Status of anthropogenically induced metal pollution in the Kanpur-Unnao industrial region of the Ganga Plain, India

 The Ganga Plain is one of the most densely populated regions and one of the largest groundwater repositories of the Earth. For several decades, the drainage basin of the Ganga Plain has been used for the disposal of domestic and industrial wastes which has adversely affected the quality of water, sediments and agricultural soils of the plain. The concentrations of Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Zn and organic carbon were determined in river sediments and soils of the Ganga Plain in the Kanpur-Unnao industrial region in 1994 and 1995 (pre-monsoon period of April–May). High contents (maximum values) of C-org (12.0 wt. %), Cr (3.40 wt. %), Sn (1.92 wt. %), Zn (4000 mg/kg), Pb (646 mg/kg), Cu (408 mg/kg), Ni (502 mg/kg) and Cd (9.8 mg/kg) in sediments (<20 μm fraction); and C-org (5.9 wt. %), Cr (2.16 wt. %), Sn (1.21 wt %), Zn (975 mg/kg) and Ni (482 mg/kg) in soils (<20 μm) in the pre-monsoon period of 1994 were found. From 1994 to 1995 the contents of Fe and Sn in sediments increase whereas those of C-org, Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn decrease. Considering the analytical errors, Al, Co, Cr, Mn and Pb do not show any change in their concentrations. In soils, the contents of Cd, Fe and Sn increase whereas those of Ni decrease from 1994 to 1995. Aluminium, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn do not show any change in their concentrations from 1994 to 1995. About 90% of the contents of Cd, Cr and Sn; 50–75% of C-org, Cu and Zn; and 25% of Co, Ni and Pb in sediments are derived from the anthropogenic input in relation to the natural background values, whereas in soils this is the case for about 90% of Cr and Sn; about 75% of Cd; and about 25% of C-org, Cu, Ni and Zn. The sediments of the study area show enrichment factors of 23.6 for Cr, 14.7 for Cd, 12.2 for Sn, 3.6 for C-org, 3.2 for Zn, 2.6 for Cu and 1.6 for Ni. The soils are enriched with factors of 10.7 for Cr, 9.0 for Sn, 3.6 for Cd, 1.8 for Ni and 1.5 for Cu and Zn, respectively. Received: 3 March 1998 · Accepted: 15 June 1998     

Enrichment of heavy metals in paddy crops irrigated by paper mill effluents near Nanjangud, Mysore District, Karnatake, India

 Extensive irrigation by the effluents released from a paper mill near Nanjangud have led to the accumulation of heavy metals in the soil and different parts of the paddy crops. In this paper, the physicochemical characteristics of paper mill effluents and the accumulation of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Co, Cd, Cr, and Ni) in the soil and different parts (root, leaf, and seed) of the paddy crops growing in the irrigated area are described and compared with the soil and paddy crops irrigated by natural waters (unpolluted). Chemical and biological oxygen demands of wastewater were found to be 437 and 1070 ppm respectively, which are beyond the tolerance limits set by Indian standards. The total dissolved and suspended solids are 1754 and 900 ppm respectively. The concentration of heavy metals (except Zn) in the seeds is remarkably less than that in the roots and leaves of the paddy crops. The heavy metal uptake by plants shows the greatest accumulation of Cu, Cr, Co, and Pb in the roots; Cd and Ni in the leaves; and Zn in the seeds of rice. The heavy metal content of the soil and their total uptake by paddy roots has the relation: Pb>Zn>Cu>Cd and Pb>Cu>Zn>Cd. Survival of paddy crops irrigated by polluted waters indicates tolerance to toxic heavy metals. In conclusion, since in many tropical countries the common diet of people is rice, the accumulation of toxic heavy metals in rice may lead to health disorders. Received: 18 July 1995 / Accepted: 24 February 1997     

Geochemical behaviour and relative mobility of metals (Mn, Cd, Zn and Pb) in recent sediments of a retention pond along the A-71 motorway in Sologne, France

 Retention ponds have been dug along some of the motorways in France to minimize environmental pollution by keeping pollutants from spreading over the surrounding area. In the current work, eight core samples were collected from the bottom of a retention pond located along the A-71 motorway in Sologne to study the pollution of sediment by heavy metals and their diagenetic behaviour. The vertical concentration profiles of metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Fe and Mn) in sediment as well as in interstitial water were determined. Especially in the case of the sediment, a sequential extraction method was employed to investigate how the movement of each metal is associated with the other metals and with other solid phases such as organic matter. In addition, to investigate the relative mobility of the metals, the distribution coefficients (K_D) were also determined. The concentrations of the metals were always found to be highest in the topmost layer of sediment. This so-called surface enrichment is caused by a substantial increase of the non-detrital fraction of these metals at the sediment surface. For instance, the accumulation of Pb and Zn is associated with the increase in the "fraction II" in the sequential extraction. The accumulation of Cd at the surface (0–2 cm) is partly due to the liberation of Cd from the particles during early diagenesis. However, the major factor contributing to the accumulation of Cd at the sediment surface is attributed to the dissolution of Cd from polluted roadside soil during the periods of rainstorms and its subsequent redeposition on the sediment surface after being carried to the retention pond. K_D values for Zn and Cd were found to decrease with depth, while K_D values for Pb increased. Based on the K_D values, the relative mobilities of the studied metals were determined to be as follows: Mn>Zn>Cd>Pb, for the upper layer, and Mn>Cd>Zn>Pb, for the layers below. Received: 28 October 1996 / Accepted: 21 November 1996     

Determining the anthropogenic contribution of heavy metal accumulations around a typical industrial town: Xushe,China

Industrial emissions are the major sources of heavy metal pollutions. This study investigates the anthropogenic contribution of heavy metal accumulation surrounding an industrial town in China, using the component partition method. Results show that Cu, Ni, Pb, and As have higher concentrations compared with their background levels and the industrial town has a significant impact on heavy metal accumulations in its surrounding agricultural soil. Prevailing wind direction may explain the difference of heavy metal concentration in different directions. Anthropogenic components of Cu, Ni, Pb and As, which decrease with distance following exponential functions, account for 11.4%, 6.2%, 18.5% and 7.9% of their total concentrations, respectively. The natural components are modeled as the functions of physico-chemical variables through multiple regressions. The accumulating processes of heavy metals affected by industrial activities could be explained by anthropogenic and natural components, and thus, it could provide basic information for further simulation of heavy metal accumulations.     

Calcareous skeletons of sea urchins as indicators of heavy metals pollution. Portman Bay, Spain

 Portman Bay presents elevated quantities of metals and heavy metals in the sediments and rocky outcrops. The calcitic skeletons of the sea urchins that live there present elevated concentrations of Mn, Fe, Zn, and Pb (249, 273, 32, and 59 ppm) in comparison with control zones (beach of La Vila) where the concentrations for these elements are 5, 7, 8, and 2 ppm, respectively. Two species of sea urchins have been studied: Paracentrotus lividus and Arbacia lixula. The different compositions between the plates and the spines of their skeletons have also been studied. Received: 20 November 1995 · Accepted: 25 January 1996     

Heavy metal pollution in freshly deposited sediments of the Yamuna River (the Ganges River tributary): a case study from Delhi and Agra urban centres, India

 The Yamuna River sediments, collected from Delhi and Agra urban centres, were analysed for concentration and distribution of nine heavy metals by means of atomic adsorption spectrometry. Total metal contents varied in the following ranges (in mg/kg): Cr (157–817), Mn (515–1015), Fe (28,700–45,300), Co(11.7–28.4), Ni (40–538), Cu (40–1204), Zn (107–1974), Pb (22–856) and Cd (0.50–114.8). The degree of metal enrichment was compared with the average shale concentration and shows exceptionally high values for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in both urban centres. In the total heavy metal concentration, anthropogenic input contains 70% Cr, 74% Cu, 59% Zn, 46% Pb, 90% Cd in Delhi and 61% Cr, 23% Ni, 71% Cu, 72% Zn, 63% Pb, 94% Cd in Agra. A significant correlation was observed between increasing Cr, Ni, Zn, and Cu concentrations with increasing total sediment carbon and total sediment sulfur content. Based on the Müller's geoaccumulation index, the quality of the river sediments can be regarded as being moderately polluted to very highly polluted with Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in the Delhi and Agra urban centres. The present sediment analysis, therefore, plays an important role in environmental measures for the Yamuna River and the planning of these city centres. Received: 21 June 1999 · Accepted: 1 October 1999     

Channel processes as a factor controlling accumulation of heavy metals in river bottom sediments: consequences for pollution monitoring (Upper Silesia, Poland)

 An evaluation of the influence of channel processes (erosion, accumulation, processing of channel sediments) on the dispersal of heavy metals in bottom sediments was carried out in the channels of the Sztoła and Biała Przemsza rivers in Upper Silesia, Poland. These rivers receive waters from a Zn and Pb mine. Mine waters transport a large amount of fine-grained sediments contaminated with heavy metals. The polluted material is accumulated in these stream courses and mixed with nearly homogeneous sandy sediment derived from erosion of the river banks and bed. Because these alluvia are easily set in motion, the distribution of heavy metal concentration in the channel in fraction <1 mm reflects differences in physical processes of sedimentation in its cross-section. The minimal values in active channel and maximal in the near-bank zone are typical for those channel sections where heavy metals, present in a solid state, are transported as a suspended load (normally the largest part of a polluted river course). In short sections heavy metals associated with the grains of a large mass which has accumulated in the active channel are transported as a bed load and the typical distribution pattern is reversed (in fractions both <1 mm and <0.063 mm). Such regularities can be disturbed in localities where strong, turbulent flow or frequent eddying occur and Mn oxides and hydrooxides and associated elements precipitate. The smallest variation in heavy metal concentration in the homogenous, fine-grained bank sediments which are trapped by plants below water level is a feature which recommends these localities as being the most suitable for monitoring of river pollution. Received: 11 November 1997 · Accepted: 12 March 1998     

Stratigraphic sequence, elemental concentrations and heavy metal pollution in Holocene sediments from the Tinto-Odiel Estuary, southwestern Spain

 The Holocene filling of the Tinto-Odiel Estuary comprises seven lithofacies over a Mio-Pliocene substrate. The sequence includes three system tracts: lowstand system (10 000 to 8700 years BP), transgressive system (8700 to 7000 years BP), and regressive system (7000 to Recent). Twenty sediment samples from the 50-m borehole were analyzed for their major components and minor element concentrations. Two multivariate analysis methods, principal component analysis and cluster analysis, were performed in the analytical data set to help visualize the sample clusters and the element associations. Samples corresponding to unpolluted, pre-mining sediments are clearly separated by cluster analysis, mainly as a result of the low content in sulphide-associated heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, As, Ag, and Pb. So, these sediments may be utilized as a background for geochemical analysis (bulk sample) in other adjacent estuaries, both in sandy and silty-clayey sediments. As a consequence of large-scale mining and smelting operations occurred since prehistoric times on the river banks, a rapid rise in the metal pollution was found in the upper 2.5 m of the natural filling, with values exceeding up to ten times the natural background levels. In addition, since the mid-1960s, large amounts of waste and pollutant effluents have been discharged from industries located around the estuary, increasing the heavy metal content in the last 0.3 m of the natural sedimentation. Received: 18 August 1997 · Accepted: 19 January 1998     

Heavy metal pollution of coastal river sediments, north-eastern New South Wales, Australia: lead isotope and chemical evidence

 Heavy metal and metalloid concentrations within stream-estuary sediments (<180-μm size fraction) in north-eastern New South Wales largely represent natural background values. However, element concentrations (Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn) of Hunter River sediments within the heavily industrialized and urbanized Newcastle region exceed upstream background values by up to one order of magnitude. High element concentrations have been found within sediments of the Newcastle Harbour and Throsby Creek which drains into urbanized and light industry areas. Observed Pb enrichments and low ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios are likely caused by atmospheric deposition of Pb additives from petrol and subsequent Pb transport by road run-off waters into the local drainage system. Sediments of the Richmond River and lower Manning, Macleay, Clarence, Brunswick and Tweed River generally display no evidence for anthropogenic heavy metal and metalloid contamination (Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn). However, the rivers and their tributaries possess localized sedimentary traps with elevated heavy metal concentrations (Cu, Pb, Zn). Lead isotope data indicate that anthropogenic Pb provides a detectable contribution to investigated sediments. Such contributions are evident at sample sites close to sewage outlets and in the vicinity of the Pacific Highway. In addition, As concentrations of Richmond River sediments gradually increase downstream. This geochemical trend may be the result of As mobilization from numerous cattle-dip sites within the region into the drainage system and subsequent accumulation of As in downstream river and estuary sediments. Received: 5 September 1997 · Accepted: 4 November 1997     

Source of pollution as a factor controlling distribution of heavy metals in bottom sediments of Chechło River (south Poland)

 The influence of sources of effluents on pollution of bottom sediments of the small Chechło River (23 km long, mean discharge 1.5 m³ s^–1) in southern Poland was examined through analysis of heavy metals distribution in transverse and longitudinal cross sections. Underground waters from a Pb–Zn mine cause very high concentrations of Zn, Cd, and Pb in both fractions investigated (<1 mm and <0.063 mm) of sediments in the active channel zone, whereas sedimentation of huge amounts of suspended matter discharged from oil refinery cause concentrations of heavy metals in fine fractions rather uniform in cross sections. In the lowest reach, with relatively reduced contamination, the highest concentration both in fine and coarse fractions occurs close to the river banks and in the deepest points of the channel. The lowest concentrations have been found at the points of strongest reworking and accumulation of sandy material in the riverbed. Received: 25 April 1995 · Accepted: 11 September 1995     

Stable isotopes and heavy metal distribution in Dreissena polymorpha (Zebra Mussels) from western basin of Lake Erie, Canada

 Dreissena polymorpha is an exotic freshwater bivalve species which was introduced into the Great Lakes system in the fall of 1985 through the release of ballast water from European freighters. Utilizing individual growth rings of the shells, the stable isotope distribution (δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C) was determined for the life history of selected samples which were collected from the western basin of Lake Erie. These bivalves deposit their shell in near equilibrium with the ambient water and thus reflect any annual variation of the system in the isotopic records held within their shells. Observed values for δ¹⁸O range from -6.64 to –9.46‰ with an average value of –7.69‰ PDB, while carbon values ranged from –0.80 to –4.67‰ with an average value of –1.76‰ PDB. Dreissena polymorpha shells incorporate metals into their shells during growth. Individual shell growth increments were analyzed for Pb, Fe, Mg, Mn, Cd, Cu, and V concentrations. The shells show increased uptake of certain metals during periods of isotopic enrichment which correspond with warmer water temperatures. Since metals are incorporated into the shells, the organism may be useful as a biomonitor of metal pollution within aquatic environments. Received: 31 October 1996 · Accepted: 21 May 1997     

Magnetic screening of a pollution hotspot in the Lausitz area, Eastern Germany: correlation analysis between magnetic proxies and heavy metal contamination in soils

This investigation was carried out within the scope of EU-FP5 project MAGPROX. In parallel with the work of Kalinski et al. (2004, submitted), in which the magnetic signatures of the same soil profiles were analysed in more detail. The ‘hot spot’ under investigation was situated in the Lausitz area, Eastern Germany, between two major power plants, Schwarze Pumpe and Boxberg. This heavily industrialized region is known as the Black Triangle, named after the large lignite deposits and the old-technology power plants, among other petrochemical plants, refineries, textile manufacturing and glasswork industries. The relationship between magnetic parameters and heavy metal concentrations (Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, Cd, Co and Ni) in soil profiles was determined statistically using linear regression analysis. Strong positive correlation was observed between heavy metal concentrations as viewed preliminarily from the heavy metal and magnetic susceptibility distributions with depth (soil profiles), and from the correlation coefficients obtained.MAGPROX team–FP5 RTD Project No. EVK2-CT-1999-00019     

Groundwater pollution in Quaternary aquifer of Vitoria – Gasteiz (Basque Country, Spain)

 As a result of diverse changes in land use and in water-resource management in the high basin of the Zadorra River (Basque Country), an important loss of water resources and an intense contamination by nitrogen compounds has taken place. The purpose of this paper is to detail the land transformations that have taken place on the aquifer since the 1950s: increase of drainage network, change from dry to irrigated farming, and diversion of rivers at the aquifer unit inlet. Furthermore, we analyze the impact of these transformations on the hydrodynamics and water quality of this aquifer system. Received: 12 January 1996 · Accepted: 10 March 1996     

Groundwater pollution in the Isparta Plain, Turkey

 Groundwater pollution in the Isparta plain of Turkey is described. The wastewater in the city canalization and waste storage are the largest polluters. Their environmental effect has been investigated, and it has been found that almost two-thirds of the aquifer in the study area is severely polluted. Received: 18 September 1997 · Accepted: 13 January 1998     

Groundwater pollution due to discharge of industrial effluents in Venkatapuram area, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

 Hindustan Polymers Limited was established in the Venkatapuram area in the northwestern part of Visakhapatnam urban agglomeration. Untreated industrial effluent from the plant is discharged with total dissolved solids concentrations reaching up to 6500 mg/l. The groundwater pollution was identified as early as 1981 and a hydrogeologic and water-quality database is available from 1981. The groundwater quality in the plant environs is found to be in the range of 3500–4500 mg/l. Major chemical constituents of industrial-waste waters consist of Na, Cl, and SO₄. Some characteristic parameters of the aquifer were estimated. The available hydrogeologic and hydrologic data was analyzed to conceptualize the groundwater regime. A mathematical groundwater flow model was constructed to compute the hydraulic head at the center of finite-difference grid. The computed head distribution and effective porosity of the formations were used to calculate the groundwater flow velocity. The computed velocity field was ultimately used to prognose the pollutant migration in groundwater accounting for the advection and dispersion processes in the mass transport model and for determining the time-dependent pathlines of pollutant. Areal migration of pollutants from the source was predicted up to year 2002. Received: 23 December 1996 · Accepted: 9 September 1997     

Metal retention in a thin karstic soil, Christian County, Missouri

 The response of a Wilderness cherty loam series soil to repeated dosages of metals (as sewage sludge) using a two-step sequential extraction procedure was investigated. Variations in metal content between amended and control soils were related to organic matter, clay content, and clay mineralogy. Of the four metals investigated, Cu was found to accumulate in the top 20 cm of amended soils; Pb and Zn were present in even smaller amounts with respect to the control soils, and Cr concentrations were unaffected with respect to both depth and amendment. None of the metals indicated accumulation in deeper (>20 cm) parts of the soil profile. Overall, results suggest that the metals remobilize in the top 20 cm, being readily uptaken by the fescue grass growing in this lot. Precipitation of insoluble forms of metal into deeper parts of the soil profile was proven unlikely based on the distribution of metal concentrations throughout the profile. Received: 15 December 1997 · Accepted: 23 March 1998     

Heavy metal concentrations in floodplain surface soils, Lahn River, Germany

 Even relatively pristine drainage basins in industrial countries would appear to have received anthropogenic inputs of heavy metals. Investigation of floodplain surface soils in the Lahn River drainage basin, west-central Germany, indicates that the Cu concentration is 1.5 times the pre-industrial level, Pb and Zn contents twice the pre-industrial level; Cd, Co, and Cr concentrations are nearly equal to background metal values. Based on contamination standards developed for the Lahn River, floodplain soils are moderately contaminated with Pb and Zn, slightly contaminated with Cu. Metal contents are uniform across the floodplain, with the exception of a peak immediately adjacent to the Lahn River. Floodplain surface soil metal contents are less in the Lahn River basin than in larger drainage systems of Germany. Although Lahn River metalliferous sediments are presently immobile, they would, if eroded, contribute to downstream heavy metal concentrations. Consequently, metal storage in smaller drainage basins such as the Lahn should be considered in predictions of future metal loads in major river systems, for aggregate small basins could serve as significant metal contributors. Received: 21 August 1995 · Accepted: 23 January 1996     

Distribution of heavy metals in the Piscinas beach sediments (SW Sardinia, Italy)

We have studied sediments of the Piscinas beach (SW Sardinia, Italy), which is supplied by two streams that wash mine dumps of abandoned lead and zinc mines at Montevecchio and Ingurtosu, situated inland from the supply basin of the beach itself. A study of the texture, mineralogy and geochemistry of the sediments was conducted for the purpose of assessing the possible influence of the mine waste on the composition of the sediments, looking for any anomalous enrichments in heavy metals. Furthermore, to evaluate and quantify metal release into the sea, samples of Posidonia oceanica, a bioaccumulator marine plant, were also examined. The results indicate that the distribution of heavy metals in the foreshore sediments is particularly affected by the contribution of the streams, while in the shoreface the distribution is affected by the currents that disperse the sediments both out to sea and southwards. The metal contents of the Posidonia oceanica are correlated with the different stages of activity of the mines. Received: 28 January 1998 · Accepted: 22 April 1998     

Potential hyperaccumulation of Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd in endurant plants distributed in an old smeltery, northeast China

The absorption and accumulation of Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd in some endurant weed plant species that survived in an old smeltery in Liaoning, China, were systematically investigated. Potential hyperaccumulative characteristics of these species were also discussed. The results showed that metal accumulation in plants differed with species, tissues and metals. Endurant weed plants growing in this contaminated site exhibited high metal adaptability. Both the metal exclusion and detoxification tolerance strategies were involved in the species studied. Seven species for Pb and four species for Cd were satisfied for the concentration time level standard for hyperaccumulator. Considering translocation factor (TF) values, one species for Pb, seven species for Zn, two species for Cu and five species for Cd possessed the characteristic of hyperaccumulator. Particularly, Abutilon theophrasti Medic, exhibited strong accumulative ability to four heavy metals. Although enrichment coefficients of all samples were lesser than 1 and the absolute concentrations didn’t reach the standard, species mentioned above were primarily believed to be potential hyperaccumulators.     

Historical record of heavy metal pollution deduced by lead isotope ratios in core sediments from the Osaka Bay,Japan

Three marine sediment cores from Osaka Bay were analyzed for ²¹⁰Pb geochronology, heavy metal concentrations (Zn, Cu, and Pb) and stable lead isotope ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb) in order to reconstruct high-resolution heavy metal pollution history from 1900–2006. Anthropogenic metal accumulation in sediments peaked in 1970 in agreement with the high economic growth period in Japan. The comparison of temporal patterns of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratio with other areas of Japan suggested that the heavy metals, imported from several different countries during the periods of economic growth (1955 to 1973), are the main pollution source for the country. For the period 1970–2006, the sediment data reflect the result of stricter environmental regulations applied after the late 1960s. However, heavy metal concentrations in the surface sediments are still elevated to levels several times higher than the levels at the bottoms of the cores. Additionally, the lead isotope ratio does not show significant change after the 1980s. Secondary heavy metal pollution through the mixing of deeper polluted sediment appears to be the likely reason for the deterioration of present time submarine sediment environments. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that it is difficult to recover over a period of several years the benthic quality of a bay, once it is heavily polluted.