基于改性凹凸棒土的强化混凝处理高藻低浊原水工艺

针对水厂低浊高藻水的处理难题,研究了改性凹凸棒土(改性凹土)联合聚合氯化铝(PAC)强化混凝的除藻除浊效果。设计实验原水条件为叶绿素a(chl-a)浓度为98.58~110.35μg/L,浊度(5.6±0.5)NTU。考察了PAC和改性凹土的复配投加量、混凝沉淀时间、pH、投加顺序、搅拌速率等工艺参数对Chl-a和浊度耦合去除效果的影响。结果表明,"PAC+改性凹土"对Chl-a和浊度的去除效果明显优于单投PAC的效果。当PAC投药量12 mg/L,改性凹土投药量10 mg/L,沉淀时间20 min时,对Chl-a和浊度的去除率可分别达到92.5%和89.2%,可至少减少40%的PAC投量,且形成的矾花密实,沉降速度快,去除效率高。最适pH范围为7~8。投加顺序应为先投加改性凹土,混合搅拌转数宜慢速,可控制为50 r/min。     

混凝法去除城市生活污水中抗性基因

采用聚合氯化铝(PACl)和聚合硫酸铁(PFS)混凝处理城市生活污水(格栅出水和二级出水),考察混凝剂投加量、p H值对污水中抗生素抗性基因(ARGs)的去除率影响。结果表明,随着PACl和PFS投加量的增加,污水中目标基因的去除率先升高后降低;在p H 3~10的范围内,PACl对目标基因的去除效果随p H值的增加而降低,PFS对目标基因的去除随着p H值的增加先升高后降低。对于格栅出水,PACl和PFS的最佳投加量为400 mg/L,基因的去除率分别达到2.33~2.97 log和0.98~2.11 log,对于二级出水,PACl和PFS的最佳投加量分别为200 mg/L和150 mg/L,基因的去除率分别为1.85~2.64log、1.81~2.46 log;混凝去除最优p H条件分别为p H=3(投加PACl)及p H=5~6(投加PFS)。PACl的处理效果优于PFS。     

氢氧化钠改性沸石对水中Cu~(2+)的吸附特性研究

利用氢氧化钠对天然沸石进行改性,将天然沸石和改性沸石用于吸附去除水中的Cu~(2+),分析了p H、温度、Cu~(2+)初始浓度、吸附时间对Cu~(2+)吸附性能的影响,并对吸附过程的吸附等温模型及吸附动力学进行研究。结果表明,改性沸石对Cu~(2+)的吸附性能明显优于天然沸石,当沸石投加量为10 g/L,Cu~(2+)为200 mg/L,p H为6.67,温度为50℃时,天然沸石和改性沸石对Cu~(2+)的吸附量分别为2.02、2.69 mg/g。Langmuir和Freundlich吸附等温模型均能较好地描述两种沸石对Cu~(2+)的吸附过程。天然沸石对Cu~(2+)的吸附行为更符合准一级动力学方程,而准二级动力学方程对改性沸石的吸附行为拟合度更好。两种沸石对Cu~(2+)的吸附均为非均相吸附,且内扩散过程不是唯一的速控步骤。     

焦化废水除氰工艺的优化研究

对某焦化厂生化出水进行了除氰研究。对硫酸亚铁混凝除氰法进行了优化,采用沉淀净化法对其出水进行深度处理,考察了工艺中不同影响因素对总氰化物(TCN)去除效果的影响。结果表明,硫酸亚铁混凝除氰法的最佳反应条件为pH 5.00、FeSO4·7H2O投加量500mg/L、反应时间15min、沉淀时间30min;在此条件下,当原水TCN质量浓度为3.1~4.1mg/L时,出水TCN质量浓度达到0.60~0.70mg/L,需作进一步的深度处理。采用沉淀净化法处理硫酸亚铁混凝除氰法出水的最佳反应条件为先同时投加药剂A和药剂B,投加量分别为150、0.75mg/L,反应15min后,再按2mg/L投加药剂C,继续反应3min,最终出水TCN质量浓度低于0.1mg/L,达到《炼焦化学工业污染物排放标准》(GB 16171—2012)要求(氰化物排放限值为0.2mg/L);在此条件下,单位废水处理的药剂成本合计约为0.25元/t。     

PAFC对水体中持久性有机污染物PFOA的混凝效果

针对含全氟辛酸(PFOA)的工业废水及应对PFOA的污染突发事件,采用PAFC及其复配粘土矿物凹凸棒和沸石进行混凝实验,并对几个影响因素进行了考察。结果表明,在PAFC的最佳投加量10 mg/L时,PFOA和浊度的去除率分别达到70.25%和99.42%,PAFC混凝处理PFOA的效果优于PAC;pH值对PAFC去除PFOA有一定的影响,当pH大于6时有利于PFOA的去除;PFOA和浊度的去除率随原始浊度的增加而增加;活性炭、盐酸改性凹凸棒、盐酸改性沸石、CT-MAB改性的沸石复配PAFC均可提高PFOA的去除率;改性处理后的沸石应用于PFOA的处理中,有望降低处理成本。     

铝锰复合氧化物负载沸石对氨氮和磷的同步吸附特性

采用氧化还原-共沉淀法将铝锰复合氧化物负载到沸石表面制成颗粒型吸附材料,探究了该吸附剂同步去除氨氮(NH_4~+-N)和磷(P)的吸附动力学和吸附等温线特征,并讨论了吸附剂投加量和溶液p H值对吸附效果的影响。结果表明:铝锰复合氧化物改性沸石(aluminum-manganese bimetal oxide coated zeolite,AMOCZ)对NH_4~+-N及P的吸附动力学曲线均符合拟二阶吸附动力学方程的特征;NH_4~+-N的吸附等温线数据可用Freundlich方程进行较好地拟合,而Langmuir方程更适用于描述P的吸附等温线特征。NH_4~+-N和P共存时,两者在AMOCZ表面的饱和吸附量分别从单独体系下的1.24和6.43mg·g~(-1)变为8.17和6.51 mg·g~(-1)。这说明P的存在可显著促进AMOCZ对NH_4~+-N的吸附,而NH_4~+-N的存在对P的吸附无显著影响。此外,复合污染条件下,P的存在在p H=3~10范围内均能促进AMOCZ对NH_4~+-N的吸附;NH_4~+-N在p H为3~8时对P的吸附起促进作用,p H大于8时则会抑制AMOCZ对P的吸附。     

改性ZSM-5介孔沸石分子筛对焦化尾水吸附行为及动力学

通过改性制备了具有二次介孔的沸石分子筛(ZSM-5m),使用SEM、N2吸附-脱附等温线和XRD对材料的结构进行了表征。以焦化尾水残余有机污染物(ROPs)为研究对象,探讨ZSM-5m对ROPs的吸附行为和动力学。结果表明,溶液初始p H和吸附剂投加量对吸附效率均有一定的影响,ZSM-5m吸附量明显高于ZSM-5。在初始COD为150~350 mg/L,p H为3.0,投加量为2.0 g/L,吸附300 min后,ZSM-5m对COD去除率达到57.5%~69.7%,吸附量达到14.9~25.1 mg/g。吸附动力学拟合结果显示,可以更好地用假二级动力学方程和Elovich模型来描述;动边界模型推算表明,吸附的主要速度控制步骤为颗粒内扩散,温度升高,颗粒扩散控制作用减弱,表观活化能为12.58 k J/mol。推测ZSM-5m对ROPs的吸附是非均相扩散为主,带有复杂转化的物理吸附和化学吸附过程。     

不同沸石材料对沼液中磷素静态吸附去除

集中型沼液磷含量较高,处理不当极易造成二次污染。为了寻找高效磷吸附基质,以天然斜发沸石(TRF)、微波与氯化钠联合改性沸石(WLF)、CPB改性沸石(CPBF)、微米级(WF)及亚微米级(YWF)2种粉煤灰合成沸石为研究对象,对磷的热力学吸附解吸以及动力学进行研究,并对影响沼液中磷吸附的温度,沸石投加量、pH等因素进行探讨。结果表明,在投加量为10 g/100 mL时,TRF、WLF、CPBF、YWF、WF 5种沸石材料对实际沼液磷去除率分别达到24.24%、22.45%、28.56%、48.63%、40.22%;在15～35℃范围内,温度的升高有利于除CPBF以外的其他4种沸石材料对沼液磷的吸附;在pH从3.5～10.5的变化范围内,YWF、WF对沼液磷的吸附量变化幅度要大于其他沸石材料。与其他3种沸石材料相比,2种粉煤灰合成沸石具有更高的磷吸附量和吸附速率以及更低的解吸率,因此具有较大的沼液除磷优势,是优良的吸附材料。     

CPB改性沸石对磷酸盐的吸附-解吸性能研究

采用溴化十六烷基吡啶(CPB)对天然沸石进行改性,并考察了CPB改性沸石对磷酸盐的吸附-解吸性能。结果表明,CPB改性沸石对磷酸盐具备一定的吸附能力,且吸附行为满足Langmuir等温吸附模型;粒径、改性剂投加量、反应温度、pH值及共存阴离子等因素均会影响CPB改性沸石对磷酸盐的吸附能力;减小粒径和降低反应温度均有利于CPB改性沸石对磷酸盐的吸附去除;粒径≤0.18 mm CPB改性沸石吸附磷酸盐较优的改性剂投加量为250 mmol/kg;当溶液的初始pH值位于4~10之间时CPB改性沸石对磷酸盐的吸附能力随pH值的增加而增强;SO42-的存在会明显降低CPB改性沸石对磷酸盐的吸附效率,而提高溶液的pH值有助于消除SO42-存在对CPB改性沸石吸附磷酸盐的负面影响;HCO3-的存在会一定程度上抑制CPB改性沸石对磷酸盐的吸附去除,而提高溶液的pH值无法消除HCO3-存在对CPB改性沸石吸附磷酸盐的负面影响;CPB改性沸石吸附磷酸盐后一定条件下可以重新解吸出来,且随着解吸液SO42-浓度的增加解吸率明显增大。     

沸石对降雨径流中氨氮的吸附特性

城市面源污染是重要水体污染源之一,降雨发生时,雨水径流会携带累积在路面、屋面的含有机物、氮磷、重金属等污染物质进入水体,其中氮磷是造成水体富营养化的重要因素。针对这一情况,采用不同种类沸石,对雨水径流中的氮磷进行了吸附研究,着重考察了沸石对氨氮的吸附动力学,吸附等温线特征,并考察了p H、共存阳离子以及COD对吸附能力的影响。结果表明,Na型改性沸石吸附性能优于其他2种,饱和吸附量达到9.09 mg/g,沸石的吸附过程符合准二级动力学模型。Mg2+、Ca2+对Na型改性沸石的影响较大,Na型改性沸石吸附氨氮的适宜p H为5~8。本研究为探索用物化方法来处理雨水提供了依据,Na型改性沸石可以作为吸附雨水中氨氮的优选吸附剂。     

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)