An evaluation of trace metal distribution and environmental risk in sediments from the Lake Kalimanci (FYR Macedonia)

Pollution from mining activities is a significant problem in several parts of the Republic of Macedonia. A geochemical study of the surficial sediments of Lake Kalimanci in the eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia was carried out to determine their elemental compositions and to evaluate the pollution status of lake sediments by employing an enrichment factor (EF). The major and trace element contamination in surficial lake sediments was studied to assess the effects of metalliferous mining activities. The mean concentrations of major elements (wt%) Si 23.5, Al 7.9, Fe 6.6, Mg 1.3, Ca 3.8, Na 1.1, K 2.3, Ti 0.4, P 0.2, Mn 0.6 and trace elements ranged within Mo 1.0–4.6 mg kg^?1, Cu 144.4–1,162 mg kg^?1, Pb 1,874–16,300 mg kg^?1, Zn 2,944–20,900 mg kg^?1, Ni 21.7–79.3 mg kg^?1, Cd 16.5–136 mg kg^?1, Sb 0.6–3.6 mg kg^?1, Bi 3.0–24,3 mg kg^?1 and Ag 1.4–17.3 mg kg^?1. The EF ranged within 0.12–590.3. Among which, Cd, Pb, Zn and As have extremely severe enrichment. The data indicate that trace elements had extremely high concentrations in Lake Kalimanci surficial sediments owing to the anthropogenic addition of contaminants.     

Assessment of heavy metal contamination levels of street dust in the city of Lublin,E Poland

Heavy metals are constantly emitted into the environment and pose a major threat to human health, particularly in urban areas. The threat is linked to the presence of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in street dust, which consists of mineral and organic particles originating from the soil, industrial emitters, motor vehicles, and fuel consumption. The study objective was to determine the level of street dust contamination with trace metals in Lublin and to indicate their potential sources of origin. The analyses were carried out with an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The sampling sites (49) were located within the city streets characterised by varying intensity of motor traffic. The following mean content values and their variation (SD) were determined: Cd: 5.1?±?1.7 mg kg^?1, Cr: 86.4?±?23.3 mg kg^?1, Cu: 81.6?±?69.2 mg kg^?1, Ni: 16.5?±?3.9 mg kg^?1, Pb: 44.1?±?16.4 mg kg^?1, and Zn: 241.1?±?94.6 mg kg^?1. The level of pollution was assessed with several widely used geochemical indices (geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor, pollution index, index of ecological risk, and potential ecological risk index). For most of the indices, the mean (median) values are arranged in the following manner: Zn?>?Cu(or Cd)?>?Pb?>?Ni?>?Cr. In general, street dust in Lublin does not show pollution with Cr, Ni, and Pb. I_geo and EF indices show moderate levels for Cu, Cd, and Zn; their presence in street dust is linked with anthropogenic factors (motor traffic). A significant threat is posed by Cd, and more than half of the samples show considerable pollution with cadmium (median for the index of ecological risk: 151). The spatial pattern of indices and the results of statistical analyses (CA, PCA) indicate three groups of elements: (1) Cr and Ni: natural origin; (2) Pb: mixed origin; and (3) Cd, Cu, and Zn: anthropogenic origin (mainly motor vehicle traffic). Higher content values for metals of anthropogenic origin in street dust indicate that it is a source of pollution of soil and air in the city.     

Role of rhizosphere and soil properties for the phytomanagement of a salt marsh polluted by mining wastes

The goal of this study was to evaluate the soil properties and their modifications within the rhizosphere of spontaneous vegetation as key factors to assess the phytomanagement of a salt marsh polluted by mining wastes. A field survey was performed based on a plot sampling design. The results provided by the analyses of rhizospheric soil (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon, total nitrogen, etc.) and metal(loid)s’ phytoavailability (assessed by EDTA) were discussed and related to plant metal uptake. The averages of pH and EC values of the bulk soil and rhizospheric samples were in the range of neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 7–8) to saline (>2 dS m^?1), respectively. Heavy metal and As concentrations (e.g. ~600 mg kg^?1 As, ~50 mg kg^?1 Cd, ~11,000 mg kg^?1 Pb) were higher in the rhizosphere for both total and EDTA-extractable fraction. Phragmites australis uptaked the highest concentrations in roots (e.g. ~66 mg kg^?1 As, ~1,770 mg kg^?1 Zn) but not in shoots, for which most of plant species showed low values for Zn (<300 mg kg^?1) but not for Cd (>0.5 mg kg^?1) or Pb (~20–40 mg kg^?1). Vegetation distribution in the studied salt marsh looked to be more affected by salinity than by metal pollution. The free availability of water for plants and the incoming nutrient-enriched effluents which flow through the salt marsh may have hindered the metal(loid)s’ phytotoxicity. The phytomanagement of these polluted areas employing the spontaneous vegetation is a good option in order to improve the ecological indicators and to prevent the transport of pollutants to nearby areas.     

Multivariate statistical analysis of heavy metals in foliage dust near pedestrian bridges in Guangzhou, South China in 2009

The heavy metal content of particulate matter was investigated in the city of Guangzhou in southern China. Samples of urban foliage near 36 pedestrian bridges were analyzed to determine their Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, V, Ni, and Co contents after digestion in a mixture of strong acids composed of HNO₃, HCl, HF, and HClO₄. The results revealed a severe heavy metal pollution compared with the background levels in Chinese soils, except for Co and V. The mean concentrations of Zn (1,024 mg kg^?1), Pb (233 mg kg^?1), Cu (203 mg kg^?1), Cr (118 mg kg^?1), V (41.9 mg kg^?1), Ni (41.4 mg kg^?1), and Co (11.3 mg kg^?1) in urban dust were higher than the reference levels, and were highest in samples located near high-traffic areas. Multivariate statistical methods (correlation analysis, principal-components analysis, and clustering analysis) were used to identify the possible sources of the metals. Three main pollutant sources are assigned: Zn, Cu and Ni levels were strongly correlated and were possibly related to combustion processes and vehicles; Pb, Cr and Co were mainly derived from traffic sources, combined with soil sources; and V mainly originated from natural sources.     

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in soils around a paper mill using metal fractionation and multivariate analysis

Effects of paper mill wastes on the status of soil copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) in and around 16 sites near a paper mill in Assam, North East India (26°07.485′ to 26°07.915′ N latitude and 92°12.706′ to 92°15.065′ E longitude), have been investigated in the present study. The six-step sequential extraction techniques revealed that the water-soluble fraction had the least contribution (below detectable limit to 3.24 mg kg^?1 of Cu, 13.87 mg kg^?1 of Mn and 1.25 mg kg^?1 of Zn) towards soil contamination, irrespective of the metals evaluated. Chemical fractionation of Cu, Mn and Zn in majority of the sampling locations showed non-homogenous orders of contamination. Comparison of the magnitude of local and individual heavy metal contamination factors against global values showed that the places near the paper mill waste disposal site displayed higher potential risk from metal contamination. Furthermore, the mobility factor related to ecotoxicity of soil environment was found to be metal specific and depended not only on total metal concentration but also on the nature of metal in the order Mn > Cu > Zn.     

Mineral components in a peat deposit: looking for signs of early mining and smelting activities in Silesia–Cracow region (Southern Poland)

The results of investigations (SEM/EDS and AAS) of a peat deposit, spanning 13,000 years of peat accumulation, are shown. The peat deposit is located in a region of shallow occurrence of Zn–Pb ores, near Tarnowskie Góry town, within the Cracow–Silesia district (southern Poland). Exploitation of lead, silver and iron during the medieval times (Twelfth and thirteenth century) was confirmed by historical documents whereas there are no unambiguous data showing that there was metal mining during the Romanian or earlier times in the region. The peat deposit is located within the influence of atmospheric Pb and Zn emission from a nearby Zn–Pb smelter. Two vertical peat profiles were investigated (120 and 140 cm depth of profile) showing variable concentrations of Zn up to 713 mg kg^?1, Pb up to 317 mg kg^?1, Cd up to 13 mg kg^?1 and Tl up to 31 mg kg^?1. The highest concentrations were recorded for the uppermost peat layers. SEM and EDS investigations revealed the occurrence of metalbearing, submicroscopic mineral components: Fe, Mn, Ti and Zn oxides and Zn and Pb carbonates. The top layer of the deposit contained Zn, Pb and Cd sulphides. The occurrence of aggregates of Au–Ag, Cu–Zn and Au–Ag–Cu alloys can be possibly related to pre-historical mining and smelting or be explained by geochemical transformations. The preservation of carbonates and oxides in the peat is discussed, indicating a generally neutral to alkaline peat water chemistry and maintenance of an oxidized environment in the fen.     

Phytoremediation assessment of native plants growing on Pb–Zn mine site in Northern Tunisia

Pollution by heavy metals presents an environmental concern, and their toxicity threats soil, water, animals and human health. Phytoremediation can be used as a solution to remediate contaminated soils. The aim of this study was to identify native plants collected from tailings: material of Pb–Zn mine sites of Fedj Lahdoum and Jebel Ressas (two abandoned mines located, respectively, in the northwest of Tunisia and in the south of Tunis City). The tolerance of plant to heavy metals (lead, zinc and cadmium) is evaluated. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for Pb, Zn and Cd concentration. The total soil Pb, Zn and Cd are, respectively, reached 6132 mg kg^?1, 11,052 mg kg^?1 and it doesn’t exceed 479 mg kg^?1 for Cd. The highest content of Zn in plants was detected in shoots of Rumex bucephalophorus (1048 mg kg^?1), and the highest Pb concentration was detected in roots of Chrysopogon zizanioides (381 mg kg^?1), while for Cd Silene colorata it accumulated the highest content in roots (51 mg kg^?1). From all plants, only 12 have a translocation factor for Pb which is higher than one. Among all plants, only 17 have a translocation factor that is higher than one for Zn, while for Cd only 13 plants indicate TF > 1. As for the biological absorption coefficient, all samples indicate a rate which is lower than one. These plants can be primarily hyper accumulators and useful in remediation of lead- and zinc-contaminated soils after further biochemistry researches in mechanism of accumulation and translocation of heavy metals in plants.     

Toxic metal contamination and distribution in soils and plants of a typical metallurgical industrial area in southwest of China

In this work, the total and each fraction concentration of toxic metals (Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd) in soils as well as in plants from a typical metallurgical industrial area in southwest of China were determined. The obtained experimental results demonstrated that the total toxic metal content in contaminated soils was in the order of Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd. Modified microwave-assisted extraction showed that the distributions of each fraction of toxic metals in soils were different and some soil properties may play a role in the fraction distributions. The content of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in different vegetables ranged from 9.82 ± 1.02 to 39.3 ± 1.13 mg kg^?1, 1,321 ± 10.50 to 3,153 ± 11.30 mg kg^?1, 4.47 ± 0.21 to 18.9 ± 0.37 mg kg^?1 and 28 ± 1.2 to 102 ± 1.5 mg kg^?1, respectively. And the accumulation of toxic metals in plants was in the order of Cd > Zn > Cu > Pb. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) values of Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb in the different tissues of plants were in the range of 0.03–0.43, 0.027–0.35, 0.014–0.12 and 0.004–0.051, respectively. The distribution of each toxic metal in plants indicated that the ability for plants to accumulate toxic metals in different tissues followed the sequence of leaf > stem.     

Impact of parent rock and topography aspect on the distribution of soil trace metals in natural ecosystems

The concentration and dynamic of soil trace metals in natural ecosystems, in particularly, is dependent on the lithology of parent rock as well as topography and geopedological processes. To ascertain more knowledge for this dependency, soils on three parent rocks involving peridotite, pegmatite, and dolerite in two contrasting topography aspects were investigated. The total values of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Ni were determined and compared for different soil pedons. The concentration of Fe, Mn, and Ni were highest in soils developed from peridotite (127, 1.8 g kg^?1, and 218 mg kg^?1, respectively), intermediate in soils derived from dolerite (81, 1.3 g kg^?1, and 166 mg kg^?1, respectively), and least in soil developed from pegmatite (50, 0.23 g kg^?1, and 20 mg kg^?1, respectively). The values of Zn and Cu, originated from different parent rocks, were in order of dolerite (78 mg kg^?1) > peridotite (77 mg kg^?1) > pegmatite (28 mg kg^?1) and pegmatite (121 mg kg^?1) > peridotite (111 mg kg^?1) > dolerite (28 mg kg^?1), respectively. For most of the studied pedons, profile metals distribution differed among the soils: The values of Fe, Cu, and Ni were enriched in the cambic horizons mainly as result of release, mobilization, and redistribution of the studied metals during geopedological processes, whereas those of Zn and Mn were concentrated in the surface horizons. Probably due to greater weathering rate of trace metal-bearing rocks on north-facing slope, the content of the trace metals along with the geoaccumulation index (I _geo) and the degree of soil contamination (C _d) were higher than on south-facing slope. Based on assessment of soil pollution indices, the soils were categorized as unpolluted [I _geo ≤ 0 (class 0)], unpolluted to moderately polluted levels [0 < I _geo < 1 (class 1)], and very low [C _d < 1.5 (class 0)] to low degree of contamination [1.5 < C _d < 2 (class 1)].     

Uptake of hazardous elements by spring onion (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Allium fistulosum</Emphasis> L.) from soil irrigated with different types of water and possible health risk

Bio-concentration of elements such as Mo, As, Se, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni and Pb was analyzed in spring onion (Allium fistulosum L.) in three different locations of central Punjab, Pakistan. At location GW, relatively low level of hazardous elements was found in spring onion, suggesting that groundwater is a safe source of water for irrigating food crops. The pH of soil at wastewater irrigation was found less acidic (pH 7.4) than the other sites. The range of concentration in the different samples of spring onion was as follows: 6.15–8.16 mg kg^?1 for Mo, 2.77–4.28 mg kg^?1 for As, 0.395–0.705 mg kg^?1 for Se, 36.73–48.17 mg kg^?1 for Fe, 10.58–16.26 mg kg^?1 for Cu, 28.87–39.79 mg kg^?1 for Zn, 6.66–8.75 mg kg^?1 for Ni and 4.33–6.09 mg kg^?1 for Pb, respectively. High bio-concentration of Zn (15.37) from soil to spring onion was found at canal water irrigated location. The estimated daily intake of metal for spring onion was less, but the health risk index was higher than 1 for Mo, As, Cu, Pb and Ni, respectively. This was due to higher proportion of spring onion in diet, which consequently increased the health risk index for metals. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid growing vegetables in untreated urban and rural wastewater containing elevated amounts of metals.     

Contamination assessment and health risk of heavy metals in dust from Changqing industrial park of Baoji,NW China

The contents of Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in the dust samples collected from Changqing industrial park of Baoji city, NW China, were measured by XRF, while As and Hg in the dust samples were analyzed by AFS. Geo-accumulation index (I _geo), pollution index (PI) and integrated pollution index (IPI) were calculated to evaluate the heavy metal contamination level of dust. The health risk due to exposure to heavy metals in dust was analyzed by the Health Risk Assessment Model of US EPA. The results show that the arithmetic means of As, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn are 23.3, 16.4, 1591.8, 178.2, 0.243, 346.5, 40.2, 1,586.2 and 1,918.8 mg kg^?1, respectively, which are higher than the background values of Shaanxi soil, especially for Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn. The mean values of I _geo reveal the order of Pb > Zn > Cr > Hg > Cu > As > Co > Ni > Mn. The high I _geo of Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn in dust indicates that there is considerable pollution from Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn, while the low I _geo of As, Co, Mn and Ni presents no pollution in dust. The assessment results of PI support the results of I _geo, and IPI indicates heavy metals in dust polluted seriously. The health risk assessment shows that ingestion of dust particles is the route for exposure to heavy metals from dust, followed by dermal adsorption. Exposure to As, Cr and Pb from dust may pose a potential health threat to children and adults. The risk of cancer from As, Co, Cr and Ni due to dust exposure is low.     

The use of multivariate statistical analysis of geochemical data for assessing the spatial distribution of soil contamination by potentially toxic elements in the Aljustrel mining area (Iberian Pyrite Belt,Portugal)

Aljustrel mine is located in SW Portugal, in the western sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. The Aljustrel village was developed around the exploitations of massive polymetallic sulphides that occur in the area (4 orebodies mined, 2 in exploration phase). The pyrite ore was extensively exploited from 1850 to 1993, when production was discontinued. A mining restart occurred in 2008, only during a few months. The objectives of the study were to assess the levels of soil contamination, to determine associations between the different chemical elements and their spatial distribution, as well as to identify possible sources of contamination that can explain the spatial patterns of soil pollution in the area. Principal component analysis combined with spatial interpretation successfully grouped the elements according to their sources and provided evidence about their geogenic or anthropogenic origin. From this study, it is possible to conclude that soils around Algares/Feitais tailing deposits, Estéreis and Águas Claras mine dams and S. João mine show severe contamination. The highest concentrations of As (up to 3,936 mg kg^?1) and certain heavy metals (up to 321.7 mg kg^?1 for Bi, 5,414 mg kg^?1 for Cu, 20,000 mg kg^?1 for Pb, 980.6 mg kg^?1 for Sb, and 22 mg kg^?1 Cd) were obtained near Algares area while the highest concentration of Cd (up to 61.6 mg kg^?1) and Zn (up to 20,000 mg kg^?1) were registered in samples collected in the S. João area. The highest pollution load index (>4.0) was recorded at the Algares area where the metal concentrations exceed typical soil background levels by as much as two orders of magnitude.     

Soil contamination by metals with high ecological risk in urban and rural areas

Industrial development, intensive agriculture and fast urbanization have caused the metal contents of soils to increase to many times the allowable limits. To assess this impact on urban and rural soils, we quantified the Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn contents of 258 soil samples from the Recife metropolitan region (RMR). The objectives of the study were to estimate the probability of ecological risk, to determine the spatial pattern of the metals’ accumulation in the soil and to identify potential sources for the metals using a multivariate geostatistical approach. Mean concentrations of Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni and Cd in soils were 65.2, 17.9, 16.5, 12.8, 6.3 and 1.5 mg kg^?1, respectively. The results demonstrated that the Cd was anthropogenic in origin, the Cr and Ni were lithogenic (natural) in origin and the Cu, Pb and Zn were mixed in origin. Cd contaminated 91% of the samples; the median content of Cd (1.4 mg kg^?1) was three times the quality reference value for soil. The Cd contents of sugarcane fields exceeded the allowable limit (3.0 mg kg^?1) for agricultural areas. The spatial variability of the metals in the RMR showed that metallurgy, cement production, vehicle exhaust and vehicular traffic were the main sources of metals in urban areas, while phosphate-based fertilizers were the main sources in rural areas. More than 80% of the metropolitan region surveyed in the study was at moderate to high ecological risk.     

Isolation and characterization of a toxic metal-tolerant Phenanthrene-degrader Sphingobium sp. in a two-liquid-phase partitioning bioreactor (TPPB)

A phenanthrene-degrading strain PHE3, identified as the genus of Sphingobium, was isolated using a two-liquid-phase partitioning bioreactor. More than 96 % of the initial amount (up to 100 mg l^?1 silicone oil) of phenanthrene was removed within 77 h by PHE3. Degradation of phenanthrene by PHE3 at pH 7 was also observed in the presence of Cu (II), Zn (II) and Cd (II) ions. Cu (II) showed the highest toxicity to PHE3, followed by Cd (II) and Zn (II). Tolerance to Cu (II) by PHE3 was up to 20 mg l^?1 in terms of total aqueous concentration, and up to 40 mg l^?1 for both Zn and Cd. Interestingly, 20 mg l^?1 of Zn (II) stimulated phenanthrene degradation after 20 h incubation. Its high tolerance to toxic metals and phenanthrene degradation ability of PHE3 highlights its significance in the study of microbial remediation in soils co-polluted by PAHs and metals.     

Lead isotopic ratios in source apportionment of heavy metals in the street dust of Kolkata,India

Street dust from 29 locations, in some of the busiest parts of north and south Kolkata, was analysed for heavy metal composition. The decreasing order of average metal concentrations (mg kg^?1) found was Mn (390) > Pb (380) > Zn (300) > As (96) > Cu (61) > Cr (40) > Co (13) > Ag (2.1). The heavy metal composition of the Kolkata dust was compared with reported data for other cities. Enrichment factors of Pb and As were high. Multivariate statistical analysis of the heavy metals and analysis of lead isotopic ratios of the dust revealed a predominant anthropogenic influence in the contamination. The range of lead isotopic ratios found in the dust was between 0.8789 and 0.8998 with a mean Pb concentration of 383 mg kg^?1. The three Pb isotope plots of street dust, diesel and rainwater clustered linearly, while coal did not fit into this trend. The highest 207/206 lead isotopic ratio obtained was from diesel with a mean value of 0.9015, followed by the rainwater sample. The application of the binary mixing model showed that about 66.86% of lead contamination in the street dust was sourced from the atmosphere. The two components extracted by the principal component analysis explained 64.34% of the total variance. Vehicular and industrial emissions appeared to be an important contributor to the accumulation of heavy metals in the dust. The health risk assessment study of the dust indicated carcinogenic risk associated with As and Cr.     

Spatial and temporal variations of physicochemical and heavy metal pollution in Ramganga River—a tributary of River Ganges,India

The River Ganges being the most sacred river and lifeline to millions of Indians in serving their water requirements is facing excessive threat of pollution. Under various river management and conservation strategies for its protection, the assessment of water quality of its main tributary Ramganga River is lacking. This study focuses on assessment of physicochemical and heavy metal pollution of the Ramganga River by application of multivariate statistical techniques. Sampling of Ramganga River at sixteen sampling sites was carried out in three seasons (summer, monsoon and winter) of 2014. The collected water samples were analyzed for physicochemical parameters and heavy metals. Results from cluster analysis (CA) of the data divided the whole stretch of the river into three clusters as elevation from 1304 to 259 m as less polluted, from 207 to 154 m as moderately polluted and from elevation 154 to 139 m as high-polluted stretches with anthropogenic as main sources of pollution in high-polluted stretch. Principal component analysis of the seasonal dataset resulted in three significant principal components (PC) in each season explaining 72–8% of total variance with strong loadings (>0.75) of PC1 on fluoride (F^?), chloride (Cl^?), sodium (Na⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), bicarbonate (HCO₃ ^?), total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity. Temporal variation by one-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) showed significant seasonal variation was in the pH, chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, turbidity, HCO₃ ^?, F^?, Zn, cadmium (Cd) and Mn (p < 0.05). Turbidity showed approximately a twofold increase in monsoon season due to rainfall in the catchment area and subsequent flow of runoff into the river. Concentration of HCO₃ ^?, F^? and pH also showed similar increase in monsoon. The concentration of Zn, Cd and Mn showed an increasing trend in summers compared to monsoon and winter season due to dilution effect in the monsoon season and its lasting effect in winters.     

Comparison of different methods for assessing heavy metal contamination in street dust of Xianyang City, NW China

Street dust is one of the important indicators that reflect the status of urban environmental pollution. There are many studies of heavy metals contamination of street dust in capital cities; however, little attention has been paid to this kind of study in medium cities, including China. The dust samples were collected in the district of traffic crossroads in Xianyang city, Shaanxi Province. Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr and Mn concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The results indicate that the concentrations of heavy metals are higher than the background values of soils in Shaanxi Province. The contamination level of heavy metals is assessed by potential ecological risk index (E _r), geoaccumulation index (I _geo), enrichment factor (EF) and pollution index (Pi). The low I _geo, EF, E _r, Pi and PI_n (integrated pollution index) for Mn in street dusts indicate an absence of distinct Mn pollution. The high EF, Pi and PI_n of Cu and Zn indicate that there is considerable Cu and Zn pollution. It is suggested that more attention should be paid to heavy metals contamination of Cu and Zn. The assessment results of Pi and PI_n suggest that Pb, Ni and Cr present strong pollution; however, their EFs indicate that they cause moderate pollution and their I _geo indicates that they are unpolluted to moderately polluted. The contamination class value with different assessing methods is of the order: Pi ≈ PI_n > EF > I _geo > E _r.     

Geochemical features of aerosols in Santiago de Chile from time series analysis

Santiago, the capital of Chile, suffers from high air pollution levels, especially during winter. An extensive particulate matter (PM) monitoring and analysis program was conducted to quantify elemental concentrations of PM. Size-resolved PM samples (PM_2.5 and PM_10–2.5) from the La Paz and Las Condes stations in Santiago (2004–2005) were analyzed using ICP-MS. Most trace element concentrations (Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, V, Sb, Pb and As) were higher during winter than during summer and were also higher at the La Paz station than at the Las Condes station. During the highest pollution events, As concentrations in PM_2.5 (16 ng m^?3) exceeded the annual average standard value (6 ng m^?3). A 10-year time series showed decreasing Pb and As concentrations and slightly increasing Zn, Cu and Mn concentrations. Concentrations of Cr and Ni remained relatively constant. The implementation of new public policies in 1998 may explain the decreasing concentrations of Pb and As. Enrichment factor (EF) calculations identified two principal groups: elements with EF < 10 (Mg, Y, Zr, U Sr, Ca, Ti, and V) and EF > 10 (Rb, K, Cs, Fe, P, Ba, Mn, Ni, Cr, Co, Zn, Sn, Pb, Cu, Mo, Cd, As, Ag, and Sb), which were related to natural and anthropogenic PM sources, respectively. Three main PM sources were identified using factor analysis: a natural source (crustal matter and marine aerosol), combustion and copper smelting. Three other sources were identified using rare earth elements: fluid catalytic crackers, oil-fired power production and catalytic converters.     

Enrichment pattern of leachable trace metals in roadside soils of Miri City,Eastern Malaysia

This article presents the results on distribution and enrichment pattern of acid-leachable trace metals (ALTMs) from roadside soil of Miri city, Sarawak, East Malaysia. The city is one of the fastest developing in the Malaysian region with huge petroleum resources. ALTMs Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn and Cd along with organic carbon and carbonates (CaCO₃) were analyzed in 37 soil sediments collected from roadside. The enrichment of ALTMs [especially Cu (0.4–13.1 μg g^?1), Zn (9.3–70.7 μg g^?1), Pb (13.8–99.1 μg g^?1)] in the roadside soils indicate that these metals are mainly derived from sources related to traffic exhausts, forest fires and oil refineries. The comparative study and enrichment pattern of elements indicates that Mn, Cu, Zn and Pb are enriched multi-fold than the unpolluted soil and Ni, Pb, Cd in some samples compared to Sediment Quality Guidelines like Lowest Effect Level (LEL) and Effects Range Low (ERL) in the region which is mainly due to the recent industrial developments in the region.     

Assessment of heavy metals in sediment and in suspended particles affected by multiple anthropogenic contributions in harbours

La Goulette, Rades and Sidi Bou Said harbours are considered as the most important commercial and tourist ports in the Gulf of Tunis. They are located on the northeast coast of Tunis and receive industrial and municipal wastewaters from Tunis city. The contamination level of copper, lead, zinc, cadmium, manganese, iron, total nitrogen and total organic carbon in the surface sediments was assessed on the basis of the enrichment index factors and corresponding to sediment quality guidelines. The results revealed moderate to highly elevated concentrations near to the sites of intense industrial, shipping and/or commercial activities suggesting a direct influence of these sources. In winter and summer, concentrations varied for cadmium, 0.28–1.40 mg kg^?1; lead, 18–217 mg kg^?1; zinc, 87–459 mg kg^?1; copper, 8–121 mg kg^?1; manganese, 208–254 mg kg^?1; and for iron, 24–40 g kg^?1. Furthermore, in summer the concentration of the total organic carbon and the total nitrogen contents range between 4.3–6.5 % and 0.06–0.49 % with an average value of 5.9 and 0.15 %, respectively. Whereas, in winter, total organic carbon and the total nitrogen concentrations varied between 2.3–9.6 % and 0.03–0.22 % with an average value of 6.1 and 0.14 %, respectively. The levels of lead, copper, zinc and iron in suspended particulate matter content range between 3.1–27.5 mg kg^?1; 0.4–11.7 mg kg^?1; 1–1.5 mg kg^?1; 1.2–1.7 g kg^?1, respectively. This study revealed that heavy metals pollution is mainly localized in the commercial (Rades) and fishing (La Goulette) harbours and not in the yachting (Sidi Bou Said) harbour.