Chemical availability of arsenic and antimony in industrial soils

Total concentrations and extractable fractionations of As and Sb were determined in soil samples from former mining sites in Scotland and Italy. Pseudo-total levels of As and Sb in the sample were between 50–17,428 mg/kg and 10–1,187 mg/kg (Scotland), and 16–691 mg/kg and 1.63–11.44 mg/kg (Italy). Between 0.001–0.63% and <0.001−8.82% of the total soil As and Sb, were extractable using, a single extraction bioavailability estimate. Data from an As-specific extraction procedure revealed that up to 60% of As was associated to amorphous Fe-Al oxyhydroxide phase in all soils. A non-specific-sequential extraction test also showed As to be strongly associated with Fe (and Al) oxyhydroxides at both locations. In the case of Sb, in addition to the crystalline Fe-oxide bound Sb the Al-silicate phase also appeared to be significant. At both sites Sb appears to be chemically more accessible than As with consistent availability despite the varied origin and host soil properties.     

城市典型工业生产区及附近居住区土壤中PAHs污染特征

用气相色谱法对土壤中多环芳烃的质量分数进行了测定。根据对南京某炼焦厂、某炼钢厂、某芳烃厂、某炼油厂、某化肥厂和附近居住区土壤中 PAHs 的监测结果,首次报导了南京地区典型工业生产区(厂区)和附近居住区土壤中 PAHs 的污染特征。结果显示,炼焦厂厂区土壤中 PAHs 的质量分数最高,达到 17638.1 μg/kg,化肥厂最低,仅为 287.5 μg/kg,各行业土壤中 PAHs 的质量分数水平从高到低顺序为:炼焦厂>炼钢厂>芳烃厂>炼油厂>化肥厂。炼焦厂土壤中 PAHs 的特征因子主要是苯环数在 3~5 之间的芳烃化合物,特征因子质量分数之和占 PAHs 质量分数的百分率为 96.3%;炼钢厂土壤中 PAHs的特征因子主要是苯环数在 3~4 之间的芳烃化合物,特征因子质量分数之和占 PAHs 质量分数的百分率为 46.8%;炼油厂土壤中 PAHs 的特征因子主要是苯环数在 3~4 之间的芳烃化合物,特征因子质量分数之和占 PAHs 质量分数的百分率为 57.1%;芳烃厂土壤中 PAHs 的特征因子主要是苯环数在 3~4 之间的芳烃化合物,特征因子质量分数之和占 PAHs 质量分数的百分率为 52.2%;化肥厂土壤中 PAHs 的特征因子主要是苯环数为 2 的苊烯、苊,特征因子质量分数之和占 PAHs 质量分数的百分率为 24.6%。在本次调查的 5 种类型工业生产区土壤中 PAHs 污染的特     

Reduction of availability of trace metals in urban soils using inorganic amendments

Urban soils in medium- and large-sized cities generally have shown elevated contents of environmentally important trace metals (e.g. lead, copper, zinc). Such high concentrations in soils of green areas, mainly recreational areas, can be a source of potentially toxic elements and pose a risk for human health. Thus the availability of these contaminants is an essential control parameter, as it indicates potential plant uptake and their transfer to humans via inhalation of suspended dust, or direct ingestion (i.e. hand to mouth pathway), or consumption of contaminated foodstuff. Young children are the most sensitive segment of the population. Addition of amendments to the soil is a feasible technique to reduce the availability of trace metals. Accordingly, four urban soils of green areas of Seville (Spain), with relatively high lead contents and moderate copper and zinc contents, were amended in the laboratory with four inorganic materials [acid zeolite (AZ), sodium zeolite (SZ), Slovakite (SL), apatite (AP)], at two rates (1%, 5% w/w) and incubated for 1 year. Significant decreases in EDTA-extractable metal contents were observed in some of the treatments after adding the amendments even before the incubation begun, mainly for SL treatments. The amendment that produced the longest lasting immobilisation effect, compared to control treatments, was AZ at the higher rate. The effects of SZ and SL tended to decrease with time, while the AP effect was almost negligible after 3 months of ageing. This study confirms the feasibility of using certain inexpensive soil amendments to at least temporarily immobilise metals in urban soils for the purpose of protecting human health, especially that of young children.     

改良剂对中国两种典型土壤铜锌有效性的影响及机理

研究了改良剂对土壤铜锌有效性的影响,以期对重金属复合污染土壤的修复有一定的指导意义。在红壤与黄泥土中施用石灰、重钙和沸石,观测土壤有效态铜锌含量及pH,并测定了不同pH值下土壤有效态铜锌含量,以阐明改良剂影响土壤重金属有效性的机理。向供试土壤中外源加入一定量的铜锌溶液,制成铜、锌污染土壤,稳定平衡30d,采用CaCl2浸提法测定土壤有效态铜锌的含量。结果表明,施用改良剂能显著降低土壤铜锌的有效性,其中石灰的效果最佳,沸石次之,重钙最差。两种土壤中,复合污染下铜锌有效态含量均高于单一污染,其中铜单一污染有效态含量与复合污染差异显著(P<0.05),而锌单一污染与复合污染差异不显著(P>0.05)。可能是因为锌比铜竞争力更强,更易于被土壤吸附固定。随着土壤pH升高,两种土壤的有效态铜锌含量均显著下降,且复合污染高于单一污染;而在相同pH值下,两种土壤中有效态铜锌含量的差异不显著。可见,pH值是影响土壤重金属有效性的关键因素。改良剂影响土壤重金属有效性的主要机理在于其能显著提高土壤pH值,致使有效态重金属含量明显下降。     

Deforestation alters phytotelm habitat availability and mosquito production in the Peruvian Amazon.

We quantified the effects of deforestation, and subsequent cultivation and forest regeneration, on the abundance and composition of mosquito larval habitats, specifically phytotelmata (plant-held waters), in the western Amazon basin. Recently deforested sites were characterized by increased phytotelm density (1.6 phytotelmata/m2) and greater relative abundance of fallen-plant-part phytotelmata (76%) compared to intact forests (0.9 phytotelmata/m2 and 25% fallen plant parts). As a result, the total volume of colonizable phytotelm water was significantly larger in new clearings. Subsequent cultivation of cleared land with mixed crops including pineapple and plantain had similar consequences: phytotelm density (2.2 units/m2) was significantly larger in plantations than in forests due to greater relative abundance of water-filled plant axils (71% vs. 39% in forest). Such axils are the preferred larval habitats for Wyeomyia spp. mosquitoes, which showed a similarly significant increase in production in plantations (0.25 larvae/m2) vs. forests (0.04 larvae/m2). Likewise, Limatus spp. mosquitoes were an order of magnitude more abundant in altered landscapes (especially in recently deforested and cultivated areas) than in mature forest, due to increased abundance of fallen-plant-part phytotelmata, in which they are typically the most common colonists. Because they are potential vectors of pathogens in a region of high endemic and emergent virus activity, increases in local abundance of Limatus spp. and Wyeomyia spp. due to large-scale deforestation and agriculture may influence rates of disease transmission.     

矿区污染土壤Pb、Cd、Cu和Zn的形态分布及其生物活性的研究

调查湘南某铅锌矿区周围的菜园土和水稻土Pb、Cd、Cu和Zn的形态分布及其生物活性和迁移性。结果表明:两种土壤中Pb、Cd、Cu和Zn的总量分别超过国家土壤环境质量相应的标准。运用Tessier连续提取法研究发现,土壤中Pb、Cd、Cu和Zn的各形态含量之和与其总量非常的接近,其中菜园土Pb的提取率为96.3%,Cd的为94.1%,Cu的为93.4%和Zn的为91.7%;水稻土Pb的为97.6%,Cd的为92.0%,Cu的为92.1%和Zn的为91.7%,表明该形态分析方法的结果是合理的。土壤中Pb、Cd、Cu和Zn各形态的分布存在很大的差别,残渣态是主要形态,其中Pb的含量占60.7%~58.2%,Cd的是50.4%~59.2%,Cu的是37.3%~53.4%,Zn的是54.9%~46.9%,而交换态所占的比例最小。菜园土重金属的生物活性系数的大小是:Cd>Cu>Pb>Zn,迁移能力的顺序是Cd>Cu>Zn>Pb;水稻土重金属的活性大小和迁移能力的顺序都是:Cd>Pb>Zn>Cu。菜园土重金属的生物活性和迁移性较水稻土的大,其中Cd的生物活性和迁移性的最大。研究结果将为评估矿区污染土壤中重金属的危害提供科学依据。     

Vegetation structure constrains primary production response to water availability in the Patagonian steppe

Grassland aboveground net primary production (ANPP) increases linearly with precipitation in space and time, but temporal models relating time series of ANPP and annual precipitation for single sites show lower slopes and regression coefficients than are shown by spatial models. The analysis of several ANPP time series showed lags in the ecosystem response to increased water availability, which may explain the difference between spatial and temporal models. The lags may result from constraints that ecosystems experience after drought. Our objective was to explore the structural constraints of the ANPP response to rainfall variability in a semiarid ecosystem, the Patagonian steppe, in southern Argentina. We designed a 3-yr rainfall manipulation experiment where we decreased water input with rainout shelters during two consecutive years, which included three levels of rainfall interception (30%, 55%, and 80%) and a control. In the third year, we irrigated one-half of the plots of each rainfall-interception treatment. We evaluated the immediate effects of drought on current-year ANPP and the effects of previous-year drought on vegetation recovery after water supplementation. ANPP (g x m(-2) x yr(-1)) was linearly related to annual precipitation input (APPT; mm/yr) along the experimental precipitation gradient (ANPP = 0.13 x APPT + 58.3; r2 = 0.34, P < 0.01), and this relationship was mostly accounted for by changes in the ANPP of grasses. Plant density (D; no. individuals/mm2) was related to the precipitation received during the drought period (D = 0.11 x APPT + 18; r2 = 0.39, P < 0.05). The recovery of plants after irrigation was lower for those plots that had experienced experimental drought the previous years relative to controls, and the lags were proportional to the intensity of drought. Therefore, our results suggest that the density of plants may constrain the recovery of vegetation after drought, and these constraints may determine lags that limit the capacity of the ecosystem to take advantage of wet years after dry years.     

Biochar promotes methane production at high acetate concentrations in anaerobic soils

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Methane (CH4) is a major greenhouse gas emitted by the&nbsp;industry, agriculture and natural processes such as degradation of organic matter in anaerobic...     

Effect of food availability on egg production and packaging in the intertidal scavenging gastropod Nassarius festivus

Individuals of the scavenging gastropod Nassarius festivus (Powys) were maintained for 12 weeks at one of the three ration levels, i.e. one meal every 2, 7 or 14 d, and the effect on growth and fecundity were determined. The number and size of egg capsules, number of eggs per capsule and the calorific value of eggs together with the egg capsules decreased as food availability decreased. The size of the eggs, however, was not affected. At the end of the experiment, the cumulative mortalities were high for individuals maintained at the high and medium ration and were 56.3% and 50%, respectively, whereas the mortality was only 16.7% at the low ration. There was no increase in the shell length but a decrease in the total wet weight for all the treatments. As food availability decreased, the proportion of consumed energy allocated to reproduction decreased from 7.2% to 1.4%. This plastic life history may be a mechanism enabling scavengers to survive in an environment of which the food availability is patchy and unpredictable. Received: 14 August 1998 / Accepted: 23 July 1999     

红壤丘岗区潜育性稻田硫硅硼铜元素的有效性

研究结果表明,红壤丘岗区潜育性稻田中的冷浸田和烂泥田土壤有效硫含量相对较低,这两种类型潜育田存在潜在性缺硫问题,故应注意硫肥的施用。潜育性稻田土壤有效硅亦普遍低于非潜育性田,因而极有可能发生缺硅。与同母质类型的非潜育性稻田比较,红壤潜育性稻田土壤有效硼含量并无明显差异。但第四纪红土发育的潜育田土壤有效硼低于缺硼临界值。部分潜育田士壤有效铜含量亦低于渍水土壤缺铜临界值,这说明部分渍潜田存在缺铜现象。     

Seasonal variations in trace metal levels,speciation and physicochemical determinants of metal availability in dumpsite soils within Akwa Ibom State,Nigeria

Physicochemical properties, total metals and metal species were investigated in surface soil samples from six urban dumpsites within Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Results obtained indicated that Pb, Cd and Cr levels were higher in the dry season than in wet season, whereas Ni levels were higher during the wet season. Soil pH, organic matter and cation-exchange capacity (CEC) showed higher values in wet season than in dry season, whereas sand and clay levels were higher in the dry season. Speciation analysis showed the principal fraction of the metals to be Pb (reducible), Cd (acid extractable) and Ni (residual), whereas Cr existed in the residual fraction during the dry season and in the acid-extractable fraction during the wet season. Soil pH was positively correlated at p<0.1 with all metals in both seasons, sand was negatively correlated with the metals in both seasons, and CEC was negatively correlated with all metals in both seasons, except Pb in the wet season. Organic matter showed variable relationships with metals in both seasons. Seasonal variations affected metal availability and physicochemical properties of the soil. Total metal concentrations followed the order Pb>Ni>Cd>Cr, whereas their bioavailability followed the trend Cd>Pb>Cr>Ni.     

Analytical methods of data gathering for risk assessment of contaminated soils in agricultural production

For the detection, analysis and assessment of contaminated land a procedure in separate steps is urgently recommended. During screening analyses informations about toxic gases, contents of heavy metals and halogenated organics are provided. When certain threshold values are exceeded, more sophisticated methods of residue analysis may help to decide on soil decontamination or change of exploitation.     

Nitrate metabolism in abyssal waters

Activities of nitrate assimilation and nitrate reduction were measured 50 cm above the ocean floor (5,845 m and 5,207 m) by an in situ ¹⁵N tracer technique at stations in the subtropical (28°29.8′N; 144°58′E) and subarctic (44°10.2′N; 154°03′E) western North Pacific Ocean. Nitrate assimilation ranged from 0.009 to 0.11 μg-at N/1/day, and nitrate reduction from 0 to 0.42 μg-at N/1/day in the presence of added peptone and yeast extract. Nitrate assimilation was higher than nitrite formation at the southern station, but the reverse was the case at the subarctic station. No correlation was observed between bacterial growth and nitrate metabolizing activities. Data are also presented on the effect of hydrostatic pressures upon nitrate metabolism by microbial populations in the surface waters.     

氮、磷营养盐对东海原甲藻生长和硝酸还原酶活性的影响

在实验室培养条件下,研究了不同氮、磷浓度及氮磷比结构对东海原甲藻生长和藻细胞硝酸还原酶活性(NRA)的影响.结果表明,各培养组藻细胞在接种后d 2即进入指数生长期,但受氮、磷浓度及结构的影响,各培养组的比生长率和藻密度存在一定的差异.同东海原甲藻的生长类似,藻细胞的NRA也受氮、磷浓度及结构的影响.研究进一步发现,东海原甲藻硝酸还原酶活性的最大值(NRAmax)都出现在指数生长期,与最大比生长率出现时间基本一致,且当N/P=16时,酶活力有最大值,表明东海原甲藻的硝酸还原酶活性存在一定阈值.此外,藻的生长速率与营养盐的同化速率并不一致,存存一定的滞后效应.     

Comprehensive characterization of PAHs profile in Serbian soils for conventional and organic production: potential sources and risk assessment

This study presents a comprehensive characterization of occurrence and levels of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in arable soils used for conventional and organic production in northern and central part of Serbia as well as cross-border region with Hungary. Furthermore, this study includes a characterization of PAH sources and carcinogenic/non-carcinogenic human health risk for PAHs accumulated in analysed arable soils. The total concentration of 16 PAHs varied between 55 and 4584 µg kg^?1 in agricultural soil used for conventional production and between 90 and 523 µg kg^?1 in agricultural soil used for organic production. High molecular weight (HMW) PAHs were dominant compounds with similar contribution in both soil types (86% and 80% in conventional and in organic soil, respectively). Principal component analysis and diagnostic ratios of selected PAHs were used for identification of PAH sources in the analysed soils. Additionally, positive matrix factorization was applied for quantitative assessment. The results indicated that the major sources of PAHs were vehicle emissions, biomass and wood combustion, accounting for?~?93% of PAHs. Exposure of farmers assessed through carcinogenic (TCR) and non-carcinogenic (THQ) risk did not exceed the acceptable threshold (TCR?<?10^–6 and THQ?<?1). Oral ingestion was the main exposure route which accounted for 57% of TCR and 80% of THQ. It was followed by dermal contact. This investigation gives a valuable data insight into the PAHs presence in arable soils and reveals the absence of environmental and health risk. It also acknowledges the importance of comprehensive monitoring of these persistent pollutants.

     

Nitrate reductase in Peru current phytoplankton

Nitrate reductase (NR) activity was assayed by measuring the NADH-dependent formation of nitrite in phytoplankton extracts. NR specific activity increased with the nitrate concentration of the water in upwelling areas of the Peru Current. The temperature optimum for NR for natural phytoplankton was 15° to 20°C. NR activity showed diel periodicity, with maximum activity about noon and minimum activity near midnight local time. Rate of nitrate reduction in the extracts averaged only about 15% of the rate of nitrate assimilation in the whole cells.     

Nitrate reductase activity in Zostera marina

Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) has access to nutrient pools in both the water column and sediments. We investigated the potential for eelgrass to utilize nitrate nitrogen by measuring nitrate reductase (NR) activity with an in vivo tissue assay. Optimal incubation media contained 60 mM nitrate, 100 mM phosphate, and 0.5% 1-propanol at pH 7.0. Leaves had significantly higher NR activity than roots (350 vs 50 nmoles NO ₂ ^– produced g FW^–1 h^–1). The effects of growing depth (0.8 m MLW, 1.2 m, 3.0 m, 5.0 m) and location within the eelgrass meadow (patch edge vs middle) on NR activity were examined using plants collected from three locations in the Woods Hole area, Massachusetts, USA, in July 1987. Neither depth nor position within the meadow appear to affect NR activity. Nitrate enrichment experiments (200 M NO ₃ ^– for 6 d) were conducted in the laboratory to determine if NR activity could be induced. Certain plants from shallow depth (1.2 m) showed a significant response to enrichment, with NR activity increasing from >100 up to 950 nmoles NO ₂ ^– g FW^–1 h^–1 over 6 d. It appears that Z. marina growing in very shallow water (0.8 m) near a shoreline may be affected by ground water or surface run-off enrichments, since plants from this area exhibited rates up to 1 600 nmol NO ₂ ^– g FW^–1 h^–1. Water samples from this location consistently had slightly higher NO ₃ ^– concentrations (1.4 M) than all other collection sites (0.7 M). Thus, it is possible that chronic run-off or localized groundwater inputs can create sufficient NO ₃ ^– enrichment in the water column to induce nitrate reductase activity in Zostera leaves.     

砖红壤磷的有效性研究

研究生长在两种不同母质的砖红壤上的作物的P营养与土壤有效P的关系，以及土壤有效P与Fe、Al、Mn等元素的关系。结果表明，玄武岩砖红壤的全P含量虽比浅海沉积物砖红壤高，但其有效P含量却不如后者高，生长在后种土壤上的香蕉、辣椒、桉树的P含量也高于生长在前种土壤上；玄武岩砖红壤的活性Fe、Al、Mn含量显著高于浅海沉积物砖红壤；同一种母质的土壤其有效P含量随土壤活性Si和交换性Ca、Mg的提高而增加；土壤中活性Fe、Al、Mn含量越高，土壤对磷的固定越强，土壤有效P含量越低。同时，植物体内Fe、Al、Mn含量的增加也抑制了植物对磷的吸收，使植株中P含量降低。     

Lead in a residential environment in Jamaica

The background levels of lead in Jamaica in soils and sediments, estimated at 37 mg kg^–1, are relatively high compared with world averages. Several areas have values in excess of this due to mineralisation and pollution. One such is the residential Hope Flats/Kintyre area in which levels of lead up to 2.5% are found in the soils and up to 8 g kg^–1 in the water of the nearby Hope River. The blood lead levels of a sample of children were in the range 5.7–57 g dl^–1. The high lead levels suggest a potential health risk, particularly for the children. This can be minimised by programmes which include community education, case management and abatement to reduce the lead exposure.     

降低蔬菜硝酸盐含量的农业措施

过量的硝酸盐在人体内积累,会对人体产生毒害作用。目前各大城市普查的结果表明．蔬菜中硝酸盐含量超标2～8倍。控制蔬菜硝酸盐的积累,是一个迫切问题。本文提出了降低蔬菜硝酸盐含量的若干农业措施。