Classification of alluvial soils according to their potential environmental risk: a case study for Belgian catchments

Alluvial soils may represent important sinks of contaminants as a result of the deposition of contaminated sediments along the river by overbank flooding or after dredging. Because of the erosion of alluvial deposits or the release of contaminants from sediments, alluvial soils can also be a source of contamination. In this paper, a risk assessment for contaminated (alluvial) soils is presented. The approach, mainly based on physico-chemical soil characteristics, single extractions and leaching tests, is illustrated by means of a case study from four Belgian catchments. The extractions and leaching tests that were used have been validated by European testing programs and can provide valuable information for classifying the potential environmental risks of soils. Irrespective of the location, pH, organic carbon content and 'mobilisable' metal concentrations were the most important factors explaining 'mobile' metal concentrations in the alluvial soils. Additionally, the data of the physico-chemical soil characterization, extractions and leaching tests were combined with local and regional factors to classify the alluvial soils in different categories according to their actual and potential risk for the environment.     

Lead in grass in the Scottish uplands: deposition or uptake?

If it is assumed that the Pb collected in grass samples is derived mainly from atmospheric deposition then grass samples can be used as a convenient and easily analysed monitor for Pb deposition, in particular to establish the isotopic composition of current deposition in remote locations. As some studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between soil and grass Pb concentrations, it was considered important to establish the proportion of soil Pb in the grasses used to monitor atmospheric deposition at upland locations in Scotland. Consideration of earlier studies provided evidence that very little, if any, Pb in grass was derived from soil. Lead isotope analysis, by thermal ionisation mass spectrometry, of grasses grown on soils spiked with enriched (207)Pb in the field situation allowed the relative contribution of atmospheric deposition and soil to the grass Pb to be calculated. In most cases, >80% of Pb in grass was derived from atmospheric deposition and in recent years this value was >90%. Recalculation of the (206)Pb/(207)Pb ratio in grass samples showed that there was very little error in the results, published previously, which were based on the assumption that all the Pb collected with grass was derived from the atmosphere. The trends established by measuring the (206)Pb/(207)Pb ratio in grasses were confirmed and remain valid.     

Atmospheric acidification in the Asian region

Atmospheric acidification in the Asian region is discussed from the perspectives of currently available regional measurements, and the knowledge now available from several decades of acidic deposition research in the northern mid-latitudes. The main conclusions emerge: (1) that there is insufficient information currently available to enable a quantitative assessment of the present state or future potential for atmospheric acidification across the whole region; and (2) that within the limitations imposed by (1) the possibility of future acidification in certain areas cannot be ruled out if economic development and energy use on a per capita basis evolve to the levels of the major industrial countries. These two conclusions point to the need for systematic, multidisciplinary studies covering the whole region. The studies should assess quantitatively the current levels of acidic and alkaline emissions (both natural and anthropogenic) to the atmosphere, identify the relevant chemical transformations and transport/deposition pathways in the regional atmosphere, and assess the susceptibility of regional plants, soils and groundwaters to acidification.Plenary speaker.     

江苏省土壤修复产业发展现状及对策分析

简述了江苏省土壤修复市场发展情况及土壤修复技术发展现状.从营商环境、市场竞争力、标准法规建设等方面分析存在的市场问题,提出应规范市场环境、培育企业竞争力,加强标准制定、模式创新和人才培养的建议.针对场地环境调查与风险评估技术有待提升、地下水修复技术研发工作投入不足、修复后土壤监测和安全再利用问题突出等技术问题,提出,应...     

涪江绵阳段表层沉积物重金属污染特征及风险评价

为准确掌握涪江绵阳段表层沉积物重金属的污染特征,分析了7个监测断面表层沉积物中Cd、Se、Mn等19种重金属质量浓度,采用地累积指数法、潜在生态风险评价法和污染负荷指数法评估了沉积物重金属的污染程度及潜在风险。结果表明:涪江绵阳段表层沉积物中Se、Cd、Ba和Hg等元素含量显著超过其土壤背景值,重金属的污染程度依次为Se＞Cd＞Ba＞Hg＞Mo＞Mn;潜在生态风险评价和污染负荷指数评价结果均显示,断面的污染程度排序为楼房沟＞李家渡＞福田坝＞丰谷＞涪江铁路桥＞百顷＞平武水文站断面。楼房沟断面沉积物微观形貌主要为片状或块状,物相主要为石英及少量白云母、方解石和菱锰矿等,与铅锌矿、电解锰渣等主要矿物组成相似,重金属主要来源为尾矿渣在河床的沉积及金属矿开采等外源输入。     

Surfer软件和AutoCAD在污染场地调查及风险评估中的应用

在场地调查和风险评估报告中需要描述污染物分布和确定土壤修复区域和范围,目前对此无统一的技术要求,不同案例使用的技术方法不同。今提出将 Surfer软件和 AutoCAD结合使用生成等值线图件,以及据此确定污染土壤修复范围的方法,并基于某搬迁化工厂初步土壤调查及风险评估的案例介绍了操作步骤。旨在介绍2个专业软件联用的新功能的开发和使用技巧,为编制场地调查和风险评估报告提供一种便捷、易操作的工作方法。     

A multi-level assessment methodology for determining the potential for groundwater contamination by pesticides

A multi-level pesticide assessment methodology has been developed to permit regulatory personnel to undertake a variety of assessments on the potential for pesticide used in agricultural areas to contaminate the groundwater regime at an increasingly detailed geographical scale of investigation. A multi-level approach accounts for a variety of assessment objectives and detail required in the assessment, the restrictions on the availability and accuracy of data, the time available to undertake the assessment, and the expertise of the decision maker. The level 1: regional scale is designed to prioritize districts having a potentially high risk for groundwater contamination from the application of a specific pesticide for a particular crop. The level 2: local scale is used to identify critical areas for groundwater contamination, at a soil polygon scale, within a district. A level 3: soil profile scale allows the user to evaluate specific factors influencing pesticide leaching and persistence, and to determine the extent and timing of leaching, through the simulation of the migration of a pesticide within a soil profile. Because of the scale of investigation, limited amount of data required, and qualitative nature of the assessment results, the level 1 and level 2 assessment are designed primarily for quick and broad guidance related to management practices. A level 3 assessment is more complex, requires considerably more data and expertise on the part of the user, and hence is designed to verify the potential for contamination identified during the level 1 or 2 assessment. The system combines environmental modelling, geographical information systems, extensive databases, data management systems, expert systems, and pesticide assessment models, to form an environmental information system for assessing the potential for pesticides to contaminate groundwater.     

State of rare earth elements in different environmental components in mining areas of China

China has relatively abundant rare earth elements (REEs) reserves and will continue to be one of the major producers of REEs for the world market in the foreseeable future. However, due to the large scale of mining and refining activities, large amounts of REEs have been released to the surrounding environment and caused harmful effects on local residents. This paper summarizes the data about the contents and translocation of REEs in soils, waters, atmosphere, and plants in REE mining areas of China and discusses the characteristics of their forms, distribution, fractionation, and influencing factors. Obviously high concentrations of REEs with active and bioavailable forms are observed in all environmental media. The mobility and bioavailability of REEs are enhanced. The distribution patterns of REEs in soils and water bodies are all in line with their parent rocks. Significant fractionation phenomenon among individual members of REEs was found in soil–plant systems. However, limited knowledge was available for REEs in atmosphere. More studies focusing on the behavior of REEs in ambient air of REE mining areas in China are highly suggested. In addition, systematic study on the translocation and circulation of REEs in various media in REEs mining areas and their health risk assessment should be carried out. Standard analytical methods of REEs in environments need to be established, and more specific guideline values of REEs in foods should also be developed.     

Environmental assessment of agriculture at a regional scale in the Pampas of Argentina

Governments need good information to design policies. However, inthe Argentine Pampas there are neither sufficient knowledge on environmental issues, nor clear perception of environmental alterations across space and time. The general objective of this work was to provide decision makers with a scientifically sound set of indicators aiming at the assessment of current status andfuture trends in the rural environment of this sensitiveregion. As driving criteria to select indicators, weassumed that they had to be sound, simple to calculate,easy to understand, and easily applicable by decision makers. They are related closely to significantecological structures and functions. Twelve basicindicators were identified: (1) land use, (2) fossil energyuse, (3) fossil energy use efficiency, (4) nitrogen (N)balance, (5) phosphorus (P) balance, (6) nitrogencontamination risk, (7) phosphorus contamination risk, (8) pesticide contamination, (9) soil erosion risk, (10) habitatintervention, (11) changes in soil carbon stock, and (12) balance of greenhouse gases. Indicators were geographicallyreferenced using a geographic information system (GIS). Thestrength of this study is not in the absolute value ofenvironmental indicators, but rather in theconceptualization of indicator and the identification ofchanging patterns, gradients and trends in space and time.According to our results, we can not definitely say thatagriculture in the Pampas, as a whole, tends to besustainable or not. While some indicators tend to improve,others keep stable, and the rest worsen. The relative importance among indicators must also be considered. The indicators that showed a negative net change are key to the identification of critical problems that will require special attention in the close future.     

制订我国污染场地土壤风险筛选值的几点建议

近年来,我国大中城市陆续开展污染企业搬迁,环境管理上要求对搬迁场地进行商业开发前必须开展场地环境调查、风险评估和修复,客观上要求有一套场地环境评价标准和污染土壤修复标准.针对目前国内污染场地标准缺失及盲目引用国外相关筛选值出现的误区,分析了美国、荷兰和英国土壤筛选值差异的主要原因,为合理借鉴国外土壤筛选值及其制定方法学...     

Ecological risk assessment of open coal mine area

The coal mine areas in China have the serious conflicts between resources exploitation and ecology safety, therefore the coal mine ecological risk assessment is an important problem which relates to the sustainability of coal mines to regions and the whole country. In this study, open coal mine area serves as researching object, heavy metals, soil erosion and coast are screened out as risk resources, soil wireworm as the receiver of heavy metals risk, biotope ecosystem as the receiver of soil erosion and coast risk; ecological indexes are calculated with species background index, biological diversity index and natural degree index, ecological friability indexes are calculated with soil fertility index, plant coverage, plant species diversity index, soil wireworm index and maturity index, and the typical coal mine area assessment indexes system is established. In addition, the regional ecological risk assessment is conducted on the friable ecological system of Fuxin Haizhou open coal mine area. Examples are researched of Haizhou open coal mine, the coal mine risk distribution is established, and foundations are provided for the administrative decision-making.     

Multi-criteria decision analysis with probabilistic risk assessment for the management of contaminated ground water

Traditionally, environmental decision analysis in subsurface contamination scenarios is performed using cost–benefit analysis. In this paper, we discuss some of the limitations associated with cost–benefit analysis, especially its definition of risk, its definition of cost of risk, and its poor ability to communicate risk-related information. This paper presents an integrated approach for management of contaminated ground water resources using health risk assessment and economic analysis through a multi-criteria decision analysis framework. The methodology introduces several important concepts and definitions in decision analysis related to subsurface contamination. These are the trade-off between population risk and individual risk, the trade-off between the residual risk and the cost of risk reduction, and cost-effectiveness as a justification for remediation. The proposed decision analysis framework integrates probabilistic health risk assessment into a comprehensive, yet simple, cost-based multi-criteria decision analysis framework. The methodology focuses on developing decision criteria that provide insight into the common questions of the decision-maker that involve a number of remedial alternatives. The paper then explores three potential approaches for alternative ranking, a structured explicit decision analysis, a heuristic approach of importance of the order of criteria, and a fuzzy logic approach based on fuzzy dominance and similarity analysis. Using formal alternative ranking procedures, the methodology seeks to present a structured decision analysis framework that can be applied consistently across many different and complex remediation settings. A simple numerical example is presented to demonstrate the proposed methodology. The results showed the importance of using an integrated approach for decision-making considering both costs and risks. Future work should focus on the application of the methodology to a variety of complex field conditions to better evaluate the proposed methodology.     

A GIS-based approach for the long-term prediction of human health risks at contaminated sites

A Health Index/Risk Evaluation Tool (HIRET) has been developed for the integration of risk assessment and spatial planning using GIS capabilities. The method is meant to assist decision makers and site owners in the evaluation of potential human health risk with respect to land use. Human health risk defined as the potential adverse effects on human life or health is generally accepted as the most important aspect for site assessment and planning of remediation strategies. It concerns polluted sites that endanger human health on one hand and derelict land that does not cause the immediate risk on the other hand. In current state-of-the-art risk-assessment, long-term spatial and temporal changes of risks, in relation to changes in contamination patterns and land use functions, are not taken into account. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the methodology developed for human health risk assessment in aspect of spatial and temporal domain. HIRET was developed as an extension for ESRI software ArcView 3.2 and allows performing dynamic human health risk assessment in long-term period, which is relevant for land use planning. The paper illustrates how such methodology can assist in environmental decision-making to enhance the efficiency of contaminated land management. A case study of contaminated site is given showing how data can be used within a GIS framework to produce maps indicating areas of potential human health risk.     

Chloroacetic acids in European soils and vegetation

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and dichloroacetic acid (DCA) are possible minor atmospheric degradation products of perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene, respectively. These acids may be wet- or dry-deposited from the atmosphere to land surfaces and hence possibly affect plant growth. However, the existing database on TCA levels in soil is limited to a few studies carried out in the late 1980's and the early to mid-1990's and it was concluded that there is a need for further measurements of concentrations of TCA and DCA in soils. In this study soil samples from 10 locations in 5 European countries, as well as vegetation samples, and a limited number of rainwater and air samples were collected and analysed for DCA and TCA to determine the concentrations of these compounds. An isotope dilution method using GC-MS was used for the determination of these acids in the samples. The method was briefly validated and the performance characteristics are presented. The results of the analysis of the soil samples show that the DCA and TCA concentrations in soil from different sites in Europe are more or less comparable, with the exception of Germany, especially Freudenstadt, where significantly higher TCA concentrations (up to 12 microg kg(-1) dw) were found. The average DCA and TCA concentrations in soil in this study were 0.25 +/- 0.12 and 0.64 +/- 1.40 microg kg(-1) dw, respectively. Generally, the concentration in soils from forest areas are about twice those from open-land areas. The DCA and TCA concentrations in vegetation samples ranged from 2.1 to 73 microg kg(-1) dw for DCA and from 4.7 to 17 microg kg(-1) dw for TCA. Thus, the concentrations in vegetation samples are 10-20 times higher than the soil concentrations. DCA and TCA concentrations in wet deposition samples and air samples collected in The Netherlands were 0.14 and 0.15 microg l(-1) for wet deposition samples and <0.5 and 0.7 ng m(-3) for air samples respectively. For these samples taken in The Netherlands, the estimated values for soil and air concentrations calculated from the wet deposition concentrations are in agreement with the concentrations measured in this study.     

A decade of monitoring at Swiss Long-Term Forest Ecosystem Research (LWF) sites: can we observe trends in atmospheric acid deposition and in soil solution acidity?

Trends in atmospheric acid deposition and in soil solution acidity from 1995 or later until 2007 were investigated at several forest sites throughout Switzerland to assess the effects of air pollution abatements on deposition and the response of the soil solution chemistry. Deposition of the major elements was estimated from throughfall and bulk deposition measurements at nine sites of the Swiss Long-Term Forest Ecosystem Research network (LWF) since 1995 or later. Soil solution was measured at seven plots at four soil depths since 1998 or later. Trends in the molar ratio of base cations to aluminum (BC/Al) in soil solutions and in concentrations and fluxes of inorganic N (NO(3)-N + NH(4)-N), sulfate (SO(4)-S), and base cations (BC) were used to detect changes in soil solution chemistry. Acid deposition significantly decreased at three out of the nine study sites due to a decrease in total N deposition. Total SO(4)-S deposition decreased at the nine sites, but due to the relatively low amount of SO(4)-S load compared to N deposition, it did not contribute to decrease acid deposition significantly. No trend in total BC deposition was detected. In the soil solution, no trend in concentrations and fluxes of BC, SO(4)-S, and inorganic N were found at most soil depths at five out of the seven sites. This suggests that the soil solution reacted very little to the changes in atmospheric deposition. A stronger reduction in base cations compared to aluminum was detected at two sites, which might indicate that acidification of the soil solution was proceeding faster at these sites.     

我国污染场地土壤石油烃环境质量标准体系的现状与趋势

石油烃污染场地已经成为国内外重点关注的工业污染场地类型之一。国内基于人体健康风险的污染场地管理模式及分层次评估方法已经展现雏形,为风险管理者提供了基于人体健康的土壤石油烃风险筛选值和管制值,也为污染场地的防治与修复工作提供了决策支持。在前人研究的基础上,梳理了国内土壤环境质量标准体系的建立与发展历程,分析了石油烃类污染物检测方法的现状与未来发展趋势,并着重对比与分析了各标准制订的石油烃及其指示化合物的风险评估筛选值。目前面临的关键问题:①完善石油烃监测指标体系及分析方法是精准获得风险评估结果的前提。现有石油烃馏分指标划分较为宽泛,有必要参考国外先进标准体系,逐渐完善石油烃馏分指标划分及其配套的定量分析方法。②新颁布的国家建设用地土壤污染风险管控标准在前期场地调查中具有一定的普遍适用性,但是考虑到地域建筑物参数、人群暴露参数等的差异性,在后期场地调查中还需要因地制宜地制定适合污染场地的具体修复目标值,并针对关键性参数作定量化解析。     

基于双指标多等级的土壤重金属生态风险评价

采用土壤中重金属的全量和有效态双重指标,建立基于多等级综合评估的土壤中重金属生态风险评价模型,将联合概率曲线法引入土壤评价模型,分析重金属暴露浓度与毒性数据的概率分布,考察重金属对土壤生物的毒害程度,从而确定土壤中重金属对于生态系统的风险。建立从简单到复杂的多等级综合评价方法,表征重金属的污染等级、浓度效应、多种重金属污染物的协同效应、不同重金属的毒性效应和土壤对不同重金属污染物的敏感性。选择典型地区采集有代表性的土壤样品,测定不同重金属的总量和有效态,验证评价模型的实用性和评价分级的合理性。旨在解决土壤重金属风险评价的方法学问题,为土壤环境质量管理提供支持。     

某金属冶炼企业土壤As污染特征及潜在生态风险评价

以某金属冶炼企业原址用地土壤为研究对象,采用单因子污染指数法、地累积指数法、潜在生态危害指数法探讨土壤As污染累积、潜在生态风险和空间分布特征。结果表明:研究区土壤采样点位超标率为98.85%,2.5～14.0 m深度范围土壤As污染较重、潜在生态风险较高,尤以6.0～10.0 m深度范围内相对最高。从As污染成因看,0～1.0 m深度范围土壤As污染主要受企业生产活动影响;1.0～14.0 m深度范围土壤As污染除受企业生产活动影响外,还与大量回填的含As较高的硫铁矿渣、极强碱性土壤环境、土壤渗透性有关。从As污染空间分布特征看,垂直方向上As污染浓度在0～10.0 m深度范围内随深度增加呈升高趋势,地表10.0 m以下随深度增加呈下降趋势。水平方向上,地表以下5.0、10.0、12.0 m剖面深度处As污染羽分布随深度增加呈增大趋势,12.0 m以下呈减小趋势。土壤As污染分层评价结果与地表以下特定剖面深度处土壤As污染评价结果一致性较好,土壤As污染较重的区域潜在生态风险亦相对较高。可见,采用单因子污染指数法、地累积指数法、潜在生态危害指数法综合评价土壤As污染与潜在生态风险,具...     

Development of fuzzy air quality index using soft computing approach

Proper assessment of air quality status in an atmosphere based on limited observations is an essential task for meeting the goals of environmental management. A number of classification methods are available for estimating the changing status of air quality. However, a discrepancy frequently arises from the quality criteria of air employed and vagueness or fuzziness embedded in the decision making output values. Owing to inherent imprecision, difficulties always exist in some conventional methodologies like air quality index when describing integrated air quality conditions with respect to various pollutants parameters and time of exposure. In recent years, the fuzzy logic-based methods have demonstrated to be appropriated to address uncertainty and subjectivity in environmental issues. In the present study, a methodology based on fuzzy inference systems (FIS) to assess air quality is proposed. This paper presents a comparative study to assess status of air quality using fuzzy logic technique and that of conventional technique. The findings clearly indicate that the FIS may successfully harmonize inherent discrepancies and interpret complex conditions.