Bioindication of air pollution effects near a copper smelter in Brazil using mango trees and soil microbiological properties

A field study near the copper smelter of a large industrial complex examined air pollution effects on vegetation and soil parameters in Cama?ari (northeast Brazil). Close to the smelter, soil pH-value was lower and total acidity as well as organic carbon contents were higher compared with a site far from the source and two reference sites. The acidification of top soil particularly and the drastically enhanced plant-available copper concentrations were caused by atmospheric deposition. High sulphur and copper deposition significantly reduced microbial biomass and altered functional diversity of soil microorganisms (arylsulphatase and xylanase). Large accumulations of sulphur, arsenic and copper were detected in mango leaves (Mangifera indica) growing downwind from the smelter suggesting potential food chain-mediated risk.     

Strategies of heavy metal uptake by three plant species growing near a metal smelter

Some higher plant species have developed heavy metal tolerance strategies which enable them to survive and reproduce in highly metal-contaminated soils. We have investigated such heavy metal uptake and accumulation strategies of two absolute metallophyte species (Armeria maritima ssp. halleri and Cardaminopsis halleri) and one pseudometallophyte (Agrostis tenuis) growing near a former metal smelter. Samples of plant parts and soil were analysed for Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu. In soil, there were two dominant types of metal concentration gradients with depth. Under the absolute metallophytes, extremely high metal contents were measured in the surficial Ah horizon, followed by a strong decrease in the underlying soil horizons (L(11) and L(12)). Under the pseudometallophyte, metal concentrations in the Ah horizon were much lower and fewer differences were observed in metal concentrations among the Ah, L(11), and L(12) horizons. The concentrations of Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu in Agrostis tenuis roots were greater than concentrations in leaves, indicating significant metal immobilisation by the roots. For C. halleri, Zn and Cd concentrations in leaves were >20,000 and >100 mg kg(-1), respectively, indicating hyperaccumulation of these elements. Armeria maritima ssp. halleri exhibited root concentrations of Pb and Cu that were 20 and 88 times greater, respectively, than those in green leaves, suggesting an exclusion strategy by metal immobilisation in roots. However, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu concentrations in brown leaves of Armeria maritima ssp. halleri were 3-8 times greater than in green leaves, suggesting a second strategy, i.e. detoxification mechanism by leaf fall.     

Simultaneous immobilization of metals and arsenic in acidic polluted soils near a copper smelter in central Chile

Introduction  

Acidic and metal(oid)-rich topsoils resulted after 34 years of continuous operations of a copper smelter in the Puchuncaví valley, central Chile. Currently, large-scale remediation actions for simultaneous in situ immobilization of metals and As are needed to reduce environmental risks of polluted soils. Aided phytostabilization is a cost-effective alternative, but adequate local available soil amendments have to be identified and management options have to be defined.     

Coastal lows and sulfur air pollution in Central Chile

Air pollutants in Santiago (33.5°S, 70.8°W, 500 m a.s.l.), a city with 5 million inhabitants, located in a basin in Central Chile surrounded by the high Andes, frequently exceed air quality standards. This affects human health and it stresses vegetation. The most extreme winter and fall pollution events occur when the subsident regime of the Pacific high is further enhanced by coastal lows (CLs), which bring down the base of the subsidence inversion. Under these conditions, the air quality worsens significantly giving rise to acute air pollution episodes. We assess the ability of a regional transport/chemistry/deposition model (MATCH) coupled to a meteorological model (High Resolution Limited Area Model—HIRLAM) to simulate the evolution of oxidized sulfur (SO_x) in connection with intensive CLs. We focus on SO_x since it is an environmental issue of concern, and the emissions and concentrations of SO_x have been regularly monitored making it easier to bracket model outputs for SO_x than for other pollutants. Furthermore, the SO_x emissions in the area are very large, i.e., about 0.4% of the global anthropogenic sources. Comparisons with observations indicate that the combination of HIRLAM and MATCH is a suitable tool for describing the regional patterns of dispersion associated with CLs. However, the low number and the limited geographical coverage of reliable air quality data preclude a complete evaluation of the model. Nevertheless, we show evidence of an enhanced contribution of the largest copper smelter in the area, i.e., Caletones, to the burden of SO_x in the Santiago basin, especially in the form of sulfate associated to fine particles (diameters <2.5 μm), during CLs. Further, we speculate that the Caletones plume may trigger or promote secondary aerosol formation during CLs in the Santiago basin.     

燃煤电厂重金属排放与周边土壤重金属污染评价

为研究燃煤电厂重金属排放对周边土壤重金属污染的影响,测定了某燃煤电厂烟囱入口烟气中Cd、Cr、Hg、Ni、Pb、As含量,同时根据当地气象及地形条件,在燃煤电厂周边采集19个土壤样品,分析了土壤中重金属含量及分布情况,并对其污染程度进行评价.结果表明,燃煤电厂烟气中6种重金属元素的质量浓度为0.02～2.00μg/m3...     

Indication of airborne pollution by birch and spruce in the vicinity of copper smelter

The aim of the study was determination of air pollution impact of the copper smelter in Bor and its surroundings (Serbia) by assessing the suitability of birch (Betula pendula Roth.) and spruce (Picea abies L.) for the purposes of biomonitoring and comparing it with previously published data from the same study area. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb and Mn in leaves/needles, branches, roots and soil were determined. Sampling was performed during 2009 in two zones with high load of air pollution due to copper mining and smelting activities, and one background zone. Metal accumulation and translocation was evaluated in terms of biological factors. In addition, plant enrichment factor was calculated. According to the results, plant foliage was not enriched through soil, which indicates absorption from the air, with both species acting as excluders of Cu, Pb, Zn and Mn. Leaves were more enriched with all the metals than needles, indicating a better response of birch to airborne pollution than spruce. Cluster analysis showed different level of pollution at the sites, while correlations between Cu and Pb obtained by Principal Component Analysis indicated their anthropogenic origin. Regarding previously published results, beside birch leaves, pine needles (which showed higher level of response to pollution compared to linden leaves) could be applied in air biomonitoring surveys near copper smelters.     

Sources of variation in concentrations of nickel and copper in mountain birch foliage near a nickel-copper smelter at Monchegorsk, north-western Russia: results of long-term monitoring

Concentrations of nickel and copper, two principal metal pollutants of the 'Severonikel' smelter at Monchegorsk, NW Russia, were measured in unwashed leaves of mountain birch, Betula pubescens subsp. czerepanovii, collected in eight study sites along the pollution gradient during 1991-2003. In spite of significant decline in metal emissions, concentrations of foliar metals in most of the study sites did not decrease, indicating that soil contamination remains extremely high. Multiyear mean values peaked at 6.6 km S of the smelter, where they were 20-25 times higher than in the most distant study site. Concentrations of both metals demonstrated pronounced annual variation, which was explained by the meteorological conditions of early summer: higher precipitation in May increased foliar concentrations of both metals, whereas higher precipitation in June resulted in lower foliar concentrations of nickel. These data suggest that ecotoxicological situation in metal-contaminated areas can be modified by the expected climate change. In heavily polluted sites individual birch trees generally retained their ranks in terms of metal contamination during 1995-2003, demonstrating that the use of the same set of trees can significantly increase the accuracy of the monitoring data.     

铅锌厂重金属污染土壤的螯合剂淋洗修复及其应用

为探讨螯合剂淋洗法在修复铅锌厂周边重金属污染土壤的修复效果及淋洗后土壤利用价值,研究采用振荡淋洗的方法比较了乙二胺四乙酸(EDTA)、次氮基三乙酸三钠盐(NTA)、-乙二胺-N,N-二琥珀酸三钠盐(EDDS)乙二醇-双-(2-氨基乙醚)四乙酸(EGTA)4种螯合剂对不同污染程度土壤中Cd、Cu、Zn、Pb的去除效果,并用BCR连续提取法分析了淋洗前后土壤重金属形态的变化,最后通过黑麦草盆栽实验及土壤酶分析,探讨了土壤经淋洗后的利用价值。结果表明,4种螯合剂中EDTA对Cd、Cu、Zn和Pb的去除率比其他螯合剂的去除率高,其中对高污染土壤4种重金属离子的去除率最大,分别为Cd 90.98%、Cu 42.10%、Zn 56.98%和Pb 52.03%,4种重金属中Cd的去除效果分别为EDTA>NTA>EDDS> EGTA;EDTA能有效去除酸溶态、可还原态土壤重金属,而对可氧化态和残余态土壤重金属作用效果不明显;EDTA淋洗土种植黑麦草后土壤脱氢酶、碱性磷酸酶和β-葡糖苷酶活性均高于NTA淋洗后土壤中酶活性。综合考虑淋洗效率、淋洗剂的成本和利用价值等因素,可以认为,采用EDTA和NTA淋洗修复重金属污染土壤具有一定的实用性,并以EDTA效果较佳。     

Isotopic characterisation of lead in contaminated soils from the vicinity of a non-ferrous metal smelter near Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Soil samples from the vicinity of a non-ferrous metal smelter near Plovdiv, Bulgaria contained very high concentrations of cadmium, lead and zinc (up to 140, 4900 and 5900 mg kg(-1), respectively). A roadside soil in a relatively uncontaminated area also contained high concentrations of the same metals (24, 1550 and 1870 mg kg(-1), respectively) indicating that the transport of ores could be a source of contamination. Even though the lead isotope ratios in all the samples fell within a very narrow range (for example, 1.186-1.195 for (206)Pb/(207)Pb), the samples could be differentiated into three distinct groups: ores ((206)Pb/(207)Pb and (208)Pb/(207)Pb ratios of 1.1874-1.1884 and 2.4755-2.4807, respectively), current deposition (1.1864 and 2.4704-2.4711, respectively) and local background (1.1927-1.1951 and 2.4772-2.4809, respectively). Although most of the current deposition has its origin in the ores used at the smelter, up to 12% could be from other sources such as petrol lead.     

德兴铜矿周边地区土壤酶活性研究

采用逐步多元回归和主成分分析的方法研究了德兴铜矿周边土壤中重金属和土壤酶活性的关系.结果表明:德兴铜矿周边各功能区均受到不同程度的Cu、Cd污染,Pb、Zn未超过《土壤环境质量标准》(GB 15618--1995)二级标准;各功能区土壤酶活性有显著差别,逐步回归分析表明土壤酶活性与Cu、Zn全量、生物可利用态Cu含量有显著线性关系,而与Cd、Pb无明显相关;土壤酶活性和生物可利用态Cu呈负线性关系,而与残渣态Cu有正线性关系.主成分分析显示,土壤酶信息系统的第1、第2主成分可反映酶活性总变异的96.27%,根据第1主成分对功能区酶活性的分类结果与土壤生物可利用态Cu含量的分类结果基本一致,提示土壤酶活性指标可以反映土壤生物可利用态Cu含量.     

Heavy metal concentrations in a soil-plant-snail food chain along a terrestrial soil pollution gradient

We investigated concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb in the compartments of a soil-plant (Urtica dioica)-snail (Cepaea nemoralis) food chain in four polluted locations in the Biesbosch floodplains, the Netherlands, and two reference locations. Total soil metal concentrations in the polluted locations were 4-20 times higher than those in the reference locations. Positive relationships between the generally low leaf concentrations and the soil concentrations were found for Zn only (r2 = 0.20). Bioaccumulation of Zn, Cu and Cd was observed in the snail tissues. We found positive relationships between the snail and leaf concentrations for all metals (range r2 = 0.19-0.46). The relationships between soil and snail concentrations were also positive, except for Cu (range r2 = 0.15-0.33). These results suggest transfer of metals to C. nemoralis snails from U. dioica leaves and from the soil. Metal transfer from polluted leaves to C. nemoralis is more important than transfer from the soil.     

Probing the distribution and contamination levels of 10 trace metal/metalloids in soils near a Pb/Zn smelter in Middle China

The horizontal and vertical distribution patterns and contamination status of ten trace metal/metalloids (Ag, Bi, Co, Cr, Ge, In, Ni, Sb, Sn, Tl) in soils around one of the largest Chinese Pb–Zn smelter in Zhuzhou City, Central China, were revealed. Different soil samples were collected from 11 areas, including ten agricultural areas and one city park area, with a total of 83 surface soil samples and six soil cores obtained. Trace metal/metalloids were determined by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry after digestion by an acid mixture of HF and HNO₃. The results showed that Ag, Bi, In, Sb, Sn, and Tl contents decreased both with the distance to the Pb–Zn smelter as well as the soil depth, hinting that these elements were mainly originated from the Pb–Zn smelting operations and were introduced into soils through atmospheric deposition. Soil Ge was influenced by the smelter at a less extent, while the distributions of Co, Cr, and Ni were roughly even among most sampling sites and soil depths, suggesting that they were primarily derived from natural sources. The contamination status, as revealed by the geo-accumulation index (I _geo), indicated that In and Ag were the most enriched elements, followed by Sb, Bi, and Sn. In general, Cr, Tl, Co, Ni, and Ge were of an uncontaminated status.     

Assessment of airborne heavy metal pollution by aboveground plant parts

Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) and oleander (Nerium oleander L.) leaves, bark and wood samples were collected at different sites around an industrial area (Huelva, SW Spain) and compared with samples of the same species from a background site. Samples were analysed with respect to the following pollutants: Al, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe and Pb by ICP-AES. The suitability of different plant parts as biomonitors of pollution was investigated. In pine samples from the polluted sites the ratio of concentrations between bark and wood was high for Al, Ba, Cu and Fe, whereas no differences were found in samples from the unpolluted area. No differences were detected in oleander for the same ratio. In the oleander species, the ratio between leaves and wood concentration allowed to distinguish between control and polluted sites. The ratio of the concentration between leaves and wood was elevated for Al, Ba and Fe in pine samples from the polluted sites. The ratio of the concentration in bark or leaves to their concentration in wood might be useful to detect inorganic atmospheric pollutants.     

铜陵某富硫尾矿库周边土壤重金属污染特征及风险评价

铜陵某尾矿库堆积大量富硫尾矿,为研究其氧化状况及对周边土壤的污染情况,在尾矿库和周边采集尾矿及土壤样品,测试分析尾矿及土壤样品典型重金属(Hg、As、Cr、Cd、Pb、Zn)含量和赋存形态,并基于单因子污染指数法和内梅罗综合污染指数法对土壤污染状况进行了评价。结果表明:(1)尾矿中Fe_2O_3平均占比达到38.08%(质量分数,下同),S平均占比达到5.34%;(2)尾矿库周边土壤中Cd、As、Zn、Hg严重超标,分别为《土壤环境质量农用地土壤污染风险管控标准(试行)》(GB 15618—2018)风险筛选值的6.3、3.7、1.8、1.5倍;(3)土壤中重金属主要以残渣态形式存在,但Cd、Hg、Zn的非残渣态平均占比均达到25%以上,生物有效性较高,对周边环境存在潜在危害;(4)两种污染指数法评价结果表明,尾矿库周边土壤以Cd、As、Zn污染为主,该富硫尾矿库已对周边环境造成重度污染。     

Local survival of pied flycatcher males and females in a pollution gradient of a Cu smelter

Survival is one of the most central population measures when the effects of the pollution are studied in natural bird populations. However, only few studies have actually measured rigorous survival estimates on adult birds. In recent years there has been a methodological advance in survival analyses by mark-recapture models. We modelled local survival (including mortality and emigration) with the program MARK in a population of a small insectivorous passerine bird, the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca), around a point source of heavy metals. The local survival of females in the polluted area was about 50% lower than in the other areas. Males, however, survived relatively well in the heavily polluted area, but showed somewhat lower survival in the moderately polluted area. Different pollution effects between two sexes might be due to pollution-related differences in reproductive effort in females and males, and/or more intensive uptake of heavy metals by laying females.     

Heavy metal deposition and variation in sedimentation rate within a sedimentary basin in Central Gulf of Finland

In studies dealing with the chemical distribution of elements in marine soft sediments, variations in sedimentation rate within a basin can bias the interpretation of the data. A basin in the central part of the Gulf of Finland was sampled at nine sampling sites along a transect, 1.2 nautical miles long. Gravity cores of the topmost recent sediment were analysed for nitric acid leachable concentrations of heavy metals. Almost without exceptions the metal concentrations were lower in the surface sediment, indicating a decrease in pollution load during the last decade. The sedimentation rates within the basin differed substantially, from 2.5 mm a-1 to some 15 mm a-1. Without dating of the sediments, the comparison of different cores is almost impossible. Dating is essential, as is thorough investigation of the basins used in sediment monitoring.     

Arsenic contaminated site at an abandoned copper smelter plant: waste characterization and solidification/stabilization treatment

A preliminary survey of an arsenic contaminated site from an abandoned copper smelting facility and feasibility study of using solidification/stabilization (S/S) process to treat the contaminant waste were undertaken. It was found that the waste, located in the three-flue gas discharge tunnels, contained 2-40% arsenic. The pH of the contaminated waste is extremely low (ranging from 1.8 to 3.6). The X-ray diffraction evidence indicates that the arsenic particles present in the flue gas mainly exist as As(III), or As(2)O(3). The total amount of arsenic contaminated waste is estimated to be 700 ton in the studied area. About 50% of the particle sizes are less than 2 mm. Arsenic is easily extracted from wastes with a variety of leaching solutions. In order to meet the arsenic leaching standard of the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP), an extremely high cement dosage is required in the S/S process (cement/waste weight ratio>6). The waste with lower particle size having higher specific surface area exhibits somewhat positive effect on the S/S performance. The use of fly ash from municipal waste incinerators, in conjunction with the reduced amount of cement, is able to meet the TCLP arsenic and lead standards. The use of lime alone could meet the TCLP arsenic standard, but lead leaching concentrations exceeded leaching Pb standard. The results of semi-dynamic leaching tests of some solidified samples indicate higher accumulated arsenic leaching concentrations after only a few leachant renewals.     

基于地球化学标准化方法的平湖市农田土壤重金属污染评价

运用地球化学标准化方法评价浙江省平湖市农田土壤重金属污染状况.结果显示,约50%的农田土壤受到了重金属人为污染,其中除了5.6%的农田土壤受到了Hg中度人为污染外,其余均为轻微人为污染.每种重金属元素的地球化学基线值均可信,Cr、Pb、Cu、Zn、Ni和As与标准化元素Al线性相关性较好,而Hg和Cd与Al线性相关性不好,原因可能与后者受人类活动或土壤环境影响较大有关;多变量聚类分析结果表明,平湖市农田土壤重金属元素组成特征为Cd一族、Hg一族,而Cu、Pb、Ni、As、Cr和Zn为一组合族.