Assessment of sediment trace metal level and biological quality of Rhumel river by using multivariate analysis

Abstract

SUMMARYThe aim of this article is to assess the level of trace metal contamination of sediment and to evaluate the environmental water quality based on the distribution of benthic organisms at stations along the Rhumel river and its principal tributary Boumerzoug river selected in urban areas (Constantine, Algeria). Fresh sediment samples and benthic organisms were collected from 10 sites on three occasions (December 2000, February 2001 and April 2001. Four trace metals-manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), chrome (Cr), and cadmium (Cd)-were measured in surface sediment and in the fauna using a flame or flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometer. In addition, chemical water parameters, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity (EC) and sediment variables, pH, loss on ignition (LOI) and grain size were determined. The differences in species composition of the benthic community and the biotic index variation were used to reveal disturbance in watercourses.Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the relationship between the sediment variables, water chemistry and distribution of benthic invertebrate communities. The results of PCA indicate that there are several significant correlations between trace metals which suggest their common origin (anthropogenic or natural sources). Besides, the PCA results suggest the following trend: the biotic index, communities' distribution of macroinvertebrates and dissolved oxygen were unconnected to from both sediment and fauna trace metals concentrations.

Determination of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn) by ICP-OES and their speciation in Algerian Mediterranean Sea sediments after a five-stage sequential extraction procedure

“…The range of Pb in this study (1.3-11.5 μg/g) was almost within the range of that reported by Afri-Mehnaoui et al (2004) for sediments collected from Algiers Bay (Algeria). However, Benamar et al (1999), Jdid et al (1999), Caredda et al (1999), Fernex et al (2001) and Feldstein et al (2003) reported higher values of Pb (up to 772 μg/g).…”

Assessment of metal contamination in soil banks of the Rhumel wadi (Northeast Algeria)

“…In previous studies significant enrichment of metals in the Rhumel subbasin was observed. This included cases of lead enrichment in soils of wadi banks (Krika, Rached, and Du Laing 2013) and Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn enrichment in water and sediment of this wadi (Afri-Mehennaoui, Sahli, and Mehennaoui 2004;Sahli et al 2011Sahli et al , 2012. The soil banks of Rhumel Wadi could be discharging appreciable quantities of wastes from urban and industrial areas.…”

Assessment of sediment quality and pore water ecotoxicity in Kebir Rhumel basin (NE-Algeria): a combined approach

“…The bioavailability and toxicity of trace metals are related to the nature of the element and to the chemistry of water and sediment. Several studies on the distribution of doi: 10.2166/wst.2012.802 trace metals in sediments of Rhumei wadi and its tributaries I (one of the most important wadis of Kebir Rhumei basin in the Northeast of Algeria) have been previously carried out in an urban area (Afri-Mehennaoui et al 2004) and have been undertaken on 13 wadis of Kebir Rhumei basin (principal ones and also tributaries) by Sahli et al (2on).…”