Environmental Risk Assessment of Petroleum Activities in Surface Sediments, Suez Gulf, Egypt

The present study focuses on the risk assessment of heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems by evaluating the current situation of heavy metals in seven locations (North Amer El Bahry, Amer, Bakr, Ras Gharib, July Water Floud, Ras Shokeir, and El Marageen) along the Suez Gulf coast that are well-known representative sites for petroleum activities in Egypt. One hundred and forty-six samples of surface sediments were carefully collected from twenty-seven profiles in the intertidal and surf zone. The hydrochemical parameters, such as pH and salinity (S‰), were measured during sample collection. The mineralogy study was carried out by an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and the concentrations of Al, Mn, Fe, Cr, Cu, Co, Zn, Cd, and Pb were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectra (ICP-MS). The ecological risks of heavy metals were assessed by applying the contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), pollution load index (PLI), and potential ecological risk index (RI). The mineralogical composition mainly comprised quartz, dolomites, calcite, and feldspars. The average concentrations of the detected heavy metals, in descending order, were Al > Fe > Mn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Zn > Ni > Co > Cd. A non-significant or negative relationship between the heavy metal concentration in the samples and their textural grain size characteristics was observed. The coastal surface sediment samples of the Suez Gulf contained lower concentrations of heavy metals than those published for other regions in the world with petroleum activities, except for Al, Mn, and Cr. The results for the CF, EF, and Igeo showed that Cd and Pb have severe enrichment in surface sediment and are derived from anthropogenic sources, while Al, Mn, Fe, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn originate from natural sources. By comparison, the PLI and RI results indicate that the North Amer El Bahry and July Water Floud are considered polluted areas due to their petroleum activities. The continuous monitoring and assessment of pollutants in the Suez Gulf will aid in the protection of the environment and the sustainability of resources.

Download Full-text

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution Levels in Sediments and of Ecological Risk by Quality Indices, Applying a Case Study: The Lower Danube River, Romania

Water ◽

10.3390/w13131801 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (13) ◽

pp. 1801

Author(s):

Valentina Andreea Calmuc ◽

Madalina Calmuc ◽

Maxim Arseni ◽

Catalina Maria Topa ◽

Mihaela Timofti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Metal Pollution ◽

Heavy Metal Pollution ◽

Surface Sediments ◽

Risk Index ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Danube River ◽

Pollution Indices

It is a well–known fact that heavy metal pollution in sediments causes serious problems not only in the Danube basin, but also in the large and small adjacent river streams. A suitable method for assessing the level of heavy metals and their toxicity in sediments is the calculation of pollution indices. The present research aims to assess heavy metal pollution in the Lower Danube surface sediments collected along the Danube course (between 180 and 60 km) up to the point where the Danube River flows into the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO, protected area). In addition, this monitored area is one of the largest European hydrographic basins. Five heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cu) were analyzed in two different seasons, i.e., the autumn of 2018 and the spring of 2019, using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP– MS) technique. Our assessment of heavy metal pollution revealed two correlated aspects: 1. a determination of the potential risks of heavy metals in sediments by calculating the Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI), and 2. an evaluation of the influence of anthropogenic activities on the level of heavy metal contamination in the surface sediments, using three specific pollution indices, namely, the Geo–Accumulation Index (Igeo), the Contamination Factor (CF), and the Pollution Load Index (PLI). The results of this pioneering research activity in the region highlighted the presence of moderate metal (Ni and Cd) pollution and a low potential ecological risk for the aquatic environment.

Download Full-text

Heavy Metals Distribution, Sources, and Ecological Risk Assessment in Huixian Wetland, South China

Water ◽

10.3390/w12020431 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 431

Author(s):

Liangliang Huang ◽

Saeed Rad ◽

Li Xu ◽

Liangying Gui ◽

Xiaohong Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

South China ◽

Ecological Risk Assessment ◽

Risk Index ◽

Pollution Index ◽

Principal Component ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Anthropogenic Sources

This research has focused on the source identification, concentration, and ecological risk assessment of eight heavy metals in the largest karst wetland (Huixian) of south China. Numerous samples from superficial soil and sediment within ten representative landuse types were collected and examined, and the results were analyzed using multiple methods. Single pollution index (Pi) results were underpinned by the Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) method, in which Cd was observed as the priority pollutant with the highest contamination degree in this area. As for the most polluted landuse type, via applying Nemerow’s synthetical contamination index (PN) and Potential ecological risk index (RI), the river and rape field posed the highest ecological risks, while moderate for the rest. To quantify the drivers of the contaminants, a principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out and weathering of the watershed’s parent carbonate rocks was found to be the main possible origin, followed by anthropogenic sources induced by agricultural fertilizer. Considering the impacts of these potentially toxic elements on public health, the results of this study are essential to take preventive actions for environmental protection and sustainable development in the region.

Download Full-text

Heavy Metal Contamination in Oryza sativa L. at the Eastern Region of Malaysia and Its Risk Assessment

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph19020739 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 739

Author(s):

Nur Syahirah Zulkafflee ◽

Nurul Adillah Mohd Redzuan ◽

Sara Nematbakhsh ◽

Jinap Selamat ◽

Mohd Razi Ismail ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Health Risk ◽

Health Risk Assessment ◽

Metal Contamination ◽

Heavy Metal Contamination ◽

Anthropogenic Sources ◽

Acceptable Limit

Paddy plants tend to accumulate heavy metals from both natural and anthropogenic sources, and this poses adverse risks to human health. The objective of this study was to investigate heavy metal contamination in paddy plants in Kelantan, Malaysia, and its health risk assessment. The bioaccumulation of heavy metals was studied by means of enrichment (EF) and translocation factors (TF). The health risk assessment was performed based on USEPA guidelines. The EF for heavy metals in the studied areas was in the descending order of Cu > As > Cr > Cd > Pb. Meanwhile, Cr and Pb exhibited higher TF values from stem to grain compared with the others. The combined hazard index (HI) resulting from five heavy metals exceeded the acceptable limit (HI >1). The lifetime cancer risk, in both adult and children, was beyond the acceptable limit (10−4) and mainly resulted from exposure. The total cancer risk (CRt) due to simultaneous exposures to multiple carcinogenic elements also exceeded 10−4. In conclusion, intake of heavy metal through rice ingestion is likely to cause both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks. Further research is required to investigate the extent of heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils and, moreover, to establish human exposure as a result of rice consumption.

Download Full-text

Comprehensive Environmental Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in an Abandoned Dye Factory of China Using SERA Methodology Based on Source Apportionment

10.21203/rs.3.rs-167605/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fangfang Miao ◽

Yimei Zhang ◽

Shuai Li ◽

Yaxiao Duan ◽

Yuxian Lai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Health Risk ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Environmental Risk ◽

Environmental Risk Assessment ◽

Risk Index ◽

Assessment System ◽

Pollutant Sources

Abstract Soil heavy metal contaminated sites with multiple sources of pollution have caused worldwide public concern. However, the lack of correlation of risk assessment or source identification of heavy metal leads to unclear direction of source governance. Although previous studies have involved different risk assessment, few attempts have been made to establish a link between them. In order to design a comprehensive risk assessment system, it is necessary to identify the specific source risks and the correlation and comparison between environmental risk assessment. In this paper, a methodology was established by combining source apportionment of ecological risks and human health risks (SERA) to characterize the sources and source-specific risks of heavy metals in soil. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was used to identify and classify potential sources of heavy metals in the study area. According to the results, they will be incorporated into the environmental risk model to evaluate environmental risk of the identified sources of heavy metals. The results showed that concentrations of Cd and Hg were highly above the background values, indicating a moderate enrichment. It was worth noting that the source contributed ecological risk index (SCEI) of Hg, with the value of 51.16 contributed mainly by the pollutant sources of waste treatment, has reached moderate ecological risk. The SCEI of Cd contributed by industrial activities (the wastewater and dyeing process) showed the most predominant source of contribution. The source contributed human health risk index (SCHI) of As contributed most by pollutant sources of agriculture activities. Overall, the modified total health risk posed by soil heavy metals SCHI was 1.11E+00, showing potential risk to the residents. This study provides a new insight for the treatment of mutil-sources of soil heavy metal pollution and also some reference value for the improvement of the risk assessment system.the main finding: Exploring a methodology (SERA) to quantitatively characterize the relationship between pollutants sources and environmental risk assessment based on source contribution.

Download Full-text

The Risk Characteristics of Heavy Metals in Urban Soil

10.21203/rs.3.rs-516802/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yan Li ◽

Dike Feng ◽

Meiying Ji ◽

Zhanpeng Li ◽

Ruocheng Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

High Risk ◽

Human Health ◽

Rapid Development ◽

Risk Index ◽

Principal Component ◽

Research Area ◽

Assessment Model

Abstract With the rapid development of China's industrial economy, heavy metals and other pollutants continue to accumulate in the environment, which has created serious threats for the ecological environment and human health. To comprehensively evaluate the ecological risks from heavy metals in the soil in Nanjing, China, as well as the status of the risks to human health, this study randomly collected 50 surface soil samples, and the contents of Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Ti, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in the samples were determined, combined with the ecological risk index and the USEPA health risk assessment model for a comprehensive risk assessment of soil heavy metals in Nanjing. The results show that there has been heavy metal enrichment of Mn, Pb, Zn and other heavy metals in the research area in Nanjing city, and the variation coefficients of Pb and Cu are distinctly large; that is, the distribution of Pb and Cu in the research area shows a great fluctuation. These elements are all slightly polluting, among which the Cu heavy metal pollution degree is different, and Pb element pollution is the most serious. Children are at a high risk of exposure in various ways, among which Pb and Cu elements have a high risk of causing non-carcinogenic issues. Overall, Pb and Cu in Nanjing are important risk elements that should be monitored and controlled. The results of the correlation analysis showed that the content changes of Pb, Zn and Cu; Ni, Ti and Fe; and Zn and Pb had extremely significant correlations, indicating that they may have the same source; while Ti and Ca, Ti and Cu, and Pb and Zn showed opposite changes, indicating that their concentrations were inversely related. The results of the principal component analysis showed that industrial sources in Nanjing contributed the most heavy metals, reaching 34.4%. The second largest source was from parent material and fertilizer, which contributed 32.3% and 19.6%, respectively. The sources with the lowest contributions were from weathering and deposition, which reached 13.7%.

Download Full-text

Heavy metal pollution status in surface sediments of the Khajeh Kory River, north Iran

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2020.202 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 81 (6) ◽

pp. 1148-1158

Author(s):

Maryam Zare Khosheghbal ◽

Marjan Esmaeilzadeh ◽

Fereydoun Ghazban ◽

Mohammad Ebrahim Charmsazi

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Metal Pollution ◽

Heavy Metal Pollution ◽

Metal Contamination ◽

Surface Sediments ◽

Heavy Metal Contamination ◽

Principal Component ◽

Anthropogenic Sources ◽

Riverbed Sediments

Abstract This study aimed at exploring the extent of likely sources of heavy metal pollution in sediments of the Khajeh Kory riverbed in the north of Iran. In order to assess the heavy metal contamination, samples from surface sediments in 10 stations covering the river were collected and analysed to determine heavy metal contents including Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mn, Co, Al, and Fe. Three guidelines were applied to assess the heavy metal contamination. Compared with the global average values, the calculated enrichment factors indicated high values for Fe, Mn, Cd, Co, and Cu, and very high values for Pb and Zn. The results obtained from principal component analysis revealed that the geogenic and anthropogenic sources were the main causes of the widespread enrichment of heavy metals in the riverbed sediments. The results suggested that the riverbed sediments were contaminated with heavy metals, which contribute to the freshwater toxicity in the ecosystem of the Khajeh Kory River.

Download Full-text

Effects of Sediment Dredging on Heavy Metal Removal in Dianchi Lake, China

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.726-731.1654 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 726-731 ◽

pp. 1654-1658 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Qiang Li ◽

Jia Li Zhou ◽

Ying Wang ◽

Hui Li ◽

Bin Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Metal Content ◽

Surface Sediments ◽

Risk Index ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Dianchi Lake ◽

Ecological Risks ◽

Sediment Dredging ◽

Ecological Risk Index

The heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr) and metalloid (As) in surface sediments and water samples from un-dredged and dredged areas in Dianchi Lake had been analyzed to investigate the removal efficiency of sediment dredging. Potential ecological risk index (RI) and simplified geoaccumulation risk index (Igeo) were used to assess the heavy metals accumulation and ecological risks. The results indicated that Pb2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Cr2+ and As3+ were not detected in water of Dianchi Lake, and the heavy metal content of surface sediments in Caohai Lake was in the order of Zn2+>Pb2+>Cu2+>As3+>Cr2+>Cd2+, and that in Waihai Lake was in the order of Zn2+>Pb2+>Cu2+>Cr2+>As3+>Cd2+. Through comparing the heavy metal content in sediments from un-dredged and dredged areas, pollutants reduced after sediment dredging, which can be reflected by the Igeo values too. Potential ecological risk index showed that the potential ecological risks were at low level in Dianchi Lake after sediment dredging.

Download Full-text

Study of Heavy Metal Speciation in Surface Sediments of Lugu Lake, China

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.448-453.293 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 448-453 ◽

pp. 293-298

Author(s):

Zheng Gang Gu ◽

Min Wu ◽

Ping Ning

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Sequential Extraction ◽

Surface Sediment ◽

Extraction Methods ◽

Metal Mobility ◽

Risk Assessment Code ◽

Bcr Sequential Extraction ◽

Lugu Lake

The speciation of the heavy metals Cu, Cr, and Pb in surface sediment samples collected from Lugu Lake in China was analyzed by European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction methods. Heavy metal bioavailability was assessed by risk assessment code. This study demonstrates that BCR sequential extraction methods and risk assessment code can be used as valuable tools to assess heavy metal mobility, bioavailability and eco-toxicity. The distribution of Cu, Cr, and Pb in the surface sediment of Lugu Lake showed that all three metals were mainly present in the reducible fraction. The bioavailability of the heavy metals in the surface sediment was in the order Cu > Cr > Pb.

Download Full-text

Environmental Background Values and Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Watershed Sediments: A Comparison of Assessment Methods

Water ◽

10.3390/w14010051 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 51

Author(s):

Jianbo Liao ◽

Xinyue Cui ◽

Hai Feng ◽

Shangkun Yan

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Risk Index ◽

Aquatic Organisms ◽

Total Content ◽

Metal Enrichment ◽

Background Values ◽

Positive Linear Correlation ◽

Heavy Metal Enrichment

The distribution and assessment of heavy metal pollution in sediments have been extensively studied worldwide. Risk assessment methods based on total content, background values, and sediment quality guidelines are widely applied but have never been compared. We systematically sorted out these evaluation methods, obtained evaluation results using actual monitoring data, and compared their applicability. The results showed that the background values of different metals are significantly different, which may depend on their mobility. Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF) values invariably decreased with the increase of background values for individual heavy metal enrichment risk assessment. Compared with EF, Igeo also showed a significant positive linear correlation with heavy metal content. Pollution load index (PLI), modified contamination degree (mCd), and potential ecological risk index (RI) showed significant differences in response to background values and evaluation levels for the comprehensive risk of heavy metal enrichment, but their distribution trends along with the sampling points were basically identical. Toxic risk index (TRI), mean ERM quotient (mERMQ), and contamination severity index (CSI) were used to evaluate the damage degree of complex heavy metals to aquatic organisms and shared a similar whole-process distribution trend. The modified hazard quotient (mHQ), which is used to evaluate the toxicity of a single heavy metal to aquatic organisms, showed a significant positive linear correlation with the total content of each heavy metal, indicating that the toxic effect on organisms can be predicted through the direct monitoring. The results of this study have important guiding significance for the selection of evaluation methods for heavy metal pollution in sediments.

Download Full-text

Heavy metals content in ashes of wood pellets and the health risk assessment related to their presence in the environment

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-97305-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mirha Pazalja ◽

Mirsada Salihović ◽

Jasmina Sulejmanović ◽

Alisa Smajović ◽

Sabina Begić ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Health Risk ◽

Health Risk Assessment ◽

Risk Index ◽

Human Health Risk ◽

Biomass Fuels ◽

Wood Pellets ◽

Wood Pellet

AbstractEfforts to reduce air pollution in developing countries may require increased use of biomass fuels. Even biomass fuels are a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels there is limited quantitative information concerning heavy metal content in their ashes. Therefore, this study focuses on the determination of the heavy metal concentrations in wood pellet ash obtained from the combustion of 10 pellet brans from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy, the effects of adding the ashes to soils, and the assessment of health risk assessment. Ash content was determined by gravimetric method. The amount and composition of ash remaining after combustion of wood pellets varies considerably according to the type of biomass and wood from which the pellet is made. Samples were prepared by wet digestion using HNO3, and heavy metals are determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy-flame and graphite furnace. The results showed that the lowest concentration in ashes was obtained for Co 0.01 mg kg−1 and the highest for Fe 571.63 mg kg−1. The Hazard Index (HI), calculated for non-cancerous substances for children was 2.23E−01, and the total Risk index was 4.54E−05. As for adults, HI was 1.51E−02, while the Risk index value was 3.21E−06. Human health risk calculated through HI and Risk index for children and adults associated with analyzed pellets is not of significant concern. The calculated enrichment factor and metal pollution index for wood pellet ashes indicate the risk of soil contamination with heavy metals. From this point of view, analyzed samples of ashes could be a serious contaminant of soil, so further monitoring is required.

Download Full-text