Arsenic and metal mobility from Au mine tailings in Rodalquilar (Almería,SE Spain)

In the old mining area of Rodalquilar, mine wastes, soil and sediments were characterized and the results revealed high concentration of Au, Ag, As, Bi, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Se, Sb and Zn in tailings and sediments. The contaminant of greatest environmental concern is As. The mean concentration in the tailings was 679.9, and 345 mg/kg in the sediments of Playazo creek. The groundwater samples from the alluvial aquifer showed high concentration of Al, As, Cd, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sb and Zn and very high concentration of chloride and sulfate, which were above the concentration defined in the European standards for drinking water. The presence of As in groundwater may be caused by the oxidation of arsenian pyrite, the possible As desorption from goethite and ferrihydrite and the jarosite dissolution. Groundwater concentrations of Cd, Fe, Mn, and possibly Cu, were associated with low values of Eh, indicating the possible dissolution of oxy-hydroxides of Fe and Mn. The mobility of metals in the column experiments show the release of Al, Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, V and Zn in significant concentrations but below the detected values in groundwater. However, As, Cd, Sb, Se Pb and Au, are generally mobilized in concentrations above the detected values in groundwater. The possible mass transfer processes that could explain the presence of the contaminants in the aquifer and the leachates was simulated with the PHREEQC numerical code and revealed the possible dissolution of the following mineral phases: jarosite, natrojarosite, arsenian pyrite, alunite, chlorite, kaolinite and calcite.     

The hydrochemical characteristics and evolution of groundwater and surface water in the western part of the River Nile, El Minia district, Upper Egypt

A combination of major and trace elements have been used to characterize surface- and groundwater in El Minia district, Egypt. Surface water versus groundwater chemistry data enabled geographical zonation and chemical types to be differentiated. The main target of this research is to investigate the groundwater quality and hydrochemical evaluation. The situation is further complicated by contamination with lithogenic and anthropogenic (agricultural and sewage wastewaters) sources and low plan exploitation techniques. The investigated Pleistocene aquifer is composed of sand and gravel of different sizes, with some clay intercalation. The semi-confined condition was around the River Nile shifted to unconfine outside the floodplain. The groundwater flow generally from south to north and locally diverts towards the western part from the River Nile. Fifty-six, 11, five, and two water samples were collected from the Pleistocene aquifer, River Nile, Ibrahimia canal, and Al Moheet drain, respectively. The collected water samples were analyzed for major and trace elements. The toxic metal concentrations of Al Moheet drain are higher than those in the River Nile and the Ibrahimia canal. Cr, Hg, As, and Cd concentrations in the River Nile and Ibrahimia canal are fluctuated above and below the WHO drinking standards. Se concentration in River Nile and Ibrahimia canal is below WHO drinking and irrigation guidelines. Total dissolved solid content in groundwater is generally low, but it is increased due to the western part of the study area. The geographic position of the River Nile, Ibrahimia canal, and Al Moheet drain impact on the groundwater quality. The PHREEQC confirm the high mixing proportions from the River Nile into the groundwater and decline away from it. In addition to the thicknesses of the Pleistocene, aquifer and aquitard layer enhance the River Nile and agricultural wastewaters intrusion into the aquifer system. The toxic metal concentrations (Pb, Cd, Cr, PO₄, Se, Mn, As, Hg, Ni, Al, Fe, and SIO₂) in groundwater were increased mainly in the northwestern and southeastern part (far from the River Nile). It is attributed to anthropogenic, high vulnerability rate (unconfined), and partially to lithogenic. In most localities, the groundwater are unsuitable for drinking and irrigation purposes with respect to Se concentration, while they are unsuitable for dinking according Mn, As, and Hg contents. There are some Cd and Pb anomalies concentrations, which cause severe restriction if used in irrigation. The results suggested that significant changes are urgently needed in water use strategy to achieve sustainable development.     

广西红水河中下游马山地区地下水重金属含量及分布特征

为了解红水河中下游马山地区地下水重金属含量及分布特征,以西南岩溶地下水污染调查评价中广西红水河中下游马山地区地下水数据为基础,对该地区27件样品的重金属含量特征、重金属间相关关系、重金属与其它化学组分的相关性以及地下水重金属分布特征进行了研究。结果表明:研究区地下水中重金属含量整体偏低,平均质量浓度顺序为Fe＞(Al)＞Zn＞Mn＞Pb＞Se＞As＞Cd,重金属平均质量浓度均小于中国生活饮用水标准值,且绝大部分重金属含量远远低于该标准值。Mn与Fe、As、Al存在显著或极显著的正相关关系,Zn与Pb、Cd存在明显的相关性,Se与其它７种重金属的相关性均不明显,可能是由于Se与其它重金属的来源差异较大所致。地下水的酸碱性对重金属的富集影响较小,但地下水中主化学成分HCO3-和Ca2+对重金属的富集有较大影响,TDS对绝大部分重金属的影响较小,对As和Cd具有一定的影响。地下水中Mn、Zn、As、Pb、Cd、Se、Al、Fe质量浓度在空间上表现出一定的地区分布特点,整体上重金属高浓度点主要集中在马山县城周围以及古寨、乔利街乡镇周围。      

南京市大气降尘重金属含量特征及来源研究

文中对南京市大气降尘重金属含量水平进行了研究,从2006年12月起连续收集一年的大气降尘样品,分析了As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Mn、Mo、Ni、Pb、Se、Zn等11个元素。结果表明,与土壤背景值相比,南京市大气降尘中除Cr、Fe、Mn外的重金属含量总体明显升高。采用相关分析和主成分分析,对降尘重金属元素来源进行解析,认为有三种主要来源:一是As、Cu、Hg、Pb、Se与燃煤活动、汽车尾气排放有关。二是Cd、Ni、Zn、Mo可能与化学工业有关,但Mo还受工业活动、土壤颗粒物的影响。分析还表明,在化工业园附近的样点,这些元素含量普遍较高。三是Mn、Cr主要与土壤颗粒物有关(自然来源)。以Fe作为参考元素计算重金属的富集因子表明,自然来源的Cr、Mn具有较小的富集因子,而受工业活动影响的Cd、Pb、Se、Zn具有较大的富集因子。     

Migration and contamination of major and trace elements in groundwater of Madras city,India

Groundwater samples collected from both open and bore wells in an area of about 270 km² from Madras City, India, have been analyzed for major ions (HCO₃, Cl, Si, Na, Ca, and Mg) and trace elements (As, Se, B, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Mn, Ni, Mo, and Ba). The study reveals that the quality of potable water has deteriorated to a large extent. Seawater intrusion into the aquifer has been observed in nearly 50 percent of the study area. The toxic elements (As and Se) have already exceeded the maximum permissible limits of drinking water in almost the entire city. A positive correlation of As and Se with other toxic metals such as V, Cr, Fe, B, etc., indicates that all these elements are anthropogenic in origin. Applying multivariate analysis, the source for trace elements in groundwater has been grouped into two major factors: pollution and mobilization factors. The groundwater in the study area is largely contaminated by organic effluents and reflects the intensity of pollution caused by the overlying soil sediment and rapid infiltration of the pollutants.     

内蒙古某矿矿井水重金属污染特征及来源分析

确定矿井水中重金属污染程度及主要来源,对矿井水的再利用及矿区生态环境保护具有重要的理论意义。以内蒙古某矿区为研究对象,采集地表水、第四系潜水、承压水及矿井水水样49组,检测水体中Zn、Pb、Fe、Mn、As、Cu、Cd、Cr、Hg、Se 10种重金属浓度,分析矿井水中重金属污染特征及超标情况,利用HPI模型定量评价重金属污染程度,并综合数理统计、不同类型水样重金属浓度箱形图及煤/顶板重金属浸出试验,分析矿井水重金属主要来源。结果表明:内蒙古某矿矿井水中Zn、Pb、Fe、Mn、As 5种重金属浓度值超标,其中Fe和Zn的超标率高达100%;7个矿井水样中6个矿井水的HPI值大于临界值100,矿井水重金属污染程度较高;矿井水中的Pb、As主要来源于采煤及运输机械油类物质泄漏,Mn主要来源于Ⅲ含地下水,Fe、Zn主要来源于Ⅲ含地下水及煤层中含Fe、Zn矿物的溶滤。该结论将为矿井水中重金属污染防治提供基础与依据。      

Geochemical characteristics and evaluation of minor and trace elements pollution in groundwater of Tuticorin city,Tamil Nadu,India using geospatial techniques

In this work the major and trace elements pollution levels in groundwater of Tuticorin city of Tamil Nadu was investigated. This coastal city with numerous large and small scale industries has increasingly affected the water quality by dumping effluents. The mean major and trace elements levels in groundwater in descending order: Si > Sr > Zn > Fe > Rb > Se > Al > Mn > Cu > As > Cr > Ba > V > Ni > Pb > Mo > Co > Sb > Cd > Ag. The concentrations of As, Se, Pb, Ba, Al, Fe and V (0.084, 0.150, 0.057, 0.837, 0.357 and 0.052) in some of the groundwater samples exceed the standard value of world health organization (WHO, 2004). Interrelationship between the elements was done by correlation matrix and factor analysis which indicates the contribution from industrial and irrigation fields. Spatial interpolation of inverse distance method (IDW) maps of all the elements suggested that discharge of effluents from chemical factory (STERLITE, TAC, SPIC, HEAVY WATER PLANT, NILA SEA FOODS), municipal wastewater, fertilizers were added to the natural sources. Results of this research suggests that proper measures should be taken to protect the vital groundwater resources in the Tuticorin city.     

吉南地区不同沉积环境原煤微量元素地球化学特征

对吉林南部地区煤矿主采煤层中的As、B、Ba、Cd、Cu、Hg、Pb、Se、Sr等微量元素的分析结果表明，太原组与山西组由于成煤环境不同，微量元素组成及含量存在一定的差异：太原组原煤中As、B、Hg、Pb、Se、Zn的含量明显高于山西组，山西组原煤中Ba、Cr、Cu、Mn、V的含量明显高于太原组。吉南煤区原煤中As、B、Hg、Pb、Se明显高于地壳元素平均值，呈富集状态，Co、Cd与地壳平均值接近，其他元素均亏损。与全国煤中微量元素相比，该区原煤中As、Ba、Co、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Se、V、Zn的含量高于全国平均值，B、Mn、Sr含量低于全国平均值。微量元素赋存状态及相关分析表明，Fe与亲硫有害元素As、Cu、Hg、Pb、Se具有显著相关关系，说明煤中黄铁矿及其他硫化物是许多有害微量元素的重要载体。     

吉林白山地区原煤微量元素地球化学特征

对吉林白山地区煤矿主采煤层中的As、B、Ba、Cd、Cu、Hg、Pb、Se、Sr等微量元素进行了分析,结果表明:太原组与山西组由于成煤环境不同,微量元素组成及其质量分数存在一定的差异,太原组原煤中As、B、Hg、Pb、Se、Zn的质量分数明显高于山西组,山西组原煤中Ba、Cr、Cu、Mn、V的质量分数明显高于太原组。白山地区原煤中As、B、Hg、Pb、Se的质量分数明显高于地壳元素平均值,呈富集状态;Co、Cd与地壳平均值接近,其他元素均亏损。与全国煤中微量元素的质量分数平均值相比,As、Ba、Co、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Se、V、Zn的质量分数高于全国平均值。B、Mn、Sr质量分数低于全国平均值。微量元素赋存状态及相关分析表明,Fe与亲硫有害元素As、Cu、Hg、Pb、Se具有显著相关关系,说明煤中黄铁矿及其他硫化物是许多有害微量元素的重要载体。      

Spatial distribution patterns and temporal trends of heavy-metal concentrations in a petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated site: Karaduvar coastal aquifer (Mersin, SE Turkey)

The aim of this study was to investigate spatiotemporal variations in groundwater heavy-metal concentrations at the Karaduvar agricultural-industrial district (Mersin, SE Turkey), where parts of the underlying coastal aquifer has been polluted by petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) from diverse sources. The water chemistry data for the present study is comprised of 275 samples collected during 2006–2010 from 55 water-supply wells. The samples were analyzed in situ for physical parameters (EC, DO, pH, and temperature) and in the laboratory for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn using the ICP-MS method. Box–whisker plots and principal components analysis (PCA) method were employed to determine the seasonal changes occurring in heavy-metal concentrations and to identify source apportionment of pollution parameters in groundwater. During the monitoring period, in many wells, heavy-metal concentrations (except for Cd) exceeded the limit values set by Turkish Water Pollution Control Directive (No: 25687). Results from the PCA suggest that elevated Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and As concentrations may be linked to oxidation–reduction of geogenic Mn/Fe oxyhydroxides in PHC-contaminated parts. The high concentrations of Cu, Mo and probably Cd in background areas result from the agricultural and petrochemical activities conducted in the recent past. At the site, high Pb and Zn concentrations are probably related to agricultural activities in PHC-contaminated areas, whereas Cr can be solely attributed to lithogenic sources. At the Karaduvar site, heavy-metal pollution in groundwater is found to be much more persistent than PHC contamination.     

Concentration and distribution of trace elements in some coals from Northern China

The concentration, distribution and modes of occurrence of trace elements in thirty coals, four floors and two roofs from Northern China were studied. The samples were collected from the major coalfields of Shanxi Province, Shaanxi Province, Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The concentrations of seventeen potential hazardous trace elements, including Hg, As, Se, Pb, Cd, Br, Ni, Cr, Co, Mo, Mn, Be, Sb, Th, V, U, Zn, and five major elements P, Na, Fe, Al, and Ca in coals were determined.Compared with average concentration of trace elements in Chinese coal, the coals from Northern China contain a higher concentration of Hg, Se, Cd, Mn, and Zn. They may be harmful to the environment in the process of combustion and utilization. Vertical variations of trace elements in three coal seams indicated the distributions of most elements in coal seam are heterogeneous. Based on statistical analyses, trace elements including Mo, Cr, Se, Th, Pb, Sb, V, Be and major elements including Al, P shows an affinity to ash content. In contrast, Br is generally associated with organic matter. Elements As, Ni, Be, Mo, and Fe appear to be associated with pyrite. The concentrations of trace elements weakly correlate either to coal rank or to maceral compositions.     

陕西渭北聚煤区原煤的微量元素组成特征

对陕西省渭北主要煤田主采煤层中的As、Pb、Hg、Cd、Se、Cu、Sr、Ba、B等微量元素的分析结果表明：渭北原煤中Hg、Se、As、Pb、B含量明显高于地壳平均值，呈富集状态；Co、Cd与地壳平均值接近，Cu、Zn、Sr、Ba等元素均亏损。太原组和山西组由于成煤环境不同，煤质和原煤的微量元素组成特征存在一定的差异。太原组煤的友分和硫分均较山西组煤高，原煤中As、Hg、Se、Pb、Zn、B的合量明显高于山西组原煤，而山西组原煤中V、Cr、Cu、Mn、Ba的含量别明显高于大原组原煤。统计分析表明，As、Hg、Se、Pb、Cu等亲硫元素与铁呈显著的正相关关系，它们的赋存形式可能与煤中黄铁矿有关。     

Environmental quality evaluation of the Vacacaí River, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The water quality of the Vacacaí River was assessed at different sites in the period between winter 2005 and autumn 2006. All samples were analyzed for 52 elements (Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Th, Li, Be, Mg, Al, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Ag, Cd, In, Cs, Ba, Tl, Pb, Bi, U, Na, K, Hg, B, Mo, Sn, Te, Ti), temperature, pH, ammonia, and alkalinity levels. Water from the Vacacaí River ranged from slightly acidic to alkaline. No difference was observed in the chemical composition at different sites of the Vacacaí River. Levels of Ba, Ca, Sr and Mg increase in the dry seasons and reach their highest concentrations in autumn; Be and U decrease in the dry season and reach their highest concentration in spring. Al, Fe, Cr, Ni, Th, U Mn, Ca and Mg are highly positively related, indicating a common origin. Se and Cu are probably from anthropogenic source, from the rice crops of the margins of the river. Waterborne Al and Fe levels were above the desirable level for drinking water at all sites during all seasons. These results demonstrate the need for constant monitoring of water parameters, which is crucial to ensure water quality for the population of this region.     

珠江三角洲污灌区地下水重金属含量及其相互关系

为了解污灌区地下水重金属含量特征,采集地表水样5组、地下水样14组进行化学组分定量分析。结果表明：污灌区地下水8种重金属元素中,仅有Ni和As两种元素超标,超标率分别为14.3％和42.9％。8种重金属含量在污灌区地表水、工厂废水以及地下水中存在明显的对应关系。Ni、Zn、Se、Cd这4种元素间存在显著或极显著的正相关关系,Cu与Pb和Cd分别呈极显著和显著的正相关关系,Cr仅与Ni呈显著的正相关关系,As与其它7种元素的相关性均不明显。聚类分析结果显示8种重金属可分为4类：Pb和Cu一类,Se、Cd、Ni、Zn一类,Cr和As均单独一类。Pb和Cu与Fe的相似性最好,Se、Cd、Ni、Zn与Mg²⁺存在较好的相似性,Cr与HCO^－₃的相似性最好,As与SO^2－₄存在一定的相似性。     

Concentration of elements in lacustrine coals from zone A hat creek deposit no. 1, British Columbia,Canada

Coal samples from the 170-m-thick A zone of the Hat Creek coal deposit No. 1 in central British Columbia were examined for major-, minor- and trace-element distribution. The coal is lignite/ subbituminous in rank and of Eocene age. This study shows: (1) As, B, Br, Cl and S are the only elements organically associated in these samples; (2) Concentration of certain elements such as Fe, Mn and Co can be related to the presence or absence of carbonate and/or sulphide minerals; (3) Distribution of certain elements, (i.e. Al, B, Br, Cl, Cr, Fe, Th, U and Zn) follow similar patterns of concentration or depletion across the vertical thickness of Zone A and suggest three depositional cycles; (4) Concentration of boron versus chromium, sodium, sulphur and uranium for these coals clearly placed them in a freshwater environment; (5) Rates of sedimentation using the Na/K ratio also suggest three depositional cycles; (6) In resinite samples, hand-picked from these coals, the concentrations of all elements except As and Se were lower than their concentrations in the whole coals.     

Heavy metal concentrations in sultana-cultivation soils and sultana raisins from Manisa (Turkey)

This paper describes the concentrations of heavy metals in soils and in raisins (sultanas) cultivated upon the Gediz Plain (Manisa), western Turkey, which is cut by major roads from ?zmir to ?stanbul and ?zmir to Ankara. A total of 212 samples of surface soil and 82 raisin samples were analysed. Soil samples have nearly same mineralogy, quartz, calcite, magnetite, pseudo-rutile and clay minerals. Dolomite is seen especially in areas close to Neogene sediments. Clay minerals are mainly mica (illite?Cmuscovite), chlorite/kaolinite, smectite and mixed layers (Sm-Il). The concentrations of 21 elements (Ba, Ni, Mo, Cu, Pb, Zn, Co, Mn, As, U, Sr, Cd, Sb, Bi, Cr, B, W, Hg, Sn, Li and organic C) were determined in the surface soils. The degree of element enrichment in soil can be measured in many ways, the most common of which are the geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor and the pollution index. Arsenic and Sb showed the highest Igeo values, corresponding to Igeo classes 3?C4. Hence, the area is characterised as ??being heavily contaminated to polluted?? by As and Sb. Arsenic contamination has been reported from all over world. Arsenic-related pollutants enter the groundwater system by gradually moving with the flow of groundwater from rains and irrigation. Gediz Plain forms the main groundwater supply of ?zmir city. The enrichment factor (EF_arsenic) of the analysed soil samples is around 76, which corresponds to ??extremely high enrichment??. The concentrations of 33 elements (Al, Sb, As, Ba, Be, Bi, B, Cd, Ca, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Li, Mg, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, K, Se, Ag, Na, Sr, Ta, Th, Sn, Ti, U, V, Zn and Zr) were determined in the raisin samples. The Pb and Cd contents of raisins are of great concern due to their toxicity. Pb contents ranged between 0.05 and 0.46?mg?kg^?1, and average Cd content was 0.04?mg?kg^?1. Only one sample contained high level of Cd, 0.23?mg?kg^?1. After cleaning the raisins, the heavy metal concentrations were low as in the European Community (EC) regulation No: 466/2001 for allowable levels of Pb (0.2?mg?kg^?1) and Cd (0.05?mg?kg^?1).     

Concentration and distribution of elements in Late Permian coals from western Guizhou Province,China

With the aim of better understanding geochemistry of coal, 71 Late Permian whole-seam coal channel samples from western Guizhou Province, Southwest China were studied and 57 elements in them were determined. The contents of Al, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hf, K, Li, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, Sn, Ta, Ti, Th, U, V, Zr, and REEs in the Late Permian coals from western Guizhou Province are higher than the arithmetic means for the corresponding elements in the US coals, whereas As, Ba, Br, F, Hg, P, Se, and Tl are lower. Compared to common Chinese coals, the contents of Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, Hf, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sc, Sn, Ti, U, V, Zn, and Zr in western Guizhou coals are higher, and As, F, Hg, Rb, Sb, Tl, and W are lower. Five groups of elements may be classified according to their mode of occurrence in coal: The first two, Group A, Tm–Yb–Lu–Y–Er–Ho–Dy–Tb–Ce–La–Nd–Pr–Gd–Sm, and Group B, As–Sr–K–Rb–Ba–F–Ash–Si–Sn–Ga–Hf–Al–Ta–Zr–Be–Th–Na, have high positive correlation coefficients with ash yield and they show mainly inorganic affinity. Some elements from Group B, such as Ba, Be, Ga, Hf, and Th, are also characterized by significant aluminosilicate affinity. In addition, arsenic also exhibits high sulfide affinity (r_S–Fe>0.5). The elements, which have negative or lower positive correlation coefficients with ash yield (with exceptions of Bi, Cs, Nb, Mn, Se, and Ti), are grouped in other four associations: Group C, Cr–V–Mo–U–Cd–Tl; Group D, Hg–Li–Sc–Ti–Eu–Nb–Cs–W; Group E, Bi–Sb; and Group F, Co–Ni–Cu–Pb–Zn–Mg–Se–Ca–Mn–S–Fe. The correlation coefficients of some elements, including Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mo, Ni, P, S, Sc, U, V, and Zn, with ash yield are below the statistically significant value. Only Cr and Cu are negatively correlated to ash yield (−0.07 and −0.01, respectively), showing intermediate (organic and inorganic) affinity. Manganese and Fe are characterized by carbonate affinity probably due to high content of epigenetic veined ankerite in some coals. Phosphorus has low correlation coefficients with any other elements and is not included in these six associations. There are five possible genetic types of enrichment of elements in coal from western Guizhou Province: source rock, volcanic ash, low-temperature hydrothermal fluid, groundwater, and magmatic hydrothermal inputs.     

Geochemistry and Modes of Occurrence of Hazardous Trace Elements in the No. 11 Coal Seam, Antaibao Surface Mine, Shanxi Province

Concentrations of seventeen hazardous trace elements including As, Pb, Hg, Se, Cd, Cr, Co, Mo, Mn, Ni, U, V, Th, Be, Sb, Br and Zn in the No.ll coal seam, Antaibao surface mine, Shanxi Province were determined using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis （INAA）, Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry （ICP-AES）, Cold-Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry （CV-AAS） and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry （GF-AAS）. Comparisons with average concentrations of trace elements in Chinese coal show that the concentrations of Hg and Cd in the No. 11 coal seam, Antaibao surface mine are much higher. They may be harmful to the environment in the process of utilization. The variations of the trace elements contents and pyritic suffur in vertical section indicated that： （a） the concentrations of As, Pb, Mn, and pyritic sulfur decrease from roof to floor; （b） the concentrations of Cr, Zn and Mo are higher in roof, floor and lower in coal seam; （c） the concentration of Br, Sb, and Hg are higher in coal seam and lower in roof and floor; （d） the concentrations of Mo, V, Th and AI vary consistently with the ash yield. Cluster analysis of trace elements, pyritic sulfur, ash yield and major elements, such as AI, Fe, P, Ca shows that： （a） pyritic sulfur, Fe, As, Mn, Ni, Be are closely associated and reflect the influence of pyrite; （b） Mo, Se, Pb, Cr, Th, Co, Ca and A! are related to clay mineral, which is the main source of ash; （c） U, Zn, V, Na, P maybe controlled by phosphate or halite; （d） Hg, Br, Sb and Cd may be mainly organic-associated elements which fall outside the three main groups. The concentration distribution characteristics of trace elements in coal seam and the cluster analysis of major and trace elements showed that the contents of trace elements in the No. 11 coal seam, Antaibao surface mine, are mainly controlled by detrital input and migration from roof and floor.     

Water quality assessment and hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater on the aspect of metals in an old town,Foshan, south China

The present study is aimed at assessing the water quality and discussing the hydrochemical characteristics and seasonal variation of shallow groundwater on the aspect of metals in the eastern Chancheng district of Foshan city, south China. Multivariate analytical methods such as principal components analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were used in this study. The results show that 45% of groundwater in the east-central of study area is not suitable for drinking purpose due to high concentrations of Fe, Pb and Mn. The mean concentrations of Fe, Hg, Cu, Pb, and Mn in dry season are higher than that in wet season. On the contrary, the mean concentrations of Cd, Co, Zn, Ba, Cr, Mo, Ni and Al in wet season are higher than that in dry season. PCA results show that four PCs are responsible for the 78.6% of the total hydrochemical variables in groundwater. Three groups were generated from HCA method. Group 1 reflects the characteristic of wet season and the low ion exchange capacity; group 2 is mainly influenced by the dry season. Reducing environment and high ion exchange capacity are responsible for group 3. The results are useful in addressing future measures in groundwater resource management for local government.     

Statistical characteristics of heavy metals content in groundwater and their interrelationships in a certain antimony mine area

In recent years, most of domestic and foreign researches about heavy metal pollutions of metal mine mainly focus on water, soil and plants on the surface. There is lack of researches about heavy metal pollution in groundwater of metal mine. In this research, a certain antimony mine area is selected as a typical study area. Also, the study about statistical characteristics of heavy metals in groundwater has been carried out. Furthermore, the interrelationships have been preliminarily discussed through related analysis, such as relevant analysis, cluster analysis and principle component analysis. The results show that: the excessive elements in groundwater of study area are Sb, As, Pb, Se, and Ni. The average mass concentration of Sb, As, and Pb is higher than that of drinking water standards (GB5749-2006). The concentration of most heavy metals in dry season is lower than or equal to that in wet season for groundwater. Zn is the only metal in groundwater showing a different pattern, the concentration of which in dry season is higher than that in wet season. Under the impacts of stratum leaching and absorption effect, the concentration of heavy metals (except Pb and Ba) in groundwater are lower than or equal to that in surface water. As and Se, the two heavy metals have a significant positive correlation, which shows the two elements might have gone through similar environmental geochemical effect. Also, the connection among Zn, Hg, Pb, and Mn is not obvious; therefore, the sources of those elements are quite different. In addition, the elements of Se and As have obvious positive interrelationship with elements of CO32- and F-. Also, the Pb has significant positive correlation with PO43-, H2SiO3 and oxygen consumption. The results of cluster analysis show that 9 different heavy metals in the study area can be divided into 3 categories: Zn, Cd, Mn, Hg, Cu, and Cr belong to the first category, Se and As belong to the second one, and the last category is Pb. Also, the principle component analysis divides 6 heavy metals (Zn, As, Hg, Pb, Mn, and Se) into 4 different principle components, which can be utilized to assess heavy metals pollution situations in groundwater. The reliability of this method is higher than 91%. Moreover, the research provides theory basis and models for establishing evaluation index system and exploring the evaluation method of heavy mental pollution in groundwater.