Effects of colloids on metal transport in a river receiving acid mine drainage,upper Arkansas River,Colorado, U.S.A.

Inflows of metal-rich, acidic water that drain from mine dumps and tailings piles in the Leadville, Colorado, area enter the non-acidic water in the upper Arkansas River. Hydrous iron oxides precipitate as colloids and move downstream in suspension, particularly downstream from California Gulch, which has been the major source of metal loads. The colloids influence the concentrations of metals dissolved in the water and the concentrations in bed sediments. To determine the role of colloids, samples of water, colloids, and fine-grained bed sediment were obtained at stream-gaging sites on the upper Arkansas River and at the mouths of major tributaries over a 250-km reach. Dissolved and colloidal metal concentrations in the water column were operationally defined using tangential-flow filtration through 0.001-pm membranes to separate the water and the colloids. Surface-extractable and total bed sediment metal concentrations were obtained on the <60-μm fraction of the bed sediment. The highest concentrations of metals in water, colloids, and bed sediments occurred just downstream from California Gulch. Iron dominated the colloid composition, but substantial concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn also occurred in the colloidal solids. The colloidal load decreased by one half in the first 50 km downstream from the mining inflows due to sedimentation of aggregated colloids to the streambed. Nevertheless, a substantial load of colloids was transported through the entire study reach to Pueblo Reservoir. Dissolved metals were dominated by Mn and Zn, and their concentrations remained relatively high throughout the 250-km reach. The composition of extractable and total metals in bed sediment for several kilometers downstream from California Gulch is similar to the composition of the colloids that settle to the bed. Substantial concentrations of Mn and Zn were extractable, which is consistent with sediment-water chemical reaction. Concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in bed sediment clearly result from the influence of mining near Leadville. Concentrations of Fe and Cu in bed sediments are nearly equal to concentrations in colloids for about 10 km downstream from California Gulch. Farther downstream, concentrations of Fe and Cu in tributary sediments mask the signal of mining inflows. These results indicate that colloids indeed influence the occurrence and transport of metals in rivers affected by mining.     

Grain size partitioning of metals in contaminated,coarse-grained river floodplain sediment: Clark Fork River,Montana, U.S.A.

The traditional concept of the relationship between metal content and grain size assumes that the fine fraction carries most of the metals in natural sediments. This concept is supported in many cases by strong, significant linear relationships between total-sediment metal concentrations and percentages of various fine-size fractions. Such observations have led to development of methods to correct for the effects of grain size in order to accurately document geographical and temporal variations and identify trends in metal concentrations away from a particular source. Samples from the floodplain sediment of a large, coarse-grained river system indicates that these concepts do not hold for sediments contaminated by mining and milling wastes. In this particular system, the application of methods to correct for grain-size effects would lead to erroneous conclusions about trends of metals in the drainage. This indicates that the a priori application of grain-size correction factors limits interpretation of actual metal distributions and should not be used unless data indicate that correlations exist between metals and particular size fractions.     

Heavy metal anomalies in the Tinto and Odiel River and estuary system,Spain

The Tinto and Odiel rivers drain 100 km from the Rio Tinto sulphide mining district, and join at a 20-km long estuary entering the Atlantic Ocean. A reconnaissance study of heavy metal anomalies in channel sand and overbank mud of the river and estuary by semi-quantitative emission dc-arc spectrographic analysis shows the following upstream to downstream ranges in ppm (μg g^?1): As 3,000 to <200, Cd 30 to <0.1, Cu 1,500 to 10, Pb 2,000 to <10, Sb 3000 to <150, and Zn 3,000 to <200. Organic-rich (1.3–2.6% total organic carbon, TOC), sandysilty overbank clay has been analyzed to represent suspended load materials. The high content of heavy metals in the overbank clay throughout the river and estuary systems indicates the importance of suspended sediment transport for dispersing heavy metals from natural erosion and anthropogenic mining activities of the sulfide deposit. The organic-poor (0.21–0.37% TOC) river bed sand has been analyzed to represent bedload transport of naturally-occurring sulfide minerals. The sand has high concentrations of metals upstream but these decrease an order of magnitude in the lower estuary. Although heavy metal contamination of estuary mouth beach sand has been diluted to background levels estuary mud exhibits increased contamination apparently related to finer grain size, higher organic carbon content, precipitation of river-borne dissolved solids, and input of anthropogenic heavy metals from industrial sources. The contaminated estuary mud disperses to the inner shelf mud belt and offshore suspended sediment, which exhibit metal anomalies from natural erosion and mining of upstream Rio Tinto sulphide lode sources (Pb, Cu, Zn) and industrial activities within the estuary (Fe, Cr, Ti). Because heavy metal contamination of Tinto-Odiel river sediment reaches or exceeds the highest levels encountered in other river sediments of Spain and Europe, a detailed analysis of metals in water and suspended sediment throughout the system, and epidemiological analysis of heavy metal effects in humans is appropriate.     

Sources, distribution and storage of heavy metals in the Río Pilcomayo, Bolivia

The Río Pilcomayo rises on the Cerro Rico de Potosí precious metal-polymetallic tin deposits of Bolivia, and flows in a southeasterly direction for ca. 600 km to Bolivia's southern border with Argentina. Mining of the Potosí deposits has occurred continuously since 1545, generating large quantities of waste materials in the headwater of the basin. In addition, a tailings dam breach at the Porco mine in 1996 released an estimated 235 000 m³ of tailings and fluid into the upper reaches of the Río Pilaya, the largest tributary to the Pilcomayo.Concentrations of As, Sb, Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ag, Tl and Zn in contemporary channel sediments upstream of the Pilaya confluence are significantly elevated above background values. Elevated levels appear to be associated with pyrite- and other sulphide mineral-bearing tailings materials transported more than 200 km downstream of the Potosí mines. Significant downstream declines in elemental concentrations occur within 15 km, and again between 150 and 200 km, from the mines. The initial decrease in concentrations is due to the rapid dilution of nearly pure tailings effluent released to the river from milling facilities near Potosí. The latter decrease results from a combination of geomorphic processes including the storage of sediment-borne metals within the channel bed and the influx of ‘clean’ sediment from several large tributaries. Downstream of the Pilaya confluence, concentrations of Cu, Pb, Hg and Zn are only slightly elevated above background values, and Ag, Cd, Sb and Tl cannot be distinguished from background levels. These data suggest that while the Porco tailings spill may have had a significant short-term impact on sediment and water quality along the lower reaches of the Río Pilcomayo, its longer-term impacts were limited. Metals stored and eroded from alluvial deposits of historical age in upstream reaches appear to be an important source of metals to the river today. An additional, and perhaps more significant source, is the release of tailings effluent to the river from modern milling operations. The transport of these contaminants downstream of Icla (203 km from Potosí) appears to be restricted by aggradational processes occurring in the vicinity of Puente Sucre. In addition, downstream of the confluence of the Río Pilaya, inputs of large amounts of ‘clean’ sediment have caused dilution of the metal contaminants. Data from other studies where similar geomorphic processes have occurred suggest that the metals in the upper Pilcomayo may eventually be moved downvalley as the aggradational processes are reversed and channel stabilisation occurs. Thus, the most significant impacts of metal contamination may not be realised in downstream areas for decades.     

Incorporation of metalliferous sediments from historic mining into river floodplains

Rivers and their floodplains are dynamic systems, sediments are continually added to floodplain surfaces, while erosion and scour may remove sediments to be added to floodplains further downstream. When mining sediments were introduced into some catchments in Britain as ore deposits were exploited, river channels and floodplains were grossly polluted with metals. The legacy of this uncontrolled release of contaminants is apparent still, and contemporary channel deposits are enriched in metals. While the floodplains acted as a buffer to the dispersal of metals straight through the catchment, metals are still being released hundreds of years later as the floodplains are eroded and this secondary pollution of the river is a long-term problem.By studying a range of mining catchments, the effects of key variables on heavy metal dispersal in the fluvial environment can be assessed. As no single catchment displays the whole array of possible situations, a mosaic of case studies from several areas provides a good representation of potential conditions.     

Heavy metal distribution in the Godavari River basin

Suspended and bed sediments collected from the entire region of the Godavari River basin were analyzed for Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn. There are pronounced temporal and spatial variations in the heavy metal distributions. The concentrations of heavy metals in the suspended sediments are significantly higher than the bed sediments.Throughout the basin heavy metals are enriched in the finer fractions (<2 µm) of the bed sediments. The average heavymetal composition of the sediments is higher when compared to the average Indian river sediments. Heavy-metal concentration in the two shallow cores collected shows, to some extent, the influence of urbanization. When compared to the other tropical Indian rivers such as the Krishna, the Godavari appears to be a significant contributor of heavy metals to the Bay of Bengal. Considering the enormous sediment load of the Godavari River—170 million tons/yr, the heavy metal fluxes to the Bay of Bengal is very significant. Except for the Pranhita, other tributaries of the Godavari do not contribute significant loads of heavy metals. All the metals show high correlation among themselves and the correlation is more pronounced in suspended sediments than in the bed sediments. The heavy-metal distribution, fractionation, and its relationship with total suspended sediments and depth in various parts of the basin are discussed in detail.     

滇西沘江流域水体中重金属元素的地球化学特征

通过测定流经兰坪金顸铅锌矿区的沘江水体中Pb、Zn、Cd、As的含量和底泥中重金属元素的化学形态的含量,分析了重金属元素的分布和化学形态的变化。结果表明,沘江水遭到了Cd污染,底泥已经成为重金属元素的蓄积库,以国家土壤环境质量标准（Ⅲ级）衡量,Pb、Zn、Cd和舡分别超标3．4倍、15．8倍、106倍和2．6倍。沘江水中重金属元素含量的峰值在矿山附近的下游,而底泥中重金属元素的峰值在矿山下游30-50km的地方,矿业活动、水流变缓、pH等水体环境条件的变化都能影响水和底泥中重金属元素的含量。底泥中的Pb以碳酸盐结合态为主,Zn和Cd以铁锰氧化物结合态为主,而As以残渣态为主。Pb、Cd、Zn三种元素的环境有效态含量比较高,对沘江流域生态环境具有潜在的巨大的危害。     

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。     

Variation in DOC and trace metal concentration along the heavily urbanized basin in Kathmandu Valley,Nepal

Water samples were analyzed for DOC and trace metals from Bagmati River within Kathmandu valley, Nepal, to understand the variation trends of DOC and trace metals and their relationship along the drainage network. The variability in organic matter and wastewater input within the Bagmati drainage basin appeared to control DOC and most of the trace metal concentration. The large input of organic matter and wastewater creates anoxic condition by consuming dissolved oxygen and releasing higher concentrations of DOC, trace elements such as nickel, arsenic, barium, cadmium, and copper with downstream distance. Concentrations of DOC and trace metals like barium and zinc showed strong relationships with human population density and suggest that human activities have strong control on these parameters along the drainage network. The DOC and most of the trace metal concentration increased with downstream distance and appeared to be directly associated with human activities. The variation trends of most of the trace metals appeared to be the same; however, concentration varied widely. Inputs of organic matter and wastewater due to human activities appeared directly to be associated for the variation of DOC and trace metals along the Bagmati drainage network within Kathmandu valley.     

金矿区河水和底泥中重金属含量分布与耦合关系

河流中河水与底泥中重金属含量之间的关系对于河流污染防治意义重大。对某金矿区3种典型河流的河水与底泥中的重金属含量进行分析,发现4条河流均有超过国家标准限值的情况,河水中7种重金属元素均出现超标,Cr、As元素超标不严重;底泥中Hg、Pb、Cr、Cu、Zn超标,其中Hg超标最严重,河水和底泥中Hg最大超标倍数分别达到3099倍和244倍。河流中重金属主要赋存形态为沉积态,底泥的吸附解吸作用是河流底泥和河水中重金属沿程变化的主控因素;金矿区区域上河水和底泥中重金属很好地服从Langmuir等温吸附模式。矿业活动、地层岩性均会影响底泥对重金属的平均最大吸附容量,流径黄土区的双桥河平均最大吸附容量最大。研究结果为矿山河流污染防治与预警提供了参考依据。     

Differences in trace metal concentrations among fluvial morphologic units and implications for sampling

 This study examines the segregation of trace metals within and between fluvial morphologic units in sand-sized and finer bed sediments in a cobble bed stream. The types of fluvial morphologic units sampled are low gradient riffles, high gradient riffles, glides, eddy drop zones, lateral scour pools, attached bars, and detached bars. Three to nine samples were collected from ten of each type of morphologic unit. All 12 metals show significantly different concentrations between some morphologic units in sediments smaller than 2 mm. Eddy drop zones and attached bars consistently have the highest metal concentrations, while low gradient riffles, high gradient riffles, and glides typically have the lowest concentrations. Metals showing the greatest between-unit variability are Al, Cr, Fe, Cu, and Ti, followed by Co, Mn, and Pb, while Mg, Mn, V, and Zn display relatively few differences between units. Lateral and longitudinal variations of metals within units are not significant, and there was no consistent, predictable variation in metal concentrations with distance downstream. Results indicate that metal studies in other gravel- and cobble-bed streams should include a reconnaissance survey to determine variations between morphologic units, stratify sampling by morphologic unit, and analyze spatial autocorrelation to determine sample spacing. Received: October 1997 · Accepted: 23 March 1998     

Obtaining isochrones from pollution signals in a fluvial sediment record: A case study in a uranium-polluted floodplain of the Ploučnice River,Czech Republic

Uranium mining and processing in the watershed of the Ploučnice River in the Czech Republic during a well-defined time interval (1969–1989) allowed for a study of pollutant fates in sediments of a meandering river that is otherwise in a nearly natural state. A considerable part of the primary pollution is present in hotspots in the floodplain 10–15 km downstream from the mining district. One of the hotspots was characterised using geoinformatic, geophysical and geochemical means. The floodplain geomorphology and architecture and river channel dynamics were studied to develop an understanding of the formation of the hotspot and evaluate further movement of pollutants in the river system. Local background functions (with Rb or Ti as a predictor) and local enrichment factors (LEFs) were obtained for Ba, Ni, Pb, U and Zn concentrations in unpolluted sediments from the deeper strata of the active floodplain, an abandoned floodplain and an ancient terrace. The most recent (2013) overbank fines in the study area are still considerably enriched in Ni, U and Zn (LEF 3, 6 and 8, respectively), and thus pollution by heavy metals several km downstream of the hotspots continuously increases even though the primary source of pollution was terminated more than 20 years ago. The onset of the primary pollution (the base of the polluted strata) is hence clearly identified in the distal floodplain sediments as persistent and a potentially isochronous pollution signal in the fluvial record, whereas a secondary pollution signal overwrites the expected “primary pollution climax” and “pollution improvement” signals. That inertia of the fluvial system can also be expected in other river systems with both laterally and vertically deposited sediments. The Ploučnice case study allowed for further elaboration of the concept of local enrichment factors in pollution assessment of fluvial sediments, which efficiently reduces the grain-size effects (the impact of hydraulic sorting) and hence allows for reconstruction of the pollution history.     

High spatial resolution sampling of metals in the sediment and water column in Port Jefferson Harbor, New York

Eighteen sediment samples and six water-column samples were collected in a small (6 km²), coastal embayment (Port Jefferson Harbor, New York) to define a high-resolution spatial distribution of metals and to elucidate sources of contaminants to the harbor. Sediment metal (Ag, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) concentrations varied widely, reflecting differences in sediment grain size, with higher metal concentrations located in the fine-grained inner harbor sediments. Calculated enrichment factors for these sediments show that Ag, Pb, Cu, and Zn are elevated relative to both crustal abundances and their respective abundances in sediments in central Long Island Sound. Metal concentrations were 1.2 to 10 fold greater in water from the inner harbor compared to water from Long Island Sound collected outside the mouth of the harbor. Spatial variations in trace metals in surface waters within the bay parallel the spatial variations of trace metals in sediments within the harbor. Elevated water-column metal concentrations appear to be partially derived from a combination of diagenetic remobilization from contaminated sediments (e.g., Ag) and anthropogenic sources (e.g., Cu and Zn) within the southern portions of the harbor. Although the National Status and Trends Program had reported previously that sediment metal concentrations in Port Jefferson Harbor were low, the results of this study show sediment metals have high spatial variability and are enriched in the inner harbor sediments at levels comparable to more urbanized western north shore Long Island harbors.     

Sediment-water interactions in the metal-contaminated floodplain of the Clark Fork River,Montana, USA

The distribution and concentration of metals and metalloids in the floodplain of the Clark Fork River of western Montana, USA, are mainly controlled by post-depositional diagenetic mechanisms of metal fractionation. Due to the influx of wastes into the river's headwaters from mining processes around the turn of the century, extensive amounts of contaminated material were deposited onto the floodplain. Tailings were deposited as widespread overbank deposits and point bars adjacent to abandoned channels, and are characterized by orange and gray mottled sediment, which is devoid of vegetation and covered by a blue metal sulfate precipitate during dry periods. Examination of stratigraphic profiles of floodplain sediment indicates three periods of deposition: 1) pre-mining, represented by coarse sand and organic overbank deposits under reducing conditions; 2) syn-mining, characterized by transition sediments and tailings deposits under oxidizing conditions; and, 3) post-mining, distinguished by grass-bound topsoil.Sites were established where sediments and water throughout the stratigraphic section were collected and analyzed. Chemical analyses indicate enriched concentrations of cadmium, copper, manganese, and zinc in sediments and porewater, and arsenic in groundwater, in areas contaminated by tailings deposits. Vertical trends in concentrations of metals show that they are distributed based on apportionment of metal phases between reducing-oxidizing environments and pH fluctuations.     

Environmental impact of the former Pb–Zn mining and smelting in East Belgium

In the mining district of Plombières-La Calamine (East Belgium), extensive Pb–Zn mining activities resulted in an important contamination of overbank sediments along the Geul river. Moreover, a huge amount of heavy metals is stored in a dredged mine pond tailing, which is located along the river. In the dredged mine pond tailing sediments, Pb–Zn minerals control the solubility of Zn, Pb and Cd. Although Pb, Zn and Cd display a lower solubility in overbank sediments compared to the mine tailing pond sediments, elevated concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cd are still found in the porewater of the overbank sediments. The considerable ‘actual’ and ‘potential’ mobility of Zn, Pb and Cd indicates that the mine pond tailing sediments and the overbank sediments downstream from the mine pond tailing represent a considerable threat for the environment. Besides the chemical remobilisation of metals from the sediments, the erosion of overbank sediments and the reworking of riverbed sediments act as a secondary source of pollution.     

Distribution and speciation of heavy metals and their sources in Kumho River sediment,Korea

The interaction between heavy metals and river sediment is very important because river sediment is the sink for heavy metals introduced into a river and it can be a potential source of pollutants when environmental conditions change. The Kumho River, the main tributaries of the Nakdong River in Korea, can be one of the interesting research targets in this respect, because it runs through different geologic terrains with different land use characteristics in spite of its short length. Various approaches were used, including mineralogical, geochemical, and statistical analyses to investigate the distribution and behavior of heavy metals in the sediments and their sources. The effect of geological factor on the distribution of these metals was also studied. No noticeable changes in the species or relative amounts of minerals were observed by quantitative X-ray diffraction in the sediments at different stations along the river. Only illite showed a significant correlation with concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments. Based on an average heavy metal concentration (the average concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were 1.67, 20.9, 99.7, 125, 97.6, 149, 298 ppm, respectively), the sediments of the Kumho River were classified as heavily polluted according to EPA guidelines. The concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments were as follows: Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cr > Co > Cd. In contrast, contamination levels based on the average I _geo (index of geoaccumulation) values were as follows: Pb > Cd > Zn > Cu > Co = Cr > Ni. The concentrations of heavy metals increased downstream (with the exception of Cd and Pb) and were highest near the industrial area, indicating that industrial activity is the main factor in increasing the concentrations of most heavy metals at downstream stations. Sequential extraction results, which showed increased heavy metal fractions bound to Fe/Mn oxides at the downstream stations, confirmed anthropogenic pollution. The toxicity of heavy metals such as Ni, Cu, and Zn, represented by the exchangeable fraction and the fraction bound to carbonate, also increased at the downstream stations near the industrial complexes. Statistical analysis showed that Pb and Cd, the concentrations of which were relatively high at upstream stations, were not correlated with other heavy metals, indicating other possible sources such as mining activity.     

Transportation and evolution of trace element bearing phases in stream sediments in a mining – Influenced basin (Upper Isle River,France)

Arsenic-bearing stream sediments enter the Upper Isle River, an Au mining-influenced basin (France), by the discharge of mining sites, tailings runoff and weathering of mineralized veins in granites and gneiss. Some fresh ochreous As-rich deposits on the river banks and in floodplains are identified as additional As-rich point sources (As between 0.07 and 6.5 wt.%). The <63 μm fraction of stream sediments contains elevated As bulk concentrations, ranging from 160 to 890 mg/kg, compared to the geochemical background (70 mg/kg on average). It is also enriched in Cd, Hg and W. Spatial variations of these trace elements show 3 significant increases corresponding to the 3 drained mining districts. They decrease down river but are still enriched 30 km downstream of the mining districts due to downstream transportation. Three types of trace element-bearing phases have been identified as: (i) detrital primary sulfides, with high in situ As percentages (up to 43.7 wt.%). They also carry significant amounts of W according to the differences in chemical compositions of the total and light <63 μm fractions. These sulfide particles do not show any sign of alteration in the oxygenated stream sediments; (ii) Secondary Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides,some with very high in situ As₂O₅ concentrations (up to 59.8 wt.%) and with about 40% of the total Cd composition. They occur as fresh precipitates in the river banks and floodplains and as discrete particles in stream sediments and (iii) Al–Si fine-grained phases. Their major element composition is highly variable with in situ As₂O₅ concentrations ranging between 430 and 5020 mg/kg. This type of solid phase is also the major carrier of Hg.     

Dispersion of tailings in the Knabena—Kvina drainage basin, Norway, 1: Evaluation of overbank sediments as sampling medium for regional geochemical mapping

Molybdenum mining in the Knabena—Kvina drainage basin (1918–1973) left more than eight million tons of tailings in two small lakes in the headwater area of the Knabena river. The piles, that reach above the water surface, were freely eroded until a dam was built to reduce the dispersion in 1976. Sampling of tailings and fluvial sediments took place almost 20 years later. Sampling media were natural sediment sources, 1-cm-thick slices of overbank sediments of various depths, material from the tailings pond, sandbars, stream sediments, fjord sediments, and integrated samples of floodplain surfaces (0–25 cm). In total 734 samples were collected. Chemical analysis (ICP-AES after aqua regia or HNO₃ extraction) showed that overbank sediments at a certain depth represent the pre-industrial trace metal concentrations within the drainage basin. The tailings and recent fluvial sediments were enriched in approximately the same element suite. The highest enrichment factors were obtained for Cu (8–53) and Mo (22–57). Fluvial processes in the tailings pond have probably selectively eroded fine-grained, low-density particles. Thus, coarse chalcopyrite may have been left behind, while molybdate associated with fine-grained particles may have been selectively entrained causing dilution of Cu and enrichment of Mo in the downstream fluvial sediments. In the sandbars, the highest Cu and Mo concentrations were found in fine-grained sediments downstream of a low-gradient reach that act as a bedload trap. On the floodplains, it is seen that the first areas to be inundated in a flood situation (proximal to the river and in depressions) have the highest metal concentrations. For regional geochemical mapping it is suggested that overbank sediment profiles along river reaches with a laterally stable or slowly migrating channel, should be sampled. In such floodplains, pre-industrial overbank sediments are usually preserved at depth. In case of laterally unstable reaches upstream of the sampling point, polluted and unpolluted sediments may be interlayered or mixed. Therefore, samples should be collected from various depths or sedimentary units in such profiles. A similar sampling strategy should probably be adopted to detect vertical migration of elements especially in areas with acid rain and low bedrock buffer capacity. To obtain high contrasts between polluted and unpolluted drainage basins, the overbank sediment profiles should be within the proximal part of the floodplain.     

Heavy metal contamination in the vicinity of the Daduk Au–Ag–Pb–Zn mine in Korea

The heavy metal contamination and seasonal variation of the metals in soils, plants and waters in the vicinity of an abandoned metalliferous mine in Korea were studied. Elevated levels of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were found in tailings with averages of 8.57, 481, 4,450 and 753 mg/kg, respectively. These metals are continuously dispersed downstream and downslope from the tailings by clastic movement through wind and water. Thus, significant levels of the elements in waters and sediments were found up to 3.3 km downstream from the mining site, especially for Cd and Zn. Enriched concentrations of heavy metals were also found in various plants grown in the vicinity of the mining area, and the metal concentrations in plants increased with those in soils. In a study of seasonal variation on the heavy metals in paddy fields, relatively high concentrations of heavy metals were found in rice leaves and stalks grown under oxidizing conditions rather than a reducing environment (P<0.05).     

Distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic sources of metals entering the Irish Sea

International agreements (e.g. OSPAR) on the release of hazardous substances into the marine environment and environmental assessments of shelf seas require that concentrations and bioavailability of metals from anthropogenic sources can be distinguished from those originating as a result of natural geological processes. The development of a methodology for distinguishing between anthropogenic and natural sources of metals entering the Irish Sea through river inputs is described. The geochemistry of stream, river and estuarine sediments has been used to identify background geochemical signatures, related to geology, and modifications to these signatures by anthropogenic activities. The British Geological Survey (BGS) geochemical database, based on stream sediments from 1 to 2 km² catchments, was used to derive the background signatures. Where mining activity was present, the impact on the signature was estimated by comparison with the geochemistry of sediments from a geologically similar, but mining free, area. River sediment samples taken upstream and downstream of major towns were used respectively to test the validity of using stream sediments to estimate the chemistry of the major river sediment and to provide an indication of the anthropogenic impact related to urban and industrial development. The geochemistry of estuarine sediments from surface samples and cores was then compared with river and offshore sediment chemistry to assess the importance of riverine inputs to the Irish Sea. Studies were undertaken in the Solway, Ribble, Wyre and Mersey estuaries. The results verify that catchment averages of stream sediments and major river samples have comparable chemistry where anthropogenic influences are small. Major urban and industrial (including mining) development causes easily recognised departures from the natural multi-element geochemical signature in river sediment samples downstream of the development and enhanced metal levels are observed in sediments from estuaries with industrial catchments. Stream sediment chemistry coupled with limited river and estuarine sampling provides a cost-effective means of identifying anthropogenic metal inputs to the marine environment. Investigations of field and laboratory protocols to characterise biological impact (bioaccumulation) of metals in sediments of the Irish Sea and its estuaries show that useful assessments can be made by a combination of surveys with bioindicator species such as clams Scrobicularia plana, selective sediment measurements that mimic the ‘biologically available’ fractions, and laboratory (mesocosm) studies.