Levels of Lead in Urban Soils from Selected Cities in a Central Region of the Philippines (7 pp)

Background Aims, and Scope. Lead (Pb) is a naturally occurring element that poses environmental hazards when present at elevated concentration. It is being released into the environment because of industrial uses and from the combustion of fossil fuels. Hence, Pb is ubiquitous throughout global ecosystems. The existence of potentially harmful concentrations of Pb in the environment must be given full attention. Emissions from vehicles are major source of environmental contamination by Pb. Thus, it becomes imperative that concentrations of Pb and other hazardous materials in the environment not only in the Philippines, but elsewhere in the world be adequately examined in order that development of regulations and standards to minimize risk associated with these materials in urban areas is continued. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the levels of Pb in soil from selected urbanized cities in central region of the Philippines; (2) to identify areas with soil Pb concentration values that exceed estimated natural concentrations and allowable limits; and (3) to determine the possible sources that contribute to elevated soil Pb concentration (if any) in the study area. Methods This study was limited to the determination of Pb levels in soils of selected urbanized cities located in central region in the Philippines, namely: Site 1 – Tarlac City in Tarlac; Site 2 – Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija; Site 3 – Malolos City in Bulacan; Site 4 – San Fernando City in Pampanga; Site 5 – Balanga City in Bataan; and Site 6 – Olongapo City in Zambales. Soil samples were collected from areas along major thoroughfares regularly traversed by tricycles, passenger jeepneys, cars, vans, trucks, buses, and other motor vehicles. Soil samples were collected from five sampling sites in each of the study areas. Samples from the selected sampling sites were obtained approximately 2 to 3 meters from the road. Analysis of the soil samples for Pb content was conducted using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. This study was conducted from 2003 to 2004. Since this study assumed that vehicular emission is the major source of Pb contamination in urban soil, other information which the researchers deemed to have bearing on the study were obtained such as relative quantity of each gasoline type disposed of in each city within a given period and volume of traffic in each sampling site. A survey questionnaire for gasoline station managers was prepared to determine the relative quantity of each fuel type (diesel, regular gasoline, premium gasoline, and unleaded gasoline) disposed of or sold within a given period in each study area. Results and Discussion Analysis of soil samples for Pb content showed the presence of Pb in all the soil samples collected from the 30 sampling sites in the six cities at varying concentrations ranging from 1.5 to 251 mg kg–1. Elevated levels of Pb in soil (i.e. greater than 25 mg kg–1 Pb) were detected in five out of the six cities investigated. Site 4 recorded the highest Pb concentration (73.9 ± 94.4 mg kg–1), followed by Site 6 (56.3 ± 17.1 mg kg–1), Site 3 (52.0 ± 33.1 mg kg–1), Site 5 (39.3 ± 19.0 mg kg–1), and Site 2 (38.4 ± 33.2 mg kg–1). Soil Pb concentration in Site 1 (16.8 ± 12.2 mg kg–1) was found to be within the estimated natural concentration range of 5 to 25 mg kg–1. Site 1 registered the least Pb concentration. Nonetheless, the average Pb concentration in the soil samples from the six cities studied were all found to be below the maximum tolerable limit according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The high Pb concentration in Site 4 may be attributed mainly to vehicular emission. Although Site 4 only ranked 3rd in total volume of vehicles, it has the greatest number of Type B and Type C vehicles combined. Included in these categories are diesel trucks, buses, and jeepneys which are considered the largest contributors of TSP (total suspended particles) and PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 microns) emissions. Conclusion Only one (San Juan in Site 4) of the thirty sampling sites recorded a Pb concentration beyond the WHO permissible limit of 100 mg kg–1. San Juan in Site 4 had a Pb concentration of >250 mg kg–1. On the average, elevated Pb concentration was evident in the soil samples from San Fernando, Olongapo, Malolos, Balanga, and Cabanatuan. The average soil Pb concentrations in these cities exceeded the maximum estimated natural soil Pb concentration of 25 mg kg–1. Average soil Pb concentration in Site 1 (16.8 mg kg–1) was well within the estimated natural concentration range of 5 to 25 mg kg–1. Data gathered from the study areas showed that elevated levels of Pb in soil were due primarily to vehicular emissions and partly to igneous activity. Recommendation and Outlook The findings of this study presented a preliminary survey on the extent of Pb contamination of soils in urban cities in central region of Philippines Island. With this kind of information on hand, government should develop a comprehensive environmental management strategy to address vehicular air pollution in urban areas, which shows as one of the most pressing environmental problems in the country. Basic to this is the continuous monitoring of Pb levels and other pollutants in air, soil, and water. Further studies should be conducted to monitor soil Pb levels in the six cities studied particularly in areas with elevated Pb concentration. The potential for harm from Pb exposure cannot be understated. Of particular concern are children who are more predisposed to Pb toxicity than adults. Phytoremediation of Pb-contaminated sites is strongly recommended to reduce Pb concentration in soil. Several studies have confirmed that plants are capable of absorbing extra Pb from soil and that some plants, grass species in particular, and can naturally absorb far more Pb than others.     

东北典型林区土壤黑碳分布特征及影响因素

以长白山、小兴安岭和大兴安岭三大东北林区为研究对象,研究了各区域森林土壤的黑碳含量和密度等分布特征,并对比林型、地形和火烧强度等研究结果,探讨了上述因素对黑碳分布特征的影响.研究表明,东北森林土壤的黑碳分布在垂直方向上差异显著,表现为表层(A11层)亚表层(A1 2层)(p0.01),3个区域内表层土壤黑碳含量大小表现为:大兴安岭长白山小兴安岭,黑碳密度大小为:长白山大兴安岭小兴安岭.长白山林区不同林型的黑碳含量和密度存在明显差异,杨桦次生林显著高于原始阔叶红松林(p0.01);小兴安岭林区,同一土层不同坡位土壤黑碳含量和密度均表现为:下坡上坡(p0.01),不同坡向均表现为:阳坡阴坡(p0.05);不同火烧强度下大兴安岭森林土壤黑碳含量和密度也有差异:对照轻度火烧中度火烧重度火烧,且对照与中度、重度火烧强度间均差异显著(p0.01).综上可知,林型、坡位和火烧强度是影响东北森林土壤黑碳分布的重要因素,但各林区主控因素不同.     

北京市大气PM10环境背景值的计算方法探讨

为了消除或降低PM10环境背景值计算中城市局地污染的影响,并且提高背景值在污染过程模拟中的准确程度,紧密联系天气过程、通过监测和统计途径探讨了确定环境背景值的方法.北京市空气质量背景监测站点在地方性天气过程中明显受到城市污染的影响,文中根据天气形势场、垂直方向上风向一致性、系统影响持续时间等判别标准区分了系统性和地方性过程,筛选出受系统性过程影响的、"背景时段"的监测数据.背景时段监测数据统计计算时,将背景值视为变量,用百分位数、剪裁均值、最大概率密度值、50%概率区间等特征统计量来表达其概率分布.文中还将背景值细化,根据天气系统特征和区域自然环境、人类活动的差异将背景值区分为4类,以代表不同污染过程的背景水平.使用2003年11月至2004年12月北京市北部和南部共5个清洁站点的监测数据,计算了117个中尺度天气系统影响时,PM10浓度概率密度分布以及背景值特征统计量.结果表明,4类背景值差别很大,从小到大排序依次是:北风＞东风＞西风＞南风,剪裁均值依次为:24～34、58、89～110和105μg·m-3.对4类背景值综合运算,得到2004年PM10年尺度上的综合背景值为58～67μg·7-3,较好地扣除了局地污染的影响.     

复合式厌氧折流板反应器作为制氢系统的乙醇型发酵调控研究

乙醇型发酵被认为是产氢发酵类型中的最佳选择.以赤糖废水为底物,进行了五格室、总有效容积为43.2 L的复合式厌氧折流板反应器作为制氢系统的乙醇型发酵调控研究.为期64 d、3个阶段的实验结果表明,以好氧活性污泥作为接种污泥,在水力停留时间为12 h、进水pH为5.0~7.0之间、温度为35℃±1℃的条件下,通过分阶段提高进水COD的方式,可使HABR系统在启动阶段培育出具有稳定产氢效能的乙醇型发酵菌群体系.由于废水进入每一个格室的状态不同,每个格室形成的微生物菌群结构不同,虽然也都形成了乙醇型发酵,但是产氢能力有所差异,第二格室产氢量最高.系统第二阶段,COD为6500 mg·L-1时,平均COD去除率为43.34%,平均产氢量为14.91 L·d-1,此阶段效果最佳.在第三阶段,COD过高,系统产氢量与COD去除率出现下降,但产氢系统并没有崩溃.系统可同时生产氢和乙醇,其能量值在第二阶段达到最高值,平均为3340.62 kJ·d-1.在不同的COD条件下,氢气与乙醇生产速率的线性关系为y(氢)=0.351x(乙醇)-0.181(R2=0.9767).     

营养盐对白洋淀草型富营养化的驱动与限制

对流入白洋淀的府河水体及沉积物中氮、磷营养元素进行了测试,并结合1991~2007年的历史数据,研究了白洋淀富营养化的基本特征及营养盐驱动机制.结果表明,府河氮、磷浓度严重超标,属于劣Ⅴ类水体.草型湖泊水生植物的生长与水体中营养盐限制类型密切相关.在高营养盐浓度下,水体氮、磷相对比(N/P)为14~16时,有利于水生高等植物生长,促使芦苇成为白洋淀优势物种.草型富营养化是白洋淀的基本特征,氮是湖泊草型富营养化的限制因子.通过降低府河输入白洋淀的含氮污染物总量,可有效缓解白洋淀草型富营养化状况.     

黄土高原不同地貌区土壤有机碳空间变异与合理取样数研究

论文运用经典统计学和地统计学相结合的方法,以黄土高原典型地貌丘陵沟壑区(庄浪县)与平原区(武功县)为例,探讨了土壤有机碳空间变异特征及县域尺度土壤有机碳的合理采样数。研究表明,丘陵沟壑区有机碳的变异系数较小,变化范围在0.176 到0.200 之间,平原区较沟壑区大,变化范围在0.24 到0.26 之间,基于经典统计学,在5%的精度要求和95%的置信区间,沟壑区的合理样本数为64 个,平原区为110 个。丘陵沟壑区与平原区两区域都呈现出强烈的空间相关性且变程较小,分别为2 250、900 m,庄浪县土壤有机碳含量高值区斑块较破碎,东部较西部多、北部比南部多;武功县土壤有机碳含量西南与中部地区含量较高,高值区比庄浪县相对集中。根据土壤有机碳的空间相关性和克里格插值的独立验证得出庄浪县与武功县的合理采样数分别为903、1 838 个,合理样本数的确定对合理评价黄土高原地区碳储量的预测精度有重要意义。     

东营断陷湖盆充填过程对烃源岩的控制作用研究

下第三系沙河街组是东营凹陷最重要的生油层段 ,精细研究发现沙河街组主力烃源岩在岩性岩相组合、有机质性质和组成等方面存在显著的差异性。通过分析盆地的沉积体系和演化序列 ,将沙河街组烃源岩自下而上划分为三个发展演化阶段 ,从湖盆形成早期的欠充填阶段经过平衡充填到最后的过充填 ,经历了一个完整的湖盆类型演变旋回过程 ,它们分别对应于岩石地层单元中的沙四上亚段、沙三下亚段和沙三中、上亚段。由于湖泊充填过程的阶段性导致了各充填单元烃源岩有机质的组成成分、有机质的保存条件和生物标志化合物等地球化学指标的差异性 ,而这些特征的差异性正说明了湖盆的充填过程控制了烃源岩的形成和发育。     

底物类型对厌氧消化过程中胞内外抗生素抗性基因归趋的影响研究

厌氧消化（anaerobic digestion,AD）是畜禽粪污和剩余污泥重要的处理处置方式,其在能源回收和消减抗生素抗性基因（antibiotic resistance genes,ARGs）中具有重要的应用前景.底物类型及预处理是影响厌氧消化过程的重要因素,其对ARGs归趋特征的影响尚不明确.本研究针对猪粪、鸡粪和剩余污泥3种典型的环境ARGs源为研究对象,明确不同底物类型对厌氧消化中ARGs归趋的影响特征,结合胞内ARGs （Intracellular ARGs,iARGs）和胞外ARGs （Extracellular ARGs,eARGs）及其微生物群落结构演替的差异,探讨不同底物类型在厌氧消化过程中ARGs的响应特征.结果表明,底物类型对厌氧消化过程中的胞内外ARGs的变化具有显著的影响.高压蒸汽灭菌（120℃,30 min）预处理底物对厌氧消化结束时的总累积甲烷产气量没有显著的提高,鸡粪组中出现产气抑制的现象,这与之前的研究一致.不同底物类型样品中DNA浓度与DNA中16S rRNA基因的丰度之间存在显著相关性（R²=0.663,p<0.05）.底物中微生物对厌氧消化中iARGs和eARGs的转归贡献率较小,剩余污泥中的eARG在总ARGs中的比例最高（5.47%）.在不同底物类型中iARG和eARGs的变化均显著不同.     

在用轻型汽油车排放随行驶里程劣化规律分析

基于佛山市3.5万条简易稳态工况(ASM)下的尾气排放检测数据,通过分类统计和线性拟合方法分析在用轻型汽油车的污染物排放浓度随行驶里程的劣化规律。分析结果表明,该地区轻型汽油车污染物排放浓度主要分布于低值区间,超过85%的样本数据低于最低排放限值;车辆排放劣化特征随行驶里程呈规律性变化,行驶里程在0~5万km时污染物排放缓慢增长,5万~16万km时呈快速线性增长,16万km后震荡缓慢增长;行驶里程在16万km前,不同车型的排放特征存在一定差异,其中轻型货车和轻型客车的排放浓度高、劣化速度快;CO、HC、NO随行驶里程的劣化规律可用线性增长模型表示。本研究结论可为预测机动车污染变化趋势、完善在用车检查/维护制度、高排放车辆识别和淘汰等方面提供理论支持。     

广西地质灾害特征及其形成机理——极端低温天气条件的影响

2008年初广西遭受了五十年一遇罕见的持续低温雨雪冰冻天气过程。在大量现场调查的基础上,对广西低温雨雪冰冻天气过程中以及冰雪融化期间发生的地质灾害类型、特征、灾害的时空分布以及形成机理进行研究。研究表明:(1)灾害类型以崩塌为主,其次为滑坡、地面塌陷和地裂缝;(2)地质灾害规模以小型为主,不同的灾害类型分布区域性强,持续低温雨雪冰冻天气过程不仅激活了一些已存在的灾害隐患点,而且产生了大量新的地质灾害点和隐患点;(3)低温雨雪冰冻天气过程与地质灾害的时空分布总体上是一致的;(4)广西脆弱的地质环境与数十年一遇的天气过程二者叠加作用,导致了各类地质灾害的频发,其中低温雨雪冰冻天气过程是诱发地质灾害的主要因素。