Mercury Pollution in the Surface Environment of a Volcanic Area

The mercury content has been determined in samples of fumarolic gases, phreatic waters, soil and vegetation collected at Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy. Volcanic activity is demonstrated as a source of natural mercury pollution whose extent has been evaluated here by studying the contribution of different components of the surface environment. The possible influences for living organisms are examined.     

Organochlorines and PCBs in Tilapia zillii from Lake El-Manzala,Egypt

Abstract

The mercury content has been determined in samples of fumarolic gases, phreatic waters, soil and vegetation collected at Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy. Volcanic activity is demonstrated as a source of natural mercury pollution whose extent has been evaluated here by studying the contribution of different components of the surface environment. The possible influences for living organisms are examined.     

Effects of cold stratification on germination rate and percentage of caper (Capparis ovata Desf.) seeds

Caper is an important plant because of its high adaptability to marginal agriculture fields that are not suitable for agricultural crops. Different parts of caper such as roots, fruits, flowers and buds can be used to increase the inhabitant's income. The goal of this research is to determine germination rate and percentage of caper according to different duration of cold stratification (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days) treatments. Cold stratification procedures under greenhouse condition were applied for eliminating seed dormancy to find the most suitable germination conditions because the presence of seed dormancy causes difficulties in seedling production. The seed germination started and stopped 21 and 57 days after sowing, respectively. While the highest germination percentage (46.6%) was obtained in seeds that were cold stratified for 60 days, the lowest germination percentage (3.6 7%) was determined in control seeds.     

Coastal hazard due to submarine canyons in active insular volcanoes: examples from Lipari Island (southern Tyrrhenian Sea)

The recent high-resolution multibeam bathymetry surveys around Lipari Island allowed to evidence several submarine canyons, whose head often cut back up to very shallow water and at a few tens of meters far from the coast. These canyons are mainly located in the eastern and southern side of the island and are characterized by an ongoing retrogressive (landward) erosion, that also controlled the shape and the evolution of the coastline. The canyon heads are formed by minor slide scars. By coupling slide scar morphometry and simple numerical model we have been able to roughly estimate the potential tsunami wave amplitudes generated by related slope failures. Moreover, the retrogressive erosion of canyon heads can be claimed as a cause of the enhanced subsidence reported in the last few thousand years in the eastern part of Lipari, where the main villages are located. Based on these evidence, we propose a first assessment of the coastal hazard due to marine retrogressive activity in the largest and most densely populated island of the Aeolian Archipelago.     

Inorganic element uptake by barley from soil supplemented with flue gas desulphurization waste and fly ash

To evaluate the influence of waste products from coal- and oil-fired power plants on the inorganic element content of plants, barley was grown in pots each with 22 kg of sandy loam supplied with increasing amounts of six waste products. The plants were harvested at maturity and analysed for a number of inorganic elements. The salinity of the soil was the limiting factor for the amount added in terms of plant growth. Concerning the quality of the plants as fodder, addition of the waste to the soil at levels of about 0.5% by weight increased the Se concentration of the barley from a level deficient for animals to that approaching sufficiency for animals. The increase in Cd from the flue gas desulphurization (FGD) products was deemed undesirable, even though the concentrations following this single addition were far from toxic. All other increases in element concentrations were without any biological significance.Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 1988,10(1), 21–25     

三高农业与土肥

三高农业与土壤和肥料有密切的关系。地力是作物产量的重要基础,要取得高产,就必须坚持不懈地培肥地力。综合地力、土壤中营养元素及有害或有毒物质的含量、肥料类型和施肥技术,都对农产品的品质有很大的影响。要提高农产品的产量和质量,就要因土种植,合理施肥。高产优质是经济效益的主要构成因素,因而,培肥地力、因土种植、合理施肥能提高经济效益。忽视土肥工作,将影响三高农业的发展。     

Research review trends of food analysis in Latvia: major and trace element content

The current paper involves overview of several studies concerning quantitative major and trace element analysis of different food samples, such as products of plant origin, e.g., locally grown vegetables (carrots, onions, potatoes) and products of animal origin derived with or without processing (cottage cheese, eggs, honey). Food samples were collected over the territory of Latvia in the time period 2009–2012. Sample pre-treatment was chosen according to the product specifics but mostly wet mineralization with concentrated nitric acid was applied. Analysis of major elements (e.g., Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na) and trace elements (e.g., As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn) was performed by appropriate quantitative analytical technique: atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Not only the influence of environmental factors (e.g., geographical or seasonal impact) was detected in element dissemination in food, also botanical origin (if applicable) and applied agricultural praxis, product processing and storage specifics were found to be important. Possible food contamination by potentially toxic elements can be associated mostly with the consequences of anthropogenic activities. The studies revealed the significance of food research in the context of environmental science.     

Background levels of microelements in soils of Italy

A systematic survey on the distribution of geochemically and texicologically relevant trace elements in the soils of Italy was carried out on 32 soil profiles, developed in different environmental and pedological conditions. The aim of this study was to collect basic information on the background levels of trace elements, their geochemical behaviour and the relationships between weathering and pedogenetic processes. The statistically processed analytical results led to the following conclusions: (i) Trace element distribution in the profiles studied is consistent with pedochemical behaviour and rock lithology. A comparison with the world soil means shows that there are no significant differences, except for those elements largely utilised in agriculture (Cu, Zn) or, because of pollution, (Pd, Cd), or natural accumulation (Ni, Cr); (ii) data processing by cluster analysis shows marked correlations between some elements, for example, Al-V, Ni-Cr, Mn-Co. Groups of geochemically homogeneous samples, which correspond to the great soil families characteristic of each pedological landscape, are also indicated; (iii) evidence of soil contamination is provided by the high levels of some elements, especially in the A horizon. Cu and Zn seem to be concentrated in the Ap horizon of cultivated soils, while Pd and Cd may be derived from the atmosphere.     

Geochemical fingerprints of “Prosecco” wine based on major and trace elements

The terroir can be defined as interactive ecosystem that includes climate, geology, soil and grapevine, and it is used to explain the hierarchy of high quality of wine. In order to understand the terroir functions, it is necessary to analyse the interactions among the geology, soil and wine. To define a geochemical fingerprint, the relationship between geochemistry of vineyard soil and chemical composition of wine from Veneto Italian Region was studied. The vineyards tested belonged to four distinct wineries located in the Veneto alluvial plain, included in the Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC) area of Prosecco. We investigated the relationship between major and trace elements in soil and their concentrations in Prosecco wine according to geographical origin. The detection of chemical composition in soil and wine were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and data were elaborated by nonparametric test and multivariate statistics Linear Discrimination Analysis. The geochemical and statistical analyses allowed to discriminate the vineyard soils according to geo-lithological characteristics of each area and to identify the geochemical “Prosecco” fingerprints, useful against fraudulent use of DOC wine labels.     

ASD—ICP—MS联合快速测定土壤中部分金属元素

土壤环境质量例行监测正在全国展开,如何准确快速分析土壤中的金属含量成为当务之急。采用HNO3-HCl-HF—HClO4体系在全自动消解仪（ASD）上对土壤进行前处理,以50．0μg／L的铑作内标,电感耦合等离子体-质谱仪同时测定《土壤环境质量标准》的7种元素：Cd、As、Cu、Ph、Cr、Zn、Ni。各元素的方法检出限为0．003～0．40mg／kg,相对标准偏差小于6．0％,土壤标样的测定值与标准值吻合。该方法简便快捷、灵敏度高、重现性好,为大批量土壤重金属元素含量的快速测定提供了可靠地消解-分析方法。     

Relationships among multiple trace elements in coastal Casuarina equisetifolia ecosystems on Hainan Island, South China

Forty-six trace elements in coastal Casuarina equisetifolia plant–soil systems at nine sampling sites on Hainan Island were analyzed using ICP-MS. The relationships among the trace elements of the same group or the same periodicity of the Periodic Table in the plants and soils were complex and no consistent patterns were found. More combinations of elements occurred with high positive correlation coefficients within the same periodicity than within the same group of the Periodic Table, and there were more high positive correlations in soils than in plants. However, there were many element combinations in Block d (transition elements) with high positive correlation coefficients in plants. Markedly high positive correlation coefficients between individual rare earth elements and Y and among Zr, Nb, Cd existed in both plants and soils. The dendrograms obtained by cluster analysis show that rare earth elements had very similar occurrence and distribution in both soils and plants. Thus, they behaved as a coherent group of elements both geochemically and biogeochemically. The transition elements were more coherent in plants than in soils.     

Suppressed recovery of plant community composition and biodiversity on dredged fill of a hurricane-induced inlet through a barrier island

In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel created an inlet over 500 m wide and 10 m deep that connected the Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico Sound. This breach was subsequently filled with sediments dredged from the adjacent sound. The purpose of this study was to determine if the barrier island terrestrial plant communities were naturally re-establishing through primary succession. In 2006–2008, we compared plant communities, soil carbon and nitrogen, and Aeolian transport of sediments in undisturbed back-dunes, undisturbed shrub thickets, putative back-dunes, and putative shrub thickets. We found that species richness and evenness were low on the filled area relative to adjacent plant communities that had persisted through the storm. Plants on the filled area were almost entirely limited to a band of primarily Spartina patens found at the margin of the sound and there were no signs of establishing the typical zonation of back dune grasses, shrubs, and salt marsh. Evaluation of soil quality suggests that nutrients and organic material are not limiting recovery. Aeolian transport, however, was demonstrably higher across the filled area, where no dense stands of taller plants buffered the airflow. Plant re-establishment is suppressed by wind erosion inhibiting deposition of seeds. Recovery of the site will likely depend on the rhizomatous spread of S. patens from the sound shore. S. patens can then potentially facilitate the colonization of other species by buffering the wind and trapping seeds of other plants. Ironically, this slow recovery may benefit federally threatened bird species that require sparse vegetation for nesting success.     

污灌区土壤-小麦系统重金属污染、迁移和积累--以开封市化肥河污灌区为例

以开封市化肥河污灌区为例，研究了土壤-小麦系统重金属(Cd、Pb、Cr、Cu、Zn、Ni和AS)污染、迁移和积累规律。结果表明，该区土壤重金属污染较为严重，所有样点的综合污染指数均大于1，其中Cd和AS污染最为严重，其平均质量分数远远超出了土壤环境二级标准值。在该区土壤上种植的小麦也表现出一定程度的重金属累积，但其茎叶和种子重金属质量分数差别较大；在所有种子样品中，Zn质量分数都未超标，AS、Cr和Pb质量分数部分到达了较高的残留水平，Cd质量分数则远远超出了国家食品限量卫生标准。依据重金属迁移累积率(βi)，小麦对As和Cr的吸收能力较低，而对Ni和Cd的吸收能力较高；在所有小麦样品中，除Cu外，茎叶对同一重金属的平均富集能力均大于种子。     

太阳辐射减弱麦田根际土壤酶与有效微量元素的相关性分析

由于大气气溶胶浓度增加地表太阳辐射减弱地球变暗。采用遮光网模拟太阳辐射减弱,设置60%、40%、20%、15%、0%的遮光递度,大田种植冬小麦,测定了冬小麦拔节期、孕穗期、抽穗期、灌浆期根际土壤过氧化氢酶、转化酶、脲酶的活性以及根际土壤Cu、Fe、Mn、Zn等有效微量元素的含量。采用相关性分析、通径分析和主成分分析等方法分析了太阳辐射减弱后土壤酶活性和土壤有效微量元素的相关性。结果显示,太阳辐射减弱,降低了小麦根际有效Fe、Zn和Mn的含量以及脲酶活性。有效Cu元素除了孕穗期有所增加外其它时期也均为降低。过氧化氢酶和转化酶的活性的变化没有明显规律性。太阳辐射减弱使得土壤过氧化氢酶活性与有效Fe、Zn极显著的正相关,脲酶与Zn也达显著水平。Zn和Fe对土壤酶的直接通径系数和间接通径系数都较大。太阳辐射减弱改变了土壤酶和微量元素在土壤肥力中的权重,最大肥力权重脲酶被过氧化氢酶所取代。结果表明,太阳辐射减弱影响了土壤根际有效微量元素含量和土壤酶的活性,提高了土壤酶和微量元素之间的相关性,反映土壤肥力微小变化的敏感土壤质量指标有一定的变化,脲酶的肥力权重降低,过氧化氢酶的肥力权重增加。     

The influence of growth regulators on shoot proliferation and rooting of in vitro propagated caper

The objectives of this study were to examine the effect of TDZ and BAP on shoot proliferation and to develop a satisfactory rooting procedure for in vitro propagation of caper (Capparis spinosa L). TDZ was found to be more effective than BAP in shoot production. The highest shoot number per explant (45.7) was achieved on the media that contained 4.54 microM TDZ in the absence of IAA. TDZ at 4.54 microM alone or in combination with 0.57 microM IAA did not inhibit shoot elongation, although they produced the most shoots. Dipping the caper shoots in the solution of IBA at 24.6 microM for 10 minutes before planting on MS media, improved the rooting percentage up to 80.5% under a 16 hr photoperiod.     

Background values and distribution trends of Cu and Zn in soils of humid Mediterranean environment

Soil is the foundation of the entire biosphere. Knowledge of its heavy metal content and regional variability is essential to assess the environmental quality of soil and the extent of any contamination. In this study, 250 soil samples (within 125 soil profiles) were collected in undisturbed soils of the La Rioja region (an ideal place of the humid Mediterranean environment of Spain). The ‘total and bioavailable’ contents of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were measured and their spatial variability assessed. The results indicate that Zn and Cu values were found to be very close to national and global averages. The spatial distribution of those elements was related to the nature of the bedrock and, to a lesser extent, was of anthropogenic origin. The variation of vertical distributions can be related, firstly, to natural sources – mainly the bedrock – and, secondly, to soil processes. From an ecological perspective, the ecosystem has not been affected by pollution.     

Natural and anthropogenic metal inputs to soils in urban Uppsala, Sweden

Urban soils are complex systems due to human activities that disturb the natural development of the soil horizons and add hazardous elements. Remediation projects are common in urban areas and guideline values are set to represent a desired level of elements. However, the natural content of trace elements may not always equal the desired levels. In this study, an attempt is made to distinguish between metals that are present in the soil due to natural origins and to anthropogenic origins. Seventy-five soil samples of the 0–5, 5–10 and 10–20 cm layers were collected from 25 sites in urban areas of Uppsala City and analysed for aluminium (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), tungsten (W) and zinc (Zn) using aqua regia for digestion. In order to highlight elements of geological origin, the results were compared to a similar study carried out in Gothenburg City, which has about three times as many inhabitants as Uppsala and has a more industrial history. A cluster analysis was also performed to distinguish between elements of natural and anthropogenic origin. Contents of As, Al, Fe, Cr, Ni, Mn and W in Uppsala were concluded to be of mainly geological origin, while contents of Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb and Hg seemed to have been impacted upon by mainly urban activities.     

铜陵矿集区土壤中污染元素对微生物特性的影响研究

通过铜陵矿集区土壤中重金属污染元素含量与土壤中微生物生物量之间的对应关系,研究其环境效应。采集深度为20cm的土样,分别制备不同微生物的培养基以期对土壤中的微生物进行分离计数,细菌和放线菌采用稀释平板涂布法计数,高铁还原菌采用最大或然数法计数。研究结果表明,铜陵矿集区土壤中As、Au、Cd、Zn、Cu、Pb元素含量与土壤中细菌、放线菌、高铁还原菌数量之间的相关关系为：As、Au、Zn、Cu与细菌和放线菌,Cd、Pb与放线菌的含量呈负相关关系,指示了土壤中高浓度污染元素对微生物的抑制作用;Cd、Pb与细菌,Cd、Zn与高铁还原菌的含量呈正相关关系,反映部分微生物受污染元素的胁迫已产生了耐受性;Au、Pb、As与高铁还原菌数量的关系不明显。通过实验数据发现,微生物在重金属含量高的区域和含量低的区域的数量下降了大约2～3个数量级,有些区域微生物数量下降了约50%。矿集区土壤中三种菌种对污染元素的敏感程度不同,其敏感程度依次是：放线菌〉细菌〉高铁还原菌。矿集区部分土壤中,细菌、高铁还原菌由于其本身的耐受性或由于受胁迫而产生了耐受性,对Cd、Zn、Pb等三种重金属污染元素的抗性水平较高,具有作为土壤重金属元素污染修复微生物菌种的潜力。     

Chemical availability of arsenic and antimony in industrial soils

Total concentrations and extractable fractionations of As and Sb were determined in soil samples from former mining sites in Scotland and Italy. Pseudo-total levels of As and Sb in the sample were between 50–17,428 mg/kg and 10–1,187 mg/kg (Scotland), and 16–691 mg/kg and 1.63–11.44 mg/kg (Italy). Between 0.001–0.63% and <0.001−8.82% of the total soil As and Sb, were extractable using, a single extraction bioavailability estimate. Data from an As-specific extraction procedure revealed that up to 60% of As was associated to amorphous Fe-Al oxyhydroxide phase in all soils. A non-specific-sequential extraction test also showed As to be strongly associated with Fe (and Al) oxyhydroxides at both locations. In the case of Sb, in addition to the crystalline Fe-oxide bound Sb the Al-silicate phase also appeared to be significant. At both sites Sb appears to be chemically more accessible than As with consistent availability despite the varied origin and host soil properties.     

芜湖市三山区菜地土壤重金属污染特征分析

从芜湖市三山区蔬菜基地采集82个农田土壤样品,测试其中的As、Zn、Pb、Cr、Ni、Co、Mn和Fe 8种金属总量和生物有效态含量,对蔬菜基地农田土壤含量特征及来源进行了分析.结果表明:蔬菜基地土壤中8种元素的含量均高于其土壤背景值,其中As(30.01 mg/kg)含量是其土壤背景值的2.83倍.与我国《土壤环境质...