Trace element bioaccumulation in reef fish from New Caledonia: Influence of trophic groups and risk assessment for consumers

Fourteen trace elements (Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V, and Zn) were analyzed in livers and muscles from 22 fish species from the New Caledonia lagoon, which is subjected to important chemical inputs due to intense land-based mining activities (New Caledonia is the third largest world producer of Ni). The results of this baseline research indicated that livers generally concentrated trace elements to a greater extent than muscles. Nevertheless, the overall trace element concentrations in both tissues were barely above the levels reported in fish and thus contamination at the local scale was poorly discriminated. Although these levels were low, preliminary risk assessment from a global health standpoint suggests that As would be an element potentially leading to exposure of concern for fish consumers. Based on the trace element concentrations in livers and the fish trophic preferences, some trends have been observed among trophic groups: Ag, Cu, Fe, Hg, and Zn concentrations were generally higher in liver of fish with the highest trophic position whereas Cd concentrations were lower in these groups. The use of the leopard coral grouper Plectropomus leopardus as a resident top predator allowed determining the geographical variations in contamination levels with significant differences for six out of the fourteen elements investigated. The sampling sites influenced by anthropogenic inputs were revealed by high Ag, Cd, Cu, Hg, and Pb concentrations. Such geographic differences also applied to Zn but surprisingly not for the typical elements associated with Ni mining, i.e., Co, Cr, Mn and Ni.     

Metal and metalloid concentrations in the giant squid Architeuthis dux from Iberian waters

This study investigated 14 trace elements (Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V and Zn) in the tissues of the giant squid Architeuthis dux from the Mediterranean and Atlantic Spanish waters. As for other families of cephalopods, the digestive gland and the branchial hearts of Architeuthis showed the highest concentrations of Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Se, V and Zn, highlighting their major role in the bioaccumulation and detoxification processes. With the exception of Hg, the muscles showed relatively low trace element concentrations. Nevertheless, this tissue contained the main proportion of the total As, Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, and Zn body burden because muscles represent the main proportion of the squid mass. These findings suggest that the metal metabolism is overall the same as other cephalopod families from neritic waters. In females, Zn concentrations increased in the digestive gland with the squid's weight likely reflecting physiological changes during sexual maturation. Comparing the trace element concentrations in the tissues of Architeuthis, higher Ag, Cu, Hg and Zn concentrations in the squid from the Mediterranean reflected different exposure conditions. In comparison to other meso-pelagic squids from the Bay of Biscay, Cd concentrations recorded in the digestive gland suggest that Architeuthis might feed on more contaminated prey or that it displays a longer life span that other cephalopods.     

Elemental composition of zooplankton in the Kara Sea and the bays on the eastern side of Novaya Zemlya

The chemical composition of zooplankton in the Kara Sea Basin has been studied. Independent samplings of the open sea and the Blagopoluchie and Tsivol’ki bays of Novaya Zemlya testify to the similarity of the distribution pattern of all the studied elements. The chemical composition of samples is predominated by organic carbon (49.5 ± 4.8% of dry weight). The other most important constituent elements are Na, P, S, K, Mg, and Ca. Their average total concentrations are 4.82 ± 0.1%. From an analysis of the composition of major and trace elements of zooplankton in the Kara Sea and the bays of Novaya Zemlya, three groups of elements have been specified: with similar (С_org, K, S, P, Al, Ti, Sc, Cd, Se, Cs, and Rb), lower (Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Sr, Ba, B, Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, V, Co, Sb, Mo, Ag, Be, Ga, and Hg), and higher (Li, As, and U) contents compared to their mean concentrations in ocean zooplankton.     

Delivery of chemical elements with atmospheric precipitations to the coastal regions of the Crimea in 2004–2008

We study the space-and-time variations of the delivery of fluxes of 26 elements (Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ag, Au, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Cd, Hg, Hf, Ta, As, Sb, Cr, Se, Mo, W, Mn, Br, Fe, Co and Ni) with atmospheric precipitations to the sea surface in the regions of Sevastopol and the South Coast of Crimea. It is established A series of general regularities of the delivery of the sum of these elements and their soluble and insoluble forms. We also give the characteristics of their space-time variability.     

Concentrations of trace metals in the tissues of long-beaked common dolphins (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Delphinus capensis</Emphasis>) in the East Sea,Korea

Concentrations of trace metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Se, and Zn) were determined in the livers, kidneys, muscles, intestines, and hearts of twelve long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) from the East Sea, Korea, in 2006. All specimens were entangled in various commercial fishing nets or traps and as such are recorded as by-catch. The concentrations of Cu, Hg, Se, and Zn were much higher in the liver than in the kidney, muscle, intestine, or heart. Trace metals that accumulated in the liver were, in descending order: Zn > Hg > Cd > Se > Cu > As > Cr > Pb. In contrast, the concentration of Cd was higher in the kidney than in any other organs. The trace metals accumulated in the kidney were, in descending order: Cd > Zn > Cu > Hg > Se > As > Pb > Cr. No significant differences were found in the concentrations of As, Cr, or Pb in all the tissues examined.     

Biological and ecological factors related to trace element levels in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from European waters

Selected trace elements (Cd, Cu, Hg, Se, Zn) were measured in the kidneys and the liver of 104 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded along the coasts of France, Galicia (Spain), Ireland, Scotland (UK), and the Netherlands. Generally, relatively low concentrations of toxic elements were encountered in the tissues of European porpoises, except for two individuals, which displayed high hepatic Hg concentrations. Also, elevated Cd levels obtained in Scottish porpoises could be related to their feeding preferences and this result suggests an increase of the proportion of cephalopods in their diet with latitude. Moreover, significant geographical differences were seen in hepatic Zn concentrations; the elevated Zn concentrations displayed by porpoises from the Netherlands may relate their poor health status. Variation in metal concentrations within porpoises from the North Sea is likely to reflect a long-term segregation between animals from northern (Scotland) and southern areas (the Netherlands), making trace elements powerful ecological tracers.     

Trace metals in seawater and copepods in the ocean outfall area off the northern Taiwan coast

The distribution, partitioning and concentrations of trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn) in seawater, including dissolved and particulate phases, and in copepods in the ocean outfall area off the northern coast of Taiwan were investigated. Normalization of metal concentrations to the background metal concentration to yield relative enrichment factors (EF), which were used to evaluate the contamination of dissolved and particulate trace metals in seawater around the ocean outfall. The EF results indicated that the outfall area was significantly contaminated by dissolved Fe and Zn, and by particulate Fe, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn. In addition, most trace metals were chiefly in the particulate phase. The average percentage of total metal concentrations (dissolved plus particulate phases) bound by suspended particulate matter followed the sequence Al(95%) = Mn(95%) > Pb(88%) > Cu(86%) > Fe(72%) > Zn(32%) > Cr(17.5%) > Cd(3.4%). Therefore, metal contamination is better evaluated in solid phase than in the dissolved phase. The concentration ranges of trace metals in the copepods, Temora turbinata, Oncaea venusta and Euchaeta rimana, near the outfall were: Cd, 0.23-1.81 microg g(-1); Cr, 16.5-195 microg g(-1); Cu, 14-160 microg g(-1); Fe, 256-7255 microg g(-1); Mn, 5.5-80.8 microg g(-1); Pb, 2.6-56.2 microg g(-1); Zn, 132-3891 microg g(-1); and Al, 0.21-1.13%. Aluminum, and probably Fe, seemed to be the major elements in copepods. The concentrations of trace metals in copepods, especially Temora turbinata, near the outfall were generally higher than those obtained in the background station. The mean increase in bioconcentration factor of metals in copepods ranged from 4 to 7 and followed the sequence Al(6.4) > Cu(6.2) > Fe(6.0) > Zn(5.7) > Pb(5.6) > Cr(5.5) > Cd(5.1) > Mn(4.7). Therefore, marine copepods in the waters of northern Taiwan can accumulate trace metals over background concentrations and act as contamination indicators.     

三亚近岸海域表层沉积物微量元素地球化学特征

为了解三亚近岸海域沉积物地球化学特征,测定了331个站位的表层沉积物23种微量元素含量;利用多元统计法进行相关性及R型因子分析,探讨研究区元素的来源、分布特征及其控制因素。微量元素含量测定结果表明,Sr、Ba、Zr、Rb元素平均值比其他元素高;Be、Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、Cd、Sb、Pb、U、Zr、Ba、Sc、V、Ga等15种元素含量与海南岛水系沉积物、表层土壤、深层土壤接近,推测沉积物主要来自海南岛。各元素在研究区的空间分布比较复杂,在中部和东部,以Li为代表的15种微量元素随离岸距离增加含量增大;Cd、Sb、Zr、Ba、Rb、Sr、As、Hg的分布特征与其他微量元素相比差异明显。Li等15种元素来源与分布主要受陆源黏土矿物吸附作用控制,Sr主要受海洋生源沉积作用的控制,Zr主要受重矿物的控制,Ba和Rb主要受研究区地质背景控制,而Cd和As的来源与分布则与人类活动有关。     

红树植物红海榄叶化学组成研究

对红树植物红海榄叶的基本化学成分水分,灰分,灰分中酸不溶物,灰分中S(SO42-),粗蛋白,粗脂肪等及氨基酸和微量元素的组成和含量进行了系统的分析测定。其基本化学组成各成分含量分别为:水分(69.18%),灰分(3.04%),灰分中酸不溶物(0.094%),灰分中S(SO42-)(0.052%),粗脂肪(7.75%),粗蛋白(7.14%);测得了红海榄叶中17种氨基酸,其总含量为10.7mg/g,其中人体必须氨基酸有7种,占所含氨基酸总量约26%;采用全谱直读等离子体原子发射光谱仪对红海榄叶进行了31种微量元素的分析测定,测得了其中18种元素的含量,红海榄叶中含有丰富的人体必须的矿物质元素。     

Trace metals in Japanese eel Anguilla japonica in relation to ecological migratory types and growth stages

In order to understand the metal concentrations in Japanese eel Anguilla japonica, nine elements were analyzed in the livers of different migratory types of eels collected from Tokushima region (south Japan). Migratory types were defined by examining the Sr:Ca ratio in otoliths. The results showed that there were significant differences in V, Cr, Cd, and Pb concentrations among the migratory types. Mature-sea-eels show a higher risk of metal accumulation than other migratory types of eels, and the concentrations of Mn, Cu, and Zn in mature eels were significantly higher than those in immature eels. The study suggests that the eel liver is a valuable bioindicator for trace metals; however, when using the eel as a bioindicator to reveal the pollutants in aquatic systems, life history analysis should be carried out for accurate interpretation of the results.     

Trace metal levels in fish and crustacea from Northeastern Mediterranean coastal waters

Some fish and crustacea caught near the northeastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey between 1977 and 1980 have been analysed by the AAS technique for their H Hg, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, Ni, Cr and Mn contents. In the crustacea Portunus pelagicus (crab) and Penaeus keratherus (shrimp), the two essential elements Zn and Cu, showed a linear correlation. Among the bony fish, Upeneus moluccensis (gold band goat fish), a member of the Mullidae family, and Portunus pelagicus showed a much greater tendency to accumulate Hg than other species. Although Cr concentrations in the sediments of the area studied were high, Cr levels in the organisms studied were found to be relatively low. The highly toxic metals Hg, Cd and Pb were found to be present in concentrations lower than those reported from other areas of the Mediterranean.     

Multivariate geochemical investigation of trace metal pollution in Kuwait marine sediments

Three multivariate procedures (cluster analysis, discrimination and classification) were used to identify and characterize various types of marine sediments in Kuwait. Samples from 201 offshore locations were first clustered into five types of sediments with different metal concentrations (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, Zn and Hg) and sedimentological characteristics (% TOC, carbonate, mean grain size and % size fraction < 63 μ). Discriminant functions were then developed in terms of trace metal concentrations to describe mathematically differences between the various sediment types. A classification procedure was also used to calculate the probability that each of 186 additional samples from coastal areas adjacent to suspected point sources of pollution may belong to each of the five sediment types. This analysis identified a sixth type of sediment dominating the area inside and near the entrance of Shuwaikh Port. Characterized by elevated levels of Ag, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn, this type indicated the presence of a high level of metal pollution in the area.     

长江口及其邻近海域表层沉积物中重金属分布和潜在生态危害评价

对长江口及其邻近海域表层沉积物中重金属Cu、Mn、Pb、Zn、Cr、Fe、Hg、Cd的含量分布以及富集状况进行分析,并采用Hakanson潜在生态危害指数法评价该海域中Cu、Pb、Zn、Cr、Hg、Cd污染的程度及其潜在的生态危害,结果表明:长江口及其邻近海域表层沉积物中Cu、Mn、Pb、Zn、Cr、Fe的分布特征表现为由近岸向远岸递减的趋势,整体上象山县和舟山群岛近岸海域的含量高于研究区北部含量;Hg在长江口南端含量较高,呈由西向东递减的趋势;Cd在长江口南端以及象山县东含量较高,在研究区中部含量较低。潜在生态危害评价结果表明,长江口及其邻近海域表层沉积物只有部分站点处于生态危害的中等级别,大多站点生态危害轻微,污染程度顺序为Cd>Hg>Cu>Pb>Cr>Zn;对长江口及其邻近海域生态环境具有潜在影响的重金属元素首先是Cd,其次是Hg。对底质环境质量进行系统聚类分析结果显示,象山县和长江口外以及济州岛西南近海海域的底质环境较差,应予以重视。     

Geochemistry of trace elements and Sr-Nd isotopes of foraminifera shell from the Okinawa Trough

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Trace element diagenesis in pyrite-rich sediments of the Achterwasser lagoon, SW Baltic Sea

The early diagenesis of trace elements (V, Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Ba, U) in anoxic sediments of the Achterwasser, a shallow lagoon in the non-tidal Oder estuary in the Baltic Sea, was investigated in the context of pyrite formation. The dissolved major redox parameters show a two-tier distribution with transient signals in the occasionally re-suspended fluid mud layer (FM) and a permanently established diagenetic sequence in the sediment below. Intense microbial respiration leads to rapid depletion of O₂ within the uppermost mm of the FM. The reduction zones of Mn, Fe and sulfate overlap in the FM and in the permanently anoxic sediment section which appears to be a typical feature of estuarine sediments, under low-sulfate conditions. Degrees of pyritization (DOP) range from 50% in the FM to remarkably high values > 90% at 50 cm depth. Pyrite formation at the sediment surface is attributed to the reaction of Fe-monosulfides with intermediate sulfur species via the polysulfide pathway. By contrast, intense pyritization in the permanently anoxic sediment below is attributed to mineral growth via adsorption of aqueous Fe-sulfide complexes onto pyrite crystals which had originally formed in the surface layer.The studied trace elements show differential behavior patterns which are closely coupled to the diagenetic processes described above: (i) Zn, Cu and Cd are liberated from organic matter in the thin oxic layer of the sediment and diffuse both upwards across the sediment/water boundary and downwards to be trapped as monosulfides, (ii) V, Cr, Co and As are released during reductive dissolution of Mn- and Fe-oxyhydroxides, (iii) U removal from pore water occurs concomitantly to Fe reduction in the FM and is attributed to reduction of U(VI) to U(IV), (iv) the Ba distribution is controlled by reductive dissolution of authigenic barite in the sulfate reduction zone coupled with upward diffusion and re-precipitation. The incorporation of trace elements into pyrite is most intense for Co, Mn and As, intermediate for Cu and Cr and little to negligible for U, Zn, Cd, V and Ba. The observed trend is largely in agreement with previous studies and may be explained with differing rates for ligand exchange. Slow and fast ligand exchange and thus precipitation kinetics are also displayed by downcore increasing (Mn, Cr, Co and As) or constantly low (Zn, Cu, Cd) pore water concentrations. The downward increasing degrees of trace metal pyritization (DTMP) for Co, Cu, Zn and As are, in analogy to pyrite growth, assigned to adsorption of sulfide complexes or As oxyanions onto preexisting pyrite minerals.     

冲绳海槽有孔虫壳体的微量元素Sr,Nd同位素地球化学

钙质生物壳的微量元素组合和Sr,Nd同位素组成是识别海底混合源沉积物中生物源物质相对贡献的重要参数.冲绳海槽有孔虫壳体强烈富集Sr,P,Mn和Ba,富集Li,U,Th,Sc,Co,Pb,Zn,Cr,Rb,Y,Sb和轻稀土元素,弱富集V,Ga,Zr,Nb,Cd和中稀土元素,相对贫Ge,Mo,In,Sn,Cs,Hf,Ta,W,Tl,Bi和重稀土元素,海水中微量元素的背景含量和生物活动对微量元素的选择性吸收是有孔虫壳体中微量元素发生富集和贫化的主要机制,冲绳海槽有孔虫壳体的稀土元素配分模式与海水和太平洋有孔虫的有明显差异,表现出中稀土元素相对富集,并具有微弱的负Ce异常.有孔虫壳体的Sr,Nd同位素比值也与大洋海水不同,分别为0.709769和0.512162,前者略高于大洋海水,后者略低于大洋海水,表明冲绳海槽海水明显受大陆河水影响.     

Tapes philippinarum seed exposure to metals in polluted areas of the Venice lagoon

The concentration changes of 12 metals (As, Hg, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, V, Zn, Fe, and Hg) in the soft tissues of Tapes philippinarum during growth were investigated. Clams were seeded in two contaminated areas of the Venice lagoon (San Giuliano and Fusina) and in an area of the Marano lagoon (Lignano Sabbiadoro) close to the clam-farm where the seed was produced. Metal trends were very different according to the considered element, the study site and the growth period.Arsenic was always higher in clam tissues than in surface sediments and suspended particles in all the three stations. Mercury, Cd and Cu were higher in the clams from Marano and Fusina but not in those from San Giuliano. Zinc and Co in clams exceeded the concentrations in the sediment and suspended particles only at Marano. The other elements (Cr, Pb, Mn, Ni, and Fe) were always higher in SPM and sediments. In general metal concentrations in clams were more highly correlated to concentrations in the suspended particles rather than in the surface sediments and in suspended clams rather than in bottom clams, nevertheless significant differences between stations and contaminants were found. Metal concentrations in clams were always lower than the European regulatory limits.     

Heavy metals in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the gulf of la spezia and from the promontory of Portofino,Italy

In different samples of Mytilus galloprovincialis Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined by AAS. The mussels were taken from 11 sites in the Port of La Spezia. Typical concentration ranges (μ/g dry weight) were as follows: Cd, 2.0–6.8; Co, 0.8–3.2; Cr, 5.8–19.5; Cu, 6.9–33.7; Hg, 0.15–0.38; Mn, 11.8–37.8; Ni, 1.3–10.9; Pb, 13.9–44.6 and Zn, 203–379.Other samples were collected at 4 sites on the Promontory of Portofino and the following values were obtained: Cd, 0.8–1.1; Co, 2.6–2.9; Cu, 3.3–4.2; Hg, 0.09–0.15; Mn, 6.3–9.1; Ni, 1.2–2.4; Zn, 120–140.     

Analysis and assessment of trace element contamination in offshore sediments of the Augusta Bay (SE Sicily): A multivariate statistical approach based on canonical correlation analysis and mixture density estimation approach

An application of multivariate statistical methods is provided to identify anthropogenic contaminants and lithogenic elements in offshore sediments collected near the heavily industrialized Augusta Bay, Sicily. An exploratory statistical technique, based on canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and mixture density estimation approach, is used for distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic contributions of trace elements in the investigated sediments.Following the intensive industrialization of Augusta area, marine sediments reveal the severe impact of local anthropogenic activities for many elements (e.g. As, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Sb), which are considered very dangerous for the environment. In contrast, a prevalent natural/lithogenic origin can be ascribed to Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, V, and Zn.The multivariate statistical approach used in this study, which aims to estimate and to classify trace element pre-industrial levels and sources, could be easily applied to other different contaminated areas.     

西太平洋、东印度洋、南大洋和中山站海域气溶胶的化学组成及其来源判别

1999年11月至2000年4月，在中国第16次南极科学考察往返航线上的海域，采集了22个海洋气溶胶样品，用原子吸收分光法测定了样品中的Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Fe、A1、Mn、Cr、V、K、Na、Ca、Mg等13种元素的含量．研究表明气溶胶重金属微量元素的分布具有明显的地理区域性．应用元素富集因子、相关分析和因子分析等方法研究了西太平洋、东印度洋、南大洋、中国南极中山站邻近海域气溶胶中各元素的来源．