Rapid detection of toxic metals in non-crushed oyster shells by portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

The aim of this study was the multi-elemental detection of toxic metals such as lead (Pb) in non-crushed oyster shells by using a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer. A rapid, simultaneous multi-element analytical methodology for non-crushed oyster shells has been developed using a portable XRF which provides a quick, quantitative, non-destructive, and cost-effective mean for assessment of oyster shell contamination from Pb. Pb contamination in oyster shells was further confirmed by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The results indicated that Pb is distributed in-homogeneously in contaminated shells. Oyster shells have a lamellar structure that could contribute to the high accumulation of Pb on oyster shells.     

Mechanical performance and capillary water absorption of sewage sludge ash concrete (SSAC)

Disposal of sewage sludge from waste water treatment plants is a serious environmental problem of increasing magnitude. Waste water treatment generates as much as 70 g of dry solids per capita per day. Although one of the disposal solutions for this waste is through incineration, still almost 30% of sludge solids remain as ash. This paper presents results related to reuse of sewage sludge ash in concrete. The sludge was characterised for chemical composition (X-ray flourescence analysis), crystalline phases (X-ray diffraction analysis) and pozzolanic activity. The effects of incineration on crystal phases of the dry sludge were investigated. Two water/cement (W/C) ratios (0.55 and 0.45) and three sludge ash percentages (5%, 10% and 20%) per cement mass were used as filler. The mechanical performance of sewage sludge ash concrete (SSAC) at different curing ages (3, 7, 28 and 90 days) was assessed by means of mechanical tests and capillary water absorption. Results show that sewage sludge ash leads to a reduction in density and mechanical strength and to an increase in capillary water absorption. Results also show that SSAC with 20% of sewage sludge ash and W/C = 0.45 has a 28 day compressive strength of almost 30 MPa. SSAC with a sludge ash contents of 5% and 10% has the same capillary water absorption coefficient as the control concrete; as for the concrete mixtures with 20% sludge ash content, the capillary water absorption is higher but in line with C20/25 strength class concretes performance.     

Heavy metals' content of automotive shredder residues (ASR): evaluation of environmental risk

Every year between 8 and 9 millions of vehicles in the European Union arrive to their end of life. Car wastes can have a very high metal content, falling into hazardous waste class. A preliminary evaluation of these wastes could be made by metals' leaching test runs which is the main objective of the present study. Evaluation of the total metal content was carried out by X-ray fluorescence and the mobility of these metals using two simple standardized extractions such as the TCLP (Toxicity Characterisation Leaching Procedure) of the US EPA and the German leaching test DIN 38414-S4. Additionally, an extraction test with acetone was performed in order to recognise metals bounded to organic matter. The results show that the total metal content of the ASR can overpass the established values for inert residues. Lead and zinc contents are fairly well correlated with grain-size, whilst other metals' contents do not exhibit clear grain-size dependence.     

中晚全新世六盘山流域土壤侵蚀的湖泊沉积记录

流域土壤侵蚀是流域水文—气候—生态的集中表现之一,对生态、环境等有着重大影响,重建过去流域土壤侵蚀强度对理解区域人类活动具有重要意义.本文选取黄土高原西南部高山湖泊——六盘山天池沉积岩芯为研究对象,基于XRF岩芯元素数据分析,结合可靠的AMS 14C年代序列,重建了中晚全新世以来六盘山流域土壤侵蚀强度变化记录.结果显示:5570?—?1600 cal BP,流域土壤侵蚀整体较强,侵蚀强度逐渐减弱,其主要受控于降水变化,也受植被覆盖等因素的影响;随着晚全新世气候逐渐变干,1600 cal BP之后的侵蚀强度整体弱于前一时期,此时段由于人类活动的显著影响,加剧了流域的土壤侵蚀.太阳辐射可能是研究区土壤侵蚀强度变化的初始驱动力,ENSO通过驱动亚洲季风变化影响区域降水,进而直接影响流域土壤侵蚀的强度变化.     

国内外体内X射线荧光骨铅检测系统比较研究

血铅生物半衰期较短,只能反应人体短近铅中毒状况,存在一定局限性;骨铅生物半衰期较长,能够反应人体铅负荷的累积效应,有必要进行检测。体内X射线荧光骨铅检测系统从发明至今已有30多年的历史,文章根据激发源的不同将其分为三类系统进行分析讨论,作为国内开展相关研究工作的借鉴。     

方法标准验证实验数据中离群值的识别

对方法标准验证实验中测量数据进行合格性审核,对于后续方法精密度计算是一个重要环节。文献中识别离群值的Grubbs法、Dixon法等经典方法有时不能满足要求。探讨了用稳健统计法识别离群值的可行性。基于2套文献数据和XRF方法标准验证实验精密度测量数据,对Grubbs法、Dixon法、Mandel h检验法、质控指标法和稳健统计法(四分位法、迭代法、合格数据范围判定法)进行了比较。结果表明:稳健统计法可有效识别离群值。但四分位法存在过度"检出"现象。综合考虑多种方法识别结果有利于提高离群值判定结论的可靠性。对于个别难以判断的情形,可借助质控指标、技术要求以及数据是否剔除对实验室间标准偏差的影响进行取舍。     

共沉淀-离心-X射线荧光法快速测定表层海水中的Fe,Ni,Mn,Cu,Zn,Pb

基于共沉淀的富集作用,采用自制的离心管离心沉淀,以手持式X-射线荧光仪(XRF)测定,由此建立了表层海水中Fe,Ni,Mn,Cu,Zn,Pb的共沉淀-离心-XRF快速分析方法。测定时间为5 min/样;线性范围125μg/L～1 000μg/L,可以满足近岸表层海水中铁和锰的分析要求;基底加标200μg/L回收率为94.5%～116%;连续7次测定6种金属浓度均为500μg/L的海水加标样品,相对标准偏差(RSD)为2.86%～5.85%。与ICP-MS法比较,测定结果无显著性差异。本方法具有化学试剂污染小、方便快捷、可现场快速测定方法等优点。该方法已成功应用于厦门西港和福建九龙江河口表层海水中可溶态铁锰的现场测定,并在现场以手持式XRF对颗粒物中铁锰进行了测定,获得了该海域颗粒物中和海水中铁锰的分布。     

高分辨双晶X射线荧光光谱测定某些环境样品中硫的化学状态

本文用高分辨双晶X射线荧光光谱仪分析了煤、植物叶、土壤等环境样品中硫的化学状态。同时参照有关方法,设计了较为适用的非线性最小二乘法谱线分离程序。部分样品测定结果与其它方法做了对照比较,其结果基本相近。证明本法是一种样品预处理简便、测定快速而又可靠的化学状态分析方法。     

Identification and mapping of heavy metal pollution in soils of a sports ground in Galway City,Ireland, using a portable XRF analyser and GIS

Heavy metals in urban soils continue to attract attention because of their potential long-term effects on human health. During a previous investigation of urban soils in Galway City, Ireland, a pollution hotspot of Pb, Cu, Zn and As was identified in the sports ground of South Park in the Claddagh. The sports ground was formerly a rubbish dumping site for both municipal and industrial wastes. In the present study, a portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) analyser was used to obtain rapid in-situ elemental analyses of the topsoil (depth: about 5–10 cm) at 200 locations on a 20 × 20-m grid in South Park. Extremely high values of the pollutants were found, with maximum values of Pb, Zn, Cu and As of 10,297, 24,716, 2224 and 744 mg/kg soil, respectively. High values occur particularly where the topsoil cover is thin, whereas lower values were found in areas where imported topsoil covers the polluted substrate. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques were applied to the dataset to create elemental spatial distribution maps, three-dimensional images and interpretive hazard maps of the pollutants in the study area. Immediate action to remediate the contaminated topsoil is recommended to safeguard the health of children who play at the sports ground.     

便携式XRF土壤重金属检测仪在环境应急监测中的应用探讨

系统评估了便携式XRF重金属检测仪的精密度、准确度及测定影响因素,开展了该方法测定土壤中Cu、Zn、As、Pb、Cr与国标分析方法的系统比对。结果表明:上述5种元素的方法检出限为5.7 mg/kg~16.0 mg/kg,土壤标准样品测定6次结果的RSD为1.0%~4.7%,Zn、Pb和As测定结果的相对误差10%;与国标法相比,便携式XRF重金属检测仪测定Cu、Zn、As、Pb的准确度较好,测定Cr的准确度波动较大。将该方法用于应急污染事故监测,可迅速锁定污染物及污染区域,实现野外分析的预判。