Some aspects of heavy metals contamination remediation and role of biosurfactants

Contamination by heavy metals is the result of different industrial activities. The presence of heavy metals in soil and water causes serious problems, as these materials are not biodegradable and do contaminate both biological systems and the subsoil. Biological surface-active compounds otherwise known as biosurfactants in general and rhamnolipids biosurfactants in particular have been successfully employed in the remediation of environments contaminated with heavy metal ions. The aim of the present review is to highlight potential applications of these tensioactive compounds for use in environmental heavy metals removal and bioremediation and processes involved.     

Will nano-biosorbents break the Achilles’ heel of biosorption technology?

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Release of toxic substances into public waterways continues unabated, despite concerted efforts to minimize environmental pollution. In particular, heavy metals...     

The Dublin SURGE Project: geochemical baseline for heavy metals in topsoils and spatial correlation with historical industry in Dublin,Ireland

The Dublin SURGE (Soil Urban Geochemistry) Project is Dublin’s first baseline survey of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants in topsoils and is part of a Europe-wide initiative to map urban geochemical baselines in ten cities. 1,058 samples were collected as part of a stratified random sampling programme in the greater Dublin area to give an overview of baseline conditions in the city. Samples were analysed for 31 inorganic elements including heavy metals. Analysis of results indicates that the concentrations of lead, copper, zinc and mercury are strongly influenced by human activities, with elevated concentrations in the city docklands, inner city and heavy industry areas. Sources of heavy metals in these areas may include historical industry, coal burning, re-use of contaminated soil, modern traffic and leaded paint and petrol. Concentrations of other inorganic elements in topsoil show patterns which are strongly related to regional bedrock parent material. The spatial distributions of heavy metals, in particular Pb and As, are explored in detail with respect to regional geology and the influence of historical industry on soil quality. Exploratory data, geostatistical and correlation analyses suggest that the concentrations of heavy metals tend to increase as the intensity of historical industrial activity increases. In particular, drinks production, power generation, oil/gas/coal, metals and textile historical industries appear to be the contamination source for several heavy metals. The data provide a geochemical baseline relevant to the protection of human health, compliance with environmental legislation, land use planning and urban regeneration.     

Methods for selenium removal from contaminated waters: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Worldwide contamination of waters by metals, metalloids, and organometallic pollutants is a major health issue. In particular, the occurrence of the selenium...     

Selective separation of cobalt versus nickel by split-phosphinate complexation using a phosphonium-based ionic liquid

Environmental Chemistry Letters - The rising demand of metals for batteries is calling for advanced methods to separate metallic mixtures in mineral ores and electronic waste. In particular, the...     

Biocompatible self-healing hydrogels based on boronic acid-functionalized polymer and laponite nanocomposite for water pollutant removal

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Global water pollution by organic dyes and metals may be solved by adsorption. In particular, hydrogel adsorbents display unique...     

可控湿法氧化聚沉工艺对城市污泥中重金属的稳定化影响

采集了长沙市污水厂的剩余污泥（S1）和湿法氧化聚沉工艺处理的深度脱水污泥（S2）,对比分析了处理前后污泥的形貌变化及重金属Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd、Hg和As的形态分布,初步探讨了重金属稳定化机理,对脱水污泥中重金属Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd、Hg和As进行了稳定性评估.结果表明,脱水污泥中重金属的总量均低于我国污泥农用标准中的酸性限值,符合B级污泥泥质要求.处理后,污泥中Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd、Hg和As主要以硫化物有机结合态和残渣态（稳定态）存在,不稳定态在不同程度上向稳定态发生了转变,Cu、Hg的增幅最大,达21.1%.S2中重金属的生物可利用性较S1都有显著的降低,平均降幅达73.1%,S2中重金属的生物可利用性顺序为：Zn〉Pb〉Cu〉Cd〉As〉Hg.污泥经过湿法氧化聚沉工艺处理后,污泥中重金属Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd、Hg和As得到了明显的稳定化,为污泥后续资源化、安全化提供了科学依据.     

Trace element geochemistry in archaeological sites

Man can leave a geochemical imprint on an archaeological site in several ways. In common with other components of the biosphere, there is a selective enrichment of elements in his body tissues which, upon death and burial, may lead to detectable anomalies. Of elements concentrated in this way P is the most obvious, but Sn could be another possibility worth further investigation. There has been particular geochemical impact due to the progressive use of such metals as Ag, Au, Cu, Pb and Zn during successive cultural stages. Anomalies may thus arise due to recognisable transported ore, slags or artefacts, although there has also often been cryptic redispersion of the metals within a site. Charcoal is one of the commoner finds during excavations, and it has the ability to adsorb and concentrate metals progressively from percolating solutions since the time of its burial: with careful interpretation its analysis may thus provide a valuable historical record, as is illustrated by material from several sites in North Wales. Providing care is taken to interpret results in their particular geochemical and pedochemical context, trace element analysis may thus offer a useful insight into the history of man's activities in an archaeological site.This paper was presented at the Sixth European Conference of SEGH in Bradford, April 13, 1988.)     

吊兰和蝴蝶梅对污泥中重金属的去除效果

采用盆栽土培方法,将剩余污泥与供试土壤按质量比为0∶3,1∶2,2∶1和3∶0配比,吊兰和蝴蝶梅栽培幼苗,定期测定植物的株高、根长、干重、鲜重等生物量和叶绿素与根活力变化,以及植物体内Cu、Zn、Cd、Pb和Cr等的重金属含量变化;测定种植前后植物根系旁污泥中的重金属含量和重金属的EDTA提取含量等结果表明,吊兰对多种重金属具有很好的耐性,受重金属影响不大.吊兰对Cr和Zn的富集效果较好,对Cr的富集系数在某个特定的生长期是大于1,且它对Zn的富集效果较稳定,不易受重金属浓度的影响.由于吊兰具有生物量大、根系发达、生物量增长迅速等优点,其有利于被重金属污染的土壤改良.而蝴蝶梅因为根系不发达和生物量较小等原因,对重金属的耐性不强,生长中易受重金属影响,因此不宜用于修复污染土壤的植物.图9,表5,参7.     

Heavy metals availability (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Cr) in Aden Gulf sediments under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

The present study aims to analyse the chemical speciation of heavy metals in relation to aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Two sediment samples (from the Gulf of Aden, Yemen) were incubated under flooded conditions. In particular, the chemical forms of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Cr under the experimental conditions were studied using a sequential chemical extraction method. The pH and Eh of the suspension were measured as critical parameters controlling the fate of the metals in the environment. The results showed that the metals concentration in the different forms varied with time incubation and affected by the variation of redox potential and pH value. Also, the changes in both redox potential (Eh) and pH values had evident effects on heavy metals transformation. It is obvious that the highest redox potential affected the amount of iron and manganese in the oxides form. When the redox potential decreased to-133 and-170 mV, it caused a significant transformation of the Fe-Mn oxide form to the water-soluble and exchangeable fractions. Under anaerobic conditions, the relative percentage of all five metals including the summation of four fractions (the water-soluble and exchangeable, carbonate, oxides and organic fractions) constituted 45-60% of the total amount of iron, 33-50% for manganese, 33-63% for Zn, 63-74% for Cu and 19-43% for Cr. Both zinc and copper among water-soluble and exchangeable fraction were high at the end of incubation period, this accompanied by a significant decrease in the content of the organically bound fraction. In general, the reducing conditions were more favorable for metal bound to water soluble and exchangeable fraction.     

Ontological changes in the crystallin composition of the eye lenses of the territorial damselfish Parma microlepis and their possible effects on trace-metal accumulation

The eye lenses of Parma microlepis from the rocky barrens of Sydney (New South Wales, Australia) were found to contain Ba, Hg, Rb, and Sr at concentrations above the quantitative detection limits of solution-based inductively-coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). Lenses were separated into the hard central nucleus and the softer surrounding cortex. Nuclei contained lower (equal for Ba) concentrations of these metals. Biochemical analysis of the protein composition of these lenses revealed differences in the ratio of γ-crystallin to β-crystallin in the lens nucleus and cortex. These changes were shown to be attributable both to protein degradation and changes in protein synthesis as fish age. Such changes may lead to the loss of sequestered metals from older cell layers, or change the affinity of new layers for particular trace metals. Differential binding affinities of these crystallins may, therefore, partially account for trace-metal differences observed in the lens nucleus and cortex. Received: 13 November 1998 / Accepted: 23 April 1999     

Chemical characterization and health risk assessment of soil and airborne particulates metals and metalloids in populated semiarid region,Agra, India

Rapid industrialization and urbanization have contaminated air and soil by heavy metals and metalloids from biogenic, geogenic and anthropogenic sources in many areas of the world, either directly or indirectly. A case study was conducted in three different microenvironments, i.e., residential sites, official sites and official sites; for each sites, we choose two different locations to examine the elemental concentration in fine particulate matter and soil and health risk assessment. The concentration values of heavy metals and metalloid in the air and soil in the Agra region were measured using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrophotometry. The exposure factor and health risk assessment for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects due to heavy metals and metalloid contaminants have been calculated for both children and adults by following the methodology prescribed by USEPA. For the elements As, Cr, Cd, Ni and Pb selected for the carcinogenic health risk assessment, the calculated results lie above the threshold ranges. We observed the lifetime exposure to heavy metals through mainly three pathways, ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact of soil and air from that particular area. Therefore, the overall hazard quotient (HQ) values for children are more than that of adults. The assessment of health risk signifies that there were mainly three exposure pathways for people: ingested, dermal contact and inhalation. The major exposure pathway of heavy metals to both children and adults is ingestion. The values of HQ are higher than the safe level (=1), indicating a high risk exists in present condition. Meanwhile, HQs value for children is higher than that for adults, indicating that children have higher potential health risk than adults in this region.

     

向海湿地河道上下游土壤重金属污染程度分析

以向海湿地河道上、下游土壤沉积物为研究对象，以Al元素作为标准化元素，通过对重金属元素富集因子的分析，研究了Cu、Ni、Mn、Fe、Ba、Cr等6种重金属元素的人为污染状况及分级。结果表明，该区土壤沉积物中重金属元素均受到不同程度的人为污染影响，部分层面Ni、Ba等重金属元素污染程度达到显著水平，造成这种现象的主要原因是富含重金属的霍林河上游矿源物质的沉积及人类对湿地开发活动的历史变迁过程；此外，径流淹没频率不同造成了两断面土壤沉积类型和沉积效果的不同，使得受水文影响较大的上游断面的人为污染程度大于受影响较小的下游断面，说明向海湿地对人为污染具有一定的缓冲能力，或向海湿地具有较强的净化和过滤功能。     

High Cu removal from water using water hyacinth fixed on alginate

The occurrence of toxic metals in waters is a major health issue. Polluted waters can be cleaned by biosorption, which uses organisms such as algae, bacteria, fungi and plants that adsorb metals. In particular, water hyacinth—Eichhornia crassipes—is a promising biosorbent. Here we tested novel alginate-immobilised water hyacinth beads for the removal of Cu from aqueous solutions. Results show that successful service and regeneration continuous cycles were performed using a packed-bed, flow-through column of fixed internal diameter 1.2 cm, at room temperature and pH 5.1, with variation in initial metal concentration, bed depth and flow rate. The eluant used was 1 % w/v CaCl₂ acidified at pH 3. A concentration factor of 12 and elution efficiency up to 98 % were observed in five service and regeneration cycles performed. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of Cu remained almost constant at about 29 mg/g. To conclude, we show for the first time that alginate-immobilised water hyacinth beads can uptake and adsorb Cu very efficiently in a continuous-flow mode, hence highlighting their great potential for removal of toxic metals from aquatic environments.     

The gastropod Osilinus atrata as a bioindicator of Cd,Cu, Pb and Zn contamination in the coastal waters of the Canary Islands

The aim of this study was to assess the use of Osilinus atrata (Gastropoda, Mollusca) as a biomonitor of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) within the coastal zone of the Canary Islands. In general, this top-shell snail showed high intraspecific variability in its tissue metal concentrations, which decreased according to the following sequence: Cu≥Zn>Cd≥Pb. In particular, Cd and Zn concentrations were higher in males than in females, whereas Cu concentrations increased slightly with weight, and Pb concentrations decreased. Cd and Cu concentrations showed notable spatial variability; Cd concentrations were higher in the eastern islands (Alegranza, La Graciosa, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura) and La Palma, whereas Cu levels were highest in some western islands (Gran Canaria, La Gomera and El Hierro). The arrival of waters from the African coastal upwelling, the pollution of coastal waters with agricultural fertilisers and the competition for uptake between metals appear to be the likely causes within these patterns of accumulation. In conclusion, O. atrata presents a great potential as a biomonitor of heavy metals, however, more information and further studies are necessary.     

Human health ambient water quality criteria for 13 heavy metals and health risk assessment in Taihu Lake

• The concentrations of 13 heavy metals in Taihu Lake were analyzed. • Aquatic vegetables intake was first included in deriving human health AWQC. • The human health AWQC for 13 heavy metals in Taihu Lake were derived. • Human health risk assessment for 13 heavy metals were conducted in Taihu Lake. Heavy metals are widely concerning because of their toxicity, persistence, non-degradation and bioaccumulation ability. Human health ambient water quality criteria (AWQC) are specific levels of chemicals that can occur in water without harming human health. At present, most countries do not consider the effects of aquatic vegetables in deriving human health AWQC. Therefore, the intake of aquatic vegetables (Brasenia schreberi) was added to the derivation of human health AWQC and a health risk assessment for 13 heavy metals in Taihu Lake. The human health AWQC (consumption of water, fish and aquatic vegetables) values of 13 heavy metals ranged from 0.04 (Cd) to 710.87 μg/L (Sn), and the intake of B. schreberi had a very significant effect on the human health AWQC for Cu, with a more than 62-fold difference. The hazard quotients of As (2.8), Cd (1.6), Cr (1.4) and Cu (4.86) were higher than the safe level (HQ= 1), indicating that As, Cd, Cr and Cu in Taihu Lake posed a significant health risk. Sensitivity analysis showed that the contribution rate of B. schreberi intake to the human health risk from Cu was 91.6%, and all results indicated that the risk of Cu in B. schreberi to human health should be of particular concern. This study adds the consideration of aquatic vegetable consumption to the traditional method of human health AWQC derivation and risk assessments for the first time, and this approach can promote the development of risk assessments and water quality criteria.     

Sorption of Cu and Zn by bone charcoal

Bone charcoal is being developed as a treatment for decontaminating polluted water. In particular, its potential to adsorb metal species from contaminated water supplies is being examined. In this study, bone charcoal was used in batch and column experiments designed to investigate the sorption of two cationic metals Cu and Zn. The data from batch experiments fitted the Langmuir isotherm and so theoretical maximum binding capacities could be obtained. These values were compared with experimental values derived from the column experiments. The mechanisms involved in the immobilisation were also investigated.     

澳门城市垃圾焚烧底灰的重金属淋溶及其遗传毒性评价

应用美国国家环境保护局推荐的毒性特性溶出程序(toxicitycharacteristicleachingprocedure,TCLP),以及ICP-MS和ICP-AES技术研究了澳门城市垃圾焚烧底灰中重金属的淋溶,并结合蚕豆根尖微核试验评价了其潜在的生态与健康风险.结果显示,该底灰淋溶出来的重金属元素:铝(Al)、锰(Mn)、钴(Co)和汞(Hg)的浓度低于0.01mg·L-1,铁(Fe)、铜(Cu)和钼(Mo)的浓度低于0.1mg·L-1,而铬(Cr)、锌(Zn)、硒(Se)、锶(Sr)、钡(Ba)和铯(Cs)的浓度在0.11mg·L-1￣2.19mg·L-1之间.需要注意的是淋溶液中铅(Pb)的浓度异常高,最高可达19.06mg·L-1,超过了美国相关标准的上限(5mg·L-1);对比不同条件下底灰中重金属的淋溶情况,表明溶解作用和淋溶液的pH值是影响其淋溶的2个重要因素.蚕豆根尖微核试验显示各淋溶液处理组根尖细胞微核率明显升高,与阴性对照组相比具有显著性差异(p<0.05),表明各淋溶液具有遗传毒性;随着淋溶液中重金属浓度的增加,蚕豆根尖细胞所表现出来的毒性效应增强,表明重金属是淋溶液具有遗传毒性的重要原因.     

Assessment of As and Heavy Metal Contamination in the Vicinity of Duckum Au-Ag Mine, Korea

In order to assess the potential of As and heavy metal contamination derived from past mining activity and to estimate the human bioavailability quotients for As and heavy metals. Tailings, soils and crop samples were collected and analysed for As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. The mean concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in the tailings were 68.5, 7.8, 99, 3,754 and 733 µg g^–1, respectively. Maximum Pb concentration in tailings was up to 90 times higher than its tolerable level. The concentrations of these metals were highest in the soils from the dressing plant area, and decreased in the order: farmland soil to paddy soil. In particular, some of the soils from the dressing plant area contained more than 1% of Pb and Zn. The pollution index ranged from 0.19 to 1.93 in paddy soils, and from 1.47 to 3.60 in farmland soils. The average concentrations of heavy metals in crops collected from farmland were higher than those in rice stalks or rice grains, and higher than the internationally accepted limits for vegetables. Element concentrations extracted from farmland soils within the simulated human stomach for 1 h are 9.4 mg kg^–1 As, 3.8 mg kg^–1 Cd, 37 mg kg^–1 Cu, 250 mg kg^–1 Pb and 301 mg kg^–1 Zn. In particular, the extracted concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn are in excess of the tolerable levels. The results of the simple bioavailability extraction test (SBET) indicate that regular ingestion (by inhalation and from dirty hands) of soils by the local population could pose a potential health threat due to long-term toxic element exposure.     

Ökologische Situation der Region Leipzig-Halle

The deposition of heavy metals bound to air dust and their ecological effects depend, to a large degree, on particle size, which influences the transport processes in the environment. To estimate the size range of the particles mainly taken up by the pine needles, concentration gradients along a sector leeward of Leipzig were modelled according toGauss plume calculations. The results show that the aerodynamic size is between 1 and 10 μm. Particles of this size range can be taken up by lungs and, thus, have a particular toxicological relevance.