Heavy metals in Jamaican surface soils

A regional survey of Jamaican surface soils has been conducted in which more than 200 samples were collected at a sample density of 1 per 64 km² across the island and analysed for total concentrations of 31 elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The aim of the survey was to begin the construction of a high-precision geochemical database to provide information on elemental levels in soils for application to environmental studies, agriculture, and human and animal health. Results on the regional scale are presented for As, Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb. Although Jamaican surface soils are enriched in several heavy metals compared with world soil means and crustal abundances, lead is of particular importance at this stage because of its occurrence in residential areas. Except for Cu, the distribution maps of these elements are highly correlated with bauxite which in Jamaica is associated with white limestone geology and residualterra rossa soils.     

Heavy metals in albanian coastal sediments

Heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb, Sn) concentration has been determined on 39 coastal sediment samples collected in Albania. The relationship between the heavy metals content and the grain size has been considered. All metals, except Cu and Cd, resulted accumulated in the finest fraction, which constituted up to 95% of most of the considered sediments. A good correlation has been found for Ni, Cr, Fe, Zn, Cu in the entire area, indicating a common origin for these metals in the analyzed sediments. Concentration values fall in the range reported for Dinaric chain derived sediments, revealing, generally, a natural origin of the metal contents. Though in some selected areas such as the Drin and the Skumbin Bay, an antropogenic input of Cr, Fe, Ni and Cu can be observed, as the result of discharging of mines and smelter activities.     

Heavy metals and soil microbes

Heavy metal pollution is a global issue due to health risks associated with metal contamination. Although many metals are essential for life, they can be harmful to man, animal, plant and microorganisms at toxic levels. Occurrence of heavy metals in soil is mainly attributed to natural weathering of metal-rich parent material and anthropogenic activities such as industrial, mining, agricultural activities. Here we review the effect of soil microbes on the biosorption and bioavailability of heavy metals; the mechanisms of heavy metals sequestration by plant and microbes; and the effects of pollution on soil microbial diversity and activities. The major points are: anthropogenic activities constitute the major source of heavy metals in the environment. Soil chemistry is the major determinant of metal solubility, movement and availability in the soil. High levels of heavy metals in living tissues cause severe organ impairment, neurological disorders and eventual death. Elevated levels of heavy metals in soils decrease microbial population, diversity and activities. Nonetheless, certain soil microbes tolerate and use heavy metals in their systems; as such they are used for bioremediation of polluted soils. Soil microbes can be used for remediation of contaminated soils either directly or by making heavy metals bioavailable in the rhizosphere of plants. Such plants can accumulate 100 mg g^?1 Cd and As; 1000 mg g^?1 Co, Cu, Cr, Ni and 10,000 mg g^?1 Pb, Mn and Ni; and translocate metals to harvestable parts. Microbial activity changes soil physical properties such as soil structure and biochemical properties such as pH, soil redox state, soil enzymes that influence the solubility and bioavailability of heavy metals. The concept of ecological dose (ED₅₀) and lethal concentration (LC₅₀) was developed in response to the need to easily quantify the influence of pollutants on microbial-mediated ecological processes in various ecosystems.     

Heavy metals in contemporary Chinese sewage sludges

The heavy metal content in sewage sludges from a big Chinese city was investigated. Concentrations of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) in the sludges were 258–4050 mg kg^‐1, bd: 994 mgkg^‐1, 8.3–566 mg kg^‐1, 26.3–370mgkg^‐1 4.2–113 mg kg^‐1 0.9–6.4 mg kg^‐1 and 1.8–12.4 mg kg^‐1 respectively. The concentrations of Zn and Pb in the sewage sludges from the residential areas were higher than those in the mixed ones (from both residential and industrial areas). The concentrations of heavy metals in the flocculently dewatered sewage sludges were higher than those in the sediment of the centrifuged undewatered sewage sludges. After centrifuging, more than 60% of heavy metals remained in the sludge sediment with an exception of Cd. The content of organic matter, total phosphorus (T‐P) and total potassium (T‐K) in these sewage sludges was also measured.     

臭氧应用于烟气净化的研究进展

烟气中所含的二氧化硫(SO2),氮氧化物(NOx),重金属汞(Hg)等污染物都能对人体健康及周围环境产生危害.本文综述了臭氧法应用于烟气净化的研究进展、工业应用及反应机理,探讨了臭氧同时脱硫脱硝脱汞的主要影响因素,介绍了臭氧发生技术的研究现状,并对臭氧应用于烟气净化进行了经济性分析,认为臭氧法脱除烟气中的多种污染物具有广泛的应用前景.     

某些市售化肥的重金属含量水平及环境风险

对国内使用的部分化肥中Fe、Mn、Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd和Hg的总量及可溶态含量的测定结果表明,氮肥和钾肥中重金属元素含量较低;复合肥和磷肥中重金属元素含量较高。绝大多数化肥中Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd不超过土壤环境质量二级标准,使用是安全的。但某些复合肥料和电子束脱硫生产的氮肥中Hg含量过高,个别复合肥料中Zn含量过高,具有一定的环境风险。     

Heavy metals in soils and crops in Southeast Asia

In a reconnaisance soil geochemical and plant survey undertaken to study the heavy metal uptake by major food crops in Malaysia, 241 soils were analysed for cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic carbon (C), pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and available phosphorus (P) using appropriate procedures. These soils were also analysed for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) using aqua regia digestion, together with 180 plant samples using nitric acid digestion. Regression analysis between the edible plant part and aqua regia soluble soil As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations sampled throughout Peninsular Malaysia, indicated a positive relationship for Pb in all the plants sampled in the survey (R2 = 0.195, p < 0.001), for Ni in corn (R2 = 0.649, p < 0.005), for Cu in chili (R2 = 0.344, p < 0.010) and for Zn in chili (R2 = 0.501, p < 0.001). Principal component analysis of the soil data suggested that concentrations of Co, Ni, Pb and Zn were strongly correlated with concentrations of Al and Fe, which is suggestive of evidence of background variations due to changes in soil mineralogy. Thus the evidence for widespread contamination of soils by these elements through agricultural activities is not strong. Chromium was correlated with soil pH and EC, Na, S, and Ca while Hg was not correlated with any of these components, suggesting diffuse pollution by aerial deposition. However As, Cd, Cu were strongly associated with organic matter and available and aqua regia soluble soil P, which we attribute to inputs in agricultural fertilisers and soil organic amendments (e.g. manures, composts).     

Heavy metals in soils and crops in Southeast Asia

In a reconnaissance soil geochemical and plant survey undertaken to study the heavy metal uptake by major food crops in Malaysia, 241 soils were analysed for cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic carbon (C), pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and available phosphorus (P) using appropriate procedures. These soils were also analysed for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) using aqua regia digestion, together with 180 plant samples using nitric acid digestion. Regression analysis between the edible plant part and aqua regia soluble soil As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations sampled throughout Peninsular Malaysia, indicated a positive relationship for Pb in all the plants sampled in the survey (R ² = 0.195, p < 0.001), for Ni in corn (R ² = 0.649, p < 0.005), for Cu in chilli (R ² = 0.344, p < 0.010) and for Zn in chilli (R ² = 0.501, p < 0.001). Principal component analysis of the soil data suggested that concentrations of Co, Ni, Pb and Zn were strongly correlated with concentrations of Al and Fe, which is suggestive of evidence of background variations due to changes in soil mineralogy. Thus the evidence for widespread contamination of soils by these elements through agricultural activities is not strong. Chromium was correlated with soil pH and EC, Na, S, and Ca while Hg was not correlated with any of these components, suggesting diffuse pollution by aerial deposition. However As, Cd, Cu were strongly associated with organic matter and available and aqua regia soluble soil P, which we attribute to inputs in agricultural fertilisers and soil organic amendments (e.g. manures, composts).     

Heavy metals accumulation in tree leaves from urban areas

Higher plants may be used as biomonitors for the assessment of atmospheric heavy metal pollution by means of their bioaccumulative properties. We evaluated the reliability of biomonitoring heavy metal pollution by horse chestnut and linden leaves, common species found in Belgrade city parks. The results show that the highest concentrations of heavy metals were found in horse chestnut leaves at Studentski Park site, amounting to 110.2, 20.3 and 4.9 g g^–1 dry weight for Cu, Pb and Cd, respectively, which are considered above toxic levels for plants.Selected article from the Regional Symposium on Chemistry and Environment, Krusevac, Serbia, June 2003, organised by Dr. Branimir Jovancicevic.     

Oxidation of sulphite originating from flue gas desulphurization waste in soil

The rate of catalyzed oxidation of sulphite originating from flue gas desulphurization (FGD) waste was studied under varying conditions. The pH dependence was examined in aqueous solution at the pH range of 5 to 8, the effect of soil moisture was studied in sieved soil of different moisture contents, and the oxidation of sulphite to a soil as FGD waste, was measured at different depths in a field experiment. The experiments that the half-lives of sulphite in aqueous solution were between 0.5 and 2 hours and that the oxidation rate was highest at the lowest pH. In sieved soil the half-lives of sulphite were in the range of 3 to 20 days with the oxidation rate at the highest moisture content, indication that oxygen availability was the limiting factor. The slowest decrease of the sulphite concentration was found at a soil depth of 8–10 cm which was the where the highest background concentration of sulphite was found in control plots, too.Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 1988,10(1), 26–30     

Heavy metals in surface water and stream sediments in Jamaica

The levels of heavy metals in water and stream sediments in Jamaica are presented and compared to levels in soils and environmental standards. Heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, nickel, lead and zinc) appear to be less of a problem to Jamaica's freshwater environment than might be expected given the concentrations in soils. This can be explained by taking into account the dynamics of the Jamaican water environment and the relative absence of anthropogenic sources. The dynamics of the freshwater system on the other hand, could pass any environmental threat to the coastal environment. Because the stream sediments are relatively coarse and contain little organic material the bio-availability of micropollutants such as heavy metals from the sediments can be expected to be relatively high.     

The disposal of flue gas desulphurisation waste: sulphur gas emissions and their control

Flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) equipment to be fitted to UK coal-fired power stations will produce more than 0.8 Mtonnes of calcium sulphate, as gypsum. Most gypsum should be of commercial quality, but any low grade material disposed as waste has the potential to generate a range of sulphur gases, including H₂S, COS, CS₂, DMS and DMDS. Literature data from the USA indicates that well-oxidised waste with a high proportion of calcium sulphate (the main UK product of FGD) has relatively low emissions of sulphur gases, which are comparable to background levels from inland soils. However, sulphur gas fluxes are greatly enhanced where reducing conditions become established within the waste, hence disposal strategies should be formulated to prevent the sub-surface consumption of oxygen.     

Ammonia-based flue gas desulphurization waste solution as a nitrogen fertilizer

A flue gas desulphurization product based on the absorption of sulphur dioxide by an ammoniacal solution (Am-FGD) was evaluated as a nitrogenous fertilizer. Evaluation was by field trial using barley and rye-grass as test crops. The Am-FGD solution was added to the soil either one week before sowing the barley, at sowing, or one week after. In the grass experiment, the Am-FGD solution was added to the soil surface or sprayed on the plants shortly after the first and after the second cut.The results indicate that nitrogen in the Am-FGD solution had the same fertilizer value as nitrogen in calcium-ammonium-nitrate (CAN). The toxic effect of sulphite is avoided or reduced to insignificant levels when direct contact of the Am-FGD solution with the plants is avoided. When added in combination with CAN there might even be a slight positive effect. The plant content of inorganic elements was unchanged by the experimental treatments.     

土法炼锌区废渣重金属固定研究

黔西北土法炼锌形成大量的废弃地,废渣重金属Zn、Pb和Cd全量分别为:7 521、5365和53.4mg·kg-1,废渣的pH值为8.53,当地的背景土壤的pH值为5.39.重金属污染是当地面临的主要问题,同时也是土地复垦需要考虑的首要问题,目前来说防止重金属的迁移扩散显得尤其必要.用优级纯硝酸调控废渣的pH值检验pH值降低时废渣重金属释放程度;用碱石灰、活性炭、粉煤灰和有机质对重金属进行吸附;野外用碱石灰、纯碱和烧碱在土法炼锌区对废渣释放的重金属进行吸附.结果发现废渣重金属Pb、Zn和Cd随pH值降低而释放,Cd和Zn的释放量较大,pH值是影响重金属迁移扩散的重要因子;碱石灰、活性炭、粉煤灰和有机质对重金属吸附能力的比较得出碱石灰的吸附效果最好;野外实验进一步发现碱石灰固定重金属稳定性好、吸附性强.黔西北土法炼锌区有大面积的喀斯特地区分布,碱石灰来源广,用作废渣重金属释放的固定材料相对经济实用.     

有色矿业区耕作土壤、蔬菜和大米中重金属污染

有色金属矿业区周边土壤重金属污染严重,对我国生态环境质量、食品安全和人体健康构成了一定威胁,研究典型矿业区周边复合污染地带的土壤环境质量及其食物安全对促进其可持续发展具有深远的意义。从湖南省的长沙、株洲、衡阳、郴州等有色金属矿业区收集耕作土壤、蔬菜和大米样品,结合主成分分析、聚类分析和相关分析,研究其中重金属元素的累积和迁移特征,评估蔬菜和大米中重金属元素对人体健康的潜在危害程度。研究结果表明,耕作土壤中主要重金属污染元素为Cd、As、Pb、Cu、Zn等;主成分分析表明,菜地土中第一主成分主要反映了Pb、Zn、Cd、As的复合污染信息以及与土壤pH的相关关系;水稻土中第一主成分主要反映了Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd的复合污染信息;聚类分析进一步阐明耕作土壤以Cd、Pb、As、Cu、Zn为主的复合污染特征。研究区蔬菜中Cd、Pb、As、Cu、Zn、Cr含量,大米中Cd、Pb和Zn含量均明显超过我国食品卫生标准;蔬菜中Cd、Pb、As和大米中Cd、Pb对人体健康的潜在危害较大。     

Heavy metals in soils and crops in Southeast Asia 2. Thailand

A reconnaissance soil geochemical and concomitant plant survey based on 318 soil (0-15 cm) and 122 plant samples was used for the assessment of heavy metal pollution of agricultural soils and crops of Thailand. Arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were determined in soils using aqua regia digestion, and in plants using nitric acid digestion. Organic carbon (C), pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and available phosphorus (P) were determined on the soil samples using appropriate procedures. Results indicated that concentrations of heavy metals varied widely among the different regions of Thailand. Regression analysis between the concentrations of metals in soil (aqua regia extractable) and edible plant parts indicated a small but positive relationship for Cd in all the plants sampled in the survey (R2 = 0.081, p < 0.001). There was also a positive relationship between soil and plant Cd concentrations in rice (R2 = 0.242, p < 0.010), and negative relationships for Zn in rice (R2 = 0.385, p < 0.001), and Cu (R2 = 0.355, p < 0.001) and Zn (R2 = 0.122, p < 0.026) in glutinous rice. Principal component analysis of the soil data suggested that concentrations of As, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni and Pb were strongly correlated with concentrations of Al and Fe, which is suggestive of evidence of background variations due to changes in soil mineralogy. Thus, the evidence for widespread contamination of soils by these elements through agricultural activities is not strong. On the other hand, Cd and Zn were strongly correlated with organic matter and concentrations of available and aqua regia extractable P. This is attributed to input of contaminants in agricultural fertilisers and soil amendments (e.g. manures, composts).     

Ispra Mark 13A,a new process for flue gas desulphurization

A new regenerative wet scrubbing process for flue gas desulphurization, Ispra Mark 13A, is presented. The process produces two useful products, concentrated sulphuric acid and hydrogen. Process flow schemes and process principles are discussed.     

CO2 adsorption performance of ZIF-7 and its endurance in flue gas components

Porous ZIF-7 with the sodalite （SOD） cage structure （ZIF, Zeolitic imidazolate framework） were synthesized by the solvothermal method. Synthesized material was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction （PXRD）, thermal gravity （TG）, scanning electron micro- scopy （SEM） and Na adsorption analysis. ZIF-8 with the SOD structure and a littl larger pore window was synthesized in a similar way and was characterized for comparisons. Thermal stability and structural stability of ZIF-7 were tested through PXRD analysis, and the capability of the material for CO2 capture from simulated flue gas was investigated through physical adsorption method. The results showed that CO： adsorption capacity on ZIF-7 was about 48 mL. gl while the capacity on ZIF-8 was about 18mg.g-1 （at 12C and 0.98 P/Po relative pressure）. Furthermore, the impact of flue gas components on adsorption capacity of ZIF-7 and the selectivity of CO2 against N2 on ZIF-7 was also investigated in this work