Distribution and speciation of heavy metals in surface sediments from the Yangtze estuary and coastal areas

The concentrations and speciation of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the sediments of the nearshore area, river channel and coastal zones of the Yangtze estuary, China, were systematically investigated in this study. The concentrations of all heavy metals except Ni in the sediments of the nearshore area were higher than those of the river channel and coastal zones. In the nearshore area, the concentrations of most heavy metals except Hg in the sediments of the southern branch were higher than those of the northern branch because of the import of pollutants from the urban and industrial activities around. When compared with the threshold effect level (TEL) and geochemical background levels, Cr, Ni and As accumulated and posed potential adverse biological effects. The speciation analysis suggested that Cd, Pb and Zn in the sediments of the three zones showed higher bioavailability than the other heavy metals, and thus posed ecological risk. Significant correlations were observed among Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn (r > 0.77) in the nearshore area, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb (r > 0.85) in the river channel and Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb and Zn (r > 0.75) in the coastal zone. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that the discharge of unban and industrial sewage, shipping pollution and the properties of the sediments (contents of Fe, Mn, Al, TOC, clay and silt) dominated the distribution of heavy metal in the nearshore area, river channel and coastal zones of the Yangtze estuary.     

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.     

Metal geochemical and mineral magnetic characterization of the <2.5 μm fraction of urban soils in Xuzhou (China)

The concentrations of metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, Fe and Mn) in the <2.5 μm fraction of surface soils (0–5 cm) from highly industrialized areas in Xuzhou (China) were determined. All analyzed metals with the exception of Mn and Co in the present study showed elevated concentrations in the <2.5 μm fraction of soils compared to background concentrations, particularly for Zn. Metal enrichment was positively correlated with carbonate complexation constants (but not bulk solubility products) as well as the first stability constants of metal-citrate, likely suggesting that both metal–organic complexation and/or precipitation of carbonate surfaces that subsequently adsorb metals are likely responsible for these metal enrichment on these samples. Sequential extraction analysis shows the metals Pb, Cu, Zn, Co and Mn were largely associated with the reducible fraction, whereas Ni was largely associated with the oxidisable fraction. Manganese is the only metal showing significant association with the exchangeable fraction (up to 33 %), suggesting that it may be the most susceptible metal to mobilization. Mineral magnetic analysis indicates that ferrimagnetic SSD + SP (stable single domain + superparamagnetic) minerals dominated the <2.5 μm fraction of Xuzhou surface soils. Lead, Cu and Zn were found to show significant correlations with χlf (p < 0.01), suggesting that magnetic technique might be beneficially used as a rapid and inexpensive method to estimate these metal contaminations in the <2.5 μm fraction of surface soils.     

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.     

Assessment of spatial distribution and possible sources of heavy metals in the soils of Sariseki-Dörtyol District in Hatay Province (Turkey)

In this study, total heavy metal content of soil and their spatial distribution in Sar?seki-Dörtyol district were analyzed and mapped. Variable distance grids (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 km) were established, with a total of 102 soil samples collected from two different soil depths (0–5 and 5–20 cm) at intersections of the grids (51 sampling point). Soil samples were analyzed for heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Ni). The most proper variogram models for the contents of all heavy metal were spherical and exponential ones. The ranges of semivariograms were between 1.9 and 31.1 km. According to the calculated geoaccumulation (I _geo) values, samples from both soil depths were classified as partly to highly polluted with Cd and Ni and partly polluted with Cr and as partly polluted-to-not polluted with Pb and not polluted with Cu, Fe and Mn. Similar results were also obtained when evaluated by the enrichment factor. The contamination levels of the heavy metals were Ni > Cd > Cr > Pb > Zn > Cu > Co > Fe > Mn in decreasing order. The soils in the study area are contaminated predominantly by Cd and Ni, which may give rise to various health hazards or diseases. Cadmium pollution results primarily from industrial activities and, to a lesser extent, from vehicular traffic, whereas Ni contents in the study area result from parent material, phosphorus fertilizer, industries, and vehicles.     

Impact of the past mining activity in Roşia Montană (Romania) on soil and vegetation

The paper presents the results of a combined soil and vegetation survey in Ro?ia Montan? mining area (western Romania), famous for its gold and silver deposits, extensively exploited over the last 2,000 years. As the ore extraction has ceased in 2006 and new operations could be initiated in the future, the study contributes to the definition of the environmental baseline. Samples of topsoil and leaves of the tree species Betula pendula and Carpinus betulus have been collected from the inside and outside of the mining area, on a total surface of more than 60 km². The pH and heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) have been measured on 262 soils/sediments samples, revealing the predominantly acidic character of soils and the generally low contents of heavy metals. Stronger acidity and higher contents of heavy metals have been noticed in the proximity of the mining site, on the tailings and waste rock dumps, and along the streams with acid water. More than 100 leaf samples have been analysed for the same heavy metals as soils and also for chlorophyll fluorescence and pigment concentrations. B. pendula has shown a particular ability to concentrate Zn in leaves, at levels that may greatly exceed the Zn content in the corresponding soil samples. The correlation between the heavy metal contents in leaves and in soils, in most of the cases, is not very strong, presumably in relation to the low concentrations in soils. The chlorophyll concentration in leaves of B. pendula slightly diminishes on soils with low pH.     

Influence of extractable soil manganese on oxidation capacity of different soils in Korea

We examined the relationship between soil oxidation capacity and extractable soil manganese, iron oxides, and other soil properties. The Korean soils examined in this study exhibited low to medium Cr oxidation capacities, oxidizing 0.00–0.47 mmol/kg, except for TG-4 soils, which had the highest capacity for oxidizing added Cr(III) [>1.01 mmol/kg of oxidized Cr(VI)]. TG and US soils, with high Mn contents, had relatively high oxidation capacities. The Mn amounts extracted by dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate (DCB) (Mn^d), NH₂OH·HCl (Mn^h), and hydroquinone (Mn^r) were generally very similar, except for the YS1 soils, and were well correlated. Only small proportions of either total Mn or DCB-extractable Mn were extracted by NH₂OH·HCl and hydroquinone in the YS1 soils, suggesting inclusion of NH₂OH·HCl and hydroquinone-resistant Mn oxides, because these extractants are weaker reductants than DCB. No Cr oxidation test results were closely related to total Mn concentrations, but Mn^d, Mn^h, and Mn^r showed a relatively high correlation with the Cr tests (r = 0.655–0.851; P < 0.01). The concentrations of Mn^d and Mn^h were better correlated with the Cr oxidation tests than was the Mn^r concentration, suggesting that the oxidation capacity of our soil samples can be better explained by Mn^d and Mn^h than by Mn^r. The first component in principal components analysis indicated that extractable soil Mn was a main factor controlling net Cr oxidation in the soils. Total soil Mn, Fe oxides, and the clay fraction are crucial for predicting the mobility of pollutants and heavy metals in soils. The second principal component indicated that the presence of Fe oxides in soils had a significant relationship with the clay fraction and total Mn oxide, and was also related to heavy-metal concentrations (Zn, Cd, and Cu, but not Pb).     

Spatial distribution,mineralogy, and weathering of heavy metals in soils along zinc-concentrate ground transportation routes: implication for assessing heavy metal sources

We investigated the source of heavy metals in soils at a site in South Korea, where a ground transportation of zinc-concentrates (ZnS, sphalerite) occurs daily. Seventy soil samples were collected at the site and analyzed for residual concentrations of heavy metals, as well as their chemical and mineralogical properties. Enrichment factor was calculated based on local geochemical background level of metals in soils and confirmed the contamination of soils in the area by an anthropogenic source. The concentration data were also subjected to a Pearson correlation analysis to determine the possible influences of anthropogenic sources and identify the primary source. A slight negative correlation between heavy metals and Al, and a weak correlation between heavy metals and Fe implied that the heavy metals originated from anthropogenic inputs rather than a geogenic source. A strong positive linear correlation between Zn and other heavy metals (i.e., As, Cd, Cu, Pb, r ≥ 0.96, p ≤ 0.001) suggested the influence of a single anthropogenic source of zinc-concentrates containing all of these heavy metals. Zinc-concentrate oxidation and leaching experiments, which mimicked physical and chemical weathering in the environment, indicated that zinc-concentrate could be transformed to zinc oxides and release Cd and Pb upon precipitation. The findings in this study provide an insight into the fate of the Zn that the original form of zinc-concentrate would not remain in the soil after long-term weathering, which should be considered when source of heavy metals is identified.     

固体聚合膜电解浓集法测量天然水中低含量氚的化学淬灭效应研究

固体聚合膜电解浓集法是浓缩氚含量较低(1 Bq/m~3)的天然水样的常用方法,但因水样自身含有杂质离子或电解装置聚合膜带入杂质进入浓集液,使浓集液偏酸性,在测量过程中易产生化学淬灭效应,导致氚的测量值偏低。本文研究了水样自身存在的杂质离子和聚合膜上残留的杂质离子、样品溶液的pH值及其电导率所产生的化学淬灭效应的影响,实验表明,为减少化学淬灭效应,提高测量低含量氚的准确性,需保证水样溶液呈中性,电导率≤1μS/cm,同时避免杂质沉积在聚合膜上。如果水样溶液的pH值偏酸性、电导率大于1μS/cm,可采用酸碱混合型离子交换树脂去除水样中自身的杂质;对于聚合膜引入的杂质,可在电解后的水样中加入微量氨水将其pH值调节至中性。     

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 metal concentrations and associated resistant bacterial communities in bulk and rhizosphere soil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Avicennia marina</Emphasis> of Pichavaram mangrove,India

Heavy metals are known to pose a potential threat to terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna. Due to increasing human influence, heavy metal concentrations are rising in many mangrove ecosystems. Therefore, an assessment of heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Fe, Mn, and Zn) concentrations was conducted within the bulk soil and rhizosphere soil of Avicennia marina at the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest in India. The rhizosphere soil showed higher concentrations of metals than the bulk soil. Compared to the bulk soil, the metals Cd, Fe, Mn, and Zn were 6.0–16.7% higher, whereas Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb were 1.7–2.8% higher concentration. Among the three selected sampling sites (dense mangrove forest, estuarine region, and sea region), the sea region had the highest concentration of all heavy metals except Zn. The trend of the mean metal concentration was Fe > Mn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb > Zn > Cd. Heavy metals concentrations elevated by the 2004 tsunami were persistent even after 4 years, due to sedimentary soil processes, the rhizosphere effect of mangroves, and anthropogenic deposition. Analysis of the heavy metal-resistant bacteria showed highest bacterial count for Cr-resistant bacteria and rhizosphere soil. The maximum level of heavy metal-resistant bacteria was observed at the site with the highest heavy metal contamination. The heavy metal-resistant bacteria can be used as indicator of heavy metal pollution and furthermore in bioremediation.     

Environmental contamination of trace elements in the vicinity of Okpara coal mine, Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria

Water, sediment, and mine spoil samples were collected within the vicinity of the Okpara coal mine in Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria, and analyzed for trace elements using ICP-MS to assess the level of environmental contamination by these elements. The results obtained show that the mine spoils and sediments are relatively enriched in Fe, with mean values of 1,307.8(mg/kg) for mine spoils and 94.15% for sediments. As, Cd, Cr, Mn,Ni, Pb, and Zn in the sediments were found to be enriched relative to the mean values obtained from the study area, showing contamination by these elements. The mean values of Fe, Mn, Cu, and Cr in the mine spoils and mean values of Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, and Mn in sediments, respectively, are above the background values obtained from coal and shale in the study area, indicating enrichment with these elements. The water and sediments are moderately acidic, with mean pH values of 4.22?±?1.06 and 4.66?±?1.35, respectively. With the exception of Fe, Mn, and Ni, all other elements are within the Nigerian water quality standard and WHO limits for drinking water and other domestic purposes. The strong to moderate positive correlation between Fe and Cu (r?=?0.72), Fe and Zn (r?=?0.88), and Fe and As (r?=?0.60) at p?<?0.05 as obtained for the sediments depict the scavenging effect of Fe on these mobile elements. As also shows a strong positive correlation with Mn (r?=?≥ 0.70, p?<?0.05), indicating that Mn plays a major role in scavenging elements that are not co-precipitated with Fe. In water, the strong positive correlation observed between Cr and Cd (r?=?1.00), Cu and Ni (r?=?0.94), Pb and Cu (r?=?0.87) and Zn and Cu (r?=?0.99); Ni and Pb (r?=?0.83) and Zn and Ni (r?=?0.97); and between Pb and Zn (0.84) at p?<?0.05 may indicate similar element–water reaction control on the system due to similarities in chemical properties as well as a common source. Elevated levels of heavy metals in sediments relative to surface water probably imply that sorption and co-precipitation on Al and Fe oxides are more effective in the mobilization and attenuation of heavy metals in the mine area than acid-induced dissolution. The level of concentration of trace elements for the mine spoils will serve as baseline data for future reference in the study area.     

Evaluating heavy metal concentration of plants on a serpentine site for phytoremediation applications

The chemical analysis of plants and soils is a frequently used approach in understanding a serpentine ecosystem. Studies on vegetation growth in serpentine soils focused on various plant species for remediation purposes of soil contamination with heavy metals, emphasizing their role in the metal extraction or stabilization in the soil. The aims of this study were to measure the concentrations of Cr, Mn, and Ni in the soils and plants and to elucidate the phytoremediation potential of the studied plants. This study was performed at an abandoned site of serpentine mining in eastern Taiwan. Seven plant species were collected for analysis of Cr, Mn, and Ni, including Crotalaria micans, Miscanthus floridulus, Leucaena leucocephala, Bidens pilosa, Pueraria lobata, Melilotus indicus, and Conyza canadensis. The Cr and Ni concentrations in all studied plants were higher than those in general plants. In all species, the mean concentrations of Cr, Mn, and Ni in the shoots were lower than those in the root. None of the collected specimens exhibited hyperaccumulation of Cr, Mn, and Ni. All studied species may be used to remediate contaminated soils through phytostabilization of Cr and Mn, whereas M. floridulus and M. indicus are appropriate plants for phytostabilization of Ni. However, C. micans, L. leucocephala, B. pilosa, P. lobata, and C. canadensis have the potential to remove Ni from contaminated soils for the purpose of phytoextraction.     

Metal distributions in seawater,sediment and marine benthic macroalgae from the South Australian coastline

Algal species which are ubiquitous along the coastlines of many countries reflect the environmental conditions of the coastal seawater and may serve as useful biomonitors of anthropogenic pollution. Heavy metal concentrations of ten elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) of potential environmental concern were determined in seawater, sediments and twelve species of benthic marine macroalgae from four locations (Glenelg, Port Adelaide, Port Broughton and Port Pirie) along the South Australian coastline. The four sites chosen represented varying degrees of metal contamination, where the capacity for benthic macroalgae to accumulate heavy metals from the environment was evaluated. Spatial differences in heavy metal concentration in both seawaters and sediments were observed at all sites with the highest concentrations of heavy metals including Cd (125 μg g^?1), Pb (2,425 μg g^?1) and Zn (7,974 μg g^?1) found in the finer sediment fractions (<250 μm) of Port Pirie. While all algal species studied (Acrosorium polyneurum, Anotrichium tenue, Cystophora Cephalornithos Cystophora monillifera, Cystophora monilliformis, Dictyopteris australis, Gelidium micropterum, Gracilaria, Hormophysa Cuneiformis, Sargassum cinctum, Scaberia agardhii and Ulva lactuca) accumulated metals to varying degrees, Blindigia marginata was a good biomonitor species for a number of metals including Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Pb and Zn, exhibiting both relatively high total metal concentrations and significant concentration factors.     

Environmental quality assessment and spatial pattern of potentially toxic elements in soils of Guangdong Province, China

The spatial distributions of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations in surface soils of Guangdong Province, China, were investigated to evaluate the environmental quality of these potentially toxic elements using 261 samples. The following average concentrations were obtained: Cu, 17.4 mg/kg; Ni, 17.7 mg/kg; Cr, 56.7 mg/kg; Co, 6.8 mg/kg; Mn, 223.2 mg/kg; Pb, 36.6 mg/kg; Hg, 0.10 mg/kg; Cd, 0.09 mg/kg; Zn, 49.8 mg/kg. Correlation analysis was applied to the data matrix to evaluate the results and identify the possible sources of metals. Distribution maps of the elements were created using the inverse distance weighted interpolation method. The nine metals exhibited generally distinct geographical patterns. Results showed that 5,173 km² of the study area presented higher pollution indices and was slightly polluted.     

包头市典型工业区表层土壤中重金属污染状况及其潜在生态风险研究

为了解包头市典型工业企业对其所在地土壤中重金属含量的影响及污染现状,利用相关性系数对其表层土壤中7种重金属(Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、Cd、Mn、Ni)来源进行研究,并采用内梅罗综合污染指数法和潜在生态危害指数对其污染状况进行评价。结果表明,7种重金属含量平均值均高于内蒙古土壤背景值,其中Cd、Mn、Ni超标率已达100%,而Cu、Pb、Zn的超标率分别为97%、93%和93%,只有Cr超标率较低(53%),污染程度依次为CdPbCuNiZnMnCr,其中Pb和Cd为重度污染,Cu、Zn、Ni为中度污染,Cr、Mn为轻度污染;Cu、Zn、Cr、Mn、Ni可能同时来自工业生产和交通运输两个源,而Pb和Cd除上述来源外,燃煤烟气的排放有较大贡献。潜在生态危害依次为CdPbCuNiCrZnMn,其中Cd的潜在生态风险最大,应予以高度重视,其他金属的风险均为轻微。     

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.     

Fluoride sorption and desorption on soils located in the surroundings of an aluminium smelter in Galicia (NW Spain)

Aluminium smelters are major sources of F emission to the environment. We studied, in laboratory experiments, the sorption and desorption of fluoride on organic and mineral horizons of soils located within 2 km from one of these factories, situated in the northern coast of Galicia (NW Spain). The soils, developed from granite, are acid (pH H₂O 3.9–5.5), rich in organic matter (4–16 % C in the A horizon) and most A horizons have high Al saturation in the exchange complex. All samples showed a notable F sorption, between 1,066 and 1,589 mg kg^?1, after adding 200 mg F L^?1, which accounts for 53–80 % of F added. The sorption was slightly higher in the A horizons than in the respective organic horizons (differences of up to 194 mg kg^?1). The fluoride sorption upon addition of 200 mg F L^?1 correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with soil pH in water (r = ?0.77), iron extracted by acid ammonium oxalate (r = 0.68), aluminium plus iron extracted by acid ammonium oxalate (r = 0.63), exchange aluminium (r = 0.52) and clay percentage in soil (r = 0.76). The F sorption fitted to both Langmuir and Freundlich models. Desorbed F accounted for only 12–22 % of sorbed fluoride and correlated (p < 0.05) negatively with non-crystalline (extracted by acid ammonium oxalate) Fe (r = ?0.51) and clay content (r = ?0.74) and positively with organic matter (r = 0.69) and with the effective cation exchange capacity of the soil (r = 0.50).     

Integrated mass balance of some heavy metals fluxes in Yaakob village,south Sohag,Egypt

The pollution of soil with heavy metals has direct or indirect adverse effect on human health. The present work was conducted to identify all the expected sources and sinks for heavy metals by applying mass balance model to identify the retention rate of metals by soils in Yaakob village, south Sohag Governorate, Egypt. The studied inputs (sources) include P-fertilizers, irrigation water and dustfall, while the main outputs (sinks) are drainage water and harvested plants. The measurements indicate that soil, clover, dustfall and P-fertilizers contain considerable concentration of Cd, Cr, Co, Cu and Pb. The mass balance measurements indicate that the accumulation rate of Cd, Cr and Co in soil was 5.4, 54.6 and 16.3 g ha^?1 year^?1, respectively. However, depletion trend of Pb and Cu was about 1.4 and 5.2 g ha^?1 year^?1, respectively. The main source of Cd, Pb, Cr and Co in the study area is P-fertilizers with input flux 14.9, 89.9, 198.6 and 18.5 g ha^?1 year^?1, while Cu source was dustfall with 19.33 g ha^?1 year^?1. The index of geoaccumulation calculations indicates different degrees of contamination with Cd, Cr, Co and Cu. On the other hand, the main sink for the studied heavy metals was the Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum) which can be considered a good bioaccumulator of heavy metals.     

Heavy metal contamination in dust from kindergartens and elementary schools in Xi’an,China

Concentrations of As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn in campus dust from kindergartens and elementary schools in Xi’an, China, were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and heavy metal contamination levels were assessed based on the geoaccumulation index (I _geo), enrichment factor (EF) and numero synthesis pollution index (NSPI). The results indicate that, in comparison with Shaanxi soil, dust samples have elevated metal concentrations as a whole, except for V, Mn, Ni, and As. The assessment results of I _geo and EF indicate that V, Mn, Ni, and As in campus dust are uncontaminated, while Ba and Cr are uncontaminated to moderately contaminated, and Co, Cu, Pb, and Zn are moderately to strongly contaminated. The NSPI results show that most dust samples presented heavily contaminated by heavy metals. More attention should be paid to heavy metal contamination of campus dust from kindergartens and elementary schools of Xi’an.