Influence of industry on the geochemical urban environment of Mieres (Spain) and associated health risk

This study is concerned with the elemental composition of soils and street dust collected in an historical industrial city of approximately 27 000 inhabitants, where old Hg mining and metallurgical activities strongly affected the load of heavy metals in the urban environment. For the purpose of the study, representative samples of soils and street dust were collected at different locations in the whole urban area (3 km²). Elevated mean concentrations of As in soils and street dust (69 and 135 g g^–1, respectively), and Hg (3.07 and 4.24 g g^–1, respectively), compared to background levels and to those found in other cities, reflect the anomalous geochemical nature of these materials and the strong influence exerted by the old mining sites.     

Geochemistry of an arsenic anomaly in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica

A soil arsenic anomaly with concentrations up to 400g As g^–1 was discovered near Maggotty, St. Elizabeth, during an islandwide geochemical survey of Jamaica. Detailed sampling and chemical analysis of soil samples confirmed the arsenic levels and led to a better definition of the size of the anomaly. The area exceeding the 95th percentile (>65g As g^–1) of the islandwide concentrations has been determined to be at least 10km². The anomalous values may be the result of an ancient hot spring environment which was responsible for the introduction and deposition of Fe–As–S as pyrite and arsenopyrite in the limestone bedrock, which were subsequently oxidised and weathered to yield the arsenic rich soils. These soils were also enhanced in elements such as Sb, Fe and Co. Despite the high soil arsenic content, the arsenic concentration in the surface water is low and there seems to be no immediate health risk to the residents. The area, however, does present a potential hazard with changing land use.     

Distribution of Redox-sensitive Elements in Bottom Waters,Porewaters and Sediments of Rogoznica Lake (Croatia) in Both Oxic and Anoxic Conditions

Geochemical, mineralogical and sedimentological analyses were carried out to contrast two different sites (respectively characterized by permanently oxic and anoxic conditions) in a small, meromictic, seawater lake. In fact, due to relatively high organic matter content, and reduced water exchange, the Rogoznica Lake has almost permanent anoxic conditions below the depth of 12 m, where sediment can be considered an anoxic–sulphidic sedimentary environment. Different water column and sediments redox conditions affect the distribution and speciation of major redox-sensitive metals (Fe, Mn, Mo), reduced sulphur species (RSS) and dissolved organic C (DOC). Trace metals, especially those that accumulate in anoxic–sulphidic environments (Fe, Mo) showed a marked enrichment in the solid phase, whereas the low solubility of sulphides leads to low porewater concentrations. The relatively high sedimentary enrichment of Mo (up to 81 mg/kg) also confirms highly anoxic conditions within the Rogoznica Lake sediments. Results clearly show that chemical species within the sediments will tend towards equilibrium between porewater and solid phase according the prevailing environment conditions such as redox, pH, salinity, DOC.     

Urban geochemistry: research strategies to assist risk assessment and remediation of brownfield sites in urban areas

Urban geochemical maps of Wolverhampton and Nottingham, based on multielement analysis of surface soils, have shown distribution patterns of “total” metals concentrations relating to past and present industrial and domestic land use and transport systems. Several methods have been used to estimate the solubility and potential bioavailability of metals, their mineral forms and potential risks to urban population groups. These include sequential chemical extraction, soil pore water extraction and analysis, mineralogical analysis by scanning electron microscopy, source apportionment by lead isotope analysis and the development of models to predict metal uptake by homegrown vegetables to provide an estimate of risk from metal consumption and exposure. The results from these research strategies have been integrated with a geographical information system (GIS) to provide data for future land-use planning.     

δC variations in tree rings as an indication of severe changes in the urban air quality

Annual growth rings sampled from three free-standing trees (Platanus hybrida sp.), grew in the metropolitan area of Palermo (Italy) and covering a 118 years time span (1880–1998), have been studied for their ¹³C/¹²C carbon isotope ratios. It has been found that the ¹³C/¹²C tree ring record, during the study time interval, decreased of −3.6‰, from −26.4‰ in 1880 to −30‰ in 1998. Such a progressive depletion has been attributed to the addition of anthropogenic ¹³C depleted carbon dioxide to the local atmosphere. The observed ¹³C/¹²C decrease has been used to infer some possible pathways of atmospheric CO₂ change in the study urban area.     

中下扬子铁帽型金矿氧化剖面及成矿地球化学

铁帽型金矿床氧化剖面自上而下可划分为贫金铁帽亚带、次生金富集铁帽亚带、氧化物-硫化物过渡亚带、原生硫化物亚带。氧化作用诸阶段的主要元素、微量元素、稀土元素、Eh-pH值皆有一定的规律性变化,并与次生金的迁移富集过程具有明显的相关性。     

Comparison of surface water chemistry and weathering effects of two lake basins in the Changtang Nature Reserve, China

The geochemistry of natural waters in the Changtang Nature Reserve,northern Tibet,can help us understand the geology of catchments,and provide additional insight in surface processes that influence water chemistry such as rock weathering on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau.However,severe natural conditions are responsible for a lack of scientific data for this area.This study represents the first investigation of the chemical composition of surface waters and weathering effects in two lake basins in the reserve(Lake Dogaicoring Qiangco and Lake Longwei Co).The results indicate that total dissolved solids(TDS)in the two lakes are significantly higher than in other gauged lakes on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau,reaching 20–40 g/L,and that TDS of the tectonic lake(Lake Dogaicoring Qiangco)is significantly higher than that of the barrier lake(Lake Longwei Co).Na+and Cl-are the dominant ions in the lake waters as well as in the glacier-fed lake inflows,with chemical compositions mainly affected by halite weathering.In contrast,ion contents of inflowing rivers fed by nearby runoff are lower and concentrations of dominant ions are not significant.Evaporite,silicate,and carbonate weathering has relatively equal effects on these rivers.Due to their limited scope,small streams near the lakes are less affected by carbonate than by silicate weathering.     

内江市威远县镇西镇土地整理区土地质量地球化学评估

本文以土地质量地球化学评估指标体系为研究内容,对内江市威远县镇西镇土地整理区的表层土壤地球化学特征、近地表大气降尘特征、水环境地球化学特征和大宗农产品等方面进行土地质量地球化学分等定级和评估。结果表明,研究区土地质量总体上良好,可划分为21l等、212等、221等、222等、311等、321等、312等、322等、41...     

不同构造环境中双峰式火山岩的地球化学特征

近年来的研究表明 ,双峰式火山岩套可以形成于大陆裂谷、洋内岛弧、活动大陆边缘、弧后盆地等多种环境。Sm -Nd同位素与不活动微量元素 (REE ,Zr ,Ti,Th ,Nb等 )相结合 ,进行综合研究 ,可帮助判断双峰式火山岩套成因和形成环境。本文总结了不同环境产出的双峰式火山岩组合的岩石学和微量元素、稀土元素、同位素地球化学特征 ,并根据对北祁连边马沟双峰式火山岩研究提出了其形成环境可能为岛弧环境 ,这一认识对探讨该地区造山带演化的地球动力学具有一定的意义 ,对在该地区的找矿工作也有一定的启发。     

Statistical Evaluation of Variables Affecting Occurrence of Hydrocarbons in Aquifers Used for Public Supply,California

The variables affecting the occurrence of hydrocarbons in aquifers used for public supply in California were assessed based on statistical evaluation of three large statewide datasets; gasoline oxygenates also were analyzed for comparison with hydrocarbons. Benzene is the most frequently detected (1.7%) compound among 17 hydrocarbons analyzed at generally low concentrations (median detected concentration 0.024 μg/l) in groundwater used for public supply in California; methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE) is the most frequently detected (5.8%) compound among seven oxygenates analyzed (median detected concentration 0.1 μg/l). At aquifer depths used for public supply, hydrocarbons and MTBE rarely co‐occur and are generally related to different variables; in shallower groundwater, co‐occurrence is more frequent and there are similar relations to the density or proximity of potential sources. Benzene concentrations are most strongly correlated with reducing conditions, regardless of groundwater age and depth. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that benzene and other hydrocarbons detected in old, deep, and/or brackish groundwater result from geogenic sources of oil and gas. However, in recently recharged (since ~1950), generally shallower groundwater, higher concentrations and detection frequencies of benzene and hydrocarbons were associated with a greater proportion of commercial land use surrounding the well, likely reflecting effects of anthropogenic sources, particularly in combination with reducing conditions.