Evaluation of dilute hydrochloric acid and acid ammonium oxalate as extractants for some heavy metals from Nile River sediments

The suitability of a 0.5 M HCl solution for extraction of Fe, Mn, Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, and Zn from Nile River sediments was evaluated by comparing its effectiveness with that of conventional acid ammonium oxalate (Tamm's solution) and aqua regia extraction solutions. The present study has shown that although the extraction data indicate that both 0.5 M HCl and acid ammonium oxalate solutions are able to extract heavy metals simultaneously from the adsorbed, organic, and precipitated phases of Nile sediments, the 0.5 M HCl solution is preferred. It provides a rapid, reliable, and inexpensive method of measuring environmentally mobile metal concentrations in the aquatic sediments. From an analytical chemistry point of view, the 0.5 M HCl extracts do not clog the atomizer of the spectrophotometer. Extraction with dilute HCl solution obviates the need to use chemicals, some of which are toxic or not available readily as a high-purity grade. A standard extraction method should be relatively simple, to conduct a routine analysis of large numbers of sediment samples, yet at the same time it should provide sufficient information for assessment of the environmental impact of particulate metals. Therefore, extraction with 0.5 M HCl solution is very suitable for heavy-metal pollution monitoring in the Nile River     

Health effects associated with long-term occupational exposure of employees of a chlor-alkali plant to mercury

This study aimed to evaluate possible health effects associated with long-term occupational exposure to low levels of mercury vapors. Forty-six subjects exposed to mercury and 65 healthy unexposed employees were studied. The subjects were administered a questionnaire on experienced symptoms and underwent clinical examinations as well as routine biochemical tests. Atmospheric and urinary concentrations of mercury were measured, too. Environmental concentrations of mercury were estimated to be 3.97 ± 6.28 μg/m(3) and urinary concentrations of mercury in exposed and referent groups were 34.30 ± 26.77 and 10.15 ± 3.82 μg/dm(3), respectively. Additionally, symptoms such as somatic fatigue, anorexia, loss of memory, erethism, blurred vision and teeth problems were significantly more common among exposed individuals. These observations indicate that occupational exposure to mercury vapors, even at low levels, is likely to be associated with neurological and psychological symptoms.     

Toxic responses of different organs following occupational exposure to sub-threshold limit value levels of paving asphalt fumes

The main purpose of this study was to ascertain whether occupational exposure to asphalt fumes, under normal working conditions, is associated with any hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, or hematotoxic response. This was a cross-sectional study in which 210 subjects (80 exposed and 130 reference subjects) were investigated. Using standard methods, atmospheric concentrations of total particulate and benzene-soluble fractions of asphalt fumes were measured. Additionally, urine and blood samples were taken from subjects for complete blood count, white blood cell differential test, urinalysis, and routine biochemical tests of kidney and liver function. Both groups were similar as far as their demographic variables and smoking habits were concerned. The levels of exposure to total particulate and benzene-soluble fractions were estimated to be 0.9?±?0.2 and 0.32?±?0.09 mg m^?3, respectively (mean?±?SD), both of which being lower than the existing threshold limit values. Statistically, significant associations between exposure to asphalt fumes and changes in most liver and kidney function tests and complete blood count parameters provided circumstantial evidence in favor of the notion that exposure to sub-threshold limit value levels of total particulate and benzene-soluble fractions is associated with early liver and kidney dysfunction as well as hematological disorders.     

Effect of pH values on the solubility of some elements in different soil samples

The purpose of this study is to know the concentrations of some heavy-metal elements (Zn, Pb and Cd) in different types of soil and the effect of pH values on their solubility. Two types of soil were selected from area adjacent to the sewage treatment plant, as well as from an agricultural area in the city of Al-Rass, Qassim, KSA for this purpose. The results showed high concentrations of elements in the acidic medium at pH 2, while concentrations decreased as the pH increased to reach the neutral medium. The decrease in concentrations was very clear in the alkaline medium and reached the lowest values at pH10. On the other hand, the highest concentrations were detected in soil adjacent to the sewage treatment specially for Pb and Cd in comparison with agricultural soil. The previous results show the urgent need for wastewater treatment and checking for pH values at standard limits before use in irrigation or discharge it on soil surface, as well as soil analysis prior to the planting and selection of appropriate plants by specialists for the health of citizens, where each plant characterise by its absorption for specific elements.     

Physicochemical aspects of using natural scavengers in removing methylene blue (basic dye) from solution

Effluent from dyeing and finishing processes is an important source of water pollution. The effectiveness of bentonite, kaolinite and sediment from a local deposit in removing methylene blue as a cationic dye from aqueous solutions has been investigated. The adsorption equilibrium (isotherm) has been determined according to Freundlich and Langmuir equations. The optimum amount is 0.5 g for all adsorbents, and the optimum pH ranges are 2–8 for bentonite and 2–6 for kaolinite and sediment. With respect to kinetic modelling, the adsorption of methylene blue on various adsorbents was fitted to a second-order equation. Also, the thermodynamic parameters were determined. The negative free energy values indicate the feasibility of the process and spontaneous nature of adsorption. The positive ΔH° values indicate the endothermic nature of the process. Thus, Egyptian clay minerals and sediments have a great tendency to remove the dye from solutions.     

Physicochemical characteristics and distribution of some metals in the ecosystem of Lake Nasser,Egypt

To know the interrelationship between some metals in different ecosystem components (water, sediment, aquatic plant and fish), many samples from these components were collected from four bights at the Nasser Lake, Egypt, and analyzed for Fe, Mn, Zn, Ca, Mg, Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, Cu and Cr using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Different distribution factors (bioaccumulation factor – BF, discrimination factor – DF and enrichment factor – EF) were applied on the results of analysis. Data showed that the relatively high concentration of measured metals in water samples are derived from fish farms, and discharge of tourism and trade ships. Applying single leaching sequential technique on sediment samples, using different extracting solutions, revealed a strong ability of trace metals to adsorb on or co-precipitate with amorphous Fe/Mn oxides. High concentrations of Fe, Mn, Co and Ni were measured in the intestine while high Cd and Cr concentrations were recorded in the stomach in both Tilapia (nilotica and galilea). Tilapia galilea accumulated high Pb, Cu and Zn concentrations in their stomach, while in nilotica high concentrations of Pb, Cu and Zn were measured in the intestine, liver and muscles, respectively. Myriophyllum spicatum (an aquatic plant) in the lake recorded high concentrations of Fe, Mn and Zn. Bioaccumulation factors of studied elements in the different bights components indicate that the elevated concentration of measured elements in the aquatic plant and Tilapia (nilotica and galilea) are derived from water, reflecting the increase of human activities in Nasser Lake in recent years. However, the present study concluded that all the elements studied were still below the natural back-ground levels, except Zn and Cu.     

Complexing agents for metal removal using ultrafiltration membranes: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Water pollution by human activities is major issue. In particular, toxic metals are of particular concern, thus calling for advanced methods to remove metals from...     

Removal of emerging contaminants from wastewater using advanced treatments. A review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - The rise of emerging contaminants in waters challenges the scientific community and water treatment stakeholders to design remediation techniques that are simple,...     

Assessment of metals in soil extracts and their uptake and movement within Tamarix nilotica at Lake Nasser banks, Egypt

This study aims to determine heavy-metal levels in soil from the banks of Lake Nasser, the ability of Tamarix nilotica to accumulate such metals from soil and hence its potential for phytoextraction. Soil and Tamarix samples were collected from the banks of four bights around Lake Nasser and analysed for Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb by atomic absorption spectrometry, whereas Na and K were measured by atomic emission spectrophotometry. Three different methods of extraction were used for the soil samples. Lead, copper and zinc were equally distributed between the exchangeable phase and Fe/Mn oxide-bound form, while other measured metals were mainly present in the Fe/Mn oxide fraction. With the exception of iron, all metals studied showed total concentrations within the geochemical background values. T. nilotica exhibited elevated concentrations of Na (36.2-48.5 mg g^-1) and K (2.74-4.33 mg g^-1) in stems, and relatively high concentrations of Pb, Cd and Co (0.39-1.03 µg g^-1, 0.24-1.3 µg g^-1 and 1.94-5.3 µg g^-1, respectively) are found in plant leaves. Bioaccumulation factors of Na and K (9.3 and 12.63, respectively) were high in T. nilotica stems. While the bioaccumulation of Pb, Cd, Co and Ni (2870.1, 2035.4, 10.5 and 5313.2, respectively) was high in plant leaves, Fe, Mn, Ca and Mg were accumulated relatively equally in plant stems and leaves. T. nilotica was found to secrete high amounts of Na, Ca and K, in addition to small amounts of all accumulated metals except Cd and Cu. These secreted metals appeared as salt crystals (67.5% Na; 25.8% Ca; 5% Mg; 1.5% K and 0.16% trace and minor elements) on the plant surface. The concentrations of all the metals studied in T. nilotica were higher than in the salt crystals. Statistical analysis of the database suggests bioaccumulation of these metals from soil to T. nilotica. This reflects the importance of using T. nilotica as a model in the phytoremediation process as an established environmental clean-up technology.     

Evaluation Of Ground Water Quality In Dakhla Oasis (Egyptian Western Desert)

Chemical analyses of ground water and soil samples at Zakhera Village (Dakhla Oasis, Egyptian Western Desert) were carried out on ten artesian wells. The interrelationships between the major and minor ions' behaviour and the prevailing geological and environmental conditions were examined. Ground water quality varies widely, even at short distances, depending on hydrogeological conditions, pumping period, depth of aquifer, type of soil, and human activities. Significant differences of the flux coefficient values for metals and non-metals were observed as a result of the redox status of their environment and adsorption phenomena. Water quality index (WQI), and saturation index (SI) indicated the suitability of these samples for different uses.