Levels, risk assessment and sources of PM10 fraction heavy metals in four types dust from a coal-based city

The concentrations of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg and Pb in PM₁₀ fraction of four types of dust in a coal-based city, Fushun were detected by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. Results showed that most of the average concentrations for 11 metals in dust were higher than Chinese soil background values, especially for Cu, Zn, Hg, Cd and Pb with higher pollution index values. The re-suspended dust from residential and school building surfaces showed middle and high level of pollution by geoaccumulation index assessment which should raise attention as their potential health risk to local residenter and students. Six hotspots were found from spatial distribution analysis, locating at the northeast corner, central area close to mines, southwest area adjacent to an expressway, northeast area close to power plants, the city center and the industrial district reflecting the influence of agricultural activities, mining activities, vehicle emission, coal combustion and industrial activities. Correlation and principal component analysis showed accordant results indicating that vehicle emission, industrial activities, coal combustion and crustal materials were the main sources for heavy metals in PM₁₀ fraction of fugitive dust in Fushun.     

Environmental Implications of Heavy Metals in Soil from Huainan,China

Soil metal contamination is of great concern due to these elements’ bioavailability, toxicity, and persistence. A total of forty soil samples were collected from mining, industrial, agricultural, and residential areas. Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) was employed to determine the concentrations of the heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn). Geoaccumulation indices and health risk assessment models were employed to evaluate the potential ecological and health implications. The concentrations of As, Cr, and Zn in the industrial zone were higher than the values from the other areas, whereas the concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Pb were highest in the residential area. The distribution of metals may be attributed to different anthropogenic sources. The soils in the industrial area were moderately contaminated by As. The noncarcinogenic risk due to metals was determined to be negligible in these areas, while a high carcinogenic risk was obtained in the industrial area. The priority controls should be As, Cd, and Cr in the industrial area. However, the ecological, environmental, and health implications in the mining and residential areas should also be monitored. This study provides a comprehensive investigation of soil metals in industrial, mining, residential, and agricultural areas in China that may be employed for future environmental management and regularization.     

泰安市城区土壤重金属污染特征及风险评价

为了解泰安市城区土壤重金属污染特征,对采集的30件土壤样品中6种重金属含量进行测定,利用单因子污染指数法、内梅罗综合污染指数法、地累积指数法和潜在生态风险指数法开展污染状况评价。结果表明：土壤中As、Cd、Cu、Pb、Hg、Ni的平均含量分别为6.72、0.066、20.33、18.19、0.031和19.92 mg.kg^-1,其中As、Cd、Cu、Pb、Ni的平均含量均低于泰安市和山东省土壤背景值,Hg的平均含量略高于泰安市土壤背景值,变异系数大于0.6,其含量受人类活动影响较大,空间分布差异性较大;除Hg的单因子污染指数为1.03,严重污染、中度污染、轻微污染和无污染采样点数量占比分别为3%、7%、23%和67%,其他重金属单因子污染指数平均值小于1,为无污染状态;重金属内梅罗综合污染指数平均为1.58～1.64,整体属于轻污染水平;土壤重金属累积较轻,多数为无污染状态,Hg的最大地累积指数为1.29,达中等-强污染(3级);综合生态风险指数RI的范围为39.96～191.81,平均值为77.60,综合生态风险等级为轻微,为低生态风险区,Hg为引起风险的主要因子;Cu、Ni含量较低,富集主要受土壤母质和自然过程的控制;Pb、Cd、As主要来源于自然背景因素,部分受人类活动影响;Hg的污染来源于化肥、塑料地膜和含重金属的无机农药使用,受农业活动和居民生活影响较大。     

广东省高州石鼓地区土壤硒分布特征及影响因素

富硒土壤是一种稀缺的土壤资源,具有重要的农业经济价值。以每1 km 8~16个点的表层(0~20 cm)、10条剖面的深层(100~220 cm)土壤以及6件岩石样品数据对广东省高州市石鼓地区硒分布特征及影响因素进行研究。结果表明,石鼓地区表层土壤以高硒为主,高硒面积达59.06%,适量硒土壤面积占40.94%,没有硒缺乏和硒过剩区域。深层土壤在硒含量适量区随深度变化不大,而在高硒区域硒富集于浅表层约60 cm处。表层土壤高硒含量位于北西侧及中部第四系冲积平原区,其次为北东部、中部新近系盆地相含油含煤地层,在南部白垩系河湖相砂泥岩硒含量基本呈自然状态―弱富集特征。土壤硒含量与土壤p H之间的关系不大,而与成土母质和有机质含量有关,富有机质的细粒土壤更有利于硒的富集。     

Heavy-metal distribution in river waters and sediments around a "firefly village", Shikoku, Japan: application of multivariate analysis.

River water and sediment samples were collected at the same site in a vicinity of an abandoned mine, and the concentrations of major elements and heavy metals were determined. The chemical correlations were observed by principal component analysis (PCA), and the samples were classified by cluster analysis (CA) based on the PCA scores. The PCA results presented a macroscopic viewpoint of covariance structure, i.e., the chemical elements could be classified into three groups: 1) major elements and heavy metals in the river water, 2) Cd, Fe and Mn in the sediments, and 3) Cu and Zn in the sediments. The CA results implied a similarity of chemical compositions in most parts of the study area, except the ranges close to the abandoned copper mine. At the mixing location of mining water with natural river water, major elements and cadmium showed simple physical mixing (conservative mixing). Other heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) showed the massive precipitation at the mixing event. The PCA structure was mainly interpreted in terms of the mixing process between mining water and diluted natural river water.     

Pollution characteristics and risk assessment of uranium and heavy metals of agricultural soil around the uranium tailing reservoir in Southern China

For the first time the pollution of the paddy soil within 2 km around the uranium tailing reservoir was investigated. The concentrations of U, Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Hg and As were determined by ICP-MS. The study showed that there was severe pollution in the first area (within 0–1 km of the tailing reservoir), which was caused by Cd, As, U and Hg. The pollution level of the second area (within 1–2 km) was relatively low. Hg and As were the main pollutants. In the first area, the contamination degree and risk of elements were positively correlated with the distance from the tailing reservoir. The second area was less polluted and influenced by mining and human activities because of mountain barriers.     

Bioaccumulative and conchological assessment of heavy metal transfer in a soil-plant-snail food chain

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) can pose serious threats to environmental health because they tend to bioaccumulate in terrestrial ecosystems. We investigated under field conditions the transfer of these heavy metals in a soil-plant-snail food chain in Banat area, Romania. The main goal of this paper was to assess the Roman snail (Helix pomatia) usefulness in environmental monitoring as bioindicator of heavy metal accumulation. Eight sampling sites, selected by different history of heavy metal (HM) exposure, were chosen to be sampled for soil, nettle leaves, and newly matured snails. This study also aimed to identify the putative effects of HM accumulation in the environment on phenotypic variability in selected shell features, which included shell height (SH), relative shell height (RSH), and whorl number (WN). RESULTS: Significantly higher amounts of HMs were accumulated in snail hepatopancreas and not in foot. Cu, Zn, and Cd have biomagnified in the snail body, particularly in the hepatopancreas. In contrast, Pb decreased when going up into the food chain. Zn, Cd, and Pb correlated highly with each other at all levels of the investigated food chain. Zn and Pb exhibited an effective soil-plant transfer, whereas in the snail body only foot Cu concentration was correlated with that in soil. There were significant differences among sampling sites for WN, SH, and RSH when compared with reference snails. WN was strongly correlated with Cd and Pb concentrations in nettle leaves but not with Cu and Zn. SH was independent of HM concentrations in soil, snail hepatopancreas, and foot. However, SH correlated negatively with nettle leaves concentrations for each HM except Cu. In contrast, RSH correlated significantly only with Pb concentration in hepatopancreas. CONCLUSIONS: The snail hepatopancreas accumulates high amounts of HMs, and therefore, this organ can function as a reliable biomarker for tracking HM bioavailability in soil. Long-term exposure to HMs via contaminated food might influence the variability of shell traits in snail populations. Therefore, our results highlight the Roman snail (Helix pomatia) potential to be used in environmental monitoring studies as bioindicator of HM pollution.     

冶炼厂烟囱降尘农田土壤重金属含量及潜在生态风险评价

摘要：为了研究冶炼厂下风向烟囱降尘对农田土壤重金属污染影响程度,以济源市某一冶炼厂工业烟囱下风向降尘覆盖农田土壤为研究对象,依次对距离该厂烟囱大约为750m-3000m的7个农田研究区（P1-P7）土壤中重金属（Hg、As、Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn、Ni、Cr、）含量进行污染状况分析,采用了单项潜在生态风险指数法和综合潜在生态风险指数法对冶炼厂下风向烟囱降尘土壤中重金属的潜在生态风险进行评价。结果表明：在3 km2研究区域范围内,距离冶炼厂越近土壤重金属含量越高,Pb、Cd为重度污染,超过了《土壤环境质量农用地土壤污染风险管控标准》（GB15618-2018）农用地土壤污染风险管制值的1.2倍,距离冶炼厂烟囱下风向P1区土壤中重金属As、Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn超过土壤环境质量农用地土壤风险筛选值,Cd 在浓度值均超过农用土壤污染风险管制值1.8倍,As元素平均浓度值超农用土壤污染风险管制值1.7倍,Pb、Cu和Zn污染较严重,Cd、Hg对综合指数（RI）贡献值较大分别为68.63和22.4。单项潜在生态风险指数评价结果显示Cd存在极严重的潜在生态风险,Pb、Cu存在较严重潜在生态风险,冶炼厂下风向土壤中综合潜在生态风险指数评价显示,冶炼厂下风向降尘土壤重金属具有较强的生态风险。     

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution and Ecological Risk of Roadside Soils in Tlemcen (Algeria) Using Flame-Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

In Algeria, few studies have been conducted on the evaluation of roadside soil pollution. A total of 34 soil samples (28 roadside and 6 off-road) was obtained at 0–20?cm depth along the RN 35 national road. Heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn) contents were extracted using aqua regia digestion and determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. Background values of heavy metal contents were determined using the robust statistical method of median plus two times the median absolute deviation. Single- and multi-element pollution and ecological risk indices were calculated. The results showed that background values were 2.5?±?0.3, 64.9?±?8.1, 28.0?±?4.1, 29371.5?±?4403.0, 32.9?±?4.4, 72.2?±?12.8, and 445.1?±?62.9?mg/kg for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn, respectively. The results were all higher than their corresponding median values. Single-element pollution indices (enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index) showed that the pollution is primarily due to Pb and Zn. Multi-element pollution index (Nemerow index) indicated that only 3% of the soil samples are strongly contaminated, whereas 23% are seriously contaminated. The potential ecological risk index showed that Cd is the most harmful element, followed by Pb and Zn. 65% of the soil samples had moderate potential ecological risk, while only 3% had considerable potential ecological risk. This study may be used as a baseline for future monitoring and as a tool for decision-making regarding environmental protection policies and sustainability of this semiarid agroecosystem.     

Determination of concentrations of chromium and other elements in soil and plant samples from leather tanning area by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis

Chromium, one of the toxic elements, along with other elements has been determined in samples of soil and plant (leaves and seeds) from Jajmau Area, Kanpur district, India, which is irrigated with effluent waste water from leather tanning industries. Soil and plant samples were collected from these areas and analyzed by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) using high flux reactor neutrons and high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. Concentrations of fifteen elements in soil and five elements in plant samples were determined by relative method. Chromium concentrations were found to be in range of 45–3,900 mg kg^?1in soil samples and 14–83 mg kg^?1 in plant samples. This study showed that Cr is present in significant amounts, in the soil as well as in the plant samples, near to the leather tanning area. As a part of quality control work, IAEA reference material (RM) SL-3 and NIST standard reference material (SRM) 1645 were analyzed and the quality of the results has been evaluated by calculating % deviations from recommended/literature/certified values.     

芝罘湾表层沉积物中重金属的分布特征及潜在生态危害评价

为了解芝罘湾沉积物中重金属的污染状况,于2009年7月采集了黄海芝罘湾16个站位的表层沉积物并测定了其中的重金属含量.芝罘湾的重金属污染程度较低,所有测定值均低于国家海洋沉积物Ⅰ类质量标准.Hg、Cu、Pb、Cd、Zn、Ni、Co、Mn 8种重金属的平均含量分别为0.02、12.3、8.67、0.13、32.8、11....     

Evaluation of heavy metal bioavailability in soil amended with poultry manure using single and BCR sequential extractions

In the present study, three-step Community Bureau of Reference sequential extraction scheme (BCR-SES) and single extraction methods were performed to assess the mobility and availability of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Fe and Zn) in an agricultural soil before and after amendment with poultry waste (PW).The PW samples were collected from poultry farms, situated in Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan. The extractable heavy metals were measured by flame and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The validation of the method was carried out by analysis of a certified reference material of soil amended with sewage sludge (BCR-483). The single extractions using calcium chloride and EDTA, separately, while BCR-SESs were developed to evaluate the available heavy metals to plants and their environmental accessibility for control soil (CS), PW and soil amended with PW (SPW).The pH of the PW and SPW were found to be < 6.0, which may enhance the leaching of heavy metals to agricultural soil. The results from the partitioning study indicated that easily mobilised forms (acid exchangeable) of Cd were higher than other heavy metals. The oxidisable fractions of all heavy metals were dominant in PW and SPW as compared to found in CS samples. The EDTA- and CaCl₂-extractable heavy metals correspond to 5.0 to 10 and 0.5 to 3.0%, respectively of total contents in all three solid samples. Contamination factors revealed that the retention of Pb and Zn were higher compared with Cu, Cd and Fe in CS, PW and SPW samples.     

Agro-environmental characterization of semi-arid Mediterranean soils using NIR reflection and mid-IR-attenuated total reflection spectroscopies

The use of infrared spectroscopy to perform an agro-environmental soil characterization in areas with high degradation risks, like the Mediterranean semi-arid environments, has been evaluated using diffuse reflection near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) and attenuated total reflection middle infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Soils from calcareous substratum, beneath three management types (organic, conventional and natural vegetation) have been studied. Factors like the parent material, the depth of sampling and the slope position have been considered. Although the parent material seems to be the factor most influencing the infrared spectral pattern, especially in the mid-IR region, soils under different management practices can also be differentiated on the basis of their spectral characteristics. It is interesting to note that the differences between the soils under conventional practices and after more than twenty years of organic management are much more evident for soils developed on marls than for those developed on colluvial limestones. This can be attributed to less degradation of the latter type of soils even under conventional management due to their more evolved nature and resilience. Considering the results, a combination of NIR and mid-IR spectroscopy could improve soil classification performance, being especially useful for the fast identification of those soils suffering severe degradation.     

Uptake of cadmium, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc in mushrooms (Boletaceae) from Croatian forest soil.

The concentration of trace elements (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) was measured in different species of mushrooms (Boletaceae) and correlated with corresponding elements in soil. Five different species of Boletaceae mushrooms and soil samples were collected from forests of Varazdin county in Croatia. Trace elements were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry in mushrooms and in EDTA-extracted soil. The results showed that Cd, Cu, and Zn are concentrated in mushroom tissue from soil with transfer factors (mushroom/soil) of 27.0,10.5, and 12.5, respectively. Cadmium incorporated much less in Leccinum (mean 0.73 mg/kg dry weight) than in Boletus, Xerocomus, or Gyroporus (respective means, 6.8, 8.4, and 12.3 mg/kg). Copper and Zn were accumulated in all collected mushrooms (14.7-35.6 and 109-179 mg/kg, respectively) with no difference among species. There was no accumulation of Fe and Mn in mushrooms, but concentrations differed between species, with lowest values in Leccinum. Iron varied from 31 to 878 mg/kg and Mn from 2.9 to 409 mg/kg. Correlations between elements in mushrooms and soil were significant only for Mn. Because no significant correlations for Cd, Cu, Zn, and Fe between mushrooms and soil were found, more studies are needed with only one species of mushrooms collected at locations with different levels of soil contamination. In spite of higher concentrations of Cd in some Boletaceae species, it is assumed that Cd intake through moderate mushroom consumption remains below suggested Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (FAO/WHO).     

Study of partitioning and dynamics of metals in contaminated soil using modified four-step BCR sequential extraction procedure

The modified four-step BCR sequential extraction procedure (exchangeable and weak acid available species, reducible, oxidisable and residual fractions) was used to examine the distribution of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn with soil depth in an area (Baia Mare — Bozanta, Romania) with both high natural level of elements considered as toxic and historical pollution resulting from nonferrous metallurgy. The BCR approach proved a high metal input of anthropogenic origin down to 40 cm, while at lower depths the naturally elevated metal content must be considered. Results of the partitioning study and XRD analysis of solid matrix showed the greatest potential for chemical remobilisation of Cd, Zn, and Cu in weak acidic medium as well as their affinity for the oxidisable fraction (organic matter/sulphide). The tendency of Cr, Pb, and As to be immobilised as residual or reducible species on Fe-Mn oxides was evident. Although the partitioning of As in chemically inactive forms such as scorodite (FeAsO₄ · 2H₂O) soluble under reducible conditions and beudantite (PbFe₃(AsO₄)(SO₄)(OH)₂)), a residual species soluble in acid media, chemical mobilisation from soil in groundwater was confirmed. Dynamic processes of metal retention in soil under different conditions, namely acidic, reducing or oxidisable, were predicted from the Pearsonșs correlation analysis of element species with soil characteristics and components such as Fe, Mn, organic matter content, pH, and total element content, respectively. At the moment of the study, soil and groundwater in the area were found to be polluted with As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Presented at the 35th International Conference of the Slovak Society of Chemical Engineering, Tatranské Matliare, 26–30 May 2008.     

Investigation on Distribution and Risk Assessment of Volatile Organic Compounds in Surface Water,Sediment, and Soil in a Chemical Industrial Park and Adjacent Area

The occurrences, distributions, and risks of 55 target volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in water, sediment, sludge, and soil samples taken from a chemical industrial park and the adjacent area were investigated in this study. The Σ₅₅-VOCs concentrations in the water, sediment, sludge, and soil samples were 1.22–5449.21 μg L⁻¹, ND–52.20 ng g⁻¹, 21.53 ng g⁻¹, and ND–11.58 ng g⁻¹, respectively. The main products in this park are medicines, pesticides, and novel materials. As for the species of VOCs, aromatic hydrocarbons were the dominant VOCs in the soil samples, whereas halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons were the dominant VOCs in the water samples. The VOCs concentrations in water samples collected at different locations varied by 1–3 orders of magnitude, and the average concentration in river water inside the park was obviously higher than that in river water outside the park. However, the risk quotients for most of the VOCs indicated a low risk to the relevant, sensitive aquatic organisms in the river water. The average VOCs concentration in soil from the park was slightly higher than that from the adjacent area. This result showed that the chemical industrial park had a limited impact on the surrounding soil, while the use of pesticides, incomplete combustion of coal and biomass, and automobile exhaust emissions are all potential sources of the VOCs in the environmental soil. The results of this study could be used to evaluate the effects of VOCs emitted from chemical production and transportation in the park on the surrounding environment.     

Fuzzy概率法在土壤重金属污染综合评价中的应用

系统采集惠楼山药种植地及其周边对照区的土壤样品53个,分析样品中的Pb,Zn,Cu,Cr,Cd,Ni等重金属元素的含量.在对区域环境内的各单项污染指标进行分级评价的基础上,考虑到各单项污染指标在总评价中的地位,将各单项污染指标的作用综合起来,建立了Fuzzy概率模型,对土壤重金属污染进行了综合评价.结果表明:惠楼山药种...     

Analytical speciation as a tool to assess arsenic behaviour in soils polluted by mining

A study is performed to evaluate the occurrence of arsenic in polluted soils using acidic extractions and liquid chromatography–hydride generation–atomic fluorescence spectrometry (LC–HG–AFS) for speciation analysis. Seven soil samples were collected in an abandoned area polluted by mining in the Eastern Pyrenees (Spain), and two uncontaminated soils were taken for reference purposes. Moreover, the total arsenic content is evaluated in two different sieved fractions in order to obtain information on the possible particle-size-dependent association of arsenic with soil components. Soil samples were extracted with both phosphoric and ascorbic acids and the stabilities of the extracted species were studied. The arsenic species were determined by LC–HG–AFS. In addition, the ability of soil grinding to effect species change is also assessed. Arsenite and arsenate were found in the polluted soils, but only arsenate was found in the unpolluted soils. The quality of the results was assessed through a mass balance calculation and by analysing two soil Certified Reference Materials. Valuable information regarding arsenic occurrence in the studied soils is obtained from the speciation results. The presence of arsenite in the extracts can be attributed to arsenopyrite residues, whereas the presence of arsenate indicates release from weathered material. Figure Abandoned mining polluted area in Eastern Pyrenees     

Chemical speciation and contamination assessment of Zn and Cd by sequential extraction in surface sediment of Klang River, Malaysia

The concentration and chemical speciation of Cd and Zn as well as total organic carbon (TOC) were studied in surface sediments from 21 stations along Klang River. Sequential extraction technique (SET) was applied to assess the four (exchangeable, acid-reducible, oxidisable-organic and residual) fractions in surface sediment. And also, to obtain an overall classification of cadmium and zinc pollution in this area. This investigation was the first study on the basis of the chemical speciation of Cd and Zn in surface sediments of the Klang River. The total concentrations of metals were ranged (0.60–2.26 µg g^{− 1}) for Cd and (33.26–268.24 µg g^{− 1}) for Zn. The chemical speciation of Cd and Zn in most sampling stations were in the order of residual > acid-reducible > oxidisable-organic > exchangeable, and it showed that the Zn in Klang River surface sediments existed in the nonresistant fractions, whilst Cd existed in the resistant fraction. The degree of surface sediments contamination was determined for individual contamination factors (ICF) and global contamination factor (GCF). The result of ICF and GCF values showed that those stations located vicinity of municipal area had high potential risk to fauna and flora of the Klang River. The relationship between the concentration of cadmium and zinc at the oxidation-organic fraction with TOC in surface sediment was identified. The results showed that TOC had a positive function to complex with Cd and Zn in the surface sediment of Klang River.     

洛阳市蔬菜基地土壤中重金属含量抽样分析及评价

为了解洛阳市蔬菜基地土壤中重金属污染状况,对郊区白马寺镇蔬菜基地靠近公路、铁路、社区边和远离这些区域的菜地土壤抽样,采用原子吸收分光光度法测定了样品中的Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、Cr 5种重金属元素含量,并根据国家土壤环境质量二级标准对检测结果进行单因子污染指数和综合污染指数评价。结果表明,土样中重金属Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、Cr的平均含量分别为37.09、106.09、50.10、0.56、16.13 mg.kg-1。其中Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr含量均能达到清洁级,而Cd含量在靠近公路边、铁路边和社区边的抽样中明显高,接近或超出国家土壤环境质量二级标准值,在远离交通和社区的抽样中处于清洁级。由综合评价可知,在所采集的11个土壤样品中,4个样处于安全级水平,5个样处于警戒级水平,2个样处于轻度污染状态。可见,交通运输和社区生活是引起土壤重金属污染的重要因素。