Heavy metals in perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) from two acidified lakes in the salpausselkä esker area in Finland

Hg concentrations in muscle and Cd, Pb, Al, Zn and Fe concentrations in muscle, liver and kidney ofPerca fluviatilis from two acidified lakes in the Salpausselkä esker area in Southern Finland were studied. The metal concentrations in perch from the Tiilijärvi lakes were similar to those in other acidified Finnish lakes. Only Hg concentrations correlated strongly with the age and size of perch. The need for age correction in studies on the Hg concentrations on perch was noticed. The highest concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn occured in kidney and those of Al and Fe in liver.     

Metal uptake in plants from a birch forest area near a copper smelter in Norway

Uptake of Ca, Mg, K, Mn, Fe, Al, Rb, Ph, Cu, Zn, and Cd in vascular plants from a birch forest area near a Cu smelter in northern Norway was investigated. The primary objective was to study metal uptake in plants growing in a strong local acidification gradient. Decreased levels of Mn, Mg, and Ca found in Betula pubescens, Vaccinum myrtillus, and Deschampsia flexuosa near the smelter corresponded to a decrease in base saturation of the soil. This suggests that appreciable soil acidification has taken place. The level of Rb in Vaccinum myrtillus and Sorbus aucuparia increased significantly towards the smelter, probably due to the higher soil acidity. Elevated levels of Cu, Zn, Ph, and Cd in surface soil were found with values up to 2500 mg kg^?1 Cu within 1 km from the smelter. These concentrations decreased significantly with distance, but metal contamination was detectable up to 27 km from the smelter along the prevailing wind direction. A corresponding decrease was detected for Cu in the four plant species analyzed. Elevated levels of Zn, Ph, Fe, and Al were found in some, but not all, species.     

Needle and lichen sulphur analyses on two industrial gradients

Total S concentrations in Scots pine (Pine sylvestris L.) needles and the lichen Hypogymnia physodes collected from the vicinity of an oil refinery in southern Finland and a steel works in northern Finland were used as a bioindicator for SO₂ deposition. The mean total S concentration in the youngest pine needles decreased by 22% (p <0.001) and that of the second youngest needles by 28% (p < 0.001) as emissions from the oil refinery were reduced by nearly 50% from 1980 to 1985. Total S concentration in both needles and lichens were higher in the vicinity of the oil refinery due to the greater influence of long-range transport S deposition in southern Finland. The two industrial plants had approximately equal SO₂ emissions in 1985. The results suggest that the total S concentration in pine needles is a better indicator of SO₂ changes in the ambient air, while that in Hypogymnia physodes seems to be a better bioindicator of total S deposition, past and present.     

Organic matter characteristics and C and N transformations in the humus layer under two tree species, Betula pendula and Picea abies

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) on soil C and N transformations and on the characteristics of organic matter. Soil samples were taken from the humus layer of a replicated 35-year-old birch-spruce field experiment growing on Vaccinium myrtillus site type in middle-eastern Finland. The soil was a podzol and humus type mor. Soil pH was higher under birch (4.7) than under spruce (4.1). The C-to-N ratio was lower under birch (17) than under spruce (23). Per unit organic matter, microbial biomass C and N, net N mineralization and net nitrification were all higher in birch soil than in spruce soil. The rate of C mineralization (CO₂ production) was, however, the same regardless of tree species. Water-extracts were analyzed for the concentrations of dissolved organic C (DOC) and N (DON) and characterized according to molecular size distribution by ultrafiltration and according to chemical composition using a resin fractionation technique. The concentration of DON, in particular, was higher in birch soil than in spruce soil. The distribution of DOC and DON into different fractions based on molecular size or chemical composition was rather similar in both soils. The concentration of total phenolics, expressed as tannic acid equivalents, was higher in the humus layer under birch than in the humus layer under spruce, because the birch humus layer contained significantly more low-molecular weight (about <0.5 kD) phenolics than the spruce humus layer did. The concentration of proanthocyanidins (condensed tannins) was higher in spruce soil than in birch soil. The concentrations of the five most abundant phenolic acids showed that ferulic and p-coumaric acids were more abundant in spruce soil. Birch soil tended to contain slightly more nonvolatile sesquiterpenes than the spruce soil. The concentration of diterpenes was similar in both soils; but birch soil contained significantly more triterpenes, mainly sterols, than spruce soil did.     

Effect of industrial emissions on membrane permeability of epiphytic lichens in Northern Finland and the Kola Peninsula industrial areas

The impact of air pollution on membrane permeability of the epiphytic lichens Hypogymnia physodes and Bryoria fuscescens was studied in northern Finland and the Kola Peninsula to assess the effects of the Kola industrial emissions. The conductivity and quantity of K⁺ in leachates of the lichens were determined both as absolute and relative leakage. The K⁺ leakage from the lichens was the most sensitive indicator of membrane disturbance. Positive relationships between K⁺ leakage and decreasing distance from pollution sources and modelled atmospheric SO₂ concentrations were found and the K⁺ leakage and Cu and Ni concentrations of Scots pine bark were also highly correlated. The relative conductivity of leachates was inversely related to distance from sources, while the absolute conductivity of leachates from lichens was positively correlated with bark S. The ion leakage was higher in fruticose Bryoria fuscescens than in foliose Hypogymnia physodes, but the overall response to pollution was similar in both species. The methods used were able to identify areas of disturbed membrane function around the Kola industrial areas and local point sources in northern Finland. However, the majority of the studied sites in Finnish Lapland can be regarded as undisturbed background areas with respect to these sensitive lichens.     

Radial distribution patterns of Cd and Zn in stems of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees analyzed 12 years after a contamination event

Radial distribution patterns of Cd and Zn in stems of Scots pine trees (Pius sylvestris L.) were investigated 12 years after a soil pollution event. The trees were growing on experimental plots near Krakow, southern Poland, which had been contaminated with heavy-metal-containing dust in 1980/81. The element distributions were examined for visible signals of the pollution event. Distributions of Cd and Zn in trees on contaminated plots showed elevated concentrations but were not uniform in shape. Only 2 of the 12 examined trees on plots with elevated Cd levels had highest Cd concentrations in xylem rings produced at the time of the pollution event. None of the sampled trees from the Zn plots had highest Zn concentrations in xylem rings which corresponded to the time of the pollution event. In the majority of sampled trees, concentrations of Cd and Zn decreased markedly in rings produced after the application of Cd and Zn dusts. In trees on contaminated plots concentrations of Cd and Zn were generally higher in sapwood than in heartwood. A sharp decline of both elements across the sapwood-heartwood boundary was observed. The distribution patterns of Cd and Zn are discussed with respect to endogenous physiological processes in stem wood. The element patterns observed in the wood of individual trees did not correspond to the known timing of pollution inputs to respective forest stands.     

Spatial and temporal variability of algal and lichen epiphytes on trees in relation to pollutant deposition in Sweden

Green algae on Norway spruce needles and lichens on Scots pine and birch bark have been monitored for four and ten years, respectively, within the National Swedish Environmental Monitoring Program (PMK). Their spatial and temporal patterns in Sweden were analyzed. Algal colony thickness and colonization rate on needles increased from north to south and from east to west, but also with length of growing season and amount of atmospheric N and S deposition. However, no clear temporal trend was found over the 10 yr monitoring period. In general, patterns for sensitive lichens were opposite to those observed for the algae. Weighted Mean Sensitivity (WMS) of lichens was determined to be the best index of air quality among three indices evaluated. WMS increased from south to north, from west to east, and decreased with increasing deposition of N and S. The observed geographic, pollutional and biological variables were highly correlated with each other. Therefore, the relationships between biological and environmental factors cannot be clarified at the present time.     

The use of moss,lichen and pine bark in the nationwide monitoring of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in Finland

Mosses, lichens and pine bark were compared as indicators of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in Finland. The samples were collected from the nationwide sampling network systematically covering the country as a whole. All three bioindicators showed a fairly similar result concerning heavy metal deposition. The major emission sources and the areas affected were reflected in the metal concentrations in the samples. However, there were differences between the accumulation of metals. The correlation between concentrations in mosses and lichens was generally higher than that between mosses and bark or lichens and bark. Concentrations in lichens were the highest and lichens reflected the regional differences in background areas as well as the local emission sources. The concentrations in the mosses were slightly lower than those in lichens and also the mosses pinpointed the emission sources and the extend of the areas polluted. Bark had the lowest concentrations and bark did not generally reveal regional differences as well as mosses and lichens. In spite of the differences, all three bioindicators proved to be suitable for monitoring atmospheric heavy metal deposition.     

Biomonitoring of Metal Availability in the Southern Basin of the Lagoon of Venice (Italy) by Means of Macroalgae

Macroalgae of the following species: Ulva laetevirens, Enteromorpha intestinalis, Gracilaria verrucosa and Sargassum mutycum, were used to monitor metal concentrations (Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Co, Ni, Cd) in the waters of the southern basin of the Lagoon of Venice. Sampling was performed at 5 sites, gradually moving north from the town of Chioggia. Species-specific seasonal variability was observed, with significant increases of Cd in U. laetevirens in January,Al and Pb in E. intestinalis in May, and Al and Ni in S. mutycum in January. Seasonal relative frequencies of metalpeak concentrations emphasize the occurrence of Pb peaks in May for all the studied species. Analysis of inter-site variability shows significant increases of Al, Fe, Cr and Pb in U. laetevirens at the Hydro-Biological Station, located within the town of Chioggia. Metal concentrations in algae are comparable with those in other areas of the lagoon, although Fe, Cr and Ni concentrations are lower than in the northern and central basins.This result fits dissolved metal concentrations determined byother authors, but does not correspond to the reported presence ofCr in the sediments of the southern basin. The hypothesis isdiscussed according to which low Cr levels in algae reflect Crspeciation in sediments.     

Schwermetallanreicherungen in Salzmarschen der südlichen Nordseeküste

Heavy metal accumulations in Salic Fluvisols of the southern North Sea coast The total contents of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn (HNO₃ bomb digestion) and their EDTA extractable fractions in Salic Fluvisols were investigated. The mean total content of Cd was 0,09 mg/kg, of Pb 44,1 mg/kg, of Cu 11,4 mg/kg and of Zn 105,6 mg/kg. Mostly the highly developed soils showed higher contents than poorly developed ones. The EDTA extractable fractions were comparatively small: they were 59% (Cd), 44% (Pb), 15% (Cu) and 10% (Zn) of the total content. The heavy metal contents of the soils in Elisabeth-Außengroden were higher than of those in Jadebusen. The vertical heavy metal distribution showed a different sedimentation pattern over the last hundred years. Compared with the geological background values Cd was 2- to 3-fold enriched, Pb 7-fold, Cu 3- to 4-fold and Zn 3-fold in soils with high sedimentation rates. Even higher values are likely in soils with smaller sedimentation rates.     

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.     

Effect of trees on the decomposition rate of cellulose in soils under industrial pollution

The effect of spruce and birch on the spatial distribution of the decomposition rate of pure cellulose in the region of the Middle Urals copper smelter near the town of Revda in Sverdlovsk oblast (southern taiga) was studied. The contamination of the soil by heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn) decreased the decomposition rate by 2.7 (spruce-fir forests) to 5.4 (birch forests) times and increased its spatial variation (the coefficient of variation reached 80–226%). The trees in the forests could not be considered as the main determinants of the horizontal structure of the soil microbocenosis, because the position of a test point with respect to the tree stem explains less than 10% of the total spatial variance of the cellulolytic activity. The decomposition rate of the cellulose in the spruce-fir forests was higher than in the birch forests; it was higher in the undercrown areas than in the forest canopy gaps. It was supposed that this was related to the buffering role of the litter, which smoothed the fluctuations of the water content. Under the pollution conditions, the differences between the coniferous and deciduous biotopes increased, and those between the undercrown areas and canopy gaps decreased.     

模拟酸雨和外源铝对茶树铝及一些营养元素吸收积累的影响

采用盆栽方法,研究了模拟酸雨和外源铝对茶树铝及一些营养元素吸收积累的影响,以期为酸沉降区茶园管理提供资料。结果表明,随着外源铝浓度的增加,茶树根、茎和叶中铝含量增加,在适度浓度外源铝处理下,模拟酸雨促进茶树根、茎和叶对铝的吸收与积累,高酸高铝则抑制茶树各器官中铝的积累。外源铝促进茶树根、茎和叶对磷、铜和铁的吸收与积累,促进茶树茎和叶对钾的吸收与积累,对茶树根中钾含量没有明显的影响,外源铝抑制茶树根对钙、镁和锌的吸收与积累,但不影响它们在茶树中的运输,茎和叶中含量增加。模拟酸雨对茶树根和茎中磷含量没有明显影响,pH4.5的模拟酸雨有利于茶叶磷的积累,模拟酸雨对茶树根、茎和叶中钾、钙、镁、铜和锌含量没有明显的影响。无外源铝处理下,模拟酸雨降低茶树根系中铁的含量,对茎和叶中铁含量没有明显影响,外源铝处理下,模拟酸雨明显降低茶树根、茎和叶中铁的含量,并且外源铝处理浓度越高,模拟酸雨对根、茎和叶中铁含量的降低幅度越大。     

Analysis of organic and inorganic sulfur constituents and 34S-isotopes in dated sediments of Forest Lakes in southern Finland

A modification of the Jonson-Nishita digestion-distillation apparatus was used to determine the S constituents of sediments from three forest lakes (Munajärvi, Orajärvi, and Sorvalampi) in southern Finland. Lakes Munajärvi and Orajarvi had undergone marked acidification during the past 30 yr or so presumably due to acid deposition as revealed from sedimentary diatom and chrysophycean remains. Organic S constituted a major part of the total S, and during the recent years the portion of C-bonded S increased in the Lakes Munajarvi and Sorvalampi more strongly than the portion of sulfate esters. In the case of Lake Orajärvi the concentration of total S increased by a factor of 2.3 from its preindustrial level which seems to be due to an increase of both C-bonded S and SO₄ ^?2. Coincidentally with the up core increase in total S, the sediment cores of Orajärvi and Munajarvi were strongly depleted of the ³⁴S-isotope (r = ?0.83 in Orajärvi n = 15, and r = ? 0.84 in Munajärvi n = 10). This implies that the recent changes in sedimentary S are related to the increasing input of airborne pollutant S since about 1850 in Orajarvi and 1950 in Munajärvi provided that the ²¹⁰Pb dating of the cores is correct and diagenetic changes have not greatly altered the vertical distribution of S in these sediments.     

Air pollution damage to cell membranes in lichens -Results of simple biological test applied in Rijeka,Yugoslavia Yugoslavia

A simple biological test developed by Pearson (1985) was applied to specimens of lichens collected within Rijeka city area to determine their plasma membrane integrity. Two strains of lichens were tested: Parmelia tiliacea (Hoffm.) Ach., a strain relatively tolerant, and Pannaria testacea Jørg., a strain more sensitive to air pollution. For comparison, the same test was applied to specimens of lichens collected at a coastal site in the vicinity of Rijeka as well as specimens from southern Norway. The obtained results on membrane damage are in good agreement with SO₂ concentration data (where available) and determined lichens zones within city area.     

Mineral element concentration of two barley cultivars in relation to water deficit and aluminum toxicity

The separate and combined effects of water and Al stress on concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Al, Sr, and Ba were determined in tops of ‘Dayton’ (Al‐tolerant) and ‘Kearney’ (Al‐sensitive) barley (Hordeum vulgäre L.) grown in an acid, Al‐toxic, Tatum subsoil (clayey, mixed, thermic, Typic Hapludult). Plants were grown 4 weeks in a plant growth chamber at high (pH 4.7) or low (pH 6.6) Al stress. During the last 2 weeks they were also subjected to low (‐20 to ‐40 kPa), moderate (‐40 to ‐60 kPa), or high (‐60 to ‐80 kPa) water stress. In general, Al stress had a greater overall effect on mineral element concentration of tops than water stress. Aluminum stress significantly decreased concentrations of P, Ca, and Mg and increased concentrations of Zn, Sr, and Ba, irrespective of the cultivar or water stress treatment. Cultivar differences in Mn concentration were observed with Al stress under all water stress conditions. In each case, Mn concentration was lower in ‘Kearney’ than in ‘Dayton’. Potassium, Ca, and Mg were lower in ‘Kearney’ than in ‘Dayton’ only at low and moderate water stress, under low Al stress, ‘Kearney’ had significantly higher concentrations of K and Ca than did ‘Dayton’ under all water stress conditions. The effects of water stress on mineral element concentration varied greatly with cultivar, Al stress treatment, and severity of water stress. Under high Al stress, increasing drought conditions from low water stress (‐20 to ‐40 kPa) to high water stress (‐60 to ‐80 kPa) significantly increased the concentrations of Ca, K, Zn, Sr, and Ba in Al‐sensitive ‘Kearney’ and reduced the concentrations of Zn, Sr, and Ba in Al‐tolerant ‘Dayton'; P and Mg concentration were unaffected by water stress. In contrast, under low Al stress, a corresponding increase in water stress significantly increased the concentrations of Ca and reduced that of P in ‘Kearney’ and increased Ca and B concentration in ‘Dayton'; Mg concentrations were unaffected in either cultivar. Thus, it appears that Al stress and water stress had opposite effects on Ca accumulation in barley tissue.     

Case studies of Asian dust storm impacts on a coastal site: implication of a good dust storm tracer

Significant dust storm impacts have seldom been recorded and reported in Hong Kong. Herein, four cases which occurred in Hong Kong during the spring times of recent years are examined using back-trajectory computation and chemical analysis of air-borne samples. All of the cases show that the dust was transported from the source to Hong Kong in 2–5 days and that PM₁₀ concentrations approached or exceeded the European Union air quality criteria and the USA National Ambient Air Quality Standard. The chemical characteristics of the samples taken in these events agreed both with those from the source regions and with those archived from selected Hong Kong datasets. The concentrations of the crustal constituents (Al, Fe, Mn, Ca) of the Hong Kong samples on the episode days were at least three times higher than the concentrations measured on non-episode days. The mass ratios of Fe/Al and Mn/Al (but not Ca/Al) can act as good tracers of Asian dust storms to this coastal site where sea-salt and other anthropogenic species are normally dominant. Furthermore, unusually high Mg levels indicated a mainly crustal origin for this element, rather than the marine origin normally found at this coastal location. Particulate nitrate exhibited more elevated concentrations in all of the dust storm samples than in non-dust-storm and local samples.     

Forms of Cu,Ni, and Zn in soils of sudbury,ontario and the metal concentrations in plants

Forms of Cu, Ni, and Zn in the contaminated soils of the Sudbury mining/smelting district were studied to assess metal mobility and plant availability. Soil, tufted grass (Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) Beauv.), tickle grass (Agrostis scabra Willd.), dwarf birch (Betula pumila L. var. glandulifera Regel) and white birch (Betula paprifera Marsh.) leaf and twig samples were taken from 20 locations around three Cu-Ni smelters. The sampling sites were collected to cover a wide range of soil pH and soil Cu and Ni concentrations. The water-soluble, exchangeable, sodium acetate-soluble, and total concentrations of the metals in the soils were analyzed. The soils were contaminated with Cu and Ni up to 2000 µg g^?1. Zinc concentrations were also elevated in some samples above the normal soil level of 100 µg g^?1. The mobility of Cu and Zn, expressed as the proportion of metals in Fl and F2 forms, increased with soil pH decrease. A strong positive correlation was found between the soil exchangeable (F2) Ni and the soil pH. Concentrations of Cu and Ni in birch twigs showed a good linear relationship with exchangeable forms of the metals in soils. A highly significant correlation was also found between total Ni in soils and the metal content of the twigs. No significant correlation was found between Zn concentrations in the soils and plants. Birch twigs are a good indicator (better than leaves) of Cu and Ni contamination of the Sudbury soils. The mobile forms of Cu and Ni and low pH seem to be the main factors that will control the success of revegetation. Strong variability of the soil metal mobility requires any reclamation effort be site-specific.     

Water uptake by black spruce seedlings from rooting media (solution,sand, peat) treated with inorganic and oxalated aluminum

Experiments with solution cultures revealed that 1-yr-old black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.]) seedlings growing in nutrient solutions experienced reductions in water uptake and moist plant weight when treated with water-soluble inorganic Al at the time of rapid shoot elongation. These reductions occurred with solution concentrations for Al at ≥ 16 mg L^?1. Wilting was noticed with Al ≥ 8 mg L^?1. In contrast, oxalated Al treatments had no visible effects on either water uptake or moist plant weight during shoot elongation. Later, near the time of budset, neither inorganic nor oxalated Al had an effect on moist plant weight or water uptake. This suggests that black spruce seedlings may or may not be susceptible to water-soluble inorganic Al depending on the degree of Al complexation afforded by the rooting medium, and by the plant roots at different times of the growing season. Water uptake was affected by the type of rooting medium in which the seedlings grew. For example, water uptake from peat was greater than water uptake from solution. Water uptake from sand was intermediate. Water uptake from solution-only cultures was probably affected by restricted O₂ supply.     

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。