Distribution of Heavy Metals and Arsenic in Soils of Belgrade (Serbia and Montenegro) 1

Soils of the urban and suburban area of Belgrade have been hardly studied, especially concerning their concentrations of potentially toxic metals. The present paper is aimed at determining the possible pollution in soils. The total acid soluble concentrations of heavy metals and As in the samples were determined. It was found that they were arranged in the order Zn > Ni > Pb > Cr > Cu > As > Hg > Cd in samples collected in the examined area (the order of the elements is based on their arithmetic mean concentrations). In all the samples collected at 0–10 and 40–50 cm depths from 46 selected sites, the contents of Pb and Zn were lower at the depth 40-50 cm. Using target values given by the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment, it may be concluded that Belgrade soil can, for the most part, be regarded as unpolluted. Traffic seems to be one of the main sources of these metals, but the influence of other factors cannot be excluded.     

The vegetation of alpine belt karst-tectonic basins in the central Apennines (Italy)

Abstract

The vegetation communities of the karst-tectonic basins of the Majella massif alpine belt were studied using the phytosociological methods, and analysed from coenological, synchorological and syntaxonomical viewpoints. During the field-work, 115 relevés were performed using the phytosociological approach of Braun-Blanquet, and these relevés were further subjected to multivariate analyses. Eight clusters of relevés resulted from the numerical classification. The plant communities identified in the study area were ascribed to the following five associations, two sub-associations and one community type: Leontopodio – Seslerietum juncifoliae (ass. nova); Helianthemo – Festucetum italicae (ass. nova); Gnaphalio – Plantaginetum atratae; Taraxaco – Trifolietum thalii gnaphalietosum magellensis (subass. nova); Luzulo italicae – Nardetum, Carici – Salicetum retusae; Saxifrago – Papaveretum julici, Saxifrago – Papaveretum androsacetosum (subass. nova), Plantago atrata and Leontodon montanus community. The distribution of these communities within the karst basins was found to be related to variations in topographic and geomorphological parameters, such as altitude, slope, soil availability and stoniness. All the new associations proposed in this paper belong to the suballiance Leontopodio – Elynenion and to the alliance Seslerion apenninae, both of which are endemic to the central Apennines. In order to compare the plant community types identified within the Majella massif to similar associations found in the rest of the Apennine chain, synoptic tables were constructed. Finally, a comparative phytogeographical analysis of the alpine belt vegetation of the Apennines, Dinarides, southern Balkans and eastern Alps is presented.     

Phytostabilization of heavy metals by the emergent macrophyte Vossia cuspidata (Roxb.) Griff.: A phytoremediation approach

The present study was conducted to investigate the potential of Vossia cuspidata as a phytoremediator to accumulate heavy metals from polluted water bodies. Thirty-two quadrats, distributed equally in eight sites (six polluted sites along the Ismailia canal and two unpolluted sites along the Nile River) were selected seasonally for plant, water, and sediment investigations. Winter plants recorded the highest values of shoot height, diameter, and leaf width, but the lowest shoot density. Plants collected in autumn had the lowest values of leaf length, width, and area, while those collected in spring had the highest shoot density, with the lowest shoot height. Summer populations had the highest fresh and dry plant biomass, while winter plants had the lowest. Fresh production and dry biomass of V. cuspidata in the unpolluted Nile were significantly higher than those in polluted canals. Chlorophyll a and carotenoid concentrations were reduced under pollution stress. Spring plants accumulated the highest concentrations of Cr, Cu, and Pb in their root, and the lowest concentrations of Al, Cd, Cr, and Zn in their shoot. The bioaccumulation factor for most investigated metals, except Al, Cr, and Fe was greater than 1, while the translocation factor of all metals was less than 1, therefore this plant is considered to be a potential for these metals phytostabilization.     

Environmental Assessment of the Caveira Abandoned Mine (Southern Portugal): Part 1: Characterization of Metal Contaminated Soil

Mine activity in Portugal had a huge impact on the growth of the regions where it took place, like in the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Nowadays, most of these mines are abandoned, as is the case for the Caveira mine. Soil geochemistry indicates that high contents of Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Cd, and Hg occur in the soils collected near the tailings. Multiple Correspondence Analysis identifies two areas with high concentrations of Pb, As, Hg, Sb, Mo, and Tl. However, the results suggest a different geochemistry for each of the areas. The non-site-specific methods (Hazard Index and GLC guidelines) classify all the areas as contaminated. Metal fractionation in the soil phases is different for the several elements studied. The articulation of the metal fractionation results with the GLC guidelines reduces the area of soil contaminated by Pb, but not by As.     

Modelling Environmental Responses of Plant Associations: A Review of Some Critical Concepts in Vegetation Study

The definition of vegetation types at different hierarchical levels, both to study the vegetation processes and for practical cartographic representation, is still considered a critical issue in many circles of plant ecologists. The problems are mainly related to the misleading idea that classification of the vegetation system, as developed by European phytosociologists during the last century within the discipline called syntaxonomy, would imply the assumption of the organismic concept of the plant community. After a short discussion on the role of Braun-Blanquet approach in plant ecology and in landscape ecology, the methods to detect multispecies responses along environmental gradients are briefly reviewed. In the main part of this article, we intend to stress that concepts considered critical, such as plant association and its ecological niche, are just operational tools that have nothing to do with the individualistic or organismic interpretation of plant communities in vegetation studies. Important to our views on vegetation, we believe that plant associations as well as the higher syntaxa can be regarded as fuzzy sets in an operational context for describing vegetation along ecological gradients in synthetic ways and can further the understanding of vegetation variation.     

The Development of a Phytoremediation Technique for the Detoxification of Soils Contaminated with Phenolic Compounds Using Horseradish Peroxidase (Armoracia rusticana): Preliminary Results

The proposed phytoremediation technique is based on the successful exploitation and optimization of oxidative coupling, mediated by horseradish peroxidase. Susceptibility to degradation of a selection of phenolic compounds, in solution, by horseradish peroxidase appears to be structurally related and was found to be of the order 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) > 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) > 2-chlorophenol (2-CP). Only 1.89% of 2,4-DCP, at an initial concentration of 5 mM, remained unchanged at the end of the experiment. Reaction rates between purified horseradish peroxidase and 2,4-DCP were found to be extremely rapid with 74% of the substrate removed from solution during the first 30 s. Inhibition of the reaction by the heavy metals Cd, Zn, Ni, and Pb at concentrations of 100 mg/l is of concern because these metals are often present in contaminated soils. H₂O₂ has a dominant role in optimizing peroxidase activity in crude horseradish extracts. Fluctuations in temperature and pH, normally experienced in soils, did not appear to have a detrimental impact on peroxidase activity. However, the functioning of the enzyme is seriously affected at a pH ≤ 3. All reactions in this study were carried out in solution.     

Study of the vegetation in the Multiple Use Natural Reserve of Monterrico (Guatemala)

The Multiple Use Natural Reserve of Monterrico lies on the Pacific coast of the southwest Guatemala in the Chiapas Sector of the Chiapaneca-Hondureña Province. It belongs to the Guatemalan System of Protected Areas and has a predominantly estuarine and coastal marine ecosystem. We took 218 vegetation relevés that contained 72 species belonging to 138 genera and 69 plant families. Multivariate analysis techniques have led to the determination of seven different associations. Three of them are mangrove swamp associations (Lagunculario-Rhizophoretum manglis; Lagunculario-Avicennietum germinantis Peinado, Alcaraz, Delgadillo, De la Cruz, Álvarez and Aguirre, 1994; Rhizophoretum manglis Cuatrecasas, 1958). Three new associations are proposed. These are one reed–bulrush association (Typho domingensis-Phragmitetum australisass. nova) and two sand-dwelling associations, one made up of evergreen grasses dominated by Canavalia rosea which grows on mobile dunes (Thephrosio-Canavalietum roseaeass. nova) and a dry forest phytocoenosis dominated by deciduous and some evergreen species, such as Pithecellobium dulce, that grow on more consolidated sandy soils (Gliricidio-Pithecellobietum dulcisass. nova). Finally, special mention must be made of the presence of the pleustohelophytic association Eichhornietum crassipedis Samek and Moncada, 1971. This is the first time that these mangrove swamp associations and this hydrophytic association have been recorded in Guatemala.     

Investigation of Vetiver Grass Capability in Phytoremediation of Contaminated Soils with Heavy Metals (Pb,Cd, Mn,and Ni)

ABSTRACT

Soil contamination with heavy metals has become a worldwide concern. A sustainable technology to mitigate heavy metal contamination is extremely important. Phytoremediation is a cost-effective method, environmentally friendly, and esthetically pleasing. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of Vetiver phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals. This research was conducted as a factorial design with four different heavy metals (lead, cadmium, manganese, and nickel) with three varying levels and also three replications for each treatment. Statistical analysis of data was performed using SPSS19 software and analysis of variance, Duncan and Pearson correlation tests. The results showed that, the highest uptake rate was related to lead metal with 282.45 mg/kg of dry soil and 83.4% uptake percentage. Then, the mean and percentage of adsorption for cadmium, nickel and manganese were 248.3 mg/kg (53.2%), 69.4 mg/kg (65.5%), and 63.29 mg/kg (61%), respectively. Lead was found to be the main component of uptake by Vetiver plant. It was found that the roots of the plant have absorbed more heavy metals than the shoots. And at the roots in total 1089.05 and on average 363.01 mg/kg and at the shoots 901.19 and on average 300.39 mg/kg, the metals used were adsorbed on three levels and four treatments. The results of analysis of variance, Duncan test and Pearson correlation showed that the effect of applied treatments on lead uptake in roots and shoots increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) with increasing levels of treatments. The biological concentration factor was more than one, and the transfer factor was close to one. Therefore, it can be used as a phytostablization plant. The results showed that Vetiver can be considered as a refining plant due to its vegetative characteristics, cost-effectiveness and high adaptation to environmental conditions.     

Recent evolution of sedimentary heavy metals in a coastal lagoon contaminated by industrial wastewaters (Pialassa Baiona,Ravenna, Italy)

From 2000 to 2002, sediment contamination by Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn was analysed in the Pialassa Baiona salt marsh, which receives petrochemical wastewaters from the industrial district of Ravenna (Italy). The recent contamination levels were compared with data of previous studies carried out in 1982, in order to assess whether environmental policies and remedial measures reduced sediment pollution. Sedimentary profiles of Cu and Pb were homogeneous along the uppermost 0–10 cm horizon, which corresponded to the sedimentation in the last 30 years. Concentrations of Zn attained a peak (up to 800 mg kg⁻¹ dry weight) in the 0–4 cm sediment horizon, which was assumed to correspond to the last 10–15 years. A wide-spread contamination by Hg was detected in the salt marsh as well as in the main channel with peaks up to 20–40 mg kg⁻¹ dry weight. Nonetheless, recent sediments resulted less contaminated, since Hg discharge from industrial plants ceased about 20 years ago. Contamination levels by Hg values were two orders of magnitude higher than the international sediment quality standards. Cadmium, which was analysed for the first time in 2000–2002, attained a peak in the surface layers (1–2.5 mg kg⁻¹ d.w.), with a progressive decline along the sediment column. Through comparison with pre-industrial values detected in the deeper sediment horizons (before 1920), Hg showed the highest enrichment factor, up to 300 times. Cd and Zn concentrations in recent sediments were from 2 to 10 times higher than background values. In terms of possible adverse effects, Hg posed the highest risk, and Cd and Zn were frequently above the recommended thresholds.     

A note on chironomids (diptera) of temporary pools in the National Park of Circeo,Central Italy

Preliminary observations on chironomid assemblages in 9 temporary pools of the National Park of Circeo (Central Italy) are reported. A total of 15 genera or species groups (6 Orthocladiinae, 3 Tanypodinae, 1 Tanytarsini and 5 Chironomini) were recorded during March and April, 1986.Psectrotanypus varius, Polypedilum nubeculosum gr.,Chironomus thummi gr. andC. plumosus gr. were the most abundant and frequent taxa in the nine pools. Almost all chironomids collected are eurytopic and widely distributed in Europe, including Italian waters. Only the finding ofGymnometriocnemus is reported in this paper as a new record for Central Italy. Similarity among pools and among taxa (coefficient of Jaccard) shows a major occurrence of aquatic Orthocladiinae in smaller pools and of Chironomini in larger pools. This relationship between chironomid assemblages and pool sizes can be partly related to the duration of the wet phase which affects chironomid species according to their survival strategies.     

Diversity in the cork oak forests of the northern Straits of Gibraltar Region (Southern Spain)

Several components of diversity (ecological, taxonomic, chorological and morphological– functional) were studied in the woody vegetation of the cork oak forests in the northern Straits of Gibraltar Region, and their relationship to the two main environmental gradients (one mainly climatic—precipitation, fog—and another secondary related to the disturbance and hydric stress associated with hillslope orientation). An inventory of the woody species and their cover measure was carried out on 94 plots. The relationship between the components of diversity and the main environmental gradients was analysed by means of regression analysis. Decreases of species richness, Shannon diversity index, Western Mediterranean species cover, percentage of endemism and the share of the Herrera Syndrome I in diversity were related to the increase of the precipitation and the fog. However, the cover and percentage of species of the Circum-Mediterranean and Mediterranean-Eurosiberian chorological groups increase with the precipitation and the fog. Disturbance and hydric stress associated with hillslope orientation, have a negative effect on specific richness of the Mediterranean-Eurosiberian chorological group and taxonomic singularity, but its have a positive effect on the share of the Herrera Syndrome I in diversity. The number of edaphic endemisms is associated mainly with disturbance. In the cork forests does not exist an inverse relationship between the number of endemisms and floristic richness, as it happens in other Mediterranean areas. It has suggested that this pattern is due to effect of competitive exclusion associated with disturbance in vegetation on relatively fertile substrate.     

Impact of electrical cable insulating oil on the mineralisation of [1-(14)C]glucose in soil

Subsurface high voltage electric cables are commonly insulated using dodecylbenzene in combination with mineral oil. This work assessed the impact of increasing concentrations of cable insulating oil (0-10% dry weight) on soil microbial respiration as determined by mineralisation of [1-(14)C]glucose (11 microg C g(-1) soil). Acute impact was assessed from 0 days to 21 days, and chronic impact was assessed after 300 days. This study found that cable insulating oil increased respiratory activity of soil microflora. The extent of impact was found to depend on both oil concentration and the length of oil-soil contact time. Following acute exposure (21-days oil-soil contact time), it was found that oil concentrations up to 1% promoted a significant (P<0.05) increase in the extent of [1-(14)C]glucose mineralisation to (14)CO(2) relative to the control. In contrast, higher concentrations of cable insulating oil (5% and 10%) promoted no significant (P0.05) increase in the extent of [1-(14)C]glucose mineralisation to (14)CO(2) relative to the control. Following chronic exposure (300-days oil-soil contact time), the extent of mineralisation was greater at all oil concentrations applied relative to the control. For oil concentrations up to and including 1%, there was a decrease in the extent of elevation in mineralisation relative to the values after 21-days exposure. At higher oil concentrations, namely 5% and 10%, the extent of elevation in mineralisation was comparable with that after 21-days oil-soil contact time. We suggest that the increase in mineralisation of glucose indicates that cable insulating oil is a readily available carbon source to the carbon-limited soil microflora.     

Importance of a traditional irrigation system in amphibian conservation in the Cinque Terre National Park (NW Italy)

In Mediterranean agricultural landscapes the impact of irrigation on biodiversity, and in particular on wildlife, remains controversial. This study investigated the role of traditional irrigation in the conservation of amphibians in the smallest and most densely populated national park in Italy, the Cinque Terre National Park (CTNP). The coastline in this area is so steep that dry stone walls were built to create arable land surfaces, irrigated by water stored in small open tanks. An almost complete census of these tanks and a survey of amphibian populations in natural and artificial habitats were undertaken from 2009 to 2012. A total of 58 water tanks were censused, 12 of them being empty, damaged or abandoned. All the tanks containing water were built in concrete and had small volume capacities (mean = 3.6, range 0.3–12.4 m³) but, overall, hosted all the seven aquatic amphibian species still present in the Park's natural freshwater habitats. Amphibians bred in 66% of the tanks still used for irrigation; large tanks were occupied more often than small tanks and hosted a different, more species-rich amphibian community. These results have management implications and confirm that, in the CTNP, extensive agriculture and biodiversity are compatible, and that maintaining traditional irrigation systems will benefit amphibian populations, especially in the case of drier climate scenarios.     

Human Health Risk Assessment of Soils Contaminated with Metal(loid)s by Using DGT Uptake: A Case Study of a Former Korean Metal Refinery Site

The human health risk of soils contaminated with As, Pb, Cu, and Zn was evaluated based on pseudo-total concentrations of metal(loid)s, the physiologically based extraction test (PBET), and diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT). Non-carcinogenic (NCR) and carcinogenic (CR) risks exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency criteria under both the residential and non-residential scenarios. Human bioavailable concentrations (PBET) were much lower than pseudo-total concentrations. The Hazardous Index of NCR (HI (NCR)) for the PBET in the studied soils was 67% and 94% less than that for pseudo-total concentration, respectively, under the non-residential and residential scenarios. Similarly, CR for the PBET was also 65% and 93% less for the two soils. The concentration of metal(loid)s accumulated in the DGT resin was highly correlated with the PBET-extractable concentration (R² > 0.649). Therefore, for both the CR and HI (NCR), the DGT-calculated risk was linearly related to the PBET-calculated risk for the studied soils under both scenarios. The results suggest that DGT uptake and PBET-extracted concentrations are good surrogates for risk estimation and that both J1 and J2 soils require remediation before their use for residential or non-residential purposes.     

The life history of Chirocephalus kerkyrensis Pesta (Crustacea: Anostraca) in temporary waters of Circeo National Park (Latium,Italy)

The life cycle of Chirocephalus kerkyrensis, a typicalspecies of the Mediterranean plain forest, was studied in thefield during 1990/91 and 1991/92.Temperature, and its variation, was the major factor affectinglife history. Marked, sudden temperature fluctuations resultedin depressed growth and longevity. Fertility was positivelycorrelated (P<0.001) with female body length. Nodecline in egg production was observed at the end of life, incontrast to other species. Hatching was observed after a longdrought followed by alternating wet and dry phases. Laboratorytests on hatching gave contrasting results and showed thatdrying is not obligatory. Cysts stored in 100% relativehumidity gave higher numbers of nauplii after a shorter timethan dried ones, at all temperatures tested.     

Soil Contamination at Dumpsites: Implication of Soil Heavy Metals Distribution in Municipal Solid Waste Disposal System: A Case Study of Abeokuta,Southwestern Nigeria

Soil distribution of heavy metals caused by municipal solid waste (MSW) deposition and its implications for MSW management system in emerging cities was investigated in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Results indicated that the highest concentrations of Cu, Cr, Mn, and Zn were observed at 0-40 cm while Pb, Fe, and Ni accumulated at depths below 40 cm. Soils affected by waste deposits from market and auto-mechanic sites showed high levels of Fe, Cr, Pb, Cu, Mn, and Zn. The accumulation of heavy metals in the soils was probably due to the formation of metal-organo-complexes. Therefore, source separation of MSW with proper management systems is proposed to improve the indiscriminate surface dumping practiced at present, while the use of wastes affected sites for cultivation should be discouraged.     

Evaluation of Heavy Metals Pollution Loadings in the Sediments of the Ave River Basin (Portugal)

Sediment samples from the Ave river basin were collected with the aim of determining metal total pollution contents. Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn and VM at 550 °C were determined. Some physico-chemical parameters were also quantified in water samples collected in the water column just above the sediments.

Metal contamination factors (CF) indicated that sediments were not contaminated with Cu and Pb, slightly with Zn and moderately with Cr.

For sediments with high metal pollution loadings, the original BCR (Community Bureau of Reference) metal speciation protocol was also applied. Speciation studies showed that chromium was mainly associated with the oxidisable plus residual fractions (>85%). These results suggest that changes in the physico-chemical properties of the river water (e.g. pH, Eh) should not be accompanied by a significative release of chromium from sediments.

The relationships between chromium speciation fractions, physic-chemical parameters of the sediments and water samples were studied by Principal Component Analysis, and allowed to reduce the dimensionality of the data matrix from 14 to 3 significant components accounting for 89% of the variance. It was found that hydrous Fe/Mn oxides and organic matter are the “carriers” of chromium associated to fractions exchangeable and oxidable.     

Mercury distribution in two commercial fish species (Pimelodus maculatus and Calophysus macropterus) - Case study of river Acre (Acre state,Brazilian Amazon)

Abstract

Total mercury (Hg) concentrations were assessed during July 2017 in two commercial fish species Pimelodus maculatus and Calophysus macropterus from two locations of Acre river (Acre State, Brazilian Amazon) - Iñapari (undeveloped areas) and Assis Brazil (urban areas). The current study aimed to assess: (i) Hg spatial variations; (ii) the assimilation efficiencies in different tissues and (iii) the ecological quality of these ecosystems based on tissue Hg concentrations. Both species showed significantly (p?<?.05) different Hg concentrations between tissues. Hg concentrations were significantly higher than those previously reported for these Amazon regions. Hg concentrations in Assis Brazil were significantly higher (p?<?.05) than in Iñapari, indicating an anthropogenic influence. Bioaccumulation factors indicated that kidney and liver are the main Hg retention tissues. Considering European and Brazilian mercury guidelines in foodstuff, Iñapari and Assis Brazil are “Unpolluted” during July 2017, although hepatic Hg concentrations in C. macropterus from Assis Brazil showed evidences of anthropogenic contamination.     

An Under-appreciated Component of Biodiversity in Plankton Communities: The Role of Protozoa in Lake Michigan (A Case Study)

Recent technological advances have led to the discovery that free-living, planktonic protozoa are ubiquitous in nature and appear to be important components of pelagic food webs (e.g., fluorescent straining, flow cytometry). Despite this, limited information exists tying their seasonality to rate processes that drive succession patterns. The abundance, and seasonal growth and grazing loss of an entire protozoan assemblage were evaluated in Lake Michigan. The protozoan assemblage was species-rich (100 taxa) and abundant throughout the year in Lake Michigan. Nano-sized protozoa (Hnano and Pnano, <20 μm in size) ranged in abundance from 10² to 10³ cells ml⁻¹, while micro-protozoa (Hmicro and Pmico, >20 and <200 μm in size) ranged in abundance from 4 to 17 cells ml⁻¹. The biomass of Hnano and Hmicro by itself represented more than 70–80% of crustacean zooplankton biomass, while Pnano and Pmicro constituted nearly 50% of phytoplankton biomass. Protozoa exhibited growth rates comparable to other components of the plankton in Lake Michigan, and some populations grew at rates similar to maximum rates determined in the laboratory (rates of 1–2 day⁻¹). Overall, it appears that macro-zooplankton predation is a major loss factor counter-balancing growth with only small differences between the two rate processes (<0.1 day⁻¹). Discrepancies between growth and grazing loss in the spring were likely attributed to sedimentation losses for larger species of tintinnids and dinoflagellates (Codonella, Tintinnidium, and Gymnodinium) that can account for their occurrence in the deep chlorophyll layer. In the summer, carnivory among similar sized species (Chromulina and small ciliates) may be additional loss factors impinging on the protozoan assemblage.