Influence of heavy metals on the occurrence of Antarctic soil microalgae

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Nguk-Ling Dang ◽  
Wan-Loy Chu ◽  
Kok-Seng Ivan Yap ◽  
Yih-Yih Kok ◽  
Siew-Moi Phang ◽  
...  

Abstract Human- and animal-impacted sites in Antarctica can be contaminated with heavy metals, as well as areas influenced by underlying geology and naturally occurring minerals. The present study examined the relationship between heavy metal presence and soil microalgal occurrence across a range of human-impacted and undisturbed locations on Signy Island. Microalgae were identified based on cultures that developed after inoculation into an enriched medium. Twenty-nine microalgae representing Cyanobacteria, Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta and Tribophyta were identified. High levels of As, Ca, Cd, Cu and Zn were detected in Gourlay Peninsula and North Point, both locations hosting dense penguin rookeries. Samples from Berntsen Point, the location of most intense human activity both today and historically, contained high levels of Pb. The contamination factor and pollution load index confirmed that the former locations were polluted by Cd, Cu and Zn, with these being of marine biogenic origin. Variation in the microalgal community was significantly correlated with concentrations of Mn, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cd, Co, Cr and Cu. However, the overall proportion of the total variation contributed by all metals was low (16.11%). Other factors not measured in this study are likely to underlie the majority of the observed variation in microalgal community composition between sampling locations.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (20) ◽  
pp. 7078 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Kumar ◽  
Marina Cabral-Pinto ◽  
Amit Kumar ◽  
Munesh Kumar ◽  
Pedro A. Dinis

In the modern era, due to the rapid increase in urbanization and industrialization in the vicinity of the Himalayas, heavy metals contamination in soil has become a key priority for researchers working globally; however, evaluation of the human and ecological risks mainly in hilly areas remains limited. In this study, we analyzed indices like the contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (DC), enrichment factor (EF), geochemical index (Igeo), pollution ecological risk index (PERI), and pollution load index (PLI), along with cancer risk (CR) and hazard indices (HI), to ascertain the eco-environmental and human risks of using heavy metals in datasets collected from 168 sampling locations in Uttarakhand, India. The evaluation calculated of Igeo, EF, and CF suggests that represented soil samples were moderately contaminated and highly augmented with Rb, while PERI (75.56) advocates a low ecological risk. Further, PLI and DC (PLI: 1.26; DC: 36.66) show a possible health risk for the native population in the vicinity of the studied catchment. The hazard index (HI) is estimated greater than 1 (HI > 1) for Cr and Mn, representing a possible risk for cancer. However, adults are free from cancer risk, and other studied elements have been reported as noncarcinogenic. This assessment gives important information to policymakers, environmentalists, and foresters for taking mitigation measures in advance to mitigate the potential future risk of soil pollution on humans, ecology, and the environment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-99
Author(s):  
A N M Al-Razee

Sediment samples collected from the river Shitalakhya, Bangladesh, were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) to investigate site-to-site (spatial) and seasonal (i.e., dry, premonsoon, post-monsoon) variation of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn. The mean concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn were 22.37 ± 6.09, 612.59 ± 160.08, 54.11 ± 11.21, 50.36 ± 9.40 and 103.62 ± 62.74 mg/kg in the dry, 31.58 ± 5.22, 569.71 ± 112.16, 58.35 ± 7.82, 49.93 ± 17.36 and 110.88 ± 95.83 mg/kg in the pre-monsoon and 18.09± 6.32, 567.02 ± 115.55, 50.89 ± 6.58, 39.75 ± 4.56 and 55.22 ± 11.33 mg/kg in the post-monsoon, respectively. Based on the metals’ concentrations, no considerable difference was observed among the three seasons, but the concentrations were slightly elevated in the dry and pre-monsoon compared to that in the post-monsoon with respect to site-to-site variation. Among the metals examined, concentrations of Ni and Cu were elevated because of the use of oxides of these heavy metals as catalysts in the ammonia plant. The following statistical indices i.e., Pearson correlation matrix, geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (Cf), degree of contamination (Cd), pollution load index (PLI) and ecological risk potential (RI) factors were taken into account to assess the heavy metals contamination of the sediments. According to the values of the statistical indices for Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn, it is concluded that the study area was with low contamination while concentrations of Ni and Cu were higher than the Threshold Effect Level (TEL) and Toxicity Reference Value (TRV) values suggesting unsafe to use the sediments for vegetation and other uses.


Author(s):  
Defri Yona ◽  
Syarifah Hikmah Julinda Sari ◽  
Anedathama Kretarta ◽  
Citra Ravena Putri Effendy ◽  
Misba Nur Aini ◽  
...  

This study attempted to analyze the distribution and contamination status of heavy metals (Cu, Fe and Zn) along western coast of Bali Strait in Banyuwangi, East Java. Bali Strait is one of the many straits in Indonesia with high fisheries activities that could potentially contributed to high heavy metal pollution. There were five sampling areas from the north to south: Pantai Watu Dodol, Pantai Kalipuro, Ketapang Port, Pantai Boom and Muncar as the fish landing area. Heavy metal pollution in these locations comes from many different activities such as tourism, fish capture and fish industry and also domestic activities. Contamination factor (CF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF) of each heavy metal were calculated to obtain contamination status of the research area. The concentrations of Fe were observed the highest (1.5-129.9 mg/kg) followed by Zn (13.2-23.5 mg/kg) and Cu (2.2-7.8 mg/kg). The distribution of Cu, Fe and Zn showed variability among the sampling locations in which high concentrations of Cu and Zn were higher in Ketapang Port, whereas high concentration of Fe was high in almost all sampling locations. According to the pollution index, contamination factors of Cu, Fe and Zn were low (CF < 1 and Igeo < 1). However, high index of EF (> 50) showed high influence of the anthropogenic activities to the contribution of the metals to the environment. This could also because of the high background value used in the calculation of the index due to the difficulties in finding background value from the sampling areas.Keywords: heavy metals, pollution index, contamination factor, geo-accumulation index, Bali Strait


2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (2E) ◽  
pp. 36-61
Author(s):  
Ahmed Al-Obeidi

Soil pollution adversely affects the safety and health of the human being. The main objective of the study is to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn) in surface soil in Al-Hawija, southwestern Kirkuk. Twenty-one samples were collected and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to measure the content of heavy metals and assess the soil pollution by using the contamination factor, degree of contamination, geoaccumulation index, pollution load index and ecological risk index (RI). The results indicate that there is high pollution by lead, chromium and copper (78.8, 87.4 and 53.8 mg/kg) respectively, in industrial areas due to anthropogenic sources with the presence of significant ecological risk (Er) of the lead (116) in site S7, due to its high concentrations, while size fraction analysis indicated that all heavy metals are concentrated in the fine parts as a result of adsorption processes by clay minerals.


Tehnika ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-304
Author(s):  
Todor Serafimovski ◽  
Goran Tasev ◽  
Trajce Stafilov

The intense mineral extraction in mining areas during the last several decades has produced a large amount of waste material and tailings, which release toxic elements to the environment. The aim of the study was to determine in two vertical profiles/sections (1 and 2) the heavy metal contents of samples derived from six samples, three from each section located in the porphyry copper mine Buchim area, Republic North Macedonia. The results have been compared to new Dutchlist (DL) and Kabata-Pendias (KP) standards and the following was concluded: As values ranged 14.985÷60.131 mg kg-1 with 4 samples above the target value of the DL (29 mg kg-1 As) and 6 above standard values given in KP value (5 mg kg-1 As), in that context Co values ranged 11 ÷57 mg kg-1 with 6 values above the target value of the DL (9 mg kg-1 Co) and 5 above standard values given in KP value (12 mg kg-1 Co), Cr with range 29.32÷75.76 mg kg-1 with 6 over KP value (10 mg kg-1 Cr) and none above the target value of the DL (100 mg kg-1 Cr), Cu with range 2694÷6749 mg kg-1 with 6 samples above the target value of the DL (36 mg kg-1 Cu) and 6 above standard values given in KP value (20 mg kg-1 Cu), Ni with range 59.57÷105.98 mg kg-1 with 6 samples above the target value of the DL (35 mg kg-1 Ni) and 6 above standard values given in KP value (20 mg kg-1 Ni), Pb with range 27.06 ÷96.08 mg kg-1 with 1 sample above the target value of the DL (85 mg kg-1Pb) and 6 above standard values given in KP value (25 mg kg-1Pb), Zn with range 147÷273 mg kg-1 with 6 over target value of the DL (140 mg kg-1 Zn) and 6 above standard KP value (64 mg kg-1 Zn), V with range 34.44÷92.57 mg kg-1 with 5 over target value of the DL (42 mg kg-1 V) and one above KP value (90 mg kg-1 V).In order to compare the level of contamination, the contamination factor (𝐶𝑓 𝑖 ), degree of contamination (Cd), and pollution load index (PLI) were computed. Serious numbers were found for Cu, as, Zn, Co and Ni, which exceeded standard values at almost all samples from both vertical sections. Compared from section 1 and section 2, pollution load index increased by 13.43%, which in almost all samples was classified as heavily polluted to extremely polluted. The fact that mining activities at the Buchim Mine last for almost 40 years, the presence of heavy metals in soils at a serious level is understandable. The high level of contamination is a result of heavy metal persistence and non-biodegradability.


Author(s):  
Nabil, A. E. Azzaz ◽  
Mokhtar, S. Beheary ◽  
Mohamed, N. Raslan ◽  
Hazem T. Abd El Hamid

In the present study, water and sediment samples were collected from Navigation Canal and from Industrial Zone South Port Said to assess heavy metals contamination. It was shown that, the highest mean concentration of heavy metals in water samples was observed in summer, and the lowest mean was observed in winter. It has been made evident that the industrialization in Industrial Zone South Port Said was responsible for the present deteriorating conditions. However, it was shown that, the highest mean concentration of heavy metals in sediment samples was observed in winter, and the lowest mean was observed in summer. Pollution status was evaluated using some indices: geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI) and ecological risk index (RI). Based on Igeo, all metal values were unpolluted. On the basis of the values of CF, sediments are high in winter and low in summer. Metals concentrations were in the following order: Ni > Fe > Mn > Pb > Cu > Zn > Co > Cd. According to CF classification, Ni contamination was considerable. RI of winter season can be classified as moderate pollution. No pollution was classified for PLI in all seasons. The decrease in PLI and RI values were indicated dilution and dispersion of metal content with increasing distance from source areas. It is suggested that PLI can give an indication about the trend spatially and temporarily. In addition, it also provides significant data and advice to the policy and decision makers on the contamination degree of the area.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Z. H. Khan ◽  
M. R. Hasan ◽  
M. Khan ◽  
S. Aktar ◽  
K. Fatema

The concentrations of major (Si, Al, Ca, Fe, and K) and minor (Cd, Mn, Ni, Pb, U, Zn, Co, Cr, As, Cu, Rb, Sr, and Zr,) elements in the surficial sediments were studied in an attempt to establish their concentration in the Bengal coast. It was revealed that the majority of the trace elements have been introduced into the Bengal marine from the riverine inflows that are also affected by the impact of industrial, ship breaking yard, gas production plant, and urban wastes. The concentration of heavy metals was measured using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray fluorescence instruments. The highest concentrations for several trace elements were thus recorded which generally decrease with distance from the coast. It was observed that the heavy metal concentrations in the sediments generally met the criteria of international marine sediment quality. However, both the contamination factor and pollution load index values suggested the elevation of some metals’ concentrations in the region. Constant monitoring of the Bengal coast water quality needs to be recorded with a view to minimizing the risk of health of the population and the detrimental impacts on the aquatic ecosystem.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (01) ◽  
pp. 25-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charu Gangwar ◽  
Aprajita Singh ◽  
Raina Pal ◽  
Atul Kumar ◽  
Saloni Sharma ◽  
...  

E-waste is a popular name given to those electronic products nearing the end of their useful life which has become a major source of heavy metal contamination in soil and hence, became the global concern. Various samples of soil were collected from different sites and were determined for heavy metal analysis by the ICP-AAS after the digestion process. The main source of contamination is illegal e-waste recycling activities such as burning of PCB's acid baths etc. Different soil indices like contamination factor, I-geo, pollution load index, were calculated to determine the quality of the soil. Results indicate that e-waste recycling and industrial area are strongly contaminated by the heavy metals. Physiological analysis of soil revealed that e-waste processing and industrial activities decrease the soil pH and organic matter while enhancing the electrical conductivity of soil. The exceedance of metal contamination imposed negative impact to the soil environment and human health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 45-58
Author(s):  
Nashmeel Khudhur ◽  
Sidra Qubad Yassin ◽  
Ahmed Saman Hassan ◽  
Mortatha Nawzad Omar

Soil pollution by some heavy metals including: Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd and Pb from northern industrial area of Erbil City was assessed. The contamination indices including: geoaccumulation (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), degree of contamination (Cdeg), pollution load index (PLI) and element contamination index (ECI) were applied to assess soil pollution in Erbil North Industrial area at three sites (for both surface and sub-surface soils). Maximum Fe value 34243.6 ppm was recorded in sub-surface soil (site 2). Maximum values 265.4, 248.8, 98.23 and 397.45 ppm were recorded for Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn at sub-surface soil (site 3). Whereas, maximum values of 22.52, 5.36, 23.9, 6.12 and 65.67 ppm were recorded for As, Mo, Ag, Cd and Pb at surface soil (site 3). Results of analysed heavy metals for soil Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Ag, Cd and Pb have shown that the studied sites were severely contaminated with Cd, so the maximum detected Cd concentration was 6.12 ppm in surface soil (300 meters away from the industrial area). The soil pollution in the studied area was classified as moderate to strong surface and sub-surface soil contamination. Behavioral toxicity experiment showed slight growth effect on Lepidium sativum L.


Author(s):  
K. O. Ondoo ◽  
J. K. Kiptoo ◽  
A. O. Onditi ◽  
S. M. Shivaji ◽  
J. K. Ogilo

Agricultural activities, discharge of raw sewage into farms and the rise in urbanization have greatly contributed to soil pollution. During the rainy season, surface runoff from farms find their way into water bodies and deposits these contaminants into Rivers and Lakes which poses a threat to both aquatic and terrestrial organisms that depend on that water source. The objective of this research was to determine the level of anions and heavy metals from sediments in River Sio, Busia County, Kenya. Five sediment samples were taken from five sampling points and the levels of anions and heavy metals in them determined. Anions were determined using Shimadzu 1800 UV/visible spectrophotometer while heavy metals were determined using Shimadzu 6200 flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Copper, lead and nickel were above the allowed WHO limits while cadmium was below detection limit. The levels of nitrates, phosphates and chlorides were higher during the wet season due to surface runoff that carried these nutrients from the farms and deposited them on the bottom of the River. The levels of heavy metals were high during the dry season due to evaporation of water from the River, leading to an increase in the analyte concentration during the dry season. High levels of copper and nickel in the sediments points to the use of herbicides and pesticides in farming and washing of vehicles and motorcycles on the banks of the River. According to Igeo nickel showed moderate pollution during the dry season. The contamination factor for lead was very high during the dry season, while pollution load index confirmed pollution due to anthropogenic activities in sampling sites 1 – 4 during the dry season and no pollution due to anthropogenic activities during the wet season.  The study recommends reduced use of inorganic fertilizers in order to save the River from the danger of eutrophication. Excessive use of agrochemicals such as herbicides and pesticides should be discouraged. In addition, pesticide leaching and the level of microbes in soil and sediments should be considered for further research


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