Relationships of Heavy Metals in Natural Lake Waters with Physico-chemical Characteristics of Waters and Different Chemical Fractions of Metals in Sediments

The relationships between heavy metal concentrations and physico-chemical properties of natural lake waters and also with chemical fractions of these metals in lake sediments were investigated in seven natural lakes of Kumaun region of Uttarakhand Province of India during 2003–2004 and 2004–2005. The concentrations of Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in waters of different lakes ranged from 0.29–2.39, 10.3–38.3, 431–1407, 1.0–6.6, 5.3–12.1, 12.6–166.3, 0.7–2.7 and 3.9–27.1 μg l^?1 and in sediments 14.3–21.5, 90.1–197.5, 5,265–6,428, 17.7–45.9, 13.4–32.0, 40.0–149.2, 11.1–14.6 and 88.9–167.4 μg g^?1, respectively. The concentrations of all metals except Fe in waters were found well below the notified toxic limits. The concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were positively correlated with pH, electrical conductivity, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand and alkalinity of waters, but negatively correlated with dissolved oxygen. The concentrations of Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb in waters were positively correlated with water soluble + exchangeable fraction of these metals in lake sediments. The concentrations of Zn, Cd and Pb in waters were positively correlated with carbonate bound fraction of these metals in lake sediments. Except for Ni, Zn and Cd, the concentrations of rest of the heavy metals in waters were positively correlated with organically bound fraction of these metals in lake sediments. The concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn in waters were positively correlated with reducible fraction of these metals in lake sediments. Except for Cd, the concentrations of rest of the metals in waters were positively correlated with residual fraction and total content of these heavy metals in lake sediments.     

Heavy Metals in Freshly Deposited Stream Sediments of Rivers Associated with Urbanisation of the Ganga Plain,India

Freshly deposited stream sediments from six urban centres of the Ganga Plain were collected and analysed for heavy metals to obtain a general scenery of sediment quality. The concentrations of heavy metals varied within a wide range for Cr (115–817), Mn (440–1 750), Fe (28 700–61 100), Co (11.7–29.0), Ni (35–538), Cu (33–1 204), Zn (90–1 974), Pb (14–856) and Cd (0.14–114.8) in mg kg^-1. Metal enrichment factors for the stream sediments were <1.5 for Mn, Fe and Co; 1.5–4.1 for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb; and 34 for Cd. The anthropogenic source in metals concentrations contributes to 59% Cr, 49% Cu, 52% Zn, 51% Pb and 77% Cd. High positive correlation between concentrations of Cr/Ni, Cr/Cu, Cr/Zn, Ni/Zn, Ni/Cu, Cu/Zn, Cu/Cd, Cu/Pb, Fe/Co, Mn/Co, Zn/Cd, Zn/Pb and Cd/Pb indicate either their common urban origin or their common sink in the stream sediments. The binding capacity of selected metals to sediment carbon and sulphur decreases in order of Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni and Cu > Zn > Cr > Ni, respectively. Stream sediments from Lucknow, Kanpur, Delhi and Agra urban centres have been classified by the proposed Sediment Pollution Index as highly polluted to dangerous sediments. Heavy metal analysis in the <20-μm-fraction of stream sediments appears to be an adequate method for the environmental assessment of urbanisation activities on alluvial rivers. The present study reveals that urban centres act as sources of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd and cause metallic sediment pollution in rivers of the Ganga Plain.     

Transport and distribution of heavy metals in Cauvery river

Heavy metal transport in Cauvery river chiefly takes place in the particulate form. Tributaries Hemevathi and Kabini draining highly mineralized areas contribute significantly to the heavy metal load of the Cauvery river. Particulate metal transport is influenced by the presence of major dams built across the river. Factor analysis of the elemental data identifies two major group of heavy metals, (a) Fe, Mn, Cr, V and Ti and (b) Cu, Pb and Zn in the suspended sediments of Cauvery river. Heavy metals in surface sediments show wide variations in their concentrations due to the non-uniform grain size distribution of the sediments. The elements Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co and As are dominantly present in the <20 μm fraction of the river sediments. Speciation studies show that Fe-Mn oxide phase held the largest share of heavy metals in the sediments. The depth variation of heavy metals in the core sediments suggest their similar mobility during diagenesis. Geoaccumulation indices calculated suggest that Cd, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu and Ni are enriched in sediments several times over background values.     

云南滇池沉积物中重金属的形态分布特征

Fractionation of heavy metals in sediments can help in understanding potential hazards of heavy metals. The present study analyzed total concentrations and fractions of selected heavy metals （Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn） in surface sediments from Dianchi Lake, Yunnan Province, China, as well as factors that may affect distributions of the various heavy metal fractions. Total concentrations of the heavy metals decreased in the order Zn 〉 Cu 〉 Pb 〉 Cr 〉 Cd. These heavy metals, except Cr, were much higher than their background levels, indicating that Dianchi Lake was polluted by Cd, Zn, Pb, and Cu. Cadmium occurred mainly as the non-residual fraction （sum of the HOAc-soluble, reducible, and oxidizable fractions） （97.6%）, and Zn （55.7%） was also predominantly found in the non-residual fraction. In contrast, most of the Cr （88.5%）, Pb （81.8%）, and Cu （59.2%） occurred in the residual fraction. Correlation analysis showed that total heavy metal concentrations, organic matter and reducible Fe were the main factors affecting the distributions of the various heavy metal fractions. In the Walhai section of Dianchi Lake （comprising 97% of the lake area）, the concentrations of Cd, Zn, Pb, and Cu in the non-residual fraction were significantly lower （P ≤ 0.01 or 0.05） than those of the Caohal section （3% of the lake area）. This indicated that potential heavy metal hazards in the Caohai section were greater than the Waihai section.     

Distribution and Contamination of Heavy Metal in the Coastal Sediments of Port Klang, Selangor, Malaysia

The coastal sediments of Port Klang in Malaysia were monitored from November 2009 to October 2010 to evaluate the spatial distribution of heavy metals As, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Pb, Mn, Al and Fe. Sediment samples were collected from 21 stations, covering three subsidiary ports, namely West Port, North Port and South Port, at three-month intervals. The geo-accumulation index and the enrichment factor were estimated to assess contamination status based on background values. Additionally, the sediment quality guide was applied to evaluate the adverse biological effects of heavy metals. These results show that the concentrations of some metals, such as As, Cd and Pb were comparatively higher than the background values. This is considered a critical environmental issue for this region. Furthermore, the toxicity estimation indicates that living organisms have a high risk of As exposure. Spatial distribution maps of heavy metals would aid in the identification of pollution sources and vulnerable sites.     

抚仙湖重金属污染强度、历史及来源的沉积记录

This study focused on the concentration change of heavy metals of sediment cores in heavily polluted north area and less polluted middle area of Fuxian Lake in Southwest China.On the basis of the analysis of Cu,Ni,Ti,V,Pb,Cd,and Zn concentration-depth profiles,the pollution history of heavy metals was studied using ¹³⁷cesium (¹³⁷Cs) dating.The sources of heavy metals were distinguished by normalization of their profiles to aluminum and analysis of heavy metal concentrations of potential source materials.Geoaccumulation index (I_geo) was used to quantify their contamination intensity.The results showed that all the heavy metals found in the Fuxian Lake sediments originated naturally before 1980s.Cu,Ni,Ti,and V were still mainly natural in the north lake after 1980s,Cu,Ni,Ti,V,and Pb were mainly natural in the middle lake at all time,but the concentrations of Pb and Zn in the north lake were influenced by industrial wastes from the phosphorus fertilizer factory and cement plants.In all the lake,the contaminations of Cd and Zn were the results of agricultural cultivation using a large amount of fertilizers and the atmospheric fallouts of dusts from cement plants.At present,the geoaccumulation indices showed that the Fuxian Lake sediments were moderately to strongly polluted by Cd in the middle lake,and unpolluted to moderately polluted by Pb and Zn and strongly polluted by Cd in the north lake.Moreover,the pollution intensities of Cd,Zn,and Pb have been increased since 1980s.     

府河-白洋淀沉积物中重金属污染特征及潜在风险评价

沉积物重金属污染是水环境污染评价的重要内容,重金属含量水平常被作为水环境质量的重要指标之一。为了掌握华北平原的府河和白洋淀中沉积物重金属的污染水平,研究了19个沉积物样品和3个土壤样品中7种重金属的污染特征,利用地积累指数法、潜在生态危害指数法及生物效应浓度法评估了重金属的环境风险,并初步分析了污染来源。结果表明,府河和白洋淀沉积物受多种重金属复合污染,其中Zn、Pb、Cu和Cd污染较为严重,府河沉积物的潜在生态环境危害强于白洋淀。相关分析显示府河和白洋淀重金属污染具有相似污染源,保定市工业废水、生活污水及府河沿岸金属冶炼企业很可能是白洋淀地区重金属的主要来源。从城市环境管理、生态环境修复、宣传教育等方面提出白洋淀区域重金属污染控制对策与建议,为白洋淀区域生态环境保护提供科技支撑。     

新乡市大棚菜田土壤重金属积累特征及污染评价

采用微波消解-ICP-AES技术,测定不同种植年限大棚菜田土壤样品中As、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Mn、Ni、Cu等重金属的含量,研究不同种植年限与大棚菜田土壤重金属累积的相关性以及大棚菜田土壤重金属累积特征,并利用地积累指数法进行污染评价。结果表明:大棚菜田土壤重金属Zn、Pb、Ni、Mn和Cu的含量与种植年限具有极显著相关性;大棚菜田土壤中重金属Cd和Cr的含量与种植年限不相关。重金属元素间相关性分析表明,Zn与Pb、Cd、Ni、Mn、Cr、Cu,Pb与Cd、Ni、Mn、Cr、Cu,Cd与Ni、Mn、Cr,Ni与Mn、Cr、Cu,Mn与Cr、Cu具有污染同源性,Cu与Cd、Cr不具有污染同源性。地积累指数法污染评价结果显示Cd的污染等级达到了6级,已构成了极严重污染;Zn和Cu的污染等级达到2级,已构成了中度污染;Pb、Mn的污染等级达到1级,已经构成了轻~中度污染;As、Ni、Cr均未构成污染。     

Evaluation of Heavy Metal Pollution in the Arabian Gulf Using the Clam Meretrix meretrix Linnaeus, 1758

The present study is an attempt to assess the heavy metal contamination in the marine environment of the Arabian Gulf of Saudi Arabia. The concentrations of heavy metals in water and the soft tissues of the bivalve species Meretrix meretrix Linnaeus, 1758, from different stations along the Arabian Gulf coastline, were determined during the summer season of 2008. Bioaccumulation of some heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn) in fresh parts of the clam (M. meretrix) was measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The average concentrations of heavy metals in the clam tissues were 0.224?C0.908, 0.294?C2.496, 3.528?C8.196, and 12.864?C24.56 mg/kg wet weight for Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn, respectively. In water, the mean concentration values of these metals were arranged in the following descending order: Pb > Cu > Zn > Cd. The heavy metal concentrations in tissues of M. meretrix were within the acceptable standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Commission Européenne, and the Food and Drug Administration of the USA. From the human public health point of view, these results seem to show no possibility of acute toxicities of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn if the edible clam is consumed. It is recommended that relevant authorities should carry out a continual assessment on the levels of these pollutants in the studied area.     

包头市铜厂周边土壤中重金属垂直分布特征与形态分析

为了解包头市铜厂周边地区土壤剖面中重金属污染状况,采用火焰原子吸收分光光度法和Tessier连续提取法,对土壤中6种重金属（Cu,Zn,Mn,Ni,Pb和Cd）的垂直分布特征、形态及潜在生物可利用性进行了分析。结果表明:研究区土壤剖面各层土壤中6种重金属含量均超过内蒙古土壤背景值,Cu,Pb和Cd为主要污染物。随采样深度的增加,Cu,Zn,Pb和Mn的含量呈现下降趋势,且由相关性系数可知重金属Cu,Zn和Pb可能有相同人为或自然污染源;土壤剖面中6种重金属均主要以残渣态存在,含量均在50%以上,对生物危害较小;潜在生物可利用性分析结果为:Cu（32.61%） > Mn（31.85%） > Ni（24.90%） > Zn（16.60%） > Cd（15.23%） > Pb（14.87%）,Cu和Mn的潜在生物可利用性较大,其次为Ni,Zn,Cd和Pb潜在生物可利用性较小。     

重金属复合处理对小麦锌铜镍镉积累和分布的影响

为增加粮食可食用部分有益元素的浓度,同时减少有毒重金属元素的含量,需要更好地了解元素在植株和籽粒内的运输和分布。在温室盆栽条件下,以春小麦为供试材料,设置对照（不添加重金属）和重金属复合处理（同时添加铜、锌、镍、镉,以不影响小麦生长为前提）,研究锌（Zn）、铜（Cu）、镍（Ni）、镉（Cd）在成熟植株和籽粒不同部位的分布特点。结果表明,重金属复合处理对小麦成熟期籽粒和秸秆产量、收获指数以及粒重均无显著影响,但使小麦各器官重金属浓度均显著增加,增幅因不同器官和不同元素而异,籽粒中Zn、Cu、Ni和Cd浓度分别增加1.8、0.5、48.1倍和45.3倍。重金属复合处理还显著改变了Zn和Ni在地上部各器官中的分配模式：对照小麦吸收的Zn更易向生殖器官中转运,处理植株则更多地滞留在营养器官中,而Ni呈相反的趋势。激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子体质谱仪（LA-ICP-MS）对籽粒糊粉层和胚乳的定量分析表明,重金属复合处理使糊粉层Zn和Cu浓度仅增加了78%和86%,而糊粉层Ni和Cd浓度分别增加了30倍和121倍。重金属复合处理使胚乳Zn和Cu浓度分别增加了49%和48%,使Ni和Cd浓度均超出小麦标准中Ni和Cd的最大允许浓度（对照籽粒胚乳中没有检验到Ni和Cd）。以上结果表明,在小麦生物强化实践中,在增加有益营养元素（如Cu和Zn）的同时亦存在有毒重金属（如Ni和Cd）超标的巨大风险。     

开封市某高校校园地表灰尘重金属分布特征及生态风险评估

【目的】高校校园地表灰尘重金属污染关系到师生健康,探究其地表灰尘重金属环境风险,可为高校校园管理提供数据支持。【方法】采集开封市某高校校园内外地表灰尘52个样品,测定样品中重金属镉(Cd)、铬(Cr)、铜(Cu)、镍(Ni)、铅(Pb)和锌(Zn)的含量,使用地积累指数法和潜在生态风险指数法分析重金属的污染程度和生态风险。【结果】高校地表灰尘重金属Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb和Zn平均含量分别为1.05、88.36、47.04、29.76、68.72和328.87 mg kg^-1,其中Cd和Zn含量分别为当地灰尘背景值的3.49倍和4.26倍。地积累指数分析表明,地表灰尘重金属污染指数平均值由高到低依次为Zn> Cd> Pb> Cu> Cr> Ni,其中Zn与Cd处于偏中度污染,Pb,Cu和Cr处于轻度污染,Ni处于无污染状态。潜在生态风险评价表明,高校地表灰尘中6种重金属综合潜在生态风险指数为144.53,属于“轻微”生态风险等级,其中Cd是该高校地表灰尘中最主要的生态风险影响因子。正定矩阵因子分析法(PMF)表明,Cr和Ni主要来...     

荣成天鹅湖沉积物中重金属的分布特征研究

通过对表层沉积物中重金属及粒度的分析,研究了荣成天鹅湖重金属的含量水平及分布特征,并对沉积物的环境质量进行了初步评价。结果表明,天鹅湖重金属的总体水平较低,Cd、Cr、Pb、Cu、Zn的平均含量均低于国家海洋沉积物I类质量标准,其中Cr和Pb存在轻度污染。Cd、Cr、Ni、Pb、Cu、Zn的含量范围分别为0～0.84、1.75～116.11、1.50～29.06、17.36～27.25、2.00～34.98mg.kg-1和11.48～92.61mg.kg-1,平均含量排序为Zn〉Cr〉Pb〉Cu、Ni〉Cd。天鹅湖重金属的富集状况与沉积物的粒度以及人类活动密切相关,大部分元素的高值区出现在颗粒较细的湖中央以及污染严重的西北部,东南部含量较低。相关分析表明,各重金属之间的相关性较好,其中Cd、Cu、Mn、Zn、Fe间呈高度的正相关,空间分布规律相似;重金属与有机质、粘粒含量呈极显著正相关,而与砂粒呈极显著负相关。根据加拿大制定的沉积物评价标准,天鹅湖沉积物中Cr具有较大的生态危害性。     

Atmospheric bulk deposition of trace metals to the Seine river Basin, France: concentrations, sources and evolution from 1988 to 2001 in Paris

Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in bulk atmospheric deposition collected at five stations in the Seine River basin (France), to evaluate sources and fluxes of atmospheric trace metals. Bulk deposition (wet + dry) was sampled weekly from March 2001 to February 2002 for 4 sites and from March to December 2001 for the last one. The concentrations of the elements in bulk deposition (dissolved + particulate form) followed the order: Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cd. Concentrations of Zn, Pb and Ni were highly correlated with one another, suggesting a common source, related to the combustion of coal and heavy fuel. Metal concentrations in bulk deposition did not exhibit a high degree of temporal variability over the annual cycle and were not obviously related to meteorological parameters (rainfall, wind). Estimates of the total annual direct atmospheric deposition of metals to the Seine Estuary ranged from 16 kg yr^{? 1} for Cd to 5600 kg yr^{? 1} for Zn. Loadings of Cd, Cu and Ni from direct atmospheric inputs were less than 1% of those contributed by the Seine River and loadings of Pb and Zn represented 1.27% and 1.56% of the Seine contribution. Direct atmospheric inputs are negligible compared to fluvial inputs, but the indirect atmospheric deposition to the estuary was not estimated. Based on these results, trace metal concentrations in Paris have decreased by a factor of 4.6 for Zn and by a factor of 50 for Ni from 1988 to 2001. Of particular interest is the continued decrease in bulk deposition of Pb during this period, underlining the impact of policy initiatives concerning the reduction of lead on emissions in France.     

滇池内湖滨带重金属污染及其生态风险评价

水体沉积物是重金属元素的重要载体,其含量高低能反映水环境质量现状。采集滇池内湖滨带沉积物样品,分析了滇池内湖滨带表层沉积物中Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn、Cr、Ni、Fe、Mn 8种重金属元素含量特征,并用Hakanson潜在生态危害指数法评价其生态危害,旨在为合理预防和治理滇池内湖滨带的重金属污染以及内湖滨带生态系统的修复提供基础资料。结果表明,与“全国土壤环境质量标准”对比,表层沉积物中主要是Cd、Cu、Zn超标,重金属污染强度总体上是草海＞外海。不同重金属间的相关性分析结果表明,Cu-Cd之间呈极显著相关,说明这两种元素污染源可能相同,几种污染重金属与胶体矿物元素Fe、Mn间的相关性不大,说明在所调查沉积物中,Fe/Mn氧化物或氢氧化物共沉淀或吸附Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn、Cr、Ni元素量较少。由潜在生态风险评价结果可知,滇池内湖滨带表层沉积物已具极强生态危害,各重金属对滇池内湖滨带生态风险影响程度由高到低依次为：Cd〉Cu〉Pb〉Ni〉Zn≈Cr。     

重庆市长寿湖重金属污染评价

中国环境科学研究院采集了长寿湖沉积物样品,分析其表层沉积物中Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn、Cr、Ni、Hg、As 8种重金属元素含量特征,结果表明,按照《土壤环境质量标准》,目前长寿湖主要是Cd、Hg和As的污染,且中部湖区沉积物重金属污染强度要高于东部和西部两区。各重金属间的相关性分析表明,Cu-Zn、Cu-Ni、Zn-Ni之间呈极显著相关,说明这3种元素污染源可能相同。由潜在生态风险评价结果可知,长寿湖重金属污染只是略超轻微生态危害,各重金属对长寿湖生态风险影响程度由高到低依次为：Hg〉Cd〉As〉Pb〉Ni〉Cu〉Cr〉Zn。应用Hakanson潜在生态危害指数法评价其生态风险,并提出了相关污染防治措施,为预防和综合治理长寿湖提供了科学依据。     

酸雨地区蔬菜对重金属的吸收及重金属健康风险基准的估算

通过盆栽实验,以小白菜(上海青)、大白菜和萝卜为指示作物,研究了酸雨作用下Cu,Zn,Pb,Cd,Cr和Ni复合污染物在土壤-作物系统中的吸收与富集情况。结果表明,酸雨-重金属复合污染处理使Cu,Pb,Cr和Ni在蔬菜中积累量明显高于对照处理;Zn和Cd一般只有在复合污染处理中外源Zn或Cd含量较高时才明显高于对照处理。与对照相比,酸雨-重金属复合污染处理使Pb和Ni的富集系数增大,Cu的富集系数多数情况下增大,Cd的富集系数多数情况下减小,Zn和Cr富集系数的变化在不同蔬菜之间存在较明显的差异;重金属在不同蔬菜中的富集系数一般表现为萝卜>上海青>大白菜,蔬菜中不同重金属富集系数一般表现为Zn>Cd>Ni>Cu>Pb>Cr。酸雨-重金属复合污染条件下蔬菜中重金属积累量与其在土壤中总量之间的相关性均达到显著或极显著水平。以大宗蔬菜上海青、大白菜和萝卜为指示作物对酸雨地区蔬菜地中重金属的健康风险基准进行了估算,这对开展酸雨地区土壤重金属环境容量评价、重金属污染修复目标及地方性土壤环境质量标准的制订提供了参考依据。     

Distribution of Trace Elements in Sediments and Biota of Songkhla Lake, Southern Thailand

The concentrations of Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, As, Fe, Mn, and Al were determined in sediments and biota of Songkhla Lake, a shallow coastal lagoon located in southern Thailand. In June 2006, surface sediments were sampled in 44 stations in the three sections of the lake (inner-, middle-, and outer sections). Sediment cores were also sampled in 13 stations in three cross-sections of the lake. In surface sediments, trace and major elements, organic matter, sediment grain size analysis, and sulfides were determined, and in the sediment cores, redox profiles were made. Soil samples were also collected at garbage dumping sites in the vicinity of the lake. In addition, the metal accumulation in two catfish species (Arius maculatus and Osteogeneiosus militaris) and the crustacean (Apseudes sapensis) was also investigated. Trace element concentrations in sediments of Songkhla Lake show that, especially the Outer section of the lake, in particular the sediments at the mouths of the Phawong, U-Taphao, and Samrong Canals are significantly enriched with trace elements due to municipal, agricultural, and industrial discharges entering the lake through the canals. Aluminum-normalized enrichment factors throughout the lake vary from 0.4 to 1.7 for Ni, 0.3 to 3.3 for Cu, 0.2 to 7 for Zn, 0.1 to 14 for As, 1 to 24 for Cd, 0.7 to 6.8 for Pb, and 0.1 to 7.8 for Mn. Correlations between the elements and sediment characteristics show that Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb are essentially associated with the sulfide fraction; that Ni and Co are predominantly bound to the clay minerals and iron oxy-hydroxides, and that As is principally bound to iron oxy-hydroxides. The accumulation of trace elements between muscle tissue and liver and eggs of A. maculatus and O. militaris is element-specific, but concentrations of trace elements in fish muscle tissue are well within the limits for human consumption.     

Potential of Aquatic Macrophytes as Bioindicators of Heavy Metal Pollution in Urban Stormwater Runoff

The concentrations of heavy metals in water, sediments, soil, roots, and shoots of five aquatic macrophytes species (Oenanthe sp., Juncus sp., Typha sp., Callitriche sp.1, and Callitriche sp.2) collected from a detention pond receiving stormwater runoff coming from a highway were measured to ascertain whether plants organs are characterized by differential accumulations and to evaluate the potential of the plant species as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution in urban stormwater runoff. Heavy metals considered for water and sediment analysis were Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and As. Heavy metals considered for plant and soil analysis were Cd, Ni, and Zn. The metal concentrations in water, sediments, plants, and corresponding soil showed that the studied site is contaminated by heavy metals, probably due to the road traffic. Results also showed that plant roots had higher metal content than aboveground tissues. The floating plants displayed higher metal accumulation than the three other rooted plants. Heavy metal concentrations measured in the organs of the rooted plants increased when metal concentrations measured in the soil increased. The highest metal bioconcentration factors (BCF) were obtained for cadmium and nickel accumulation by Typha sp. (BCF = 1.3 and 0.8, respectively) and zinc accumulation by Juncus sp. (BCF = 4.8). Our results underline the potential use of such plant species for heavy metal biomonitoring in water, sediments, and soil.     

Distribution of Heavy Metals in Near-Shore Sediments of the Swan River Estuary,Western Australia

Estuarine systems adjacent to urban areas are at risk of contamination by contaminants from anthropogenic sources, such as heavy metals. We anticipated that the sediments of the Swan River estuary, which runs through metropolitan Perth in Western Australia, would show metal contamination related to industrialization and inputs of stormwater. Total Cu, Pb and Cd concentrations, and Cu, Pb, Cr and Zn inoperationally-defined fractions, were determined inseparate sampling exercises in near-shore sediments ofthe upper Swan River estuary.Total metal concentrations in sediments were not high (maximum values of 297 mg kg^-1 for Cu, 184 mg kg^-1 for Pb and 0.9 mg kg^-1 for Cd) when compared with Australian environmental assessmentguidelines for soils. On the basis of linear regressions between sediment metal concentrations andphysicochemical properties of the sediments (pH, organic carbon, particle size distribution), no single parameter could explain the variation in metal concentrations for all metals. Sediment organic carbon content was positively correlated with Cu concentration; Cu concentrations also increased significantly with increasing clay content anddecreasing sand content. Pb concentrations showed a significant increase with increasing sediment pH, and were approximately three-fold higher in sediments adjacent to stormwater drain outfalls than in sediments remote from drains; no such effect was observed for Cu or Cd. No effect of distance downstream was observed. Sequential extraction of sediments showed that most of the metals were in relatively immobile forms, for example bound to Feoxides, or only extractable by aqua regia. The enhanced concentrations of Pb near stormwater outfalls suggest that vehicle-derived Pb may be an important contributor of Pb to the estuary.