Heavy metal exposure from co-processing of hazardous wastes for cement production and associated human risk assessment

This study was carried out to determine the concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Pb, Cr, Ni and Zn) in ordinary Portland cement (OPC) produced from the co-processing with hazardous waste in comparison with OPC produced using natural raw materials. The results showed that the concentration of heavy metals in cement produced from natural raw material was in the order of Zn > Pb > Cr > Ni > Cu > Cd. Zn and Cd were the highest and the lowest concentrations, respectively, in cements produced from the co-processing activity. The difference between heavy metals concentrations in OPC produced with and without co-processing was found to be statistically significant. The concentration of heavy metals in the cement produced is generally factory dependent. The human risk assessment associated with the heavy metals for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks has been evaluated. The calculated hazard index (HI) and total lifetime cancer risks (LCR) were lower than the acceptable threshold reference values, HI < 1 and LCR < 1 × 10^?4, respectively. Thus, it is anticipated that there is no potential of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for both adult and children. However, the findings indicated that there is a need for regulatory monitoring. The exposure pathway for both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks are both in the order of ingestion > dermal > inhalation.     

大气中痕量有机胺测量方法的研究进展

作为大气中最重要的含氮有机化合物,有机胺易与硫酸、硝酸气体生成胺盐,促进新颗粒的形成,同时也可与臭氧、OH自由基、NO₃自由基发生氧化反应,是二次气溶胶的前体物.综述了国内外关于大气有机胺检测技术的研究进展,对常规的离线检测技术和在线质谱技术进行了介绍和对比,重点介绍了质谱法工作原理以及测定大气有机胺的优越性,并对其未来发展进行了展望.     

Measuring the benefits and costs of community education and outreach in marine protected areas

Conservation organizations often invest considerable resources in education and outreach activities in and around marine protected areas (MPAs). The expectation is that such efforts will change local knowledge, attitudes and ultimately behavior. This is one of the first studies to assess the efficacy of using education and outreach activities to improve community knowledge and attitudes about an MPA. Random sample surveys in 2005 and 2010 (n=1213) before and after education and outreach activities are compared. Program budgets for the same period give the investment levels. With an investment level averaging US$24 per capita/year, the result was an average increase of 33% in “yes” responses across 15 indicators of knowledge and attitudes towards marine conservation. The increase in knowledge and positive attitudes was associated with a large decrease in “not sure” responses, suggesting that community members with fewer initial preconceptions are the most effective target for education and outreach activities. This study demonstrates that investments in MPA education and outreach can generate increases in local knowledge and positive attitudes, and changing knowledge and attitudes is expected to contribute to the long-term compliance with MPA regulations.     

Groundwater flow system in Bengal Delta,Bangladesh revealed by environmental isotopes

A total number of 328 groundwater samples are analysed to evaluate the groundwater flow systems in Bengal Delta aquifers, Bangladesh using environmental isotope (²H, ¹⁸O, ¹³C, ³H, and ¹⁴C) techniques. A well-defined Local Meteoric Water Line (LMWL) δ²H = 7.7 δ¹⁸O + 10.7 ‰ is constructed applying linear correlation analyses to the monthly weighted rainfall isotopic compositions (δ¹⁸O and δ²H). The δ¹⁸O and δ²H concentrations of all groundwater samples in the study area are plotted more or less over the LMWL, which provides compelling evidence that all groundwaters are derived from rainfall and floodwater with a minor localized evaporation effects for the shallow groundwaters. Tritium concentration is observed in 40 samples out of 41 with values varying between 0.3 and 5.0 TU, which represents an evidence of young water recharge to the shallow and intermediate aquifers. A decreasing trend of ¹⁴C activity is associated with the heavier δ¹³C values, which indicates the presence of geochemical reactions affecting the ¹⁴C concentration along the groundwater flow system. Both vertical and lateral decrease of ¹⁴C activity toward down gradient show the presence of regional groundwater flow commencing from the unconfined aquifers, which discharges along the coastal regions. Finally, shallow, intermediate, and deep groundwater flow dynamics has revealed in the Bengal Delta aquifers, Bangladesh.     

Hydrochemistry and isotopic studies to identify Ganges River and riverbank groundwater interaction, southern Bangladesh

The Ganges River water and riverbank shallow groundwater were studied during a single wet season using the hydrochemical and isotopic composition of its dissolved load. The dissolved concentrations of major ions (Cl^?, SO₄ ^2?, NO₃ ^?, HCO₃ ^?, Ca²⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺, and K⁺), trace elements (barium (Ba) and strontium (Sr)) and stable isotopes (O and D) were determined on samples collected from the Ganges River and its riverbank shallow aquifers. In the present study, the shallow groundwater differs significantly from the Ganges River water; it shows distinct high concentrations of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, HCO₃ ^?, Ba, and Sr due to water–rock interaction and this in particular suggests that the Ganges River may not contribute significantly to the riverbank shallow aquifers during wet season. Besides, the sum of the total cationic charge (∑⁺, in milliequivalents per liter) in the groundwater shows high values (2.48 to 13.91 meq/L, average 9.12 meq/L), which is much higher than the sum of the cations observed in the Ganges water (1.36 to 3.10 meq/L, average 1.94 meq/L). Finally, the more depleted stable isotopic (δ ¹⁸O and δ ²H) compositions of the Ganges River water are in contrast to those of the riverbank aquifer having enriched stable isotopic values during the wet season and the riverbank groundwater thus has a purely local origin from precipitation.     

Comparative assessment of water surface level using different discharge prediction models

Natural Hazards - Discharge is traditionally measured at gauge stations located at discrete positions along the river course. When the volume of water discharge is higher than the river bank,...