Environmental assessment of heavy metal contamination in bottom sediments of Al-Kharrar lagoon,Rabigh, Red Sea,Saudi Arabia

In order to assess the pollution levels of selected heavy metals, 45 bottom sediment samples were collected from Al-Kharrar lagoon in central western Saudi Arabia. The concentrations of the heavy metals were recorded using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The results showed that the concentrations of Pb and Cd exceeded the environmental background values. However, the heavy metal contents were less than the threshold effect level (TEL) limit. The concentrations of heavy metals in lagoon bottom sediments varied spatially, but their variations showed similar trends. Elevated levels of metals were observed in the northern and southern parts of the lagoon. Evaluation of contamination levels by the sediment quality guidelines (SQG) of the US-EPA revealed that sediments were non-polluted-moderately to heavily polluted with Pb; non-polluted to moderately polluted with Cu; and non-polluted with Mn, Zn, Cd, and Cr. The geoaccumulation index showed that lagoon sediments were unpolluted with Cd, Mn, Fe, Hg, Mo, and Se; unpolluted to moderately polluted with Zn and Co; and moderately polluted with Pb, Cr, Cu, and As. The high enrichment factor values for Pb, As, Cu, Cr, Co, and Zn (>2) indicate their anthropogenic sources, whereas the remaining elements were of natural origins consistent with their low enrichment levels. The values of CF indicate that the bottom sediments of Al-Kharrar lagoon are moderately contaminated with Mn and Pb.     

Sediment trace metals and PCB input history in Lake Anna, Virginia, USA

Damming of the North Anna River in 1972 created Lake Anna, a cooling water source for the Dominion nuclear power plant as well as a popular recreation site in Spotsylvania and Orange counties, Virginia, USA. Previously dated (210-Pb) sediment cores from seven locations within the lake and three locations in the adjoining Waste Heat Treatment Facilities (WHTF) were analyzed for trace metals (Al, Ba, Zn, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn and Pb) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to examine the environmental evolution of the reservoir system. The reservoir has a history of mining activities in its watershed and unusually elevated concentrations of PCBs were found in fish tissues from previous studies. Therefore, dated sediment cores provided the framework for both the temporal and spatial analysis of possible sources and flux histories for both trace metals and PCBs. The trace metals results suggest that, though the upper reaches are relatively less impacted, the old mine tailings from the now ceased mining activities in the watershed of Contrary Creek tributary continue to dominate the sediment chemistry of the lower portion of the lake basin, signified by sediment enrichment of Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn. Lagoon-2 of the WHTF also seems to be receiving unusually high loadings of Cd (12.5 ± 1.07 μg/g) that is probably associated with waste materials from the nuclear power plant that maintains the lagoons. PCB sediment concentrations were relatively low in the lower sections of the basins with values typically being <3.5 ng/g. The upper reaches of the basin had several PCB hotspots, with the surface sediments of Terry’s Run tributary having values as high as 53.13 ng/g. The spatial distribution of PCBs seems to suggest the upper reaches of the basin as the probable source, with the unusually high concentrations near bridges suggesting a possible link between the PCBs and old bridge fill materials. The oldest lacustrine sediments also had relatively high trace metals and PCB values signifying a probable role of soil disruption and sediment reconcentration during reservoir construction.     

陕西潼关金矿区太峪河底泥重金属元素的含量及污染评价

通过对潼关金矿区太峪河和太峪水库底泥中重金属元素总量的调查,探讨了金矿开发活动中重金属元素对河流底泥的污染程度。研究结果表明,除As外,河流底泥中重金属元素的含量与尾矿渣中重金属元素的含量变化一致,表明其主要来源于尾矿渣,但又明显高于尾矿渣。在同一地点河流底泥中重金属元素的含量平均高出河水中的1048.61～666030.08倍,呈显著富集。以邻近地区不受工矿活动影响的河流底泥重金属元素的含量均值作为评价参比值,太峪河底泥受到了Hg、Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn元素的极度污染,单项污染超标倍数及综合污染指数法评价结果表明,Hg、Pb、Cd平均污染超标倍数达366.90、217.42和149.97,是底泥中最主要的污染元素。河流底泥重金属元素的综合污染指数高达278.97,表明河流的复合污染亦呈极度状态。太峪河底泥受重金属元素极度污染的现实提示,矿区的环境防治工作已刻不容缓。     

辽宁省柴河铅锌矿开采与重金属污染历史重建

通过对辽宁铁岭柴河铅锌矿及周边地区的土壤测量及柴河水库河漫滩沉积剖面的同位素测年研究,发现柴河铅锌矿开采导致的土壤重金属污染主要集中在柴河铅锌矿区周边3~5 km的范围内,土壤pH值表明土壤明显酸化。污染历史重建显示,1820年以来,随着沉积物中S含量的不断升高,其pH值累计下降2个单位;1900年以来河漫滩沉积物中的Cd、Pb、Zn累积明显;铅锌矿停止开采后,沉积剖面中Pb、Hg含量逐年降低;汇水域内的土壤酸化仍可导致土壤中累积的Cd和Zn对水库水体和库底沉积物造成二次污染,对水库鱼类的安全具有潜在风险。     

Lead, zinc, and antimony contamination of the Rio Chilco-Rio Tupiza drainage system, Southern Bolivia

An intense, but localized rainfall event in February 2003, led to the severe erosion and failure of a tailings disposal impoundment at the Abarόa Antimony Mine in southern Bolivia. The failure released approximately 5,500 m³ of contaminated tailings into the Rio Chilco-Rio Tupiza drainage system. The impacts of the event on sediment quality are examined and compared to contamination resulting from historic mining operations in the headwaters of the basin. Of primary concern are contaminated floodplain soils located along downstream reaches of the Rio Tupiza which were found to contain lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and antimony (Sb) concentrations that locally exceed Canadian, German, and Dutch guidelines for agricultural use. Spatial patterns in sediment-borne trace metal concentrations, combined with Pb isotopic data, indicate that Pb, Zn, and Sb are derived from three tributary basins draining the Abarόa, Chilcobija, and Tatasi-Portugalete mining districts. Downstream of each tributary, geographical patterns in trace metal concentrations reflect local geomorphic changes throughout the drainage system. Trace metal concentrations within the Rio Chilco decrease rapidly downstream as a result of dilution by uncontaminated sediments and storage of metal enriched particles (e.g., sulfide minerals) in the channel bed as a result of ongoing aggradation. Storage in the floodplains is limited. These processes significantly reduced the dispersal and, thus, the relative environmental affects of tailings eroded from the Abarόa Mine during the 2003 flood. In contrast, storage of Pb, Zn, and Sb in floodplains along the Rio Tupiza is significant, the majority of which is derived from historic mining operations, particularly mining within the Tatasi-Portugalete district.     

Heavy metals in sediments as evidence for recent pollution and quasi-estuarine processes: an example from Lake Druzno,Poland

This article presents the results of a geochemical investigation of sediments from Lake Druzno (northern Poland), a reservoir fed by freshwater from the catchment, with periodic input of brackish water from Vistula Lagoon. This study analyzed the spatial variation in heavy metal content in surface sediments as well as the temporal changes in metal content in two sediment cores dated using the ²¹⁰Pb method. In the surface sediments, the highest metal concentrations were recorded in the northern part of the lake, with lower concentrations in the central and southern parts. Absolute values of metal concentrations in the cores were low, but normalization with respect to Al showed an increase during the second half of the 20th century. Mean enrichment factors (EF) in sediments from the second half of the 20th century ranged from insignificant (1–1.2) for Fe to (1.55–3.3) for Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn. The sediments deposited before 1950 had lower EF values (>1.5) and had low variability. Results from both the surface sediments and the cores indicate that the main source of lake pollution is brackish water intrusion from the Vistula Lagoon via the contaminated River Elbląg.     

Spatial variations and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments on the upper reaches of Hun River, Northeast China

The distribution, accumulation, and ecological risk of heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, and As) in the surface sediment were investigated in the upper reaches of Hunhe River, Northeast China. Sediment samples from 51 points throughout the upper reaches of Hunhe River were collected and measured for heavy metal concentrations, TN content, and TP content. Results showed that heavy metal concentrations at the vicinity of mines and towns were higher than those at other locations. According to sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), Cd and Zn were enriched in the sediments. The correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were conducted to assess the heavy metal sources. Close correlations between metal distribution and TP indicated that the sediments may be affected by application of phosphate fertilizer. Elements, Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, and As, were grouped together, reflecting they were released from the same sources. PCA suggested that their primary sources were anthropogenic, namely mining and extensive use of fertilizers. Therefore, heavy metal pollution due to mining and agricultural intensification in the upper Hunhe River basin should be taken into account during the formation of regional management strategies for the water environment.     

Heavy metal contamination in the Arieş river catchment, western Romania: Implications for development of the Roşia Montană gold deposit

The Abrud–Arieş river system, western Romania, is subject to ongoing mining activity associated with Cu, Pb and Zn ore extraction. The catchment contains what is believed to be Europe's largest unutilized Au deposit at Roşia Montană that is planned to be exploited by open-cast mining techniques. The magnitude and environmental significance of metal (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) concentrations in surface water and river channel sediment have been investigated along a 140 km reach of the Rivers Abrud and Arieş and 9 tributaries affected by mining. The speciation of sediment-bound metals was established using a 4-stage sequential extraction procedure (SEP) that identified four chemical phases: (1) exchangeable, (2) Fe/Mn oxides, (3) organic matter/sulphides and (4) residual. Peak solute and sediment-bound metal concentrations were found to occur in the River Abrud downstream of the EM Bucium mine and in mining-affected tributaries, with up to 71% of sites containing sediment metal concentrations in excess of Dutch intervention values. The River Arieş was found to be much less polluted than the River Abrud, with only Cu showing concentrations above guideline values, as a consequence of porphyry Cu mineralization in the catchment. The magnitude and spatial extent of metal pollution is influenced by local physico-chemical conditions and hydrological linkages between mining and local river systems. Sediment-bound Cd and Zn were found to be predominantly associated with the exchangeable phase of the sediment (9–74% and 6–65%, respectively), whilst Fe/Mn oxides (5–76%) and organic matter/sulphides (1–45%) generally accounted for a majority of Pb and Cu partitioning, respectively. Sites of environmentally significant sediment-metal pollution were identified in the Rivers Abrud and Arieş where exchangeable metal concentrations exceeded Dutch intervention values. The implications of metal contamination in the Arieş river basin to the proposed mining development at Roşia Montana are discussed in relation to other contaminated Romanian catchments and with the EU Water Framework Directive.     

Spatial distribution of stream sediment pollution by toxic trace elements at Tourtit and Ichoumellal abandoned mining areas (central Morocco)

This study presents a diagnostic of the current state of 114 stream sediment samples by their elemental concentrations (Sb, Cd, Pb, As, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, and Hg), collected from Ighardayane upstream on an area of 15 km² located at the SE part of central Morocco where Tourtit and Ichoumellal, two abandoned mining sites of Stibnite, are located. Several approaches were used to model the analysis (i) enrichment factor (EF), (ii) sediment pollution index (IPS), (iii) probable effect concentration-quotients (PEC-Qs), and (iv) potential ecological risk index (PERI). Results show highly contaminated areas around the old mining sites by Sb As, Pb, and Cd. Cadmium and lead show 86.9 and 12.29% (respectively) of trace element pollution according to sediment pollution index. Twenty-eight percent of the sampled area is potentially highly toxic because of the presence of Hg, Pb, and Cd. The very similar distribution of pollution and toxicity of most analyzed trace elements may originate from the same source, which corresponds to mining wastes where we recorded the highest pollution and toxicity degrees. This environmental issue represents the combination of Tourtit and Ichoumellal anthropic sources responsible of Sb, As, Pb, and Cd release and a probable natural source of Hg “that needs a further study,” which contribute in the degradation of an aquatic ecosystem of the same area. Therefore, both ecotoxicological analysis and stream sediment quality management should be carried out to control this aquatic ecosystem toxication.     

湖南洞庭湖水系As和Cd等重金属元素分布特征及输送通量

土壤地球化学调查显示,长江沿岸,尤其湖南洞庭湖流域存在以镉为主的重金属高值带。为进一步确定As和Cd等重金属元素在河流中的存在形式、迁移方式和通量等地球化学特征,本研究在洞庭湖水系主要干支流的关键位置布置采样点,分夏季丰水期和冬季枯水期两次,采集了原水、0.45μm过滤水和0.20μm过滤水等水样品,以及悬浮物固体样品,分析了水和悬浮物样品中As和Cd、Pb等重金属元素含量。结果发现,As元素在湘江、资水、湘江上游支流西河和耒水中含量最高,耒水、西河及湘江的Pb、Zn含量相对偏高,Cd在湘江、耒水及汨罗江的含量也明显高于其他河流;研究区河水中As、Ni、Cd和Zn等元素在水中离子态比例较大,其溶解态含量受河水pH和温度的控制,湘江、西河、耒水和汨罗江中悬浮物As、Zn、Cu、Cd、Pb和Cu等元素含量远高于其他水系悬浮物,这与这些流域内存在多金属矿区密切相关;不同元素在河水中迁移途径有很大差别,As以溶解态和胶体态为主要迁移形式,Pb、Zn、Cu、Cd和Ni等重金属元素以悬浮物形式迁移的比例最大;主要入湖河流中,湘江输入洞庭湖的As、Zn、Cu和Cd总量最大,年通量分别为961.43 t、478.90 t、101.67 t、59.58 t。     

Heavy metal pollution in the sediments of the Coeur d'Alene River,Idaho

Analysis of sediment samples collected from the Coeur d'Alene River in northern Idaho, USA, indicates that the main stem and the south fork of the river are contaminated with heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Mn, and Zn) from the local mining operations. Laboratory experiments indicate that these metals in the sediments can be leached and reach saturation concentrations in water in a relatively short period of time. The rate of leaching of heavy metals with distilled water appeared to follow first-order kinetics. The saturation concentrations of Mn and Zn in water reached ppm levels from the leaching process. Cadmium and Pb are much less soluble relative to Zn in the sediments. The high concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments are a source of contamination that should be considered for the water quality management planning of the Coeur d'Alene River-Lake system.     

Impact of historical metalworks on the concentrations of major and trace elements in sediments: a case study in Finland

The concentrations of major and trace elements were determined (aqua regia leach and ICP-AES analyses) in stream, lake and dredged sediments downstream of the historical Antskog iron- and copperworks, S.Finland. The levels of Ag, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn are highly elevated in all studied sediment types: roughly half of the studied lake-sediment samples contain >5 ppm Ag, >15 ppm Cd, >0.1% Cu, >0.1% Pb and >0.3% Zn. In the dredged sediment material located onshore, the concentrations of Ag, Cu and Pb are comparable to those in the polluted lake-sediment samples, while in stream sediments elevated metal concentrations are found especially in samples characterised by high concentrations of organic material. The source of the elevated metal concentrations is the historical metalworks at Antskog, mainly the copperworks of the 19th century. Compared to the limit values for contaminated soils in Finland, the concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn are on average elevated by factors >10 in the polluted horizons of lake sediments, >5 in the dredged sediment located onshore and >2 at the most heavily contaminated site in the stream. Since the surface waters in the area are used for agricultural purposes and for various leisure activities, it is necessary to make further detailed investigations into the extent of the metal pollution and to determine species, mobility and bioavailability of the metals.     

Identifying water-quality trends in the Trinity River,Texas, USA, 1969–1992, using sediment cores from Lake Livingston

 Chemical analyses were done on cores of bottom sediment from three locations in Lake Livingston, a reservoir on the Trinity River in east Texas to identify trends in water quality in the Trinity River using the chemical record preserved in bottom sediments trapped by the reservoir. Sediment cores spanned the period from 1969, when the reservoir was impounded, to 1992, when the cores were collected. Chemical concentrations in reservoir sediment samples were compared to concentrations for 14 streambed sediment samples from the Trinity River Basin and to reported concentrations for soils in the eastern United States and shale. These comparisons indicate that sediments deposited in Lake Livingston are representative of the environmental setting of Lake Livingston within the Trinity River Basin. Vertical changes in concentrations within sediment cores indicate temporal trends of decreasing concentrations of lead, sodium, barium, and total DDT (DDT plus its metabolites DDD and DDE) in the Trinity River. Possible increasing temporal trends are indicated for chlordane and dieldrin. Each sediment-derived trend is related to trends in water quality in the Trinity River or known changes in environmental factors in its drainage basin or both. Received: 6 October 1995 · Accepted: 13 October 1995     

武汉市墨水湖沉积物重金属污染特征与防治对策

武汉市墨水湖重金属污染严重,其污染特征在我国城市湖泊中具代表性。在对墨水湖不同湖区沉积物中重金属污染物空间分布特征进行分析的基础上,应用地积累指数法探讨不同重金属元素含量随深度变化的规律和原因,并对墨水湖沉积物中重金属的污染程度进行评价表明:墨水湖沉积物中重金属元素锌和汞污染最为严重,污染程度由高到低依次为:Zn>Hg>Cu>C r>Pb>A s;从整个湖区来看,分布有排污口的周边湖区污染严重,湖心污染程度较低;沉积物中主要重金属元素含量随深度增加而降低,其变化规律主要受污染状况的影响,沉积物颗粒粒径的变化和早期成岩作用的影响不大。为了改善墨水湖水质条件和重金属污染严重的现状,必须在截污、疏浚和引水工程等基本治理措施保护下,重建和恢复沉水植物系统,才能从根本上改善湖泊水质。     

攀西大梁子铅锌矿区水系沉积物重金属地球化学特征及源解析

长江上游是整个长江经济带的重要生态屏障。以长江上游攀西大梁子铅锌矿区水系沉积物为研究对象,查明了重金属元素含量的空间分布特征,分析了重金属来源,探讨了在不同pH条件下重金属的淋滤规律,并进行了生态风险评估。研究结果显示:攀西大桥河流域水系沉积物中重金属的空间分布极不均匀,其含量明显要高于长江水系沉积物中重金属的平均含量;重金属生态风险属于很强风险,Hg和Cd呈高度富集、严重污染;Pb和Zn呈中度富集、中等污染。淋滤实验结果表明Pb、Zn、Cd在酸性和中性条件下淋滤浓度先快速下降,后逐渐趋于平衡,而As在快速下降后又有缓慢升高的趋势。大桥河流域水系沉积物中As、Cd、Pb、Zn主要来源于大梁子铅锌矿的采选活动,Hg为岩石风化和土壤剥蚀来源,而Cu和Cr主要为农业和工业活动来源。综合对比发现,攀西成矿带铅锌矿周边土壤富Cd而贫Cr,此外Cd、Pb、Zn、Hg是主要潜在污染物,且生态风险程度较高。     

Spatial distribution of major and trace elements in shallow reservoir sediments: an example from Lake Waco, Texas

 Sediment geochemistry of a shallow (6-m average) reservoir (Lake Waco) was evaluated for the spatial distribution of major and trace elements. Sixty bottom and core samples along a 21-km transect within the reservoir, 18 overbank sediment samples, and 8 rock types in the drainage area were collected and analyzed for major (Al, Ca, Fe) and trace elements (As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn). Elemental concentrations in the reservoir sediments closely correspond to concentrations in the regional rocks and represent a mixture of overbank sediment composition of the tributaries. Elemental concentrations were statistically regressed against Al concentrations in order to establish regional baseline levels and thereby distinguish natural from anthropogenic sources. Spatial geochemical trends, considered in terms of element-to-Al ratio versus V-to-Al ratio, relate to the natural and anthropogenic sources contributing to the elemental concentrations. The spatial elemental distribution in the reservoir, which receive sediments from two mineralogically contrasting basins, reflect textural and mineralogical transition within the reservoir and suggest a progressive mixing of sediment from the tributaries. The spatial elemental distribution and sediment texture suggest that the sediment-source, which determines the sediment-type, has a greater influence on the major- and trace-element distributions in shallow reservoir sediments than bathymetry. Received: 25 September 1997 · Accepted: 3 February 1998     

Heavy metal contamination in surface sediments of Gökçekaya Dam Lake,Eskişehir,Turkey

The present study to find seasonal (September 2010–June 2011) heavy metal (Cd, Pb, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, Fe, As) contamination and the origins thereof in surface sediments of Gökçekaya Dam Lake, as constructed on Sakarya River, the third-longest river in Turkey and the largest river of the Northwestern Anatolia. Upon analyses for the purpose thereof, heavy metal contamination in annual average concentrations in the lake sediment varied, respectively, as Fe > Zn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb > Co > As > Cd. Statistical assessments performed in order to see whether the average values of the heavy metal contamination as measured at stations placed in the lake changed by seasonal periods. There found statistically significant differences especially in Cd, Zn, and Pb between seasonal periods. In accordance with the Sediment Quality Index, Gökçekaya Dam Lake sediment was classified as “highly polluted” in terms of the amount of anthropogenic contaminants of As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index values (I _geo) were calculated in order to geochemically interpret the source of contamination due to heavy metal concentration in the lake sediment and the level of pollution. The As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni Pb, and Zn values demonstrated that the sediment was rich for anthropogenic contaminants. The lake was found especially rich for arsenic (14.97–34.70 mg/kg) and lead (68.75–98.65 mg/kg) in accordance with annual average values. In general the lake was geochemically characterized as “moderately contaminated” in terms of As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn content.     

高邮湖底泥及出入湖河口表层沉积物重金属元素分布与潜在生态风险评价

为查清高邮湖底泥及出入湖河口表层沉积物重金属分布特征,评价其潜在生态风险,以湖区及周边25个底泥和沉积物样品为载体,重点研究8种重金属元素,选用单因子污染指数法、内梅罗综合指数法、地累积指数法和潜在生态风险指数法,相似比对重金属污染等级及评价潜在生态风险。测试数据表明,8种重金属元素中,仅Hg含量（平均值）未超过里下河浅洼平原表层土壤重金属元素背景值,As含量（最大值）超过农用地土壤污染风险筛选值。Pearson相关系数矩阵表明,重金属元素Ni与Cr、Pb、Zn、Cu之间具显著同源性;单因子污染指数法与内梅罗综合指数法评价结果显示,污染指数均值排序均为As＞Cd＞Pb＞Cu＞Zn＞Ni＞Cr＞Hg,但对As、Cd评价前者为轻度污染,后者为中度污染;地累积指数Igeo显示,仅As为轻度污染,其余元素均为无污染状态。沉积物单项潜在生态风险指数排序为Cd＞Hg＞As＞Pb＞Cu＞Ni＞Cr＞Zn,仅Cd属中风险,其余元素为低风险;研究区综合潜在生态风险指数RI均值为115.7,表明全区总体生态风险属于低风险状态,重金属有沿入湖河口向湖心区富集趋势。     

Biogeochemistry of trace metals (Mn, Sr, Rb, Ba, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) in a river-wetland-lake system (Balaton Region, Hungary)

Mn, Sr, Ba, Rb, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd concentrations have been measured seasonally in the water and deposited sediments of the system comprising: Zala river (main input) — Lakes Kis-Balaton 1 and 2 (small artificial lakes created in a former bay of Lake Balaton) — Keszthely bay (hypertrophic part of Lake Balaton). The concentrations of the trace elements together with pH, alkalinity, dissolved cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺), dissolved inorganic ligands (Cl^–, SO₄ ^2–), particulate Al, Ca, inorganic and organic carbon are used to assess the contamination of the study area and biogeochemical processes controlling trace element concentrations. Thermodynamic speciation calculations have also been utilized to enhance our understanding of the system. In the sediments Rb, Ba, Cu and Zn concentrations were mainly controlled by the abundance of the aluminosilicate fraction. Strontium was mainly associated with the calcium carbonate fraction. The aluminosilicate fraction constitutes a major sink for Mn and Cd but the concentration of these elements are also strongly related to calcite precipitation. The main processes that control the dissolved distribution of trace elements in the Balaton system were: solid phase formation (carbonate) for Mn; coprecipitation with calcite for Sr, Ba, Rb and possibly Mn and Cd; adsorption/desorption processes (pH dependent) for Zn and Pb; solubilization of Mn and precipitation of Cd and Cu in reed covered wetland areas where anoxic conditions were probably existing during the warm season. A preliminary budget of atmospheric and river input to Lake Balaton has also been outlined. Although Lake Balaton, is subjected to anthropogenic inputs mainly from agricultural and domestic activities, their impact on trace element concentrations in the Balaton system is very limited due to the efficiency of removal processes (i.e. adsorption and co-precipitation) and to high sedimentation rates and strong sediment re-suspension. Anthropogenic inputs are only detected for Pb.     

Assessing the current state of the Gironde Estuary by mapping priority contaminant distribution and risk potential in surface sediment

Based on high spatial resolution monitoring, the first spatial distribution maps for the eight trace elements identified as priority contaminants in aquatic systems (i.e. As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in surface sediments of the Gironde Estuary (SW France) are presented. This large European fluvial–estuarine system is known for important historical multi-element (mainly Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb) pollution by former mining and mineral processing activation in the Riou-Mort watershed located 350 km upstream the estuary. As a consequence, oyster production in the estuary is prohibited, and Cd concentrations in oysters from the Marennes-Oléron area are close to consumption thresholds. Surface sediment samples were analysed for grain size, particulate organic C and trace element concentrations. Determination of trace elements was carried out by ICP-MS for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Th and Zn, and by CV-AAS for Hg. Total and potentially released trace element stocks in the surface sediment were evaluated by using concentrations in the estuary and in selected sediment core. Assuming that sediment resuspension affects mainly the uppermost sediment layer, the total trace element stocks in the studied 0–10 cm depth range may represent the equivalent of one (Cd) to eight (As, Cr) times the annual fluvial trace element inputs into the estuary. Comparing total trace element concentrations in surface sediment with: (i) data on the regional geochemical baseline to evaluate the potentially remobilised fraction and (ii) the potentially bioavailable fraction aimed at establishing a first spatially resolved risk assessment of the trace element “cocktail” present in these sediments at the estuary scale. After correction for grain size effects by Th normalisation, potentially highly toxic metals such as Cd and Hg showed the highest enrichment factors. From ecotoxicological indices, areas were identified and quantified where trace element levels and mobility may bear a risk to benthic organisms. The GIS-based spatial distribution of ecotoxicological indices for the trace element “cocktail” suggests that ∼95% of the surface sediment are ‘Low–Medium’-priority zones, highlighting the need for further impact studies. The produced maps of trace element distributions and associated risk potentials are likely to be a useful tool to authorities in charge of sustainable estuarine management, e.g. for the optimisation of dredging activities or development of the estuarine infrastructure.