Arsenic contamination in the Kanker district of central-east India: geology and health effects

This paper identifies newer areas of arsenic contamination in the District Kanker, which adjoins the District Rajnandgaon where high contamination has been reported earlier. A correlation with the mobile phase episodes of arsenic contamination has been identified, which further hinges on the complex geology of the area. Arsenic concentrations in both surface and groundwater, aquatic organisms (snail and water weeds) soil and vegetation of Kanker district and its adjoining area have been reported here. The region has been found to contain an elevated level of arsenic. All segments of the ecoysystem are contaminated with arsenic at varying degrees. The levels of arsenic vary constantly depending on the season and location. An analysis of groundwater from 89 locations in the Kanker district has shown high values of arsenic, iron and manganese (mean: 144, 914 and 371 μg L⁻¹, respectively). The surface water of the region shows elevated levels of arsenic, which is influenced by the geological mineralised zonation. The most prevalent species in the groundwater is As(III), whereas the surface water of the rivers shows a significant contamination with the As(V) species. The analysis shows a bio-concentration of the toxic metals arsenic, nickel, copper and chromium. Higher arsenic concentrations (groundwater concentrations greater than 50 μg L⁻¹) are associated with sedimentary deposits derived from volcanic rocks, hence mineral leaching appears to be the source of arsenic contamination. Higher levels of arsenic and manganese in the Kanker district have been found to cause impacts on the flora and fauna. A case study of episodic arsenical diarrhoea is presented.     

Perfluorinated Surfactants in Surface and Drinking Waters (9 pp)

Background, Aim and Scope In this paper recent results are provided of an investigation on the discovery of 12 perfluorinated surfactants (PS) in different surface and drinking waters (Skutlarek et al. 2006 a, Skutlarek et al. 2006 b). In the last years, many studies have reported ubiquitous distribution of this group of perfluorinated chemicals, especially perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the environment, particularly in wildlife animal and human samples (Giesy and Kannan 2001, Houde et al. 2006, Prevedouros et al. 2006). Perfluorinated surfactants (e.g. PFOS and PFOA) have shown different potentials for reproductory interference and carcinogenity in animal experiments as well as partly long half-lives in humans (Guruge et al. 2006, FSA UK 2006a, FSA UK 2006b, 3M 2005, OECD 2002, Yao and Zhong 2005). They possess compound-dependent extreme recalcitrance against microbiological and chemical degradation and, in addition, they show variable potentials for bioaccumulation in animals and humans (Houde et al. 2006). Materials and Methods: Surface and drinking water samples were collected from different sampling sites: - Surface waters: samples taken from the rivers Rhine, Ruhr, Moehne and some of their tributaries. Further samples were taken from the Rhine-Herne-Canal and the Wesel-Datteln-Canal. - Drinking waters: samples taken in public buildings of the Rhine-Ruhr area. After sample clean-up and concentration by solid-phase extraction, the perfluorinated surfactants were determined using HPLC-MS/MS. Results: All measured concentrations (sum of seven mainly detected components) in the Rhine river and its main tributaries (mouths) were determined below 100 ng/L. The Ruhr river (tributary of the Rhine) showed the highest concentration (94 ng/L), but with a completely different pattern of components (PFOA as major component), as compared with the other tributaries and the Rhine river. Further investigations along the Ruhr river showed remarkably high concentrations of PS in the upper reaches of the Ruhr river and the Moehne river (tributary of the Ruhr) (Ruhr: up to 446 ng/L, Moehne: up to 4385 ng/L). The maximum concentration of all drinking water samples taken in the Rhine-Ruhr area was determined at 598 ng/L with the major component PFOA (519 ng/L). Discussion: The surface water contaminations most likely stem from contaminated inorganic and organic waste materials (so-called 'Abfallgemisch'). This waste material was legally applied to several agricultural areas on the upper reaches of the Moehne. Perfluorinated surfactants could be detected in some suchlike soil samples. They contaminated the river and the reservoir belonging to it, likely by superficial run-off over several months or probably years. Downstream, dilution effects are held responsible for decreasing concentrations of PS in surface waters of the Moehne and the Ruhr river. In analogy to the surface water samples, PS (major component PFOA) can be determined in many drinking water samples of the Rhine-Ruhr area where the water supplies are mainly based on bank filtration and artificial recharge. Conclusions: The concentrations found in drinking waters decreased with the concentrations of the corresponding raw water samples along the flow direction of the Ruhr river (from east to west) and were not significantly different from surface water concentrations. This indicates that perfluorinated surfactants are at present not successfully removed by water treatment steps. Recommendations and Perspectives: Because of their different problematic properties (persistence, mobility, toxicity, bioaccumulation), the concentrations of specific perfluorinated surfactants and their precursors in drinking waters and food have to be minimised. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to take the initiative to establish suitable legal regulations (limitations/ban) concerning the production and use of these surfactants and their precursors. Furthermore, it is indispensable to protect water resources from these compounds. A discussion on appropriate limit values in drinking water and foodstuffs is urgently needed. Concerning the assumed soil contamination, the corresponding regulation (Bioabfall-Verordnung 1998 – Regulation on Organic Waste 1998) should be extended to allow the control of relevant organic pollutants.     

煤层开采诱发地表裂缝成因数值模拟

为了通过分析地表裂缝的成因来研究采空区上覆火成岩非连续性破坏,根据现场数据和概率积分法确定了研究的岩土体范围,使用FLAC3D进行建模。布置6条监测线进行地表沉降监测,并与模拟得到的地表裂缝出现位置的变形数据进行对比,模拟得到了岩体塑性区的分布。结果表明,造成地表裂缝的主要原因是采空区上覆岩层中存在产状不均匀的火成岩,且位于松散层下方。采空区影响向上发展至火成岩底部造成火成岩边缘区域局部悬空。当采空区面积足够大时,火成岩上部拉应力超过其抗拉强度,进而发生断裂,松散层陷落导致地表裂缝。     

变坡度情况下森林地表上坡火行为若干特征的实验研究

应用自行研制的“多坡段固相材料火蔓延实验台”，模拟森林地表火的蔓延过程，对变坡度情况下森林地表上坡火行为规律进行了实验研究。研究发现，上坡火火焰随坡度的变化有三种火焰类型，即小坡度的缓慢燃烧，随坡度增加的火焰的抖动以及大坡度时的贴壁剧烈燃烧。     

人工湿地对二级出水中TN、TP去除效果的季节性研究

研究了垂直流和表面流两种人工湿地系统在水力停留时间为2 d条件下,在不同季节对二级出水中TN、TP的去除效果。结果显示,垂直流湿地系统对TN、TP的去除效果优于表面流湿地系统。两种类型的人工湿地对TN的去除效果随季节的变化而波动,夏秋季节去除率最高,春季次之,冬季去除效果最差;垂直流人工湿地系统对TP的去除效果随季节的变化趋势与TN去除率的变化相同,而表面流湿地系统对TP的去除效果在春夏秋季变化不大,冬季的平均去除率仅有16.5%。分析认为,人工湿地应用于二级出水的深度处理,对于满足观赏性景观环境用水(尤其是观赏性河道和湖泊类)的水质指标是可行的。     

火灾环境中油罐罐壁冷却优化部署研究

对油罐火灾中着火罐罐壁和邻近罐罐壁的温度分布进行了科学分析,并进行了罐壁冷却实验研究,研究不同油罐罐壁材质对冷却效果的的影响,以及有热源作用和无热源作用罐壁在不同流量冷却水作用下的温度变化规律。结果表明,不同罐壁材质对冷却效果的影响不大,在实际火灾中可忽略罐壁材质的影响;流量越大,冷却速度越快,但达到火灾冷却要求时,不同大小流量冷却水的冷却效果差异并是很大,合适的供水强度是油罐高效冷却的前提。对油罐火灾冷却力量的部署提出了优化原则,为防灭火工作提供了一定的科学依据。     

吊水壶尾矿坝渗流特性三维有限元分析

本文结合工程实例,以吊水壶尾矿坝为背景,建立现状尾矿坝三维模型,利用三维有限元法反演分析现状尾矿坝的渗流场,将计算结果与勘察的浸润面对比分析,验证模型的可靠性和合理性。基于此模型建立加高后的尾矿坝三维模型,计算正常蓄水位和设计洪水位两种工况下的渗流场,分析坝体浸润面埋深、滩长、渗流坡降等,结果表明,不设排渗措施时,尾矿坝干滩长度、浸润面埋深均能满足规范要求,而且尖流性态良好,满足渗透稳定。提出该尾矿坎可通过加高工程来进行渗流控制的建议。     

中国地表水酸化敏感性的区划

地表水体的酸化与集水区的许多环境因子密切相关,如土壤对酸的缓冲能力、基岩中和酸沉降的能力以及土地利用方式等.其中,土壤的抗酸化能力是关键因素.因此可以根据集水区土壤、基岩和土地利用方式等信息来评估地表水在不同流量下发生酸化的可能性.本研究成功地应用已有资料和数据得到了我国地表水对酸沉降的敏感性等级,并绘制了地表水酸化敏感性区划图.结果表明,我国大部分地表水对酸化并不敏感.极易酸化和较易酸化的地表水主要分布在东北的北部地区,占所有国土面积的2.67%,是该地区强酸性漂灰土、酸性母岩和针叶林植被共同作用的结果.对酸化敏感性为中级和低级,即不易酸化的地表水主要分布在东北暗棕壤地区和南方富铝土区域,占所有国土面积的15.2%.其余82.11%国土面积上的地表水对酸化不敏感,完全不可能发生酸化.北方地区主要是由于土壤的强缓冲能力,而在南方,石灰质土壤以及耕作农田的广泛分布是最重要因素.南方重酸雨区由于土壤对酸化并不很敏感,因此在短期内不会出现大面积水体酸化现象.由于东北近年来频频出现酸雨,因此东北的酸沉降必须及早防治,以免出现大面积酸化水体.     

红枫湖地表水中多环芳烃的分布及来源

将固相微萃取与气相色谱联用，对贵阳红枫湖水样中16种美国环境保护署优控的多环芳烃进行分析。结果表明：红枫湖水中16种多环芳烃总量为0167 1~0336 4 μg/L，与国内其它水系相比，湖中存在多环芳烃轻度污染。7种（萘、荧蒽、苯并(b)荧蒽、苯并(k)荧蒽、苯并(a)芘、茚并(1,2,3-cd)芘和苯并(ghi)苝）多环芳烃的总量未超出中国城市供水行业对多环芳烃规定的限值，但作为饮用水源，红枫湖水中的苯并(a)芘含量已超出我国标准GB3838-2002中生活饮用水地表水源地的苯并(a)芘限值，并且苯并(a)蒽、〖JX-*9〗〖SX（B-25x〗〖HT7，5”〗艹〖〗〖HT6”，5”〗屈〖HT5”〗〖SX）〗〖JX*9〗、苯并(b)荧蒽、苯并(k)荧蒽、苯并(a)芘、茚并(1,2,3-cd)芘的含量也超过了美国环境保护署地表水水质标准限值。通过多环芳烃特征参数的比值，分析了红枫湖水中多环芳烃的污染来源。污染源分析表明，湖中多环芳烃的主要来源为燃烧源，包括木材、煤以及化石燃料的燃烧，同时也有一部分多环芳烃是来源石油类物质的输入.