Bioaccumulation of trace metals in the Antarctic amphipod Orchomene plebs: evaluation of toxicokinetic models

Bioaccumulation of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in Antarctic gammaridean amphipod collectives, Orchomene plebs (Hurley, 1965), was investigated during a cruise of RV "Polarstern" to the Wedell Sea. With the sole exception of Cd the organisms accumulated metals during exposure and depurated them in uncontaminated seawater. Four independent toxicokinetic experiments and one field study were modelled simultaneously to calculate the following size-dependent bioconcentration factors for organisms with body length 10 mm (BCF(10 mm)): 130 (Co), 4030 (Cu), 190 (Ni), 2900 (Pb), and 5210 (Zn). On the time scale of our experiments the data suggest an increased metal uptake by previously exposed test organisms. The collectives investigated may be regarded as potentially suitable biomonitors for Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn but not for Cd. An approach to evaluate the sensitivity of Orchomene plebs as a biomonitor of waterborne metals in the field indicates minimal increments of the ambient exposure concentrations of 0.01 microg Co l(-1), 0.2 microg Cu l(-1), 0.4 microg Ni l(-1), 0.6 microg Pb l(-1) and 0.3 microg Zn l(-1).     

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.     

A study of Cu turnover in proteins of the visceral complex of Littorina littorea by stable isotopic analysis using coupled HPLC-ICP-MS

A two-dimensional HPLC system, tandemly coupled to an ICP-MS, has been used to study copper accumulation and turnover in the visceral complex cytosol of the gastropod, Littorina littorea. Animals were exposed for 8 weeks to NTA-buffered seawater containing stable isotopic 65Cu and then transferred to media containing stable isotopic 63Cu. The free ion activity of each isotope was maintained at 10(-11) M. Size exclusion (SE) HPLC showed Cu associated with haemocyanin (HC) and metallothionein-like (MT) proteins in two ligand pools with apparent molecular weights of >300 kDa and approximately 17 kDa, respectively. The MT pool was inducible by Cu, could assimilate the metal from both intrinsic and extrinsic sources and showed a higher rate of Cu accumulation and turnover than the HC pool. The induction of this pool also caused the sequestration and cytosolic redistribution of Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn and Co. Further fractionation of the MT pool by ion-exchange (IE) HPLC revealed that the Cu was associated with a single, major isoform of the protein that was Cu inducible and also bound trace quantities of Zn and Pb. A number of additional metal containing proteins were also resolved by IE. the most prominent of which also bound Pb, Mn and minor quantities of Zn. The significance of these findings in metal homeostasis and detoxification is discussed.     

Effects of cadmium, zinc and nitrogen status on non-protein thiols in the macroalgae Enteromorpha spp. from the Scheldt Estuary (SW Netherlands, Belgium) and Thermaikos Gulf (N Aegean Sea, Greece)

Enteromorpha prolifera (Scheldt Estuary) and E. linza (Thermaikos Gulf) were incubated at three salinities with 100 and 200microgL(-1)Cd and Zn. The objective was to measure effects of Cd, Zn and nitrogen (N) status on the pools of metal-binding non-protein thiols: glutathione and phytochelatins, (gamma-glutamyl-cysteinyl)(n)-glycine (PC). In E. linza, ammonium pools were higher, but amino acid pools, total N and protein contents were lower than in E. prolifera. Reduced glutathione (GSH) pools were positively correlated with free glutamate and protein contents. In E. linza GSH pools increased and the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH:(GSH+0.5GSSG)), an indicator of oxidative stress, decreased with Cd contents, indicating Cd-induced glutathione oxidation. Total glutathione pools (reduced plus oxidized) ranged from 16nmolSgdwt(-1) in controls (at 0.5micromolCdgdwt(-1)) to 179nmolSgdwt(-1) (at 1.9micromolCdgdwt(-1)) at the highest cadmium dosage. Cadmium stimulated PC synthesis in E. prolifera which suggests that in N-rich algae, glutathione pools were high enough for PC synthesis. In both species GSH and protein increased with Zn contents, whereas GSH:(GSH+0.5GSSG) decreased, which would indicate Zn-induced oxidative stress; in E. linza, at the highest salinity the glutathione redox ratio decreased from 0.61 (at 2.9micromolZngdwt(-1)) to 0.26 (at 4.9nmolSgdwt(-1)) (at 0.5molCdgdwt(-1)). PCs were not synthesized in response to Zn, which may have resulted in Zn-induced GSH oxidation. The presence of both oxidative effects (Cd, Zn) and detoxification (Cd) could be identified by observing the responses of glutathione and PC pools to metal stress.     

Effect of cadmium, copper and mercury on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in the gills of the hydrothermal vent mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus

Metals are known to influence lipid peroxidation and oxidative status of marine organisms. Hydrothermal vent mussels Bathymodiolus azoricus live in deep-sea environments with anomalous conditions, including high metal concentrations. Although B. azoricus are aerobic organisms they possess abundant methano and thioautotrophic symbiotic bacteria in the gills. The enzymatic defences (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total glutathione peroxidase (Total GPx) and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx)) and lipid peroxidation were determined in the gills of B. azoricus exposed to Cd (0.9 microM), Cu (0.4 microM) and Hg (0.1 microM) with different times of exposure. The experiments were performed in pressurized containers at 9+/-1 degrees C and 85 bars. Results show that vent mussels possess antioxidant enzymatic protection in the gills. Cd and Cu had an inhibitory effect in the enzymatic defence system, contrarily to Hg. These enzymatic systems are not completely understood in the B. azoricus, since reactive oxygen species might be produced through other processes than natural redox cycling, due to hydrogen sulphide and oxygen content present. Also the symbiotic bacteria may play an important contribution in the antioxidant protection of the gills.     

Photosynthetic activity and antioxidative response of seagrass Thalassia hemprichii to trace metal stress

This study concerned the accumulation of trace metals in tissues of seagrass (Thalassia hemprichii) exposed to various concentrations of Zn²⁺+, Cd²⁺+, Pb²⁺+ and Cu²⁺+ for 10 d, and the effect of excessive metals on quantum yield (ΔF=F_m'), photosynthetic pigments and antioxidative enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POD) were also examined. Cadmium was the most highly accumulated metal. Meanwhile, high metals levels led to a remarkable breakdown of photosynthetic parameters. Especially, ΔF=F_m', chlorophyll and carotenoid were significantly low during prolonged Cu exposure. Besides, ΔF=F_m' was more severely depressed by Cu and Zn than Pb and Cd. However, T. hemprichii had positive response by increasing the activity of SOD and POD. The results indicate that T. hemprichii is the most sensitive to Cu, and the antioxidative protection mechanisms of T. hemprichii are more efficiently activated to avoid damage of Zn, Cd and Pb stress. Finally, due to the high Cd-accumulation and strong Cd-tolerance capacity, T. hemprichii can be used for phytoremediation in Cd-contaminated areas.     

Bioaccumulation and toxicity of four dissolved metals in Paracentrotus lividus sea-urchin embryo

The bioaccumulation of four metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) dissolved in water was assessed measuring the concentrations recorded within sea-urchin larvae (Paracentrotus lividus, Lmk.) after a 48-h exposure period. Concurrently, the frequencies of abnormalities were evaluated at the 48-h pluteus stage to check the actual toxicity of such contaminants with regards to larval development. Maximum metal concentrations in the larvae reached 43.8 +/- 6.7 micrograms Cd g-1 dry weight (d.w.), 1269 +/- 392 micrograms Cu g-1 d.w., 3106 +/- 679 micrograms Pb g-1 d.w., 534 +/- 62 micrograms Zn g-1 d.w. Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) reached very high values for Pb (maximum value: 16,282 +/- 973) and indicated that the concentrations of Pb and Cd were directly related to the water concentration at least in the range of concentrations tested. Zn appeared to be partially regulated above a certain threshold concentration (between 5 and 25 micrograms l-1). Cu was accumulated with an active uptake at least below lethal threshold level (100 micrograms l-1). Nevertheless, above these thresholds, high mortality of embryos prevent any interpretation of Zn and Cu bioconcentration factors. Concurrent studies carried out on embryotoxicity confirmed the high toxicity of Cu towards sea-urchin pluteus larvae and highlighted the different behaviour of Cd. The internal Cd concentrations were directly related to the external ones, comparable to other non-essential metals, but Cd had little toxic effect on the initial larval development.     

莱州湾滨海湿地沉积物重金属的空间分布

通过研究莱州湾河口区滨海湿地沉积物重金属Pb,Zn,Cd,Cu的含量变化,分析表层沉积物及柱状沉积物,以期了解莱州湾河口区滨海湿地重金属含量的区域性变化,并从柱状沉积物剖面了解沉积物重金属累积的历史变化。研究结果表明,莱州湾河口区与邻近海域沉积物重金属含量在空间分布上与垂直分布上均呈现一定幅度的变化,且高浓度重金属显示区域内重金属呈现污染状况;在沉积物柱状剖面中,发现重金属含量在上层有大幅度增加之现象。另外,利用围隔式生态实验装置研究了该滨海湿地区域污染沉积物中重金属Pb,Zn,Cd,Cu在海水环境中的行为。结果表明,海水中的还原环境能抑制污染沉积物中重金属的释放,有助于体系中原有的重金属清除出水,而低生产力条件下,Pb,Zn表现出释放行为;高生产力和高悬浮物含量条件下,Pb和Zn表现出先释放后迁移,而Cd和Cu则呈现出相反的现象。     

厚壳贻贝对重金属的生物积累及释放规律研究

应用实验生态方法研究了厚壳贻贝对8种常见的重金属生物积累和释放情况,得出了厚壳贻贝对重金属的生物富集系数、生物半衰期及生物富集曲线．结果表明：到积累实验结束时,厚壳贻贝对Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Ni、As和Hg的生物富集系数分别是45．01、79．65、71．67、15．21、7．91、2．45和44．65．以积累实验结束时的生物富集系数为基准,厚壳贻贝对这几种重金属的富集能力为Zn〉Cd〉Pb〉Hg〉Ni〉Cr〉As．到释放实验结束时,厚壳贻贝对Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Ni、As和Hg的生物半衰期分别是43．6、29．1、38．1、31．0、26．5、35．6、127．6、36．1d．以释放实验结束时的生物半衰期为基准,厚壳贻贝对这几种重金属的释放速度呈Cr〉Pb〉Cd〉Hg〉Ni〉Zn〉Cu〉As,而且厚壳贻贝是Hg、Pb、Zn和Cd的净积累者．因此,厚壳贻贝是比较理想的重金属Hg、Pb、Zn和Cd污染的指示生物．     

珠江口海域气溶胶中重金属含量的时间变化特征及入海通量初步估算

采用2009～2011年珠江口海域获取的代表春、夏、秋、冬4个季节的240个气溶胶样品,分析重金属（Cu、Pb、Zn、ca）质量浓度和大气干沉降通量的年、季变化特征．结果表明：气溶胶中zn的质量浓度最高,其次是Pb和Cu,Cd的质量浓度最低,年平均质量浓度依次为69,2、31．2、12．6和0．58ng／m3．Cu、Pb和Zn的年平均质量浓度和入海通量表现为2009年〉2011年〉2010年．Cd的年平均质量浓度和入海通量呈现逐年递减的变化趋势．各金属质量浓度及大气干沉降通量均为秋季最高,冬春季次之,夏季最低,这种季节性差异主要与季风和雨水冲刷作用有关．气溶胶中Cu、Ph、Cd和Zn平均质量浓度的较低值出现在2010年夏季．Pb在4个季节的平均质量浓度低值均出现在2010年,平均质量浓度依次为18．9、3．8、56．7、20．2ng／m3,表明加强人为污染物排放的控制,可有效地降低气溶胶中重金属的含量,提高环境空气质量．通过评估金属元素分别从大气和河流进入珠江口海域的输入量,该海域金属物质输送入海仍以河流输入为主,但大气中Pb对该海域的输入具有重要作用．     

Simulating a heavy metal spill under estuarine conditions: Effects on the clam Scrobicularia plana

We describe the effect of heavy metals Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu on the induction of methallothioneins on the clam Scrobicularia plana along a salinity gradient simulated under laboratory conditions. The clams were exposed to constant heavy metal concentrations in a dynamic estuary simulator during a 15-day assay to investigate possible induction of metal-binding proteins in them. The concentration of heavy metals in water was analysed. Clams were analysed for methallothionein concentrations. The speciation of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu along the salinity gradient was modelled. Zn showed the highest concentrations and its prevalent species was the free ion. Intersite differences have been observed in methallothionein concentration and related to the salinity gradient. It seems that synthesis of methallothioneins is the result of physiological forces acting in concert with the changes in the chemical speciation of metals, owing to the trace metals uptake is controlled by means of an interaction of physiology and physicochemistry.     

Simulating a heavy metal spill under estuarine conditions: effects on the clam Scrobicularia plana

We describe the effect of heavy metals Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu on the induction of methallothioneins on the clam Scrobicularia plana along a salinity gradient simulated under laboratory conditions. The clams were exposed to constant heavy metal concentrations in a dynamic estuary simulator during a 15-day assay to investigate possible induction of metal-binding proteins in them. The concentration of heavy metals in water was analysed. Clams were analysed for methallothionein concentrations. The speciation of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu along the salinity gradient was modelled. Zn showed the highest concentrations and its prevalent species was the free ion. Intersite differences have been observed in methallothionein concentration and related to the salinity gradient. It seems that synthesis of methallothioneins is the result of physiological forces acting in concert with the changes in the chemical speciation of metals, owing to the trace metals uptake is controlled by means of an interaction of physiology and physicochemistry.     

Role of metallothioneins in Cu and Cd accumulation and elimination in the g gill and digestive gland cells of mytilus galloprovincialis lam.

The data presented in this paper demonstrate that exposure of mussels to Cu (40 μg/liter) or Cd (200 μg/liter) for a period of 2 days is sufficient to induce Cu or Cd thioneins in the gills of the metal-exposed animals. The concentrations of Cu and Cd thioneins increase during the period of metal exposure (3–4 weeks), confirming the fact that metallothioneins play a fundamental role in the accumulation of these metals in the tissues examined (gills and digestive gland). Moreover, it has been demonstrated that when metal-loaded mussels are returned to the field for the recovery period, Cu is rapidly eliminated from the gill and digestive gland cells, showing a biological half-life of 9–10 days, whereas Cd is released much more slowly from the tissues, only about 50% of the total metal being lost after 4 months of detoxification. Interestingly enough, during the detoxification period the concentration of the metal bound to thioneins also follows the same pattern as the total metal present in the tissues, in fact the concentration of Cu thioneins decreases near the control level in about 24 days but, in contrast, the Cd-thionein concentration in the cytisol of the gill and digestive gland cells remaains high, decreasing only by about 40% at the end of the 4 month recovery period.The data presented also demonstrate that when Cd-loaded, detoxified mussels are exposed to Cu (100 μg/liter) for 6 h, the metal taken up by the gill cells is able to displace the Zn which is always present in the Cd-thionein fraction, but it does not, however, displace the Cd present. In this case also, period (20 days), whereas the Cd-thionein content decreases slightly. Such data seem to indicate that the metabolic characteristics of thioneins are closely related to the metal bound to them, particularly where the elimination rate of the metals from the cells is concerned.     

Mobilization of metals from riverine suspended matter in seawater

Suspended matter from rivers in the Russian Far East was leached by seawater to assess the extent of Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu release from the land-derived solids to estuarine and coastal waters. The concentration of solids in the leaching experiments was 0.25 g/l. The suspended matter used varied in metal content from background levels to heavily contaminated.The concentration of Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu in the leaching solution after 1, 4, 24, 48, and 96 h was determined by anodic stripping voltammetry. Measurable Cd was transferred from river suspended matter to seawater with both background and elevated Cd concentrations, though the amount of Cd released was different. The increase in Zn and Pb in solution was observed only at the enriched concentration of metals in the suspended solids. The Cu transfer into solution was more pronounced from material with elevated Cu concentration, but the amount of degradable organic matter in the solid phase was more important.The losses of metals from the riverine solids varied from 60% to 80% of total concentration for Cd to negligible for Pb, independent of contamination. The Zn loss depended on the initial concentration in the solids and decreased from 11–16% for the heavily contaminated suspended matter to 3–8% for the moderately enriched ones and to negligible for the pristine solids. Cu loss varied from 1% to 30% of total content, with no clear dependence on concentration in the suspended matter.The significance of additional input of dissolved metals to estuarine and coastal waters from remobilization was assessed by comparison with the initial concentration of dissolved metals in river water. Such experiments could be used to assess the water quality impact of atmospheric fallout of contaminated solids and storm drainage from the urbanized areas, in addition to river suspended matter studies.     

Acute toxicity of five sediment-associated metals, individually and in a mixture, to the estuarine meiobenthic harpacticoid copepod Amphiascus tenuiremis

The acute effects of many individual, seawater-solubilized metals on meiobenthic copepods and nematodes are well known. In sediments, however, metals most often occur as mixtures, and it is not known whether such mixtures exhibit simple additive toxicity to meiobenthos. The estuarine meiobenthic copepod Amphiascus tenuiremis was tested in four acute (96-h) sediment bioassays to determine sediment and pore-water LC50s for single-metal exposures to copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn). Laboratory-cultured copepods were exposed to clean 98% silt:clay sediments spiked with metal chloride solutions to yield five exposure concentrations plus a control. Trimmed Spearman-Karber analysis gave sediment 96-h LC50 values of 4.4 mumole Cu/g, 5.7 mumole Ni/g, 11.9 mumole Pb/g, 10.3 mumole Zn/g, and pore-water 96-h LC50 values of 2 mumole/l, 11.7 mumole/l, and 5.7 mumole/l for Cu, Ni, and Zn, respectively. Male survival after exposure to Cu, Pb, and Ni was significantly less than female survival (alpha = 0.05). Toxicity of a combined USEPA priority metal mixture to A. tenuiremis was assessed using sediment spiked equitoxically with Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The sum toxic unit that produced a median lethal dose was 0.72. The mixture had a significantly greater than additive effect on A. tenuiremis survival, with the mixture being 1.4x more toxic than that expected by simple additivity.     

Assessment of pollution and ecological risk of heavy metals in the surface sediments of Ulsan Bay,Korea

Heavy metal concentrations in the surface sediments of specially managed Ulsan Bay were investigated to determine metal distribution, pollution status and its ecological risk using pollution indices (enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index), potential ecological risk index and sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). The order of mean concentration (mg/kg) of metals was Zn (361.9) > Cu (95.6) > Pb (90.7) > Cr (64.7) > Ni (32.2) > Co (16.6) > As (15.8) > Cd (0.40) > Hg (0.16) in sediments of Ulsan Bay. Spatial distribution of metals in sediments showed a significantly higher concentration near industrial complexes, indicating that metal pollution is caused by anthropogenic sources. The results of enrichment factor (EF) and geo-accumulation index (I_geo) showed that sediments were significantly accumulated with Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb and Hg, indicating moderate to very severe enrichment (pollution) by these metals. Based on the potential ecological risk index, Hg and Cd posed a very high and a considerable potential ecological risk. Cu and As posed a moderate potential ecological risk, while, other metals (Cr, Co, Ni, Zn and Pb) rarely posed any potential ecological risk to the coastal environments. The sediments in Ulsan Bay showed a very high level of ecological risk, dominated by Hg and Cd. Metal concentrations in sediments were 80% for Cu, 96.7% for Zn, 50% for As, 70% for Pb and 50% for Hg above the threshold effects level (TEL), respectively.     

Seasonal variability in the kinetics of Cu,Pb, Cd and Hg accumulation by macroalgae

Here it is demonstrated that both Porphyra spp. and Enteromorpha spp. of macro-algae display similar and very marked seasonal variations in their concentration factor (CF) of Cu, Pb, Cd and Hg in field conditions. The CF variations are specific for each metal and reproducible over several years. The way variations in the biological activity affect the equilibrium and kinetics of the interaction between trace metals and live algae was studied in vitro. Natural seawater was used as the culture medium. Voltammetry was used for the determination of natural organic ligands and trace metals except Hg, which was determined by mercury cold vapour after on-line pre-concentration. Titrations with the relevant metal demonstrated that the maximum binding capacity of the algae was not significantly dependent on the season for Pb (ca. 100 μmol g_{dry algae}⁻¹), Cd (ca. 50 μmol g⁻¹) and Hg (80–100 μmol g⁻¹). Marked seasonal variations were observed for Cu (ca. 40 μmol g⁻¹ in January; 70 μmol g⁻¹ in May; and 100 μmol g⁻¹ in August). The conditional stability constants of metal–algae complexation sites were seasonally independent and similar for both algae: logK_MS′=8.5±0.3 (Cu), 5.6±0.2 (Pb), 5.3±0.2 (Cd) and 18.0±0.3 (Hg). Exudates with a strong Cu complexing capacity (logK′_CuL=12.47±0.06) were determined in cultures with added Cu, Pb or Cd concentrations, and identified by cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV) as cysteine or glutathione. All the tested metals promoted the liberation of exudates, both cysteine- and glutathione-like ligands were exuded in the presence of Cu, only cysteine-like ligands in the presence of Pb, and only glutathione-like ligands in the presence of Cd, the rise depending of the season of the year, particularly for Cu. Highest levels were produced in the presence of added Pb. When exposed to either 1- or 100-μM total dissolved metal concentrations, the metal uptake, and its rate, varied with the season and the algae.     

鼠尾藻对重金属锌、镉富集及排放作用的研究

将鼠尾藻(Sargassum thunbergii)暴露在不同质量浓度锌和镉溶液里40 d,以及暴露20 d后,移入自然海水恢复20 d,分析了藻体内金属离子含量的变化。富集实验结果表明,鼠尾藻积累金属离子的量和暴露溶液金属质量浓度正相关、与暴露时间具有线性关系;暴露3 d,藻体的金属离子含量(除了暴露在Cd2+质量浓度为0.1 mg/L处理组)均显著增加;在Zn2+处理组,溶液里Zn2+质量浓度越大,线性关系越显著,而在Cd2+处理组,Cd2+质量浓度5.0 mg/L处理组藻体内Cd2+含量与暴露时间的线性关系则最低。排放试验结果表明,排放20 d后与排放0 d比较,藻体内的金属离子质量浓度均显著降低,但是均显著高于暴露前水平;在Zn2+溶液里,鼠尾藻暴露Zn2+质量浓度0.1 mg/L和Zn2+质量浓度5.0 mg/L 20 d后移入自然海水5 d后,藻体内的Zn2+含量与排放0 d相比显著降低,而在Cd2+溶液里,藻体排放5 d后,藻体内的Cd2+含量与排放0 d相比均显著降低。最终结果表明,鼠尾藻潜在地可作为一种指示生物,用于监测海洋环境重金属污染状况。同时,鼠尾藻对Zn2+和Cd2+具有较强的富集能力,可以利用鼠尾藻修复受重金属污染的海洋水体,尤其是锌的污染。     

红海湾底质重金属分布与背景值探讨

红海湾表层沉积物中Zn,Cd,Cu,Pb含量呈湾顶高于湾中部和湾口的分布特征,在河口潮间带形成污染区。根据背景区沉积物重金属平均含量和2倍标准差,提出用红海湾表层沉积物中Zn,Cd,Cu,Pb,Ni,Cr的背景上限（分别为90,0.65,20,55,30,45mg·kg~-1干重）作为背景参考值。红海湾表层沉积物中Zn,Cd,Cu,Pb呈显著的正相关关系,推测四者具有相似的来源。     

Regulation of Tilapia metallothionein gene expression by heavy metal ions

Tilapia is a common fish species inhabiting inland waters and estuarine regions in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, and useful for bio-monitoring of metal pollution. Metallothionein (MT) gene expression in fish tissues has been useful to sub-lethal risk assessment as biomarker of exposure to metal ions in fishes inhabiting metal contaminated area. To investigate metal inductions of Tilapia MT gene expression in vivo, Tilapias were injected with different concentrations of heavy metals and tissues were then removed for quantitative PCR assay using mimic PCR methods. All of the metal ions tested (Cu(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+), Ni(2+), Pb(2+) and Zn(2+)) were able to induce hepatic MT mRNA levels. Renal MT mRNA levels of Cd(2+) and Zn(2+) treated fish was not induced with significant fold induction, however MT mRNA levels in gills were sensitive to the administrations of these metal ions. These data indicated that Tilapia MT mRNA levels in gills and liver are sensitive biomarker of exposure to various metal ions.