Determination of total and EDTA extractable metal distributions in the colloidal fraction of contaminated soils using SdFFF-ICP-HRMS

Newly developed methods involving an on-line combination of sedimentation field-flow fractionation-inductively coupled plasma-high resolution mass spectrometry (SdFFF-ICP-HRMS) have been used to study the distributions of extractable heavy metals in a soil which had been treated with sewage sludge contaminated with Cu or Pb. The relationship of these metals with other elements in the colloidal fraction was also investigated. The colloidal fraction from the soil was obtained by repeated gravitational sedimentation and extracted with 0.11 M acetic acid, 0.1 M hydroxylamine hydrochloride, 0.05 M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA) or aqua regia to assess the potential availability of the metals Cu and Pb. Large proportions of the Cu and Pb were extracted by EDTA, approaching that removed by aqua regia, whereas < 10% of the aqua regia extractable metals were removed by acetic acid and hydroxylamine chloride. The distributions of the heavy metals, the major mineral forming element (Al) and the elements forming sesquioxides (Fe and Mn) within different size classes (0.05-1 microm) of the colloidal fraction were measured using SdFFF-ICP-HRMS before and after extraction with EDTA. This information provides an insight into the composition of the colloids and the distributions of metal contaminants. In the contaminated soil colloids, the concentration of Fe, Mn and Pb is greatest in the smaller particles (<0.2 microm). In contrast, the Cu concentration is constant over the size range studied. Iron oxide surface coatings probably play a significant role in Pb adsorption on soil particles, but may be less important for Cu. The combination of selective chemical extraction, SdFFF and ICP-HRMS provides a means of determining the distribution of potentially available heavy metals within the colloidal fraction of contaminated soils.     

Dominance rank,resource availability,and reproductive maturation in female savanna baboons

Summary Ten years of data collected from a population of savanna baboons, Papio cynocephalus anubis, residing near Gilgil, Kenya were analyzed to ascertain the extent to which social and ecological factors influence reproductive maturation in females. First sexual swelling occurred at an average age of 4.79 years and first birth occurred at an average age of 6.92 years. Age at first menses was significantly correlated with age at first sexual swelling, but age at first sexual swelling was not a good predictor of age at first birth. The amount of rainfall in the 6 months preceding first sexual swelling and resource availability were significantly correlated with age at first sexual swelling. When ecological factors were taken into account, dominant females had an earlier age at onset of puberty, but not an earlier age at first birth, than did subordinate females. We suggest that nutritional and social stress operate at the same physiological level to disrupt GnRH pulsatility and retard reproductive maturation in some females. Given that socioecological variables modify the timing of life history events related to fitness in female baboons, the task for the future is to unravel how socioecological factors influence different life history components and generate variation in lifetime reproductive success. Correspondence to: F.B. Bercovitch     

EFFECTS OF DECREASING WATER DEPTHS ON THE SEDIMENTATION RATE OF ILLINOIS RIVER BOTTOMLAND LAKES1

ABSTRACT: The annual sedimentation rate of lakes and reservoirs is usually not evaluated for changes in depth relative to time. By using a linear regression with depth as the independent variable and annual rate of fill as the dependent variable the effect of changing depths is negated. According to both profile and linear regression analyses, Peoria Lake is filling faster in the more recent of two time spans but Lake Meredosia's increasing sedimentation rate is shown only by a linear regression. The probable cause for increasing sediment loads in the Illinois River is an almost twofold increase in row crop production in Illinois.     

RecoPhos: Full-scale fertilizer production from sewage sludge ash

The substitution potential of sewage sludge for German primary phosphate imports has been estimated as 40%. Yet, a marketable option for the full scale recovery has been lacking. This study focuses on a full-scale process for the manufacture of a P-fertilizer from sewage sludge ash (SSA) adapted from the production of Triple Superphosphate. Given (i) conformity of the input with phosphate ores mined from sedimentary deposits, (ii) comparability of the product with a commercially available P-fertilizer regarding contaminant levels, P-fractionation and yield effects, and (iii) compliance of the output with the German Fertilizer Ordinance the RecoPhos P 38 fertilizer was discharged from the waste legislation regime. The fertilizer is currently being produced at a rate of 1000 tonnes per month and sold at a competitive price.     

Evaluation of surface water quality impacts of hazardous chemical sites

Common deficiencies in the typical evaluation of the surface water quality impacts of hazardous chemical sites are discussed. Particular attention is given to deficiencies in monitoring stormwater runoff, as well as the input of contaminated groundwaters that lead to impairment of the beneficial uses of nearby surface waters because of site-derived hazardous and deleterious chemicals. An alternative approach, Evaluation Monitoring, is presented in this paper. Evaluation Monitoring shifts the monitoring program from periodic sampling and analysis of stormwater runoff and ambient waters for a suite of chemical parameters, to examining the receiving waters to determine what, if any, water quality use impairments are occurring in surface waters due to the runoff-associated constituents and shallow groundwater input.     

Mammalian community characteristics on surface mine lands in Pennsylvania

Mammalian communities were studied on 10 surface mines over a four year period. The size and composition of these communities varied among the different areas. The size, composition, and spatial distribution of these mammalian communities were related to the structure of the plant community, and native plant species were of greater importance in determining size and composition of these communities than were those used in reclamation.     

THE ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF DUAL PURPOSE NUCLEAR DESALINATION OF GROUND WATER1

ABSTRACT: The economic feasibility of a large scale dual purpose (desalting water and power production) facility were evaluated. Although a site in the Tularosa basin of southern New Mexico was chosen as a case study for this analysis, it is believed that the approach and consequential results would be applicable to alternative sites in the Southwest. The basic project evaluated included: a) a ground water well field; b) a dual purpose, nuclear, desalination plant; c) a mineral recovery plant; and d) a reservoir for recreation and irrigation storage. Principle project outputs included electrical power, minerals, recreation, and water for either irrigated agricultural production or export to an adjoining river basin. Two alternative project designs were developed for detailed analysis. The first alternative encompassed all major project components. The results, in discounted net values used to assess the feasibility of the project, were essentially negative; that is, values were less than zero for full scale development. The net benefits ranged from $-986.57 million at a 5 percent discount rate, to $-1,137.528 million at a discount rate of 10 percent. In the second alternative, exportation of the desalted water from the Tularosa basin to two adjacent rivers was analyzed with somewhat better net benefits, ranging from $-382,527 million to $-478,612 million at the 5 and 10 percent discount rates.     

EFFECTS OF NITRATE AND PHOSPHATE CONCENTRATION ON NATURAL AQUATIC BACTERIAL POPULATIONS1

ABSTRACT: Natural aquatic bacterial populations in three streams located at the Savannah River Project, Aiken, S.C. have been studied in relation to the effects of ambient temperatures, dissolved River Project, Aiken, oxygen (DO), nitrate and phosphate concentrations. ³ 3 This work was supported in part by Contract #AT (38–1–824) with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, and was done in part in connection with AEC Contract #AT (07–2)–1.
Samples collected at monthly intervals for a period of one year from each system, were plated in duplicate at each of two dilutions on 1/4 strength Standard Plate Count Agar (Difco). After incubation at 25±1 °C for four days, total colony forming units, percent chromagens, and number of colony types (diversity) were determined and colonies were picked for identification. Temperatures were generally equal in two of the streams throughout the year, being lowest in Upper Three Runs (U3R) and Tirns Branch (TB), and highest in the Ash Basin System (ABS). DO content did not vary appreciably between the streams. Nitrates and phosphates were lowest in U3R, next lowest in TB, higher in the last station in ABS, and highest in the ash basin per se. Total colony forming units were highest in the ash basin, whereas chromagen percentage and diversity were highest in the last station in ABS. Results of these studies indicate that high nitrates and phosphates, in the absence of high organic carbon concentrations, have little, if any detrimental effect on the stability of natural aquatic bacterial populations.