Risk assessment due to intake of heavy metals through the ingestion of groundwater around two proposed uranium mining areas in Jharkhand,India

Heavy metal pollution of water resources can be apprehended in East Singhbhum region which is a highly mineralised zone with extensive mining of copper, uranium and other minerals. Ten groundwater samples were collected from each site and the heavy metal analysis was done by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Analysis of the results of the study reveals that the concentration of iron, manganese, zinc, lead, copper and nickel in groundwater of Bagjata mining area ranged 0.06–5.3 mg l^− 1, 0.01–1.3 mg l^− 1, 0.02–8.2 mg l^− 1, 1.4–28.4 μg l^− 1, 0.78–20.0 μg l^− 1 and 1.05–20.1 μg l^− 1, respectively. In case of Banduhurang mining area, the range was 0.04–2.93 mg l^− 1, 0.02–1.1 mg l^− 1, 0.01–4.68 mg l^− 1, 1.04–33.21 μg l^− 1, 1.24–18.7 μg l^− 1 and 1.06–14.58 μg l^− 1, respectively. The heavy metals were found to be below the drinking water standards (IS:10500 1993) except iron (0.3 mg l^− 1) and manganese (0.1 mg l^− 1). The hazard quotients of the heavy metals for drinking water were below 1 posing no threat due to intake of water to the people for both the areas.     

Modeling Phosphate Influence on Arsenate Reduction Kinetics by a Freshwater Cyanobacterium

Arsenic speciation in natural surface-water systems can be highly impacted through biological processes that result in non-thermodynamically predicted species to dominate the system. In laboratory experiments, arsenate reduction by a freshwater cyanobacterium exhibited saturation kinetics increasingly inhibited by elevating solution phosphate concentrations. Approximately 100% arsenate reduction occurred by days 4, 7, and 10 in the low (0.35 μm), middle (3.5 μm), and high (35 μm) phosphate treatments, respectively, with maximum arsenate reduction rates ranged from 0.013 μmol As g C⁻¹ day⁻¹ in the high-phosphate treatment to 0.398 μmol As g C⁻¹ day⁻¹ in the low-phosphate treatment. Saturation kinetic models were utilized to evaluate the impact of cell growth and arsenate-phosphate uptake competition on arsenate reduction rates by the cyanobacterium. Results showed reduced arsenicals dominate arsenic speciation once growth reached steady state, indicating reduced arsenicals may dominate natural systems, even when considering conservatively high, abiotic arsenic reoxidation.     

Determination of ametryn in sugarcane and ametryn–atrazine herbicide formulations using spectrophotometric method

A sensitive spectrophotometric method has been developed for determination of ametryn in agricultural samples. The proposed method was based on reaction with pyridine and further coupling with sulfanilic acid to form a colored product. The absorbance was measured at 400 nm with a molar absorptivity of 2.1 × 10⁵ L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹. The method shows a linear range from 0.2–20 μg mL⁻¹ with limit of detection and limit of quantification 0.16 and 0.54 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of ametryn in sugarcane juice and commercial formulations after separation of ametryn from triazine herbicides based on solvent extraction. Recovery values were found to be in the range of 96.0 ± 0.2% to 98.4 ± 0.1%.     

A spectrophotometric assay method for vanadium in biological and environmental samples using 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine with imipramine hydrochloride

A simple, rapid, and sensitive method involving the interaction of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine with imipramine hydrochloride in presence of vanadium (V) in sulfuric acid medium has been proposed for the determination of vanadium. The purple-colored product developed showed an absorption maximum at 560 nm and was stable for 24 h. The working curve was linear over the concentration range of 0.1–2.8 μg ml^− 1, with sensitivity of detection of 0.0124 μg ml^− 1. Molar absorptivity and Sandell’s sensitivity were found to be 2.6 × 10⁴ l/mol cm and 0.0039 μg cm^− 1, respectively. The accuracy of the proposed method was assessed by Student’s t test and variance ratio F test, and the results were on par with the reported method. The method was successfully used in the determination of V in water, human urine, soil, and plant samples, and it was free from interference by various concomitant ions.     

Monitoring of (bio)available labile metal fraction in a drinking water treatment plant by diffusive gradients in thin films

A performance study of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was applied for the monitoring of the labile fraction of metals Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, in Sant Joan Despí Drinking Water Treatment Plant located in the South of Barcelona’s Metropolitan Area (Spain). The DWTP monitoring protocol was optimized by working for 1 day of deployment (24 h) with the DGT device in contact with both treated and river water matrixes. Additionally, it was demonstrated that an increase in the deployment time of 1 week did not decrease the evaluated concentrations of the studied metals. The quality parameters of the DGT device and ICP-OES determination, such as limit of quantification, accuracy expressed as relative error (%) and reproducibility expressed as relative standard deviation, were evaluated. Good results were obtained for all the metals in ultrapure water; limits of quantification ranged from 1.5 μg L^− 1 for cadmium to 28 μg L^− 1 for zinc when deployment time of 24 h was used and from 0.2 μg L^− 1 for cadmium to 4 μg L^− 1 for zinc when this time was increased by 1 week. Accuracy and precisions lower than or equal to 10% were obtained at a parametric concentration value of the metals regulated in the European Drinking Water Guidelines (98/83/EC). DGT deployment was tested in river and treated water, and good results were obtained for Cd, Ni, Co and Zn, whereas for the other metals, a continuous control of their metallic labile fractions was monitored. Therefore, DGT device allows the continuous monitoring of the labile metal species in a drinking water treatment plant.     

Characteristic Study of Dry Deposition, Concentration, Compositions for Particulates Mass and Ionic Species During Summer and Autumn Season at a Traffic Sampling Site

Aerosol samples for dry deposition and total suspend particulates (TSP) were collected from August to November of 2003 in central Taiwan. Ion chromatography was used to analyze the related water-soluble ionic species (Cl⁻, NO₃ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺). The results obtained in this study indicated that the ambient air particulate mass concentrations in the daytime period (averaged 975.4 μg m⁻³) were higher than the nighttime period (averaged 542.1 μg m⁻³). And the daytime dry deposition fluxes (averaged 58.12 μg m⁻² sec⁻¹) were about 2.2 times as that of nighttime dry deposition fluxes (averaged 26.54 μg m⁻² sec⁻¹) of the downward dry deposition. The average values downward and upward of dry deposition fluxes for the weekend period were almost higher than the weekday period for either daytime or nighttime period. Furthermore, the average daytime dry deposition fluxes (averaged 26.37 μg m⁻² sec⁻¹) were also about 2.3 times as that of nighttime dry deposition fluxes (averaged 11.52 μg m⁻² sec⁻¹). Moreover, the results also indicate that SO₄ ²⁻ and Ca²⁺ have higher average composition for total suspended particulates in the daytime period while Ca²⁺, SO₄ ²⁻, and Na⁺ have the higher average composition for total suspends particulates in the nighttime period.     

Suspended Particulate Matter Distribution in Rural-Industrial Satna and in Urban-Industrial South Delhi

An air quality sampling program was designed and implemented to collect the baseline concentrations of respirable suspended particulates (RSP = PM₁₀), non-respirable suspended particulates (NRSP) and fine suspended particulates (FSP = PM_2.5). Over a three-week period, a 24-h average concentrations were calculated from the samples collected at an industrial site in Southern Delhi and compared to datasets collected in Satna by Envirotech Limited, Okhla, Delhi in order to establish the characteristic difference in emission patterns. PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and total suspended particulates (TSP) concentrations at Satna were 20.5 ± 6.0, 102.1 ± 41.1, and 387.6 ± 222.4 μg m⁻³ and at Delhi were 126.7 ± 28.6, 268.6 ± 39.1, and 687.7 ± 117.4 μg m⁻³. Values at Delhi were well above the standard limit for 24-h PM_2.5 United States National Ambient Air Quality Standards (USNAAQS; 65 μg m⁻³), while values at Satna were under the standard limit. Results were compared with various worldwide studies. These comparisons suggest an immediate need for the promulgation of new PM_2.5 standards. The position of PM₁₀ in Delhi is drastic and needs an immediate attention. PM₁₀ levels at Delhi were also well above the standard limit for 24-h PM₁₀ National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS; 150 μg m⁻³), while levels at Satna remained under the standard limit. PM_2.5/PM₁₀ values were also calculated to determine PM_2.5 contribution. At Satna, PM_2.5 contribution to PM₁₀ was only 20% compared to 47% in Delhi. TSP values at Delhi were well above, while TSP values at Satna were under, the standard limit for 24-h TSP NAAQS (500 μg m⁻³). At Satna, the PM₁₀ contribution to TSP was only 26% compared to 39% in Delhi. The correlation between PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and TSP were also calculated in order to gain an insight to their sources. Both in Satna and in Delhi, none of the sources was dominant a varied pattern of emissions was obtained, showing the presence of heterogeneous emission density and that nonrespirable suspended particulate (NRSP) formed the greatest part of the particulate load.     

Determination of road dust loadings and chemical characteristics using resuspension

The contribution of fugitive dust from traffic to air pollution can no longer be ignored in China. In order to obtain the road dust loadings and to understand the chemical characteristics of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 from typical road dust, different paved roads in eight districts of Beijing were selected for dust collection during the four seasons of 2005. Ninety-eight samples from 28 roads were obtained. The samples were resuspended using equipment assembled to simulate the rising process of road dust caused by the wind or wheels in order to obtain the PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 filter samples. The average road dust loading was 3.82 g m^− 2, with the highest of 24.22 g m^− 2 being in Hutongs in the rural–urban continuum during winter. The road dust loadings on higher-grade roads were lower than those on lower-grade roads. Attention should be paid to the pollution in the rural–urban continuum areas. The sums of element abundances measured were 16.17% and 18.50% for PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 in road dust. The average abundances of OC and EC in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 in road dust were 11.52%, 2.01% and 12.50%, 2.06%, respectively. The abundance of elements, water-soluble ions, and OC, EC in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 resuspended from road dust did not change greatly with seasons and road types. The soil dust, construction dust, dust emitted from burning coal, vehicle exhaust, and deposition of particles in the air were the main sources of road dust in Beijing. Affected by the application of snow-melting agents in Beijing during winter, the amount of Cl⁻ and Na⁺ was much higher during that time than in the other seasons. This will have a certain influence on roads, bridges, vegetations, and groundwater.     

Evaluation of levels, sources and distribution of toxic elements in PM10 in a suburban industrial region, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Campus (FIOCRUZ), in a suburban region of the city of Rio de Janeiro, was selected as a case study to assess the pollution released from vehicle and industrial facilities in Basin III, the most polluted area of the city. Concentrations of particulate matter (PM10) and trace metals in airborne particles were determined in an intensive field campaign. The samplings were performed every six days for 24 h periods, using a PM10 high volume sampler, from September 2004 to August 2005. PM10 mass concentrations were determined gravimetrically and the metals by ICP-OES. For PM10, the arithmetic mean for the period is 169 ± 42 μg m⁻³ which is 3.4 times the national recommended standard of 50 μg m⁻³. Additionally, 51% of the samplings exceeded the recommended 24 h limit of 150 μg m⁻³. Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Al were the metals that presented the higher concentrations. The correlation matrix gave two main clusters and three significant principal components (PC). Both PC1 and PC2 are associated to crustal, vehicular and industrial emissions while PC3 is mainly associated to geological material. Enrichment factors for Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb indicate that for these elements, anthropic sources prevail over natural inputs. PM10 levels showed a good correlation with hospital admissions for respiratory diseases in children and elderly people.     

Rinodina sophodes (Ach.) Massal.: a bioaccumulator of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Kanpur City, India

The aim of this study is to determine the possibility of using Rinodina sophodes (Ach.) Massal., a crustose lichen as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bioaccumulator for evaluation of atmospheric pollution in tropical areas of India, where few species of lichens are able to grow. PAHs were identified, quantified and compared to evaluate the potential utility of R. sophodes. The limit of detection for different PAHs was found to be 0.008–0.050 μg g^− 1. The total PAHs in different sites were ranged between 0.189 ± 0.029 and 0.494 ± 0.105 μg g^− 1. The major sources of PAHs were combustion of organic materials, traffic and vehicular exhaust (diesel and gasoline engine). Significantly higher concentration of acenaphthylene and phenanthrene indicates road traffic as major source of PAH pollution in the city. Two-way ANOVA also confirms that all PAHs content showed significant differences between all sampling sites (P 1%). This study establishes the utility of R. sophodes in monitoring the PAHs accumulation potentiality for development of effective tool and explores the most potential traits resistant to the hazardous environmental conditions in the tropical regions of north India, where no such other effective way of biomonitoring is known so far.     

Spatial and Seasonal Variations in Chlorophyll-Nutrient Relationships in The Shallow Hypertrophic Lake Manyas, Turkey

Regression and correlation analyses were used to predict responses of phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll) (μg L⁻¹) to nitrate (NO₃) (mg L⁻¹), phosphate (PO₄) (mg L⁻¹) and ammonium (NH₄) (mg L⁻¹) dynamics in the shallow hypertrophic Lake Manyas, Turkey. Nutrient concentrations showed a descending gradient with distance, while chlorophyll concentrations showed an ascending gradient with the distance from the Sığırcı Inlet to the Karadere Outlet. Higher nutrient concentrations did always not coincide with higher chlorophyll concentrations. The results showed that regression models developed using seasonal data were more accurate in predicting chlorophyll concentrations than those developed using the pooled data from whole year (based on R ² and the difference between the measured and predicted values). The findings also revealed that within a single large shallow lake, chlorophyll-nutrient relationships might show significant variations spatially. The objective of this study was to determine the seasonal and spatial variations in the relationships between chlorophyll, nitrate, phosphate and ammonium in the shallow hypertrophic Lake Manyas, Turkey.     

Composition and distribution of surfactants around Lake Chini,Malaysia

This study aims to determine the composition of surfactants in the lake surface microlayer, rainwater, and atmospheric aerosols in the area surrounding Lake Chini, Pahang. Surfactants in the lake surface microlayer were taken from seven different stations around the lake, while samples of rainwater were taken from five different sampling stations. The samples of atmospheric aerosols were collected from the Lake Chini Research Centre which is in close proximity to the lake. The colorimetric analysis method was used to determine the composition and concentration of anionic surfactants as methylene blue active substances (MBAS) and cationic surfactants as disulphine blue active substances (DBAS). The concentration of anionic surfactants, as MBAS, in the surface microlayer ranged between 0.08 to 0.23 μmol L^− 1, while the range of concentration of cationic surfactants as DBAS ranged from 0.09 to 0.11 μmol L^− 1. The concentration of MBAS was higher in rainwater when compared to surfactants in the lake surface microlayer. The high concentration of surfactants in the fine mode of atmospheric aerosols suggests that natural and anthropogenic sources of surfactants contribute to the atmospheric surfactants.     

Does biodiversity of macroinvertebrates and genome response of Chironomidae larvae (Diptera) reflect heavy metal pollution in a small pond?

The investigation was carried out on a small pond situated on a recent mine spoil at Bolesław in the Olkusz region with Zn–Pb ore deposits. Water of the pond had pH 7.2–8.5 and low concentrations of heavy metals. Concentrations of Pb (487 μg g^− 1) and Zn (1,991 μg g^− 1) in the sediment were very high and potentially could lead to toxicological effects. In the pond, 48 taxa of macroinvertebrates belonging to Oligochaeta and water stages of Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Megaloptera, Trichoptera, Heteroptera, Coleoptera and Diptera (mainly Chironomidae family) were found. The influence of heavy metals on macroinvertebrates diversity was not found. Effect of heavy metal pollution was observed on the appearance of chromosome aberrations in the polytene chromosomes of Chironomidae larvae. It was manifested by two ways: (1) in Kiefferulus tendipediformis and Chironomus sp. chromosome rearrangements in fixed state (tandem fusion and homozygous inversions), indicated intensive process of speciation; (2) in Chironomus sp., K. tendipediformis, Glyptotendipes gripekoveni (Chironomidae) somatic chromosome rearrangements (inversions, deficiencies, specific puffs, polyploidy) affected few cells of every individual. The somatic functional and structural alterations in Chironomidae species are particular suitable as biomarkers—they can be easily identified and used for detecting toxic agents in the environment.     

Geochemical position of Pb,Zn and Cd in soils near the Olkusz mine/smelter,South Poland: effects of land use,type of contamination and distance from pollution source

The soils adjacent to an area of historical mining, ore processing and smelting activities reflects the historical background and a mixing of recent contamination sources. The main anthropogenic sources of metals can be connected with historical and recent mine wastes, direct atmospheric deposition from mining and smelting processes and dust particles originating from open tailings ponds. Contaminated agriculture and forest soil samples with mining and smelting related pollutants were collected at different distances from the source of emission in the Pb–Zn–Ag mining area near Olkusz, Upper Silesia to (a) compare the chemical speciation of metals in agriculture and forest soils situated at the same distance from the point source of pollution (paired sampling design), (b) to evaluate the relationship between the distance from the polluter and the retention of the metals in the soil, (c) to describe mineralogy transformation of anthropogenic soil particles in the soils, and (d) to assess the effect of deposited fly ash vs. dumped mining/smelting waste on the mobility and bioavailability of metals in the soil. Forest soils are much more affected with smelting processes than agriculture soils. However, agriculture soils suffer from the downward metal migration more than the forest soils. The maximum concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cd were detected in a forest soil profile near the smelter and reached about 25 g kg^− 1, 20 g kg^− 1 and 200 mg kg^− 1 for Pb, Zn and Cd, respectively. The metal pollutants from smelting processes are less stable under slightly alkaline soil pH then acidic due to the metal carbonates precipitation. Metal mobility ranges in the studied forest soils are as follows: Pb > Zn ≈ Cd for relatively circum-neutral soil pH (near the smelter), Cd > Zn > Pb for acidic soils (further from the smelter). Under relatively comparable pH conditions, the main soil properties influencing metal migration are total organic carbon and cation exchange capacity. The mobilization of Pb, Zn and Cd in soils depends on the persistence of the metal-containing particles in the atmosphere; the longer the time, the more abundant the stable forms. The dumped mining/smelting waste is less risk of easily mobilizable metal forms, however, downward metal migration especially due to the periodical leaching of the waste was observed.     

Study of urban atmospheric pollution in Navarre (Northern Spain)

An ambient air quality study was undertaken in two cities (Pamplona and Alsasua) of the Province of Navarre in northern Spain from July 2001 to June 2004. The data were obtained from two urban monitoring sites. At both monitoring sites, ambient levels of ozone, NO_x, and SO₂ were measured. Simultaneously with levels of PM₁₀ measured at Alsasua (using a laser particle counter), PM₁₀ levels were also determined at Pamplona (using a beta attenuation monitor). Mean annual PM₁₀ concentrations in Pamplona and Alsasua reached 30 and 28 μg m⁻³, respectively. These concentrations are typical for urban background sites in Northern Spain. By using meteorological information and back trajectories, it was found that the number of exceedances of the daily PM₁₀ limit as well as the PM₁₀ temporal variation was highly influenced by air masses from North Africa. Although North African transport was observed on only 9% of the days, it contributed the highest observed PM₁₀ levels. Transport from the Atlantic Ocean was observed on 68% of the days; transport from Europe on 13%; low transport and local influences on 7%; and transport from the Mediterranean region on 3% of the days. The mean O₃ concentrations were 45 and 55 μg m⁻³ in Pamplona and Alsasua, respectively, which were above the values reported for the main Spanish cities. The mean NO and NO₂ levels were very similar in both sites (12 and 26 μg m⁻³, respectively). Mean SO₂ levels were 8 μg m⁻³ in Pamplona and 5 μg m⁻³ in Alsasua. Hourly levels of PM₁₀, NO and NO₂ showed similar variations with the typically two coincident maximums during traffic rush hours demonstrating a major anthropogenic origin of PM₁₀, in spite of the sporadic dust outbreaks.     

Atmospheric concentrations of nitric acid, sulfur dioxide, particulate nitrate and particulate sulfate, and estimation of their dry deposition on the urban- and mountain-facing sides of Mt. Gokurakuji, Western Japan

Atmospheric concentrations of nitric acid (HNO₃), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), particulate nitrate and particulate sulfate on the urban- and mountain-facing sides of Mt. Gokurakuji were measured from November 2002 to October 2003, in order to evaluate the effects of anthropogenic activity on air quality and dry deposited nitrate and sulfate on the surfaces of pine foliage. The results showed that HNO₃, SO₂ and concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) on the urban-facing side (1.54, 2.48 and 0.65 μg m⁻³, respectively) than the mountain-facing side (0.67, 1.19 and 0.37 μg m⁻³, respectively), while concentrations did not differ significantly between the two sides (urban-facing: 2.80 μg m⁻³; mountain−facing: 2.05 μg m⁻³). Indirect estimates of dry deposition rates of nitrate and sulfate to the surfaces of pine foliage based on the measured concentrations approximately agreed with the measured values determined by the foliar rinsing technique in a previous study. It was found that HNO₃ was the major source (approximately 80%) of dry deposited nitrate on pine foliage, while the contribution from was about equal to that from SO₂. In conclusion, HNO₃ and SO₂ appear to be dominant species reflecting higher dry deposition rates of nitrate and sulfate on the urban-facing side compared to the mountain-facing side of Mt. Gokurakuji.     

Chemistry of fogs at Agra, India: Influence of soil particulates and atmospheric gases

Fog water samples were collected in the months of December and January during 1998–2000 at Agra, India. The samples were analyzed for pH, major anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, NO₃ ⁻, HCOO⁻ and CH₃COO⁻), major cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) and NH₄ ⁺ using ion chromatography, ICP-AES and spectrophotometer methods, respectively. pH of fog water samples ranged between 7.0 and 7.6 with a volume weighted mean of 7.2, indicating its alkaline characteristic. NH₄ ⁺ contributed 40%, SO₄ ²⁻ and NO₃ ⁻ accounted for 28%, while Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ accounted for 16% of the total ionic concentration. The ratios of Mg²⁺/Ca²⁺ and Na⁺/Ca²⁺ in fog water indicates that 50–75% of fog water samples correspond to the respective ratios in local soil. Significant correlation between Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ suggests their soil origin. The order of neutralization, NH₄ ⁺ (1.4) > Ca²⁺ (0.28) > Mg²⁺ (0.12), indicates that NH₄ ⁺ is the major neutralizing species. Fog water and atmospheric alkalinity were also computed and were found to be 873 and 903 neqm⁻³, respectively. Both of these values are higher than values reported from temperate sites and thus indicate that at the present level of pollutants, there is no risk of acid fog problem. The study also shows that the alkaline nature of fog water is due to dissolution of ammonia gas and partly due to interaction of fog water with soil derived aerosols.     

Environmental study of two significant solid samples: gravitation dust sediment and soil

In this work are presented results of the complex study of two significant solid environmental samples: gravitation dust sediments (industrial pollutants, potential source of risk elements input to soils) and soils (component of the environment, potential source of risk elements input to food web). The first phase of this study was focused on the study of the significant chemical properties (phase composition, content of organic and inorganic carbon) of the dust and soil samples. In the second phase, the fractionation analysis was used on the evaluation of the mobility of chosen risk elements (Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in the studied samples. The single-step extractions were applied in the order of the isolation of the element forms (fractions), with different mobilities during defined ecological conditions by utilization of the following reagents: 1 mol dm^− 3 NH₄NO₃ for isolation of the “mobile” fraction, 0.05 mol dm^− 3 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and 0.43 mol dm^− 3 CH₃COOH for isolation of the “mobilizable” fraction, and 2 mol dm^− 3 HNO₃ for isolation of all releasable forms. On the basis of the results obtained in this study, it is possible to state that different origins and positions of solid environmental samples in the environment reflect in different chemical properties of their matrix. The different properties of the sample matrix result in different mobilities of risk elements in these kinds of samples. The fractionation analysis with single-step extraction for isolation element fractions is the method most suitable for easy checking of environmental pollution and for evaluation of risk elements cycle in the environment.     

Ambient air quality of Lucknow City (India) during use of fireworks on Diwali Festival

The present study deals with the effect of fireworks on ambient air quality during Diwali Festival in Lucknow City. In this study, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO _x and 10 trace metals associated with PM₁₀ were estimated at four representative locations, during day and night times for Pre Diwali (day before Diwali) and Diwali day. On Diwali day 24 h average concentration of PM₁₀, SO₂, and NO _x was found to be 753.3, 139.1, and 107.3 μg m⁻³, respectively, and these concentrations were found to be higher at 2.49 and 5.67 times for PM₁₀, 1.95 and 6.59 times for SO₂ and 1.79 and 2.69 for NO _x , when compared with the respective concentration of Pre Diwali and normal day, respectively. On Diwali day, 24 h values for PM₁₀, SO₂, and NO _x were found to be higher than prescribed limit of National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), and exceptionally high (7.53 times) for PM₁₀. On Diwali night (12 h) mean level of PM₁₀, SO₂ and NO _x was 1,206.2, 205.4 and 149.0 μg m⁻³, respectively, which was 4.02, 2.82 and 2.27 times higher than their respective daytime concentrations and showed strong correlations (p < 0.01) with each other. The 24 h mean concentration of metals associated with PM₁₀ was found to be in the order of Ca (3,169.44) > Fe (747.23) > Zn (542.62) > Cu (454.03), > Pb (307.54) > Mn (83.90) > Co (78.69) > Cr (42.10) > Ni (41.47) > Cd (34.69) in ng m⁻³ and all these values were found to be higher than the Pre Diwali (except Fe) and normal day. The metal concentrations on Diwali day were found to be significantly different than normal day (except Fe & Cu). The concentrations of Co, Ni, Cr and Cd on Diwali night were found to be significantly higher than daytime concentrations for Pre Diwali (control). The inter correlation of metals between Ca with Pb, Zn with Ni and Cr, Cu with Co, Co with Mn, Ni with Cd, Mn with Cd, Ni with Cd and Cr, and Cr with Cd showed significant relation either at p < 0.05 or P < 0.01 levels, which indicated that their sources were the same. The metals Cu, Co, Ni, Cr and Cd showed significant (p < 0.01) association with PM₁₀. These results indicate that fireworks during Diwali festival affected the ambient air quality adversely due to emission and accumulation of PM₁₀, SO₂, NO _x and trace metals. ITRC Communication Number 2538     

Characteristics of Carbonaceous Aerosol at Taichung Harbor, Taiwan during Summer and Autumn Period of 2005

In recent years, suspended particle pollution has become a serious problem in Taiwan. The carbonaceous materials EC and OC are play important roles in various atmospheric processes. The primary OC/EC ratio approach is applied to assess the contribution of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) to the PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ mass at the Taichung harbor sampling site. The results indicated that the average EC and OC concentration were 1.06 and 6.50 μg m⁻³, respectively, in fine particulate. And the average EC and OC concentration were 4.04 and 40.32 μg m⁻³, respectively, in coarse particulate at Taichung Harbor sampling site. In addition, and the average EC/OC rations was 8.72 in fine particle, respectively, at Taichung Harbor, Taiwan during summer and autumn period of 2005. The fine particle exhibited high particulate concentrations in October, and lower concentration particulate occurred in August. And in this study OC and EC concentrations in this study are compared with those in other cities. The results of EC and OC concentration in this study are also compare with those other cities.