Spatial and temporal variability of water repellency in a sandy soil contaminated with tar oil and heavy metals

Water repellency can induce preferential flow and thus affect water flow and contaminant transport at hazardous waste sites. Since the spatial patterns of water repellency are mostly unknown, it is problematic to use numerical transport models to predict leachate composition. In this study, the spatial variability of soil water repellency was studied at an industrial site contaminated with tar oil, chromium, copper and arsenic. The persistence of water repellency was assessed by the water drop penetration time (WDPT), and the degree of water repellency was quantified by the ethanol percentage (EP) test. Measurements were made at the soil surface along 3.5-12.1 m long transects at different times between March and October 2002. The spatial variability of WDPT, EP, water content, and organic matter content was quantified by variogram analyses. Both the persistence and the degree of water repellency varied seasonally, with the highest water repellency during the summer months. The correlation lengths of WDPT values ranged between 16 and 406 cm, whereas EP values showed no spatial correlation. For field-moist samples, a critical soil water threshold, below which water repellency prevails, was estimated to be 2.5-4%. For oven dry samples, the WDPT values were dependent on the water content prior to drying. The wide range of correlation lengths and the temporal dynamics of spatial repellency patterns suggest that simulations of solute leaching must consider the spatial and temporal variability of soil hydrophobic properties.     

Reduction of Cr(VI) by peat and coal humic substances

The reduction of Cr(VI) by humic substances from leonardite and peat was investigated by capillary zone electrophoresis at various pHs. Both humic materials reduced Cr(VI) at pH 5.4, but not at basic pH. The capacity of leonardite humic substances to reduce Cr(VI) was lower than that of peat humic substances. Fe(III) accelerated the reduction of Cr(VI) by peat humic substances, but not by leonardite humic substances. Cr(VI) reduction mechanisms are proposed. The coal humic substances seem more suitable for remediation of Cr(VI)-contaminated sites.     

Biosorption of Cr(VI) using low cost sorbents

Waste products from industrial operations, such as yohimbe bark, grape stalks, cork and olive stones were investigated for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. Equilibrium batch experiments at room temperature were performed. Metal uptake showed a pH-dependent profile and optimum uptake at initial pH between 2.0–3.0. Slight influence of NaCl on metal uptake was observed. The sorption data fitted well to the Langmuir model within the concentration range studied. Grape stalks proved to be the most efficient sorbent followed by yohimbe bark, cork and olive stones. N. Fiol is the recipient of the 2002 ACE Environmental Chemistry Award     

Exposure to Selected Heavy Metals Through Water Ingestion in an Area Under the Influence of Tanneries

This study evaluated the potential toxicological risk posed to human health due to the exposure to heavy metals by water ingestion in an area affected by tanneries – the Cadeia-Feitoria hydrographic basin (Brazil). River water was collected at 10 sites, every 3 months, from July 1999 to April 2000. After acid digestion, total metal concentration was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn), flame atomic absorption (Al, Fe, Pb, Mn), or cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (Hg). Cr(VI) was complexed with diphenyl-carbazide and detected by UV–vis spectrometry. In order to quantify the risk of exposure, the risk assessment methodology employed by the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States was applied at a screening level. The assumed scenarios included extreme exposure patterns (ingestion of untreated water, conversion of Cr(III) to Cr(VI), temporal peaks of pollution). Fe, Al, Cd, Hg, and Pb were not included in the risk analysis, since they showed a low toxicity potential or were undetected in the samples. The selected metals presented Hazard Quotients < 1, in the following order of increasing risk: Cu < Cr(III) < Zn < Ni < Mn < Cr(VI). Hazard indexes, representing the additive effect of contaminants, were also low in the basin (< 1), but comparatively increased in the lower reach of Feitoria and Cadeia Rivers. Although noncarcinogenic risk levels did not suggest possible adverse toxicological effects to the human population, a considerable deviation from background conditions was observed downstream the area where tanneries are mainly located.     

Analysis of chromium and copper by cathodic stripping voltammetry with mixed ligands

Cathodic adsorptive stripping voltammetry is one of the most sensitive analytical methods for ultratrace analysis. The detection limit is usually lower than 10⁻⁹ mol/L. Most adsorptive stripping procedures have been focused on the one ligand/one analyte approach. In order to reduce analysis time and sample volume, the possibility of simultaneously determining several metals by cathodic stripping voltammetry using a mixture of ligands was explored, e.g., by Colombo and van den Berg (1997). Here, we describe a new procedure for quantifying chromium and copper using 2,2′-bipyridine and 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine). The effect of various operational parameters such as buffer type, ligand concentration, potential and time collection were assessed and optimized. Possible interferences by trace metals and organic matter were also investigated. Applicability for fresh water is illustrated. Electronic Publication     

聚合磷硫酸铁富集铬(Ⅵ)的研究

阐述了新型无机吸附共沉淀剂——聚合磷硫酸铁对废水中铬的富集的研究情况,以铬(Ⅵ)的去除率为参数,确定了聚合磷硫酸铁用量、温度、pH值及铬含量等因素的影响。实验表明该絮凝剂能有效地分离废水中的铬,使处理后水质指标符合国家排放标准。     

铬渣的固化/稳定化研究

探讨了用水泥粘结剂对铬渣进行稳定化的方法。结果表明，把高炉矿渣和粉煤灰加入水泥基材中对铬渣进行固化，固化体抗压强度达到30MPa以上，浸出毒性大大降低，浸了同液中六价铬浓度在容许范围内，建议可以综合利用。     

纤维改性硫酸亚铁还原铬渣水泥固化体研究

以浸出毒性、表面浸出率、抗日晒能力和抗压强度为指标考察了纤维改性硫酸亚铁还原铬渣水泥固化体的性能。实验结果表明：纤维改性硫酸亚铁还原铬渣水泥固化体养护7d和28d后的浸出毒性均低于国家标准、抗压强度均大于10MPa,可以做最终处置或进行综合利用;与普通铬渣水泥固化体相比,纤维改性硫酸亚铁还原铬渣水泥固化体在加入植物纤维为0．8g时的处理效果最好,浸出毒性、表面浸出率分别降低了76．I％和76．8％;抗日晒能力、抗压强度分别提高了36．4％和52．1％。     

石墨炉原子吸收法测定自来水中总铬升温参数的探讨

对石墨炉原子吸收测定自来水中总铬的方法进行优化。通过对石墨炉升温程序条件进行优化,找出其最佳参数值,其方法的线性关系良好,相关系数为0.999以上,回收率在96.7%~99.5%之间。该法操作简便,灵敏度和准确度高,线性好,便于推广,适合自来水中总铬的测定。     

柱淋洗法修复铬污染土壤的效果研究

以铬渣污染土壤为供试土壤,采用土柱淋洗法研究柠檬酸、草酸和盐酸单一淋洗以及复合淋洗对铬去除动态和修复效果的影响,并对淋洗前后土壤中铬形态进行分析,探讨修复机理。结果表明,各淋洗方案中,以10体积0.5 mol/L草酸溶液为淋洗剂时的修复效果最好,总Cr累计淋出量为2 304 mg/kg,上层、中层和下层土壤总Cr去除率分别为79.6%、78.1%和69.6%,Cr(VI)去除率为87.8%、86.2%和75%,且土壤Cr(VI)和总Cr随着土壤深度的增加而升高,有在底部积累的可能;淋洗后土壤明显酸化,p H值从10.5降至3左右;以酸作为淋洗剂能有效降低土壤可氧化态铬含量,将其转化为移动性较强的酸可提取态,这有助于达到预期修复效果。