Total reflection X-ray fluorescence and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis of runoff water and vegetation from abandoned mining of Pb–Zn ores

The present work reports on the heavy metal content: Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb in running waters and vegetation around abandoned mining areas. Two species of mosses (Dicranum sp. and Pleurocarpus sp.) and three different species of wild grass (Bromus sp., Rumex sp. and Pseudoavena sp.) growing on the surrounding areas of old lead–zinc mines (Aran Valley, Pyrenees, NE Spain) have been analyzed. Both water and vegetation were collected in two different sampling places: (a) near the mine gallery water outlets and (b) on the landfill close to the abandoned mineral concentration factories. For the heavy metal content determination, two different techniques were used: total reflection X-ray fluorescence for water analysis and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence for vegetation study. Surface waters around mine outlets exhibit anomalous content of Co, Ni, Zn, Cd. Stream waters running on mining landfills exhibit higher Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb than those of the waters at the mine gallery outlets. The results allow us to assess the extent of the environmental impact of the mining activities on the water quality. The intake of these elements by vegetation was related with the sampling place, reflecting the metal water content and the substrate chemistry. Accumulation of metals in mosses is higher than those exhibited in wild grasses. Furthermore, different levels of accumulation were found in different wild grass. Rumex sp. presented the lowest metal concentrations, while Pseudoavena sp. reported the highest metal content.     

象山港海底沉积物中重金属的赋存形态

以象山港海底沉积物为研究对象,采用了五步连续萃取法对象山港区域表层沉积物中重金属(Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn)赋存形态进行了研究,分析了各形态重金属在象山港不同采样点中的分布特征和影响因素.结果表明,象山港海域表层沉积物中各重金属元素主要来源于自然输入的残留态,人为输入的各种活性形态所占比例相对较少,但受两种因素的影响的差...     

表层沉积物(生物膜)非残渣态组分的选择性萃取分离及其吸附铜/锌的特性

采用化学萃取技术对表层沉积物(生物膜)的非残渣态组分(铁、锰氧化物及有机质)进行了分离, 并研究了表层沉积物(生物膜)非残渣态和残渣态组分吸附铜、锌的特性. 结果表明, 0.1 mol/L NH2OH·HCl+0.1 mol/L HNO3, (NH4)2C2O4-H2C2O4缓冲溶液和体积分数为30%的H2O2可选择性地萃取分离表层沉积物(生物膜)非残渣态的锰氧化物、铁锰氧化物和有机质, 萃取率为63.15%～97.59%, 同时对非目的组分影响较小; 表层沉积物(生物膜)及其各组分对铜的吸附能力均大于对锌的吸附能力, 且生物膜及其各组分对铜、锌的吸附能力均高于表层沉积物及其相应组分对铜、锌的吸附能力; 表层沉积物(生物膜)非残渣态组分对铜、锌的吸附能力均大于残渣态组分, 且非残渣态组分中锰氧化物的单位吸附能力最强, 其次是铁氧化物, 而有机质的单位吸附能力较弱, 比锰氧化物低2个数量级, 说明生物膜对水体中痕量重金属的迁移转化作用强于表层沉积物, 而表层沉积物(生物膜)中金属(铁、锰)氧化物对水中痕量重金属起主要控制作用.     

Major and trace elements in sediments of the upper course of Lerma river

Summary The Lerma is one of the most important rivers of Mexico, where it drains highly populated and industrialized regions. The concentration of six major and trace elements: titanium, manganese, iron, zinc, copper and lead in the surface sediments of the upper course of Lerma river was investigated, in order to identify its distribution along the river and to recognize the principal sites of pollution. The surface sediment samples were collected at 8 sites distributed following the stream flow direction of the river. Major and trace elements concentrations were determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The results show that the metal concentrations in the sediments decrease in the sequence: Fe > Ti > Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb. Concentration of Fe, Mn and Ti were significantly higher than the other metals in site 8,200 meters downstream the Alzate Dam. The high concentrations and spatial variations of Zn, Cu and Pb in the middle sites of the upper course of the Lerma River indicate that the river pollution is probably associated with urban and industrial discharges.     

Heavy-metal pollution and its state in algae in Kakehashi river and Godani river at the foot of Ogoya mine, Ishikawa Prefecture.

Alga as Achnanthes minutissima among diatoms is a widely adaptable taxon on the state of an aquatic environment. In this study, it was found that diatom had a specific tolerance to heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd etc.) in river water samples, because the diatom assemblage consisted of almost only Achnanthes minutissima in Kakehashi river and Godani river, which were polluted with waste water from Ogoya copper mine. The relationship between the concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) in river water and the attached substances (algae and silt etc.) and the relative abundances of diatom taxa were investigated in detail. The results indicated that the higher is the concentration of heavy metals in the river environment, the higher is only the relative abundances of Achnanthes minutissima. Thus, the taxon can be used as a bioindicator of heavy metal pollution. The relative rates of toxic chemical forms of copper in algae were 61 - 92% in the attached substances and 49-70% in the sediment on the river bed, respectively. Therefore, it was found that diatom as Achnanthes minutissima had a tolerance to heavy metals in river water, being able to live in such an environment. Since the water treated with calcium hydroxide from the deposition reservoir of Ogoya mine enters in Godani river, the river is polluted by heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd etc.). From the viewpoint of both biological and chemical analyses, Godani river is still polluted with heavy metals, because their concentrations in the river samples were very high. On the other hand, in Kakehashi river, the concentrations of heavy metals were very low and the distributions of some diatoms appeared in an unpolluted Nishimata river were observed. Therefore, Kakehashi river seems to be considerably recovered from heavy-metal pollution after closing the Ogoya mine.     

Distribution and speciation of metals in surface sediments of Taranto [corrected] gulf (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy)

Concentrations of metals (Al, Fe, Ti, Ni, Mn, Cr, Zn, Cu, Pb) were determined in surface sediments from Taranto gulf (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy) in order to assess the distribution and the bioavailability of metals. Total metal content and speciation of Fe, Ni, Mn, Zn, Cu and Pb were determined. Sediment cores were also sampled in some stations of particular interest. The analytical results show that metals distribution does not show significant variations in relation to depth. Metal distribution in the Taranto gulf is mainly influenced by industrial wastes from Taranto town, by rivers of the Basilicata region and by prevailing anticlockwise marine currents. These factors cause an accumulation of metals in the sediments near to the coasts of Calabria. The statistical analysis, effected by HCA and PCA methods, can be considered a good starting point in order to classify sediment samples and to locate accumulation areas. Metal speciation shows that Fe, Ni and Zn are present in sediments mainly as sulphides, Mn is present principally in an ion-exchange form or bound to carbonate, while Cu and Pb are mainly present in the fraction bounds to humic acids.     

耐高盐碱蓬对湿地土壤中金属元素的富集特征研究

基于秦皇岛滨海湿地人工种植耐高盐碱蓬修复工程试验,通过分析湿地土壤沉积物及耐高盐碱蓬中不同金属元素的含量与变化,研究了耐高盐碱蓬对金属元素的富集特征。结果显示:湿地沉积物中Fe、Mn、Cr、Pb和Zn的浓度较高,分别为8 210. 94、110. 04、8. 78、8. 25、10. 95 mg/kg,Cd的浓度最低,平均值为0. 022 mg/kg,湿地试验区土壤中同一金属元素变异程度较小,分布较均匀。碱蓬体内重金属含量根据采集地点的不同有差异,但与各站位中土壤的重金属分布特征存在正相关性;其中碱蓬内Fe、Mn、Zn、Cu的平均含量相对较高,且Fe、Mn、Ni、Cu、As、Cd、Pb元素在碱蓬根中的平均含量高于茎叶,而Cr在茎中的平均含量最高,Zn和Mo在叶中的含量最高。碱蓬的根、茎、叶对Cd的富集效果最好,其次为Mo、Cu,对Fe、Mn、Zn、As和Pb的富集效果相对较差,说明碱蓬对沉积物中不同金属元素的富集移出率存在差异。金属元素在碱蓬中的转移系数研究表明,Mo、Zn、Cd和Mn等元素可由根部转移到叶中,而Fe、Ni、Pb、As和Cu等金属元素固定在根部,该研究可为利用碱蓬修复湿地重金属污染提供理论基础。     

Determination of rare earth elements and heavy metals in river water by preconcentration on chelex 100 and neutron activation

The neutron activation determination of rare earth elements and heavy metals in river water has been studied with Chelex 100 resin as a preconcentration agent. The resin is applied directly as a support for irradiation and for radiochemical separation. The radioactive rare earth elements are recovered selectively and quantitatively from the irradiated resin by elution with hot 1 M sodium carbonate solution; radioactive heavy metals are recovered with 2 M nitric acid. Activities from each eluate are counted with a Ge(Li) detector connected to a multichannel analyzer; La, Sm, Eu, Dy, Mn, Cu and Zn can be determined. The recoveries were almost quantitative and the measurement of chemical yield was unnecessary.     

Monitoring of inorganic species distribution in water and sediments of Aso river

Analytical results are reported for the determination of inorganic species in water and sediments sampled in the Aso river ecosystem. The species determined are Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Hg, F-, NO3-, SO4--, Na, K, Ca, Mg, NH4+ in water, and Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Hg in sediments. For all the elements, in addition to detection limits, precision and accuracy are given: the former, expressed as relative standard deviation (Sr), and the latter, expressed as relative error (e), were good, being in all cases lower than 6%.     

Spatial and temporal distribution of inorganic species in water and sediments of the Tronto River ecosystem

Analytical results are reported for the determination of inorganic species in water and sediments sampled in the Tronto river ecosystem. The species determined are Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Hg, F, NO3-, SO4-, Na, K, Ca, Mg, NH4+ in integrated water, and Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Hg in sediments. For all the elements, in addition to detection limits, precision and accuracy are given: the former, expressed as relative standard deviation (Sr), and the latter, expressed as relative error (e), were good, being in all cases lower than 5%.     

Differentiation of black,green, herbal and fruit bagged teas based on multi-element analysis using inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

In the present paper, multi-element characterisation of 26 bagged teas was carried out using inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Na, K, Ca and Mg were the metals with major contents. Among the essential elements, Fe and Zn were the most abundant, followed by Se, Cu, Mo and Cr. The tea bag samples also contained significant contents of Mn and Al. The chemometric techniques of linear correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were used for differentiation of the tea bag samples according to their metal content. The samples analysed were classified into four groups by PCA and CA. The first group includes hibiscus, nettle, mint, rtanj tea, thyme, bearberry and sage. Green and black teas are in the second group. The third group contains strawberry, lime, pineapple, pomegranate, elder, blueberry, milfoil, apricot and chamomile. Exotic fruits, sweet cherry, forest fruits, apple, St John’s wort, rose hips, cherry and raspberry are in the fourth group.     

Contents of heavy metals in lotus seed from REEs mining area

At rare earth mining area, the pollution of heavy metals has been paid little attention. In lotus seeds and soil samples sampled from a typical rare earth elements mining area were detected the contents of eight kinds of heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg and Pb) to investigate the pollution from rare earth elements mining by ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). The results showed that the contents of the heavy metals Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg and Pb in lotus seeds were 0.25, 86.94, 8.32, 19.76, 0.13, 0.08, 0.01, and 0.20 μg/g in lotus seeds, respectively, and corresponding contents in soil were 27.68, 168.71, 20.23, 47.16, 1.83, 0.13, 0.04, and 23.15 μg/g. These data showed that the contents of heavy metals in lotus seeds from REEs mining area are no higher than reference area and meet national food safety standards of China.     

Senio river ecosystem: characterization and distribution of inorganic species in water and sediments

Analytical results are reported for the determination of inorganic species in water and sediments sampled in the Senio river ecosystem. The species determined are Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Co, Cr, Ni, Fe, Mn, Hg, F-, Cl-, Br, NO3-, SO4-, Na+, K+, Ca++, Mg++, NH4+ in integrated water, and Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Co, Cr, Ni, Fe, Mn, Hg in sediments. For all the elements, in addition to detection limits, precision and accuracy are given: the former, expressed as relative standard deviation (sr), and the latter, expressed as relative error (e), were good, being in all cases lower than 6%. Limitedly to Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn a critical comparison with voltammetric measurements is also discussed.     

Distribution of Minor and Trace Metals in Carezza Lake (ANTARCTICA) Ecosystem

Abstract

This paper reports the distribution of a series of metals in natural samples collected at Carezza Lake in Antarctica, during the Italian Expedition in the austral summer 1989/90. The considered elements are: water, sediments and soil sampled from the surroundings of the lake and algae. The determination of the total concentration of the following metals was performed: Al, As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Zn. In addition, for sediment and soil samples, a speciation study was performed for some metals, namely Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, using the Tessier procedure.     

A study of trace element contamination in river sediments in Serbia using microwave-assisted aqua regia digestion and multivariate statistical analysis

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the trace element contamination level in sediments of the most important rivers in Serbia and their tributaries. The determination of the aqua regia soluble contents of 12 micro- and macro-elements (Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, Zn, Be and V) in sediments was developed by the microwave digestion technique combined with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis distinguishes factors of lithogenic and anthropogenic origins. The Fe, Mn, Be and V contents are controlled by a regional lithogenic high background factor, while Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Zn and Cu are recognized as tracer of pollution. For Co, mixed sources from both lithogenic and anthropogenic inputs were evidenced.The investigated sediment of the major rivers and their tributaries in Serbia showed high concentrations of metals, especially of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn, which may cause serious environmental impacts. Rivers which flow into the Danube from its entrance into Serbia significantly influence the chemical load of the water and sediments.The experimental study was conducted using two BCR standard reference materials. The calculated accuracy and precision confirmed the good performance of the adopted procedures.     

PGAA metals analysis in tailings in Zaida abandoned mine,high Moulouya,Morocco

The basin of Moulouya Oued is a region where mining industry has been developed early in the 20th century. As a consequence, residues generated from past mining activities over the years have been dumped as piles of tailings. Zaïda is one of the most affected region in this basin because of lead mine exploitation for long time. The aim of this study is to determine the amount of trace elements and the contamination of the river sediments. Analysis of collected samples has been achieved using the prompt gamma activation analysis method. The samples, in form of powders, were enclosed in Teflon sheets. The spectra were analyzed using HYPERMET PC software and the chemical composition is calculated using an Excel-macro that provides the concentrations as molar and weight percentages, as well as the corresponding masses of the oxides. The validation of the analytical method is demonstrated with the analysis of a reference material. The results show that the distribution of the studied metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr Ni, and As) in the basin is dependent on location with a very significant contamination by Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, and Ni close to the lead mine sites.     

Determination of heavy metals in environmental matrices sampled inside the Park of the Po Delta

Analytical results are reported for the determination of heavy metals in environmental matrices, sampled in an ecosystem inside a protected area: the Park of the Po Delta, located near the thermoelectric power station ENEL of Porto Tolle, one of the greater in Italy. The elements determined, in sediments and superficial water, are Ni and V, linked to the fuel oil combustion. However, in order to obtain a complete picture enough of heavy metals polluting load in the study areas, the following elements: Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn are also determined. For all the elements, in addition to the detection limits, precision and accuracy are also given: the former, expressed as relative standard deviation (s(r)), and the latter, expressed as relative error (e), were good, being in all cases lower than 6%.     

煎煮对几种特色南药中重金属元素含量和形态影响

考察了几种特色南药中重金属(Cd,Cr,Cu,Fe,Mn,Ni,Pb,Sr,Zn)的含量状况,并采用形态连续萃取法分析重金属在药材中的形态分布,研究了药材煎煮时药材中重金属的释放及煎煮过程对药材中重金属形态分布的影响。结果表明,几种南药中Cr,Pb,Zn的含量较高,且巴戟天中的重金属总量高于限量标准;原药材中Cr,Cu,Mn,Ni,Pb和Zn主要存在于有机态和残留态,Fe和Sr主要存在于残留态。煎煮使南药中大量重金属迁移到药汤中;药汤中Cu,Mn,Cr,Pb和Zn主要来自于其在药材中的可交换态、碳酸盐结合态和有机态,而药汤中Sr,Ni和Fe不仅包含其非残留态,更多来自于它们的残留态。为减少药汤中重金属,对于Cu,Mn,Cr,Pb和Zn既要控制在药材中的总量,且需降低它们在药材中的非残留态含量;对于Fe,Ni和Sr则主要是控制其在药材中的总量。     

Analysis of heavy metals in road-deposited sediments

Road-deposited sediments were analysed for heavy metal concentrations at three different landuses (residential, industrial, commercial) in Queensland State, Australia. The sediments were collected using a domestic vacuum cleaner which was proven to be highly efficient in collecting sub-micron particles. Five particle sizes were analysed separately for eight heavy metal elements (Zn, Fe, Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Al and Mn). At all sites, the maximum concentration of the heavy metals occurred in the 0.45-75 μm particle size range, which conventional street cleaning services do not remove efficiently. Multicriteria decision making methods (MCDM), PROMETHEE and GAIA, were employed in the data analysis. PROMETHEE, a non-parametric ranking analysis procedure, was used to rank the metal contents of the sediments sampled at each site. The most polluted site and particle size range were the industrial site and the 0.45-75 μm range, respectively. Although the industrial site displayed the highest metal concentrations, the highest heavy metal loading coincided with the highest sediment load, which occurred at the commercial site. GAIA, a special form of principal component analysis, was applied to determine correlations between the heavy metals and particle size ranges and also to assess possible correlation with total organic carbon (TOC). The GAIA-planes revealed that irrespective of the site, most of the heavy metals are adsorbed to sediments below 150 μm. A weak correlation was found between Zn, Mn and TOC at the commercial site. This could lead to higher bioavailability of these metals through complexation reactions with the organic species in the sediments.