The Adsorption of Lead and Copper from Aqueous Solution on Modified Peat–Resin Particles

Raw peat was modified with sulfuric acid, then mixed modified with resin to prepare the modified peat–resin particles. Using the batch experimental systems, the removal of heavy metals (copper and lead) on the modified peat–resin particles was investigated. The data of the adsorption isotherm could be fitted by the Langmuir equation well. The adsorption rate of heavy metals on modified peat–resin particles was very swift. The removal processes of heavy metals on modified peat–resin particles could be well described by pseudo-second order model. The adsorption rate of lead was affected by the initial heavy metal concentration, initial pH, particle size, agitation speed and particle mass. In the adsorption of heavy metals (lead and copper) on the modified peat–resin particles, ion exchange was the major reaction mechanism. Desorption data showed that the lead adsorbed by modified peat–resin particle could be desorbed by 0.5 N or 1.0 N HNO₃. The desorption rate was swift. The experiments indicated that the modified peat–resin particles have great potential for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater.     

Impact of Gold mining on the Environment and Human Health: A Case Study in the Migori Gold Belt, Kenya

The study of gold sites in the Migori Gold Belt, Kenya, revealed that the concentrations of heavy metals, mainly Hg, Pb and As are above acceptable levels. Tailings at the panning sites recorded values of 6.5–510 mg kg^–1 Pb, 0.06–76.0 mg kg^–1 As and 0.46–1920 mg kg^–1 Hg. Stream sediments had values of 3.0–11075 mg kg^–1 Pb, 0.014–1.87 mg kg^–1 As and 0.28–348 mg kg^–1 Hg. The highest metal contamination was recorded in sediments from the Macalder stream (11075 mg kg^–1 Pb), Nairobi mine tailings (76.0 mg kg^–1 As) and Mickey tailings (1920 mg kg^–1 Hg). Mercury has a long residence time in the environment and this makes its emissions from artisan mining a threat to health. Inhaling large amounts of siliceous dust, careless handling of mercury during gold panning and Au/Hg amalgam processing, existence of water logged pits and trenches; and large number of miners sharing poor quality air in the mines are the major causes of health hazards among miners. The amount of mercury used by miners for gold amalgamation during peak mining periods varies from 150 to 200 kg per month. Out of this, about 40% are lost during panning and 60% lost during heating Au/Hg amalgam. The use of pressure burners to weaken the reef is a deadly mining procedure as hot particles of Pb, As and other sulphide minerals burn the body. Burns become septic. This, apparently, leads to death within 2–3 years. On-site training of miners on safe mining practices met with enthusiasm and acceptance. The use of dust masks, air filters and heavy chemical gloves during mining and mineral processing were readily accepted. Miners were thus advised to purchase such protective gear, and to continue using them for the sake of their health. The miners' workshop, which was held at the end of the project is likely to bear fruit. The Migori District Commissioner and other Government officials, including medical officers attended this workshop. As a result of this, the Government is seriously considering setting up a clinic at Masara, which is one of the mining centres in the district. This would improve the health of the mining community.     

叶面施硅对水稻籽实重金属积累的抑制效应

采用盆栽方法,以硅酸钠和正硅酸乙酯为硅源分别配制纳米硅制剂,以水稻(Oryza sativa L.)品种"优优128"为供试植物,在Cd(5mg·kg-1、10mg·kg-1、50mg·kg-1三个水平)、Pb(200mg·kg-1)、Cu(250mg·kg-1)、Zn(300mg·kg-1)复合污染土壤进行种植,在水稻生长期内(苗期、分蘖期、抽穗期)进行叶面喷施纳米硅,研究纳米硅对水稻籽实生长状况及吸收重金属元素的影响,并对两种不同硅源的纳米硅的使用效果进行了比较。结果表明,随Cd污染质量分数增加,水稻百粒质量及单株穗质量均显著降低(P<0.01);Cd、Pb、Zn在籽实中质量分数均增高,而Cu在籽实中质量分数降低。金属元素在籽实中的吸收系数顺序为Cd>Zn>Cu>Pb,表明Cd极易向籽实中迁移。随土壤Cd质量分数增加,水稻籽实中各金属元素的积累量都有所降低。重金属复合污染条件下,叶面施用两种硅制剂均可以缓解水稻的毒害效应,且和施无机硅相比,施有机硅对水稻重金属毒害的缓解效果更显著。表现为叶面施用硅后,水稻百粒质量及单株穗质量均显著提高(P<0.05);且籽实中Cd、Pb、Cu、Zn的吸收量在喷施硅制剂后均显著降低(P<0.05);籽实中重金属元素的吸收系数和积累量均表现出降低的趋势。尤其是随着Cd处理质量分数的增高,施硅对重金属在籽实中积累的抑制效应越显著。这表明叶面施硅在重金属污染的水稻田污染防治中具有应用价值。文章所用的纳米硅制剂,制备简单,对于大面积推广硅肥极为有利。     

长江（南京段）现代沉积物中重金属的分布特征及其形态研究

本文通过对比取样和重金属形态实验研究,对长江现代沉积物中重金属含量在平面上和剖面上的分布特征以及存在的形态进行了分析讨论.结果表明,长江南京段现代沉积物中Cu,Pb,Co,Ni已形成轻—中等程度污染,并且重金属元素随沉积物由老到新正以增加的趋势叠加沉积,叠加速率Cu为0.083μg·g~(-1)·cm~(-1),Pb为0.067μg·g~(-1)·cm~(-1),Co为0.05μg·g~(-1)·cm~(-1),Cr为0.217μg·g~(-1)·cm~(-1),Ni为0.067μg·g~(-1)·cm~(-1).叠加量主要为有效态部分.重金属在其有效态中的聚集能力如下:可交换态中:Pb>Co>Cu>Ni,Cr;碳酸盐态中:Cu>Cr>Pb,Co,Ni;Fe-Mn氧化物态中:Co>Pb>Cu>Ni>Cr;有机态中:Cu>Cr>Pb,Co,Ni.     

不同改良剂对铜矿尾矿砂的改良效果研究

研究了用蒙脱石、稻草和鸡粪作为改良剂对铜矿尾矿砂有效养分、有效态重金属含量、pH值以及对尾矿砂上黑麦草生长的影响。结果表明 :(1 )蒙脱石可显著提高尾矿砂对铵态氮的保留能力 ;(2 )施肥可降低尾矿砂的pH值 ,施用鸡粪可使尾矿砂pH值下降约 1个单位 ,而添加蒙脱石和稻草对尾矿砂pH值未产生明显影响 ;(3 )添加蒙脱石可使尾矿砂中铜、锌的有效态含量降低 ,而添加稻草和鸡粪则使其有效态重金属含量增高 ;(4 )随改良剂添加量的增加 ,蒙脱石和鸡粪处理组黑麦草吸收铜、锌的量减少而稻草处理组则增加 ;(5 ) 3种改良剂可明显影响尾矿砂上黑麦草的生长状况     

水泥对垃圾焚烧飞灰的固化处理试验研究

对垃圾焚烧飞灰的化学成分、重金属物质的含量及浸出浓度进行测试分析.结果表明,飞灰中Pb和Cr等重金属物质浸出量超过浸出毒性标准,因而被认为是危险废物,必须进行固化处理.还考察了水泥对焚烧飞灰中重金属物质固化的效果,研究表明当飞灰掺量适当时,重金属物质的固化效果良好.重金属物质通过物理固封、替代,沉淀反应和吸附等形式可固化进水泥水化产物结构中.     

铜、镉对水螅的急性和联合毒性作用

试验研究重金属铜(Cu2 )、镉(Cd2 )对水螅的急性毒性和联合毒性作用,探索水螅(Hydra sp.)对Cu2 、Cd2 以及两者混合的毒性效应,为水产动物病害的防治中合理使用消毒、杀虫剂以及水体污染评价提供一些参考信息.结果表明,Cu2 对水螅的24 h半致死浓度(LC50)、48 hLC50、72 hLC50、96 hLC50分别为0.072、0.054、0.042、0.037 mg/L;Cd2 对水螅的24 hLC50、48hLC50、72 hLC50、96 hLC50分别为0.001 70、0.000 63、0.000 36、0.000 36 mg/L;Cu2 、Cd2 对水螅的安全浓度分别为3.7×10-4、3.6×10-6mg/L.水螅对两种重金属的毒性反应既快速又敏感,其中Cu2 对水螅的毒性较Cd2 快,但Cd2 的毒性比Cu2 的强.等毒性配比的两种重金属混合液对水螅的毒性大于单一毒性,为协同作用.两种重金属对水螅的LC50随试验时间的延长而减小,它们对水螅的安全浓度远低于渔业水质标准.     

Temporal variability of bioavailable Cd,Hg, Zn,Mn and Al in an upwelling regime

Monthly variability of Cd, Hg, Zn, Mn and Al concentrations in mussels (Mytilus californianus) soft tissue and brown seaweed (Macrocystis pyrifera) was studied at a pristine rocky shore off San Quintin Bay, Baja California, México. The results were related to climatic and hydrographic conditions and to the physiological state of the mussels (condition index) by correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). A "normalization" to account for the variability induced by the physiological state of the mussel was performed. The PCA was performed in two ways to relate the environmental variables and the condition index to: (1) the metal concentrations in mussels, and (2) the "normalized" mussel concentrations. The association of the variability of Cd with the upwelling season was revealed in both PCAs. The temporal variability of this metal in mussels was highly correlated to that in seaweed, suggesting that the dissolved phase determined the variability of Cd in mussels. However, for Hg, Zn, Mn and Al the results from both PCAs were different. The first PCA showed the relationship of these metals to pluvial precipitation and to the condition index. The PCA for the normalized mussel concentrations showed that, after eliminating the effect of the condition index, only Al was related to pluvial precipitation. Manganese, and to a less degree Zn, were related to these metals in seaweed. Because zinc is an essential element in mussels, some regulation of their internal concentrations is likely. Mercury was not detected in seaweed, but because of its reactive nature, it is not expected that the dissolved fraction could be a significant pathway; therefore, it can be concluded that its temporal variability was determined by the variability in the condition index only.     

Trace metal levels in freshwater fish, sediment and water

The trace metal concentrations in water, sediment and aquatic organisms, such as fish, could indicate the level and tendency of the pollution. This is important not only for the protection of the environment, but for evaluation of the quality of fish meat either captured from natural waters or cultured in fishponds. The total trace metal concentrations in samples of fish from different regions of Hungary and from different species have been determined by using an X-ray fluorescence technique (EDXRF). Water, sediment and fish samples from fishpond systems with different feeding and stocking has also been analyzed. In the case of zinc contents, differences have been traced between the cultured and wild common carp. In the case of common carp reared under different feeding conditions, differences were also observed in the zinc concentration. The retention of the trace metals in the fish has been studied by measuring the levels in sediment, water and feed. The different retention can be explained by the different availability of zinc in the applied feeds, which can be related to the presence of different metal species in the feeds.     

Use of oyster, Crassostrea gigas, and ambient water to assess metal pollution status of the charting coastal area, Taiwan, after the 1986 green oyster incident

Most of the oyster mariculture beds in Taiwan are in areas located along the west of the island. One of these areas is the Charting coast, where green oysters were found in 1986. During this incident, which became internationally notorious, mass mortality occurred in the Charting oyster beds. After this discovery, measures were taken by the authorities to counter pollution which lead to the problem. The effectiveness of these pollution control actions was evaluated in this study. Two water column indicators, particulate and sediment, and oysters were sampled and analyzed for metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni) in Charting and its neighboring areas, Kuen-Shen Lake and Shin-Da Harbor, and the control area/station, Dah-Pen Wan. The current study shows that copper and zinc concentrations in both oysters and particulates significantly decreased in the Charting area, compared with concentrations found during the period of the green oyster incident. Six years after the incident, the copper concentration in oysters had fallen from a high of 4400 μg/g dry weight to an average of 300±69 μg/g dry weight, figures similar to the copper concentration in 1982. The pollution control actions taken after the incident are believed to be the cause of this recovery of the coastal environment. Nevertheless, Charting still produced oysters with the highest copper and zinc concentrations among the areas investigated. Further measures currently being taken by the government, including removing the sediment of some portions of Erhjin Chi, should be able to bring the oyster copper concentrations down to the levels similar to those observed in the neighboring area, (average concentration below 200 μg/g dry weight or all time maximum concentration below 500 μg/g dry weight).