Trace element bioaccumulation in reef fish from New Caledonia: Influence of trophic groups and risk assessment for consumers

Fourteen trace elements (Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V, and Zn) were analyzed in livers and muscles from 22 fish species from the New Caledonia lagoon, which is subjected to important chemical inputs due to intense land-based mining activities (New Caledonia is the third largest world producer of Ni). The results of this baseline research indicated that livers generally concentrated trace elements to a greater extent than muscles. Nevertheless, the overall trace element concentrations in both tissues were barely above the levels reported in fish and thus contamination at the local scale was poorly discriminated. Although these levels were low, preliminary risk assessment from a global health standpoint suggests that As would be an element potentially leading to exposure of concern for fish consumers. Based on the trace element concentrations in livers and the fish trophic preferences, some trends have been observed among trophic groups: Ag, Cu, Fe, Hg, and Zn concentrations were generally higher in liver of fish with the highest trophic position whereas Cd concentrations were lower in these groups. The use of the leopard coral grouper Plectropomus leopardus as a resident top predator allowed determining the geographical variations in contamination levels with significant differences for six out of the fourteen elements investigated. The sampling sites influenced by anthropogenic inputs were revealed by high Ag, Cd, Cu, Hg, and Pb concentrations. Such geographic differences also applied to Zn but surprisingly not for the typical elements associated with Ni mining, i.e., Co, Cr, Mn and Ni.     

Concentrations of trace metals in the tissues of long-beaked common dolphins (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Delphinus capensis</Emphasis>) in the East Sea,Korea

Concentrations of trace metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Se, and Zn) were determined in the livers, kidneys, muscles, intestines, and hearts of twelve long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) from the East Sea, Korea, in 2006. All specimens were entangled in various commercial fishing nets or traps and as such are recorded as by-catch. The concentrations of Cu, Hg, Se, and Zn were much higher in the liver than in the kidney, muscle, intestine, or heart. Trace metals that accumulated in the liver were, in descending order: Zn > Hg > Cd > Se > Cu > As > Cr > Pb. In contrast, the concentration of Cd was higher in the kidney than in any other organs. The trace metals accumulated in the kidney were, in descending order: Cd > Zn > Cu > Hg > Se > As > Pb > Cr. No significant differences were found in the concentrations of As, Cr, or Pb in all the tissues examined.     

Variability of the fields of concentration of microelements and strontium in seawater near the South Coast of the Crimea in 2002–2007

We study the space-and-time variability of the concentrations of 27 microelements (Sc, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Se, Sb, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Hf, Hg, Pb, Au, Th, and U) and Sr in the sea, river, and waste waters of the South Coast of Crimea in 2002–2007. Parallel with the data about elements studied earlier, we present, for the first time, the data of investigations of the contents of rareearth elements (Lu, Nd and Yb) whose concentrations in the major part of the analyzed samples of seawater were lower than the limit of their quantitative determination. We present the ranges of the concentrations of elements and perform their comparison with the data of the previous period of monitoring.     

Trace metal levels in fish and crustacea from Northeastern Mediterranean coastal waters

Some fish and crustacea caught near the northeastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey between 1977 and 1980 have been analysed by the AAS technique for their H Hg, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, Ni, Cr and Mn contents. In the crustacea Portunus pelagicus (crab) and Penaeus keratherus (shrimp), the two essential elements Zn and Cu, showed a linear correlation. Among the bony fish, Upeneus moluccensis (gold band goat fish), a member of the Mullidae family, and Portunus pelagicus showed a much greater tendency to accumulate Hg than other species. Although Cr concentrations in the sediments of the area studied were high, Cr levels in the organisms studied were found to be relatively low. The highly toxic metals Hg, Cd and Pb were found to be present in concentrations lower than those reported from other areas of the Mediterranean.     

Using trace elements in skin to discriminate the populations of minke whales in southern hemisphere

Concentrations of 12 trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Cd, Cs, Ba, and Hg) were determined in liver and skin tissues of minke whales from various regions within the Antarctic Ocean. Cd concentrations in livers of southern minke whale were apparently higher than those in cetaceans from other regions, while Hg concentrations were lower. There were significant positive correlations between body length and concentrations of Cd and Hg in the liver. The concentrations of all trace elements in the skin were lower than those in other cetaceans reported previously. Significant positive correlations between liver and skin were found for Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Rb, Cd, and Cs, implying that the concentrations of these trace elements in the skin reflect those of internal organs. Large interannual variation of the accumulation pattern of trace elements in the skin was observed for the southern minke whales from Area V. There were significant differences in the skin element concentrations among Areas III, IV, and V, especially for males. Also, discriminant analysis between geographically two different groups collected during 1995/1996 austral summer season, based on the concentrations of trace elements in the skin, allowed for a correct classification of 90% of these minke whales. These results suggest that measurement of trace elements in skin samples could provide valuable information on the status of contamination and possible geographic differences in the accumulation levels in southern minke whales.     

Biomonitoring of trace metals using transplanted mussels, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus galloprovincialis</Emphasis>, in coastal areas around Ulsan and Onsan Bays,Korea

Mediterranean (blue) mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected from a reference site were transplanted to 15 stations in coastal areas around Ulsan and Onsan Bays, an extensively metal polluted area in Korean coastal waters, to assess metal contamination in the coastal oceans of Korea. During the biomonitoring periods (June 30 to July 20, 2003; 21 days), transplanted mussels, seawater, and particulate materials were collected for analysis of 15 metals (Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, and Zn). Transplanted mussels showed metal enrichment compared to initial concentrations and spatial gradients consistent with dissolved and/or particulate metal concentrations in seawaters. Based on Q mode factor analysis, stations were clustered into three groups. The first group, located on Onsan Bay, showed high Ag, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Sb and Zn enrichment, presumably arising from non-ferrous metal refineries and chemical industries in this area. The second group was located near the mouth of the Oehwang River and was enriched in Co from petrochemical industries. The third group comprised a site intermediate between Group 1 and Group 2, an isolated station with independent metal sources located in Jangsaengpo harbor, where a number of ship repairing and building companies operate, and a less contaminated station near a small fishing village. Metal accumulation rates (%·day^-1) in mussels were estimated to be between 8% (Cr) and 281% (Pb), based on accumulated metal concentrations over 21 days. The active biomonitoring technique using M. galloprovincialis demonstrated here is a useful monitoring method because it reflects the present status of seawaters; furthermore, physiological factors can be standardized, and bioavailable and time-integrated metal concentrations can be obtained. Furthermore, this method can be applied even in coastal seawaters so heavily contaminated that living organisms would not normally survive.     

Delivery of chemical elements with atmospheric precipitations to the coastal regions of the Crimea in 2004–2008

We study the space-and-time variations of the delivery of fluxes of 26 elements (Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ag, Au, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Cd, Hg, Hf, Ta, As, Sb, Cr, Se, Mo, W, Mn, Br, Fe, Co and Ni) with atmospheric precipitations to the sea surface in the regions of Sevastopol and the South Coast of Crimea. It is established A series of general regularities of the delivery of the sum of these elements and their soluble and insoluble forms. We also give the characteristics of their space-time variability.     

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．     

The geochemistry of deepwater particulate matter over the hydrothermal field at 9°d50′ N (the East Pacific Rise)

The results of geochemical studies of particulate matter in the water mass over the hydrothermal field at 9°50′ N on the East Pacific Rise are presented. The particulate matter was tested in background waters, in the buoyant plume, and in the near-bottom waters. The contents of Si, Al, P, C_org, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, As, Cr, Cd, Pb, Ag, and Hg were determined. No definite correlations were found between the ele-ments in the background waters. Many of the chemical elements correlated with Fe and associated with its oxyhydroxides in the buoyant plume. In the near-bottom waters, microelements are associated with Fe, Zn, and Cu (probably, to their sulfides formed under fluid mixing with seawater). The matter precipitated in a sed-imentation trap was similar to the near-bottom particulate matter in the elemental composition.     

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.     

Elemental composition of zooplankton in the Kara Sea and the bays on the eastern side of Novaya Zemlya

The chemical composition of zooplankton in the Kara Sea Basin has been studied. Independent samplings of the open sea and the Blagopoluchie and Tsivol’ki bays of Novaya Zemlya testify to the similarity of the distribution pattern of all the studied elements. The chemical composition of samples is predominated by organic carbon (49.5 ± 4.8% of dry weight). The other most important constituent elements are Na, P, S, K, Mg, and Ca. Their average total concentrations are 4.82 ± 0.1%. From an analysis of the composition of major and trace elements of zooplankton in the Kara Sea and the bays of Novaya Zemlya, three groups of elements have been specified: with similar (С_org, K, S, P, Al, Ti, Sc, Cd, Se, Cs, and Rb), lower (Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Sr, Ba, B, Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, V, Co, Sb, Mo, Ag, Be, Ga, and Hg), and higher (Li, As, and U) contents compared to their mean concentrations in ocean zooplankton.     

邻近城市土壤重金属对九龙江口沉积土壤的影响

在研究建立于漳州地区生态地球化学调查基础上,对河口湾沉积物的重金属与人口高度集中的城市地区土壤重金属的分布特征进行了对比,分析了人为活动对河口的影响,结果表明,城区与河口湾表层样品都舍有相对区域基准值较高的Hg、Cd,而且Hg富集系数要远高于Cd的富集系数。分析两种元素来源与迁移方式可知,Hg由于可通过气态形式迁移而对河口影响更大。城区与河口湾样品的重金属进行聚类分析与主因子分析结果表明：城区土壤的As、Zn、Mo、Ni、Cr和Mn主要来自基岩来源。Pb、Se、Cd可以作为人为污染的指示元素,Hg、Sn显示与其他元素具有相对独立的行为。河口湾的元素组合与城区重金属基本相似,但Pb、Cu、Se、Mo、Cd显示出两种因素都有较大影响,可以指示人为影响与基岩源的双重作用。     

Some peculiarities of the trace-metal distribution in Baltic waters and sediments

Between 1980 and 1984 extensive studies were carried out in the Baltic Sea on trace metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in water, suspended matter and sediments. The results enabled the influence of different factors on metal distribution patterns to be considered. The vertical profiles of dissolved and particulate metals in waters of the central deep basins reflect influences caused by oxygen deficiency and anoxic conditions in near-bottom water layers. Peculiarities at Station BY15 in the Gotland Deep included high dissolved Fe, Mn and Co concentrations and remarkable enrichment of Zn (0.64%), Cd (51 μg g⁻¹) and Cu (0.15%) in particulate matter from the anoxic zone. Manganese-rich particles were accumulated above this layer.In fine-grained soft sediments below anoxic deep waters, maximum contents of Cd, Cu and Zn were observed, relative to other coring sites, between Bothnian Bay and Lübeck Bight. The Hg content in sediments probably reflects the joint flocculation with organic matter. Land-based sources seem to play the leading part for maximum lead contents.     

Subcellular Distribution of Heavy Metals in Organs of BivalveModiolus Modiolus Living Along a Metal Contamination Gradient

Concentration and distribution of Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn, Pb, Ni among subcellular fractions (cellular membrane structures and cytosol) and Zn, Cu, Cd among cytoplasmic proteins in the kidney and digestive gland of musselModiolus modiolus living along a polymetallic concentration gradient were studied. It was found in the kidney ofM. modiolus from contaminated sites that the Fe percent increased in the “membrane” fraction, whereas Zn, Pb, Ni and Mn percent increased in the cytosol compared to the kidney of the control mussel. Note kidney cytosol ofM. modiolus from clean and contaminated sites sequestered major parts of Cu and Cd. In the digestive gland ofM. modiolus from contaminated sites Fe, Zn, Cd, Mn, Ni percent increased in the “membrane” fraction, whereas Cu, Pb percent increased in the cytosol compared to digestive gland of control mussel. Gel-filtration chromatography shows kidney ofM. modiolus contains increased metallothionein-like protein levels irrespective of ambient dissolved metal concentrations. It was shown that the metal detoxification system in the kidney and digestive gland ofM. modiolus was efficient under extremely high ambient metal levels. However, under complex environmental contamination in the kidney ofM. modiolus, the metal detoxification capacity of metallothionein-like proteins was damaged.     

The distribution of zinc,nickel, manganese,cadmium, copper,and iron in some surface waters from the world ocean

Determinations of Zn, Ni, Mn, Cd, Cu, and Fe have been carried out on 51 near-shore and 38 open-ocean surface seawaters from various regions of the World Ocean.The concentrations of the trace metals have been established in the open-ocean waters, and have been used as “baselines” to evaluate trace-metal enhancement in near-shore regions. The factors by which the trace metals are enriched in near-shore regions vary from one element to another and, according to the highest concentration factors found, decrease in the order Zn = Mn > Cd = Cu = Ni.These elements exhibit differences in their distributions between near-shore and open-ocean waters, and they have been divided into two types on this basis: Type I, in which the largest number of samples in both shelf and open-ocean waters lie in the same concentration range. Zinc, cadmium, and copper are Type I elements. Type 2, in which the largest number of samples of near-shore waters lie in a higher concentration range than the largest number of samples of open-ocean waters. Nickel and manganese are Type 2 elements.The concentrations of Mn, Cd and Zn are similar in open-ocean surface waters from the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean, but Cu and Ni have higher concentrations in the former ocean.There is considerable variation in the concentrations of the trace metals in near-shore surface waters from various regions of the World Ocean. These variations are discussed in detail.     

Potential adverse effects of inorganic pollutants on clinical parameters of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta): Results from a nesting colony from Cape Verde,West Africa

A large number of nesting loggerhead sea turtles (n = 201) were sampled to establish the blood levels of 11 elements (Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cr, As, Al, Hg, and Se). Almost all of the samples showed detectable levels of these 11 elements, and Zn and Se exhibited the highest concentrations (median values as high as 6.05 and 2.28 μg/g, respectively). The median concentrations of the most toxic compounds, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg, were relatively low (0.38, 0.24, 0.06, and 0.03 μg/g, respectively). We also determined the haematological and biochemical parameters in a subsample of 50 turtles to evaluate the potential effects of these contaminants on clinical parameters and found several associations. Our study reinforces the usefulness of blood for the monitoring of the levels of contaminating elements and their adverse effects on blood parameters in sea turtles.     

红树植物红海榄叶化学组成研究

对红树植物红海榄叶的基本化学成分水分,灰分,灰分中酸不溶物,灰分中S(SO42-),粗蛋白,粗脂肪等及氨基酸和微量元素的组成和含量进行了系统的分析测定。其基本化学组成各成分含量分别为:水分(69.18%),灰分(3.04%),灰分中酸不溶物(0.094%),灰分中S(SO42-)(0.052%),粗脂肪(7.75%),粗蛋白(7.14%);测得了红海榄叶中17种氨基酸,其总含量为10.7mg/g,其中人体必须氨基酸有7种,占所含氨基酸总量约26%;采用全谱直读等离子体原子发射光谱仪对红海榄叶进行了31种微量元素的分析测定,测得了其中18种元素的含量,红海榄叶中含有丰富的人体必须的矿物质元素。     

Trace metal concentrations in sediments of the Eastern Mississippi Bight

Sediments collected from 3 onshore-offshore transects (12 stations total) in the Eastern Mississippi Bight at 5 different times during 1987–1988 have been analyzed for total Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Th and Zn. The data show considerable variation both spatially and temporally, largely as a result of natural variability in grain size and mineralogy. Clay-rich samples from deep water were always more metal-rich than sandy samples from shallow areas. Many samples from near the Mississippi River Delta appeared to be enriched in Ba by about a factor of two, probably as a result of contamination from oil well drilling mud, but there were few other indications of pollution influences. Many samples from throughout the area gave Mn/Fe and Cd/Fe ratios a factor of two or more lower than their Mississippi River source material. This shows that biochemical activity in the sediment is capable of solubilizing reducible and adsorbed metals.     

Biological and ecological factors related to trace element levels in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from European waters

Selected trace elements (Cd, Cu, Hg, Se, Zn) were measured in the kidneys and the liver of 104 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded along the coasts of France, Galicia (Spain), Ireland, Scotland (UK), and the Netherlands. Generally, relatively low concentrations of toxic elements were encountered in the tissues of European porpoises, except for two individuals, which displayed high hepatic Hg concentrations. Also, elevated Cd levels obtained in Scottish porpoises could be related to their feeding preferences and this result suggests an increase of the proportion of cephalopods in their diet with latitude. Moreover, significant geographical differences were seen in hepatic Zn concentrations; the elevated Zn concentrations displayed by porpoises from the Netherlands may relate their poor health status. Variation in metal concentrations within porpoises from the North Sea is likely to reflect a long-term segregation between animals from northern (Scotland) and southern areas (the Netherlands), making trace elements powerful ecological tracers.     

Heavy metals in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the gulf of la spezia and from the promontory of Portofino,Italy

In different samples of Mytilus galloprovincialis Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined by AAS. The mussels were taken from 11 sites in the Port of La Spezia. Typical concentration ranges (μ/g dry weight) were as follows: Cd, 2.0–6.8; Co, 0.8–3.2; Cr, 5.8–19.5; Cu, 6.9–33.7; Hg, 0.15–0.38; Mn, 11.8–37.8; Ni, 1.3–10.9; Pb, 13.9–44.6 and Zn, 203–379.Other samples were collected at 4 sites on the Promontory of Portofino and the following values were obtained: Cd, 0.8–1.1; Co, 2.6–2.9; Cu, 3.3–4.2; Hg, 0.09–0.15; Mn, 6.3–9.1; Ni, 1.2–2.4; Zn, 120–140.