Heavy metals contamination in water and sediments of an urban river in a developing country

Water and sediment samples were collected from 20 location of the Buriganga river of Bangladesh during Summer and Winter 2009 to determine the spatial distribution, seasonal and temporal variation of different heavy metal contents. Sequential extraction procedure was employed in sediment samples for the geochemical partitioning of the metals. Total trace metal content in water and sediment samples were analyzed and compared with different standard and reference values. Concentration of total chromium, lead, cadmium, zinc, copper, nickel, cobalt and arsenic in water samples were greatly exceeded the toxicity reference values in both season. Concentration of chromium, lead, copper and nickel in sediment samples were mostly higher than that of severe effect level values, at which the sediment is considered heavily polluted. On average 72 % chromium, 92 % lead, 88 % zinc, 73 % copper, 63 % nickel and 68 % of total cobalt were associated with the first three labile sequential extraction phases, which portion is readily bioavailable and might be associated with frequent negative biological effects. Enrichment factor values demonstrated that the lead, cadmium, zinc, chromium and copper in most of the sediment samples were enriched sever to very severely. The pollution load index value for the total area was as high as 21.1 in Summer and 24.6 in Winter season; while values above one indicates progressive deterioration of the sites and estuarine quality. The extent of heavy metals pollution in the Buriganga river system implies that the condition is much frightening and may severely affect the aquatic ecology of the river.     

Metal accumulations in acidic waters from gold mines in South Africa

Heavy metal contents have been investigated in sediment and water samples from gold and platinum mining areas of South Africa. Waste waters from Witwatersrand and Orange Free State gold mines exhibit characteristically low pH-values due to the formation of sulphuric acid by oxidation of sulphide ore minerals. Acid leaching of iron, manganese, nickel, cobalt, copper and zinc effects a 1,000–10,000-fold increase of metal concentrations as compared to the respective values in unpolluted river water. Lack of carbonate buffering prevents rapid immobilization and may lead to widespread distribution of toxic metals in the aquatic systems. These findings illustrate that modern ore refining techniques have little effect on the water quality as long as unchecked hydrometallurgical processes take place outside the production plant.     

Hydrogeochemical prospecting for porphyry copper deposits in the tropical-marine climate of Puerto Rico

A hydrogeochemical survey utilizing waters from streams and springs was conducted in the area of two known porphyry copper deposits in the tropical-marine climate of westcentral Puerto Rico. The most important pathfinder for regional hydrogeochemical surveys is sulfate which reflects the associated pyrite mineralization. Because of increased mobility due to intense chemical weathering and the low pH environment, dissolved copper can also be used as a pathfinder for regional surveys and has the advantage of distinguishing barren pyrite from pyrite associated with copper mineralization. For follow-up surveys, the most important pathfinders are copper, sulfate, pH, zinc, and fluoride. High concentrations of dissolved copper and moderate concentrations of sulfate is a diagnostic indication of nearby sources of copper minerals.An understanding of the geochemical processes taking place in the streambeds and the weathering environment, such as the precipitation of secondary copper minerals, contributes to the interpretation of the geochemical data and the selection of the most favorable areas for further exploration.     

Segregation roasting of nickel,copper and cobalt from deep-sea manganese nodules

The recovery of nickel, copper and cobalt from ocean manganese nodules by a segregation roasting technique was investigated under a wide range of conditions with several nodule samples all of which gave similar results. The best conditions for the segregation of the metals were achieved with CaCl₂ as the chloride source at a batch retention time of approximately two hours; the highest recoveries were obtained at approximately 850°C for copper and at 1,050°C for nickel and cobalt. At 850°C, copper recovery was 75%, but nickel and cobalt recoveries were only about 25%. At 1,050°C, the nickel and cobalt recoveries were increased to about 60%, but the copper recovery dropped to only 35%. Electron-probe microanalysis showed the segregated metal to be an alloy, indicating that gaseous reactions play an important role in the reduction of chlorides to metal during the process.     

Distribution of copper,cobalt and nickel in ores and host-rocks,Ingladhal, Karnataka,India

Stratiform quartz-sulphide lodes in Ingladhal occur in a typical Precambrian green-stone-belt environment comprising metabasalts, tuff, chert and cherty iron-sulphide formation. Unusually high cobalt contents of metavolcanics and of sulphide minerals in orebodies suggest a consanguinity between ores and rocks. 90% of total nickel, 70% of total cobalt but only 30% of total copper in rocks occur in silicate phases and thus indicate an early separation of copper from cobalt and nickel. Unusually high non-sulphide copper in barren bedded cherts implies availability of Cu-rich solution prior to their lithification. Pyrite in sediments, in volcanics, and in orebodies is characterized by a distinctive pattern of Co-Ni distribution in each case. Partitioning of Co and Ni between coexisting sulphide pairs is complex, but gross equilibrium is indicated. Very high trace metal content of orebody pyrite sharply contrasts with very low such values in pyrite from adjacent sediments and points to a higher temperature of formation of orebodies.     

Metal binding to dissolved organic matter and adsorption to ferrihydrite in shallow peat groundwaters: Application to diamond exploration in the James Bay Lowlands,Canada

The speciation and solubility of kimberlite pathfinder metals (Ni, Nd, Ba and K) in shallow peat groundwaters is investigated over the Yankee, Zulu and Golf kimberlites in the Attawapiskat region, James Bay Lowlands, Canada. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between dissolved organic matter (DOM) complexation with kimberlite pathfinder metals and determine the spatial distribution of those metals in shallow peat groundwaters along sampling transects over subcropping kimberlites. Nickel, Nd, Ba and K complexation with DOM and the adsorption of these metals onto ferrihydrite were calculated using Visual MINTEQ 3.0 and the NICA-Donnan database. Calculations predict almost 100% of soluble Nd, Ni and Ba form complexes with DOM at sampling sites with little to no contribution from upwelling groundwater (i.e., dissolved organic C (DOC) concentrations = 40–132 mg/L, pH = 3.9–5.5, and log ionic strength ??3). In only the most ombrotrophic peat groundwater conditions does a majority fraction of K bind to DOM. By contrast, under conditions with large contributions from upwelling groundwaters (i.e., DOC concentrations ?40 mg/L, pH = 5.5–6.5, and log ionic strength = ?3 to ?2), as little as 10% of Nd and Ni, and 0% K and Ba are predicted to complex with DOM. The modeling calculations suggest the dominant control on metal–DOM complexation, particularly with respect to Ni and Nd, is competitive effects for DOM binding sites due to elevated ionic strength where there is evidence of strong groundwater upwelling. Visual MINTEQ modeling of metal adsorption on ferrihydrite surfaces predicts that under strong upwelling conditions, Ni and Nd are scavenged from solution due to increased ferrihydrite precipitation and decreased fractions of metals complexed with DOM. Analytical geochemical data are consistent with model predictions of metal adsorption on ferrihydrite. Total dissolved Ni and Nd concentrations at sites of strong upwelling are up to five times lower than waters with little to no upwelling and log ferrihydrite saturation indices (logSI_ferr) indicate precipitation (values up to 5) at sites of strong groundwater upwelling. Where the majority of Ni and Nd complex with DOM and ferrihydrite is highly under saturated (logSI_ferr = ?18 to ?5), the concentrations of total Ni and Nd are elevated compared to other sites along sampling transects. Metal complexation with DOM effectively inhibits metal scavenging from solution via adsorption and/or from forming secondary mineral precipitates. Also, because alkaline earth metals do not compete strongly with Ni and Nd for adsorption sites on ferrihydrite surfaces, but do compete strongly for insoluble organic sites, Ni and Nd are more likely to adsorb onto ferrihydrite.     

Metal transport, partition and fixation in drainage waters and sediments in carbonate terrain in Southeastern Ontario

Lake sediment composition as an indicator of mineralization within the catchment area has found widespread application in recent years, particularly in Canada. Results have indicated, however, the existence of varying relationships between lake sediment composition and mineralization resulting from local features of the limnological environment. Accordingly it was considered appropriate to examine the nature of metal transport in the lake and stream environment, the partitioning of metal between the stream waters and stream sediments and between lake waters and lake sediments to obtain some understanding of the factors that affect the lake sediment-mineralization relationship. This investigation was carried out over an area containing Pb-Zn occurrences of supposed “Mississippi-Valley type” in Grenville and Paleozoic bedrock in southeastern Ontario.The headwater drainage systems comprise active streams, swamps, beaver ponds and small lake-bog systems giving way downstream to open lakes. The beaver swamps and seasonal swamps act as drainage sinks for metals, restricting the extent of geochemical dispersion in drainage systems adjacent to mineralization. Selective extraction analysis of bog, stream and lake sediments indicates that metals are preferentially concentrated with amorphous iron oxides, which readily adsorb and complex lead and zinc and are stable in the alkaline environment common in swamps adjacent to carbonate-hosted lead-zinc mineralization. The accumulation of lead and zinc with amorphous iron oxides combined with the adsorbing and chelating action of organic matter on lead and zinc makes organic-rich sediments from these small swampy areas an excellent sample medium for reflecting local mineralization. Down drainage anomalies of these elements can be accentuated by selective analysis for the amorphous iron oxide-held metal, involving selective extraction techniques.In contrast, within larger lake systems, the analysis of water samples indicates that geochemical dispersion in surface waters in the high pH environment (pH = 8.0) associated with the carbonate-hosted lead-zinc deposits is extremely restricted. In this environment, anomalous metal contents in lake water were not evident in lakes adjacent to mineralization, while anomalous lake sediment compositions exist only in lakes immediately adjacent to Pb-Zn mineralization and do not extend down the drainage system. The restricted dispersion necessitates basing geochemical reconnaissance surveys on collection and analysis of samples from the headwater organic-rich swamps at a higher sample density and resulting higher cost than in areas where a lower sample density is acceptable due to a wider dispersion.     

Assessment of the geochemical reactivity of Fe-DOM complexes in wetland sediment pore waters using a nitroaromatic probe compound

The reductive capacity of Fe(II) present in anoxic sediment pore waters affects biogeochemically significant processes that occur in these environments, such as metal speciation, mineral solubility, nutrient bioavailability, and the transformation of anthropogenic organic compounds. We studied the reduction of pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) in natural pore waters to elucidate the reductive capacity of Fe(II) complexes, and monitored the redox-active species responsible for the observed kinetics. Differential pulse polarography (DPP) scans of sediment pore waters from a coastal Lake Erie wetland (Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve, Huron, OH) revealed an increase in both Fe(III)-organic and Fe(II) species to a depth of ∼30 cm below the sediment-water interface. Concentrations of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in pore waters increased while pH decreased with depth. We found that Fe(II) was necessary for rapid PCNB reduction (<24 h), and observed faster reduction with increased pH. PCNB reduction in preserved pore waters (acidified to pH 2.5 after pore water extraction and raised to the native pH (6.7-7.6) prior to reaction) was similar to that observed in a model system containing Fe(II) and fulvic acid isolated from this site. Conversely, PCNB reduction in unaltered pore water was significantly slower than that observed in preserved pore water, indicating that the Fe(II) speciation and its reductive capacity differed. DPP scans of pore waters used for kinetic studies confirmed that pH-adjustment affected Fe_T speciation in the pore waters, as the Fe(III)-DOM peak current was lowered or disappeared completely in the preserved pore water samples. These data show that pH-adjustment of pore waters presumably alters both their complexation chemistry and reactivity towards PCNB, and shows how small changes in Fe complexation can potentially affect redox chemistry in anoxic environments. Our results also show that reactive organic Fe(II) complexes are naturally present in wetland sediment pore waters, and that these species are potentially important mediators of Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox biogeochemistry in anoxic sedimentary environments.     

Integrated physicochemical and hydrogeochemical assessment to groundwater quality in Obosi and Onitsha provinces,South-eastern Nigeria

An integrated physicochemical and hydrogeochemical assessment was carried out at an automobile junk market in Obosi and in residential areas in Anambra State, south-eastern Nigeria to examine the concentration of heavy metals in the groundwater and determine the quality of the water for drinking and other domestic purposes. Forty groundwater samples were collected from boreholes and hand-dug wells (three samples from Obosi and the rest from Onitsha). They were subjected to atomic absorption spectrometry using standard field and laboratory techniques and analysed for physicochemical and hydrogeochemical parameters. Results show that the groundwater in the study area is slightly acidic to neutral, soft to moderately hard when compared with the World Health Organization maximum allowable concentration values and the Nigerian Standards for Drinking Water Quality. The electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand ranged from 58 to 1796 μS/cm, 6.78 to 8.76 and 0.17 to 1.50 mg/L, respectively. Heavy metal concentrations measured (in ppm) in the water included nickel, manganese, copper and zinc and varied from 0 to 1.82, 0 to 0.195, 0 to 0.325 and 0 to 0.09, respectively, while heavy metal concentrations in the soil measured (in ppm) included iron, lead and cadmium and varied from 0 to 3.87, 0 to 1.80 and 0 to 7.38 mg/kg, respectively. Statistical results gave significant correlation (at 0.05) between electrical conductivity and total hardness, biochemical oxygen demand and dissolved oxygen, and several others elements. The study helps in the understanding of the chemistry of groundwater for long-term monitoring and management for the local community.     

化探样品中铜、铅、钴、镍的极谱测定

在现有工作的基础上,我们采取盐酸—硝酸—氢氟酸—高氯酸溶解矿样,在盐酸—硫氰酸钾—抗坏血酸—氨基乙酸底液中测铜后加入碘化钾进行铅的测定,加入磺基水杨酸,氢氧化铵,氯化铵,丁二肟测定镍、钴是可行的。从而建立了一个一次称样在同一份溶液中连续测定化探样品中微量铜、铅、镍、钴的方法。实验部分一、仪器与试剂JP-1A型示波极谱仪(成都仪器厂)     

Determination of Free Cd,Cu and Zn Concentrations in Lake Waters by In Situ Diffusion Followed by Column Equilibration Ion-exchange

Combining in situ diffusion and column ion-exchange equilibration, we measured free metal ion concentrations (Cd, Cu and Zn) in water samples collected from the epilimnion of 14 lakes in the Rouyn-Noranda area (600 km north-west of Montreal, QC, Canada). Lakes were selected to represent a wide range of physico-chemical characteristics (hardness, pH, dissolved organic matter—DOM, degree of metal contamination), to determine the influence of these parameters on metal speciation. Total dissolved metal concentrations, as determined within the diffusion cells, varied over one to two orders of magnitude: [Cd] 0.19–2.9 nM; [Cu] 36–190 nM; [Zn] 7–2,800 nM. The proportion of total dissolved metal present as free Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ was relatively constant for the 14 selected lakes, despite the wide pH (4.5–8) and DOM (3–23 mg C/L) ranges, probably reflecting the inverse relationship observed between pH and DOM; this proportion did, however, vary with DOM and pH for Cu. Our experimental free metal ion concentrations were compared with those calculated with the thermodynamic models WHAM (Windermere Humic Aqueous Model VI) and ECOSAT 4.7 (incorporating the NICA-Donnan model). Measured and calculated values were in reasonable agreement for both Cd and Zn although measured values were generally slightly higher, i.e. less than one order of magnitude. For several lakes, measured free Cu concentrations were, however, much higher than the calculated values, suggesting that these models overestimate Cu complexation. The gap between measured and calculated free metal ion concentration becomes more important as the total metal concentration decreases and as pH increases.     

Fractionation of dissolved organic matter affected by polyvalent metal cations

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of polyvalent cations known to form complexes with natural organic substances on the operational fractionation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) using XAD-8 adsorber resin. Dissolved organic matter solutions from a forest floor were treated with increasing concentrations of polyvalent metal cations (Ca²⁺, Al³⁺, Fe³⁺) at different pH levels. Then the concentrations of total dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and the distribution between hydrophilic and hydrophobic DOC were determined. The concentrations of total DOC decreased slightly when the C/metal ratio was less than 10, especially for Al and Fe. Hydrophilic DOC increased and hydrophobic DOC decreased with increasing concentrations of metal cations. Effects increased in the order Ca<Al<Fe and were more pronounced at low DOC concentrations and high pH values. The reason for the reduction of the DOC concentrations seemed to be the formation of insoluble metal–DOM complexes, while soluble metal–DOM complexes may induce an alteration of the distribution between hydrophilic and hydrophobic DOC. Thus, the polyvalent cations and their concentration need to be considered when DOM fraction distributions, determined with XAD-8 resin, of different waters are compared, especially at low DOC contents and high pH.     

Chemical composition of the ore and occurrence state of the elements in Jingbaoshan platinum-palladium deposit

The Jingbaoshan platinum-palladium deposit is China＇s largest independent PGM （platinum-group metals） deposit so far discovered. There are eleven kinds of useful components in the ore： Pt, Pd, Os, Ir, Ru, Rh, Au, Ag, Cu, Ni, and Co. The platinum-group elements, gold and silver occur in the form of minerals in ores. twenty-five kinds of precious metal minerals have been found, of which twenty one belong to the platinum-group minerals. The minerals are very small in grain size. Copper occurs mainly as copper sulfide with a small amount of free copper oxide, and the beneficiated copper accounts for 95.21%. Nickel occurs mainly as nickel sulfide, and some nickel silicate and nickel oxide occur in the ore. The beneficiated nickel accounts for 72.03%. Cobalt occurs mainly as cobalt sulfide, and there are some cobalt oxide and other kinds of cobalt. The beneficiated cobalt accounts for 77.58%.     

中国岩浆铜镍钴硫化物矿床成矿理论创新和找矿突破

中国岩浆铜镍钴硫化物矿床是国家镍、钴、铂族元素等战略性关键金属资源的主要来源,是需要特别关注的具有未来价值的重要矿床类型。该类矿床来源于上地幔,特别是软流圈的部分熔融形成的镁铁质、超镁铁质岩浆,硫化物液相?硅酸盐熔体的不混溶（熔离）作用是成矿的主要机制。它们主要形成于两种背景:大陆裂谷和造山带中的伸展环境。中国是岩浆铜镍钴硫化物矿床的产出大国,但与国外相比,形成背景和成矿动力学机制比较独特。世界上绝大多数岩浆铜镍钴硫化物矿床都形成于古老的克拉通,是地幔柱地球动力作用的结果,太古代—早元古代的科马提岩镍钴硫化物矿床是鲜明的产出特点。中国缺少古老的科马提岩有关的镍钴硫化物矿床,成矿时代相对较晚,主要形成于新元古代、晚古生代早期和晚期三个时期,新元古代以镍金属资源量居世界第三的金川超大型矿床为代表,晚古生代早期以近年来找矿突破发现的夏日哈木超大型矿床为代表。夏日哈木矿床也是迄今世界上特提斯造山带中发现的唯一一例超大型岩浆铜镍钴硫化物矿床。中国学者基于中国找矿实际提出的“大岩浆?深部熔离?贯入”表现为“小岩体成大矿”的成矿理论,广泛为野外地质勘查工作者接受并应用,取得了重要的找矿突破性成果,同时为国外同行认可,改变了岩浆铜镍钴硫化物矿床传统的成矿认识。造山带中岩浆铜镍钴硫化物矿床的广泛分布是中国该类矿床的一个重要特色,按形成造山带演化和成矿历史的不同,可分为特提斯型和中亚型两种重要的类型。特提斯型以夏日哈木矿床为代表,它是特提斯构造转换,原特提斯造山后,古特提斯裂解的产物;中亚型以中亚造山带中东天山?北山、阿尔泰分布的大批晚古生代晚期早二叠世岩浆铜镍钴硫化物矿床为代表,是板块构造和地幔柱双重地球动力学机制作用的结果。中国岩浆铜镍钴硫化物矿床找矿潜力巨大,金川矿床作为水平的“岩床”被推覆至地表呈倾斜的“岩墙”产出的结果,深边部仍具有重要找矿潜力,目前已在含矿岩体两端发现了重要的新矿体;夏日哈木矿床所在的东昆仑及其邻区已发现十余处新的矿床（点）。区域上,塔里木陆块东南缘、塔里木陆块北缘、扬子陆块西缘和华北陆块东北缘是亟待加强勘查的找矿远景区,而扬子陆块北缘、华北陆块北缘是急需调查的找矿新区。      

Adsorption of Copper, Nickel, and Cadmium on Goethite in the Presence of Organic Ligands

Adsorption of copper, cadmium and nickel at low concentrations on goethite was studied in the presence of the simple organic ligands oxalate, salicylate, and pyromellitate. The experimental metal adsorption behavior was compared to calculations with a surface complexation model to evaluate the most important interactions. Oxalate mostly decreased Cu and Ni adsorption at high pH-values by competition between solution and surface complexation but had no effect on Cd adsorption. Cu adsorption in the presence of oxalate below pH 6 could best be described by defining a ternary complex of type A (surface-metal-ligand). Salicylate had only minor effects on metal adsorption. The adsorption of Cu in the presence of salicylate above pH 5 could be explained by a ternary complex of type A. Pyromellitate increased the adsorption of Cu and Cd in the acidic pH-range, likely by formation of ternary surface complexes of type B (surface-ligand-metal).     

Geochemical factors controlling free Cu ion concentrations in river water

Copper speciation was determined monthly at seven sites on four rivers in southern New England to understand which geochemical factors control free metal ion concentrations in river water. Samples were conventionally filtered (<0.45 μm) and then ultrafiltered (3.000 molecular weight cut-off) to determine Cu speciation in the truly dissolved size fraction. Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) was used to quantify natural organic complexation and cathodic stripping square wave voltammetry (CSSWV) to measure directly both Cu sulfide complexes and total EDTA concentrations. The results showed both dissolved organic matter (DOM) and sulfide complexation dominate Cu speciation and control the concentrations of free ion. Free Cu²⁺ was calculated to be in the subnanomolar range for the majority of the year. Only in the winter months, when concentrations of DOM and metal sulfides complexes were at a minimum were free metal ions directly measurable by DPASV at low nanomolar concentrations. The extent of sulfide complexation appears to be dominated by the size of headwater marshes (upstream sampling sites) and by the amount of sewage treatment plant effluent (downstream sites). DOM complexation was related to the organic matter composition and followed model organic ligands. Indirect evidence suggests variations in river water pH and Ca²⁺ (metal competition) has only a minor role in Cu complexation. Measured concentrations of total EDTA suggest this synthetic ligand can control Cu speciation in some highly developed watersheds; however, competition from Ni (and possibly Fe) limits the extent of this complexation.     

REGULARITIES IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF NONFERROUS AND PRECIOUS METALS IN PRINCIPAL ORE MINERALS AND SILICATES OF THE NORIL'SK DEPOSITS

The results of a study of copper, nickel, cobalt, platinum, palladium, gold, and rhodium distribution in basic ore-forming sulfide minerals (chalcopyrite and pyrrhotites) as well as in the silicate portion of the host rocks of the Noril'sk deposit, are given. Interrelations between metals in different sulfide minerals and silicates are characterized. It has been established that palladium, platinum, and gold are concentrated in chalcopyrite while cobalt and rhodium are concentrated in pyrrhotite. The cobalt and precious metal content in sulfides grows with the increase of their nickel content. The relative content, however, of all these elements estimated for 1% of nickel is different in chalcopyrites and pyrrhotites. The former show a high platinum, palladium, and gold content and the latter--cobalt and rhodium. Ratios of these elements in sulfides and silicates are different. The relative platinum content increases in silicates due to a considerably greater content of mineralized platinum. Both nickel and cobalt form silicate compounds the latter to a much greater extent than the former. The relative cobalt content is therefore higher in silicates than in sulfides. In descending order, the element concentrations in sulfides range as follows: copper, nickel, palladium, gold, cobalt, platinum. — Auth. English Summ.     

Association of trace metals with various sedimentary phases in dam reservoirs

In the present study sediment and water samples collected from Kowsar Dam reservoir in Kohkiluye and Boyerahmad Province, southwest of Iran, are subjected to bulk digestion and chemical partitioning. The concentrations of nickel, lead, zinc, copper, cobalt, cadmium, manganese and iron in water and bed sediment were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The concentrations of metals bounded to five sedimentary phases were estimated. On this basis, the proportions of natural and anthropogenic elements were calculated.The anthropogenic portion of elements are as follows: zinc (96 %)> cobalt (88 %)> iron (78 %)> magnesium (78 %)> nickel (78 %)> copper (66 %)> lead (63 %)> cadmium (59 %). The results show sediment contamination by nickel, cadmium and lead, according to the world aquatic sediments and mean earth crust values. Manganese and copper have strong association with organic matter and are of high portion of sulfide bounded ions. Finally, The degree of sediment contamination was evaluated using enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and pollution index (IPoll). The sediments were identified to be of high cadmium and lead pollution index. The pattern of pollution intensity according to enrichment factor is as follows; manganese (1.25) < copper (1.63) < zinc (1.93) < cobalt (2.35) < nickel (3.83) < lead (12.63) < cadmium (78.32). Cluster analysis was performed in order to assess heavy metal interactions between water and sediment. Accordingly, nickel, cadmium and copper are earth originated. Zinc, copper and manganese are dominated by pH. All the elemental concentrations in water and sediment are correlated except for sedimental copper.     

Metal accumulation in surface salt marsh sediments of the Bay of Fundy,Canada

We measured the amount of arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, vanadium, and zinc accumulated over a five-year period from 1997 to 2002 in surface sediments of seven salt marshes along the New Brunswick coast of the Bay of Fundy, Canada. Study sites extended from outer to inner Bay, spanning a gradient in tidal range (6–12 m) and mean sediment deposition rate (0.27–1.76 cm yr⁻¹). In each study site, metal concentrations were measured in low and high marsh areas. Concentrations of chromium, nickel, and zinc appear to be within their natural range, while arsenic, lead, and vanadium are enriched in some sites. Calculated sediment metal loadings rates showed variability among marsh sites that closely followed sediment deposition patterns, suggesting sediment deposition rate is the driving factor of short-term metal accumulation in Fundy marshes. The value of salt marshes as a sink for metals may be enhanced by high sedimentation rates.     

Study of mango biomass (Mangifera indica L) as a cationic biosorbent

Unfertilizable fruiting buds of mango plant Mangifera Indica L, an agrowaste, is used as a biomass in this study. The efficacy of the biosorbent was tested for the removal of lead, copper, zinc and nickel metal ions using batch experiments in single and binary metal solution under controlled experimental conditions. It is found that metal sorption increases when the equilibrium metal concentration rises. At highest experimental solution concentration used (150 mg/L), the removal of metal ions were 82.76 % for lead, 76.60 % for copper, 63.35 % for zinc and 59.35 % for nickel while at lowest experimental solution concentration (25 mg/L), the removal of metal ions were 92.00% for lead, 86.84 % for copper, 83.96 % for zinc and 82.29 % for nickel. Biosorption equilibrium isotherms were plotted for metal uptake capacity (q) against residual metal concentrations (C_f) in solution. The q versus C_f sorption isotherm relationship was mathematically expressed by Langmuir and Freundlich models. The values of separation factor were between zero and one indicating favourable sorption for four tested metals on the biosorbent. The surface coverage values were approaching unity with increasing solution concentration indicating effectiveness of biosorbent under investigation. The non-living biomass of Mangifera indica L present comparable biosorption capacity for lead, copper, zinc and nickel metal ions with other types of biosorbent materials found in literature and is effective to remove metal ions from single metal solutions as well as in the presence of other co-ions with the main metal of solution.