Report: Slag: Metal concentrations; Histopathological changes in growing organisms and terrestrial animals (1997)»

“In 1997, four sites of the Lower Saxony coast examined whether and how much heavy metals accumulate in organisms that live on and next to bulking of slag from copper ore (NA slag). In addition, two animal species living on the slag were checked for damage to their organ systems. It was found that enrichments of copper, lead and zinc that exceeded the regional background values were limited to the algae and animal species living directly in contact with the slag (so-called “growth organisms”). Animals living in the sediment of adjacent areas did not show any significant influence of the bulk. Although each of the four investigated growth forms (a brown algae, the mussel, the beach snail and a seapox species) showed a species-specific pattern of preferably accumulated metals, the enrichment level at the four sites differed in a consistent manner. Differences in the hydrographic situation and bulk density provide plausible explanations for this: As a rule, the site with the most intensive water exchange (outer elbow) was the weakest to find the strongest enrichments on the pure slag deposits in and near the port of Norderney. The histopathological disorder symptoms (cell and tissue damage) in the mussel and the beach snail reflect this distribution pattern: lowest levels of concern on the outer elbow, highest at Norderney. However, their causation by heavy metals can only be suspected, not proven. A separate but simultaneously and parallel sediment study also revealed striking similarities to the distribution patterns found in the organisms: Only sediments from contact areas to the slag were contaminated with copper, lead and zinc significantly beyond the typical regional background values, and the sites were ranked in the same ranking according to load levels (Minima at the outer elbow, Maxima near Norderney). However, there is one factor that limits the statements made above. Because, retrospectively considered, the quantities selected for the present investigation (ports Norddeich and Norderney, neighbourhood of the Norderney port, outer elbow) were not ideal sites, because other heavy metal sources (shipping, trade, loading from the catchment area) could also play a role here. The enrichments found must therefore be interpreted provisionally as sums of the shares of slag-fought and other origin. The main focus of the present work is not only on one’s own findings, but also on a presentation of the current state of knowledge. It was compiled after a detailed revision of previous studies. Afterwards, NA slags installed and aged in the water continue to release metals (especially copper, lead and zinc), which are absorbed by vegetation organisms. However, isolated oppositions in literature deny this view of things. The environmental relevance of the findings is discussed in the following aspects: 1. How do affected organisms react; 2. what impact on ecosystems can be expected; 3. environmental standards are affected; There are risks to human health. Before the view, a short review: The scientific examination of the environmental compatibility of slags from copper ore smelting was opened in 1979 with a first study published in the Netherlands. In the meantime, it has attracted itself for almost three decades, without the controversial discussion being put to an end. It is probably time to bring about a final clarification and to proceed with a coherent approach. Long ago it is no longer about the question whether from aged slag installed in the water still heavy metals and an_CUTABSTRACT_