A study of the priority substances of the Water Framework Directive ...

..:::::::::: zinc
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b Zinc
� Zinc is a metal with acute and chronic toxicity
for aquatic organisms.
� No further screening is necessary.
Production and use
Zinc compounds are used as active substances
in biocidal products, as surface protector for
other metals and as a stabilizer in plastic.
Metallic zinc is used in electric appliances,
coins, building materials, sinks, buckets, roofing
etc.
Emissions, discharges,
distribution and hot-spots
Main emissions of zinc comes from industry,
mining, waste incineration and products.
Monitoring
Monitoring of zinc has been part of JAMP and
RID and time trends exist here. Zinc has also
been investigated in other studies (see references).
Marine sediment
High zinc levels in sediments are found in connection
with mining or shipyards.
Marine biota
Shellfish in harbours in Nordland has been
screened. Narvik and Svolvær are highly polluted.
Fresh water
10 rives have been monitored, but concentrations
are generally low; the samples with highest
concentrations have been Class III.
Fresh water sediment
Lakes affected by mining, are polluted. In other
lakes concentrations are low.
Fresh water biota
Insect larvae, especially mayfly, living downstream
mines are shown to have increased body
zink concentration.
Hotspots
Lakes, rivers and streams affected by mining are
hotspots for zinc pollution. These are being
monitored today.
A study of the priority substances of the Water Framework Directive
TA-2140/2005
FACTS
Zinc is a metal which is essential to all organisms, but
high concentrations have adverse effects, especially
in aquatic organisms. Zinc also has chronic toxicity
for aquatic organisms. There is some bioaccumulation,
but negligible biomagnification. Very high levels
are required to cause adverse health effects, but as
zinc is associated with cadmium, high zinc levels may
indicate other effects.
Need for further screening and monitoring
Zinc is thoroughly screened. No further screening
is necessary.
Analysis
There are several well-established techniques for
determination of Zn. Several companies offer
this service in Norway and Europe. The most
frequently techniques are Inductively coupled
plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Inductively
coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
(ICP-AES), Graphite Furnace Atomic
Absorption Spectroscopy (GF-AAS) and Flame
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (F-AAS).
Methods
Water samples are acidified with 1-10% nitric
acid.
For analysis of solid samples, the methods are
based on digestion with nitric acid / hydrogen
peroxide in sealed containers using microwave
system.
Synergy with other analyses
The sample digestion method used for determination
of zinc can also be used for determination
of Pb, Hg, Ni, Cu, Cr, As and Ni.
References
� Heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants
in sediments and fish from lakes in
Northern and Arctic regions of Norway, rapportnr.
688/97
� Miljøgifter i fisk, skalldyr og sediment i havneområder
og fjorder i Rogaland 1999-2000.
TA-1843/2001.
� Miljøgifter i havneområder i Nordland, TA-
1967-2003