Plants as bioindicators of natural and anthropogenically derived contamination

Plants occupy an important position in the ecosystem, being directly in contact with underlying soil, and providing food for animals, including humans, at higher trophic levels. Their use as indicators in studies of both natural and anthropogenically derived contamination is diverse. The visual appearance of plants, in combination with the presence of particular key species or assemblages, may provide clues to the occurrence of contaminants in the underlying strata. Chemical analysis of plant material, either collected from the field or from laboratory-based plant growth trials, can also provide a measure of the environmental mobility of a contaminant. This article discusses the role of plants as bioindicators with reference to examples of preliminary contaminated land assessment; air pollution monitoring, and studies into the environmental significance of contaminants in domestic and codisposed refuse.     

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.     

Characterization of Heavy Metals in Soil Near Coal Mines and a Power Plant in Huainan,China

The environmental and health hazards posed by heavy metals are significant due to their toxicity and bioavailability. Thirty-two soil samples were collected from residential areas around three coal mines and a power plant to assess the environmental and health implications caused by mining activities. The concentrations of heavy metals in soil were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. To evaluate the risk levels, the geo-accumulation index and health risk assessment were determined. The concentrations of metals in power plant soil were generally higher than those in coal mine soil, suggesting a higher release during coal combustion. The results demonstrate that the soils in the vicinity of Xinzhuangzi Mine and Luohe Power Plant are moderately contaminated by arsenic and cadmium. The analysis of the health risk of the metals indicated that the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic adverse effects to residents due to heavy metal exposure are negligible. However, more attention should be paid around the power plant for the unacceptable level of carcinogenic risk. Based on the results of the environmental and health risk assessment, priority control components in Huaian have been identified. The study provides a comprehensive assessment of soil heavy metal implications derived from mining activity in this region in China and is helpful for pollution control and environmental management.     

A preliminary study on the migration mechanism of heavy metals into the vadose zone of soils of a dismissed industrial site

Within the framework of the site assessment of a dismantled steel-making plant area contaminated by Electric Arc Furnace dust (EAF dust), the actual migration of Cr, Cu, As, Cd, Pb, Zn and Ni (contaminants) from an industrial waste layer towards the vadose zone of the underlying soil has been evaluated. The crystalline phases and contaminant abundance of samples of the industrial waste layer and the surrounding soils were analysed, while the release of contaminants was evaluated by leaching tests. Results indicate the migration of pollutants from the industrial waste layer into the subsurface soil, but the high leachability of soil hides its real degree of contamination, with the consequent possibility of underestimating the hazardous characteristics of the actual situation.     

山西省马铃薯主产区土壤重金属含量状况评价与膳食暴露评估

【目的】探明山西马铃薯种植区域土壤重金属污染状况,并对马铃薯进行重金属摄入健康风险评价。【方法】选取山西省境内马铃薯优势产业基地县(区)作为调查研究对象,用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪分析了马铃薯产地土壤及产品中铅、镉、砷、铬、镍、铜、锌等七种重金属元素含量状况,并采用单因子指数法、内梅罗综合指数法和潜在生态危害指数法对土壤中重金属进行生态风险评价,采用目标危险系数法对马铃薯进行重金属摄入健康风险评价。【结果】山西省马铃薯主产区土壤中7种重金属单项污染指数均小于1,综合污染指数小于0.5,潜在生态危害为轻微,土壤环境质量总体属于非污染水平,成人和儿童因食用马铃薯而摄入重金属的健康风险指数均小于1。【结论】山西省马铃薯主产区土壤中重金属污染程度较低,而马铃薯中重金属的残留对人体健康存在隐患,建议制定预防性手段,加强对马铃薯及其他蔬菜等土壤中重金属的跟踪与监测,确保农产品产地环境质量,从而确保农产品质量安全。     

Practical application of 1H benchtop NMR spectroscopy for the characterization of a nonaqueous phase liquid from a contaminated environment

Nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) located at the surface of the water table and/or below the water table are often a significant source for groundwater contamination near current or former commercial/industrial facilities. Due to the complex and long history of many industrial sites, these NAPLs often contain a complex mixture of contaminants and as such can be difficult to fully characterize using conventional analytical methods. Remediation and risk assessment activities at sites containing NAPLs may, subsequently, be hindered as the contamination profile may not be fully understood. This paper demonstrates the application of bench-scale ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as a practical tool to assist with the characterization of complex NAPLs. Here, a NAPL collected from a contaminated site situated near a former chemical manufacturing facility was analyzed using a combination of one-dimensional (1D) ¹H NMR spectroscopy and two-dimensional (2D) ¹H J-resolved spectroscopy (JRES). It is shown that 1D NMR experiments are useful in the rapid identification of the classes of compounds present, whereas 2D JRES NMR experiments are useful in identifying specific compounds. The use of benchtop NMR spectroscopy as a simple and cost effective tool to assist in the analysis of contaminated sites may help improve the practical characterization of many heavily contaminated sites and facilitate improved risk assessments and remedial strategies.     

比拉都地区水系沉积物As元素地球化学特征与环境评价

As元素及其化合物进入人体血液循环后直接作用于毛细血管壁,使其通透性增强,麻痹毛细血管,造成组织营养障碍,产生急性和慢性中毒。通过测定比拉都地区水系沉积物中As元素含量,运用地质累积指数法和平面等值线法,在该区域圈出三个污染区,并对三个污染区的污染程度进行等级划分。Ⅰ号污染区总共四个污染级别,从轻度污染-偏重度污染;Ⅱ号污染区总共四个污染级别,从轻度污染-偏重度污染;Ⅲ污染区总共三个污染级别,从轻度污染-中度污染。三个污染区的污染源都在最高污染级别所圈定的区域内。     

Heavy metal concentrations in soil and wild plants growing around Pb-Zn sulfide terrain in the Kohistan region, northern Pakistan

This study investigates the soil and wild plants of the Pb-Zn sulfide bearing mineralized zone of Indian plate (IP) in the Pazang and Lahor sites, Kohistan region, northern Pakistan. Soil and plants were analyzed for major cations (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn) and heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Co) concentrations by using atomic absorption spectrometer. Metal concentrations were used to quantify pollution contamination factors such as pollution load index (PLI) and plant bioaccumulation in soil and plants developed in mineralized zones in the Lahor and Pazang sites and an unmineralized zone (reference sites) of the Besham area. Soil and plants of the mineralized zone and surrounding areas have higher heavy metal (HM) contamination (P < 0.01) as compared to the reference site, which can be attributed to the dispersion of metals due to mining. Furthermore, in mineralized zones, the Lahor site was more contaminated than the Pazang site. This high HM contamination may pose potential threats to local communities of Kohistan region. The results also showed that plant species (Plectranthus rugosus, Rumex hastatus, Fimbristylis dichotoma, Heteropogon conturtus and Myrsine Africana) were the best HM accumulators.     

The optimization of microwave digestion procedures and application to an evaluation of potentially toxic element contamination on a former industrial site

The optimization of a microwave dissolution procedure for potentially toxic elements in a contaminated soil sample has been evaluated using a central composite design approach. By considering the operating parameters of temperature, digestion time, microwave power and acid volume it was possible to identify the following optimum conditions: temperature, 160 °C; power, 750 W; digestion time, 25 min; and, an aqua regia volume of 13 mL. These microwave digestion conditions were then applied to 19 samples obtained from a former industrial site in Newcastle upon Tyne. Of the range of potentially toxic elements present at the site as a consequence of former industrial activity (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn), the majority of topsoil samples indicated elevated concentrations of one or more of these elements. In particular, data obtained using either inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or flame atomic absorption spectroscopy indicates the high and wide concentration of Pb on the site (188-60300 mg/kg). Comparing the resulting potentially toxic elements data with UK soil guidelines values (SGVs) suggests at least parts of the site represent areas of potential human health risk. It was found that lead soil values exceeded the SGV on 17 out of the 19 sampling sites; similarly for As 6 out of 19 sampling sites exceeded the SGV. While for Cd, Cr and Ni the soil levels were below the stated SGVs.     

Sources of Soil and Plant Contamination in an Urban Environment and Possible Assessment Methods

Abstract

A survey was carried out in the city of Brno, Czech Republic in order to determine the levels and sources of soil and plant contamination and the possible implications for human health. A group of 136 topsoil and plant samples were taken in a defined sampling pattern, both in urban (in the year 1991) and suburban (1992) areas, paying particular attention to traffic density and intensity of land use. Samples were analysed for the contents of six heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The main soil characteristics were also determined (p^H, CEC, C_ox).

Traffic influence indices (TII) were calculated for each locality based on the traffic density and micro climatic conditions. Soil pollution indices (SPI) and plant pollution indices (PPI) were defined as a loading of a group of toxic metals relative to acceptable upper limits and were used as a general measure of the soil and plant burden at a particular site.

There were significant differences between the level of pollution in urban and suburban areas particularly for Pb, Cr and Ni in plants.

Traffic was found to be the major source of pollution by Pb, Zn and Cu in the urban survey and significant correlations were found between soil Pb × TII and SPI × TII in urban area. No such relationships were found for the suburban samples.     

土壤中砷形态分析研究进展

本文评述了近年来国内外土壤中砷形态分析的主要研究方法,包括联用分析法、分级提取法和同步辐射X-射线线吸收光谱法。联用分析法包括气相色谱联用法、毛细管电泳联用法和高效液相色谱联用法。重点介绍了目前应用范围较广的高效液相色谱-等离子体质谱(HPLC-ICP-MS)联用法和高效液相色谱-氢化物发生-原子荧光光谱(HPLC-HG-AFS)联用法。同步辐射X-射线线吸收光谱法近几年发展迅速,是最具发展潜力的形态分析方法。     

瑞安东山垃圾场地下水污染对人体的健康风险评价

以某垃圾场污染调查为依据,采用污染场地健康风险评价方法综合评价了由地下水污染带来的人群健康风险。综合分析表明,场地目标污染物为NO3^-、甲苯、二甲苯和锰,成年人和儿童两类人群通过饮水暴露途径的健康风险均远远大于洗浴带来的健康风险,儿童的洗浴风险大于成年人;无论饮水还是洗浴途径,4种污染物质中,锰的风险贡献最大,其次为硝酸根;从评价的4个污染因子来看,该垃圾场地下水对人体健康的危害已经相当大,须引起重视。     

Application of capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry for determining organic food contaminants and residues

Food contamination continues to be a serious problem around the world. Surveillance of chemical contaminants in foods is important not only for public health but also because of the negative economic impact of contamination. From the analytical perspective, analysis of contaminants in food is an extremely challenging area. There is a wide variety of questions, ranging from the quantification of extremely low levels of individual components to the detailed assessment and evaluation of the analytical technique possibilities. This review considers the applications of CE coupled to MS detection (CE-MS) for the analysis of organic contaminants in food. Analytical information on sample concentration techniques, as well as on the CE separation conditions and recoveries obtained from water and food are provided. Different sections include several fields of application, such as pesticides, drug residues, or toxic formed during food processing in different matrices. A number of tables report a comprehensive listing of CE-MS applications. As a result, this work presents an update overview on the principal application of CE-MS together with a discussion of their main advantages and drawbacks, and an outline of future trends on analysis of organic contaminants.     

Quality assessment for methodological aspects of microplastics analysis in soil

Over the last several years, a number of studies have concentrated on the occurrence, potential sources, and ecological implications of soil systems. However, the studies’ methodological aspects have received little attention. Thus, this study performed a quality assessment for the methodological aspects of soil microplastics studies by adopting the Criteria for Reporting and Evaluating Ecotoxicity Data (CRED) evaluation method. A total of 35 soil microplastic studies have been evaluated in terms of methodological aspects using 13 criteria, namely, sampling methods and strategy, sample processing and storage, sample size, laboratory preparation, clean air conditions, chemical purity, negative control, positive control, sample pre-treatment, microplastics particle data, particle size, particle shape and polymer type identification. The quality assessment findings indicated that no study scored a maximum of two in all criteria, reiterating the urgent need for enhanced quality assurance for future soil microplastics studies. The average quality assessment scores in soil microplastics studies also indicated that the conditions requiring the most improvement involve both the criteria of positive controls and the criteria of clean air conditions. With a value of zero in 13 assessed criterion, the relevance of the study’s findings in environmental risk assessment was restricted, suggesting that future studies should consider strengthening the implementation and reporting of QA/QC protocol. Adoption of proper quality assurance and contamination control measures will guarantee high data quality and establish confidence in the study’s findings, which allow for reproducibility and comparability as well as acceptability to be utilized in risk assessments.     

Cyclodextrins in innovative engineering tools for risk-based environmental management

Experimental results, which may serve as basis for innovative applications of cyclodextrins (CDs) in environmental technologies, are presented here. Some newly developed CD-aided tools are used in sampling, measuring the concentration or testing the effect of contaminants in water and soil. The innovative methods such as the bacterial bioassays with CD-increased sensitivity or the CD-filled absorptive samplers for air and water sampling are utilised in environmental exposure, hazard and risk assessment. Technological developments aim the reduction of the risk of chemical substances in waters and soils. CD-aided environmental remediation is introduced through examples for the elimination of organic contaminants from water by CD-filters, and for the enhancement of the mobility and availability of soil contaminants in this way increasing the efficiency of soil remediation by water extraction, chemical oxidation, biodegradation, etc.     

表面增强拉曼光谱技术在食品检测中的应用研究进展

食品污染是危害公众健康和安全的重要问题,探究灵敏、快速、简单的技术,以便在痕量水平上检测污染物,对保障食品质量安全和风险评价具有十分重要的意义.表面增强拉曼光谱(SERS)是利用光与金、银等纳米结构材料相互作用产生很强的表面等离子激元共振效应,可显著增强吸附在纳米结构表面上分子的拉曼信号,以超灵敏获取样品自身或拉曼探针...     

Geostatistical and multivariate statistical analysis of heavily and manifoldly contaminated soil samples

The surroundings of the former Kremikovtzi steel mill near Sofia (Bulgaria) are influenced by various emissions from the factory. In addition to steel and alloys, they produce different products based on inorganic compounds in different smelters. Soil in this region is multiply contaminated. We collected 65 soil samples and analyzed 15 elements by different methods of atomic spectroscopy for a survey of this field site. Here we present a novel hybrid approach for environmental risk assessment of polluted soil combining geostatistical methods and source apportionment modeling. We could distinguish areas with heavily and slightly polluted soils in the vicinity of the iron smelter by applying unsupervised pattern recognition methods. This result was supported by geostatistical methods such as semivariogram analysis and kriging. The modes of action of the metals examined differ significantly in such a way that iron and lead account for the main pollutants of the iron smelter, whereas, e.g., arsenic shows a haphazard distribution. The application of factor analysis and source-apportionment modeling on absolute principal component scores revealed novel information about the composition of the emissions from the different stacks. It is possible to estimate the impact of every element examined on the pollution due to their emission source. This investigation allows an objective assessment of the different spatial distributions of the elements examined in the soil of the Kremikovtzi region. The geostatistical analysis illustrates this distribution and is supported by multivariate statistical analysis revealing relations between the elements.     

A Comprehensive Review for Groundwater Contamination and Remediation: Occurrence,Migration and Adsorption Modelling

The provision of safe water for people is a human right; historically, a major number of people depend on groundwater as a source of water for their needs, such as agricultural, industrial or human activities. Water resources have recently been affected by organic and/or inorganic contaminants as a result of population growth and increased anthropogenic activity, soil leaching and pollution. Water resource remediation has become a serious environmental concern, since it has a direct impact on many aspects of people’s lives. For decades, the pump-and-treat method has been considered the predominant treatment process for the remediation of contaminated groundwater with organic and inorganic contaminants. On the other side, this technique missed sustainability and the new concept of using renewable energy. Permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) have been implemented as an alternative to conventional pump-and-treat systems for remediating polluted groundwater because of their effectiveness and ease of implementation. In this paper, a review of the importance of groundwater, contamination and biological, physical as well as chemical remediation techniques have been discussed. In this review, the principles of the permeable reactive barrier’s use as a remediation technique have been introduced along with commonly used reactive materials and the recent applications of the permeable reactive barrier in the remediation of different contaminants, such as heavy metals, chlorinated solvents and pesticides. This paper also discusses the characteristics of reactive media and contaminants’ uptake mechanisms. Finally, remediation isotherms, the breakthrough curves and kinetic sorption models are also being presented. It has been found that groundwater could be contaminated by different pollutants and must be remediated to fit human, agricultural and industrial needs. The PRB technique is an efficient treatment process that is an inexpensive alternative for the pump-and-treat procedure and represents a promising technique to treat groundwater pollution.     

Chemometric interpretation of pesticide occurence in soil samples from an intensive horticulture area in north Portugal

An extensive monitoring programme of pesticides was carried out in soil samples from an intensive horticulture area in north of Portugal, putting into practice the needs for increased control of soil quality as far as organic pollution is concerned. The area under investigation was additionally defined as vulnerable to nitrates due to local soil and aquifer characteristics, which might be extended to pesticides contamination. Five sampling sites were selected and soils analysed at three depths in eight sampling campaigns, for the period of 2 years. A stepwise multivariate statistical approach was selected to uncover most relevant patterns inside a complex environmental data matrix. Cluster analysis was applied both to group pesticides and samples, giving a primary and unsupervised overlook of privileged relationships. Clusters of persistent pesticides and selected herbicides were identified, whereas sample classes were also formed and disposed geographically. Thirty eight percent of analysed soils samples fell into one class characterized by low contamination (class 1 in cluster analysis), which is entirely representative of the sampling site no. 1. Afterwards, linear discriminant analysis was applied to identify those pesticides, which had a higher impact in the definition of classes. Finally, factor analysis using a five component model was implemented in order to bring to light the constitution and data variance explained by each of the five main principal components, as well as, their relation to pest management practices. A factor was identified (PC1 – 22% variance) composed of chlorinated pesticides, which was representative of one of the investigated sites indicating its high contamination status. Qualitative main findings and class average concentration values were obtained through this multivariate statistical approach.     

铅污染土壤的修复技术

综述了铅对土壤的污染及其修复技术。目前应用于污染土壤的修复技术可分为物理化学修复技术和生物修复技术。物理化学修复技术又可分为隔离包埋技术,固化稳定技术,Pyrometalluryical separation,化学稳定技术,电动修复技术等;生物修复技术可分为微生物修复技术和植物修复技术等。以期进一步推动铅污染土壤的治理和修复工作。