Zur Bestimmung des gesamten anorganischen Kohlenstoffes in natürlichen Gewässern durch Titration mit Salzsäure

The knowledge of total inorganic carbon concentration (c) is important for characterizing natural waters. It is usually measured by the titration alkalinity (“m-value”) and pH which depend on temperature and ionic strength. This paper demonstrates that Ca (and Mg) can influence the calculation of from titration alkalinity, too. Errors result from neglecting this influence. In such cases the share of ion pair CaCO amounts to more than 50 % of . General relationships among the influencing factors are given by tables calculated with the help of a BASIC computer programme for calculation from titration alkalinity, pH and Ca concentration.     

Chemical dynamics of N-containing ionic species in a boreal forest snowcover during the spring melt period

A study of the changes in the ionic loads of NO, NH, SO and H⁺ in a boreal forest snowpack at Lake Laflamme, Québec was carried out using hydrological and chemical data from field lysimeters. The results showed that depletion of the N-containing species occurs periodically in the snowpack during meltwater discharge. Rain-on-snow events led to in-pack losses of NO and NH at a rate of 130 μeq m^?2 day^?1 and 101·3 μeq m^?2day^?1 respectively. On dry days, however, dry deposition and deposition of organic debris from the canopy resulted in increases of 183·3 μeq m^?2day^?1 for NO and 4·5 μeq m^?2day^?1 for NH in the pack. In contrast, SO₄^2? showed continual in-pack increases due to deposition of 5·0 μeq m^?2day^?1 for wet days and 92·6 μeq m^?2day^?1 for dry days. The depletion of NO and NH is due to microbiological uptake of these nutrients during periods when the free water content of the pack is high. Controlled melts in a laboratory snowmelt simulator containing snow and organic matter from the forest canopy at Lake Laflamme showed losses of NO and NH similar to those observed in the field. As the microbiological uptake proceeds at a rate comparable to that of ionic load increases in the pack by dry deposition, models of the chemical dynamics of snowmelt should take the former into account in any system where organic content of the snowpack is appreciable.     

Accuracy of kinematic wave and diffusion wave approximations for time-independent flows

Errors in the kinematic wave and diffusion wave approximations for time-independent (or steady-state) cases of channel flow were derived for three types of boundary conditions: zero flow at the upstream end, and critical flow depth and zero depth gradient at the downstream end. The diffusion wave approximation was found to be in excellent agreement with the dynamic wave approximation, with errors in the range 1–2% for values of KF (? 7.5), where K is the kinematic wave number and F₀ is the Froude number. Even for small values of KF (e.g. KF²₀ = 0.75), the errors were typically less than 15%. The accuracy of the diffusion wave approximation was greatly influenced by the downstream boundary condition. The error of the kinematic wave approximation was found to be less than 13% in the region 0.1 ? x ? 0.95 for KF = 7.5 and was greater than 30% for smaller values of KF (? 0.75). This error increased with strong downstream boundary control.     

Untersuchungen zur Phosphataufnahme durch Unterwasserpflanzen

The uptake of phosphorus by Potamogeton pectinatus, P. lucens, Ranunculus fluitans, Elodea canadensis, Myriophyllum spicatum and Ceratophyllum demersum is investigated in batch tests at 0.02, 0.04, 0.4 and 4.0 mg/l PO in the medium for 4, 28 and 52 h. Uptake is strictly dependent on concentration, a saturation function being discernible already after 52 h. At rising concentration the mechanism of uptake is determined by a decreasing rate of incorporation. The rates of uptake are dependent also on the actual and maximum cell nutrient contents. Species with a low phosphorus content of <5 mg PO/g dry weight as Elodea canadensis, Potamogeton pectinatus and Myriophyllum spicatum show their maximum phosphorus incorporation at low substrate concentrations. At phosphorus contents >5 mg PO/g dry weight the phosphorus incorporation is increased only at substrate concentrations of 0.04… 0.4 mg/l PO.     

Solutes in overland flow following fire in eucalyptus and pine forests,northern Portugal

Small bounded plots were used to investigate dissolved nutrient losses in overland flow in eucalyptus and pine forests in northern Portugal following understorey fires. Losses of NON, POCa²⁺, Mg²⁺ and K⁺ were measured over 19 months during the first 2–3 years after fire. Solute losses in overland flow increased after fire in eucalyptus and pine terrain due to the mineralization of litter and vegetation and increased overland flow. The data suggest that (i) elevated losses persist for at least 2 and 3 years at the pine and eucalyptus sites respectively and (ii) soluble losses of POK⁺ in a post‐fire cycle may exceed those adsorbed to eroded material. Losses of POalthough relatively small, are potentially the most detrimental to soil fertility and forest productivity because of the limited opportunity for P replenishment and correspondingly high P losses adsorbed to eroded sediment. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Regulating Environmental Factors of Nutrients Release from Wheat Straw Biochar for Sustainable Agriculture

One mechanism by which biochar application enhances soil nutrient availability is through direct nutrients release from biochar. However, factors controlling the release processes are poorly understood. In this study, the effects of pH, biochar to water ratio, temperature, ionic strength, and equilibration time on the release of PO, NO, NH, K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ from biochar were evaluated in simulated experiments. The release of PO, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ was significantly affected by extraction pH, suggesting that their release from biochar was pH dependent or an H⁺‐consuming process. Correlation analysis indicated that PO and Ca²⁺, PO and Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were co‐solubilized with increasing soil acidity. To a lesser extent, the recovery of the nutrients was also affected by the ratio of biochar to water: more nutrients were soluble with more water supply. In contrast, the release of Na was not affected by pH while the concentration increased with decreasing biochar to water ratio. Meanwhile, other factors (temperature, ionic strength, and equilibration time) had less effect on nutrient release from biochar. Under the influence of pH, the patterns of NO and PO release from biochar were different: extractable NO concentration was not affected by the pH but more PO was released in strongly acidic conditions. Our data suggested that P was mainly retained in inorganic forms while N was in organic forms in biochar. We conclude that environmental factors have marked influences on nutrients release from biochar.     

Temporal trends of bulk precipitation and stream water chemistry (1977–1997) in a small forested area,Krusné hory,northern Bohemia,Czech Republic

The Krusné hory (Erzgebirge or Ore Mountains) has been heavily affected by high atmospheric pollutant deposition caused by fossil fuel combustion in an adjacent Tertiary coal basin. Long‐term routine sampling of bulk precipitation (1977–1996) and stream water (1977–1998) in a forested area on the south‐eastern slope of the mountains were used to evaluate trends and patterns in solute concentration and flux with respect to controlling processes. From 1977 to 1996, the annual volume‐weighted Ca²⁺ and SOconcentrations decreased in bulk precipitation. However, after 1989, when a pronounced and continuous decrease occurred in coal production, annual volume‐weighted concentrations decreased for most solutes, except H⁺. The concentration decreases were marked, with 1996 levels at or below 50% of those in 1989. The lack of a trend in H⁺ is attributed to similar decreases in both acid anions and neutralizing base cations. Stream water concentrations of most solutes, i.e. H⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, SONOwere highest at the onset of sampling in 1977, decreased markedly from 1977 to 1983 and decreased more gradually from 1983 to 1998. The spruce forest die‐back and removal reduced dry deposition of these solutes by reducing the filtering action, which was provided by the forest canopy. A notable decrease in stream water Ca²⁺ concentrations occurred after 1995 and may be due to the depletion of Ca²⁺, which was provided by catchment liming in 1986, 1988 and 1989. Solute flux trends in bulk atmospheric deposition and stream water generally were not significant and the lack of trend is attributed to the large interannual variability in precipitation quantity and runoff, respectively. All solutes except Na⁺ varied seasonally. The average seasonal concentrations varied between the solutes, but for most solutes were highest in winter and spring and lowest in summer, correlating with the seasonal trend in runoff. For Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and SOthe concentration minimum occurs in September and the maximum occurs in February or March, correlating with the seasonal baseflow. These solutes are primarily controlled by the contribution of soil water and groundwater to stream flow. During snowmelt, the meltwater generally causes concentrations to decrease as soil water and groundwater are diluted. For NO₃ , average minimum concentrations occur in August at the end of the growing season concurrent with the lowest stream flow, and the maximum occurs in February and March with high stream flow during snowmelt. Seasonal stream water NOconcentration variations are large compared with the long‐term decrease. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multi‐variable relations for soil effects on seismic ground motion

Soil effects on peak ground acceleration, velocity and elastic response spectra (5% damping) are expressed by simple approximate relations in terms of five key parameters: (a) the fundamental vibration period of the non‐linear soil, T_S, (b) the period of a bedrock site of equal thickness, T_b, (c) the predominant excitation period, Te, (d) the peak seismic acceleration at outcropping bedrock, a, and (e) the number of significant excitation cycles, n. Furthermore, another relation is proposed for the estimation of T_S in terms of the soil thickness H, the average shear wave velocity of the soil V?_S,o and a. The aforementioned parameters were first identified through a simplified analytical simulation of the site excitation. The multivariable approximate relations were then formulated via a statistical analysis of relevant data from more than 700 one‐dimensional equivalent‐linear seismic ground response analyses, for actual seismic excitations and natural soil conditions. Use of these relations to back‐calculate the numerical results in the database gives an estimate of their error margin, which is found to be relatively small and unbiased. The proposed relations are also independently verified through a detailed comparison with strong motion recordings from seven well‐documented case studies: (a) two sites in the San Fernando valley during the Northridge earthquake, and (b) five different seismic events recorded at the SMART‐1 accelerometer array in Taiwan. It is deduced that the accuracy of the relations is comparable to that of the equivalent‐linear method. Hence, they can be readily used as a quick alternative for routine applications, as well as for spreadsheet computations (e.g. GIS‐aided seismic microzonation studies) where numerical methods are cumbersome to implement. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adsorption of Complex Pollutants from Aqueous Solutions by Nanocomposite Materials

In view of water pollutants becoming more complex, both anionic and cationic pollutants need to be removed. The multi‐pollutants simultaneous removal is paid more and more attention. Hence, development composite materials for treatment complex wastewater are the aim of this study. In this research, iron–nickel nanoparticles deposited onto aluminum oxide (α‐Al₂O₃) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to form nanocomposite materials Fe–Ni/Al₂O₃ and Fe–Ni/CNTs, respectively, were used as adsorbents. The adsorption capacities of Fe–Ni/Al₂O₃ and Fe–Ni/CNTs for AO7, HSeO, and Pb²⁺ were observed to be 5.46, 8.28, 27.02, and 25.6 mg/g, 15.29 and 17.12 mg/g, separately. The composite materials with negative charges were superior in adsorption of anionic pollutants. Using orthogonal experimental design and analysis of variance to co‐treat dye AO7, HSeO and Pb²⁺ in aqueous solutions, seven testing factors were included: (1) adsorbent types, (2) amount of iron, (3) solution pHs, (4) AO7 concentrations, (5) Pb²⁺ concentrations, (6) HSeO concentrations and (7) reaction time. The experimental results showed that the removal of complex pollutants AO7, HSeO, and Pb²⁺ on Fe–Ni/CNTs could reach up to 90% in the optimal treatment conditions. When using Fe–Ni/CNTs as the adsorbent, the sorption isothermals were well fitted in the Freundlich isotherm, and R² could reach up to 0.98.     

Removal of Bromate from Water Using De‐Acidite FF‐IP Resin and Determination by Ultra‐Performance Liquid Chromatography‐Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Contamination of water due to bromate is a severe health hazard. The aim of the present study was to remove bromate from water using a crosslinked polystyrene based strongly basic anion exchange resin De‐Acidite FF‐IP. Batch experiments were performed to study the influence of various experimental parameters such as effect of pH, contact time, temperature, and effect of competing anions on bromate removal by De‐Acidite FF‐IP resin. At optimum parameters, the removal rate of bromate was very fast and 90% removal took place in 5 min and equilibrium was established within 10 min. The presence of competitive anions reduced the bromate adsorption in the order of Cl^? > F^? > CO > SO > NO > PO. The practical utility of this resin has been demonstrated by removing bromate in some of the commercial bottled water from Saudi Arabia. The level of bromate was determined using a very sensitive, precise and rapid method based on ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐tendem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS).     

Theoretical investigation of the time variation of drainage density

A theoretical equation was developed to express the time variation of drainage density in a basin or geomorphic surface: D_i(t, T) is the drainage density at time T on the i-th basin or geomorphic surface, which was formed at time t; β(τ) is a factor related to the erosional force causing the development of the rivers of the basin or surface at time τ; δ_i is the maximum drainage density; and D_i is the initial drainage density on the i-th geomorphic surface or basin. The equation is based on the assumption that the drainage density increases with time until it reaches a specific upper limit δ_i(t)), the maximum drainage density, which is related to certain physical properties of the basin. The equations for various dated basins or geomorphic surfaces can be combined into one modified equation if the same relative erosional forces have acted on those basins or surfaces (β(t) = β(t) and if the basins or surfaces have the same physical properties δ_i(t) = δ_i(t), (D_i = D₀). The application of this equation to coastal terraces and glacial tills shows that the model is compatible with observed drainage densities on various dated basins or surfaces.     

Catalytic Reduction of Hexaminecobalt(III) by Pitch‐based Spherical Activated Carbon (PBSAC)

The wet ammonia (NH₃) desulfurization process can be retrofitted to remove nitric oxide (NO) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) simultaneously by adding soluble cobalt(II) salt into the aqueous ammonia solution. Activated carbon is used as a catalyst to regenerate hexaminecobalt(II), Co(NH₃), so that NO removal efficiency can be maintained at a high level for a long time. In this study, the catalytic performance of pitch‐based spherical activated carbon (PBSAC) in the simultaneous removal of NO and SO₂ with this wet ammonia scrubbing process has been studied systematically. Experiments have been performed in a batch stirred cell to test the catalytic characteristics of PBSAC in the catalytic reduction of hexaminecobalt(III), Co(NH₃). The experimental results show that PBSAC is a much better catalyst in the catalytic reduction of Co(NH₃) than palm shell activated carbon (PSAC). The Co(NH₃) reduction reaction rate increases with PBSAC when the PBSAC dose is below 7.5 g/L. The Co(NH₃) reduction rate increases with its initial concentration. Best Co(NH₃) conversion is gained at a pH range of 2.0–6.0. A high temperature is favorable to such reaction. The intrinsic activation energy of 51.00 kJ/mol for the Co(NH₃) reduction catalyzed by PBSAC has been obtained. The experiments manifest that the simultaneous elimination of NO and SO₂ by the hexaminecobalt solution coupled with catalytic regeneration of hexaminecobalt(II) can maintain a NO removal efficiency of 90% for a long time.     

Impact of Urban Surroundings on Some Limnological Characteristics of a Tropical Aquatic Ecosystem

The water quality of an urban pond in the thickly populated area of Varanasi city (5 km apart) was studied and compared with a rural pond in the Banaras Hindu University campus for transparency, conductivity and nutrient richness (Cl^?, SO, PO? P, NO? N, organic carbon, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺) at three depths (surface, 1.5 m, 3 m) at monthly intervals between February 1982 and February 1983. This was done to assess the effects of urban surroundings of a very ancient city sector on pond water quality in reference to that of a rural pond. The rural pond had a lush growth of 12 macrophytic species, whereas the urban one had only such a growth with many phytoplanktonic species. Transparency was maximum in the winter season and the rural pond water was more transparent, while the electrolytical conductance was maximum in the rainy season, being higher in the urban pond. Electrolytical conductivity was negatively correlated to transparency: urban: EC = 1081.612–6.575 T, r² = 0.897, F_1,11 = 96, P <0.005; rural: EC = 728.981–4.328 T, r₂ = 0.892, F_1,11 = 91, P <0.005. Chloride and sulphate concentrations were highest in summer months, but the former was much higher in the urban pond while the latter in the rural pond. NO₃–N was highest in the rainy season in the rural pond and in early winter in the urban one and showed a definite trend with change in depth. PO₄–P also varied with depth and time and it was higher in late summer and the early rainy season in the rural pond and in early winter in the urban pond. But both these nutrients were much higher in the urban pond. The maximum organic carbon concentration was found in the rainy season in the rural pond and in summer months in the urban pond. The variation of organic carbon with depth was distinct. Both summer and winter seasons showed almost similar values of calcium concentration in the rural pond, but in the urban pond it was maximum in summer. Organic carbon and calcium were higher in the urban pond. The magnesium concentration was highest in rainy months in both the ponds, but the periodicity of the minimum differed. The distribution of calcium with depth was not well defined. The highest concentration of potassium was found in the winter season in both the ponds. The sodium concentration in the rural pond was observed maximum in summer and minimum in the rainy season, but in the urban pond the trend was different. The variation of potassium and sodium with depth was not well defined. Magnesium and sodium were also higher in the urban pond but potassium was almost at the same concentration in both the ponds. The effect of urbanisation may be one of the factors which might be responsible to the shift of the species composition towards phytoplanktonic flora.     

Atmospheric and Surface Water Pollution Interpretation in the Gdańsk Beltway Impact Range by the Use of Multivariate Analysis

The present study deals with the application of the hierarchical cluster analysis and non‐parametric tests in order to interpret the Gdańsk Beltway impact range. The data set represents concentration values for major inorganic ions (Na⁺, NH, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, F⁻, Cl⁻, NO, and SO) as well as electrolytic conductivity and pH measured in various water samples [precipitation, throughfall water, road runoff, and surface water (drainage ditches, surface water reservoirs, and spring water)] collected in the vicinity of the beltway. Several similarity groups were discovered both in the objects and in the variables modes according to the water sample. In the majority of cases clear anthropogenic (fertilizers usage and transport, road salting in winter) and semi‐natural (sea salt aerosols, erosion of construction materials) impacts were discovered. Spatial variation was discovered for road runoff samples and samples collected from surface water reservoirs and springs. Surprisingly no clear seasonal variability was discovered for precipitation chemistry, while some evidences for existing of summer and winter specific chemical profile was discovered for road runoff samples. In general, limited range of the Gdańsk Beltway impact was proven.     

Nährstoff- und Sauerstoffbilanz eines hochbelasteten Klärwerksableiters unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der submersen Makrophyten

Nutrient and Oxygen Balance of a Highly Polluted Treated Sewage Channel with Special Regard to the Submerged Macrophytes The changes of the concentrations of inorganic nitrogen compounds, orthophosphate, and oxygen were measured in the flowing wave along the flowing stretch of the Berlin treated sewage channel Wuhle monthly over a period of two years (1993/94) to estimate the nutrient and oxygen balances. This treated sewage channel is rich in nutrients and densely covered with submerged macrophytes. During the period of investigation in 1993 (1994), the effluent of the sewage treatment plant Falkenberg, which is lacking in adjustable nitrification and denitrification. contained in average 16.1 (12.7) mg/L of NH-N, 13.7 (9.4) mg/L of NO₃^?-N. 0.94 (0.69) mg/L of NO-N. and 0.36 (0.26) mg/L of PO-P. Due to the neglectable influence of other processes like nutrient uptake by submerged macrophytes and algae, desorption of ammonia or dilution, the changes of the concentrations of the inorganic nitrogen compounds are mainly influenced by nitrification and denitrification. The nitrification is mainly done by sessile nitrifiers in the treated sewage channel Wuhle. The nitrification rates. calculated from the decrease of the ammonium concentrations, were between 0.5 and 20 g/(m²d) related to the flowing stretch area. The ammonium concentrations decreased along the flowing stretch in average by 20 to 44%. The highest nitrification rates could be found at the stretches with a dense colonization with submerged macrophytes and a good oxygen supply due to low water depth and high flowing velocities. The denitrification rates, calculated from the decrease of the total of the concentrations of the inorganic nitrogen compounds, were between 0.5 and 23 g/(m²d) related to the flowing stretch area. The total loss of nitrogen due to denitrification was between 10 and 20% along the flowing stretch of the treated sewage channel Wuhle. This corresponds to a total amount of up to 530 kg nitrogen per day. The main part of the phosphorus occured as orthophosphate in concentrations between 0.04 and 0.87 mg/L of PO-P in the effluent of the treatment sewage plant Falkenberg. The orthophosphate concentration changed along the flowing stretch mostly in such a manner that it were at the same level at the end of the flowing stretch at the mouth into the river Spree. The self-purification capacity of the channel does not lead to a relevant reduction of the very high nutrient load under the present conditions. The rates of the photosynthetic production (P) and the community respiration (R) were calculated from the rates of the total changes of oxygen with regard to the physical aeration. The rates of the photosynthetic production were between 0 and 33 g/(m²d), the rates of the community respiration between 15 and 75 g/(m²d). Therewith, the Wuhle treatment sewage channel belongs to the very productive waters. A positive balance (P > R) could only be measured on two segments in May. The rates of oxygen production depend on the ratio width to depth of the water. It is possible that the positive influence of the submerged macrophytes on the oxygen balance also at higher biomasses than 250 g/m² (as dry weight) predominates at the segments with a favourable ratio. The portion of the oxygen input through diffusion along the flowing stretch and at the weirs was 30%, respectively, that of the photosynthic production 40% in summer. The rates of community respiration decreased along the flowing stretch by 50 to 90%. The nitrification had the main portion of the oxygen depletion in the Wuhle treated sewage channel with 60…80%. Despite the high biomass, the respiration of the submerged macrophytes had only a small portion of the total oxygen depletion. Nevertheless, the submerged macrophytes contributed to the nearly total oxygen depletion at the most densely covered segment 2 at night. The decrease of the content of particular organic material and the ammonia concentrations at the effluent of the sewage treatment plant, a diminishing of the biomass of submerged macrophytes by shading, and the widening of a few flowing stretches are demanded for the improvement of the oxygen balance of the Wuhle treated sewage channel.     

Species Composition and Seasonal Variations of the Gastropoda in Upper Sakarya River System (Turkey) in Relation to Water Quality

Species composition, abundance, and seasonal distribution of the Gastropoda fauna and the physical and chemical variables of Upper Sakarya River System have been investigated between October 1998 and August 1999. Gastropod fauna in the Upper Sakarya River System was represented by 9 species of Prosobranchia and 7 species of Pulmonata. Diversity, dominance, and abundance of the Gastropoda species were recorded seasonally. The abundance of some of the 16 species was correlated positively with temperature, dissolved oxygen and negatively or positively with pH and nitrate. It was observed that Gyraulus albus (Müller, 1774), Physa acuta Draparnaud, 1805, Valvata pulchella Studer, 1820, and Oxyloma elegans (Risso, 1826) can tolerate a high level of NO‐N while V. piscinalis (Müller, 1774) spread out in unpolluted water. Although the species and their numbers change at the stations, the maximum numbers were found during autumn, while minimums were identified during the winter sampling. Gyraulus albus was the most widespread species in our research area. Only 5 species (Gyraulus albus, Physa acuta, Valvata cristata (Muller, 1774), Valvata pulchella, Melanopsis praemorsa costata (Olivier, 1804)) were determined each season. However, no Gastropoda were found at the station 3 that has high BOD, NO‐N, NO‐N, and NH₃ levels.     

Photocatalytic Degradation of 17α‐Ethinylestradiol and Inactivation of Escherichia coli Using Ag‐Modified TiO2 Nanotube Arrays

Ag‐modified TiO₂ nanotube arrays (Ag/TiO₂ NAs) were prepared and employed as a photocatalyst for degradation of 17α‐ethinylestradiol (EE2) and inactivation of Escherichia coli. The as‐synthesized Ag/TiO₂ NAs were characterized by field‐emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that metallic Ag nanoparticles were firmly deposited on the TiO₂ NAs with the pore diameter of 100 nm and the length of 550 nm. Photocatalytic degradation of EE2 and inactivation of E. coli were enhanced effectively in an analogical trend using Ag/TiO₂ NAs. In particular, Ag/TiO₂ NAs exhibited the antimicrobial activity even in the absence of light. The Ag acted as a disinfection agent as well as the dopant of the modified TiO₂ NAs photocatalysis by forming a Schottky barrier on the surface of TiO₂ NAs. Inorganic ions suppressed the rates of photocatalytic degradation of EE2, with HCO having a more pronounced effect than NO or SO. Humic acid (HA) was found to increase the rate of EE2 degradation.     

The Impact of Geology of Recharge Areas on Groundwater Quality: A Case Study of Zhob River Basin,Pakistan

Groundwater is a major source of water supply for domestic and irrigation uses in semiarid, remote but rapidly developing Kilasaifullah district part of Zhob River Basin, located at Pakistan–Afghanistan Border. Zhob River is among few major rivers of perennial nature in Balochistan, which flows from WSW to ENE and falls in Gomal River, a tributary of Indus River. Keeping in view the important geopolitical position and rapid development of the region, this study is primarily focused on groundwater chemistry for contamination sources as well as agriculture development. Water samples from open and tube wells are analyzed and calculated for electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, pH, K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, HCO, Cl^?, NO, SO, PO, sodium percent (Na%), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Kelly's index (KI), and heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Cr, Zn, Pb, and Mn). On the basis of the chemical constituents two zones within the study area are identified and possible causes of the contaminants are pointed out. Two recharge areas were responsible for the different chemical results in groundwater, e.g., zone A was recharged from NNW saline geological formations (Nisai, Khojak, Multana, Bostan formations, and Muslim Bagh ophiolites), which are concentrated with high sodium and chloride. On the other hand Zone B was sourced from SSW from carbonate rich rocks (Alozai, Loralai, Parh formations, and Muslim Bagh ophiolites). The groundwater is classified as C2–S1, C3–S1, C3–S2, C4–S2 on the basis of EC and SAR values which indicate that most of the water of both zones can be used for irrigation safely except the samples plotted in C3–S2 and C4–S2 categories which could be dangerous for soil and crops. Groundwater samples are plotted in good to permissible limits with some samples excellent to good and few samples belong to doubtful category based on sodium percent. Groundwater of zone A is unsuitable for irrigation use due to higher values of KI (more than one) but water of zone B are good for irrigation based on KI. In general, water of both zones is suitable for irrigation but care should be taken during the selection of crops which are sensitive to alkalinity or sodium hazards particularly in zone A.     

PM10 Source Apportionment in Ahvaz,Iran, Using Positive Matrix Factorization

Source apportionment of particulate matter <10 µm in diameter (PM₁₀), having considerable impacts on human health and the environment, is of high priority in air quality management. The present study, therefore, aimed at identifying the potential sources of PM₁₀ in an arid area of Ahvaz located in southwest of Iran. For this purpose, we collected 24‐h PM₁₀ samples by a high volume air sampler. The samples were then analyzed for their elemental (Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Li, Ti, V, Zn, Mo, and Sb) and ionic (NH, Cl^?, NO, and SO) components using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and ion chromatography instruments, respectively. Eight factors were identified by positive matrix factorization: crustal dust (41.5%), road dust (5.5%), motor vehicles (11.5%), marine aerosol (8.0%), secondary aerosol (9.5%), metallurgical plants (6.0%), petrochemical industries and fossil fuel combustion (13.0%), and vegetative burning (5.0%). Result of this study suggested that the natural sources contribute most to PM₁₀ particles in the area, followed closely by the anthropogenic sources.     

Isotopic composition of calcrete deposits from Europe,Africa and India

The four models postulated for the formation of calcrete layers all involve the three-stage process: provision of a carbonate-rich solution, the movement of that solution and the precipitation of solid carbonate. The last step originates from either or both of two main alternatives: loss of CO₂ out of the solution increasing the pH and consequently the CO concentration, or evaporation of the water effecting an increase in the ionic concentration. This paper presents theoretical calculations for the isotopic composition of the carbonate resulting from these two alternative processes. The isotopic composition of calcrete deposits from France, Spain, Italy, Libya, Cyprus, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa and India are compared with the theoretical models. The calcrete samples from Spain, Cyprus and India are probably the result of evaporation processes.