Distribution of metals and arsenic in soils of Central Victoria (Creswick-Ballarat), Australia
- Authors: Sultan, Khawar
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Vol. 52, no. 3 (2007), p. 339-346
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- Description: A soil-sampling campaign was conducted to identify and map heavy-metal contamination in the Ballarat-Creswick area of Central Victoria, Australia, with respect to mining activities and natural background levels in soils. The distribution and concentrations of both lithology- (Fe, Al, and Mn) and pollution-sensitive elements (Zn, As, Pb, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Co) were documented in surface soils (approximately 0 to 10 cm, fraction <2 mm, n = 85). The total heavy-metal and metalloid contents in soils decreased in the order Fe >> Al >> Zn > Mn >> As > Pb > Cu ≈ Ni ≈ Cr > Co. Mean levels of Zn (273 mg/kg) and As (39 mg/kg) in soils were well above normal global ranges and could be of local importance as a source of contamination. Extreme soil levels of Ni, Cr, Pb, and Fe were found in old mining waste material and pointed to the anthropogenic influence on the environment. Most of the measured elements showed marked spatial variations except Co. As contents were significantly higher than the tolerable level (ANZECC (1992) guidelines), with values up to 395.8 mg/kg around the mine tailings site. Mn soil contents were strongly associated with Co and Ni contents in most soils. High Fe contents (average approximately 41,465 mg/kg) in soils developed on basalt bedrock were correlated with Zn contents (average 400 mg/kg), and it is highly likely that Fe-oxides serve as sinks for Zn under near-neutral soil pH (6.3) conditions. Between the two major bedrock lithologic units, Ordovician sediments and Tertiary basalt, a clear enrichment of metals was found in the latter that was reflected in high background levels of elements. Among the various size fractions, silt (average approximately 45.1%) dominated most of the soils. In general and with a few exceptions, the concentrations of measured elements did not show significant correlations to other measured soil parameters, e.g., clay, silt and sand size fractions, organic matter, soil pH, and cation exchange capacity. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003004769
Macroinvertebrate communities in Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. reed beds and open bank habitats in central Victorian streams in Australia
- Authors: Jayawardana, Chandamali , Westbrooke, Martin , Wilson, Michael , Hurst, Cameron
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Hydrobiologia Vol. 568, no. 1 (2006), p. 169-185
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- Description: Reed invasion is a common phenomenon of open streams with disturbed riparian vegetation in river catchments. Knowledge of the effects of such vegetation change on aquatic communities is fundamental to river management. Macroinvertebrate fauna in Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. and open bank habitats were examined in three rivers in central Victoria in order to understand the effect of such littoral habitat on macroinvertebrates. Data were analysed using Partially Nested Factorial ANOVA with season, river and habitats as main effects. Habitat structure had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on macroinvertebrate species richness, however this was not seasonally consistent across the three rivers. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in macroinvertebrate taxa richness in Phragmites habitats during winter and spring seasons. Total abundance of taxa showed no consistent significant differences in the two habitats. Results of Canonical Analysis of Principle Coordinates indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) in macroinvertebrate assemblages between Phragmites and bare bank habitats in all seasons. Habitat selection by taxa could be related to the microphysical environment of the habitats. This study suggests that reed beds create important littoral habitat structures which support diverse macroinvertebrate assemblages. © Springer 2006.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003001589