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THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON HEAVY
METALS DELTA ECOSYSTEMS
Stela Constantinescu
University "Dunărea de Jos" of Galati
Abstract: The main topic addressed in this paper is related to the problems and damage to
ecosystems due to heavy metals and toxic pollution effects of which are developed both directly
and indirectly.
In an aquatic ecosystem metal toxicity can be influenced by variations of abiotic
environmental factors such as oxygen, water hardness, pH and transparency.
The temperature, in particular, is an important factor influencing metal toxicity, because
most aquatic organisms are poikilothermic.
Although hardness is widely recognized that affect the aquatic toxicity of metals, pH is often
the biggest effect on metal toxicity.
To assess the influence of physical-chemical factors on the distribution of heavy metals in
aquatic ecosystems were taken into account the following physico-chemical parameters: water
temperature, water pH, electro-conductivity, dissolved oxygen content and total content of salts.
The heavy metals have selected cadmium, chromium, nickel, lead, manganese and zinc.
Increasing water temperature increases metal concentrations in water and sediment. pH
affects the toxicity of heavy metal salts, at a low level (at the upside of heavy metal toxicity).
Keywords: environmental factors, heavy metals, temperature, aquatic ecosystems, sediments
1.Introduction ecosystems of the Danube Delta Biosphere
Reserve [1-5]. It presents a wide range of data
In this paper special attention is given to
on the concentration levels of heavy metals,
conservation of sampling and water samples,
both in terms of spatial distribution, and
sediments, plankton and plant material,
bioaccumulation in water samples, sediments,
specific methods for the determination of
plankton and morphological parts of species
heavy metals and physical-chemical
that characterize Reserve aquatic ecosystems
indicators , specific methods for quality
Danube Delta Biosphere, in terms of the levels
assurance of chemical analysis metals and
and effects of heavy metal pollution. The
physical-chemical indicators , specific
practical value and theoretical significance of
methods for quality assurance of chemical
the results and conclusions arising from the
analysis. Recognized to the influence of
work on the impact of environmental factors
micro-pollutants, heavy metals represented on
on heavy metals delta ecosystems [6,7]. To
the ecological status of surface waters,
assess the influence of physical-chemical
including delta ecosystems, the paper aims to
factors on the distribution of heavy metals in
study the impact of environmental factors
aquatic ecosystems were taken into account
(temperature, pH, electro-conductivity, total
the following physico-chemical parameters:
salt content, dissolved oxygen content) the
water temperature, water pH, electro-
presence of heavy metals in aquatic
conductivity, dissolved oxygen content and
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total content of salts. The heavy metals have samples were collected quarterly in 2013-
selected cadmium, chromium, nickel, lead, 2016. He samples were mineralized in the
manganese and zinc [8-11]. microwave Anton Paar. Step mineralization is
Physico-chemical analyzes were performed differently depending on the type of
performed in the chemistry laboratory of the sample, in compliance with applicable
National Institute for Research and standards and recommendations suggested by
Development Danube Delta, laboratory Anton Paar oven manufacturer. The types of
accredited to EN ISO / IEC 17025: 2005 by samples are: samples of surface water,
the Accreditation Association of Romania, sediment samples, samples of plant material
RENAR . (Phragmites australis (reed) Typha angustifolia
(rush).
2.Experimental Atomic absorption may be used to
determine very low concentrations of ions in
Determining pollution gradient and degree solution. This method is widely applied in
of accumulation of inorganic pollutants on biological samples, metallurgical, geological
substrates (water, mineral, vegetable) and for or to determine pollution.
the purposes set out in this paper, we consider Values with concentrations in the control
the aquatic complex Holbina- Dunavat, charts are determined to be valid
representative of the Danube Delta Biosphere measurements, respectively in Xm +/- 2 S,
Reserve. (mean +/- standard deviation of all
Water samples were collected quarterly in measurements). Figure 1 diagrams represented
2013-2016. Sediment samples were collected cadmium control indicator.
annually in 2013-2016. Aquatic vegetation
Figure. 1. Diagram of control indicator cadmiu
For comparative tests extraction and were taken starting from 2015 in aquatic
analysis, the same type of sample, we have complex Holbina- Dunavat .
established two systems of extraction and The temperature, in particular, is an
analysis:1. Mineralizorul Skalar and atomic important factor influencing metal toxicity,
absorption spectrometer VARIAN AA100 because most aquatic organisms are
and 2. Anton Paar microwave oven and mass poikilothermic. Although hardness is widely
spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma recognized that affect the aquatic toxicity of
ICP-MS Elan DRC is. Samples of water, metals, pH is often the biggest effect on metal
sediment and reed treated by both methods toxicity. Some studies show that low levels of
pH in water reduces the toxicity of cadmium
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in seaweed and fish. It has also been The results show significant differences in
suggested that the toxicity is low due to the metal concentrations obtained in terms of the
competition between ions H + and metal type of aquatic vegetation.
cations free transport mechanism. Other The data presented are indispensable
factors that may play a role are: organic information to compare studies related to the
matter, carbon dioxide, metabolic activity, environment. Therefore, these studies should
period (time) of halving the metal, suspended become an integral part of sustainable
solids, total organic carbon (TOC), the development of ecosystems and pollution
interaction between pollutants, stage of assessment programs.
development and changes bodies intraspecific Aquatic macrophytes have been shown to
the susceptibility of metals. The influence of be potential sources of accumulation of heavy
these factors on the distribution of physical- metals from water and moist areas. Of all
chemical, metal, occurs either through direct aquatic macrophytes studied Ceratophyllum
action on the physiological activity of the demersum showed the greatest potential for
body's metabolic processes changing intensity accumulation of heavy metals, followed by
or acting on the microclimate by changing the Typha angustifolia, Potamogeton pectinatus,
physico-chemical or pollutant concentration. Ceratophyllum submersum, Phragmites
Result and discussions australis, Salvinia natans, Stratiotes aloides,
figure 2 .
Figure.2. Dynamic accumulation of cadmium in aquatic macrophytes complex Holbina-Dunavăţ
To assess concentrations of metals, we levels of manganese and zinc limits.
considered the mean concentrations of Cadmium was the item that recorded the
cadmium determined in 2015 the aquatic highest percentage of exceedances of the
complex Holbina- Dunavat . standard for quality, as shown in Figure 3.
Studying the ability to accumulate heavy To calculate bioaccumulation factors were
metals in aquatic complex Holbina- Dunavat taken into account the average annual values
was concluded that Ceratophyllum demersum of concentrations of heavy metals in water
is the best "battery" of heavy metals with a and helofile two species, Phragmites australis
high coverage of phytoremediation. and Typha angustifolia, Table 1.
In relation to national quality standards
for lake bottom sediment, most samples
investigated in the period 2013-2016, had
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Figure. 3. Dynamics of cadmium concentrations in samples Phragmites australis and Typha angustifolia, aquatic
complex Holbina- Dunavat .
Table 1. Values factors bioaccumulation of heavy metals in aquatic vegetation in Holbina- Dunavat .
Complex Vegetation BCF Cd BCF Cr BCF Ni BCF Pb BCF Mn BCF Zn
aquatic aquatic [ L/kg ] [ L/kg ] [ L/kg ] [ L/kg ] [ L/kg ] [ L/kg ]
Holbina - P. australis 71.212 67.603 126.327 14.288 33.251 106.696
-Dunavat
T.angustifolia 91.692 85.427 135.518 1.000 41.955 188.235
Analyzing large amounts of Plankton is sensitive to the presence of a
bioaccumulation factors obtained for these wide spectrum of pollutants and, therefore,
two species studied macrophytes in aquatic the diversity of species, and / or abundance
complex, we conclude that both species have can be used as an indicator of water quality.
shown great potential for bioaccumulation of Chemical analysis of plankton could give
heavy metals. In general, the order growth indications of the level of pollutants such as
factors bioaccumulation of heavy metals in heavy metals. Given the advantages that the
the two species studied helofile the pool knowledge of the distribution of heavy metals
complex is as follows: (cadmium, chromium, nickel, lead,
manganese and zinc) in plankton, we
BCF Pb < BCF Mn< BCF Cr < BCF Cd < considered the average annual values of metal
BCF Zn < BCF Ni. concentrations determined in the period 2013-
2016, the aquatic complex Holbina - Dunavat.
Figure. 4. Chart accumulation of cadmium in plankton taken from pool complex Holbina- Dunavat
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species Phragmites australis, respectively,
The plankton taken from pool complex stalk, rhizomes and leaves, aquatic plant
Holbina-Dunavăţ was evident a considerable samples were collected at the stage of
variation in the distribution of heavy metals. developing their most complex Holbina-
Figure 4 presents the results of the Dunavat water in the summer of 2015.
comparative assessment of the levels of heavy Analyzing the percentage values of the
metals in aquatic complex plankton taken concentrations of heavy metals we observed
from Holbina-Dunavăţ. that all the metals analyzed, namely cadmium,
The chemical composition reflects the chromium, nickel, lead, manganese and zinc,
composition of the soil and plant the plant accumulates mostly in the rhizomes samples
surface contamination indicates the presence Phragmites australis (between 37% and 75%),
of contaminants harmful to the environment, figure 5.
in the air. In order to assess the accumulation
of heavy metals in parts morphology of the
Figure.5. Distribution of cadmium in shares of morphological species of
Phragmites australis pool complex Holbina-Dunavăţ
very useful for environmental monitoring and
Heavy metals enter into ciclulul biological health check of the water body.
aquatic plants through the roots and leaves.
They can directly affect plant growth, 3.Conclusions
excessive intake of such elements in plants
can also be dangerous for human and animal Chemical analyzes were performed by
health. standard methods.
In conclusion species of aquatic Analyzing the influence of physical-
macrophytes selected Phragmites australis, chemical factors (water temperature, water
Typha angustifolia, so take heavy metals from pH, electro-conductivity, dissolved oxygen
water and sediment (by-rhizome root system, content and total content of salts) on the
highly developed) in studying aquatic distribution of heavy metals (cadmium,
complex. chromium, nickel, lead, manganese and zinc)
Investigations on the use of aquatic in lake complex Holbina- Dunavat found that
macrophytes as bioaccumulate heavy metals the influence of these factors acting on the
as well as their ability to be used in modern
techniques of cleaning a water body could be
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