Environmental monitoring of fluoride emissions using precipitation, dust, plant and soil samples

A pollution gradient was observed in precipitation, plants and soils sampled at different locations around a fluoride producing chemical plant in Germany. In all samples the influence of emissions was discernible up to a distance of 500 m from the plant. However, fluoride concentrations in plant bioindicators (leaves of birch and black berry) and in bulk precipitation showed a more pronounced relationship with the distance from the source than fluoride concentrations in soil. Vegetables sampled in the vicinity of the plant also had elevated concentrations of fluoride, but only the consumption of larger quantities of this material would lead to exceedances of recommended daily F-intake. The present study did not indicate the existence of low phytotoxicity thresholds for fluoride in the plant species used in the study. Even at very high fluoride concentrations in leaf tissue (963 ppm) plants did not show injury due to HF. Dust sampling downwind of the chemical plant confirmed that particulate fluoride was of minor importance in the study area.     

Multivariate stochastic modelling of grass fluoride and airborne fluorides

Stochastic modelling was used to investigate the influence of airborne fluorides (in the case of grass fluoride) and meteorological factors on both grass and airborne fluoride levels, taking into consideration lagged dependence. Using rigorous grass sampling methods, there were indications of a negative relationship between volume of rainfall and grass fluoride concentrations, but no apparent relationship between the time which the leaf was visibly wet and grass fluoride levels. No evidence was found that rainfall washed airborne fluoride from the atmosphere or that wind variables influenced grass fluoride. For one particular experimental site, a multivariate stochastic model, which accounts for 81% of the total variation of the grass fluoride series, is developed.     

A modeling study of coarse particulate matter pollution in Beijing: regional source contributions and control implications for the 2008 Summer Olympics

In the last 10 yr, Beijing has made a great effort to improve its air quality. However, it is still suffering from regional coarse particulate matter (PM10) pollution that could be a challenge to the promise of clean air during the 2008 Olympics. To provide scientific guidance on regional air pollution control, the Mesoscale Modeling System Generation 5 (MM5) and the Models-3/Community Multiscale Air Quality Model (CMAQ) air quality modeling system was used to investigate the contributions of emission sources outside the Beijing area to pollution levels in Beijing. The contributions to the PM10 concentrations in Beijing were assessed for the following sources: power plants, industry, domestic sources, transportation, agriculture, and biomass open burning. In January, it is estimated that on average 22% of the PM10 concentrations can be attributed to outside sources, of which domestic and industrial sources contributed 37 and 31%, respectively. In August, as much as 40% of the PM10 concentrations came from regional sources, of which approximately 41% came from industry and 31% from power plants. However, the synchronous analysis of the hourly concentrations, regional contributions, and wind vectors indicates that in the heaviest pollution periods the local emission sources play a more important role. The implications are that long-term control strategies should be based on regional-scale collaborations, and that emission abatement of local sources may be more effective in lowering the PM10 concentration levels on the heavy pollution days. Better air quality can be attained during the Olympics by placing effective emission controls on the local sources in Beijing and by controlling emissions from industry and power plants in the surrounding regions.     

Sub-tropical urban environment affecting content and composition of non-structural carbohydrates of Lolium multiflorum ssp. italicum cv. Lema

This study analyzed the relationship between environmental factors, especially air pollution and climatic conditions, and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in plants of Lolium multiflorum exposed during 10 consecutive periods of 28 days at a polluted site (Congonhas) and at a reference site in São Paulo city (Brazil). After exposure, NSC composition and leaf concentrations of Al, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd were measured. The seasonal pattern of NSC accumulation was quite similar in both sites, but plants at Congonhas showed higher concentrations of these compounds, especially fructans of low and medium degree of polymerization. Regression analysis showed that NSC in plants growing at the polluted site were explained by variations on temperature and leaf concentration of Fe (positive effect), as well as relative humidity and particulate material (negative effect). NSC in the standardized grass culture, in addition to heavy metal accumulation, may indicate stressing conditions in a sub-tropical polluted environment.     

能源植物皇草对重金属的耐性及修复潜力

重金属污染及生态修复是环境和生态领域研究的热点和难点。皇草是重要的纤维素生物燃料和电力植物。选用皇草作为重金属污染土壤的修复植物,探讨皇草对重金属的耐性机理和对重金属污染土壤的修复效果。结果表明：皇草的株高和干重在Ni、As、Zn、Pb处理中显著高于对照处理或者与对照处理没有显著差异,但在Cr处理中显著低于对照处理。皇草在Ni、As、Zn、Pb和低浓度Cr污染土壤均能生产大量的生物质,每季产25.55~28.51 t·hm-2鲜草和8.23~9.12 t·hm-2干草。皇草叶片中MDA和POD的含量随着Cr、Ni、As和Pb浓度的升高有所增加,但CAT和SOD的活性表现出相反的趋势。在Zn的2个浓度梯度下,皇草叶片中的CAT、POD和SOD的活性均随着Zn浓度升高而下降。从重金属在皇草各器官分布来看,Cr、As和Pb的浓度为根 > 叶 > 茎;Ni和Zn为根 > 茎 > 叶。从重金属在植物叶片中的形态来看,Cr、Ni、Zn和Pb的盐酸提取态的含量较高。从重金属在亚细胞分布来看,Cr、As和Pb在皇草叶片亚细胞组分分布为细胞质 > 细胞壁 > 细胞器,Ni和Zn在皇草叶片亚细胞组分分布为细胞器 > 细胞质 > 细胞壁。皇草对重金属的富集系数和转运系数均小于1,对重金属的提取量较低,但其耐性强、生物量大,适合应用于土壤重金属污染的植物稳定技术。     

Studies on the progeny of rice plants grown at an unpolluted and polluted site

Oryza sativa L. cv. GR3 was grown near to a fertilizer plant and the growth of its seed progeny was evaluated at sites near to, and distant from, the fertilizer plant. The grain yield was reduced in plants grown at the polluted site, with reduced panicle length and increased sterility index. This decrease in grain yield was higher in the progeny plants than in the normal polluted plants. The polluted progeny grown at a control site showed a normal yield, but an increased sterility index. Accumulation of total sulphur and fluoride was higher in the leaves of polluted rice plants. It was evident that tolerance to air pollution was reduced in the progeny plants due to an additional dosage of sulphur and fluoride pollutants and to unfavourable climatic factors. Further, pollution effects were not carried over in progeny plants when grown in an unpolluted environment.     

Airborne trace element pollution in 11 European cities assessed by exposure of standardised ryegrass cultures

Within a European biomonitoring programme, Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) was employed as accumulative bioindicator of airborne trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, Zn) in urban agglomerations. Applying a highly standardised method, grass cultures were exposed for consecutive periods of four weeks each to ambient air at up to 100 sites in 11 cities during 2000–2002. Results of the 2001 exposure experiments revealed a clear differentiation of trace element pollution within and among local monitoring networks. Pollution was influenced particularly by traffic emissions. Especially Sb, Pb, Cr, Fe, and Cu exhibited a very uneven distribution within the municipal areas with strong accumulation in plants from traffic-exposed sites in the city centres and close to major roads, and moderate to low levels in plants exposed at suburban or rural sites. Accumulation of Ni and V was influenced by other emission sources. The biomonitoring sites located in Spanish city centres featured a much higher pollution load by trace elements than those in other cities of the network, confirming previously reported findings obtained by chemical analyses of dust deposition and aerosols. At some heavily-trafficked sites, legal thresholds for Cu, Pb, and V contents in foodstuff and animal feed were reached or even surpassed. The study confirmed that the standardised grass exposure is a useful and reliable tool to monitor and to assess environmental levels of potentially toxic compounds of particulate matter.     

Seasonal differences in the levels of suspended particulate matter and heavy metals in the vicinity of a waste dump

Total suspended particulate matter and heavy metal (Pb, Mn, Cd and Hg) concentrations were measured at the location in the vicinity of the waste dump to determine the air pollution level of these pollutants prior to the operation of the Mobile Thermal Treatment Plant. Samples were collected over one year period. Seasonal differences, and the influence of meteorological parameters (temperature, relative humidity, pressure and wind direction) on the air pollution levels were studied. Results show relatively low concentrations of TSP, Pb, Mn and Cd, while Hg levels were higher compared to the guideline values. Good weather conditions are connected to long range transport of particulate matter, while higher temperatures result in elevated mercury concentrations. Because of the predominant northeast wind direction, the contribution of air pollution from the direction of the waste dump at the measuring site is significant, but that does not necessarily mean that the pollutants originated from that source.     

Autocorrelation and univariate time series modelling for grass fluoride and airborne fluoride concentrations

The dependence of observed fluoride levels-grass, gaseous air and particulate air-on previous levels was investigated in the field situation. Autocorrelation was found in grass fluoride observations, and to a lesser extent was present in both gaseous and particulate airborne fluorides. Univariate time series models were obtained which accounted for 56-66% of total variation in grass fluoride, 31% in gaseous airborne and 26% in particulate airborne fluorides. The large amount of variation unexplained by the models was thought to be due to the influence of environmental and meteorological factors not included in the models, and random variation due to day-to-day and plot-to-plot variation.     

Particulate PAHs observed in the surrounding of a municipal incinerator

An intensive sampling campaign was undertaken in the surroundings of a municipal waste incinerator located in a French great urban centre in order to evaluate the impact of particles emissions on the ambient air and to estimate the exposure levels to toxic or carcinogenic compounds for a population living in the neighbourhood of this incinerator. To minimise the effect of industrial and road activities, sampling was performed during the 2 days of a weekend and on Monday morning. Different operating modes of the incinerator were investigated: (i) normal incinerator functioning and (ii) maintenance activity of the combustion chamber corresponding to the stop and cooling furnace periods. Particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and total particulate carbon concentrations were determined in three sites situated, respectively, close to the incinerator, 2 km downwind and 1 km upwind of the plant. In normal operating mode similar concentrations were observed in the three sites. During the furnace stop an increase of total PAH concentrations was observed in the sampling site close to the incinerator. The concentration was 3 times higher than those measured in the other two sampling sites. But this increase was limited in time and in space since this phenomenon is only observed in the vicinity of the incinerator. The study of PAH profiles indicated that Pyrene and Retene showed the highest enhancement of their relative concentrations. The influence of incinerator functioning parameters on the PAHs concentrations is discussed. The furnace temperature and the mode of exhaust fumes seem to be deciding parameters to explain the increase of PAH level in the incinerator site. However, the incinerator emissions remained a minor part of the atmospheric pollution in the urban area.     

The influence of past metallurgical activity on the concentration of heavy metals in the soil/grass system in Sibenik (Croatia)

Degree of heavy metal pollution in soil caused by a former Ferromanganese Plant (FMP) and aluminium factory was investigated and the potential of metal mobility and bioavailability was estimated. Elemental concentrations in soil, vegetation and soil extracts were determined by EDXRF. In the nearest vicinity of the factory, soil concentrations ranged as follows: Mn 12,700-342,000 ppm, Zn 200-1090, Cu 50-440, Ni 60-330, V 60-410 and Pb 24-320 ppm. Significantly higher concentrations of V, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb compared with control samples were also found in the soil samples taken in the vicinity of aluminium plant.     

Two-Stage,Dry FGD and Particulate Removal System

The results of the Kansas City-Wyandotte County Department of Health study of operation and maintenance ( O &; M) practices at a fiberglass manufacturing facility and a secondary metals smelter demonstrate the substantial impact of O &; M practices on particulate emissions. Both facilities have a history of O &; M problems leading to excessive particulate emissions.

Over a period of time, detailed O &; M information was obtained from facility management and operating personnel. Extended periods of in plant observation of O &; M procedures were correlated with simultaneous outside observations of visible emissions. O &; M related excessive emission problems at the secondary metals smelter were found usually to be caused by operator errors, compounded by marginally effective control equipment. In contrast, the excessive emissions problems at the fiberglass plant were almost always caused by actual process or control equipment malfunctions. These malfunctions appear to be almost inherent in the types of control equipment used, e.g. water washed high voltage electrostatic precipitators, and occurred despite a comprehensive O &; M program at the fiberglass plant.     

Lead Contamination of Urban Soils and Vegetation by Emissions from Secondary Lead Industries

The degree and extent of lead contamination of urban soils and vegetation in the vicinity of secondary lead industries are provided. These urban industries, a secondary smelter reprocessing lead from used batteries and scrap metal and a manufacturer of new storage batteries, were located near residential communities. Levels as high as 21,000 ppm of lead in the upper 5 cm of soil (based on air dried weight) and 3500 and 2700 ppm in willow foliage (not washed and washed, respectively, based on dry weight) were found adjacent to the secondary smelter, with the levels decreasing exponentially from the sources. The data on lead contamination of soils and vegetation at various distances and directions from the urban secondary lead industries were compared with levels of lead found in control urban and highway locations. In addition, arsenic levels in soil were examined as a tracer for the source of industrial lead emissions. High levels of lead found In both vegetation and soil in the vicinity of the urban industries reflected both historical and current emissions of lead in those areas. These studies were conducted for industrial abatement purposes; to assist medical related epidemiology studies; to define the areas of severe contamination for soil cleanup purposes; and to formulate guidelines for excessive levels of lead in soil and vegetation. Since lead in soil is persistent, concern arises with respect to pica for small children, contamination of edible vegetables grown in high-lead soil, and reentrainment of leaded particulate matter into the air.     

湿式电除尘器对烟气中颗粒物的去除特性

当前,中国以PM2.5为代表的灰霾污染形势依然严峻,采取更为严格的措施进一步降低燃煤电厂等重点大气污染源排放已成必然趋势。湿式电除尘器(WESP)由于具有去除PM2.5等细颗粒物的能力而被越来越多的电厂选用。对上海长兴岛第二发电厂烟气中可过滤颗粒物(FPM)、可凝结颗粒物(CPM)、SO3、液滴等关键指标进行了测试分析。结果表明,在湿式电除尘器停运和运行时,烟囱中总颗粒物(TPM)排放浓度分别为30.31 mg/m3和15.74 mg/m3,FPM排放浓度分别为20.31 mg/m3和6.09 mg/m3,PM2.5排放浓度分别为4.06 mg/m3和2.50 mg/m3,CPM分别占TPM的33%和61%,SO3排放浓度分别为4.51 mg/m3和3.06 mg/m3,液滴排放浓度分别为114 mg/m3和102 mg/m3。测试证明,湿式电除尘器的投运对颗粒物和液滴的去除均有明显效果。     

EuroBionet: a pan-European biomonitoring network for urban air quality assessment

EuroBionet, the 'European Network for the Assessment of Air Quality by the Use of Bioindicator Plants', is an EU-funded cooperative project currently consisting of public authorities and scientific institutes from 12 cities in 8 countries. In 2000, the bioindicator plants tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum Bel W3), poplar (Populus nigra 'Brandaris'), spiderwort (Tradescantia sp. clone 4430), Italian rye grass (Lolium multiflorum italicum) and curly kale (Brassica oleracea acephala) were exposed to ambient air at 90 monitoring sites according to standardised methods. Visible injuries and growth parameters were assessed and the accumulation of toxic substances in leaves determined. The exposure of tobacco resulted in a gradient with low levels of ozone-induced foliar injury in N and NW Europe, and medium to high values in the southern and central regions. The results of heavy metal and sulphur analyses in rye grass samples generally showed low to very low sulphur and low to medium heavy metal concentrations in leaves. In some cities, however, local hot spots of heavy metal contamination were detected. Analyses of the PAH contents in curly kale leaves gave low to medium values, with locally elevated levels at traffic-exposed sites.     

Evolution of particulate regulation in China--prospects and challenges of exposure-based control

China's urban and rural populations face very serious health risks from combustion particles. Major sources of exposure to inhalable particulates include the burning solid fuels (biomass and coal) for household cooking and heating, coal-fired industrial and residential boilers, tobacco smoking, and diesel motor vehicles. China began to address particulate pollution problems over 25 years ago and has implemented a series of progressively more aggressive policies. This paper reviews the successes and limitations of past and existing policies for particulate controls, as well as the effects of China's economic reforms and energy policies on particulate exposure and pollution management. We examine the challenge of emissions reporting, required as part of both China's pollution levy system and emerging system for "total emissions control." Finally, we discuss practical steps toward exposure-based regulation of particulates, which would take advantage of the high cost-effectiveness for lifesaving of controlling particulate exposure from household and neighborhood sources relative to that of controlling exposure from industrial sources.     

Evaluation of Regenerative-air Vacuum Street Sweeping on Geological Contributions to PM10

Street sweeping is often proposed as a means of reducing the emissions from paved roads. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of street sweeping on ambient particulate matter concentrations and to determine the difference In source contributions to PM10 concentrations between street sweeping and non-street sweeping periods.

Chemically-speciated measurements of PM10 and PM2.5 were taken in the commercial section of Reno, Nevada, for a one-month sampling period. The Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) model was applied to these data and an average of approximately 50 percent of the PM10 was apportioned to resuspended geological material. During half of the sampling period, streets In the vicinity of the sampling site were completely swept with a regenerative-air vacuum sweeper, while no sweeping was performed during the remainder of the experiment. Ratios of primary geological contributions divided by primary motor vehicle contributions to PM10 were compared between sweeping and non-sweeping periods using analysis of variance. This ratio of source contributions minimizes the effects of variations in traffic volume and meteorological dispersion. No significant differences in geological contributions to PM10 were detected as a result of regenerative-air vacuum street sweeping.     

Fluoride deposition in snow in the surroundings of a mixed fertilizer factory

The fluoride content of snow was determined at various distances from a mixed fertilizer factory in Siilinjärvi, central Finland. Elevated fluoride levels were observed at less than 2 km from the factory, and the highest concentrations close to the factory were about 600 μg of fluoride per liter of melt water. At unpolluted reference sites the fluoride content was about 6μg/1. The background level of fluoride in precipitation is discussed. An ion selective electrode and a simple calibration method were used in the analyses.     

北京市典型排放源PM2.5中多环芳烃成分谱特征

采用稀释通道采样系统对北京市部分污染源排放的PM2.5进行了采集,用气相色谱-质谱-质谱法分析了PM2.5中24种多环芳烃(PAHs)的浓度,获得典型排放源PM2.5中PAHs成分谱。结果表明,不同种类污染源排放的PAHs的组分浓度差异比较大,形成的百分浓度轮廓图有各自的特征。生物质燃烧和化石燃烧排放的PM2.5中PAHs含量高于其他污染源;燃煤电厂和供暖/工业锅炉排放的PM2.5中低环数的PAHs比例较高,而生物质燃烧和餐饮源则是高环数的污染物比例较高。燃烧温度高,燃烧较充分,采用布袋除尘方式的污染源排放的PAHs含量要低于其他污染源。     

Transfer of the fungicide vinclozolin from treated to untreated plants via volatilization

Head lettuce plantlets (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata) were potted, treated with vinclozolin at the six-leaf stage according to application standards and allowed to dry for 24 h. The potted plantlets were then placed in either growth chambers with controlled temperature (20 and 25 degrees C, respectively) or in a greenhouse (approximately 12 degrees C), together with untreated spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and standardized grass cultures (Lolium multiflorum Lam. ssp.) While the treated lettuce pots remained in the respective growing compartments until the end of the experiments, spinach and grass were exposed to the compartment air for 24 h and their shoot material was analyzed for vinclozolin by GC-ECD and GC-high resolution mass spectrometry. Exposure and analysis of untreated spinach and grass were carried out at two- or three-day intervals during the course of the experiments. Also, air samples were taken from the compartments at intervals and analyzed for vinclozolin. Maximum vinclozolin concentration in the growth chamber air was about 330 ng m(-3) while vinclozolin contamination of the untreated plants ranged from 50 to 200 microg kg(-1) FW (fresh weight). In the greenhouse atmospheric vinclozolin concentration reached approximately 15 ngm(-3) and maximum contamination of spinach and grass were 30-40 microg kg(-1) FW. Our data clearly show that unintended contamination of plants growing in the vicinity of vinclozolin-treated plants can occur even if the fungicide layer is completely dry. Implications for safety testing and food plants are discussed.