Competitive adsorption,release and speciation of heavy metals in the Yellow River sediments,China

The competitive adsorption and the release of selected heavy metals and their speciation distribution before and after adsorption in the Yellow River sediments are discussed. The adsorption of metals onto sediments increases with increasing pH value and decreases with increasing ionic strength. The competitive coefficient K _c and the distribution coefficient K _d are obtained to analyze the competitive abilities of selected heavy metals, which are ranked as Pb > Cu >> Zn > Cd. The competition among selected heavy metals becomes more impetuous with increasing ion concentration in water. Speciation analysis was done by an improved analytical procedure involving five steps of sequential extraction. Cu, Pb and Zn were mainly transformed into the carbonate-bound form (50.8–87.7%) in adsorption. Most of (60.7–77.3%) Cd was transformed into the exchangeable form, and the percentage of carbonate-bound Cd was 19.7–30.4%. The release reaction was so quick that the release capacity of selected heavy metals from sediments to aqueous solution reached half of the maximum value only in 30 s. As opposed to adsorption, the release capacities of selected heavy metals were ranked as Cd > Zn >> Cu > Pb. In this study, Cd produces the most severe environmental hazards, because its concentration in the release solution is 85.8 times more than the human health criteria of US EPA.     

Assessment of heavy metals contamination in urban topsoil from Changchun City,China

Due to the rapid urbanization and industrialization that has occurred in China over the last few decades, metals have been continuously emitted into the urban environment and now pose a serious threat to human health. Indeed, there is a growing concern over the potential for pollution of urban soils with heavy metals. Therefore, an extensive soil survey was conducted in urban areas of Changchun, China, to evaluate the current status of heavy metal contamination in soils and to evaluate its potential sources. A total of 352 samples of urban soils were collected from urban areas of Changchun using a systematic sampling strategy in which one sample per km² was taken (0 ~ 20 cm). The levels of Cu, Pb, Zn and the major elements (Mn, Al₂O₃, CaO, Fe₂O₃, MgO, SiO₂, K₂O and NaO) were then determined by X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), while the level of Cd was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS), and the Hg and As concentrations were determined by atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (AFS). The results indicated that, when compared with the background values of topsoil in the Changchun region, the topsoil in urban areas were enriched with metals, particularly Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb and Hg. The results of correlation coefficient analysis showed that Hg, As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were significantly positive correlated with each other, while Cr and Mn formed another group. Moreover, significantly positive correlations were observed between pH and Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, As and Hg, indicating that pH influences the distributions of these metals in urban soils in Changchun. Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to identify sources of heavy metals and the results revealed distinctly different associations among the trace metals and the major elements in the urban soils. The concentration of Cr appeared to be controlled by the parent material (natural sources), while Cu, Pb and Zn were mainly from vehicle emissions, with Zn primarily coming from vehicle tires. Additionally, Hg and As primarily originated from coal combustion, while Cd was mainly associated with industrial sources. According to the pollution index (PI) of each metal, the overall levels of metal pollution were not especially high, but there were clearly contaminated sites concentrated in the central and northeast portion of the studied region. The Nemerow integrated pollution index (NIPI) of the seven metals also indicated that urban soils in Changchun city were classified as having low level of pollution.     

Historical changes in heavy metals in the Yangtze Estuary, China

A 6-m-long core was used to examine historical changes in heavy metals on tidal flats in the Yangtze Estuary, China. Over the last 100 years, human impact was minimal. However, over the last few decades, vertical metal concentrations have been affected by human activities such as local industrialization, urbanization and construction of major sewage outlets. Copper, lead and arsenic were identified as contaminants in the Yangtze Estuary on the basis of national pollution standards and a comparison of metals in the upper core with those in the lower core.     

Spatial variations in heavy metals on tidal flats in the Yangtze Estuary,China

Surface samples are used to determine onshore-offshore variations in heavy metal concentrations on tidal flats on Chongming and Hengsha Islands in the Yangtze Estuary, China. The Mann-Whitney U-Test suggests that proximity to the estuarine turbidity maximum does not result in significantly higher metal concentrations on tidal flats. Principal Components Analysis shows that grain-size is the primary control on metal concentrations, reflecting the occurrence of salt marsh and mud and sand flats. Sediment quality is comparable to that of pristine estuaries because of dilution by high river sediment loads.     

Heavy metals on tidal flats in the Yangtze Estuary, China

 Five short cores were used to examine heavy metals on tidal flats in the Yangtze Estuary, China. Statistically insignificant trends in lead-210 and most metals with core depth are primarily due to high sedimentation rates. Metal contents are correlated with percent aluminum, which reflects the clay contents in the sediment, and they are also affected by proximity to sewage outlets and local industry. National standards for copper are exceeded in four cores, zinc in one core, and arsenic in all cores. Heavy metal contents are generally lower on the Yangtze tidal flats compared to most other estuaries because high sediment loads dilute metal inputs. Received: 1 June 1999 · Accepted: 15 August 2000     

Correlation between magnetic susceptibility and heavy metals in urban topsoil: a case study from the city of Xuzhou, China

Anthropogenic influence, mainly due to urban and industrial activities and traffic exhaust, may affect urban topsoil via atmospheric contamination and solid waste. Magnetic susceptibility measurements were conducted on 21 urban topsoil samples from the city of Xuzhou, China. High intensities of magnetic susceptibility were detected in the majority of the samples. SEM analysis shows that magnetic minerals are in the form of spherules and mainly due to anthropogenic inputs. The heavy metals Pb, Cu, Zn, Se, Sc, Mo, Fe, and Bi show strong correlations with magnetic susceptibility, and Ag, Ba, Cd, Ni, Cr, Sb, and Sn, on the other hand, show a weak correlation with magnetic susceptibility. Whereas, of these metals studied, only Hg has no significant correlation with the susceptibility. The Tomlinson pollution load index (PLI) also shows significant correlation with the susceptibility (χ). The present study shows that magnetic susceptibility is a fast, inexpensive, and non-destructive method for the detection and mapping of contaminated soils.     

Concentration distribution and assessment of several heavy metals in sediments of west-four Pearl River Estuary

Grain size parameters, trace metals (Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cr, Zn, Ba, Zr and Sr) and total organic matter (TOM) of 38 surficial sediments and a sediment core of west-four Pearl River Estuary region were analyzed. The spacial distribution and the transportation procession of the chemical element in surficial sediments were studied mainly. Multivariate statistics are used to analyses the interrelationship of metal elements, TOM and the grain size parameters. The results demonstrated that terrigenous sediment taken by the rivers are main sources of the trace metal elements and TOM, and the lithology of parent material is a dominating factor controlling the trace metal composition in the surficial sediment. In addition, the hydrodynamic condition and landform are the dominating factors controlling the large-scale distribution, while the anthropogenic input in the coastal area alters the regional distribution of heavy metal elements Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cr and Zn. The enrichment factor (EF) analysis was used for the differentiation of the metal source between anthropogenic and naturally occurring, and for the assessment of the anthropogenic influence, the deeper layer content of heavy metals were calculated as the background values and Zr was chosen as the reference element for Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cr and Zn. The result indicate prevalent enrichment of Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Cr, and the contamination of Pb is most obvious, further more, the peculiar high EF value sites of Zn and Pb probably suggest point source input.     

Heavy metals distribution and fractionation in sediments of the Mahanadi River basin, India

Heavy metals distribution in core sediments, different size fractions of bed sediments (>212 urn, 90-212 jam, 63–90 urn, 53–63 urn, < 53 urn), and suspended sediments (>30 urn, 20–30 m, 10–20 urn, 2–10 urn, <2 m) have been discussed. Pb, Zn, and Cr have been accumulating in recent years in the sediments. Si, Al, Fe, Ca, and Mg dominate the bed and suspended sediment composition. Metals show increasing concentrations in finer sediments. Applying multivariate analysis to sediment composition, metals have been grouped into different factors depending upon their source of origin. Chemical fractionation studies on suspended and bed sediments show Fe, Zn, Cu, and Pb are associated with the residual fraction and Mn with the exchangeable fraction.     

Heavy metals in sediments of the Tecate River, Mexico

Ten sites along the Tecate River, Mexico were sampled to evaluate the cadmium, lead, nickel and chromium concentrations in sediments. The result shows contamination for cadmium in most of the sites, where two sites were class 4 (polluted to strongly polluted) according to geoaccumulation index proposed by Muller. Two sites were found polluted for all the heavy metals analyzed (Cr, Cd, Pb and Ni), indicating the effect of anthropogenic activities. A correlation between Ni and Cd concentration had been found indicating a common source. These metals are usually used in electroplating industry. The results of this study can be used for decision makers to prioritize measures to control the pollution for these metals.     

Spatial variability of heavy metals in soils across a valley plain in Southeastern China

An investigation was carried out to survey the magnitude and spatial distribution of heavy metals, as well as their relation with soil series, in a valley plain in Southeastern China. Soil was sampled at 159 sites by combining a squared grid and nested sampling strategies along the transect perpendicular to the Qujiang River in Zhejiang Province, China. Total concentrations of six metals, namely Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, were measured. Classical statistics and geostatistics were used to quantify their spatial characteristics. There was a considerable variation in many of these parameters. The total concentrations ranged from 6.8 to 29.3 mg kg⁻¹ for Cu, 6,784 to 18,678 mg kg⁻¹ for Fe, 94 to 385 mg kg⁻¹ for Mn, 6.1 to 20.3 mg kg⁻¹ for Ni, 25.0 to 49.5 mg kg⁻¹ for Pb, and 12 to 160 mg kg⁻¹ for Zn. Pearson correlation coefficients among total metal concentrations and selected soil properties showed a number of strong associations. By virtue of analysis of variance, a predominant influence of soil series on the spatial variability of metal concentrations was observed. All metals were spatially correlated. The semivariograms of Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn were dominated by short range correlation (600 or 700 m), and that of Pb by long range (1200 m). Block kriging maps of total metal concentrations and soil properties showed strip distributions, perpendicular to the river, in the manner similar to the soil series. Principal component analysis was run to identify common distribution patterns of heavy metals and soil properties. These results illustrate that soil series information of valley plain may be useful for developing management zones for site-specific agriculture.     

Integrated Risk Assessment and Governance of Multi-hazards in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

The construction of the Yangtze River Economic Belt is one of the major strategic initiatives to promote the sustained and steady growth of China's economy at current and the new normal stages. Comprehensive enhancing the governance levels of various natural disaster risks in the Yangtze River Economic Belt is the basic guarantee for promoting the implementation of the development strategy. Based on the multi-hazard integrated risk theory, the main disaster risks of the core cities (Shanghai, Wuhan, and Chongqing) of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the major risk-earthquake disaster chain were systematically analyzed. The status and existing problems of multi-hazard integrated risk governance in the Yangtze River Economic Belt were expounded in this paper. The main problems include: Insufficient understanding of multi-hazard integrated risk formation mechanism; low level of safety fortification; Imperfect regional coordination and linkage mechanism; and insufficient role of insurance and reinsurance in risk transfer. Finally, the overall promotion strategies were proposed, including establishing multi-hazard integrated risk identification mechanism and governance capability evaluation system; comprehensive improving the fortification level of multi-hazard integrated risk prevention; establishing multi-hazard and multi-party linkage disaster monitoring and early warning systems; strengthening major disaster risk management and evacuation facilities construction; accelerating the construction of catastrophe insurance systems based on multi-hazard risks. This will provide a theoretical reference for major disaster risks studies in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.     

江苏主要公路两侧农田土壤重金属污染现状初步研究

分析研究了宁通公路、204国道两条主要公路两侧农田土壤Pb、Cr、Ni、Zn、Cd含量分布特征、影响范围及其差异,并对公路旁农田土壤重金属累积程度、潜在生态危害进行了评价。结果发现,同一公路不同路段土壤重金属累积含量程度不同;两条公路两侧土壤重金属含量累积程度不高,潜在综合生态危害程度都很低,以轻微危害为主;而由汽车轮胎摩擦产生的Cd在公路两侧农田土壤中累积程度最高,为最主要的污染重金属;不同等级的公路两侧土壤重金属累积范围存在差异,宁通公路为0m-50m,204国道为0m-30m。     

土壤粒级中重金属元素的形态分析与环境风险评价

研究评价不同粒级组分中重金属的活性和潜在环境风险,对3个地区土壤颗粒的分析表明,重金属在土壤中分布并不均匀,随着颗粒粒径的减小,重金属Cu、Cd元素及有机质的浓度有不断增高的趋势。线性分析显示,Cu、Cd元素浓度与有机质的浓度显著相关。形态分析表明,Cd主要以环境高活性的形态存在,其次以低活性的形态存在,环境惰性的形态仅占极小部分,Cu主要以低环境活性和环境惰性的形态存在,高环境活性的形态只占小量,Cu在土壤中的存在形态可能与土壤性质有关。     

Modelling of atmospheric dispersion of heavy metals in the Celje area,Slovenia

The aim of this research was to determine how fast the level of heavy metal concentrations in the air decreases in relation to increasing distance from the source of pollution and what the influence area is of the zinc smelting plant which existed for 100 years in Celje. In that period it produced approximately 580,000 tons of raw Zn from sphalerite ore by the pyrometallurgical process. The production left behind a heavily contaminated area, where the concentrations of Pb and Zn in the soil can be expressed as a percentage. A model has been made on the basis of the data of concentrations of Zn and Cd in the soil and attic dust regarding the distance and direction from the source of the pollution. Because Celje lies in a basin we chose a linear model, which describes the decreasing of the concentrations of Zn and Cd only in one direction. Sampling has been conducted on the four river valleys which stretch from the source of the pollution in all four directions: north, west, south and east, up to 13 km from the source. The power function with a negative exponent was used. With the solution to the calculated functions according to the distance, we can estimate the theoretical distance when the concentrations drop to the natural background level. The range of influence of the zinc smelting plant has been estimated to be between 14 and 52 km for the presence of anthropogenic Zn in attic dust and between 9 and 14 km for the presence of anthropogenic Zn in the soil, depending on the direction from the plant. Correlations between the measured values and the ones from the model are high: from 0.75 up to 0.98.     

长江水系水文地球化学特征及主要离子的化学成因

在分析长江流域76个位点的水化学数据的基础上,运用吉布斯(Gibbs)图、三角图、主成分分析方法研究岩性对长江水系河水中离子化学特征的影响和流域的主要风化过程。结果表明,长江水系的主要离子化学特征受岩石风化作用的影响,其中碳酸盐和蒸发岩矿物对干流水系溶质的贡献率分别为43.6%和37.9%,而对支流水系溶质的贡献率分别为33.1%和39.1%。干流流域内主要的风化反应以白云石和方解石的溶解为主,而支流流域内Cl-/(Na++K+)接近1∶1,体现出蒸发岩风化的显著特性。Si/K比值较低,表明长江流域内的风化反应是在表生环境中进行的,且产物是富含阳离子的次生矿物。     

长江水系水文地球化学特征及主要离子的化学成因

在分析长江流域76个位点的水化学数据的基础上,运用吉布斯(Gibbs)图、三角图、主成分分析方法研究岩性对长江水表河水中离子化学特征的影响和流域的主要风化过程.结果表明,长江水系的主要离子化学特征受岩石风化作用的影响,其中碳酸盐和蒸发岩矿物对干流水系溶质的贡献率分别为43.6%和37.9%,而对支流水系溶质的贡献率分别为33.1%和39.1%.干流流域内主要的风化反应以白云石和方解石的溶解为主,而支流流域内C1~-/(Na~++K~+)接近1:1,体现出蒸发岩风化的显著特性.Si/K比值较低,表明长江流域内的风化反应是在表生环境中进行的,且产物是富含阳离子的次生矿物.     

Distribution and storage of sediment-associated heavy metals downstream of the remediated Rum Jungle Mine on the East Branch of the Finniss River,Northern Territory,Australia

Instream, overbank and cut riverbank exposures along the East Branch of the Finniss River downstream of Rum Jungle Mine, Northern Territory have been analysed for their total metal concentrations using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Concentration values for the < 62.5 μm and bulk sample fractions are compared to Australian sediment quality guidelines values (ANZECC/ARMCANZ, 2000). The results reveal that channel and overbank environments are contaminated with heavy metals, with many samples exceeding the low and high sediment guidelines values. The < 62.5 μm fraction is consistently more contaminated than bulk samples as are instream environments compared to adjacent overbank environments. Metal concentrations are strongly correlated to sediment pH and Fe values, suggesting that these variables are significant in controlling the spatial distribution of sediment-associated metals. The strong positive correlation between sediment-associated metals and Fe is probably related to the process of metal sequestration by Fe (and Mn) oxyhydroxides. The spatial distribution of sediment-associated metals downstream of the Rum Jungle Mine site does not display a simple distance–metal concentration decay pattern. It is suggested that the non-uniform spatial distribution of sediment-associated metals is a function of local, reach-scale variations in channel geometry and geomorphology, which control sediment storage and transfer patterns. In cut riverbank exposures the vertical of metals distribution is non-uniform and probably reflects differential metal mobility. Despite rehabilitation of the mine site in the 1980s, the elevated sediment-associated metal concentrations that remain within the East Branch of the Finniss River system are likely to render the system contaminated for the foreseeable future and limit the potential for the full recovery of aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna.     

Release of heavy metals during weathering of the Lower Cambrian Black Shales in western Hunan,China

Weathering of heavy metal enriched black shales may be one of the most important sources of environmental contamination in areas where black shales are distributed. Heavy metal release during weathering of the Lower Cambrian Black Shales (LCBS) in western Hunan, China, was investigated using traditional geochemical methods and the ICP-MS analytical technique. Concentrations of 16 heavy metals, 8 trace elements and P were measured for samples from selected weathering profiles at the Taiping vanadium ore mine (TP), the Matian phosphorous ore mine (MT), and Taojiang stone-coal mine (TJ). The results show that the bedrock at these three profiles is enriched with Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Th, U, Mo, Cd, Sb, Tl, and P. Based on mass-balance calculation, the percentages of heavy metals released (in % loss) relative to immobile element Nb were estimated. The results show significant rates of release during weathering of: V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, U, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, and Tl for the TP profile; Sc, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Th, Cd, and Sn for the MT profile; and Sc, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Th, Cd, Sn, and Tl for the TJ profile. Among these heavy metals, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd, and Sn show very similar features of release from each of the three weathering profiles. The heavy metals released during weathering may affect the environment (especially topsoil and surface waters) and are possibly related to an observed high incidence of endemic diseases in the area.     

长江武汉段冲积土壤中重金属的环境地球化学特征

长江沿江全流域的重金属元素镉异常带引发了人们对沿长江流域城市的镉及其他重金属元素的环境地球化学特征及生态效应的关注。本文以长江流域具有重要的经济发展战略意义的武汉为研究区,对长江武汉段沿岸的冲积土壤中主要重金属元素镉、铜、铅、镍、铬的含量和以BCR法分步提取的弱酸提取态、可还原态、可氧化态和残渣态等4种形态的分量进行了较系统的分析,同时,配套分析了蔬菜样品中的重金属元素镉、铜、铅、镍、铬的含量,以便了解重金属元素的环境地球化学特征。结果显示,长江武汉段沿岸的冲积土壤中,重金属镉含量超标;铅、铜、镍元素含量接近国家土壤环境质量标准二级指标,基本上对植物和环境不造成危害和污染,满足一般农田、蔬菜地、茶园、果园、牧场等土壤环境标准;铬元素含量较低,接近其背景值。长江武汉段沿岸的冲积土壤中重金属元素的含量和活动性强的弱酸提取态分量随着采样点位置距离武汉钢铁厂越近而增大,显示重金属污染的部分原因可能是工业生产造成的。重金属元素在表层土壤中存在积累效应,表现为表层土壤中重金属元素含量高于对应深层的含量。重金属元素的形态分布特征与各自的地球化学性质有关,活动性强的弱酸提取态镉和铅分量高,具有潜在的环境危害。这些土壤中种植的蔬菜中,重金属元素镉含量普遍明显超标,部分蔬菜中铅元素含量超标,铜、镍、铬元素含量正常。     

Contamination,chemical speciation and vertical distribution of heavy metals in soils of an old and large industrial zone in Northeast China

Heavy metal pollution of soils has become a major concern in China as a consequence of rapid urbanization and industrialization in recent years. However, the evaluation on soil heavy metal pollution in Shenyang, the largest heavy industrial base city in China, has not yet been conducted. In this study, accumulation, chemical speciation, and vertical distribution Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in soils were studied and pollution condition was assessed in Tiexi Industrial District of Shenyang, the largest and oldest industrial zone in Northeastern China. The results showed that in topsoil, the average concentration of total Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd was 209.06, 599.92, 470.19 and 8.59 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, much higher than the national threshold limit. The values of pollution index and integrated pollution index showed that the pollution level was Cd > Cu > Zn > Pb, and Cd, Cu and Zn belong to heavy pollution level. The residual, Fe and Mn oxide-bound, and organic-bound species accounted for about 90%, while carbonate-bound and exchangeable species accounted for about 10%. This study indicates that the soils in the industrial zone were widely and extremely polluted by multi-heavy metals as a result of long-term industrial activities.