Biological monitoring of atmospheric trace metal deposition in North-Eastern Nigeria

The epiphytic moss Polytrichum juniperinum and the tree bark of Azardirachta indica were used to determine the atmospheric Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn, Fe, Ni and Zn levels in the North-East region of Nigeria. A good correlation exists between levels in the moss and the tree barks. The Pb, Zn and Fe levels in both sample types were higher than other metals in most sites. There was no significant difference in the levels of Cd, Cu, Ni and Mn recorded for inhabited and forest sites. The area derives its atmospheric metal contamination from vehicular, urban, industrial and agricultural sources.     

The effect of metals and ammonia on SO2 oxidation to sulphates in the ambient air

The effect of metals and ammonia on the relationship between mass concentrations of sulphur dioxide and sulphate in the air was studied near an aluminium plant over a 1-year period. Sulphur dioxide, sulphates and ammonia in the air as well as metals (Pb, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd and Al) in the deposit were measured at four measuring sites.The levels of mass concentrations of SO₂ were low at all measuring sites while the levels of mass concentrations of sulphates in the air and concentrations of metals in the deposit were high. The levels of ammonia were found to decrease in relationship to the distance from the source of pollution.The relationship between the mass concentrations of sulphate and SO₂ can be described by the equation y=ax ^b ;where y is the percentage of sulphate sulphur in the total sulphur (sulphate and SO₂) and x is the mass concentration of the total sulphur in the air. The values of the coefficients a and b are characteristic of individual areas.As the results show the coefficients a and b obtained at a measuring site close to the plant and outside the urban area are characteristic of an industrial area. At control sites in the urban area the coefficients are characteristic of an urban area. At the measuring site close to the industrial zone and the centre of the urban area the interaction of the effects occurs. Therefore, the coefficient a is characteristic of an urban area and b of an industrial one.     

Soil Lead and Other Metal Levels in Industrial, Residential and Nature Reserve Areas in Singapore

The use of pressure feedback microwave digestion technique has permitted rapid and efficient digestion of soil and sediment samples. The evaluation of different acid mixtures to digest soil samples were studied by mixed-level orthogonal array design. The selected acid mixture of HCl-HNO3-HF was employed in the survey of Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr and Mn in soil samples. Surface soil samples were collected from industrial, residential and nature reserve areas in Singapore. The five metal concentrations were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The lead and other metal contents in NBS SRM 1645, NIES CRM No. 2 and NRCC BCSS-1 sediment standard references were determined concurrently with the survey samples. Five measured metal loading on the surface soils was in the order: industrial area > residential area > nature reserve area. The trace metal concentrations in surface soil from areas of heavy traffic are higher than those from residential areas. The main sources of trace metal pollution are vehicular exhaust and industrial activities.     

Heavy Metal Load Of Soil, Water And Vegetables In Peri-Urban Delhi

Peri-urban lands are often used for production of vegetables for better market accessibility and higher prices. But most of these lands are contaminated with heavy metals through industrial effluents, sewage and sludge, and vehicular emission. Vegetables grown in such lands, therefore, are likely to be contaminated with heavy metals and unsafe for consumption. Samples of vegetables i.e., spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.); soil and irrigation water were collected from 5 peri-urban sites of New Delhi to monitor their heavy metal loads. While heavy metal load of the soils were below the maximum allowable limit prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO), it was higher in irrigation water and vegetable samples. The spinach and okra samples showed Zn, Pb and Cd levels higher than the WHO limits. The levels of Cu, however, were at their safe limits. Metal contamination was higher in spinach than in okra. Spatial variability of metal contamination was also observed in the study. Bio-availability of metals present in soil showed a positive relationship with their total content and organic matter content of soil but no relationship was observed with soil pH. Washing of vegetables with clean water was a very effective and easy way of decontaminating the metal pollution as it reduced the contamination by 75 to 100%.     

Determination of Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Cd, and Mn in road dusts of Samsun City

The dust samples from 52 different locations in central roads of Samsun City were collected in a study area of 40 km long for the purpose of determining total metal concentrations of dust samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The concentrations of Cu, Pb, Co, Zn, Ni, Mn, and Cd were found in the ranges of 11.92–352.43, 5.47–223.57, 4.52–41.69, 40.85–173.10, 18.71–131.29, 133.19–179.13, and 0.02–6.16 mg/kg, respectively. The results showed that metal levels were higher around the industrial area than other locations. Principal component analysis was also carried out to ascertain the possible contributing factors towards the metal concentrations. Validation of the analytical results was tested by analysis of the BCR 032 Moroccan phosphate rock certified reference material.     

Nickel and Cadmium Concentrations in Plasma and Na+/K+ATPase Activities in Erythrocyte Membranes of the People Exposed to Cement Dust Emissions

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of nickel and cadmium in blood plasma of the people exposed to cement dust emissions and to investigate the effects of exposure period on the activities of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase enzymes in their erythrocyte membranes. The study was carried out on people living in Eskiehir Çukurhisar rural area, located near a cement factory. Blood samples of the individuals residing in this area were taken from 80subjects (30 for control) following a physical examination. The analysis of plasma samples showed that nickel concentrations in subject group were found to be significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.001). Cadmium concentrations were found to be within the reference values for both group and no difference was found between the subjects and controls (p > 0.05). Furthermore, no correlation was observed between the levels of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activity in erythrocyte membranes of the subject group and the ages of people living in the region (p > 0.05, r = 0.133). It was also observed that nickel concentrations increased by age (p < 0.001, r = 0.646) while no effect was observed in means of cadmium. Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activities in the erythrocyte membranes were not affected.In conclusion although there was no difference between the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activity in means of age, there was an environmental pollution and may be it was due to the industrial plant.     

Organochlorine contaminant concentrations in caddisfly adults (Trichoptera) collected from great lakes connecting channels

Pennsylvania-style light traps were used to capture adult Trichoptera from the St. Marys, St. Clair, Detroit and Niagara rivers, Canada. Adequate biomass was acquired in single, 2-h collections to permit triplicate gas chromatographic analyses of 1–4 g samples for 36 organochlorine contaminants. Contaminant levels varied unpredictably but relatively little among samples taken at monthly intervals over the summer. Samples collected simultaneously from the two sides of the Detroit R. reflected local sediment contaminant patterns, suggesting limited dispersal by adults. Genus-specific differences in contaminant concentrations within the Hydropsychidae and Leptoceridae probably reflect differences in larval habitats and manner of feeding. Contaminant concentrations and relative composition paralleled published reports of contaminants in sediments from collection locations. St. Marys R. caddisflies contained contaminant levels indistinguishable from samples collected at reference sites. St. Clair R. samples contained high levels of compounds associated with petrochemical industries located in the river's upstream reaches. High levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and most other contaminants in Detroit R. samples reflected industrial loadings near Detroit, Michigan. Niagara R. samples contained elevated concentrations of PCBs and pesticides. Cluster analysis grouped samples into five clusters each with unique contaminant composition. These also corresponded to geographic origin: St. Marys, St. Clair, Detroit and upper and lower Niagara rivers. The relative ease of collection and consistent results obtained render adult Trichoptera potentially valuable candidates for surveys of aquatic contamination over a broad range of geographical and ecological conditions.     

Air pollution impact assessment on agroecosystem and human health characterisation in the area surrounding the industrial settlement of Milazzo (Italy): a multidisciplinary approach

In order to evaluate the impact of atmospheric pollutants emitted by the industrial settlement of Milazzo (Italy) on agriculture, sulphur dioxide and ozone levels in air were monitored and the data were used to estimate yield losses of the most widespread cultures. Trace element concentrations in crops and soils were also detected and metabolic profiles of soil microbial communities were considered. Vibrio fischeri test was used to appraise airborne pollutant ecotoxicity and epidemiological studies on causes of death distribution were carried out to characterize health state of people living in the area. All the sampling points were selected in farms on the basis of a theoretical meteo-diffusive model of industrial air pollutants. Experimental SO₂ and O₃ values mainly exceeded the threshold established by Italian and EU regulations to protect vegetation and they correspond to estimated significant crop losses. Conversely toxic element residues in soils and in agroalimentary products were generally lower than the fixed values. SO₂ and O₃ concentrations, toxic element contents and ecotoxicity levels of airborne pollutants were not related only to industrial site emissions, while the fluctuations on metabolic profiles of soil microbial communities seem to agree with the predicted deposition of xenobiotic compounds from the industrial plants. The epidemiological study evidenced a better health state of populations living in the investigated area than in the Messina province and the Sicily region but, inside the area, males living in the municipalities closest to the industrial settlement exhibited a worst health state than those in the very far ones.     

东江下游污染源和纳污水体的雌激素效应水平

利用重组双杂交酵母快速检测技术分析了东江下游两个污水厂、8个工业废水排放口和6条受纳河流水体共16个样品中的雌激素效应物质浓度,并按照雌二醇当量(EEQ)计算了水中雌激素效应水平。在被检测废水样品中,排水的EEQ值处于0.3~2.8ng/L之间,其中造纸厂与纸制品厂排水具有明显雌激素效应。采自河涌的6个样品有4个样品检出雌激素活性,雌激素效应水平在1.9~8.8ng EEQ/L之间。结果表明,东江下游行业废水处理厂出水中的EEQ浓度应与河涌水体中的EEQ在相同数量级, 与国内报道的其他地区河流及工厂排水污染水平类似。污染较为严重的河涌水体雌激素水平明显高于污水处理厂及工厂排水,推断污染河涌水体中的雌激素效应物质应来自未经处理的污染源。     

Distribution, speciation, and risk assessment of selected metals in the gold and iron mine soils of the catchment area of Miyun Reservoir, Beijing, China

In order to investigate the metal distribution, speciation, correlation and origin, risk assessment, 86 surface soil samples from the catchment area around the Miyun Reservoir, Beijing, including samples from gold and iron mine areas, were monitored for fractions of heavy metal and total contents. Most of the metal concentrations in the gold and iron mine soil samples exceeded the metal background levels in Beijing. The contents of most elements in the gold mine tailings were noticeably higher than those in the iron mine tailings. Geochemical speciation data of the metals showed that the residual fraction dominated most of the heavy metals in both mines. In both mine areas, Mn had the greatest the acid-soluble fraction (F1) per portion. The high secondary-phase fraction portion of Cd in gold mine samples indicated that there was a direct potential hazard to organisms in the tested areas. Multivariate analysis coupled with the contents of selected metals, showed that Hg, Pb, Cr, and Ni in gold mine areas represented anthropogenic sources; Cd, Pb, and Cr in iron mine areas represented industrial sources. There was moderate to high contamination of a few metals in the gold and iron soil samples, the contamination levels were relatively higher in gold mine than in iron mine soils.     

Concentrations of heavy metals in urban soils of Talcahuano (Chile): a preliminary study

Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the top-(0–10 cm) and sub-surface (10–20 cm) soils of the Talcahuano urban area were measured. The main soil properties (organic matter, CaCO₃, pH, particle sizes) were determined for a network of representative sampling sites. The mean Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn contents in the urban topsoil samples from Talcahuano (37.8, 22.6, 35.2, 333 mg kg⁻¹, respectively) were compared with mean concentrations for other cities around the world. The results revealed higher concentrations of heavy metals in topsoil samples than in sub-surface samples. The samples from IS1, IS2, and IS3, located in the Talcahuano industrial park, had higher Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn contents than did samples from the other sites. This was probably due to local pollution by industrial (metallurgical) dust, although other diffuse pollution throughout the entire port region (shipyards, metallurgy, the dismantling of old ships), and contributions from the wind from adjacent industrial, storage, and vessel areas clearly played a role. Heavy metals were lowest in the sample taken on school grounds (SG).     

Assessment of the impact of petroleum and petrochemical industries to the surrounding areas in Malaysia using mosses as bioindicator supported by multivariate analysis

Biomonitoring of multi-element atmospheric deposition using terrestrial moss is a well-established technique in Europe. Although the technique is widely known, there were very limited records of using this technique to study atmospheric air pollution in Malaysia. In this present study, the deposition of 11 trace metals surrounding the main petroleum refinery plant in Kerteh Terengganu (eastern part of peninsular Malaysia) has been evaluated using two local moss species, namely Hypnum plumaeforme and Taxithelium instratum as bioindicators. The study was also done by means of observing whether these metals are attributed to work related to oil exploration in this area. The moss samples have been collected at 30 sampling stations in the vicinity of the petrochemical industrial area covering up to 15 km to the south, north, and west in radius. The contents of heavy metal in moss samples were analyzed by energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence technique. Distribution of heavy metal content in all mosses is portrayed using Surfer software. Areas of the highest level of contaminations are highlighted. The results obtained using the principal components analysis revealed that the elements can be grouped into three different components that indirectly reflected three different sources namely anthropogenic factor, vegetation factor, and natural sources (soil dust or substrate) factor. Heavy metals deposited mostly in the distance after 9 km onward to the western part (the average direction of wind blow). V, Cr, Cu, and Hg are believed to have originated from local petrochemical-based industries operated around petroleum industrial area.     

Integrated techniques to identify groundwater vulnerability to pollution in a highly industrialized terrain, Tamilnadu, India

Investigation has been made to identify groundwater vulnerability to pollution by using geoelectric and hydrochemical investigations in an important industrial town Mettur located in Tamilnadu state of India. Schlumberger vertical electric soundings were carried out in 23 locations and groundwater samples collected from bore wells in the same locations. The resistivity value with <20 Ωm up to a depth of 36 m indicate contamination of groundwater in areas influenced by sewages from industries, domestic and agricultural practices in the central and southern part of the study area. The calculated specific conductance was noted higher than EC in central and southern part of the study area with low resistivity indicating the contaminated nature of groundwater. Concentrations of Ca, Na, Mg and K along with Cl, HCO(3), SO(4) and NO(3) were higher in certain locations when compared with WHO and ISI standards. The facies concept demarcated four groups based on the nature of groundwater contamination. The trace elements Fe and Pb were higher in locations confined to industrial zones and Zn and Cu were within the prescribed limit in all the samples.     

Characterization, Source Identification and Apportionment of Selected Metals in TSP in an Urban Atmosphere

To understand the metal distribution characteristics in the atmosphere of urban Islamabad, total suspended particulate (TSP) samples were collected on daily 12 h basis, at Quaid-i-Azam University campus, using high volume sampler. The TSP samples were treated with HNO₃/HClO₄ based wet digestion method for the quantification of eight selected metals; Fe, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cr, Co, Ni and Cd by FAAS method. The monitoring period ran from June 2001 to January 2002, with a total of 194 samples collected on cellulose filters. Effects of different meteorological conditions such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction on selected metal levels were interpreted by means of multivariate statistical approach. Enhanced metal levels for Fe (930 ng/m³), Zn (542 ng/m³) and Pb (210 ng/m³) were found on the mean scale while Mn, Cr, Co and Ni emerged as minor contributors. Statistical correlation study was also conducted and a strong correlation was observed between Pb-Cr (r=0.611). The relative humidity showed some significant influence on atmospheric metal distribution while other meteorological parameters showed weak relationship with TSP metal levels. Regarding the origin of sources of heavy metals in TSP, the statistical procedure identified three source profiles; automobile emissions, industrial/metallurgical units, and natural soil dust. The metal levels were also compared with those reported for other parts of the world which showed that the metal levels in urban atmosphere of Islamabad are in exceedence than those of European industrial and urban sites while comparable with some Asian sites.     

Assessing heavy metal pollution using Great Tits (Parus major): feathers and excrements from nestlings and adults

Passerine species have been increasingly used as bioindicators of metal bioaccumulation especially by taking benefit of non-invasive procedures, such as collecting feathers and excrements. In 2009, metal (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn) concentrations were determined in feathers and excrements of nestling and adult female great tits (Parus major) in industrial (a paper mill) and rural sites in maritime pine forests on the west coast of Portugal. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of metals between the areas but also between sampling methods (feather vs. excrement) and age classes (nestling vs. adult). Although excrements and feathers of nestling great tits showed different concentrations, similar patterns of accumulation were detected in both study areas. There was a significantly higher concentration of mercury in the industrial area and significantly higher concentrations of arsenic in the rural area in both sample types. Metal levels in adult females had quite different results when compared to nestlings, and only nickel presented significantly higher levels near the paper mill. Since metal levels showed a consistent pattern in feathers and excrements of nestling great tits, we conclude that both represent good and non-invasive methods for the evaluation of these elements in polluted areas.     

Trace metal concentration in scalp hair of occupationally exposed autodrivers

The concentrations of Cr, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni and Cd wereanalyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer in thescalp hair of professional male autodrivers who areoccupationally exposed to the vehicular/industrialpollutants in the industrial city of Coimbatore, TamilNadu. The unwashed hair samples when compared with thewashed hair showed a significantly higher levels of Cr,Zn and Pb. The correlation coefficient showed a strongmutual dependence on the scalp hair of the exposedindividuals and no correlation was found among the tracemetals except for Ni–Pb and Ni–Cd. The results ingeneral showed a positive exogenous contribution of allthe analyzed industrial trace metals. The drivers who are occupationally exposed to vehicular/industrial pollution are at risk.     

Studies on urban drinking water quality in a tropical zone

Anthropogenic activities associated with industrialization, agriculture and urbanization have led to the deterioration in water quality due to various contaminants. To assess the status of urban drinking water quality, samples were collected from the piped supplies as well as groundwater sources from different localities of residential, commercial and industrial areas of Lucknow City in a tropical zone of India during pre-monsoon for estimation of coliform and faecal coliform bacteria, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and heavy metals. Bacterial contamination was found to be more in the samples from commercial areas than residential and industrial areas. OCPs like α,γ-hexachlorocyclohexane and 1,1 p,p-DDE {dichloro-2, 2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethene)} were found to be present in most of the samples from study area. The total organochlorine pesticide levels were found to be within the European Union limit (0.5 μg/L) in most of the samples. Most of the heavy metals estimated in the samples were also found to be within the permissible limits as prescribed by World Health Organization for drinking water. Thus, these observations show that contamination of drinking water in urban areas may be mainly due to municipal, industrial and agricultural activities along with improper disposal of solid waste. This is an alarm to safety of public health and aquatic environment in tropics.     

Determination of heavy metals in fresh water fish species of the River Ravi, Pakistan compared to farmed fish varieties

The untreated industrial and sewage wastes arising from industries and metropolitan activities make their passage to the River Ravi, Pakistan, where Balloki Headworks is one of the major sites of effluent concentration. This study was designed to evaluate the concentration of various toxic elements in fishes of that area compared to a nearby fish farm. The concentrations of heavy metals, such as As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, and Zn, and electrolytes Ca, K, and Na were determined in different edible and non-edible fresh water fish varieties. Fish samples were collected from two selected sites and were analyzed for aforementioned elements. Higher levels of As (35.74–45.33 ppm), Cd (0.35–0.45 ppm), Pb (2.1–3.0 ppm), Hg (83.03–92.35 ppm) while normal levels of Zn (37.85–40.74 ppm) and Cu (1.39–2.93 ppm) were observed. Mercury, higher levels of which trigger cough, impairment of pulmonary function, and psychotic reactions, was significantly higher in all studied categories. At the sites under study, there has been observed alarming levels of toxic metals which are needed to be monitored regularly.     

Assessment of elemental concentrations in the urban air (case study: Tehran city)

Tehran is one of the megacities of the world with a population of over eight million. Its air is highly polluted mainly due to the suspended particulate matters, which encompasses a wide spectrum of chemical elements. These elements based on their type, size, and impact on the life cycle have various environmental and heath risks. In this research, the neutron activation method is used to determine the concentration levels of Al, Ba, Fe, Mg, and V in the urban air. Thus, two districts of Tehran with different characteristics are selected. District 21 includes much of the industries located in Tehran metropolitan and is considered as an industrial area. In contrast, district 22 lacks any significant industrial activity. It is a newly established and expanding district adjacent to district 21 with a great deal of constructional activities. For the measurement of the suspended particulate matters in the air, the various sections of the aforesaid districts with industrial, residential, heavily congested traffic, residential/commercial, residential/heavily congested traffic, and residential/industrial classifications were identified. Subsequently, 24 sampling stations were selected. The sampling of the suspended particulate matters was conducted with the aid of a high volume pump containing 125 mm cellulose filters in two different time intervals. After completion of the sampling process, the samples were prepared and sent to the research reactor of the Iran Nuclear Energy Organization for Neutron Activation. During the next steps, the radiations emitted from the samples were registered, the radiation curves were plotted, and the amounts of the trace elements were determined. As a result, the average concentration levels of Al, Ba, Fe, Mg, and V were identified to be 3.301140, 2.273658 × 10, 4.0681696 × 10^???1, 3.5525475 × 10^???1, and 3.04075 × 10^???2 μg/m³, respectively. Moreover, the emission sources of the aforesaid elements into the air were identified. The concentration levels of these elements in the industrial and heavily congested traffic sections were higher. Finally, it was concluded that the statistical analysis of these elements presents a meaningful correlation among them.     

A preliminary investigation of BDE-209, OCPs, and PAHs in urban road dust from Yangtze River Delta, China

Urban road dust samples were collected from different land use areas in Suzhou, Wuxi, and Nantong, Yangtze River Delta, China. The dust samples were analyzed for the levels and compositional profiles of deca-polybrominated diphenyl ethers (Deca-BDE), 22 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The levels of BDE-209, ∑OCPs, and ∑PAHs in samples ranged from 4.01–1,439 μg/kg, 3.15–615 μg/kg, and 2.24–58.2 mg/kg, respectively. PAHs were the predominant target compounds in road dust samples, comprising on average 97.7 % of total compounds. The spatial gradient of the pollutants (commercial/residential area> industrial area > urban park concentrations) was observed in the present study. The results indicated that the levels of BDE-209, OCPs, and PAHs observed in road dust were usually linked to anthropogenic activities in the urban environment. In addition, there might be a reflection of current usage or emissions of OCPs in urban environment.