Studies on mycorrhizal inoculation on dry matter yield and root colonization of some medicinal plants grown in stress and forest soils

Five medicinal plants viz. Abelmoschatus moschatus Linn., Clitoria tematea L., Plumbagozeylanica L., Psorolea corylifolia L. and Withania sominifera L. were grown in a polypot experiment in five soils representing coal mine soil, coppermine soil, fly ash, skeletal soil and forest soil with and without mycorrhizal inoculations in a completely randomized block design. Dry matter yield and mycorrhizal root colonization of plants varied both in uninoculated and inoculated conditions. The forest soil rendered highest dry matter due to higher yield of A. moschatus, P. zeylanica and P corylifolia while fly ash showed lowest dry matter without any inoculants. P. cematea were best in coalmine soil and W. sominifera in copper mine soil without mycorrhizal inoculation. The mycorrhiza was found to enhance the dry matter yield. This contributed minimum 0.19% to maximum up to 422.0% in different soils as compared to uninoculated plants. The mycorrhizal dependency was noticed maximum in plants grown in fly ash followed by coal mine soil, copper mine soil, skeletal soil and forest soil. The mycorrhizal response was increased maximum in W. sominifera due to survival in fly ash after inoculation followed by P corylifolia and P cematea. Percent root colonization in inoculated plant was increased minimum of 1.10 fold to maximum of 12.0 folds in comparison to un-inoculated plants . The native mycorrhiza fungi were also observed to colonize 4.0 to 32.0% roots in plants understudy. This study suggests that mycorrhizal inoculation increased the dry matter yield of medicinal plants in all soils under study. It also helps in survival of W. sominifera in fly ash.     

Temporal changes of Collembola population and alterations of life history parameters and acetylcholinesterase and superoxide dismutase activities in Cyphoderus javanus (Collembola) as biomarkers of fly ash pollution in lateritic soil

Fly ash is applied in agricultural fields to improve soil quality and crop yield; however, there are concerns regarding environmental hazards and toxicity to ecologically important soil organisms. The soil microarthropod fauna is a vital component of detritus food web, and major groups like Collembola are sensitive indicators of soil quality; however, information is scanty on their biomarker potentials against xenobiotics in tropical soils. The present study was aimed to evaluate temporal changes of Collembola population in fly ash amended field plots, and assess the biomarker potentials of life history parameters and biochemical responses such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in Cyphoderus javanus Borner (Collembola, Insecta), exposed to fly ash treated soil in microcosms. The field study using 5% (50 t ha^?1) and 20% (200 t ha^?1) doses of fly ash revealed dose-dependent and persistent decline in the density and relative abundance of Collembola population in sandy loam lateritic soil. The microcosm experiments showed negligible lethal effect of fly ash on C. javanus, but major life history parameters namely survival success, fecundity, and molting were significantly inhibited by fly ash treatments. The activity of AChE was downregulated, whereas activity of SOD was upregulated within 7 days of exposure of C. javanus to fly ash treated soil. These biological and biochemical parameters in Collembola are potential biomarkers, and therefore, the effects of fly ash are significant in C. javanus, an ecologically relevant species in the tropical soils of India.     

Cadmium contamination in Tianjin agricultural soils and sediments: relative importance of atmospheric deposition from coal combustion

Cadmium (Cd) in coal, fly ash, slag, atmospheric deposition, soils and sediments collected from Tianjin, northern China, were measured to provide baseline information and determine possible Cd sources and potential risk. The concentrations of Cd in coal, fly ash and atmospheric deposition were much higher than the soil background values. Fallout from coal-fired thermal power plants, heating boilers and industrial furnaces has increased the Cd concentration in soils and sediments in Tianjin. The concentrations of Cd in soils of suburban areas were significantly higher than in rural areas, suggesting that coal burning in Tianjin may have an important impact on the local physical environment. Cd from coal combustion is readily mobilized in soils. It is soluble and can form aqueous complexes and permeate river sediments. The high proportion of mobile Cd affects the migration of Cd in soils and sediments, which may pose an environmental threat in Tianjin due to the exposure to Cd and Cd compounds via the food chain. This study may provide a window for understanding and tracing sources of Cd in the local environment and the risk associated with Cd bioaccessibility.     

Utilization of fly ash in adsorption of heavy metals from wastewater

The aim of this study was to assess the toxicity reduction of wastewaster after treatment with fly ash. Fly ash is a waste material which is formed as a result of coal burning in power plants, but has the potential to adsorb heavy metal ions. The present study examined the adsorption capacity of fly ash to adsorb Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺ from waste water under different conditions of contact time, pH, and temperature. Uptake of metal ions by fly ash generally rose with increasing pH. At lower temperatures the uptake of heavy metal adsorption were enhanced. Significant reduction in Pb²⁺ (79%), Cu²⁺ (53%), and Zn²⁺ (80%) content was found after treatment with fly ash of waste water treatment. Using the microtox test toxicity of the effluent was reduced by 75% due to removal of Pb²⁺ ion by the fly ash. Data indicated that fly ash generated by power plants may be used beneficially to remove metals from waste water.     

粉煤灰对土壤和作物生长的影响

粉煤灰施用量控制在60～600t／hm2,不会造成土壤、粮食的污染,且能改善土壤的物理、化学和生物学性质．有利于养分的转化。粉煤厂磁化后15～7．5t／hm2的施用量即可达到最佳的改上增产效果。本文在分析粉煤灰埋化性质的基础上,讨论了粉煤灰对土壤和作物生长的影响,同时也提出了降低粉煤灰中有害物质对土壤和作物不利影响的农用技术。     

Polychlorobenzenes and polychlorinated biphenyls in ash and soil from several industrial areas in North Vietnam: residue concentrations,profiles and risk assessment

Polychlorinated benzenes (PCBzs) including penta- and hexachlorobenzene can be unintentionally formed from thermal processes in different industrial activities, and very little information is available on the contamination and emission characteristics of these new persistent organic pollutants from industries in Vietnam. In this study, contamination of PCBzs (including penta- and hexachlorobenzene, named PeCBz and HCB, respectively) and PCBs (including CB-28, 52, 101, 153, 138, 180) in fly ash, bottom ash and soil from combustion processes of waste incineration, metallurgy (steel making and zinc production) and cement production from several provinces in the Northern Vietnam, including Hai Duong, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong and Thai Nguyen, was preliminary investigated. The PCBzs concentrations in fly ash, bottom ash and soil ranged from 2.7 to 100 ng g^?1, from 2.7 to 159 ng g^?1 and from 0.28 to 33.9 ng g^?1, respectively. Relatively high residues of PeCBz in fly ash and bottom ash from municipal waste incinerators in some provinces from the Northern Vietnam were encountered. Total PCBs concentrations ranged from 18.0 to 8260 ng g^?1, from 1.0 to 10600 ng g^?1 and from 14.5 to 130 ng g^?1 for the fly ash, bottom ash and soil, respectively. Daily intakes of PeCBz, HCB and PCBs through soil ingestion and dermal exposure estimated for children ranged 0.33–9.93 (mean 3.14), 0.39–21.1 (mean 4.9) and 6.09–1530 ng/kg bw/day (mean 346), respectively; and these intakes were about 4.7–5.4 times higher than those estimated for adult. The intakes of PeCBz and HCB were relatively low, while those for PCBs exceeded WHO TDI for some samples.     

Trace element uptake in plants grown on fly ash amended soils

Four crop plants were grown in a greenhouse in soils amended with 0, 5, 10, and 20% by weight of coal combustion fly ash to evaluate potential trace element uptake by the vegetation. The leaves and stems from each plant were harvested and analyzed for As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Pb, Se, Tl, and Zn content during early, middle, and late growth. The trace element data were statistically analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine whether the trace element uptake in the four crop plants differed significantly between the soil treatments, and to identify significant differences in trace element uptake through time. The results show that the amount of amended fly ash does not significantly influence the concentration of most trace elements in plant tissue, and that some concentrations actually decrease with time. Although this study did not find a significant increase in trace element uptake, care must be taken in a natural environment where plants may behave differently.     

煤矿塌陷区造田复土中粉煤灰含量对高羊茅生理功能的影响

以小区试验进行了粉煤灰复土造田种植高羊茅的试验 .对高羊茅生长发育、生理功能和矿质积累的研究结果表明 :含 30 %以下粉煤灰复合土能提高高羊茅植株光合作用和氮素利用能力 ,促进植株生长 ,不会对植株产生伤害 ;当复合土中粉煤灰含量达 4 0 %时 ,高羊茅光合作用、蒸腾作用和氮素利用能力降低 ,细胞膜脂质过氧化水平升高 ,膜透性增大 ,SOD、POD和CAT活性降低 ,植株生长被抑制 ;随着复合土中粉煤灰含量的升高高羊茅植株Mn、Zn、Ca、Mg的质量分数升高 ,Cu的质量分数无显著变化 .研究建议粉煤灰复土造田以 30 %粉煤灰复合土为宜 .图 3表 6参 19     

Coal fly ash and straw immobilize Cu,Cd and Zn from mining wasteland

Soil heavy metal contamination is a major health issue. Chemical immobilization of toxic metals is a promising technique to solve this issue. In this study, soil was sampled from a copper mining-polluted area in eastern China. Coal fly ash and straw were applied to soil samples at 5 % w/w ratio and 2 % w/w ratio, and incubated for 6 weeks. The CaCl₂-extractable Cu, Cd and Zn, phytoavailability and soil microbial activity were measured. The results showed that coal fly ash, straw and the mixture of coal fly ash and straw decreased CaCl₂-extractable metals. Coal fly ash or the mixture of the two amendments are therefore efficient metal stabilizers.     

PCDD/DFs and coplanar PCBs in fly ash samples from various types of incinerators in Taiwan

Polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/DFs) and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co‐PCBs) were determined in fly ash samples from municipal solid waste (MSW), medical waste (MW), and electricity power plant incinerators in Taiwan. The average concentrations of PCDD/DFs and Co‐PCBs are 7.02 ng‐TEQ/g and 1.06 ng‐TEQ/g, respectively. The contributions to total TEQ are 24% from PCDDs, 64% from PCDFs, and 12% from Co‐PCBs, indicating that PCDFs generate the highest environmental impact and MSW and MW incinerators are potential Co‐PCBs contaminating sources. The levels of PCDD/DFs and Co‐PCBs found in ash samples increase from petroleum‐fired, coal‐fired, large municipal solid waste, small medical waste, to small municipal solid waste incinerators, and are generally lower than those from incinerators built earlier. All fly ash samples analyzed in this study were considered hazardous materials. More research is suggested to establish the relationship between the amounts of PCDD/DFs and Co‐PCBs in fly ash and in flue gas.     

Levels and patterns of polychlorinated biphenyls in residues from incineration of established source-classified MSW in China

Municipal solid waste (MSW) source-classified collection represents an advancement in resource cycling and secondary pollution control in China. Comparative experiments were performed to assess the levels and patterns of polychlorinated biphenyls in bottom ash, fly ash from boiler, and fly ash from bag filter from an MSW incineration plant with source-classified collection of MSW. Polychlorinated biphenyls were concentrated in the bag filter fly ash and in the bottom ash. The total amount of polychlorinated biphenyls was much lower than in fly ashes and bottom ash from traditional mixed waste incineration. Total concentration of coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls and toxic equivalent quantities were also reduced. Due to variations of feed waste, complete combustion, including continuously high incineration temperature, low CO concentrations and high air excess ratio were observed. Incineration temperature showed a negative correlation, while CO concentration showed a positive correlation with total and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls, indicating that the latter can be reduced by controlling combustion conditions related to properties of feed waste.     

Effects of fly ash, Pseudomonas striata and Rhizobium on the reproduction of nematode Meloidogyne incognita and on the growth and transpiration of pea

Glasshouse experiments were conducted twice to assess the ash amendments (0, 20, and 40% with soil), a phosphate solubilizing microorganism Pseudomonas striata and a root-nodule bacterium Rhizobium sp on the reproduction of root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita and on the growth and transpiration of pea. Amendments of fly ash with soil had no effect on transpiration. However, M. incognita reduced the rate of transpiration from 1st week onward after inoculation while inoculation of Rhizobium sp and P. striata increased transpiration from 1st week onward after their inoculation both in nematode inoculated and uninoculated plants. Increase in transpiration was greater when both organisms were inoculated together. Addition of 20 and 40% fly ash with soil was beneficial for plant growth both in nematode inoculated and uninoculated plants. Inoculation of above organisms also increases plant growth of nematode inoculated and uninoculated plants in different fly ash soil mixture but increase in growth was greater when both organisms were inoculated together. Use of 20% fly ash increased galling and nematode multiplication over plants grown in without fly ash while 40% fly ash had adverse effect on galling and nematode multiplication. Rhizobium sp had greater adverse effect on galling and nematode multiplication than P. striata. Use of both organisms together had greater adverse effect on galling and nematode multiplication than caused by either of them alone. Highest reduction in galling and nematode multiplication was observed when both organisms were used in 40% fly ash amended soil. However, highest transpiration was observed in plants without nematodes and inoculated with both organisms together both in with or without fly ash amended soil.     

In vitro genotoxicity of fly ash leachate in earthworm coelomocytes

Fly ash is the major coal combustion byproduct from thermal power plants. Considering its plant–nourishing constituents, its soil amendment in farmland is one of its promoted disposal methods. A substantial amount of heavy metals present in fly ash, which may leach out due to rainwater or irrigation water, may cause serious problem with long term use, especially to soil organisms. These metals may cause DNA damage through Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation. In the present study, single cell gel electrophoresis [(SCGE) i.e., comet assay] was used to detect DNA damage in earthworm (Dichogaster curgensis) coelomocytes, following an in vitro exposure. Significant DNA damage was observed at the lowest concentration of fly ash leachate (6.25%) examined. DNA damage by all the tested concentrations (6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 50%) differed significantly (p?<?0.001) from that of the negative control. Hence, long-term application of fly ash might prove harmful for earthworm populations.     

Release of mobile forms of hazardous elements from glassworks fly ash into soils

The release of hazardous elements from the wastes of high-temperature processes represents a risk to the environment. We focused on the alteration of fly ash (FA) from glassworks collected from an electrostatic filter. FA contains elevated concentrations of Zn and Ba, among other elements. Overtime, small amounts of FA have been emitted from the factory and settled into the surrounding environment (soil). In order to assess the possible risks to the environment, samples of FA were placed in small nylon bags and deposited in 11 different soil horizons (containing diverse vegetation cover such as spruce and beech and also unforested areas). Samples of the FA in bags were exposed in the soils for 1 year. Then, the bags were collected, and the exposed soils in the direct vicinity of the FA bags were sampled. The total concentrations of Zn and Ba in the FA, as well as in the soil samples (original and exposed), were determined by ICP MS. The “mobile fraction” was determined as the exchangeable (acid extractable) fraction of the modified BCR sequential extraction procedure (SEP). The SEP results indicate that Zn and Ba may pose a potential environmental risk. Their concentrations in the first, most mobile, and bioavailable fraction increased in all the exposed soils. The most significant increases were observed in the upper soil horizons (litter and A horizon). The risk to the environment was evaluated on the basis of the Risk Assessment Code.     

Natural and waste materials as metal sorbents in permeable reactive barriers (PRBs)

A range of waste products and natural materials including chitin, fly ash, clay soil, cocoa shell, calcified seaweed and the natural zeolite clinoptilolite were tested in batch experiments to assess their ability to remove metals from a synthetic groundwater containing 10 mg l^–1 Cu, Pb and Zn and 1 mg l^–1 Cd. All had the ability to remove more than 70% of the metals from solution with fly ash being the most efficient, then chitin, clinoptilolite, calcified seaweed, clay soil and cocoa shell. After consideration of geochemical and morphological properties, calcified seaweed and clinoptilolite were shown to have potential as barrier materials. Given current issues with regard to the longevity of zero-valent iron barriers alternative materials could be the key to the future adoption of this remediation technology.     

利用EIA法快速筛查垃圾焚烧飞灰和烟气中的二恶英毒性水平

基于CAPE技术公司的兔子复合克隆抗体的二恶英(PCDD/F)酶免疫分析试剂盒,建立了快速检测垃圾焚烧飞灰和烟气中PCDD/F毒性(TEQ值)的方法.试剂盒的最低检测限为3.3pg·tube-1(即3.3pgTEQ每EIA试管),线性检测范围为10～30pg·tube-1.样品经甲苯索氏抽提后过硅胶柱连接小碳柱净化处理,TCDD/F的回收率大约为50%,与原飞灰PCDD/F分布模式相比净化处理后样品中的TCDD/F含量明显降低.用净化处理后的飞灰溶液作标准溶液,绘制PCDD/F剂量-效应关系曲线,定量分析了2个飞灰样品和2个烟气样品的TEQ浓度,结果表明分析样品的TEQ实测值(HRGC/HRMS分析获得)与预测值(标准曲线计算值)的相对偏差(Rd)均小于15%,说明用该方法定量分析垃圾焚烧飞灰和烟气中PCDD/F毒性是可行的.     

粉煤灰资源的农业利用

本文根据粉煤灰农业利用的基础及国内外研究现状，阐述了粉煤灰农业利用现状，包括直接施用于农田、利用粉煤灰生产化肥、贮灰场覆土或不覆土造田和填坑造地等。并对粉煤灰农业利用的前景提出了一些看法。     

Assessment of contamination by percolation of septic tank effluent through natural and amended soils

Fly ash has been found to be a potential material for the treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater, and may be useful in the treatment of septic tank effluent. Laboratory columns (30 cm) were used to determine the sorption capacity and hydraulic properties of lagoon fly ash, loamy sand, sand, and sand amended by lagoon fly ash (30 and 60%) and red mud gypsum (20%). The removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was high in all column effluents (71-93%). Extent of nitrification was high in Spearwood sand, Merribrook loamy sand and 20% red mud gypsum amended Spearwood sand. However, actual removal of nitrogen (N) was high in columns containing lagoon fly ash. Unamended Spearwood sand possessed only minimal capacity for P sorption. Merribrook loamy sand and red mud gypsum amended sand affected complete P removal throughout the study period of 12 weeks. Significant P leakage occurred from lagoon fly ash amended sand columns following 6-10 weeks of operation. Neither lagoon fly ash nor red mud gypsum caused any studied heavy metal contamination including manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) of effluent. It can be concluded that Merribrook loamy sand is better natural soil than Spearwood sand as a filter medium. The addition of lagoon fly ash enhanced the removal of P in Spearwood sand but the efficiency was lower than with red mud gypsum amendment.     

焚烧源挥发性重金属的排放对周边土壤和植被污染的研究进展

城市生活垃圾是一种成分复杂的混合废物,其中含有数量相当可观的重金属,采用焚烧法处理城市生活垃圾时,会有大量重金属因为高温而挥发进入烟气,一部分富集于焚烧飞灰中,而有少部分重金属因其挥发性较大而排放于大气中,最终随大气及雨水沉降而进入土壤和植被中,从而会对焚烧厂周边生态环境造成严重的危害。为了了解焚烧源挥发性重金属（汞（Hg）、镉（Cd）、铅（Pb）和砷（As））的排放对焚烧厂周边土壤和植被生态环境的污染状况,对近年来国内外学者在相关方面的研究状况进行了详细的文献综述,结果发现：国内学者对于焚烧源挥发性重金属的研究多限于焚烧中挥发性Hg对焚烧厂周边土壤的污染的调查研究,而对于焚烧源Cd、Pb、As对周边土壤和植被污染的调查研究相对较少;而国外学者已有的关于垃圾焚烧源重金属（Hg、Cd、Pb、As）对土壤和植被的污染研究只停留在重金属在土壤中的总的浓度和存在形态的研究,而对于挥发性重金属在焚烧源周边土壤和植被中的迁移转化规律方面的研究很缺乏,对于重金属污染物在土壤和植被中的蓄积及迁移转化规律研究较少。文章指出今后的研究应加强对挥发性重金属在焚烧厂周边土壤中的污染特征及其在土壤层以及植被中的蓄积总量和迁移转化机理的研究,这对于焚烧源挥发性重金属的污染防治以及对已被挥发性重金属污染的土壤和植被的生态修复具有重要的意义。     

不同改良措施对煤矸石污染土壤上大豆生长的影响

采用盆栽试验,通过添加粉煤灰和牛粪对煤矸石污染土壤进行改良,并研究了不同改良措施对大豆生长、光合特性和产量的影响。结果表明,添加粉煤灰0.07 kg.kg-1(T1)、添加牛粪0.07 kg.kg-1(T2)、添加粉煤灰和牛粪各0.07 kg.kg-1(T3)3种土壤改良措施对大豆的株高、叶面积和单株根瘤数均有显著影响,不同生育期株高、叶面积和单株根瘤数均表现为T3>T2>T1>CK。在花期和鼓粒期,3种土壤改良措施下大豆的叶绿素含量和光合速率均显著高于对照,且T3处理显著高于T2和T1。与对照相比,不同土壤改良措施对大豆的单株荚数、百粒重、单株粒重和产量均有显著影响,T3、T2和T1处理的大豆产量较对照分别提高68.47%、40.99%和30.63%。