Pollution characteristics and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in the surface sediments from a source water reservoir

Surface sediment samples were collected from a source water reservoir in Zhejiang Province, East of China to investigate pollution characteristics and potential ecological risk of heavy metals. The BCR sequential extraction method was used to determine the four chemical fractions of heavy metals such as acid soluble, easily reducible, easily oxidizable and residual fractions. The heavy metals pollution and potential ecological risk were evaluated systematically using geoaccumulation index (I_geo) and Hakanson potential ecological risk index (H′). The results showed that the sampling sites from the estuaries of tributary flowing through downtowns and heavy industrial parks showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher average concentrations of heavy metals in the surface sediments, as compared to the other sampling sites. Chemical fractionation showed that Mn existed mainly in acid extractable fraction, Cu and Pb were mainly in reducible fraction, and As existed mainly in residual fraction in the surface sediments despite sampling sites. The sampling sites from the estuary of tributary flowing through downtown showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher proportions of acid extractable and reducible fractions than the other sampling sites, which would pose a potential toxic risk to aquatic organisms as well as a potential threat to drinking water safety. As, Pb, Ni and Cu were at relatively high potential ecological risk with high I_geo values for some sampling locations. Hakanson potential ecological risk index (H′) showed the surface sediments from the tributary estuaries with high population density and rapid industrial development showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher heavy metal pollution levels and potential ecological risk in the surface sediments, as compared to the other sampling sites.     

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Water and Sediments from the Ghalechay River,Baychebagh Copper Mine Area,Iran

The concentrations of selected heavy metals in sediments and waters in Baychebagh copper mine were determined using ICP-OES. Except for Co, the average concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in sediments from the Ghalechay River in the district exceed the world-average shale and continental upper crust value. Enrichment factors for Pb, Cu, and Cd were significantly enriched in sediments, indicating environmental contamination. Geoaccumulation index calculated for different sampling stations indicates that the sediments are unpolluted with respect to Co and Zn while unpolluted to moderately polluted with Cu and highly polluted with Pb and Cd. The Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) suggest that Cd and Pb may pose the highest risk for the environment. Sequential extraction analyses of sediments revealed that Cu, Co, Pb, and Zn bound to extractable, carbonate, reducible and oxidizable fractions are lower than residual fraction. About 10% of the total Pb was associated with the exchangeable fraction, indicating remobilization, while Cd (89%), Pb (73%) Co (58%), Cu (76%), and Zn (68%) closely associated with the residual and oxidizable fractions, resulting in their environmental immobility. The residual forms are not expected to be released under normal conditions in the river and could be considered an inert phase.     

Trace Element (Pb,Cd, and As) Contamination in the Sediments and Organisms in Zhalong Wetland,Northeastern China

This study examined Tessier's fractions of Pb, Cd, and As in the sediments and their potential toxic effects on four aquatic animals, i.e., Enchytraeus of Lumbricidae, Cipangopaludina chinensis of Viviparidae, Cybister japonicus Sharp of Dytiscidae, and Perccottus glenii Dybowski of Odontobutidae in Zhalong Wetland, Northeastern China. Results show that Cd poses a high risk to the biota in Zhalong Wetland. The geo-accumulation indices indicate that the region only has background concentrations of As, although it is slightly polluted by Pb and is seriously polluted by Cd. The exchangeable fraction receives minor contributions from these metals: 0.8% for Pb, 2.8% for Cd, and 4% for As. Three reed organs and four aquatic animal groups contain detectable concentrations of Pb, Cd, and As, with the following order of increasing concentrations: stem < rhizome < root < Viviparidae < Odontobutidae < Dytiscidae < Lumbricidae. Relatively low bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of As occurred in four aquatic organisms, whereas significantly higher BAFs of Pb and Cd were found in the earthworm than other aquatic organisms (P < 0.05). The earthworms (Enchytraeus of Lumbricidae) were recommended to be used as a suitable indicator for Pb, Cd, and As toxic risk level in this region.     

Assessing the bioaccumulation of contaminants from sediments by fish and other aquatic organisms

Contaminated sediments that are not acutely toxic to aquatic organisms but contain bioaccumulable toxic substances present a common, yet poorly understood problem for regulatory decision makers. In order to recommend options to minimize bioaccumulation of these toxic substances, decision-makers need estimates of 1. which substances are available for accumulation by aquatic organisms; and 2. the potential impacts of such accumulation. The most direct and meaningful approach to estimating bioavailability is measurement of contaminant uptake by aquatic organisms exposed to the sediments of concern. Reasonably reliable methodologies exist for performing such exposures in the laboratory and in situ using marine or freshwater organisms. Such methods can demonstrate short-term potential for bioaccumulation of toxics from the sediments, but not necessarily the biological significance or long-term impact of any accumulated residues in the organisms and transfer of those residues through the food chain. Since most contaminated sediments contain a mixture of toxic substances, determination of the biological significance of their accumulation is not likely in the near future. Thus, the direct measurement of significant bioaccumulation of toxic substances from the sediments remains the most immediately useful index in a decision-making process.Contribution Number 631 of the National Fisheries Center-Great Lakes     

Speciation of trace element compounds in samples of biota from marine ecosystems

Abstract

The toxicity, mobility, bioavailability and bioaccumulation of metals are dependent on the particular physico-chemical form in which the element occurs in the environment. Special attention has been paid to metals which are essential for the proper functioning of organisms if present in appropriate amounts but are toxic if in excess (i.e. Se, Cr), and also to non-essential elements (i.e. Hg, Pb, Cd, Sn and As). To assess the potential hazard to the health of marine organisms, qualitative and quantitative analyses of metal species accumulating along the food chain needs to be carried out. This paper reviews the available information on the speciation of trace elements in the food chain in marine ecosystems and the analytical tools used for acquiring reliable information in this field. Advantages and limitations of commonly used techniques indicate that all metal species in different samples need diverse extraction, separation and detection conditions. Although not recommending which procedure is the most suitable to determine a given compound, speciation analysis has the potential to be a powerful tool for the identification of trace element species in biological samples.     

MMHg production and export from intertidal sediments to the water column of a tidal lagoon (Arcachon Bay,France)

Hg cycling in biologically productive coastal areas is of special importance given the potential for bioaccumulation of monomethylmercury (MMHg) into aquatic organisms. Field experiments were performed during three different seasons in Arcachon Bay, a mesotidal lagoon (SW France), to assess the variability of the water column concentrations, sediment–water exchanges and potential formation and degradation of MMHg. The objectives were to evaluate the contribution of intertidal mudflats to MMHg production and the various pathways of Hg species export. Dissolved and bulk concentrations of Hg species in the water column downstream of tidal flats were measured throughout several tidal cycles. The Hg benthic fluxes at the sediment–water interface were determined by means of benthic chambers for three different stations. Hg methylation and demethylation potentials were determined in surficial sediments and the water column using isotopic tracers. The tidal surveys demonstrated that benthic remobilization of Hg occurs primarily in association with sediment erosion and advection during ebb tide. However, elevated dissolved Hg concentrations observed at low tide were found to be caused by a combination of pore-waters seeping, benthic fluxes and methylation in the water column. Benthic fluxes were more intense during late winter conditions (median MMHg and inorganic Hg (IHg) fluxes: 64 and 179 pmol m^?2 h^?1, respectively) and subsequently decreased in spring (median 0.7 and ?5 pmol m^?2 h^?1, respectively) and fall (median ?0.4 and ?1.3 pmol m^?2 h^?1, respectively). The trends in methylation and demethylation potentials were at the opposite of the fluxes, two times lower during winter than for spring or fall conditions. In this tidal environment, MMHg production in surface sediments and its subsequent release is estimated to be the major source of MMHg to the water column during winter and spring time. However, during the more productive summer period, the Hg methylation extent in the water column may be very significant and equivalent to the sediment contribution.     

Spatial and temporal trends of target organic and inorganic micropollutants in Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano (Italian-Swiss water bodies): contamination in sediments and biota

DDx, PCBs, PBDEs, Hg, and As contamination in sediments and aquatic organisms of different trophic levels (zooplankton, mussel, fish) were analyzed in Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano, two large deep perialpine lakes. In the period 2001–2015, we analyzed the spatial and temporal trends of the considered pollutants to detect potential contamination sources and to compare concentrations with Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) or existing Quality Standards (QSs). DDx and Hg contamination deriving from past industrial activities in the Pallanza Basin still exceeded SQGs in sediments and QSs in fish, with potential risks for the ecosystem. Banned in Europe in 1985, PCBs showed low residual values, while recent PBDE peaks resulted in the exceedance of the QSs for biota in both lakes, probably due to current industrial activities. Arsenic mainly derives from geochemical origin. The analysis of the biomagnification of toxicants in a pelagic food chain in Lake Maggiore (zooplankton–fish) according to a stable isotope approach is also presented, according to both the Trophic Magnification Factor and the Trophic Level-adjusted BioMagnification Factor: the importance of seasonality and a Hg > DDx ≈ PBDEs biomagnification capacity were observed. Low PCB bioaccumulation was detected in biota, probably because equilibrium was not reached yet in young fish.     

Enantioselective Acute Toxicity Effects and Bioaccumulation of Furalaxyl in the Earthworm (Eisenia foetida)

The enantioselectivities of individual enantiomers of furalaxyl in acute toxicity and bioaccumulation in the earthworm (Eisenia foetida) were studied. The acute toxicity was tested by filter paper contact test. After 48 h of exposure, the calculated LC₅₀ values of the R‐form, rac‐form, and S‐form were 2.27, 2.08, and 1.22 µg cm^‐2, respectively. After 72 h of exposure, the calculated LC₅₀ values were 1.90, 1.54, and 1.00 µg cm^‐2, respectively. Therefore, the acute toxicity of furalaxyl enantiomers was enantioselective. During the bioaccumulation experiment, the enantiomer fraction of furalaxyl in earthworm tissue was observed to deviate from 0.50 and maintained a range of 0.55–0.60; in other words, the bioaccumulation of furalaxyl was enantioselective in earthworm tissue with a preferential accumulation of S‐furalaxyl. The uptake kinetic of furalaxyl enantiomers fitted the first‐order kinetics well and the calculated kinetic parameters were consistent with the low accumulation efficiency. Chirality 26:307–312, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Mercury Pollution from a Chloralkali Source in a Tropical Lake and Its Biomagnification in Aquatic Biota: Link between Chemical Pollution,Biomarkers, and Human Health Concern

Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that can cause adverse ecological and toxicological impacts through the mechanism of biomagnification. Hg accumulation in aquatic biota may thus also pose a serious threat to humans and other fish-eating animals. The present work observed the transfer of Hg from abiotic (water and sediments) to biotic (algae, aquatic macrophytes, and fish) components, belonging to different trophic levels in a tropical lake in India. Hg was analyzed in water, sediments, plants, and fish collected from different sampling points, receiving the discharge of chloralkali effluent. Hg concentrations increased significantly from lake water and sediments to algae and aquatic macrophytes. Statistical analysis (Pearson correlation) revealed a significant positive correlation between Hg in water and plants (r = 0.88–0.93; p < .01 and p < .05) as well as for Hg in sediment and plants (r = 0.50–0.83; p < .01 and p < .05). However, the increase in Hg concentration in fish was not significantly correlated with lake ambient water (r = 0.31–0.36), sediments (r = 0.29–0.33), and aquatic plants (r = 0.31–0.36). Results obtained encourage the use of naturally occurring wetland plants in designed systems like constructed wetlands to ameliorate Hg pollution in lakes, rivers, and ponds resulting from the discharge of industrial effluents, especially chloralkali effluent, hence reducing the human health risks associated with Hg.     

Partitioning of Zn,Cd, Pb,and Cu in organic-rich soil profiles in the vicinity of a zinc smelter

Abstract

A five-step sequential extraction procedure was applied to organic-rich soil samples from five soil profiles situated 1–8 km from a zinc smelter. The partitioning of Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu into five operationally defined fractions (exchangeable, “carbonate’’-bound, reducible, oxidizable, and residual) was studied at different soil depths down to 35cm. In the surface soil (0–1 cm) a major part of Pb and Cu was extracted in the oxidizable fraction, whereas for Zn and Cd slightly more was extracted in the ‘‘carbonate”-fraction than in the other four fractions. Extracted metal proportions in the oxidizable fraction were respectively of the order of 30%, 20%, 50%, and 80% for Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu in the surface soil for all sites, but these proportions decreased with soil depth. In the surface soil less than 20% of all the elements were extracted in the residual fraction, but the proportions associated with this fraction generally increased with soil depth. In the C-horizon, differences in extracted proportions of Pb and Cu in the residual fraction were probably due to geochemical factors, whereas for Zn the low extracted proportion at a highly contaminated site (20%) may be due to Zn migration to the C-horizon at this site. For Cd the extracted proportions in the C-horizon were lower than for the other elements, generally below 20%, presumably because Cd is weaker in terms of its adsorption to the soil than the other elements studied. Total concentrations of the metals decreased strongly with increasing distance from the smelter, but less systematic differences were observed for their distributions among fractions. Potentially bioavailable metal proportions (exchangeable + “carbonate”-bound fraction) in the surface soil were about 50%, 60%, 20%, and 10% for Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu, respectively. In C-horizon soil the mobility sequence Cd>Zn>Pb = Cu was generally observed. The present results indicate that the concentrations and chemical fractionation of Zn, Pb, and Cd in these soils represent a considerable risk to natural terrestrial food chains.     

Bioaccumulation of Arsenic in recombinant Escherichia coli expressing human metallothionein

The recombinant Escherichia coli (E. coli) expressing human hepatic metallothionein_IA (hMT_IA) was constructed for bioaccumulation of Arsenic (As). The gene sequence of hMT_IA was modified for codon preference of E. coli and synthesized using chemical method. The vector of pGEX_4T_1 was used and hMT_IA was expressed as the fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase (GST) tag. The bioaccumulation capability of arsenite compounds As(III) of the recombinant E. coli increased more than 3-fold from 76.3 to 319.6 μg/g dry cells compared with the control. The conditions of 50 μM of As(III) and low pHs were optimal for As(III) bioaccumulation. The heavy metals of Cd, Hg, and Zn inhibited As(III) bioaccumulation. The bioaccumulation reached 70% of the saturated value within 1 h. The recombinant E. coli will be useful in bioremediation of arsenic or other kinds of heavy metal contaminated water.     

铜锈环棱螺对沉积物中重金属的生物积累及其与重金属赋存形态的关系

以铜锈环棱螺（Bellamya aeruginosa）为测试生物,采用28 d沉积物生物积累试验研究铜锈环棱螺对污染河流沉积物中重金属的生物积累,并探讨其与重金属赋存形态的关系.结果表明：铜锈环棱螺肝胰脏对Cd、Pb、Cu、Cr、Zn和Mn均具有较强的积累作用.不同重金属的积累量存在较大差别,Zn的积累量最多,占重金属总积累量的84.32%±4.36%,其次为Cu,占7.67%±2.84%;Pb、Cr和Mn的比例相对较少,分别为3.62%±1.84%、2.22%±1.03%和1.33%±0.15%;Cd所占比例最少,为0.83%±0.53%.肝胰脏中重金属元素之间的相关性均不显著.肝胰脏金属污染指数与沉积物污染综合指数具有显著的正相关关系,铜锈环棱螺可以作为沉积物重金属污染的监测生物.不同沉积物Cd、Cr、Zn和Mn的生物-沉积物积累因子（BSAF）具有较大的差异,Cu和Pb的BSAF比较稳定.Cd的生物积累与沉积物中Cd的可交换的与酸可溶态及可氧化态显著相关;Pb的生物积累与Pb的可还原态显著相关;Cu的生物积累与Cu的可氧化态显著相关;Mn的生物积累与Mn的可交换的与酸可溶态和可还原态显著相关;Cr和Mn的生物积累与其不同形态和总量均不相关.BSAF不宜作为衡量铜锈环棱螺对沉积物中重金属生物积累能力的指标.     

贵州兴仁煤矿区农田土壤重金属化学形态及风险评估

为了解煤矿区周边农田土壤重金属污染状况,采集了贵州省兴仁县某典型煤矿区农田土壤样品64份,测定了土样中重金属(As、Cr、Pb、Zn、Cd、Hg、Cu、Ni)总量及各形态含量,采用单因子指数法、潜在生态风险指数法(Hkanson法)和风险评估编码法(RAC)对研究区主要土壤利用类型(水稻土、薏米地、植烟土和菜园土)中重金属进行潜在生态风险评估和环境风险评价.结果表明： 不同利用类型土壤中重金属含量除Zn外,其他元素均明显超过贵州省背景值.单因子指数法评价结果表明,As、Pb、Hg和Cu污染较为严重,均属重度污染.形态分析表明,土壤中重金属形态构成差异明显,酸可提取态As、酸可提取态Cd所占比例较高;Cr、Zn、Cu、Ni主要以残渣态为主;Pb主要以可还原态和残渣态为主;而Hg的酸可提取态、可还原态、可氧化态均占有相当比例,三者之和大于55%.重金属可利用度大小顺序为:As(63.6%)>Hg(57.3%)>Cd(56.4%)>Pb(52.5%)>Cu(45.7%)>Zn(32.8%)>Ni(26.2%)>Cr(13.2%).潜在生态风险指数表明,各类型土壤潜在生态风险(RI)〖JP2〗为:菜园土(505.19)>薏米地(486.06)>植烟土(475.33)>水稻土(446.86),均处于较高风险.风险评估编码法结果显示,As在水稻土、薏米地及植烟土中均处于高风险,在菜园土中处于中等风险;Cd、Hg均处于中等风险,Cr、Pb、Zn、Cu和Ni均处于低风险.因此,对该区域农田土壤进行管控时应重点考虑As、Cd和Hg污染.     

Sediment-Associated Phototoxicity to Aquatic Organisms

Phototoxicity is a two to greater than 1000-fold increase in chemical toxicity caused by ultraviolet radiation (UV), which has been demonstrated in a broad range of marine and freshwater fish, invertebrates, and other aquatic organisms in water column exposures. Field collected sediments containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other contaminants are phototoxic to sediment-dwelling organisms in laboratory tests, but in situ or field investigations of phototoxicity have not been reported. Sediment provides a pathway for the bioaccumulation of phototoxic chemicals through contact with and ingestion of bedded and suspended sediment, and maternal transfer, but risks are uncertain. Risks from sediment-associated phototoxicity will be greatest in areas of both high contaminant exposure (e.g., surficial and suspended sediments in harbors, outfall areas, and spill sites), and high UV exposure (e.g., high optical clarity or shallow depths). Organisms and life-stages most at risk will be those translucent to UV that inhabit the photic zone and near shore areas, but benthic organisms may have generally low UV exposure because of life history and morphological characteristics. Site-specific assessments are needed to characterize risks both spatially and temporally because of heterogeneous sediment contamination and large differences in species sensitivity and exposure pathways.     

Temporal variation in condition index and meat quality of Lunella undulata (Turbinidae), in relation to the reproductive cycle

ABSTRACT

Lunella undulata is a subtropical-temperate marine gastropod which is harvested commercially from temperate reefs in Australia. This paper aimed to evaluate monthly variation in the condition index (CI) and biochemical composition of the foot tissue of L. undulata in relation to the spawning cycle. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) varied significantly between males and females and across months (P?=?0.0001), ranging from 43% to 70% in males and 41% to 71% for females. The highest GSI, as well as the highest CI for both sexes was recorded in December and April, whilst meat yield peaked in January, September and October. Protein, lipid, fatty acid and heavy metals in the foot tissue also significantly varied between months (P?<?0.05). Throughout all 14 months of sampling, the foot tissue of L. undulata showed good nutritional quality, with high levels of protein and the polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosapentaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and arachidonic acid. Overall, despite some temporal variability in the biochemical composition, L. undulata could be harvested at any time of the year for human consumption, although it may be best to avoid peak spawning times, which occur around January in northern NSW.     

Fractionation and ecological risk assessment of trace metals in surface sediment from the Huaihe River,Anhui, China

Abstract

The Huaihe River has suffered increasing pressure from pollutants including metals from anthropogenic activities. In this study, enrichment and fractionation behavior of trace metals were analyzed in sediment samples obtained from fish spawning area of the Huaihe River (Anhui Section) to evaluate the potential ecological risk of trace metals to aquatic organisms. Geochemical indices including enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index as well as mean probable effect concentration quotient and risk assessment code were adopted to assess the contamination degree and potential ecological toxicity. Results showed that the total contents of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, As, and Hg in sediment were 23.1?±?6.4, 32.3?±?11.1, 76.8?±?14.2, 84.6?±?17.2, 0.2?±?0.1, 9.0?±?3.0, and 0.031?±?0.010?mg/kg, respectively. The indexes EF and I_geo revealed slight accumulation for Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, and As in some sampling sites. The result of Q_m-PEC demonstrated that trace metals in sediment were not toxic to aquatic organisms. Most trace metals appeared to mainly associate with the residual form suggesting lower mobility whereas Cd presented a relative higher exchangeable fraction indicating a great degree of bioavailability. The result of risk assessment code (RAC) evaluation revealed that Cd poses a medium ecological risk for aquatic organisms whereas most of the other trace metals pose low risks.     

Bioaccumulation of mercury,arsenic, cadmium,and lead in plants grown on coal mine soil

Mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) are the major toxic metals released by coal mining activities in the surrounding environment. These metals get accumulated in the soils. The plants grown on the contaminated soil uptake these toxic metals in their roots and aerial parts. This study monitored the bioaccumulation of Hg and other three toxic metals in coal mine soil. The pot study of Hg accumulation in Brassica juncea showed that the extent of Hg uptake by roots and shoots of the plants grown on was high in the mature plant and Hg content in root was higher than the shoot. In the soil of unreclaimed overburden (OB) dump, the toxic metal content was higher than that of reclaimed OB dump which posed high ecological risk in the soil of unreclaimed OB dump. Bioaccumulation coefficient (BAC) value showed that Hg was not accumulated in the leaves of Dalbergia sissoo L., Gmelina arborea, Peltaphorum inerme L., Cassia seamea L, and Acacia mangium L grown on coal mine soil.     

A Michaelis–Menten type equation for describing methylmercury dependence on inorganic mercury in aquatic sediments

Methylation of mercury (Hg) is the crucial process that controls Hg biomagnification along the aquatic food chains. Aquatic sediments are of particular interest because they constitute an essential reservoir where inorganic divalent Hg (Hg^II) is methylated. Methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in sediments mainly result from the balance between methylation and demethylation reactions, two opposite natural processes primarily mediated by aquatic microorganisms. Thus, Hg availability and the activity of methylating microbial communities control the MeHg abundance in sediments. Consistently, some studies have reported a significant positive correlation between MeHg and Hg^II or total Hg (Hg_T), taken as a proxy for Hg^II, in aquatic sediments using enzyme-catalyzed methylation/demethylation mechanisms. By compiling 1,442 published and unpublished Hg_T–MeHg couples from lacustrine, riverine, estuarine and marine sediments covering various environmental conditions, from deep pristine abyssal to heavily contaminated riverine sediments, we show that a Michaelis–Menten type relationship is an appropriate model to relate the two parameters: MeHg = aHg_T/(K _m  + Hg_T), with a = 0.277 ± 0.011 and K _m  = 188 ± 15 (R ² = 0.70, p < 0.001). From K _m variations, which depend on the various encountered environmental conditions, it appears that MeHg formation and accumulation are favoured in marine sediments compared to freshwater ones, and under oxic/suboxic conditions compared to anoxic ones, with redox potential and organic matter lability being the governing factors.     

Arsenic speciation in marine sediments: A comparison between two sequential extraction procedures

ABSTRACT

Arsenic distribution and mobility in marine sediments was investigated by means of total extraction and two sequential extraction procedures i.e. a modified sequential extraction procedure proposed by the European Standard, Measurementand Testing (SM&T) program, formerly the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) procedure and a five steps sequential extraction based on the Wenzel extraction procedure, called modified Wenzel extraction. Sediments were collected from Cagliari’s harbour and Cagliari’s gulf, in Western Mediterranean Sea, Italy. The modified Wenzel extraction provided a more detailed As binding pattern and turned out to be much more appropriate than the modified SM&T procedure for gaining information regarding the mobilization of As within marine sediments. In the harbour, the largest part of As is contained in the residual fraction. At the contrary, As concentration, which is higher in the Cagliari’s gulf, is primarily associated with amorphous and crystalline hydrous Fe(Mn, Al) oxide. Moreover, this study suggests the possibility to segregate different types of marine sediments depending of human or industrial activities and to trace As contaminated marine sediments to determine the origin of contamination following the percentile of As contained in each extraction steps.     

Mercury in benthic invertebrates of the Elbe estuary

Hg concentrations in benthic invertebrates of the Elbe estuary were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and instrumental neutron activation analysis. In general Hg levels in organisms decreased from the limnic region to the marine environment. Highest Hg levels were found inAsellus aquaticus andRadix balthica taken from the Elbe upstream of Hamburg (0.35 and 0.34 ppm wet weight). The concentrations in gammarid species decreased from 0.20 ppm (limnic region) to 0.02–0.05 ppm (brackish and marine environment). Hg levels in organisms from the brackish region proved to be 0.08–0.16 ppm(Littorina littorea), 0.04–0.09(Crangon crangon) 0.05–0.10(Corophium volutator) and 0.04–0.08 ppm (wet weight)(Nereis diversicolor). Some factors which may influence the heavy metal concentrations in aquatic organisms are discussed, such as: food chain, weight of organisms, and elimination via moulting products in the case of crustaceans.