PCBs and Organochlorine Pesticides in Lake Orta (Northern Italy) Sediments

PCB congeners and organochlorine pesticides (DDT, lindane and HCB) distribution were studied in Lake Orta sediments. The results indicated a contaminated area in the nor-them part of the sub-basin. The observed high levels of organochlorine compounds (OCs) may he explained by the focusing phenomenon, ie. the preferential transport of lighter and smaller particles from the emission sources to this area. The PCBs and DDT values were correlated with the organic carbon content and the heavy metal contamination. The toxicity of the sediment samples was related also to PCB content. PCBs and OCs pollution of Lake Orta was of the same order of magnitude as in Lake Como, which is the most contamined lake in Northern Italy.     

Fractionation and Distribution of Metals in Guadiamar River Sediments (SW Spain)

Traditionally, the Guadiamar River (Seville, Southwest Spain) has received pollution from two different sources, in its upper section, from a pyrite exploitation (Los Frailes mine) and, in its lower section, from untreated urban and industrial wastes and from intensive agricultural activities. In 1998, the accidental spillage of about 6 million m³ of acid water and sludge from mine tailings to Guadiamar River worsened the pollution of an already contaminated area. The main polluting agents of the spillage were heavy metals. The total concentration of a metal provides scarce information about the effects on environmental processes or about the toxicity of the sediment samples. A more sophisticated fractionation of the sediment samples based on a species distribution can help to understand the behaviour and fate of the metals. This article describes a distribution study of the metals Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn by fractionation analysis of sediments from eleven sample sites alongside the Guadiamar Riverbed. The samples were collected in summer 2002, four years after the spillage and after the area had been cleaned. Sequential extraction analysis resulted in the definition of four fraction categories: exchangeable metal (the most available fraction), reducible metal (bound to hydrous oxides of Fe and Mn), oxidizable metal (bound to organic matter and sulphides) and a residual fraction (bound to minerals). Significant increases in the available fraction of several potentially toxic metal ions like Cd, Mn and Zn were found. The distribution pattern was variable along the River. At the site closest to the mineworks, the soluble forms of Cd, Mn and Zn were significantly more abundant that those downstream. Cu and Pb were present in the reducible fraction while Fe was present associated in the residual fraction.     

Cyclic influences on the heavy metal chronology in a Central Mediterranean area (Palermo Gulf,Italy)

Purpose  

The evaluation of long-term heavy metal concentrations in the Gulf of Palermo (Italy) has been carried out in order to investigate how changes of pollution levels in the last 50 years can be reflected in marine sediments. Measurements of Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn concentrations were performed on dated fractions of a sediment core. Time series analysis has allowed to obtain information on the chronology of the heavy metal pollution of the area and to identify seasonal components and trends.     

Determination of Heavy Metals and Comparison to Gross Radioactivity Concentration in Soil and Sediment Samples of the Bendimahi River Basin (Van, Turkey)

An investigation of radioactivity and some heavy metal distribution in soil and sediment of the river basin (Bendimahi River, Van-Turkey) was conducted in two seasons of 2005. The samples of soil and sediment were collected from the basin and investigated for concentrations of some heavy metal and natural radioactivity. Concentrations of Pb, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn and Cd have been determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS), gross-alpha and gross-beta activity concentrations have been obtained by using gas-flow proportional counter in nuclear spectroscopic system. Correlation analysis was made for radioactivity and heavy metal concentrations and the Pearson correlation coefficients between gross-alpha and gross-beta radioactivity and heavy metal were determined.     

Low volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons in aquatic sediments in Berlin and surrounding areas

Low volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons, especially DDT and HCH, have been used as indicators of the level of pollution in aquatic sediments. These compounds were present in all the sediment samples analysed in this study by gas chromatography. Enrichment factors between the water and sediment were high (K^d = 85-108 for DDT), documenting the strong geoaccumulation of toxic chlorinated hydrocarbons. in contrast with the generally held view, no linear relationship was observed between the concentration of HCH and PCBs and the organic matter content of the sediment. the application of the EVOLON model to determine the kinetics of sorption clearly showed a saturation value. the sorbed amount of low volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons depends to a large extent on the amount of organic matter on the surface of the sediment particles.     

Distribution of Heavy Metals and Minerals in the Various Size Fractions of Soil from Copșa Mică, România

The Cop?a Mic? area is one of the most polluted anthropic sites in Romania. Because higher heavy metal concentrations occur in finer fractions, this research focuses on the size fraction <?500 μm. Two kilograms soil sample was sieved on the 500-μm sieve and was air classified into size fractions down to the low micrometer range. The size fraction’s composition was investigated by ICP-OES IC, XRD, and FTIR spectrometry. Approximately 80 and 62% of the material was smaller than 2 mm and <?500 μm, respectively. The predominant size fraction had a mass median diameter (MMD) of approximately 75 μm. The smallest size fraction with a MMD of 2.2 μm had a share of 3.6% and contained the highest amount of heavy metals. The concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Sb, and As exceeded the legally regulated values for soils according to Romanian legislation. The respective concentrations were 26,900, 27,600, 415, 2130, 466, and 915 mg·kg^?1. In the coarser size fractions 5, 4, and 3, the predominant minerals were quartz and alkaline feldspar, while in the finer size fractions 1 and 2, the clay minerals and total carbon (TC) were predominant. Illites and montmorillonites in the fine fraction composition retain heavy metals due to the high levels of cation exchange capacity. Black carbon accumulated in soil acts as a heavy metal adsorbent due to its porosity and high specific surface area. The good correlation between heavy metals and TC in the top soil can be an indicator of the level of heavy metal pollution.     

不同污染区土壤汞的分布特征及变化规律

为揭示不同污染区重金属汞在土壤中的存在形态及分布特征,选取万山汞矿区、大龙燃煤电厂区为研究区域,以无污染区花溪区为对照,选择优化的Tessier连续化学浸提法进行汞的形态分析。结果表明:万山汞矿区与大龙燃煤电厂的土壤总汞平均值分别为22.7 mg/kg和0.648 mg/kg,均超过我国土壤环境质量二级标准(0.5 mg/kg),无污染对照区土壤总汞平均为0.179 mg/kg。在水平方向上,万山汞矿区靠近污染源的土壤汞含量相对较高,随着距离的增加而下降;大龙燃煤电厂区土壤汞在距燃煤电厂2.5 km范围内呈现先减小后增大的趋势。汞矿区土壤汞主要以残渣态(66.6%)为主,其次为有机结合态(30.0%);燃煤电厂则主要以有机结合态(75.7%)为主,其次为残渣态(17.46%);无污染区主要以残渣态(59.1%)为主,其次为有机结合态(28.9%)。内梅罗污染综合指数显示,万山汞矿区的土壤污染指数为107,为重度污染,这与污染源强度大有关,2004—2017年,总汞含量呈下降趋势;大龙燃煤电厂土壤污染指数为1.57,为轻度污染,同时土壤汞以有机结合态为主,潜在生物有效性相对较高,有一定的环境生态风险。     

The role of sediment-feeding oligochaeteTubifex on the availability of trace metals in sediment pore waters as determined by diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT)

Background  Available fractions of metal concentrations in sediment pore water are difficult to measure without disturbing the sediment core. The available fraction is an important parameter in understanding the risks for benthic organisms. Not much is known about the influence of the presence of benthic organisms to the available fraction. Objectives  The aim of this study was to discuss the dynamics of metal behaviour in natural sediments and the influence of the presence ofTubifex on sediment chemistry using DGT. Methods. DGT-probes were added to six beakers to cover a depth profile of 0 to 13 cm. The six beakers contained three different sediments. For each sediment, one beaker had 1 g ofTubifex added, the other beaker contained noTubifex. After two weeks of exposure, the probes were withdrawn and strips were analysed for their content of cadmium, copper and zinc. Results and discussion  Available concentrations were higher in the upper layer (0–1 cm) of the sediment core, where conditions are generally more oxic. The presence ofTubifex worms led to a decrease of the available concentrations in the upper layer, due to the competition of the worms with the DGT for the available metal fraction. On the other hand, the presence of the worms led, via bioturbation, to an increased oxygen penetration depth in the sediment, and, as a consequence, to an increase of the available fraction in the next-higher sediment layer. Conclusions  In sediment cores without organisms, very steep gradients of the available metal concentration in pore water have been found. The change from a high to low amount of available fraction corresponds to the change from oxidised conditions in the surficial sediment layer to reduced conditions in the lower sediment layers. The tunnelling behaviour ofTubifex worms leads to a penetration of oxygen to deeper sediment layers, and to an increase of the available metal fraction in the pore water.Tubifex competes with DGT for the available fraction, resulting in lower metal amounts accumulated in the DGT probe. Competition is the prevailing effect in the top 1 cm layer of all sediments. In the second 1 cm layer, competition, in most cases, is not strong enough to compensate the increase in metal availability due to the broadening of the oxidised zone. Recommendations  The effects of sediment organisms on the deepening of the oxidised layer and on the availability of metals in pore water need further investigations and quantification. DGT is recommended as an instrument for measuring available metal concentrations in these studies.     

Geochemical Mobility and Bioavailability of Heavy Metals in a Lake Affected by Acid Mine Drainage: Lake Hope, Vinton County, Ohio

Sandy Run (Vinton County, southeastern Ohio, USA) is a stream receiving acid mine drainage (AMD) from an abandoned coal mine complex. This stream has been dammed to form Lake Hope. The heavy metal composition of waters (benthic and pore), sediments, and macroinvertebrates in the lake reservoir sediments were analyzed. Lake waters contained Mn as the heavy metal present in higher concentrations followed by Fe, Al, and Zn. Depletion of Fe and Al occurred from precipitation of less soluble Fe and Al oxides and hydroxides along Sandy Run before entering the lake, producing a high Mn water input into the reservoir. Concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments increased toward the dam area. Sequential extraction of metals in the sediments showed that the highest fractions of metals corresponded to the detrital fraction or eroded material from the watershed and metals associated with iron and manganese hydroxides. Heavy metals in the organic sediment fraction were low. Heavy metals from the AMD source, as well as sediments rich in heavy metals eroded from the watershed, were transported to the downstream dam area and stored at the bottom, producing the observed chemistry. Heavy metals in benthic waters also were sourced from the diffusion of ions from sediments and lake waters as variation in pH and redox conditions determined the flux at the sediment–water interface. Metal concentrations were measured within two deposit feeders, oligochaetes and chironomids, and compared to trends in physical metal concentration across the lake. For the four heavy metals with higher concentration in both benthic animals, the concentrations followed the trend: Fe?>?Al?>?Mn?>?Zn, which were similar to the bioavailable metals in the sediments rather than the pore or the benthic water where Mn was the most abundant heavy metal. Ingestion of sediment, not exposure to pore or benthic waters, appeared to be the main transfer mechanism for metals into the biota. Trends and patterns in animal metal concentrations across the lake were probably a complex process controlled by metabolic needs and metallic regulation and tolerance. Even when Mn was the highest concentration heavy metal in the pore waters, it was the lowest to bioconcentrate in the organisms. In comparison, Cd, the lowest concentration metal in the sediments, presented one of the highest bioaccumulation factors.     

Bioaccumulation, Detection and Analyses of Heavy Metal Pollution in Sultan Marsh and Its Environment

Sultan Marsh is one of the largest and most important wetlands in Turkey, Middle East and Europe, embodying saline and fresh water ecosystems, which provide a shelter for 426 bird species. The area has begun to contribute much to the tourism of Kayseri state and its environs. However, the sites in the vicinity of the sewerage – sludge and fertilizer plants are highly damaged due to pollution. As such, studies on the heavy metal status of water, sediment and plants were investigated. Phragmites australis, Ranunculus sphaerosphermus plants and samples of sediments were taken from 13 different stations of this Marsh. All sampling sites in the study area basin were generally more or less polluted when compared with the control sites. Cr concentrations in the roots of the plants were higher than in the sediment. The tissues of Phragmites australis accumulated heavy metals more than those of Ranunculus sphaerosphermus. The heavy metal accumulation in different parts of plants followed the sequence: root > stem > leaf. Both plants can be used as biological indicators while determining environmental pressures; however, Phragmites australis proved more appropriate for such studies.     

Differences in the chemical composition of dissolved organic matter from waste material of different sources

The chemical composition of waste-material-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) was characterized by chemolytic analyses and ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Dissolved organic matter was extracted by water from an aerobic fermented urban waste compost, a sewage sludge and a pig slurry and then fractionated using the XAD-8 method. The amount of water-extractable dissolved organic carbon (DOC) ranged from 3% in the sewage sludge to 22% in the pig slurry. Dissolved organic matter isolated from pig slurry was equally distributed between hydrophilic and hydrophobic DOC, whereas in the sewage-sludge-derived material the hydrophobic fraction was predominant. Dissolved organic C from the urban waste compost was mainly within the hydrophilic fraction. Wet-chemical analysis and ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra showed that both DOM fractions from the urban waste compost were low in neutral, acidic and amino sugars as well as in lignin-derived compounds. In turn, the materials were rich in low-molecular-weight aliphatic compounds. The chemical structure of both fractions is probably the result of the intensive transformation of urban waste compost during its fermentation. The hydrophilic fractions of DOM from sewage sludge and pig slurry contained considerable amounts of carbohydrates but were also rich in low-molecular-weight aliphatics. The respective hydrophobic fractions had the largest contents of CuO-extractable phenols which may in part derive from sources other than lignin. By contrast with the other materials, the hydrophobic fraction from the pig slurry seemed to contain polymeric rather than low-molecular-weight material. The ³¹P-NMR spectrum of the hydrophilic DOM fraction from urban waste compost did not show signals of inorganic or organic P compounds while the spectrum of the hydrophobic fraction revealed traces of monoester P, diester P, and orthophosphate. ³¹P-NMR spectroscopy suggested that both the hydrophobic and hydrophilic fractions from pig slurry did not contain organic P. The hydrophilic DOM fraction from sewage sludge contained orthophosphate, organic monoester P and a little pyrophosphate. The hydrophobic fraction contained mainly organic diester P and smaller amounts of teichoic acids and organic monoester P. Considering that water-soluble fractions of urban waste compost contained no easily plant-available P and a low content of labile organics, we conclude that this material contains less labile nutrients and is more refractory than the soluble constituents of pig slurry and sewage sludge.     

乐清湾养殖区表层沉积物重金属含量分布及污染评价

以乐清湾养殖区表层沉积物中Cu等7种重金属为研究对象,在野外实地调查取样及重金属含量测定基础上,以中国海洋沉积物质量(GB18668-2002)一类标准值为评价标准,利用单因子指数评价法、内梅罗综合污染指数评价法和沉积物质量基准(sediment quality guideline,SQG),对单项重金属污染程度、多种重金属综合污染效应及重金属潜在生物毒性风险进行了评价。结果表明,乐清湾养殖区表层沉积物重金属含量分布差别明显,所有采样点表层沉积物均受到Cu污染,局部受到严重Hg污染;大部分养殖区表层沉积物重金属污染达到轻度等级;所有养殖区均可发生由Cu偶尔引起的不利生物毒性效应,个别养殖区可发生由Hg频繁引发的不利生物毒性效应。乐清湾养殖区表层沉积物重金属主要来源于沿岸电镀企业废水排放及农药化肥造成的农业面源污染。开展Cu、Hg污染治理修复是实现乐清湾养殖环境安全的迫切需求。     

流域底泥重金属分布特征及其生态风险评价

为了研究流域底泥重金属分布特征及成因,以潇河流域为研究区,利用原子吸收分光光度法测定底泥中6种重金属(Cu,Zn,Cd,Cr,Pb,Ni)的含量,分析了重金属污染特征及其成因,并采用潜在生态风险指数法评价了潇河流域底泥中重金属的潜在生态危害系数和危害指数。结果表明,正常淤积下,流域底泥重金属含量呈中上游流域高,下游流域低的趋势;非正常淤积下,如河道起伏不定,河流有新的污染物注入等,便会表现出下游高于上游的分布特征。就其成因来讲,流域底泥重金属含量受河流水质的影响较大,运用主成分分析(PCA)得出水质参数与重金属分布的关系。对潇河流域表层底泥中重金属的复合污染状况评价结果为:CdPbNiCuCrZn。     

Dissolved organic matter: Fractional composition and sorbability by the soil solid phase (Review of literature)

The behavior of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in soils under varying environmental conditions represents a poorly studied aspect of the problem of organic matter loss from soils. The equilibrium and sustainable development of ecosystems in the northern latitudes are largely determined by the balance between the formation of DOM, its accumulation in the lower soil horizons, and its input with runoff into surface waters. The residence time, retention strength in the soil, and thermodynamic and biochemical stabilities depend on the localization of DOM in the pore space and its chemical structure. Amphiphilic properties represent a valuable diagnostic parameter, which can be used to predict the behavior of DOM in the soil. Acidic components of hydrophobic and hydrophilic nature constitute the major portion of DOM in forest soils of the temperate zone. The hydrophilic fraction includes short-chain aliphatic carboxylic acids, hydrocarbons, and amino acids and is poorly sorbed by the solid phase. However, the existence of this fraction in soil solution is also limited both in space (in the finest pores) and time because of higher accessibility to microbial degradation. The hydrophilic fraction composes the major portion of labile DOM in soils. The hydrophobic fraction consists of soluble degradation products of lignin; it is enriched in structural ortho-hydroxybenzene fragments, which ensure its selective sorption and strong retention in soils. Sorption is favored by low pH values (3.5–5), the high ionic strength of solution, the heavy texture and fine porous structure of soil, the high contents of oxalate- and dithionite-soluble iron (and aluminum) compounds, and hydrological conditions characterized by slow water movement. The adsorbed DOM is chemically and biochemically recalcitrant and significantly contributes to the humus reserves in the low mineral horizons of soils.     

松花江沉积物重金属形态赋存特征研究

采用Tessier连续提取法分析了松花江表层沉积物中Cu、Pb、Zn、Mn4种重金属的赋存形态,并结合次生相富集系数法,探讨了沉积物中重金属的潜在生态风险及来源。结果表明,沉积物中Cu以残渣态为主（高于50%）,其次为有机质结合态,从上游至下游,沉积物中Cu形态的稳定程度逐渐增加;沿程所有沉积物样品中可交换态Pb的含量均高于当地沉积物背景值,存在较高的可迁移性和二次释放风险;在二松大部分江段和松花江干流,Zn主要以比较稳定的残渣态存在,不存在二次释放污染水体的风险;Mn的有效态含量均在流域沉积物背景值范围之内。对重金属次生相富集系数的研究表明,沿程沉积物中Cu、Pb均有一定程度的富集,主要来源于人为输入;Zn在二松中下游的哈达湾至松原江段有一定的富集,其余江段人为输入的Zn较少;沉积物中的Mn主要为自然来源。     

巢湖表层沉积物中重金属的分布及污染评价

对巢湖湖区不同位点的表层沉积物中的Fe、Cr、Pb、Cu、Co、Zn、Ni7种重金属含量进行的分析表明,湖泊沉积物中重金属含量分布呈现一定的区域特征,由于巢湖西半湖靠近合肥市区,大量的工业废水和生活污水通过河道排入巢湖,引起西半湖区中重金属含量高于东半湖区。采用富集因子法和地积累指数法对巢湖沉积物重金属污染现状进行了评价,结果表明,巢湖沉积物中存在Pb、Cu污染,个别地区已相当严重,并呈现沿湖心区至东半湖区逐渐降低趋势。研究表明,两种方法均能对人为污染行为做出较为科学的评价,且两种方法得到的评价结果基本一致。由于重金属元素有很强的毒性,并且能够在食物链中传递,有关部门应及早从流域环境综合规划入手,对重金属污染问题采取有力的控制对策,保护沿湖地区居民免受危害。此外,对巢湖表层沉积物中重金属污染物来源进行了初步分析,据分析结果判断,巢湖沉积物中重金属总量Co、Fe、Cr的来源相似,Zn和Cu的来源相似。     

不同程度重金属污染对水稻土团聚体组成的影响

以太湖地区长期受重金属污染的稻麦轮作条件下的水稻土为研究对象,分别采取水稻收获期和小麦收获期不同重金属污染水平的土壤和临近非污染土壤(对照土壤),利用低能量超声分散分离技术将原状土进行团聚体分级,并结合土壤碳库分析,研究不同程度重金属污染对水稻土团聚体组成的影响。结果表明:随着重金属污染程度的增加,小麦收获期土壤2~0.2 mm与0.2~0.02 mm粒级的团聚体含量呈显著降低趋势,0.02~0.002 mm与0.002 mm粒级团聚体含量显著增加,但这种趋势在水稻收获期表现不显著;重金属污染降低了水稻季团聚体平均重量直径(MWD),从而降低了土壤的团聚程度,但这在小麦季并未表现出显著的降低作用;而小麦季重金属污染对原土及团聚体中有机碳含量没有显著影响,水稻季重金属污染则显著增加了土壤有机碳的含量。这些结果表明不同重金属污染程度对土壤团聚体组成的影响在不同的作物收获期表现不同,这可能与土壤团聚体周转过程受农田水分管理等措施影响有关,尚需深入研究。     

Hydrogeochemistry and Water Balance in the Coastal Wetland Area of “Biviere di Gela,” Sicily, Italy

In the study area physical and chemical factors control the composition of surface and groundwaters, which in turn determine the water quality of the “Biviere di Gela” lake. These factors combine to create diverse water types which change their compositional character spatially as rainfall infiltrates the soil zone, moves down a topographically defined flow path, and interacts with bedrock minerals. Low-salinity waters, which represent the initial stage of underground circulation, start dissolving calcium carbonate from the local rocks. The progressive increase in salinity, characterized by substantially higher Ca, SO₄, Na and Cl concentrations, suggests that dissolution of CaSO₄ and NaCl is an important process during water–rock interactions. The “Biviere di Gela” lake is often separated into two units (Lago Grande and Lago Piccolo). “Lago Grande” water is generally of Na-SO₄-Cl-type, whereas “Lago Piccolo” water is of Na-Cl-SO₄-type. Their total content of dissolved salts varies with season, the amount of rainfall, and inflow of ground and drainage water. Over time, an increasing trend towards greater salinity and also sudden changes in the relative abundances of Cl and SO₄ have been recorded for the “Lago Grande.” The isotope composition of the lake water appears to be affected by inflow of ground and surface waters and also by evaporative loss. The nitrate content of waters from the recharge basin is of particular concern because it contributes to lake eutrophication. The trace element contents do not evidence the presence of any significant metal contamination of lake waters, although a future potential hazard of metals bioaccumulation by the aquatic biota must be taken into consideration. Finally, a water balance for the basin shows that a drop in precipitation of about 20% might be critical for lake survival.     

Distribution,risk assessment,and source analysis of heavy metals in sediment of rivers located in the hilly area of southern China

Purpose

River sediment, the important sink and source of heavy metals, can provide critical information for aquatic ecosystem health. Heavy metal pollution has been a serious problem facing river systems worldwide and can adversely affect human beings via the food chain. However, no comprehensive study has been conducted on heavy metal pollution in sediments of river systems in the hilly area of southern China, which plays a key role in water supply and ecosystem balance. This study is aimed at comprehensively studying the pollution status of heavy metals in river sediments in the hilly area of southern China and apportioning sources.

Materials and methods

A total of 39 superficial sediment samples were collected from the upstream, midstream, and downstream of 13 rivers (Xiangjiang River, Zishui River, Yuanjiang River, and Lishui River located in Hunan Province; Ganjiang River, Xinjiang River, Fuhe River, Raohe River), and Xiushui River located in Jiangxi Province; Qiantangjiang River and Oujiang River located in Zhejiang Province; Minjiang River and Jiulongjiang River located in Fujian Province) in the hilly area of southern China. The total concentrations of metals of Mn, Zn, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, Sb, Pb, and V were analyzed using the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry method. The pollution status and potential ecological risk were assessed with the geoaccumulation index (I_geo), sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), and potential ecological risk index (RI). The source apportionment of heavy metals was performed by correlation analysis and principle component analysis (PCA).

Results and discussion

Results indicated that Mn, Zn, and Pb concentrations were significantly higher than other metals, especially in the upstream of the Jiulong River and midstream and downstream of the Xiangjiang River. Pollution assessment indicated that Cd pollution of sediments was most serious and that more than 50% of sampling sites were significantly polluted, with a very high potential ecological risk. The rivers in Hunan provinces (HN) were identified as the priority controlled rivers because of the high I_geo and RI index values. Correlation and PCA analysis indicated that Mn, Pb, and Zn originated from natural and mineral exploitation activities; As, V, Ni, and Sb originated from industrial wastewater and mineral-smelting activities; Cu and Co originated from agricultural activities; Cr and Ni originated from natural sources. While the most polluted Cd came from a combination of multiple sources described above.

Conclusions

Results indicated that Cd was the most common heavy metal pollutant, especially in river sediments of Hunan Province. Anthropogenic activities have become the main source of heavy metals in the river sediments of the hilly area of southern China. Special attention should be paid to Cd, and measures must be taken to prevent from further anthropogenic influence on heavy metal pollution.

     

Urbanization effects on sediment and trace metals distribution in an urban winter pond (Netanya,Israel)

Purpose

This paper aims to elucidate urban development-induced processes affecting the sediment and the distribution of contaminating metals in a seasonal pond located in the highly populated Israeli Coastal Plain. The paper demonstrates how an integrated approach, including geochemical, sedimentological, geochronological, mathematical, historical, and geographical analyses, may decipher a complicated and dynamic metal pollution history in a sedimentary environment controlled by anthropogenic activity.

Materials and methods

Three short sediment cores were collected from the margins and center of a small urban pond (Dora, Netanya), located within the Israeli Coastal Plain. Profiles of grain size, organic matter (OM), trace metals (Pb, Zn, V, Ni, Cu, Cr and Co), Pb isotopic ratios, and ²¹⁰Pb activities (center and southern cores) were determined and a geochemical mixing model was employed (southern core). The watershed contour was calculated, and aerial photos and satellite images were examined.

Results and discussion

Construction activities in the watershed were chronologically associated with coarse sediment transport and deposition in the margins of the pond. The upper sandy layers were superimposed on layers rich in fine particles and OM, high concentrations of trace metals, and with Pb isotopic composition of more recent petrol. In the ²¹⁰Pb-dated southern core, deep metal-rich layers with petrol-related Pb isotopic ratios were inconsistent with metal emissions history. These findings point to mobility and migration of recent contamination metals through the coarse upper sediment layers and into deeper denser layers, confirmed also by a geochemical mixing model. Conversely, in the center of the pond, homogeneous fine particles were deposited with metal profiles consistent with regional emissions.

Conclusions

A small urban pond was found to provide an important case study for understanding heavy metal pollution records in highly populated regions. The margins of the pond depicted the surrounding urban development and the induced coarse sediment erosion, accompanied with post-depositional metal mobility. Due to the proximate developing residential areas, high metal concentrations accumulated in the margins, overshadowing regional atmospheric pollution levels recorded by sediment at the center of the pond.