Geological Characterization and Environmental Implications of the Placement of the Morelia Dump,Michoacán,Central Mexico

Abstract

The landfill of Morelia, the capital city of the state of Michoacán in central-western Mexico, is located 12 km west of the city and has operated since 1997 without a structure engineered and designed to control the generation in situ of biogas and leachates. A geological evaluation of the landfill site is presented in this paper. The results indicate that the site lacks ideal impermeable sub-surface strata. The subsurface strata consist of highly fractured basaltic lava flows (east-west fault and fracture system trend) and sand-size cineritic material with high permeability and porosity. Geochemical analysis of groundwater from Morelia’s municipal aquifer shows a high concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, As) exceeding the Mexican environmental regulations, along with the presence of some organic pollutants (phenols). Analyses of samples of the landfill’s permanent leachate ponds show very high concentrations of the same contaminants. Samples were taken from the leachate pond and from nearby water-wells during the rainy season (summer 1997) and the dry season (spring 1997, 1998, and 1999). In all cases, the concentration of contaminants registered exceeded the standards for drinking water of the World Health Organization (American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and Water Pollution Control Federation, 2000). Some metal contaminants could be leaching directly from the landfill.     

Analysis of a population of magnetotactic bacteria of the Gulf of Gabès,Tunisia

The occurrence of magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) on a Tunisian marine coast exposed to heavy metals pollution (Sfax, Gulf of Gabès, Mediterranean Sea) was investigated. The MTB population of this Southern Mediterranean coast was compared to the MTB populations previously investigated on the French Northern Mediterranean coast. A dominant MTB coccus morphotype was observed by microscopy analysis. By pyrosequencing technology, the analysis of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rDNA) revealed as much as 33 operational taxonomic sequence units (OTUs) close to sequences of MTB accessible in the databases. The majority were close to MTB sequences of the “Med group” of α-Proteobacteria. Among them, a dominant OTU_001 (99 % of the MTB sequences) affiliated within the Magnetococcales order was highlighted. Investigating the capacities of this novel bacterium to be used in bioremediation and/or depollution processes could be envisaged.     

In situ monitoring of the mutagenic effects of the gaseous emissions of a solid waste incinerator in metropolitan São Paulo, Brazil, using the Tradescantia stamen-hair assay

The present work was designed to determine the potential genotoxicity at the vicinity of a solid waste incinerator in the metropolitan area of S?o Paulo, using the Tradescantia stamen-hair bioassay. Experiments were carried out between December 1998 and April 1999 in four regions (40 pots of plants per site) selected on the basis of their pollution levels predicted by theoretical modeling of the dispersion of the incinerator's plume. The exposure sites were defined as follows: highest level (incinerator); a high level (museum) located 1.5 km from the emission point; a moderate level (school, at a distance of 3.5 km from the incinerator); and a control (at Jaguariúna countryside). The difference in genotoxicity among the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The frequency of mutations observed in the countryside was significantly lower [2.25 +/- 1.55, mean +/- SD (standard deviation)] than that of the sites close to the incinerator. The frequency of mutations measured at the school (3.70 +/- 1.36) was significantly lower than that measured at both the museum (4.89 +/- 1.12) and the incinerator (5.69 +/- 1.34). In conclusion, we found a positive correlation between the spatial distribution of the emissions of the incinerator located in an urban area and the mutagenic events measured by the Tradescantia stamen-hair assay. The in situ approach employed in this study was simple, efficient, and of low cost. No air or chemical extraction of pollutants was necessary for genotoxicity testing as required by other assays.     

In Situ Monitoring of the Mutagenic Effects of the Gaseous Emissions of a Solid Waste Incinerator in Metropolitan São Paulo,Brazil, Using the Tradescantia Stamen-Hair Assay

ABSTRACT

The present work was designed to determine the potential genotoxicity at the vicinity of a solid waste incinerator in the metropolitan area of Sâo Paulo, using the Tradescantia stamen-hair bioassay. Experiments were carried out between December 1998 and April 1999 in four regions (40 pots of plants per site) selected on the basis of their pollution levels predicted by theoretical modeling of the dispersion of the incinerator's plume. The exposure sites were defined as follows: highest level (incinerator); a high level (museum) located 1.5 km from the emission point; a moderate level (school, at a distance of 3.5 km from the incinerator); and a control (at Jaguariuna countryside). The difference in genotoxicity among the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The frequency of mutations observed in the countryside was significantly lower [2.25 ± 1.55, mean ± SD (standard deviation)] than that of the sites close to the incinerator. The frequency of mutations measured at the school (3.70 ± 1.36) was significantly lower than that measured at both the museum (4.89 ± 1.12) and the incinerator (5.69 ± 1.34). In conclusion, we found a positive correlation between the spatial distribution of the emissions of the incinerator located in an urban area and the mutagenic events measured by the Tradescantia stamen-hair assay. The in situ approach employed in this study was simple, efficient, and of low cost. No air or chemical extraction of pollutants was necessary for genotoxicity testing as required by other assays.     

A study of the particulate matter PM10 composition in the atmosphere of Chillán, Chile

Inhalable particulate matter (PM10) concentrations were measured over 24-h intervals at six different urban sites in the city of Chillán from September 2001 to April 2003. Sampling locations were selected to represent central city, commercial, residential, and industrial portions of the city. Chemical composition of PM10 was performed to samples of 47 mm diameter Teflon membranes within the city of Chillán. The spatial and temporal variability of the chemical composition of PM10 was evaluated taking into account additional data from meteorology and further air pollutants. The majority of PM mass was comprised of carbon, nitrate, sulfate, ammonium, and crustal components but in different proportion on different days and at different sites. The chemical analyses showed that carbonaceous substances and crustal material were the most abundant component of PM10 during the winter and summer, respectively. The concentrations of PM10 were higher during the cold season than during the warm season. The PM10 concentrations were higher in the downtown area of the city of Chillán, where also the chemical composition was more variable due to urban traffic and other anthropogenic sources.     

A multivariate statistical analysis of the composition of rainwater near Cubatão, SP, Brazil

With the aim of estimating the chemical composition of bulk precipitation (wet + dry) in Cubat?o, rainwater samples were collected at several localities in the Cubat?o region from May 1984 to October 1985. The levels of some inorganic ions (Na+, Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO4(2-), NH4+, PO4(3-)) were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, turbidimetry and titration analysis. Correlation and Fisher discrimination indices, principal component and varimax loading and scores were determined in the multivariate statistical data treatment. The results showed that ionic concentrations in rainwater from Vila Parisi are significantly higher than those of Cubat?o Centro, Santos and Serra do Mar. The ionic compositions of the Vila Parisi rainwater seem to be mainly determined by local anthropogenic activities (industrial pollution). Besides the influence of this factor on water quality, there is also a natural oceanic contribution involving Cl- and Na+ at the other locations.     

Arsenic in the soils of Zimapán, Mexico

Arsenic concentrations of 73 soil samples collected in the semi-arid Zimapán Valley range from 4 to 14 700 mg As kg(-1). Soil arsenic concentrations decrease with distance from mines and tailings and slag heaps and exceed 400 mg kg(-1) only within 500 m of these arsenic sources. Soil arsenic concentrations correlate positively with Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations, suggesting a strong association with ore minerals known to exist in the region. Some As was associated with Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides, this association is less for contaminated than for uncontaminated samples. Very little As was found in the mobile water-soluble or exchangeable fractions. The soils are not arsenic contaminated at depths greater than 100 cm below the surface. Although much of the arsenic in the soils is associated with relatively immobile solid phases, this represents a long-term source of arsenic to the environment.     

Economic,ecological, and health aspects of β-diketonate application in the process of water purification

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Water pollution is a constant challenge for humanity. Sustainable economic development and environmental protection through a green economy structure...     

Nest placement of the giant Amazon river turtle, Podocnemis expansa, in the Araguaia River, Goiás State, Brazil

The giant Amazon river turtle (Podocnemis expansa) nests on extensive sand bars on the margins and interior of the channel during the dry season. The high concentration of nests in specific points of certain beaches indicates that the selection of nest placement is not random but is related to some geological aspects, such as bar margin inclination and presence of a high, sandy platform. The presence of access channels to high platform points or ramp morphology are decisive factors in the choice of nesting areas. The eroded and escarped margins of the beaches hinder the Amazon river turtle arriving at the most suitable places for nesting. Through the years, changes in beach morphology can alter nest distribution.     

Is Gray Water the Key to Unlocking Water for Resource-Poor Areas of the Middle East,North Africa,and Other Arid Regions of the World?

Support for the use of treated gray water as an alternative water resource in the Middle East and North Africa is high, especially given the lack of religious restrictions against its use, but several obstacles have kept application of treated gray water near 1 % in some areas. The largest of obstacles include the cost of treatment and the ambiguity surrounding the health safety of gray water and treated gray water. This paper aims to provide an overview of current gray water practices globally, with specific focus on household-level gray water practices in the Middle East and North Africa region, and highlight the need for cost reduction strategies and epidemiological evidence on the use of household-level gray water and treated gray water. Such actions are likely to increase the application of treated gray water in water-deprived areas of the Middle East and North Africa.     

Influence of a nickel smelter plant on the mineralogical composition of attic dust in the Tikveš Valley, Republic of Macedonia

Mineral phases and their content were determined in attic dust samples collected from 27 houses in the Tikve? Valley, Republic of Macedonia. By using quantitative X-ray diffraction, the principal mineral phases were determined to be the serpentinite group (chrysotile, lizardite) and amphibole group of minerals (ribecite, tremolite, actinolite) present in the attic dust samples from this region which are not common constituents of urban dust. Strong correlations existed between these mineral phases in the dust and those in ores processed at a ferronickel smelter plant situated in this region. Spatial distributions of specific mineral phases were made and were consistent with wind directions and predicted deposition (60–70 %) of dust emitted from the metallurgical plant.     

Assessment of human health risk related to metals by the use of biomonitors in the province of Córdoba, Argentina

The evaluation of metal contents in the environment is of vital importance for the assessment of human exposure. Thus the species Usnea amblyoclada, Ramalina celastri and Tillandsia capillaris were tested as bioaccumulators of transition metals in the urban area of Córdoba city, Argentina. The level of metals on biomonitors was compared to that of total deposition samples. All three species discriminated zones within the urban area of Córdoba city with different pollution levels; they revealed high levels of Zn in the downtown area and confirmed high levels of some transition metals in an industrial area. The correlation analysis revealed that the lichen R. celastri had the highest correlation rates with total deposition samples, suggesting it is a valuable biomonitor of atmospheric pollution. A significant relationship was also observed between respiratory diseases in children and the contents of metal accumulated in R. celastri and T. capillaris, indicating their usefulness when assessing human exposure to metals.     

Effectiveness in the Use of Natural Gas for the Reduction of Atmospheric Emissions: Case Study—Industrial Sector in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago,Chile

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to quantify the potential of natural gas to reduce emissions from stationary combustion sources by analyzing the case study of the metropolitan region of Santiago, Chile. For such purposes, referential base scenarios have been defined that represent with and without natural gas settings. The method to be applied is an emission estimate based on emission factors. The results for this case study reveal that stationary combustion sources that replaced their fuel reduced particulate matter (PM) emissions by 61%, sulfur oxides (SO_x) by 91%, nitrogen oxides (NO_x) by 40%, and volatile organic compounds (VOC) by 10%. Carbon mon-oxide (CO) emissions were reduced by 1%. As a result of this emission reduction, in addition to reductions caused by other factors, such as a shift to cleaner fuels other than natural gas, technological improvements, and sources which are not operative, emission reduction goals set forth by the environmental authorities were broadly exceeded.     

Preparing to Measure the Effects of the NOx SIP Call— Methods for Ambient Air Monitoring of NO,NO2, NOy,and Individual NOz Species

Abstract

The capping of stationary source emissions of NO_x in 22 states and the District of Columbia is federally mandated by the NO_x SIP Call legislation with the intended purpose of reducing downwind O₃ concentrations. Monitors for NO, NO₂, and the reactive oxides of nitrogen into which these two compounds are converted will record data to evaluate air quality model (AQM) predictions. Guidelines for testing these models indicate the need for semicontinuous measurements as close to real time as possible but no less frequently than once per hour. The measurement uncertainty required for AQM testing must be less than ±20% (±10% for NO₂) at mixing ratios of 1 ppbv and higher for NO, individual NO_z component compounds, and NO_y. This article is a review and discussion of different monitoring methods, some currently used in research and others used for routine monitoring. The performance of these methods is compared with the monitoring guidelines. Recommendations for advancing speciated and total NO_y monitoring technology and a listing of demonstrated monitoring approaches are also presented.     

Is the freshwater gammarid, Dikerogammarus villosus, a suitable sentinel species for the implementation of histochemical biomarkers?

In order to enlarge the range of potential sentinel species for the implementation of a multiple biomarker approach, spatial and monthly morphological variations of four cellular compartments and contents were assessed during two years in the hepatopancreatic caeca of the freshwater gammarid, Dikerogammarus villosus (Crustacea, Amphipoda), using histochemistry coupled to image analysis. Among the three study sites, the second one, located in a reservoir receiving the overheated and copper-contaminated waters of a nuclear power plant, was the most anthropised. During this passive biomonitoring survey, unsaturated neutral lipids were more abundant, the surface densities of the lysosomal and peroxisomal systems were, respectively less and more important, and lipofuscin granules tended to accumulate in the amphipods from the second site compared to both others. Nonetheless, in this context, the present cellular biomarker suite, analysed through an integrative approach, was not powerful enough to highlight spatial heterogeneity significantly. This may partly result from particularities in the patterns of metal accumulation and copper physiological requirements of amphipods (haemocyanin synthesis). Nevertheless, we think that the use of this Ponto-Caspian non-indigenous species in biomonitoring surveys deserves further investigation, owing to its current position in freshwater and brackish European ecosystems, considering both biomass and functioning. Cellular responses could be studied in parallel with endpoints at other levels of the biological organization to compose a more powerful biomarker suite. Furthermore, comparing biological responses to environmental stress in this invasive species and less competitive autochthonous gammarids could be of great interest.     

Seawater intrusion vulnerability in the coastal aquifers of southern India—an appraisal of the GALDIT model,parameters’ sensitivity,and hydrochemical indicators

An appraisal of seawater intrusion into the coastal aquifers is one of the major issues for groundwater resource management. The GALDIT model applies to the analysis of multiple parameters using systematic GIS techniques for mapping and assessment of seawater intrusion vulnerability. It demarcates the mapping of potential vulnerability that shows a higher vulnerability to seawater intrusion in various parts of the coast and the estimated vulnerability index value of 7.50 and 9.64. An area of 33.0 km² spread in the low-lying coastal area comprising estuaries, salt marshes, and saltpans shows the high vulnerability condition with an estimated vulnerability value of 6.42–7.50. An area of 73.20 km² spread over coastal and alluvial plains experiences moderate vulnerability (temporal salinity in the groundwater sources) with an estimated vulnerability index value of 5.46–6.42. Aquifers underlying coastal uplands (hard rock formations) and some parts of accretionary beaches (2.05 km²) are relatively protected fresh groundwater sources, wherein the estimated vulnerability index is 4.55–5.46. The vulnerability mapping of the GALDIT model using hydrochemical analysis of primary groundwater parameters such as TDS, Cl^?, HCO₃, and Cl^?/HCO₃ ratio is validated. Higher concentration of TDS (2637–4162 mg/l) and Cl^? (1268–2347 mg/l) is taken for the areas falling under higher vulnerability to seawater intrusion, especially in the placer mining sites and coastal areas facing erosion. Similarly, the groundwater sources of the low-lying areas including estuaries, salt marshes, saltpans, and backwater were noted to have higher values of Cl^?/HCO₃ with a rationality of 9.87–12.18. Hydrological facies shows the highest concentration of NaCl in the groundwater sources within the proximity of eroded beaches, saltwater bodies, and sand mining areas. A hydrochemical facies evolution (HFE) diagram represents the hydrochemical facies of groundwater elements that shows an intrusion of seawater into the coastal aquifers underlying the very high vulnerable zones. Higher bicarbonate concentration (233–318 mg/l) is noticed in the upland areas and some parts of dunes and accreted beaches, sandy coasts, and uplands. Vulnerability analysis reveals that those areas near saltwater bodies and eroding coasts are prone to lateral and vertical diffusion of saltwater. The geodatabase developed through such modeling studies can help in planning and developing activities for sustainable groundwater resource management in coastal areas.

     

Investigation of the accumulation of ash,heavy metals,and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to assess the stability of lysis–cryptic growth sludge reduction in sequencing batch reactor

The accumulation of ash, heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (collectively called potential accumulating substances, PAS) was evaluated to ascertain the stability of lysis–cryptic growth sludge reduction process (LSRP) for municipal sludge treatment. One sequencing batch reactor (SBR) incorporated with homogenization was run to test the LSRP and another SBR as a control. The continuous monitoring results for 2 months showed that the ash and heavy metals slightly increased, and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons decreased by 18.0%, indicating that there may be negligible accumulations during the LSRP. Their accumulations met pattern I, as demonstrated by statistical analysis, proving no PAS accumulation for LSRP. This was further confirmed by sludge activity and system performance. Moreover, the mechanism for no PAS accumulation was discussed. It was concluded that the LSRP was stable with no worries about PAS accumulation under the operational conditions.     

Do tailings from the Mariana,MG (Brazil), disaster affect the initial development of millet,maize, and sorghum?

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The collapse of the Fundão dam in Mariana, MG, in 2015 resulted in the overflow of more than 50 million m3 of mud containing mine tailings,...