Toxicopathic liver lesions in English sole and chemical contaminant exposure in Vancouver Harbour,Canada

The prevalence of toxicopathic liver lesions in English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) was determined along a presumed gradient of chemical contamination in Vancouver Harbour, Canada. Fish were captured from five sites in or near Vancouver Harbour, British Columbia, Canada. No toxicopathic lesions were observed in fish examined at the reference site (Howe Sound outside Vancouver Harbour), or at the outer harbour site. In contrast, 20-23% of the fish from three sites located in the central harbour, Indian Arm and Port Moody Arm had one or more types of toxicopathic lesions. Likewise, aromatic hydrocarbon (AH) metabolites measured in bile exhibited a gradient in levels from lower concentrations at the reference site to significantly higher levels in fish from Indian Arm and Port Moody Arm harbour sites. The occurrence of toxicopathic liver lesions was statistically associated with concentrations of AHs measured in sediment and AH metabolite levels measured in bile.     

Hepatic CYP1A levels and EROD activity in English sole: biomonitoring of marine contaminants in Vancouver Harbour

To assess chemical contaminant stress in the marine environment, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity and cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) expression were measured in 88 English Sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) collected during May and June 1999 from four sites in Vancouver Harbour and at an expected reference site outside the harbour. Hepatic microsomes were prepared from the fish and analyzed for total CYP content, EROD activity, and CYP1A protein levels. Hepatic EROD activity and CYP1A protein levels were elevated in fish from two sites in the inner harbour. A comparison with sediment chemistry data showed that fish with increased EROD activity and CYP1A levels came from sites containing relatively high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls. Unexpectedly high levels of EROD activity and CYP1A protein were also found in fish from a reference site near Gibsons, in Howe Sound. The elevated EROD activity and CYP1A expression in fish from this site cannot be explained by the chemical analysis data collected.     

Fish communities and life history attributes of English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) in Vancouver Harbour

Data on demersal fish abundance, distribution, and spatial variation in community composition are given for Vancouver harbour and a far field reference station in outer Howe Sound. Flatfish (F. Pleuronectidae) were the dominant taxa in the trawl sampling, with the English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) one of the most abundant species, especially in Port Moody Arm. Cluster and ordination analyses suggested a different community in Port Moody Arm relative to the outer harbour and the reference site. Length data from English sole suggested the Vancouver harbour fish may be from a different population relative to the far field reference station, with more juveniles in the harbour. Both male and female English sole were older and larger in Port Moody Arm and females were more common in this area. Growth rates of female English sole were slower at Port Moody and Indian Arm in comparison to the central harbour. Feeding habits of English sole were different at various parts of the harbour, with possible implications for contaminant uptake. The diet of English sole was dominated by polychaetes in Port Moody Arm and by bivalve molluscs at the far field reference station. Fish from the middle and outer harbour fed on a mixture of polychaetes, bivalve molluscs, and crustaceans enabling multiple pathways for bioaccumulation of pollutants.     

Contamination of organotin compounds and imposex in molluscs from Vancouver,Canada

Gastropods and bivalves were collected at 15 sites at Vancouver and Victoria, Canada between 24 May and 7 June, 1999, to establish tissue concentrations of butyltin and phenyltin compounds, to record imposex symptoms in gastropods, and to assess the present status of organotin contamination around Vancouver. No neogastropods (such as Nucella lima) were found around Vancouver. Neogastropod populations could have been extirpated by severe TBT contamination in Vancouver, as relatively high concentrations of TBT were detected in tissues of Mytilus trossulus from Vancouver, and the neogastropods distributed in Vancouver might be sensitive to TBT. Recovery from imposex, however, was observed in neogastropod populations from three sites at Victoria and Mission Point. TBT contamination has continued around Vancouver, arising from continuous use of TBT in antifouling paints for vessels larger than 25 m in length; however, TBT has decreased around Victoria and Mission Point. Different patterns of TBT accumulation in tissue were observed among the bivalve species from Vancouver. The highest TBT concentration detected in Tresus capax suggested some possible adverse effects. TBT was the most predominant butyltin component in almost all bivalve specimens surveyed, suggesting a low rate of TBT metabolism. Phenyltin compounds were not detected in any molluscan specimens in this study.     

Copper,chromium, and lead in Manukau Harbour sediments

A limited survey was undertaken to determine the concentrations of copper, lead, and chromium in sediments of the upper Manukau Harbour, New Zealand. The concentrations of copper and chromium (33–70 and 70–107 μg g^‐1 respectively) were of the same order of magnitude as those reported for other New Zealand harbours. However, lead concentrations (98–247 μg g^‐1) were higher than those found for the other harbours. This may be a consequence of higher traffic densities in the surrounding area.     

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.     

Geochemical characterization of the potential trace metal mobility in cohesive sediments

The Acid-Producing Potential (APP) and the Acid-Consuming Capacity (ACC) are introduced as basic parameters for long-term pollution assessment of mud disposal. They can be obtained by a four-step sequential leaching technique. The concentration of Ca extracted by the first Na-acetate step permits calculating the ACC. Both the Fe- and S-fractions deliberated by subsequent leaching steps are used to calculate the APP. When the APP of a sample is substacted from its ACC, a negative value indicates a potential increase of the bioavailability of the toxic metal load upon disposal of this mud in oxic environments.     

Distribution of organochlorine compounds in water, porewater and sediments in Xiamen Harbour

I~IOXAmong a large number of man-made chemicals, organochlorines such as DDTs, HCHs (hexachlorobenzene) are of great concern due to their highly bioaccumulative nature and toxic biological effects. These chemicals are persistent in nature, can biomagnify in the food web and imalvarious toxic effects in marine mammals. They can cause abnormal thyroid function in Herringgull, feminising in western gull, and can impair Avian reproduction, among other deleterious effects (Carmichael, 1988).Th…     

Georges bank monitoring program: hydrocarbons in bottom sediments and hydrocarbons and trace metals in tissues

Hydrocarbons in sediments and hydrocarbons and trace metals in tissues from Georges Bank were analyzed to evaluate potential changes to the henthic environment resulting from exploratory drilling operations. Sediment hydrocarbon concentrations varied with grain size: concentrations up to 2·5μg/g dry weight total aromatic equivalents occurred in the fine-grained sediments of Lydonia Canyon and the ‘Mud Patch’ area south of Martha's Vineyard, whereas concentrations were less than I μg/g dry weight in sediments from the shallow areas of Georges Bank, at a regional control site, and at the site of drilling operations. Increases in total aromatic equivalents from approximately 0·1 μg/g dry weight to 0·4 μg/g dry weight were measured in sediments from a site 0.25 km from the drill rig concurrent with drilling operations. Petrogenic hydrocarbons were detected in both drilling fluid extracts and in sediments collected during drilling operations, suggesting short-term deposition of drilling discharges in near-rig sediments. Drilling discharge residues were not observed in the near-rig sediments one month after drilling operations were terminated. Furthermore, hydrocarbon residues from drilling discharges werenot observed in sediments from stations located at distances greater than 6 km from the drill site either during or subsequent to the drilling operations.     

Sources and timing of trace metal contamination to sediments in remote sealochs,N.W. Scotland

Sediment cores from a transect of sealochs, Etive, Sunart, Nevis, Duich, Broom and Torridon in N.W. Scotland were analysed for the trace metals lead, copper, and zinc. In addition, sediment cores from the Clyde Sea Basin (Loch Fyne, the Gareloch, Clyde dumpsite) and from the Irish and Celtic Seas were analysed as possible source areas for contaminated particles. The sediment cores were dated using excess ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs, and Al normalisation was used to correct for sediment compositional effects. All cores showed increased concentrations of all trace metals (and M/Al) towards the surface, with a maximum of 280–500% above background being observed in Loch Etive. Only cores from Duich and Torridon (Zn/Al and Pb/Al) and Etive (Zn/Al) did not continue to show an increase in trace metals to the uppermost samples. The burden of atmospherically derived trace metals accumulated over the past 100 years was compared with similar published burdens from a series of freshwater lochs adjacent to the sealochs. Plots of excess ²¹⁰Pb (used to correct for sediment focusing) against atmospherically derived Pb showed a series of linear relationships of systematically decreasing gradient towards the north-west, away from potential urban sources of lead. It was calculated that 49% (15–77%) of the Pb but only 3% (1–4%) of the Zn and 2% (0–3%) of the Cu reached the sealochs from atmospheric sources. The remaining trace metals deposited in the sealochs came from marine particles. Using trace metal ratios as an indicator of pollutant provenance, it was shown that the trace metals came predominantly from the Irish Sea. There was no evidence of trace metals derived from the Firth of Clyde basin. It was concluded that trace metal contamination from the Clyde and the surrounding industrialised urban area was mainly deposited in the estuary and the Clyde Sea basin with its adjoining sealochs, such as the Gareloch and Loch Fyne.     

Heat exchanges in muddy intertidal sediments: Chichester Harbour,West Sussex,England

Temperature observations made from a lightweight tower assembly in Chichester Harbour, West Sussex, demonstrate that marked changes in temperature at intertidal mud surfaces occur on a flow tide. The magnitude and direction of these changes are dependent on the external atmospheric and marine conditions, and on the timing of tidal inundation. Calculated heat exchange values for the 3h prior to high water fall into four distinct timing zones. There is a relationship between thermal stress, measured as rate of change of temperature with time, and time of high water. Mud surfaces are net receivers of heat energy from inundating water layers.     

Molecular weight and trace metal distributions in fulvic and humic acid fractions of coastal marine sediments

Molecular weight and trace metal distributions of fulvic and humic acid fractions of marine sediments from the Seto Inland Sea were investigated by using a gel filtration technique in combination with atomic absorption and emission spectrometries. A binary molecular weight distribution was found both in the fulvic acid fraction and in the humic acid fraction. The fulvic acid fractions with molecular weights of less than 1.5×10³ and of 5×10³?10⁴ accounted for 38–57 % and 25–41 % of the total fulvic acids, respectively, and the humic acid fractions with molecular weights of 10²?10⁴ and of over 2×10⁵ accounted for 58–73 % and 16–27 % of the total humic acids, respectively. The components with molecular weights of over 1.5×10³ contained 54 %, on average, of the Fe, Zn and Cu in the fulvic acid fraction, and the components with molecular weights of over 10⁴ contained 58 %, on average, of these metals in the humic acid fraction.     

Organic matter accumulation of Late Ordovician sediments in North Guizhou Province,China: Sulfur isotope and trace element evidences

The organic-rich Upper Ordovician sediments (Wufeng and Guanyinqiao Formations) on the Yangtze platform are considered to be one of the main source rocks. Here we present geochemical proxies, including redox indicator (S/C ratios and sulfur isotopes) and productivity indices (TOC, Mo and Ba contents), from Nanbazi section in North Guizhou province, South China, in order to investigate the mechanism of organic matter accumulation. The geochemical data suggest a stagnant and anoxic environment predominated the Yangtze Sea during the Wufeng period, whereas ventilated and oxygenated marine conditions pervaded the Yangtze Sea during the Guanyinqiao period. Variations in the concentration of TOC, Mo and Ba indicate that higher organic carbon export in the Wufeng intervals than those in the Guanyinqiao intervals. These variations in redox and productivity during the late Ordovician were associated with different mechanisms and forcing processes. The abrupt change from anoxic to oxygenated condition at the beginning of the Guanyinqiao was concomitant with the global glacial period, likely resulted from the glacio-eustatic sea-level fall and subsequent circulation of cold, dense oxygenated waters upon the shelf seabed. The productivity variations were related to the change of nutrient supply, which is consistent with volcanic activities and runoff to the Yangtze Sea. Redox changes, together with primary productivity fluctuations could have played a significant role on the variation of organic matter accumulation during the late Ordovician in South China.     

Harbour entrance morphology and sediments at a river mouth port,Westport, New Zealand

Entrance morphologies and sediment characteristics were studied at Westport Harbour, a river mouth port located on the Buller River, New Zealand. The most frequent morphology found was that in which two submarine bars were present off the river mouth. When present, these bars were separated by a transverse channel running east from Carters Beach and terminating in the principal inlet channel. Sediment samples were collected and analysed for grain size, reliability (grain shape), and, in a few instances, mineralogy. The data collected suggested that longshore sediment transport is predominantly west to east and that river derived sediment is deflected to the east. The inner bar is predominantly a littoral drift related event whereas the outer bar, which is composed mainly of littoral drifted sediment, forms as a submarine extension of Carters Beach. Both bars can be modified by floods in the river, although modification of the outer bar is much less frequent because of the very high river flows required. Sediment can bypass directly across the river mouth only when the inner bar is present. On other occasions bypassing can only occur by transport through the transverse channel or over the outer bar, into the river channel and then onshore.     

Diagnosis of trace metal contamination in sediments: the example of Ensenada and El Sauzal, two harbors in Baja California, Mexico

Total metal concentrations in sediments from within Ensenada and El Sauzal Harbors are generally higher than at the mouths. Grain-size analyses suggested that this enrichment could be due to the presence of fine-grained sediments in the inner part of the harbors rather than to anthropogenic perturbations. The (Me/Al)(sample) ratios for Pb, Co, Ni and Fe were significantly higher for Ensenada Harbor relative to El Sauzal Harbor, whereas the ratios for Cd, Mn, Zn and Cu were statistically equivalent for both harbors. Calculated enrichment factors [EF(Me)=(Me/Al)(sample)/(Me/Al)(shale)] indicated that the metals showing slight enrichment were those associated with anthropogenic contamination (Pb, Zn), or probably related to primary productivity in the water column (Cd, Co). The levels of most of the metals were not greatly enriched, a consideration that is of the utmost importance when contamination issues are at stake.     

Municipal wastewater contamination in the southern california bight: Part I—metal and organic contaminants in sediments and organisms

Sediments and organisms were examined for concentrations of organic and metal contaminants from near the Los Angeles County (JWPCP) municipal outfall at Palos Verdes (PV) station 7-3, the Los Angeles City (Hyperion) municipal outfall at Santa Monica Bay (SMB) station 6-4 and reference station SMB 2–3 near Malibu Beach. Flows and mass emission rates of suspended solids, PCBs, Cd and Zn were similar at the two outfalls. Mass emission rate of copper was almost twice as high from Hyperion as from JWPCP, while mass emission rate of DDTs was an order or magnitude higher from JWPCP than from Hyperion.Surficial sediments at PV 7-3 were enriched in most contaminants relative to SMB 6-4 and relative to the mass emission rates of contaminants from the JGVPCP and Hyperion outfalls. Some of this enrichment could be accounted for by the greater accumulation of organic material, measured as total volatile solids, at PV 7-3 relative to SMB 6-4. Some might be accounted for by resurfacing of more contaminated historical deposits buried at PV 7-3. Some of the enrichment of DDTs relative to PCBs could be accounted for by the greater abundance of oxygenated metabolites of PCBs (PCBols) relative to DDTs (DDTols) in sediments.The degree of contamination of organisms by DDTs increased with proximity to PV 7-3 but contamination by PCBs was similar at PV 7-3 and SMB 6-4. DDT concentrations in fish livers ranged from 12 ± 4 ( ) mg/wet kg in longspine combfish from SMB 2–3 to 610 ± 105 (n = 5) mg/wet kg in Pacific sanddab from PV 7-3. DDT concentrations in fish gonads ranged from 0·003 ± 0·003 (n = 5) mg/wet kg in yellowchin sculpin from SMB 6-4 to 1.5 ± 6 (n = 3) mg/wet kg in Pacific sanddabs from PV 7-3. PCB concentrations in fish livers ranged from 1·2 ± 0·4 (n = 4) mg/wet kg in yellowchin sculpin from SMB 2–3 to 16 ± 3 (n = 6) in Pacific Sanddab from SMB 6-4. DDT and PCB concentrations in invertebrate hepatopancreas were only slightly lower than those in fish livers. DDTols and PCBoIs comprised an average of 91 % of the total of parent compounds and oxygenated metabolites in sediments and 66 % in livers and hepatopancreas. Trace metals were frequently decreased in livers and hepatopancreas from near outfalls even though they were highly elevated in sediments.Comparison of sediment and tissue chlorinated hydrocarbon data with that from Elliot and Commencement Bays, Puget Sound, indicated that none of the southern California coastal stations considered in this study were sufficiently lacking contamination to be considered as adequate control sites.     

Nondetrital and total metal distribution in core sediments from the U-Tapao Canal, Songkhla, Thailand

The U-Tapao Canal is the main source of freshwater draining into the outer part of Songkhla Lake, which is the most important estuarine lagoon in Thailand. Songkhla Lake is located in southern Thailand between latitudes 7°08' and 7°50' N and longitudes 100°07' and 100°37' E. Acetic acid (HOAc)-soluble Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn and the total concentration of these metals along with Al concentration, organic carbon, carbonate, sand, silt, and clay contents were determined in 4 sediment cores obtained at selected intervals from the mouth of the canal to 12 km upstream. Readily oxidizable organic matter in the cores varies from 1.52% to 7.30% and is generally found to decrease seaward. Total concentrations of Al (61.7–99.0 g kg⁻¹; 2.29–3.67 mol kg⁻¹), Cu (12.4–28.2 mg kg⁻¹; 195–444 μmol kg⁻¹), Fe (25.2–42.0 g kg⁻¹; 451–752 mmol kg⁻¹), Mn (0.22–0.49 g kg⁻¹; 4.0–8.9 mmol kg⁻¹), Pb (16.7–43.1 mg kg⁻¹; 80.6–208 μmol kg⁻¹), and Zn (48.6–122.7 mg kg⁻¹; 0.74–1.88 mmol kg⁻¹) vary to a certain extent vertically and seaward in the U-Tapao Canal core sediments. These concentrations are at or near natural levels and show no indication of anthropogenic contamination.Overall, the data show that total metal concentrations in the surface and near surface core sediments are enriched in varying degrees relative to Al in the order of Zn>Mn>Pb>Fe>Cu. Chemical partitioning shows that the enrichment in the surface and near surface sediments is related to the relatively high proportion of the total metal concentrations (Mn>Zn>Fe>Cu>Pb) that occur in the acetic acid-soluble (nondetrital) fraction, and they generally decrease with depth. Nondetrital Cu, Pb, and Zn likely derive from those metals held in ion exchange positions, certain carbonates, and from easily soluble amorphous compounds of Mn and perhaps those of Fe. Diagenetic processes involving Mn and to a lesser extent, Fe compounds, as well as the vertical changes in the oxidizing/reducing boundaries, appear to be the most important factors controlling the behavior of the metals in these cores. Organic matter and the aluminosilicate minerals, however, appear to be less important carriers of the metals studied.     

Temporal and spatial distributions of contaminants in sediments of Santa Monica Bay,California

Contaminant inputs from wastewater discharge, a major source of contamination to Santa Monica Bay (SMB), have declined drastically during the last three decades as a result of improved treatment processes and better source control. To assess the concomitant temporal changes in the SMB sediments, a study was initiated in June 1997, in which 25 box cores were collected using a stratified random sampling design. Five sediment strata corresponding to the time intervals of 1890-1920, 1932-1963, 1965-1979, 1979-1989, and 1989-1997 were identified using (210)Pb dating techniques. Samples from each stratum were analyzed for metals, 1,1,1-Trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) and its metabolites (DDTs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and total organic carbon (TOC). Samples from the 1965-1979, 1979-1989, and 1989-1997 strata were also analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and linear alkylbenzenes (LABs). Sediment metal concentrations increased from 1890-1979 and were similar during the time intervals of 1965-1979, 1979-1989, and 1989-1997, although the mass emissions of trace metals from sewage inputs declined substantially during the same time period. Trace organic contamination in SMB was generally highest in sediments corresponding to deposition during the years of 1965-1979 or 1979-1989 and showed a decline in concentration in the 1989-1997 stratum. Temporal trends of contamination were greatest in sediments collected from areas near the Hyperion Treatment Plant (HTP) outfall system and on the slope of Redondo Canyon. The highest contaminant concentrations were present in sediments near the HTP 7-mile outfall in the 1965-1979 stratum. Elevated trace metal and organic concentrations were still present in the 1989-1997 stratum of most stations, suggesting that sediment contaminants have moved vertically in the sediment column since sludge discharges from the 7-mile outfall (a dominant source of contamination to the bay) ceased in 1987. The widespread distributions of DDTs and PCBs in SMB and highly confined distribution of LABs around the HTP outfall system were indicative of a dispersal mechanism remobilizing historically deposited contaminants to areas relatively remote from the point of discharge.