Effect of copper on nitrous oxide reduction in freshwater sediment

The effect of Cu(II) sulfate on N20 reduction was studied in anaerobically incubated freshwater sediment at 15 °C. At Cu concentrations from 100 to 5000 μg g^?1, a concentration-dependent decrease in sediment pH was observed in conjunction with a decrease in N₂0 reduction in Cu²⁺ treated sediment in flask-microcosms analyzed immediately after metal addition. However, if flask-microcosms were amended with Cu²⁺ and then pre-incubated to allow the sediment pH to naturally return to its original pH (7.1), an inhibitory effect was only produced at 5000 μg Cu g^?1 sediment. Copper retention studies showed that up to 96.4% of the added Cu²⁺ (2500 μgg^?1) was retained by sediment.     

Effects of pentachlorophenol on asymbiotic nitrogen fixation in soil

The effect of 50, 100, 150, and 400 μg sodium pentachlorophenate (Na-PCP) per gram soil was studied in nonsterile soil incubated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, and in sterilized soil inoculated withAzotobacter sp. isolated from the soil. N₂ fixation was determined by acetylene reduction. Pentachlorophenate at a concentration of 50 μg g^?1 had an inhibitory effect in nonsterile soil incubated aerobically while strong inhibition of dinitrogen fixation in nonsterile soil occurred in the presence of 100 μg g^?1 and above. The EC₅₀ values for the inhibition of nitrogenase activity in nonsterile soil incubated aerobically and anaerobically and in sterilized soil inoculated withAzotobacter sp. suspensions were 49.8±1.4 μg Na-PCP g^?1, 186.8±2.8 μg Na-PCP g^?1, and 660.8±29.3 μg Na-PCP g^?1, respectively.     

Accumulation of copper in Clarias anguillaris L. and Oreochromis niloticus L.

Clarias anguillaris and Oreochromis niloticus were each exposed to solutions of Analar grade Cu sulphate in static bioassays at a temperature range of 20 to 23.5°C and CaCO₃ hardness of 30 to 44 mg L^?1. Copper accumulation was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The Cu residues in Clarias anguillaris exposed to 0.027, 0.055, and 0.11 mg Cu L^?1. for 8 weeks were 15.7, 21.8, and 31.17 mg g^?1 dry weight, respectively. Oreochromis niloticus exposed to 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg Cu L^?1. accumulated 34.69, 36.09, and 81.03 mg g^?1 dry weight, respectively, over the 8-week period of exposure. The lowest and highest bioconcentration factors (BCF) were 117 and 581 for Clarias anguillaris and, 176 and 694 for Oreochromis niloticus. Copper concentrations in tissues of both species were directly related to the exposure concentrations and the duration of exposure. Increased accumulation towards the last 2 weeks of exposure may be due to impaired capacity of elimination or poor nutritional status.     

Patterns of trace metal concentration and acidity in montane forest soils of the northeastern United States

Forest floor and mineral soil samples were collected from subalpine spruce-fir forests at 1000 m above mean sea level on 19 mountains in the northeastern United States to assess patterns in trace metal concentrations, acidity, and organic matter content. The regional average concentrations of Pb, Cu, and Zn in the forest floor were 72.3 (2.9 s.e.) μg g^?1, 8.5 (0.7) μg g^?1, and 46.9 (2.0) μg g^?1, respectively. The regional average concentrations of Pb, Cu, and Zn in the mineral soil were 13.4 (0.8) μg g^?1, and 18.2 (1.2) μg g^?1, respectively. The regional average pH values of the forest floor and mineral soil were 3.99 (0.03), and 4.35 (0.03), respectively. The Green Mountains had the highest concentrations of Pb (105.7 μg g^?1), and Cu (22.7 μg g^?1), in the forest floor. They also had the highest concentrations of Cu (18.0 μg g^?1), in the mineral soil. Site aspect did not significantly influence any of the values. Concentrations of Pb were lower than concentrations reported earlier in this decade at similar sites while concentrations of Cu and Zn remained the same. We believe that these lower Pb concentrations reflect real changes in forest Pb levels that have occurred in recent years.     

Forms of trace metals from inorganic sources in soils and amounts found in spring barley

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was grown on a sandy soil given different doses of cadmium carbonate (salt), copper carbonate (malachite), lead carbonate (cerussite), and zinc carbonate (smithsonite) in a pot experiment conducted in a greenhouse. The element compounds were added to the soil in amounts equivalent to the following levels of the metals: Cd 5, 10, 50 μq ^?1; Cu and Pb 50, 100, 500 μg g^?1; Zn 150, 300, 1500 μg g^?1. Sequential extraction was used for partition these metals into five operationally-defined fractions: exchangeable, bound to carbonates, bound to Fe-Mn oxides, bound to organic matter and residual. The residue was the most abundant fraction in the untreated soil for all the metals studied (43 to 61% of the total contents). The concentration of exchangeable Cd (0.2 μg g^?1), Cu (0.01 μg g^?1), Pb (0.1 μg g^?1), and Zn (1.4 μg g^?1) were relatively low in the untreated soil but increased markedly in the treated soils for Cd (up to 31 μg g^?1) and Zn (up to 83 μg g^?1), whereas only small changes were observed for Cu and Pb. The pot experiment showed a significant increase in the Cd and Zn contents of barley grown on the treated soils, but only small changes in Cu and Pb concentrations.     

The behavior of selected chlorinated organic micropollutants in the activated sludge process: A pilot plant study

The effects of Cu(II) sulfate on sediment respiration were investigated in a 3-phase aquatic microcosm, containing a calcareous, southern Ontario stream sediment. In Cu²⁺ treated flask-microcosms, with the pH restored to 7.1, both aerobic and anaerobic CO₂ evolution were unaffected by 5000 jig Cu g^?1 sediment over a 40-day period at 15 °C. Oxygen consumption in sediment was initially unaffected by 5000 μg Cu g^?1. However, after 35 to 40 days, a significant reduction of 28% was observed. The added Cu^?2+ was removed from the water column and the sediment solution. In microcosms containing 5000 μg g^?1 of total Cu, only 1.00 ± 0.76 μg g^?1 was water soluble Cu, and the free cupric cation (Cu²⁺) concentration was below the detection limit of the specific ion electrode (less than 0.01 μg g^?1). Maximum Cu retention (98.6%) was observed at 2800 μg Cu g^?1, above which fractional retention decreased. In a calcareous, organic rich, sediment of pH 7.1, Cu⁺ was essentially unvailable to exert a toxic effect on respiration.     

Dietary cobalt supplements and the growth and reproduction of the earthworm Eisenia foetida

The effect of adding cobalt, as ⁶⁰Co, to the food source of the earthworm Eisenia foetida was studied. Cobalt was retained with a half-life of 387 ± 43 (SD) days in the worm. After 172 days more cobalt was concentrated in the gut than the body wall. ⁶⁰Co was not transmitted from adults to cocoons. Prolonged studies involving the addition of CoCl₂ (0, 8.2, 16.5 and 82.5 μg Co g^?1) to a food source low in Co indicated that total Co concentrations of 17.6 and 25.9 μg g^?1 resulted in significantly increased maximum weights compared to the control worms which were exposed to 9.4 μg Co g^?1. The highest Co addition (82.5 μg g^?1, total 91.9 μg g^?1) caused no increase in maximum weight over controls, but resulted in a statistically significant lag in early growth compared to that of all other groups. Significantly more cocoons were produced by worms fed 17.6 or 25.9 μg Co g^?1 compared with those fed 9.4 or 91.9 μg Co^?1 Co.     

Uptake and toxicity of copper and zinc for the African earthworm,Eudrilus eugeniae (Oligochaeta)

Growth rate change in earthworms is considered to be a suitable endpoint when determining sublethal effects. In this study we evaluated growth and maturation in the vermicomposting earthworm speciesEudrilus eugeniae as marker of sublethal toxicity of copper and zinc. We also compared routes of uptake. Apart from exposing worms experimentally for 73 days to contaminated food, a series of contact filter paper tests was also performed to determine LD₅₀ for copper and zinc. Both copper and zinc at sublethal concentrations affected growth and maturation in worms exposed to contaminated food. These worms had a copper content of 34.5 μg g^?1 after 73 days and a zinc content of 184.9 μg g^?1, showing a differential uptake. Copper was more toxic than zinc. Also in the contact test worms did take up more zinc than copper and the LD₅₀ (48 h) for copper was 0.011 mg cm^?2 and for zinc 0.066 mg cm^?2, which translated to body burdens of 6 μg g^?1 for copper and 131 μg g^?1 for zinc. Indications were that a regulatory mechanism existed for both metals. Both metals were taken up through the body wall at a relatively fast rate. This study indicated that the skin was the major route of metal uptake. This study also showed a poor relation between the two types of tests for purposes of evaluating lethality of zinc and copper.     

Removal and uptake of copper (II) by Salvinia natans from waste water

The plant, Salvinia natans L., was found to be very useful in the removal of Cu (II) from waste water. Maximum accumulation was noted within one day and maximum removal (about 90%) was recorded below 50 μg mL^?1 of Cu (II). Copper was successfully removed from the waste water of Hindusthan Copper Limited (HCL), ICC, Ghatsila, Bihar, India.     

Copper Accumulation in a Reservoir Ecosystem Following Copper Sulfate Treatment (St. Germain Les Belles, France)

Copper sulfate (CuSO₄) addition to freshwater for phytoplankton control has been practiced for decades, and remains the most effective algicidal treatment for numerous managed water bodies. A reservoir in the centre of France was the site for an investigation of copper distribution in aquatic systems after a copper sulfate treatment. Results of monitoring showed a rapid conversion of dissolved Cu to particulate forms, with significant accumulation in the sediments. Total sediment Cu content increased from approximately 37.7 to 45.4 μg g^-1 dry weight after the first treatment. Sequential extraction suggested that a significant portion of the sediment-borne Cu was associated with the organic fraction which may release Cu to the water column, although significant release would occur only under extreme changes in water chemistry. Based upon measured Cu concentrations, flows at the down-stream water, and known mass applied during treatment, mass balance calculations indicated that approximately 17% of the Cu was exported from the reservoir over a 70 day period following a 196 μg L^-1 Cu²⁺ (as CuSO₄·5H₂O) treatment.Copper bioaccumulation by a moss, Fontinalis antipyretica in the down-stream water showed that it was possible to distinguish between a treated and an untreated area. The impact of copper treatmentin the down-stream reservoir could be followed using mosses. There is a distance effect which could be exploited to determine potential copper impact for example. The largest amount of copper was probably adsorbed on downstream sediment or lost in running water. Thirty days after copper sulfate addition, Fontinalis still indicatedcopper exposure.     

稻米和土壤微量元素的空间变异

Consumption of rice is the main source of micronutrients to human in Asia. A paddy field with unknown anthropogenic contamination in Deqing County, Zhejiang Province, China was selected to characterize the spatial variability and distribution of micronutrients in rice grain and soil. A total of 96 paired soil and rice grain samples were collected at harvest. The micronutrients in the soil samples were extracted by diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA). The mean micronutrient concentrations in rice grain were 3.85 μg Cu g-1, 11.6 μg Fe g-1, 39.7 μg Mn g-1, and 26.0 μg Zn g-1. The mean concentrations were 2.54 μg g-1 for DTPA-Cu, 133.5 μg g-1 for DTPA-Fe, 30.6 μg g-1 for DTPA-Mn, and 0.84 μg g-1 for DTPA-Zn. Semivariograms showed that measured micronutrients in rice grain were moderately dependent, with a range distance of about 110 m. The concentrations of the DTPA-extractable micronutrients all displayed strong spatial dependency, with a range distance of about 60 m. There was some resemblance of spatial structure between soil pH and the grain Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn. By analogy, similar spatial variation was observed between soil organic matter (SOM) and DTPA-extractable micronutrients in the soil. Kriging estimated maps of the attributes showed the spatial distributions of the variables in the field, which is beneficial for better understanding the spatial variation of micronutrients and for potentially refining agricultural management practices at a field scale.     

Accumulation of acridine from water,food, and sediment by the fathead minnow,Pimephales promelas

Azaarenes are one of several classes of organic compounds which contain mutagenic and carcinogenic substances that are found in synthetic fuels effluents. This study investigated the potential for a mutagenic azaarene, acridine, to accumulate in freshwater fish (Pimephales promelas) via four possible pathways: (1) direct uptake from water, (2) uptake via interaction with contaminated sediments, (3) uptake via ingestion of contaminated zooplankton (Daphnia pulex), and (4) uptake via ingestion of benthic invertebrates (Chironomus tentans) living in contaminated sediments. The results showed that acridine was rapidly accumulated from water by fathead minnows. Equilibrium concentration was attained within 24 h at a concentration factor ([acridine]_{fish, wet wt}/[acridine]_water) of 125±10. Depuration was rapid and appeared to occur in two stages, with a net elimination rate of 0.23 h^?1 [acridine]_fish at equilibrium. Equilibrium concentration factors of 51±5, 30±2, and 874±275 were observed forChironomus, Daphnia, and sediment, respectively. The calculated rates of uptake of acridine via ingestion of contaminated invertebrates (0.02 μg g^?1 h^?1) and ingestion of sediment (0.01 μg g^?1 h^?1) were negligible compared with direct uptake from water (1.40 μg g^?1 h^?1) in a hypothetical system with all compartments in equilibrium.     

Fluoride in bones of small rodents living in areas with different pollution levels

Bone fluoride concentration was measured in field voles (Microtus agrestis) trapped throughout a year at a moderately polluted site 1 km south of an Al reduction plant at Holyhead, Anglesey. Fluoride values ranged from 300 to 4800 μg g^?1, with a mean of 2074 μg g^?1 and increased with age as judged by dried eye-lens weight and body weight. At a heavily polluted site about 250 m from the pot-room of the reduction plant field voles had bone fluoride concentrations which ranged from 910 to 11000 μg g^?1 with a mean of 7148 μg g^?1. Wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) at this same location had a mean bone fluoride concentration of 8430 μg g^?1 and ranged from 1800 to 17 200 μg g^?1. The difference in mean bone fluoride concentration between these two species at this location was not significant (P > 0.1). A sample of field voles from presumed unpolluted sites in other parts of Britain had bone fluoride concentrations which ranged from 23 to 540 μg g^?1 with a mean of 168 jig g^?1. There was a high positive correlation (r > 0.97) between fluoride concentrations in different parts of field vole skeletons. There was no correlation between bone fluoride concentration in field voles and their femur diameters (r < 0.2).     

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Web.) as phytoindicators of cadmium contamination

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Web.) were demonstrated to be potential indicator plants for heavy metal contaminated sites. Chicory, grown with 0.5–50 μM cadmium (Cd) in nutrient solution, accumulated 10–300 μM Cd g^?1 in shoots and 10–890 μg Cd μg^?1 in roots and rhizomes. With dandelion, 20–410 μg Cd μg^?1 was found in shoots and 20–1360 μg Cd μg^?1 in roots and rhizomes. An inverse correlation existed between chlorophyll and Cd concentrations in shoots of both species. Accumulation of Cd from nutrient solution was similar with the counter-anions SO₄ ^2?, Cl^1? and NO₃ ^? in chicory. In chicory grown in Cd-amended (11.2 kg Cd ha^?1 applied five years previously) soils, Cd concentrations were substantially higher than in controls in all plant parts following the order: leaf > caudex > stem > root and rhizome. The above trend was the opposite of that observed in solution culture, where Cd accumulation was higher in roots and rhizomes than in shoots. Higher cadmium accumulation was found from a Cd-treated sand (Grossarenic Paleudult) than from a loamy sand (Typic Kandiudult) soil type. Chicory and dandelion are proposed indicator plants of cadmium contamination, and both have the potential to be an international standard heavy phytomonitor species of heavy metal contaminantion.     

Deposition of Copper in the Eutrophic,Submontane Dobczyce Dam Reservoir (Southern Poland) – Role of Speciation

In order to better understand Cu behaviour in the submontane, eutrophic Dobczyce dam Reservoir (southern Poland), speciationmeasurements of Cu in the water and the sediment were conducted. To investigate the partitioning of Cu in the main components ofthe sediment, a scheme of VI-step sequential extraction was used.In addition, other physical and chemical parameters of the water,such as temperature, pH, dissolved O₂, nutrients, and suspended particulate matter were determined. Copper content in the water and the sediment was low (1.1–7.4 μg L^-1 and 5.5–45.4 μg g^-1, respectively). In the water Cu was usually present in the dissolved state (with the exception ofthe near-bottom water). This was probably the main reason of itssmall accumulation (cumulation coefficient K = 10687.5) in the sediment of the Dobczyce Reservoir. The seasonal variations inCu contents in the dissolved and particulate phases as well as observed correlations with the physico-chemical parameters of thewater are discussed. In the sediment Cu occurred mainly in astrongly bound form. Most Cu found there was in the moderatelyreducible phase and residual. Therefore, copper (re-)mobilization from the sediment to the water was probably not of importance.     

Toxicity of heavy metals (Zn,Cu, Cd,Pb) to vascular plants

The literature on heavy metal toxicity to vascular plants is reviewed. Special attention is given to forest plant species, especially trees, and effects at low metal concentrations, including growth, physiological, biochemical and cytological responses. Interactions between the metals in toxicity are considered and the role of mycorrhizal infection as well. Of the metals reviewed, Zn is the least toxic. Generally plant growth is affected at 1000 μg Zn L^?1 or more in a nutrient solution, though 100 to 200 µg L^?1 may give cytological disorders. At concentrations of 100 to 200 μg L^?1, Cu and Cd disturb metabolic processes and growth, whereas the phytotoxicity of Pb generally is lower. Although a great variation between plant species, critical leaf tissue concentrations affecting growth in most species being 200 to 300 μg Zn g^?1 dry weight, 15 to 20 μg Cu g^?1 and 8–12 μg Cd g^?1. With our present knowledge it is difficult to propose a limit for toxic concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb in soils. Besides time of exposure, the degree of toxicity is influenced by biological availability of the metals and interactions with other metals in the soil, nutritional status, age and mycorrhizal infection of the plant.     

Fungal flora of soil polluted with copper

The effects of copper pollution on the soil fungal flora was investigated. Soils treated with 100, 200, 400, 800 or 1600 μg Cu g^?1 were used for experiments to study changes in fungal populations, especially the development and dominance of copper-tolerant fungi. Fungi were sampled 1, 3 and 5 months after copper treatment.All the correlation coefficients between the copper contents and the number of fungal colonies plated were positive. The higher the copper concentration in soil, the more 1000 μ Cu ml^?1 tolerant fungi were isolated. The relative number of 1000 μg Cu mr^?1 tolerant fungi from the soil treated with 1600 μg Cu g^?1 was about 30% of those of the control 14 days after treatment. Within the limits of this experiment, the increase in fungal populations was directly correlated with the increase of dominant Cu-tolerant fungi.From control soils, containing low quantities of copper, 1000 μg Cu ml^?1 tolerant fungi were also isolated; whereas, from soils containing high amounts of copper, some Cu-sensitive fungi were isolated. Most of the 1000 μg Cu ml^?1 tolerant fungi were Penicillium spp. It was concluded that the genus Penicillium may be dominant in soils polluted with copper.     

Trace metal concentrations in marine organisms from St. Vincent Gulf,South Australia

Trace metal concentrations were measured in the tissues of fish, molluscs, crustaceans and macrophytes from St. Vincent Gulf, South Australia. The concentrations of the measured metals (Cd < 0.025 to 2.1 μg g^?1; Cu 0.51 to 9l μg g^?1 5 Pb 0.02 to 3.6 ?g g^?1; Zn l5 to 110 μg g^?1)are similar to those from unpolluted areas and thus give no indication of pollution.     

Phytotoxicity and some interactions of the essential trace metals iron,manganese, molybdenum,zinc, copper,and boron

Abstract

The essential trace elements Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B in high concentrations can produce phytotoxicities. Iron toxicity resulted from 5 × 10^‐4 M and 10^‐3 M FeSO₄, but not from equivalent amounts of FeEDDHA (ferric ethylenediamine di (o‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid) ). Leaf concentrations in bush beans of 465 μg Mn/g, 291 μg B/g, and 321 μg Zn/g all on the dry weight basis resulted in 27%, 45%, and 34% reduction in yields of leaves, respectively. Zinc was concentrated in roots while Mn and B concentrated in leaves. Solution concentrations of MnS0₄ of 10^‐3 and 10^‐2 M depressed leaf yields of bush beans by 63% and 83%, respectively, with 5140 and 10780 μg Mn/g dry weight of leaves. Copper concentrations were simultaneously increased and those of Ca were decreased. Bush bean plants grown in Yolo loam soil with 200 μg Cu/g soil had a depression in leaf yield of 26% (with 28. 8 μg Cu/g leaf); plants failed to grow with 500 μg Cu/g soil. A level of 10^‐3 M H₂MoO₄ was toxic to bush beans grown in solution culture. Leaves, stems, and roots, respectively, contained 710, and 1054, and 5920 μg Mo/g dry weight.     

Responses of Four Australian Tree Species to Toxic Concentrations of Copper in Solution Culture

ABSTRACT

In Australia, metal-contaminated sites, including those with elevated levels of copper (Cu), are frequently revegetated with endemic plants. Little is known about the responses of Australian plants to excess Cu. Acacia holosericea, Eucalyptus crebra, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and Melaleuca leucadendra were grown in solution culture with six Cu treatments (0.1 to 40 μ M). While A. holosericea was the most tolerant to excess Cu, all of the species tested were sensitive to excess Cu when compared with exotic tree and agricultural species. The critical external concentrations for toxicity were < 0.7 μM for all species tested. There was little differentiation between shoot-tissue Cu concentrations in normal versus treated plants, thus, the derivation of critical shoot concentrations was possible only for the most tolerant species, A. holosericea. Critical root Cu concentrations were approximately 210 μg g^?1 (A. holosericea), 150 μ g g^?1 (E. crebra), 25 μ g g^?1 (E. camaldulensis), and 165 μ g g^?1 (M. leucadendra). These results provide the first comprehensive combination of growth responses, critical concentrations, and toxicity symptoms for three important Australian genera for use in the management of Cu-contaminated sites.