Heavy metals in coastal sediments in Guipuzcoa (Spain)∗

Surficial sediment samples were wet digested (HNO₃‐HCI‐HF) and analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The background values in the area, and the Pollution Index Load in the sampling points were calculated. Metal inputs of continental origin are specially important in Deva, Oria and Urola river mouths.     

Biotransformation rates of xenobiotic compounds in relation to enzymes activities: A critical review

Many biotransformation reactions and many activities of enzymes involved in the biotransformation of xenobiotics in fish have been described. Therefore, the prediction of biotransformation of (other) xenobiotics through literature data seems to be possible. However, very few data allow correlation of in vitro enzyme activities with in vivo biotransformation rates. This is mainly due to a lack of quantitative data. Suggestions are made for future research, which may help to relate enzyme activities and biotransformation in fish.     

Large plasmids governing multiple resistances to heavy metals: A genetic approach∗

Gram negative bacteria classified as Alcaligenes eutrophus and carrying large resistance plasmids (generally two) were found in various industrial sites highly contaminated by heavy metals (Zn⁺⁺, Cu⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺,...). These strains were detected by DNA hybridization with a probe made with a 9kb fragment (ccz⁺ fragment) encoding for resistances to Cd⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺ and Zn⁺⁺, and cloned from plasmid pMOL30. This plasmid was isolated from the representative strain A. eutrophus CH34 which harbours the plasmids pMOL30 (240 kb) and pMOL28 (165 kb). Phenotypes related to pMOL28 and pMOL30 include the tolerance to Cd⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺, Cr0₄ ⁼, Cu⁺⁺, Hg⁺⁺, Ni⁺⁺, Pb⁺⁺ and Zn⁺⁺. The described genetic properties of these plasmids refer to some cloned or mapped functions and to some plasmid rearrangements. Plasmid pMOL85 (250 kb) which is related to pMOL30 was also described. Its host (A. eutrophus DS185) was isolated from a zinc desert. pMOL85 can efficiently self transfer in plasmidfree derivatives.     

Levels of selected heavy metals in commercial fish from five freshwater lakes,Pakistan

The levels of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and Hg are estimated by atomic absorption in the muscle of six commercial species of fish belonging to five freshwater lakes of Pakistan. The species included Mastacembelus armatus, Tor putitura, Mystus seenghala, Wallago attu, Catla catla and Labeo rohita. The fish were procured in comparable weight ranges so that a viable comparison of trace metal content could be effected. As, Fe, Pb, Zn and Hg showed elevated levels of 0.006–6.967, 0.933–6.133, 0.060–4.108, 0.978–5.363 and 0.030–3.211 μg/g, wet weight. The relevant statistical parameters, such as standard deviation, standard error, skewness and its t‐value are also reported for establishing the randomness of the distribution in relation to the corresponding data of freshwater lakes of the world and examined in view of species‐specificity and origin.     

Characterization of airborne particulate matter in Thessaloniki,Greece

A receptor modeling approach has been applied to identify and apportion sources of airborne particulate matter in Thessaloniki, Greece. The absolute principal component analysis source apportionment technique used, provided quantitative information regarding both source particle characteristics and impacts. The analysis identified four major sources of heavy metals within total suspended particles (TSP) in the centre of the city: oil burning, pyrometallurgical non‐ferrous metal processes, motor vehicles and soil resuspension. Their contributions to TSP estimated by regression on absolute principal component scores (APCS) were 12%, 8%, 5% and 4%, respectively. A similar analysis conducted for a sampling site close to the industrial area identified five major sources: oil burning, industrial Cr source, soil resuspension, pyrometallurgical non‐ferrous metal processes and motor vehicles with contributions 20%, 15%, 9%, 8% and 4%, respectively.     

Effect of agrochemicals on earthworms

This review describes the toxic effects of agrochemicals on earthworms. Carbamates are described as extremely toxic to earthworms in comparison to organophosphorus insecticides. Some pesticides have drastic effect on the nervous system of the earthworm. Earthworm can accumulate heavy metals from the soil in higher levels than any other animal. Mercury is twenty times more toxic than chromium.     

温州市九山外河污染治理技术集成应用与治理成效

阐述了浙江省温州市九山外河污染治理技术的集成应用及治理成效。九山外河的综合整治工程采用了外源调水、底泥生态疏浚、河岸带阻控、人工曝气复氧和生态浮岛等多项技术,整治后的九山外河水体黑臭治理初见成效,水质由原来的劣Ⅴ类水逐步改善为Ⅴ类或Ⅳ类水,水体生境和生物多样性都有了一定的提高;将治理后对河流的实际感受与预期期望进行比较,69．2％的居民认为河流治理工程得分在60分以上,对河流治理总体比较满意。最后,对九山外河治理后管理存在的问题进行了分析并提出了建议与对策。     

北京北运河水系水质污染特征及污染来源分析

以北运河水系主要干支流2011年1～12月23项指标的监测数据为依据,采用水质类别法和平均综合污染指数法,对水质污染特征进行综合评价,运用主成分分析和系统聚类分析法,对水质指标主成分以及水质差异进行分类,并进一步对不同干支流污染来源进行分析.结果表明,北运河水系由于排污量大,地表水污染严重,除城市中心区部分河流水质为Ⅲ~Ⅳ类外,城市排水河流、远郊河流水质均为劣Ⅴ类.水质由3个主成分组成,COD、CODMn、BOD5、NH3-N、TP等为第一主成分;汞为第二主成分;石油类为第三主成分.干支流水质分为4类:第1类为清洁水源类河流,主要集中在城市中心区,降雨地表径流、雨污合流管网溢流引起的非点源污染是影响其水质达标的重要污染源;第2类为再生水水源类河流,主要集中在城市排水上游河流,城镇污水处理厂排水是其主要污染源;第3类为再生水与污水混合水源类河流,主要集中在城市排水下游河流及部分远郊区河流,由于城市下游排水管网不健全,远郊区污水集中处理率低,生活源和农业源的污染贡献率较高,水质污染严重;第4类为污水水源类河流,分布于远郊区县,农业污染占比较大,水质污染最严重.     

污泥基活性炭去除水中重金属离子效能与动力学研究

以城市污泥为主要原料制备了污泥基活性炭(SAC),考察了其对重金属离子的吸附去除效能和吸附动力学规律.并选择了2种商品活性炭(煤质炭,MAC和椰壳炭,YAC)作为对比,以初始浓度为50mg/L的Cu(II),Pb(II),Cd(II),Cr(VI)4种重金属离子为去除对象,分别进行了3种活性炭的表面理化性质分析及其对4种重金属离子的吸附试验.结果表明,SAC的比表面积和微孔容积仅为YAC和MAC的1/3~1/2,吸附速率也相对较慢,但其对Cu(II),Pb(II),Cr(VI),Cd(II)的平衡吸附量却远大于2种商品活性炭,分别为9.9,8.9,8.2,5.4mg/g,说明SAC表面的高酸性基团含量对重金属离子的吸附起到了关键作用;Langmuir与Freundlich吸附等温模型均能较好地拟合SAC对Cu(II)和Pb(II)的吸附,SAC对Cr(VI)的吸附过程更符合Langmuir模型,而SAC对于Cd(II)的吸附过程用Langmuir与Freundlich两个模型均不能较好地拟合,说明SAC表面缺少能够与Cd(II)发生反应的结合位点.     

温榆河昌平段沉积物重金属影响因素分析及污染评价

温榆河是北京市重要的防洪排涝、拦污河道,每年接纳大量污水,面临严重的水环境问题. 为了解温榆河昌平段表层沉积物重金属含量、影响因素及污染状况,在温榆河昌平段采集沉积物样品28个,测定pH、w(OM)(OM有机质)、w(TN)、w(TP)、w(TK)等沉积物理化性状及w(Cu)、w(Zn)、w(Pb)和w(Cr). 通过相关性分析和因子分析,研究沉积物中pH、w(OM)、w(TN)、w(TP)、w(TK)与4种重金属质量分数的相关关系,并运用地累积指数法和潜在生态危害指数法对重金属污染状况进行评价. 结果表明:沉积物中w(Cu)、w(Zn)、w(Pb)和w(Cr)平均值分别为19.35、89.90、25.80、53.74mg/kg,变异系数分别为29.76%、43.39%、37.54%、20.90%,其中w(Zn)的空间变异程度最大. 沉积物中w(OM)与w(Cu)和w(Zn)的R(相关系数)分别为0.515(P<0.01)、0.599(P<0.01),w(TN)与w(Cu)、w(Zn)、w(Pb)的R分别为0.463(P<0.05)、0.713(P<0.01)和0.654(P<0.01).因子分析也显示,w(OM)、w(TN)、w(Cu)、w(Zn)和w(Pb)在第1因子上具有较高的载荷系数. 地累积指数评价结果表明,表层沉积物重金属污染程度顺序为Cr>Zn>Pb>Cu,Cr为轻度污染,Zn、Pb、Cu未达到污染. 潜在生态风险程度分析表明,各重金属潜在生态风险程度及综合生态风险程度均为轻微.