The Loch Fleet Project in the Context of Acidification Reduction Measures

At Loch Fleet, and in other liming studies in similar environments, catchment liming is successful if an adequate amount of lime is added to hydrological source areas. Geochemical modelling demonstrates that the relatively late acidification of L. Fleet is consistent with the ameliorating effect of an alkaline groundwater input: the presence of this input implies that had the Loch not been limed in 1985 it would have recovered to conditions suitable for fish in about 20 years, given current commitments to sulphur emission reductions. Lakes without similar alkaline groundwater are not likely to recover as quickly. the different consequences of liming and emission reduction as methods of restoring acid waters are reviewed and contrasted. Restoration of waters by liming may result in some undesirable effects on the terrestrial catchment: these are discussed but it is concluded that catchment liming, used with discrimination, can be an acceptable management tool.     

Observations on metal trends in soil and vegetation samples collected in the vicinity of a hazardous waste incinerator under construction (1996–1998)

The temporal variation in metal concentrations in soil and vegetation samples collected in an area of Catalonia (Spain), which will be under the potential influence of a new hazardous waste incinerator was determined. In 1996 and again in 1998, As, Be, Cd, Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Tl and V were measured in 40 soil and 40 herbage samples collected at 250–4000 m from the facility at the same sampling points. Data of both surveys and the percentages of variation are here presented for all metals. Results are shown according to the main wind directions in the area, as well as distances from the new facility. During the period 1996–1998, a general decrease was noted for most metals. Only the levels of Hg were significantly increased during this period. The present results will be useful for future surveys aimed to evaluate the environmental impact of metals derived from emissions of the new plant.     

Deposition and resorption of organic aerosol constituents in the respiratory tract as calculated from particle size distribution data

Data on the particle size distributions of organic aerosol constituents were used as input for a study, designed to calculate the fractions of the particulate concentrations of these compounds, deposited into the respiratory tract. The known relation between the deposition probability and the particle size as described by the ICRP‐model was used. The organic constituents were from the classes of the aliphatic hydrocarbons, carboxylic acids, polycyclic and aza‐heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Aerosol samples were obtained by Hi‐Vol cascade impactor sampling at suburban, rural and sea shore background stations as well as in an industrial emission site (coke oven).

Our approach uses the measured concentrations, being average values within each impactor particle size interval, as well as the integrated average deposition probabilities. This procedure was validated experimentally for eight model distributions from the literature, for which an infinitesimal calculation of the deposited fractions was possible.

Dilution reduces total particulate concentrations in the remote areas and predominantly determines the total deposited pollutant concentrations. Of these, pulmonary and nasopharyngeal deposition are most significant and, as a first approximation, correspond largely to the relative importance of the accumulation and dispersion modes of the sampled aerosol. A particle size distribution shift toward larger particles within the accumulation mode occurs upon ageing of the aerosol and reduces the pulmonary deposited fraction of the measured compounds in the background sites, compared to the one in the suburb. The total deposited fraction, however, increases. The contributions of biogenic higher odd n‐alkanes and, to a lesser extent, of even carboxylic acids to the dispersion mode of the aerosol result in an increased nasopharyngeal deposition at the background sites mainly during summer.

Since little information on the bio‐availability of organic aerosol constituents is available in the literature, the fractions of the particulate pollutant concentrations, resorbed in the tissues from the deposited material, were calculated, assuming an average efficiency of 70% for pulmonary and of 10% for nasopharyngeal and tracheobronchial resorption. A nearly constant total resorbed fraction of 20±2% resulted, independent of the sampling station or the season chosen, in contrast with the total deposited fractions, for which significant differences were observed. The predominant pulmonary resorption as well as compensating effects of the nasopharyngeal resorption level out the relatively small differences in particle size distributions observed. Based on these data, a first estimate in nanogram of the daily intake by inhalation of the organic pollutants studied can be formulated as four times the particulate pollutant concentration, expressed in ngm^‐3.     

Distribution of metallic compounds between plants and soils∗

Distribution of metallic constituents between soil and aerial parts of wild plants has been discussed by using relative ionic impulsions, i/I, defined as functions of concentrations of metallics ions, being i = [M]^1/2M, z_M the oxidation state of considered metal and I = S i the summation of contribution of metals. For this calculation metals were divided into two groups leading to ^I macro (K, Na, Ca, Mg, and Mn, elements accumulated in aerial parts) and to I _Micro (Fe, Cu, Zn, Co and contaminants accumulated in roots). Relative ionic impulsions may be attributed to an electric potential gradient and show if an active or passive uptake is happening. For macroelements linear relationships were obtained for Mg‐K (global active uptake) and Na‐Mn‐Ca (global passive uptake) with inverse slopes. Passive ions seem to be used as counter ions for helping active assimilation. Calculated potential gradient was close to 20 mV. The same situation was found for microelements and pollutants, where Fe is taken passively helping assimilation of the rest (Cu, Zn, Co, Cd, Pb, Ni and Cr) with a potential gradient close to 13 mV. Influences of other ecological segments (rainfall, dry deposition, airborne dust and irrigation), as well as additions for amending contaminated soils are finally discussed.     

Chelant-assisted pulse flushing of a field Pb-contaminated soil

Laboratory experiments on a lead-contaminated soil were carried out to test the effects of chelant addition on metal leachability using column tests. Tests were aimed at studying metal mobilisation upon application of two different chelating agents (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid [EDTA] and ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid [EDDS]). Column operation was arranged to simulate a flushing treatment in which the chelating agent is applied in a pulse mode to the soil for one bed volume, while deionised water was continuously introduced for the rest of the experiment. Two different concentrations (3 and 5 mmol·kg ^?1 respectively) of the two chelating agents and a control solution (deionised water) were tested in separate experiments; pH, total organic carbon and the total concentrations of Pb, Zn, Fe, Cd, Cu and Ni were monitored during each run. A seven-step sequential extraction procedure was used to evaluate metal partitioning and concentration in the contaminated soil after treatment as a function of depth. The results showed the effect of the nature of flushing solution on the hydraulic behaviour of the columns. Metal concentrations in the leachate increased considerably upon the application of chelants, thus indicating their suitability for metal extraction from contaminated soils. In view of full-scale application of soil flushing, particular concern should also be devoted to ensuring a homogeneous distribution of the solution within the contaminated area and an efficient collection of the exhausted extracting solution, as well as to recovering and recycling the chelating agent used.     

中国土壤重金属污染修复技术的专利文献计量分析

综述了国内外主要土壤修复技术,进行了技术经济比较分析。利用国家知识产权局专利检索系统,采用主题词检索,从重金属污染物种类、技术类型两个方面分析了中国土壤重金属污染修复技术的专利申请与授权状态。结果表明：土壤重金属污染修复技术以植物修复与微生物技术为主,其次为固定修复技术;土壤镉、铅、铜、砷的修复技术专利申请量明显高于其余重金属的;农田土壤重金属污染修复技术专利申请量明显高于场地重金属修复技术的;农田土壤重金属污染修复除降低土壤中重金属含量外,还可以从植物营养调控与土壤调理剂的角度降低农产品中重金属含量。最后,进行了土壤污染修复产业政策分析。     

内蒙古河套灌区不同盐碱程度的土壤细菌群落多样性

采用变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)技术对内蒙古河套灌区三种不同盐碱程度土壤(盐土,强度盐化土,轻度盐化土)不同深度(0~20cm和20~30cm)土壤细菌16S rDNA V3~V6可变区扩增片段进行分析,并对土壤理化性质进行了测定.结果表明:细菌群落多样性随土壤盐碱化程度的加深而减少(轻度盐化土 > 强度盐化土 > 盐土),随土壤深度的增加而降低(细菌群落多样性0~20cm土层大于20~30cm土层).细菌Shannon-Wiener指数在轻度盐化土中最大为3.36,在强度盐化土和盐土分别为3.05和2.49.不同盐碱程度土壤以细菌相似系数聚类,分为0~20cm层与20~30cm层两大族群,土壤细菌群落Shannon-Wiener指数在0~20cm层中(盐土为3.04,强度盐化土为3.29,轻度盐化土为3.36)均大于在20~30cm层(盐土为2.49,强度盐化土为3.05,轻度盐化土为3.14).相关性分析和典范对应分析表明,土壤w(EC)、pH值、w(SOC)、w(TP)是土壤细菌群落结构多样性的显著影响因素,不同盐碱程度土壤中细菌群落的Shannon-Wiener指数与土壤w(EC)(r=-0.542,P < 0.05)、pH(r=-0.526,P < 0.05)呈显著负相关,与土壤w(SOC)(r=0.700,P < 0.01)和w(TP)(r=0.805,P < 0.01)呈极显著正相关.w(EC)和pH对盐碱土壤细菌群落结构的影响力最大. 回收DGGE图谱中20个优势条带进行测序分析,结果显示,变形菌纲(α-变形菌纲、β-变形菌纲、γ-变形菌纲和δ-变形菌纲)是盐碱土壤的主要类群.     

不同生态区土壤溶磷微生物的分布特征及影响因子

研究了盐渍区、重金属污染区和磷矿区土壤中溶磷微生物的数量、组成及与部分土壤化学因子的关系。结果表明,溶磷微生物在不同生态区土壤中的分布各不相同,磷矿区土壤中溶磷微生物数量和种群丰度普遍高于重金属污染区和盐渍区,但优势种属间数量差异不明显。重金属污染土壤中溶磷细菌比例较高,但种群单一,主要以巨大芽孢杆菌(Bacillus megaterium)为优势种,重金属污染区溶磷细菌比例与土壤重金属综合污染指数呈显著正相关(P<0.01),溶磷细菌丰度与有机质含量呈显著正相关(P<0.05)。盐渍土中溶磷细菌比例小,优势种群为巨大芽孢杆菌、假单胞杆菌属(Pseudomonassp.)和黄单胞杆菌属(Flavobacteriumsp.),其数量和种群丰度分别与有机质和有效磷含量呈显著相关关系(P<0.05)。     

Environmental Pollution Due to Natural Factors: A Case Study in A Volcanic Area (Vulcano Island, Italy)

A major influence on the environment of active volcanic areas is expected from continuous input of chemical species pertaining to fumarolic activities occurring during inter-eruptive intervals.

The systematic investigations carried out during thirteen years in the island of Vulcano (Italy) showed also substantial contributions to phreatic waters and soils of minor constituents and trace metals from volcanic rocks with no negligible influence on growing crops.

Greater extents of these phenomena have been observed for products of hydromagmatic volcanic activity or of long-lasting weathering processes.     

Geochemistry of trace elements in paddy (rice) soils of Sri Lanka – implications for iodine deficiency disorders (IDD)

Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) are a common health problem prevalent in the wet zone of Sri Lanka with a prevalence of >25 of the population. In comparison, in the dry zone of Sri Lanka IDD occurs in <10 of the population. Seventy soil samples from 14 villages selected on the basis of the incidence of goitre, were collected and analysed for 13 trace elements using ICP-MS. In order to identify any prevailing differences in antecedent chemical environments, soil samples from each pre-selected village were classified into three groups in terms of their geographical location. Among the elements investigated, the total soil concentrations of Rb, Sr, Ba, Mn and Co are lower in the wet zone of Kalutara. In contrast, total soil Rb, Sr, Ba and Mn contents are higher in the dry zone of Anuradhapura. Further soil total Mo and Nb levels are relatively similar in all pre-selected study locations. The high endemic goitre regions (IDD >25 of the population) show low levels of Rb, Sr, Ba, and Mn and higher levels of V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb as compared with moderate and non-goitre areas. Factor analysis was used to exploit the correlation structure present in data and yielded three groups in all cases. This indicated that most transition group elements and iodine are associated with the Mn phase in the low IDD areas whereas iodine shows a high affinity for the organic phase in high IDD regions. The variable distribution of trace elements, therefore, must be due to differences in mobility and capacity for incorporation into the structure of secondary minerals or organic phases.