Turbidity as a proxy for total suspended solids (TSS) and particle facilitated pollutant transport in catchments

Transport of hydrophobic organic pollutants in rivers is mainly coupled to transport of suspended particles. Turbidity measurements are often used to assess the amount of suspended solids in water. In this study, a monitoring campaign is presented where the total concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the amount of total suspended solids (TSS), and turbidity was measured in water samples from five neighboring catchments in southwest Germany. Linear correlations of turbidity and TSS were obtained which were in close agreement to the literature data. From linear regressions of turbidity versus total PAH concentrations in water, mean concentrations of PAH on suspended particles could be calculated and these varied by catchment. These values furthermore comprise a robust measure of the average sediment quality in a given catchment. Since in the catchments investigated in this study, PAH concentrations on suspended particles were stable over a large turbidity range (1–114 Nephelometric Turbidity Units), turbidity could be used as a proxy for total PAHs and likely other highly hydrophobic organic pollutants in river water if the associated correlations are established. Based on that, online monitoring of turbidity (e.g., by optical backscattering sensors) seems very promising to determine annual pollutant fluxes.     

Heavy metal contamination in overbank sediments of the Geul river (East Belgium): Its relation to former Pb-Zn mining activities

Overbank sediments of the Geul River (East Belgium) are highly contaminated by the heavy metals Pb, Zn, and Cd due to former Pb-Zn mining activities in the drainage basin. Geochemical variations in vertical overbank sediment profiles sampled 1 km north of the mine tailings of Plombiéres allow metal fluxes back to the 17th century to be reconstructed. The vertical profiles are subdivided into three major units corresponding to different industrial periods based on sedimentological criteria as well as on the distribution of contaminants. Alluvial sediments with the highest heavy metal concentrations correspond to the major period of mining activity of the 19th century. The fact that Zn mining at the La Calamine open mine started before large-scale mining of the PbS-ZnS subsurface exploitations is reflected in the vertical profiles by an increase in Zn content before a marked increase in Pb and Cu. The regional extent of contamination in the alluvial deposits was evaluated on the basis of the geochemical analysis of sediments at depths of the 0–20 cm and 80–100 cm. Most of the upper samples are extremely contaminated. Significant local variations in heavy metal concentration in the lower samples are interpreted in terms of which overbank sediment horizon has been sampled at a depth of 80–100 cm. This indicates that blind sampling of overbank sediments to characterize the degree of contamination in shallow boreholes can give very erratic results.     

唐古拉山冬克玛底冰川流域河水总溶解固体和悬移质的变化特征

通过2013年6-9月对唐古拉山冬克玛底冰川流域河水的逐日定时样品采集,并结合流域水文与气象资料,对径流的总溶解固体（TDS）和悬移质的变化特征进行分析。结果表明：2013年消融期的平均气温为3.7℃,消融期降水量为546 mm,7月和8月两个月径流量占消融期总径流量的63%。消融期逐日的TDS变化范围为31~140 mg·L^-1,平均值为60 mg·L^-1,TDS随径流变化显著,表现为消融强烈时（7-8月） TDS浓度较低,消融初期（6月）和末期（9月）时TDS浓度较高;径流中TDS与悬移质浓度（SSC）变化表现出相反变化趋势,即消融强烈时悬移质浓度较高,而消融初期与末期悬移质浓度较低,消融期平均悬移质浓度为122.8 mg·L^-1,流量-SSC时序关系表现为以顺时针滞后事件为主。2013年冬克玛底冰川流域消融期的化学侵蚀总量和物理侵蚀总量分别为2.214×10³ t和6.722×10³ t,化学侵蚀与物理侵蚀率的比值为0.33。     

Mine waste dumps and heavy metal pollution in abandoned mining district of Boccheggiano (Southern Tuscany, Italy)

 Mining activity in the Boccheggiano-Fontalcinaldo area (Southern Tuscany) dates back at least to the 16th century AD and lasted up to very recent times. Copper-rich hydrothermal veins, massive pyrite deposits, and their gossans were exploited. Two mine waste dumps (Fontalcinaldo, Fontebona), one flotation tailings impoundment (Gabellino), and one roasting/smelting waste dump (Merse-Ribudelli) in the study area were selected to ascertain the environmental effects of such protracted mining activity. Primary waste mineralogy is mainly characterized by pyrite, gypsum, quartz, carbonates, chlorites, and micas. Secondary oxidation mineralogy includes Fe and Cu sulfates and hydroxy sulfates, Cu carbonates, Fe and Al oxyhydroxides, and other phases [neogenic cassiterite at Fontalcinaldo; probable calkinsite, (Ce,La)₂(CO₃)₃· 4H₂O, at Fontebona]. Mine waste samples show extremely variable contents of toxic elements (Cu, Pb, Zn, Bi, Cd, As), with average values in the order of hundreds to thousands of parts per million (except for Bi and Cd). In some samples, the abundance of proper minerals of these metals cannot account for the entire metal load. Conceivably, either solid solution substitutions or adsorption processes contribute to the intake of released metals into newly formed minerals. Release and transport of pollutants was affected to variable degrees by acid-neutralization processes. The highest metal and acid concentrations occur close to the investigated wastes and rapidly decrease moving downstream some hundreds of meters or less, with the partial exception for Mn and Fe. Other than dilution effects, this phenomenon may be ascribed to metal adsorption and precipitation of solid phases. Received: 16 April 1995 · Accepted: 14 December 1995     

Heavy metal concentrations (Cd,Cu and Pb) in five aquatic plant species in Tasik Chini,Malaysia

The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of heavy metals namely cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) in the five aquatic plants. For this purpose, the concentration of heavy metals were measured in water and in the five aquatic plant species, Lepironia articulata, Pandanus helicopus, Scirpus grossus, Cabomba furcata and Nelumbo nucifera, in 15 sites from Tasik Chini. The concentrations were different among the plant species as well as among the parts of plants. The highest concentration of heavy metals among the aquatic plants and plant parts was found in the roots of S. grossus. The concentrations of Cd in the leaves and stems of submerged aquatic plant, C. furcata, were higher than concentration of Cd in the leaves and stems of emergent aquatic plant and floating leaf plant. The concentration of Cu in the stem of C. furcata was greater than that in the leaf, while the concentration of Cd was more in the leaf than in the stem. The heavy metal contents of the aquatic plants were in descending order of Pb > Cu > Cd. The metal concentration quotient of leaves/roots and stems/roots (ML/MR and MS/MR) were calculated. The highest internal translocation was found in P. helicopus, while the lowest internal translocation was found in S. grossus.     

Downstream changes of total and partitioned metal concentrations in the flood deposits of the river Geul (The Netherlands)

The floodplain soils in the Guel basin have unacceptably high levels of pollution,v brought about by metal mining and related industrial activities in the past. Spoil heaps still exist along the Geul river and these are susceptible to erosion and leaching processes. An additional source of metals is formed by erosion of older, locally highly contaminated streambank deposits. These older sediments are polluted as a result of solid waste disposal containing metalliferous ore and tailings in the sand fraction. At present, these sediments function as a major source of heavy metals during high flow stages when streambanks are undermined and suspended sediments are deposited on the floodplains. The flood deposits have a relatively coarse texture, i.e. 70% dry weight in the fraction > 63 um.In order to obtain an indication about the potential mobility of the heavy metals in these deposits, 16 samples (8 samples < 63 um and 8 samples > 63 um) out of a set of 122 were subjected to a sequential extraction scheme as proposed by Calmano & Förstner (1983). It was found that up to 80% of the metals may be present in the first three leaching stages (exchangeable cations, carbonate fraction and easily reducible fraction) and that hardly any difference exists between the chemical partitioning of metals in the size fractions < 63 um and > 63 um. Moreover, as the total metal concentrations exponentially decrease along the 40 km distance away from the source area, the percentage of metals in these 3 potentially mobile fractions steadily increases. It is concluded that despite the rapid decay of total metal concentrations, Large amounts of potentially mobile metals are probably stored in the floodplain sediments even at a large distance from the source area.     

Sources of very high heavy metal content in soils of volcanic island (La Réunion)

The objective of this study was to conduct an inventory of heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the soils of La Réunion. 39 sampling sites were selected to cover the distribution of soils of the island. The results show that soils of La Réunion are rich in heavy metals: most of them exceed the French standard values beyond which sewage sludge spreading is not authorized. To identify the sources of heavy metals, we used: (i) the relationship between the heavy metal content in soils and the origin of the volcanic parent material; (ii) the comparison of heavy metal content between cultivated and uncultivated soils; and (iii) the heavy metal distribution in soil profiles. Cd and Pb evolution in soil profiles indicate an impact of human activities. High Hg concentrations in soils can be explained by the volcanic activity of the island. For Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn, we demonstrate that high concentrations in soils are mainly determined by the natural pedo-geochemical background.     

Will the river Irtysh survive the year 2030? Impact of long-term unsuitable land use and water management of the upper stretch of the river catchment (North Kazakhstan)

The Irtysh river basin all the way from river spring in China across Kazakhstan as far as the Russian part of Siberia is among the most ecologically endangered and affected regions on our planet. The study provides a summary of the historical reasons for anthropological interventions in this area, which began with the construction of plants of the military—industrial complexes in the forties of the last century during World War II. These plants have a major share in extreme high concentrations of heavy metals in surface as well in groundwaters locally. The Semipalatinsk nuclear polygon plays a specific role as a source of contamination of local waters. The release of top secret data enabled us to gain knowledge about serious problems related to high radioactivity of groundwaters, which should spread uncontrollably through a system of secondary fissures activated by nuclear blasts. Another serious problem in this region is the quantitative aspect of contamination. Model simulations of water balance indicate that large industrial development in the spring area in China and continuously increasing water consumption in Kazakhstan may lead to desiccation of the lower stretch of this large river in Siberia during the summer months of 2030.     

悬浮颗粒的浓度对其在饱和多孔介质中迁移和沉积特性的影响

多孔介质中悬浮颗粒迁移和沉积特性的研究对地下污染物净化、石油开采、核废料处置、水土保持等有很重要的意义。对4种不同浓度的悬浮颗粒在3种不同的渗流速度下进行室内试验,研究悬浮颗粒的浓度对其迁移和沉积特性的影响。结果表明,在一定的悬浮颗粒浓度下,随着渗流速度的增加,穿透曲线中的悬浮颗粒的相对浓度也增大。同时,渗流速度一定时,悬浮颗粒的浓度存在一个临界值,小于该临界值,穿透曲线中的相对浓度随悬浮颗粒的浓度增大而增大;大于该临界值时,相对浓度随悬浮颗粒的浓度增大而减小。另外,悬浮颗粒的临界浓度是与渗流速度相关的,随着渗流速度增加,悬浮颗粒的临界浓度也逐渐增大     

白银东大沟水体和底泥中重金属污染评价

为了给白银东大沟河道生态治理和底泥处理风险评价提供科学参考,分析了东大沟水体中Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、As、Hg和底泥中Cr、Zn、Pb、Cu、Cd、Hg重金属的含量水平、分布特征及含量变化趋势,并采用内梅罗综合指数法和潜在生态风险指数法分别对水体和沉积底泥中的重金属污染累积程度、潜在风险进行评价.研究结果表明,东大沟水体中6种重金属平均含量在0.005 7~4.796 0mg/L之间,其含量大小依次为Zn>Cu>Cd>Pb>As>Hg.随水流方向,水体中As含量表现为升高趋势,其余重金属含量则呈显著降低趋势.底泥中6种重金属平均含量在(61.6~5 999.3)×10-6之间,其含量大小依次为Zn>Pb>Cu>Cd>Cr>Hg.东大沟河段底泥中的重金属含量有起伏,但整体表现为随水流方向含量显著降低的趋势.参照相关评价标准,东大沟水体的主要重金属污染物为Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd,其单因子污染程度Cd>Pb>Zn>Cu,综合指数评价表明东大沟水体存在不同程度的污染;底泥主要重金属污染物为Cd、Hg、Pb、Cu,为复合污染,其生态危害风险程度Cd>Hg>Pb>Cu>Zn>Cr,潜在生态风险指数评价表明东大沟大部分河段底泥潜在生态风险指数为严重.     

Anthropogenic heavy metal signatures for the fast growing urban area of Natal (NE-Brazil)

In this study the effect of anthropogenic discharges on the heavy metal content in the Potengi–Jundiai river system near the fast growing city of Natal, NE-Brazil, is investigated. Due to the multiple anthropogenic source character without any predominating anthropogenic heavy metal discharge the area of Natal may serve as a characteristic place for the study of the impact of the fast growing Brazilian cities on the environment. In general the sediments of the Rio Potengi–Jundiai river system in the studied area are not severely polluted. However, close to waste water drain pipes a characteristic anthropogenic heavy metal signature is visible in enhanced Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd values relative to reference elements such as Al and Fe. Sources are domestic and animal waste, combustion products and hydrocarbons. These heavy metals are probably mainly bound to organic matter. The elements Sn, Hg and Ag in part also belong to the anthropogenic heavy metal signature. The elements Cr, Ni and V are characteristic of weathering heavy minerals in crystalline rocks exposed in the catchment area of the river system and are not significantly added from anthropogenic sources. These heavy metals are most likely predominantly bound to oxides and represent the pristine geogenic background of the system. They can thus be used as reference elements to monitor incipient accumulation of Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd due to anthropogenic input. The element characteristics found here match with those found in other fast growing urban areas such as the Sao Paulo metropolitan area.     

Biosorption of mercury(II), cadmium(II) and lead(II) ions from aqueous system by microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii immobilized in alginate beads

The potential use of the immobilized microalgae (in Ca-alginate) of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to remove Hg(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions was evaluated using bare Ca-alginate bead as a control system. Ca-alginate beads containing immobilized microalgae were incubated for the uniform growth at 22 °C for 5 days. Effects of pH, temperature, initial concentration of metal ions and biosorbent dosages on the adsorption of Hg(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions were studied. Adsorption of Hg(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions on the immobilized microalgae showed highest values at around pH 5.0 to 6.0. The adsorption equilibrium was represented with Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The adsorption of these ions on the immobilized microalgae followed second-order kinetics and equilibrium was established in about 60 min. The temperature change in the range of 5–40 °C did not affect the adsorption capacities of the immobilized microalgae. The immobilized-algal systems can be regenerated using 2 M NaCl for Hg(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions.     

广西某铅锌矿区废水汇集洼地土壤重金属污染调查与评价

对某铅锌矿废水汇集的岩溶洼地土壤重金属镉、铜、铅、锌、铬、砷和汞的含量进行调查分析,运用单项污染指数与综合污染指数相结合的方法对土壤环境质量状况和采用Hakanson潜在生态指数法对土壤重金属污染潜在生态风险进行评价。结果表明,该区块土壤受到重金属镉、锌、汞、铅的严重污染,其污染指数均大于1,尤其是镉污染指数高达88.4,其后依次为锌和汞,铅最小;剖面上,A、B、C层,即0~30 cm、30~60 cm和60~90 cm土壤,均已受到不同程度的重金属污染,而且污染程度A层>B层>C层,其综合污染指数分别为67.0、11.9和8.8,各自的潜在生态风险指数分别为2 921.0、543.4、421.2,对应的潜在生态风险程度分别为极强、强、强。由此可见,该岩溶洼地土壤不仅镉、锌、汞、铅污染严重,而且其生态风险也很大,但土壤中基本没有受铜、铬、砷污染。在该洼地土壤重金属污染物没有清除前,建议禁止种植食用农产品,而改为种植非食用型经济作物。      

Channel processes as a factor controlling accumulation of heavy metals in river bottom sediments: consequences for pollution monitoring (Upper Silesia, Poland)

 An evaluation of the influence of channel processes (erosion, accumulation, processing of channel sediments) on the dispersal of heavy metals in bottom sediments was carried out in the channels of the Sztoła and Biała Przemsza rivers in Upper Silesia, Poland. These rivers receive waters from a Zn and Pb mine. Mine waters transport a large amount of fine-grained sediments contaminated with heavy metals. The polluted material is accumulated in these stream courses and mixed with nearly homogeneous sandy sediment derived from erosion of the river banks and bed. Because these alluvia are easily set in motion, the distribution of heavy metal concentration in the channel in fraction <1 mm reflects differences in physical processes of sedimentation in its cross-section. The minimal values in active channel and maximal in the near-bank zone are typical for those channel sections where heavy metals, present in a solid state, are transported as a suspended load (normally the largest part of a polluted river course). In short sections heavy metals associated with the grains of a large mass which has accumulated in the active channel are transported as a bed load and the typical distribution pattern is reversed (in fractions both <1 mm and <0.063 mm). Such regularities can be disturbed in localities where strong, turbulent flow or frequent eddying occur and Mn oxides and hydrooxides and associated elements precipitate. The smallest variation in heavy metal concentration in the homogenous, fine-grained bank sediments which are trapped by plants below water level is a feature which recommends these localities as being the most suitable for monitoring of river pollution. Received: 11 November 1997 · Accepted: 12 March 1998     

Background concentrations of heavy metals in aquatic bryophytes used for biomonitoring in basaltic areas (a case study from central France)

 Studies were made of the aquatic bryophytes Fontinalis antipyretica Hedw., Platyhypnidium rusciforme (Neck.)Fleisch and Chiloscyphus sp. (Hoffm.)Dum. from streams embedded in basaltic rocks (Le Puy, central France). Water from these streams possessed elevated levels of Cu, Zn, Sr, V, Ba, Ni and Co, reflecting the geochemistry of the basalts, a basic type of igneous rocks containing elevated levels of these elements. The concentration of elements in bryophytes is correlated to the chemical composition of water of their sampling sites. Contents of trace elements in plants were higher than background values. The elevated levels of these elements possibly caused disturbances in the ionic equilibrium within the bryophytes. The molar ratio between contents of Ca and Mg in water (from 0.44 to 1) was different from that typical for natural water. Received: 16 September 1998 · Accepted: 17 December 1998     

Retention of heavy metal ions in bentonites from Grau Region (Northern Peru)

Experimental studies on the retention of metals (Cu, Co, Ni, and Zn) in bentonite samples from the Grau Region (Northern Peru) have been accomplished using monometallic, bimetallic, trimetallic, and tetrametallic solutions. Parameters such as pH and concentration of dissolved metals and organic compounds have been evaluated by means of batch adsorption experiments. Adsorption rates indicate the suitability of these bentonites in the environmental industry for heavy metals retention purposes. In addition to its quality as physical barrier to avoid the dispersion through the environment of polluted leachates, bentonite, due to its high cation exchange capacity, can act also as a chemical barrier, protecting the quality of surface and groundwater systems, while limiting the migration of heavy metals in solid residues or sludge stocked in security landfills. Adsorption rates of tested bentonites were proved to decrease when concentrations of both metal and organic compounds, as well as the number of ionic species, increase in solution; additionally, lower metal removal rates from solution were obtained when extremely acidic conditions were achieved.     

Comparison on the phytoextraction efficiency of Bidens pilosa at heavy metal contaminated site in natural and electrokinetic conditions

The plant samples of Bidens pilosa were collected from a coal gangue vacant site and its surrounding area, located in central China, to study the remediation effect of the plant species on heavy metal(HM) contamination in both natural and electrokinetic(EK) conditions. The analytical results showed that the effect of phytoextraction and bioconcentration on the heavy metals in the sample of the EK group is more significant than those in the other control group. Compared with the results of natural condition, under the EK condition the concentrations of cadmium(Cd), lead(Pb), copper(Cu) and zinc(Zn) in the stems and leaves of the Bidens pilosa increased to 0.40 mg/kg, 4.23 mg/kg, 7.27 mg/kg, 830.24 mg/kg, respectively,with their increments of 292%, 1 731%, 141%, 2 076%. For root samples, the Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn concentrations increased to 0.52 mg/kg, 4.36 mg/kg, 10.87 mg/kg, and 98.12 mg/kg and the increase rates were 1 034%, 140%, 29%, and 181%, respectively. The phytoextraction efficiency of the Bidens pilosa was significantly higher than that of control group. The removal efficiency of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn in soil increased to 26%, 72%, 27%, and 79% with the EK applied. In addition, the mechanism of HM migration,extraction and enrichment in Bidens pilosa under the EK condition was discussed.     

川西甲基卡稀有金属矿田地表水中稀有金属元素分布特征及意义

2016～2018年系统采集川西甲基卡稀有金属矿田及周边地表水样品88件,测试分析了样品中Li、Be、Rb、Sr、Zr、Nb、Cs、Hf、Ta九种稀有金属元素含量及八种主要阴阳离子含量。结果表明:甲基卡矿田地表水水化学类型主要为HCO_3-Ca型。甲基卡矿区地表水中Li、Be、Nb、Rb、Cs、Ta等稀有金属元素平均含量明显高于川西河流平均值,Zr、Hf元素含量与川西河流均值相近,Sr含量远低于川西河流均值。经甲基卡矿区地表水稀有金属含量与矿脉分布空间耦合验证,地表水中Li、Rb、Cs、Be元素含量对矿脉的存在有明显的响应特征,其含量分布可以有效地服务于稀有金属矿产勘查,针对甲基卡外围地形高差大、切割深的特点,认为根据水地球化学异常来找矿也不失为一种有效方法,可以尝试运用地表水中稀有金属元素异常来缩小找矿靶区。     

The chemistry of suspended particulate material in a highly contaminated embayment of Port Jackson (Australia) under quiescent,high-wind and heavy-rainfall conditions

This study investigated physico-chemical characteristics of the water column and chemistry of suspended particulate material (SPM) under quiescent, high-wind and high-wind/heavy-rainfall conditions in Homebush Bay, a highly contaminated embayment of Port Jackson (Australia) to distinguish source and possible adverse effects to benthic and pelagic animals. Mean concentrations in surficial sediment were <1, 14, 181, 141, 37, 290 and 685 μg g⁻¹ for Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, respectively. Sediment chemistry indicated these metals had multiple sources, i.e. the estuary, stormwater and industry. Mean total suspended solids (TSS) were 7, 17 and 20 mg L⁻¹ during quiescent, high-rainfall and heavy rainfall/high wind conditions, respectively, whereas SPM Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations varied between 13–25, 166–259, 127–198, 38–82, 236–305 and 605–865 μg g⁻¹, respectively under these conditions. TSS and total water metal concentrations were lowest during quiescent conditions. High TSS and metal loads in surface water characterised high-rainfall events. Wind-induced resuspension contributed the greatest mass of SPM and metals to the water column. Benthic animals may be adversely affected by Pb and Zn in sediment. Total water Cu and Zn concentrations may pose a risk to filter-feeding animals in the water column due to resuspension of contaminated sediment.     

Spatial distribution of metals in urban topsoils of Xuzhou (China): controlling factors and environmental implications

The contamination of soils by metals from various sources is a subject of increasing concern in recent times. Twenty-eight elements (Fe, Ti, Cr, Al, Ga, Pb, Sc, Ba, Li, Cd, Be, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, V, Zn, Mo, Pt, Pd, Au, As, Sb, Se, Hg, Bi, Ag and Sn) have been analyzed from urban topsoil from the city of Xuzhou. The concentrations of these analyzed elements have been correlated to some soil parameters such as organic matter, pH, cation exchange capacity, carbonate content, and granulometric fractions (clay, silt and sand). Results of the statistical analysis show a large variety and complexity in these relationships. The spatial distributions of these metal concentrations were also constructed using geographical information system. The spatial distribution patterns of the elements analyzed show that traffic and industrial activities are the principal anthropogenic pollutant sources.