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

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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Baseline Study of Trace Element Concentrations in Sediments of the Intertidal Zone of Amazonian Oceanic Beaches

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2021.671390 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Jéssica C. E. Vilhena ◽

Ana Amorim ◽

Lourenço Ribeiro ◽

Bernardo Duarte ◽

Maíra Pombo

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Trace Element ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Risk Index ◽

Sediment Quality ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Probable Effect Level ◽

Threshold Effect Level ◽

Sampling Points ◽

Effect Level

Analyzing the presence and quantifying trace elements is of paramount importance to understand natural environmental processes and monitor the degree of anthropogenic disturbance to mitigate impacts already caused. Here, we aimed to establish a baseline of the trace elements profile and concentrations in sandy sediments of intertidal areas of three Amazonian beaches (Brazil). For each beach, sediments were collected from three different sectors (south, center, and north) and five shoreline distance levels (from the high- to the low-water mark), totalizing 15 samples per beach. The concentration of the different trace elements (Mg, Al, P, S, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Cd, Sn, I, Hg, and Pb) was determined by Total reflection X-ray Fluorescence spectrometry. Sediment was also characterized for its grain size, organic matter, and pH. To assess possible enrichment due to anthropogenic activities we compared trace element levels with the values for the Earth’s crust and calculated pollution indexes: geoaccumulation index (Igeo), ecological risk index (RI), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and sediment quality guideline (SQG), threshold effects level (TEL) and probable effects level (PEL). Individual trace metal concentrations did not vary significantly between beaches, sectors, or sample levels, evidencing a homogeneity of trace elements composition and concentrations across this environment. Igeo indicated 62.2% of the sampling stations uncontaminated, 20.0% from uncontaminated to moderately contaminated, and 4.44% (two sampling stations) strongly contaminated, the same two areas classified as high ecological risk by RI. Most of the sampling points presented low CF. Cadmium and Hg were the only elements that showed moderate to very high values of CF. According to the SQGs, 77.7 and 8.8% of the sampling points presented values above the moderate threshold effect level (SQG-TEL) and probable effect level (SQG-PEL), respectively. All points were classified as non-polluted according to the PLI. Our results show that the three beaches present safe levels of almost of the elements demonstrating the good state of preservation. Most of the indexes classified the sampling points as non-polluted, except for Cd and Hg in a few specific sampling points.

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Contamination and ecological risk assessment of trace elements in sediments of the Anzali Wetland, Northern Iran

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2021.455 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marjan Esmaeilzadeh ◽

Elham Mahmoudpuor ◽

Somayeh Haghighat Ziabari ◽

Sara Esmaeilzadeh ◽

Hamideh Aliani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ecological Risk ◽

Risk Index ◽

Sediment Quality ◽

Aquatic Organisms ◽

Pollution Load Index ◽

Pollution Indices ◽

Anzali Wetland ◽

Northern Iran ◽

Pollution Levels ◽

Quality Guidelines

Abstract In this paper, concentrations of some heavy metals in surficial sediments of the International Anzali Wetland were measured, this wetland is located in northern part of Iran. Sediment pollution levels were examined and analyzed using reliable pollution indices including Pollution Load Index (PLI), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo) and Enrichment Factor (CF), and finally it was revealed that heavy metal pollution ranged from low to moderated loads in the wetland. According to Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) and Ecological Risk Index (ERI), it was concluded that As and Ni may have significant toxic impacts on aquatic organisms and also according to Effect Range Median (ERM), the toxicity probability of sediments in the Anzali wetland was estimated at 21%.

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Pollution indices and biotests as useful tools for the evaluation of the degree of soil contamination by trace elements

Journal of Soils and Sediments ◽

10.1007/s11368-021-03091-x ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jerzy Wieczorek ◽

Agnieszka Baran

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Soil Contamination ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Risk Index ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Anthropogenic Factors ◽

Pollution Indices ◽

Northwestern Part ◽

Soil Ecotoxicity ◽

Geochemical Indices

Abstract Purpose The aim of the study was the calculation of geochemical, ecological, and ecotoxicological indices for the assessment of risk resulting from the presence of trace metals in soil. Methods Around 320 soil points were determined for the tests by the regular square-grid method with a square side equal to 7.5 km. A total of 11 indices were used, including 6 geochemical indices, 1 index assessing potential ecological risk, and 4 indices assessing soil ecotoxicity. Results Two groups of elements were distinguished. The first one included Ni, Cr, and Cu. The calculated geochemical indices generally indicated their natural content and low degree of soil contamination with them and that the elements’ sources were connected with natural processes. The second group included Cd, Pb, and Zn. These elements occur in high concentrations in the studied area, which is influenced by both natural and anthropogenic factors. However, contamination with these elements is heterogeneous in the Małopolska and generally observed in its northwestern part. PCA showed that Cd and Pb had the greatest effect on the degree of soil contamination and pose the greatest potential threat to the soil environment. Heterocypris incongruens proved to be a more sensitive indicator of soil ecotoxicity compared to plant tests. The potential ecological risk index and biotests indicated that most of the soil samples had low potential ecological risk and low ecotoxicity. Conclusion The key to the effective assessment of soil contamination with trace elements is the combined use of geochemical, ecological, and ecotoxicological indices, which allows comprehensive monitoring of soil quality.

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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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Distribution of Heavy Metals in Surface Sediments of the Bay of Bengal Coast

Journal of Toxicology ◽

10.1155/2017/9235764 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

M. Z. H. Khan ◽

M. R. Hasan ◽

M. Khan ◽

S. Aktar ◽

K. Fatema

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Trace Elements ◽

Sediment Quality ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Pollution Load Index ◽

Gas Production ◽

Production Plant ◽

Marine Sediment Quality ◽

Bay Of Bengal Coast ◽

The Impact

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.

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Pollution assessment of the Drapetsona Keratsini coastal sea- bed.

Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece ◽

10.12681/bgsg.10994 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 1552 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

V. Kapsimalis ◽

P. Talagani ◽

I. P. Panagiotopoulos ◽

H. Kaberi ◽

G. Rousakis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Index ◽

Sediment Quality ◽

Sewage Treatment ◽

Sewage Treatment Plant ◽

Treatment Plant ◽

Pollution Assessment ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Pollution Indices ◽

Aquatic Communities ◽

Sea Bed

The pollution status of the Drapetsona-Keratsini coastal environment is assessedthrough sedimentological and geochemical analyses of surface sediments. The results show that the sedimentary seabed consists of sandy silts and silty sands with relatively high moisture content (up to 114%) and carbonate concentration (24 -86%), whilst the levels (measured in μg/g) of some harmful heavy metals , i.e. , As=8 -2677, Cd=0.2-15.4 , Cr=82-428, Cu=18-567, Fe=5700-289,000 , Hg=0.05-0.71 ,Mn=101-1477, Ni=25-122,Pb=18-1394, Sn=1 -18, and Zn=118 -4821 , are particularly high. The implementation of various pollution indices, such as Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Combined Contamination Index (W), and Modified Contamination Degree (mCd) , together with the evaluation of biological risk using the Sediment Quality Guidelines (ERL/ERM and TEL/PEL) of NOAA indicate a very high degree of pollution with great possibility for serious and irreversible impairments for aquatic communities. The most polluted sector, probably the most heavily contaminated marine environment in Greece, is located in front of the Drapetsona rocky coast (and particularly in the Sfageion Bay), where the synergistic action of urban untreated sewage deposited in the past (before the operation of the sewage treatment plant in Psyttalia) and wastes from local industries or facilities has caused significant degradation of the marine system.

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Potentially Toxic Element Content in Arid Agricultural Soils in South Iran

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10040564 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 564

Author(s):

Tahereh Moghtaderi ◽

Ata Shakeri ◽

Andrés Rodríguez-Seijo

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Soils ◽

Risk Index ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Principal Component ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Contamination Level ◽

Pollution Indices ◽

Ecological Risks ◽

Cobalt Chromium ◽

Bandar Abbas

Potentially toxic elements (PTE) are considered to be dangerous threats, both for human health and the environment. Here, the contamination level, sources, and ecological risks posed by PTE were investigated in 19 topsoils from agricultural lands in the Bandar Abbas County on the southern coast of Iran. The soil fraction <63 μm was used for the analysis of the pseudototal contents of PTE (arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, vanadium, and zinc). The results were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson’s correlations, different pollution indices [enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (Cf), and modified degree of contamination (mCd), and the potential ecological risk index (PERI). The results of the pollution indices showed that the contamination levels of the studied agricultural soils are low to moderate, while the average PERI values indicate that the ecological risks of PTE range from low to high in the soils of the studied area. Correlations and PCA analyses suggest that studied elements have three possible origins: geogenic (chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, vanadium, and zinc), anthropogenic (cadmium, nickel, phosphorus and lead) and atmospheric (arsenic) sources. These findings are helpful for the long-term assessment of PTE in the Bandar Abbas County.

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An Ecological Risk Assessment of Sediments in a Developing Environment—Batticaloa Lagoon, Sri Lanka

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering ◽

10.3390/jmse9010073 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 73

Author(s):

Madurya Adikaram ◽

Amarasooriya Pitawala ◽

Hiroaki Ishiga ◽

Daham Jayawardana ◽

Carla M. Eichler

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Surface Sediments ◽

Risk Index ◽

Sediment Cores ◽

Sediment Quality ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Published Data ◽

Core Samples

The land-sea interface is considered as a threatening environment due to anthropogenic development activities. Unplanned developments can cause effects on important ecosystems, water and human health as well. In this study, the influence of rapid regional development on the accumulation of trace elements to the sediments of an important ecosystem, Batticaloa lagoon, Sri Lanka was examined. Surface sediment pollution status and ecological risk was compared with that of the recent sedimentary history of about 1 m depth. Sediment core samples were collected and analyzed for grain size, organic matter and carbonate contents and trace elements (As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni and Cr) by the X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) technique. The chemical results of core samples and recently published data of surface sediments of the same project were evaluated by pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk index (PERI) and sediment quality guidelines (SQG). Except for Cr, all other elements in cores show lower concentrations than the SQGs confirming the high Cr contents as recorded in the most of other Sri Lankan sediments. The sediment cores indicate an unpolluted, low ecological risk sedimentary history for all core sampling locations, whereas most of the surface sediments of the lagoon are less polluted with low potential ecological risk. Present anthropogenic practices and illiteracy of this rapid developing region can damage the green environment and hence environmental management planning is suggested for a sustainable future.

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Heavy Metals Content in Kaolin Mined Soil and Water Body at Ohiya, Umuahia South, Abia State, Nigeria

Asian Soil Research Journal ◽

10.9734/asrj/2020/v4i330096 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 58-68

Author(s):

C. E. Igwe ◽

C. M. U. Ajero ◽

A. A. Amaechi ◽

P. O.` Nzenwa

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Water Body ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Pollution Indices ◽

Mining Activities ◽

Wet Season ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Very High

Heavy metals (HM) have been a global concern for its toxic and detrimental effect on the environment especially when it exceeds the permissible limit through anthropogenic activities like kaolin mining. Kaolin mining has improved the economic wellbeing of the local people through employment and otherwise; and at the same time attached with environmental consequences that threatens the livelihood of the community members. This study was carried out to ascertain the concentrations of selected heavy metals in kaolin mined soils and water body and its pollution density using single pollution indices such as contamination factor (CF), geo-accumulation (Igeo) and ecological risk factor (Er ). Soil sample were collected from three different kaolin mined sites labelled (A,B and C) also surface water samples were collected from upper and down streams of Iyi-ugbohoroAmaudara, both samples were digested and elemental analysis was carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS UNICAM 919 model). The concentration of the metals in three different kaolin mined soil samples ranges from Pb(40.00, 52.00 and 55.09 mg/kg) Cr(45.01, 70.00 and 71.00 mg/kg) Ni( 32.10, 50.50 and 51.00 mg/kg) Cd( 2.16, 6.25 and 6.15 mg/kg) Co( 19.68, 57.06 and 56.00 mg/kg) Se(1.06, 0.50, and 1.00 mg/kg) Mn(0.001, 0.01 and 0.01 mg/kg) Hg( 2.01, 2.00 and 2.50 mg/kg) As( 1.07, 1.10 and 1.05 mg/kg) and Cu(33.01, 60.00 and 57.5 mg/kg). Results from single pollution indices used for the selected heavy metals from kaolin mined soil, samples (A,B and C) showed that Mn, As, Cr, Ni and Cu indicated low to moderate contamination factor while Cd, Se, Co and Hg indicated high to very high contamination factor in all the samples. The distribution trend of heavy metals concentrations in the upper and down streams of the river body during wet season, showed that there were significant difference between upper and down streams while dry season showed variations in significant differences between the upper and down streams of some of the heavy metals. The study therefore concludes that kaolin soils are contaminated with heavy metals as a result of kaolin deposit and its mining activities. The single pollution indices used for the study pointed out that Cd, Se, Co and Hg are very high in the kaolin soils. The surface waters of Iyi-ugbohoroAmaudara River at the study area are polluted with heavy metals as a result of kaolin mining activities in the area; more especially during wet season of the study. Consequently, these outcomes would pose a toxic effect to both fauna and flora and possibly threatens the aquatic lives and the local populace.

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Distribution and provenance of heavy metals in sediments of the Vrbas River, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society ◽

10.2298/jsc210608070p ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 70-70

Author(s):

Sanja Przulj ◽

Ana Radojicic ◽

Milica Kasanin-Grubin ◽

Dusica Pesevic ◽

Sanja Stojadinovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Metal Concentration ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Anthropogenic Impact ◽

Risk Index ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Emission Spectrometry ◽

Anthropogenic Source ◽

Pollution Level ◽

Pollution Indices

Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements, but they are regarded as significant environmental pollutants due to high density and high toxicity even at low concentrations. The aim of this paper is evaluation of the pollution level of heavy metals in the river and riverbank sediments as well as the estimation of their origin and spatial differences along the course of the Vrbas River through Banja Luka. The concentrations of metals have been assessed using the Inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry and Advanced mercury analyzer for mercury determination. Anthropogenic impact on heavy metal concentration in sediments was estimated by calculating pollution indices: Geoaccumulation index (Igeo), Contamination factor (Cf), Pollution Load Index (PLI), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (Er). Obtained results indicate that there is no statistically significant spatial difference in metal concentration, indicating that heavy metals in sediments have a constant source. The anthropogenic impact expressed by values of pollution indices showed that sites are generally uncontaminated by Co, Cr, and V and moderately contaminated by Zn, Cu, and Ni. On the contrary, lead, mercury and cadmium pose the highest ecological risk. The anthropogenic source of Pb, Hg and Cd is industry, municipal waste and the combustion of fossil fuels. Obtained results demonstrate the high ecological risk and need for environmental monitoring, supporting an efficient strategy to reduce local pollution and contamination of the investigated system.

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