Heavy metals in the lichen Ramalina duriaei transplanted in biomonitoring stations

The amounts of six heavy metals, Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Ni in the transplanted fruticose lichen Ramalina duriaei, have been determined. The contents of these metals in the material exposed for 1 yr at the site which served as a source for the transplantation were found to be much lower than in the lichen transplanted close to busy roads and to places with other intensive human activities. Correlation coefficients between some pairs of the heavy metals found in the transplanted R. duriaei are closer to those previously found in Caloplaca aurantia from rural and suburban sites than to those from industrial sites in Tel-Aviv. All these heavy metals are expected in the emission from a coal-fired electric generating station to be located at the sea shore in the near future. We recommend that a program of monitoring for a power station at the proposed coastal site include routine determination of (a) the amounts of these metals in transplanted lichens, (b) the correlation between the amounts and the distance from the sea, and (c) the correlation between pairs of these metals at various locations.     

Spatial and temporal variation of heavy metals in sediment cores from the calcasieu river/lake complex

Sediment cores were obtained from several locations in the Calcasieu River/Lake Complex (Lousiana), including Calcasieu Lake, Calcasieu River, two bayou tributaries, and Lake Charles, during the period from November 1983 to November 1985. The cores were analyzed for Cu, Zn, Cr, and Pb. The approximate sedimentation rate and a core chronology were determined by the use of ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb. The increase in metal concentrations after 1933, particularly along Bayou d'Inde where most industries are located, points to anthropogenic input of these metals to the system. The fact that metal concentrations tend to merge to a common value prior to 1940 throughout the system suggests that geological factors do not contribute to the observed variations in metal concentrations of heavy metals found in this area. The background concentrations of heavy metals found in this study for the Calcasieu River/Lake Complex were: Cu (10 mg kg^?1), Cr (25 mg kg^?1), Pb (8 mg kg^?1), and Zn (40 mg kg^?1), The main emphasis of the study focused along Bayou d'Inde due to the enhanced levels of heavy metals found.     

Accumulation of Heavy Metals from Motor Vehicles in Transplanted Lichens in an Urban Area

Abstract

Thalli of the lichens Pseudevernia furfuracea, Usnea longissima, Lobaria pulmonaria, and Peltigera praetextata were taken from unpolluted areas and transplanted to a downtown site in Erzurum, Turkey. Heavy metals copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and iron (Fe) were measured after an 8 month exposure period. Changes in the heavy metal concentrations were observed during the exposure period in lichen species and in both locations. Heavy metal concentrations were significantly higher in Peltigera praetextata than the other species at the location nearest to the junction crossroads. Peltigera praetextata may be considered a good indicator. These results can be attributed to the effect of atmospheric pollutants on the transplanted lichens.     

宝鸡市某工业园区灰尘重金属含量、形态及生态风险分析

利用X射线荧光光谱法(XRF)和原子荧光分光光度法(AFS)分析了宝鸡市某工业园区灰尘中重金属的含量。结果表明,宝鸡市某工业园区灰尘中As,Co,Cr,Cu,Hg,Mn,Ni,Pb和Zn的平均含量分别为23.3,16.4,1 591.8,178.2,0.243,346.5,40.2,1 586.2和1 918.8mg/kg,其中,Cr,Cu,Hg,Pb和Zn累积比较明显;铅锌冶炼厂周边灰尘中As,Cu,Hg,Pb和Zn的含量高于电厂。采用修正BCR法(欧洲共同体标准物质局)和原子吸收分光光度法(AAS)研究了灰尘中重金属的形态特征。结果表明,灰尘中Cu主要以残渣态和可氧化态的形式存在,Pb主要以可还原态的形式存在,Zn主要以乙酸可提取态的形式存在,Mn和Co主要以乙酸可提取态和残渣态存在,Ni和Cr主要以残渣态存在。灰尘中Pb,Zn,Co,Mn和Cu有55%~85%可以发生移动,易被生物利用,危害较大。潜在生态风险评价表明,灰尘中重金属的污染及潜在生态风险达到严重水平,铅锌冶炼厂周边灰尘中重金属的污染和潜在生态风险高于电厂。     

Airborne heavy metal pollution in the environment of a danish steel plant

A survey of heavy metal deposition was carried out in the vicinity of a Danish steel plant. Bulk precipitation and transplanted lichen (Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl.) were sampled at 12 stations in the environment before and after the production had been converted from open-hearth furnaces to electric-arc furnaces. The samples were analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn. The results show that heavy metal pollution from the steelworks still is severe and that it follows a decreasing power curve when the distance to the steelworks is increased. However, a reduction in the deposition of heavy metals close to the steelworks has been observed, pointing to the conclusion that the change from a situation of emission through a 46 m stack without any filter to emission from the electric arc furnaces equipped with bag-filters has lead to changes in the emission. At the sampling stations with the highest deposition levels measured in bulk precipitation the corresponding concentrations in the lichens were relatively lower indicating a change in particle size distribution. Within each station there was a direct proportionality of metal concentrations in lichens and atmospheric fallout measured in bulk precipitation.     

Heavy metals in bulk precipitation and transplantedHypogymnia physodes andDicranoweisia cirrata in the vicinity of a Danish steelworks

Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. andDicranoweisia cirrata (Hedw.) Lindb. were transplanted to 12 stations in the vicinity of the steelworks in Frederiksvaerk, Denmark. The transplants were exposed for 7 mo, and samples were taken after 31, 64, 104, 154, 184, and 214 days. Bulk precipitation was collected simultaneously. The concentrations of the metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Ph, V, and Zn were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in both transplants and bulk precipitation. The amounts of accumulated metals in the transplants were linearly correlated with fallout from the atmosphere, the bryophytes accumulating the metals slightly faster than the lichens. The metal concentrations in the transplants, as well as the bulk precipitation, followed a decreasing power curve when the distance to the steelworks was increased. It was concluded that transplanted lichens and bryophytes can be applied as monitor organisms of heavy metal pollution from the air.     

Heavy metals in the lichen Caloplaca aurantia from urban,suburban and rural regions in Israel (a comparative study)

The content of eight heavy metals: Mn, Zn, Fe, Pb, Ni, Cu, Cr and Cd in the lichen Caloplaca aurantia growing on roof-tiles in urban, suburban and rural settlements in Israel has been evaluated. The data obtained and their statistical analysis indicated the following: (1) The content of all the above listed metals was generally higher in the lichen growing in ‘town’ than in ‘village’ areas; among these metals Ni and Zn were found most suitable for the distinction between ‘town’ and ‘village’ settlements. (2) Comparisons of the coefficient of variation of metal content values in ‘town’ versus ‘village’ furnished indications on the dispersion capacity of the metal particles. (3) Correlation analysis among the metals in ‘town’ and ‘village’ resulted in suggestive information on the emission sources. (4) Leaching tests indicated the tenacity of metal retainment and incorporation efficiency into the lichen tissue. Lichen species like C. aurantia, which grow both in ‘clean’ and metal contaminated areas are suggested as comparative monitors and for assessing periodical changes in metal output and concentrations.     

Metal Concentrations in Organs of the Clam Amiantis umbonella and Their Use in Monitoring Metal Contamination of Coastal Sediments

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of metal concentrations in clam organs to monitor metal contamination in coastal sediments. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn were measured in the kidneys, gonads, mantles, gills, digestive gland, and hearts of the infaunal clam Amiantis umbonella collected from a contaminated site near desalination and power plant discharges, and a reference site in Kuwait Bay. Metal concentrations in sediment and sediment pore water were also measured at the collection sites of individual clams at the contaminated site. The concentrations of all metals in all organs (except Zn in the digestive gland) were significantly higher in clams from the contaminated site than from the reference site. Metal concentrations in several organs in A. umbonella from the contaminated site were correlated with those in the sediments and pore waters to which they were exposed. However, fresh weights of gonads, gills, and mantles were significantly lower in clams from the contaminated site compared to the reference site, indicating that the observed elevated concentrations of metals in the organs of clams from the contaminated site largely reflect lower organ weights, rather than higher metal loads, and that these organs in A. umbonella and perhaps other clams are not appropriate for use as biomonitors of metal contamination. Metal concentrations in clam kidneys showed a wide dynamic range with respect to environmental contamination and kidney weight was not variable. Therefore, metal concentrations in clam kidneys provide a reliable biomonitor of contaminant metals in coastal marine sediments.     

Spatial distribution of soil heavy metal concentrations as indicator of pollution sources at Mount Križna (Great Fatra,central Slovakia)

The objective of this study was to test the suitability of a simple approach to identify the direction from where airborne heavy metals reach the study area as indication of their sources. We examined the distribution of heavy metals in soil profiles and along differently exposed transects. Samples were taken from 10 soils derived from the same parent material along N-, S-, and SE-exposed transects at 0—10, 10—20, and 20—40 cm depth and analyzed for total Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations. The heavy metal concentrations at 0—10 cm were larger than background concentrations in German arable soils except for Cr (Cd: 0.6—1.8 mg kg^—1; Cr: 39—67; Cu: 40—77; Ni: 87—156; Pb: 48—94; Zn: 71—129; Fe: 26—34 g kg^—1; Mn: 1.1—2.4). Decreasing Cd, Cu, Mn, and Pb concentrations with increasing soil depth pointed at atmospheric inputs. Aluminum and Ni concentrations increased with soil depth. Those of Fe, Cr, and Zn did not change with depth indicating that inputs at most equalled leaching losses. The Pb accumulation in the surface layer (i.e. the ratio between the Pb concentrations at 0—10 to those at 20—40 cm depth) was most pronounced at N-exposed sites; Pb obviously reached Mount Križna mainly by long-range transport from N where several industrial agglomerations are located. Substantial Cd, Cu, and Mn accumulations at the S- and SE-exposed sites indicated local sources such as mining near to the study area which probably are also the reason for slight Cr and Zn accumulations in the SE-exposed soils. Based on a principal component analysis of the total concentrations in the topsoils four metal groups may be distinguished: 1. Cr, Ni, Zn; 2. Mn, Cd; 3. Pb (positive loading), Cu (negative loading); 4. Al, Fe, indicating common sources and distribution patterns. The results demonstrate that the spatial distribution of soil heavy metal concentrations can be used as indication of the location of pollution sources.     

Translocation and accumulation of heavy metals in Ocimum basilicum L. plants grown in a mining-contaminated soil

Purpose

The evaluation of the ecotoxicity effects of some heavy metals on the plant growth and metal accumulation in Ocimum basilicum L. cultivated on unpolluted and polluted soils represented the objective of the present study.

Materials and methods

The basil aromatic herb was evaluated in a laboratory experiment using soil contaminated with Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, similar to the one from a mining area. The soils and different organs of the basil plants were analyzed, the total contents of the added elements being determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The ability of basil plants to accumulate metals from soil and to translocate them in their organs was evaluated by transfer coefficient, translocation factor, enrichment factor, and geo-accumulation index determinations.

Results and discussion

The basil plants grown in the metal-polluted soil showed stimulation effects comparing with the plants from the control soil. At the end of the exposure period, the plants had a visible increase of biomass and presented inflorescences and the leaves’ green pigment was intensified. The metals gathered differently in plant organs: Cd, Co, Cr, and Pb were accumulated in roots, while Cu, Ni, and Zn in flowers. Cr and Pb exceeded the toxic levels in roots. Also, the heavy metal intake depends on the plant development stages; thus, Cd, Cr, and Pb were accumulated more in mature plant leaves. The Cd and Pb contents were higher than the World Health Organization and European Commission permissible limits.

Conclusions

The experimental results revealed that the basil plants exposed to a mixture of heavy metals have the potential to reduce the metal mobility from soil to plants. Translocation process from roots to flowers and to leaves was observed for Cu, Ni, and Zn, emphasizing a competition between metals. The calculated bioaccumulation factors were insignificant, but Cd and Pb concentrations exceeded the legal limits in the mature plants, being restricted for human or animal consumption.

     

Temporal changes in metal levels of the lichens Parmotrema praesorediosum and Ramalina stenospora,Southwest Louisiana

Two species of lichen native to southwest Lousiana, Parmotrema praesorediosum (Nyl.) Hale and Ramalina stenospora, Mull. Arg. have been investigated as air pollution monitors. Over the period 1983–88 samples were collected at 18 stations in the Lake Charles/Westlake/Sulphur area. The samples were analyzed for A1, Fe, Cu, Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr, and Zn. When metal concentrations in lichens were plotted vs year for certain representative stations, a dramatic reduction in the concentrations of certain metals was seen after 1983. When the most recent data are compared with those previously obtained, the effects of the industrial zone, which was previously demonstrated, have now all but disappeared.     

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.     

长江三角洲地区土壤盐酸可提取态重金属含量的空间变异特征

以江苏昆山市为典型区，对长三角地区土壤盐酸可提取态重金属含量的结构特征进行分析，得出该区盐酸可提取态重金属的空间分布格局并揭示了引起这种分布格局的成因和污染来源，结果表明：昆山市盐酸可提取态Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb、Zn、Hg属强变异，Ni和Co为中等变异。半方差函数模型拟合表明所有盐酸可提取态重金属元素均符合球状模型，8种重金属元素在一定范围内均存在空间相关性。采用Kriging最优内插法得到了盐酸可提取态重金属含量的空间分布格局，表明土壤盐酸可提取态重金属含量与工业活动、污水灌溉和大气降尘密切相关。通过主成分分析与地统计学相结合的方法，得出该区盐酸可提取态重金属由4个主成分构成，第一主成分为Cd、Cu、Pb、Cr和Zn，决定这一成分的主要因素为工业污水灌溉、大气降尘和元素地球化学特征；第二主成分为Ni，决定这一成分的主要因素为土壤内部因子；第三主成分为Hg，该成分主要受工业点源污染的影响；第四主成分为Co，该成分可能主要受地形影响。     

Behavior of heavy metals from sewage sludge in a Chernozem of the dry belt in Saxony‐Anhalt/Germany

In a small‐plot trial different doses of sewage sludge (equivalent 82‐330 tons of dry matter per hectare) were incorporated in 0—25 cm depth (1982—1985). The aim of the investigations was to study the fate of the heavy metals Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Cr, to determine their concentration in different soil fractions using a sequential extraction method and to ascertain their uptake by Zea mays L. plants. Eleven years after the last application the metals supplied with the sludge had moved as far as 50 cm in depth. The concentrations of Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Cr in the saturation extract of the sampled soil layers were closely correlated with the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). This result suggests that the heavy metal displacement was partly connected with the DOC movement in the soil. Considerable amounts of Zn and Cd coming from sewage sludge were found in the mobile fractions of the soil. Cu, Ni, and Pb were located especially in organic particles, and Cr was obviously bound by Fe‐oxides. Nine years after the last application the binding species of heavy metals were still different compared with those in the untreated soil. The whole withdrawal of heavy metals by plants yielded <1 % of the applied amounts. In the case of Zn the uptake from the sludge amended soil decreased during the experimental period. No similar tendency was observed for the other elements. In any case their annual variations of uptake exceeded the effect of sludge application.     

The Source of Anthropogenic Heavy Metals in Fluvial Sediments of a Rural Catchment: Coxs River,Australia

A serious health scare involving thesupply of drinking water to Sydney, Australia hasrecently focussed attention on the environmentalstatus of river catchments of the main reservoir, LakeBurragorang. Although the Coxs River – a majorcatchment of Lake Burragorang – comprises mainlyforests and grazing land, it supports a moderate sizedtown, power stations and coal mines. The heavy metal content of stream-bed sedimentscharacterises environmental impact in this ruralcatchment and sources of contamination. Sediment in acreek flowing through a country town (population 12 000) is markedly enriched in Cr, Pb and Zn (3×, 18×and 52×, respectively) over background, probably dueto a long history of metal-based industry. The highestCu, Pb and Zn concentrations (204, 332 and2460 μg g^-1, respectively) in fluvialsediment in the town are, however associated withdischarges from a sewage treatment plant. Twocoal-based power stations in the catchment contributeconsiderable Cu and Ni (maximum concentrations 562 and157 μg g^-1, respectively) to ambient fluvialsediments, possibly from cooling towers and coalstorage areas. The highest Co and Cr concentrations(113 and 490 μg g^-1) in fluvial sediments ofthis catchment are associated with coal-miningactivities. Selective extraction indicates that about50% of the anthropogenic fraction may bebioavailable, whereas sequential extraction proceduressuggest that <25% is associated with the easilyexchangeable/adsorbed phase.Two dams restrict the migration of heavy metals downthe Coxs River and sediment discharging into LakeBurragorang is low in metals.     

Role of Soil Properties in Phytoaccumulation of Uranium

A pot study was conducted to investigate the toxiceffects of certain heavy metals on the plant growth and grainyield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The resultsrevealed that heavy metals brought about significant reductionsin both parameters, Cd being the most toxic metal followed by Cu,Ni, Zn, Pb and Cr. Moreover, the presence of Cd in the soilresulted in the maximum inhibition (84.9%) in the number of freeliving Azotobacter chroococcum cells over the control. Thephytotoxicity was apparently due to the susceptibility of thefree living Azotobacter chroococcum cells to the toxicdoses of heavy metals.Protein content decreased from 19.0–71.4% in metal exposedplants at metal concentrations equivalent to those found inpolluted soil. Metal uptake by grains was directly related tothe applied heavy metal with greater concentrations of metalsfound in cases where metals were added separately rather than incombinations. The toxic effects on the plant growth, nitrogencontent in plant parts, and protein content in grains, exerted bytwo metals in combination were not additive, but rather only assevere as for the most toxic metal alone.     

Distribution of Al,V, and Mn in lichens across Calcasieu Parish,Louisiana

The lichen Ramalina stenospora was collected from 16 location in Calcasieu Parish and from 2 locations in Cameron Parish in Southwestern Louisiana. The metals V, Mn, and Al were measured in lichen specimens collected during three seasons — fall 1983, winter and spring 1984. The metals were determined using thermal neutron activation analysis. Vanadium was found to range in concentration from 2.1 to 10 mg kg^?1; and Al from 900 to 4500 mg kg^?1. Metal concentration was found to decrease exponentially with distance outward from the industrial corridor. The major industries included were an Al plant, two refineries and five chemical plants mostly related to plastics production.     

Heavy Metals in the Aerosols Collected at Two Stations in Mallorca (Spain)

An extensive study of the different heavy metals (Fe, Mn Ni, Cr, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu) present in the atmospheric aerosols collected at two stations in Mallorca located in the evirons of a new incinerator plant has been carried out. The aim of this study is to establish the quality of the air surrounding this new MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) incinerator on the island of Mallorca prior to its setting up. Besides, a study of the distribution of the analyzed metals in both the fine (diameter ≤1.5 μm) and coarse (diameter ≥1.5 μm) fractions of the aerosol has been performed. Concentrations of heavy metals in the atmospheric aerosols prior to the running of the new incinerator plant were found to be very low and similar to the values obtained at other Mediterranean stations.     

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.