as indicators of environmental stress. Results of two sampling dates (May and September) show that individuals collected at the most touristy and polluted beach were those showing the highest asymmetry values, although results were only statistically significant for samples collected during spring. Results are in accordance with the hypothesis that beach management and pollution reduce symmetry in sandhoppers living in altered beaches.     

Geochemical and hydrodynamic constraints on the distribution of trace metal concentrations in the lagoon of Nouméa, New Caledonia

Seawater samples were collected in the lagoon of Nouméa (southwest New Caledonia) along two transects from eutrophic coastal bays to the oligotrophic barrier reef. Land-based emissions to the lagoon were measured with dissolved and particulate concentrations of chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni), used as tracers of both terrigenous and industrial (Ni ore treatment) activities, as well as dissolved and particulate concentrations of zinc (Zn), used as a tracer of urban effluents. The spatial variability of metal concentrations was related to geochemical and hydrodynamic conditions, i.e., respectively: (1) natural and anthropogenic emission sources, and chemical processes occurring in the water column; and (2) water residence times. The parameter used to describe the residence time of water masses was the local e-flushing time, i.e. the time required for a tracer mass contained within a given station to be reduced by a factor 1/e. High metal concentrations were found in coastal areas (up to 9000 ng dissolved Ni L⁻¹), and steeply decreased with distance from the coast (down to 101 ng dissolved Ni L⁻¹ near the barrier reef) to reach levels similar to those found in remote Pacific waters, suggesting a rapid renewal of waters close to the barrier. Distributions of metals in the lagoon are controlled upstream by land-based emission sources and later chemical processes. Then hydrodynamics constrain metal distributions, as shown by the observed relationship between local e-flushing times and the spatial variability of metal concentrations. In addition, a change in the direction of prevailing winds yielded a decrease of dissolved metal concentrations at the same site by a factor of 2.5 (Cr and Ni) and 2.9 (Zn). It is suggested that the residence time is a key parameter in the control of elemental concentrations in the lagoon waters, as much as land-based emission sources.     

中国黄、渤海海水中溶解镉的形态研究

黄、渤海是我国重要的海洋经济渔业开发区域,海水中痕量金属的含量及其存在形态会对海洋环境、海洋渔业产生重要影响。随着近年我国痕量金属采集与分析测试技术的发展,数据的准确性有了新的提升。2016-06—07采集黄、渤海40个站位的海水样品,测定其溶解态金属Cd的总浓度,并应用电化学方法(阳极溶出伏安法)分析Cd存在形态。结果表明,渤海海水中的总溶解态Cd浓度是南黄海海水中的2~3倍,这可能与渤海海水停留时间较长,水深较浅,周边较多河流输入有关。20%~92%以上的溶解态Cd是以有机络合物形态存在,以自由离子态存在的Cd浓度不超过100 pmol/L,低于Cd对浮游生物的毒性阈值。渤海比黄海的金属配体浓度高出2倍以上,高值出现在黄河口周围海域,表明黄河水携带较多有机配体输入。推测我国近海有机配体来源可能包括陆源输入、沉积物再悬浮的解析过程以及藻类分泌。研究还表明,黄、渤海海水中溶解态Cd的有机配体络合常数较其他海域的稍高,这与我国近海废、污水排放的有机络合配体类型有关。     

长江口嵊泗海域生物体内持久性污染物残留量及分布特征

利用2007年10月“908”项目调查期间采集于长江口嵊泗海域的生物样品,采用气相色谱和气相色谱质谱法对其有机氯农药和多氯联苯的含量和组分特征进行了定量分析,并结合其它河口地区资料进行了对比,探讨了其残留量和分布特征,结果表明:研究海域各生物体内HCHs的总量水平为(6.0～20.3)×10-9,平均值为12.13×1...     

Effect of seasonality on oxidative stress responses and metal accumulation in soft tissues of Aulacomya atra,a mussel from the South Atlantic Patagonian coast

This study investigated the effects of pollution and its interaction with temperature on the oxidative status of the ribbed mussel Aulacomya atra in the southern Atlantic Patagonian coast. Animals were collected from four sites with different degree and type of human activity impact, during the summer and winter of 2011. Seawater chromium, copper, manganese, nickel and zinc concentrations were measured, as well as metal accumulation, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, reduced glutathione levels, and enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase in gills and digestive glands.Metal bioaccumulation and oxidative stress responses in both tissues were generally higher in mussels from harbor areas. Water temperature had a remarkable effect on gill SOD activity and protein oxidation during winter in mussels from all locations.Methodologically, we conclude that measuring both metal bioaccumulation and oxidative stress responses allowed for a more accurate assessment of the biological effects of metal present in seawater.     

中国北方海域扇贝重金属含量的比较与质量评价

于2005年10～11月在大连湾、秦皇岛、莱州湾、烟台、威海、胶州湾、胶南7个海域,进行了海湾扇贝(Argopecten irradians)和栉孔扇贝(Chlamys farreri)As,Hg,Pb,Cu,Zn5种重金属含量的调查。重金属含量的测定采用原子吸收法进行。结果表明:(1)重金属含量存在着组织差异性,贝边的含量高于贝柱;(2)取自同一海域的栉孔扇贝重金属含量高于海湾扇贝;(3)5种重金属的平均含量排序为:Zn>Cu>As>Pb>Hg;(4)胶州湾栉孔扇贝Zn有超标现象,贝柱和贝边中的含量分别是限量标准的1.24倍和1.59倍;Hg,Pb,As和Cu均未超标。     

Heavy metals in marine sediments of Taranto Gulf (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy)

Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Ti and Zn concentrations have been determined in surface sediment samples collected in the Taranto Gulf (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy) in order to evaluate their levels and spatial distribution in this important area of the Mediterranean Sea. For various metals, the geoaccumulation index has been calculated as a criterion to assess if their concentrations represent contamination levels or can be considered as background levels. The results show that metals concentrations in sediments can be considered near the background levels found in the Mediterranean Sea.Analytical results have been elaborated by using a Geographical Information System (GIS) software to show metals accumulation areas. Using multivariate statistical analysis, we evaluate the possibility to distinguish the sampling stations, in relation to their geographical position. Results have showed metals distribution in the Taranto Gulf is principally influenced by industrial and urban wastes, located mostly in the northern coastal area of the Ionian Sea. Rivers in the Basilicata region and prevailing anticlockwise marine currents are further factors influencing metal accumulation in sediments.     

南澳岛海域表层沉积物重金属分布、富集与污染评价

南澳岛是广东南澳县的主岛, 周边海域的环境保护被置于当地社会经济发展的重要位置。为此, 2004年 5月、7月选择以水产养殖为主的后江湾和白沙湾及以旅游为主的青澳湾作为研究对象, 对南澳岛海域重金属的 含量、分布、富集及污染状况进行了调查与评价。结果表明该海域重金属元素的平均含量为Cd: 0.19mg.kg-1, Cr: 26.86mg.kg-1, Cu: 20.71mg.kg-1, Ni: 22.78mg.kg-1, Pb: 35.67mg.kg-1, Zn: 79.48mg.kg-1, 低于近岸经济发达海域, 但高于受人类活动影响较小的外海; 在分布特征上表现为湾口高于湾内, 养殖区高于非养殖区的总趋势, 但在各海湾之间重金属含量并无显著差异, 表明南澳岛海域重金属主要来源于地表径流输入。该海域以城市污水中代表元素Cu (Cf = 2.75), Pb (Cf = 2.27)富集为主; 以海洋沉积物质量标准、沉积物质量基准和美国太平洋沿岸基线值评价, 南澳岛海域环境质量均处于健康状态, 但其潜在污染效应仍值得关注。     

Influence of halophytes and metal contamination on salt marsh macro-benthic communities

Since an important fraction of the organic matter produced by salt marshes is decomposed in situ, macro-benthic communities are particularly exposed to the trace metals retained by these systems. Yet, few studies have investigated the macro-benthic communities using the between-root sediment habitat of the salt marsh halophytes (salt-tolerant plants), or the effect of trace metal pollution on its population dynamics. In the present study, samples were collected in vegetated and unvegetated sediment, in three salt marshes in the Tagus estuary, for trace metal concentration determination in the sediment and in the halophytes roots, grain size determination and macro-benthic organism identification. Data analysis revealed that the distribution of macro-benthic organisms is mainly determined by metal contamination, metal type and by the presence/absence of halophytes, not by the halophyte species. Five different associations were identified: resistant organisms were associated with the highest concentrations of lead (sediment); tolerant organisms with zinc, copper (sediment and roots) and lead (roots); cadmium in the sediment with a lack of macro-benthic life; sensitive organisms with low levels of metals except for cadmium in the roots; and macro-benthos typical of intertidal mudflats with unvegetated areas with low metal contamination.     

Heavy metals in sinking particles and bottom sediments from the eastern Turkish coast of the Black Sea

Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb, As, and Sb were determined in sediment trap and bottom sediment samples collected seasonally from a station on the eastern Turkish coast of the Black Sea. Cd, Pb and Mn concentrations were highest in the sediment trap samples except during the summer period, whereas Co, Ni, Zn and Fe levels were much lower than corresponding levels found in the surface sediments. Cu, Cr, As and Sb levels showed no definite trend with sediment type. In general, with the exception of Cr, relatively lower metal concentrations in the sediment trap material were determined in the summer period. The highest mass flux, 56.5 g m⁻² day⁻¹, was measured during autumn. The highest flux of heavy metals also occurred during autumn and was strongly dependent on particle mass flux. Based on these results, we suggest that the downward vertical transport of particulate heavy metals in this region is related to the high degree of land erosion and the resultant particulate flux dynamics, which occur here. It was noteworthy that the highest concentrations of Cd, Cu, Co, Zn, Fe and Sb in particles were measured during winter a finding which suggests that enhanced fossil fuel combustion, which occurs during this period in adjacent urban and industrial areas plays an important role in the metal composition of sinking particles in nearshore waters.     

Measurement of DNA single-strand breaks in gill and hemolymph cells of mussels, Mytilus sp., collected on the French Atlantic Coast

DNA single-strand breaks were measured by the comet assay in both gill and hemolymph cells of mussels collected in 3 sampling areas of the French coast (Pointe du Castelli, Pen Bron and Saint-Nazaire Harbour). Whole mussel tissue samples were also collected for the chemical determination of PAH, PCB and heavy metal concentrations. In mussel, a higher level of DNA strand breaks was measured in gill than in hemolymph cells (p < 0.01). Despite a factor of contamination from 2 to 3 between sites, no difference in the extent of mussel DNA strand breaks was shown between sampling locations (p > 0.05), questioning the sensitivity of the assays used in biomonitoring studies.     

Metal uptake in zebrafish embryo-larvae exposed to metal-contaminated sediments

Heavy metal contamination in coastal and estuarine regions of inner Tolo Harbour, as well as some river and nullah areas, is one of the major water-pollution issues in Hong Kong. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo-larvae was used to study metal uptake from coastal sediments collected from Fo Tan River (industrial area, Sha Tin), Tai Po River (residential area, Tai Po) and Wu Kai Sa (rural area, Tolo Harbour). Exposure experiments (7-days) were carried out using different concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, 1% and 0% as control) of sediments that were added to aquaria containing fertilized zebrafish eggs until they hatched to become larvae. Uptake of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) was determined in whole embryo-larvae following exposure. Significant levels of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were detected in the embryo-larvae exposed to sediments from Tai Po River. However, significant levels of only Cd and Cu were found in embryo-larvae exposed to sediments from Fo Tan River.     

Copper complexation capacity in surface waters of the Venice Lagoon

Total copper (Cu(T)), copper ion activity (pCu) and the copper complexation capacity (CuCC) were determined in samples of seawater collected in July 2003 from the Venice Lagoon. Cu(T) and CuCC showed considerable spatial variability: Cu(T) ranged from 1.8 to 70.0nM, whereas the CuCC varied from 195 to 573nM. pCu values varied from 11.6 to 12.6 and are consistent with those previously reported in estuarine and coastal areas (10.9-14.1). The range of Cu(T) values compares well with those reported in the past in the lagoon and in the adjacent Adriatic Sea. The highest concentrations of Cu(T) were found in samples collected near the industrial area of Porto Marghera, whereas the lowest were measured near the Chioggia and Malamocco inlets, where an intense tidally-driven renewal of seawater takes place. Although CuCC showed a high degree of spatial variability, the values recorded in the Venice Lagoon are comparable to those reported in other estuarine systems. In addition, CuCC was positively correlated with dissolved organic carbon (DOC), suggesting that organic ligands responsible for Cu complexation are part of the bulk organic matter pool in the lagoon. The CuCC:Cu(T) molar ratio was, on average 55:1, indicating that a large excess of complexation capacity exists in the Venice Lagoon. The high levels of CuCC and the narrow range of pCu indicates the importance of the role played by organic ligands in controlling the free ion Cu concentrations in the lagoon, and as a consequence, regulating its availability and/or toxicity.