Małgorzata Rajfur

Sorption properties of algae Spirogyra sp. and their use for determination of heavy metal ions concentrations in surface water

Kinetics of heavy-metal ions sorption by alga Spirogyra sp. was evaluated experimentally in the laboratory, using both the static and the dynamic approach. The metal ions--Mn(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+) and Cd(2+)--were sorbed from aqueous solutions of their salts. The static experiments showed that the sorption equilibria were attained in 30 min, with 90-95% of metal ions sorbed in first 10 min of each process. The sorption equilibria were approximated with the Langmuir isotherm model. The algae sorbed each heavy metal ions proportionally to the amount of this metal ions in solution. The experiments confirmed that after 30 min of exposition to contaminated water, the concentration of heavy metal ions in the algae, which initially contained small amounts of these metal ions, increased proportionally to the concentration of metal ions in solution. The presented results can be used for elaboration of a method for classification of surface waters that complies with the legal regulations.

Sorption of copper(II) ions in the biomass of alga Spirogyra sp.

Sorption of copper ions by the alga Spirogyra sp. was investigated to determine the influence of experimental conditions and the methods of sample preparation on the process. The experiments were carried out both under the static and the dynamic conditions. Kinetics and equilibrium parameters of the sorption were evaluated. In addition, the influence was studied of the algae preparation methods on the conductivity of demineralized water in which the algae samples were immersed. The static experiments showed that the sorption of Cu(2+) ions reached equilibrium in about 30 min, with approximately 90% of the ions adsorbed in the initial 15 min. The sorption capacity determined from the Langmuir isotherms appeared highly uncertain (SD=±0.027 mg/g dry mass or ±11%, for the live algae). Under static conditions, the slopes of the Langmuir isotherms depended on the ratio of the alga mass to the volume of solution. The conductometric measurements were proven to be a simple and fast way to evaluate the quality of algae used for the experiments.

Use of Lichen and Moss in Assessment of Forest Contamination with Heavy Metals in Praded and Glacensis Euroregions (Poland and Czech Republic)

The concentrations of selected metals—Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb—were determined in the samples of Hypogymnia physodes lichen and Pleurozium schreberi moss collected in Polish and Czech Euroregions Praded and Glacensis. More specifically, the samples were collected in Bory Stobrawskie, Bory Niemodlińskie, and Kotlina Kłodzka (Poland) and in Jeseniki (Czech Republic). The concentration of metals in the samples was measured using the atomic absorption spectrometry (flame AAS technique and electrothermal atomization AAS technique). The results were used to calculate the comparison factor (CF) that quantifies the difference in concentration of a given bioavailable analyte × accumulated in lichens and mosses: CF = 2 (cx,lichen − cx,moss) (cx,lichen + cx,moss)−1. The values of CF greater than 0.62 indicate the most probable location of heavy metals deposited in the considered area. In this work, the method was used to show a significant contribution of urban emissions to the deposition of heavy metals in the area of Bory Stobrawskie and in the vicinity of Kłodzko City.

Mechanisms for Translocation of Heavy Metals from Soil to Epigeal Mosses

The mechanisms for translocation of heavy metals from soil to epigeal mosses were investigated. The first mechanism was demonstrated for 137Cs and involved the uplifting of the pollutant-containing dust from the soil, followed by the local secondary deposition on surfaces of epigeal mosses and epiphytic lichens. The second mechanism involved the diffusion of metal cations from the soil through water wetting the moss into the gametophyte. The mechanism was demonstrated by measuring the electric conductance of wetted gametophytes with single ends immersed in solutions of Cu and Na salts. In addition, the concentrations of Cu and Cd were compared in moss samples exposed to the natural soil and to the soil contaminated with the metals. The exposition to the contaminated soil resulted in the statistically significant increase of metal concentrations in the gametophytes.

Quantitative relations between different concentrations of micro- and macroelements in mosses and lichens: the region of Opole (Poland) as an environmental interface in between Eastern and Western Europe.

We examined the concentration of selected metals: Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb, as well as activity of 137Cs in samples of moss and lichen, collected in the area surrounding Bory Stobrawskie, a wood complex situated in southern Poland. The concentration of metals was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The activity of 137Cs was determined by gamma spectrometry. We used these results, as well as results published in the literature, to determine the correlation between the concentration of analytes in lichens and in mosses. The analysis of the function ln(cx,moss) = lna + bln(cx,lichen) indicated with high degree of certainty that the concentration levels of analytes accumulated in lichens and mosses were comparable, while their difference, expressed as crelat. = 2 (cx,lichen − cx,moss) (cx,lichen + cx,moss)−1, could indicate the origins of the analytes. The relations, presented here for the first time, can find application in biomonitoring.

Algae utilization in assessment of the large Turawa Lake (Poland) pollution with heavy metals

This investigation was undertaken to determine the applicability of algae for the assessment of contamination level of water reservoirs with heavy metals. The alga Spirogyra sp. collected in the littoral zone of the Large Turawa Lake (artificial lake in Southern Poland) was used for the study. The concentrations of heavy metals accumulated in the alga inhabiting a flow-through water basin of the Large Turawa Lake were found to correlate with sources of these metals, such as benthic sediments and contaminated watercourses. The highest concentrations of metals were found in alga samples collected at the outlet of the lake: c Mn = 12330 mg/kg dry mass, c Fe = 15059 mg/kg d.m., c Cu = 47.5 mg/kg d.m., c Zn = 1411 mg/kg d.m., c Cd = 108.8 mg/kg d.m., and c Pb = 684 mg/kg d.m. The metals originated from benthic sediments (sapropelic mud) deposited close to the outlet of the lake. Statistically significant differences in the concentrations of cadmium accumulated in the alga were found between samples from the sites, where cadmium occurred in sandy sediments (max. 27.6 mg/kg d.m.), and samples from the sites located far from the contaminated sediments (max. 12.8 mg/kg d.m.).

The Use of Water Plants in Biomonitoring And Phytoremediation of Waters Polluted with Heavy Metals

Abstract The publication is a synthetic review of many years of research on the possibility of using water plants (macrophytes) to assess pollution of surface waters and the possibility of using the biomass in phytoremediation processes. The results of the research of kinetics and equilibria of heavy metals sorption and desorption conditions were presented in order to repeatedly use the biomass, as well as the research on the influence of abiotic factors on sorption processes. Defence mechanisms of macrophytes, which enable them to vegetate in considerably polluted waters, have been discussed. The results presented herein and carried out in many countries demonstrate that macrophytes can be successfully used in the biomonitoring of water environments and phytoremediation of waters and sewage; however, validation of these procedures requires more detailed research of the mechanisms, which accompany them. Abstrakt Publikacja jest syntetycznym przeglądem prowadzonych od wielu lat badań, dotyczących możliwości zastosowania roślin wodnych (makrofitów) do oceny zanieczyszczenia wód powierzchniowych oraz możliwości wykorzystania ich biomasy w procesach fitoremediacji. Przedstawiono wyniki badań dotyczących kinetyki i równowag sorpcji metali ciężkich, warunków desorpcji, w celu wielokrotnego wykorzystania biomasy, oraz badań dotyczących wpływu czynników abiotycznych na procesy sorpcji. Omówiono mechanizmy obronne makrofitów, umożliwiające im wegetację w wodach o znacznym zanieczyszczeniu. Zaprezentowane wyniki badań, prowadzonych w wielu krajach świata, wskazują, że makrofity mogą być w przyszłości z powodzeniem wykorzystywane w biomonitoringu środowiska wodnego oraz w fitoremediacji wód i ścieków, przy czym walidacja procedur wymaga dokładniejszego poznania mechanizmów, jakie towarzyszą tym procesom.

The use of mosses in biomonitoring of selected areas in Poland and Spitsbergen in the years from 1975 to 2014

Abstract We have compared historical changes in concentrations of the heavy metals Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb accumulated in samples from the Polish woodlands of Beskidy and Karkonosze (S, SE Poland) and the north-east regions of the country, versus the relatively little polluted areas of Spitsbergen of the Svalbard Archipelago. We have combined the results from literature with new results from 2014. The regions of Beskidy and Karkonosze were the most exposed to heavy metals deposition. However, from 1975 to 2014 there was a considerable decrease of concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb at all Polish sites, clearly signifying improvement of environmental quality. For example, the average Cd concentration in mosses samples collected in Karkonosze decreased from 0.002 mg/g in 1975 to 0.0006 mg/g in 2014. It is interesting to observe relatively large concentrations of nickel in moss samples collected in 2014 in the Svalbard archipelago, in the vicinity of Longyearbyen (average 0.018 mg/g) which most likely originate from local mine waste piles.

Algae - Heavy Metals Biosorbent / Glony - Biosorbent Metali Ciężkich

Abstract The publication is a synthetic collection of information on the sorption properties of marine and freshwater algae. Kinetics and sorption equilibrium of heavy metals in algae-solution system, influence of abiotic factors on the process of sorption and desorption of analytes from biomass are discussed. In paper the results of laboratory tests conducted using different species and types of algae, which purpose was to assess their usefulness as natural sorbents, are described. The conclusions drawn from current research confirm the results from literature. Abstrakt Publikacja jest syntetycznym zbiorem informacji dotyczących właściwości sorpcyjnych glonów morskich i słodkowodnych. Omówiono kinetykę i równowagi sorpcji metali ciężkich w układzie glony - roztwór, wpływ czynników abiotycznych na proces sorpcji i desorpcji analitów z biomasy. Przedstawiono wyniki badań laboratoryjnych prowadzonych z wykorzystaniem różnych gatunków i rodzajów glonów, których celem była ocena ich przydatności jako naturalnych sorbentów. Analizę wyników badań omówionych w cytowanej literaturze poparto wnioskami z badań własnych.

Use of Algae in Active Biomonitoring of Surface Waters

Abstract Biomonitoring studies have been carried out in three retention reservoirs located in the Opole Province (southern Poland): Turawa reservoir, Nysa reservoir and Otmuchow reservoir. The increases of concentrations of Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in fresh water algae Spirogyra sp. and sea water Palmaria palmata (Linnaeus) Weber & Mohr, exposed in the analysed waters, were determined by the atomic absorption spectrometry method (AAS). Also the waters pH, conductivity and Mn and Fe concentrations were determined. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in the analysed waters were lower than the method limit of determination. The analyses were carried out during the period from June to July 2014. The differences between the increases of heavy metal concentrations in the samples of algae found along the coastline were indicated; they result from different distances from the pollution sources, such as sediments or drainage from the areas adjacent to the reservoirs. Better sorption characteristics of Palmaria palmata in comparison to Spirogyra sp. were indicated. An empirical interrelation was also tested, the application of which after modification may enable the quantitative assessment of waters pollution with heavy metals, based on the analysis of the concentration of the element in the algae thallus.