Trace metals in sediments from the Yarra River

1982 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 761 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Ellaway ◽  
BT Hart ◽  
R Beckett

The distribution and phase association of iron, manganese, cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in bottom sediments taken from the freshwater, estuarine and bay regions of the Yarra River were investigated. The fraction of the estuarine sediments smaller than 20 �m contained substantially higher concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc than did the corresponding sediment fraction from the upper river and bay regions. Sequential chemical extraction revealed that most of the variability in the trace metal concentration of these sediments was associated with changes in the reducible phase. A substantial increase in trace metal concentrations occurred in going from river to estuarine sediments. For example, the lead concentration increased approximately eightfold (43-375 �g g-1), the zinc fourfold (122-447 �g g-1) and the copper almost twofold (64-106 �g g-1). This was attributed to coagulation and sedimentation of trace-metal- enriched iron and manganese oxides in the estuarine region. The subsequent decrease in metal concentrations in the bay sediments was due to either physical dilution of the contaminated sedlment with material of lower metal concentration or remobilizatlon of the trace metals from sediments deposited in the bay.

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babalwa Tembeni ◽  
Opeoluwa O. Oyedeji ◽  
Ikechukwu P. Ejidike ◽  
Adebola O. Oyedeji

FAAS was used for the analysis of trace metals in fresh and dry plant parts ofCymbopogon validusandHyparrhenia hirtaspecies with the aim of determining the trace metals concentrations in selected traditional plants consumed in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The trace metal concentration (mg/kg) in the samples of dryCymbopogon validusleaves (DCVL) showed Cu of12.40±1.000; Zn of2.42±0.401; Fe of2.50±0.410; Mn of1.31±0.210; Pb of3.36±0.401 mg/kg, while the samples of freshHyparrhenia hirtaflowers (FHHF) gave Cu of9.77±0.610; Zn of0.70±0.200; Fe of2.11±0.200; Mn of1.15±0.080; Pb of3.15±0.100 mg/kg. Abundance of metal concentrations follows the order: Cu > Fe > Pb > Mn > Zn in the flower samples ofCymbopogon validusandHyparrhenia hirtaspecies. The concentrations of trace metals in both plant parts were below the permissible limits (PL) set by WHO. It is suggested that pharmacovigilance be carried out periodically to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of various herbal products.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrício Ângelo Gabriel ◽  
Rachel Ann Hauser-Davis ◽  
Lorena Oliveira Souza Soares ◽  
Ana Carolina de Azevedo Mazzuco ◽  
Rafael Christian Chávez Rocha ◽  
...  

AbstractThe Rio Doce estuary in Brazil was impacted by the deposition of mine tailings caused by the collapse of a mining dam in 2015. Since the disaster, the estuary is experiencing chronic trace metal contamination effects, but potential trace metal accumulation in fishes has not been reported. Trace metals in aquatic ecosystems pose severe threats to the aquatic biota, so we hypothesized that the accumulation of trace metals in estuarine sediments nearly two years after the disaster would cause contaminant bioaccumulation, resulting in the biosynthesis of metal-responsive proteins in fishes. We determined trace metal concentrations in sediment samples, metal concentrations, and quantified stress protein concentrations in the liver and muscle tissue of five different fish species in the estuary. Our results revealed high concentrations of trace metals in estuarine sediments when compared to published baseline values for this estuary. The demersal fish species Cathorops spixii and Genidens genidens had the highest Hg, As, Se, Cr, and Mn concentrations in both hepatic and muscle tissues. Metal bioaccumulation in fish was statistically correlated with the biosynthesis of metallothionein and reduced glutathione in both fish liver and muscle tissue. The trace metals detected in fish tissues resemble those in the contaminated sediments present at the estuary at the time of this study and were also significantly correlated to protein levels. Trace metals in fish muscle were above the maximum permissible limits for human consumption, suggesting potential human health risks that require further determination. Our study supports the high biogeochemical mobility of trace metals between contaminated sediments and local biota in estuarine ecosystems.


PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e10266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrício Â. Gabriel ◽  
Rachel Ann Hauser-Davis ◽  
Lorena Soares ◽  
Ana Carolina A. Mazzuco ◽  
Rafael Christian Chavez Rocha ◽  
...  

Background The Rio Doce estuary, in Brazil, was impacted by the deposition of iron mine tailings, caused by the collapse of a dam in 2015. Based on published baseline datasets, the estuary has been experiencing chronic trace metal contamination effects since 2017, with potential bioaccumulation in fishes and human health risks. As metal and metalloid concentrations in aquatic ecosystems pose severe threats to the aquatic biota, we hypothesized that the trace metals in estuarine sediments nearly two years after the disaster would lead to bioaccumulation in demersal fishes and result in the biosynthesis of metal-responsive proteins. Methods We measured As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Se and Zn concentrations in sediment samples in August 2017 and compared to published baseline levels. Also, trace metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Se and Zn) and protein (metallothionein and reduced glutathione) concentrations were quantified in the liver and muscle tissues of five fish species (Cathorops spixii, Genidens genidens, Eugerres brasilianus, Diapterus rhombeus and Mugil sp.) from the estuary, commonly used as food sources by local populations. Results Our results revealed high trace metal concentrations in estuarine sediments, when compared to published baseline values for the same estuary. The demersal fish species C. spixii and G. genidens had the highest concentrations of As, Cr, Mn, Hg, and Se in both, hepatic and muscle, tissues. Trace metal bioaccumulation in fish was correlated with the biosynthesis of metallothionein and reduced glutathione in both, liver and muscle, tissues, suggesting active physiological responses to contamination sources. The trace metal concentrations determined in fish tissues were also present in the estuarine sediments at the time of this study. Some elements had concentrations above the maximum permissible limits for human consumption in fish muscles (e.g., As, Cr, Mn, Se and Zn), suggesting potential human health risks that require further studies. Our study supports the high biogeochemical mobility of toxic elements between sediments and the bottom-dwelling biota in estuarine ecosystems.


Author(s):  
Laurence Poirier ◽  
Brigitte Berthet ◽  
Jean-Claude Amiard ◽  
Anne-Yvonne Jeantet ◽  
Claude Amiard-Triquet

The need to use biomonitors representative of the sedimentary compartment has been recognized, particularly in estuaries. Thus, trace metal contamination has been monitored in an infaunal polychaete worm Nereis diversicolor and sediments in the Seine estuary and comparatively in the relatively clean Authie estuary (French coast of the English Channel) over two years taking samples every three months at both sites. No correlations were shown between total metal (Ag, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) concentrations in raw sediments and ragworms. Because these worms are known to be good biomonitors of the bioavailabilities of sedimentary trace metals, it follows that total sediment metal concentrations have a poor predictive ecotoxicological value. Using a correction factor to minimize the influence of weight, it is possible to make a good estimation of the average metal concentrations in a population of worms at a given site, sampling only a limited number of specimens. Metallothioneins are often considered to be good biomarkers of the presence of significant availabilities of trace metals. Metallothionein-like proteins (MTLPs) are present in N. diversicolor, but there is no significant relationship between MTLPs and metal concentrations. This situation might result from the importance of metal-containing granules, both extra- and intracellular, in ragworms.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Mills ◽  
◽  
David C. Smith ◽  
Craig A. Stricker ◽  
John G. Schumacher ◽  
...  

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 893-903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inderjit Singh ◽  
Donald S. Mavinic

Samples were taken from 72 high-rise apartment suites (6 suites in 12 individual high-rise towers) and 60 single-family houses located within the Greater Vancouver Regional District. The influence of the following factors on trace metal concentrations in 1-L first-flush drinking water samples and “running” hot water samples was investigated: building height, location, plumbing age, type of plumbing, and type of building. Results of this survey show that with the exception of building height, all factors had a correlation with one or more of the trace metals investigated. The trace metals examined were lead, copper, iron, and zinc. Lead was influenced primarily by building type, copper by plumbing age and type of plumbing, and iron by location. Elevated lead levels were associated with high-rise samples. New copper plumbing systems resulted in high copper levels. Highest iron levels in the drinking water were measured in the East Vancouver location. Zinc did not show a distinct correlation with any of the factors investigated. Brass faucets were the primary source of zinc in tap water. They also contributed substantially to the lead detected in the 1-L first-flush sample. Metal concentrations measured in the high-rise and house samples were compared with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) and the proposed “no-action” level for lead. In high-rise samples, the 0.01 mg/L “no-action” level proposed for lead was exceeded in 43% of the samples, and 62% of the samples exceeded the current 1.0 mg/L MCL standard for copper. In single-family house samples, these values were 47% and 73%, respectively. The average lead concentrations were 0.020 mg/L for all high-rise samples and 0.013 mg/L for house samples. Regulatory levels stated above would still be exceeded in 6% of the cases for lead and 9% of the cases for copper, even after prolonged flushing of the tap in a high-rise building. In all cases associated with single-family houses, flushing the cold water tap for 5 minutes was successful in achieving compliance levels. Key words: aggressive water, compliance, corrosive, drinking water, first-flush, GVRD, high-rise, single-family house, trace metals, USEPA.


2014 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 671-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mafalda S. Baptista ◽  
Vitor M. Vasconcelos ◽  
M. Teresa S. D. Vasconcelos

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