Hans Borg

Large-scale metal distribution in Baltic Sea sediments☆

The large-scale distribution pattern of metals in surface sediments shows elevated levels of Cd, Zn and Pb in the Baltic proper. The distribution of As is the opposite, with highest levels in the Bothnian Bay. Mercury shows elevated levels both in the Bothnian Bay and in coastal areas of the Bothnian Sea as well as in the archipelago of Stockholm. The vertical distribution of metals in sediment cores indicates mean enrichment factors of 10 for Cd, and 2–3 for Hg, Zn, Pb and As in the surface sediments of the Baltic proper. The enrichment factors for As, Hg and Pb are highest in the Bothnian Bay (18, 20 and 15 respectively as mean values, calculated from data expressed as ppm dry weight). Besides the anthropogenic load, the redox potential also has a marked influence on the distribution of Cd, Zn, Pb and Cu in the sediments of the Baltic proper. Laminated sediments at anoxic sites show elevated concentrations and drastic increases towards the sediment surface, of Cd and Zn especially, indicating an excess deposition to the sediments as metal sulphides. The vertical concentration profiles and mass balance calculations indicate that the reduced anthropogenic emissions are not yet reflected in the sequestering of As and Pb in the sediments of the Gulf of Bothnia, and that about half the loads of Cd, Zn and Hg are exported to the Baltic proper. The major part (about 90%) of the input of Cd to the Baltic proper is deposited in the sediments.

Metal fluxes to Swedis forest lakes

Data on atmospheric deposition, transport via run-off water and contents in soil were used to estimate the fluxes of Zn, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Hg to Swedish forest lakes. The calculations refer to a hypothetical lake with a surface area of about 9% of the total catchment area. There are clear differences in the pathways and transport mechanisms for the different elements. The dominating pathway for the input of Zn and Cd to lakes is via run-off from the drainage area. About 60 to 95% of the total load comes from run-off, highest in the acidified areas. The acidification status of the soil is by far the most important factor regulating the mobility of these elements. The amounts of Hg and Pb deposited on the drainage area are mainly accumulating in the surficial soil layers. The transport of these elements is primarily associated with humic substances. About 30 to 50% of the total load of Pb and 25 to 75% of the total load of Hg to lakes originates from run-off. The transport mechanisms for Cu are similar to those of Pb and Hg, but due to the lower anthropogenic airborne load, the direct deposition is of less importance.

Trace metals and water chemistry of forest lakes in Northern Sweden

Abstract To study the influence of airborne pollutants on water quality, water samples were taken from 59 forest lakes in northern Sweden along a section of about 1000 km in length. Determinations were made of pH, water colour, conductivity, major ions, nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as the metals Fe, Mn, Al, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Co, As and V. The lake waters were generally soft, with low levels of electrolytes. The pH values increased and the sulphate concentrations decreased from south to north. The lakes in the southern parts of the area showed evidence of increased deposition of acidifying substances, shown by higher Ca + Mg/alkalinity ratio. A geographical distribution pattern was observed from Zn and to some extent also for Pb and Cd, with the highest concentrations in the south. However, pH and water colour were of major importance for the distribution of trace metals. Mn, Al and Zn were negatively correlated to pH and Fe, Mn, Al, Pb and As were positively correlated to water colour. A multiple regression analysis showed that the distribution of Fe was influenced mainly by water colour, Zn mainly by pH, while Mn and Al were influenced both by pH and colour. Some of the lakes were sampled both in winter and summer and the concentration of metals was found to be around two-fold higher in winter than in summer.

An evaluation of free water surface wetlands as tertiary sewage water treatment of micro-pollutants.

Increased attention is currently directed towards potential negative effects of pharmaceuticals and other micro-pollutants discharged into the aquatic environment via municipal sewage water. A number of additional treatment technologies, such as ozonation, have therefore been suggested as promising tools for improving the removal efficiency of pharmaceuticals in existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). Constructed wetlands are also capable of removing a variety of micro-pollutants, including some pharmaceuticals, and could hence be a resource efficient complement to more advanced treatment technologies. The purpose of the present study was therefore to increase the knowledge base concerning the potential use of constructed wetlands as a treatment step to reduce emissions of organic micro-pollutants from municipal sewage effluents. Under cold winter conditions, incoming and outgoing waters from four Swedish free water surface wetlands, operated as final treatment steps of sewage effluent from municipal STPs, were sampled and analyzed for levels of a set of 92 pharmaceuticals and 22 inorganic components as well as assessed using subchronic ecotoxicity tests with a macro-alga and a crustacean. Sixty-five pharmaceuticals were detected in the range from 1 ng L(-1) to 7.6 μg L(-1) in incoming and outgoing waters from the four investigated wetlands. Although the sampling design used in the present study lacks the robustness of volume proportional to 24h composite samples, the average estimated removal rates ranged from 42% to 52%, which correlates to previous published values. The effects observed in the ecotoxicity tests with the macro-alga (EC(50)s in the range of 7.5-46%) and the crustacean (LOECs in the range of 11.25-90%) could not be assigned to either pharmaceutical residues or metals, but in general showed that these treatment facilities release water with a relatively low toxic potential, comparable to water that has been treated with advanced tertiary treatments. From the present study it can be concluded that constructed wetlands may provide a complementary sewage treatment option, especially where other treatment is lacking today. To fully remove micro-pollutants from sewage effluent, however, other more advanced treatment technologies are likely needed.

Mercury concentrations in landlocked Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) from the Canadian Arctic. Part I: Insights from trophic relationships in 18 lakes

Concentrations of mercury (Hg) have increased slowly in landlocked Arctic char over a 10- to 15-year period in the Arctic. Fluxes of Hg to sediments also show increases in most Arctic lakes. Correlation of Hg with trophic level (TL) was used to investigate and compare biomagnification of Hg in food webs from lakes in the Canadian Arctic sampled from 2002 to 2007. Concentrations of Hg (total Hg and methylmercury [MeHg]) in food webs were compared across longitudinal and latitudinal gradients in relation to delta(13)C and delta(15)N in periphyton, zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, and Arctic char of varying size-classes. Trophic magnification factors (TMFs) were calculated for the food web in each lake and related to available physical and chemical characteristics of the lakes. The relative content of MeHg increased with trophic level from 4.3 to 12.2% in periphyton, 41 to 79% in zooplankton, 59 to 72% in insects, and 74 to 100% in juvenile and adult char. The delta(13)C signatures of adult char indicated coupling with benthic invertebrates. Cannibalism among char lengthened the food chain. Biomagnification was confirmed in all 18 lakes, with TMFs ranging from 3.5 +/- 1.1 to 64.3 +/- 0.8. Results indicate that TMFs and food chain length (FCL) are key factors in explaining interlake variability in biomagnification of [Hg] among different lakes.

Ingestion of lead from ammunition and lead concentrations in white-tailed sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Sweden.

In this study we show for the first time that lead poisoning from ammunition is a significant mortality factor for white-tailed sea eagle (WSE) (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Sweden. We analyzed 118 WSEs collected between 1981 and 2004 from which both liver and kidney samples could be taken. A total of 22% of all eagles examined had elevated (>6 microg/gd.w.) lead concentrations, indicating exposure to leaded ammunition, and 14% of the individuals had either liver or kidney lead concentrations diagnostic of lethal lead poisoning (>20 microg/gd.w.). Lead concentrations in liver and kidney were significantly correlated. In individuals with lead levels <6 microg/g, concentrations were significantly higher in kidney than in liver; in individuals with lead levels >20 microg/g, concentrations were significantly higher in liver. The lead isotope ratios indicate that the source of lead in individuals with lethal concentrations is different from that of individuals exhibiting background concentrations of lead (<6 microg/gd.w.) There were no significant sex or age differences in lead concentrations. A study from the Baltic reported in principle no biomagnification of lead, but background lead concentrations in WSE liver in this study were still four to >10 times higher than concentrations reported for Baltic fish from the same time period. In contrast to other biota there was no decrease in lead concentrations in WSE over the study period. The proportion of lead poisoned WSE remained unchanged over the study period, including two years after a partial ban of lead shot was enforced in 2002 for shallow wetlands. The use of lead in ammunition poses a threat to all raptors potentially feeding on shot game or offal. The removal of offal from shot game and alternatives to leaded ammunition needs to be implemented in order to prevent mortality from lead in raptors and scavengers.

Influence of acidification on metal fluxes in Swedish forest lakes

Abstract Five soft water forest lakes in southern Sweden were studied during 1981–1984. The mean pH values were 4.8–6.6 and the total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations were 2–9 mg l−1. Water was sampled for determination of chemical parameters and the concentrations of Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd at lake outlets 10–12 times throughout the year. The metals were fractionated by filtration (0.4 μm) and in situ dialysis (0.002 μm). Sediment traps were used to collect particulate material for determination of sedimenting metals. Metal levels were measured by graphite furnace or flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Metal concentrations were maximal when water discharge was highest and pH was lowest. Metal outflow was also highest during spring and the output was higher from acidified than from circumneutral lakes. Cadmium occurred mainly in dialysable form, while Pb was mainly in particulate form. The proportion of both Cd and Pb in dialysable form increased at lower pH. Iron, Al, Cu and Pb were largely deposited in the sediments, and pH had a relatively small influence on the sedimentation. In contrast, the distribution of Zn, Cd and Mn was obviously more influenced by pH and their sedimentation was substantially lower in the acidified lakes, about 5–40% of the input, compared with 70–95% in the lakes with higher pH.

Interface for the coupling of capillary electrophoresis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract The coupling of capillary electrophoresis and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass spectrometry is described using a new direct injection nebulizer designed for liquid flow-rates of 1–15 μl min −1 (aqueous solutions). The liquid flow-rate working range was found to depend on the nebulizer design. An extra flow of electrolyte was used to complete the electrical circuit. This design was found to work better than the conductive paint and crack hole designs. The CE–ICP-MS system was tested by analysing mixtures of alkali/alkaline earth metals and Cr(III)/Cr(VI), using electrokinetic injection. With ICP-MS detection an optimal internal standard, with the same electrophoretic mobility as the analyte, can be used.

Mercury concentrations in landlocked Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) from the Canadian Arctic. Part II: Influence of lake biotic and abiotic characteristics on geographic trends in 27 populations

Among-lake variation in mercury (Hg) concentrations in landlocked Arctic char was examined in 27 char populations from remote lakes across the Canadian Arctic. A total of 520 landlocked Arctic char were collected from 27 lakes, as well as sediments and surface water from a subset of lakes in 1999, 2002, and 2005 to 2007. Size, length, age, and trophic position (delta(15)N) of individual char were determined and relationships with total Hg (THg) concentrations investigated, to identify a common covariate for adjustment using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). A subset of 216 char from 24 populations was used for spatial comparison, after length-adjustment. The influence of trophic position and food web length and abiotic characteristics such as location, geomorphology, lake area, catchment area, catchment-to-lake area ratio of the lakes on adjusted THg concentrations in char muscle tissue were then evaluated. Arctic char from Amituk Lake (Cornwallis Island) had the highest Hg concentrations (1.31 microg/g wet wt), while Tessisoak Lake (Labrador, 0.07 microg/g wet wt) had the lowest. Concentrations of THg were positively correlated with size, delta(15)N, and age, respectively, in 88, 71, and 58% of 24 char populations. Length and delta(15)N were correlated in 67% of 24 char populations. Food chain length did not explain the differences in length-adjusted THg concentrations in char. No relationships between adjusted THg concentrations in char and latitude or longitude were found, however, THg concentrations in char showed a positive correlation with catchment-to-lake area ratio. Furthermore, we conclude that inputs from the surrounding environment may influence THg concentrations, and will ultimately affect THg concentrations in char as a result of predicted climate-driven changes that may occur in Arctic lake watersheds.

Labile inorganic manganese : An overlooked reason for fish mortality in acidified streams ?

Acid deposition has caused acid episodes and elevated concentrations of metals like Fe, Al and Mn in streams in mountain regions of Sweden. In streams in the area of Lofsdalen, central Sweden, an episode in 1978 during snow melt caused massive downstream migrations of fish. Acid episodes have occurred yearly since then. pH of 4–4.5 and high concentrations of total Fe, Mn and Al were measured during these spates. Liming measures have been carried out in a number of catchments in order to increase the pH and try to decrease the leaching of metals. The lime has been delivered on wetlands, seepage areas and areas covered by meltwater during the spring. Cage experiments were carried out with yearling brown trout in the springs of 1982, and 1985–86. Fe, Al and Mn were analysed in water samples and on/in the gills of dead and live brown trout. There were no significant correlations between mortality or average survival time and total concentrations of Fe, Al or Mn in the water or on/in the gills. Average survival time was positively correlated to pH (p< 0.01). Metal speciation was carried out in 15 experiments in 1985 and −86. A canonical discriminant analysis showed that pH and the concentration of labile inorganic manganese in the water explained all the observed mortality (can. corr 0.89, p< 0.001). The rate of accumulation of manganese on/in the gills was correlated to the concentration of labile inorganic manganese in the water (p<0.01, r2=0.54, linear regression).