Evidencing the Impact of Coastal Contaminated Sediments on Mussels Through Pb Stable Isotopes Composition

Bioaccumulation of trace metals in the plastisphere: Awareness of environmental risk from a European perspective

The term "Plastisphere" refers to the biofilm layer naturally formed by microorganisms attaching to plastic surfaces. This layer possesses the capability to adsorb persistent organic and inorganic pollutants, particularly trace metals, which are the focus of this research study. Immersion experiments were concurrently conducted in five locations spanning four European countries (France, Ireland, Spain, and Italy) utilising eight distinct polymers. These immersions, repeated every three months over a one-year period, aimed to evaluate the baseline bioaccumulation of 12 trace metals. The study underscores the intricate nature of metal bioaccumulation, influenced by both micro-scale factors (such as polymer composition) and macro-scale factors (including geographical site and seasonal variations). Villefranche Bay in France exhibited the lowest metals bioaccumulation, whereas Naples in Italy emerged as the site where bioaccumulation was often the highest for the considered metals. Environmental risk assessment was also conducted in the study. The lightweight nature of certain plastics allows them to be transported across significant distances in the ocean. Consequently, evaluating trace metal concentrations in the plastisphere is imperative for assessing potential environmental repercussions that plastics, along with their associated biota, may exert even in locations distant from their point of emission.

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. Our primary objective was to determine whether these isotope compositions trace long-term anthropogenic emission patterns or if they reflect short-term biological processes. The multi-decadal isotope profiles of mussels in the Loire Estuary and Toulon Bay showed no isotope variations, implying the enduring stability of the relative contributions of natural and anthropogenic Zn sources over time. At seasonal scales, Zn isotope ratios were also constant; hence, isotope effects related to spawning and body growth were not discernible. The multi-compartmental analysis between the sites revealed that Toulon Bay exhibits a remarkably lower Zn isotope ratio across all studied matrices, suggesting the upward transfer of anthropogenic Zn in the food web. In contrast, the Zn isotope variability observed for sediments and organisms from the Loire Estuary fell within the natural baseline of this element. In both sites, adsorptive geogenic material carrying significant amounts of Zn masks the biological isotope signature of plankton, making it difficult to determine whether the Zn isotope ratio in mussels solely reflects the planktonic diet or if it is further modified by biological homeostasis. In summary, Zn isotope ratios in mussels offer promising avenues for delineating source-specific isotope signatures, contingent upon a comprehensive understanding of the isotope fractionation processes associated with the trophic transfer of this element through the plankton.

Coupling isotopic signatures and partial extraction method to examine lead pollution in mangrove sediments

Elevated lead (Pb) has been widely observed in mangrove sediments due to human activities, yet understanding the sources of Pb in these sediments and the factors influencing Pb accumulation is challenging. Here, we combined Pb isotopes with partial extraction methods to study Pb contamination levels in mangrove sediments from the eastern and western parts of the Maowei Sea, China. Our results showed that the Pb in the leachate and residual fraction was mainly from anthropogenic and natural sources, respectively. The use of 204Pb isotope analysis can reveal some overlooked differences between anthropogenic and natural sources. Calculation by Bayesian mixing model showed no significant difference in the total anthropogenic contribution between the two sites, but the relative contribution of each end member differed. The contribution of Pb/Zn ores was much higher in the eastern sites (30.9 ± 5.1%) than in the west (18.4 ± 5.5%), while that of agricultural activities was much lower in the east (5.2 ± 3.1%) than in the west (13.5 ± 4.6%). The elevated anthropogenic Pb accumulation in mangrove sediments was ascribed to organic matter. This study provides more data on Pb isotopic composition and new insights into Pb biogeochemistry in the mangrove environment.

Coral skeletons reveal the impacts of oil pollution on seawater chemistry in the northern South China Sea

Oil pollution can release trace metals (TMs) with cumulative toxicity into seawater, harming marine ecosystems in the long term. However, the lack of studies has inhibited our understanding of the effects and mechanisms of oil pollution on TMs in seawater. Hence, we investigated the 10-year monthly variation of TMs in Porites coral skeletons from the northern South China Sea (SCS), complemented by spatial distribution of TMs in seawater, sediments and characterization of TMs in fuel oil. The results of principal component-multivariate linear regression showed that the total contribution of oil pollution as a source to TMs in surface seawater was 77.2%, where the residence time of TMs (Ni, V, Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, Fe, and Mo) released from oil spills in surface seawater was approximately 1.4 months. Due to the geochemical nature of the metals, their seasonal variations are controlled by tropical cyclones (Ni, V, Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, Fe, and Mo), winter monsoons (Pb, Cd, Ba, and Zn) and sea surface temperature (Sr). This study shows that coral skeletons can be used as a new tool to study marine oil pollution. This provides valuable reference data for accurately identifying and quantifying the effects of oil pollution on TMs in seawater from a spatial and temporal perspective.

Extreme hydrological regimes of a small urban river: impact on trace element partitioning, enrichment and fluxes

The input of trace elements from a small urban river (Las River, Toulon, France) located on the northern Mediterranean coast was studied during both base flow and flood events. A 2-year monitoring period of water flow and suspended particulate matter (SPM) showed a typical Mediterranean hydrological regime: a strong increase in water flow and SPM during short flood periods. During the flood event, an up to 2-fold increase in dissolved trace element (DTM) concentrations and particulate trace element content in SPM (PTM) was observed compared to the baseline discharge. The enrichment factor of elements in the SPM ranges from low or moderate for Co, Ni and Cr (1.0-4.7) to extremely high for Cd (157). However, the enrichment factors decrease from base flow to flood, indicating a dilution effect with a large yield of weathering particles with higher particle size. The most significant total trace element loading occurred during flood, ranging from 78% for As and Ni to 91% for Pb, while PTM loading during flood ranged from 35% for As to 77% for Pb. The specific dissolved fluxes during the flood are significantly higher for Pb, Cu and Zn than in the surrounding rivers, indicating specificity in the catchment (lithology). This study shows the importance of monitoring the transport of pollutants through small urban rivers and their potential impact on the coastal region, especially when they enter small and closed bays, as a receiving pool.

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 δ⁶⁵Cu_SRM-976: 0.4 ‰ and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb: 1.14) distinct from the natural baseline and urban fluvial sediments. The isotopic compositions of tidal flat sediments show intermediate isotope compositions reflecting the mixing of Cu and Pb from the hotspot zone and terrigenous materials carried by rivers. Oyster isotope fingerprints match legacy sediments, attesting that anthropogenic Cu and Pb are bioavailable to the biota. These findings confirm the interest in combining two or more metal isotope systems to discriminate between modern and past metal source emissions in coastal environments.

Trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean sediments: Concentration ranges as a tool for quality control of large data collections

Assessing the status of marine pollution at regional and sub-regional scales requires the use of comparable and harmonized data provided by multiple institutions, located in several countries. Standardized data management and quality control are crucial for supporting a coherent evaluation of marine pollution. Taking the Eastern Mediterranean Sea as a case study, we propose an approach to improve the quality control procedures used for sediment pollution data, thus supporting a harmonized environmental assessment. The regional ranges of contaminant concentrations in sediments were identified based on an in-depth literature review, and the lowest measured concentrations were evaluated to determine the "background concentrations" of chemical substances not yet targeted in the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, to verify the suitability of the approach for validating large data collections provided by multiple sources, the determined ranges were used to validate a regional dataset available through EMODnet data infrastructure.

An international intercomparison exercise on passive samplers (DGT) for monitoring metals in marine waters under a regulatory context

In order to move forward in the acceptance of a novel contaminant monitoring technique (Diffusive Gradients in Thin-films: DGT) for assessment of marine water bodies, sensu the WFD, an Inter-Laboratories Comparison (ILC) exercise (nine Europeans laboratories) was organized in the framework of the Interreg Atlantic Area MONITOOL project, which focused on the use of the DGT technique for the measurement of WFD priority metals (Cd, Ni and Pb). Reproducible results were obtained for each metal by several laboratories, supporting the assertion that DGT analysis can be performed satisfactorily by laboratories experienced in measuring metals at trace levels in marine environments, even if they have limited practice in DGT analysis. According to the Z-score analysis, among the 9 participating laboratories, 3 had 100 % of satisfactory results for Cd, Ni, and Pb, 3 had >80 % satisfactory results and 2 had about 60 % satisfactory results. This work highlights the need to clearly describe the DGT method in order to control sources of contamination during analytical steps, in particular the resin gel retrieval and the elution steps. Such international intercomparison exercise is an important step to develop the laboratory network involved in DGT analysis and contributes to the improvement of data quality.

Speciation of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn in a contaminated harbor and comparison to environmental quality standards

The water column of harbors contains significant amounts of (priority) hazardous trace metals that may be released into coastal areas of high societal and economic interests where they may disturb their fragile equilibria. To deepen our understanding of the processes that influence the transport of the various metal fractions and allow for a more rigorous environmental risk assessment, it is important to spatially monitor the relevant chemical speciation of these metals. It is of particular interest to assess their so-called dynamic fraction, which comprises the dissolved chemical forms that are potentially bioavailable to living organisms. In this study this was achieved in the Genoa Harbor (NW Italy) for copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) by applying a multi-method approach. For the first time in this system the dynamic fractions of the target metals (Cu_Dyn, Cd_Dyn, Pb_Dyn, Zn_Dyn) were observed in real-time on-board by voltammetry using innovative electrochemical sensing devices. Trace metals in the operationally defined dissolved <0.2 μm and <0.02 μm fractions were equally quantified through sampling/laboratory-based techniques. The obtained results showed a clear spatial trend for all studied metals from the enclosed contaminated part of the harbor towards the open part. The highest Cu_Dyn and Cd_Dyn fractions were found in the inner part of the harbor while the highest Pb_Dyn fraction was found in the open part. The proportion of Zn_Dyn was negligible in the sampled area. Small and coarse colloids were involved in Cu, Cd and Zn partitioning while only coarse colloids played an important role in Pb partitioning. The determined concentrations were compared to the Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) established by the EU and those determined by the Australia and New Zealand to trigger for 99 and 95% species protection values. The results of this work allow us to highlight gaps in the EQS for which metal concentration thresholds are excessively high or non-existent and should urgently be revised. They also reflect the need to quantify the potentially bioavailable fraction of hazardous trace metals instead of just their total dissolved concentrations. The data support the establishment of environmental quality standards and guidelines based on realistic risk assessment to protect aquatic life and resources and ultimately human health.

A multi-tracer approach to disentangle anthropogenic emissions from natural processes in the St. Lawrence River and Estuary

The ability to differentiate anthropogenic signatures from natural processes in complex hydrological systems is critical for environmental regulation perspectives, especially to curb pollution and implement effective water management strategies. Here, we report variations in the concentrations of 57 chemical variables, including nutrients, major, trace and ultra-trace elements, as well as the concentrations of Escherichia coli in different water masses along the St. Lawrence River-Estuary continuum. The constant ratios among major elements indicate consistent carbonate and silicate weathering processes in the drainage basins. We also suggest applying Ce anomalies to trace waters of low alkalinity and low complexing capacity as the dominance of Ce³⁺ free ion could promote Ce oxidation, and thus negative Ce anomalies. Furthermore, the positive Eu anomalies and elevated Tl concentrations could highlight the cation exchange processes on clay particles. In the fluvial and estuarine sections of the St. Lawrence System, we demonstrate significant contributions of wastewater discharge and discuss the suitability of several wastewater tracers, e.g., excess of B, Na, K, as well as Rb/Sr and Gd anomalies. We also highlight the inputs of several minor and trace elements (e.g., Mn, Fe, Cu, Co, Ni) from south-shore tributaries to the St. Lawrence System. However, the complex anthropogenic activities in the watersheds did not allow clear source partitioning. Finally, increased mixing of different river water masses upstream of Quebec City, together with the estuarine salt front and suspended sediments, are also responsible for releasing these minor and trace elements into the aquatic media. The results presented here help support further environmental actions to curb the emission of contaminants in the St. Lawrence System and provide more robust tracers of natural and anthropogenic processes in aquatic environments.

Cd transfers during marine sediment resuspension over short and long-term period: Associated risk for coastal water quality

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic metal, regularly monitored uniformly for water quality across Europe, but scarcely for sediments. This study was designed to compare the kinetics of Cd remobilization and the amplitude of its transfers with different marine sediments. The results showed a highly reproducible transfer kinetics. Dissolved Cd was strongly and quickly removed from the dissolved phase (from 5 min up to 7 h). Then, the dissolved Cd concentration increased progressively to reach a maximal value after two weeks of mixing. The influence of the resuspension intensity representing light wind-induced resuspension up to dredging operations was observed after 2 weeks. The intensity of the sediment resuspension clearly impacted the amplitude of Cd remobilization, dissolved Cd ranging from a few ngL^-1 to few hundreds of ngL^-1, exceeding the maximal dissolved Cd concentration accepted by the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD-2008/105 32/EC).

Isotopic evidence for bioaccumulation of aerosol lead in fish and wildlife of western Canada

Lead (Pb) is a toxic element which is released as a result of anthropogenic activities, and Pb stable isotope ratios provide a means to distinguish sources and transport pathways in receiving environments. In this study, isotopes of bioaccumulated Pb (²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁶Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb, ²⁰⁸Pb) were examined for diverse terrestrial and aquatic biota from three areas in western Canada: (a) otter, marten, gulls, terns, and wood frogs in the Alberta Oil Sands Region (AOSR), (b) fish, plankton, and gulls of Great Slave Lake (Yellowknife, Northwest Territories), and (c) wolverine from the Yukon. Aquatic and terrestrial biota from different habitats and a broad geographic area showed a remarkable similarity in their Pb isotope composition (grand mean ± 1 standard deviation: ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb = 1.189 ± 0.007, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁷Pb = 2.435 ± 0.009, n = 116). Comparisons with Pb isotope ratios of local sources and environmental receptors showed that values in biota were most similar to those of atmospheric Pb, either measured in local aerosols influenced by industrial activities in the AOSR or in lichens (an aerosol proxy) near Yellowknife and in the Yukon. Biotic Pb isotope ratios were different from those of local geogenic Pb. Although the Pb isotope measurements could not unambiguously identify the specific anthropogenic sources of atmospheric Pb in biota, initial evidence points to the importance of fossil fuels currently used in transportation and power generation. Further research should characterize bioavailable chemical species of Pb in aerosols and important emission sources in western Canada.

Advances in the Fate of Rare Earth Elements, REE, in Transitional Environments: Coasts and Estuaries

The production of rare earth elements, REE, has significantly increased over the past years, in parallel with the latest advances in nanotechnologies and representing a new group of emerging contaminants. They find application in construction, transport, agriculture, electronics, catalysis, and biomedicine. Their extraordinary intrinsic characteristics are fundamental for overcoming current technological challenges. The accumulation of REE is consistent in near-shore waters being affected by runoff, wastewater discharge, and proximity to built-up areas. Bioavailability in water, sediments, and accumulation in marine biota as well their endocrine disruptor effect is mostly unknown. There is a significant gap of knowledge on the ecotoxicological behaviour of REE in marine areas. The existing investigations have been performed inside well-mixed estuarine systems, due to complex hydrodynamics and multiple sediment transport situations. This hampers the definition of regulatory thresholds for REE concentrations and emissions. The review summarizes the existing information on REE geochemistry and physicochemical conditions influencing dissolution, surface complexation reactions, and distribution at the continent–ocean interface, as well as their speciation, bioavailability, and detrimental effects on living organisms. Strategies for reducing REE usage and inputs are also discussed.

Metal stable isotopes in transplanted oysters as a new tool for monitoring anthropogenic metal bioaccumulation in marine environments: The case for copper

Metal release into the environment from anthropogenic activities may endanger ecosystems and human health. However, identifying and quantifying anthropogenic metal bioaccumulation in organisms remain a challenging task. In this work, we assess Cu isotopes in Pacific oysters (C. gigas) as a new tool for monitoring anthropogenic Cu bioaccumulation into marine environments. Arcachon Bay was taken as a natural laboratory due to its increasing contamination by Cu, and its relevance as a prominent shellfish production area. Here, we transplanted 18-month old oysters reared in an oceanic neighbor area into two Arcachon Bay mariculture sites under different exposure levels to continental Cu inputs. At the end of their 12-month long transplantation period, the oysters' Cu body burdens had increased, and was shifted toward more positive δ⁶⁵Cu values. The gradient of Cu isotope compositions observed for oysters sampling stations was consistent with relative geographic distance and exposure intensities to unknown continental Cu sources. A binary isotope mixing model based on experimental data allowed to estimate the Cu continental fraction bioaccumulated in the transplanted oysters. The positive δ⁶⁵Cu values and high bioaccumulated levels of Cu in transplanted oysters support that continental emissions are dominantly anthropogenic. However, identifying specific pollutant coastal source remained unelucidated mostly due to their broader and overlapping isotope signatures and potential post-depositional Cu isotope fractionation processes. Further investigations on isotope fractionation of Cu-based compounds in an aqueous medium may improve Cu source discrimination. Thus, using Cu as an example, this work combines for the first time a well-known caged bivalve approach with metal stable isotope techniques for monitoring and quantifying the bioaccumulation of anthropogenic metal into marine environments. Also, it states the main challenges to pinpoint specific coastal anthropogenic sources utilizing this approach and provides the perspectives for further studies to overcome them.

Biochar supplementation regulates growth and heavy metal accumulation in tomato grown in contaminated soils

Biochar application has recently gained increased attention to reclaim heavy metal degraded soils. In this context, the present study investigated the effects of biochar on the growth regulation and heavy metal accumulation in tomato grown on contaminated soils. A two-factorial design with factor A including three treatments with mine (contaminated soil) and garden soil in the following ratio viz., T1 = 1:2, T2 = 1:1, and T3 = 2:1, and garden soil only as control; whereas factor B consists of biochar amendments at three levels viz., B1 (3%), B2 (6%), and B3 (9%). Our results revealed significant negative effects of heavy metal-contaminated soil on plant growth, and besides resulted heavy metal accumulation in tomato fruit. Tomato plants showed maximum reduction of growth in T3 followed by T2, and lowest in T1, a similar pattern was found for accumulation of heavy metals in the fruit. However, the application of biochar reduced the bioavailability and accumulation of heavy metals in the tomato fruit, as well as improved plant growth in contaminated soils. Overall, among the three biochar treatments, B2 was determined as the optimum level for improved growth coupled with reduced heavy metal accumulation in the tomato fruit. Besides, biochar application decreased the daily intake of metals and human health risk index values, thus alleviating the health risk. Hence, the present study demonstrated a positive role of biochar in reclaiming heavy metal-contaminated soils and in increasing the plant growth.

Environmental occurrence of phthalate and organophosphate esters in sediments across the Gulf of Lion (NW Mediterranean Sea)

Seven phthalate (PAEs) and nine organophosphate esters (OPEs) were measured in surface sediments across the Gulf of Lion (NW Mediterranean Sea) at twelve stations characterized by different anthropogenic signatures. ∑PAEs and ∑OPEs concentrations ranged from 2 to 766 ng/g DW (av. 196 ng/g DW) and from 4 to 227 ng/g DW (av. 54 ng/g DW), respectively. Our analysis of the potential sources of these organic plastic additives in sediments of the Gulf of Lion suggests that the dominant factors affecting their occurrence and environmental distribution are port-based industrial activities and urban pressures. Indeed, the highest ∑PAEs and ∑OPEs concentrations were found close to the ports of Toulon and Marseille (Estaque) and at the sites impacted by the Marseille metropolitan area (i.e. at the outlets of the waste water treatment plant at Cortiou and at the mouth of the Huveaune River). The lowest levels were generally found in protected areas (e.g. Port-Cros) and at sites relatively far from the coast. DEHP was seen to be the most abundant PAE while TDCP, TEHP and TiBP were the most abundant OPEs in the area. Our results also expose the contribution of additives entering the Gulf of Lion via sedimentary material from the Rhône River, with positive correlations between the total organic carbon (TOC) content in the sediment and the ∑PAEs and ∑OPEs concentrations. However, additive concentrations decreased from shore to offshore in the Rhône River discharge area, indicating an efficient dilution of the contaminants accumulated at the river mouth area.

Trace Metal Contamination Impacts Predicted Functions More Than Structure of Marine Prokaryotic Biofilm Communities in an Anthropized Coastal Area

Trace metal (TM) contamination in marine coastal areas is a worldwide threat for aquatic communities. However, little is known about the influence of a multi-chemical contamination on both marine biofilm communities' structure and functioning. To determine how TM contamination potentially impacted microbial biofilms' structure and their functions, polycarbonate (PC) plates were immerged in both surface and bottom of the seawater column, at five sites, along strong TM contamination gradients, in Toulon Bay. The PC plates were incubated during 4 weeks to enable colonization by biofilm-forming microorganisms on artificial surfaces. Biofilms from the PC plates, as well as surrounding seawaters, were collected and analyzed by 16S rRNA amplicon gene sequencing to describe prokaryotic community diversity, structure and functions, and to determine the relationships between bacterioplankton and biofilm communities. Our results showed that prokaryotic biofilm structure was not significantly affected by the measured environmental variables, while the functional profiles of biofilms were significantly impacted by Cu, Mn, Zn, and salinity. Biofilms from the contaminated sites were dominated by tolerant taxa to contaminants and specialized hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms. Functions related to major xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, such as methane metabolism, degradation of aromatic compounds, and benzoate degradation, as well as functions involved in quorum sensing signaling, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) matrix, and biofilm formation were significantly over-represented in the contaminated site relative to the uncontaminated one. Taken together, our results suggest that biofilms may be able to survive to strong multi-chemical contamination because of the presence of tolerant taxa in biofilms, as well as the functional responses of biofilm communities. Moreover, biofilm communities exhibited significant variations of structure and functional profiles along the seawater column, potentially explained by the contribution of taxa from surrounding sediments. Finally, we found that both structure and functions were significantly distinct between the biofilm and bacterioplankton, highlighting major differences between the both lifestyles, and the divergence of their responses facing to a multi-chemical contamination.

Impacts of copper and lead exposure on prokaryotic communities from contaminated contrasted coastal seawaters: the influence of previous metal exposure

Our understanding of environmental factors controlling prokaryotic community is largely hampered by the large environmental variability across spatial scales (e.g. trace metal contamination, nutrient enrichment and physicochemical variations) and the broad diversity of bacterial pre-exposure to environmental factors. In this article, we investigated the specific influence of copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) on prokaryotic communities from the uncontaminated site, using mesocosm experiments. In addition, we studied how pre-exposure (i.e. life history) affects communities, with reference to previous metal exposure on the response of three prokaryotic communities to similar Cu exposition. This study showed a stronger influence of Cu contamination than Pb contamination on prokaryotic diversity and structure. We identified 12 and 34 bacterial families and genera, respectively, contributing to the significant differences observed in community structure between control and spiked conditions. Taken altogether, our results point toward a combination of direct negative responses to Cu contamination and indirect responses mediated by interaction with phytoplankton. These identified responses were largely conditioned by the previous exposure of community to contaminants.

Long-term monitoring emphasizes impacts of the dredging on dissolved Cu and Pb contamination along with ultraplankton distribution and structure in Toulon Bay (NW Mediterranean Sea, France)

A long-term monitoring during dredging and non-dredging periods was performed. Total and dissolved Cu and Pb concentrations, DGT-labile Pb, ultraphytoplankton abundance and structure were monitored at four sites: dredging site, dumping site (inside/outside of a geotextile bag) and reference site. During the reference period (non-dredging), an increasing contamination in Pb, Cu and a progressive shift from Synechococcus to photosynthetic picoeukaryotes dominance was observed from reference to dumping site. Pb concentrations were significantly higher during dredging period, pointing out sediment resuspension as Pb major source of contamination. Unlike Pb, Cu concentrations were not statistically different during the two periods. Dredging period did not impact on ultraphytoplankton abundance and structure but influence heterotrophic prokaryotes abundance. Sediment resuspension is therefore a major driver of chemical and biological qualities in Toulon Bay. Furthermore, although the geotextile bag reduces particulate transport of the dredged sediment, the transport in the dissolved phase remains a major problem.

Have decades of abiotic studies in sediments been misinterpreted?

Sterilization techniques are largely employed to distinguish biotic and abiotic processes in biogeochemical studies as they inhibit microbial activity. Since one century, chemical sterilizers, supposed to preserve original environmental samples, have taken precedence over physical sterilization techniques considered too destructive. Sodium azide (NaN₃) is nowadays the most commonly used inorganic chemical sterilizer. It is sufficiently purified to study trace metals, as well. Nevertheless, its (in)activity in physico-chemical processes was never ascertained. Through the investigation of sediment resuspension in seawater, the present work unequivocally demonstrated that NaN₃ can impact carbon and trace metals' transfers by altering the redox balance and pH. Unlike decades of blind practice, NaN₃ should be used with great care to track abiotic processes from organic matter rich and reductive matrices.

Environmental and human health risk assessment of trace metals in the mussel ecosystem from the Southwestern Mediterranean

This study evaluates the geographical distribution of Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe in wild mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis as well as in associated suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediments from the Algerian coast. The bioaccumulation (metal concentrations in tissue), bioavailability (metal indices) and bioconcentration of trace metals from the adjacent environment were assessed. The computed pollution load index (PLI) indicates that the sediments are not polluted by these metals, except for Zn which shows a moderate level of contamination. All the metals in SPM samples are in a 'safe range' with respect to the computed degree of contamination (DC < 2). The target hazard quotients (THQ) and the hazard index (HI) values indicate a risk level with Fe. However, the Cr measured in mussels is considered 'extreme', according to the consumption rate limit for mussels (CR_lim) which limits their consumption to 0.5 kg/day.

Kinetic processes of copper and lead remobilization during sediment resuspension of marine polluted sediments

Contaminated sediments could act as a source of contamination to the surrounding environments by several processes (e.g., diffusive flux, sediment resuspension). This study aimed at highlighting the mechanisms of copper and lead mobilization from resuspended particles to the aqueous phase using laboratory experiments and a kinetic model. Three sediments, differed by their compositions and metal partition from Toulon Bay (SE France) were used. In addition, three solid/liquid ratios (0.1, 1 and 10 g L^-1) allowed simulating at best natural and anthropogenic scenarios (e.g., storm, nautical traffic, dredging). We monitored metal concentrations, physicochemical parameters (pH, Eh, [O₂]) and organic matter concentration along with their optical properties. Experimental results showed successive reactions over short and long terms (hour and day scale, respectively) that controlled Cu and Pb exchanges between particles and the aqueous phase over 4 weeks. The quick Cu removal was attributed to the implications of newly formed oxides while the long-term Cu release in the dissolved fraction from the more refractory solid pool is more likely related to organic complexation. In fact, we observed a transformation of the dissolved organic matter: an increase in molecular weight and in humic fluorescence properties. However, the Pb removal toward the end of the experiment could be explained by a migration toward the exchangeable sites of higher energy, which could correspond to the particulate organic matter or a combination with organic-coating carrier phases. Both kinetic rate and system response times (τ_i) were coherent despite the variability of parameters intrinsic to sediments (e.g., sediment composition and initial metal repartition) but also extrinsic parameters (solid/liquid ratios). Such a coherence would imply the universality of the obtained constants to be used in a more predictive approach to assess the potential of metal mobility using metal repartition in contaminated sediments when combined with hydrological and sedimentological models.

Lead isotope trends and sources in the atmosphere at the artificial wetland

With the rapid development of industry, studies on lead pollution in total suspended particulate matter (TSP) have received extensive attention. This paper analyzed the concentration and pollution sources of lead in the Cuihu Wetland in Beijing during the period of 2016–2017. The results show that the lead contents in TSP in the Cuihu Wetland were approximately equal in summer and spring, greater in winter, and greatest in autumn. The corresponding lead concentrations were 0.052, 0.053, 0.101, and 0.115 ng/m³, respectively. We compared the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb data with other materials to further understand the potential sources of atmospheric lead. The mean values of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb from spring to winter were 1.082, 1.098, 1.092, and 1.078, respectively. We found that the lead sources may be associated with coal burning, brake and tire wear, and vehicle exhaust emissions. We also calculated the enrichment factor values for the four seasons, and the values were all much greater than 10, indicating that the lead pollution is closely related to human activities.

Contributions of Atmospheric Deposition to Pb Concentration and Isotopic Composition in Seawater and Particulate Matters in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea

Lead concentrations [Pb] and isotope ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁷Pb) have been measured in samples of total suspended particulate (TSP) aerosols, seawater, and suspended and sinking particles in the Gulf of Aqaba (GOA), Red Sea. Isotope ratios of Pb in seawater and in the soluble fraction of Pb in atmospheric TSP were similar suggesting that TSP is an important source of Pb in this area. Pb concentrations in seawater measured in this study (max 76.8 pmol kg^-1) were much lower than those recorded at the same location in 2003-2004 (up to 1000 pmol kg^-1). Changes in Pb isotope ratios in TSP depositions in these years indicate that leaded gasoline was responsible for the high dissolved Pb in GOA more than a decade ago and that recent regulation reduced Pb contamination. The similarity in Pb isotope ratios in suspended and sinking particles implies close interactions between these two size fractions. This study demonstrates the effect of the phasing out of leaded gasoline on TSP and seawater Pb chemistry in the Northern GOA; the rate of change in dissolved Pb concentrations in the GOA is faster than that reported for the open ocean possibly due to higher particle scavenging and the relatively short residence time of deep water in the Basin.

Rare earth elements in the Pearl River Delta of China: Potential impacts of the REE industry on water, suspended particles and oysters

Rare earth element (REE) concentrations and patterns were measured in surface water, suspended particles (SP) and oysters from the Pearl River Estuary, China. During the rainy season of 2017, higher REE concentrations were found at the stations in the estuary (ΣREE = 0.06-0.42 μg L^-1) than those at the river mouths (referred to as 'outlet' stations, ΣREE = 0.001-0.14 μg L^-1). However, the reverse occurred in the dry season of 2016 (ΣREE = 0.07-0.16 μg L^-1 in the mid-estuary vs. 0.001-0.02 μg L^-1in the outlet stations). Elevated concentrations of Pr, Nd, Dy and Ho, relative to the other REEs were found in water in both seasons at most sampling locations. However, in some estuary stations, no anomalies were detected in the SP or in the oysters while some anomalies were seen in SP from the outlet stations. Significant correlations between REE concentrations in SP and oysters as well as between both total REE concentrations and the La/Yb ratio (reflecting enhanced accumulation of light REEs (LREEs)) in oysters indicate that, in the Pearl River Estuary, the dominant REE uptake pathway in oysters is from particles. The elevated concentrations of Pr, Nd, Dy and Ho, which are reported here for the first time suggest that elevated levels of these elements may result from REE recycling and other industrialized activities in this area of southern China. Specific REEs could be used to indicate emerging contamination by the modern REE industry; furthermore, REE anomalies and patterns may be suitable tools to track REE sources.

Platinum in sediments and mussels from the northwestern Mediterranean coast: Temporal and spatial aspects

Platinum (Pt) is considered a Technology Critical Element (TCE) and an emerging metallic contaminant with increasing release into the environment. Gaps in knowledge and understanding of environmental levels, fate and effects of Pt still exist, especially in the marine environment. This work presents Pt concentrations in the northwestern Mediterranean coast including: (i) temporal variability from sediment cores and farmed mussels in the Toulon Bay (historically affected by intense human activities) and (ii) spatial distribution from recent wild mussels collected along ∼ 700 km coastline with contrasting ecosystems (including natural reserves), quantified using voltammetry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The historical (>100 years) record of Pt in sediments from the Toulon Bay suggests the existence of non-negligible Pt sources older than those related to vehicle emission devices, such as petrol industry and coal-fired activities. A strong Pt increase in more recent sediments (from ∼12 to 16 ng g^-1) and mussels (8-fold increase from ∼0.12 to 0.80 ng g^-1) covering the past 25 years reflect the overall evolution of Pt demand in Europe (∼20-fold increase for vehicle catalysts in 20 years). Spatial biomonitoring of Pt in mussels along the northwestern Mediterranean coast is assumed to reflect inter-site differences of Pt exposure (0.09-0.66 ng g^-1) despite seasonal effect on tissue development. This study highlights the need for thorough and regular monitoring of Pt levels in sediments and biota from urbanized coastal areas in order to better assess the environmental impact of this TCE, including potential risks for marine organisms.

Metabarcoding and metabolomics offer complementarity in deciphering marine eukaryotic biofouling community shifts

Metabarcoding and metabolomics were used to explore the taxonomic composition and functional diversity of eukaryotic biofouling communities on plates with antifouling paints at two French coastal sites: Lorient (North Eastern Atlantic Ocean; temperate and eutrophic) and Toulon (North-Western Mediterranean Sea; mesotrophic but highly contaminated). Four distinct coatings were tested at each site and season for one month. Metabarcoding showed biocidal coatings had less impact on eukaryotic assemblages compared to spatial and temporal effects. Ciliophora, Chlorophyceae or Cnidaria (mainly hydrozoans) were abundant at Lorient, whereas Arthropoda (especially crustaceans), Nematoda, and Ochrophyta dominated less diversified assemblages at Toulon. Seasonal shifts were observed at Lorient, but not Toulon. Metabolomics also showed clear site discrimination, but these were associated with a coating and not season dependent clustering. The meta-omics analysis enabled identifications of some associative patterns between metabolomic profiles and specific taxa, in particular those colonizing the plates with biocidal coatings at Lorient.

Quantitative model of carbon and nitrogen isotope composition to highlight phosphorus cycling and sources in coastal sediments (Toulon Bay, France)

Nutrient loadings from either point or non-point sources to the environment are related to the growing global population. Subsequent negative impacts of nutrient loading to aquatic environments requires a better understanding of the biogeochemical cycling and better tools to track their sources. This study examines the carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) discharge and cycling in a Mediterranean coastal area from rivers to marine sediments and assesses the anthropogenic contributions. Carbon and N concentrations and isotope compositions in rivers particles, surface sediments, and sediment cores were investigated to build up a quantitative multiple-end-member mixing model for C and N isotopes. This model predicts the contribution of four natural and one anthropogenic sources to the sediments and highlighted the anthropogenic fraction of P based on the relationship with anthropogenic δ¹⁵N. Although P is a monoisotopic element and total P concentration has been the sole index to study P loading, this study suggests an alternative approach to differentiate anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic (diagenetic) P, revealed point and non-point sources of P, and the corresponding P loading. Also, the diagenetic P background has been calculated for the 50-cm sediment layer of the whole Bay.

Uranium dispersion from U tailings and mechanisms leading to U accumulation in sediments: Insights from biogeochemical and isotopic approaches

Uranium contamination is a worldwide problem that grows proportionally to human demands for energy and armory. Understanding U cycling in the environment is of eminent interest, mostly concerning ecosystems directly impacted by point sources. In Bow Lake (Ontario, Canada), which is located adjacent to a former U mine, exceptionally high concentrations of U are related to U dispersion from tailings and biogeochemical processes such as biotic reduction and adsorption. This has been shown by a U-Pb isotope composition model. In this study, we use U isotope fractionation (δ²³⁸U) to highlight U cycling and the role of bacteria (Geobacteraceae and sulfate-reducing bacteria) in affecting U cycling. Bacteria affected U cycling directly via biotic U reduction and indirectly via reductive dissolution of carrier phases. All the processes are interconnected through diagenetic reactions with the supply of bioavailable organic matter being the primary driving force of the diagenesis. This study is the first to use multiple biogeochemical and isotopic approaches to track U cycling from a contamination point source to U storage in lake sediments.

Growth, condition and metal concentration in juveniles of two Diplodus species in ports

High abundances of juvenile fish in certain ports suggest they might provide alternative nursery habitats for several species. To further investigate this possibility, post-settlement growth, metal uptake and body condition were estimated in 127 juveniles of two seabream species, collected in 2014-15, inside and outside the highly polluted ports of the Bay of Toulon. This showed that differences in local pollution levels (here in Hg, Cu, Pb and Zn) are not consistently mirrored within fish flesh. Muscle metal concentrations, below sanitary thresholds for both species, were higher in ports for Cu, Pb and V only. Otherwise, fish muscle composition principally differed by species or by year. Juvenile growth and condition were equivalent at all sites. Higher prey abundance in certain ports might therefore compensate the deleterious effects of pollution, resulting in similar sizes and body conditions for departing juvenile fish than in nearby natural habitats.

Remobilization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organic matter in seawater during sediment resuspension experiments from a polluted coastal environment: Insights from Toulon Bay (France)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organic matter contents were measured in seawater during resuspension experiments using sediments collected from Toulon Bay (Northwestern Mediterranean Sea, France). The studied sediments were very highly contaminated in PAHs, especially in 4-ring compounds emitted from combustion processes. The sediments used for resuspension experiments were collected at 0-2 cm (diagenetically new organic matter, OM) and 30-32 cm depths (diagenetically transformed OM). They were both mostly composed of fine particles (<63 μm), enriched in organic carbon (8.2 and 6.3%, respectively) and in PAHs (concentration of Σ34 PAHs: 38.2 and 35.7 × 10³ ng g^-1, respectively). The resuspension of these sediments led to an increase in concentrations of dissolved Σ34 PAHs, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved humic- and tryptophan-like fluorophores in seawater up to 10-, 1.3-, 4.4- and 5.7-fold, respectively. The remobilization in seawater was higher for 4-6 ring PAHs, especially benzo(g,h,i)perylene, whose concentration exceeded the threshold values of the European Water Framework Directive. This noted the potential harmful effects of sediment resuspension on marine biota. From these sediment resuspension experiments, we determined OC-normalized partition coefficients of PAHs between sediment and water (K_oc) and found that during such events, the transfer of PAHs from sediment particles to seawater was lower than that predicted from octanol-water partition coefficients (K_ow) (i.e., measured K_oc > K_oc predicted from K_ow). The results confirmed the sequestration role of sedimentary OC quality and grain size on PAHs; the OM diagenetic state seemed to impact the partition process but in a relatively minor way. Furthermore, differences were observed between 2-4 ring and 5-6 ring PAHs, with the latter displaying a relatively higher mobility towards seawater. These differences may be explained by the distribution of these two PAH pools within different OM moieties, such as humic substances and black carbon.

Spatio-Temporal Variations of Marine Biofilm Communities Colonizing Artificial Substrata Including Antifouling Coatings in Contrasted French Coastal Environments

Surface colonization in seawater first corresponds to the selection of specific microbial biofilm communities. By coupling flow cytometry, microscopy and high throughput sequencing (HTS, 454 pyrosequencing) with artificial surfaces and environmental analyses, we intend to identify the contribution of biofilm community drivers at two contrasted French sites, one temperate and eutrophic (Lorient, Atlantic coast) and the other at a mesotrophic but highly contaminated bay (Toulon, North-Western Mediterranean Sea). Microbial communities were shaped by high temperatures, salinity and lead at Toulon by but nutrients and DOC at Lorient. Coatings including pyrithione exhibited a significant decrease of their microbial densities except for nanoeukaryotes. Clustering of communities was mainly based on the surface type and secondly the site, whereas seasons appeared of less importance. The in-depth HTS revealed that γ- and α-proteobacteria, but also Bacteroidetes, dominated highly diversified bacterial communities with a relative low β-diversity. Sensitivity to biocides released by the tested antifouling coatings could be noticed at different taxonomic levels: the percentage of Bacteroidetes overall decreased with the presence of pyrithione, whereas the α/γ-proteobacteria ratio decreased at Toulon when increased at Lorient. Small diatom cells (Amphora and Navicula spp.) dominated on all surfaces, whereas site-specific sub-dominant taxa appeared clearly more sensitive to biocides. This overall approach exhibited the critical significance of surface characteristics in biofilm community shaping.

The Fate of Contaminants and Stable Pb Isotopes in a Changing Estuarine Environment: 20 Years On

Estuarine sediments provide an important sink for contaminants discharged into fluvial, estuarine, and nearshore settings, and numerous authors have utilized this trapping function to assess historical contaminant loadings and contaminant breakdown/transformation processes. This Article examines the retention of elemental and isotopic sedimentary signatures in an industrialized estuarine system subject to a strongly upward sea-level trend, over a 20 year period. Two contrasting saltmarsh sites (at Hythe and Hamble, part of the wider Southampton Water estuarine system, UK) were examined, which had been previously cored and analyzed in the early 1990s. Much of the geochemical record of recent anthropogenic activity has been eroded and lost at the Hamble site. In contrast, radiometric, isotopic and elemental records of anthropogenic activity have been retained in the Hythe marsh, with ¹³⁷Cs and Cu depth profiles showing retention of input maxima related to fallout and local industrial discharges, respectively. Stable Pb isotope data show a broad degree of correspondence in cores analyzed in 1994 and 2014 when plotted against sediment (radiometric) age, indicating the usefulness of isotopic data in retaining information on Pb sources and in disentangling Pb input histories. New ultrahigh precision, double-spike mass spectrometry stable Pb isotope data allow clearer discrimination of historical Pb input phases, and highlight within-estuary mixing and supply of reworked, secondary contamination from erosion of anthropogenically labeled sediments elsewhere in the estuary.

Maternal serum lead level during pregnancy is positively correlated with risk of preterm birth in a Chinese population

Lead (Pb) is a well-known developmental toxicant. The aim of the present study was to analyze the association between maternal serum Pb level and risk of preterm birth in a population-based birth cohort study. The present study analyzed a sub-study of the China-Anhui Birth Cohort that recruited 3125 eligible mother-and-singleton-offspring pairs. Maternal serum Pb level was measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. All subjects were classified into three groups by tertile division according to serum Pb level: Low-Pb (L-Pb, <1.18 μg/dl), Medium-Pb (M-Pb, 1.18-1.70 μg/dl), and High-Pb (H-Pb, ≥1.71 μg/dl). The rate of preterm birth was 2.8% among subjects with L-Pb, 6.1% among subjects with M-Pb, and 8.1% among subjects with H-Pb, respectively. After controlling confounding factors, the adjusted OR for preterm birth was 2.33 (95%CI: 1.49, 3.65) among subjects with M-Pb and 3.09 (95%CI: 2.01, 4.76) among subjects with H-Pb. Of interest, maternal Pb exposure in early gestational stage than in middle gestational stage was more susceptible to preterm birth. Moreover, maternal serum Pb level was only associated with increased risk of late preterm birth. The present study provides evidence that maternal serum Pb level during pregnancy is positively associated with risk of preterm birth in a Chinese population.

Tracing source and migration of Pb during waste incineration using stable Pb isotopes

Emission of Pb is a significant environmental concern during solid waste incineration. To target Pb emission control strategies effectively, the major sources of Pb in the waste incineration byproducts must be traced and quantified. However, identifying the migration of Pb in each waste component is difficult because of the heterogeneity of the waste. This study used a laboratory-scale incinerator to simulate the incineration of municipal solid waste (MSW). The Pb isotope ratios of the major waste components (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb=0.8550-0.8627 and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb=2.0957-2.1131) and their incineration byproducts were measured to trace sources and quantify the Pb contribution of each component to incineration byproducts. As the proportions of food waste (FW), newspaper (NP), and polyethylene bag (PE) in the artificial MSW changed, the contribution ratios of FW and PE to Pb in fly ash changed accordingly, ranging from 31.2% to 50.6% and from 35.0% to 41.8%, respectively. The replacement of PE by PVC significantly increased the partitioning and migration ratio of Pb. The use of Pb isotope ratios as a quantitative tool for tracing Pb from raw waste to incineration byproducts is a feasible means for improving Pb pollution control.

Contamination and isotopic composition of Pb and Sr in offshore surface sediments from Jiulong River, Southeast China

Concentrations and isotopic compositions of Pb and Sr in the surface sediment samples from Jiulong River, Southeast China, were determined to trace the sources of Pb and Sr. The average concentrations of Pb and Sr were 110.9 mg/kg and 69.2 mg/kg, approximately 3.2 and 2.0 times of the local soil background values, respectively. Average 62.9% of total Pb and 36.8% of total Sr in the investigated surface sediment samples were extracted by 0.5 mol/L HNO₃. Pb and Sr presented slight contamination, and Pb showed low ecological risk for most of surface sediment samples in Jiulong River according to geo-accumulation index (I_geo) and potential ecological risk index (RI). The results of Pb isotopic compositions in sediment samples and potential sources showed that the Pb accumulated in the surface sediments of Jiulong River was mainly from parent material, coal combustion and Fujian Pb-Zn deposit, with the contribution rates of 34.4%, 34.0%, and 31.6%, respectively. The results of Pb isotopic compositions in 0.5 mol/L HNO₃-extraction suggested that dilute HNO₃-extraction was more sensitive in identifying anthropogenic Pb sources than total digestion. The results of Sr isotopic compositions showed that Sr accumulated in the surface sediments of Jiulong River estuary mainly derived from external source and natural source (parent material) with the contribution rates of 48.1% and 51.9%, respectively.

Chemical multi-contamination drives benthic prokaryotic diversity in the anthropized Toulon Bay

Investigating the impact of human activities on marine coastal ecosystems remains difficult because of the co-occurrence of numerous natural and human-induced gradients. Our aims were (i) to evaluate the links between the chemical environment as a whole and microbial diversity in the benthic compartment, and (ii) to compare the contributions of anthropogenic and natural chemical gradients to microbial diversity shifts. We studied surface sediments from 54 sampling sites in the semi-enclosed Toulon Bay (NW Mediterranean) exposed to high anthropogenic pressure. Previously published chemical data were completed by new measurements, resulting in an in depth geochemical characterization by 29 representative environmental variables. Bacterial and archaeal diversity was assessed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism profiling on a selection of samples distributed along chemical gradients. Multivariate statistical analyses explained from 45% to 80% of the spatial variation in microbial diversity, considering only the chemical variables. A selection of trace metals of anthropogenic origin appeared to be strong structural factors for both bacterial and archaeal communities. Bacterial terminal restriction fragment (T-RF) richness correlated strongly with both anthropogenic and natural chemical gradients, whereas archaeal T-RF richness demonstrated fewer links with chemical variables. No significant decrease in diversity was evidenced in relation to chemical contamination, suggesting a high adaptive potential of benthic microbial communities in Toulon Bay.