Cadmium contamination of sediments in the water reservoirs in Silesian Upland (southern Poland)

Abstract

Purpose Cadmium (Cd) is considered a toxic element and its concentrations are relevant to human health and the environment. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to determine the extent to which the bottom sediments of water bodies (artificial lakes and ponds) in the Silesian Upland in southern Poland are contaminated with Cd; an attempt was also made to determine the factors that condition spatial differences in the concentration of this element between individual water bodies in the region. Materials and methods Measurements of the Cd content in bottom sediments were carried out in 35 water bodies in southern Poland in 2011 and 2012. Depending on the surface area and morphometric characteristics, from two to nine samples representative in terms of sediment thickness were collected in each water body. Cadmium concentrations were determined for 92 0.25 g aliquots using the TD-ICP method. Results and discussion Cadmium content in all samples (0.7-580.0 mg kg ) and, with a few exceptions, was also higher than the preindustrial concentration (1.0 mg kg ) as the baseline for the geoaccumulation index (I geo ), the sediments examined can be classified as extremely and heavily contaminated (and moderately contaminated in a small number of cases). The assessment of sediment quality based on I geo, with the regional geochemical background (2.5 mg kg −1 ) adopted as the baseline, results in non-contaminated and moderately contaminated sediments being dominant with a far smaller number of heavily and extremely contaminated ones. Conclusions In the case of several water bodies, Cd concentrations were at record levels that have not been found anywhere else in the world. On the basis of the I geo , sediments of varying quality were found-from virtually uncontaminated to extremely contaminated. The I geo index as an indicator of the quality of bottom sediments is a measure that requires careful interpretation, especially when different concentration levels regarded as natural are used for determining its value.

Heavy Metals Contamination and Ecological Risk Assessment in Surface Sediments of Namal Lake, Pakistan

“…The highest average geo-accumulation index values for As (2.13) and Cd (3.09) indicate anthropogenic impact on Namal Lake sediments [55][56]. The accumulation of cadmium in the aquatic environment can be potentially harmful due to biological activities in sediment and health of aquatic environments [57]. Arsenic is another element that has significantly higher Igeo value due to anthropogenic and natural sources such as mining activities in surrounding areas, coal combustion, herbicides, and geogenics, and may pose a threat to aquatic environments.…”

The Recovery of Soybean Plants after Short-Term Cadmium Stress

“…In plants Cd-dependent alterations in homeostasis lead to hampered growth and decreased yield. Importantly, this metal is readily absorbed by crop plants and hereby enters the human food chain [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. The adverse impact of Cd on plants is well documented [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Ecological risk assessment of trace metals in the bottom sediments of the young water reservoir – Bardowskiego Lagoon (Warsaw) case study

“…In comparison, in other anthropogenic reservoirs in Poland and abroad, the average concentrations of metals in sediments showed the following trend: Zn > Pb > Cr > Cu > Cd [14], Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Ni > Cd [2], and Zn > As > Sb > Pb > Cd [15]. It should be emphasized, that the levels of cadmium in sediments of water reservoirs have been the focus of concern due to its high toxicity [16,17]. Moreover, cadmium is also one of the most labile metals in environment [16].…”

“…Moreover, cadmium is also one of the most labile metals in environment [16]. Thus, the regular monitoring of its content in the aquatic systems is necessary, especially in bottom sediments of the young water reservoirs, which have various functions, such as recreation and are located in industrialised and urbanised areas with high population density [17].…”