Variation Characteristics of Mercury in Speciation during Road Runoff for Different Rainfall Patterns

Mercury (Hg) concentration was investigated during 2010 based on road runoff from Nanjing Ring Highway, China. The emphasis was placed on impact of rainfall characteristics on Hg speciation concentration, and on variation characteristics of Hg speciation during road runoff for different rainfall patterns. Results indicated that average concentration of total mercury (THg) was in the range from 0.472 to 1.304 µg/L, and steady Hg (SHg) was the dominant form of Hg. Rainfall and average rainfall intensity were two important factors of determining Hg speciation concentrations during road runoff for different rainfall patterns. Rainfall pattern had significantly influence on variation of available Hg and dissolved Hg during road runoff, and on their proportions in THg. However, the proportion of SHg in THg was not obviously affected by rainfall pattern. On the other hand, toxic degree of Hg to soil environment is various for different rainfall patterns, based on Hg speciation variation.     

The effects of sewage organic matter on biogeochemical processes within mid-shelf sediments offshore Sydney, Australia

A laboratory incubation experiment was conducted using replicate cores collected from a muddy-sand sediment facies offshore Sydney, Australia to determine what components and processes would be affected by the addition of sewage organic matter. Sewage effluent has a solid phase composition of 40% carbon (35% organic carbon), 5% nitrogen, 1% phosphorus and 5% silicate. The molecular C:N:P ratio is 92:10:1, compared to the Redfield ratio of 106:16:1 in marine phytoplankton. Sediment cores were incubated at in situ temperature in a darkened room for periods up to 95 days. Sewage organic matter was added to the cores at three different loads equivalent to 0 (T0), 65 (T1) and 130 (T2) g m⁻² of sediment. Following the addition of sewage organic matter, fluxes of oxygen (into the sediments), ammonia and phosphate (from the sediments) increased, reflecting an enhanced organic carbon supply to the sediments. Oxygen penetrated to a depth of 6 mm in the ambient cores, but the sediment oxygen content was severely depleted following the addition of the sewage-derived organic matter. Sediment porewater data, together with nutrient flux data indicate that oxygen reduction, nitrate reduction and sulphate reduction occurs within these sediments. Following the addition of sewage organic matter, increases in total nitrogen, total phosphate and total organic carbon were measured to depths of 5 cm in the sediments, suggesting that bioturbation influences nutrient and organic carbon distributions. Additionally, irrigation of the surficial sediments may play an important role in the metabolism of organic matter. These results indicate that oxygen penetration, oxygen fluxes, nitrate concentrations within porewaters, ammonia flux rates, and solid phase concentrations of total organic carbon and nutrients may be useful indicators of sediments affected by high rates of organic matter deposition onto Sydney's offshore sediments. The EPA has recently predicted maximum deposition rates of sewage particulate matter to be approximately 1 g m⁻² day⁻¹. Because of the similarities in CNP ratios of sewage organic matter and marine organic matter, the effects of sewage organic matter and marine organic matter inputs to coastal sediments may not be easily distinguishable.     

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.     

Sedimentation and chronology of heavy metal pollution in Oslo harbor, Norway

Stratigraphic profiles of Cu, Cd and Hg in ten sediment cores from the Oslo harbor, Norway, combined with results of radiometric dating demonstrate that pollution by these metals peaked between 1940 and 1970. Dating results indicate that Hg discharges peaked between 1940 and 1950, Cd reached maximum ca. 1955-1960, and Cu has the highest concentration in sediment interval corresponding to ca. 1970. Geochemical profiles and maxima of Cu, Cd and Hg concentrations can be used as chronostratigraphic markers for sediment cores from the Oslo harbor. Acoustic backscatter and sediment core data indicate that propeller wash affects the seabed in the Oslo harbor. The propeller-induced turbulence causes erosion, and in places exposes and remobilizes contaminated sediments that accumulated in the harbor during previous decades. Such re-exposure of contaminated sediments could be detrimental to local ecosystems and offset remediation efforts, warranting further impact studies and potential mitigation strategies to prevent redistribution.     

Spatial distribution of phosphorus forms in sediments in the Gulf of Gdańsk (southern Baltic Sea)

The paper analyses the concentrations of total phosphorus and its forms in sediments from the Gulf of Gdańsk on the basis of studies conducted at 25 sampling sites in 2001–05. The phosphorus speciation analysis was performed by sequential extraction. The extensive spatial variability of P_tot concentrations and speciation was found to be dependent on the physicochemical properties of the sediments, the oxygen conditions in the water and sediments, and the depth of the water column above the sediment surface. In the coastal zone, the sedimentation of riverine suspended matter and the sorption and chemisorption processes exert a considerable influence on P speciation. Over 70% of variation of total phosphorus concentration in sediments in the Gulf of Gdańsk could be explained by changes of proportion of fine fraction of sediments (grain size <0.0625 mm). Maximum P_tot concentrations were recorded in clays and silts in the deep water, stratified part of the Gulf of Gdańsk. In the coastal zone, where sandy sediments are dominant, phosphorus concentrations were much lower; this was due to the considerable dynamics of the bottom water and intensive sea floor transport. P_tot concentrations in the Gulf of Gdańsk sediments ranged from 1.75 to 957.17 μmol g⁻¹ d.w. Of all the forms of phosphorus, the highest concentrations were found for organic phosphorus (Org-P). Of its inorganic forms, the highest concentrations were of phosphorus bound to clay minerals and aluminium oxides (NaOH-P), the lowest ones were of loosely bound phosphorus (NaCl-P). On the basis of determinations of total phosphorus concentrations in sediments of a given type and the available data on the seabed areas covered by particular sediment types in the Gulf of Gdańsk, the mass of total phosphorus in the surficial sediment layer (0–2 cm) was estimated at ca. 15.6×10³ tonnes.     

Heavy metals in surface sediments from nine estuaries along the coast of Bohai Bay,Northern China

Concentrations of heavy metals in river water and sediment were investigated in nine estuaries along the coast of Bohai Bay, Northern China. Multivariate statistical techniques such as principal component analysis and cluster analysis, in combination with metal concentration analysis and correlation analysis, were used to identify the possible sources of the metals and the pollution pattern in nine estuaries along the coast of Bohai Bay. The environmental risks of metals, evaluated by sediment quality guidelines and background values, revealed Hg contamination in the estuaries. However, levels of Cd in estuarine sediments were low, and they were less than those levels in river sediments, partly due to the high mobility and dilution of river or seawater. Cd did not contribute to sediment deposits in estuaries. High organic matter from effluents from large municipal sewage treatment plants was predominantly responsible for restricting Hg mobility from the river to Bohai Bay.     

Depth profiles of lithogenic and anthropogenic mercury in the sediments from Thane Creek,Mumbai, India

Mercury（Hg） is well known as one of the most toxic elements to man.The coastal environments adjacent to industrial areas are reported to often be contaminated with mercury.Mercury becomes more toxic in the form of methylmercury（Me-Hg） which is converted from inorganic mercury in aqueous systems by microbial activity and can bio-magnify through the food chain.A simple method for the determination of total mercury and methylmercury in sediments was optimized by slightly modifying an old method using the direct mercury analyzer technique.Core sediment samples from Thane Creek,Mumbai,India were collected and analysed for total mercury and methylmercury.The Hg concentration in the creek varied between 0.54 to 16.03 μg g~（-1） while Me-Hg concentrations ranged between0.04 to 1.07 μg g~（-1）.In surface sediment,mercury concentrations ranged from 4.33 μg g~（-1） to 12.16μg g~（-1）.Total organic carbon content was found to be around 2 percent in different layers of the sediments.The enrichment factors,which indicate the extent of pollution in sediments,were estimated to range from 26 to 50 at different locations in the creek.Lithogenic and anthropogenic concentrations of mercury in the creek were also determined to compare the impact of anthropogenic and natural sources.Anthropogenic inventories were about 5-70 times more in concentration than the lithogenic in the different core sediments.     

In-situ formation of perylene in lacustrine sediments and its geochemical significance

To identify the possible sources and formation mechanism of perylene in sediments, temporal trends of perylene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as the organic matters, were analyzed in sediment cores from Dianchi Lake and Sihailongwan Maar Lake in China. Significantly high concentrations of perylene were observed in both cores and increased gradually with the sediment depth. Source identification suggested that perylene in both cores were of primarily diagenetic origin,other than the anthropogenic inputs. Both terrigenous and aquatic organic matters could be the source of perylene in sediments and diagenetic formation of perylene in sediment is kinetically controlled by the microbial activities under anaerobic conditions. All evidence points to the fact that the formation of perylene in sediment should be an index of the microbial activities and environmental conditions, other than the source of specific organic matters or precursors. In addition, we should be cautious when using any geochemical indicators involving the microbial alternation.     

Can Nassarius reticulatus be used as a bioindicator for Hg contamination? Results from a longitudinal study of the Portuguese coastline

The focus of this work is to explore the use of the netted whelk, Nassarius reticulatus (L.), as an indicator of mercury (Hg) contamination, by assessing the concentration of Hg in the sediments and in the whelk along the entire Portuguese coast. Total Hg concentrations ranged from below the detection limit (0.01 ng absolute mercury) up to 0.87 mg kg(-1) dry weight (dwt) in sediments and between 0.06 and 1.02 mg kg(-1) (dwt) for organisms, with no significant differences between males and females. Although organic mercury was not detected in the sediments, it represented, on average, 52% of the total Hg in the whelk tissues, and as high as 88% in some cases, suggesting mercury accumulation from dietary intake. Significant negative correlations were found between the total Hg concentrations in the sediments and the log(10) of Hg concentrations in whelk tissues males (r=-0.64; P<0.01) and females (r=-0.52; P<0.01) indicating that the species is a poor indicator of Hg contamination. Nevertheless, since the highest concentrations of organic mercury in the whelk tissues were found in the least contaminated areas, this species must be highly relevant in the trophic web, namely on the possible biomagnification of mercury. The high dietary mercury accumulation from feeding on carrion and the low bioavailability of mercury to whelks in estuarine sediments may be the basis of the mercury accumulation pattern in N. reticulatus.     

福建省富营养化水库沉积物磷形态及对水体的贡献

采用 SMT 法结合 X 射线荧光和 X 射线衍射分析了福建省发生富营养化的山仔深水库表层沉积物的磷赋存形态 及对水体的贡献．分析结果表明，山仔水库表层沉积物总磷含量在400-750 mg/kg 之间，铁/铝结合态磷和有机磷是沉积 物磷的主要赋存形态，分别占总磷含量的47%和37%左右．沉积物水-土界面存在明显的活性磷梯度，在一定条件下活 性磷可以从沉积物间隙水扩散到上覆水体，从而一定程度上影响山仔水库水体的营养水平．     

福建省富营养化水库沉积物磷形态及对水体的贡献

2003年7月至2004年4月,每季度对武汉市南湖大型底栖动物进行定量和定性的采样分析,共发现大型底栖动 物30种;优势种为霍甫水丝蚓和刺铗长足摇蚊,均呈聚集分布;大型底栖动物的年均密度和生物量分别为4437 ind/m~2和 17．79 g/m~2,其密度和生物量春季最高,Shannon-Wiener 多样性指数和 Margalef 多样性指数的年均值分别为1．515和 1．123．比较分析了南湖大型底栖动物组成的历史变化,对水环境进行了生物学评价,并提出了南湖大型底栖动物合理利 用的建议．     

鄱阳湖沉积物中磷的赋存形态及分布特征

利用分级提取法对鄱阳湖沉积物进行了磷形态的分级提取和测定,系统研究了沉积物中磷的赋存形态及分布特征.结果表明,鄱阳湖表层沉积物中磷的赋存形态主要包括铁磷(Fe-P)、钙磷(Ca-P)、铝磷(Al-P)、可溶性磷(DP)等无机磷(IP)及有机磷(OP),各形态磷的空间分布基本具有从河口地区监测点向湖区监测点方向升高的趋势,垂向分布上总磷及各形态磷含量随深度增加而降低.表层沉积物(0-2cm)中总磷含量为578.36-813.55mg/kg,主要由无机磷组成,无机磷中以Fe-P含量最高,最大值达350.24mg/kg,占总磷的40%以上,Ca-P、Al-P含量相当,约占总磷含量的20%左右,而以DP的含量最低,含量在5%以下.有机磷含量约占总磷含量的15%左右.另外,沉积物中TP含量与Fe-P、Al-P、Ca-P及OP均具有较好的相关性,且OP含量与Fe-P、Al-P也具有较好的正相关关系,而与Ca-P的相关性较弱.     

Speciation of heavy metals on suspended sediment under high flow conditions in the River Aire,West Yorkshire,UK

Concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) on suspended sediments during a flood event at Thwaite Mills, River Aire, were analysed using a five step sequential extraction technique to determine their major chemical associations (exchangeable, surface oxide and carbonate, Fe and Mn oxides, organic and residual metal ions). Total metal concentrations were lowest at higher discharges, resulting from dilution by clean sediment. The major transport fractions are the Fe and Mn oxides, which carry 29% of the total metals. Knowledge of the chemical forms of heavy metals on suspended sediment is essential for estimating their biological availability and physicochemical reactivity. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Trace Elements in Sediments and Mussels – Spatial Distribution,Chemical Partitioning,and Risk Assessment

Sediment samples were collected from 30 different locations in Abu Qir Bay (Mediterranean Sea), East Alexandria, Egypt and analyzed for trace elements. The highest concentrations of most of the elements were observed in the nearshore stations in the vicinity of the major anthropogenic activities as industrial settlements, wastewater discharges, and agricultural drainage. In addition, mussel samples of Mactra corallina and Tapes decussata were collected corresponding to the sediment samples. Concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Mn, and Zn in the mussel tissues were higher than concentrations in sediments, thus indicating their relatively high bioavailability. Sequential extraction procedure was performed on selected sediment samples. Significant correlations were observed between the concentrations of Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn in the exchangeable fraction of the sediments and the corresponding tissues of M. corallina. The output of the risk assessment applied on the sediments revealed that adverse ecological effects to benthic species could occur and that a higher level of risk is expected from the exposure to Cd, Cr, Hg, and Zn. No adverse carcinogenic or non‐carcinogenic human health effects are expected from the consumption of the two mussel species from Abu Qir Bay.     

Erratum: Trace Elements in Sediments and Mussels – Spatial Distribution,Chemical Partitioning,and Risk Assessment

Sediment samples were collected from 30 different locations in Abu Qir Bay (Mediterranean Sea), East Alexandria, Egypt and analyzed for trace elements. The highest concentrations of most of the elements were observed in the nearshore stations in the vicinity of the major anthropogenic activities as industrial settlements, wastewater discharges, and agricultural drainage. In addition, mussel samples of Mactra corallina and Tapes decussata were collected corresponding to the sediment samples. Concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Mn, and Zn in the mussel tissues were higher than concentrations in sediments, thus indicating their relatively high bioavailability. Sequential extraction procedure was performed on selected sediment samples. Significant correlations were observed between the concentrations of Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn in the exchangeable fraction of the sediments and the corresponding tissues of M. corallina. The output of the risk assessment applied on the sediments revealed that adverse ecological effects to benthic species could occur and that a higher level of risk is expected from the exposure to Cd, Cr, Hg, and Zn. No adverse carcinogenic or non‐carcinogenic human health effects are expected from the consumption of the two mussel species from Abu Qir Bay.     

Heavy metals mobility in harbour contaminated sediments: the case of Port-en-Bessin

Metallic contaminants associated with sediments showed various behaviours depending on physicochemical conditions. A contaminated sediment core from a harbour in the Bay of Seine was sampled to derive information about metal solubilization from anoxic sediment. In these anaerobic surroundings, physicochemical processes depended on the organic matter cycle, on vertical variation of redox conditions and on precipitation conditions of iron and manganese. In the studied core, anoxic conditions were developed at -15 cm depth. A three-step sequential extraction procedure, modified from the BCR method (now the SM&T), was applied to the anoxic sediment in order to evaluate the potential mobility of fixed metals. Zinc was the most labile metal, recovered in the first extraction stages, and was associated with the non-residual fraction of sediment. Lead was the least labile metal, with up to 70% associated with the residual fraction of the sediment. Copper was associated with organic matter, and its mobility was controlled by the concentration and degradation of the organic fraction. Discharge of organic-rich dredged sediments at sea results in degradation of contained organic matter and may affect the environmental impact of these metals significantly. These results therefore help to improve the waste management of such contaminated sediments.     

Two Experimental Methods to Determine the Speciation of Cadmium in Sediment from the River Neckar

The binding forms of Cd to an anaerobic sediment of low sulfide content from Lauffen reservoir (River Neckar, Germany) were studied using two different approaches, i. e. sequential extraction (modified from published protocols) and titrimetric study of the pH-dependent Cd release. Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations were applied to calculate both the release pattern of Cd during the titrations and the speciation of Cd within the single fractions of the extraction protocol. The calculations were based on measured sediment parameters such as hydrous ferric oxide (HFO), acid volatile sulfide, carbonate content and total Cd content, and the extractants (oxalate, acid etc.) used. The results of the two independent approaches coincided well in that they both assigned more than two thirds of the total Cd content to be adsorbed to organic matter. Cd bound as CdS is of little importance. Sequential extraction after a 3-month oxidation period at pH 7 revealed a shift of Cd from being mainly bound in stronger surface complexes with organic matter to being mainly bound in weaker surface complexes with organic matter and HFO, and thus becoming more bioavailable. This study suggests that the use of sequential extraction although being frequently criticized due to its operational character can be used to determine binding forms of metal ions if they are accompanied by 1) careful supporting experiments, 2) analysis of important sediment parameters, and 3) the use of thermodynamic equlibrium models which can help to understand Cd speciation within the extraction fractions.     

Selenium and mercury concentrations in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from central California: Health implications in an urbanized estuary

We measured total selenium and total mercury concentrations ([TSe] and [THg]) in hair (n = 138) and blood (n = 73) of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from California to assess variation by geography and sex, and inferred feeding relationships based on carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotopes. Harbor seals from Hg-contaminated sites had significantly greater [THg], and lesser [TSe] and TSe:THg molar ratios than seals from a relatively uncontaminated site. Males had significantly greater [THg] than females at all locations. Sulfur stable isotope values explained approximately 25% of the variability in [THg], indicating increased Hg exposure for seals with a greater use of estuarine prey species. Decreased [TSe] in harbor seals from Hg-contaminated regions may indicate a relative Se deficiency to mitigate the toxic effects of Hg. Further investigation into the Se status and the potential negative impact of Hg on harbor seals from Hg-contaminated sites is warranted.     

The enrichment characteristics of mercury in the sediments of Dongjiu and Xijiu, Taihu lake catchment, in the past century

The concentration and the enrichment factors of mercury (Hg) in the sediment cores of Dongjiu and Xijiu, Taihu Lake catchment, were studied. The accumulation fluxes, anthropogenic input concentration and anthropogenic accumulation fluxes of Hg in recent 100 years were also analyzed based on the 210Pb dating. The results indicate that the increasing concentrations of Hg in the sediments are influ-enced by natural factors and anthropogenic input simultaneously. Generally, about 2/3 of the Hg in the sediment was from anthropogenic sources. In the early 20th century, the anthropogenic input was owing to the urban development and fossil fuel consumptions surrounding the Taihu Lake and the worldwide atmospheric deposition of Hg since the industrial revolution. The concentration and an-thropogenic fluxes of Hg increased with the industrial development in the catchment since the 1930s. It reached the maximum during the middle 1970s and middle 1990s, and decreased since the middle 1990s with constraints on high pollution industries.     

Evidence of methylmercury production and modification of the microbial community structure in estuary sediments contaminated with wastewater treatment plant effluents

The Seine’s estuary (France) waters are the receptacle of effluents originating from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). In this estuary, mudflats are deposition zones for sediments and their associated contaminants, and play an essential role in the mercury (Hg) biogeochemical cycle mainly due to indigenous microorganisms. Microcosms were used to assess the impact of WWTP-effluents on mercury methylation by monitoring Hg species (total dissolved Hg in porewater, methylmercury and total mercury) and on microbial communities in sediments. After effluent amendment, methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations increased in relation with the total Hg and organic matter content of the WWTP-effluents. A correlation was observed between MeHg and acid-volatile-sulfides concentrations. Quantification of sulfate-reducing microorganisms involved in Hg methylation showed no increase of their abundance but their activity was probably enhanced by the organic matter supplied with the effluents. WWTP-effluent spiking modified the bacterial community fingerprint, mainly influenced by Hg contamination and the organic matter amendment.