Levels of Lead in Urban Soils from Selected Cities in a Central Region of the Philippines (7 pp)

Background Aims, and Scope. Lead (Pb) is a naturally occurring element that poses environmental hazards when present at elevated concentration. It is being released into the environment because of industrial uses and from the combustion of fossil fuels. Hence, Pb is ubiquitous throughout global ecosystems. The existence of potentially harmful concentrations of Pb in the environment must be given full attention. Emissions from vehicles are major source of environmental contamination by Pb. Thus, it becomes imperative that concentrations of Pb and other hazardous materials in the environment not only in the Philippines, but elsewhere in the world be adequately examined in order that development of regulations and standards to minimize risk associated with these materials in urban areas is continued. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the levels of Pb in soil from selected urbanized cities in central region of the Philippines; (2) to identify areas with soil Pb concentration values that exceed estimated natural concentrations and allowable limits; and (3) to determine the possible sources that contribute to elevated soil Pb concentration (if any) in the study area. Methods This study was limited to the determination of Pb levels in soils of selected urbanized cities located in central region in the Philippines, namely: Site 1 – Tarlac City in Tarlac; Site 2 – Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija; Site 3 – Malolos City in Bulacan; Site 4 – San Fernando City in Pampanga; Site 5 – Balanga City in Bataan; and Site 6 – Olongapo City in Zambales. Soil samples were collected from areas along major thoroughfares regularly traversed by tricycles, passenger jeepneys, cars, vans, trucks, buses, and other motor vehicles. Soil samples were collected from five sampling sites in each of the study areas. Samples from the selected sampling sites were obtained approximately 2 to 3 meters from the road. Analysis of the soil samples for Pb content was conducted using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. This study was conducted from 2003 to 2004. Since this study assumed that vehicular emission is the major source of Pb contamination in urban soil, other information which the researchers deemed to have bearing on the study were obtained such as relative quantity of each gasoline type disposed of in each city within a given period and volume of traffic in each sampling site. A survey questionnaire for gasoline station managers was prepared to determine the relative quantity of each fuel type (diesel, regular gasoline, premium gasoline, and unleaded gasoline) disposed of or sold within a given period in each study area. Results and Discussion Analysis of soil samples for Pb content showed the presence of Pb in all the soil samples collected from the 30 sampling sites in the six cities at varying concentrations ranging from 1.5 to 251 mg kg–1. Elevated levels of Pb in soil (i.e. greater than 25 mg kg–1 Pb) were detected in five out of the six cities investigated. Site 4 recorded the highest Pb concentration (73.9 ± 94.4 mg kg–1), followed by Site 6 (56.3 ± 17.1 mg kg–1), Site 3 (52.0 ± 33.1 mg kg–1), Site 5 (39.3 ± 19.0 mg kg–1), and Site 2 (38.4 ± 33.2 mg kg–1). Soil Pb concentration in Site 1 (16.8 ± 12.2 mg kg–1) was found to be within the estimated natural concentration range of 5 to 25 mg kg–1. Site 1 registered the least Pb concentration. Nonetheless, the average Pb concentration in the soil samples from the six cities studied were all found to be below the maximum tolerable limit according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The high Pb concentration in Site 4 may be attributed mainly to vehicular emission. Although Site 4 only ranked 3rd in total volume of vehicles, it has the greatest number of Type B and Type C vehicles combined. Included in these categories are diesel trucks, buses, and jeepneys which are considered the largest contributors of TSP (total suspended particles) and PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 microns) emissions. Conclusion Only one (San Juan in Site 4) of the thirty sampling sites recorded a Pb concentration beyond the WHO permissible limit of 100 mg kg–1. San Juan in Site 4 had a Pb concentration of >250 mg kg–1. On the average, elevated Pb concentration was evident in the soil samples from San Fernando, Olongapo, Malolos, Balanga, and Cabanatuan. The average soil Pb concentrations in these cities exceeded the maximum estimated natural soil Pb concentration of 25 mg kg–1. Average soil Pb concentration in Site 1 (16.8 mg kg–1) was well within the estimated natural concentration range of 5 to 25 mg kg–1. Data gathered from the study areas showed that elevated levels of Pb in soil were due primarily to vehicular emissions and partly to igneous activity. Recommendation and Outlook The findings of this study presented a preliminary survey on the extent of Pb contamination of soils in urban cities in central region of Philippines Island. With this kind of information on hand, government should develop a comprehensive environmental management strategy to address vehicular air pollution in urban areas, which shows as one of the most pressing environmental problems in the country. Basic to this is the continuous monitoring of Pb levels and other pollutants in air, soil, and water. Further studies should be conducted to monitor soil Pb levels in the six cities studied particularly in areas with elevated Pb concentration. The potential for harm from Pb exposure cannot be understated. Of particular concern are children who are more predisposed to Pb toxicity than adults. Phytoremediation of Pb-contaminated sites is strongly recommended to reduce Pb concentration in soil. Several studies have confirmed that plants are capable of absorbing extra Pb from soil and that some plants, grass species in particular, and can naturally absorb far more Pb than others.     

Chemical reclamation of crude-oil-inundated soils from Niger Delta, Nigeria

Crude-oil-inundated soils were collected from the Agbada oil field in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria 2 months after the recorded incidence of oil spillage. The soils were taken on the second day of reconnaissance from three replicate quadrats, at surface (0-15 cm) and subsurface (15-30 cm) depths, using the grid sampling technique. The total extractable hydrocarbon content (THC) of the polluted soils ranged from 1.24 × 10² to 3.86 × 10⁴ mg/kg at surface and subsurface depths (no overlap in standard errors at a 95% confidence level). Greenhouse trials for possible reclamation were later carried out using 10-100 g of (NH₄)₂SO₄, KH₂PO₄ and KCl (NPK) fertilizer as nutrient supplements. Nitrogen as NO₃-N and potassium were optimally enhanced at 2% (w/w) and 3% (w/w) of the NPK supplementation, respectively. Phosphorus, which was inherently more enhanced in the soils than the other nutrients, maintained the same level of impact after treatment with 20 g of NPK fertilizer. Total organic carbon (%TOC), total organic matter (%TOM), pH, and percentage moisture content all provided evidence of enhanced mineralization in the fertilizer-treated soils. If reclamation of the crude-oil-inundated soils is construed as the return to normal levels of metabolic activities of the soils, then the application of the inorganic fertilizers at such prescribed levels would duly accelerate the remediation process. However, this would be limited to levels of pollution empirically defined by such THC values obtained in this study.     

Screening of a potential leafhopper attractants and their applications in tea plantations

Abstract

Pheromones can be used as leafhopper attractants. However, commercial pheromone products, such as the Ingle lure, have certain limitations, including poor persistence in the field. In this study, (E)-2-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (E)-ocimene, linalool, and geraniol were selected and behaviorally tested as potential leafhopper attractants. Y-tube olfactometer tests showed that the C2 formulation was more effective than other formulations. In tea field trials, the number of leafhoppers caught by sticky board traps baited with C2 lures was greater than that caught by treatment. The number of leafhoppers attracted by the C2 lures was greater than that attracted by the commercial Ingle lures. Additionally, the total amount of active C2 components on lures was greater than that of the active components on the lure after 14 days. Thus, the results indicated that the C2 formulation may attract leafhoppers and have a greater persistence than other formulations in tea field.     

赤红壤地区茶叶施用有机无机复肥的效果初探

本试验比较了三种不同Ｎ／Ｋ２Ｏ的有机无机复肥和进口复肥在赤红壤茶园上的施用效果．结果表明，施用有机无机复肥能促进茶树生长，增大茶芽密度．提高茶叶产量，增加茶叶的茶多酚和氨基酸含量；且能增加土壤有机质含量，平衡土壤养分．有机无机复肥中的Ｎ／Ｋ２Ｏ对其肥效的发挥有重要作用，Ｎ／ｋ２Ｏ值以４．５为宜．     

紫外线-茶多酚联用对供水管网的消毒效果

针对传统消毒技术的安全风险问题,以维护供水管网水质安全为目标,引入茶多酚作为辅助消毒剂和紫外线消毒联用,模拟供水管网系统探究不同管材和水力停留时间下紫外线-茶多酚联合消毒的消毒效果,分析管壁生物膜形貌和菌落分布的变化.结果表明,75mg/L是紫外线-茶多酚联合消毒时茶多酚的较优投加量,可保持48h消毒效果.模拟管网运行过程中整体水质较好,但管材对管网消毒效果的影响较大,30d内球墨铸铁和UPVC管网中细菌量超过100CFU/mL的频率分别为80%和0%,紫外线-茶多酚联合消毒在UPVC管网中消毒持续性较强.与紫外线消毒相比,紫外线-茶多酚联合消毒对管壁生物膜的破坏效果更明显,且对生物膜中的蓝藻菌和肠道致病菌杀灭效果更强,有利于保障管网水质的安全性.     

基于油提取的土壤与沉积物中微塑料的分离方法

微塑料作为一种全球性新兴污染物受到学界与社会的广泛关注.由于土壤和沉积物中的微塑料难以分离提取,目前关于微塑料的研究主要集中于水体中,而关于土壤与沉积物中微塑料的丰度、分布与环境行为尚不清楚,迫切需要一种经济、快速、可靠的前处理手段将微塑料从土壤或沉积物中分离出来进而开展检测与监测工作.油提取法不同于传统密度浮选法,其利用塑料的亲油性,使用植物油代替密度液分离土壤与沉积物中的微塑料.通过油提取法在砂土（二长花岗岩风化层残坡积物）、壤土（菜地黄棕壤）、黏土（稻田水稻土）、泥质湖泊沉积物中获得的总加标回收率分别为88.3%±6.29%、88.3%±3.82%、90.0%±2.50%、90.8%±1.44%.其中,对于密度浮选法较难提取的聚氯乙烯（PVC）、聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯（PET）,其回收率分别为93.3%±11.6%（壤土）、96.7%±5.77%（壤土）.植物油的加入会对后续微塑料的光谱表征识别产生影响,但可通过无水乙醇冲洗去除,与拉曼光谱仍具有良好的兼容性.利用该方法开展的实地研究获得黄冈市残坡积物（砂土）、武汉市菜地（壤土）、武汉市水稻田（黏土）、武汉市东湖泥质湖泊沉积物中的微塑料丰度分别为1 679、1 612、1 766、7 629个/kg.研究显示,油提取是当下密度浮选技术的可替代方案.      

贵阳中心区土壤氟的地球化学特征及其环境质量评价

为摸清土壤氟异常对生态环境的影响,利用贵州省多目标区域地球化学调查（1:250 000）项目成果,对贵阳中心区土壤氟的地球化学特征进行了深入研究,并采用全氟指数法对土壤环境质量及其生态环境效应进行初步评价.结果表明:①贵阳中心区土壤氟含量较高,表层、深层土壤氟含量平均值分别为1 143、1 438 mg/kg,且空间分布变化较大;氟含量随土层深度的增加而升高. ②不同类型土壤中氟含量变化较大,其中紫色土中含量（1 306 mg/kg）最高,水稻土次之,石灰土、粗骨土、黄壤等差别较小,其含量范围在1 099~1 167 mg/kg之间. ③土壤氟含量与其母岩呈显著正相关性,且土壤中氟含量较母岩更高,表明风化成土过程中存在一定富集,土壤氟与成土母岩之间具有一定继承性. ④土壤氟环境质量评价结果表明,研究区土壤存在局部氟污染（异常）,污染区、警戒区、安全区和清洁区所占比例分别为13.6%、62.2%、19.2%和5.0%. ⑤生态环境效应初步调查结果显示,局部土壤受氟污染区的油菜和稻谷样品中氟含量范围分别为1.86~2.68和10.40~13.50 mg/kg,同时地下水也受到一定程度的氟污染.因此,贵阳中心区土壤氟含量较高,局部土壤已受到氟污染,可能会对农产品质量、饮水安全及人体健康产生一定影响,建议政府部门及科研工作者予以高度重视.      

植茶年限对土壤水稳性团聚体腐殖质组分特征的影响

退耕植茶是川西低山丘陵区响应退耕还林工程实施的重要措施之一.为了研究茶园土壤团聚体中腐殖质组分的分布特征,反映植茶对土壤质量的影响,选取不同植茶年限（18、25、33、55 a）的老川茶园为研究对象,以邻近撂荒地为对照（CK）,研究植茶对土壤团聚体中富里酸（FA）和胡敏酸（HA）分布的影响.结果表明:①不同植茶年限下,土壤富里酸含量（以质量分数计）在2.97~6.26 g/kg之间,胡敏酸含量在1.24~4.89 g/kg之间;随植茶年限的延长,土壤富里酸、胡敏酸含量先增加后降低,均在植茶25 a时达到最大值.②随着土壤团聚体粒径的减小,富里酸含量逐渐降低,胡敏酸则表现为≥5 mm粒径团聚体高于其他粒径.③土壤胡富比（HA/FA）在0.30~0.88之间,总体表现为≥5 mm和 < 0.25 mm粒径团聚体腐殖化程度较高,植茶25 a时大团聚体数量的增加有利于有机质含量和品质的提高.④逐步回归分析表明,≥5、2~5、0.25~0.5和 < 0.25 mm粒级团聚体中有机碳组分对水稳性团聚体的形成和稳定的影响较大.研究显示,植茶有利于土壤团聚体中腐殖质各组分的积累和腐殖化程度的增强,可增加土壤有机碳的稳定性;植茶25 a时土壤碳汇效应较强,植茶33 a后土壤固碳能力有所下降,可通过改善茶园施肥管理等措施保持茶园土壤的结构和肥力,以实现茶园土壤的可持续利用.      

牛骨炭与伊/蒙黏土组配改良剂对土壤中Cd的钝化效果

农田土壤Cd污染是我国最为突出的环境问题之一,开展新型钝化修复Cd污染土壤材料的研究和技术开发对保障农产品安全及保护人体健康具有重要意义.以北京某蔬菜生产基地设施大棚Cd污染土壤为试验对象,温室条件下采用盆栽试验,研究牛骨炭与伊/蒙黏土复合组配的改良剂对Cd污染土壤的钝化效果,探讨不同配比的组配改良剂对土壤Cd有效态含量以及小白菜Cd吸收量的影响.结果表明:在污染土壤中添加1%、2%和5%的组配改良剂,可明显降低土壤有效态Cd含量及小白菜对Cd的吸收,土壤有效态Cd含量降幅最大值达42.3%,小白菜地上部分Cd含量降幅最大值达22.7%,组配改良剂中骨炭成分比例越高,钝化效果越好,尤其以添加5%组配改良剂（添加组配改良剂中牛骨炭含量为50%）对Cd的稳定化效果最佳,且不同组配改良剂处理均不会对小白菜生长产生不良影响,表明牛骨炭与伊/蒙黏土组配的改良剂在修复Cd污染土壤上具有较好的应用潜力.研究显示,牛骨炭与伊/蒙黏土组配的改良剂符合绿色修复技术的发展要求,可作为钝化修复农田重金属污染土壤的环保新材料.      

雨水花园运行寿命分析与价值估算

雨水花园作为典型的低影响(LID)开发设施之一,在径流量削减和污染物净化方面起着重要作用.为探索雨水花园运行寿命和估算其功能价值,于2011年3月—2017年10月对西安理工大学校内3个雨水花园进行了16～40场不等的降雨监测.结果表明,雨水花园的径流量削减率和污染负荷削减率呈先增大后减小的趋势.结合污染负荷削减,提出了雨水花园"三阶段净化"概念—即净化增长期、净化稳定期和净化衰弱期,简称TSP概念,并绘制了P-F概念图.排水型和入渗型雨水花园各功能价值排序为:涵养水资源水质净化维持生物多样性调节气候提供美学景观;入渗型雨水花园综合价值和单位面积价值分别是排水雨水花园的4.16倍和4.84倍.