Arsenic and fluoride in the groundwater of Mexico

Concentrations of arsenic and fluoride above Mexican drinking water standards have been detected in aquifers of various areas of Mexico. This contamination has been found to be mainly caused by natural sources. However, the specific processes releasing these toxic elements into groundwater have been determined in a few zones only. Many studies, focused on arsenic-related health effects, have been performed at Comarca Lagunera in northern México. High concentrations of fluoride in water were also found in this area. The origin of the arsenic there is still controversial. Groundwater in active mining areas has been polluted by both natural and anthropogenic sources. Arsenic-rich minerals contaminate the fractured limestone aquifer at Zimapán, Central México. Tailings and deposits smelter-rich fumes polluted the shallow granular aquifer. Arsenic contamination has also been reported in the San Antonio-El Triunfo mining zone, southern Baja California, and Santa María de la Paz, in San Luis Potosí state. Even in the absence of mining activities, hydrogeochemistry and statistical techniques showed that arsenopyrite oxidation may also contaminate water, as in the case of the Independencia aquifer in the Mexican Altiplano. High concentrations of arsenic have also been detected in geothermal areas like Los Azufres, Los Humeros, and Acoculco. Prevalence of dental fluorosis was revealed by epidemiological studies in Aguascalientes and San Luis Potosí states. Presence of fluoride in water results from dissolution of acid-volcanic rocks. In Mexico, groundwater supplies most drinking water. Current knowledge and the geology of Mexico indicate the need to include arsenic and fluoride determinations in groundwater on a routine basis, and to develop interdisciplinary studies to assess the contaminant's sources in all enriched areas.     

Fluoride distribution in the environment along the gradient of a phosphate-fertilizer production emission (southern Brazil)

Airborne fluoride was determined in the rainwater, surface soil and groundwater along a gradient of emission of a phosphate fertilizer factory in Rio Grande, southern Brazil. Concentrations of fluoride in rainwater and groundwater achieved 3 mg l⁻¹ and 5 mg l⁻¹, respectively, and were dependent on pH. The fluoride deposited from emissions accumulated in a superficial horizon of soil in quantities comparable to those in the manufactured end-products—up to 23,000 mg kg⁻¹. Fluoride distribution in the environment is controlled by physical–chemical parameters of emission, rain intensity and soil properties. The highest fluoride concentrations were registered at a close distance of up to 2 km from the factory. The distribution of fluoride in groundwater resembled the same distribution in rainwater due to the high permeability of the local soils. Fluoride penetration to the groundwater also depended on the type of vegetation cover. The groundwater in woodland areas was less affected by contamination of fluoride than in the grassland areas, most probably because of the influence of eucalyptus throughfall, which increases the pH of wet precipitates.     

浙江省永康市乡镇炼铝行业环境污染现状及对策

乡镇炼铝业是永康市主干行业之一，主要分布在古山、桥下两镇。调查结果表明，其生产过程产生的废气中，氟化物、二氧化硫、粉尘等标污染负荷比分别为６２９３％，２５２４％和１１８３％，废渣发生量约为０５ｔ／ｔ，废气、废渣已对环境产生污染，并危害人体健康。本文在调查研究基础上，提出了治理对策。     

Forecasting industrial emissions: a monetary approach vs. a physical approach

Forecasts of industrial emissions provide a basis for impact assessment and development planning. To date, most studies have assumed that industrial emissions are simply coupled to production value at a given stage of technical progress. It has been argued that the monetary method tends to overestimate pollution loads because it is highly influenced by market prices and fails to address spatial development schemes. This article develops a land use-based environmental performance index (L-EPI) that treats the industrial land areas as a dependent variable for pollution emissions. The basic assumption of the method is that at a planning level, industrial land use change can represent the change in industrial structure and production yield. This physical metric provides a connection between the state-of-the-art and potential impacts of future development and thus avoids the intrinsic pitfalls of the industrial Gross Domestic Product-based approach. Both methods were applied to examine future industrial emissions at the planning area of Dalian Municipality, North-west China, under a development scheme provided by the urban master plan. The results suggested that the LEPI method is highly reliable and applicable for the estimation and explanation of the spatial variation associated with industrial emissions.     

南京城市土壤重金属含量及空间分布特征

研究了南京城市土壤重金属含量、来源及空间分布特征。结果表明,南京城市土壤中V、Mn、Co、Ni、Cr污染不明显,但受到了不同程度的Cu、Pb、Zn、Sb、Hg、Cd污染,其中Hg污染比较严重。V、Mn、Co、Ni、Cr含量之间均呈极显著正相父;Cu、Pb、Zn、Sb、Hg、Cd含量之间也均呈极显著正相关。南京城市土壤V、Mn、Co、Ni、Cr主要继承了原土物质;Hg、Cd、Pb主要来源于城市燃煤、机动车尾气及工厂排放粉尘;Sb主要来源于机动车尾气和工厂排放粉尘。南京城市土壤Hg、Cd、Pb、Sb含量空间分布规律非常相似,均表现为外围向市中心有逐渐增加的趋势,并且在新街口—鼓楼、梅山硫铁矿形成异常高值的岛状、环状区域。     

京津冀地区大气NO2污染特征研究

京津冀都市圈作为全国主要的重化工业基地,区域性大气污染问题成为关注的焦点。NO2作为二次颗粒物及光化学污染物的重要前体物,了解其在时空尺度的污染特征对于保护公众康健及大气污染综合治理具有重要意义。本研究主要基于OMI遥感反演数据并结合部分地面监测数据,研究了2005—2013年京津冀NO2区域污染特征。结果表明：京津冀NO2柱浓度总体呈现逐年升高的趋势,年平均增长速率可达5.69%。在空间格局上呈东南平原区高、西北山区低的特征,平原的年均柱浓度是山区的3倍多;平原区存在两大NO2高值区域,分别为北京-天津-唐山区域和石家庄-邢台-邯郸区域;9年内, NO2高值范围不断扩大,且呈现明显的连片趋势。各城市大气 NO2在9年内的增长趋势也表现出明显的空间差异性。其中石家庄、唐山、邢台等 NO2重度污染区域的增长速率最大,衡水、沧州、秦皇岛、廊坊等中度污染区域的增长速率次之,承德、张家口等轻度污染区域的增长速率最小。京津冀NO2柱浓度具有显著的季节变化特征,总体表现为秋冬高、春夏低,但山区与平原区差异较大。人口密度、能源消耗、机动车排放等人为因素与京津冀 NO2污染密切相关,不同城市的首要影响因素却不同。北京 NO2柱浓度变化主要受机动车排放影响,天津、唐山、石家庄、邯郸、邢台地区主要受工业燃煤的影响,其次为机动车排放。人为因素对平原区NO2柱浓度的影响作用始终占据主导地位,对山区的主导作用从2006年开始突显。此外,京津冀平原区NO2重污染中心的形成还受到特殊地形和不利的气象条件影响。2008奥运年,京津冀空气质量得到迅速且有效的改善,说明北京及周边省市联合开展大气污染治理及监管工作的有效性及必要性。     

荔枝、龙眼和香蕉质量与生产环境的关系

对广州市的荔枝、龙眼和香蕉三大类水果产品质量和生产环境进行了质量监测和评价。结果表明,这三类水果的生产环境均遭受一定程度的污染;水果质量广泛受到氟污染,部分受到Pb、Cd污染;荔枝对镉的吸收富集作用较强。     

贵阳和万山地区部分蔬菜中的重金属含量及其健康风险

以贵州省贵阳市和万山地区为例,对购自当地自由市场的部分蔬菜中的重金属Cd、Hg、Pb、Mn、As的含量进行了测定,并以国际放射防护委员会(ICRP,International Commissionon Radiological Protection)给出的限定值为标准,对某些重金属含量超标的蔬菜进行了健康风险评价.结果表明:除个别蔬菜的As和Mn外,万山地区蔬菜中的重金属含量均明显高于贵阳地区;两地蔬菜中的As、Pb含量均低于国家限定值(GB4810-1994、GB14935-1994),而部分蔬菜中的Cd、Hg含量均明显超出国家限定值(GB15201-1994、GB2762-1994).风险评价结果表明贵阳和万山两地的蔬菜可能存在重金属Cd、Hg、Pb的中、轻度污染;存在Cd污染的蔬菜对人体的年致癌风险为3.40×10-7·a-1,非致癌物Hg和Pb对人体的总健康风险分别为3.63×10-7·a-1、1.69×10-6·a-1,均低于ICRP标准.     

莱州湾表层沉积物中重金属时空分布、污染来源及风险评价

运用污染风险评价标准和方法研究了2010年5月(春)、8月(夏)、10月(秋)和12月(冬)莱州湾表层沉积物中7种重金属污染物的时空分布特征、来源及生态风险。结果表明,表层沉积物中Cr、Zn和Pb含量均呈现春季低于其他季节特征,秋季Hg含量是其他季节的4倍,Cu、As和Pb含量无显著季节差异。表层沉积物中Cr、Cu、Zn、As和Cd最高值出现在莱州湾中部及小清河河口等西部水域,来源呈现受自然作用影响较大的特征;而Hg和Pb最高值出现在龙口和界河河口等东部水域,来源呈现受周边工业污染物的人为排放影响较大的特征。基于地理累积指数、生态效应浓度以及Hakanson潜在生态风险指数的综合评价表明,13%~29%的研究区域的表层沉积物受到轻微程度的Cd、Hg和Pb污染,Cd和Hg高值水域达到中等生态风险程度;Hg和As在65%~68%的研究区域的表层沉积物中达到可能对沉积物底质环境及生物群落产生不利生态影响水平。基于对重金属污染物的评价结果,莱州湾表层沉积物质量较好,局部区域存在Hg、Pb、Cd和As的潜在污染风险。     

Air pollution from aluminum smelting plants. II. the contribution from an aluminum smelting plant using the söderberg process to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and mutagens in ambient air

Extracts of airborne particles collected in the surroundings of an aluminum smelting plant have been analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and tested for mutagenic activity. The results were discussed in relation to the meteorological conditions during sampling and showed that the ambient concentrations of these parameters are significantly influenced by the emissions from the smelting plant in the summer, but not in the winter. The results from the mutagenicity testing showed that the mutagenic activity of particle extracts from this area was equal to or lower than what has been reported from other urban areas in Scandinavia.

The contribution of PAH and mutagens to the concentrations of these compounds in ambient air was estimated based on parallel measurements of fluoride and from emission values of fluoride, PAH and mutagens. It was concluded that whereas the smelter emissions could account for more than 50% of the yearly average of ambient PAH, the contribution of mutagens was significantly less.     

长江下游重点江段水质污染及对鱼类的毒性影响

通过对长江下游安庆、南京、镇江、南通４江段水质污染及其对鱼类毒性影响的调查监测可发现,长江下游江段主航道水质较好,符合国家地面水Ⅱ类水质标准．但近岸带水质由于受污染带的影响,水质污染较严重,其主要污染物为石油类和挥发酚等．上述这些污染物质对鱼类具有一定的毒性影响,其不但可引起鱼类的急性中毒,而且可诱发鱼类产生微核,并对鼠伤寒沙门氏菌ＴＡ９８菌株表现出一定的致突变性．同时在上述几个江段鱼体内可检出较高的蓄积性污染物的残留量．研究结果显示,长江下游江段正在遭受沿江诸多工业废水的污染,尤其是污染带的作用,并且这种污染对区域性渔业有一定的影响     

A health risk assessment for fluoride in Central Europe

Like many elements, fluorine (which generally occurs in nature as fluoride) is beneficial to human health in trace amounts, but can be toxic in excess. The links between low intakes of fluoride and dental protection are well known; however, fluoride is a powerful calcium-seeking element and can interfere with the calcified structure of bones and teeth in the human body at higher concentrations causing dental or skeletal fluorosis. One of the main exposure routes is via drinking water and the World Health Organisation currently sets water quality guidelines for the element. In Central Europe, groundwater resources that exceed the guideline value of 1.5 mg l⁻¹ are widespread and effects on health of high fluoride in water have been reported. The aim of the current project was to develop a geographic information system (GIS) to aid the identification of areas where high-fluoride waters and fluorosis may be a problem; hence, where water treatment technologies should be targeted. The development of the GIS was based upon the collation and digitisation of existing information relevant to fluoride risk in Ukraine, Moldova, Hungary and Slovakia assembled for the first time in a readily accessible form. In addition, geochemistry and health studies to examine in more detail the relationships between high-fluoride drinking waters and health effects in the population were carried out in Moldova and Ukraine demonstrating dental fluorosis prevalence rates of 60–90% in adolescents consuming water containing 2–7 mg l⁻¹ fluoride.     

Impact of kraft pulp-mill effluents on estuarine and coastal fishes in Apalachee Bay,Florida, USA

A 2-year field study was carried out to determine the impact of kraft pulp-mill effluents on the fish fauna of a shallow-bay system in north Florida (Apalachee Bay, USA). Offshore areas that received kraft-mill effluents (KME) displayed significant increases in color and turbidity and reductions in (benthic) dissolved oxygen compared to a nearby control area. Estuarine and marsh fish assemblages in areas of acute impact were severely reduced in terms of numbers of individuals (N) and species (S). Offshore areas exposed to varying (chronic) levels of KME were characterized by complex interactions that included seasonal variations of impact. A broad offshore area showed reductions in numbers of individuals and species taken per month. However, the cumulative (annual) number of species taken was the same for polluted and unpolluted (control) areas due to a recruitment of relatively rare species in the areas of impact. Such polluted areas showed decreased dominance as well as qualitative differences in species composition compared to control areas. Inshore bay stations that were most severely affected by KME were dominated by the bay anchovy, Anchoa mitchilli. While species richness and species diversity were lower at the highly stressed stations, in other outlying areas of moderate impact (reduced N and S) there were no reductions of such parameters compared to control areas. Thus, species diversity was not an indicator of pollution per se, and was useful only when taken in conjunction with various other parameters. Transition areas (between polluted and unpolluted portions of the bay) showed substantial (although periodic) increases in N, S, and species diversity. Equitability indices were unchanged in polluted portions of the bay. In general, the effects of KME on offshore fish assemblages appeared to be due to a complex combination of habitat alteration, reduced benthic productivity, and individual behavioral reactions. The alterations of fish assemblages were compared to other studies in this area on benthic macrophytes and invertebrates in an effort to assess the usefulness of various indices in studies on the long-term effects of pollution on estuarine and coastal systems. It was found that kraft pulp-mill effluents had a pronounced effect on the benthic standing crop of plants and animals, but that intensive sampling over prolonged periods of time was necessary for an adequate assessment of the problem. Overall, there were some significant changes in the biota such as reduced dominance and productivity in polluted areas that were similar for the various types of organisms sampled.     

Protective effects of quercetin against sodium fluoride-induced oxidative stress in rat erythrocytes

Protective effects of quercetin against oxidative stress induced by sodium fluoride intoxication in rat erythrocytes were evaluated. Rats were divided into five groups consisting of 10 in each for this experiment. The animals of group I received water and standard diet to serve as control group, the animals of groups II and III were treated with quercetin (10 and 20?mg?kg^?1 body weight), administrated intraperitoneally for 7 days followed by sodium fluoride (600?ppm) in drinking water for the next 7 days. The animals of group IV were treated with vitamin C (10?mg?kg^?1) intraperitoneally for 7 days followed by sodium fluoride treatment for next 7 days serving as positive control group. The animals of group V were treated only with sodium fluoride (600?ppm) for the same time and were used as control group. Blood sample were collected via retro-orbital puncture. The antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, as well as the levels of reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation end products were measured in erythrocytes. There was a significant increase in lipid peroxidation along with a decrease in superoxide dismutase activity in the erythrocytes of sodium fluoride-treated animals. Quercetin treatment prior to fluoride administration normalized the levels of all parameters measured in the rat erythrocytes.     

Spatiotemporal multimedia emission inventory for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons near petroleum production plants in China based on a 10′ × 10′ grid

A spatiotemporal model was developed to investigate emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Daqing, a Chinese city with large petroleum industry plants. The model was based on land-use types determined on a 10′?×?10′ grid. A geographic information system and regression analyses were used to characterise spatial and temporal variations in PAH emissions into multiple environmental media. The simulated results were validated using previously published experimental data, and the model was found to function well. PAH emissions to the atmosphere, soil, and surface water between 1998 and 2013 were estimated. The results indicated that PAH emissions to the atmosphere increased but PAH emissions to the soil and surface water decreased over the study period. PAH emissions to the atmosphere were markedly higher in winter than in summer. PAH emissions were concentrated in urban areas and areas near petroleum production plants, indicating that PAH emissions were closely related to industrial activities. The results will support research into the migration and transformation of PAHs and human health and ecological risk assessments. The results may also be useful for developing policies for controlling PAH pollution and managing risks associated with PAHs.     

Selenium Distribution in Topsoils and Plants of a Semi-arid Mediterranean Environment

Selenium was determined from 25 topsoils and 25 plants in the semi-arid Central Spain where large extents of soils are developed on evaporitic materials. Some species of vegetation associated with them are of the genera Astragalus, Salsola, Mercurialis, Phlomis, Thymus and Atriplex. Total selenium in soils was determined and its bioavailability assessed by chemical sequential fractionation. Se content in soils was adequate (in the range 0.17–0.39 mg kg⁻¹) or large (in the range 0.50–4.38 mg kg⁻¹) and appeared in highly and/or potentially available forms. Several plant species showed high Se levels (in the range 5–14.3 mg kg⁻¹), which can be a potential risk of toxicity to animals. Data obtained from the study area can be used as a guide to the range of values in soils and plants of the European Mediterranean area that are relatively unpolluted from industrial sources, allowing comparison with more polluted areas.     

交通污染区城市绿化植物硫含量分布

为探讨城市绿化植物对交通环境中SO2的响应，以远离城市道路的相对清洁区公园生长的植物为对照植物，采集了广东省被广泛栽种的18种园林绿化植物的不同方位的叶片和树皮样品，用硫酸钡比浊法测定了每种植物样品在交通污染区面向机动车行驶方向、面向人行道方向及相对清洁区的植物样品等不同方位的植物叶片和树皮硫含量，分析了绿化植物在同一株植物的不同生长部位和不同环境中硫含量的分布特征。结果表明，交通污染区所有样品的叶片硫和树皮硫含量均高于相对清洁区的样品。其中，远离工厂的交通污染区生长的同一株植物，离机动车道越近，硫含量越高；靠近工厂的交通污染区的同一植物，离工厂近的部位的植物树皮硫含量高于面向机动车道一侧的植物硫含量。     

Survey of chemical constituents of Tehran's groundwater

One hundred and forty wells throughout the City of Tehran and its environs were sampled to determine the chemical quality of the groundwater. Total alkalinity, pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, hardness and detergent concentrations were determined as well as levels of bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, sulphate, chloride, sodium, potassium, fluoride, iodide and nitrate. Generally, chemical pollution of the water supplies was low. There were, however, regional elevations in nitrate, chloride and fluoride. Elevated fluoride levels were primarily in the northern regions of the city while high nitrates and chlorides were found primariiy in industrial areas. The health implications of chemical constituents in drinking water are discussed.     

Principal component analysis of trace elements in industrial soils

The concentrations of the elements Cr, Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni, Mn, Cu and As in soil samples from industrial areas in Serbia were studied. The complexity of the data of eight elements in fifty-nine soil samples was reduced by principal component analysis. Three significant factors, in which 78% of the total variance in the data was found, were attributed to possible pollution sources. The crude and fuel oil burning, local smelters and exhaust emissions were shown to impact heavily the soil trace element profile, whereas no distinct soil type factor was observed. This approach, evidencing spatial relationship, enabled a differentiation between the soil samples originating from different areas.Selected article from the Regional Symposium on Chemistry and Environment, Krusevac, Serbia, June 2003, organised by Dr. Branimir Jovancicevic