Combined copper isotope and elemental signatures in bivalves and sediments from the Korean coast: Applicability for monitoring anthropogenic contamination.

This study investigates the applicability of elemental and Cu isotope compositions in sediments and bivalves from the Korean coast to monitor anthropogenic Cu contamination. Sediments with high Cu (>64.4 mg/kg) and/or moderate enrichment levels (EF) exhibit homogenous δCu values (-0.

Zinc and copper isotope fractionation in metal leaching from hydrothermal ore deposits: Environmental implications for deep-sea mining.

Deep-sea mining can remobilize large amounts of inert metals from hydrothermal seafloor massive sulfides (SMSs) into bioavailable toxic forms that are dissolved in the water column, potentially impacting marine ecosystems. It is thus critical to assess the impacts of deep-sea mining on the reactivities and behaviors of crucial elements (e.g.

Pace of heavy metal pollution in the anthropogenically altered and industrialized Nakdong River Estuary, South Korea: Implications for the Anthropocene.

Estuaries, vital coastal ecosystems, face growing threats from industrialization. To understand the pace of sedimentary changes and heavy metal pollution at the anthropogenically altered and industrialized Nakdong River Estuary in South Korea, we used sediment coring to reconstruct environmental change. Estuarine dam construction in 1934 shifted the sedimentary system from sand to mud, coinciding with a post-1930s mercury increase due to coal burning.

Compound- and element-specific accumulation characteristics of persistent toxic substances and metals in sediments of the Yellow Sea.

This study investigated the large-scale distributions of persistent toxic substances (PTSs) and heavy metals in sediments of the Yellow Sea, collected from six transects between latitudes 32 and 37 degrees north (n = 35). Elevated concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected near the mainland, with a predominance of low-chlorinated congeners (di to tetra, ∼60%), indicative of atmospheric deposition. Analysis of traditional and emerging polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (t-PAHs and e-PAHs) revealed notable enrichment in the Central Yellow Sea Mud Zone (CYSM), attributing fossil fuel combustion as the significant source.

Spatiotemporal and multi-isotope assessment of metal sedimentation in the Great Lakes.

This study investigates spatiotemporal dynamics in metal sedimentation in the North American Great Lakes and their underlying biogeochemical controls. Bulk geochemical and isotope analyses of n = 72 surface and core sediment samples show that metal (Cu, Zn, Pb) concentrations and their isotopic compositions vary spatially across oligotrophic to mesotrophic settings, with intra-lake heterogeneity being similar or higher than inter-lake (basin-scale) variability. Concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Pb in sediments from Lake Huron and Lake Erie vary from 5 to 73 mg/kg, 18-580 mg/kg, and 5-168 mg/kg, respectively, but metal enrichment factors were small (<2) across the surface- and core sediments.

Seasonal and multi-decadal zinc isotope variations in blue mussels from two sites with contrasting zinc contamination levels.

Zinc (Zn) isotope compositions in soft mussel tissues help identify internal biological processes and track coastal Zn sources in coastal environments, thus aiding in managing marine metal pollution. This study investigated the seasonal and multi-decadal Zn isotope compositions of blue mussels (genus Mytilus) from two French coastal sites with contrasting Zn environmental contamination. Concurrently, we characterized the isotope ratios of sediments and plankton samples at each site to understand the associations between organisms and abiotic compartments.

Copper and lead isotope records from an electroplating activity in sediments and biota from Sepetiba Bay (southeastern Brazil).

An old electroplating plant in Sepetiba Bay discharged metal-enriched wastes into the surrounding mangroves for 30 years (from the 1960s to 1990s), resulting in a hotspot zone of legacy sediments highly concentrated in toxic trace metals. This study applies Cu and Pb isotope systems to investigate the contributions of past punctual sources relative to emerging modern diffuse sources. The electroplating activity imprinted particular isotopic signatures (average δCu: 0.

Characteristics of metal pollution and multi-isotopic signatures for C, Cu, Zn, and Pb in coastal sediments from special management areas in Korea.

The concentrations and isotopic compositions of carbon (C), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) in coastal sediments were analyzed to identify potential pollution sources. High concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC) and metals were found close to cities and industrial areas. The isotopic compositions of C, Cu, Zn, and Pb tended to decrease as their concentrations increased.

Isotopic (Cu, Zn, and Pb) and elemental fingerprints of antifouling paints and their potential use for environmental forensic investigations.

Antifouling paints (APs) are one of the important sources of Cu and Zn contamination in coastal environments. This study applied for the first-time a multi-isotope (Cu, Zn, and Pb) and multi-elemental characterization of different AP brands to improve their tracking in marine environments. The Cu and Zn contents of APs were shown to be remarkably high ∼35% and ∼8%, respectively.

Pollution and ecological risk assessments for heavy metals in coastal, river, and road-deposited sediments from Apia City in Upolu Island, Samoa.

This study was the first to investigate the pollution and ecological risks of heavy metals in coastal, river/stream and road-deposited sediments (RDS) from Apia in Samoa. Cr and Ni concentrations in sediment samples were higher than those of other metals. River sediments and RDS had relatively high EF values around the intensive commercial areas, with a moderate to significant enrichment of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb.

Pollution and Health Risk Assessments of Potentially Toxic Elements in the Fine-Grained Particles (10−63 µm and <10 µm) in Road Dust from Apia City, Samoa.

Fine road dust is a major source of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) pollution in urban environments, which adversely affects the atmospheric environment and public health. Two different sizes (10−63 and <10 μm) were separated from road dust collected from Apia City, Samoa, and 10 PTEs were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Fine road dust (<10 μm) had 1.

Source apportionment and health risk assessment for potentially toxic elements in size-fractionated road dust in Busan Metropolitan City, Korea.

Potentially toxic elements' (PTEs; V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sb, Pb, and Hg) pollution level was investigated in size-fractionated road dust in Busan Metropolitan City. Health risks to humans (adult and children) were also evaluated in fine particle fraction (< 63 μm) of road dust. PTE concentrations in the fine particles (< 63 μm) were ranked as follows (unit: mg/kg): Zn (2511) > Cu (559) > Cr (531) > Pb (385) > Ni (139) > V (83.

Seagrass and green macroalgae Halimeda as biomonitoring tools for metal contamination in Chuuk, Micronesia: Pollution assessment and bioaccumulation.

In this study, we evaluated metal accumulation in different species and tissues of seagrasses and green macroalgae Halimeda and assessed metal pollution levels in Chuuk, Micronesia. In seagrass, the concentrations of Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Hg were higher in leaves than in roots, whereas Cr and As concentrations were higher in roots. Halimeda had higher concentrations of Ni than of the other metals, and the mean Ni concentration was approximately 2.

Effects of particulate matter (PM) on life history traits, oxidative stress, and defensome system in the marine copepod Tigriopus japonicus.

Particulate matter (PM) generated in large cities creates new problems in marine ecosystems and may adversely affect its inhabitants. However, the mechanisms underlying the same remain unclear; hence, we investigated the effects of PM on life history traits (e.g.

Changes in the characteristics of organic matter associated with hydrodynamics and phytoplankton size structure in the central-eastern Yellow Sea.

The central-eastern Yellow Sea is an important region for transporting organic matter (OM) to the Pacific Ocean, however, there is limited information available regarding the characteristics and sources of OM in this area. The present study investigated the concentrations and stable isotopic compositions of carbon (δC) and nitrogen (δN) for particulate matter and sediment in the central-eastern Yellow Sea during April 2019. The physicochemical properties (i.

A nationwide survey of trace metals and Zn isotopic signatures in mussels (Mytilus edulis) and oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from the coast of South Korea.

Thirteen trace metals and Zn isotopic signatures were investigated in mussels and oysters collected from the coast of South Korea to evaluate their bioavailability in bivalve mollusks. The average Cu, Zn, and Cd concentrations were 2.6-17.

Characteristics of potentially toxic elements and multi-isotope signatures (Cu, Zn, Pb) in non-exhaust traffic emission sources.

Non-exhaust emissions (e.g., particles from brake pads, asphalt, curb, road paint, tire) are important sources of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) pollution in urban environments and are potential causes of PTEs pollution in road dust.

Potentially toxic elements pollution in road deposited sediments around the active smelting industry of Korea.

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) were investigated in the different sizes of road deposited sediments (RDS) around the active smelting industry to understand their sources and to assess the pollution and ecological risk levels. The highest PTEs concentrations was shown near the raw materials import port and the smelting facilities. The fine particles of RDS showed extremely high PTEs concentrations.

Heavy metal pollution assessment in coastal sediments and bioaccumulation on seagrass (Enhalus acoroides) of Palau.

Heavy metals in coastal sediments and seagrass (Enhalus acoroides) were studied to assess the pollution level and to understand the bioaccumulation of metals on different organs. The mean of metal concentrations in sediments were in the following order: Cr > Ni > As>Zn > Cu > Co > Pb > Cd > Hg. The results of principal component analysis indicate that Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Hg are derived from natural sources but Cd and Pb seems to be of anthropogenic sources.

Source identification and implications of heavy metals in urban roads for the coastal pollution in a beach town, Busan, Korea.

Heavy metals in the sediments of urban roads (RDS), storm drains (SDS), and marine areas (MS) were investigated to assess road pollution in a beach town adjacent to the coast in Busan and identify their relationships with the marine environment. RDS were considerably polluted with Zn, Cu, Cr, and Pb, with mean concentrations of 1090, 178, 171, and 199 mg/kg, respectively. MS were severely contaminated with Zn and Cu, exceeding the effects range median (ERM; Cu = 270, Zn = 410 mg/kg).

Characterization of the contribution of road deposited sediments to the contamination of the close marine environment with trace metals: Case of the port city of Busan (South Korea).

We examined the concentrations of 12 trace metals in road-deposited sediments (RDS) and their contributions to the pollution of harbor/marine sediments in the port city of Busan, South Korea. The concentrations of Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Sn, Sb, and Pb in RDS affected by industrial and traffic activities were 6.7-25.

Heavy metal pollution by road-deposited sediments and its contribution to total suspended solids in rainfall runoff from intensive industrial areas.

Understanding the relationship between road-deposited sediments (RDS) and total suspended solids (TSS) is essential for managing non-point pollution. Studying the heavy metal concentrations of RDS and TSS in rainfall is important to the development of RDS management strategies and to the design of effective stormwater management practices. We investigated the heavy metal (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Sn, Pb) in RDS and TSS in rainfall runoff to assess the metal pollution level and to evaluate the contribution of RDS heavy metal pollution in the TSS.