Efficient phytoremediation of uranium mine tailings by tobacco

This investigation shows that tobacco plant roots and leaves accumulate 60?times more uranium than previously reported. Phytoremediation is a convenient technique to clean up polluted soils using herbaceous plants and trees. Increasing research aims to identify novel plant species that accumulate toxic metals. Tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is a promising cultivar for phytoremediation because tobacco is fast growing and easily propagated. Here, we study phytoremediation of uranium by two tobacco varieties Virginia and Burley, bred in natural conditions. Plants were grown on uranium mine tailings with an average uranium content of 15.3?mg?kg^?1. Each shoot sample was cross-sectioned into five uniform groups of leaves and stem segments. Results show a substantial variance in uranium uptake according to the section elderliness and origin of the plant parts. The highest concentrations of uranium values recorded in leaves of Burleys and Virginias nearest root shoot sections were 4.18 and 3.50?mg?kg^?1, respectively. These values are 60?times higher rates than those previously published for leaves of cultivars grown under similar conditions. Taking into account the level of soil contamination, the content of accumulated uranium demonstrates uranium hyperaccumulatory properties of tobacco plant and its potential utilization in phytoremediation of uranium-contaminated mediums.     

硝基苯环境效应的研究综述

硝基苯污染威胁着人类和生态系统健康,国外有关硝基苯的环境毒理的研究已经广泛展开,但我国仍处于起步阶段.文章综述了国内外硝基苯环境效应的研究进展,介绍了其基本理化性质、用途、环境基准和标准值、污染的生态毒理效应以及其在生态系统中的迁移转化规律.研究认为环境中的硝基苯属于低毒污染物,但难溶于水,易溶于有机溶剂,难以降解,造成水体和土壤污染的持续时间长,且能够在生物体内积累,产生生物放大效应,因此,高浓度的硝基苯对生态系统和人体健康造成较大的生态风险;不过,阳光中的近紫外线、γ射线、声波振荡以及生物分解等作用可自然环境中硝基苯有降解作用,而生物和物理吸附能降低其浓度,从而降解其毒性.目前,有关自然生态系统中硝基苯迁移转化过程之间协同作用与相互影响的研究还有待于进一步深入.     

硝基苯环境效应的研究综述

硝基苯污染威胁着人类和生态系统健康,国外有关硝基苯的环境毒理的研究已经广泛展开,但我国仍处于起步阶段.文章综述了国内外硝基苯环境效应的研究进展,介绍了其基本理化性质、用途、环境基准和标准值、污染的生态毒理效应以及其在生态系统中的迁移转化规律.研究认为环境中的硝基苯属于低毒污染物,但难溶于水,易溶于有机溶剂,难以降解,造成水体和土壤污染的持续时间长,且能够在生物体内积累,产生生物放大效应,因此,高浓度的硝基苯对生态系统和人体健康造成较大的生态风险;不过,阳光中的近紫外线、γ射线、声波振荡以及生物分解等作用可自然环境中硝基苯有降解作用,而生物和物理吸附能降低其浓度,从而降解其毒性.目前,有关自然生态系统中硝基苯迁移转化过程之间协同作用与相互影响的研究还有待于进一步深入.     

试论生态学的一门分支学科:环境耐性生态学

针对目前对生态学的学科分支情况,及生态学的发展趋势和环境灾害的启示,提出了"环境耐性生态学"这一生态学的分支学科.初步明确了这一分支学科的概念,提出了它的3个研究层次的研究框架,即耐性特征、耐性规律及提高耐性的方法与途径,指出了它的核心思想是:把自然环境看成是具有"生命"的系统,有一定的耐性能力和自我恢复能力,也具有自然免疫的特征和能力.同时,指出了当前急需确定的3个生态环境耐性指标,即容许侵蚀量、容许施肥量和容许承载量.     

Marble wastes and pig slurry improve the environmental and plant-relevant properties of mine tailings

Poor soil fertility is often the biggest challenge to the establishment of vegetation in mine wastes deposits. We conducted field trials in the El Gorguel and El Lirio sites in SE Spain, two representative tailing ponds of similar properties except for pH, to understand the environmental and plant-relevant benefits of marble waste (MW) and pig slurry (PS) applications to mine tailings. Low pH (5.4) tailings (El Lirio) exhibit reduction of up to fourfold in bio-availability of metals as shown by the DTPA-Zn, Pb, water-soluble Zn, Pb and up to 3× for water-soluble Cd. Tailings in El Gorguel have high pH (7.4) and did not exhibit significant trends in the reductions of water-extractable Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu. Improvements to the edaphic (plant-relevant) properties of tailings after the amendments are not as sensitive to pH compared to the environmental characteristics. The two sites had increases in aggregate stability, organic matter (total N and organic C) although total N is higher in the El Gorguel (up to 212 μg N kg^?1) than the El Lirio (up to 26 μg N kg^?1). However, cation exchange capacities are similar in both sites at 15.2 cmol(+) kg^?1. We conclude that the characteristics, especially pH, of tailing materials significantly influence the fate of metals but not improvements to plant-relevant properties such as cation exchange capacity and aggregate stability 1 year after the application of MW and PS amendments.     

结构性环境问题——我国环境评价遭遇的"结构"困境

近年来 "结构性环境问题"在我国频发,尤其是结合项目环境影响评价(EIA)制度而突出表现为一种困境--"符合环保先进标准的高环境风险项目".当前学界对于环境问题的认识逐渐从物理层面转向社会层面,然而,对环境评价的研究还停留在基于环境要素功能特征的方法改进和制度完善,当前的结构性环境问题反映出的环境资源在不同利益群体间的不合理性分配还没有被充分认识到.由此,文章借助析出的环境问题两个主要影响变量:环境资源的稀缺性和配置结构的合理性,对"结构性环境问题"的产生过程和特征进行了分析.进而,文章借助系统论的功能-结构理论,结合厦门PX项目事件,认为现有环境评价主要定位于"功能性"特征,还不能针对性地把握结构性环境问题,由此面临结构性困境.为了避免这种困境,有必要进一步展开针对结构性环境问题的环境影响评价方法和制度研究,而且环境影响评价的"结构性"转化也具备着基础理论的支持.     

Preparing and presenting environmental impact statements in support of mining operations with particular reference to uranium mining

Throughout the world, the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements is rapidly becoming an integral part of any mining development. It would also appear to be a growing trend to have such Impact Statements submitted to a public forum before a decision on the proposed development is made. The proper preparation and presentation of a mining proponent's Environmental Impact Statement can make the difference between a lengthy and costly approval process and a more expeditious one.As a result of public concern over questions related to radioactivity, uranium mine projects have received special emphasis in the field of Environmental Impact Statements. This paper reviews briefly the background of various environmental hearings which have dealt with uranium mines in Canada and Australia and stemming from this analysis and the authors' experiences in respect of such hearings, makes suggestions on how Environmental Impact Statements can be prepared and presented from a technical and legal point of view so as to minimize the length of time and expense involved in the approval process and to maximize the chances of obtaining approval for the project.     

A concise review of ecological risk assessment for urban ecosystem application associated with rapid urbanization processes

ABSTRACT

Urban ecological risk (UER) caused by rapid urbanization means potential threat to urban ecosystem structure, pattern and services. The scales of ecological risk assessment (ERA) have been expanded from individual organisms to watersheds and regions. The types of stressor range from chemical to physical, biological and natural events. However, the application of ERA in urban ecosystems is relatively new. Here, we summarize the progress of urban ERA and propose an explicit framework to illumine future ERA based on UER identification, analysis, characterization, modeling, projection and early warning and management. The summary includes six urban ERA-relevant methods: weight-of-evidence (WoE), procedure for ecological tiered assessment of risks (PETAR), relative risk model (RRM), multimedia, multi-pathway, multi-receptor risk assessment (3MRA), landscape analysis and ecological models. Furthermore, we review critical cases of urban ERA in landscape ecology, soil, air, water and solid waste. Based on the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing, an urban ERA management platform integrates various urban ERA methodologies that can be developed to provide better implementation strategies of UER for urban ecosystem managers and stakeholders. We develop a conceptual model of urban ERA based on the urban characteristics in China. The future applications of urban ERA include uncertainty analysis using Monte Carlo techniques on the basis of geospatial techniques and comprehensive urban ERA using nonlinear models or process models.     

土地整理中生态环境保护问题及对策

土地整理是一项旨在通过对土地利用方式、利用结构及利用布局进行综合整治,以达到改善农业生产条件和生态环境,提高土地生产力,实现土地集约化利用的利国利民的活动。从当前实际情况来看,对通过土地整理增加耕地面积,提高土地生产力这个目标比较重视,也做得比较好;但由于对保护农业生态环境这一目标重视不够,同时缺乏一整套完整的农地整理生态绩效的评价体系和方法,导致土地整理对农业生态环境产生了一些不良影响,影响了土地资源可持续利用。文章从生态学的角度分析了当前我国土地整理过程中存在的环境保护问题,并针对问题提出了保护生物多样性、实施景观生态规划、建立评价体系等对策,以达到土地资源可持续利用;最后对广东典型区域农地整理生态环境保护问题进行了探讨。     

Highlights of some environmental problems of geomedical significance in Nigeria

This paper attempts to discuss the links between the geochemical composition of rocks and minerals and the geographical distribution of diseases in human beings in Nigeria. We know that the natural composition of elements in our environment (in the bedrock, soils, water, and vegetation) may be the major cause of enrichment or depletion in these elements and may become a direct risk to human health. Similarly, anthropogenic activities such as mining and mineral processes, industrial waste disposal, agriculture, etc., could distort the natural geochemical equilibrium of the environment. Thus, the enrichment or depletion of geochemical elements in the environment are controlled either by natural and/or anthropogenic processes. The increased ingestion of toxic trace elements such as As, Cd, Hg, Pb, and F, whether directly or indirectly, adversely affects human health. Of these, Cd has most dangerous long-term effect on human health. Environmental exposure to As and Hg is a causal factor in human carcinogenesis and numerous cancer health disorders. Available information on iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) in Nigeria indicates goiter prevalence rates of between 15% and 59% in several affected areas. There have been reported cases of dental fluorosis resulting from intake of water with fluoride content >1.5 ppm. Dental caries among children shows an overall prevalence rate of 39.9%. Within the Younger Granite province in central Nigeria, cases of cancer and miscarriages in pregnant women have been linked to natural radiation These examples and a number of others from the existing literature underscore the pressing need for the development of collaborative research to increase our understanding of the relationship between the geographical distribution of human and animal diseases in Nigeria and environmental factors. We submit that such knowledge is essential for the control and management of these diseases.     

环境因子及外源化学物质对植物花色素苷的影响

花色素苷对彩叶植物叶片呈色以及果实果皮着色的作用受到广泛重视,但关于环境因子以及外源化学物质对花色素苷的影响研究缺乏系统评述.依据国内外近10年来的相关文献.在阐述花色素苷的生理作用和实用价值的基础上,综述了光照、温度、水分、pH值等有关环境因子和有机物、植物生长调节剂、矿质元素等外源化学物质对植物花色素苷积累、含量变化以及稳定性的影响及其生理机制;结果表明,对多数彩叶植物而言,全光照和较强光照、较低的生长温度、适度的土壤和大气干旱以及低pH值介质条件有利于花色素苷的合成、稳定和积累;而外源物质中,可溶糖、柠檬酸等有机物能促进花色素苷的合成和积累,乙烯、脱落酸(ABA)、金雀异黄素(GNT)、5.氨基乙酰丙酸(ALA)和茉莉酸(JA)等生长调节物质具有促进花色素苷合成和积累的作用,铜、钾、钙等矿质元素可促进花色素苷的合成和积累.论文还分析归纳了该领域尚待解决的问题(如外界因子对不同种类的花色素苷合成及比例变化的影响有何不同?),并指出了今后的研究方向,重点应明确环境因子是如何影响花色素苷的代谢路径以及不同种类植物中的花色素苷对外界影响因子响应机制的差异等.     

Significance of nanoplankton in the Chesapeake Bay estuary and problems associated with the measurement of nanoplankton productivity

Over a 2-year program of monthly cruises covering the entire Chesapeake Bay (USA), the phytoplankters which passed 35 μm mesh were responsible for 89.6% of the phytoplankton productivity. On a single summer cruise, the <35 μm phytoplankton fraction was responsible for 93.4% of the chlorophyll a and 100% of the primary productivity. The <10 μm fraction was responsible for 81.3% of the chlorophyll a and 94% of the productivity. The difference in biomass in the <35 μm and the <10 μm fractions was significant (P=0.025), but no significant difference in the productivity could be demonstrated. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that recently assimilated carbon can be lost with gravity screening. Considering both this and the effect of herbivorous zooplankters enclosed in productivity incubations, a prescreening rather than postscreening technique is recommended for studying nanoplankton productivity.     

典型土壤持久性有机污染物空间分布特征及环境行为研究进展

持久性有机污染物(POPs)由于具有致癌性、致畸性和致突变效应的"三致性",近年来已经越来越受到人们的关注.本文综合分析了有机氯农药(OCPs)、多氯联苯(PCBs)、二英类(PCDD/Fs)、多环芳烃(PAHs)及多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)等几种典型土壤持久性有机污染物的空间分布特征.同时,对土壤POPs的挥发作用、吸附/解吸、迁移、生物降解、化学降解等环境行为进行了深入分析,并指出了这些环境行为的影响因素,包括POPs的物质属性、土壤理化性质及周围环境等共性影响因素及其它因素.此外,针对国内外研究现状中存在的问题,提出了相关建议,指出控制土壤POPs污染的根本手段在于管理措施的完善.     

Industrial solid wastes to environmental protection materials for removal of gaseous pollutants: A review

The application of industrial solid wastes as environmentally functional materials for air pollutants control has gained much attention in recent years due to its potential to reduce air pollution in a cost-effective manner.In this review,we investigate the development of industrialwaste-based functional materials for various gas pollutant removal and consider the relevant reaction mechanism according to different types of industrial solid waste.We see a recent effort towards achieving high-performance environmental functional materials via chemical or physical modification,in which the active components,pore size,and phase structure can be altered.The review will discuss the potential of using industrial solid wastes,these modified materials,or synthesized materials from raw waste precursors for the removal of air pollutants,including SO₂,NO_x,Hg⁰,H₂S,VOCs,and CO₂.The challenges still need to be addressed to realize this potential and the prospects for future research fully.The suggestions for future directions include determining the optimal composition of these materials,calculating the real reaction rate and turnover frequency,developing effective treatment methods,and establishing chemical component databases of raw industrial solid waste for catalysts/adsorbent preparation.     

Geochemical fractionation of metals and metalloids in tailings and appraisal of environmental pollution in the abandoned Musina Copper Mine,South Africa

The economic benefits of mining industry have often overshadowed the serious challenges posed to the environments through huge volume of tailings generated and disposed in tailings dumps. Some of these challenges include the surface and groundwater contamination, dust, and inability to utilize the land for developmental purposes. The abandoned copper mine tailings in Musina (Limpopo province, South Africa) was investigated for particle size distribution, mineralogy, physicochemical properties using arrays of granulometric, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray fluorescence analyses. A modified Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential chemical extraction method followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry/atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-MS/AES) technique was employed to assess bioavailability of metals. Principal component analysis was performed on the sequential extraction data to reveal different loadings and mobilities of metals in samples collected at various depths. The pH ranged between 7.5 and 8.5 (average?≈?8.0) indicating alkaline medium. Samples composed mostly of poorly grated sands (i.e. 50% fine sand) with an average permeability of about 387.6 m/s. Samples have SiO₂/Al₂O₃ and Na₂O/(Al₂O₃?+?SiO₂) ratios and low plastic index (i.e. PI?≈?2.79) suggesting non-plastic and very low dry strength. Major minerals were comprised of quartz, epidote, and chlorite while the order of relative abundance of minerals in minor quantities is plagioclase?>?muscovite?>?hornblende?>?calcite?>?haematite. The largest percentage of elements such as As, Cd and Cr was strongly bound to less extractable fractions. Results showed high concentration and easily extractable Cu in the Musina Copper Mine tailings, which indicates bioavailability and poses environmental risk and potential health risk of human exposure. Principal component analysis revealed Fe-oxide/hydroxides, carbonate and clay components, and copper ore process are controlling the elements distribution.     

Uranium mining in Portugal: a review of the environmental legacies of the largest mines and environmental and human health impacts

The history of uranium mining in Portugal during almost one century has followed international demand peaks of both radium and uranium, which in turn were driven by medical, military, and civil applications. Nowadays, following price drop in the 1980s, mining activities decreased and ceased in 2001. The current challenge is to deal with environmental legacies left by old uranium mines, mainly located in Viseu and Guarda districts. In 2001, based on several radiological surveys carried out, the Portuguese government assumed the remediation costs of abandoned mine areas for environmental safety and public health protection. Detailed environmental and public health risk assessments were performed under the scope of studies both requested by the government and by funded research projects. It was found that the existing risks, due to radiological and chemical exposures to metals and radionuclide’s, were particularly high at the old milling facilities and mines where in situ and heap leaching of low-grade ore occurred. The different studies, involving both humans and non-human species from different trophic levels, demonstrated the existence of effects at different levels of biological organization (molecular, cellular, tissues, individuals, and populations) and on ecosystem services. To mitigate the risks, the environmental rehabilitation works at the Urgeiriça mine complex are almost complete, while at Cunha Baixa mine, they are presently in progress. These works and environmental improvements achieved and expected are described herein.     

A state of the science review of the potential health hazards associated with asbestos in shielded metal arc welding rods in the United States

Due to its unique chemical properties, chrysotile asbestos was historically incorporated into a wide variety of products, including the outer covering, or “flux” of certain classifications of general arc mild steel welding electrodes. The purpose of this analysis is to review the historical engineering, toxicology, regulatory, and epidemiology information relevant to asbestos in mild steel welding rods in order to assess whether mild steel welders are at increased risk of developing asbestos-related diseases as a result of welding rod use. We divided our analysis into four distinct time periods, based on what we perceived to be seminal events in welding technology or in the evolution of knowledge regarding asbestos and asbestos-related diseases. These time periods are as follows: late 1800s to 1929, 1930–1955, 1956–1970, and 1971–2006. We found that studies that attempted to measure airborne asbestos directly in welding rod fumes found no measurable fibers; this is likely due to the fact that the fibers degrade at high temperatures present in the welding arc. In addition, “worst-case” use simulation studies, specifically intended to generate airborne flux particles, reported that airborne asbestos concentrations were either undetectable or very low. The airborne concentrations generated were always below the current OSHA permissible exposure limit (0.1 f/cc TWA), and the lifetime doses associated with “worst-case” use were found to be far below the plausible thresholds for mesothelioma and lung cancer. The epidemiology of mild steel welders is difficult to interpret due to confounding exposures such as (1) possible exposure to nickel and hexavalent chromium in stainless steel welding fumes (lung cancer), (2) smoking (lung cancer), and (3) bystander exposure to amphibole asbestos (lung cancer and mesothelioma). None of the published welder studies controlled for all three factors, yet when any single source of bias was controlled for, the majority of the studies reported no significant risk in either asbestos-related disease. Furthermore, none of the investigators in any of the welder studies suggested that asbestos in welding rods might be a risk factor for lung cancer or mesothelioma, and there is not a single case report in the medical literature that attempts to link welding rod use to an asbestos-related disease. We conclude that the weight of evidence indicates that welders were not historically at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases as a result of welding rod use.     

Intervention factors associated with environmental stressors resulting from cross-provincial transfers by coal resource-based enterprises

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - The environmental stressors associated with the cross-provincial transfer of coal resource-based enterprises (CREs) have become a critical concern for the...     

填海造陆的环境效应研究进展

填海造陆是沿海地带缓解人地矛盾的有效手段,在我国方兴未艾。作为大规模的人类干扰活动,填海造陆必然对海岸带系统的各个方面产生巨大影响。需要从自然地理过程的各个要素和人类社会组成的环境系统的统一协调发展中,寻求填海造陆的科学方案,实现海岸带的有序利用。文章结合近年来研究进展详细分析了填海造陆对于土地、水文、生态及气候、原料源地等多方面的环境效应及其关联。结果发现：（1）填海造陆对环境的负效应在种类上多于正效应;（2）填海造陆的影响范围遍及从海到陆的整个海岸带区域;（3）填海造陆效应具有从短期扰动事件到长期生态和物理过程的宽域时间尺度;（4）填海造陆各个效应之间存在着很强的关联和促进机制。未来应加强填海造陆对陆地滨海地区的影响,对气候和海洋地貌等长期自然过程的效应,以及各方面环境效应间的正负反馈机制定量化等方面的研究。