Comparison of trace metal contents of sediments and mussels collected within and outside Tolo Harbour, Hong Kong

Journal Article · · Environmental Management; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02645664· OSTI ID:6943884

Cheung, Y H ^[1]; Wong, M H ^[2]

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1. City Polytechnic of Hong Kong, Kowloon (Hong Kong)
2. Hong Kong Baptist College, Kowloon (Hong Kong)

Sediments collected from Tap Mun (within Tolo Harbour) and Yim Tin Tsai (outside Tolo Harbour) were extracted sequentially and the copper, cadmium, and chromium contents were determined. Total contents of copper, cadmium, chromium, and arsenic were also detected by acid digestion. The level of heavy metal extracted was higher in sequential extraction (which extracted all forms of metal ions) than total acid digestion. Among the four heavy metals studied, only copper showed a significantly higher (P < 0.001) level in samples collected from Yim Tin Tsai (16.10 mg/kg) than that from Tap Mun (3.19 mg/kg). Such a difference in copper level is mainly attributed to the significantly higher (P < 0.05) levels of copper in the organic, carbonate, and sulfide forms, whereas there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the exchangeable and sorbed forms. Green-lipped mussel (Perna viridis) samples collected from the two sites were dissected into seven parts (gill, byssus, siphon, shell, digestive gland, soft tissue, and adductor muscle) and the concentrations of copper, cadmium, chromium, and arsenic were measured.

• OSTI ID: 6943884
• Journal Information: Environmental Management; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Management; (United States) Vol. 16:6; ISSN EMNGDC; ISSN 0364-152X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism &amp; Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ARSENIC
ASIA
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BUILDUP
CADMIUM
CARCINOGENS
CHEMISTRY
CHROMIUM
COPPER
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
FOOD CHAINS
HONG KONG
INVERTEBRATES
METALS
MOLLUSCS
MUSSELS
PACIFIC OCEAN
POLLUTION
PUBLIC HEALTH
SEA BED
SEAS
SEDIMENTS
SEMIMETALS
SURFACE WATERS
TOXICITY
TRACE AMOUNTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WATER POLLUTION