Associations between trace metals in sediment, water, and guppy, Poecilia reticulata (Peters), from urban streams of Semarang, Indonesia

The present study aims to answer the question whether the amount of metal in aquatic biota reflects the concentrations in the sediment and water, and whether the physico-chemical properties of the water and sediment have any influence on the suspected relationship. A study was made of 101 small streams in the city of Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. Data on fish occurrence in 63 streams of the greater Semarang indicated that the guppies did not avoid the highly polluted sites. No significant difference in body weight between sites was found. Significant differences were found in metal body concentrations (Pb and Zn) between fish collected from sites with different degrees of pollution. A significant declining trend of Pb concentrations with increasing organism size was observed, whereas for two other metals, Zn and Cu, the concentrations did not depend on the body weight. Apparently, body concentrations of these two metals are regulated and maintained at a certain concentration. For the relationships between metal concentrations in water, sediment and fish, water and sediment parameters, and fish dry weight, the presence of significant multiple correlations and bivariate correlation (in 17 of 91 pairs of variables) indicated that, in general, abiotic parameters and body size had no influence on the metal flux from sediment to water, and into fish. Results of partial correlation analyses further suggested that metal concentrations in the sediments were the most important factor governing the metal body concentrations of fish. The present study indicates that the guppy Poecilia reticulata from urban streams is a potential bioindicator for urban metal pollution, especially with respect to their (1) spatial distribution over sites of all pollution regimes and (2) variation in metal accumulation levels reflecting the degree of pollution.     

Assessment of Metal Accumulation and Ecological Risk Around Rize Harbor, Turkey (Southeast Black Sea) Affected by Copper Ore Loading Operations by Using Different Sediment Indexes

The purpose of the study was to determine metal pollution and ecological risk in the sediments around Rize Harbor. Metal concentrations (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Ni and Al), were determined in the sediments collected from 7 sites in November, 2010. Metal levels in the sediments were varied from 33.9 to 279.1 mg/kg for Cu, 82 to 383 mg/kg for Zn, 15.9 to 33 mg/kg for Pb, 4.9 to 12.3 mg/kg for As, 0.1 to 1.4 mg/kg for Cd, 0.01 to 0.07 mg/kg for Hg, 13.1 to 17.6 mg/kg for Ni, 1.5 % to 2.98 % for Al. Concentration of metals also was evaluated by enrichment factor, Sediment Quality Guideline (SQGs) of US EPA, and two sets of SQGs indices. A factor analysis was used to determine source of contamination. Two probable source types were identified as anthropogenic and crustal for metals, explaining 86.4 % of the total variance. Six sites were heavily polluted by Cu. Copper concentration in R1 station was found significant enrichment. Current concentration of copper would be expected to frequently be associated with the toxic effect on biota.     

Trace Metal Concentrations in Sediments and Oysters of Botany Bay,NSW, Australia

Surfical sediment (< 63 µm) trace metal concentrations (Zn, Cu, Pd, Cd, As) were analyzed from seven sites in Botany Bay, NSW, Australia, to assess the extent of contamination from the surrounding urban areas. The northwest shoreline of Botany Bay contained high surfical sediment trace metal concentrations relative to the southern shoreline. Surfical sediment Pb concentrations (10–120 µg/g) were above the current ANZECC/ARMCANZ interim sediment guideline value (50 µg/g) for the protection of benthic ecosystems at the northwest sites. Cooks River was identified as a major source of trace metals. Oysters grown in Botany Bay have greater Zn, Cu, and Cd concentrations than two relatively pristine reference locations, Jervis Bay and Batemans Bay, indicating that the Botany Bay region has elevated biologically available metal concentrations. Oyster tissue trace metal concentrations were below the Australian and New Zealand Food Authority standards. Translocation of oysters to sites around the bay identified Pb and Cd as the only trace metals to be accumulated over 3 months. Copper concentrations in transplanted oysters declined at most sites, indicating that the sites investigated in this study have less bioavailable copper than Woolooware Bay, the source of the oysters. The shallow waters along the southern shoreline are protected from the tidal flow that carry contaminated sediments and the biologically available trace metals appear to be low.Received: 31 May 2002/Accepted: 13 December 2002     

Water Quality and Trace Metal Distribution in a Pristine Lake in the Lake Basin in Kenya

Water and surface sediment samples taken from various locations within Lake Kanyaboli in the Lake Victoria basin were analysed to determine the concentration and distribution of heavy metals. There were wide ranges in concentrations of the metals among the sampling points analysed. Sediment concentrations (microg/g dry weight) ranged from n.d.-2.54 (Ag), 0.25-1.08 (Cd), 0.89-1.64 (Co), 3.7-7.73 (Cr), 1.80-30.27 (Cu), 1073-2627 (Mn), 22.61-55.60 (Ni), 11.42-153.9 (Pb), 40.46-154.7 (Sn) and 65.0-146.5 (Zn). Dissolved metal concentrations (microg/L) ranged from n.d.-9.22 (Ag), n.d.-5.54 (Cd), n.d.-8.30 (Co), 5.26-60.82 (Cr), 10.96-43.11 (Cu), 184.7-375.9 (Mn), 1.84-38.3 (Ni), 5.98-47.77 (Pb), n.d.-540.6 (Sn) and 14.5-55.9 (Zn). Compared with WHO standards and other freshwaters worldwide, this lake was found to be unpolluted, with all metals, except Mn, being detected at concentrations lower than the highest desirable levels and maximum permissible levels. Some of the toxic metals, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd (in sediment) and Ag, Co and Pb (in water) were detected at lower concentrations than those found in the polluted Kisumu Pier in Winam Gulf in the Lake basin, which confirms the anthropogenic influence on the latter.     

Transfer of Copper,Lead and Zinc in Soil–Grass Ecosystem in Aspect of Soils Properties,in Poland

The total metal concentrations in soil samples from polluted area (roadside soils) ranged from 13.87 to 195.76 mg/kg for Cu; 13.56–310.17 mg/kg for Pb and 18.43–894.11 mg/kg for Zn and they were, respectively about 5, 2 and 13 times above the corresponding values in soil samples from country area. The mean values of EDTA-extractable concentrations in soil samples at unpolluted sites were: 2.47 mg/kg for Cu, 6.33 mg/kg for Pb and 4.94 mg/kg for Zn. The highest concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn in grass were measured in soils from polluted area. Higher values of proportions of EDTA-extractable metals (24% for Cu, 40% for Pb and 38% for Zn) indicate that anthropogenic metals were more mobile and bioavailable than the same metals in soils from unpolluted area (20, 16 and 20% for Cu, Pb and Zn, respectively). The availability of Cu, Pb and Zn are affected by soil properties such as pH, organic matter content and cation exchange capacity. Correlation between the EDTA-extractable forms concentrations of metals and the total concentration in the various soils was observed. The coefficients of determination (R²) varied between 0.809 for Cu; 0,709 for Pb and 0.930 for Zn in polluted soils and they are higher than corresponding values in unpolluted soils.     

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in mullet (Mugil cephalus) and oyster (Crassostrea madrasensis) from Pulicat lake, south east coast of India

The accumulation of six heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni) in sediment, water and in tissue parts of Mugil cephalus and Crassostrea madrasensis was studied in two locations of Pulicat lake, Southeast coast of India, which receives considerable quantity of effluents from industries located in North Chennai coastal region. The results reveal that the metal concentration in water is decreasing in the following order of Zn > Ni > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd both in lake and barmouth and highest concentration was observed for Zn (32.5 μg L(-1) in lake and 25.2 μg L(-1) in bar mouth). Metals were highly concentrated in sediments when compared to water and biota. Metals abundance in sediments has following sequential order of Cr > Ni > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd and the accumulation pattern in barmouth showed minor variation indicating the following pattern of Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Pb > Cd. The geoaccumulation index (I(geo)) for Pulicat lake sediments indicate that the sediments are extremely contaminated with Cd and moderately contaminated with Cu and Ni. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Mugil cephalus and Crassostrea madrasensis showed marked differences in the accumulation patterns. It is observed that Zn, Cu and Pb are accumulated in elevated concentrations in various parts of the fish and oyster when compared with other metals.     

Toxic metals in aquatic plants surviving in surface water polluted by copper mining industry

Concentrations of the metals Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn, as well as the macronutrients N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S were measured in water, sediments, and the aquatic macrophytes Potamogeton pectinatus and Myriophyllum spicatum, growing in surface water receiving sewages and solid wastes from a copper smelter and a copper ore processing factory located in the Legnica-Glogow copper district in Southwest Poland. The deposition of mineral wastes in this area belong to the largest repository in Europe. The plants were able to survive at heavily contaminated sites. The concentrations of Cd (up to 0.6-1.7 microg/L in water and up to 10.1-12.9 mg/kg in sediments), Cu (up to 29-48 microg/L in water and up to 4.6-5.6g/kg in sediments), Pb (up to 1.5-2.2 g/kg in sediments), and Zn (up to 167-200 microg/L in water and up to 1.4-1.8 g/kg in sediments) seriously exceeded background values. P. pectinatus was able to survive tissue concentrations (in mg/kg) of up to 920 Cu, 6240 Mn, 98 Co, and 59 Ni, while M. spicatum survived tissue concentrations up to 1040 Cu, 6660 Mn, and 57 Co for. Enrichment ratios of elements in plant tissue and in water were much higher than those between plant tissue and sediments.     

Heavy Metal Contamination and Ecological Risk Assessment of Swine Manure Irrigated Vegetable Soils in Jiangxi Province,China

Heavy metal are often added to animal fodder and accumulate in the soils with swine manure. In this study, heavy metal (Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, As and Cr) concentrations were determined in agricultural soils irrigated with swine manure in Jiangxi Province, China. Results showed that the average concentrations of Cu, Zn, As and Cr (32.8, 93.7, 21.3 and 75.8 mg/kg, respectively) were higher than the background values, while Pb and Cd (15.2 and 0.090 mg/kg, respectively) were lower than the background values. Contamination factors \(\left( {C_{f}^{i}} \right)\) indicated that they were generally moderate for Cu, Zn, As and Cr and generally low for Pb and Cd. The contamination degree (C _d ) was calculated to be 7.5–10.0 indicating a moderate degree of contamination. The geoaccumulation index (I_geo) indicated that the soils were unpolluted with Zn, Cd and Pb, while unpolluted to moderately pollute with Cr, Cu and As. The single ecological risk factor \(\left( {E_{r}^{i}} \right)\) revealed that the six heavy metals all belonged to low ecological risk. The ecological risk indices suggested that all the sampling sites were at low risk level.     

Metal (Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb) concentrations in human placentas

The concentrations of some metals (Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb) in human placentas at term in two populations living in polluted (Krakow, n = 10) and non-polluted (Bieszczady, n = 13) areas were investigated by means of graphite furnace--or flame atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS or F-AAS). The concentrations of Cu, Fe and Pb were higher in Krakow vs. Bieszczady, while Zn concentration was lower, but these differences were not significant. The following results were obtained for the whole studied group: Cu 1.17 +/- 0.25 microg/g w.w., Zn 8.44 +/- 2.10 microg/g w.w., Fe 115.0 +/- 31.9 microg/g w.w., Pb 51.6 +/- 18.0 ng/g w.w. The inverse accumulation of Zn and Pb is in accord with previous observations. In the whole group of placenta specimens the statistically significant correlation was also found between concentrations of Cu and Pb. The correlations between metal concentrations and placental or maternal features were the strongest for lead.     

Distribution of dissolved metals in seawater of Jinzhou Bay, China

Based on the datum line survey in August 2005 and June and August of 2006, water samples were collected in 30 sites to examine the trend of spatial distribution and temporal change of dissolved metals in seawater of Jinzhou Bay, China. The results showed that copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) concentrations ranged from 1.71 to 3.49, 0.38 to 1.19, 21.77 to 39.16, and 1.65 to 2.01 microg/L, respectively. Except for Zn, the dissolved metal concentrations in August 2006 were much higher than those in August 2005. The concentrations in June 2006 were also higher than those in August 2006. The highest concentrations of dissolved metal were determined in samples collected from southwest of the Bay near sewage outfalls of Huludao Zinc Plant and Bohai Shipyard and the mouths of Wuli and Cishan rivers. The concentrations of dissolved metals increased inshore as compared with offshore. The principal contaminated factors were Zn, Cd, and Pb in the Jinzhou Bay. Significant positive correlations existed between the concentrations of Cu and Cd (0.016), as well as Zn and Cd (0.000). The overall results revealed that the Bohai Sea was one of the most contaminated areas by dissolved metals compared to other coastal areas in China.     

Bulk and Bioavailable Heavy Metals (Cd,Cu, Pb,and Zn) in Surface Sediments from Mazatlán Harbor (SE Gulf of California)

This work evaluates current metal concentrations (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) and the operational bio-available chemical extraction fraction in surface sediments in Mazatlán Harbor in Northwest México. Sediment samples were also analyzed for organic carbon, carbonates and particle size. Ranges of bulk metal were as follows: Cd from 3.1 to 3.3 μg/g, Cu from 31.9 to 44.9 μg/g, Pb from 49.6 to 54.0 μg/g, and Zn from 217.8 to 323.5 μg/g. In terms of biological effects, metals concentrations in the sediments lie between the low and median ranges of the mean quality guideline criteria. Comparatively, the metals concentrations increased from 1983 to 1994 and then for 2006, except Pb and Cd that decreased in the last period of time. The bio-available fraction of metals increased from 1983 to 1994, but only bio-available Cu increased from 1994 to 2006, due to mobilization of this metal from the organic matter–sulfide phase.     

Decennary Variations of Dissolved Heavy Metals in Seawater of Bohai Bay,North China

Characteristics of the spatial and temporal distributions of selected dissolved heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg and Cd) in Bohai Bay, north China was investigated. Water samples from 22 sites were collected and analyzed for the selected metals with atomic absorption spectrometry from the year of 1996 to 2005. Relatively high concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb and Hg were detected, with maximum concentrations in the 10-year period of 16.30, 422.00, 40.40, 0.23 μg/L respectively. The concentrations of Cd in all samples were quite low, with maximum level of 0.89 μg/L. The spatial distribution of dissolved Cu, Zn and Pb was analogous, where their average concentrations generally descended from the coastline to the central areas of the bay. Differently, for Hg and Cd, relatively high concentrations occurred not only in inshore but also in offshore areas. Measured data of heavy metals were compared with sea water quality standard of China (SWQSC). Cd concentrations in all samples were below SWQSC Grade-I. The percentages of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Hg at Grade-III levels in Bohai Bay were 2.67%, 30.00%, 30.43% and 0.36%, respectively, suggesting the severe contamination of Zn and Pb in this area. Terrestrial inputs via different rivers and sewages may be the important source for the heavy metals contamination.     

Anthropogenic Sources of Heavy Metals in the Indian Ocean Coast of Kenya

Water and surface sediment samples from Rivers Sabaki, Ramisi and Vevesi that flow into the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya were analysed for heavy metals. The sediment concentrations of exchangeable cations (in μg/g) for Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn and Zn ranged from 0.10 to 506.75 (for Mn at Sabaki), constituting between 2% and 20% of the total metal concentrations obtained by digestion with strong acid. Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were more leachable with 0.1 N HCl. The total dissolved metal in water and the total sediment concentrations for Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn and Zn are given in the text. For dissolved metals, the metal/Mn ratios indicated higher concentrations of Ag in Sabaki River, Cd in Ramisi, Ni in Sabaki and Pb in Ramisi, respectively. In sediments, the metal/Mn ratios showed higher enrichment of Ag in Ramisi, Cd in Sabaki and Vevesi, and Zn in Sabaki, respectively. Enrichment factors showed elevated levels of Cd, Pb and Zn in sediment in River Sabaki and River Vevesi that were due to anthropogenic inputs through Athi River. The total dissolved metal concentration ranges for the three rivers were comparable with those ranges reported in rivers in South Africa but the sediment concentrations were below those of rivers in Europe and Asia where anthropogenic addition of some of the toxic elements such as Cu, Pb and Cd is evidently higher.     

Sources of Heavy Metal Input Into Winam Gulf,Kenya

Water and surface sediment from rivers Kisat, Nyamasaria, Nyando, Sondu-Miriu, Kuja, Awach, Yala, and Nzoia, which flow into Winam Gulf, were analyzed for heavy metals in order to assess the influence of the catchment activities on heavy metal input into the lake. Sampling was done both upstream and at river mouths where the rivers entered in to the lake. The mean sediment concentration of exchangeable cations (in microg/g) for Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, and Zn ranged from 0.01 to 263 (for Mn at Kuja). Ag, Cr, and Cd were poorly leachable with 0.1 MHCl but the other cations were found to be fairly exchangeable. Most exchangeable cations in sediment ranged between 2% and 20% of the total heavy metal content obtained by digestion with strong acid. The mean total dissolved metal (0.45 microm filter cut-off) and mean total sediment concentrations ranged from nd-16 (Ag), nd-8 (Cd), nd-23.3 (Co), nd-50 (Cr), 5-157.5 (Cu), 50-3276 (Mn), nd-54.1 (Ni), 7-93.6 (Pb), 25-219.5 (Zn) in microg/L and from nd-8.34 (Ag), 0.48-1.75 (Co), nd-1.78 (Cd), 2.92-5.36 (Cr), 3.90-150.2 (Cu), 133.5-7237 (Mn), 4.33-42.29 (Ni), 3.09-66.06 (Pb), 23.39-7.83 (Sn) and 23.39-350.8 (Zn) in microg/g dry weight, respectively. The rivers analyzed were found to be non-polluted in terms of sediment loads except river Kisat which was found to be polluted because of elevated levels of Pb, Mn, Cu, and Zn. Nyamasaria and Nyando were also found to have higher concentrations of Pb, Cu, and Zn than those reported previously in the lake sediment. The dissolved metal concentrations were acceptable by WHO maximum limits in drinking water except Mn which was above WHO limit in Kisat, Nyando, and Nyamasaria waters. Enrichment of Cd and Pb was found in all the river sediment samples with factors ranging from 2.12 at Kisat river mouth to 4.41 at Awach (for Cd) and from 1.49 (at Kisat river mouth) to 2.38 (at Nyando river mouth).     

The effects of cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc on the growth and reproduction of Proisotoma minuta Tullberg (Collembola)

Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate Proisotoma minuta sensitivity toward selected heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn). The experimental results showed a reduction in adult survival and no reproduction at the highest concentrations of Cd and Zn. Application of Pb at all levels resulted in large numbers of progeny and no significant mortality compared to controls. EC50 reproduction values for Cd, Cu, and Zn were 125, 696, and 283 microg g(-1), respectively. No significant difference in time from the introduction of adults into the test soils to the appearance of the first-instar animals was observed between different metal treatments. The growth rate of adults decreased for all metal treatments compared to the controls. It is suggested that the accumulation of metals in P. minuta affects metabolism and results in a slower growth rate. The absence of any statistically significant effect on mortality at all concentrations of Pb may be due to greater tolerance of P. minuta to Pb than to other metals.     

Cadmium, Copper, Lead and Zinc Contents of the Mangrove Oyster, Crassostrea corteziensis, of Seven Coastal Lagoons of NW Mexico

The ranges of concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn of the soft tissues of C. corteziensis collected in seven coastal lagoons of NW Mexico were 1.55–7.45, 17.50–166.36, 4.13–9.49 and 245.34–2,304.12 μg/g (dry weight), respectively. Their distributions were not consistent and there were no seasonal trends, indicating different point sources of the metals in each lagoon. The mean Cd and Pb concentrations were 5.34 and 6.30 μg/g (dry weight), which are higher than the values indicative of polluted areas. Our data indicate that only the levels of Cd are a possible health risk in six of these lagoons, and only in the case of regular local consumers. In one, Cu and Zn reach levels of concern.     

Distribution and Accumulation of Metals in Tadpoles Inhabiting the Metalliferous Streams of Eastern Chalkidiki, Northeast Greece

The present study investigates the accumulation of heavy metals [copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mn), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr)] in tadpoles inhabiting the metalliferous streams flowing within the Asprolakkas River basin (northeast Chalkidiki peninsula, Greece) and the effect of potentially harmful elements in stream water and sediment on the corresponding levels in their tissue. Animals were collected from six sampling sites influenced by a wide range of surface water and stream sediment trace element concentrations. The results of the chemical analyses showed that tadpoles accumulated significant levels of all of the examined metals. The range of whole-body mean measured concentrations were (in dry mass) as follows: Cu (46-182?mg/kg), Pb (103-4,490?mg/kg), Zn (494-11,460?mg/kg), Mn (1,620-13,310?mg/kg), Cd (1.2-82?mg/kg), Ni (57-163?mg/kg), and Cr (38-272?mg/kg). The mean concentrations of Pb, Zn, Mn, Ni, Cr, and Cd in Kokkinolakkas stream, which drains a currently active mining area, were the highest ever reported in tadpoles. Our results indicate that whole-body levels of Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd increase with stream sediment concentrations and that these organisms tend to accumulate metals bound to Fe and Mn oxides. In addition, high dissolved concentrations and significant concentrations associated with more labile geochemical phases of sediments for specific metals were contributing factors determining whole-body levels. Given the observed bioconcentration factors, as well as the correlation with sediment concentrations, it is proposed that these organisms could be considered as bioindicators of environmental contamination and may be used for monitoring purposes within this metal-rich zone and, perhaps, within other rivers affected by metal mining.     

Spatial and Temporal Variations of Heavy Metals in Surface Sediments in Bohai Bay, North China

Characteristics of the spatial and temporal distributions of selected heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Hg) in Bohai Bay, north China was examined. Surface sediment samples from 15 sites were collected and analyzed for the selected metals with atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) from the year of 1997–2007. Mean concentrations of metals in the 11-year period showed that Hg and Zn concentrations slightly fluctuated, while Cu, Cd and Pb concentrations in sediments varied with time. High levels of heavy metals occurred not only along the shoreline but also at some site in the inner part of the bay, suggesting the contamination sources of heavy metals from both terrestrial inputs and the atmospheric deposition. Compared with the environmental background values of selected heavy metals it indicated that anthropogenic activities influenced the sediment quality. The contamination factor \textCⁱ_f {\text{C}}^{i}_{f} , which is used to evaluate the pollution of the environment, showed that the contamination by selected heavy metals was moderate. Cd, Zn and Pb were the main polluting elements in this area.     

Heavy Metal Pollution Characteristics in the Modern Sedimentary Environment of Northern Jiaozhou Bay,China

The particle size distribution characteristics of sediments and the concentrations of heavy metals in Jiaozhou Bay were investigated in this study. The average concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, Hg and As were 36.88, 29.60, 82.08, 77.48, 0.083, 0.048 and 11.00 mg/kg, respectively. The heavy metal concentrations were highest in the eastern sediments, followed by those at the top of the bay, and the lowest concentrations were observed in the central region. Overall, a decreasing trend from the center of the bay to the periphery was observed. Additionally, the distribution of heavy metals in sediments was not completely controlled by sediment particle size. The degree of heavy metal contamination was evaluated using the geoaccumulation index and Hakanson’s method. The results revealed that the level of heavy metal pollution in the sediments was relatively low and that the main pollution elements were Cu and Hg. In addition, the sediments are associated with various levels of potential ecological risk due to the high pollution levels of Hg and Cd.     

Determination of selected heavy metal concentrations and distribution in a southwestern stream using macrophytes

Since the reduction of the arsenic standard from 50 to 10 μg L⁻¹ by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 2006 many small town and rural water municipalities were left with the task of preventing or mitigating arsenic contamination of drinking water supplies. In this study macrophytes and sediments were used to determine the concentration and distribution of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) within the primary source of drinking water (Gallinas River watershed) to the residents of Las Vegas, New Mexico. Sampling was done in the spring and fall at four sites, two above the city and two below, and samples were analyzed using ICP-MS. Results showed significantly higher (p<.05) metal concentrations in plant roots than shoots for most metals. Spearman’s correlation showed positive correlations (r>.3) between plant and sediment concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, As, and a negative correlation for Cu. The site above waste water treatment plant (AWWTP) had the highest plant tissue concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, and As. All of these concentrations attained critical toxicity levels exceeding sediment quality guidelines. High concentration factor values and levels of metals detected in macrophyte tissues indicate that heavy metals within sediments in the Gallinas River occur in bioavailable forms. Correlations between plant and sediment metal concentrations indicate that metal concentrations in macrophyte tissues are a good reflection of metal concentrations within the sediment in the Gallinas River.