Dissolved Ions of Trace and Major Elements and in Suspended Sediments in the Nile, Egypt

Dissolved ions and suspended participates from twelve water samples from Sohag (different localities) and Aswan (behind and below the High Dam) areas were collected along the River Nile, upper Egypt, which is at present affected seriously by pressure of population, intense industrial and agricultural activities, and atmospheric fallout. Eighteen trace and nine major ions in solution and fourteen metals in suspension were analyzed to establish whether elements are of anthropogenic or natural origin. Results of this study show that the Nile water was contaminated with high concentrations of dissolved lead, and with copper, nickel and mercury to a lesser extent, suggesting that these contaminants are generated from anthropogenic activities. the other dissolved ions in the Nile are of natural origin because their metal concentrations fall within the range of the normal background and average world dissolved values for inland waters. Results show that the usual constituents of suspended particulates in the Nile seem to be some metals (Cu and Zn) adsorbed on iron and manganese oxide/hydroxide. the results also reveal that most trace and major metal particulates increase from south to north due to activities associated with the dense population living along the Nile banks. No significant differences were observed between the chemical composition of trace and major elements taken on the east and west river Nile banks.     

Lung retention and bioavailability of arsenic after single intratracheal administration of sodium arsenite,sodium arsenate,fly ash and copper smelter dust in the hamster

Arsenic is present in airborne particulate material released by coal-fired power plants and non-ferrous metal smelters. We have assessed whether the physico-chemical properties of arsenic in such particles play a role in its lung retention and uptake by the body. Female hamsters were given a single intratracheal instillation of fly ash or copper smelter dust suspensions (at doses of 50 or 100 g As kg^–1) or identical amounts of soluble tri- and pentavalent arsenic, in the presence or absence of an inert dust material (tungsten carbide). The concentration of the element was measured in a 24 hour urine sample collected on the 1st, 2nd and 6th day after treatment and arsenic remaining in lung tissue was determined at the end of the same time periods. Both lung retention and urinary As excretion indicate a prolonged contact of the lung tissue with particulate As in contrast to soluble As salts. In addition to the effect of solubility described here, more research is needed to determine the effect of particle size and lung loading on retention, as well as the potential differences in the lung inflammatory response using arsenic-rich particulates from various sources.     

Effects of greenbelt plant configuration on atmospheric PM2.5 in Beijing

High atmospheric PM2.5 concentrations are a major problem associated with air pollution in Beijing due to their frequent occurrence and harmful effects. The construction of greenbelts beginning in 2000 has altered the surface structure of the area between 4th ring road and 6th ring road; wind speed, which strongly influences the atmospheric PM2.5 content, has decreased simultaneously during this period. Here, we estimated the effects of different plant configurations on wind speed and dust retention in Beijing. We recommend configuring rough bushy shrub-grass in the northwest, west, and north; grass and rough bushy shrub-grass in the north, east, and southeast; and rough bushy shrub-grass and arbor-shrub-grass in the southwest and northeast. As vegetation types and planting methods influence the ability of shrub-grass and arbor-shrub-grass to block wind and dust, we recommend increasing planting density and introducing plants with hairy leaves and exuberant foliage.     

The Sagamu cement factory,SW Nigeria: Is the dust generated a potential health hazard?

The aim of this study was to assess the heavy metal content of the dust generated by the Sagamu cement factory and its attendant health hazards on the immediate environment, especially on the inhabitants of the area. A total of 25 samples were collected and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Records of medical ailments associated with heavy metal toxicity were also compiled from the Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital situated in the town.The results for some of the selected heavy metals showed the following pattern: limestone: Cd (n.d.-1.7 ppm), Pb (42–48 ppm), Cu (3.0–11 ppm), Zn (7.0–53 ppm) and Ni (3.0–8.0 ppm); shale: Cd (0.3–1.1 ppm), Pb (17–22 ppm), Cu (2.0–11 ppm), Zn (17–147 ppm) and Ni (3.0–18 ppm); dusts: Cd (0.5–0.7 ppm), Pb (32–52 ppm), Cu (2–16 ppm), Zn (5–152 ppm) and Ni (2–17 ppm); soils: Cd (0.5–1.1 ppm), Pb (28–49 ppm), Cu (22–35 ppm), Zn (43–69 ppm) and Ni (13.0–17 ppm). High levels of heavy metals were found in the rocks and soils. We propose that the high levels of metals in the dust and soil were acquired from the raw materials used by the cement factory and from active industrial discharge from this same factory. Medical records and the current health situation of the local residents in the study area reveal that there have been increases in the prevalence of diseases linked to heavy metal toxicity in the environment, especially those related to dust generation.     

Sequentielle Schwermetallextraktion aus Staubniederschlägen und Straßensedimenten

For the application of sequential extraction of heavy metals from samples that can only be obtained in amounts of a few milligrams (micro samples, e.g. airborne dust fallout), the method afterZeien &Brümmer (1989) was progressed. A down scale to 1∶100 was carried out and the accuracy of this method with variable sample amounts of about 20 mg and an extraction volume of 500 μl was proofed with standard soil samples. The influence of variable extraction ratios (ratio of sample amount and volume of extraction solvent) and the influence of intensive treatment of dust sampled by the Bergerhoff-method (VDI 2119/2, 1972) prior sequential extraction, was within the precision of measurement of our method. Thus, we showed that sequential extraction can be applied for the investigation of heavy metal mobilization in micro samples with variable sample amounts. A first application of our method for microsamples was carried out to investigate airborne dust fallout and street sediments at two urban sites where different heavy metal immission rates due to traffic influence occur. These investigations will be presented in part 2 (“Sequential extraction of heavy metals from urban dust”).     

An evaluation of the use of individual grass species in retaining polluted soil and dust particulates in vegetated sustainable drainage devices

A sustainable means of preventing polluted particulates carried in urban storm water entering rivers, groundwater and lakes is by employing vegetated sustainable drainage system (SUDS) devices, or best management practices to trap or biodegrade them. In the UK, a mixture of grass species is recommended for use in devices such as swales or filter strips. However, there is little evidence in support of the efficiency of the individual grasses or mixtures to deal with such contaminated material. A pot-based pollutant retention study was conducted using processed street dust from central Coventry, UK, as a simulated pollutant to be applied in different quantities to a variety of recommended grasses for vegetated SUDS devices. Analysis was conducted on compost cores, roots and shoots for heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn). Street dust mainly concentrated in the top compost layer for all grasses with only the finer material migrating down the profile. Analysis of roots indicated little accumulation, with ANOVA statistical tests indicating significant differences in heavy metal concentrations, with less in the compost and more in the shoots. Development of root systems on or near the surface possibly explains increased uptake of heavy metals by some species. Overall Agrostis canina and Poa pratensis showed the greatest accumulations compared to their controls although Agrostis capillaris syn.tenuis and Agrostis stolonifera also demonstrated accumulation potential. On ranking, Agrostis canina and Poa pratensis were highest overall. These rankings will assist in selecting the best grasses to address pollution of the urban environment by contaminated particulates.     

天津城市道路灰尘重金属污染特征

以天津城市道路灰尘重金属为研究对象,按照环线分布将天津市中心城区划分为内环以内、内环-中环、中环以外3个区域,总共设置93个采样点。对表层灰尘进行采样收集,预处理后测定样品的理化性质,采用原子吸收光谱仪测定道路灰尘中重金属Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni和Pb的含量,进而分析天津市道路灰尘重金属的含量水平,运用ArcGIS软件中的地统计分析方法内插得出其空间分布特征,通过Pearson相关分析和主成分分析判析重金属来源。研究结果表明：道路灰尘颗粒粒径表现为双峰,主峰对应粒径较小,且为非正态分布,大量小粒径颗粒的存在使重金属含量增高;市区和各环区有机质变异系数较大,道路灰尘中有机质的空间分布差异较大,因而人为因素影响广泛;市区道路灰尘中重金属 Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni 和 Pb的平均含量依次为0.99、121.41、100.62、43.35和61.48 mg·kg-1,分别为天津土壤环境背景值的11.00倍、1.44倍、3.49倍、1.30倍和2.93倍;Cd、Cr和Cu的空间分布差异较大,Ni和Pb的空间分布差异较小;Pearson相关分析表明Pb-有机质（P＜0.05）, Cu-Ni（P＜0.01）和Cr-Cu（P＜0.05）之间存在显著正相关关系,主成分分析人为因素的积累贡献率为33.050%,自然因素的积累贡献率为57.315%,因此得出重金属受人为因素影响较大,交通尾气排放和工业污染为天津道路灰尘重金属污染的重要来源,且以多因子复合影响为主。     

济南市不同来源大气颗粒物的特征分析

本文对济南市几个典型来源的大气颗粒物用Ｘ光光电子能谱和电子自共振波谱仪（ＥＳＲ）进行表征,并模型酸雨对这些颗粒物进行了淋洗,分析淋洗液中的金属含量,结果表明：电厂颗粒物中的硫主要以ＳＯ３,ＳＯ＾２－４,ＳＯ２,ＳＯ＾２－３和Ｓ等多种形式存在,钢厂颗粒物中的表面硫主要以ＳＯ＾２－４和Ｓ＾２－的形式存在,炼油厂颗粒表面硫以ＳＯ＾２－４和ＳＯ２的形式存在,但颗粒物内层的硫主要以ＳＯ＾２－４形式存在,而且     

公路路面径流重金属污染特征

对广州地区市内,城乡结合部和郊区的3条不同的公路路面雨水径流的降雨、径流流量同步监测以及径流瞬时样品中Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、Ni和Cr 6种重金属的测试表明,在路面重金属被雨水径流的冲洗过程中,基于浓度的初期冲洗现象明显,即在径流发生的初始阶段浓度最高,随着降雨和径流过程的进行,重金属浓度持续降低,在径流流量峰值部分,重金属的浓度达到最低值,随后随着流量的减小略有上升;路面雨水径流中的重金属彼此相关性强且都与径流中悬浮固体存在明显相关,绝大部分的重金属都以悬浮固体吸附或直接的颗粒态形式存在;公路路面雨水径流的重金属污染程度与公路周围的环境关系密切,市内道路的重金属次径流平均浓度最高,城乡结合部和郊区公路路面径流的次径流平均浓度相差不大,Pb是路面径流中主要的重金属污染元素。     

中国大气降尘地域性分布特征研究

为了研究中国大气降尘量的地域性分布特征,探讨大气降尘的影响因素,文章以中国大气降尘研究为基础,汇总近20年25个行政区44个地区的降尘量数据,以10 t·km-2·month-1为间隔首次划分降尘区间,为中国降尘量标准的制定提供参考。中国大气降尘现有研究多集中在东北部、中东部地区以及西北沙漠地区,降尘量整体分布为北方高于南方,西部多于东部。除涉及强沙尘暴袭击区域外,现有研究区域的降尘量算术平均值为14.73 t·km-2·month-1,53.7%的研究区域降尘量小于该平均值。降尘量少于20 t·km-2·month-1的地区多集中于沿海地区、长江中下游地区以及东北平原地区,此类地区多为旅游景区和重要的商品粮产地,植被覆盖率较高,水土保持性能良好,且不易有较大的风沙侵袭;华北平原地区、内蒙古高原地区和准噶尔盆地一带降尘量相对偏高,此类区域多为重工业区,发展经济的同时造成了不同程度的环境污染和资源掠夺;降尘量最大的地区位于塔里木盆地一带,最大值为2915.96 t·km-2·month-1,属于沙尘暴多发区。大气降尘量虽会在一定程度上受到经济发展、工业布局、能源结构的影响,但更多的是因为其地域性差异而造成降尘量不同。中国现有的各地降尘量的数据较少,且研究区多位于城市等人类活动中心,更多地区的降尘量尚需要进一步研究。     

Metal passivity as mechanism of metal carcinogenesis: Chromium,nickel, iron,copper, cobalt,platinum, molybdenum

For the transition metals chromium, nickel, iron, copper, cobalt, platinum, and molybdenum, mechanisms of stable bonding in biochemistry (emphasis on carcinogenic mechanisms), chemistry, industrial chemistry, as well as epidemiological, occupational, orthopedic (implant devices) effects related to carcinogenesis, were reviewed. Hypothetically, the propensity to stable bonding (inertness), which ensures the metals’ performance capacity for consumers and industrial application, relates to their carcinogenicity. For chromium, a relationship between industrial/chemical and biological reactivity was noted for the tendency of Cr(III) ions to cause hydrolysis previous to stable bonding, as occurs during anodic passivation, leather tanning, and as indicated in biochemical studies pertaining to a mechanism of DNA condensation, which was suggested as a carcinogenic mechanism. The involvement of metal hydrolysis in both anodic passivation and biochemistry was noted also for nickel, iron, and platinum; the DNA interaction of platinum (cis-platin) is known to depend on hydrolysis. For nickel, issues of potential (V) were found important in both passivation and carcinogenicity. Comparably, the passivity behavior of cobalt and copper was found atypical, and their carcinogenicity yet unclear. Molybdenum, contained in passivated metallic implants, may relate to implant-associated carcinogenesis. Occupational carcinogenic effects were indicated for chromium, nickel, iron, and cobalt as caused by both reactive and passivated metal species. Exposure to acids and chronic respiratory irritation/infection/inflammation in workers were important cofactors in metal carcinogenesis. For wood and leather workers exposed to dust, the assumed presence in dust of metal particles abraded from alloys (sawing or cutting blades) may be a carcinogenic exposure hazard.     

Polynuclear aromatic compounds in kerosene,diesel and unmodified sunflower oil and in respective engine exhaust particulate emissions

Polynuclear aromatic compounds (PAC) were characterized in diesel fuel, kerosene fuel and unmodified sunflower oil as well as in their respective engine exhaust particulates. Diesel fuel was found to contain high amounts of different PAC, up to a total concentration of 14,740?ppm, including carbazole and dibenzothiophene, which are known carcinogens. Kerosene fuel was also found to contain high amounts of different PAC, up to a total concentration of 10,930?ppm, consisting mainly of lower molecular weight (MW) naphthalene and its alkyl derivatives, but no PAC component peaks were detected in the unmodified sunflower oil. Engine exhaust particulates sampled from a modified one-cylinder diesel engine running on diesel, kerosene and unmodified sunflower oil, respectively, were found to contain significantly high concentrations of different PAC, including many of the carcinogenic ones, in the soluble organic fraction (SOF). PAC concentrations detected at the exhaust outlet indicated that most of the PAC that were present in diesel and kerosene fuels before the test runs got completely burnt out during combustion in the engine whereas some new ones were also formed. The difference between the character and composition of PAC present in the fuels and those emitted in the exhaust particulates indicated that exhaust PAC were predominantly combustion generated. High amounts of PAC, up to totals of 52,900 and 4830?µg?m^?3 of burnt fuel, in diesel and kerosene exhaust particulates, respectively, were detected in the dilution tunnel when the exhaust emissions were mixed with atmospheric air. Significant amounts of PAC were also emitted when the engine was run on unmodified sunflower oil with a total concentration of 17,070?µg?m^?3 of burnt fuel detected in the dilution tunnel. High proportions of the combustion-generated PAC determined when the engine was run on diesel, kerosene and unmodified sunflower, respectively, consisted of nitrogen-containing PAC (PANH) and sulphur-containing PAC (PASH).     

Evaluation of the levels and sources of trace elements in urban particulate matter

An assessment of air quality of Belgrade, Serbia, was performed by determining the trace element content in airborne daily PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 samples collected from a central urban area. The ambient concentrations of Zn were the highest in PM_2.5 (1,998.0 ng m⁻³). Multivariate receptor modelling (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) has been applied to determine the contribution of different sources of specific metallic components in airborne particles. The obtained results showed that vehicle traffic and fossil fuel combustion in stationary objects were the main sources of trace metals in Belgrade urban aerosols.     

Trace metal content in inhalable particulate matter (PM<Subscript>2.5–10</Subscript> and PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript>) collected from historical mine waste deposits using a laboratory-based approach

Mine wastes and tailings are considered hazardous to human health because of their potential to generate large quantities of highly toxic emissions of particulate matter (PM). Human exposure to As and other trace metals in PM may occur via inhalation of airborne particulates or through ingestion of contaminated dust. This study describes a laboratory-based method for extracting PM_2.5–10 (coarse) and PM_2.5 (fine) particles from As-rich mine waste samples collected from an historical gold mining region in regional, Victoria, Australia. We also report on the trace metal and metalloid content of the coarse and fine fraction, with an emphasis on As as an element of potential concern. Laser diffraction analysis showed that the proportions of coarse and fine particles in the bulk samples ranged between 3.4–26.6 and 0.6–7.6 %, respectively. Arsenic concentrations were greater in the fine fraction (1680–26,100 mg kg^?1) compared with the coarse fraction (1210–22,000 mg kg^?1), and Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sb and Zn were found to be present in the fine fraction at levels around twice those occurring in the coarse. These results are of particular concern given that fine particles can accumulate in the human respiratory system. Our study demonstrates that mine wastes may be an important source of metal-enriched PM for mining communities.     

煤灰中部分重金属元素含量与燃料工况的关系模型

本文研究了燃烧温度、燃烧气氛、煤粉细度和灰粒细度等因素与煤燃烧产生的细微粒子中部分重金属元素含量的关系,建立了灰粒中元素含量与备因素关系的模型,发现燃烧工况和灰粒细度与灰粒中元素的含量具有一定的相关关系.用模型对不同灰粒中的元素含量进行了预报,可用控制燃烧条件来减少重金属元素向大气的释放.     

Sequentielle Schwermetallextraktion aus Staubniederschlägen und Stra\ensedimenten

For the application of our method for the sequential extraction of heavy metals from microsamples presented in part 1 (“Sequentielle Schwermetallextraktion von Mikroproben” — “Sequential Extraction of Heavy Metals from Micro Samples”) an investigation was carried out to evaluate airborne dust fallout and street sediments at two urban sites where different heavy metal immission rates occur due to traffic influence. In the street sediments the total concentrations of zinc, copper and lead was three to fivefold higher in the silt and clay fraction (< 63 μm) than in the particle size fraction (< 1,12 mm), but showed nearly the same mobilisation behaviour. The dust samples showed equal mobilisation behaviour as the street sediments for copper and lead, while zinc was considerably more mobile in the dust samples: In extraction steps I–IV (I: mobile fraction; II: easily deliverable fraction; III: fraction bound to manganese oxides; IV: fraction bound organic to matter) zinc, copper and lead in street sediments, as well as copper and lead in dust samples, were dissolved to 40–70%, whereas about 80% of zinc in the dust samples was already dissolved in extraction step I.     

Seasonal Variations and Chemical Forms of Heavy Metals in Soils and Dusts from the Satellite Cities of Seoul, Korea

This research investigated heavy metal pollution of soils and dusts in two representative satellite cities of Seoul, Korea and studied the seasonal variations in metal concentrations through the rainy season and the chemical forms of metals using a sequential extraction analysis. The metal dispersion pattern was illustrated to match with urban structure. Soil and dust samples were collected from the cities of Uijeongbu and Koyang, which are the northern and northwestern satellite cities of Seoul (the capital), before and after rainy season. Concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn were higher than those of the world averages for soils, and their levels decreased after rain, particularly in highly contaminated samples. Relatively high pH values were found in roadside soils, but no seasonal variation was found after the rainy season. The three metals (Cu, Pb and Zn) in soils and dusts were associated with various chemical fractions of soils and dusts as distinguished by the sequential extraction scheme, and a strong similarity of metal association between soils and dusts was found, which indicates that airborne dust may be a principle source of soil contamination. Copper is uniformly distributed, and Pb is largely associated with the reducible phase. There is an appreciable proportion of total Zn in the exchangeable/water-acid soluble fraction. After the rainy season, the most soluble fractions in soils and dusts were leached away. In terms of mobility and bioavailability of metals in soils and dusts, the order Zn >> Cu > Pb is suggested. Geographical variations of total metals corresponded well with urbanised areas of cities, especially the industrial complex and major motorways.     

石家庄大叶黄杨叶片滞尘量及滞尘颗粒物的粒度

大叶黄杨强滞尘能力是城市近地面层环境中清除颗粒物污染的重要机制。以大气颗粒物污染严重的石家庄市为代表,选取石家庄裕华路北部市区为研究范围,对大叶黄杨叶片的滞尘效应及滞尘颗粒物粒度特征进行了研究。结果表明,在晴朗或多云微风天气条件下,30个取样点的大叶黄杨叶片平均滞尘量为0.356g/(m2.d),颗粒物的平均粒度值为1.91μm。大叶黄杨叶片滞尘量在石家庄市不同地区的差异排序为:北二环地区>体育大街与东二环地区>中华大街与西二环地区>西郊>东郊>火车站附近地区>博物馆周边地区。因此,石家庄市大气环境治理应针对不同地段的污染情况采取不同的治理方法。     

Component-specific toxic concerns of the inhalable fraction of urban road dust

Continuous global urbanisation causes an ever-growing ecological footprint of pollution. Road dust (RD), one of these pollutants, poses a health concern due to carcinogenic and toxic components potentially present in the micron-sized fractions. The literature reports on the concentrations of trace, toxic metals and metalloids present in RD (Hooker and Nathanail in Chem Geol 226:340–351, 2006), but the literature on its molecular composition is limited. Recent reports on the bioaccessibility of platinum group metals are also reported (Colombo et al. in Chem Geol 226:340–351, 2008). In vitro and animal toxicological studies confirmed that the chemical composition of inhaled particles plays a major role in its toxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic mechanisms, but the component-specific toxic effects are still not understood. Particle-bound airborne transition metals can also lead to the production of reactive oxygen species in lung tissue; a special concern amongst particularly susceptible cohorts (children and elderly). The characterisation of the molecular composition of the fine fraction is evidently of importance for public health. During a pilot study, partially characterised size-fractioned RD samples (Barrett et al. in Eviron Sci Technol 44:2940–2946, 2010) were analysed for their elemental concentration using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In addition, separately dispersed particles (200 particles per size fraction) were analysed individually by means of computer-controlled electron probe X-ray micro-analysis (CC-EPXMA) and their molecular structure probed by studying elemental associations. These were correlated with micro-Raman spectroscopy (MRS) results. It was found that the fine fraction (<38?μm) had the highest Pb (238?ppm) and Cr (171?ppm) concentrations. The CC-EPXMA data showed >50?% association of Cr-rich particles with Pb, and the MRS data showed that the Cr was mostly present as lead chromate and therefore in the Cr(VI) oxidation state. Concentrations of both Pb and Cr decreased substantially (279 (<38?μm)–13?ppm (<1?mm); 171 (<38?μm)–91?ppm (<?1?mm), respectively) in the larger fractions. Apart from rather alarmingly high concentrations of oxidative stressors (Cu, Fe, Mn), the carcinogenic and toxic potential of the inhalable fraction is evident. Preliminary bioaccessibility data indicated that both Cr and Pb are readily mobilised in artificial lysosomal liquid and up to 19?% of Cr and 47?% of Pb were released.     

Biomonitoring of heavy metal (Cd,Cu, Pb,and Zn) concentrations in the west intertidal area of Peninsular Malaysia by using Nerita lineata

Snails, Nerita lineata, were collected from 15 sites along the west intertidal area of Peninsular Malaysia from December 2005 until April 2006. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) were determined in the total soft tissues, operculums, and shells of the snails. Different patterns of heavy metal distributions were found in the different tissues (shell, operculums, and soft tissues) as well as spatial variations of heavy metal concentrations in the snails. This shows that the distribution of metals in the shells and the total soft tissues of N. lineata were not similar which could be due to different rates of metal accumulation, excretion, and sequestration. Since N. lineata is abundant on the rocky shores, below jetties and mangrove trees along the west intertidal area of Peninsular Malaysia and accumulate heavy metals, the snails are therefore potential biomonitors of heavy metal contamination for the west intertidal area of Peninsular Malaysia.