Absorption of metals on sedimentary and peat humic acids

Humic acids isolated from marine sediments were found to be effective in absorption of various metal ions through chelation, cation exchange and surface adsorption. The quantities of metal ions complexed varied from 40 to 205 mg/g of organic matter. In the presence of equal concentrations of Co, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn in the reaction media, humic acid and peatmoss, a rich source of humic compounds, showed preferential absorption for Cu. Copper constituted more than 50% of the metal ions complexed by organic matter. As compared with the other metal ions, its bonding strength was very firm because it could not be displaced by ferric ion or cation exchange reagents.Peatmoss, a rich source of humic acid, was found to absorb significant quantities of various metal ions. Under laboratory conditions each kg of peat absorbed about 1500 mg of various metal ions from solutions containing equal concentrations of Co, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn. However, in the field trials with sea water, absorption of metals was limited to Zn (28.7 mg/kg), Cu (3.66 mg/kg) and Fe (2.0 mg/kg). Under-saturation of sea water for transition metals and super-saturation for alkali and alkaline earth metals appears to be a bottleneck in the effective utilization of peat as a means of recovery of metals from sea water.     

Heavy metal geochemistry of the acid mine drainage discharged from the Hejiacun uranium mine in central Hunan,China

The acid mine drainage (AMD) discharged from the Hejiacun uranium mine in central Hunan (China) was sampled and analyzed using ICP-MS techniques. The analyzing results show that the AMD is characterized by the major ions Fe_Total, Mn, Al and Si, and is concentrated with heavy metals and metalloids including Cd, Co, Ni, Zn, U, Cu, Pb, Tl, V, Cr, Se, As and Sb. During the AMD flowing downstream, the dissolved heavy metals were removed from the AMD waters through adsorption onto and co-precipitation with metal-oxhydroxides coated on the streambed. Among these metals, Cd, Co, Ni, Zn, U, Cu, Pb and Tl are negatively correlated to pH values, and positively correlated to major ions Fe, Al, Si, Mn, Mg, Ca and K. The metals/metalloids V, Cr, Se, As and Sb are conservative in the AMD solution, and negatively-correlated to major ions Na, Ca and Mg. Due to the above different behaviors of these chemical elements, the pH-negatively related metals (PM) and the conservative metals (CM) are identified; the PM metals include Cd, Co, Ni, Zn, U, Cu, Pb and Tl, and the CM metals V, Cr, Se, As and Sb. Based on understanding the geochemistry of PM and CM metals in the AMD waters, a new equation: EXT = (Acidity + PM)/pH + CM × pH, is proposed to estimate and evaluate extent of heavy-metal pollution (EXT) of AMD. The evaluation results show that the AMD and surface waters of the mine area have high EXT values, and they could be the potential source of heavy-metal contamination of the surrounding environment. Therefore, it is suggested that both the AMD and surface waters should be treated before they are drained out of the mine district, for which the traditional dilution and neutralization methods can be applied to remove the PM metals from the AMD waters, and new techniques through reducing the pH value of the downstream AMD waters should be developed for removal of the CM metals.     

Abundance, Sources and Speciation of Trace Elements in Humus-Rich Streams Affected by Acid Sulphate Soils

The behaviour of trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr,Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, V, Zn) was studied in five humus-richstreams (dissolved organic carbon = 14–40 mg/L)impacted by acid sulphate soils developed in marinesulphide-bearing fine-grained sediments. During heavyrainfalls in autumn, on which the study focusses, themetals Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn are extensivelyleached from these acidic soils (pH = 2.5–4.5), whileAs, Cr, Fe and V are not leached more strongly fromthis soil type than from areas of till and peat. Aspeciation experiment, based on anion and cationexchange of the stream waters in the field, showedthat (1) the metals Al, Cd, Co, Mn, Ni and Zn aretransported in the streams mainly as inorganiccations, (2) Cu exists mainly in cationic form but isalso to a significant extent associated with dissolvedhumic substances, (3) Fe occurs mainly in the anionicfraction explained by organic coating on colloidal Feoxyhydoxides and (4) the hydrochemistry of As, Cr andV is complex as these elements may exist in severalunquantified anionic fractions and to a minor extentin cationic species/forms. Whereas the proportion ofacid sulphate soils in the catchments had a largeimpact on concentrations levels of several elements inthe stream waters, these soils did not have a largeaffect on the speciation of elements in water.     

Accumulation and sources of heavy metals in urban topsoils: a case study from the city of Xuzhou, China

The knowledge of the variability, the anthropogenic versus natural origin and corresponding environmental risk for potentially harmful elements in urban topsoils is of importance to assess human impact. The aims of the present study were: (1) to assess the distribution of heavy metals (Sn, Li, Ga, Ba, Fe, Mn, Co, Be, Ti, Al, Hg, Cr, Sb, As, Bi, Pd, Pt, Au, Ni, Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb, Se, Mo, Sc and Ag) in urban environment; (2) to discriminate natural and anthropogenic contributions; and (3) to identify possible sources of pollution. Multivariate statistic approaches (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) were adopted for data treatment, allowing the identification of three main factors controlling the heavy metal variability in Xuzhou urban topsoils. Results demonstrate that Hg, Cr, Sb, As, Bi, Pd, Pt, Au, Ni, Cd, Br, Zn, Cu, S, Pb, Se, Mo, Sc and Ag could be inferred to be tracers of anthropogenic pollution, whereas Al, Ti, Ga, Li, V, Co, Pt, Mn and Be were interpreted to be mainly inherited from parent materials. Iron, Ba, Sn, Pd and Br were interpreted to be affected by mixed sources.     

泉州城市表层土壤中金属元素来源分析

采集了泉州市47个城市表层土壤样,用ICP-MS检测技术,研究了土壤中26种重金属元素的富集特征、环境风险及污染来源。富集因子结果显示,与泉州市土壤背景值相比,Li、Ni、Co、Cu、Zn、Sr、Cd、Sn、Sb、Pb、Ta在城市表层土壤中的富集因子大于1,而Ti、V、Cr、Fe、Mn、Ga、Ge、As、Rb、Y、Nb、Cs、Bi、Th、U的富集因子小于1。从功能区上看,工业区污染最为严重,其次依次为农业区、商住区、城市绿地、交通区。环境风险指数表明,泉州市城市表层土壤中重金属污染具有极高的环境风险,达到极高风险级别的样品占48.9%。采用多元统计分析方法对土壤样品中各金属元素来源进行解析,结果表明,研究区城市表层土壤中金属元素总体可分成5类：①交通运输类（Sn、Pb、Sb、Bi）;②工业因子类（Cr、Co、Ni、Fe、Mn）;③自然因子类别（Ga、Ge、Ti、V、Cu）;④混合因子类别（Zn、Cd、Sr、Th、U、Y、As、Cs、Nb、Ta、Rb）;⑤生活垃圾因子类别（Li）。     

Metals in Okefenokee peat-forming environments: relation to constituents found in coal

Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb and Zn were studied in cores of peat from two major vegetational areas of the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia; both total peat and organic fractions were investigated. Except for Hg and Pb, metal concentrations were either higher or equal to Clarke values. The sandy bedrock is not an important contributor to metal concentrations found in peat. Levels of metals in a given peat sample were related to plant materials which gave rise to the peat; it does not appear that vegetational environment plays a critical role in determining trace metal distribution, but does play a role in determining the amount of humic or pre-vitrinitic constituents that eventually are found in coal.     

Heavy metals contamination in road dust in Delhi city,India

Road dust samples were collected from four different areas having different landuse patterns: industrial, heavy traffic, residential and mixed use in Delhi city of India. The samples were analyzed for Ba, Co, Cr, Cu Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn by ICP-AES. Results indicate high levels of Co, Cr, Cu, Mn and Ni in samples collected from industrial area. Ba, Pb and Zn showed higher concentration levels in heavy traffic area while Fe did not show any discernible variation between the localities. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, Ba, Zn, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni and Co showed a decreasing trend. The content of heavy metals was comparable to those in other cities in the world. A multivariate statistical approach which includes Pearson’s correlations and principal component analysis was used to identify the possible sources of metals in the road dust. Enrichment factors were estimated for further confirming the sources of contamination. Significant positively correlations between road dust metals Cu–Mn–Co–Cr–Ni suggest that major common source of origin is industrial activities. A meaningful correlation between Ba and Zn, and a moderate positive correlation between Pb and Ba indicate the influence of traffic activities. Enrichment factors calculation indicated that Pb, Cu, Cr and Zn are moderately enriched whereas Co, Ni and Mn are less enriched while Ba exhibited very low enrichment in the dust samples. The results indicate that industrial and vehicular traffic are the two major sources. Traffic appears to be responsible for the high levels of Zn, Cu and Ba. High concentration of Co, Cr, Cu and Mn may be due to industrial sources.     

Spatial distribution and contamination assessment of heavy metals in urban topsoil from inside the Xi’an second ringroad, NW China

The paper reports the spatial distribution and contamination level of heavy metals (Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and V) in urban topsoil from the interior area of the second ringroad of Xi’an city, China, based on X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy measurements. Geostatistical analysis shows that Co, Cu, and Pb have similar spatial distribution patterns. Heavy traffic density mainly contributed to the high concentrations of Co, Cu and Pb. The spatial distribution of Cr coincides with the industrial activity, whereas the spatial distribution of Zn differs from other heavy metals. The high concentrations of Zn coincide with heavy traffic and high population density. For Mn, Ni and V, natural factors are important in controlling their distribution. The calculated geoaccumulation indices indicate that urban topsoil inside the Xi’an second ringroad was uncontaminated by Cr, V, Mn and Ni, while Pb, Cu, Co and Zn are classified as uncontaminated to moderately contaminated with means of 0.64, 0.46, 0.26 and 0.21, respectively. The Nemero synthesis pollution index of these heavy metals revealed that the topsoil inside Xi’an second ringroad has been heavily contaminated due to anthropogenic activity.     

Spatial distribution, source identification and affecting factors of heavy metals contamination in urban–suburban soils of Lishui city, China

An investigation on spatial distribution, possible pollution sources, and affecting factors of heavy metals in the urban–suburban soils of Lishui city (China) was conducted using geographic information system (GIS) technique and multivariate statistics. The results indicated that the topsoils in urban and suburban areas were enriched with metals, such as Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Spatial distribution maps of heavy metal contents, based on geostatistical analysis and GIS mapping, indicated that Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn had similar patterns of spatial distribution. Their hot-spot areas were mainly concentrated in the densely populated old urban area of the city. Multivariate statistical analysis (correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and clustering analysis) showed distinctly different associations among the studied metals, suggesting that Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Zn had anthropogenic sources, whereas Co and V were associated with parent materials and therefore had natural sources. The Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn contents were positively correlated with soil organic matter, pH, and sand content (p < 0.01). It is concluded that GIS and multivariate statistical methods can be used to identify hot-spot areas and potential sources of heavy metals, and assess soil environment quality in urban–suburban areas.     

Heavy meals in urban roadside soils, part 1: effect of particle size fractions on heavy metals partitioning

Urban roadside soils are important environmental media for assessing heavy metal concentrations in urban environment. However, among other things, heavy metal concentrations are controlled by soil particle grain size fractions. In this study, two roadside sites were chosen within the city of Xuzhou (China) to reflect differences in land use. Bulk soil samples were collected and then divided by particle diameter into five physical size fractions, 500–250, 250–125, 125–74, 74–45, < 45 μm. Concentrations of metals (Ti, Cr, Al, Ga, Pb, Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, V, Zn, Mo, As, Sb, Se, Hg, Bi, Ag) were determined for each individual fraction. These metals could be roughly classified into two groups: anthropogenic element (Pb, Ba, Cd, Cu, Zn, Mo, As, Sb, Se, Hg, Bi, Ag) and lithophile element (Ti, Cr, Al, Ga, Co, Mn, Ni, V) in terms of values of enrichment factor. As expected, higher concentrations of anthropogenic heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Mo, As, Hg, Bi, Ag) are observed in the finest particle grain size fraction (i.e. < 45 μm). However, heavy metals Se, Sb and Ba behave independently of selected grain size fractions. From the viewpoint of mass loading, more than 30% of the concentrations for all anthropogenic heavy metals are contributed by the particle grain size fractions of 45–74 μm at site 1 and more than 70% of the concentrations for all heavy metals are contributed by the particle grain size fractions of 45–74 and 74–125 μm at site 2. These results are important for transport of soil-bound heavy metals and pollution control by various remedial options.     

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.     

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。     

The influence of physicochemical parameters on bioavailability and bioaccessibility of heavy metals in sediments of the intertidal zone of Asaluyeh region,Persian Gulf,Iran

In this research, we have worked on the evaluation of heavy metal contamination in the sediments taken from the intertidal zone of Asaluyeh region using Modified Community Bureau of Reference sequential extraction method (mBCR), the simplified bioaccessibility extraction test (SBET), and calculated enrichment factor (EF). Also, potential influencing factors including sediment characteristics that may affect the heavy metals bioavailability and bioaccessibility were investigated. mBCR extraction analysis indicated that among the metals, Mn, Zn, V, Cu, and Cd exhibit relatively higher mobility, while Ti, Pb, Cr, and Ni occur mainly in the residual fractions. Based on the mean values, the bioaccessibility of metals decreased in the order: Mn (50.01%)>Cd (46.26%)>Zn (14.61%)>V (13.97%)>Pb (10.88%)>Ni (9.2%)>Ti (8.43%)>Cr (6.66%)>Cu (6.23%). The obtained results from the principal component analysis (PCA), EF and mBCR extraction showed that most anthropogenic-derived metals with higher solubility are more bioaccessible compared to those of natural origin. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that the main physicochemical variables of the sediment influencing the bioaccessibility of metals include cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, and particle size fraction.     

Evidences for heavy metal contamination in surface sediments of seagrass ecosystem of Lakshadweep archipelago, India

Surface sediments of nine islands of Lakshadweep were evaluated for their heavy metal concentration (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn). Sediments of thirteen seagrass and seven non seagrass sites were collected randomly and analysed for heavy metal concentration using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer. Heavy metals like Cu, Ni and Zn were found in higher concentrations in the seagrass sediments, whereas other heavy metals such as Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn and Pb were higher in non seagrass sediments. Different pollution indices were calculated to evaluate contamination level of all heavy metals in the sediments. Cadmium recorded higher contamination factor (1.733–21.067), enrichment factor (276.10–12,270) and Geo-accumulation Index (0.208–3.811) both in seagrass and nonseagrass sediments. Multivariate statistical analysis such as principal component analysis and cluster analysis coupled together with correlation co-efficient was used to identify the possible sources of heavy metal pollution in the region. Average concentrations of Cd in Lakshadweep islands were slightly higher than effective range, low but still below effective range medium. All other metals were still below these ranges indicating fairly uncontaminated sediment in the region.     

A geological interpretation of heavy metal concentrations in soils and sediments in the southern Netherlands

The natural variation in heavy metal contents of subsurface sediments in the southern Netherlands is described, based on a series of 820 bulk geochemical analyses. The detrital heavy metal contents of these sediments show linear correlations with Al as a result of their joint occurrence in phyllosilicates. Anomalous enrichments occur as a result of the presence of glauconite (As, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn), pyrite (As) or Fe-oxides (As, Ba, Ni, Zn), due to the interaction of organic-rich subsurface material with groundwater (Co, Ni, Zn) or as a result of anthropogenic pollution in topsoils (Cu, Pb, Zn). The contents of Al, Fe, K and S are well suited to determine background values, and to identify the cause for anomalous accumulations of heavy metals.     

Base metals and other minor elements in the manganese deposits of west-central Arkansas

Manganese oxides from deposits in west-central Arkansas were analyzed by X-ray diffraction for mineralogy and by atomic absorption spectroscopy for Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Ni, Zn, V, Al, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba. We report on 42 samples from 25 sites with more than 25 wt.% Mn and less than 7 wt.% Fe. Most samples were mixtures of two or more of the following minerals, many with concentric deposition: cryptomelane, lithiophorite, psilomelane and pyrolusite. In the purer samples of single minerals, lithiophorite contained the higher concentrations of total base metals (Co + Cu + Ni + Zn) than other minerals. In atom % of Mn these concentrations were: 9.51% in lithiophorite; 0.432% in psilomelane; and 0.275% in cryptomelane. The relative concentration of base metals in the pure minerals, proceeding from highest to lowest concentration, were: lithiophorite (Co = Cu > Ni > Zn); psilomelane (Co > Cu > Zn > Ni) and cryptomelane (Zn > Co = Cu > Ni).The concentration of Li correlates with the metals Al, Co, Cu, Ni and Zn, in the mineral samples containing measurable Li. Correlation coefficients (?) for Li with the various metals and sum of the base metals were: Al (? = 0.976); Co (? = 0.44); Ni (? = 0.954); Cu (? = 0.918); Zn (? = 0.875); and (Co + Cu + Ni + Zn) (? = 0.979). Li is believed to be a measure of lithiophorite. Correlation was found between Al content and base metal contents for all samples: Co (? = 0.354); Ni (? = 0.749); Cu (? = 0.808); Zn (? = 0.632); and (Co + Cu + Ni + Zn) (? = 0.884). The Al correlation extended to published values for these and the minerals hollandite and todorokite, except for Zn. Zn correlated with K in published analyses and in the eastern half of the study area where cryptomelane predominated.A mechanism is proposed to explain the enhancement by Al of base metal incorporation into manganese oxide minerals. The mechanism involves the isomorphous substitution of Al³⁺ for Mn⁴⁺ with charge neutralization by bivalent base metal ions.     

Geochemistry of trace metals and Pb isotopes of sediments from the lowermost Xiangjiang River, Hunan Province (P. R. China): implications on sources of trace metals

This paper reports a geochemical study of trace metals and Pb isotopes of sediments from the lowermost Xiangjiang River, Hunan province (P. R. China). Trace metals Ba, Bi, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Pb, Tl, Th, U, Zr, Hf, Nb and Ta were analyzed using ICP-MS, and Pb isotopes of the bulk sediments were measured by MC-ICP-MS. The results show that trace metals Cd, Bi, Sn, Sc, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sb, Pb and Tl are enriched in the sediments. Among these metals, Cd, Bi and Sn are extremely highly enriched (EF values >40), metals Zn, Sn, Sb and Pb significantly highly (5 < EF < 20), and metals Sc, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu and Tl moderately highly (2 < EF < 5) enriched in the river sediments. All these metals, however, are moderately enriched in the lake sediments. Geochemical results of trace metals Th, Sc, Co, Cr, Zr, Hf and La, and Pb isotopes suggest that metals in the river sediments are of multi-sources, including both natural and anthropogenic sources. Metals of the natural sources might be contributed mostly from weathering of the Indosinian granites (GR) and Palaeozoic sandstones (PL), and metals of anthropogenic sources were contributed from Pb–Zn ore deposits distributed in upper river areas. Metals in the lake sediments consist of the anthropogenic proportions, which were contributed from automobile exhausts and coal dusts. Thus, heavy-metal contamination for the river sediments is attributed to the exploitation and utilization (e.g., mining, smelting, and refining) of Pb–Zn ore mineral resources in the upper river areas, and this for the lake sediments was caused by automobile exhausts and coal combustion. Metals Bi, Cd, Pb, Sn and Sb have anthropogenic proportion of higher than 90%, with natural contribution less than 10%. Metals Mn and Zn consist of anthropogenic proportion of 60–85%, with natural proportion higher than 15%. Metals Sc, Cr, Co, Cu, Tl, Th, U and Ta have anthropogenic proportion of 30–70%, with natural contribution higher than 30%. Metals Ba, V and Mo might be contributed mostly from natural process.     

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。     

A multivariate statistical study of copper mineralization in the central section of Mosaboni Mine, Eastern Singhbhum, India

A multivariate statistical analysis was carried out with log-transformed values of Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn, Ag, Cr, Mn, Ca, and Sr in several sets of samples collected across the mineralized base metal zone in sheared soda granite, feldspathic schist, and chlorite schist from the central section of Mosaboni Mine of the famous Singhbhum Copper Belt of eastern India. Linear correlation coefficient matrices of two sets of ore samples (>0.5% Cu)—one from levels 18 and 21 and the other from levels 25 and 28—indicate two well-defined and distinct clusters comprising Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, and Zn on one hand and Ca, Sr, and Mn on the other. Varimax-rotatedR-mode factor analysis of two above-noted sample sets, taken along with available geologic information, indicates that over 80% of the variability in data matrices for 9–10 elements can be accounted for by four distinct processes: (a) an early phase of copper mineralization which apparently replaced Mn, Ca, and Sr in the host rock; (b) a silicate-cum-oxide phase of crystallization/recrystallization of host rock; (c) remobilization of sulfide-forming ore elements (Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, and Zn); and (d) a phase of mineralization of Ag which appears to have replaced Cr, Ca and Cu. Process (c) was quantitatively most important. Factor score studies are suggestive of preferred introduction of Ni, Co, Pb, and Zn along central parts of preexisting copper-mineralized zones.     

Spatial variation and risk assessment of heavy metals in paddy rice from Hunan Province,Southern China

Heavy metal contamination in polished rice grains collected from Hunan Province, Southern China, has been investigated in this study. The concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in rice were determined by microwave-assisted digestion and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry method. In order to evaluate the correlations among heavy metals, statistical analyses including Pearson’s correlation analysis, principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were performed. Three distinct clusters were classified by the hierarchical cluster analysis approach. In the principal component analysis, three principle components were extracted with the eigenvalue >1.0. The spatial distribution of heavy metals was predicted by the ordinary kriging interpolation. Cu and Ni with similar distribution patterns could be primarily originated from geogenic source. The hot-spot areas in the distribution patterns of Mn, Pb and Zn could be mainly related to mining and smelting activities. Cd and Co might be derived from the combination of natural existence and anthropogenic sources. The chronic non-carcinogenic effect on local rice consumers from exposure to heavy metals was estimated by the target hazard quotient. The average target hazard quotient values of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were 1.754, 0.367, 0.003, 0.544, 0.165, 0.775, 0.228, 0.049 and 0.481, respectively. The target hazard quotient value of Cd exceeded the threshold value suggesting high potential health risk to residents in Hunan Province through rice consumption.