Reclamation with phytoremediation of area affected by sewage sludge at the Thessaloniki Wastewater Treatment Plant in Sindos (Greece)

The present research focused on the experimental investigation of phytoreclamation of areas affected by sewage sludge disposal and improving the quality of the sludge. It was conducted in two stages: laboratory and pilot applications. This paper reports on the first stage, which tested, under greenhouse conditions, the possibility of using various species of plants cultivated in the sludge from the Thessaloniki Wastewater Treatment Plant (ThWWTP, Greece) with different amendments. The results of the 30-day experiment showed that the quality of the output sludge material varied significantly in comparison to the input sludge material. These variations were considered as positive, as the output sludge obtained texture and structure, aeration conditions were improved, and the content of some trace metals, excess nutrients (e.g., P), and salts (of Na) were reduced. These were all influenced by both the type of treatment and the plant species used. In conclusion, the best treatments, T1, T3, and T4 (soil/sludge mixture 70%/30%, soil/sludge/gravel mixture 50%/25%/25%, and soil/sludge/gravel mixture 45%/45%/10%, respectively), and the best suited plant species, Helianthus annuus L. and Zea mays L., were proposed to be used in the pilot application (in situ) at the site within the ThWWTP.     

原子荧光光谱法测定环境水体中痕量锡研究

在对环境水进行检测时,一个非常重要的项目就是对锡含量进行检测,所以,运用准确、灵敏的测定方法对环境水体中痕量锡进行检测具有非常重要的意义。文章将结合实验,在对环境水体中的痕量锡进行测定时,运用原子荧光光谱法,对测定环境水体中痕量锡的方法进行了一定的研究。采用原子荧光光谱法测定环境水体中的痕量锡,方法检出限是0.10μg/L,相对标准偏差0.20%~0.90%,实际样品加标回收率为98%~102%,满足环境监测实验室分析测定要求,值得推广。     

美人蕉根系对不同基质结构水平潜流人工湿地水力特性的影响

为了研究植物根系对不同基质结构潜流人工湿地水力特性的影响,根据填料渗透系数,分别设置单层及多层基质结构潜流人工湿地小试实验系统,以美人蕉作为湿地植物,在植物栽种前与成熟后对两系统分别开展示踪试验研究.实验结果表明,美人蕉根系对于单层结构人工湿地水力特性有较明显的改善作用,有效体积从0.49提高到了0.53,短路值由0.60降低到0.41,水力效率提高最大由43%提高到59%.比较而言,植物根系对多层结构湿地有效体积和短路值有轻微负面影响,而对水力效率则有明显的改善作用(由64%提高到83%).此外,植物成熟后,两人工湿地系统中示踪剂回收率均有所下降,其中,单层结构湿地降低较显著,回收率由72%降到62%.可见,植物根系对系统水力特性有较大影响,应在人工湿地设计过程中给予考虑.     

巯基棉分离—氢化物发生原子荧光法测定含有大量基体干扰的环境样品中痕量硒

本文报导了用巯基棉分离-氢化物发生原子荧光法测定含有大量基体干扰的环境样品中痕量硒的方法,实验表明该法灵敏度高,操作简便,最低检出限达0.002微克,变异系数≤3.8％。     

云南澜沧地区拉祜族老人头发中6种微量元素水平调查

用电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法（ICP－AES）测定了60例世居澜沧地区拉祜族老人发样中6种微量元素，根据测定结果，比较了不同年龄段间微量元素的差异，并与北京西城区长寿老人发样中微量元素含量进行了比较。结果表明，2个地区老人发样中的Mn,Al存在显著性差异。     

Ecotoxicological implications of aquatic disposal of coal combustion residues in the United States: a review

We provide an overview of research related to environmental effects of disposal of coal combustion residues (CCR) in sites in the United States. Our focus is on aspects of CCR that have the potential to negatively influence aquatic organisms and thehealth of aquatic ecosystems. We identify major issues of concern, as well as areas in need of further investigation.Intentional or accidental release of CCR into aquatic systemshas generally been associated with deleterious environmental effects. A large number of metals and trace elements are presentin CCR, some of which are rapidly accumulated to high concentrations by aquatic organisms. Moreover, a variety of biological responses have been observed in organisms following exposure to and accumulation of CCR-related contaminants. In some vertebrates and invertebrates, CCR exposure has led to numerous histopathological, behavioral, and physiological (reproductive, energetic, and endocrinological) effects. Fish kills and extirpation of some fish species have been associatedwith CCR release, as have indirect effects on survival and growth of aquatic animals mediated by changes in resource abundance or quality. Recovery of CCR-impacted sites can be extremely slow due to continued cycling of contaminants withinthe system, even in sites that only received CCR effluents forshort periods of time. The literature synthesis reveals important considerations for future investigations of CCR-impacted sites. Many studies have examined biological responses to CCR with respect to Se concentrations and accumulation because of teratogenic andreproductively toxic effects known to be associated with thiselement. However, the complex mixture of metals and traceelements characteristic of CCR suggests that biologicalassessments of many CCR-contaminated habitats should examine avariety of inorganic compounds in sediments, water, and tissuesbefore causation can be linked to individual CCR components. Most evaluations of effects of CCR in aquatic environments havefocused on lentic systems and the populations of animalsoccupying them. Much less is known about CCR effects in loticsystems, in which the contaminants may be transported downstream,diluted or concentrated in downstream areas, and accumulated bymore transient species. Although some research has examinedaccumulation and effects of contaminants on terrestrial and avianspecies that visit CCR-impacted aquatic sites, more extensiveresearch is also needed in this area. Effects in terrestrial orsemiaquatic species range from accumulation and maternal transferof elements to complete recruitment failure, suggesting that CCReffects need to be examined both within and outside of theaquatic habitats into which CCR is released. Requiring specialattention are waterfowl and amphibians that use CCR-contaminatedsites during specific seasons or life stages and are highlydependent on aquatic habitat quality during those periods.Whether accidentally discharged into natural aquatic systems or present in impoundments that attract wildlife, CCR appears topresent significant risks to aquatic and semiaquatic organisms. Effects may be as subtle as changes in physiology or as drasticas extirpation of entire populations. When examined as a whole,research on responses of aquatic organisms to CCR suggests thatreducing the use of disposal methods that include an aquaticslurry phase may alleviate some environmental risks associatedwith the waste products.     

Trace Element Concentrations in Fish, Surficial Sediments and Water from Northern Part of the Persian Gulf

Concentrations of cadmium, lead, nickel and vanadium were determined in water, surficial sediments and the muscle of three demersal fish species (Epinephelus coioides, Psettodes erumei and Solea elongate) from 15 sampling sites in the northern part of Persian Gulf. Concentrations of the elements were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer. There were no significant differences among the sampling sites in Cd and Pb levels in the sediments. The highest concentrations of Ni and V in sediments were found near the southern coast of Qeshm Iland and Bandar Lengeh. Concentrations of Cd, Pb and Ni in the sediments were notably higher than global baseline values. Nearly in all cases the element concentrations in the sediments were considerably greater than RSA (ROPME Sea Area) and the ERL (Effects Range Low) guidelines. Significant differences among the sampling sites could be found for concentrations of all the four metals in water. The mean Ni, Pb and Cd levels in the water samples were relatively higher than those in some other regions of the Persian Gulf. Except few cases, the mean concentrations of the elements in muscle of the selected fish species were markedly below the international guidelines for human consumption.     

Distribution and partitioning of trace metals in sediments of the lower reaches of the New Calabar River,Port Harcourt,Nigeria

The distribution of trace metals in sediments of the lower reaches of the New Calabar River, Nigeria was evaluated togetherwith the partitioning of their chemical species between fivegeochemical phases. Samplings were made in five zones at the lower reaches of the New Calaber River. All the trace metals were determined by AAS after selective chemical extractions andconcentrations given in g gm^-1 (dry weight basis). The average totalconcentrations found for trace metals in the sediment were (mean ± rsd.) Pb: 41.6 ± 0.29, Zn: 31.60 ± 0.42, Cd: 12.80 ± 0.92, Co: 92 ± 0.25, Cu: 25.5 ± 0.65 and Ni: 3.2 ± 0.25. Maxima and minima concentrations are inconsistent with previous studies in other rivers of this region. Spatial distribution revealed that the sources of trace metals into theriver appeared to be of non-point. Five contamination indices were applied in studying the partitioning of the trace metals inthe sediment. These indices provided bases for ascertaining the potential environmental risk of trace metals in the river system.The results denote high partition levels in the more mobile andmore dangerous phases.     

Seasonal Variation of Chemical Composition in Fine Particles at Gosan, Korea

PM_2.5 aerosol samples were collected at Gosan in Jeju Island during six intensive measurement periods between November 2001 and August 2003. In order to investigate the chemical composition of fine particles, major ion components, trace elements, and elemental and organic carbon were analyzed. Quite different seasonal characteristic in the chemical composition of fine particles was observed. The concentration of most secondary aerosol components showed a summer minimum and a winter maximum with higher correlation between them at Gosan. This fact clearly reveals the possibility of long-range transport of such pollutants in winter. On the other hand, OC and EC had the highest concentration and good correlation with ion components, such as K⁺, Ca²⁺ in fall. It means that biomass burning could significantly influence the ambient fine carbonaceous particulate in fall, which was primarily long-range transported.     

痕量分析中容器的选择与洗涤

在痕量分析中,为获得准确的分析结果,容量材质以及洗涤方法的选择至关重要。试验分析表明:聚乙烯是较好的容器材料,它玷污最小、易洗涤、价廉、容器清洗。经实验证明:蒸汽法效果好,但需要相应装置;浸泡法简单易行,但消耗较大。其他方法则各有利弊,因此可根据不同的分析元素及特征,选择合适的洗涤方法。