Possible linkages between lignite aquifers, pathogenic microbes, and renal pelvic cancer in northwestern Louisiana, USA

In May and September, 2002, 14 private residential drinking water wells, one dewatering well at a lignite mine, eight surface water sites, and lignite from an active coal mine were sampled in five Parishes of northwestern Louisiana, USA. Using a geographic information system (GIS), wells were selected that were likely to draw water that had been in contact with lignite; control wells were located in areas devoid of lignite deposits. Well water samples were analyzed for pH, conductivity, organic compounds, and nutrient and anion concentrations. All samples were further tested for presence of fungi (cultures maintained for up to 28 days and colonies counted and identified microscopically) and for metal and trace element concentration by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry and atomic emission spectrometry. Surface water samples were tested for dissolved oxygen and presence of pathogenic leptospiral bacteria. The Spearman correlation method was used to assess the association between the endpoints for these field/laboratory analyses and incidence of cancer of the renal pelvis (RPC) based on data obtained from the Louisiana Tumor Registry for the five Parishes included in the study. Significant associations were revealed between the cancer rate and the presence in drinking water of organic compounds, the fungi Zygomycetes, the nutrients PO₄ and NH₃, and 13 chemical elements. Presence of human pathogenic leptospires was detected in four out of eight (50%) of the surface water sites sampled. The present study of a stable rural population examined possible linkages between aquifers containing chemically reactive lignite deposits, hydrologic conditions favorable to the␣leaching and transport of toxic organic compounds from the lignite into the groundwater, possible microbial contamination, and RPC risk.     

Hydrogeochemical processes identification and groundwater pollution causes analysis in the northern Ordos Cretaceous Basin,China

It is necessary to identify the hydrogeochemical processes and analyze the causes of groundwater pollution due to the lack of knowledge about the groundwater chemical characteristics and the endemic diseases caused by groundwater pollution in the northern Ordos Cretaceous Basin. In this paper, groundwater chemical facies were obtained using the piper trilinear diagram based on the analysis of 190 samples. The hydrogeochemical processes were identified using ionic ratio coefficient, such as leaching, evaporation and condensation. The causes and sources of groundwater pollution were analyzed by correspondence analysis, and the spatial distribution and enrichment reasons of fluoride ion were analyzed considering the endemic fluorosis emphatically. The results show that leaching, evaporation and condensation, mixing, and anthropogenic activities all had significant impact on hydrogeochemical processes in the study area. However, cation exchange and adsorption effects were strong in the S2 and S3 groundwater flow systems, but weak in S1. Groundwater is mainly polluted by Mn and COD_Mn in the study area. The landfill leachate, domestic sewage, and other organic pollutants, excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture, and pyrite oxidation from long-term and large-scale exploitation of coal are the sources of groundwater pollution. The S1 has the highest degree of groundwater pollution, followed by S2 and S3. High concentration of fluoride ion is mainly distributed in the north and west of study area. Evaporation and condensation and groundwater chemistry component are the most important causes of fluoride ion enrichment. The results obtained in this study will be useful for understanding the groundwater quality for effective management and utilization of groundwater resources and assurance of drinking water safety.     

Groundwater chemistry and the Balkan endemic nephropathy

Until now failure has been a common feature of all attempts to elucidate the aetiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), a peculiar kidney disease known to exist only in south-eastern Europe. However, whatever the cause, many epidemiological data point to water as a vehicle of the unknown agent(s). We addressed the issue by reexamining multielement hydrogeochemical data obtained by one of us (WME) in the field, as well as other relevant pieces of evidence.Well water samples were obtained from 18 households heavily affected by BEN, and situated in nine villages scattered over six distinct endemic areas. Control samples were taken from non-affected households exposed to the BEN environment (2), as well as from neighbouring non-endemic villages (5).In terms of the chemical composition of well water, considerable differences between the areas were observed. As a rule the water chemistry of BEN-affected households was rather similar to control samples but there were large variations within each of the two groups.Though none of the wide range of geochemical and hydrogeological parameters have been positively implicated as related to BEN, water-borne chemicals still remain a clue to be pursued, particularly in relation to ultratrace concentrations of bioessential elements and organics.     

Balkan endemic nephropathy and aristolochic acid I: an investigation into the role of soil and soil organic matter contamination,as a potential natural exposure pathway

Aristolochic acids (AAs) are carcinogenic and nephrotoxic plant alkaloids present in Aristolochia species, used in traditional medicine. Recent biomolecular and environmental studies have incriminated these toxins as an etiological agent in Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), a severe kidney disease occurring in the Balkan Peninsula. The questions on how the susceptible populations are exposed to these toxins have not yet been clearly answered. Exposure to AAs through the food chain, and environmental pollution (soil/dust), could provide an explanation for the presence of BEN in the countries where no folkloric use of the plant has been documented (Bulgaria, Croatia). Additional exposure pathways are likely to occur, and we have shown previously that AAs can contaminate crop plants through absorption from soil, under controlled laboratory environment. Here, we attempt to provide additional support to this potential exposure pathway, by revealing the presence of AAI in soil and soil organic matter samples collected from BEN and non-BEN areas. The samples were processed in order to be analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography, and ion trap mass spectrometry. Our results showed the presence of AAI in small concentrations, both in BEN and non-BEN soils, especially where Aristolochia plants and seeds were present.     

Speciation of mercury in South African coals

Total mercury (Hg_TOT) concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP MS) for South African Highveld coals. The distribution of Hg in coals was investigated using a four-stage sequential leaching protocol and isotope dilution/gas chromatography coupled to ICP MS (ID-GC-ICP MS). The results show that Hg_TOT ranged from 144 to 303?µg?kg^?1 with a mean of 199?±?26?µg?kg^?1, while Hg_TOT leached from coals using different solvents ranged between 103 and 310?µg?kg^?1 (mean: 218?±?60?µg?kg^?1). Hg leaching rates of 53–78% were achieved in crushed coals. Hg⁰, Hg²⁺, and CH₃Hg⁺ were identified in all coals. CH₃Hg⁺ in studied coals ranged between 0.1 and 0.4 (mean: 0.2) µg?kg^?1. GC ICP MS chromatograms also showed unknown Hg peaks which were identified as other organomercury species such as ethylmercury. Modes of occurrence of Hg in coals were variable with the organic-bound (37–40%) and the sulfide-bound (37–39%) being the dominant mercury forms. Increasing the HCl concentration in the used protocol increased the amount of Hg leached (16%) during this step.     

Evaluation of acidity in late Permian outcrop coals and its association with endemic fluorosis in the border area of Yunnan,Guizhou, and Sichuan in China

The junction area of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan provinces is the heaviest coal-burning endemic fluorosis zones in China. To better understand the pathogenicity of endemic fluorosis in this area, 87 coal samples from the late Permian outcrop or semi-outcrop coal seams were collected in eight counties of the junction area of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan provinces. The total fluorine and sulfate content, etc. in the coal was determined using combustion-hydrolysis/fluoride-ion-selective electrode method and ion chromatography, respectively. The results show that the total fluorine concentrations in the samples ranged from 44 to 382 µg g^?1, with an average of 127 µg g^?1. The average pH of the coals is 5.03 (1.86–8.62), and the sulfate content varied from 249 to 64,706 µg g^?1 (average 7127 µg g^?1). In addition, the coals were medium- and high-sulfur coals, with sulfur mass fraction ranging from 0.08 to 13.41%. By heating the outcrop coals, HF release from the coal was verified quantitatively without exception, while simulated combustion directly confirmed the release of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄). The acid in coal may be in the form of acidic sulfate (\({\text{HSO}}_{4}^{ - }\)/H₂SO₄) because of a positive relationship between pH and \(p\left( {{\text{SO}}_{4}^{2 - } } \right)\) in the acidic coal. The possible reaction mechanism would be that a chemical reaction between the acid (H₂SO₄ or \({\text{HSO}}_{4}^{ - }\)) and fluorine in the coal occurred, thereby producing hydrogen fluoride (HF), which would be the chemical form of fluorine released from coal under relatively mild conditions. The unique chemical and physical property of HF may bring new insight into the pathogenic mechanism of coal-burning endemic fluorosis. The phenomenon of coal-burning fluorosis is not limited to the study area, but is common in southwest China and elsewhere. Further investigation is needed to determine whether other endemic fluorosis areas are affected by this phenomenon.     

褐煤风化过程中化学特性的变化

本文测定了６种不同风化程度褐煤的化学性状。结果表明，随着在自然界堆积风化时间的延长，褐煤的总碳，总氮含量及碳氮比都下降，灰分含量则增大，可提取的腐植酸及黄腐酸量明显增大，且紫外吸光值呈系统变化，尤其是黄腐酸中聚乙烯吡咯烷酮树脂可吸附部分（黄腐酸中腐植部分）随风化加深而降低，各种不同风化程度褐煤中腐植酸的红外吸收光谱变化不是很明显，且与土壤腐植吸收光谱相似。     

模拟降水对碱性盐化土壤中镉的淋滤及形态变化的影响

采用人工模拟方式,试验研究了不同pH值的降水对碱性盐化土壤中镉的连续淋滤效果,分析了淋洗后土壤中镉的形态变化特征。结果表明,在不同pH值降水对土壤中镉的淋滤过程中,12h内基本上达到高峰,12h后镉的淋滤量较低,随着时间的延续镉的淋洗量基本保持不变;降水有利于土壤中的镉释放,且pH值越低,镉的释放量越高。土壤盐化对降水淋洗镉的效果有一定影响,氯化物的存在,有利于镉的淋滤,淋滤量增加值在18%～94%之间,随着淋洗液pH值的增加,镉的淋滤量增加幅度减少;与对照组土壤样品相比,淋洗液pH降低利于增大硫酸盐型盐化土壤中镉的淋滤量,当pH值为中性时,镉的淋滤量减少;苏打型盐化土壤镉的淋洗效果与硫酸盐型土壤相似。模拟降水淋洗后,土壤中镉的形态发生明显变化,与淋洗前相比,土壤中镉的可交换态、碳酸盐结合态、有机结合态的质量分数降低,随着淋洗液酸性的增加,降低幅度增大;镉的铁锰氧化态相对质量分数在淋洗后有所增加。     

Is there a relationship between soil and groundwater toxicity?

Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires environmental regulators to assess the risk of contaminants leaching from soils into groundwater (DETR, 1999). This newly introduced legislation assumes a link between soil and groundwater chemistry, in which rainwater leaches contaminants from soil into the saturated zone. As the toxicity of both groundwater and overlying soils is dependent upon the chemicals present, their partitioning and their bioavailability, similar patterns of soil, leachates and groundwater toxicity should be observed at contaminated sites. Soil and groundwater samples were collected from different contaminated land sites in an urban area, and used to determine relationships between soil chemistry and toxicity, mobility of contaminants, and groundwater chemistry and toxicity. Soils were leached using water to mimic rainfall, and both the soils and leachates tested using bioassays. Soil bioassays were carried out using Eisenia fetida, whilst groundwater and leachates were tested using the Microtox test system and Daphnia magna 48 h acute tests. Analysis of the bioassay responses demonstrated that a number of the samples were toxic to test organisms, however, there were no significant statistical relationships between soil, groundwater and leachate toxicity. Nor were there significant correlations between soil, leachates and groundwater chemistry.     

淮北煤田煤中有机硫的测定与分析

以淮北煤田16 个煤样品为研究对象,对每个样品均进行了元素分析,并进行了索氏抽提实验,采用气相色谱-质谱仪对提取液进行测试分析.结果表明,淮北煤田4煤层和5煤层是以低硫煤为主的烟煤,煤中的有机硫主要为含硫多环芳烃(PASHs),其中又以二苯并噻吩及其甲基取代物和苯并萘并噻吩及其甲基,二甲基取代物为主.通过比较相对含量,发现5煤层的PASHs普遍比4煤层高,且PASHs的含量与O/C值成反相关,与煤的变质程度关系密切,煤化程度愈高,煤组成的芳构化程度也愈高,PASHs含量亦愈高.同时还发现当煤中硫含量在0.5%左右时,煤中PASHs含量达最高.     

Leaching of arsenic from coal fly ashes 2. Arsenic pre‐leaching with sodium gluconate solution

The present study deals with the development of an efficient and reliable process for safe disposal of coal fly ash to remove arsenic that has been found to be the most easily leachable and hazardous heavy metal in coal fly ash. Pre‐leaching of fly ash prior to disposal by a natural chelating agent, sodium gluconate (SG), was proposed and studied. Several operational factors influencing arsenic leachability, such as concentration of SG solution, liquid to solid ratio, pH, length of leaching time and leaching temperature were examined. Arsenic was found to leach out substantially with SG, but almost no further release was observed from the ash pre‐leached by SG. After the pre‐leaching treatment, the desirable high buffering capacity of the ash was well sustained. SG solution was effectively regenerated by activated alumina adsorption so that it could be successfully reused for multiple leaching/adsorption cycles.     

Lead distribution in Permo-Carboniferous coal from the North China Plate,China

The content and distribution of the lead in coal, gangue and the sulfur ball and the pyritic gangue of the Permo-Carboniferous in the North China Plate have been systematically studied (nearly 300 samples) in this paper. The Permo-Carboniferous coals in the North China Plate account for nearly 44.45 of total Chinese coal resources, and most of the steam coals in China come from the Permo-Carboniferous coals in the North China Plate. The result shows that lead content in the coal varied from 1.45 to 63.60 mg kg^–1, averaging 23.95 mg kg^–1; the lead content of the sulfur ball and the pyritic gangue in the coal seam ranges from 70.26–1060 mg kg^–1, with an average of 271.28 mg kg^–1; the lead content of the gangue is from 29.5 to 77.81 mg kg^–1, averaging at 40.77 mg kg^–1. The lead in the coal seam is mainly concentrated in the pyrite, such as sulfur ball, pyritic gangue or pyrite, and is the least concentrated in the organic of coal. The content of the lead has a direct ratio with the ash and the pyretic sulfur. Coal washing can reduce the content of the pyretic sulfur and the lead.     

华北平原地下水有机污染特征初步分析

各种污染造成地下水中有害物质逐年增加,地下水水质逐渐下降,严重危及了饮用水安全。针对此情况,按照相关的要求,采集了245组水样。样品由有资质的测试单位测定。依据对地下水质调查的初步分析,华北平原地下水中已有机物检出。对所有水样测试结果的统计显示：检出的有机污染物共有32种。检出率大于4.5%的有氯仿、甲苯、四氯乙烯、苯并[a]芘、氯苯、苯和1,2-二氯苯,其中个别水样中的四氯化碳、苯并[a]芘和挥发性酚类三项超过了饮用水标准（据地下水质量标准报批稿,中国地质调查局,2007）,超标率分别为1.22%、2.45%和1.90%。个别在深层地下水样品中也检出了微量有机污染物,这可能与取样井的混合开采、止水不佳有关。从区域上来看,在人类活动相对强烈的城镇地区地下水中,有机物检出率相对较高,特别是在渗透性好的山前地带,污染物较易进入到地下水中。通过分析发现,地下水有机物的高检出率与地下水硬度的升高有一定相关性。由于地下水有机污染在时间和空间上差异一般较大,建议对已发现的异常点进行重复取样测试,积累水质数据,以利于将来的综合分析。     

Atrazine leaching into groundwater: comparison of five simulation models

Five deterministic models (BAM, GLEAMS, HYDRUS, MOUSE and TETrans) were compared to evaluate, in first order of approximation, their ability to predict different soil vulnerabilities with respect to the atrazine leachability towards shallow groundwater. Two environmental scenarios were defined on the basis of the measured groundwater contamination. The former scenario corresponded to a vulnerable sandy loam soil, the latter to a moderately vulnerable sandy loam-organic soil. The pesticide was applied on both soils for corn weed control in early June 1986, while the groundwater samplings were made in February and September 1987. The small atrazine transport into groundwater through the sandy loam-organic soil, as it was detected from the groundwater sampling in late winter, was simulated only by TET rans model. With respect to the sandy loam soil vulnerability, satisfactory simulations were performed by both TETrans and HYDRUS. The applied herbicide was leached throughout this soil towards groundwater both in February and in September 1987. Conversely, atrazine leaching simulated by GLEAMS, MOUSE and BAM compared less consistently with the measured groundwater contaminations.     

Leaching characteristics of bisphenol A from epoxy-resin pavement materials

We investigated the leaching characteristics of bisphenol A (BPA) from two kinds of epoxy-resin pavement materials, one containing epoxy resins (EPs) and the other containing epoxy-acrylate resins (EPAs). Both samples contained residual BPA monomer, at levels of 9.0?µg?g^?1 for the EP resin sample and 4.4?µg?g^?1 for the EPA resin sample. These amounts were larger than amounts previously measured for polycarbonate samples. The amount of BPA leached from the samples increased with temperature. The leaching of BPA from EP was more strongly affected by temperature than the leaching from EPA. The pH also affected the amount of leached BPA. The maximum leached amount was observed under alkaline conditions (pH 10.8) for both sample types. The amounts of BPA that might leach from pavement materials during 1?h of heavy rain were estimated to be 0.9?µg?m^?2 for EP and 3.5?µg?m^?2 for EPA. Our results indicate that EPs disposed of in waste landfills without any treatment may be a source of BPA in leachate at landfill sites.     

Flüchtige organische Verbindungen in Emissionen aus dem Hausbrand von Braunkohle

Volatile organic compounds were determined in stack-gas emissions from the residential burning of brown-coal briquets using adsorptive enrichment on hydrophobic adsorbents, thermal desorption and capillary-gas chromatographic analysis. 152 compounds were identified and quantified. Quantitative emission factors of the identified individual compounds were determined in relation to the amount of the fuel used. These factors permit assessment of the pollution of the city of Leipzig with volatile organic compounds resulting from the burning of indigenous lignite.     

Arsenic content and distribution pattern in Chinese coals

About 500 samples of coal, pyritic coal balls, pyritic gangue and coal seam gangue were collected from different coal basins and geologic periods of coal formation to determine the arsenic (As) content and distribution pattern in China. The Permian-Carboniferous and Jurassic coals in the North China Plate and Northwest China account for nearly 85% of total Chinese coal reserves and data showed that As content ranged from 0.1 to 94?mg?kg^?1, with the majority between 1 and 14.9?mg?kg^?1. The As content of some Late Permian coals in Southwest Guizhou Province and stone coal in the South Qinling Mountain area were exceedingly high (30–534?mg?kg^?1), but the majority of coal in the Southwest Guizhou Province contained low to medium amounts. Only the coals, which are situated in or near igneous rocks and are not considered a part of Chinese coal reserves, possessed unusually high As content (>30?mg?kg^?1). Arsenic was also concentrated in pyritic coal balls and the pyritic gangue of the coal seam with values ranging from 21.5 to 142.46?mg?kg^?1 and an average of 69?mg?kg^?1 in Shaanxi and 78?mg?kg^?1 in Shandong. Arsenic contents in coal gangue in the Northwest and North China Plate is about 0.2–15?mg?kg^?1, a little lower than coals in the same seam. Washing gangue (waste from coal washing) generally contained more As than coal, because the washed gangue has more pyrite than the natural gangue (black shale). Washing coal reduced the content of the pyritic sulfur, heavy metals and As. Based on amounts of coal used with different As content in Chinese coal reserves, the average As content of Chinese coals is about 4.5?mg?kg^?1.     

Emission factors of gaseous carbonaceous species from residential combustion of coal and crop residue briquettes

Experiments were performed to measure the emission factors (EFs) of gaseous carbonaceous species, such as CO₂, CO, CH₄, and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), from the combustion of five types of coal of varying organic maturity and two types of biomass briquettes under residential burning conditions. Samples were collected in stainless steel canisters and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) cartridges and were analyzed by GC-FID/MS and HPLC, respectively. The EFs from crop residue briquette burning were generally higher than those from coals, with the exception of CO₂. The dominant NMVOC species identified in coal smoke were carbonyls (41.7%), followed by C2 unsaturated hydrocarbons (29.1%) and aromatics (12.1%), while C2 unsaturated hydrocarbons were the dominant species (68.9%) emitted from the combustion of crop residue briquettes, followed by aromatics (14.4%). A comparison of burning normal crop residues in stoves and the open field indicated that briquettes emitted a larger proportion of ethene and acetylene. Both combustion efficiency and coal organic maturity had a significant impact on NMVOC EFs from burning coal: NMVOC emissions increased with increasing coal organic maturity but decreased as the combustion efficiency improved. Emissions from the combustion of crop residue briquettes from stoves occurred mainly during the smoldering process, with low combustion efficiency. Therefore, an improved stove design to allow higher combustion efficiency would be beneficial for reducing emissions of carbonaceous air pollutants.     

Characterization of Santa Catarina (Brazil) coal with respect to human health and environmental concerns

The current paper presents the concentration, distribution, and modes of occurrence of trace elements of 13 coals from south Brazil. The samples were collected in the state of Santa Catarina. Chemical analyses and the high ash yields indicate that all studied coals are rich in mineral matter, with SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ dominating as determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Quartz is the main mineral species and is associated with minor levels of feldspars, kaolinite, hematite, and iron-rich carbonates. The contents of trace elements, including As, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Mn, Be, V, U, Zn, Li, Cu, Tl, and Ni, in coals were determined. A comparison of ranges and means of elemental concentrations in Santa Catarina, Brazil, and world coals shows that the ranges of most elements in Santa Catarina coal are very close to the usual worldwide concentration ranges in coal.     

多效唑在土壤中降解、吸附和淋溶作用

本文研究了植物生长调节剂多效唑(MET)在土壤中的环境引为,MET在土壤中降解较缓慢并随土壤环境条件而异,淹水厌氧条件比旱地好氧条件降解更缓慢,灭菌土壤中未见明显降解,微生物培养试验表明,MET对真菌有明显抑止作用,以MET为唯一营养源的培养基上能生长出几种放线菌,在三种供试土壤中,MET在高有机质含量的黑土中吸附常数远大于黄棕壤和潮土;MET的淋溶则在砂粒含量较高和有机质含量较低的潮土中最快,黑土最慢,黄棕壤居间.