A Comparison of Pollution, Environmental Hazards, Sedimentology, and Geochemistry, in Five Economic Harbors Along the Egyptian Coast of Mediterranean Sea

Abstract Heavy metal pollution and its environmental and human risks have become one of the most important global environmental problems. In the current study, the potential heavy metals ecological risks and their pollution status were assessed in five important harbors (Sidi Krir, Dekhila, Western, Damietta, and Port Said) along the Egyptian coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Twenty-six sediment samples were collected from five harbors, where eight heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb and Cd) were identified as well as their texture and geochemistry. To gain deeper insights into the human and ecological hazards of the heavy metals, thirteen ecological indices, sediment quality guidelines and multivariate analysis as well as two pathways of exposures to non- carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk of heavy metals for children and adults were evaluated. The data shown that Sidi Kriri harbor recorded the lowest values for heavy metals, for Cu, while Western Harbor had the highest average for Zn Multivariate analysis revealed the contribution of heavy metals to sediment contamination and the geochemical characteristics as well as nearby sources of pollution. Geo-accumulation index, Contamination factor, Toxic units, sum of toxic units, sediment modified hazard quotient, and sediment hazard quotients reflected the significant contribution of Cd to sediments along all harbors. Non-carcinogenic hazard risk index (HI) values along the harbors gave the order: Western> Port Said> Damietta> Dekhila> Sidi Krir. Also, TLCR values for children and adults indicated the irregularly high abundance of heavy metals in harbor sediments that may cause adverse public health effects.

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Seasonal Variation of Metallic Contamination of Water and Sediments in Navigation Canal and Industrial Zone South Port Said, Egypt

Asian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research ◽

10.9734/ajfar/2018/v1i4327 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Nabil, A. E. Azzaz ◽

Mokhtar, S. Beheary ◽

Mohamed, N. Raslan ◽

Hazem T. Abd El Hamid

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Risk Index ◽

Winter Season ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Pollution Load Index ◽

Industrial Zone ◽

Sediment Samples ◽

Accumulation Index ◽

Port Said ◽

Mean Concentration

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.

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Geochemistry pollution status and ecotoxicological risk assessment of heavy metals in the Pahang River sediment after the high magnitude of flood event

Hydrology Research ◽

10.2166/nh.2020.122 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

K. Y. Lim ◽

N. A. Zakaria ◽

K. Y. Foo

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

River Sediment ◽

Risk Index ◽

River Sediments ◽

Sediment Quality ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Flood Event ◽

Pollution Status

Abstract The present work is aimed at assessing the aftermath effects of the 2014 flood tragedy on the distribution, pollution status and ecological risks of the heavy metals deposited in the surface river sediment. A series of environmental pollution indexes, specifically the enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), modified degree of contamination (mCd), pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk index (PERI) and sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) have been adopted. Results revealed that the freshly deposited sediments collected soon after the flood event were dominated by Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cr and Cd, with the average concentrations of 38.74, 16,892, 17.71, 4.65, 29.22, 42.36 and 0.29 mg/kg, respectively. According to the heavy metal pollution indexes, Pahang River sediments were moderately to severely contaminated with Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cr, while Cd with the highest risk of 91.09 was the predominant element that illustrated an aesthetic ecological risk to the water body after the tragic flood event. The findings highlighted a critical deterioration of the heavy metals content, driven by the catastrophic flood event, which has drastically altered their geochemical cycles, sedimentary pollution status and biochemical balance of the river's environment.

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Deposited Particulate Matter Enrichment in Heavy Metals and Related Health Risk: A Case Study of Krakow, Poland

Proceedings ◽

10.3390/iecehs-2-06373 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Agnieszka Gruszecka-Kosowska

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Risk Index ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Anthropogenic Sources ◽

The Impact ◽

Very High

The aim of these investigations was to determine the impact of heavy metals bound with deposited particulate matter (PM) on contamination degree and related toxicological effects by calculating enrichment indices, namely, the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), and enrichment factor (EF), as well as the ecological risk index (ERI) and modified hazard quotient (mHQ). Calculations were made based on the selected element concentrations determined in deposited PM samples in Krakow. The results of the investigations revealed that deposited PM was enriched in heavy metals. As Igeo provides information on the level of metal accumulation, it was found that deposited PM was practically uncontaminated with Be, Cd, and Tl (class 0) but heavily to extremely contaminated (class 5) with Co and Sn and extremely contaminated (class 6) with As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti, V, and Zn. On the other hand, the calculated values of CF revealed very high contamination of deposited PM with Cd and Zn, considerable contamination with Sn, Pb, and As, and moderate contamination with Cu and Li. Values of calculated EF revealed that among the investigated elements, only Zn originated from anthropogenic sources. For Cd, a small influence of anthropogenic sources was observed. For Pb and Sn, non-crustal sources of emission were expected. The calculated ERI values indicated potential ecological risk levels that were very high for Cd and considerable for Zn, as well as low potential ecological risk for As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Tl. Moreover, the calculated mHQ values of severity of contamination were extreme for Zn, considerable for Cr, and moderate for As, Cu, and Pb. The analysis revealed that the impact of atmospheric and re-suspended PM on inhabitants constitutes a complex effect of a mixture of heavy metals simultaneously affecting human health.

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Reforestation Impacted Soil Heavy Metal Fractionation and Related Risk Assessment in the Karst Area, Southwest China

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12070891 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 891

Author(s):

Qian Zhang ◽

Guilin Han ◽

Xingliang Xu

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Southwest China ◽

Risk Index ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Karst Area ◽

Risk Assessment Code ◽

Bcr Sequential Extraction ◽

Soil Heavy Metals

Human agricultural activities have resulted in widespread land degradation and soil contamination in the karst areas. However, the effects of reforestation after agricultural abandonment on the mobility risks and contamination of heavy metals have been rarely reported. In the present study, six soil profiles were selected from cropland and abandoned cropland with reforestation in the Puding karst regions of Southwest China. The Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction method was used to evaluate the compositions of different chemical fractions of soil heavy metals, including Fe, Mn, Cr, Zn, Ni, and Cd. The total contents of Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd, and Mn in the croplands were significantly higher than those in the abandoned croplands. For all soils, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Fe were mainly concentrated in the residual fractions (>85%), whereas Mn and Cd were mostly observed in the non-residual fractions (>65%). The non-residual fractions of Cd, Cr, Ni, and Zn in the croplands were higher than those in the abandoned croplands. These results indicated that the content and mobility of soil heavy metals decreased after reforestation. The individual contamination factor (ICF) and risk assessment code (RAC) showed that Cd contributed to considerable contamination of karst soils. The global contamination factor (GCF) and potential ecological risk index (RI) suggested low contamination and ecological risk of the investigated heavy metals in the croplands, moreover they can be further reduced after reforestation.

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Little Akaki River sediment enrichment with heavy metals, pollution load and potential ecological risks in downstream, Central Ethiopia

ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH ◽

10.1186/s40068-020-00188-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Deshu Mamo Mekuria ◽

Alemnew Berhanu Kassegne ◽

Seyoum Leta Asfaw

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

River Sediment ◽

Addis Ababa ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Sediment Quality ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Anthropogenic Sources ◽

Ecological Risks ◽

Pollution Load ◽

Akaki River

Abstract Addis Ababa City’s river ecosystem is under extreme pressure as a result of inappropriate practices of dumping domestic and industrial wastes; thus, threatening its ability to maintain basic ecological, social and economic functions. Little Akaki River which drains through Addis Ababa City receives inorganic and organic pollutants from various anthropogenic sources. Most of inorganic pollutants such as toxic heavy metals released into the river are eventually adsorbed and settle in the sediment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the enrichment levels, pollution load and ecological risks of selected heavy metals (Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb) using various indices. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in Little Akaki River sediment were: Zn (78.96 ± 0.021–235.2 ± 0.001 mg/kg); Cr (2.19 ± 0.014–440.8 ± 0.003 mg/kg); Cd (2.09 ± 0.001–4.16 ± 0.0001 mg/kg) and Pb (30.92 ± 0.018–596.4 ± 0.066 mg/kg). Enrichment factor values indicated that sediments were moderate to significantly enriched with Zn and Cr; moderate to very highly enriched with Pb, and very highly enriched in all sampled sites with Cd. Geo-accumulation index and contamination factor values indicated that the sediments were moderate to very highly contaminated with toxic Cd and Pb. The decreasing order of pollution load index (PLI) in downstream was: (S9) > (S4) > (S8) > (S3) > (S6) > (S10) > (S5) > (S2) > (S7) > (S1). PLI and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that the highest pollution load occurred in the lower course of the river (S9) which may be due to metals inputs from anthropogenic sources. The ecological risk (RI = 350.62) suggested that the contaminated Little Akaki River sediment can pose considerable ecological risks of pollution. The concentrations of Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb in Little Akaki River sediment surpassed eco-toxicological guideline limits of USEPA (threshold effect concentration) and CCME (Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines). Thus, the contaminated sediments can pose adverse biological effects on sediment dwelling organisms.

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Seasonal and Spatial Patterns of Ecotoxicological Indices of Trace Elements in Superficial Sediments of the Marchica Lagoon Following Restoration Actions during the Last Decade

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d13020051 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 51

Author(s):

Bouchra Oujidi ◽

Mohammed El Bouch ◽

Mounia Tahri ◽

Mostafa Layachi ◽

Soilam Boutoumit ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Integrated Management ◽

Risk Index ◽

Sediment Quality ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Management Plan ◽

Mediterranean Coast ◽

Pollution Indices ◽

Ecological Value ◽

Wet Season

Marchica Lagoon, a Ramsar site on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, is experiencing the impacts of watershed pollution, which includes pollutants from the domestic, agricultural, industrial, and mining sectors. Restoration actions were undertaken around this lagoon during the last decade in order to protect its ecological value and to develop tourist activity. To conserve the biodiversity in the lagoon, it is important to assess the environmental state of this ecosystem. This study aims to evaluate the ecotoxicological state of sediments through the post restoration characterization of the trace elements Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Co, and Ba, as well as their correlation to the major elements, grain size, and total organic carbon, sampled during two campaigns (the wet and dry seasons of 2018) across a sampling network of thirteen stations. Multivariate analysis and ecotoxicological risk assessment of the trace elements using the sediment quality guidelines and five pollution indices (geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), pollution-load index (PLI), and mean effect range median quotient (m-ERM-Q)) revealed contamination of the lagoon by Pb, Zn, and Cu, and minimal pollution by Cr, Co, and Ba. The distribution of the biological-risk index reveals that four zones of the lagoon may present a high probability of toxicity, thus constituting potential risk areas for aquatic organisms: during the wet season, the area in the northwestern sandbar border, the southwest eutrophication zone, and the mouth of the stream valley conveying industrial discharges; and during dry season, the northwestern eutrophication zone. Despite the restoration actions achieved around the lagoon, the lead, zinc, and copper concentrations increased, and their variation was significant between group stations. The biodiversity conservation of Marchica Lagoon requires continuous monitoring and assessment, as well as the implementation of an integrated management plan with restoration actions, not only around the lagoon, but also at its watershed level.

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Trace Metal Contamination Characteristics and Health Risks Assessment ofCommelina africanaL. and Psammitic Sandflats in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Applied and Environmental Soil Science ◽

10.1155/2016/8178901 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Nsikak U. Benson ◽

Paul A. Enyong ◽

Omowunmi H. Fred-Ahmadu

Keyword(s):

Trace Metal ◽

Niger Delta ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Risk Index ◽

Sediment Quality ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Adult Males ◽

Metal Concentrations ◽

Metal Levels

The purpose of this study was to investigate and quantify trace metal concentrations inCommelina africanaL. and psammitic sandflats from an intertidal coastal ecosystem in Niger Delta, Nigeria, and to evaluate their spatial distribution, degree of contamination, and source apportionment. The environmental risks associated with soil contamination were elaborately assessed using potential ecological risk index, sediment quality guidelines, and enrichment relative to background levels. The mean concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn in sandflat soil samples are0.76±9.0×10-2,7.39±8.7×10-1,2.28±0.35,0.024±4.0×10-3, and74.51±2.55 mg/kg, respectively. Metal levels indicate strong variability with sampling sites. The order of trace metal concentrations in theCommelina africanaL. samples isZn>Ni>Cr>Pb>Cd. The concentrations varied with the sample locations; and the levels of Pb (0.05 to 0.08 mg/kg) at all locations are found to be significantly below permissible level of 0.3 mg/kg. Potential sources of metal loadings may be associated with localised or diffused anthropogenic activities. The average carcinogenic risks are below1.0×10-6threshold values, and the sandflat soils are not considered to pose significant health effects to children and adult males and females. However, the carcinogenicity and noncarcinogenicity risks ranking decrease following the orderchildren>adult males>adult females. Comparatively, the hazard quotient and hazard index indicate that the psammitic sandflats might pose a health risk to children in future.

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An Assessment of Metal Contamination Risk in Sediments of the Mohammad Abad River, Northern Iran

Journal of Biomedical Research & Environmental Sciences ◽

10.37871/jbres1299 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (8) ◽

pp. 696-704

Author(s):

Hassan Malvandi

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Sediment Quality ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Anthropogenic Source ◽

Degree Of Contamination ◽

Northern Iran ◽

Pollution Levels ◽

Quality Guidelines ◽

Very High

Background: Sediments in the aquatic ecosystems can be used as suitable indicators for monitoring contaminants. Then, objectives of this study were to evaluate the concentration of heavy metals in the surface sediments of the Mohammad Abad River, to determine the degree of pollution of heavy metals in sediments using some major contamination indices; to identify the major sources (anthropogenic or natural sources) of the studied metals; and to evaluate the “reference river” of the river under study for ecotoxicology studies. Methods: Samples of sediment were taken from six sites of the river. The present study, eleven heavy metals (chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, zinc, selenium, magnesium, silver, aluminum and arsenic) were studied. Results: Comparison of metal concentrations with those of Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) showed no association with harmful biological effects for the heavy metals studied except for Se and As. The results of the contamination factor index showed low pollution levels for most metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn and Al), moderate pollution levels for As, and very high pollution levels for Se. The degree of contamination (Cd) and modified degree of contamination (mCd), showing the total contamination of elements, demonstrated very high degree contamination status in the study area. According to the index of quantification of contamination, the values of Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn and Al were derived mainly from geogenic sources of enrichment, while the values for Se and As were enriched by anthropogenic source of enrichment. Conclusion: These findings suggest that continuous monitoring of Se and As in sediment and organisms of the Mohammad Abad River should be directed to evaluate the threat of these elements to the public health and to the ecology of the river under study.

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GEOCHEMISTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN SURFACE SOIL IN AL-HAWIJA, SOUTHWEST KIRKUK

Iraqi Geological Journal ◽

10.46717/igj.53.2e.4ms-2020-11-26 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 53 (2E) ◽

pp. 36-61

Author(s):

Ahmed Al-Obeidi

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Soil Pollution ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Surface Soil ◽

Risk Index ◽

Size Fraction ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Pollution Load Index ◽

Anthropogenic Sources

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.

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Ecological Indices of the Heavy Metals in the Soil of Shewasoor Sub-Basin, Kirkuk NE Iraq

Open Science Journal ◽

10.23954/osj.v3i1.1464 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mustafa Jamal Akbar ◽

Omer Sabah Al-Tamimi

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Risk Index ◽

Sediment Quality ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Geochemical Background ◽

Ecological Indices ◽

Distribution Maps ◽

Contamination Levels

The current research aimed to assess contamination levels in the soil of study area by heavy metals. Eight sites were selected for the collection of soil samples. The eight heavy metals namely As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn were analyzed in each soil samples by using ICP-MS technology. The measured concentrations of heavy metals were compared with Geochemical Background values, EPA Sediment Quality Guidelines, Ecological Screening values, and WHO Guidelines. The spatial distribution maps of ecological indices were performed using ArcGIS software (version 10.2), which provides an idea of the geographical distribution of heavy metals contamination levels in the soil of Shewasoor sub-basin. The soil contamination by heavy metals assessed using Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI), Nemerow Pollution Index (P_N), Hazard Index (HI), and Cancer Risk. The RI showed there are high risk of heavy metals in soil and according to P_N the soil has been moderate to severely contaminated by heavy metals. The hazard index of all soil samples was within acceptable range for adults and showed unacceptable risk for children. While the total cancer risk values of As and Cr were within acceptable limits, whereas of Pb, Cd, Co, and Ni were lower than acceptable risk range at all sites for adults and children. Ecological indices which are used to assess the contamination levels in the soil by heavy metals refers to the soil of study area was contaminated moderate to heavily by heavy metals, this attributed to the natural and anthropogenic pollution sources around and within the study area.

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