In order to recommend the levels of lead concentration in fresh water which will not adversely affect various water uses, a literature survey was carried out on the toxic effects of lead and lead compounds on human health, laboratory animals, aquatic life, terrestrial plants and livestock. The information is summarized in this paper.

Toxic effects of lead and lead compounds on human health, aquatic life, wildlife plants, and livestock

Sedimentary record of heavy metal pollution in Lake Erie

A review is given of heavy metals and related trace elements in the aquatic environment. Other reviews and bibliographies are cited, dealing with the metabolism and transport of metal ions and with the toxic effects of stable and radioactive trace metals on aquatic organisms. The sources of trace elements in natural waters are discussed. It is suggested that atmospheric inputs of several trace metals comprise sizable fractions of total inputs to the Great Lakes and continental shelf waters. Information on stack emissions of trace elements from a coal-fired steam plant was used to estimate the likely range of air concentrations and inputs to a forested watershed in Tennessee. Some basic concepts of cycling of elements through aquatic communities were examined, such as the Pb, Mn and Zn concentrations in sediment and estuarine plants and animals colonizing dredge-spoil disposal areas. The use of plants as biological indicators of trace element contamination was outlined, as well as bioaccumulation in aquatic fauna. The effects of environmental factors on the kinetics of element exchange were noted, for example the influx rates of Cs 137 in tubificid worms, and Co 60 and Zn 65 in shrimp were shown to be temperature dependent. The toxicity ofmore » heavy metals on aquatic fauna was discussed, such as the histopathological lesions in the kidney and liver of fishes caused by heavy metals, and the effects of Hg and Cu on the olfactory response of rainbow trout.« less

Heavy metals and related trace elements.

Metal loadings and removal at a municipal activated sludge plant

Fertilizing value and polluting load of reclaimed water in Tunisia

Aluminum, barium, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, silver, strontium, vanadium and zinc concentrations in the sewage, effluents and sludges of ten southern Ontario wastewater treatment plants are reported. The efficiency for metal removal by a conventional activated sludge plant was determined. The effect of metal concentrations in receiving waters from residual metals in sewage effluents is discussed. The environmental hazards of disposing of sewage sludges with high metal content on agricultural land is considered.

B. G. Oliver

Papers

Metal concentrations in the sewage, effluents, and sludges of some southern Ontario wastewater treatment plants.