Arsenic and other trace elements in the waters and organisms of an estuary in SW England

doi:10.1016/0013-9327(79)90109-5

Environmental Pollution (1970)

Volume 19, Issue 1, May 1979, Pages 11-20

https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-9327(79)90109-5 Get rights and content

Abstract

Arsenic, cadmium, copper and zinc occur at elevated levels in the waters of Carnon River and the upper reaches of Restronguet Creek, these concentrations decreasing progressively towards the estuary of Carrick Roads. While arsenite is the main form of As in the Carnon River, this is converted to arsenate in the lower estuary. Organisms analysed from Restronguet Creek reflect the As concentration in the water, this being most clearly evident in macrophytes. Although accumulated at all trophic levels, there was no evidence for biomagnification of As on an entire organism basis. The As was shown to exist in selected organisms as a compound(s) which forms on hydrolysis, dimethylarsinate and traces of arsenate and methylarsonate.

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Cited by (65)

Macroalgae as spatial and temporal bioindicators of coastal metal pollution following remediation and diversion of acid mine drainage
2019, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Citation Excerpt :
The highest Zn concentrations recorded in this study were substantially higher than the typical concentrations for Fucus spp. even under polluted conditions, although equivalently high Zn concentrations (3.6 mg g−1 for F. serratus; 4.2 mg g−1 for F. vesiculosus) have previously been seen (Bryan and Gibbs, 1983; Stenner and Nickless, 1974). Finally, the As concentration was slightly higher than previous uppermost recorded value of 147 μg g−1 for F. serratus (Klumpp and Peterson, 1979) and 160 μg g−1 for F. vesiculosus (Langston, 2009). This observation, alongside the high concentration of As in the Northern Afon Goch outflow of between 75 and 100 μg L−1 (Fig. S1) indicates marine pollution at this site and marine bioavailability of As.
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a significant contributor of metal pollution leading to ecosystem damage. Bioindicator organisms such as intertidal brown macroalgae have an important role in quantifying the risks of metal bioaccumulation in coastal locations exposed to AMD contamination. Measurement of As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn accumulation was performed in Fucus serratus, Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum sampled from two marine locations near to an abandoned Cu mine in Anglesey, Wales, UK. Transect samples were taken from a coastal location (Amlwch) that has seen a substantial increase in AMD contamination over 15 years, in comparison to a nearby estuarine location (Dulas Estuary leading to Dulas Bay) with a historic legacy of pollution. These were compared with samples from the same sites taken 30 years earlier. Some of the Dulas macroalgae samples had Cd, Cu and Zn concentrations that were above background but in general indicated a non-polluted estuary in comparison to substantial pollution over previous decades. In contrast, Fucus samples collected from directly below an AMD outflow at Amlwch showed extremely elevated metal bioaccumulation (>250 mg Fe g⁻¹, >6 mg Cu g⁻¹, >2 mg Zn g⁻¹, >190 μg As g⁻¹) and evidence of macroalgae toxicity, indicating severe pollution at this site. However, the pollution dispersed within 200 m of the outflow source. This study has demonstrated the efficiency of three brown macroalgae species as indicators for metal bioavailability at high spatial resolution and over time.
Bioaccumulation, biotransformation and trophic transfer of arsenic in the aquatic food chain
2012, Environmental Research
Citation Excerpt :
Sanders and Windom (1980) demonstrated an antagonistic relationship between AsV and phosphate during uptake by phytoplankton while other workers reported independent uptake of AsV and phosphate in phytoplankton (Andreae and Klumpp, 1979) and macroalgae (Klumpp, 1980). Since AsV uptake into the macroalgae Fucus spiralis and Ascophyllum nodosum was not inhibited by phosphate levels in the water (Klumpp and Peterson, 1979), a common mechanism for AsV and phosphate uptake into algae is suggested (Francesconi and Edmonds, 1993). So, arsenic uptake mechanisms are not identical for all organisms in marine food chains, and the mechanism differs between phytoplankton species.
The occurrence, distribution, speciation, and biotransformation of arsenic in aquatic environment (marine and freshwater) have been studied extensively by several research groups during last couple of decades. However, most of those studies have been conducted in marine waters, and the results are available in a number of reviews. Speciation, bioaccumulation, and biotransformation of arsenic in freshwaters have been studied in recent years. Although inorganic arsenic (iAs) species dominates in both marine and freshwaters, it is biotransformed to methyl and organoarsenic species by aquatic organisms. Phytoplankton is considered as a major food source for the organisms of higher trophic levels in the aquatic food chain, and this autotrophic organism plays important role in biotransformation and distribution of arsenic species in the aquatic environment. Bioaccumulation and biotransformation of arsenic by phytoplankton, and trophic transfer of arsenic in marine and freshwater food chains have been important concerns because of possible human health effects of the toxic metalloid from dietary intake. To-date, most of the studies on arsenic biotransformation, speciation, and trophic transfer have focused on marine environments; little is known about these processes in freshwater systems. This article has been reviewed the bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and trophic transfer of arsenic in marine and freshwater food chain.
Arsenic in freshwater systems: Influence of eutrophication on occurrence, distribution, speciation, and bioaccumulation
2012, Applied Geochemistry
Citation Excerpt :
In addition to the microbial reduction of AsV, high concentrations of AsIII in lakes receiving AsIII-rich riverine input reveals that AsIII can also occur in lake waters from anthropogenic and atmospheric inputs. Arsenic in the Carnon River (Great Britain) consisted predominantly (95% of total As) of AsIII due to the influence of long-term mining activity in the region (Klumpp and Peterson, 1979). On the other hand, high concentrations of AsIII (between 2.9% and 20% of the total inorganic As) in the Tejo River (Portugal) was probably due to atmospheric emissions from a nearby pyrite roasting plant (Andreae et al., 1983).
Arsenic exists in a variety of chemical forms, and microbial metabolism results in the occurrence of thermodynamically unstable arsenite (As^III) and methylarsenic compounds in freshwaters (rivers and lakes). The inorganic forms (As^V and As^III) and the methylated forms (methylarsonic acid; MMAA^V and dimethylarsinic acid; DMAA^V) are the main species of As in freshwaters while the bulk of the total dissolved As is inorganic species. Although the predominant forms of methylarsenic compounds are consistently DMAA^V followed by MMAA^V, the DMAA^III and MMAA^III species have also been found in freshwaters. Several observations have revealed that phytoplankton activities are responsible for the seasonal variations of methylarsenic compounds in freshwaters. Although it was unclear if the occurrences of methylarsenic compounds were from the breakdown of larger molecules or the end-products of phytoplankton biosynthesis, recent studies have revealed that less toxic As–glutathione complexes are intermediates in the biosynthesis of organoarsenic compounds by phytoplankton. Recent studies have also revealed that eutrophication plays an important role in the production, distribution, and cycling of methylarsenic compounds in freshwaters. In this review, the recent reports on the influence of eutrophication on distribution, speciation, and bioaccumulation in freshwaters are discussed.
Biotransference and biomagnification of selenium copper, cadmium, zinc, arsenic and lead in a temperate seagrass ecosystem from Lake Macquarie Estuary, NSW, Australia
2003, Marine Environmental Research
In this study the biotransference of selenium copper, cadmium, zinc, arsenic and lead was measured in a contaminated seagrass ecosystem in Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia, to determine if biomagnification of these trace metals is occurring and if they reach concentrations that pose a threat to the resident organisms or human consumers. Selenium was found to biomagnify, exceeding maximum permitted concentrations for human consumption within carnivorous fish tissue, the highest trophic level examined. Selenium concentrations measured within carnivorous fish were also above those shown to elicit sub-lethal effects in freshwater fish. As comparisons are made to selenium concentrations known to effect freshwater fish, inferences must be made with caution. There was no evidence of copper, cadmium, zinc or lead biomagnification within the food web examined. Copper, cadmium, zinc and lead concentrations were below concentrations shown to elicit adverse responses in biota. Copper concentrations within crustaceans M. bennettae and P. palagicus were found to exceed maximum permitted concentrations for human consumption. It is likely that copper concentrations within these species were accumulated due to the essential nature of this trace metal for many species of molluscs and crustaceans. Arsenic showed some evidence of biomagnification. Total arsenic concentrations are similar to those found in other uncontaminated marine ecosystems, thus arsenic concentrations are unlikely to cause adverse effects to aquatic organisms. Inorganic arsenic concentrations are below maximum permitted concentrations for human consumption.
A review of the source, behaviour and distribution of arsenic in natural waters
2002, Applied Geochemistry
The range of As concentrations found in natural waters is large, ranging from less than 0.5 μg l⁻¹ to more than 5000 μg l⁻¹. Typical concentrations in freshwater are less than 10 μg l⁻¹ and frequently less than 1 μg l⁻¹. Rarely, much higher concentrations are found, particularly in groundwater. In such areas, more than 10% of wells may be ‘affected’ (defined as those exceeding 50 μg l⁻¹) and in the worst cases, this figure may exceed 90%. Well-known high-As groundwater areas have been found in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, China and Hungary, and more recently in West Bengal (India), Bangladesh and Vietnam. The scale of the problem in terms of population exposed to high As concentrations is greatest in the Bengal Basin with more than 40 million people drinking water containing ‘excessive’ As. These large-scale ‘natural’ As groundwater problem areas tend to be found in two types of environment: firstly, inland or closed basins in arid or semi-arid areas, and secondly, strongly reducing aquifers often derived from alluvium. Both environments tend to contain geologically young sediments and to be in flat, low-lying areas where groundwater flow is sluggish. Historically, these are poorly flushed aquifers and any As released from the sediments following burial has been able to accumulate in the groundwater. Arsenic-rich groundwaters are also found in geothermal areas and, on a more localised scale, in areas of mining activity and where oxidation of sulphide minerals has occurred. The As content of the aquifer materials in major problem aquifers does not appear to be exceptionally high, being normally in the range 1–20 mg kg⁻¹. There appear to be two distinct ‘triggers’ that can lead to the release of As on a large scale. The first is the development of high pH (>8.5) conditions in semi-arid or arid environments usually as a result of the combined effects of mineral weathering and high evaporation rates. This pH change leads either to the desorption of adsorbed As (especially As(V) species) and a range of other anion-forming elements (V, B, F, Mo, Se and U) from mineral oxides, especially Fe oxides, or it prevents them from being adsorbed. The second trigger is the development of strongly reducing conditions at near-neutral pH values, leading to the desorption of As from mineral oxides and to the reductive dissolution of Fe and Mn oxides, also leading to As release. Iron (II) and As(III) are relatively abundant in these groundwaters and SO₄ concentrations are small (typically 1 mg l⁻¹ or less). Large concentrations of phosphate, bicarbonate, silicate and possibly organic matter can enhance the desorption of As because of competition for adsorption sites. A characteristic feature of high groundwater As areas is the large degree of spatial variability in As concentrations in the groundwaters. This means that it may be difficult, or impossible, to predict reliably the likely concentration of As in a particular well from the results of neighbouring wells and means that there is little alternative but to analyse each well. Arsenic-affected aquifers are restricted to certain environments and appear to be the exception rather than the rule. In most aquifers, the majority of wells are likely to be unaffected, even when, for example, they contain high concentrations of dissolved Fe.
Arsenic and phosphorus in seagrass leaves from the Gulf of Mexico
2001, Aquatic Botany
Arsenic is a common contaminant in the marine environment, but little is known about arsenic in seagrasses. Arsenate is taken up by the phosphate uptake systems of plants, and there is often a relationship between P availability and As uptake. We sampled green leaves of the seagrass Thalassia testudinum from six estuaries in the Gulf of Mexico to document the As content of seagrasses and to determine the relationships between P availability and As. Arsenic content of seagrasses was generally lower than literature values of other marine primary producers. Arsenic content varied from 0.90 to 3.36 ppm and phosphorus content varied from 544 to 6294 ppm, and there were significant differences among the estuaries studied. Nutrient stoichiometry (N:P) indicated that there were differences in P availability among estuaries: Charlotte Harbor had high P availability, while St. Joseph Bay and Florida Bay were P-limited. The Homosassa River, the Anclotte Estuary and Tampa Bay had intermediate P availability. When data from all estuaries were pooled, there was a significant, negative relationship between P and As content, as predicted by the model of competitive uptake of As and P. However, more extensive sampling within one estuary (Florida Bay) showed a significant positive relationship between P and As, suggesting that factors other than strict competitive uptake kinetics influence the relative content of As and P. We suggest that the P and As availability ratio in estuaries, and therefore in the seagrasses that inhabit them, is largely controlled by the relative importance of freshwater and marine inputs of the two elements.

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Environmental Pollution (1970)

Abstract

References (27)

Distribution and speciation of arsenic in natural waters and some marine algae

Deep-Sea Res.

Isolation, crystal structure and synthesis of arsenobetaine, the arsenical constituent of the western rock lobster, Panulirus longipes

Tetrahedron Letters

Arsenic accumulation by plants on mine waste (United Kingdom)

J. Sci. Tot. Environ.

Arsenic tolerance in grasses growing on mine waste

Environ. Pollut.

Geochemical studies in several rivers and estuaries used for oyster rearing

J. Sci. Tot. Environ.

Determination of arsenic species in natural waters

Analyt. Chem.

Problems in the elementary analysis of standard biological materials

J. Radioanalyt. Chem.

Methylated forms of arsenic in the environment

Science, N.Y.

Changes in the chemical speciation of arsenic following ingestion by Man

Environ. Hlth Perspectives

A preliminary study of the distribution of certain metals of economic interest in the sediments and waters of Carrick, and of its ‘feeder’ rivers

Camborne Sch. Mines Mag.

Simultaneous determination of arsenate and phosphate in natural waters

Environ. Sci. & Technol.

Bacterial reduction of arsenate in sea water

Nature, Lond.

The arsenic content of some of the marine algae

Pharm. J.

Cited by (65)

Macroalgae as spatial and temporal bioindicators of coastal metal pollution following remediation and diversion of acid mine drainage

Bioaccumulation, biotransformation and trophic transfer of arsenic in the aquatic food chain

Arsenic in freshwater systems: Influence of eutrophication on occurrence, distribution, speciation, and bioaccumulation

Biotransference and biomagnification of selenium copper, cadmium, zinc, arsenic and lead in a temperate seagrass ecosystem from Lake Macquarie Estuary, NSW, Australia

A review of the source, behaviour and distribution of arsenic in natural waters

Arsenic and phosphorus in seagrass leaves from the Gulf of Mexico