Mercury levels in human population from a mining district in Western Colombia

A biomonitoring study was carried out to examine the adverse impacts of total mercury in the blood(HgB), urine(Hg U) and human scalp hair(HgH) on the residents of a mining district in Colombia. Representative biological samples(scalp hair, urine and blood) were collected from volunteered participants(n = 63) to estimate the exposure levels of THg using a Direct mercury analyzer. The geometric mean of THg concentrations in the hair,urine and blood of males were 15.98 μg/g, 23.89 μg/L and 11.29 μg/L respectively, whereas the females presented values of 8.55 μg/g, 5.37 μg/L and 8.80 μg/L. Chronic urinary Hg(HgU)levels observed in male workers(32.53 μg/L) are attributed to their long termed exposures to inorganic and metallic mercury from gold panning activities. On an average, the levels of THg are increasing from blood(10.05 μg/L) to hair(12.27 μg/g) to urine(14.63 μg/L).Significant positive correlation was found between hair and blood urinary levels in both male and female individuals. Thus the present biomonitoring investigation to evaluate the Hg levels and associated health issues would positively form a framework for further developmental plans and policies in building an ecofriendly ecosystem.     

Suspended particulate mercury associated with tidal fluxes in a lagoon environment impacted by cinnabar mining activity (northern Adriatic Sea)

The Isonzo River has been demonstrated to be a continuing point source of mercury(Hg)in the Gulf of Trieste although the Idrija mine was last active in 1996. The present study aims to investigate the role of the suspended particulate matter(SPM) associated with tidal fluxes to disperse particulate Hg(PHg) into the Grado coastal lagoon system. PHg concentrations(avg. 3.11 ± 2.62 μg/g, d.w.), notwithstanding the ebb or flood tides, were significantly higher than the local sediment background(0.13 μg/g). The relative affinity of Hg for the particulate phase in surface waters was confirmed by higher average distribution coefficient(Kd) values(5.6–6.7). PHg contents showed the highest values in ebb tide conditions, thus suggesting their origin from the erosion of tidal flats and saltmarshes of the lagoon. When compared to river discharge, high PHg surface concentrations in flood tide are related to rainfall events occurring within the river basin. Results can be used to make an indicative assessment of the amount of Hg bound to SPM which is transported in and out of the lagoon basin following the action of tidal fluxes. A simple estimation provides a negative budget for the Grado lagoon sub-basin which loses between 0.14 and 1.16 kg of PHg during a tidal semi-cycle. This conclusion is in agreement with the evidence of morphological deterioration which has emerged from recent studies on the lagoon environment, and which testifies to a current sedimentary loss from the lagoon into the northern Adriatic Sea.     

可靠性强化试验技术在某型伺服作动器研制中的适用性探索

目的探索可靠性强化试验技术在典型机电液一体化产品伺服作动器研制过程中的适用性。方法以某型伺服作动器为研究对象,从故障激发的角度对可靠性强化试验技术的应用进行可行性分析,在响应调查和应力分析的基础上,结合产品的工作特点设计适用于该类伺服作动器的可靠性强化试验方案,包含低温步进应力试验、高温步进应力试验、快速温度循环试验10个循环、振动步进应力试验(包含气锤式三轴向六自由度超高斯随机振动方式及电磁振动台随机振动方式)及综合环境应力试验5个循环,并依此进行试验。结果在快速温度循环试验及综合环境应力试验过程中,均有效地激发出了产品的漏油故障,与相似产品外场暴露的漏油故障模式相吻合。结论可靠性强化试验技术可有效地应用于典型机电液一体化产品伺服作动器的研制过程,设计的可靠性强化试验方案可有效地激发外场出现频率较高的故障,可作为该类产品研制的试验手段之一。     

固相微萃取-毛细管气相色谱法快速同步分析水中有机氯及有机磷农药

固相微萃取是一种快速、简便,集萃取浓缩进样于一体的样品前处理技术,具有分析时间短、灵敏度高、无需有机溶剂的优点.用固相微萃取富集水中8种有机氯及7种有机磷农药,毛细管气相色谱ECD检测器分离分析,整个分析过程只需26min,检出限可达0.002～1μg/L,已用于地表水中有机氯及有机磷农药含量的测定.     

Desert Water Harvesting to Benefit Wildlife: A Simple, Cheap, And Durable Sub-Surface Water Harvester for Remote Locations

A sub-surface desert water harvester was constructed in the sagebrush steppe habitat of south-central Idaho, U.S.A. The desert water harvester utilizes a buried micro-catchment and three buried storage tanks to augment water for wildlife during the dry season. In this region, mean annual precipitation (MAP) ranges between about 150–250 mm (6″–10″), 70% of which falls during the cold season, November to May. Mid-summer through early autumn, June through October, is the dry portion of the year. During this period, the sub-surface water harvester provides supplemental water for wildlife for 30–90 days, depending upon the precipitation that year. The desert water harvester is constructed with commonly available, “over the counter” materials. The micro-catchment is made of a square-shaped, 20 mL. “PERMALON” polyethylene pond liner (approximately 22.9 m × 22.9 m = 523 m²) buried at a depth of about 60 cm. A PVC pipe connects the harvester with two storage tanks and a drinking trough. The total capacity of the water harvester is about 4777 L (1262 U.S. gallons) which includes three underground storage tanks, a trough and pipes. The drinking trough is refined with an access ramp for birds and small animals. The technology is simple, cheap, and durable and can be adapted to other uses, e.g. drip irrigation, short-term water for small livestock, poultry farming etc. The desert water harvester can be used to concentrate and collect water from precipitation and run-off in semi-arid and arid regions. Water harvested in such a relatively small area will not impact the ground water table but it should help to grow small areas of crops or vegetables to aid villagers in self-sufficiency.     

CTL-12型化学需氧量速测仪与标准法测定CODCr之比较

使用CTL—12型化学需氧量速测仪分析废水化学需氧量，简便、快速，且方法可行，完全能满足环境监测技术要求。     

膜、柱串联固相萃取-高效液相色谱法测定水中多环芳烃(PAHs)的研究

建立了用膜-柱串联固相萃取(SPE)技术,甲醇和水作为流动相进行梯度洗脱,紫外和荧光检测器串联的高效液相色谱法(HPLC)分析水中EPA优先监控的16种PAHs的方法.     

Trace Metal Concentration in Roadside Surface Soil and Tree Back: A Measurement of Local Atmospheric Pollution in Abuja, Nigeria

Cadmium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc concentrations were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in surface soil and tree bark from different districts of Abuja, Nigeria, in order to determine the atmospheric trace metal input in the area.Elevated concentrations of some of the studied metals were observed in the soil and tree bark samples from the commercial/high traffic areas of the city compared to backgroundvalues. In soil samples, the average concentration of the metals were 0.6±0.4, 18.0±4.0, 281±39, 16±4 and66±23 g g^-1 dry weight for Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn, respectively, whilst the average concentrations in tree bark were 0.3±0.2, 12±4, 133±32, 13±3 and 61±10 g g^-1 dry weight for Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn, respectively. The trend in trace metal levels suggested that automobile emissions are a major source of these metals as the highest concentrations of Pb and Zn were recorded in the commercial areas of the city known for their high traffic densities. The levels of metal in the study area were relativelylow compared to levels found in some larger and older cities in various countries worldwide.     

地表水样品自然沉降时间对总磷测定结果的影响分析

地表水中总磷含量高低是评定水质优劣的一项重要指标,分析数据表明丰水期中总磷主要来源于泥沙中吸附的有机磷和无机磷,而溶解态磷含量较少;水样中总磷含量随着自然沉降时间的延长而逐渐降低.因此样品采集回来后样品的自然沉降时间是影响地表水中总磷测定结果的一个主要原因之一.     

Monitoring of Butter and Ghee (Clarified Butter Fat) for Pesticidal Contamination from Cotton Belt of Haryana, India

Butter (45) and ghee (55) samples were collected from rural and urban areas of cotton growing belt of Haryana and analysed for detecting the residues of organochlorine, synthetic pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides. The estimation was carried out by using multi residue analytical technique employing GC-ECD and GC-NPD systems equipped with capillary columns. Butter samples were comparatively more contaminated (97%) than ghee (94%), showing more contamination with organochlorine insecticides from urban samples. About 11% samples of butter showed endosulfan residues above MRL value and 2% samples had residues of synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphates each above their respective MRL values. In ghee, residues of HCH & DDT both and of endosulfan exceeded the MRL values in 5 and 20% samples, respectively. Among organophosphates, only chlorpyriphos was detected with 9% samples showing its residue above MRL value. Irrespective of contamination levels, residues above the MRL values were more in ghee. More extensive study covering other agricultural regions/zones of Haryana has been suggested to know the overall scenario of contamination of milk products.