Heavy metals in the lichen Ramalina duriaei transplanted at biomonitoring stations in the region of a coal-fired power plant in Israel after 3 years of operation

A survey of the heavy metal content in a transplanted lichen Ramalina duriaei (De Not.) Bagl. was carried out in the region of an Israeli coal-fired power plant. Nickel, Cr, Cu, and Zn were analyzed in the lichen exposed to environmental influences for a period of 1 yr. The concentrations of metals were compared with the concentrations of the same metals measured in R. duriaei transplanted to the study area prior to the operation of the power plant. The results show that after the 1983–1984 period, the regional concentrations of Cr in the transplanted lichen thalli were found to be higher than in the lichen thalli transplanted to the same sites during the period February 1979-March 1980, prior to the operation of the coal-fired power plant. A regional decrease in Zn concentration in the lichen exposed during the latter period is probably linked to the decrease in the use of this metal as a constituent of foliar nutrients in agriculture. The regional increase of Cr in the 1983–1984 lichen material is probably connected with the operation of the Maor David coal-fired power plant located at Sharonim. A local increase in the Ni and Cr concentrations was found in the lichen transplanted to a nature reserve located north of the power station.     

Mercury accumulation in transplanted moss and lichens at high elevation sites in Quebec

Mercury deposition was monitored at two mountain sites in Quebec using transplanted lichens and moss. The terricolous lichen species Cladina rangiferina, the epiphytic lichen species Hypogymnia physodes, and the feather moss Pleurozium schreberi were transplanted from a northern Ontario boreal site to the bases and summits of Roundtop Mountain and Mt. Tremblant in southern Quebec. After 12 months, transplants of C. rangiferina sited at the base and summit of Roundtop mountain and the summit of Mt. Tremblant showed a significant increase in mercury concentration over controls (p < 0.05). The largest difference occurred at the summit of Roundtop mountain where mercury concentration was 81.4 ± 10.9 ppb as compared to 45.6 + 10.6 ppb at the control site. No significant increases in mercury concentration in P. schreberi were seen after 12 months at any site althought trends of increase were apparent. After 20 months, further significant increases in Hg content were observed in both the terricolous lichen and the feather moss at both the Roundtop Mountain base and summit sites. A significant increase in Hg content of P. schreberi was also noted at the Mt. Tremblant summit site. Over the length of the study the greatest mercury concentration increases were observed in the feather moss at the Roundtop Mountain summit site (with a 248.3 ± 30.0 ppb mercury concentration as compared to 108.3 ± 30.0 ppb in controls). No significant change in mercury concentration in the epiphyte H. physodes was found during the study. These data indicate that mercury deposition is occurring, especially to higher elevation sites. While mercury inputs at the summits may be increased by the effects of fog, increases in mercury at the base sites cannot be accounted for the same way, but may represent the importance of dry deposition processes.     

Effects of Water Acidity and Metal Concentration on Accumulation and Within-Plant Distribution of Metals in the Aquatic Bryophyte Fontinalis antipyretica

With the aim of investigating the effects of wateracidity and metal concentrations on the accumulationof heavy metals by aquatic bryophytes, batches of Fontinalis antipyretica Hedw. were transplanted froma clean site to one of four sites with characteristicsranging from clean to severely contaminated (highacidity and high heavy metal concentrations). After 1–35 days, metal levels were determined in theextracellular and intracellular compartments of thetransplanted material. The results show that heavymetal uptake is clearly lower in acid waters than innear-neutral waters, possibly due to competitivedisplacement of metal cations from extracellularbinding sites and membrane transport proteins byprotons. The reduced accumulation is particularlymarked in the extracellular compartment; theintracellular compartment shows rapid accumulation oflarge amounts of metal, followed by equally rapidrelease. The effects of heavy metals and acidity onphysiology were also investigated, on the basis oflevels of the essential cations potassium (K),magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) in the extracellularand intracellular compartments. Bryophytestransplanted to the severely contaminated sites showedloss of intracellular K (indicating altered membranepermeability), loss of extracellular Mg, and loss ofboth extra- and intracellular Ca (implying damage tothe cell wall).     

Selenium Levels in Mainland Portugal

Selenium contents in the Portuguese (mainland) territory, resulting from a few environmental studies held since 1990 using lichens, vascular plants, soils and air particulate matter (APM), are presented and discussed herein. Values for Se in soils, epiphytic lichens and higher plants are within the typical ranges found in the literature. Compared to vascular plants, lichens display higher contents at the same locations. In what concerns Se in airborne particulates, all surveyed sites show values that are typical of urban areas. In two of such sites – Monchique and Carregado – Se concentrations in transplanted lichen thalli of the Parmelia genus (mostly, Parmelia sulcata Taylor) were compared to the results obtained from airborne matter, and a good correlation was found for the corresponding data-sets at either location. Other than the degree of association, it is especially noteworthy that the lichen transplants appear to accumulate much more Se at Monchique (a remote, rather clean site) than at Carregado (in the immediate vicinity of an oil-fired, power plant), even if its amount in the atmosphere is lower at the former location.     

Heavy Metals Pollution of the Atlantic Marine Environment by the Moroccan Phosphate Industry, as Observed through their Bioaccumulation in Ulva Lactuca

The Moroccan phosphate industry releases large amounts of heavy metals in the Atlantic Ocean in the surroundings of two places: Safi and Jorf Lasfar. The major waste, called phosphogypsum and composed of calcium sulphate and other additional salts, is introduced into sea water in particulate form. After dissolution of the particles, heavy metal concentrations can be influenced near the release point. Two multi-element analytical techniques were used to measure 47 element concentrations in various materials involved in the study of the phosphate pollution: Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). At first, phosphate and phosphogypsum were characterized in order to recognize the overall features of the heavy metal pollution source. From the yearly amount of phosphogypsum produced by the Moroccan industry and the element concentrations in phosphogypsum, it has been possible to estimate a yearly flux of heavy metals introduced in the Atlantic Ocean. Algae were used as bio-accumulator materials of heavy metals in the marine environment, in the region of Jorf Lasfar, in order to significantly reveal the signal of the heavy metal pollution. Ulva lactuca Linnaeus was selected to assess heavy metal pollution around the waste release point. Accumulation factors were determined for 47 elements in U. lactuca, by comparing mean concentrations obtained in algae collected in non-polluted sites (background sites) and an average sea water concentration given in the literature. The ratio between the concentration in U. lactuca, collected in a polluted site to the background concentration in U. lactuca, was determined, giving an estimate of the pollution factor for the same elements by the phosphate industry. The decrease of the pollution due to the dilution in the sea water was observed as far as 6 km southward of the release point. A specific variation was observed for lead and its isotopic composition, denoting that the phosphate industry is not the only pollution source in this region. Natural processes were likely involved to induce the lead concentrations variations along the littoral.     

Genetic and ecological impacts of heavy metal and flooding stress on the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus in floodplains of the Rhine river

In the highly polluted river Rhine system, earthworms face environmental stress resulting from flooding and elevated heavy metal concentrations in the floodplain soil. Previous field studies have revealed adaptation to flooding for the earthworm species Lumbricus rubellus as this species matures at a lower weight in floodplain sites with a high frequency of flooding compared to less frequently flooded sites. Also heavy metals have effects on L. rubellus and heavy metals are influencing the genetic composition of this species. In this study, it was tested whether flooding and heavy metals had an impact on the genetic composition of L. rubellus living in floodplains along the river Rhine system. Earthworms were sampled at three sites previously studied along the river to assess earthworm diversity, biomass, density, and individual weight, and developmental status of L. rubellus. The genetic variation by means of isozymes was studied for 175 individuals. The results showed lowest density of L. rubellus adult and sub-adult life-stages and lowest individual weight of these life-stages at the frequent inundated site. The genetic composition, however, showed no effects of flooding on the genetic composition, but effects of heavy metals could not be ruled out.     

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.     

滨岸排污口对潮滩沉积物中重金属的影响研究

通过对排污口附近及对照点的潮滩沉积物中重金属Zn ,Cu ,Cr和Pb的含量分析发现:各采样点沉积物中的重金属含量均高于环境背景值,平均含量约为环境背景值的2～3倍,排污口附近潮滩沉积物中重金属的含量明显高于对照点潮滩沉积物中的含量;各采样点的柱状沉积物中重金属的含量随深度的变化呈现出一定的变化规律;在垃圾填埋场附近高中低潮滩由于距离排污口的远近不同,表层沉积物中重金属的含量依次降低;对各采样点沉积物中重金属含量的相关性分析发现各点沉积物中累积的重金属的来源有所不同:在排污口附近潮滩的沉积物中重金属主要来源于排污口排放的污水,而对照点朝阳农场潮滩沉积物中重金属主要来源于自然的本底输入或海水外源输入     

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.     

Comparison of biological collectors of airborne heavy metals near ferrochrome and steel works

The value of several biological monitors of the distribution of airborne Cr and Ni dust was studied in the vicinity of ferrochrome and stainless steel works. The following indigenous biomonitors were compared: the forest mosses Pleurozium schreberi and Hylocomium splendens, the epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes, bark of Scots pine (Pinus silvestris), needle litter, earthworms (Dendrobaena octaedra) and moths (mainly Xylena vetusta). Results were compared and related to the heavy metal deposition estimated by the vertical snow sampling method. The representative sampling size at different pollution levels was investigated. In Cr it varied from 1 to 300 mg m^?2 a^?1. Of the biomonitors studied, the mosses showed most effective accumulation of heavy metals, their results having a clear relationship to the deposition and good replicability. The lichen gave almost as good results as the mosses. Both mosses and lichens collected heavy metals more effectively at low to moderate pollution loads than near the pollution source. The accumulation of heavy metals in bark was lower than in the mosses or lichen. The heavy metal content of earthworms indicated the degree of pollution well, but the replicability of the method was poor. The accumulation of heavy metals in moths was low.     

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.     

Microbial Communities in Long-Term Heavy Metal Contaminated Ombrotrophic Peats

High concentrations of heavy metals are known to be toxic to many soil organisms. The effects of long-term exposure to lower levels of metals on the soil microbial community are, however, less well understood. The southern Pennines of the U.K. are characterised by expanses of ombrotrophic peat soils that have experienced deposition of high levels of heavy metals since the mid to late 1800s. Concentrations of metals in the peat remain high but the effect of the contamination on the in-situ microbial communities is unknown. Geochemical and molecular polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and sequencing techniques were used to derive new information on the metal chemistry and microbial populations in peat soils from six locations in the southern Pennines. All sites were highly acidic (pH 3.00–3.14) with high concentrations of potentially toxic heavy metals, particularly porewater Zn and particulate-associated Pb. The results also reveal a split in site characteristics between the most polluted sites with the highest levels of bioavailable metals (Bleaklow, FeatherBed Moss and White Hill) and those with much lower bioavailable metals (Cowms Moor, Holme Moss and Round Hill). There was no difference in the number of dominant bacterial species between the sites but there were significant differences in the species composition. At the three sites with the highest levels of bioavailable metals, bacterial species with a high similarity to acidophilic sulphur- and iron-oxidizing bacteria and those from high metal environments were detected. The transformations carried out by these metal mobilising and acid producing bacteria may make heavy metals more bioavailable and therefore more toxic to higher organisms. Bacteria with similarity to those typically found in forest and grassland soils were documented at the three sites with the lowest levels of bioavailable metals. The data highlight the need for further studies to elucidate the species diversity and functionality of bacteria in heavy metal contaminated peats in order to assess implications for moorland restoration.     

Multiple Metal Resistant Transferable Phenotypes in Bacteria as Indicators of Soil Contamination with Heavy Metals (6 pp)

Background, Aim and Scope   Environmental contamination by heavy metals affects microbial communities. The number of single and multiple heavy metal resistant bacteria may be an indictor of the level of contamination. This paper details the isolation and characterisation of metal resistant microorganisms isolated from rhizosphere/soil samples obtained from an abandoned zinc, lead and copper mine and a local unaffected site. This data was compared to the level of heavy metal in the soils to establish the effect of metals on the microbial community and to determine the relationship between pollutant levels and resistant strains. This paper outlines the diversity of transferable resistance determinants between both sites and details the levels of heavy metal resistant bacteria and those expressing transferable multiple heavy metal tolerance.Methods   The sample sites were located in Co. Galway, Ireland. The first sample site (site A) was a former lead, zinc and copper mine, which was closed in 1961 due to exhaustion of ore. The second site (site B) was located two and a half kilometres from the mining site and was not affected by the mining operations. Composite soil samples were characterised for general soil matrix composition, organic content, pH and general chemical parameters. The soil was also enumerated for the total viable heterotrophic counts and tested on Pseudomonas selective agar (PSA) for total Pseudomonas counts and Sucrose Asparagine (SA), which is semi-selective for fluorescent Pseudomonas.Results and Discussion   Samples from both site A and site B were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry for the presence of heavy metals. In the case of copper, which has a Dutch list recommended minimum permissible level of 190 &#181;g/Kg dry weight, the levels detected at site A were 1270 &#181;g/Kg dry weight while site B was detected at 36 &#181;g/Kg. The arsenic levels detected at site A were eight times the permissible level (416 &#181;g/Kg) while only half the permissible level was found at site B (13 &#181;g/Kg). Zinc concentrations were also high at site A (4460 &#181;g/Kg) while at site B (553 &#181;g/Kg) they were well below the Dutchlist guidelines (720 &#181;g/Kg). A large number of heavy metal tolerant strains were isolated from both sites. 270 isolates (site A (170) and site B (100)) were screened against 8 metals to examine the extent of multiple resistance. 82% of the strains from site A were found to be resistant to 5 metals. A total of 18% showed resistance to all 8 metals and of those examined only 4% were resistant to only one metal. In contrast isolates from site B showed no multiple resistance to more than 5 metals, while 62% showed resistance to individual metals only. Site A had a higher level of multiple heavy metal resistance strains. Stains isolated from site A had 23 (14%) isolates resistant to zinc, copper, nickel, arsenic and cobalt and site B had no bacteria resistant to all five of these selected metals. The transferability of heavy metal resistance was investigated in the case of 60 multiple heavy metal resistant isolates taken from site A and 50 multiple resistance isolates from site B. Transfer was only detected in isolates from site A, 13% showed transfer and expression of copper, zinc and arsenic resistance determinants. In most cases the transconjugants only expressed resistance to copper, zinc and arsenic, which were the metals, used for selection. This co-transfer of all three determinants suggests a genetic link between these resistance determinants.Conclusion   Heavy metal resistant bacteria are present in both sites, however, the number and presence of multiple transferable resistance phenotypes are confined to the isolates from the heavy metal contaminated site. The presence of high levels of heavy metals selects these multiple resistance phenotypes. Within these communities there seems to be little diversity between the microorganisms, which provides a hugely preferable environment for gene transfer of such metal resistant determinants.Recommendation and Perspective   The experiments have shown a microbes ability to mobilize heavy metal determinants and a relationship between heavy metal resistance and metal contamination has been identified These multiple heavy metal resistant bacteria could eventually be used for detection and qualification of the level of heavy metal-polluted soil/water environments.     

Accumulation and Distribution of Heavy Metals in Scirpus americanus and Typha latifolia from an Artificial Lagoon in San Luis Potosí, México

The concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn and Fe were evaluated in leaves, stem and root of the Scirpus americanus and Typha latifolia aquatic macrophytes, which were collected from Tanque Tenorio, an artificial lagoon highly polluted by municipal and industrial wastewater. Some S. americanus and T. latifolia plants were collected from four different sites within Tanque Tenorio. The sites were chosen regarding their proximity with the main channel discharging wastewater into the lagoon. The results showed that S. americanus and T. latifolia have the ability to extract Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn and Fe from their water surroundings; on the whole, the roots presented higher concentrations of heavy metals than the stem and the leaves. The highest accumulation of heavy metals was observed in plants growing at the site near the channel entering the lagoon. S. americanus accumulated more Pb, Cr, Mn and Fe than T. latifolia; Cd concentrations were comparably the same in both species. This study provides information in relation to aquatic plants growing in polluted waters, which accumulate heavy metals. These findings are of interest pertaining to the removal processes for treating aquatic systems with heavy metal content.     

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.     

Pathological and Hormonal Changes in Freshwater Fishes Due to Exposure to Heavy Metals Pollutants

The concentrations of major heavy metals in organs of two cyprinid fish and in water collected from three sections of the Kor River, Iran, were determined using the induction coupled plasma method. The concentrations of heavy metals in tissue of fish from the middle sampling zone were significantly higher (p?<?0.05) than those from the other two sampling zones, whereas no significant differences (p?>?0.05) were detected between the two sexes and species. Estradiol in females and progesterone and testosterone in males from the middle study site were significantly (p?<?0.05) lower than values from the other two sites. Pathological changes in blood cells, liver, and kidneys of fishes were significantly higher in highly polluted areas (middle sampling zone). So heavy metals exposure can effectively decreases estrogenic and androgenic secretion in fish. These results show that industrial activities have polluted the river and that heavy metals exposure can induce pathological changes in fish organs.     

Quantitative monitoring of airborne lead pollution by a foliose lichen

The potential use of lichens as quantitative monitors of airborne heavy metal pollution has been demonstrated by measurements of Po²¹⁰, Pb, Cd, Zn, and V levels in sequential growth of the foliose lichen Pseudoparmelia baltimorensis from three localities in the greater Washington, D.C. area. Samples were dated using the growth rate measured by Lawrey and Hale (1977). Po²¹⁰, Pb, and V increase with age in a given colony. Higher levels of Pb, V, Cd, and Zn are present in samples from the two more polluted sites. The retention of heavy metals is consistent with trapping by an ion exchange mechanism. Since Po²¹⁰ is the daughter product of in situ decay of Pb²¹⁰, accumulated from atmospheric fallout of known rate, its levels can be used to calculate trapping efficiencies of Pb and retrospective fallout rates. These rates are similar to published data from rural and urban areas.     

Cellular Impact of Metal Trace Elements in Terricolous Lichen Diploschistes muscorum (Scop.) R. Sant. – Identification of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers

The purpose of this research is to present toxic effects of some heavy metals (cadmium, lead and zinc) on lichen physiology. In the North of France, those metals are concentrated for example in industrial polluted soils near metallurgic plants and waste dumps. Our investigations were conducted on Diploschistes muscorum (Scop.) R. Sant, a terricolous lichen growing on previously quoted soils as well as on non-contaminated ones. Different stress parameters were investigated as potassium leakage – which is related to the loss of membrane integrity – and oxidative stress through following parameters: malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). It seems, therefore, that heavy metals induce oxidative stress in this lichen, in which we found membrane damage and enhancement of SOD activity and GSH concentrations. With regard to very high concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn, a resistance involving antioxidant mechanisms limits the expected damage. Those mechanisms involve GSH, SOD as well as secondary metabolites, which have this resistance property. This study is a first step of investigation to use – in the future– physiological parameters as tool for environment assessment.     

Influence of sewage sludge and heavy metals on nematodes in an arable soil

Summary The abundance of nematodes was investigated in agricultural plots treated in three different ways, the first with no treatment, the second with 300 m³ ha^-1 a^-1 raw sewage sludge and the third with 300 m³ ha^-1 a^-1 sewage sludge with the addition of heavy metals. The nematodes were determined down to the genus and were assigned to five feeding groups. Total nematode numbers were highest in the site treated with sewage sludge and heavy metals. The smallest total numbers were found in the control site. The plant-feeding nematode genera showed different patterns of abundance depending on the sludge treatment and heavy metal content. For the mycophagic and bacteriophagic nematodes, numbers increased with the amount of sludge, especially in the sites with a higher heavy metal content. The family Rhabditidae was the most numerous group in the sludge plus heavy metals treatment. In contrast to these findings, the omnivorous nematodes were very rare in the sludgetreated plots and were completely absent in plots treated with sludge plus heavy metals, whereas predatory nematodes were numerous only after the application of sludge alone.     

Heavy Metals Contamination in Century-Old Manmade Technosols of Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula

Technosols are anthropogenic soils that may be strongly impacted by heavy metal deposition, which have not yet been described in Antarctica. In this paper, we present a chemical study of what is supposedly the oldest manmade soil from Antarctic Peninsula, developed in the vicinity of Trinity House and Nordenskjold Hut at Hope Bay. Chemical and morphological soil attributes indicate that a former ornithogenic site (penguin rookery) was further subjected to human disturbance, following local exploration since 1903. We detected very high amounts of heavy metals such as Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. For the most impacted site, pseudototal concentrations of these elements reach 47, 2,082, 19,381, and 5,225 mg kg^?1, respectively. Enrichment factors were calculated using Zr as reference element, and high values were found for these contaminated sites, qualifying some of them as extremely polluted. Also, both the mobilizable and mobile fraction of Cd and Pb indicate the need of intervention in the affected area. These findings are all consistent with the human impacts and strong contamination. Strong positive correlation between the pseudototal concentrations of Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn indicates a similar source of pollution. These soils may represent the oldest Technosols in Antarctic Continent.