Environmental Assessment of Aromatic Hydrocarbons-Contaminated Sediments of the Mexican Salina Cruz Bay

Concentrations of total aromatic hydrocarbons and extractable organic matter in the water column and sediment were determined in samples collected in the course of the last 20 years from the Salina Cruz Harbor, México, to assess the degree of organic contamination. In sediments, organic compounds accumulate in shallow areas mostly associated with extractable organic matter and fine fractions. Calculated geocumulation index and enrichment factors suggest that contamination could be derived from anthropogenic activities attributed to harbor and ship scrapping activities, as well as transboundary source. Concentration of total aromatic hydrocarbons (as chrysene equivalents) ranged from 0.01 to 534 μg l⁻¹ in water, and from 0.10 to 2,160 μg g⁻¹ in sediments. Total aromatic concentration of 5 μg g⁻¹ is proposed as background concentration.     

应用化学质量平衡模型解析西宁大气PM2.5的来源

为研究影响西宁市大气环境PM_(2.5)污染水平的主要来源,于2014年采暖季、风沙季和非采暖季依托西宁市大气地面观测网络在11个监测点采集大气PM_(2.5)样品,对其化学组分(元素、离子和碳)进行分析。研究同步采集了4类固定源、14类移动源和4类开放源的PM_(2.5)样品,并构建源排放成分谱。应用化学质量平衡受体模型(CMB)开展源解析研究。源解析结果表明,观测期间西宁市PM_(2.5)主要来源包括城市扬尘(分担率为26.4%)、燃煤尘(14.5%)、机动车尾气(12.8%)、二次硫酸盐(9.0%)、生物质燃烧(6.6%)、二次硝酸盐(5.7%)、钢铁尘(4.7%)、锌冶炼尘(3.4%)、建筑尘(4.4%)、土壤尘(4.4%)、餐饮排放(2.9%)和其他未识别的来源(5.2%)。大力开展城市扬尘为主的开放源污染控制,严格控制本地燃煤、机动车等污染源的PM_(2.5)排放,是改善西宁市空气质量的重要途径。     

Sediment and Suspended Matter Lead Contamination in the Gulf of Kavala, Greece

Sediment and suspended particulate matter samples from 24 stations in the Gulf of Kavala have been examined for lead contamination. Grain size analysis and organic matter content were also performed. Total – anthropogenic sediment lead concentrations and enrichment factors at stations close to harbors and chemical industries were found higher (up to 209–135μg/g and 4.12 respectively), in relation to concentrations from the rest of the coastal zone. In the above areas, increased suspended particulate lead in the bottom of the water column was also recorded (up to 109μg/g). Total sediment lead concentrations composed of high natural Pb background increased with decreasing grain size, suggesting their association with the fine fractions of the sediments (31.1–66.0% mud presence) and the organic matter content (6–9% higher values). Overall, higher total lead concentrations in the sediments, determined by this work, appear to be significantly different from those reported for the Gulf of Kavala in previous studies and similar to those detected in other highly contaminated eastern Mediterranean coastal areas.     

Distribution, Enrichment and Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Coastal Sediments of Salina Cruz Bay, México

Surface sediment samples collected from the Salina Cruz Bay in the last twenty years, were analyzed for the total available trace elements (Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, V, and Zn) to evaluate metal contamination due to possible anthropogenic inputs. Normalization of metals to iron and fine-grained fraction (< 63 μm) indicated relatively high enrichment factors for lead during the last two decades. Sediment Quality Guidelines suggest that lead must be considered as a chemical of potential concern in the marine and estuarine ecosystem. Concentration levels of lead ranged from 5–124 μg/g, while Ni and V below 70 and 30 μg/g, respectively. Geoaccumulation and enrichment factors for the rest of elements show comparable values to those reported for sites with similar activities in the world. Spatial distribution suggests that in addition to harbor activities, a transboundary source for Pb must account for the observed trends.     

河南省典型城市PM2.5无机元素污染特征及来源分析

分析2012年采暖季和非采暖季郑州市、洛阳市和平顶山市大气细颗粒物(PM_(2.5))样品中22种无机元素含量和污染特征,采用富集因子法、因子分析法研究当地PM_(2.5)中无机元素来源。结果表明:3个城市PM_(2.5)中无机元素总量在采暖季均高于非采暖季,不同季节占PM_(2.5)质量浓度的比例为1.7%~3.6%。Al、Na、Ca等地壳元素在PM_(2.5)中占比与PM_(2.5)浓度呈负相关关系,而Zn、Pb、Cu等人为源元素的占比随PM_(2.5)浓度增加无明显下降趋势。3个城市PM_(2.5)中Se、Cd、Br的富集因子高于1 000,Pb、Zn、Cu的富集因子为100~1 000,Co、Sc、Cr、Ni、As、Mn、Ba的富集因子为10~100,说明这些元素主要来源于人为源。13种人为源元素质量浓度在22种元素中占比为18.9%~26.3%,K、Fe、Ca、Al等4种元素占比为67.9%~76.1%。因子分析结果表明:3个城市无机元素来源组成有很大相似性,主要来源于燃煤、机动车、扬尘和建筑尘等,但Ni、Co、Sr、Ba还有来自其他排放源的贡献。     

Externalities of Fugitive Dust

It is known that fugitive dust can cause human health and environmental problems, alone or in combination with other air pollutants. These problems are referred to as ‘external costs’ that have been traditionally ignored. However, there is a growing interest towards quantifying externalities to assist policy and decision-making. With this in mind, the present study aimed at discussing the environmental regulations that deal with fugitive dust, the impact of fugitive dust on human health and global climate system, and the available methods for calculating fugitive dust externalities. The damage cost associated with human health and global environmental problems was predicted based on the environmental strategy priority model. The damage cost estimated by the model ranged from 40 to 374 EUR/kg of emitted fugitive dust with a mean value of 120 EUR/kg of emitted fugitive dust. It was also found that PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ have contributed to about 60% and 36% of the estimated damage cost, respectively. The remaining 4% was attributed to both nitrate and sulfate aerosols.     

Geochemical position of Pb,Zn and Cd in soils near the Olkusz mine/smelter,South Poland: effects of land use,type of contamination and distance from pollution source

The soils adjacent to an area of historical mining, ore processing and smelting activities reflects the historical background and a mixing of recent contamination sources. The main anthropogenic sources of metals can be connected with historical and recent mine wastes, direct atmospheric deposition from mining and smelting processes and dust particles originating from open tailings ponds. Contaminated agriculture and forest soil samples with mining and smelting related pollutants were collected at different distances from the source of emission in the Pb–Zn–Ag mining area near Olkusz, Upper Silesia to (a) compare the chemical speciation of metals in agriculture and forest soils situated at the same distance from the point source of pollution (paired sampling design), (b) to evaluate the relationship between the distance from the polluter and the retention of the metals in the soil, (c) to describe mineralogy transformation of anthropogenic soil particles in the soils, and (d) to assess the effect of deposited fly ash vs. dumped mining/smelting waste on the mobility and bioavailability of metals in the soil. Forest soils are much more affected with smelting processes than agriculture soils. However, agriculture soils suffer from the downward metal migration more than the forest soils. The maximum concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cd were detected in a forest soil profile near the smelter and reached about 25 g kg^− 1, 20 g kg^− 1 and 200 mg kg^− 1 for Pb, Zn and Cd, respectively. The metal pollutants from smelting processes are less stable under slightly alkaline soil pH then acidic due to the metal carbonates precipitation. Metal mobility ranges in the studied forest soils are as follows: Pb > Zn ≈ Cd for relatively circum-neutral soil pH (near the smelter), Cd > Zn > Pb for acidic soils (further from the smelter). Under relatively comparable pH conditions, the main soil properties influencing metal migration are total organic carbon and cation exchange capacity. The mobilization of Pb, Zn and Cd in soils depends on the persistence of the metal-containing particles in the atmosphere; the longer the time, the more abundant the stable forms. The dumped mining/smelting waste is less risk of easily mobilizable metal forms, however, downward metal migration especially due to the periodical leaching of the waste was observed.     

北京市主要PM10排放源成分谱分析

对北京市土壤尘、道路扬尘、城市扬尘、建筑施工尘、钢铁尘、煤烟尘等主要PM10无组织排放源和固定源进行采样、分析,建立相应的成分谱数据库,通过对其化学组分分析,确定各类PM10排放源的化学组分特征和标识元素。土壤尘、建筑施工扬尘、钢铁尘、煤烟尘PM10的标识元素分别为Si、Ca、Fe、Al,道路扬尘显示出明显的土壤尘、建筑施工尘和机动车污染的特征,城市扬尘成分谱与道路尘有很强的共线性,具有明显的道路扬尘特征。     

Study of urban atmospheric pollution in Navarre (Northern Spain)

An ambient air quality study was undertaken in two cities (Pamplona and Alsasua) of the Province of Navarre in northern Spain from July 2001 to June 2004. The data were obtained from two urban monitoring sites. At both monitoring sites, ambient levels of ozone, NO_x, and SO₂ were measured. Simultaneously with levels of PM₁₀ measured at Alsasua (using a laser particle counter), PM₁₀ levels were also determined at Pamplona (using a beta attenuation monitor). Mean annual PM₁₀ concentrations in Pamplona and Alsasua reached 30 and 28 μg m⁻³, respectively. These concentrations are typical for urban background sites in Northern Spain. By using meteorological information and back trajectories, it was found that the number of exceedances of the daily PM₁₀ limit as well as the PM₁₀ temporal variation was highly influenced by air masses from North Africa. Although North African transport was observed on only 9% of the days, it contributed the highest observed PM₁₀ levels. Transport from the Atlantic Ocean was observed on 68% of the days; transport from Europe on 13%; low transport and local influences on 7%; and transport from the Mediterranean region on 3% of the days. The mean O₃ concentrations were 45 and 55 μg m⁻³ in Pamplona and Alsasua, respectively, which were above the values reported for the main Spanish cities. The mean NO and NO₂ levels were very similar in both sites (12 and 26 μg m⁻³, respectively). Mean SO₂ levels were 8 μg m⁻³ in Pamplona and 5 μg m⁻³ in Alsasua. Hourly levels of PM₁₀, NO and NO₂ showed similar variations with the typically two coincident maximums during traffic rush hours demonstrating a major anthropogenic origin of PM₁₀, in spite of the sporadic dust outbreaks.     

省级高空间分辨率扬尘源排放清单研究

通过对浙江省统一开展部署和行动，现场调查收集全省7 507个施工工地、3 923个堆场以及不同等级公路和城市道路的真实活动水平数据，并基于点源地理信息和路网信息图层，采用排放系数法和ArcGIS工具构建了浙江省2015年3 km×3 km高空间分辨率扬尘源排放清单。结果表明，2015年浙江省扬尘源PM₁₀和PM_2.5的排放量分别为24.26×10⁴ t和6.00×10⁴ t，其中PM₁₀和PM_2.5排放贡献均主要为施工扬尘和道路扬尘，施工扬尘分别贡献37.7%和39.3%，道路扬尘分别贡献36.5%和39.1%。从城市空间分布来看，杭州市、宁波市、温州市、绍兴市扬尘排放总量居于全省前四，舟山市最低，而城市主城区排放量显著高于郊区。     

Iron content in groundwaters of Visakhapatnam environs, Andhra Pradesh, India

Trace elements are essential for human health. However, excess concentrations of these elements cause health disorders. A study has been carried out in Visakhapatnam environs, Andhra Pradesh, India to ascertain the causes for the origin and distribution of iron content in the groundwaters. Fifty groundwater samples are collected and analyzed for iron. The content of iron ranges from 400 to 780 μg/l. A comparison of groundwater data with rock and soil chemistry suggests that the concentration of iron (400–530 μg/l) in the groundwaters is derived from the rocks and soils due to geogenic processes. This concentration is taken as a natural occurrence of iron in the groundwaters of the study area for assessing the causes for its next higher content (>530 μg/l). Relatively higher concentration of iron (540–550 μg/l) is observed at some well waters, where the wells are located nearby municipal wastewaters, while the very high concentration of iron (610–780 μg/l) is observed in the industrially polluted groundwater zones, indicating the impact of anthropogenic activities on the groundwater system. These activities mask the concentration of iron caused by geogenic origin. Hence, both the geogenic and anthropogenic activities degrade the groundwater quality. Drinking water standards indicate that the iron content in all the groundwater samples exceeds the permissible limit (300 μg/l) recommended for drinking purpose, causing the health disorders. Necessity of close monitoring of groundwater quality for assessing the impact of geogenic and anthropogenic sources with reference to land use/land cover activities is emphasized in the present study area to protect the groundwater resources from the pollution.     

Environmental study of two significant solid samples: gravitation dust sediment and soil

In this work are presented results of the complex study of two significant solid environmental samples: gravitation dust sediments (industrial pollutants, potential source of risk elements input to soils) and soils (component of the environment, potential source of risk elements input to food web). The first phase of this study was focused on the study of the significant chemical properties (phase composition, content of organic and inorganic carbon) of the dust and soil samples. In the second phase, the fractionation analysis was used on the evaluation of the mobility of chosen risk elements (Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in the studied samples. The single-step extractions were applied in the order of the isolation of the element forms (fractions), with different mobilities during defined ecological conditions by utilization of the following reagents: 1 mol dm^− 3 NH₄NO₃ for isolation of the “mobile” fraction, 0.05 mol dm^− 3 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and 0.43 mol dm^− 3 CH₃COOH for isolation of the “mobilizable” fraction, and 2 mol dm^− 3 HNO₃ for isolation of all releasable forms. On the basis of the results obtained in this study, it is possible to state that different origins and positions of solid environmental samples in the environment reflect in different chemical properties of their matrix. The different properties of the sample matrix result in different mobilities of risk elements in these kinds of samples. The fractionation analysis with single-step extraction for isolation element fractions is the method most suitable for easy checking of environmental pollution and for evaluation of risk elements cycle in the environment.     

Metal Pollution Assessment of Surface Sediments Along a New Gas Pipeline in the Niger Delta (Nigeria)

Chromium, nickel, copper, zinc and cadmium were determined in sediments of the Niger Delta (Nigeria) in order to discriminate between natural metal sources and anthropogenic ones. Surface sediments were collected at seven sites along a new gas pipeline near Port Harcourt, between the New Calabar River and the Bonny River towards Bonny town. Chemical characterisation is obtained by hydrofluoric–nitric acid digestion procedure, providing the ‘total’ (‘residual’) metal contents. Information about the anthropogenic metal fraction was obtained by cold diluted hydrochloric acid extraction procedure. This ‘labile’ acid soluble fraction of metals, perhaps due to relatively recent inputs in the sediments, constitutes the fraction more likely to be available to marine organisms, and furnishes a first evaluation of the possible toxicity of sediments of this sensitive ecosystem. Zinc appears to be the most available of all the heavy metals: its ‘labile’ fraction attains 40–50% of the ‘total’ zinc in sediment. Sites near Port Harcourt city are the most contaminated. All the examined metals are one order of magnitude below the respective values proposed as a limit for toxicity and are comparable with those observed by other authors in similar Niger Delta areas. Some anomalous data found near Port Harcourt city suggest that zinc and cadmium are the metals that require further monitoring. Their anthropogenic source could be derived from urban and industrial sewage.     

A study of heavy metal pollution of Asa River, Ilorin. nigeria; trace metal monitoring and geochemistry

Chemical and mineralogical characterization of sediments collected from seven different locations along Asa River in Ilorin, Nigeria have been carried out. The total concentration of Mn, Cr, Fe, Zn and Cu were monitored using Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF). The range of concentration of these metals were: Mn (179.9–469.4, Fe (1998.4–4420.4) Cr (3.0–11.3), Zn (26.6–147.6), Cu (1.9-13.3) mg kg⁻¹. The mineralogical composition was determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) method and this was complemented with the Infrared Spectroscopy. It was found that the sediments of Asa River had predominantly quartz, and goethite was present in five of the seven locations. Chromite (FeCr₃O₄) and pyrite (FeS) were also identified at some locations along the River. Higher enrichment factors were calculated for Zn, Cr, Mn, and Fe in the sediment indicating anthropogenic source of contamination. Pyrite was prominent at a location receiving effluent from a detergent industry and near a refuse dumpsite.     

南京市建筑扬尘排放清单研究

统计分析了2010年南京市各行政区建筑场地面积和工期，结合扬尘排放因子，建立了南京市建筑扬尘排放清单。研究表明，2010年南京市建筑扬尘TSP、PM10和PM2．5的排放量分别达2．53万t、1．40万t和0．95万t，占工业烟（粉）尘排放量的23％、13％和8．6％。郊区县建筑扬尘排放量较大，约占全市 TSP、PM10、PM2．5排放总量的72％；主城区排放强度较高。对不同建筑工程类型扬尘排放量估算表明，城市建设工程和市政工程是建筑扬尘的主要来源，城市建设工程中又以住宅类建设工程为主。对不同研究获得的建筑扬尘结果比较，发现扬尘排放因子选择和污染源活动水平统计是影响建筑扬尘结果的关键因素。     

抚顺市PM10中元素分布特征及来源分析

为了确定抚顺市PM10中元素的浓度特征及其来源,于2006—2007年的采暖季、风沙季和非采暖季在抚顺市的6个采样点采集PM10样品,并用等离子体原子发射光谱法(ICP-AES)测定样品中Ti、Al、Mn、Mg、Ca、Na、K、Cu、Zn、As、Pb、Cr、Ni、Co、Cd、Fe、V等17种元素的含量。结果表明,Al、Mg、Ca、Na、K、Mn、Fe等地壳元素在17种元素中占有较大比重,全年平均达到97.0%。富集因子分析结果表明,Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、Co、Cd等元素在各季和各采样点明显受到人为活动影响,是典型的污染元素。主因子分析结果显示,土壤风沙尘、建筑尘、燃煤尘、道路扬尘、机动车尾气排放、金属冶炼、锰、铜、钛工业源是抚顺市PM10中元素的主要来源。     

Particulate Matter Over A Seven Year Period in Urban and Rural Areas Within, Proximal and Far from Mining and Power Station Operations in Greece

Lignite mining operations and lignite-fired power stations result in major particulate pollution (fly ash and fugitive dust) problems in the areas surrounding these activities. The problem is more complicated, especially, for urban areas located not far from these activities, due to additional contribution from the urban pollution sources. Knowledge of the distribution of airborne particulate matter into size fraction has become an increasing area of focus when examining the effects of particulate pollution. On the other hand, airborne particle concentration measurements are useful in order to assess the air pollution levels based on national and international air quality standards. These measurements are also necessary for developing air pollutants control strategies or for evaluating the effectiveness of these strategies, especially, for long periods. In this study an attempt is made in order to investigate the particle size distribution of fly ash and fugitive dust in a heavy industrialized (mining and power stations operations) area with complex terrain in the northwestern part of Greece. Parallel total suspended particulates (TSP) and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm (PM10) concentrations are analyzed. These measurements gathered from thirteen monitoring stations located in the greater area of interest. Spatial, temporal variation and trend are analyzed over the last seven years. Furthermore, the geographical variation of PM10 – TSP correlation and PM10/TSP ratio are investigated and compared to those in the literature. The analysis has indicated that a complex system of sources and meteorological conditions modulate the particulate pollution of the examined area.     

Chemical Compositions and Sources of Organic Matter in Fine Particles of Soils and Sands from the Vicinity of Kuwait City

Fine particles in the atmosphere from soil and sand resuspension contain a variety of organic compounds from natural biogenic and anthropogenic matter. Soil and sand samples from various sites near Kuwait city were collected, sieved to retain the fine particles, and extracted with a mixture of dichloromethane and methanol. The extracts were derivatized and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in order to characterize the chemical compositions and sources of the organic components. The major inputs of organic compounds were from both natural biogenic and anthropogenic sources in these samples. Vegetation was the major natural source of organic compounds and included n-alkanols, n-alkanoic acids, n-alkanes, sterols and triterpenoids. Saccharides had high concentrations (31–43%) in the sand dune and seafront samples, indicating sources from decomposed vegation materials and/or the presence of viable microbiota such as bacteria and fungi. Vehicular emission products, leakage of lubricating oils, discarded plastics and emissions from cooking operations were the major anthropogenic inputs in the samples from the urban areas. This input was mainly UCM, n-alkanes, hopanes, plasticizers and cholesterol, respectively.     

Dispersion model on PM 2.5 fugitive dust and trace metals levels in Kuwait Governorates

Frequent dust storms and recent environmental changes were found to affect the human health especially in residents of arid countries. Investigations on the PM_2.5 fugitive dust in six Kuwait Governorate areas using dispersion Gaussian plume modeling revealed significant relationship between low rate of pollutant emission, low wind velocity, and stable weather conditions’ matrix causing high rate of dust deposition in summer than in winter. The rate of dust deposition and trace metals levels in PM_2.5 were in the sequence of G-VI > G-I > G-II > G-V > G-III > G-IV. Trace metals were observed in the sequence of Al > Fe > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cd irrespective of the Governorate areas and the two seasons. The high rate of dust deposition and trace metals in PM_2.5 was reflected by the vast open area, wind velocity, and rapid industrialization besides natural and anthropogenic sources. A combination of air dispersion modeling and nephalometric and gravimetric studies of this kind not only determines the seasonal qualitative and quantitative analyses on the PM_2.5 dust deposition besides trace metals apportionment in six Kuwait Governorate areas, but also characterizes air pollution factors that could be used by environmentalist to deduce preventive measures.     

Determination of road dust loadings and chemical characteristics using resuspension

The contribution of fugitive dust from traffic to air pollution can no longer be ignored in China. In order to obtain the road dust loadings and to understand the chemical characteristics of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 from typical road dust, different paved roads in eight districts of Beijing were selected for dust collection during the four seasons of 2005. Ninety-eight samples from 28 roads were obtained. The samples were resuspended using equipment assembled to simulate the rising process of road dust caused by the wind or wheels in order to obtain the PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 filter samples. The average road dust loading was 3.82 g m^− 2, with the highest of 24.22 g m^− 2 being in Hutongs in the rural–urban continuum during winter. The road dust loadings on higher-grade roads were lower than those on lower-grade roads. Attention should be paid to the pollution in the rural–urban continuum areas. The sums of element abundances measured were 16.17% and 18.50% for PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 in road dust. The average abundances of OC and EC in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 in road dust were 11.52%, 2.01% and 12.50%, 2.06%, respectively. The abundance of elements, water-soluble ions, and OC, EC in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 resuspended from road dust did not change greatly with seasons and road types. The soil dust, construction dust, dust emitted from burning coal, vehicle exhaust, and deposition of particles in the air were the main sources of road dust in Beijing. Affected by the application of snow-melting agents in Beijing during winter, the amount of Cl⁻ and Na⁺ was much higher during that time than in the other seasons. This will have a certain influence on roads, bridges, vegetations, and groundwater.