Lead particle size and its association with firing conditions and range maintenance: implications for treatment

Six firing range soils were analyzed, representing different environments, firing conditions, and maintenance practices. The particle size distribution and lead (Pb) concentration in each soil fraction were determined for samples obtained from the backstop berms. The main factors that were found to influence Pb fragment size were the type of soil used to construct the berms and the type of weapon fired. The firing of high velocity weapons, i.e., rifles, onto highly angular soils induced significant fragmentation of the bullets and/or pulverization of the soil itself. This resulted in the accumulation of Pb in the finer soil fractions and the spread of Pb contamination beyond the vicinity of the backstop berm. Conversely, the use of clay as backstop and the use of low velocity pistols proved to be favorable for soil clean-up and range maintenance, since Pb was mainly present as large metallic fragments that can be recovered by a simple screening process. Other factors that played important roles in Pb particle size distribution were soil chemistry, firing distance, and maintenance practices, such as the use of water spray for dust suppression and deflectors prior to impact. Overall, coarse Pb particles provide much easier and more cost-effective maintenance, soil clean-up, and remediation via physical separation. Fine Pb particles release Pb more easily, pose an airborne Pb hazard, and require the application of stabilization/solidification treatment methods. Thus, to ensure sustainable firing range operations by means of cost-effective design, maintenance, and clean-up, especially when high velocity weapons are used, the above mentioned factors should be carefully considered.     

Mobilization of heavy metals from contaminated paddy soil by EDDS,EDTA, and elemental sulfur

For enhanced phytoextraction, mobilization of heavy metals (HMs) from the soil solid phase to soil pore water is an important process. A pot incubation experiment mimicking field conditions was conducted to investigate the performance of three soil additives in mobilizing HMs from contaminated paddy soil (Gleyi-Stagnic Anthrosol): the [S, S]-isomer of ethylenediamine disuccinate (EDDS) with application rates of 2.3, 4.3, and 11.8 mmol kg⁻¹ of soil, ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA; 1.4, 3.8, and 7.5 mmol kg⁻¹), and elemental sulfur (100, 200, and 400 mmol kg⁻¹). Temporal changes in soil pore water HM and dissolved organic carbon concentrations and pH were monitored for a period of 119 days. EDDS was the most effective additive in mobilizing soil Cu. However, EDDS was only effective during the first 24 to 52 days, and was readily biodegraded with a half-life of 4.1 to 8.7 days. The effectiveness of EDDS decreased at the highest application rate, most probably as a result of depletion of the readily desorbable Cu pool in soil. EDTA increased the concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd in the soil pore water, and remained effective during the whole incubation period due to its persistence. The highest rate of sulfur application led to a decrease in pH to around 4. This increased the pore water HM concentrations, especially those of Zn and Cd. Concentrations of HMs in the soil pore water can be regulated to a large extent by choosing the proper application rate of EDDS, EDTA, or sulfur. Hence, a preliminary work such as our pot experiment in combination with further plant experiments (not included in this study) will provide a good tool to evaluate the applicability of different soil additives for enhanced phytoextraction of a specific soil.     

The effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans</Emphasis> on the leaching of cobalt and strontium adsorbed onto soil particles

Bioleaching from soil artificially contaminated with analogues of radionuclides, Co and Sr, was carried out using a Fe-oxidizing bacterium, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Due to bacterial metabolism, the pH and dissolved Fe³⁺ concentration in a biotic slurry decreased and increased respectively, over time, but the concentrations of Co and Sr extracted from the soil showed no significant enhancement compared with those under abiotic control. In both cases, Co and Sr were leached from the soil during the initial period of the experiment, due to the initially low solution pH of 2.0, and the dissolved concentrations remained almost constant for the duration of the experiment (300 h). Since oxidation of Fe²⁺ by A. ferrooxidans led to the production of Fe precipitates and colloidal suspensions, the Co and Sr extracted into solution were most likely re-adsorbed onto the Fe solids. Also, A. ferrooxidans, without an external supply of Fe²⁺, extracted almost equal or greater amounts of Co and Sr from the soil than when Fe²⁺ was supplied. Under the same leaching conditions, the extent of Sr removal was much lower than that of Co. On the contrary to the high efficiency of microbial metal leaching in biohydrometallurgy for low-graded sulfide ores, which has been widely documented, conventional bioleaching techniques with A. ferrooxidans supplied with enough Fe²⁺ showed low efficiency for the removal of radionuclides loosely bound onto soil particle surfaces.     

土地利用变更的土壤及地下水污染调查方法及实例

以南京大厂区某地块的土壤及地下水污染调查为实例,提出了资料收集、源项分析、监测因子筛选、监测布点．场地地质水文勘探和土壤及地下水采样分析的土壤及地下水污染调查方法,探讨了评价标准和确定土壤及地下水污染范围的方法。     

Reason,emotion, compassion: can altruism survive professionalisation in the humanitarian sector?

The humanitarian sector has grown enormously over the past two decades. Some fear that professionalisation comes at the expense of altruistic volunteering. This may be a valid concern if altruism is the product of organisational culture and individual experiences rather than an innate trait. This paper examines advances in evolutionary biology and neurology that provide evidence in support of both the nature and nurture arguments, echoing earlier insights from social sciences. It then questions to what extent humanitarian principles build on altruistic impulses or instead seek to constrain them, and reviews recruitment profiles of selected humanitarian organisations and applicants' letters accordingly. This initial investigation warrants further research to identify how altruism as a personal trait and an organisational principle has influenced diverse humanitarian actors and traditions. This paper outlines how training curricula and organisational reward systems can build on—rather than stifle—natural altruism to nurture critical, reflexive practitioners.     

Remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with organic chemicals using stabilized nanoparticles: Lessons from the past two decades

▪ Overviewed evolution and environmental applications of stabilized nanoparticles. ▪ Reviewed theories on particle stabilization for enhanced reactivity/deliverability. ▪ Examined various in situ remediation technologies based on stabilized nanoparticles. ▪ Summarized knowledge on transport of stabilized nanoparticles in porous media. ▪ Identified key knowledge gaps and future research needs on stabilized nanoparticles. Due to improved soil deliverability and high reactivity, stabilized nanoparticles have been studied for nearly two decades for in situ remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with organic pollutants. While large amounts of bench- and field-scale experimental data have demonstrated the potential of the innovative technology, extensive research results have also unveiled various merits and constraints associated different soil characteristics, types of nanoparticles and particle stabilization techniques. Overall, this work aims to critically overview the fundamental principles on particle stabilization, and the evolution and some recent developments of stabilized nanoparticles for degradation of organic contaminants in soil and groundwater. The specific objectives are to: 1) overview fundamental mechanisms in nanoparticle stabilization; 2) summarize key applications of stabilized nanoparticles for in situ remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated by legacy and emerging organic chemicals; 3) update the latest knowledge on the transport and fate of stabilized nanoparticles; 4) examine the merits and constraints of stabilized nanoparticles in environmental remediation applications; and 5) identify the knowledge gaps and future research needs pertaining to stabilized nanoparticles for remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater. Per instructions of this invited special issue, this review is focused on contributions from our group (one of the pioneers in the subject field), which, however, is supplemented by important relevant works by others. The knowledge gained is expected to further advance the science and technology in the environmental applications of stabilized nanoparticles.     

土壤重金属污染现状调查与评价

土壤重金属通过发生溶解、沉淀、吸附、氧化等物理、化学一系列反应后,最终以多种形态存在于土壤中,在生物体内富集,或转化为毒性更大的甲基化合物。本文调查了部分矿区污染的基本情况和修复效果,提出了矿区重金属复合性污染产生的原因和亟待解决的问题。     

铬(Ⅵ)污染土壤生物还原解毒剂施用研究

为了探究Cr6+污染土壤生物还原解毒剂应用的可行性,利用不同浓度的Cr6+污染土壤开展生物还原解毒剂施用研究实验。结果表明:重度铬污染土壤施用生物还原解毒剂240d后,土壤浸出液中Cr6+浓度低于危险废物鉴别标准-浸出毒性鉴别标准所规定的限值;轻度铬污染土壤施用生物还原解毒剂60d后,土壤浸出液中Cr6+的浓度符合中华人民共和国地表水环境质量标准V级标准,说明用微生物法处理Cr6+污染土壤是切实可行的。     

基于Cokriging的土壤重金属空间变异研究——以昆山市为例

土壤重金属来源及空间分布是土壤学及环境学研究的热点问题。地统计学是土壤元素空间变异研究的有效方法以昆山市土壤重金属分布为例,先利用多元回归分析方法,提取与重金属含量显著相关的因子,再利用协同克里格方法研究了土壤理化性质和土壤重金属含量的相互关系,最后比较协同克里格与普通克里空间预测的精度。研究表明Hg、As、Cu、Pb的精度分别提高了2.75%、2.13%、0.17%和0.43%,cr、Zn和Cd 3种元素空间预测精度没有显著提高。     

汞污染土壤治理修复技术研究进展

总结了国内外土壤Hg环境质量标准限值,比较了中国和美国对汞污染土壤处理技术规定;在此基础上对热脱附、固化/稳定化、化学萃取和植物修复等Hg污染土壤治理修复进行了综述,总结了各技术的特点、优势和局限,可为我国汞污染土壤治理修复技术研究和工程实践提供参考。