不同林龄马尾松（Pinus massoniana）人工林碳氮磷分配格局及化学计量特征

为了解长江上游低山丘陵区马尾松（Pinus massoniana）人工林生态系统的C、N、P分配格局及化学计量特征,本文采用时空互代的方法,在宜宾高县来复林区选取三种不同林龄（5年生幼龄林、14年生中龄林、39年生成熟林）,但立地条件相近、样地情况基本一致的马尾松（Pinus massoniana）人工林作为研究对象,对马尾松针叶、凋落物及土壤中的C、N、P含量及 w（C）？w（N）？w（P）化学计量特征进行测定和分析。结果表明,（1）C、N、P 含量均表现为针叶〉凋落物〉土壤,且在三个库之间差异显著;（2）林龄对针叶、凋落物、土壤的 C、N、P 及 w（C）？w（N）、w（C）？w（P）计量比均有显著影响。（3）土壤 C、N、P含量在成熟林中最高;针叶和凋落物的C含量在成熟林中最低,N、P含量则在中龄林中最高。（4）随林龄增加马尾松对N、P的利用效率降低,针叶、凋落物及土壤的w（C）？w（N）与 w（C）？w（P）均表现为下降。（5）马尾松针叶w（N）？w（P）比值在14.37~15.53之间,说明该地区马尾松人工林受N和P的共同限制,但林龄对N、P养分限制的影响不显著。为提高该区马尾松人工林的生产力,建议在人工林的抚育管理中要适当增加N肥和P肥,同时也可在马尾松人工林引入豆科固氮植物以提高地力。该研究将马尾松针叶、凋落物及土壤结合起来探究随林龄增长C、N、P养分元素的分配格局及化学计量特征的变化,有助于全面、系统地揭示马尾松人工林生态系统的养分循环,对指导马尾松人工林生产,调节和改善林木生长环境,提高系统的养分利用效率及林地生产力具有重要意义。     

酸沉降影响下重庆马尾松林的健康监测及调控技术研究

酸沉降影响下重庆马尾松(Pinus massoniana)林的衰退一直受到研究者的重视,并取得一定成果,但森林健康监测和调控技术等方面的研究还很少。以重庆铁山坪马尾松纯林为研究对象,采用欧洲叶量损失率的划分标准,选择叶量损失率为0～20%、20%～40%、40%～60%和60%～99%的优势木,分析其树冠下的土壤化学性质及针叶元素含量;采用随机区组设计,设立在土壤表面撒施石灰石粉0(不撒施石灰石粉,对照)、1、2、3和4t·hm-25个处理,探讨不同石灰石粉剂量处理对优势木针叶元素含量和生长的影响。结果表明:不同叶量损失率的马尾松优势木树冠下的土壤化学性质基本相似,0～60cm土层的pH平均值在3.59～3.80,盐基饱和度平均值低于10%,土壤严重酸化,随叶量损失率的增加,一年生针叶内K、Na、Ca、Mg、Al、P、S、N等元素含量并无明显差异。针叶内P缺乏是营养限制因子。撒施石灰石粉165d后,1、2、3t·hm-2处理的优势木一年生针叶中P、Mg含量增加,增幅以2t·hm-2处理最高,比对照分别增加30.26%和12.65%;所有撒施石灰石粉处理的N含量增加,Ca含量有增有减,变化规律不明显。撒施石灰石粉一年后,各处理优势木的树高和胸径生长量增加,针叶损失率下降,主轴顶梢长度和一年生针叶长度增加。短期内从一年生针叶中P、Mg含量及林木生长和健康情况变化综合来看,石灰石粉一次撒施量以2t·hm-2效果最佳。     

黔西北不同林龄马尾松人工林针叶-凋落物-土壤C、N、P化学计量特征

在贵州省黔西县境内选取14、26、33 a生的马尾松人工林为研究对象,比较分析"植物-凋落物-土壤"连续体中的C、N、P含量及其化学计量特征的差异,探讨它们随林龄的变化及其相互间的关系,以期为马尾松人工林的可持续经营提供参考。结果表明,(1)C和N含量表现为针叶凋落物土壤,P含量表现为针叶土壤凋落物,ω(C):ω(N)比表现为针叶凋落物土壤,ω(C):ω(P)和ω(N):ω(P)比表现为凋落物针叶土壤,且3个库之间均存在显著差异(P0.05)。(2)林龄对针叶、凋落物、土壤中的C、N、P含量及其化学计量特征均有显著影响,但是它们随林龄的变化趋势不尽相同。随着林龄的增加,针叶和土壤中的C、N、P含量呈增加趋势;凋落物中的N、P含量呈增加趋势,但是C含量则逐渐降低。随着林龄的增加,针叶和凋落物中的ω(C):ω(N)和ω(C):ω(P)比逐渐降低;土壤中的ω(C):ω(N)比则逐渐增加,ω(C):ω(P)比先降低后增加。(3)不同林龄针叶的ω(N):ω(P)比均小于14,表明研究区内马尾松的生长受N限制较严重,特别是26 a生时最严重,且不同林龄间差异显著。(4)相关分析表明,马尾松生长过程中,针叶、凋落物、土壤中的P含量及ω(C):ω(P)比均呈显著正相关关系,说明P比C和N在叶片、凋落物、土壤3个库之间的相关性更显著,ω(C):ω(P)比对3个库之间的养分转化关系最敏感。     

模拟酸雨对华南典型树种生长及营养元素含量的影响

我国是世界上的第3大酸雨区,而华南地区是我国酸雨比较严重的地区之一。越来越严重的酸雨将对森林生态系统林木生长产生负面影响。本文采用盆栽试验模拟研究酸雨对华南典型树种尾叶桉和马尾松幼树生长及营养元素含量的影响。酸雨水平有4个:pH6.8(CK)、pH5、pH4和pH3。幼树生长期间观察并记录其酸雨受害症状,每隔10a测量一次树高,4个月后统计生物量、叶面积情况,并分析植株样品中的N、P、K、Ca、Mg等元素的质量分数。试验结果表明,在不同酸度酸雨的协迫下,尾叶桉和马尾松幼苗表现出不同程度的受害症状,酸度越高受害越严重。酸雨显著地抑制尾叶桉和马尾松的树高生长,降低幼苗生物量,减少叶面积生长。与对照相比,生长四个月后,pH5、pH4和pH3处理分别导致尾叶桉生物量降低10.79%、19.21%和27.25%,马尾松降低12.78%、22.98%和28.70%。尾叶桉植株内P、Mg、Ca质量分数不同程度地受到酸雨的影响,而N、K质量分数不受酸雨影响;马尾松除了P元素以外,其它元素质量分数在各个酸雨处理之间差异不显著。     

马尾松不同林型对土壤理化性质的影响

以安徽省枞阳县大山村3种马尾松不同林型（马尾松纯林、马尾松-麻栎混交林、马尾松-枫香混交林）0~60 cm土层为研究对象,探讨3种马尾松林型的土壤理化性质变化规律,旨在为该区马尾松人工林的可持续发展和生产提供科学依据。结果表明：（1）0~60 cm土层,3种马尾松林型土壤容重随深度的增加而逐渐增加,混交林土壤容重显著低于纯林;土壤含水量随土层的加深而逐渐减小,其大小为：马尾松-枫香混交林>马尾松-麻栎混交林>马尾松纯林,马尾松-枫香混交林在土壤容重降低,土壤孔隙度增加及土壤含水量方面优于马尾松-麻栎混交林;（2）土壤pH值介于4.5~5.0之间,3种林型pH值随土层深度的增加而增大,但差异均不显著,其中马尾松-枫香混交林土壤pH值较高;（3）3种林型土壤有机质、全N、有效P和速效K均随土层深度的增加而减少,呈现明显的“表聚”现象,其质量分数表现为：马尾松-枫香混交林>马尾松-麻栎混交林>马尾松纯林;（4）土壤容重与土壤水分质量分数、有机质、全N、有效P和速效K等养分质量分数均呈负相关,土壤有机质与全N、有效P和速效K呈极显著的正相关,这说明土壤有机质在改善土壤理化性质和促进养分循环方面起着非常重要的作用。     

PCR-DGGE技术解析针叶和阔叶凋落物混合分解对土壤微生物群落结构的影响

为深入理解凋落物类型和微生物群落之间的相互关系,通过小盆+凋落袋控制实验,运用PCR-DGGE技术解析了南方红壤丘陵区典型针叶树种马尾松和湿地松的凋落物分别与白栎、青冈两个阔叶树种凋落物混合分解对土壤微生物基因型多样性的影响.结果表明:1)针叶凋落物中加入阔叶后细菌群落结构未发生显著变化,将所有处理归为一类的相似度达72%,其差异仅表现在马尾松+白栎和湿地松+青冈处理土壤微生物群落16S rDNA的丰富度和多样性分别显著高于单一马尾松和湿地松;2)针叶凋落物中加入阔叶后真菌群落结构发生了显著变化,单一针叶处理与针阔混合处理间18S rDNA基因泳道带型的相似度只有28%,并且单一马尾松处理土壤18S rDNA的丰富度和多样性显著高于马尾松+白栎和马尾松+青冈,单一湿地松处理土壤18S rDNA的丰富度也显著高于湿地松+白栎和湿地松+青冈,多样性显著高于湿地松+白栎处理;3)土壤真菌18S rDNA的丰富度与凋落物初始C含量呈显著正相关,与凋落物初始N含量呈显著负相关.针叶凋落物中引入阔叶凋落物后,增加了凋落物中N的比重,C的比重则下降,显著影响了土壤真菌群落的结构.     

野生及养殖背角无齿蚌中元素的生物积累特征

作为建立渔业生态环境“淡水贝类观察”体系的基础研究之一,以宜兴养殖水域（N=7）和太湖三山岛自然水域（N=7）采集的背角无齿蚌（Anodonta woodiana）为对象,运用电感耦合等离子质谱仪测定了背角无齿蚌软组织中元素Na、K、Ca、Mg、Mn、Fe、Co、Ni、Se、Cu、Cr、Cd的质量分数范围,并对各种元素积累水平的差异进行比较研究。结果表明,两水域中背角无齿蚌对元素的积累高低顺序具有相似的趋势。其中Ca质量分数最高,Co、Cr的质量分数最低,其它元素界于其间。养殖蚌样中的常量元素Na、K、Ca、Mg和微量元素Mn、Co的积累质量分数高于或接近自然水域蚌样中的相应元素,但后者中的重金属元素Cr、Cu、Cd、Ni质量分数显著地高于前者。养殖水域蚌样中的Mg-K、Mg-Ca、Mg-Ni、Mg-Mn、K-Ca、K—Co、K．Mn、Ca—Co、Ca—Ni、Ca．Mn、Ni—Mn、Cr-Co、Cu-Cd以及自然水域蚌样中的Mg—K、Ca-Cr、Ca—Mn、Ca-Ni、Ca-Cd、Cr—Mn、Cr-Ni、Cr-Cd质量分数之间呈现显著的相关性。     

大气CO2浓度和温度升高对岷江冷杉（Abies faxoniana）幼苗针叶化学特性的影响

以6年生岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)幼苗为研究对象,利用控制环境生长室进行了2个生长季的大气CO2浓度倍增和增温(+2.2℃)处理,旨在探讨岷江冷杉幼苗针叶化学特性对CO2浓度倍增和增温的响应.结果表明:大气CO2浓度倍增对岷江冷杉幼苗针叶的叶绿素含量无显著影响,但降低了针叶N、P和纤维素含量,并增加了针叶可溶性糖和淀粉含量.增温显著降低了1年生针叶的叶绿素b含量,同时降低了当年生和1年生针叶的N、P和纤维素含量;显著提高了针叶的可溶性糖和淀粉含量.CO2浓度倍增和增温同时作用显著增加了针叶叶绿素含量,但降低了针叶N、P和纤维素含量,而对针叶可溶性糖和淀粉含量无显著影响.大气CO2浓度倍增和增温对针叶的叶绿素、N和碳水化合物含量有显著的交互作用.在大气CO2浓度倍增和增温条件下,岷江冷杉针叶化学性质将发生改变,可能影响针叶的生物化学过程和凋落物分解.     

不同叶龄杉木人工林叶碳氮化学计量及其稳定同位的海拔梯度变化特点

以安徽省马鬃岭地区杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)人工林叶片为研究对象,测定不同海拔梯度下(750、850、1 000、1 150m)不同叶龄(当年生、1年生、2年生和3年生)杉木叶片碳氮同位素(δ~(13)C、δ~(15)N)以及碳氮磷养分含量,探讨海拔和叶龄对杉木叶片碳氮稳定同位素、叶片碳氮磷元素含量及其计量比的影响机制,从而为不同海拔梯度下杉木人工林的科学经营提供依据。结果表明,海拔对杉木当年生叶片δ~(13)C含量影响显著(P0.05),海拔1150m当年生叶片δ~(13)C含量(-29.40‰)显著高于750m海拔叶片δ~(13)C含量(-30.49‰),且随着海拔增加当年生叶片δ~(13)C含量逐渐升高,温度可能是导致这种变化的主要原因,其他叶龄叶片对海拔的响应无显著差异(P0.05);不同叶龄的叶片δ~(13)C含量差异不显著(P=0.388)。海拔对杉木叶片δ~(15)N含量无显著影响(P=0.092),但总体变化趋势与C/P和N/P保持一致;而叶龄对叶片δ~(15)N含量影响显著(P0.05),同一海拔不同叶龄叶片之间δ~(15)N含量均随着叶龄的增加而降低,这可能是氮元素在不同叶龄叶片间的富集效应不同导致的;此外,温度降水和土壤氮磷可能是影响叶片δ~(15)N含量的重要因素。马鬃岭不同海拔梯度下杉木林氮和磷的限制性不尽相同,海拔750m处的林分呈磷限制(N/P16),在850m和1150m林分呈现氮磷共同限制(14N/P16),而在海拔1 000 m则呈现氮限制(N/P 14),氮同位素对林分的养分限制响应可能比碳同位素更明显。     

不同林冠郁闭度马尾松(Pinus massoniana)叶片养分再吸收率及其化学计量特征

以现有11年生马尾松(Pinus massoniana)人工林为基础,通过均匀间伐、抚育修枝,结合冠层分析仪(CI-110)测定郁闭度,形成林冠郁闭度约为0.9、0.8、0.7、0.6、0.5的5个梯度系列样地,研究马尾松叶片碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)养分含量、养分再吸收率及化学计量特征.结果显示:1)随林冠郁闭度减小,叶片N含量、C:N、N:P皆存在显著差异,叶片C含量、P含量、C:P都没有显著差异;C含量、N含量、C:N、N:P皆呈抛物线趋势;C含量在0.6郁闭度时最大,N含量、N:P在0.7郁闭度时最大,C:N在0.7郁闭度时最小.N:P在11.15-16.38之间,说明该研究区的马尾松生长同时受N、P限制.2)随林冠郁闭度减小,N养分再吸收率、N与P养分再吸收率之比都存在显著差异,P养分再吸收率没有显著差异;N、P养分再吸收率皆呈抛物线趋势,且都在0.7郁闭度时最大.3)不同林冠郁闭度马尾松叶片C:N:P化学计量比与N养分再吸收率、P养分再吸收率、N与P养分再吸收率之比都存在极强的相关性关系.4)随林冠郁闭度处理时间的延长,土壤p H值都有所升高,土壤含水量和土壤全N累积量有所下降,土壤有机碳累积量在3个中等林冠郁闭度下有所降低,土壤全P累积量在低林冠郁闭度时有所升高,而在0.7中等林冠郁闭度下有所降低.5)不同年份间马尾松叶片C:N:P及其N与P养分再吸收率之比皆在林冠郁闭度0.7时较为稳定.本研究表明林冠郁闭度为0.7的马尾松人工林林内微环境为马尾松的快速生长、良好发育提供了最为适宜的环境,具有较高的化学计量比内稳性.     

袁河水系溶解态痕量金属元素分布特征及来源分析

为研究袁河水系水体溶解态痕量金属元素污染来源与水质状况,分别于2018年7月和2019年1月在袁河干流和支流采集38个表层水样,检测了痕量金属元素Cr、Fe、Mn、As、Al、Cd、Ni和Tl的浓度.采用单因素方差分析分析袁河水系痕量金属元素的时空特征,基于痕量金属元素水质指数评价袁河痕量金属元素污染程度,采用相关分析、主成分分析探讨痕量金属元素污染的主要来源.结果表明,袁河部分金属元素时间或空间差异显著,Cr、Cd、As浓度在丰、枯水期之间差异显著,Fe、Cd、Tl浓度在干、支流之间差异显著.袁河丰、枯水期污染程度相似,主要污染河段位于宜春河段和新余河段,重度污染采样点基本上位于支流.痕量金属元素中Cr、Fe、As主要来源于城市废水,工业活动和采矿活动;Ni、Cd、Tl主要来源于生活污水和工业废水;Mn、Al主要来源于自然活动和采矿活动.本研究可以为袁河流域的痕量金属元素污染治理提供科学依据.     

Urban Geochemistry: A Multimedia and Multielement Survey of a Small Town in Northern Europe

The concentrations and distributions of chemical elements (Ag, Al, As, Au, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W and Zn) were studied in till, humus and urban soil in Jakobstad, a small town (20,000 inhabitants) in W. Finland. The analyses were performed with ICP-MS after aqua regia leaching of till (n = 37), urban topsoil (n = 32) and subsoil (n = 32), and HNO3 leaching of humus (n = 37). The till and humus samples, collected at the same sites, were divided into urban and rural samples. The urban till was not significantly enriched in metals. In contrast, a majority of the elements occurred in higher concentrations in the urban than the rural humus samples. Statistical and spatial interpretations of the humus data revealed that traffic (Pb, V and Ni), metal industry (Pb, Zn, Bi, Sb and Cr), an abandoned shooting range (Pb and Sb) and other sources contribute to higher metal levels in the urban humus. The urban soil samples were collected at parks, yards, abandoned industrial sites, roadsides, etc. The topsoil samples were enriched in most elements, also by elements not enriched in the urban humus (e.g. Cd). At several sites, the concentrations far exceeded the limit concentrations for contaminated soils in Finland. A large variety of sources were identified or indicated.     

Cluster analysis of inorganic elements in particulate matter in the air environment of an equatorial urban coastal location

Concentrations of nine inorganic elements (Na, Zn, Ca, Fe, Ni, Mn, Cu, Cd and Al) in particulate matter (PM₁₀) in the air of an equatorial urban coastal location during 2009 were studied during summer and winter monsoon seasons using high-volume sampling techniques. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to analyse the samples. The concentrations of most inorganic elements were higher during summer than winter, except for Cu and Zn. The main inorganic elements in PM₁₀ are Na, Zn and Ca. High concentrations of Na and Ca are due to marine aerosols. Analysis of enrichment factors showed that inorganic elements are from non-crustal sources. Cluster analysis identified five clusters in the summer and six in the winter: (1) PM₁₀–Ni, (2) Zn–Na, (3) Fe–Cu–Ca–Cd, (4) Mn and (5) Al for summer; and (1) PM₁₀, (2) Zn, (3) Fe–Ni, (4) Cu–Ca–Na–Cd, (5) Mn and (6) Al for winter. Combining both correlation and cluster analysis, it was found that Fe–Cu–Cd was from industry/vehicle emissions, Zn was from resuspended soil, Mn was from metallurgical processes, Ni was from a nearby power plant and Al was from crustal sources. Inorganic element concentrations could be a good indicator of local sources of PM₁₀.     

渭河流域关中段地表水重金属的污染特征与健康风险评价

由于重金属的毒理性及其对水生生态系统的重要影响,水生环境的重金属污染已成为全世界关注的问题.渭河是黄河的第一大支流,近年来随着沿岸社会经济的发展,渭河的水质受到严重的威胁,但是对渭河流域地表水重金属的污染状况缺乏全面评估.以渭河流域关中段为研究区域,采集了该流域35个地表水样品,检测了12种重金属元素(Cr、Mn、Fe...     

Speciation study of trace elements in surface sediment of Winam Gulf,Lake Victoria,by sequential extraction,aqua-regia acid digestion,and ICP-OES

The speciation of trace metals in surface sediment in Kisumu Carwash area of Winam Gulf, was studied and results compared with those found at Usoma beach which was found to be several orders of magnitude less polluted. High proportions of the metals were bioavailable (fractions 1–6) with BA% ranging from 21.7% (Al) to 94.5% (Pb) at Carwash and 19.6% (Al) to ～100% (for Cd and Pb) at Usoma beach. The readily mobilizable fraction (fractions 1–4) decreased in the order: Pb > Mn > Sn > Cu > Co > Zn > Mg > Cd > Mo > Ni > Cr > Fe > Al at Carwash and Mn > Mo > Sn > Pb > Cd > Mg > Cu > Zn > Co > Ni > Fe > Cr > Al at Usoma beach. The total Zn, Cd, Cr, and Cu sediment concentrations at Carwash were higher than the threshold effect concentrations (TECs), although their bioavailable concentrations were lower than these limits. Both the total and bioavailable concentrations of Pb in surface sediment at Kisumu Carwash area were higher than the TEC threshold limit indicating significant contamination from this heavy metal. Although there was a general good agreement on data obtained by sequential extraction as compared with those obtained by direct aqua-regia digestion, there were large discrepancies for some specific metal analytes which could be accounted for in terms of analytical variations and lack of uniformity in physical and chemical composition of the sediment samples analyzed.     

Geochemical baselines of heavy metals in the sediments of two large freshwater lakes in China: implications for contamination character and history

The aim of this study was to estimate the geochemical baseline concentrations of various heavy metals in the surface sediments of two large freshwater lakes in Taihu and Dianchi, China, and to assess the character and history of heavy metal contamination around the two lakes. Heavy metal concentrations in the sediments were obtained by field surveys and were supplemented with published data. The statistical methods of cumulative frequency and normalization were employed to obtain the baselines. The respective baseline concentrations for As, Sb, Hg, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were 9.92, 1.67, 0.14, 22.62, 100.56, 31.63, 31.97, 33.05 and 97.01?mg/kg, respectively, in Taihu, and 24.60, 4.29, 0.25, 36.78, 135.68, 90.05, 50.76, 73.56 and 208.76?mg/kg, respectively, in Dianchi. The baseline concentrations of these heavy metals in Lake Taihu were equivalent to the pre-industrial concentrations determined from lakes in Sweden and Europe. Conversely, those in Lake Dianchi were much higher than the pre-industrial values. Li, Fe, Sc, Ti, V and Al were found to be the suitable reference elements for normalization, and one of these elements could be used to predict the baseline concentrations of heavy metals except Hg. Most of the heavy metals had one inflexion, and only Cu and Pb in Taihu, Sb, Pb and Zn in Dianchi, were found to have two inflexions in the cumulative curves, suggesting remarkable anthropogenic inputs of Cu and Pb in Taihu, Sb, Pb and Zn in Dianchi, which are generally consistent with the respective industrial structure around Taihu and Dianchi.     

Hair geochemical composition of children from Vilnius kindergartens as an indicator of environmental conditions

The research is based on analysis data of Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, V, Zn (metals) and S in the hair of 47 girls and 63 boys from eight Vilnius kindergartens and the distribution pattern of high metal concentrations and bioavailability in snow-cover dust, also dust samples from vents of characteristic pollution sources. The kindergartens were selected according to topsoil total contamination index and dust-related indices. Significantly higher Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn concentrations in the hair of girls (means are 1.1, 1.9, 1.3, 1.2 times higher) and the differences between hair of genders according to inter-element correlation and clustering were found. Analysis of Spearman correlation coefficients between metal concentrations in hair of each gender and dust metal concentrations or metal loading rates at their residence sites revealed that for Mn, Cu and Zn, they are insignificant, while for Cr, Ni, Pb and V, they are mainly significant positive (except V in female hair). The correlation of the contents of Cr, Ni and V in dust with respective concentrations in hair was more significant for boys (p < 0.001) than for girls. Only a few cases with a significant Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb and Zn increase were revealed in hair of children attending polluted kindergartens in comparison with control. It was concluded that relationship between metal concentrations in hair and dust-related indices is more expressed for children’s residence sites than for their kindergarten sites. The gender-based grouping and site-by-site study design are recommended in the studies of reflection of environmental exposure in hair.     

Risk assessment of heavy metal contamination in soil and wild Libyan jird Meriones libycus in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

This study was undertaken to document the impact of heavy metal pollution on the Libyan jird, Meriones libycus and to contribute to an environmental impact statement for the rapidly growing City of Riyadh. All metal concentrations in surface soil of a polluted site (within Riyadh City) were higherthan those from a reference site (outside the city).Although Pb declined versus earlier reports on Riyadh soil, Cd (0.97 microg g(-1)) and Hg (0.28 microg g(-1)) were above some of the most stringent quality guidelines (0.07-0.62 microg g(-1) for Cd and 0.14-0.18 microg g(-1) for Hg). Metal distribution in M. libycus proved site-related and organ-specific, recognizing a higher affinity of most tested metals towards the kidneys, liver and brain than the lung and heart. The comparatively lower site-specific accumulation of Pb in soft tissues was attributed primarily to its major hypothetical accumulation in bones, whereas, the transition rate of Hg from the liver was suggested to be lower to the brain than to the kidneys. Although a non hazardous status was assumed for Cu (11.27-13.16 microg g(-1)) and Hg (up to 0.207 microg g(-1)) in tissues of M. libycus, a potential risk was imposed by mean tissue concentrations of Cd (up to 3.29 microg g(01)), Ni (up to 1.48 microg g(-1)) and Pb (up to 1.94 microg g(-1)). On the grounds of the significantly higher metal levels in polluted soft tissues versus reference subjects, Libyan jirds possess high exposure potential and can be useful biomonitors of environmental metal contamination.     

Analysis and assessment of heavy metal contamination in surface water and sediments: a case study from Luan River,Northern China

Concentrations of the heavy metals Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cd, and Cr were examined in surface water and sediment from the Luan River inChina,. With a decline in Cu and Ni concentration found in surface water at downstream stations. This finding suggests that water currents are a major explanatory factor in heavy metal contamination. The abundance of Cr, Pb, and Cd observed in the middle reaches of the river indicates heavy metal contamination in local areas, although there was an obvious decrease in concentrations in the water downstream of the Daheiting Reservoir. The significant rising trend in Cu, Pb, and Ni seen the sediment farther away from the river also suggests that anthropogenic activities contribute to heavy metal pollution Sediments were therefore used as environmental indicators, with sediment assessment was conducted using the geo-accumulation index (I_geo) and the potential ecological risk index (RI). The I_geo values revealed that Cd (3.13) and Cr (2.39) had accumulated significantly in the Luan River. The RI values for most (89%) of the sampling stations were higher than 300, suggesting that sediment from the Luan River poses a severe ecological risk, with the potential ecological risks downstream higher than that in the upper and middle streams. Good correlations among Pb/Ni, Pb/Cd, Cu/Pb, and Cu/Cd in the water and Cr/Ni in the sediment were observed. Cluster analysis suggested that Cd may have various origins, being derived from anthropogenic sources.     

Levels of Hg and other chemical elements in volcanic ash fall samples erupted from Mt. Sakurajima,Japan

Mt. Sakurajima is a volcanic island in Japan, and a big city, Kagoshima, is quite close to the active volcano. Samples of volcanic ash fall erupted from Mt. Sakurajima were collected at several locations in Kagoshima City and analyzed for Hg and other elements, including major (Mg, Al, Ca, and Fe) and trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, As, and Pb). The concentrations of Hg varied from 6.3 to 124 ng g^?1, with the amounts of ash varying from 13 to 1230 g m^?2 month^?1. The Hg concentrations tended to be higher when the monthly amounts of ash fall were lower; other elements did not show such a tendency.