丽水市大气污染的时空分布特征及与气象要素的相关分析

利用2007-2010年丽水市逐日大气污染物浓度数据和地面气象观测资料,对PM10、SO2、NO23种大气污染物浓度进行了时空分布特征研究,进而探讨了气象要素对大气污染的影响.结果表明:2007-2010年,丽水市主要的3种大气污染物的负荷为PM10＞ NO2 ＞SO2,影响大气环境质量的污染物以PM10为主;总体来说,NO2的月均浓度基本达到《环境空气质量标准》(GB3095-1996)-级标准,冬半年(9-12月、1-2月)SO2的月均浓度仅达到二级标准,而夏半年(3-8月)月均浓度基本达到一级标准,PM10的月均浓度都达到二级标准(0.10 mg/m3);在空间分布上,PM10、NO2的年均浓度都表现出东向西逐渐减少的特征,而SO2年均浓度主要体现为南向北递增的特征,3种大气污染物在空间上都表现为在东部缙云、青田等地的污染相对严重,而在西面的遂昌、龙泉等地的污染程度较轻;各种气象要素对大气污染的影响中,除了气压与3种大气污染物的浓度呈极显著正相关外,其他气象要素都表现为负相关,只是影响程度有所差异.气象要素对大气污染的影响不是单一作用的,而是通过多种气象要素相互配合、相互作用、综合反应来产生作用的.     

不对称街谷内PM_(2.5)浓度垂直分布特征及成因

当前细颗粒物PM2.5已成为城市环境的主要污染物,研究城市不对称街谷内PM2.5浓度的垂直分布特征,对居民日常生活与健康出行有现实意义。实验选取2013年3个不同阶段对高度在1~35 m范围的街谷进行PM2.5浓度监测,同时引用街谷内流场模型与浓度场模型,对PM2.5浓度垂直分布特征及成因进行探究。结果表明,不对称街谷受大气对流、风速、风向影响,街谷内细颗粒物存在不均匀分布特点,在较高侧随着壁面高度的增加PM2.5浓度大体呈"S"型曲线变化。同时在同一阶段监测的4天中街谷内PM2.5浓度分布特征大体一致,而阶段之间差异明显;街谷内PM2.5浓度垂直分布的最高浓度差出现在阶段1,高达75μg/m3,阶段2与阶段3浓度差相对减弱,仅在20~30μg/m3之间。通过阶段2与阶段3对比可知,北京冬季供暖燃煤对大气细颗粒物的贡献较大,导致颗粒物浓度偏高;而非采暖期气温回升,大气对流作用较强,有助于大气颗粒物扩散,因而街谷内PM2.5污染程度相对较低。     

百色市右江区大气PM10中水溶性无机离子的化学特征与来源

2010年10月至2011年9月采集百色市右江区大气PM10样品,分析PM10及其水溶性无机离子的化学特征与来源。结果表明:(1)百色市右江区大气PM10为13.89～319.44μg/m3,年均117.48μg/m3,年均值超过《环境空气质量标准》(GB 3095-2012)二级标准(100μg/m3)。百色市右江区大气可吸入颗粒物的污染主要出现在春冬季节。(2)水溶性无机离子浓度年均值依次为SO24->NO3->Cl->NH4+>K+>Na+>Mg2+>F-,SO24-、NO3-和Cl-浓度最高,分别占水溶性无机离子的57.7%、14.9%和14.5%。(3)百色市右江区大气PM10呈较强的酸性,高浓度的SO42-可能是导致百色市右江区大气PM10呈较强酸性的主要原因。(4)PM10的季节变化受气温和风速的影响极显著;气象因素对SO42-、NO3-、F-的影响不显著。(5)主因子分析表明,PM10中水溶性无机离子可能来自3个方面,Cl-和NO3-主要来自于当地低烟卤煤燃烧排放的烟气;Mg2+、K+和Na+主要来自于自然源;F-、SO24-和NH4+主要来自于混合源。     

西安采暖期PM2.5及其水溶性无机离子的时段分布特征

为了探讨西安市采暖期大气颗粒物PM2.5及其水溶性无机成分的污染水平,于2010年1月4日—2月1日按一天8个时段(每个时段3 h)连续采集PM2.5样品四周,每周更换一次滤膜。结果显示,西安市采暖期PM2.5的质量浓度时段差异较大,呈现明显的双峰分布特征:21:00—24:00时段(147.516μg/m3)和09:00—12:00时段(141.678μg/m3)。4种被测水溶性无机组分总浓度为39.801μg/m3,占PM2.5总浓度的30.5%。SO24-和NO3-是最主要组分,占到4种无机组分的86.2%。各离子间相关分析显示,Cl-只与NO3-有较强的相关性,表明机动车尾气对Cl-有较大的贡献。SO24-和NO3-时段分布规律较为相似,与PM2.5浓度的时段分布特征相反:在PM2.5污染最轻的15:00—18:00时段,SO24-和NO3-的相对含量达到一天中的最高浓度时段,而在PM2.5双峰时段,它们的含量有所降低。     

APEC会议期间天津市PM_(2.5)中水溶性无机离子的污染特征

2014年11月6—11日,亚太经济合作组织(APEC)会议在北京市召开,京津冀区域采取了最高级别的空气质量保障措施。于2014年11月3—20日同步手动采集天津市PM2.5样品,对APEC会议期间(2014年11月3—11日,在此期间实施了空气质量保障措施)及会议后(2014年11月12—20日)天津市PM2.5中水溶性无机离子组分浓度、二次转化特征等进行了分析。结果表明,APEC会议期间,天津市PM2.5平均质量浓度为78μg/m3,而会议后达到87μg/m3;会议期间PM2.5中水溶性无机离子的浓度为NO-3SO2-4NH+4Cl-K+Na+Ca2+Mg2+,会议后,除Mg2+外,各项离子浓度均有不同程度的上升;会议期间,PM2.5中NO-3浓度最高,在水溶性无机离子中所占比例为38.9%,其次为SO2-4(为22.0%)、NH+4(为20.8%),3者所占比例合计为81.7%,会议后3者所占比例降至75.0%;会议期间的大气污染以流动源为主;会议后,硫氧化率和氮氧化率均不同程度减弱,说明会议期间的二次离子转化更为明显;会议期间的停工停产措施对PM2.5中一次离子来源有明显改变,城市扬尘得到明显抑制。     

南宁市2018年春节前后PM1及其水溶性离子污染特征分析

利用在线气体及气溶胶成分监测系统(MARGA)对南宁市2018年春节期间(2月8—22日)大气PM1及其水溶性离子进行监测,对比分析春节前后PM1及其水溶性离子的污染特征.结果表明,监测期间大气PM1和PM2.5质量浓度平均值分别为40.40、63.50μg/m3,PM1是PM2.5中的主要成分,二次离子(NO3-、S...     

重庆市核心区黑碳气溶胶浓度特征以及影响因素分析

2013年4月至2014年2月期间利用重庆市大气超级站的黑碳气溶胶(black carbon,BC)、气态污染物(SO2、NOx和O3)和颗粒物观测数据,分析了重庆市BC浓度的变化特征及与能见度、颗粒物以及SO2、NOx和O3气态污染物的相关性。观测期间BC年日均值为(4.86±2.37)μg/m3,浓度范围为1.32~11.54μg/m3。秋冬季BC日均浓度及相对偏差比春夏季高。BC和能见度呈负相关性。4个季度的BC与PM10、PM2.5和PM1日均值显著正相关,相关系数最小在夏季,最大在秋季。BC与O3日均值呈负相关性。BC与SO2,NOx日均值显著正相关,表明重庆市BC与SO2,NOx来源相近,即为燃煤和机动车尾气排放。     

珠三角地区大气PM_(2.5)理化特性季节规律与成因

基于珠三角大气超级站2013年8月至2014年3月PM2.5、PM2.5中主要水溶性无机离子组分及其重要气态前体物等参数的逐时在线监测结果,揭示当地大气PM2.5中二次无机组分与其气态前体物的相互作用,以及PM2.5理化特性与成因的季节差异。结果表明,观测期间,PM2.5、PM10的年平均质量浓度分别为64.2、105.1μg/m3,PM2.5在PM10中所占比例(PM2.5/PM10)平均为61.1%。SO2-4、NO-3、NH+4的年平均质量浓度分别为16.6、9.0、10.2μg/m3,3者之和(SNA)占PM2.5的比例(SNA/PM2.5)平均为55.8%,体现了二次转化对珠三角地区PM2.5污染的重要影响;不同季节,SNA/PM2.5为46.0%~64.3%,夏季最低,冬季最高,其中SO2-4、NH+4对PM2.5的贡献相对稳定,NO-3贡献的季节差异较大;秋、冬季各项观测参数浓度的日变化规律相对明显,夏季除HNO3和NH3外,多项观测参数在低浓度水平波动,日变化规律不明显;珠三角大气中具有足量气态NH3以中和硫酸盐和硝酸盐,PM2.5中NH+4、SO2-4、NO-3主要以(NH4)2SO4和NH4NO3形式存在;本研究站点夏季的硫氧化率和氮氧化率均高于广州市,这充分体现了该站点的区域性特征。     

汾渭平原采暖期与非采暖期大气环境质量时空变化特征研究

采暖期重污染天气频发,成为大气环境质量改善的难点。汾渭平原刚被划为中国环境治理的重点区域,大气污染形势十分严峻。基于2014—2018年PM2.5、SO_2、NO_2、O_3和CO等污染物监测数据及空气质量指数,分析了汾渭平原采暖期和非采暖期大气环境质量的时空变化特征。结果表明:(1)采暖期PM_(2.5)、SO_2、NO_2和CO浓度均高于非采暖期,非采暖期PM_(2.5)相比采暖期低42%～54%,采暖期SO_2、NO_2和CO的平均浓度分别是非采暖期的2.7、1.5、1.6倍,而非采暖期O_3平均浓度是采暖期的2.2倍;(2)PM_(2.5)和SO_2为采暖期首要污染物,O_3为非采暖期首要污染物;(3)采暖期和非采暖期三省交界处和临汾的PM2.5浓度均较高,采暖期气态污染物的空间分布与非采暖期基本相似,其中SO_2浓度的空间分布为山西境内河南境内陕西境内;(4)采暖期PM_(2.5)与SO_2、NO_2、CO浓度均呈正相关,与O_3呈负相关,非采暖期SO_2、NO_2和CO随PM_(2.5)浓度呈一致变化趋势,均先上升后下降,与采暖期的变化趋势并不相同;(5)采暖对PM_(2.5)和SO_2的年平均贡献率分别为34.9%和42.1%。     

冬季沈阳市典型源排放PM_(10)浓度分布模拟分析

选取沈阳市7个典型的大气污染源2006年12月~2007年2月的PM10排放浓度资料,利用CALPUFF对PM10浓度月平均分布做模拟分析。模拟结果分析表明:冬季月平均PM10浓度分布的范围与风场、地形有直接的关系。地势平坦、风速大时,污染物扩散范围大,污染物浓度小;地势不平、风速小时,污染物扩散范围小,污染物浓度大。1月份是沈阳市冬季月平均大气污染最严重的月份,污染物分布主要集中在市区的北部、东部和南部地区,东部地区大气污染最为严重。     

Chloroaromatic pollutants in mussels incubated in two finnish watercourses polluted by industry

Concentrations of different chlorinated compounds were measured in mussels incubated in two polluted watercourses, a river (the River Kymijoki) and a lake (Lake Vanaja) for four weeks in summer 1995. The sum concentrations of polychlorinated phenols (PCP) and biphenyls (PCB) were both about 1 μg/g lipid weight (lw) in Lake Vanaja mussels, while in the River Kymijoki mussels PCPs were non-detectable and PCBs were measured 120 ng/g lIw. The concentrations of toxic polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and dibenzofuran (PCDF) congeners ranged between <17 and 370 pg/g Iw in Lake Vanaja mussels and between <38 and 11,000 pg/g lw in the River Kymijoki mussels. Polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDE) were detected in the mussels incubated in the River Kymijoki (0.4–1.1 ng/g Iw), but not in those incubated in Lake Vanaja. Polychlorinated phenoxyanisoles (PCPA) were measured 33 ng/g lw and polychlorinated phenoxyphenols (PCPP) 300 ng/g lw in the mussels incubated in the River Kymijoki. PCPAs were also detected in reference samples, which were sediment and pike from the River Kymijoki and Baltic salmon, seal and white-tailed sea eagle.     

Book review

The Pesticide Manual ‐ A World Compendium, 8th Edition, C.R. Worthing, Editor and S.B. Walker, Assistant Editor, British Crop Protection Council, BCPC Publications Sales, Bear Farm, Binfield, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 5QE, England. 1987, 1100 pp., UK £50; Overseas £56. ISBN 0–948404–01–9.     

Organochlorine compounds in a three-step terrestrial food chain

The concentrations of 15 organochlorine chemicals (PCBs and pesticides) were studied in a Central European oak wood food chain system: Great tit (Parus major), caterpillars (Tortrix viridana, Operophtera brumata, Erannis defoliaria), and oak-leaves (Quercus robur). Juvenile tits receive organochlorines from the mother via egg transfer and, eventually to a greater extent, from the caterpillar food source during nestling period. The concentrations of PCB 153 (2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl, the most abundant in this study) was found in leaf material at ca. 1 ng/g, in caterpillars 10 ng/g, and in bird eggs 170 ng/g on an average and on a dry mass basis.     

The chemical stability of formulations of some hydrolyzable insecticides in aqueous mixtures with hydrolysis catalysts

Abstract

The active ingredients in commercial formulations of malathion, oxamyl, carbaryl, diazinon, and chlorpyrifos diluted to “spray tank”; concentrations with buffered distilled or natural water of pH 4–9 were stable for at least 24 hr. Formulations of trichlorfon were not stable at pH 7 or above but disappearance rates were slower than for the pure chemical in homogeneous solution. Cupric ion was observed to be an effective catalyst for the hydrolysis of a variety of pure organophosphorus insecticides but did not catalyze hydrolysis of the active ingredients of the formulations examined. Increasing the dilution of the formulation increased the susceptibility of malathion, oxamyl, and carbaryl to hydrolysis.     

Observations on the influence of water and soil pH on the persistence of insecticides

Abstract

The pH‐disappearance rate profiles were determined at ca. 25°C for 24 insecticides at 4 or 5 pH values over the range 4.5 to 8.0 in sterile phosphate buffers prepared in water‐ethanol (99: 1 v/v). Half‐lives measured at pH 8 were generally smaller than at lower pH values. Changes in half lives between pH 8.0 and 4.5 were largest (>1000x) for the aryl carbamates, carbofuran and carbaryl, the oxime carbamate, oxamyl, and the organophosphorus insecticide, trichlorfon. In contrast, half lives of phorate, terbufos, heptachlor, fensulfothion and aldicarb were affected only slightly by pH changes. Under the experimental conditions described half lives at pH8 varied from 1–2 days for trichlorfon and oxamyl to >1 year for fensulfothion and cyper‐methrin. Insecticide persistence on alumina (acid, neutral and basic), mineral soils amended with aluminum sulfate or calcium hydroxide to different pH values and four natural soils of different pH was examined. No correlation was observed between the measured pH of these solids and the rate of disappearance of selected insecticides applied to them. These observations demonstrate the difficulty of extrapolating the pH dependent disappearance behaviour observed in homogeneous solution to partially solid heterogeneous systems such as soil.     

Evaluation of trichloroethene recovery processes in heterogeneous aquifer cells flushed with biodegradable surfactants

The ability of two biodegradable surfactants, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80) and sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate (Aerosol MA), to recover a representative dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL), trichloroethene (TCE), from heterogeneous porous media was evaluated through a combination of batch and aquifer cell experiments. An aqueous solution containing 3.3% Aerosol MA, 8% 2-propanol and 6 g/l CaCl(2) yielded a weight solubilization ratio (WSR) of 1.21 g TCE/g surfactant, with a corresponding liquid-liquid interfacial tension (IFT) of 0.19 dyn/cm. Flushing of aquifer cells containing a TCE-DNAPL source zone with approximately two pore volumes of the AMA formulation resulted in substantial (>30%) mobilization of TCE-DNAPL. However, a TCE mass recovery of 81% was achieved when the aqueous-phase flow rate was sufficient to displace the mobile TCE-DNAPL toward the effluent well. Aqueous solutions of Tween 80 exhibited a greater capacity to solubilize TCE (WSR=1.74 g TCE/g surfactant) and exerted markedly less reduction in IFT (10.4 dyn/cm). These data contradict an accepted empirical correlation used to estimate IFT values from solubilization capacity, and indicate a unique capacity of T80 to form concentrated TCE emulsions. Flushing of aquifer cells with less than 2.5 pore volumes of a 4% T80 solution achieved TCE mass recoveries ranging from 66 to 85%, with only slight TCE-DNAPL mobilization (<5%) occurring when the total trapping number exceeded 2 x 10(-5). These findings demonstrate the ability of Tween 80 and Aerosol MA solutions to efficiently recover TCE from a heterogeneous DNAPL source zone, and the utility of the total trapping number as a design parameter for a priori prediction of DNAPL mobilization and bank angle formation when flushing with low-IFT solutions. Given their potential to stimulate microbial reductive dechlorination at low concentrations, these surfactants are well-suited for remedial action plans that couple aggressive mass removal followed by enhanced bioremediation to treat chlorinated solvent source zones.     

Radionuclides in pinon pine (Pinus edulis) nuts from los alamos national laboratory lands and the dose from consumption

Abstract

One of the dominant tree species growing within and around the eastern portion of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM, lands is the pinon pine (Pinus edulis). Pinon pine is used for firewood, fence posts, and building materials and is a source of nuts for food—the seeds are consumed by a wide variety of animals and are also gathered by people in the area and eaten raw or roasted. This study investigated the (1) concentration of ³H, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr, ^totU, ²³⁸Pu, ^{239, 240}Pu, and²⁴¹ Am in soils (0‐ to 12‐in. [31 cm] depth underneath the tree), pinon pine shoots (PPS), and pinon pine nuts (PPN) collected from LANL lands and regional background (BG) locations, (2) committed effective dose equivalent (CEDE) from the ingestion of nuts, and (3) soil to PPS to PPN concentration ratios (CRs). Most radionuclides, with the exception of ³H in soils, were not significantly higher (p < 0.10) in soils, PPS, and PPN collected from LANL as compared to BG locations, and concentrations of most radionuclides in PPN from LANL have decreased over time. The maximum net CEDE (the CEDE plus two sigma minus BG) at the most conservative ingestion rate (10 lb [4.5 kg]) was 0.0018 mrem (0.018 μSv); this is far below the International Commission on Radiological Protection (all pathway) permissible dose limit of 100 mrem (1000 μSv). Soil‐to‐nut CRs for most radionuclides were within the range of default values in the literature for common fruits and vegetables.     

Degradation and sorption of imidacloprid in dissimilar surface and subsurface soils

Degradation and sorption/desorption are important processes affecting the leaching of pesticides through soil. This research characterized the degradation and sorption of imidacloprid (1-[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine) in Drummer (silty clay loam) and Exeter (sandy loam) surface soils and their corresponding subsurface soils using sequential extraction methods over 400 days. By the end of the incubation, approximately 55% of imidacloprid applied at a rate of 1.0 mg kg^?1 degraded in the Exeter sandy loam surface and subsurface soils, compared to 40% of applied imidacloprid within 300 days in Drummer surface and subsurface soils. At the 0.1 mg kg^?1 application rate, dissipation was slower for all four soils. Water-extractable imidacloprid in Exeter surface soil decreased from 98% of applied at day 1 to > 70% of the imidacloprid remaining after 400 d, as compared to 55% in the Drummer surface soil at day 1 and 12% at day 400. These data suggest that imidacloprid was bioavailable to degrading soil microorganisms and sorption/desorption was not the limiting factor for biodegradation. In subsurface soils > 40% of ¹⁴C-benzoic acid was mineralized over 21 days, demonstrating an active microbial community. In contrast, cumulative ¹⁴CO₂ was less than 1.5% of applied ¹⁴C-imidacloprid in all soils over 400 d. Qualitative differences in the microbial communities appear to limit the degradation of imidacloprid in the subsurface soils.     

Biochemical interaction of six op delayed neurotoxicants with several neurotargets

Abstract

Five organophosphorous insecticides: Leptophos, EPN, Cyano‐fenphos, trichloronate and salithion proved to cause irreversible ataxia not only to chicken but also to mice and sheep. TOCP was included as a reference. Cyanofenphos blocked the catecholamine B‐receptor binding activity with ³H‐norepinephrine at a level similar to that of the specific inhibitor propranolol in the mouse heart preparation. In the lamb heart preparation, the B‐receptor was more sensitive to Leptophos, salithion and TOCP than to propranolol. The six compounds and their oxons were screened for their in‐vitro inhibition to monamine oxidase (MAO), acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) and neurotoxic esterase (NTE) in the brain of either mouse, lamb or chicken. It is believed that their AChE inhibition stands for their acute toxicity, while NTE inhibition is responsible for their paralytic ataxia.     

Phytoextraction of lead-contaminated soil using vetivergrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vetiveria zizanioides</Emphasis> L.), cogongrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Imperata cylindrica</Emphasis> L.) and carabaograss (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paspalum conjugatum</Emphasis> L.)

Background, Aims and Scope The global problem concerning contamination of the environment as a consequence of human activities is increasing. Most of the environmental contaminants are chemical by-products and heavy metals such as lead (Pb). Lead released into the environment makes its way into the air, soil and water. Lead contributes to a variety of health effects such as decline in mental, cognitive and physical health of the individual. An alternative way of reducing Pb concentration from the soil is through phytoremediation. Phytoremediation is an alternative method that uses plants to clean up a contaminated area. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the survival rate and vegetative characteristics of three grass species such as vetivergrass, cogongrass and carabaograss grown in soils with different Pb levels; and (2) to determine and compare the ability of the three grass species as potential phytoremediators in terms of Pb accumulation by plants. Methods The three test plants: vetivergrass (Vetiveria zizanioides L.); cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica L.); and carabaograss (Paspalum conjugatum L.) were grown in individual plastic bags containing soils with 75 mg kg⁻¹ (37.5 kg ha⁻¹) and 150 mg kg⁻¹ (75 kg ha⁻¹) of Pb, respectively. The Pb contents of the test plants and the soil were analyzed before and after experimental treatments using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. This study was laid out following a 3 × 2 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design. Results On the vegetative characteristics of the test plants, vetivergrass registered the highest whole plant dry matter weight (33.85–39.39 Mg ha⁻¹). Carabaograss had the lowest herbage mass production of 4.12 Mg ha⁻¹ and 5.72 Mg ha⁻¹ from soils added with 75 and 150 mg Pb kg⁻¹, respectively. Vetivergrass also had the highest percent plant survival which meant it best tolerated the Pb contamination in soils. Vetivergrass registered the highest rate of Pb absorption (10.16 ± 2.81 mg kg⁻¹). This was followed by cogongrass (2.34 ± 0.52 mg kg⁻¹) and carabaograss with a mean Pb level of 0.49 ± 0.56 mg kg⁻¹. Levels of Pb among the three grasses (shoots + roots) did not vary significantly with the amount of Pb added (75 and 150 mg kg⁻¹) to the soil. Discussion Vetivergrass yielded the highest biomass; it also has the greatest amount of Pb absorbed (roots + shoots). This can be attributed to the highly extensive root system of vetivergrass with the presence of an enormous amount of root hairs. Extensive root system denotes more contact to nutrients in soils, therefore more likelihood of nutrient absorption and Pb uptake. The efficiency of plants as phytoremediators could be correlated with the plants’ total biomass. This implies that the higher the biomass, the greater the Pb uptake. Plants characteristically exhibit remarkable capacity to absorb what they need and exclude what they do not need. Some plants utilize exclusion mechanisms, where there is a reduced uptake by the roots or a restricted transport of the metals from root to shoots. Combination of high metal accumulation and high biomass production results in the most metal removal from the soil. Conclusions The present study indicated that vetivergrass possessed many beneficial characteristics to uptake Pb from contaminated soil. It was the most tolerant and could grow in soil contaminated with high Pb concentration. Cogongrass and carabaograss are also potential phytoremediators since they can absorb small amount of Pb in soils, although cogongrass is more tolerant to Pb-contaminated soil compared with carabaograss. The important implication of our findings is that vetivergrass can be used for phytoextraction on sites contaminated with high levels of heavy metals; particularly Pb. Recommendations and Perspectives High levels of Pb in localized areas are still a concern especially in urban areas with high levels of traffic, near Pb smelters, battery plants, or industrial facilities that burn fuel ending up in water and soils. The grasses used in the study, and particularly vetivergrass, can be used to phytoremediate urban soil with various contaminations by planting these grasses in lawns and public parks. ESS-Submission Editor: Dr. Willie Peijnenburg (wjgm.peijnenburg@rivm.nl)