Sediment-water column exchange of persistent organic pollutants (PAH<Subscript>s</Subscript> and PCB<Subscript>s</Subscript>) and their transport vector in El Bey watershed,Tunisia

El Bey river, which drains 60% of the pollutant load of several urban cities in the northeast of Tunisia, provides a good example of the transfer of organic and metallic pollutants that result from industrial and urban activity, and can be used to show how these charges are transported and discharged into the Gulf of Tunis. Persistent organic pollutants (PAH and PCB) in dissolved, particulate matter, bed sediments, and three wastewater effluents in El Bey watershed were analyzed. PAH (∑14PAHs) concentration ranged from 0.248 to 9.955 mg L^?1 and from 0.836 to 28.539 mg L^?1 in dissolved and particulate fraction respectively. The particulate/dissolved partition coefficient value (Kd) was less than one which confirmed the affinity of PAH to be adsorbed. In sediment, the high-molecular weight PAHs were found principally with percentage between 50 and 100% witch present 239.99 to 5362.19 μg kg^?1, which is relatively higher in comparison with other estuaries river. Contrary to PAH patterns, PCB were bound to dissolve fraction. Kd _(PCB) value (Kd?>?1) reflected this affinity which is related to environment energy. The spatial distribution and profile of analyzed organic pollutants confirmed the direct impact of wastewater effluent on the organic pollution level in three compartment of El Bey watershed and his profiles suggested different transport patterns.     

Prediction of groundwater environmental impact on a power plant under accident conditions

According to the engineering features of the proposed power plant and the possible pollution accidents, the accident conditions of two kinds of polluted groundwater, such as the light diesel oil tank bottom leakage and the power plant pond bottom leakage are set up. Using the two-dimensional hydrodynamic dispersion equation of the continuous injection and instantaneous injection, the groundwater pollution in the accident condition is predicted and evaluated. The results show that, with the passage of time, the migration range of groundwater pollutants caused by sewage leakage from industrial wastewater buffer tank shows a trend of gradual expansion; however, the maximum value of pollutant concentration exceeding standard is gradually decreasing. After 10 years, the excessive pollutant migration distance has reached 390 m. If no remedial measures are taken in time, during the operation of the power plant, industrial wastewater pool sewage leakage will cause long-term pollution to the groundwater. Similarly, if the accident was diesel tank explosion, the range of diesel contamination to groundwater is also increasing over time, but the concentration of pollutants is gradually decreasing. About 25 years later, the pollutant concentration within 400 m downstream of pollution source has decreased to 0.04 mg/L, and the impact of diesel oil leakage on groundwater has largely disappeared.     

Analysis of temporal and spatial variations in groundwater nitrate and development of its pollution plume: a case study in Karaj aquifer

Considering the importance of groundwater resources in water-supply demands in arid and semiarid areas such as Iran, it is essential to investigate the risk of groundwater pollution. Nitrate is one of the main pollutants that penetrate into the groundwater from various sources such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and domestic and industrial sewage. Unfortunately currently, nitrate contamination of the aquifers is a serious problem in Iran. The Karaj aquifer is not exempted, and the nitrate pollution zone, with concentrations far beyond the permitted limit (50 mg/L), expands fast. In this paper, the long-term groundwater-quality data (from 2000 to 2013) collected from Alborz Province Water and Wastewater Company were analyzed using ArcGIS10 and statistical software, and the spatial and temporal patterns of nitrate pollution in drinking-water wells in the Karaj plain and effective parameters (such as depth to groundwater level, hydraulic gradient, land use, precipitation, and urban, agricultural and industrial wastewater) were investigated. The authors also investigated the status of nitrate concentration variation using the concepts of geostatistics, based on determinations from 62 to 194 surveyed wells with a suitable distribution across the plain. With respect to the relationship between quality parameters, hydrogeological status of the aquifer and land usage, causes of the increase in the concentration of nitrate in the water and its trend were investigated as well. Results revealed that the nitrate levels in the northern portion of the study area were the highest with maximum concentrations of 181.7 mg/L from 2000 to 2013. Based on nitrate concentration distribution maps, the levels of nitrate increased from 2006 onwards to 26–100 mg/L. Unfortunately from 2008 to 2012, a pollution zone with a nitrate water concentration of 101–150 mg/L has been observed and even a concentration of 180 mg/L has been determined. In 2000, the entire aquifer area has been drinkable but with the increase in nitrate concentration, the area with undrinkable water has expanded to 21% in 2003, 24% in 2005, 33% in 2007, 39% in 2009, 43% in 2011 and 44% in 2013. The results of this study could provide valuable information with on the status of nitrate water concentrations in the Karaj plain which demands proper strategies and qualitative approaches in the future.     

Review: Micro-organic contaminants in groundwater in China

Micro-organic contaminants (MOs) in groundwater, which may have adverse effects on human health and ecosystems worldwide, are gaining increased attention in China. A great deal of research has been conducted to investigate their sources, occurrences and behavior in aquifers. This paper reviews the main sources, distribution, concentrations and behavior of a wide range of MOs in groundwater in China. These MOs include well-established persistent organic pollutants—polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), endocrine disrupting chemicals (poly brominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), phthalic acid esters (PAEs), bisphenol A (BPA)—and some contaminants of emerging concern such as pharmaceutical and personal care products (antibiotics, caffeine, shampoos) and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). The results reveal that the main MOs in groundwater are PAHs, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), PBDEs, PAEs, and antibiotics. Moreover, some PFCs such as perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS), perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) have only recently been observed in groundwater as emerging organic contaminants. Additionally, most MOs are distributed in populated and industrialized areas such as the southeast coast of China. Finally, industrial emissions, wastewater treatment plant effluents and agricultural wastewater are found to be dominant sources of MOs in groundwater. Based on the existing pollution levels, regulation and amelioration of MOs are warranted.     

Simulation of polychlorinated biphenyls transport in the vadose zone

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are the main constituents of clophen (the liquid of the electric transformers and capacitors) and have been characterized as potential human carcinogens. PCBs can be a hazardous contaminant of soil and groundwater. We used the mathematical model variably saturated 2D flow and transport (VS2DT model) to simulate the transport of PCBs from the soil surface to groundwater for a time period of 30 years. We also used a mathematical model to simulate the colloid-facilitated PCB transport, under saturated flow conditions. The results showed that PCBs dissolved in water cannot be transported to large depths in unsaturated soils, because of their strong sorption onto soil and low solubility in water. For soils with very low or no organic matter content, PCB transport is much faster and the probability of groundwater contamination is much higher. PCBs can partition to colloids originating from dissolved organic matter in groundwater. Colloid-facilitated PCB transport is faster compared to PCB transport in aqueous solution with no colloids present.     

Sediment trace metals and PCB input history in Lake Anna, Virginia, USA

Damming of the North Anna River in 1972 created Lake Anna, a cooling water source for the Dominion nuclear power plant as well as a popular recreation site in Spotsylvania and Orange counties, Virginia, USA. Previously dated (210-Pb) sediment cores from seven locations within the lake and three locations in the adjoining Waste Heat Treatment Facilities (WHTF) were analyzed for trace metals (Al, Ba, Zn, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn and Pb) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to examine the environmental evolution of the reservoir system. The reservoir has a history of mining activities in its watershed and unusually elevated concentrations of PCBs were found in fish tissues from previous studies. Therefore, dated sediment cores provided the framework for both the temporal and spatial analysis of possible sources and flux histories for both trace metals and PCBs. The trace metals results suggest that, though the upper reaches are relatively less impacted, the old mine tailings from the now ceased mining activities in the watershed of Contrary Creek tributary continue to dominate the sediment chemistry of the lower portion of the lake basin, signified by sediment enrichment of Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn. Lagoon-2 of the WHTF also seems to be receiving unusually high loadings of Cd (12.5 ± 1.07 μg/g) that is probably associated with waste materials from the nuclear power plant that maintains the lagoons. PCB sediment concentrations were relatively low in the lower sections of the basins with values typically being <3.5 ng/g. The upper reaches of the basin had several PCB hotspots, with the surface sediments of Terry’s Run tributary having values as high as 53.13 ng/g. The spatial distribution of PCBs seems to suggest the upper reaches of the basin as the probable source, with the unusually high concentrations near bridges suggesting a possible link between the PCBs and old bridge fill materials. The oldest lacustrine sediments also had relatively high trace metals and PCB values signifying a probable role of soil disruption and sediment reconcentration during reservoir construction.     

气相色谱法测定地下水中有机氯农药和多氯联苯

建立了地下水中常见有机氯农药和多氯联苯的气相色谱分析方法。有机氯农药检出限均小于2.21ng/L,多氯联苯中PCB1检出限为5.20ng/L,其他目标组分检出限在1.30ng/L以下。两大类待测组分回收率均可以达到63.5%～110.2%,各组分精密度(RSD,n=5)在2.2%～17.3%。除异狄氏剂外,有机氯农药基体加标回收率为87.34%～133.76%。方法稳定性和重现性较好,样品前处理操作简便,适用于实验室分析或进一步改进。     

冯家江流域水体中氮的空间分布特征

冯家江是北海市区重要的生态廊道.研究冯家江流域水体中氮的空间分布特征、污染来源、影响因素,对掌握冯家江流域氮污染现状及污染防控等具有重要的现实意义.本研究应用地统计学方法分析了冯家江流域地表水及沿岸地下水中氮污染物的空间分布特征.结果表明,地表水中氮污染物呈现出"高氨氮、低硝氮"的特征,NH3-N 质量浓度平均值高达5...     

广西南宁朝阳溪对浅层地下水污染特征研究

文章利用5个钻孔和3个水井监测资料,分析了广西南宁朝阳溪排污沟对周边浅层地下水的影响。结果表明,朝阳溪排污沟对周边浅层地下水产生了明显的污染,特征污染物为氨氮,浓度超过地下水环境质量Ⅲ类水质标准1~65.75倍,氨氮浓度随距朝阳溪的距离增大而逐渐减小,且具有季节变化特征,丰水期污染程度明显低于枯水期。分析认为,浅层地下水的三氮主要来源于排入朝阳溪的人畜粪便;多环芳烃主要来源于草、木、煤燃烧;DDT来源于历史残留,BHCs则来源于上游林丹的使用和远距离大气沉降。      

Survey of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Jiaxing city, China

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and nitrated PAH (NPAH) products are toxic. Thus, determination of their concentrations is of great interest to researchers of soil and water pollution control. In this work, soil samples, surface water samples, and groundwater samples were collected, and the concentrations of 16 priority PAHs and 15 NPAHs were determined using an HPLC-ultraviolet detector. Results showed that the total PAH concentrations ranged within 489.69–1,670.11 ng/g (average = 905.89 ng/g) in soil samples, 4.00–23.4 μg/l (average = 9.84 μg/l) in surface water samples, and 2.14–22.3 μg/l (average = 8.37 μg/l) in groundwater samples. The NPAH concentrations were one to two orders of magnitude lower than the PAH concentrations and ranged within 22.72–128.70 ng/g (average = 63.88 ng/g) in soil samples. 2-Nitropyrene and 6-nitrochrysene were the most abundant compounds, accounting for about 14.3 and 26.5 %, respectively. Source analysis revealed that most PAHs originated from coal combustion around the study area, whereas NPAH studies suggested that the primary emission of gasoline engines and daytime OH reactions were the dominant sources of these compounds.     

Distribution and risk assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the remote air and soil of Manipur,India

∑₂₅PCB congeners including dioxin-like compounds were analyzed at three sites of Manipur India to assess the level of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in air and soil. The ∑₂₅PCBs were higher in urban air (average 2,454 pg/m³), followed by the mountain air (average 2,109 pg/m³) and rural air (average 1,756 pg/m³). PCB levels observed in urban air were higher compared to PCB levels reported in major Indian metropolitan cities especially along the coastal region and were comparable with the pristine sites of India and also with some pockets of China and Europe. The heavier congeners (tetra, penta, tri and hexa) were dominant in both air and soil samples and show significant correlation with the ambient temperature. Emission of PCB congeners was investigated from soil surface. The total organic carbon present in soil shows the significant correlation (r ² = 0.8; p < 0.05) with the PCBs could indicate that the PCBs originated from the similar sources. Principal component analysis revealed that the sources of higher chlorinated PCB congeners are local emissions while long-range atmospheric transport process is responsible behind elevated levels of lower chlorinated PCBs. Total calculated toxic equivalent (TEQ) levels in soil (37.17–160.5 pg/g) were superior to reported TEQ level of agricultural soil in Delhi, India (0.01–105.40 pg/g). Back trajectory analysis showed that the observed high levels of PCB at Manipur may due to movement of air masses, mostly from the Northern and Southern India and to some extent from Myanmar.     

南中国海海水中有机氯农药和多氯联苯的含量及分布特征

近年来,随着沿海化工生产基地的大量投入运营及海上危险化学品运输业的日益增长,海洋生态环境受到严重威胁,我国海洋环境中持久性有机污染物如有机氯农药及多氯联苯在近海环境中普遍检出。为了对南中国海水体中持久性有机污染物的污染现状有所了解,本文利用气相色谱-电子捕获检测器(GCECD)对南中国海海水中的15种有机氯农药和多氯联苯进行测定,两类化合物各检出6种。采用外标法进行定量分析,结果显示:调查海域表层海水中有机氯农药和多氯联苯类化合物的浓度范围分别为0~92.30ng/L和1.16~76.24 ng/L,200 m层海水中分别为0~69.85 ng/L和0~49.63 ng/L,500 m层海水中分别为0~56.68 ng/L和0~26.47 ng/L。由此可看出,该海域有机氯农药和多氯联苯的含量分布特征大致呈现为:表层200 m层500 m层,原因可能是污染源主要来自周围地表径流或大气输入,且随着时间的推移污染物吸附于悬浮体由表层向下层迁移。与国内外相关海洋环境中有机农药及多氯联苯含量水平相比较,南中国海海水中有机农药和多氯联苯的含量低于国内大部分水域,但高于国外已知海洋水体中的含量。南中国海中有机农药和多氯联苯含量和分布特征的取得为下一步对海洋环境的研究和保护工作提供了基础数据。     

贵阳观山湖区至白云区地下水有机污染现状与防治对策

文章按水文地质条件将全区划分为12个地下水系统,并选择43组控制性水点分丰枯两季进行有机样品采集和测试,在此基础上对研究区地下水中有机污染物的检出、超标、分布及来源均进行了分析。结果显示,参评的86组地下水样品中,有32组检出有机污染物;27种参评有机组分中,10种有机组分存在不同程度的检出,其中,三氯甲烷检出25次,检出率29.07%,其余组分检出率均低于5%;仅有1,2二氯丙烷超标1次,超标率低;区内地下水有机污染物检出浓度较低,超标率低,处于轻度污染阶段;12个系统中,有9个系统发现有机物污染物检出;检出点多分布于工矿企业的下游地段,排污河渠两侧;污染物多来源于中小型工矿企业,以污染物通过落水洞、天窗等进入含水层为主要污染途径;地下水系统排泄区的近源污染多发,危害程度大。针对上述污染特征,提出加强对中小企业污染源的集中管理,加大污水管网建设力度等对策建议。      

Environmental assessment of soil,groundwater, and surface water quality in the south of the Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

To understand the impact of the influence of treated wastewater, a study was undertaken in the downstream side of Wadi Hanifa in the southern part of Riyadh City in Saudi Arabia. Chemical elements from 17 groundwater samples, 9 surface water samples (treated wastewater), and 14 soil samples were analyzed. Water facies analyses showed that both groundwater and surface water belong to the SO₄-Cl class. However, the groundwater is characterized by high salinity (average value of 3547 mg/l), which may be result of the greater rock-water interaction and limited rainfall recharge. The NO₃ values are also high in the groundwater samples (average value of 40 mg/l) and are mainly attributed to the agricultural practices in the study area. The surface water samples (treated wastewater from the plant) shows an average salinity value of 1232 mg/l and is better suited for irrigation purposes. Heavy elements analyzed in the soil samples show high concentrations of all the elements except Mn and Ni as compared to their background concentration. Enrichment factor and index of geoaccumulation calculated from the soil samples indicate that they are severely enriched with respect to Cd and Se. The spatial distribution maps were prepared based on kriging interpolation technique to estimate the concentrations of the analyzed elements at unknown locations. The treated wastewater in the study area is better suited for agricultural and domestic activities as compared to groundwater.     

重工业区高脆弱岩溶含水层中多环芳烃污染的初步研究

以西南岩溶地区某市重工业区为研究对象,采集水文地质单元内地下水和土壤样品,利用气相色谱-质谱法（GC-MS)测试美国环保署16 种多环芳烃（PAHs）优控物。初步研究表明,研究区地下水16种PAHs均被检出,浓度为1 135.79～1 361.26 ng/L,以菲、蒽、萘、屈、芘为主;地下水处于中等污染程度,其中苯并[a]蒽、屈、苯并[b]荧蒽、苯并[k]荧蒽4种浓度超过美国EPA2009《国家推荐的优先有毒污染物水质标准》标准;PAHs特征比值显示含水层中的PAHs来源于燃煤和炼焦污染源,与钢铁厂和化肥厂排放的特征有机污染物一致。研究区污染源下游大面积区域地下水已经受到PAHs污染,且出现排泄区PAHs浓度高于径流区的现象,岩溶含水层PAHs的污染主要受两方面影响:一是洼地、裂隙发育,断层破碎带和强风化白云岩等为PAHs在含水层中的运移提供了有利条件,同时污染源区内地下水大量开采加速了污染物向地下水的入渗;二是水电站建坝蓄水发电,江水水位抬高,河岸地下水排泄速度减慢,可能致使岩溶含水层中PAHs的自净能力减弱。生态风险评价显示地下水中菲、蒽、芘、苯并[a]蒽、苯并[b]荧蒽处于重污染风险,应采取措施降低污染风险。      

Modeling and assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls contamination in soil at a burial site of power capacitors

Numerous industrial or burial sites contaminated by persistent organic pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pesticides were discovered in China recently. Due to improper choice of technology, many remediation cases had cost too much; however, failed to attain expected goals. In this study, the distribution and transport of PCBs at a burial site were investigated using tested PCBs concentration in order to support the choice of remediation technology and estimate the remediation results. Site characterization was carried out in order to investigate the hydrogeological condition and PCBs pollution nearby the capacitor burial site located in Shanxi, China. Results of PCBs measurement indicated that the proportion of contaminated soil with concentration above 500 mg/kg is 7.8 % and the value for soil with concentration between 50 and 500 mg/kg is 18.0 %. Considering adsorption and biodegradation, the two-dimensional PCBs transport model was established based on advection–dispersion equation. The model calibration showed a good agreement between measured and computed values, indicating the feasibility of this model used for predicting the transport and disappearance of PCBs in soil. Results of 100 years’ simulation demonstrated the slow migration and biodegradation of PCBs. Simulations were conducted for before and after remediation scenarios. Comparison of the results indicates that the remediation alternatives of excavation–incineration and thermal desorption have successfully removed most of the organics and thus reduced the environmental risk to a low level.     

气相色谱-质谱法测定水中8种多氯联苯

以正己烷为提取剂,对水中PCB15、PCB28、PCB52、PCB101、PCB118、PCB138、PCB153、PCB180共8种多氯联苯(PCBs)单体经液-液提取、浓缩后,采用气相色谱-质谱联用选择离子扫描法测定,8种PCBs单体的检测限均小于2.5ng/L。低浓度PCBs的回收率为88.5%～104.0%,相对标准偏差(RSD,n=5)为3.5%～9.7%;高浓度PCBs的回收率为90.3%～102.0%,相对标准偏差(n=5)为2.6%～8.3%。方法具有良好的灵敏度和选择性,适用于批量水样中多氯联苯的测定。     

Holocene estuarine sediments as a source of arsenic in Pleistocene groundwater in suburbs of Hanoi,Vietnam

Groundwater pollution by arsenic is a major health threat in suburban areas of Hanoi, Vietnam. The present study evaluates the effect of the sedimentary environments of the Pleistocene and Holocene deposits, and the recharge systems, on the groundwater arsenic pollution in Hanoi suburbs distant from the Red River. At two study sites (Linh Dam and Tai Mo communes), undisturbed soil cores identified a Pleistocene confined aquifer (PCA) and Holocene unconfined aquifer (HUA) as major aquifers, and Holocene estuarine and deltaic sediments as an aquitard layer between the two aquifers. The Holocene estuarine sediments (approximately 25–40 m depth, 9.6–4.8 cal ka BP) contained notably high concentrations of arsenic and organic matter, both likely to have been accumulated by mangroves during the Holocene sea-level highstand. The pore waters in these particular sediments exhibited elevated levels of arsenic and dissolved organic carbon. Arsenic in groundwater was higher in the PCA (25–94 μg/L) than in the HUA (5.2–42 μg/L), in both the monitoring wells and neighboring household tubewells. Elevated arsenic concentration in the PCA groundwater was likely due to vertical infiltration through the arsenic-rich and organic-matter-rich overlying Holocene estuarine sediments, caused by massive groundwater abstraction from the PCA. Countermeasures to prevent arsenic pollution of the PCA groundwater may include seeking alternative water resources, reducing water consumption, and/or appropriate choice of aquifers for groundwater supply.     

Determining the genetic origin of nitrate contamination in aquifers of Northern Gujarat,India

Over the past decades, the Gujarat state of India experienced intensive agricultural and industrial activities, fertilizer consumption and abstraction of groundwater, which in turn has degraded the ground water quality. Protection of aquifers from nitrate pollution is a matter of prime concern for the planners and decision-makers. The present study assessed the spatial and temporal variation of groundwater nitrate levels in areas with different land use/land cover activities for both pre- and post-monsoon period. The pre-monsoon nitrate level (1.6–630.7 mg/L) in groundwater was observed to be higher as compared to the post-monsoon level (2.7–131.7 mg/L), possibly due to insufficient recharge and evaporation induced enrichment of agrichemical salts in groundwater. High HCO₃ ^? (200–1,000 mg/L) as well as SO₄ ^2?/Cl^? (0.111–0.992) in post-monsoon period provides a favourable environment for denitrification, and lower the NO₃ levels during the post-monsoon period. The K vs NO₃ scatter plot suggests a common source of these ions when the concentration is <5 mg/L, the relationships between different pollutants and nitrate also suggest that fertilizers and other sources, such as, animal waste, crop residue, septic tanks and effluents from different food processing units present in the area can be attributed to higher nitrate levels in the groundwater. Appropriate agronomic practices such as application of fertilizers based on calibrated soil tests and proper irrigation with respect to crop can minimize the requirement for inorganic fertilizers, which can bring down the cost of cultivation considerably, and also protect groundwater from further degradation.     

Containment of groundwater pollution (methyl tertiary butyl ether and benzene) to protect a drinking-water production site in Belgium

The subsurface migration of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and benzene towards a drinking-water production site in Belgium was monitored for 9 years. A large gasoline spill at a nearby fuel station had caused a 500-m long and 50-m-wide pollution plume of MTBE (10?30 mg/L) and benzene (2?10 mg/L). In order to prevent any intrusion of pollutants into the drinking-water supply, a conceptual model was used to design a pump-and-treat system that intercepted the gasoline-contaminated groundwater emanating from the spill. The contaminated soil in the spill zone was excavated. A numerical mass transport model was developed to evaluate the ongoing plume containment. The model describes the subsurface MTBE migration and was regularly updated, based on groundwater monitoring data and the measured mass of MTBE extracted with the pump-and-treat system. With continued interception pumping, the MTBE plume can be remediated in 14 years. Without it, MTBE and benzene concentrations up to 600 μg/L could have reached the drinking-water production site and the plume would persist for 9 years longer. Source zone treatment combined with plume interception pumping is a suitable risk-based remediation strategy for the containment of MTBE and benzene groundwater pollution.