Use of crayfish in biomonitoring studies of environmental pollution of the river Meuse

The river Meuse, located in western Europe, is contaminated by different pollutants, of both organic and inorganic nature. The predominant sources of Meuse contamination in The Netherlands are agricultural activities and pollution derived from urban areas. Crayfish, water, and sediment samples were collected at four different locations of the river Meuse, in order to cover a large part of the catchment area of this river in The Netherlands. Crayfish may be very useful in biomonitoring studies, since they can integrate body load by pollutants over time in an area-bound manner. In these crayfish, levels of aromatic DNA adducts, heavy metal residues, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides were determined in hepatopancreatic tissue. Also analyzed were water and sediment samples derived from the same locations, for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, and organochlorine compounds. In sediments from the four different sampling sites, no clear differences were observed in PCB levels. Organochlorine pesticide concentrations were highest at location A, the most upstream sampling site, whereas a general decrease was observed following the river Meuse downstream. A similar pattern was observed for the metal compounds. For PAH sediment levels no consistent tendency could be observed. Highest values were detected at site B, followed by, respectively, locations A, D, and C. In water samples, a different pattern was observed. The highest metal concentration was observed at location D, whereas the total organochlorine level was higher at sites B and D, compared to the two other sampling sites. Differences in pollution levels in crayfish between sampling sites were evident. Site D, the most downstream-situated site examined, appeared to be the most polluted site with respect to PCBs, DDT, DDE, and Cu in crayfish. Moreover, DNA adduct levels, which may serve as a dosimeter for the internal dose of aromatic compounds such as PAHs and PCBs, were also significantly higher in hepatopancreatic tissue of crayfish captured at site D, compared to the three other sampling sites. Moreover, significant correlations were observed between DNA adduct levels and the lower chlorinated PCB congeners (PCB 28-PCB 101). By correlating the different pollutants in water and/or sediment with xenobiotic levels in crayfish, no consistency could be observed, indicating that monitoring aquatic species may provide specific information on the presence of surface water pollutants. These results indicate that crayfish can be used as biological indicators of exposure to both organic and inorganic pollution in aquatic systems.     

The effects of blue algae on health

Cyanobacteria (blue algae) regularly cause recreational waters to become murky and smelly. Skin irritation and mild gastrointestinal disorders have regularly been reported following recreational activities in water suspected of being contaminated with cyanobacteria. The exact cause of these effects on health is not clear. Severe effects are not to be expected from recreational exposure to water contaminated with cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria can produce hepatotoxins, neurotoxins, cytotoxins and irritants. In Brazil lethal intoxications have occurred due to the occurrence of toxins in drinking water and in dialysis fluid. The Dutch policy is based on the Commissie Integraal Waterbeheer (Commission Integral Water Management) guidelines for recreational waters. It is not clear to what extent the other cyanotoxins occur in the Netherlands. However, several genera ofcyanobacteria capable of producing these other cyanotoxins have been found in the Netherlands. For a good risk assessment in the Netherlands, more information is needed on the effects on health of cyanobacteria. There is also a need for more data on the prevalence of different cyanobacteria and toxins in Dutch recreational waters.     

Human health risk assessment: A case study involving heavy metal soil contamination after the flooding of the river Meuse during the winter of 1993-1994.

At the end of December 1993 and also at the end of January 1995, the river Meuse, one of the major rivers in Europe, flooded and river banks were inundated. We investigated the possible health risks of exposure to heavy metal concentrations in river bank soils resulting from the flooding of the river Meuse at the end of 1993. Soil and deposit samples and corresponding aerable and fodder crops were collected and analyzed for heavy metals. Although the soils of the floodplain of the river Meuse appeared severely polluted mainly by Cd and Zn, the heavy metal concentrations in the crops grown on these soils were within background ranges. Incidentally, the legal standard for Cd as endorsed by the Commodities Act was exceeded in wheat crops. The main exposure pathways for the general population were through the consumption of food crops grown on the river banks and through the direct ingestion of contaminated soils. For estimating potential human exposure in relation to soil pollution, we used a multiple pathway exposure model. For estimating the actual risk, we determined metal contents of vegetables grown in six experimental gardens. From this study, it can be concluded that there is a potential health risk for the river bank inhabitants as a consequence of Pb and Cd contaminations of the floodplain soils of the river Meuse, which are frequently inundated (averaged flooding frequency once every 2 years).     

An assessment of potential public health risk associated with the extended survival of indicator and pathogenic bacteria in freshwater lake sediments

Microcosm studies were performed to evaluate the survival of Escherichia coli, Salmonella paratyphi and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in water and sediment collected from the freshwater region of Vembanad Lake (9'35 °N 76'25 °E) along the south west coast of India. All three test microorganisms showed significantly (p < 0.01) higher survival in sediment compared to overlying water. The survival in different sediment types with different particle size and organic carbon content revealed that sediment with small particle size and high organic carbon content could enhance their extended survival (p < 0.05). The results indicate that sediments of the Lake could act as a reservoir of pathogenic bacteria and exhibit a potential health hazard from possible resuspension and subsequent ingestion during recreational activities. Therefore, the assessment of bacterial concentration in freshwater Lake sediments used for contact and non contact recreation has of considerable significance for the proper assessment of microbial pollution of the overlying water, and for the management and protection of related health risk at specific recreational sites. Besides, assessment of the bacterial concentration in sediments can be used as a relatively stable indicator of long term mean bacterial concentration in the water column above.     

Cercarial dermatitis in the Netherlands caused by Trichobilharzia spp.

Outbreaks of cercarial dermatitis which occurred in recreational lakes in the Netherlands were studied and a method for direct rapid detection of the parasite Trichobilharzia in water samples was developed. A standardized questionnaire with questions on health complaints and exposure was distributed to individuals who developed symptoms of cercarial dermatitis after visiting fresh water lakes. Snails from the suspected lakes were examined for the presence of Trichobilharzia by microscopy and PCR. Water samples were concentrated by filtration and examined by PCR. Water quality was tested according to European Bathing Water Directive 76/160/EEG. Trichobilharzia was detected in snails and water samples from lakes which met European bathing water standards. Despite a response of 25.5%, epidemiological data suggested that longer and more frequent exposure to the water resulted in increased reporting of symptoms of cercarial dermatitis and confirmed the importance of exposure as a risk factor. A novel method for direct detection of Trichobilharzia, which includes concentration of water samples by filtration and detection of the parasite by PCR proved to be a valuable and simple tool for confirmation of presumptive outbreaks, particularly when snails could not be found in the suspected water and public health protecting measures were necessary.     

Cercarial dermatitis in the Netherlands caused by Trichobilharzia spp

Outbreaks of cercarial dermatitis which occurred in recreational lakes in the Netherlands were studied and a method for direct rapid detection of the parasite Trichobilharzia in water samples was developed. A standardized questionnaire with questions on health complaints and exposure was distributed to individuals who developed symptoms of cercarial dermatitis after visiting fresh water lakes. Snails from the suspected lakes were examined for the presence of Trichobilharzia by microscopy and PCR. Water samples were concentrated by filtration and examined by PCR. Water quality was tested according to European Bathing Water Directive 76/160/EEG. Trichobilharzia was detected in snails and water samples from lakes which met European bathing water standards. Despite a response of 25.5%, epidemiological data suggested that longer and more frequent exposure to the water resulted in increased reporting of symptoms of cercarial dermatitis and confirmed the importance of exposure as a risk factor. A novel method for direct detection of Trichobilharzia, which includes concentration of water samples by filtration and detection of the parasite by PCR proved to be a valuable and simple tool for confirmation of presumptive outbreaks, particularly when snails could not be found in the suspected water and public health protecting measures were necessary.     

Effects of industrial metals on wild fish populations along a metal contamination gradient

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among water, sediment, and fish tissue metal concentrations as they relate to fish diversity, tissue metal accumulation, and fish morphometric and reproductive condition. Fish were captured in 12 lakes near Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, that ranged in their degree of metal contamination. In general, metal concentrations in water and sediment decreased with increasing distance from industrial operations. However, only Cu and Ni demonstrated this trend in sediments. Although 20 fish species were identified in the 12 lakes, only one species, yellow perch (Perca flavescens), was common to all 12 lakes. Fish diversity was only associated with sediment metals, suggesting that short-term processes are much less important than long-term processes for fish community recovery in metal-contaminated lakes. Multivariate characterization of water metal concentrations resulted in three lake clusters: Group 1 consisted of reference lakes; Group 2 lakes had high alkalinity, conductivity, hardness, pH, waterborne metals (especially Se), and sediment Cu and Ni concentrations; Group 3 lakes had high pH, waterborne and sediment Cu, and sediment Ni, intermediate alkalinity, conductivity, and waterborne metals (except Al and Fe), and low hardness and waterborne Al and Fe. Liver Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, muscle Zn, and intestinal Cd and Zn were highest, and muscle Cu and male gonadosomatic index (GSI) were lowest, in Group 3 fish. Liver, muscle, and intestinal Se concentrations, and Fulton's condition factor (FCF), hepatosomatic index (HSI), and male GSI were highest in Group 2 fish. Group 1 fish had the highest muscle Hg concentrations and female GSI. Muscle Se appeared to have an antagonistic effect on muscle Hg accumulation as a function of distance from smelting operations. Neither Cu nor Ni, both metals of concern in the Sudbury area, was useful for predicting fish condition, probably because of homeostatic regulatory control. Liver Cd accumulation, which was negatively related to FCF (r = -0.16; P < 0.05), exhibited strong, nonlinear inhibition (r2 = 0.99; P < 0.0001) as a function of water hardness. Because Cd was not detected in water samples in this study, we suspect that branchial Ca2+ uptake may play some role in reducing dietary Cd uptake in hard water lakes. Selenium has received relatively little attention in the contaminated systems around Sudbury, yet our results demonstrated that tissue Se was related to all condition metrics studied. Moreover, evidence was provided that suggests that there is a gender-specific interaction between dietary Se and Cu uptake that may contribute to decreased female reproductive condition in wild yellow perch.     

A survey of diving behaviour and accidental water ingestion among Dutch occupational and sport divers to assess the risk of infection with waterborne pathogenic microorganisms

Divers may run a higher risk of infection with waterborne pathogens than bathers because of more frequent and intense contact with water that may not comply with microbiologic water quality standards for bathing water. In this study we aimed to estimate the volume of water swallowed during diving as a key factor for infection risk assessment associated with diving. Using questionnaires, occupational and sport divers in the Netherlands were asked about number of dives, volume of swallowed water, and health complaints (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and ear, skin, eye, and respiratory complaints). Occupational divers, on average, swallowed 9.8 mL marine water and 5.7 mL fresh surface water per dive. Sport divers swallowed, on average, 9.0 mL marine water; 13 mL fresh recreational water; 3.2 mL river, canal, or city canal water; and 20 mL water in circulation pools. Divers swallowed less water when wearing a full face mask instead of an ordinary diving mask and even less when wearing a diving helmet. A full face mask or a diving helmet is recommended when diving in fecally contaminated water. From the volumes of swallowed water and concentrations of pathogens in fecally contaminated water, we estimated the infection risks per dive and per year to be as high as a few to up to tens of percents. This may explain why only 20% of the divers reported having none of the inquired health complaints within a period of 1 year. It is highly recommended that divers be informed about fecal contamination of the diving water.     

Hepatitis A virus in surface water in South Africa: what are the risks?

The aim of this study was to assess the potential risk of infection constituted by HAV to persons using surface dam and river water for domestic and recreational purposes. It estimates the potential risk using a deterministic exponential risk assessment model with mean values and conservative assumptions. Hepatitis A virus was detected in 17.5% of river and 14.9% of dam water samples tested. The number of indicator organisms in these sources exceeded drinking and recreational water quality guidelines set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), indicating possible health risks to recreational water users. Based on the available data and taking all the assumptions into consideration, the probability of infection (Pinf) to the higher socio-economic population using the river water for recreational purposes was 1.1 x 10(-3) per day and 3.3 x 10(-1) per annum if 100 ml was ingested per day. For recreation in the dam water the Pinf value was 1.2 x 10(-4) per day and 4.2 x 10(-2) per annum. For the lower socio-economic population, risk values for drinking purposes (2 L day(-1)) were ten-fold greater. These surface waters therefore did not conform to the US EPA guidelines of 1 infection per 10,000 consumers per year for drinking water or eight gastrointestinal illnesses per 1,000 bathers per day in environmental waters used for recreational purposes. This is the first risk assessment study addressing the risk of infection by HAV in surface water to different socio-economic populations in South Africa.     

Development of photosynthetic biofilms affected by dissolved and sorbed copper in a eutrophic river

Photosynthetic biofilms are capable of immobilizing important concentrations of metals, therefore reducing bioavailability to organisms. But also metal pollution is believed to produce changes in the microalgal species composition of biofilms. We investigated the changes undergone by natural photosynthetic biofilms from the River Meuse, The Netherlands, under chronic copper (Cu) exposure. The suspended particles in the river water had only a minor effect on reduction of sorption and toxicity of Cu to algae. Biofilms accumulated Cu proportionally to the added concentration, also at the highest concentration used (9 microM Cu). The physiognomy of the biofilms was affected through the growth of the chain-forming diatom Melosira varians, changing from long filaments to short tufts, although species composition was not affected by the Cu exposure. The Cu decreased phosphate uptake and algal biomass measured as chl a, which degraded exponentially in time. Photosynthetic activity was always less sensitive than algal biomass; the photon yield decreased linearly in time. The protective and insulating role of the biofilm, supported by ongoing autotrophic activity, was indicated as essential in resisting metal toxicity. We discuss the hypothesis that the toxic effects of Cu progress almost independently of the species composition, counteracting ongoing growth, and conclude that autotrophic biofilms act as vertical heterogeneous units. Effective feedback mechanisms and density dependence explain several discrepancies observed earlier.     

Effects of Water Chemistry on the Bioavailability of Metals in Sediment toHyalella azteca: Implications for Sediment Quality Guidelines

Risk assessments of metals in sediments are often based on sediment-quality guidelines (SQGs) and do not take into account the chemistry of the overlying water. To determine the effects of water chemistry on the toxicity of metals in sediments, both water and sediment were collected from five metal-contaminated lakes with widely differing water chemistry near Canadian smelters. Metal bioaccumulation by Hyalella azteca was measured in laboratory exposures with each sediment and with overlying water from several different sources. The effect of water chemistry on Ni bioaccumulation from sediment was minimal. However, the effect was substantial for Cd because the effect of water chemistry on sediment-water partitioning was opposite to, and augmented, the effect of water chemistry on the Hyalella/water accumulation ratio. The effect of overlying water must be considered when conducting risk assessments for some metals in sediment (e.g., Cd). Examples are provided of equations that can be used to adjust cause-and-effect–based SQGs for water chemistry (e.g., using calcium concentrations or pH).     

Trace metal availability and effects on benthic community structure in floodplain lakes

Effects of contaminants on communities are difficult to assess and poorly understood. We analyzed in situ effects of trace metals and common environmental variables on benthic macroinvertebrate communities in floodplain lakes. Alternative measures of trace metal availability were evaluated, including total metals, metals normalized on organic carbon (OC) or clay, simultaneously extracted metals (SEM), combinations of SEM and acid-volatile sulfide (AVS), and metals accumulated by detritivore invertebrates (Oligochaeta). Accumulated metal concentrations correlated positively with sediment trace metals and negatively with surface water dissolved OC. Sixty-eight percent of the variation in benthic community composition was explained by a combination of 11 environmental variables, including sediment, water, and morphological characteristics with trace metals. Metals explained 2 to 6% of the community composition when SEM-AVS or individual SEM concentrations were regarded. In contrast, total, normalized, and accumulated metals were not significantly linked to community composition. We conclude that examination of SEM or SEM - AVS concentrations is useful for risk assessment of trace metals on the community level.     

Effects of Contaminants in Dredge Material from the Lower Savannah River

Contaminants entering aquatic systems from agricultural, industrial, and municipal activities are generally sequestered in bottom sediments. The environmental significance of contaminants associated with sediments dredged from Savannah Harbor, Georgia, USA, are unknown. To evaluate potential effects of contaminants in river sediments and sediments dredged and stored in upland disposal areas on fish and wildlife species, solid-phase sediment and sediment pore water from Front River, Back River, an unnamed Tidal Creek on Back River, and Middle River of the distributary system of the lower Savannah River were tested for toxicity using the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca. In addition, bioaccumulation of metals from sediments collected from two dredge-disposal areas was determined using the freshwater oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus. Livers from green-winged teals (Anas crecca) and lesser yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) foraging in the dredge-spoil areas and raccoons (Procyon lotor) from the dredge-disposal/river area and an upland site were collected for metal analyses. Survival of H. azteca was not reduced in solid-phase sediment exposures, but was reduced in pore water from several locations receiving drainage from dredge-disposal areas. Basic water chemistry (ammonia, alkalinity, salinity) was responsible for the reduced survival at several sites, but PAHs, metals, and other unidentified factors were responsible at other sites. Metal residues in sediments from the Tidal Creek and Middle River reflected drainage or seepage from adjacent dredge-disposal areas, which could potentially reduce habitat quality in these areas. Trace metals increased in L. variegatus exposed in the laboratory to dredge-disposal sediments; As, Cu, Hg, Se, and Zn bioaccumulated to concentrations higher than those in the sediments. Certain metals (Cd, Hg, Mo, Se) were higher in livers of birds and raccoons than those in dredge-spoil sediments suggesting bioavailability. Cadmium, Cr, Hg, Pb, and Se in livers from raccoons collected near the river and dredge-disposal areas were significantly higher than those of raccoons from the upland control site. Evidence of bioaccumulation from laboratory and field evaluations and concentrations in sediments from dredge-disposal areas and river channels demonstrated that some metals in the dredge-disposal areas are mobile and biologically available. Drainage from dredge-disposal areas may be impacting habitat quality in the river, and fish and wildlife that feed and nest in the disposal areas on the lower Savannah River may be at risk from metal contamination. Received: 21 October 1998/Accepted: 9 February 1999     

Hepatitis A virus in surface water in South Africa: what are the risks?

The aim of this study was to assess the potential risk of infection constituted by HAV to persons using surface dam and river water for domestic and recreational purposes. It estimates the potential risk using a deterministic exponential risk assessment model with mean values and conservative assumptions. Hepatitis A virus was detected in 17.5% of river and 14.9% of dam water samples tested. The number of indicator organisms in these sources exceeded drinking and recreational water quality guidelines set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), indicating possible health risks to recreational water users. Based on the available data and taking all the assumptions into consideration, the probability of infection (P_inf) to the higher socio-economic population using the river water for recreational purposes was 1.1 × 10^-3 per day and 3.3 × 10^-1 per annum if 100 ml was ingested per day. For recreation in the dam water the P_inf value was 1.2 × 10^-4 per day and 4.2 × 10^-2 per annum. For the lower socio-economic population, risk values for drinking purposes (2 L day^-1) were ten-fold greater. These surface waters therefore did not conform to the US EPA guidelines of 1 infection per 10,000 consumers per year for drinking water or eight gastrointestinal illnesses per 1,000 bathers per day in environmental waters used for recreational purposes. This is the first risk assessment study addressing the risk of infection by HAV in surface water to different socio-economic populations in South Africa.     

Coal seam gas water: potential hazards and exposure pathways in Queensland

The extraction of coal seam gas (CSG) produces large volumes of potentially contaminated water. It has raised concerns about the environmental health impacts of the co-produced CSG water. In this paper, we review CSG water contaminants and their potential health effects in the context of exposure pathways in Queensland’s CSG basins. The hazardous substances associated with CSG water in Queensland include fluoride, boron, lead and benzene. The exposure pathways for CSG water are (1) water used for municipal purposes; (2) recreational water activities in rivers; (3) occupational exposures; (4) water extracted from contaminated aquifers; and (5) indirect exposure through the food chain. We recommend mapping of exposure pathways into communities in CSG regions to determine the potentially exposed populations in Queensland. Future efforts to monitor chemicals of concern and consolidate them into a central database will build the necessary capability to undertake a much needed environmental health impact assessment.     

Food chain analysis of exposures and risks to wildlife at a metals-contaminated wetland

A food chain analysis of risks to wetland receptors was performed in support of a baseline ecological risk assessment at the Milltown Reservoir Sediments Superfund site in Montana. The study area consisted of over 450 acres of primarily palustrine wetland contaminated with metals from mining wastes transported from upstream sources (average of 465 mg/kg for Cu in sediments, and 585 mg/kg in soils). The food chain analysis focused on several species of terrestrial and semi-aquatic animals indigenous to montane wetlands of the northern Rocky Mountains. Receptors consisted of mice, voles, muskrats, beaver, various waterfowl species, osprey, bald eagles, and deer. Samples of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, small mammal tissues, fish tissue, aquatic and terrestrial vegetation, soils, sediment, and surface water were collected and analyzed for As, Cd, Cu, and Zn. A linear multimedia food-chain model was constructed to estimate daily intakes of the metals for each receptor, with assumed values for ingestion of aquatic and terrestrial food items, ingestion of local surface water, and incidental ingestion of soils and/or sediments. Evaluation of health risks to the receptors was performed by comparison of exposures expressed as daily intakes to a suite of toxicity values. The range of values consisted of the lower end of chronic toxicity data found in toxicology databases or the literature for the same or similar species, modified to account for extrapolation uncertainties. Daily intakes of chemicals of concern were below or within the range of toxicity values for all receptors. The weight of evidence from the food chain analysis and earlier bioassessment and ecological studies suggest that the health of the wetland receptors is at minimal risk due to the presence of elevated metals in sediments, upland soils, water, or food items at the site.     

Evaluation of the estrogenic potential of river and treated waters in the Paris area (France) using in vivo and in vitro assays

For many years, surface waters have been shown to be contaminated by endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), which can cause adverse effects on human and wildlife growth, development, and reproduction. It is therefore of primary importance to determine if drinking water could be contaminated by EDCs when produced from polluted surface waters. It is also essential to determine if disinfection by-products can account for estrogenic activity in treated waters. The estrogenic potential of river and treated waters was investigated using an in vivo assay. Adult male zebrafish were placed in three drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) in the Paris area and exposed for 1 month to the two types of waters. After exposure, vitellogenin (VTG) was measured in the plasma of fish using a competitive ELISA. In addition, an in vitro assay (MELN cells) was used to assess the estrogenic potential of 10 major chlorination by-products. No significant induction of VTG was observed in fish exposed to river or treated waters. Among the 10 chlorination by-products tested, only 2-chlorophenol was found to be weakly estrogenic at concentrations up to 1mg/L. Therefore, the risk for the three DWTPs studied to produce drinking water with significant level of estrogenic substances appears to be low.     

Natural colloids are the dominant factor in the sedimentation of nanoparticles

Estimating the environmental exposure to manufactured nanomaterials is part of risk assessment. Because nanoparticles aggregate with each other (homoaggregation) and with other particles (heteroaggregation), the main route of the removal of most nanoparticles from water is aggregation, followed by sedimentation. The authors used water samples from two rivers in Europe, the Rhine and the Meuse. To distinguish between small (mainly natural organic matter [NOM]) particles and the remainder of the natural colloids present, both filtered and unfiltered river water was used to prepare the particle suspensions. The results show that the removal of nanoparticles from natural river water follows first-order kinetics toward a residual concentration. This was measured in river water with less than 1?mg?L(-1) CeO(2) nanoparticles. The authors inferred that the heteroaggregation with or deposition onto the solid fraction of natural colloids was the main mechanism causing sedimentation in relation to homoaggregation. In contrast, the NOM fraction in filtered river water stabilized the residual nanoparticles against further sedimentation for up to 12 d. In 10 mg?L(-1) and 100 mg?L(-1) CeO(2) nanoparticle suspensions, homoaggregation is likely the main mechanism leading to sedimentation. The proposed model could form the basis for improved exposure assessment for nanomaterials.     

Effects of cyclic changes in pH and salinity on metals release from sediments

The effects of dynamic changes in pH and salinity on metal speciation and release are investigated with sediments posed in a simulated estuarine environment. The release of Zn, Cd, Mn, and Fe was studied using sediment from the Anacostia River (Washington, DC, USA) spiked with freshly precipitated amorphous cadmium sulfide to increase Cd content. The sediment was exposed to salt water (high pH, ionic strength) and freshwater (neutral pH, minimal ionic strength) continuously and alternately (to mimic tidal changes) in small microcosms over 100 d. At the conclusion of the experiments, the vertical profiles of acid volatile sulfide (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) as well as porewater metals and anion concentrations were characterized. Acid volatile sulfide oxidation at the sediment surface led to a commensurate increase in dissolved metal species and metal release that was strongly dependent on the changes in the overlying water characteristics. Total Cd release was substantially higher during exposure to salt water, although, as a result of complexation, predicted dissolved Cd(2+) concentration in the overlying water was higher during exposure to freshwater. Total Zn release was little changed during exposure to salt water and freshwater, although the predicted dissolved Zn(2+) concentration was much higher during freshwater exposures. No significant iron was released because of the rapid oxidation of ferrous iron (Fe(2+)) in aerobic surficial sediments and overlying water. The present study suggests that cyclic changes in pH and salinity in the overlying water can dramatically influence metal release from estuarine sediments.     

Microbiological and metal contamination of watercress in the Wellington region, New Zealand--2000 survey

OBJECTIVES: To investigate potential microbiological and metal contamination of watercress and to assess the public health risks associated with harvesting and consumption of watercress. METHOD: During March and April 2000, samples were taken from 11 known or potential watercress collection sites in the Wellington region. Microbiological testing included bacterial counts for presumptive and faecal coliforms (watercress); total coliforms (growing water); and Escherichia coli (E. coli) and presence/absence tests for Campylobacter species (growing water and watercress). Watercress concentrations of a range of metals were also measured. RESULTS: All of the sites showed significant levels of E. coli in samples of both watercress and water. The E. coli levels in water were well above recommended freshwater recreational contact safety guidelines at most sites. Campylobacter was detected in the growing waters at all sites (80% of the samples) and in 11% of the watercress samples. Mean metal concentrations in watercress did not exceed the NZ Food Regulations (1984) levels at any of the sites. However, lead concentrations at the urban sites and one of the semi-urban sites would have exceeded the new Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code maximum levels (2003). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The consumption of raw watercress contaminated with enteric pathogens could potentially cause serious gastrointestinal illness (e.g. campylobacteriosis) and people gathering watercress could also be at risk of infection from contact with contaminated surface waters.