Characterization and source identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the urban environment of Delhi

This paper reports on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmospheric particulate matter of Jawaharlal Nehru University campus, an urbanized site of New Delhi, India. Suspended particulate matter samples of 24h duration were collected on glass-fiber filter paper for four representative days in each month during January 2002 to December 2003. PAHs were extracted from filter papers using toluene with ultrasonication method and analysed. Quantitative measurements of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were carried out using the gas chromatography technique. The annual average concentration of total PAHs were found to be 668+/-399 and 672+/-388 ng/m3 in the years 2002 and 2003, respectively. The seasonal average concentrations were found to be maximum in winter and minimum during in the monsoon. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) indicate that diesel and gasoline driven vehicles are the principal sources of PAHs in all the seasons. In winter coal and wood combustion also significantly contribute to the PAH levels.     

Impact of industrial effluent on growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in silty clay loam soil

Degradation of soil and water from discharge of untreated industrial effluent is alarming in Bangladesh. Therefore, buildup of heavy metals in soil from contaminated effluent, their entry into the food chain and effects on rice yield were quantified in a pot experiment. The treatments were comprised of 0, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% industrial effluents applied as irrigation water. Effluents, initial soil, different parts of rice plants and post-harvest pot soil were analyzed for various elements, including heavy metals. Application of elevated levels of effluent contributed to increased heavy metals in pot soils and rice roots due to translocation effects, which were transferred to rice straw and grain. The results indicated that heavy metal toxicity may develop in soil because of contaminated effluent application. Heavy metals are not biodegradable, rather they accumulate in soils, and transfer of these metals from effluent to soil and plant cells was found to reduce the growth and development of rice plants and thereby contributed to lower yield. Moreover, a higher concentration of effluent caused heavy metal toxicity as well as reduction of growth and yield of rice, and in the long run a more aggravated situation may threaten human lives, which emphasizes the obligatory adoption of effluent treatment before its release to the environment, and regular monitoring by government agencies needs to be ensured.     

Polycentric agglomeration and haze pollution: evidence from China

Polycentric agglomeration has gradually become a salient feature of rapid growth in urbanization in China. Using province-level balanced panel data over the period 2000–18, we examine the impact of polycentric agglomeration on haze pollution and its mechanism of action. The results show that the impact of polycentric agglomeration on haze pollution exhibits a significant inverted U-shaped feature. Nevertheless, except for a few provinces where polycentric agglomeration exceeds the turning point, the degree of polycentric concentration in most provinces lies to the left of the turning point. Further, a mediating effect model illustrates that industrial structure rationalization and technological progress are effective paths through which polycentric agglomeration affects haze pollution. Finally, we demonstrate that the effect of polycentric agglomeration on haze pollution is influenced by transportation and communication infrastructure; improved transportation and communication infrastructure contributes to the haze control effect of polycentric agglomeration.

     

Deciphering the impact of novel coronavirus pandemic on agricultural sustainability,food security,and socio-economic sectors—a review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The Spanish flu, Asian flu, Hong Kong flu, HIV/AIDS, SARS, Ebola, and Swine flu, among others, have had a significant impact on agriculture,...     

开都河下游绿洲耕地土壤重金属污染及潜在生态风险

开都河下游绿洲采集98个耕地土壤样品,测定其中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb和Zn等8种重金属元素的含量.基于地统计法,污染负荷指数法和潜在生态风险指数法研究耕地土壤重金属污染和潜在生态风险,并对重金属的来源进行讨论.结果表明:(1)研究区Cd含量平均值超出《国家土壤环境质量标准》中Ⅱ级标准的11.08倍.Cd、Cr、Ni、Pb和Zn含量的平均值分别超出新疆灌耕土背景值的55.42、1.32、1.36、3.40和5.14倍.重金属元素空间分布各不相同,部分区域出现高值区,表明人类活动对耕地土壤环境具有负面效应.(2)研究区耕地土壤Cd呈现重度污染,Pb呈现中度污染,Cr、Cu、Ni和Zn呈现轻度污染,As和Mn呈现无污染态势.Cd是污染面积最大,污染程度最高的元素.研究区污染负荷指数PLI的平均值为1.68,呈现轻度污染.(3)各重金属元素单项生态风险指数(E)的平均值从大到小依次为:Cd、Ni、As、Cu、Pb、Cr与Zn.研究区综合生态风险指数(RI)的平均值为355.31,属于较强生态风险.(4)研究区耕地土壤As、Cd、Pb和Zn主要受到人类活动的影响,Cr、Cu、Mn和Ni主要受到土壤地球化学特征的控制.Cd是研究区耕地土壤主要的污染因子,对PLI和RI的贡献很大,耕地土壤中Cd污染必须关注.     

乌鲁木齐市安宁渠蔬菜基地土壤重金属污染现状及潜在生态风险评价

为了认识蔬菜产地土壤重金属富集现状，探索其解决途径，为污染防治措施提供科学依据，促进无公害蔬菜生产，确保蔬菜质量安全。在乌鲁木齐北郊蔬菜地采集26个土壤样品和7个水体样品，分别测定样品中Hg、As、Cr、Cd、Pb和Zn 6种重金属的含量。采用地积累指数（I_geo）、污染负荷指数（PLI）、潜在生态风险评价（RI）对蔬菜地土壤重金属污染及潜在生态风险进行分析。通过土壤与水样的结合，采用主成分分析法进行污染来源分析，结果表明：（1）乌鲁木齐安宁渠蔬菜基地土壤中Hg、Cr和Zn重金属含量的均值分别为新疆土壤背景值的5.74、1.74、1.52倍，其中Cd含量的均值是国家二级标准的2.69倍。地下水中Cr含量均值超过国家灌溉水限制标准，是其8.89倍。（2）6种重金属I_geo的平均值依次为Cd > Hg > Cr > Zn > As > Pb，其中Cd属于中-强度污染，Hg为中度污染，Cr为轻度污染，Zn、As和Pb均为清洁水平。研究区土壤区域污染负荷指数PLI_zone为1.91，属于中度污染，其中Cd的贡献率最大，为56%，其次是Hg，贡献率为22%。土壤RI均值为673.1，属于严重潜在生态风险态势。（3）研究区土壤Pb、Cr和Zn，主要来自交通和农业活动等人为污染，As、Cd主要受自然母质和大气沉降的影响。该蔬菜基地潜在生态风险主要来自Cd和Hg，建议在农业生产中防范Cd、Hg的污染。     

Oasis land-use change and its effects on the oasis eco-environment in Keriya Oasis,China

Land-use change in oases of arid zones play a significant role in the sustainable development and stability of oases. This paper presents a typical case of successful efforts to mitigate land-use change, its drivers and effects on the oasis eco-environment at Keriya Oasis in the western arid zone of China using remotely-sensed data, official statistics, and data collected by field investigation. Mathematical models were developed to quantify important elements related to land-use change, including net change and total change. The results indicate that: (1) approximately 17% of land-use types of Keriya Oasis changed between 1991 and 2002; (2) socioeconomic development, climate change, and economic polices contributed to land-use change in the oasis; (3) inappropriate human activities were the main cause of land-use change and eco-environmental degradation in the oasis; and (4) the stability of the oasis is threatened by land-use change and unexpected eco-environmental changes in the oasis and oasis–desert ecotone. The study suggests irrational human activity in arid zones, and that caution should be exercised to maintain stability and sustainable development of oases.     

Study of water quality of Hudiara drain, India-Pakistan

This paper examines the extent of pollution in Hudiara drain water due to untreated industrial and sewage waste of India and Pakistan. Ninety-nine surface water samples from the Pakistani side of the Hudiara drain were collected during September 1997, and April and June 1998. The analytical results of the Hudiara drain samples point out the industrial and sewage inputs from India and Pakistan. Higher values of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand(COD), total organic carbon(TOC), and trace metals in drain samples from the Indo-Pak border clearly indicate the Indian industrial and sewage pollution. Large variations in the levels of various measured parameters (COD, BOD, TOC, pH, total soluble substances, and trace metals) were observed along the Hudiara drain in the Pakistani vicinity. These variations were due to different types of industrial effluents and small village drains. The study showed that suspended solids(SS), COD, and fecal coliform (FC) were the major pollutants. Accordingly, the most feasible alternative is to convert the drainage network to a sedimentation and temporary storage reservoir. If disinfected, the runoff water can be used for restricted irrigation. Groundwater samples taken from the drain's surrounding area have also been analyzed. Thirty percent of the samples are not fit for drinking purposes due to NO3-N, Se and FC counts as prescribed by World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. A trilinear diagram clearly indicates the influence of surface water of the Hudiara drain on ground water; moreover, higher values of nitrate and FC clearly indicate the seepage from the Hudiara drain.