Airborne Pb,Cd, Zn and Cu concentration by particle size near a Pb smelter

A study of airborne Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu was conducted on 2 farms: a test farm exposed to a lead smelter and associated sources of lead contamination in the New Lead Belt of southeast Missouri, and a control farm outside the lead production area. An Andersen eight-stage impactor sampler was used on both farms to collect air samples during winter, spring and summer seasons. The trace element concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentrations of all four elements were higher on the test farm than on the control farm in all of the three seasons. Approximately 66% of the Pb. 88% of the Cd. 73% of the Zn and 54% of the Cu was composed of particles smaller than 4.7 μm the upper practical limit of respirable size.     

超声强化淋洗修复Pb、Cd、Cu复合污染土壤

针对传统淋洗法修复土壤中重金属效率较低的问题,研究了超声强化淋洗技术以提高重金属去除率。以铅（Pb）、镉（Cd）、铜（Cu）为目标污染物,在0.05 mol·L-1柠檬酸、0.05 mol·L-1EDTA和0.05 mol·L-1皂角苷作为淋洗剂条件下,使用传统振荡、超声强化以及超声波加振荡3种不同的作用方式,对Pb、Cd、Cu的去除率进行比较,并对3种不同淋洗方式后Pb、Cd、Cu的形态变化进行了探讨。结果表明,当使用柠檬酸和皂角苷作为淋洗剂进行振荡淋洗时,重金属洗脱效果不理想。超声对于强化柠檬酸洗脱效果并不明显,而对于强化皂角苷洗脱重金属效果明显,平均去除率提高了120.47%。当淋洗剂为EDTA时,土壤样品在传统振荡2 h作用下,对Pb、Cd、Cu的去除率依次为50.33%、76.65%和47.35%,而在超声波30 min条件下对Pb、Cd、Cu的去除率依次为82.19%、83.31%和53.89%,平均去除率高出28.60%,可显著提高重金属去除率,缩短淋洗时间。但超声波30 min加传统振荡2 h相较于单纯超声强化效果提升不明显。通过对比3种淋洗方式后土壤中的Pb、Cd、Cu形态发现,酸可提取态的重金属在超声强化作用后有明显降低,同时超声强化对于铁锰氧化物结合态、有机物结合态和残渣态也具有较好的去除能力。因此,超声强化在化学淋洗中的应用具有一定的可行性,是一种简单、极快速去除污染场地中重金属Pb、Cd、Cu的增效手段。     

底泥生长基质中重金属的迁移特征及生物有效性

河道底泥中重金属含量较高,重金属的迁移性及生物有效性是限制疏浚底泥土地施用或用作废弃场地修复基质资源化利用途径的主要因素。以沈阳细河待疏浚底泥为材料,通过盆栽实验的方法研究了河道底泥与碱性粉煤灰、炉渣和锯木屑配比基质中重金属在紫花苜蓿体内累积、迁移及生物有效性的变化。结果发现,配比底泥基质上紫花苜蓿生物量、株高及株径均好于纯底泥处理,其中底泥、粉煤灰、炉渣、锯木屑以2：0．5：0．5：0．5配比的s2处理中紫花苜蓿生物量是纯底泥处理的11．7倍。与底泥对照相比,配比底泥基质上植株体内重金属含量极显著降低,而且地上部重金属含量显著低于根部含量;底泥基质中紫花苜蓿地上部和根部对Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn的富集系数（BCF）显著低于底泥处理,但转移系数（TF）无显著变化,富集系数（BCF）和转移系数（TF）均小于1．0。紫花苜蓿种植后底泥基质中重金属含量显著低于农用污泥重金属控制标准,除Cd含量略高外,Cu、Pb和Zn含量低于土壤环境质量三级标准。这些结果表明,城市重污染河道底泥经过合理处置后,重金属浓度、活性及生物有效性降低,在其土地施用或废弃地修复中可以用作一些耐性植物的生长基质。     

Enhanced phytoextraction of Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd with EDTA and EDDS

Chemically enhanced phytoextraction has been proposed as an effective approach to removing heavy metals from contaminated soil through the use of high biomass plants. Using pot experiments, the effects of the application of EDTA, EDDS and citric acid on the uptake of Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd by corn (Zea mays L. cv. Nongda 108) and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. white bean) plants were studied. The results showed that EDDS was more effective than EDTA at increasing the concentration of Cu in corn and beans. The application of 5 mmol kg-1 soil EDDS to soil significantly increased concentrations of Cu in shoots, with maximum levels of 2060 and 5130 mg kg-1 DW in corn and beans, respectively, which were 45- and 135-fold higher than that in the corresponding control plants to which chelate had not been applied. Concentrations of Zn in shoots were also higher in the plants treated with EDDS than in those treated with EDTA. For Pb and Cd, EDDS was less effective than EDTA. The maximum Cu phytoextraction was found with the EDDS treatment. The application of EDTA and EDDS also significantly increased the shoot-to-root ratios of the concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd in both plant species. The results of metal extraction with chelates showed that EDDS was more efficient at solubilizing Cu and Zn than EDTA, and that EDTA was better at solubilizing Pb and Cd than EDDS.     

Effect of phosphate on the adsorption of Cu and Cd on natural hematite

Interactions between anions and cations are important to understand the chemical processes of pollutants in environment. In this study, batch experiments were carried out to investigate the simultaneous adsorption of Cu and Cd on hematite as affected by phosphate. Phosphate pretreatment suppressed the maximum adsorption of Cu and Cd on hematite and moved the adsorption pH edges to a higher pH range. Phosphate application time had a marked impact on Cu and Cd adsorption and longer contact time resulted in more reduction of Cu and Cd adsorption. Results of back-titration, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy study and ionic strength effect on the adsorption revealed that Cu and Cd were adsorbed on hematite mainly through the inner-sphere complex formation mechanism and phosphate treatment reduced the inner-sphere adsorption sites, thus decreasing Cu and Cd adsorption on hematite.     

组合式水生植物净化系统对Cu、Pb和Cd的去除与生物富集特征

选取再力花、美人蕉、水烛、旱伞草、梭鱼草、慈姑、菖蒲、水葫芦和大薸9种植物作为实验植物,构建成以高效净化重金属污染水体为主要功能的组合式水生植物高效净化系统(人工湿地+生态浮床+水生植物塘3个处理单元串联而成),研究不同处理单元中水生植物对重金属Cu、Pb和Cd的去除能力及富集特征。结果表明,该净化系统经过为期60 d的连续运行,对Cu、Pb和Cd的去除率较为稳定,可分别达到Cu 93.5%~96.1%、Pb 94.5%~95.2%和Cd 95.6%~97.4%,3种重金属出水浓度均可达到GB3838-2002Ⅲ类水排放要求;其中人工湿地单元对重金属去除贡献率最高,Cu、Pb和Cd分别为54.15%、33.61%和44.84%,其次为生态浮床处理单元,Cu、Pb和Cd的去除贡献率分别为38.61%、51.42%和38.56%,而水生植物塘主要起到深度处理作用,对Cu、Pb和Cd的去除贡献率分别为7.24%、14.97%和16.6%。9种植物在系统运行期间,生长状况良好,且重金属累积量较高,尤其是生物塘系统中的水葫芦和大薸,实验期间其重金属生物富集系数(BCF)均在200以上。所选植物不同部位对3种重金属的吸收富集能力均表现为根最强。     

组合式水生植物净化系统对Cu、Pb和Cd的去除与生物富集特征

选取再力花、美人蕉、水烛、旱伞草、梭鱼草、慈姑、菖蒲、水葫芦和大藻9种植物作为实验植物,构建成以高效净化重金属污染水体为主要功能的组合式水生植物高效净化系统（人工湿地＋生态浮床＋水生植物塘3个处理单元串联而成）,研究不同处理单元中水生植物对重金属Cu、Pb和cd的去除能力及富集特征。结果表明,该净化系统经过为期60d的连续运行,对Cu、Pb和Cd的去除率较为稳定,可分别达到Cu93．5％～96．1％、Ph94．5％～95．2％和Cd95．6％～97．4％,3种重金属出水浓度均可达到GB3838-2002Ⅲ类水排放要求;其中人工湿地单元对重金属去除贡献率最高,Cu、Pb和Cd分别为54．15％、33．61％和44．84％,其次为生态浮床处理单元,Cu、Pb和Cd的去除贡献率分别为38．61％、51．42％和38．56％,而水生植物塘主要起到深度处理作用,对Cu、Pb和cd的去除贡献率分别为7．24％、14．97％和16．6％。9种植物在系统运行期间,生长状况良好,且重金属累积量较高,尤其是生物塘系统中的水葫芦和大藻,实验期间其重金属生物富集系数（BCF）均在200以上。所选植物不同部位对3种重金属的吸收富集能力均表现为根最强。     

Effects of low-molecular-weight organic acids and residence time on desorption of Cu, Cd, and Pb from soils

Effects of low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) and residence time on desorption of Cu, Cd, and Pb from two typical Chinese soils were studied. Citric, malic, and acetic acids were chosen as representatives of LMWOAs commonly present in soils. CaCl(2) and NaNO(3) were used in desorption as they were main soil background electrolytes for comparison. Desorption of Cu, Cd, and Pb from both soils followed the descending order: citric acid>malic acid>acetic acid>CaCl(2)>NaNO(3), which was consistent with the order of stability of Cu-, Cd-, and Pb-LMWOAs complexes from large to small and ion exchange ability of Ca(2+) and Na(+). Desorption of metals by inorganic salts decreased with increasing desorption solution pH. Whereas desorption of metals by LMWOAs showed different trend in response to pH change due to their different complexing abilities. Malic and acetic acids released less metals at low pH 3.1 compared with citric acid at pH 7, indicating that pH was not the dominant factor governing the release of metals. In addition, all LMWOAs desorbed more metals than inorganic salts, CaCl(2) and NaNO(3). Therefore, organic ligands played a dominant role in desorption of heavy metals. More metals were released from Jiangxi soil than from Heilongjiang soil due to lower soil pH, CEC, organic matter content and manganese oxide of Jiangxi soil. Generally, desorption of metals decreased with increasing residence time of metals in soils.     

Relation between extracellular polymers' composition and its ability to complex Cd,Cu and Pb

Activated sludges originated from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) play an important role in heavy metal removal from effluents. Extracellular polymers (ECP) form a major part of the activated sludge and are heavily involved in biosorption of heavy metals. The complexation of three heavy metals (Cd, Cu and Pb) with ECP extracted from six activated sludges, originated from different WWTPs, was investigated at pH 7.

ECP in the study were shown to be mainly composed of proteins, humic acids, uronic acids and polysaccharides along with smaller amounts of lipids and nucleic acids. IR spectra confirmed the presence of the functional groups usually found in the ECP and the content in each fraction was determined using colorimetric methods. The determination of surface charge was carried out on each ECP sample and allowed two pK_a values characteristic of two distinctive functional groups to be determined. At the pH used in the study, the value of these constants indicates that only one functional group is under protonated form.

A polarographic method was used to determine the complexation parameters (number of binding sites and complexation constant) of ECP solutions towards metals. The following orders were established for the number of binding sites: Cu > Pb  Cd and for the stability of the ECP–metal complex: Cd > Pb  Cu.

A matrix of correlation between the composition of the polymers and the complexation parameters showed that the number of binding sites and the complexation constant were strongly linked to proteins, polysaccharides and humic substances content.     

Uptake and distribution of Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb in an aquatic plant Potamogeton natans

A better understanding of metal uptake and translocation by aquatic plants can be used to enhance the performance of constructed wetland systems for stormwater treatment. Specifically, this study examines whether the uptake of Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb by Potamogeton natans is via the leaves, stems, or roots, and whether there is translocation from organs of uptake to other plant parts. Competition between the metals at uptake and at the level of the cell wall-bound part of the metals accumulated in stem and leaf tissue was also examined. The results show that Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb were taken up by the leaves, stems, and roots, with the highest accumulation found in the roots. At the elevated metal concentrations common in stormwater the uptake of Cu, but not of Zn, Cd, or Pb, by the roots was somewhat limited at uptake due to competition with other metals. Between 24% and 59% of the metal content was bound to the cell walls of the plant. Except in the case of Pb, the cell wall-bound fraction was generally smaller in stems than in leaves. No translocation of the metals to other parts of the plant was found, except for Cd which was translocated from leaf to stem and vice versa. Dispersion of metals from sediment to water through P. natans is therefore unlikely.     

Leaching behaviour of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in surface soils derived from dredged sediments

Leaching of heavy metals from land-disposed dredged sediment spoils is a potential environmental hazard. The leaching behavior of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in surface soils sampled from abandoned dredged sediment disposal sites was assessed. Using simple mass-balance calculations, the significance of the leaching test results with respect to metal migration into underlying clean soil was appraised. The potential leachability, defined as the amounts released at constant pH 4, decreased in the order (% of total contents): Zn (58%) approximately equal to Cd (49%)>Cu (5%) approximately equal to Pb (2%). The kinetics of metal release were determined in a cascade shaking test using de-mineralized water acidified to pH 4 (HNO(3)). Metal concentrations in the leachates were low and metal migration was, assuming uniform convective flow, predicted to be of no environmental concern. It is emphasized that any long-term prediction of metal migration is uncertain.     

矿区土壤中重金属元素含量异常的调查

对某金矿区下游土壤重金属元素含量异常区进行了调查,研究了异常元素的空间分布和相态组成.通过对土壤、水、农产品、大气沉降物等的采样分析表明,土壤中重金属元素含量异常是由于矿山开采,废水排放,下游引水灌溉造成的.对异常元素的环境影响进行了分析评价,并提出了土壤治理建议.     

Dynamic modelling of atmospherically-deposited Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in Pennine catchments (northern England)

Simulation modelling with CHUM-AM was carried out to investigate the accumulation and release of atmospherically-deposited heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) in six moorland catchments, five with organic-rich soils, one with calcareous brown earths, in the Pennine chain of northern England. The model considers two soil layers and a third layer of weathering mineral matter, and operates on a yearly timestep, driven by deposition scenarios covering the period 1400-2010. The principal processes controlling heavy metals are competitive solid-solution partitioning of solutes, chemical interactions in solution, and chemical weathering. Agreement between observed and simulated soil metal pools and surface water concentrations for recent years was generally satisfactory, the results confirming that most contemporary soil metal is from atmospheric pollution. Metals in catchments with organic-rich soils show some mobility, especially under more acid conditions, but the calcareous mineral soils have retained nearly all anthropogenic metal inputs. Complexation by dissolved organic matter and co-transport accounts for up to 80% of the Cu in surface waters.     

Genotypic variations in the accumulation of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn exhibited by six commonly grown vegetables

Metal contaminants in garden and allotment soils could possibly affect human health through a variety of pathways. This study focused on the potential pathway of consumption of vegetables grown on contaminated soil. Five cultivars each of six common vegetables were grown in a control and in a soil spiked with Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Highly significant differences in metal content were evident between cultivars of a number of vegetables for several of the contaminants. Carrot and pea cultivars exhibited significant differences in accumulated concentrations of Cd and Cu with carrot cultivars also exhibiting significant differences in Zn. Distinctive differences were also identified when comparing one vegetable to another, legumes (Leguminosae) tending to be low accumulators, root vegetables (Umbelliferae and Liliaceae) tending to be moderate accumulators and leafy vegetables (Compositae and Chenopodiaceae) being high accumulators.     

Heavy metal (Cu,Cd, Pb,Cr) washing from river sediment using biosurfactant rhamnolipid

Heavy metal-contaminated sediments posed a serious threat to both human beings and environment. A biosurfactant, rhamnolipid, was employed as the washing agent to remove heavy metals in river sediment. Batch experiments were conducted to test the removal capability. The effects of rhamnolipid concentration, washing time, solution pH, and liquid/solid ratio were investigated. The speciation of heavy metals before and after washing in sediment was also analyzed. Heavy metal washing was favored at high concentration, long washing time, and high pH. In addition, the efficiency of washing was closely related to the original speciation of heavy metals in sediment. Rhamnolipid mainly targeted metals in exchangeable, carbonate-bound or Fe-Mn oxide-bound fractions. Overall, rhamnolipid biosurfactant as a washing agent could effectively remove heavy metals from sediment.

     

Effect of biochars on adsorption of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) by three variable charge soils from southern China

The purpose of this study is to compare the relative contribution of different mechanisms to the enhanced adsorption of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) by variable charge soils due to incorporation of biochars derived from crop straws. The biochars were prepared from the straws of canola and peanut using an oxygen-limited pyrolysis method at 350 °C. The effect of biochars on adsorption and desorption of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) by and from three variable charge soils from southern China was investigated with batch experiments. Based on the desorption of pre-adsorbed heavy metals, the electrostatic and non-electrostatic adsorptions were separated. EDTA was used to replace the heavy metals complexed with biochars and to evaluate the complexing ability of the biochars with the metals. The incorporation of biochars increased the adsorption of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) by the soil; peanut straw char induced a greater increase in the adsorption of the three metals. The increased percentage of Cd(II) adsorption induced by biochars was much greater than that for the adsorption of Cu(II) and Pb(II). Cu(II) adsorption on three variable charge soils was enhanced by the two biochars mainly through a non-electrostatic mechanism, while both electrostatic and non-electrostatic mechanisms contributed to the enhanced adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) due to the biochars. Peanut straw char had a greater specific adsorption capacity than canola straw char and thus induced more non-electrostatic adsorption of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) by the soils than did the canola straw char. The complexing ability of the biochars with Cu(II) and Pb(II) was much stronger than that with Cd(II) and thus induced more specific adsorption of Cu(II) and Pb(II) by the soils than that of Cd(II). Biochars increased heavy metal adsorption by the variable charge soils through electrostatic and non-electrostatic mechanisms, and the relative contribution of the two mechanisms varied with metals and biochars.     

泥炭对甲苯的吸附-解吸行为研究

用热处理方法对泥炭进行活化改性,探讨了对甲苯的吸附性能及影响因素,并研究了甲苯在泥炭上的吸附/解吸行为。结果表明,粒径在0.6～1 mm之间的泥炭在160℃热处理5 h,在pH为7的条件下对甲苯有良好的吸附效果,对甲苯的吸附量为0.32 mg/g。泥炭对甲苯的吸附在20 min内基本达到平衡,可用二级吸附速率方程进行拟合。甲苯在泥炭上的吸附和解吸均呈现明显的非线性,用Langmuir模型能较好地描述,泥炭对甲苯的饱和吸附量为0.939 mg/g。甲苯在泥炭上的平均解吸率为6.393%,并且出现了滞后现象,表明苯系物与泥炭有较强的结合能力。研究结果为应用泥炭作为PRB装填介质进行原位修复甲苯污染的地下水提供了理论依据。     

Role of microbial inoculation and chitosan in phytoextraction of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd by Elsholtzia splendens--a field case

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of microbial inoculation on heavy metal phytoextraction by Elsholtzia splendens and whether chitosan could have a synergistic effect with the microbial inocula. The microbial inocula consisted of a consortium of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and two Penicillium fungi. Three treatments were included: the control, inoculation with microbial inocula, and the inoculation combined with chitosan. Microbial inoculation increased plant biomass especially shoot dry weight, enhanced shoot Cu, Zn and Pb concentrations but did not affect Cd, leading to higher shoot Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd uptake. Compared with microbial inoculation alone, chitosan application did not affect plant growth but increased shoot Zn, Pb and Cd concentrations except Cu, which led to higher phytoextraction efficiencies and partitioning to shoots of Zn, Pb and Cd. These results indicated synergistic effects between microbial inocula and chitosan on Zn, Pb and Cd phytoextraction.     

Leaching of Cu,Cd, Pb,and phosphorus and their availability in the phosphate-amended contaminated soils under simulated acid rain

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Phosphate amendments have been used to immobilize heavy metal-contaminated soils. However, phosphate amendments contain large amounts of phosphorus,...