Ecological risk by potentially toxic elements in surface sediments of the Lake Maracaibo (Venezuela)

Abstract

The evaluation of potential ecological risk of aquatic sediments associated with the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTE) determines its degree of danger on native biota. In this work, the potential ecological risk of V, Ti, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sn, Hg and Pb in superficial sediments is explained in three different areas of Lake Maracaibo: El Tablazo Bay, Strait of Maracaibo and the lake itself, through a multi-guideline approach (elemental enrichment (enrichment factor, contamination degree, pollutant load index and geo-accumulation index), sediment quality guidelines and risk assessment code). The PTE levels ranged from < 0.025 to 176.722 mg·kg−1 DW, with an overall proportion of V > Ti > Pb > Zn > Cr > Cu > Ni > As > Cd > Se > Hg > Sn. The PTE concurrent effect on biota was El Tablazo Bay > lake > Strait of Maracaibo. The superficial sediments of Lake Maracaibo constitute a medium with a high potential ecological risk on estuarine biota. This is mainly due to the levels of As in El Tablazo Bay, Cd in the Strait of Maracaibo and Pb in the lake area. This represents a latent toxicity hazard for native biological communities and other associated organisms.

Assessment of the Levels of Potentially Toxic Elements Contained in Natural Bentonites Collected from Quarries in Turkey

“…The enrichment factor (EF) is an effective normalization tool widely used to separate PTEs of natural variability from element fractions associated with anthropogenic activities. ,, In this study, the EF to Earth’s crustal average was used to evaluate the degree of PTEs in the bentonite samples. EFs for Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Zr, and Pb in the bentonite samples in all sampling areas were calculated as follows: , EF = false( true C PTE C R e normalf false) Bentonite false( true C PTE C R e normalf false) Earth ′ normals 0.25em crust where C PTE and C Ref are the concentration of PTEs and reference element in the bentonite sample and Earth’s crust, respectively.…”

“…Recently, environmental pollution, which adversely affects humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems, has become a serious and important problem throughout the world due to rapidly increasing population growth, accelerated urbanization, and industrial developments. − Potentially toxic elements (PTEs, heavy metals or metalloids) are an important pollutant since they are persistent and non-degradable. , In PTE analyses of environmental samples (soil, water, sediment, etc. ), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni) are of great importance due to their high toxicity and potential risks to both human health and urban ecosystems .…”

“…PTEs in the environment originate from various human activities (mining, chemical, and metallurgical industries, smelting procedures, agriculture, traffic, etc.) and natural (lithogenic) sources such as volcanic eruptions and weathering of element-containing rocks. , Mining activities involving many processing methods such as grinding the rock and ores, recovering the desired fraction, and dumping the waste into a tailing or holding pond are among the main sources of PTEs in the environment. − PTE elements released into the surrounding environment during mining not only affect soil quality but also threaten food safety of crops grown in polluted soil and human health. In addition, exposure to PTEs can pose a health problem for miners. ,− …”

“… 1 − 3 Potentially toxic elements (PTEs, heavy metals or metalloids) are an important pollutant since they are persistent and non-degradable. 1 , 4 In PTE analyses of environmental samples (soil, water, sediment, etc. ), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni) are of great importance due to their high toxicity and potential risks to both human health and urban ecosystems.…”

Assessment of Nutrient Minerals and Potentially Toxic Elements in a Bangladesh-Origin Rice Cultivar (Oryza sativa cv. BR11) and Associated Health

“…BR11) and Associated Health Impacts introduced in 1980, has sustained dominance in the Aman season, primarily attributed to its superior yield potential, adaptability to diverse growth conditions and greater acceptance among consumers compared to the subsequently introduced Aman-specific varieties [1,9]. Anthropogenic activities such as chemical and metallurgical industries, smelting processes, agricultural use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and traffic, as well as lithogenic sources such as element containing rock weathering, all contribute to the accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soil, water and vegetation [10][11][12]. Because of their persistence and non-degradability, PTEs are significant pollutants [10,13].…”