title: Assessing metal contamination from construction and demolition (C&D) waste used to infill wetlands: using Deroceras reticulatum (Mollusca: Gastropoda).
abstract: Large quantities of construction and demolition waste (C&D) are produced globally every year, with little known about potential environmental impacts. In the present study, the slug, Deroceras reticulatum (Mollusca: Gastropoda) was used as the first biomonitor of metals (Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Ti, Tl, V and Zn) on wetlands post infilling with construction and demolition (C&D) waste. The bioaccumulation of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Sb, Se and Tl were found to be significantly elevated in slugs collected on C&D waste when compared to unimproved pastures (control sites), while Mo, Se and Sr had significantly higher concentrations in slugs collected on C&D waste when compared to known contaminated sites (mining locations), indicating the potential hazardous nature of C&D waste to biota. Identifying exact sources for these metals within the waste can be problematic, due to its heterogenic nature. Biomonitors are a useful tool for future monitoring and impact studies, facilitating policy makers and regulations in other countries regarding C&D waste infill. In addition, improving separation of C&D waste to allow increased reuse and recycling is likely to be effective in reducing the volume of waste being used as infill, subsequently decreasing potential metal contamination.
authors.affiliation: Applied Ecology Unit, Centre for Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Staunton
authors.forename: Rory J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Mc Donnell
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gormally
authors.forename: Chris D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Tiernan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Liam
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morrison
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D060389:Construction Industry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D049851:Gastropoda / Q000378:metabolism*; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism*; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D053833:Wetlands
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D008670:Metals; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical