Voltammetric tools for trace element speciation in fresh waters: methodologies, outcomes and future perspectives

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damiano Monticelli ◽  
Salvatore Caprara
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Natural Waters ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Anthropogenic Pollution ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Field Methods ◽  
Redox Species ◽  
Strong Shift ◽  
Element Speciation

Environmental context Trace elements are ubiquitous in natural waters where their levels are highly variable depending on natural factors and anthropogenic pollution. The chemical form of the element determines its behaviour in the environment and whether it is likely to pose a risk to environmental and human health. This paper focuses on elemental forms in freshwater systems: it reviews analytical methods, gathers available data, and assesses trends, needs and open issues in this field. Abstract Research in voltammetric speciation methods has been mainly driven by the research interests of the oceanographic scientific community and methods were subsequently adapted to freshwater conditions. Nonetheless, different processes, variability of geological, chemical, biological and ecological settings on the one side, and different human land and water uses on the other imply specific needs and a strong shift in concerns for inland waters in terms of investigated analytes. This review paper focuses on speciation of trace elements in freshwater by voltammetric techniques, giving information on and a critical assessment of the state of the art in this field. Methods determining covalently bound substituents, redox species and element forms differing in the nature of their complexed substituents were considered, according to the IUPAC definition of species. Three relevant topics are discussed: an overview of existing voltammetric speciation methods, with emphasis on practical features; current knowledge in the field of trace element speciation in freshwater bodies, organised by element and matrix; and future perspectives and needs for freshwater speciation studies. As a general outcome, a complete picture of trace element speciation in freshwater matrices is far from being achieved.

scholarly journals Geological, Mineralogical and Textural Impacts on the Distribution of Environmentally Toxic Trace Elements in Seafloor Massive Sulfide Occurrences

Minerals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Fallon ◽  
Matthias Frische ◽  
Sven Petersen ◽  
Richard Brooker ◽  
Thomas Scott
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Trace Element Distribution ◽  
Potentially Toxic Metals ◽  
Potential Toxicity ◽  
Toxic Trace Elements ◽  
Oxidation Rates ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Tectonic Settings

With mining of seafloor massive sulfides (SMS) coming closer to reality, it is vital that we have a good understanding of the geochemistry of these occurrences and the potential toxicity impact associated with mining them. In this study, SMS samples from seven hydrothermal fields from various tectonic settings were investigated by in-situ microanalysis (electron microprobe (EMPA) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)) to highlight the distribution of potentially-toxic trace elements (Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cd, As, Sb, Co, Ni, Bi, Ag and Hg) within the deposits, their minerals and textures. We demonstrate that a combination of mineralogy, trace element composition and texture characterisation of SMS from various geotectonic settings, when considered along with our current knowledge of oxidation rates and galvanic coupling, can be used to predict potential toxicity of deposit types and individual samples and highlight which may be of environmental concern. Although we cannot quantify toxicity, we observe that arc-related sulfide deposits have a high potential toxicity when compared with deposits from other tectonic settings based on their genetic association of a wide range of potentially toxic metals (As, Sb, Pb, Hg, Ag and Bi) that are incorporated into more reactive sulfosalts, galena and Fe-rich sphalerite. Thus, deposits such as these require special care when considered as mining targets. In contrast, the exclusive concern of ultra-mafic deposits is Cu, present in abundant, albeit less reactive chalcopyrite, but largely barren of other metals such as As, Pb, Sb, Cd and Hg. Whilst geological setting does dictate metal endowment, ultimately mineralogy is the largest control of trace element distribution and subsequent potential toxicity. Deposits containing abundant pyrrhotite (high-temperature deposits) and Fe-rich sphalerite (ubiquitous to all SMS deposits) as well as deposits with abundant colloform textures also pose a higher risk. This type of study can be combined with “bulk lethal toxicity” assessments and used throughout the stages of a mining project to help guide prospecting and legislation, focus exploitation and minimise environmental impact.

scholarly journals Magnetic susceptibility and trace element distribution in compost size fractions .

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Remigio Paradelo ◽  
María Teresa Barral
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Magnetic Susceptibility ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Anthropogenic Pollution ◽  
Element Distribution ◽  
Trace Element Distribution ◽  
Size Fractions ◽  
Trace Element Contamination ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Distribution Of Trace Elements

Magnetic susceptibility can be used for assessing anthropogenic pollution in solid matrices, including soils and composts. This work studies the distribution of trace elements and magnetic susceptibility in the different size fractions of six composts, for the development of measures aimed at reducing compost pollution at the production stage. The results showed that magnetic susceptibility decreased with increasing particle size in all composts, and the same was true for most trace element concentrations. Magnetic susceptibility was significantly correlated with Fe, as well as with Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr and Ni, which proves the relationship between the presence of ferric particles and trace element contamination in compost. Our results suggest that the association of trace elements and magnetic susceptibility is a characteristic feature in municipal solid waste composts.

Trace Element Speciation in Poultry Litter

2003 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 535 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. P. Jackson ◽  
P. M. Bertsch ◽  
M. L. Cabrera ◽  
J. J. Camberato ◽  
J. C. Seaman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Element ◽  
Poultry Litter ◽  
Element Speciation

Methylmercury and Trace Element Distribution in the Organs of Stenella coeruleoalba Dolphins Stranded on the French Mediterranean Coast

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Wafo ◽  
Véronique Risoul ◽  
Thérèse Schembri ◽  
Véronique Lagadec ◽  
Frank Dhermain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Element Distribution ◽  
Mediterranean Coast ◽  
Trace Element Distribution ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽  
Contamination Levels

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the contamination by mercury (Hg), methylmercury (Me-Hg), cadmium (Cd), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) in dolphins stranded on the French Mediterranean coast. The distributions of these contaminants in the organs of dolphins have also been studied. Overall, contamination levels varied according to the following sequence: liver > kidney > lung > muscle, except for cadmium (kidney > liver > lung > muscle). Size and sex of animals were also considered. Young dolphins were less impacted with trace elements than adults, except for copper. Among the studied parameters, the most important appeared to be the size of mammals. In addition, in the case of mercury and selenium, the sex of mammals seemed to be also relevant. The correlations between the concentrations of trace elements suggest the existence of detoxification processes. Since 1990s, using dolphins for tracing marine pollution, a slight reduction in the burden of the considered trace elements could be noted.

scholarly journals Spatial distribution and potential ecological risk assessment of some trace elements in sediments and grey mangrove (Avicennia marina) along the Arabian Gulf coast, Saudi Arabia

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-96
Author(s):  
Hameed Alsamadany ◽  
Hassan S. Al-Zahrani ◽  
El-Metwally M. Selim ◽  
Mohsen M. El-Sherbiny
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Avicennia Marina ◽  
Potential Ecological Risk ◽  
Average Concentration ◽  
Grey Mangrove

AbstractTo assess trace element concentrations (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, Cd and Ni) in the mangrove swamps along the Saudi coast of the Arabian Gulf, thirteen samples of surface sediment and leaves of grey mangrove, Avicennia marina were collected and analyzed. The detected trace element contents (μg g-1) in surface sediments were in the following descending order according to their mean values; Cr (49.18) > Zn (48.48) > Cu (43.06) > Pb (26.61) > Ni (22.88) > Cd (3.21). The results showed that the average concentrations of Cd and Pb exceeded their world average concentration of shale. The geo-accumulation, potential ecological risk and toxicity response indices demonstrated that trace elements have posed a considerable ecological risk, especially Cd. The inter-relationships between physico-chemical characters and trace elements suggests that grained particles of mud represent a noteworthy character in the distribution of trace elements compared to organic materials. Moreover, the results revealed that Zn was clearly bioaccumulated in leaf tissues A. marina. Dredging, landfilling, sewage effluents and oil pollution can be the paramount sources of pollution in the area under investigation.

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