Is the cadmium uptake from soil important in bioaccumulation and toxic effects for snails?

To evaluate the contribution of digestive and epithelial transfer of Cd from soil to snail, Helix aspersa was exposed to an artificial substrate contaminated with 0,100,500, and 1000 microg Cd.g(-1) for 4 weeks under laboratory conditions. Two modes of exposure were used: (1) the snails were in direct contact with the substrate (DC) or (2) were separated from substrate with a perforated plate (no contact (NC)) which allowed ingestion of substrate but avoided epithelial contact. Cd concentrations in DC snails were twice as high as in NC snails. The bioaccumulation factors were 0.51+/-0.13 in DC snails and 0.26+/-0.04 in NC snails. Dose-dependent growth inhibition was noted in DC snails (500相似文献   

Increased response to cadmium and Bacillus thuringiensis maize toxicity in the snail Helix aspersa infected by the nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita

To determine the effect of nematode infection on the response of snails to selected toxins, we infected Helix aspersa with 0-, 0.25-, 1-, or 4-fold the recommended field dose of a commercial nematode application for agricultural use. In the first experiment, the snails also were exposed to cadmium via food and soil at concentrations of 0, 30, 60, 120, or 240 mg/kg in a full-factorial design. In the second experiment, snails were infected with nematodes and also fed either Bt (expressing Bacillus thuringiensis toxin) maize or non-Bt maize. The snails were weighed at the beginning and end (after four weeks) of the experiments, and mortality was checked daily. Neither exposure of snails to nematodes nor exposure of snails to cadmium or Bt toxin affected the survival rates of snails. The number of dead snails was highest for combinations of nematode treatments with cadmium concentrations of 120 and 240 mg/kg. In both experiments (Bt and cadmium), the growth rate decreased with increasing nematode dose. The Bt maize was not harmful to the snails in the absence of nematodes, but infected snails grew faster when fed non-Bt maize. The growth rate of snails exposed to cadmium decreased with exposure to increasing Cd concentrations and differed significantly between the no-nematode treatment and the treatments with nematode doses of one- and fourfold the recommended field dose. Snails treated with the highest dose of nematodes accumulated the highest cadmium concentrations.     

The Effect of Tributyltin-Oxide on Earthworms, Springtails, and Plants in Artificial and Natural Soils

Chemical bioavailability in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) artificial soil can contrast with bioavailability in natural soils and produce ecotoxicologic benchmarks that are not representative of species’ exposure conditions in the field. Initially, reproduction and growth of earthworm and Collembolan species, and early seedling growth of a dicotyledonous plant species, in nine natural soils (with a wide range of physicochemical properties) and in OECD soil were evaluated. Soils that supported reproduction and growth of the test species were then used to investigate the toxicity of tributyltin-oxide (TBT-O). Natural soils caused greater toxicity of TBT-O to earthworms (EC₅₀ values varied from 0.5 to 4.7 mg/kg soil dry weight [dw]) compared with toxicity in OECD soil (EC₅₀ = 13.4 mg/kg dw). Collembolans were less sensitive to TBT-O than earthworms in natural soils, with EC₅₀ values ranging from 23.4 to 177.8 mg/kg dw. In contrast, the toxicity of TBT-O to collembolans in OECD soil (EC₅₀ = 104.0 mg/kg dw) was within the range of EC₅₀ values in natural soils. Phytotoxicity tests revealed even greater difference between the effects in natural soils (EC₅₀ values ranged from 10.7 to 189.2 mg/kg dw) and in OECD soil (EC₅₀ = 535.5 mg/kg dw) compared with results of the earthworm tests. Studies also showed that EC₅₀ values were a more robust end point compared with EC₁₀ values based on comparisons of coefficients of variation. These results show that toxicity testing should include studies with natural soils in addition to OECD soil to better reflect exposure conditions in the field.     

How terrestrial snails can be used in risk assessment of soils

Among soil invertebrates, terrestrial snails are herbivorous and detritivorous organisms exposed to polluted soils by both digestive and cutaneous routes. Using laboratory-reared snails (Helix aspersa aspersa), we describe how the effects of contaminants on survival and growth of snails can be evaluated in laboratory bioassays. A national ring test was performed to assess the effect of Cd added to the soil or to the food. The ecotoxicity of sewage sludge also was evaluated. The present results demonstrate that toxicity depends on both the pollutants and the exposure route. Cadmium was sixfold more toxic for snails exposed via food contamination (median effective concentration [EC50], 68-139 microg/g) than via soil contamination (EC50, 534-877 microg/g), whereas the opposite occurred with the sewage sludge (EC50, 55% of sludge in the food and 10% of waste in the soil). A logistic relationship linked growth inhibition and internal Cd concentrations, which can reach 2,000 microg/g in the viscera of snails exposed to 626 microg/g in the food. No clear trend was found between Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, and Ni concentrations in the sludge and in snail tissues. These data enabled the development of an international standard, which should enhance the use of terrestrial gastropods for both fundamental research and routine risk assessment in the terrestrial environment.     

Effect of soil properties on lead bioavailability and toxicity to earthworms

Soil properties are important factors modifying metal bioavailability to ecological receptors. Twenty-one soils with a wide range of soil properties (USA; http://soils.usda.gov/technical/classification/taxonomy/) were amended with a single concentration of Pb (2,000 mg/kg) to determine the effects of soil properties on Pb bioavailability and toxicity to earthworms. Earthworm mortality ranged from 0 to 100% acute mortality following exposure to the same total concentration of Pb (2,000 mg/kg) in amended field soils. Internal Pb concentrations in earthworms ranged from 28.7 to 782 mg/kg, with a mean of 271 mg/kg. Path analysis was used to partition correlations in an attempt to discern the relative contribution of each soil property. Results of path analysis indicated that pH was the most important soil property affecting earthworm mortality (p < 0.01) and internal Pb (p < 0.05). Soil pH was related inversely to mortality and internal Pb, soil solution Pb, and Pb bioavailability. The most important soil property modifying reproduction was amorphous iron and aluminum oxides (FEAL). Because FEAL is rich in pH-dependent cation-exchange sites, several soil properties, including pH, FEAL, and cation-exchange capacity, have a causal effect on Pb adsorption and soluble Pb. Path analysis is useful for assessing contaminated soils with a wide range of soil properties and can assist in ecological risk assessment and remediation decisions for contaminated sites. Soil properties are important factors modifying metal bioavailability and toxicity and should be considered during the ecological risk assessment of metals in contaminated soils.     

Identification of Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. as an Efficient and Well Adapted Phytoremediation Tool for Cd Polluted Soils

A pot experiment was carried out to assess Cd uptake and accumulation efficiency of Sesbania sesban. Plants were grown in soil spiked with 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 mg/kg Cd. After 120 days, plants were harvested and analyzed for Cd content. A steady increase in Cd accumulation with increasing metal concentration in soil was observed for all treatments. Accumulation of Cd was greatest in roots (86.7 ± 6.3 mg/kg), followed by stem (18.59 ± 1.9 mg/kg), and leaf (3.16 ± 1.1 mg/kg). Chlorophyll content declined with increasing Cd concentration, while proline and protein content increased as compared to control. At higher Cd levels, root, shoot length, and biomass were all significantly reduced (p ≤ 0.001). An increase in total protein along with greater A₂₅₀/A₂₈₀ value suggested an increase in metal-protein complexes. Considering the rapid growth, high biomass, accumulation efficiency, and adaptive properties, this plant could be used as a valuable tool for the phytoremediation of Cd contaminated soils.

     

Greenhouse study on the phytoremediation potential of vetiver grass, Chrysopogon zizanioides L., in arsenic-contaminated soils

The purpose of this greenhouse study was to assess the capacity of vetiver grass to accumulate arsenic from pesticide-contaminated soils of varying physico-chemical properties. Results indicate that vetiver is capable of tolerating moderate levels of arsenic up to 225 mg/kg. Plant growth and arsenic removal efficiency was strongly influenced by soil properties. Arsenic removal was highest (10.6%) in Millhopper soil contaminated with 45 mg/kg arsenic, which decreased to 4.5 and 0.6% at 225 and 450 mg/kg, respectively. High biomass, widespread root system and environmental tolerance make this plant an attractive choice for the remediation of soils contaminated with moderate levels of arsenic.     

Effects of dietary Cd and Cu on feeding and growth rates of the landsnail Helix engaddensis

Effects of dietary cadmium and copper on feeding and growth rates of adult Helix engaddensis snails were studied for a 1-month period. The concentrations of cadmium were 0, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 microg Cd/g dry food, while those of copper were 0, 4, 20, 100, 500, and 2500 microg Cu/g dry food. Both metals inhibited feeding and growth rates significantly after 1 week and 3 weeks of exposure to Cd and Cu, respectively. Inhibition caused by Cd was found to be irreversible, which indicates toxicity, while that of Cu was reversible, indicating starvation because snails identified and refused to consume contaminated food. After 4 weeks of exposure, the NOEC of Cd was 50 microg/g and the LOEC was 100 microg/g, while those for Cu were 20 and 100 microg/g, respectively. EC50,75,90,100 (growth and feeding) values were calculated, and indicated that H. engaddensis snails are suitable for short-term toxicity bioassays.     

Accumulation and toxicity of metals (copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead) and organic compounds (geraniol and benzo[a]pyrene) in the oribatid mite Oppia nitens

The oribatid mite Oppia nitens has been suggested as a test species for ecotoxicological assessment of contaminated boreal soils. Knowledge of the ecotoxicity of pollutants of different modes of action to this species is necessary to assess its relative sensitivity in comparison with other invertebrates. The toxicity of four metals and two organic chemicals to O. nitens was evaluated over a 28- or 35-d period. Mite survival, reproduction, and tissue accumulation were assessed at the end of the test. Reproduction was a more sensitive endpoint than survival for all of the compounds except geraniol. The reproduction median inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb were 2,896, 1,562, 137, and 1,678 mg/kg, respectively, whereas those for benzo[a]pyrene and geraniol were greater than 1,600 and 283 mg/kg. The median lethal concentration (LC50) values for Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb were 3,311, 2,291, 603, and 6,761 mg/kg, respectively, whereas those for benzo[a]pyrene and geraniol were greater than 1,600 and 251 mg/kg. When effects on reproduction are compared with those of other soil invertebrates, O. nitens appears less sensitive to Cu and Zn but within the same order of magnitude of sensitivity as that for Cd and Pb. Despite its lower sensitivity to Cu and Zn, O. nitens is a member of a group underrepresented in ecotoxicological evaluations and should therefore be included in test battery for risk assessment of contaminated boreal and other northern soils.     

Transfer of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in a soil-plant-invertebrate food chain: a microcosm study

The transfer of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn was evaluated in a soil-plant (lettuce, Lactuca sativa)-invertebrate (snail, Helix aspersa) food chain during a microcosm experiment. Two agricultural soils, polluted and unpolluted, were studied. Lettuce was cultivated for eight weeks before introduction of snails into the microcosms (M-snails). In a parallel experiment, snails were exposed to lettuce only (i.e., without soil) in simpler exposure devices called containers (C-snails). Snail exposure duration was eight weeks for both M- and C-snails. No effects on snail survival were found. Both M- and C-snails exposed to polluted soil showed a growth reduction, but only after two weeks of exposure. Time-dependent accumulation in M-snails exposed to the polluted environment showed a regular increase of Cd and Zn concentrations over time and a rapid increase of Pb concentrations within the first two weeks, which then remained stable. Copper and Ni concentrations did not increase during any of the experiments. Concentrations in M- and C-snails were compared to estimate the relative contribution of soil and plant to the total bioaccumulation. The results suggest that the soil contribution may be higher than 80% for Pb, from 30 to 60% for Zn, and from 2 to 40% for Cd.     

Bioaccumulation and toxicity of copper in outdoor freshwater microcosms

This study characterizes the effects of copper (Cu) on Florida apple snails (Pomacea paludosa) and mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis) using a replicated outdoor microcosm design. Soils used in this study were collected from two Cu-enriched citrus agricultural sites in South Florida (Agler property (AGLR) in St. Lucie County and Sunrise Boys property (SRB) in Palm Beach County) and a reference site (Equus property) in St. Lucie County. The study included a 5-week aging phase, an 11 month exposure phase, and a 3 month post-treatment (exposure) phase. The aging phase was initiated by flooding agricultural soils with rainwater in 4 m³ fiberglass microcosm tanks. Introducing juvenile apple snails (≤7 d old) and mosquito fish (2-3 cm) into the microcosm tanks initiated the exposure phase. Survival, growth, and reproduction of apple snails and fish, and Cu uptake in apple snails, fish, and periphyton were determined in this study. Water chemistry (e.g., dissolved Cu concentration, dissolved organic carbon and dissolved oxygen concentrations, pH, hardness, alkalinity, etc.) was measured daily or weekly during the study. Initial soil Cu concentrations in Equus, SRB, and AGLR microcosms were 7, 55, and 99 mg/kg dw, respectively. Dissolved Cu concentrations in Equus, SRB and AGLR microcosms at the beginning of the study were 3, 82, and 43 μg/L, respectively and decreased to low saturation levels of about ≤9 μg/L Cu after the first 3 months of the study. The decrease of dissolved Cu concentrations was likely due to the dilution of rainwater. Snail and fish mortality appeared to be higher in SRB microcosms than in Equus and AGLR microcosms. There was no significant difference in growth of the snails between treatments. Snail growth data followed the von Bertalanffy Model. The maximum shell length, shell height, and shell width of the snails calculated by the von Bertalanffy Model (L_∞) were 2.76, 2.05, and 2.18 cm, respectively. The maximum wet weight was 9.38 g. Growth rate (k) of the snails increased in order of shell height (0.459), shell length (0.550), and shell weight (0.598). There was no reproduction in the snails in any treatments including the reference during the exposure phase. However, Cu did not affect reproduction of fish during this period. Copper concentrations in periphyton from Equus, SRB, and AGLR microcosms ranged from 2 to 62, 31 to 371, and 13 to 478 mg/kg, respectively. Copper concentrations in fish at the beginning, days 30 and 150 of the study ranged from 3.19 to 7.53 mg/kg and were not significantly different from the different treatments. Average Cu concentrations in the soft tissue of dead snails from SRB and AGLR microcosms were 4602 mg/kg dw (ranged from 2913 to 8370 mg/kg dw) and 2824 mg/kg dw (ranged from 2118 to 3600 mg/kg dw), respectively. The Cu concentrations in the soft tissue of dead snails found in this study were higher than the tissue Cu concentrations in live aquatic organisms reported in the literature. These high Cu concentrations in edible apple snail soft tissue might pose a risk to Florida apple snail predators, including the snail kite. The post-exposure phase, with snails exposed to only water (i.e., no soils) showed depuration of copper from apple snails and reproduction in all treatments.     

TNT,RDX, and HMX decrease earthworm (Eisenia andrei) life-cycle responses in a spiked natural forest soil

Sublethal and chronic toxicities of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX), and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) on earthworm Eisenia andrei in a sandy forest soil were assessed. Various reproduction parameters of fecundity (total and hatched number of cocoons, number of juveniles, and their biomass) were significantly decreased by TNT (> or = 58.8 +/- 5.1 mg/kg dry soil), RDX (> or = 46.7 +/- 2.6 mg/kg), and HMX (> or = 15.6 +/- 4.6 mg/kg). These effects occurred at much lower concentrations than those reported earlier using artificial soil preparations. Growth of adults was significantly decreased in the TNT-spiked natural soils at 136.2 +/- 25.6 mg/kg dry soil, the highest concentration having no significant mortality. In contrast, survival and growth were not significantly reduced at relatively high measured concentrations of RDX (167.3 mg/kg) and HMX (711.0 mg/kg). Although TNT, RDX, and HMX share a common life-cycle response ( i.e., decreased juvenile counts), a number of differences related to other reproduction parameters (e.g., productivity of cocoons) was observed. These results indicate that the tested explosives do not support a common mechanism of toxicity, at least in the earthworm, probably due to differences in their physical-chemical properties as well as metabolites formed during exposure.     

TNT, RDX, and HMX Decrease Earthworm (Eisenia andrei) Life-Cycle Responses in a Spiked Natural Forest Soil

Sublethal and chronic toxicities of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX), and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) on earthworm Eisenia andrei in a sandy forest soil were assessed. Various reproduction parameters of fecundity (total and hatched number of cocoons, number of juveniles, and their biomass) were significantly decreased by TNT (≥ 58.8 ± 5.1 mg/kg dry soil), RDX (≥ 46.7 ± 2.6 mg/kg), and HMX (≥ 15.6 ± 4.6 mg/kg). These effects occurred at much lower concentrations than those reported earlier using artificial soil preparations. Growth of adults was significantly decreased in the TNT-spiked natural soils at 136.2 ± 25.6 mg/kg dry soil, the highest concentration having no significant mortality. In contrast, survival and growth were not significantly reduced at relatively high measured concentrations of RDX (167.3 mg/kg) and HMX (711.0 mg/kg). Although TNT, RDX, and HMX share a common life-cycle response (i.e., decreased juvenile counts), a number of differences related to other reproduction parameters (e.g., productivity of cocoons) was observed. These results indicate that the tested explosives do not support a common mechanism of toxicity, at least in the earthworm, probably due to differences in their physical-chemical properties as well as metabolites formed during exposure. Received: 16 November 2001/Accepted: 2 June 2002     

Reproductive and behavioral responses of earthworms exposed to nano-sized titanium dioxide in soil

Nanometer-sized titanium dioxide (nano-TiO(2) ) is found in a number of commercial products; however, its effects on soil biota are largely unknown. In the present study, earthworms (Eisenia andrei and Eisenia fetida) were exposed to three types of commercially available, uncoated TiO(2) nanomaterials with nominal diameters of 5, 10, and 21?nm. Nanomaterials were characterized for particle size, agglomeration, surface charge, chemical composition, and purity. Standard lethality, reproduction, and avoidance tests, as well as a juvenile growth test, were conducted in artificial soil or field soil amended with nano-TiO(2) by two methods, liquid dispersion and dry powder mixing. All studies included a micrometer-sized TiO(2) control. Exposure to field and artificial soil containing between 200 and 10,000?mg nano-TiO(2) per kilogram of dry soil (mg/kg) had no significant effect (p?>?0.05) on juvenile survival and growth, adult earthworm survival, cocoon production, cocoon viability, or total number of juveniles hatched from these cocoons. However, earthworms avoided artificial soils amended with nano-TiO(2) . The lowest concentration at which avoidance was observed was between 1,000 and 5,000?mg nano-TiO(2) per kilogram of soil, depending on the TiO(2) nanomaterial applied. Furthermore, earthworms differentiated between soils amended with 10,000?mg/kg nano-TiO(2) and micrometer-sized TiO(2) . A positive relationship between earthworm avoidance and TiO(2) specific surface area was observed, but the relationship between avoidance and primary particle size was not determined because of the agglomeration and aggregation of nano-TiO(2) materials. Biological mechanisms that may explain earthworm avoidance of nano-TiO(2) are discussed. Results of the present study indicate that earthworms can detect nano-TiO(2) in soil, although exposure has no apparent effect on survival or standard reproductive parameters.     

Effect of leaching and aging on the bioavailability of lead to the springtail Folsomia candida

Because it is unclear if leaching can account for differences in metal bioavailability observed between metal-spiked soils and historically contaminated field soils, we simultaneously assessed Pb toxicity to the springtail Folsomia candida in three transects of Pb-contaminated soils and in leached and unleached soils spiked at similar total Pb concentrations. Total Pb concentrations of 3,877 mg/kg dry weight and higher always caused significant effects on F. candida reproduction in the spiked soils. In the transects, only the soil with the highest Pb concentration of 14,436 mg/kg dry weight significantly affected reproduction. When expressed as pore-water concentrations, reproduction was never significantly affected at Pb concentrations of 0.539 mg/L, whereas reproduction was always significantly affected at Pb concentrations of 0.678 mg/L and higher, independent of the soil treatment. These results indicate that pore-water Pb concentrations can explain, at least in part, the observed differences in the toxicity data expressed as total Pb concentrations. Leaching after the spiking procedure only caused small differences in Pb toxicity and, therefore, cannot account for toxicity differences between laboratory-spiked soils and historically contaminated field soils.     

Assessment of a 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene-contaminated site using Aporrectodea rosea and Eisenia andrei in mesocosms

Polynitro-organic compounds such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) can be released into the environment from production and processing facilities and military firing ranges as well as through field use and disposal practices. Based on laboratory toxicity data, TNT has lethal (at >/=260 mg TNT/kg dry soil) and sublethal effects (at >/=59 mg TNT/kg dry soil) to the earthworm. However, field studies are needed to relate exposure of organisms to explosives in mixed-contaminated soil under field conditions and to define effects-based ecotoxicologic benchmarks for TNT-contaminated soil. In the present study, the lethal and sublethal effects of a 10-day in situ exposure at a TNT-contaminated field site using mesh-bag mesocosms were assessed. In addition to the survival end point, the biomarkers of earthworm exposure and effect-including tissue residues, lysosomal neutral red retention time (NRRT), and total immune activity (TIA)-were measured. Concentrations of TNT in soil mesocosms ranged from 25 to 17,063 mg/kg. Experiments indicated a trend toward decreasing survival of caged Aporrectodea rosea and Eisenia andrei as the concentration of TNT and total nitroaromatic compounds increased. E. andrei tolerated higher concentrations of TNT (up to 4050 mg/kg dry soil) in mesocosms than did indigenous earthworms, who survived only at 相似文献   

Growth responses of an estuarine fish exposed to mixed trace elements in sediments over a full life cycle

Hatchling Cyprinodon variegatus were raised in the presence or absence of sediments contaminated with mixed trace elements to examine lethal and sublethal bioenergetic effects (metabolic rate, lipid storage, growth, reproduction) over a full life cycle (>1 year). Contaminated sediments were derived from a site receiving coal combustion residues (CCR) and were elevated in numerous trace elements including Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cu, Se, and V. Exposures were conducted at two levels of salinity (5 and 36 ppt) to examine the potential interaction of this variable with contaminants. Salinity had no effect on responses measured. Over the course of the study, fish exposed to contaminated sediment accumulated several CCR-related trace elements, including As, Cd, Se, and V. There were no differences in fish survival for contaminated sediment treatments and uncontaminated sediment treatments, nor were there differences in metabolic expenditures. However, growth, male condition factor, and storage lipid content in females were reduced due to contaminant exposure. No significant effects on fecundity or the proportion of females that were gravid at the end of the study were observed, yet females raised under control conditions produced 12% larger eggs than did females raised on contaminated sediments. During the presumably most-sensitive early life stages, individuals were not noticeably affected by contaminants, but rather the effects of exposure became apparent later in life. Because many species inhabit contaminated areas for long periods of time, often encompassing the entire life cycle, exposures focused only on specific life stages may substantially underestimate the overall responses elicited by individuals.     

Toxicological Responses of Red-Backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) Exposed to Aged and Amended Soils Containing Lead

The use of lead in military and civilian small arms projectiles is widely acknowledged to have resulted in high soil lead concentrations at many small arms ranges. These ranges are often adjacent to wildlife habitat or have become habitat when no longer used. To assess the potential toxicity of lead to terrestrial amphibians in contaminated areas, we exposed 100 red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) to either a control soil or one of four soil treatments amended with lead acetate for 28 days. Analytical mean soil concentrations were 14 (control), 553, 1700, 4700, and 9167 mg Pb/kg soil dry weight. An additional 60 salamanders were also exposed for 28 days to one of six field-collected soil samples from a small arms range and a skeet range. The field soil concentrations ranged from 11 (background) to 16,967 mg Pb/kg soil dry weight. Food consisted of uncontaminated flightless Drosophila melanogaster. Salamander survival was reduced in amended soil treatments of 4700 and 9167 mg/kg by 15% and 80%, respectively. Inappetence was observed at 4700 and 9167 mg/kg and growth decreased in the 9167 mg/kg treatment. Total white blood cells decreased 32% at 4700 mg/kg compared to controls and were 22% lower in the 9167 mg/kg treatment. In contrast, survival was 100% for all field-collected soils with no hematological effects. At 16,967 mg/kg there was evidence of soil avoidance and decreased growth. These data suggest marked differences in toxicity and bioavailability of the lead-amended soil in contrast to the field-collected soil containing lead.     

Comparative assessment of soil contamination by lead and heavy metals in riparian and agricultural areas (southern Québec, Canada)

Soils contaminated with hydrocarbons (C(10)-C(50)), PAHS, lead and other heavy metals were recently found in the banks of two major rivers in southern Québec. Alluvial soils are contaminated over a distance of 100 kilometers. Eight sampling sites, including some located in agriculture areas (farm woodlots) have been selected to compare air pollution (aerosol fallout and rainout) and river pollution values. The concentrations detected in soil profiles for As, Cd and Pb vary between 3.01 to 37.88 mg kg(-1) (As), 0.11 to 0.81 mg kg(-1) (Cd) 12.32 to 149.13 mg kg(-1) (Pb). These metallic elements are considered highly toxic and can harm wildlife and human health at high levels. The maximum concentration of Pb (149.13 mg kg(-1)) in soils of the riparian zone is twelve times higher than the average Pb concentration found in a natural state evaluated at 15.3 mg kg(-1) (SD 17.5). Pb concentrations in soils of agricultural areas (woodland control sites) range between 12 and 22 mg kg(-1), and given that these values are recorded in surrounding cultivated land, the issue of the quality of agricultural products (crops and forage) to feed livestock or destined for human consumption must be further addressed in detail.     

A GIS-aided assessment of the health hazards of cadmium in farm soils in central Taiwan

A geostatistical method was developed to examine the correlation, or lack of it, between the levels of cadmium (Cd) detected in farm soils and those detected in the human specimens collected from residents around the contaminated areas in Changhua County where cadmium contamination of staple rice has been documented. We used the Taiwan EPA environment data in 2002 and human data which were generated by the National Health Research Institutes during 2003-2005. Kriging interpolation methods were used to determine soil Cd concentrations. A Zonal statistical function was performed to assess the individual exposure. Soil Cd levels and tissue Cd levels in residents were analyzed for contamination hotspots and other areas to determine correlation between the two variables. Three Cd contamination hotspots were identified, in which no correlation was found between soil Cd levels and tissue Cd levels in residents. Our results demonstrate how GIS spatial modeling technique can be used to estimate distribution of pollutants in an area using a limited number of data points. Results indicated no association between the soil contamination and the exposure of residents to Cd, suggesting that both the soils and the residents are receptors of Cd as a pollutant from as yet unidentified sources.