四川某金属制品厂周边土壤重金属分布特征及污染评价

为考察四川某金属制品厂对周边土壤的重金属污染情况,对厂区周边不同方位、不同距离土壤进行取样,测定土样中Zn、Cr、Pb含量,应用单因子污染指数法和内梅罗综合指数法评价土壤环境质量,并运用Hakanson潜在生态危害指数法评估该区域土壤潜在生态风险。结果表明,厂区周边土壤Zn、Cr质量浓度平均值超过成都市土壤背景值,土样中Zn、Cr、Pb超标率分别为58.7%、94.1%、18.3%;0~10cm表层土样Zn质量浓度显著高于10~20cm亚表层土样,两土层Cr、Pb浓度没有显著差异;3种重金属在土壤中迁移能力为CrPbZn,风向不是影响土壤重金属分布的主要因素;研究区域土壤Zn、Cr处于轻度污染水平,总体处于中度污染水平;研究区3种重金属的潜在生态风险程度依次为PbCrZn,整体处于轻度综合潜在生态风险水平。     

煤矿复垦区土壤重金属分布特征与质量评价

为保证煤矿复垦区种植农作物的充填复垦土壤的生态安全,以淮南矿区煤矸石充填复垦地为研究对象,通过对研究区内Cd、Cr、Ni、Pb、Cu、Zn和Hg 7种重金属不同深度含量分析,总结其纵向分布特征,并将研究区土壤重金属含量与淮南市土壤背景值、《土壤环境质量标准》(GB 15618-1995)作比较,分析这7种重金属的污染程度.结果表明,这7种重金属都有不同程度的污染,其中土壤受Cd污染最严重,土壤中重金属垂直方向上无确定分布规律.总体而言,土壤重金属潜在生态风险属于强生态危害.从垂直方向来看,重金属潜在生态风险指数(RD随着深度的增加出现先下降后升高的趋势,其中40～60 cm深度的RI最大.重金属生态危害程度依次为Cd＞ Hg＞ Ni＞ Cu＞ Cr＞ Pb＞ Zn,其中Cd为矿区土壤中最主要的重金属污染生态风险因子.     

乌梁素海表层沉积物重金属分布特征及生态风险评价

采样分析了内蒙古乌梁素海表层沉积物中Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、Cd、Hg和As的含量、分布特征和富集状况,分别以现代工业化前正常颗粒沉积物中重金属含量的最高背景值和河套地区土壤中重金属含量背景值为参照,采用瑞典科学家Lars Hakanson的潜在生态危害指数法对7种重金属的富集系数和生态危害系数以及各采样点的生态危害指数进行了评价。结果表明,乌梁素海表层沉积物中As和Pb的空间变异性较大;以2种背景值为参比得出的重金属污染水平顺序相近,Hg和As为对乌梁素海生态环境具有潜在影响的主要重金属元素;同时表明,以河套地区土壤重金属背景值为参照更能直观地反映出乌梁素海表层沉积物中重金属的污染程度。     

典型农业活动区土壤重金属污染特征及生态风险评价

联合野外采样和室内分析,以典型农田土壤为研究对象,分析土壤中重金属Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、Cd、Pb、As和Hg的含量及污染特征,并采用单因子污染指数法、内梅罗污染指数法及潜在生态危害指数法,对农田土壤进行生态风险评价,同时利用主成分因子分析法,提取出3主因子,分析土壤重金属可能来源。结果表明,研究区农田土壤各重金属含量均高于背景值,表层污染程度高于底层;各重金属单因子污染指数对应污染等级均为清洁,内梅罗污染指数为0.46,污染等级为安全。潜在生态风险评估结果显示,研究区土壤重金属污染的潜在生态风险危害程度为中等,各重金属的潜在生态危害程度依次为CdHgAsCuPbNiCrZn。主成分因子分析显示,研究区土壤中Hg、As和Cr主要由工业污染源贡献,土壤中Cd、Pb的污染主要来源于不合理的农业生产活动和居民生活,Ni、Zn和Cu与自然成土过程密切相关。综合评价表明,尽管研究区农田土壤目前重金属污染情况较轻,未达到警戒水平,但由于城市化的发展及长期现代化农业耕作活动造成农田土壤重金属的富集,因此,增强农田土壤安全性生产管理、严控土壤污染源与推行标准农业生产是十分必要的。     

淮河沉积物中重金属污染及潜在生态危害评价

测定了淮河 (江苏段 )表层沉积物中重金属的含量 ,分析了重金属的含量分布及富集状况 ,采用 Lars Hakanson潜在生态危害指数法对重金属的生态危害进行了评价。结果表明 ,各种重金属的含量分布呈现出相似的特点 ,即安徽省进入江苏省境内断面 (肖嘴 )时含量较低 ;在江苏省盱眙县城内断面 (淮河大桥 )含量明显增高 ;汇入洪泽湖前断面 (红光化工厂 )稍高于肖嘴断面。从富集系数来看 ,Pb的富集程度最高 ,其次是 As、Cr、Cd、Zn、Cu;而 Hg的富集程度最低。重金属的潜在生态危害评价显示 ,除淮河大桥断面 Cd的污染属于中等生态危害外 ,其他各点重金属的生态危害都很轻微 ,污染程度顺序为 Cd>As>Hg>Pb>Cu>Zn。     

胶州湾表层沉积物重金属污染分布特征及其生态风险评价

根据2009年对胶州湾东岸表层沉积物中重金属调查结果,对重金属含量分布及富集特征进行分析,并采用潜在生态危害指数(RI)法对其生态危害程度进行评价。结果表明,胶州湾东岸表层沉积物中的重金属含量,除7月的Cu、Cr平均含量略低于12月外,其他重金属(Cd、Zn、Pb、As)平均含量7月均高于12月。在表层沉积物中Cd的污染程度最高,7月平均污染指数达1.68。单个重金属潜在生态危害系数(Eir)表明,Cd的Eir大于其他重金属的Eir,其他重金属的Eir均小于轻微危害程度的划分标准,表明对胶州湾东岸生态环境具有潜在影响的重金属主要是Cd,从多个重金属的RI均值看,均小于150,属于轻微生态危害。     

普者黑湿地小流域土壤总磷分布及污染风险评价

以普者黑湿地小流域为研究对象,分别采集农田0～5cm、草甸0～5cm及湖滨湿地0～5、5～10、10～15cm的土壤样品,分析干、湿季土壤总磷的分布特征。结果表明:(1)在水平分布上,干季表层土壤总磷含量为农田草甸湖滨湿地,湿季表层土壤总磷含量为农田湖滨湿地草甸;在垂向分布上,干、湿季土壤总磷含量分布一致,均为表层富集明显。(2)流域内土壤总磷含量均为湿季大于干季。(3)单因子指数评价结果显示,水平方向上,干、湿季农田与草甸表层土壤总磷均为重度污染,垂直方向上,干季湖滨湿地土壤总磷均为轻度污染,湿季均为重度污染。总体而言,普者黑流域湿季土壤磷污染程度较干季高。     

某聚氯乙烯树脂厂退役场地土壤汞污染特征分析

场地重金属污染是工业化进程的产物,污染来源多为原料及副产物的泄漏或不达标排放,给人类和环境造成不同程度的危害。本文以武汉某退役聚氯乙烯(PVC)树脂厂为研究对象,结合氯化汞催化工艺特点,探究场地土壤重金属汞的污染来源及分布特征,为同类型场地土壤重金属汞的污染调查、防治、修复提供案例支撑。研究结果表明:1)参与调查的33个点位中有27.3%已达到相当严重的污染水平,潜在生态风险单项指数Ei值最高达57 900,污染分布范围主要集中于氯化汞催化乙炔生产氯乙烯(VCM)工艺段,水平迁移扩散能力不强;2)重金属汞的垂直迁移受土壤性质影响,粘土对重金属汞的截留效果佳,粘土层中0.8~1.0 m至1.8~2.0 m最大汞浓度衰减量达2 040 mg·(kg·m)~(-1),衰减率达97.2%,而疏松的杂填土则有利于汞的垂直下渗;3)调查区域受重金属汞污染呈现典型点源污染特征。     

巢湖表层沉积物中重金属的分布特征及其污染评价

以巢湖表层沉积物为研究对象,利用BCR连续提取法研究了沉积物中Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、Cd、Zn、V和Pb等8种重金属元素的分布特征,同时运用潜在风险指数法和地累积指数法综合评价了巢湖沉积物中重金属的生态风险。结果表明,巢湖沉积物中的重金属含量在空间上表现出东西高、中间低的分布特征。巢湖表层沉积物中Cr、Co、Ni、V和Cu 5种重金属都主要以残渣态为主,Zn和Cd主要以弱酸提取态为主,Pb以可还原态为主,同时,Co和Cu 2种元素的可交换态及可还原态含量占有较高比例,具有潜在危害性。相关性分析显示,Cr、Cu、Pb、Ni、Zn和Cd 6种重金属元素的来源和分布可能具有相似性,Co和V 2种重金属元素具有相似的地球化学行为且其主要来源可能与其他几种重金属不同。潜在生态风险指数评价结果表明,巢湖表层沉积物中8种重金属元素构成的生态危害顺序为:Cd>Pb>Co>Cu>Ni>Zn>V>Cr,Cd具有高的生态危害等级,其他7种重金属元素均为低生态危害等级。地累积指数法评价结果表明:巢湖沉积物重金属元素的富集程度为Cd>Zn>Pb>Co>Cu>V>Ni>Cr,Cr属于清洁级别,Co、Cu、V和Ni处于轻度污染水平,Zn和Pb处于偏中度污染,Cd达到了重污染水平。     

盐城海岸带土壤重金属污染风险评价比较研究

以盐城海岸带为研究区,分别采用地质累积指数法、内梅罗指数法和潜在生态危害指数法对土壤重金属污染进行风险评价,分析不同方法在评价同一研究区时结果的差异性。结果表明,研究区Cr、Ni、Zn、Cd质量浓度平均值超过盐城海岸带环境背景值。地质累积指数法显示研究区土壤重金属在中度污染到强污染;内梅罗指数法显示研究区土壤重金属为重度污染;潜在生态危害指数法显示研究区土壤重金属处于中度潜在生态危害程度。3种方法评价结果的严重程度为:内梅罗指数法地质累积指数法潜在生态危害指数法。3种评价方法均有一定缺陷与局限性,相对于单一方法的污染评价,采用多种方法评价土壤重金属污染可使评价结果更加客观。     

Dioxin- and POP-contaminated sites—contemporary and future relevance and challenges

BACKGROUND, AIM AND SCOPE: Once they have been generated, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can persist in soils and sediments and in waste repositories for periods extending from decades to centuries. In 1994, the US EPA concluded that contaminated sites and other reservoirs are likely to become the major source of contemporary pollution problems with these substances. With this in mind, this article is the first in a new series in ESPR under the title 'Case Studies on Dioxin and POP Contaminated Sites--Contemporary and Future Relevance and Challenges', which will address this important issue. The series will document various experiences from sites contaminated with PCDD/F and other POPs. This article provides an overview of the content of the articles comprising the series. In addition, it provides a review of the subject in its own right and identifies the key issues arising from dioxin/POP-contaminated sites. Additionally, it highlights the important conclusions that can be drawn from these examples. The key aim of this article and of the series as a whole is to provide a comprehensive overview of the types of PCDD/F contaminated sites that exist as a result of historical activities. It details the various processes whereby these sites became contaminated and attempts to evaluate their contemporary relevance as sources of PCDD/Fs and other POPs. It also details the various strategies used to assess these historical legacies of contamination and the concepts developed, or which are under development, to effect their remediation. MAIN FEATURES: Special sessions on 'Contaminated sites--Cases, remediation, risk and policy' were held at the DIOXIN conferences in 2006 and 2007, and this theme will be continued at DIOXIN 2008 to be held in Birmingham. Selected cases from the approximately 70 contributions made to these sessions, together with some additional invited case studies are outlined together with the key issues they raise. By evaluating these cases and adding details of experiences published in the current literature, an overview will be given of the different features and challenges of dioxin and POP-contaminated sites. RESULTS: This article provides a systematic categorisation of types of PCDD/F and POP-contaminated sites. These are categorised according to the chemical or manufacturing process, which generated the PCDD/Fs or POPs and also includes the use and disposal aspects of the product life cycle in question. The highest historical PCDD/F and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination burdens have arisen as a result of the production of chlorine and of chlorinated organic chemicals. In particular, the production of chlorinated pesticides, PCBs and the related contaminated waste streams are identified being responsible for historical releases of toxic equivalents (TEQs) at a scale of many tonnes. Along with such releases, major PCDD/F contaminated sites have been created through the application or improper disposal of contaminated pesticides, PCBs and other organochlorine chemicals, as well through the recycling of wastes and their attempted destruction. In some extreme examples, PCDD/F contaminated sites have also resulted from thermal processes such as waste incinerators, secondary metal industries or from the recycling or deposition of specific waste (e.g. electronic waste or car shredder wastes), which often contain chlorinated or brominated organic chemicals. The examples of PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB contamination of fish in European rivers or the impact of contaminated sites upon fishing grounds and upon other food resources demonstrate the relevance of these historical problems to current and future human generations. Many of the recent food contamination problems that have emerged in Europe and elsewhere demonstrate how PCDD/F and dioxin like PCBs from historical sources can directly contaminate human and animal feedstuffs and indeed highlight their considerable contemporary relevance in this respect. Accordingly, some key experiences and lessons learnt regarding the production, use, disposal and remediation of POPs from the contaminated sites are summarised. DISCUSSION: An important criterion for evaluating the significance and risks of PCDD/Fs and other POPs at contaminated sites is their present or future potential for mobility. This, in turn, determines to a large degree their propensity for off-site transport and environmental accessibility. The detailed evaluation of contaminated site cases reveals different site-specific factors, which influence the varied pathways through which poor water-soluble POPs can be mobilised. Co-contaminants with greater water solubility are also typically present at such sites. Hence, pumping of groundwater (pump and treat) is often required in addition to attempting to physically secure a site. At an increasing number of contaminated sites, securing measures are failing after relatively short time spans compared to the time horizon, which applies to persistent organic pollutant contamination. Due to the immense costs and challenges associated with remediation of contaminated sites 'monitored natural attenuation' is increasingly gaining purchase as a conceptual remediation approach. However, these concepts may well prove limited in their practical application to contaminated sites containing persistent organic pollutants and other key pollutants like heavy metals. CONCLUSIONS: It is inevitable, therefore, that dioxin/POP-contaminated sites will remain of contemporary and future relevance. They will continue to represent an environmental issue for future generations to address. The securing and/or remediation of dioxin/POP-contaminated sites is very costly, generally in the order of tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Secured landfills and secured production sites need to be considered as constructions not made for 'eternity' but built for a finite time scale. Accordingly, they will need to be controlled, supervised and potentially repaired/renewed. Furthermore, the leachates and groundwater impacted by these sites will require ongoing monitoring and potential further remediation. These activities result in high maintenance costs, which are accrued for decades or centuries and should, therefore, be compared to the fully sustainable option of complete remediation. The contaminated site case studies highlight that, while extensive policies and established funds for remediation exist in most of the industrialised western countries, even these relatively well-regulated and wealthy countries face significant challenges in the implementation of a remediation strategy. This highlights the fact that ultimately only the prevention of contaminated sites represents a sustainable solution for the future and that the Polluter Pays Principle needs to be applied in a comprehensive way to current problems and those which may emerge in the future. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: With the continuing shift of industrial activities in developing and transition economies, which often have poor regulation (and weak self-regulation of industries), additional global challenges regarding POPs and other contaminated sites may be expected. In this respect, a comprehensive application of the "polluter pays principle" in these countries will also be a key to facilitate the clean-up of contaminated areas and the prevention of future contaminated sites. The threats and challenges of contaminated sites and the high costs of securing/remediating the problems highlight the need for a comprehensive approach based upon integrated pollution prevention and control. If applied to all polluting (and potentially polluting) industrial sectors around the globe, such an approach will prove to be both the cheapest and most sustainable way to underpin the development of industries in developing and transition economies.     

Persistence and dissipation kinetics of trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole in onion and soil

The persistence and dissipation kinetics of trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole on onion were studied after application of their combination formulation at a standard and double dose of 75 + 150 and 150 + 300 g a.i. ha^?1. The fungicides were extracted with acetone, cleaned-up using activated charcoal (trifloxystrobin) and neutral alumina (tebuconazole). Analysis was carried out by gas chromatograph (GC) and confirmed by gas chromatograph mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The recovery was above 80% and limit of quantification (LOQ) 0.05 mg kg^?1 for both fungicides. Initial residue deposits of trifloxystrobin were 0.68 and 1.01 mg kg^?1 and tebuconazole 0.673 and 1.95 mg kg^?1 from standard and double dose treatments, respectively. Dissipation of the fungicides followed first-order kinetics and the half life of degradation was 6–6.6 days. Matured onion bulb (and field soil) harvested after 30 days was free from fungicide residues. These findings suggest recommended safe pre-harvest interval (PHI) of 14 and 25 days for spring onion consumption after treatment of Nativo 75 WG at the standard and double doses, respectively. Matured onion bulbs at harvest were free from fungicide residues.     

Sorption and Desorption Behavior of Chloroanilines and Chlorophenols on Montmorillonite and Kaolinite

The bioavailability of pollutants, pesticides and/or their degradation products in soil depends on the strength of their sorption by the different soil components, particularly by the clay minerals. This study reports the sorption-desorption behavior of the environmentally hazardous industrial pollutants and certain pesticides degradation products, 3-chloroaniline, 3,4-dichloroaniline, 2,4,6-trichloroaniline, 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol on the reference clays kaolinite KGa-1 and Na-montmorillonite SWy-l. In batch studies, 2.0 g of clay were equilibrated with 100.0 mL solutions of each chemical at concentrations ranging from 10.0 to 200.0 mg/L. The uptake of the compounds was deduced from the results of HPLC-UV-Vis analysis. The lipophilic species were best retained by both clay materials. The most lipophilic chemical used in the study, 2,4,6-trichloroaniline, was also the most strongly retained, with sorption of up to 8 mg/g. In desorption experiments, which also relied on HPLC-UV-Vis technique, 2,4,6-trichloroaniline was the least desorbed from montmorillonite. However, on kaolinite all of the compounds under study were irreversibly retained. The experimental data have been modelled according to the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. A hypothesis is proposed concerning the sorption mechanism and potential applications of the findings in remediation strategies have been suggested.     

Field and laboratory studies of the fate and enantiomeric enrichment of venlafaxine and O-desmethylvenlafaxine under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

The stereoselectivity of R,S-venlafaxine and its metabolites R,S-O-desmethylvenlafaxine, N-desmethylvenlafaxine, O,N-didesmethylvenlafaxine, N,N-didesmethylvenlafaxine and tridesmethylvenlafaxine was studied in three processes: (i) anaerobic and aerobic laboratory scale tests; (ii) six wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) operating under different conditions; and (iii) a variety of wastewater treatments including conventional activated sludge, natural attenuation along a receiving river stream and storage in operational and seasonal reservoirs. In the laboratory and field studies, the degradation of the venlafaxine yielded O-desmethylvenalfaxine as the dominant metabolite under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Venlafaxine was almost exclusively converted to O-desmethylvenlafaxine under anaerobic conditions, but only a fraction of the drug was transformed to O-desmethylvenlafaxine under aerobic conditions. Degradation of venlafaxine involved only small stereoisomeric selectivity. In contrast, the degradation of O-desmethylvenlafaxine yielded remarkable S to R enrichment under aerobic conditions but none under anaerobic conditions. Determination of venlafaxine and its metabolites in the WWTPs agreed well with the stereoselectivity observed in the laboratory studies. Our results suggest that the levels of the drug and its metabolites and the stereoisomeric enrichment of the metabolite and its parent drug can be used for source tracking and for discrimination between domestic and nondomestic wastewater pollution. This was indeed demonstrated in the investigations carried out at the Jerusalem WWTP.     

Synthesis and characterization of m- and p-methylbenzyl-mercapturic acids derived from m- and p-xylenes

Chemical synthesis and physical properties of two mercapturic acids suggested as urinary metabolites of m- and p-xylenes ace described. These compounds may be used for the identification and quantivative determination by high-performance liquid chromatography of the corresponding mercapturic acids in urine.     

Levels of PCDDs and PCDFs in products and effluent from the Swedish pulp and paper industry and chloralkali process

Within the Swedish Dioxin Survey various samples from the pulp and paper industry and the chloralkali process have been analyzed by congener specific analytical methods. In addition to the generally discussed “bleaching pattern” of the tetrachlorinated congeners, these samples also contained higher chlorinated congeners like hexa-CDDs, hepta-CDFs, octa-CDD and octa-CDF. Consequently it is recommended that samples from the pulp industry should be analyzed for all PCDDs and PCDFs (tetra- through octa-). Counted as Nordic Toxic Equivalents (NTEQ), the recycled pulp samples had the highest contamination level followed by TMP, unbleached sulfite and bleached softwood and hardwood. In addition to the bleaching process, various chemicals used in the pulping, bleaching and wastewater treatment can contribute to the contamination.     

Uptake and translocation of metformin, ciprofloxacin and narasin in forage- and crop plants

Transfer of bioactive organic compounds from soil to plants might represent animal and human health risks. Sewage sludge and manure are potential sources for bioactive compounds such as human- and veterinary drugs. In the present study, uptake of the anti-diabetic compound, metformin, the antibiotic agent ciprofloxacin and the anti-coccidial narasin in carrot (Daucuscarota ssp. sativus cvs. Napoli) and barley (Hordeumvulgare) were investigated. The pharmaceuticals were selected in order to cover various chemical properties, in addition to their presence in relevant environmental matrixes. The root concentration factors (RCF) found in the present study were higher than the corresponding leaf concentration factors (LCF) for the three test pharmaceuticals. The uptake of metformin was higher compared with ciprofloxacin and narasin for all plant compartments analyzed. Metformin was studied more explicitly with regard to uptake and translocation in meadow fescue (Festucapratense), three other carrot cultivars (D.carota ssp. sativus cvs. Amager, Rothild and Nutri Red), wheat cereal (Triticumaestivum) and turnip rape seed (Brassicacampestris). Uptake of metformin in meadow fescue was comparable with uptake in the four carrot cultivars (RCF 2-10, LCF approximately 1.5), uptake in wheat cereals were comparable with barley cereals (seed concentration factors, SCF, 0.02-0.04) while the accumulation in turnip rape seeds was as high as 1.5. All three pharmaceuticals produced negative effects on growth and development of carrots when grown in soil concentration of 6-10 mg kg⁻¹ dry weight.     

Copper-catalyzed chlorination and condensation of acetylene and dichloroacetylene

The chlorination and condensation of acetylene at low temperatures is demonstrated using copper chlorides as chlorinated agents coated to model borosilicate surfaces. Experiments with and without both a chlorine source and borosilicate surfaces indicate the absence of gas-phase and gas-surface reactions. Chlorination and condensation occur only in the presence of the copper catalyst. C₂ through C₈ organic products were observed in the effluent; PCDD/F were only observed from extraction of the borosilicate surfaces. A global reaction model is proposed that is consistent with the observed product distributions. Similar experiments with dichloroacetylene indicate greater reactivity in the absence of the copper catalyst. Reaction is observed in the gas-phase and in the presence of borosilicate surfaces at low temperatures. The formation of hexachlorobenzene is only observed in the presence of a copper catalyst. PCDD/F were only observed from extraction of the borosilicate surfaces. A global reaction model is proposed for the formation of hexachlorobenzene from dichloroacetylene.     

Aerobic and anaerobic degradation of profluralin and trifluralin

Abstract

The degradation of profluralin [N‐(cyclopropylmethyl)‐α,α,α‐trifluoro‐2,6‐dinitro‐N‐propyl‐]p‐toluidine] and trifluralin (α,α,α‐trifluoro‐2,6‐dinitro‐N,N‐dipropyl‐p‐toluidine) was studied under aerobic and anaerobic soil conditions. Three soils (Goldsboro loamy sand, Cecil loamy sand, Drummer clay loam) were each treated with 1 ppmw herbicide; anaerobic conditions were maintained by flooding. Soil samples were extracted monthly and subjected to TLC analysis. No degradation was detected in sterile controls. Aerobic degradation of both herbicides was greatest in the Cecil loamy sand soil over the entire incubation period. Degradation of profluralin in Cecil soil under aerobic conditions was 86 percent after 4 months with three products detected; 83 percent of the trifluralin was degraded with two products detected. Anaerobic degradation accounted for 72 percent of the profluralin and 78 percent of the trifluralin after 4 months. Degradation of both herbicides increased with incubation time for the first 3 months and decreased slightly thereafter. Generally there was more extensive degradation (percent and in number of products formed) of profluralin than trifluralin under the conditions tested. More degradation products were detected for both herbicides under aerobic conditions than under anaerobic conditions.     

Sources and distribution of polychlorinated-dibenzo-p-dioxins and -dibenzofurans in soil and sediment from the Yellow Sea region of China and Korea

Polychlorinated-dibenzo-p-dioxins and -dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) were measured in soils and sediments from the Yellow Sea region. Korean soils and sediments mostly contained detectable PCDD/Fs and showed a widespread distribution among locations. Soil and sedimentary PCDD/Fs from China were comparable to or less than those in Korea. The patterns of relative concentrations of individual congeners in soils were different between the two countries, but similar in sediments. Sources of PCDD/Fs in China and Korea were found to be independent of each other and their distributions reflected matrix-dependent accumulation. Spatial distribution indicated some point sources in Korea while Chinese sources were more widespread and diffuse. PCDD/Fs measured in the coastal areas of the Yellow Sea were comparable to or less than those previously reported in for eastern Asia. However, ∑TEQs in soils and sediments were near to or, in some cases exceeded environmental quality guidelines.