Trace Element Contaminants in Sediments From the Noaa National Status and Trends Programme Compared to Data From Throughout the World

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Status and Trends (NS&T) Programme has analyzed samples of surface sediment collected at almost 300 coastal and estuarine sites throughout the United States since 1984. the overall distributions for concentrations of each element are approximately lognormal allowing a definition of geometric means and of “high” concentrations as those exceeding the mean plus one standard deviation of the lognormal distribution. Those mean and “high” concentrations should be useful for comparing the NS&T data set and with other reports on sediment contamination. A world-wide data set, constructed from data in the literature, was summarized in an identical manner. It was found, after excluding locally extreme values, that the NS&T and world-wide data sets yielded very similar mean and “high” concentrations for Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. Chromium was the sole element showing higher summary statistics in the NS&T data set, a result attributed to NS&T sampling in areas of naturally (not contaminated) elevated Cr content. It remains undetermined, however, why the world-wide data set, even with exclusion of “hot spots”, yielded higher means and “highs” for Cd, Hg, As, and Ag.     

Recent Levels of Radionuclide Contamination in the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace and Biological Effects in Local Populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plantago major</Emphasis> L.

The results of the study have shown that the stocks of ⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs in the frontal part of the EURT are 6700–15000 and 200–400 kBq/m², respectively. The coefficients of their accumulation in different herbaceous plant species in this impact zone are lower than in other areas. The accumulative capability of plants has probably decreased in the course of selection as an adaptation to the effect of radiation. The viability and growth parameters of Plantago major L. seeds from the EURT zone are similar to those of seeds from the background sample. Cenopopulations chronically exposed to radiation are characterized by a higher mutation rate in the progeny and an unstable response to additional acute irradiation in most characters studied. A high level of inbreeding is observed in all P. major cenopopulations of plantain. The cenopopulation of the impact zone is characterized by a lower variation of allozyme loci, which may be a result of stringent selection for individuals better adapted to the complex of conditions existing in its habitat.     

Concentrations of inorganic elements in 20 municipal waters in Sweden before and after treatment – links to human health

The water chemistry of 20 municipal water treatment plants in southern Sweden, representing various bedrock situations, and water qualities, were investigated. Four water samples, raw and treated, were collected from each plant and analyzed by predominantly ICP-OES and ICP-MS at four occasions from June to December, 2001. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Na, HCO₃ and a number of micronutrients, varied considerably in treated waters from the studied plants (ranges; Ca: 9.1–53.7 mg L⁻¹, Mg: 1.4–10.9 mg L⁻¹, K: 1.1–4.8 mg L⁻¹, Na; 5.4–75.6 mg L⁻¹, HCO₃: 27–217 mg L⁻¹). The elimination of Fe and Mn from raw water was efficient in all treatments investigated, giving concentrations in treated waters below the detection limits at some plants. Softening filters gave waters with Ca-concentrations comparable to the softest waters in this study. Adjustment of pH by use of chemicals like lye, soda or lime, modified the consumer water composition significantly, besides raising the pH. It was estimated that drinking water contributed to approximately 2.2–13% of the daily Ca uptake, if the gastrointestinal uptake efficiency from food and water was estimated to be around 50%. The corresponding figures for Mg was 1.0–7% and for F 0–59%. None of the studied elements showed any significant time trends in raw or treated waters during the follow-up period. The concentrations of potentially toxic metals such as Al, Pb and U were low and did not indicate risks for adverse health effects (ranges; Al: 0.5–2.3 μg L⁻¹, Pb: 0–0.3 μg L⁻¹, U: 0.2.5 μg L⁻¹).     

Do trace metal(loid)s in road soils pose health risks to tourists? A case of a highly-visited national park in China

Nowadays, more people tend to spend their recreational time in large national parks, and trace metal(loid)s in soils have attracted long-term attention due to their possible harm to human health. To investigate the pollution levels, potential sources and health risks of trace metal(loid)s in road soils, a total of eight trace metal(loid)s (including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Hg) from 47 soil samples along roads were studied in the Huangshan National Park in Southeast China. The results showed that the concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, Zn and Hg appeared different degrees of pollution compared with their corresponding background values. According to the pollution indices, Hg and Cd were recognized as significant pollutants presenting moderate to high ecological risk. Combining principal component analysis and positive matrix factorization model, the results showed that traffic, industrial, agricultural and natural sources were the potential origins of trace metal(loid)s in this area, with contribution rates of 39.93%, 25.92%, 10.53% and 23.62%, respectively. Non-carcinogenic risks were all negligible, while the carcinogenic risk of As was higher than the limit (1 $\times$ 10⁻⁶). Moreover, children were more susceptible to trace metal(loid)s by ingestion which appeared to be a more important exposure pathway than dermal contact and inhalation. The contribution rates of different sources to non-carcinogenic risks and carcinogenic risks were similar among children and adults, while traffic and industrial sources have a significant impact on health risks. This study will give more insights to control the environmental risks of trace metal(loid)s in national parks.     

可燃制冷剂空调用开关元件点燃危险及防爆试验分析

随着全球范围对环境问题的日益重视,R290,R32等新型制冷剂因优良的环保性能和节能效果被广泛应用于空调行业,但其属于IIA级爆炸性气体,为了进一步分析其运行过程中的防爆安全性能。通过文献数据和测试分析,可燃制冷剂空调电气元件的点燃源主要来自其工作过程中产生的电气火花。其中空调开关元件最容易产生电火花、电弧,且通过试验验证这些火花或电弧能点爆（6.5±0.5）%乙烯/空气混合物。综合IEC 60335-2-40,GB 4706.32标准要求和空调开关元件的结构特征,分析确定其应符合“nC”型防爆技术要求,并能通过“nC”型爆炸试验。针对开关元件结构尺寸小、存在爆炸试验中爆炸性混合气体多次置换和负载通、断电操作的难点问题,提出一套合理可行的爆炸试验实施方案,并通过测试应用得到验证。     

模拟酸雨对华南典型树种生长及营养元素含量的影响

我国是世界上的第3大酸雨区,而华南地区是我国酸雨比较严重的地区之一。越来越严重的酸雨将对森林生态系统林木生长产生负面影响。本文采用盆栽试验模拟研究酸雨对华南典型树种尾叶桉和马尾松幼树生长及营养元素含量的影响。酸雨水平有4个:pH6.8(CK)、pH5、pH4和pH3。幼树生长期间观察并记录其酸雨受害症状,每隔10a测量一次树高,4个月后统计生物量、叶面积情况,并分析植株样品中的N、P、K、Ca、Mg等元素的质量分数。试验结果表明,在不同酸度酸雨的协迫下,尾叶桉和马尾松幼苗表现出不同程度的受害症状,酸度越高受害越严重。酸雨显著地抑制尾叶桉和马尾松的树高生长,降低幼苗生物量,减少叶面积生长。与对照相比,生长四个月后,pH5、pH4和pH3处理分别导致尾叶桉生物量降低10.79%、19.21%和27.25%,马尾松降低12.78%、22.98%和28.70%。尾叶桉植株内P、Mg、Ca质量分数不同程度地受到酸雨的影响,而N、K质量分数不受酸雨影响;马尾松除了P元素以外,其它元素质量分数在各个酸雨处理之间差异不显著。     

Associations of trace elements in aerosol at the south Adriatic coast

We applied statistical methods to the data of a 5-year sampling period to characterize the features of trace elements in airborne particulate matter at the South Adriatic Coast. The analysis of surface soil samples was also performed. The data were processed by cluster analysis, enrichment factor determination and receptor rose statistics. It is shown that the principal element association consists of Fe, Mn and Ti originating from surface material resuspension. Hg and Se were shown to originate from more complex natural and anthropogenic processes. A strong emission source of Cd and Se was identified in the SSE direction.Selected article from the Regional Symposium on Chemistry and Environment Krusevac, Serbia, June 2003, organized by Dr. Branimir Jovancicevic.     

微量元素对动物基因表达的调控

随着营养学和现代生物技术的发展,发现日粮中微量元素在一定程度上影响动物基因的表达,这种作用可以发生在转录水平,也可以发生在转录后水平,进而影响机体的整个代谢过程.综述微量元素对基因表达调控的主要机制、存在方式,并介绍铁、硒、锌、铜、铅等元素对部分基因表达的主要影响.     

Enrichment of potentially toxic elements in areas underlain by black shales and slates in Korea

The Okchon black shale in Korea provides an important example of natural geological materials containing toxic elements; the Chung-Joo, Duk-Pyung, Geum-Kwan, I-Won and Chu-Bu areas are underlain by these black shales and slates of the Guryongsan Formation. This formation is part of the Okchon Group which is found in the central part of Korea. Geochemical surveys were undertaken in these five study areas in the Okchon Zone in order to examine the level of enrichment and dispersion patterns of potentially toxic elements in rocks and soils. After appropriate preparation, samples were analysed by instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry for a range of elements. Arsenic, Cu, Mo, V, U and Zn are highly enriched in the Okchon black shales and their mean concentrations are significantly higher than those in black slates. These elements are closely associated with one another from a geochemical viewpoint and may be enriched simultaneously. Mean concentrations of As, Mo and U in soils derived from black shales occurring in the Duk-Pyung and Chu-Bu areas are higher than the permissible level suggested by Kloke (1979), and the enrichment index decreases in the order of Duk- Pyung > Chu-Bu > Chung-Joo > Geum-Kwan = I-Won areas. Uranium-bearing minerals such as uraninite and brannerite have been identified in black shales from the Chung-Joo area by electron probe micro-analysis. Uraninite grains are closely associated with monazite and pyrite with a grain size ranging from 2m to 10m whereas brannerite grains occur as a euhedral form 50m in diameter.     

Toxic metals status in human blood and breast milk samples in an integrated steel plant environment in Central India

Owing to its unique nutritional and immunological characteristics, human milk is the most important food source for infants. Breast milk can, however, also be a pathway of maternal excretion of toxic elements. Selected toxic elements (As, Pb, Mn,a Hg and Cd) were determined in human breast milk and blood samples obtained from 120 subjects related to an integrated steel plant environment located in central India. Samples of breast milk and blood from subjects living outside the steel plant environment were also analyzed for comparative study. Higher levels of these toxic elements were found in blood samples as compared to breast milk samples. Plant workers showed the higher presence of these metals in their breast milk and blood samples compared to the residents of the area and the subjects living outside the industrial environment, respectively. Mn, Pb and Hg have shown a higher tendency to associate with blood and breast milk than As and Cd. The order of occurrence of these metals in blood and milk samples thus found is Mn > Pb > Hg > As > Cd.