Occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in sewage effluents and correlation with microbial,chemical and physical water variables

Contaminated water are recognized as a potential source of Cryptosporidium oocysts. In Italy studies on the environmentalspread of the parasite are still scarce even if a high frequencyof serological responses could suggest high rates of endemic Cryptosporidium infections. In this investigation theoccurrence of the parasite in water samples from a municipalwastewater treatment plant was monitored with the aim to evaluatepossible correlation between oocysts and bacterial indicators,pathogens and physico-chemical parameters using a multivariateanalysis. Data collected showed high numbers of oocysts, with ahigh percentage of positive samples and a significant correlationwith pH, redox potential and total organic carbon. No correlationwas found between Cryptosporidium concentration and that of the other microrganisms. The results, through a probing statistical analysis, show that none of the selected microrganisms was a reliable predictor of the presence of theparasite.     

有机改性蒙脱土对萘的吸附机制和影响因子

我国场地土壤中多环芳烃（PAHs）污染或PAHs-重金属复合污染是常见的污染类型,对公众健康与环境构成巨大威胁.本研究利用耗散型石英晶体微天平（QCM-D）技术和批量吸附实验,探究实验室制备的2种有机改性黏土对萘的吸附机制,以及萘与Cu²⁺共存时黏土颗粒吸附情况.结果表明,25℃时,十六烷基三甲基溴化铵改性蒙脱土（CTAB-SMF）的吸附等温线符合Freundlich模型（R²>0.92,n>1）,说明其对萘的吸附位点具有多样性,在较高萘平衡浓度（c_e=1 mmol ·L^-1）下吸附分配系数K_d为SMF的13.4倍;3-巯基丙基三甲氧基硅烷改性蒙脱土（TMSP-SMF）的吸附等温线符合Langmuir模型（R²>0.96）,在较高萘平衡浓度（c_e=1 mmol ·L^-1）下吸附分配系数K_d为SMF的1.14倍.说明2种有机改性黏土对萘的吸附效果优于SMF颗粒.3种黏土颗粒对萘的吸附焓在-30~-10 kJ ·mol^-1之间,均为自发物理吸附.溶液离子强度升高抑制了SMF吸附萘,但对改性黏土吸附萘无显著影响.萘平衡浓度较低（c_e=0.1 mmol ·L^-1）时,Cu²⁺的存在使TMSP-SMF对萘的吸附效果增加了3倍;同时萘能促进2种改性黏土对Cu²⁺的吸附.本研究通过原位在线QCM-D检测了黏土对萘的吸附机制,结果与批量吸附实验结果一致：CTAB-SMF对萘的吸附位点主要为黏土层间的改性剂基团,TMSP-SMF则位于黏土颗粒表面的改性剂基团.本项研究结果显示,QCM-D技术是一种有效的原位在线表征黏土膜吸附有机污染物的方法,2种有机改性的黏土颗粒可作为应用于PAHs或PAHs-重金属复合污染场地的修复材料.     

Pollution by halogenated aromatic compounds at Trissino: A case study of groundwater contamination and rehabilitation

An investigation is presented on industrial contamination by benzotrifluoride percolation into ground water used for drinking water, in a populated area of 20 km² at Trissino, north Italy, due to improper chemical waste disposal. Hydrogeological features of the situation are reported, as well as the emergency action taken, such as the surveys made and their analytical results. The epidemiology of the emergency is examined and rehabilitation measures are presented and discussed. Fortunately no major ecological or social disaster occurred, In part thanks to the speed and efficiency with which the affair was handled. It is notable that the authorities kept the public duly informed and thus retained their confidence.     

Sequential sampling: A cost-effective approach for monitoring benthic macroinvertebrates in environmental impact assessments

Sequential sampling is a method for monitoring benthic macroinvertebrates that can significantly reduce the number of samples required to reach a decision, and consequently, decrease the cost of benthic sampling in environmental impact assessments.Rather than depending on a fixed number of samples, this analysis cumulatively compares measured parameter values (for example, density, community diversity) from individual samples, with thresholds that are based on specified degrees of precision.In addition to reducing sample size, a monitoring program based on sequential sampling can provide clear-cut decisions as to whethera priori-defined changes in the measured parameter(s) have or have not occurred. As examples, sequential sampling programs have been developed to evaluate the impact of geothermal energy development on benthic macroinvertebrate diversity at The Geysers, California, and for monitoring the impact of crude oil contamination on chironomid midge [Cricotopus bicinctus (Meigen) andC. mackenziensis Oliver] population densities in the Trail River, Northwest Territories, Canada.     

THE BISCAYNE AQUIFER CONTAMINATION: CLEANUP AND PREVENTION1

ABSTRACT: The Biscayne Aquifer is the sole source of drinking water for approximately three million residents of southeast Florida. Nine hazardous waste sites on the EPA National Priority List overlie this aquifer. Extensive investigation of an 80 square-mile area in metropolitan Miami detected low to moderate levels of toxic contaminants in the ground water, with volatile organic chemicals the most prevalent. The Centers for Disease Control concluded that contamination of the aquifer within the study area poses a serious potential threat to public health. Recommendations for source control and cleanup have been partially carried out. The top few feet of soil at the Miami Drum site have been excavated and relocated; ground water encountered during excavation has been withdrawn and treated, and the Northwest 58th Street Landfill has been closed. Recovery and treatment of ground water from the contaminated area was the recommended cleanup measure and has been approved by EPA and state and local agencies. A preventive action program for the Biscayne Aquifer region was also recommended for implementation by local agencies. This program consists of regulations, waste management practices, construction and treatment guidelines, and public information activities and materials. Implementing this program will help keep the Biscayne Aquifer water drinkable far into the future.     

A regional environmental information system for analyzing and predicting the impacts of nonferrous mining on an agricultural environment

Mineral exploitation is a necessary component of China's economic development goals. Such exploitation brings with it the potential for serious environmental degradation. Careful environmental impact assessments of mining projects are required in order to implement China's environmental protection law and identify measures for protecting surrounding agricultural environments. This article describes an environmental information system that has been developed for the purpose of assisting with the environmental impact assessment of nonferrous mining operations with a particular focus on agricultural impacts. An application of the environmental information system to the Yongping copper mine, located in Jiangxi Province, is discussed. The role of the environmental information system is analyzing and predicting soil contamination from heavy metals and other types of impacts from this mining operation is described. The environmental information system is designed for implementation on an IBM PC/XT microcomputer. The experience gained from the Yongping copper mine application and the growing popularity of microcomputers in China indicate a significant potential for the effective use of a microcomputer-based environmental information system in other parts of China.     

PRESERVATION OF SAMPLES FOR DISSOLVED MERCURY1

ABSTRACT: Water samples for dissolved mercury require special treatment because of the high chemical mobility and volatility of this element. Widespread use of mercury and its compounds has provided many avenues for contamination of water. Two laboratory tests were done to determine the relative permeabilities of glass and plastic sample bottles to mercury vapor. Plastic containers were confirmed to be quite permeable to airborne mercury, glass containers were virtually impermeable. Methods of preservation include the use of various combinations of acids, oxidants, and complexing agents. The combination of nitric acid and potassium dichromate successfully preserved mercury in a large variety of concentrations and dissolved forms. Because this acid-oxidant preservative acts as a sink for airborne mercury and plastic containers are permeable to mercury vapor, glass bottles are preferred for sample collection. To maintain a healthy work environment and minimize the potential for contamination of water samples, mercury and its compounds are isolated from the atmosphere while in storage. Concurrently, a program to monitor environmental levels of mercury vapor in areas of potential contamination is needed to define the extent of mercury contamination and to assess the effectiveness of mercury clean-up procedures.     

Minimizing contamination hazards to waterbirds using agricultural drainage evaporation ponds

In much of the San Joaquin Valley, California, USA, inadequate drainage of applied irrigation water and accumulating salts in the soil have necessitated the installation of subsurface tile drainage systems to preserve crop productivity. At present, these subsurface drainage waters are disposed of by means of evaporation ponds or discharges into the San Joaquin River. Unfortunately, most of these agricultural drainage waters contain high concentrations of salts and naturally occurring trace elements, such as selenium, and recent evidence indicates that substantial numbers of waterbirds are exposed to contamination by selenium in the evaporation ponds. In order to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the adverse impacts on wildlife using the ponds, alternative pond management methods must be identified and evaluated for implementation. A number of methods have the potential to be cost-effective in significantly reducing the contamination hazard to birds using agricultural evaporation ponds. Twenty general methods were evaluated in this study, and four methods are recommended for implementation: remove levee vegetation, remove windbreaks, deepen the ponds, and haze birds. A number of other methods are recommended for further consideration because they appear to have good prospects for reducing the contamination hazard: steepen interior levee slopes, apply herbicides and insecticides, place netting on pond shorelines, and provide freshwater habitat adjacent to evaporation ponds. It may be necessary to use a combination of methods to effectively control selenium contamination of aquatic birds because it is unlikely that a single affordable pond management method will be able to entirely eliminate the contamination hazard.     

环境中五氯酚监测研究进展

本文概述了五氯酚(PCP)的环境污染、人群暴露水平及目前有关监测方法研究进展。环境污染主要来源于本品的生产及工农业中的应用。在我国主要广泛用于杀灭血吸虫的中间宿主——钉螺。人体通过污染的空气、水体及食品可摄入PCP造成生物蓄积,危害健康。监测方法有化学法、紫外分光光度法、色谱法、极谱法、电化学检测法等,其中,色谱法简单、灵敏,易于普及使用。