Assessment of Antifouling Biocides Contaminations in Maizuru Bay, Japan

The concentrations of organotin compounds in the aquatic environment of Maizuru Bay and their spatial distribution are discussed. The concentrations of tributyltin (TBT) compounds in water samples ranged from 0.001 to 0.002 μg l⁻¹, and monobutyltin compounds were the dominant species among the butyltin compounds. TBT concentrations in Maizuru Bay are low compared with other coastal waters of Japan. Drastic differences in TBT concentrations were not observed among the Maizuru Bay sites. Phenyltin compounds were not detected in the water samples. Concentrations of TBT and triphenyltin (TPT) in sediment from Maizuru Bay ranged, respectively, from 0.9 to 11 μg kg⁻¹, from 0.2 to 17 μg kg⁻¹ dry weight (dw). TBT concentrations in Maizuru Bay were lower than those in other coastal areas of Japan. TPT concentrations were greater than TBT concentrations in the fishing port. The concentrations of TBT and TPT in blue mussels (M. galloprovincialis) from Maizuru Bay were in the range of 2.4 to 9.3 μg kg⁻¹ and 0.2–13 μg kg⁻¹ wet weight (ww), respectively. A tolerable average residue level (TARL) was estimated at 74.8 μg kg⁻¹ from a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.25 bis(tributyltin)oxide μg kg⁻¹ body weight day⁻¹. TBT concentrations detected in blue mussel samples were lower than the TARL values. The acceptable concentration of TPT, which were calculated using acceptable daily intake instead of TDI, was 127 μg kg⁻¹. Concentrations of TPT in blue mussel samples were also lower than the TARL. TBT compounds in blue mussel samples were at similar levels among the various sampling sites, indicating that TBT is not currently being used in ship hull paints; the ratios of degradation products of TBT and TPT were greater than those of the parent compounds. Concentrations of alternative biocides in water samples were also investigated in the bay. Although Sea-Nine 211, M1, and Pyrithiones were not detected, Diuron and Irgarol 1051 were detected at 0.010–0.257 and at 0.002–0.018 μg l⁻¹, respectively. Concentrations of Diuron were great in the shipping route and near the shipyard, whereas the concentration of Irgarol 1051 was great at the fishing port. Concentrations of Diuron and Irgarol 1051 in sediment from Maizuru Bay ranged, respectively, from <0.08 to 12, from <0.08 to 9.8 μg kg⁻¹ dw, respectively. Despite being a semi-enclosed bay, we found that sediment in Maizuru Bay is not contaminated by alternative biocides to the degree found in other coastal areas. Copper concentrations of sediment were at ordinary levels, and those of blue mussels were slightly lower than those reported previously in other coastal areas of Japan. In both the sediment and blue mussels, there was no correlation between the presence of copper and antifouling biocides.     

Lead,Zinc, and Cadmium in Vegetable/Crops in a Zinc Smelting Region and its Potential Human Toxicity

Lead, Zn, and Cd in vegetables/crops were investigated in a zinc smelting region in China, and their daily dietary intake by local residents was estimated. It is observed that Pb, Zn, and Cd were in 34.7–91.1, 242–575, and 0.199–2.23 μg g⁻¹ dry weight in vegetables/crops with their greatest concentrations in leafy vegetable. The daily dietary intake of Pb, Zn, and Cd by adult residents reached 3, 646, 59,295, and 186 μg day, respectively, and lettuce and cabbage together contributed 75% of the Pb, 50% of the Zn, and 70% of the Cd.     

Assessment of the Amur River Ecosystem Pollution with Benzene and Its Derivatives Caused by an Accident at the Chemical Plant in Jilin City,China

Assessment of concentrations of benzene and its derivatives in the Amur water and fish caught in summer and autumn 2006 was carried out after Jilin chemical plant accident (winter 2005) in the People’s Republic of China. Fish sampling of Leiocassis ussuriensis conducted in the Amur River near Khabarovsk identified benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, isopropylbenzene, xylene reaching to 16, 98.7, 55, 54, and 206 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. For Hypophthalmichtys molitrix Valenciennes sampled in the lower reaches of the Amur benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene were found in amounts to 9, 15.4, 16 μg kg⁻¹, and, benzene and xylene reaching 6 and 16 μg kg⁻¹ were found in Huso dauricus and benzene and xylene of 2–6 and 13–16 μg kg⁻¹, respectively, in Acipenser schrenckii. The above toxicants were not detected in the Amur water near the river mouth in autumn 2006.     

Distribution patterns of metals contamination in sediments based on type regional development on the intertidal coastal zones of the Persian Gulf, Iran

This study was performed to determine the variation of metals concentrations (Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu) in surface sediments based on type region development from ten sites on the intertidal coastal zone of the Persian Gulf, Iran. The metals concentrations in surface sediments varied from 0.86 to 180.78 μg g⁻¹ for Pb, 0.61 to 6.48 μg g⁻¹ for Cd, 5.99 to 44.42 μg g⁻¹ for Zn, and 3.01 to 43.33 μg g⁻¹ for Cu. The quality of the sediments was evaluated based on sediment quality guidelines (effects range-low (ERL) and effects range-medium (ERM) indexes. Biological effects criteria suggest that metals concentrations in sediments were lower than ERM for all sites, but for some sites metals concentrations in sediments were higher than ERL. The present results support the concept that human activities in each region could be a major source of metals pollution input in the aquatic environment.     

Lead/Cadmium Contamination and Lead Isotopic Ratios in Vegetables Grown in Peri-Urban and Mining/Smelting Contaminated Sites in Nanjing,China

Lead/cadmium contamination in vegetables grown in peri-urban area of Nanjing, China was assessed and the route for metals entering into plants was investigated through lead isotopic tracing. Results show that agricultural soils have been polluted with Cd. Contents of Pb (22.1–37.5 mg kg⁻¹ dw) and Cd (2.53–4.19 mg kg⁻¹ dw) in vegetables’ edible parts nearby a lead/zinc mining/smelting plant were beyond their maximum allowable limit prescribed in the (EC) No 1881/2006. Pb isotope ratios in plants differed from those in the corresponding soils, suggesting that soils were not the only contamination source of Pb and Cd in plants.     

Analysis of Pyrethroid Insecticides in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chironomus dilutus</Emphasis> Using Matrix Solid Phase Dispersion Extraction

A matrix solid phase dispersion method was developed to detect eight pyrethroid insecticides in the aquatic invertebrate, Chironomus dilutus. A mixture of silica gel, diatomaceous earth and primary/secondary amino solid absorbents were selected as the dispersion matrix, while 7% ethyl ether in hexane was used as the elution solvent. Method detection limits for the target pyrethroids ranged from 0.46 to 4.4 μg kg⁻¹, and recoveries were 63.5%–124.0%, 43.7%–116.0% and 53.1%–93.1% at spiked levels of 5, 20 and 50 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. The developed method was used to assess pyrethroid residues in laboratory-exposed and field-collected C. dilutus.     

Temporal Variation of Metals in Water,Sediment and Tissues of the European Chup (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Squalius cephalus</Emphasis> L.)

The aim of this study was to analyze seasonal variation of levels of Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) in water, sediment and tissues of Squalius cephalus (L., 1758) taken from five different stations chosen at Yamula Dam Lake (Kayseri, Turkey). Concentrations of metals were generally sorted as water<tissue<sediment. The highest concentration of metals in water was observed in the samples taken in the summer (Mn, 1.04 ± 0.15 mg L⁻¹; Ni, 0.42 ± 0.12 mg L⁻¹; Cu, 1.25 ± 0.88 mg L⁻¹; Zn, 3.61 ± 1.53 mg L⁻¹; Pb, 0.58 ± 0.09 mg L⁻¹). While the highest Zn (24.85 ± 21.82 μg g⁻¹) and Pb (10.89 ± 4.2 μg g⁻¹) concentrations in sediment were observed in the winter samples, the highest Mn concentration (167.2 ± 99.37 μg g⁻¹) was observed in the summer. Cd pollution was determined in sediment according to international criteria. The highest metal concentration in tissues was generally observed in the liver and the other tissues; following liver were gills and muscles. In liver tissues, while the highest accumulation of Zn (110.34 ± 13.1) and Mn (22.5 ± 14.85 μg g⁻¹), which are essential for the body, were observed in the winter, Pb (22.58 ± 7.83 μg g⁻¹) and Cd (11.77 ± 7.83 μg g⁻¹), which are toxic, were found to be higher in the summer. Also, concentrations of Mn, Cd and Pb in muscle tissues were found to be above the limits permitted.     

Determination of Six Neonicotinoid Insecticides Residues in Spinach,Cucumber, Apple and Pomelo by QuEChERS Method and LC–MS/MS

A modified QuEChERS and LC–MS/MS method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of residues of six neonicotinoids in various crops, including spinach, cucumber, apple and pomelo. The method showed good linearity (R² ≥ 0.9995) and precision (RSD ≤ 14.0%). Average recoveries of the six neonicotinoids ranged between 73.7% and 103.8% at spiking levels 0.005, 0.1 and 1 mg kg⁻¹. The LODs and LOQs were in the ranges of 0.20–0.85 μg kg⁻¹ and 0.66–2.84 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. The method was satisfactorily validated for the analysis of 50 agricultural samples. Imidacloprid and imidaclothiz were detected at concentration levels ranging from 7 to 5.3 μg kg⁻¹.     

“Metals in Fresh Honeys from Tenerife Island, Spain”

Ashes and contents of Zn, Cu, Fe, Cd and Pb in 140 fresh honey samples from three different areas of Tenerife Island were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. A mean ash content of 0.35% has been determined. The mean Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd concentrations observed have been 3.37 mg kg⁻¹, 1.28 mg kg⁻¹, 2.83 mg kg⁻¹, 37.33 μg kg⁻¹, 4.38 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. A direct statistical correlation has been found between the Fe–Zn and Fe–Pb content, and between the Cd–Zn and Cd–Pb levels.     

Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Determination of Pb, Cd, and Cu in Pinus nigra L. and Eriobotrya japonica Leaves Used as Biomonitors in Environmental Pollution

The assessment of trace metal pollution in Gaziantep city-Turkey has been studied using plant leaves of Pinus nigra L. and Eriobotrya japonica as biomonitor. The concentrations up to 3,056 mg Pb kg⁻¹ in the needles of Pinus nigra L., and 367 ng Cd g⁻¹ in the leaves of Eriobotrya japonica were determined. The observed Cu concentrations were in range of 1.6–7.1 mg kg⁻¹. The Pb, Cd, and Cu levels in soils were determined to be in the range of 17–602, 0.142–0.656, and 12–38 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. It was concluded that Pinus nigra L. can be considered as both biomonitor of atmospheric Pb pollution and hyperaccumulator plant.     

Mercury and Other Mining-Related Contaminants in Ospreys Along the Upper Clark Fork River,Montana, USA

We investigated links between mining-related contaminants in river sediment and their occurrence in nestling ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) in the Clark Fork River Basin, Montana, USA. Blood and feather samples from 111 osprey chicks were collected during 4 years from nests along river sections with greatly different sediment concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and mercury (Hg). No significant differences between river sections were found among Zn (3,150 ± 160 μg L⁻¹) and Cd (<5 μg L⁻¹) concentrations in blood. Cu, Pb, and As concentrations in blood were significantly increased in chicks from the most contaminated river sections (mean values of 298, 8.9, and 100 μg L⁻¹, respectively). Cu, Zn, and Pb concentrations increased significantly during a year of above-average river runoff combined with high suspended sediment loads in rivers. Total Hg concentrations in blood and feathers were highly correlated and depended on the geographic locations of the nests. The lowest blood concentrations of Hg were observed in the most upstream river section (mean 151 μg L⁻¹) where total sediment concentrations were increased (0.80 mg kg⁻¹). River sections with intermediate blood concentrations (mean 206 and 303 μg L⁻¹) were associated with low to intermediate sediment concentrations (0.058 and 0.46 mg kg⁻¹). The highest concentrations of Hg in ospreys (mean 548 μg L⁻¹) were observed downstream from a contaminated tributary (1–4 mg kg⁻¹ in sediment). In river sections with lower Hg concentrations in sediment, there was a negative correlation between blood Hg concentration and chick mass, presumably due to high deposition rates into growing feathers. This relationship was absent in sections of high Hg exposure. Osprey blood and feathers are suitable for monitoring Hg in aquatic ecosystems; however, responses of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn are more subtle.     

Geographic distribution of arsenic and trace metals in lotic ecosystems of the Pampa Plain, Argentina

In this paper, the geographic distribution of arsenic and other trace elements in surface waters of 39 lotic ecosystems of central Argentina was evaluated. Manganese and arsenic were the most conspicuous elements, being present in 82% and 59% of the sampled ecosystems of this region, respectively. As concentration averaged 113.69 μg L⁻¹ varying between 55 and 198 μg L⁻¹, other trace elements were hardly detected or not detected at all. It was remarkable the absence of detectable concentrations of anthropogenically derived metals as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd).     

Cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in cultured oysters under two contrasting climatic conditions in coastal lagoons from SE Gulf of California, Mexico

In order to determine the metal concentrations in cultured oysters from four coastal lagoons from SE Gulf of California, several individuals of Crassostrea gigas and C. corteziensis were collected and their cadmium, copper, lead and zinc levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion. The concentration of metals in oyster soft tissue was Zn > Cu > Cd > Pb. In two lagoons, Cd concentrations (10.1–13.5 μg g⁻¹ dw) exceeded the maximum level allowed according to the Official Mexican Standard (NOM-031-SSA1-1993), which is equivalent to the WHO recommended Cd levels in organisms used for human consumption.     

Solubility of Trace Elements and Heavy Metals from Stabilized Sewage Sludge by Fly Ash

Stabilized sewage sludge (SS) by fly ash (FA) and alkaline mine tailing as artificial soil, to be applied on the ecological rehabilitation at mining junkyard, offers a potential viable utilization of the industrial by-product, as well as solves the shortage of soil resource in mine area. In this study, trace element and heavy metal soil solution concentrations arising from fly ash, sewage sludge, mine tailing, and artificial soil mixtures were investigated in a laboratory incubation. It was found that total Cd, Pb, and Zn contents in artificial soils were significantly lower than the control standards for pollutants in sludges from agricultural use (GB 4284-84). Soil solution Cd and Pb concentrations were obviously reduced by mixing sewage sludge with alkaline fly ash. Initial soil solution Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations in artificial soils were 1.773–14.672, 4.05–24.95, and 133–608 μg L⁻¹, respectively, and after 35-days incubation, soil solution Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations gradually decreased and were approaching control levels by the end of the experiment, and finial soil solution were decreased to 0.037–0.365, 2.12–7.34, and 29–509 μg L⁻¹, respectively.     

Trace Elements Contamination in Coral Reef Skeleton,Gulf of Mannar,India

Coral samples were collected from Kurusadi, Shingle and Appa islands of Gulf of Mannar for analyzing the trace elements. The mean concentrations in the coral reef skeleton ranges from 0.19 to 0.62  μg g⁻¹ for Fe, from 6.71 to 15.6 μg g⁻¹ for As, from 0.28 to 1.31 μg g⁻¹ for Cd, from 0.56 to 5.29 μg g⁻¹ for Co, from 7.25 to 22.34 μg g⁻¹ for Cr, from 0.63 to 5.08 μg g⁻¹ for Cu, from 98.38 to 138 μg g⁻¹ for Mn, from 0.18 to 2.53 μg g⁻¹ for Ni, from 0.18 to 4.56 μg g⁻¹ for Pb and from 44 to 135.25 μg g⁻¹ for Zn. The factor analysis revealed the source of trace elements accumulation in the coral skeleton particularly Mn from detrital inputs and Cd from anthropogenic sources. This paper also highlights the nature of trace elements available in coral skeleton.     

Development of a Method for the Analysis of Four Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) Residues in Soybean Sprouts and Mung Bean Sprouts by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of four plant growth regulators (PGRs) residues in soybean sprouts and mung bean sprouts. The sample preparation procedure was based on a QuEChERS method. The method showed excellent linearity (r² ≥ 0.9985) and precision (RSDs ≤ 13.0 %). Average recoveries of four PGRs ranged between 74.9 % and 106.3 % at spiking levels 0.05, 0.5 and 1 mg kg⁻¹. The LODs and LOQs were in the ranges of 0.27–9.3 μg kg⁻¹ and 0.90–31 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. The procedure was applied to 18 bean sprout samples, and benzyladenine was found in some of the analyzed samples.     

Perfluorooctanoic Acid and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate in Two Fish Species Collected from the Roter Main River,Bayreuth, Germany

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are widely distributed in the environment. In this study the accumulation potential of PFOA and PFOS in two fish species with different feeding strategies, i.e. chub (Leuciscus cephalus) and river goby (Gobio gobio) inhabiting a river receiving treated waste waters from a municipal waste water treatment plant, were estimated. PFOS was detected in chub (7–250 μg kg⁻¹ wet weight) and river goby (70–400 μg kg⁻¹ wet weight) with bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of 4600 (liver) and 11,000 (organs). PFOA concentrations in both fish were low and in chub mostly below detection limit.     

Metal Concentrations in Two Bioindicator Fish Species, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Merlangius merlangus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mullus Barbatus</Emphasis>, Captured from the West Black Sea Coasts (Bartin) of Turkey

The Black Sea is very vulnerable to originating from land based human activities and its health is equally dependent on the coastal and non-coastal states of its basin. Total concentrations of cadmium, copper, zinc, lead, nickel, aluminum, iron, manganese, boron and chromium concentrations were determined in Merlangius merlangus (whiting) and Mullus barbatus found in Amasra in the West Coast of the Black Sea (Turkey). The metal contents that were measured in head and muscle was expressed in μg g⁻¹ wet weight. On average, while the highest Fe (344.25 μg g⁻¹), Mn (10.35 μg g⁻¹), Cr (0.96 μg g⁻¹) and Al (76.77 μg g⁻¹) concentrations were measured in the heads of M. merlangus and the highest Zn (77.99 μg g⁻¹), Cu(8.53 μg g⁻¹), B (44.83 μg g⁻¹), Ni (1.96 μg g⁻¹), Cd (0.40 μg g⁻¹) and Pb (6.80 μg g⁻¹) concentrations were detected in the muscles of M. merlangus. There were significant differences between metal levels of muscles in these two species. In terms of permissible levels reported by WHO FAO and TSE, there is not any risk for human consumption for both M. merlangus and M. barbatus, for Pb.     

Distribution and Accumulation of Metals in Soils and Plant from a Lead–Zinc Mineland in Guangxi,South China

Six kinds of metals were measured in soils and plant from the Siding Pb–Zn mineland, South China, to investigate the pollution and restoration technique. The mean Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu and Cr contents in soils were 5,215 ± 642, 13,352 ± 1,242, 24,755 ± 2,475, 438 ± 52, 67 ± 38 and 68 ± 31 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The results revealed the mean contents of Pb and Zn exceeded the third level of China standard of soil (GB15618-1995) for 10.4 and 26.7 times, respectively. The soil of Siding Pb–Zn mineland has heavily been subjected to Pb and Zn pollution. 22 plant species from 13 families were found colonizing. There were great variations of metal contents in plant species with Pb 1.58–1496 mg kg⁻¹, Zn 7.56–204,256 mg kg⁻¹, Cu not detected (ND)–286 mg kg⁻¹, Fe 83–25,972 mg kg⁻¹, Mn 1.02–160 mg kg⁻¹ and Cr ND–152 mg kg⁻¹. Of the six metals, Fe content was the highest, followed by Pb and Zn, which were similar to the situation of the soil. The local pioneer species, Pteris vittata, was observed a higher accumulation and translocation capability for Pb, which could be chosen as pioneer of phytoremediations to restore Pb/Zn mineland.     

Characterization of PAHs Contamination in Soils from Metropolitan Region of Northern China

The present study characterized the distribution, sources as well as carcinogenic potency of PAHs in surface soil from metropolitan region of northern China. The total PAHs in topsoil ranged from 322.6 to 23244.7 μg kg⁻¹. The mean and median concentrations of 16 PAHs were 1040.8 and 626.7 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. Source analysis revealed that pyrogenic sources played a major role at the locations and pyrogenic PAHs were mainly from incomplete combustion of coal, biomass and petroleum. The calculated mean BaP-equivalent values for individual carcinogenic PAHs were 148.4 μg kg⁻¹.