Correlations between radiometric analysis of Quaternary deposits and the chronology of prehistoric settlements from the southeastern Brazilian coast

Natural gamma radiation measurements of sand deposits were carried out in order to study the chronology of prehistoric colonization of the Brazilian coast during the Holocene. The method employs thorium, uranium and potassium as tracers of the geological provenance of Quaternary deposits, where artificial shellmounds are found. The so-called sambaquis are archaeological settlements, characteristic of fisher-gatherers, specialized in the exploitation of shellfish. Our results show a considerable positive correlation between the formation of coastal deposits, based on cross plots of eTh/eU and eTh/K, and the antiquity of its prehistoric human occupation.     

Fractionation of natural radionuclides in soils from the vicinity of a former uranium mine ?irovski vrh, Slovenia

As a result of former uranium mining and milling activities at ?irovski vrh, Slovenia, 0.6 million tons of uranium mill tailings (UMT) were deposited onto a nearby waste pile Boršt. Resulting enhanced levels of natural radionuclides in UMT could pose threat for the surrounding environment. Therefore, sequential extraction protocol was performed to assess mobility and bioavailability of ²³⁸U, ²³⁴U, ²³⁰Th and ²²⁶Ra in soils from the waste pile and its surrounding. The radionuclides associated with exchangeable, organic, carbonate, Fe/Mn oxides and residual fraction, respectively, were determined. Results showed that the highest activity concentrations for the studied radionuclides were on the bottom of the waste pile. In non-contaminated locations, about 80% of all radionuclides were in the residual fraction. Considering activity concentrations in the UMT, ²³⁸U and ²³⁴U are the most mobile. Mobility of ²²⁶Ra is suppressed by high sulphate concentrations and is similar to mobility of ²³⁰Th.     

微波消解-ICP—MS测定土壤和水系沉积物中的重金属

建立了一种采用逆王水和氢氟酸的混合体系微波酸消解土壤与水系沉积物,电感耦合等离子体质谱法快速测定六种金属元素（As、Cd、Pb、Cu、Cr和Ni）含量的方法。本文研究了消解温度和消解时间对消解效果的影响。结果表明,在190℃下运行25分钟对土壤与水系沉积物中的六种金属元素均具有很好的消解能力,备元素的测定值与标准值相符。在对实际土壤与水系沉积物样品进行分析后得出采样区域的土壤与沉积物中这六种金属含量水平正常。     

声屏障在化工行业的应用

化工行业噪声源多,声级高,防火、防爆、防腐、防风险等要求特别严格。采用常规噪声控制措施受到许多限制,而采用隔声吸声屏障降噪有一定效果。本文以上海几个化工企业为例,论述了隔声吸声屏障的设计、应用及效果。     

Lead toxicity, defense strategies and associated indicative biomarkers in Talinum triangulare grown hydroponically

Talinum species have been used to investigate a variety of environmental problems for e.g. determination of metal pollution index and total petroleum hydrocarbons in roadside soils, stabilization and reclamation of heavy metals (HMs) in dump sites, removal of HMs from storm water-runoff and green roof leachates. Species of Talinum are popular leaf vegetables having nutrient antinutrient properties. In this study, Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd (Ceylon spinach) grown hydroponically were exposed to different concentrations of lead (Pb) (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.25 mM) to investigate the biomarkers of toxicity and tolerance mechanisms. Relative water content, cell death, photosynthetic pigments, sulphoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG), anthocyanins, α-tocopherol, malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS) glutathione (GSH and GSSG) and elemental analysis have been investigated. The results showed that Pb in roots and shoots gradually increased as the function of Pb exposure; however Pb concentration in leaves was below detectable level. Chlorophylls and SQDG contents increased at 0.25 mM of Pb treatment in comparison to control at all treated durations, thereafter decreased. Levels of carotenoid, anthocyanins, α-tocopherol, and lipid peroxidation increased in Pb treated plants compared to control. Water content, cells death and elemental analysis suggested the damage of transport system interfering with nutrient transport causing cell death. The present study also explained that Pb imposed indirect oxidative stress in leaves is characterized by decreases in GSH/GSSG ratio with increased doses of Pb treatment. Lead-induced oxidative stress was alleviated by carotenoids, anthocyanins, α-tocopherol and glutathione suggesting that these defense responses as potential biomarkers for detecting Pb toxicity.     

电感耦合等离子体发射光谱在分析废液晶显示器面板主要元素中的应用

采用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱(ICP-AES)法对废液晶显示器(TFT-LCD)面板主要元素含量进行了测定。结果表明:(1)在酸体系下回收废TFT-LCD面板中In时,尽管不同酸体系下各元素浓度变化较大,但是主要伴随元素以Al、Fe为主。(2)绝大多数元素测定结果的相对标准偏差低于3%。(3)不同元素加标回收率基本在86%～110%。ICP-AES法具有灵敏度高、检出限较低、多元素同时测定等优点,能满足元素测定误差要求,可有效应用于废TFT-LCD面板中主要元素的测定。     

Bio-SR工艺去除硫化氢气体的研究

采用Bio-SR工艺,利用铁盐吸收与氧化亚铁硫杆菌的联合作用对H2S进行脱除实验。通过改进微生物的培养条件,减少了83.9%的沉淀量,一定程度上解决了挂膜后生物填料塔易堵塞的问题,保证了填料塔的连续运行。在实验选取工况下,硫化氢脱除率可达到98.4%以上,当吸收液中Fe3+浓度为5.5～6 g/L、H2S进气浓度为1 g/m3、通气量为0.08～0.12 m3/h时效果最佳,反应器可持续高效地运行。此外,对进气浓度、通气量与硫化氢去除率之间的相关性进行了进一步研究,其结果有利于反应器及运行参数的优化设计。     

High-molecular weight sulfur-containing aromatics refractory to weathering as determined by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

Biomarkers and low-molecular weight polyaromatic compounds have been extensively studied for their fate in the environment. They are used for oil spill source identification and monitoring of weathering and degradation processes. However, in some cases, the absence or presence of very low concentration of such components restricts the access of information to spill source. Here we followed the resistance of high-molecular weight sulfur-containing aromatics to the simulated weathering condition of North Sea crude oil by ultra high-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. The sulfur aromatics in North Sea crude having double bond equivalents (DBE) from 6 to 14 with a mass range 188-674 Da were less influenced even after 6 months artificial weathering. Moreover, the ratio of dibenzothiophenes (DBE 9)/naphthenodibenzothiophenes (DBE 10) was 1.30 and 1.36 in crude oil and 6 months weathered sample, respectively reflecting its weathering stability. It also showed some differences within other oils. Hence, this ratio can be used as a marker of the studied crude and accordingly may be applied for spilled oil source identification in such instances where the light components have already been lost due to environmental influences.     

Multiresidue analysis and evaluation of the matrix effect on 20 pesticides in Brazilian maize (Zea mays L.) flour

Abstract

Maize consists of a cereal widely used in the preparation of different food products. Brazil is one of the world's largest maize producers. Several types of pesticides have been applied in maize crop, which can lead to the contamination of the derived products. The present work aims at the validation of multiresidue method to analyze the matrix effect and level of pesticides in maize flour. Twenty residues were investigated in samples commercialized in the state of Ceará, Brazil. The method was satisfactorily validated, according to parameters recommended by European Union. About 55% of the pesticides had an intense negative matrix effect. Multiresidue analyzes showed the presence of traces of fenitrotion in 20% of maize flour samples. Detected levels were below maximum residue limits recommended for maize. The results indicate that maize products need continuous monitoring to ensure food security.     

Level and origin of 129I and 137Cs in lichen samples (Cladonia alpestris) in central Sweden

Lichen is a symbiosis between algae and fungi. They have for decades been used as bioindicators for atmospheric deposition of heavy metals, organic compounds and radioactive elements. Especially the species Cladonia alpestris and Cladonia rangiferina are important for the food chain lichen-reindeer-man.The concentration of ¹²⁹I was determined in lichen samples (Cladonia alpestris) contaminated by fallout from atmospheric nuclear tests explosions and the Chernobyl accident. The samples were collected at Lake Rogen District (62.3°N, 12.4°E) in central Sweden in the periods 1961-1975 and 1987-1998, and analysed with accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) at CNA (Seville) to study its distribution in different layers. Data on the ¹³⁷Cs activity measured previously were also included in this study. The ¹²⁹I concentration ranged from (0.95 ± 0.13) × 10⁸ at g⁻¹ in 1961 in the uppermost layer to (14.2 ± 0.5) × 10⁸ at g⁻¹ in 1987 in deepest layer. The ¹²⁹I/¹³⁷Cs atom ratio ranged between 0.12 and 0.27 for lichen samples collected in the period 1961-1975, indicating weapons tests fallout. For lichen samples collected between 1987 and 1998 the behaviour of ¹³⁷Cs concentrations reflected Chernobyl fallout. The concentrations of the two radionuclides followed each other quite well in the profile, reflecting the same origin for both.From the point of view of the spatial distribution in the lichen, it appears that ¹²⁹I was predominantly accumulated in the lowest layer, the opposite to ¹³⁷Cs for which the highest amounts were detected systematically in the topmost layer of lichen. This vertical distribution is important for radioecology because lichen is the initial link in the food chain lichen-reindeer-man, and reindeer only graze the upper parts of lichen carpets.