This study reports the first evidence of the quantification of two dominant perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), namely perfluorooctanesulfate (PFOS) and perfluorooctannoate (PFOA), in surface sediment samples (0-5 cm; n= 13) from the Ganges (Hugli) River including Sundarban wetland, India using HPLC-MS/MS. The concentrations of PFOA exhibited a wide range of concentrations from <0.5 to 14.09. ng/g. dry wt, whereas the concentration of PFOS was always below the detection limit of <0.5. ng/g dry. wt. A consistent enrichment of PFOA was recorded in all the five sites of Sundarban (mean value 11.61 ± 1.86) whereas it was of moderate concentration or below the detection level in the seven sites along with the lower stretch of the Ganges (Hugli) River estuary (mean value 5.96. ng/g. dry wt ± 5.36). Wastewater and untreated effluents are likely the major causes of accumulation of PFCs in sediments. The present paper could be used as baseline study to assess future monitoring programs of the ecosystem. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

S CORSOLINI

S K SARKAR

C GUERRANTI

B D BHATTACHARYA

D RAKSHIT

M P JONATHAN

N GODHANTARAMAN

University of Calcutta (informally known as Calcutta University or CU) is a collegiate public state university located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.&nbsp;Within India it is recognized as a &quot;Five-Star University&quot; and accredited &quot;A&quot; Grade by National Assessment and Accreditation Council.

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The University of Calcutta has secured the Fifth position among the Universities of India in the prestigious &quot;Indian University Ranking 2019&quot; list, released by the NIRF of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.

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It was established on 24 January 1857, and was one of the first institutions in Asia to be established as a multidisciplinary and Western-style university. Its alumni and faculty include several heads of state, heads of government, social reformers, prominent artists, only academy award winner and Dirac medal winner in India, many Fellows of the Royal Society and five Nobel laureates as of 2019 which is highest in South Asia.

University Of Calcutta

Marine Pollution Bulletin

The present work investigated the spatial distribution and ecological risk assessment of total and mild acid-leachable trace elements in surface sediments (top 0–10 cm; grain size ≤ 63 μm) along the Hooghly (Ganges) River Estuary and Sundarban Mangrove Wetland, India. The trace elements, analyzed by ICPMS, showed wide range of variations with the following descending order (mean values expressed in milligrams per kilogram): Fe (25,050 ± 4918) > Al (16,992 ± 4172) > Mn (517 ± 102) > Zn (53 ± 18) > Cu (33 ± 11) > Cr (29 ± 7) > Ni (27 ± 6) > Pb (14 ± 3) > As (5 ± 1) > Se (0.37 ± 0.10) > Cd (0.17 ± 0.13) > Ag (0.16 ± 0.19) > Hg (0.05 ± 0.10). In the acid-leachable fraction, Cd (92%) is dominated followed by Pb (81%), Mn (77%), Cu (70%), and Se (58%) indicating their high mobility, imposing negative impact on the adjacent benthos. The sediment pollution indices (both enrichment factor and contamination factor) suggested severe pollution by Ag at the sampling site Sajnekhali, a wildlife sanctuary in Sundarban. The mean probable effect level quotient indicated that surface sediments in the vicinity of the studied region have 21% probability of toxicity to biota. The result of multivariate analyses affirms lithogenic sources (e.g., weathering parent rocks, dry deposition) for As, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Ni, whereas Cd and Hg originated from anthropogenic activities (such as urban and industrial activities). Both human-induced stresses and natural processes controlled trace element accumulation and distribution in the estuarine system, and remedial measures are required to mitigate the potential impacts of these hazardous trace elements. © 2017, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Pollution evaluation of total and acid-leachable trace elements in surface sediments of Hooghly River Estuary and Sundarban Mangrove Wetland (India)

Our objective was to evaluate distribution and accumulation of trace elements (TEs) in surface sediments along the Hooghly (Ganges) River Estuary, India, and to assess the potential risk with view to human health. The TE concentrations (mg kg−1 dry weight) exhibited a wide range in the following order: Al (31.801 ± 15.943) &gt; Fe (23.337 ± 7584) &gt; Mn (461 ± 147) &gt; S (381 ± 235) &gt; Zn (54 ± 18) &gt; V (43 ± 14) &gt; Cr (39 ± 15) &gt; As (34 ± 15) &gt; Cu (27 ± 11) &gt; Ni (24 ± 9) &gt; Se (17 ± 8) &gt; Co (11 ± 3) &gt; Mo (10 ± 2) &gt; Hg (0.02 ± 0.01). Clay, silt, iron, manganese and sulphur were important for the accumulation of TE in the sediments as confirmed by factor analysis and Pearson correlation. The accumulation and dispersal of TEs were most likely to be governed by both tide-induced processes and anthropogenic inputs from point and non-point sources. Enrichment factor analysis and geoaccumulation index revealed serious contamination of the sediments with Se and As, while comparing the consensus-based sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), adverse biological effects to benthic fauna might be caused by As, Cu, Ni and Cr. This investigation may serve as a model study and recommends continuous monitoring of As, Se, Cu, Ni and Cr to ascertain that SQGs with respect to acceptable levels of TEs to safeguard geochemical health and ecology in the vicinity of this estuary. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Environmental Geochemistry and Health

Trace elements in surface sediments of the Hooghly (Ganges) estuary: distribution and contamination risk assessment

The work investigates on the potential of ten mangrove species for absorption, accumulation and partitioning of trace metal(loid)s in individual plant tissues (leaves, bark and root/pneumatophore) at two study sites of Indian Sundarban Wetland. The metal(loid) concentration in host sediments and their geochemical characteristics were also considered. Mangrove sediments showed unique potential in many- fold increase for most metal(loid)s than plant tissues due to their inherent physicochemical properties. The ranges of concentration of trace metal(loid)s for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in plant tissue were 0.006–0.31, 0.02–2.97, 0.10–4.80, 0.13–6.49, 4.46–48.30, 9.2–938.1, 0.02–0.13, 9.8–1726, 11–5.41, 0.04–7.64, 3.81–52.20 μg g −1respectively. The bio- concentration factor (BCF) showed its maximum value (15.5) in Excoecaria agallocha for Cd, suggesting that it can be considered as a high-efficient plant for heavy metal bioaccumulation. Among all metals, Cd and Zn were highly bioaccumulated in E. agallocha (2.97 and 52.2 μg g −1 respectively. Our findings suggest that the species may be classified as efficient metal trap for Cd in aerial parts, as indicated by higher metal accumulation in the leaves combined with BCF and translocation factor (TF) values. © 2015, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Fulltext

International Journal of Phytoremediation

Accumulation of Trace Metals by Mangrove Plants in Indian Sundarban Wetland: Prospects for Phytoremediation

This paper documents the concentration of total arsenic and individual arsenic species in four soft-bottom benthic polychaetes (Perenereis cultifera, Ganganereis sootai, Lumbrinereis notocirrata and Dendronereis arborifera) along with host sediments from Sundarban mangrove wetland, India. An additional six sites were considered exclusively for surface sediments for this purpose. Polychaetes were collected along with the host sediments and measured for their total arsenic content using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Arsenic concentrations in polychaete body tissues varied greatly, suggesting species-specific characteristics and inherent peculiarities in arsenic metabolism. Arsenic was generally present in polychaetes as arsenate (AsV ranges from 0. 16 to 0. 50 mg kg-1) or arsenite (AsIII ranges from 0. 10 to 0. 41 mg kg-1) (30-53 % as inorganic As) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV &lt;1-25 %). Arsenobetaine (AB &lt; 16 %), and PO4-arsenoriboside (8-48 %) were also detected as minor constituents, whilst monomethylarsonic acid (MAV) was not detected in any of the polychaetes. The highest total As (14. 7 mg kg-1 dry wt) was observed in the polychaete D. arborifera collected from the vicinity of a sewage outfall in which the majority of As was present as an uncharacterised compound (10. 3 mg kg-1 dry wt) eluted prior to AB. Host sediments ranged from 2. 5 to 10. 4 mg kg-1 of total As. This work supports the importance of speciation analysis of As, because of the ubiquitous occurrence of this metalloid in the environment, and its variable toxicity depending on chemical form. It is also the first work to report the composition of As species in polychaetes from the Indian Sundarban wetlands. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Arsenic speciation in polychaetes (Annelida) and sediments from the intertidal mudflat of Sundarban mangrove wetland, India

The origin and distribution of 19 priority pollutant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in core sediments (&lt;63 μm) from the Sundarban mangrove wetland, northeastern part of Bay of Bengal, India, were investigated by gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Sedimentary organic carbon and textural properties were also analyzed in order to assess the role of geochemistry on PAH distribution. ∑ 19PAHs concentration in sediments showed wide variations from 9.4-4222.8 ng/g dry weight, with an overall increase of the high molecular PAHs in the deeper depth profiles. Fluoranthene, chrysene, and pyrene were the most abundant hydrocarbons in sediments and it can be explained by active inputs of soil materials due to frequent strong rainfalls in this tropical climatic zone. A rather exceptional prevalence of high molecular weight PAHs was substantiated: nearly 80% of ∑ 19PAHs include fluoranthene (18-20%), chrysene (14-16%), and pyrene (10-11%). Carcinogenic compounds were present in moderately high (DBA, BkF, BbF) or negligible and low concentrations (BaP, InP) in a majority of cases. The PAH diagnostic ratios indicated that the PAHs in sediment cores were of pyrolytic origin, and that atmospheric deposition and land runoff may serve as the important pathways for PAHs input to the sediments. The total PAH levels were expressed as the benzo (a) pyrene toxicity equivalents (TEQ carc) making this compound a potential marker for PAH pollution. The baseline data can be used for regular ecological monitoring, considering the industrial and agricultural growth around this important estuarine environment. The results indicated that the PAHs in sediments of Sundarban wetland resulted in low to moderate ecosystem risk. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds

Distribution and Ecosystem Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Core Sediments of Sundarban Mangrove Wetland, India

The study reports the first assessment for the quantification and speciation of butyltins (BTs) in surface marine sediment samples (0-5 cm) from intertidal mudflats of Sundarban mangrove wetland along with the Hugli (Ganges) river basin, eastern coastal part of India. Concentrations of tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutyltin (MBT) were monitored at 16 stations and present at all study areas, in concentrations in sediments up to 84.2, 26.4 and 48.0 ng g -1 of TBT, DBT and MBT, respectively. Significant correlations were obtained between MBT and DBT (r = 0.62, p = 0.01) and DBT and TBT (r = 0.54, p = 0.03). Calculated BT degradation index (BDI) values indicated recent contamination of BTs at 8 stations, and suggested either no degradation of TBT or very recent degradation at a 4 further stations. Additionally, BDI values also indicated no recent inputs of BTs in 4 stations (only MBT present in one of these stations). High concentrations of BTs, particularly TBT, have the potential to induce ecotoxicological impacts based on levels specified in Australian Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs). This study indicated that the majority of the analyzed stations were in the highest range of priority, due to high TBT concentrations. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Ecotoxicology

Baseline of butyltin contamination in sediments of Sundarban mangrove wetland and adjacent coastal regions, India

The lower tidal stretch of the river Ganges, known as Hugli (ca. 280 km), flows southward before entering the Bay of Bengal forming a vast mangrove-enriched estuarine delta called Sunderbans. Hugli estuary is a typical example of tide-dominated sink for contaminants from multifarious sources. This major important river is subjected to anthropogenic stress due to the socio-economic importance of these areas based on growth of industry, agriculture, aquaculture, port activities, fishing and tourism. The living resources have been degraded recently due to increases in population pressure, pollution and natural resource consumption to the extent of overexploitation. The present paper critically examines the physicochemical characteristics and level of dissolved heavy metals at three ecologically distinct zones along the course of the river - Babughat located in the eastern part of the metropolitan megacity Calcutta (140 km upstream from seaface), Diamond Harbor (70 km upstream from sea face) and Gangasagar positioned at the mouth of the Ganges estuary. Physicochemical characteristics of this partially mixed estuary are largely influenced by the interaction of seawater and discharge of riverine freshwater, annual precipitation and surface runoff. The levels of salinity, total dissolved solids, hardness and conductivity showed an increasing downward trend. Marked increase in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) values (2.20-5.95 mg/l) was recorded in Babughat whereas correspondingly low values (0.75-2.82 mg/l) were noticed at Gangasagar. This can be attributed mainly due to huge organic load of untreated sewage from the twin city Howrah and Calcutta situated in the east and west of the river. Spatiotemporal distribution of heavy metals reveals a wide range of variations reflecting input of huge anthropogenic inputs associated with a number of physical and chemical processes. Levels of metals registered a seasonal pattern, with an increase during late monsoon months (September-October), a period characterized by low salinity and relatively low pH of the water. Elevated levels of dissolved Hg and Pb were also recorded in Babughat, with values ranging from 0.16 to 0.95 μg/ml and 0.017 to 0.076 μg/ml, respectively, this high values for Hg can be attributed to the discharge from pulp and paper manufacturing units and to atmospheric input and runoff of automobile emission for Pb. It was revealed that the socio-economic development of Calcutta, the most potential economic zone in India situated on the east bank of Hugli river, has had a significant impact on the water quality of this major river. The deterioration of water quality is directly related to nonfunctioning and malfunctioning of wastewater treatment plants and lack of environmental planning and coordination. To restore the ecological stability and economic vitality of this river, the following measures have been suggested: (i) strong vigilance programme is to be undertaken towards installation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plants to check the flow of persistent contaminants in the river water and (ii) execution of legislation and mass awareness programmes are to be enacted to restore the sound health of the river. The authors urge that environmental education should be used as an effective tool for water resource management dealing with intricate and complex problems in the interaction between nature, technology and human beings. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Journal	Data powered by TypesetMarine Pollution Bulletin
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ISSN	0025-326X