The geochemistry of major and selected trace elements in a forested peat bog, Kalimantan, SE Asia, and its implications for past atmospheric dust deposition

Biogeochemical processes in a forested tropical peat deposit and its record of past atmospheric dust deposition were assessed using the vertical distribution of lithophilic and plant essential elements in a dated core profile from Borneo, SE Asia. Peat formation started ∼22,120 ¹⁴C yr before present (BP), and Ca/Mg mass ratios of the solid peat and very low ash contents indicate a strongly ombrotrophic character throughout the deposit, implying that most of the inorganic fraction has been supplied exclusively by atmospheric inputs. Concentration profiles of Mn, Sr, and Ca suggest a very minor influence of chemical diagenesis in the underlying sediments. Silicon, Ca, Mg, P, S, and K show a strong and extended zone of enrichment in the top 200 cm of the profile, indicating that biological accumulation mechanisms are much more extensive than in temperate peat bogs.In the lower core sections, where the element distribution is dominated solely by past atmospheric deposition, average Al/Ti ratios are similar to the upper continental crust (UCC), whereas Fe is slightly enriched and Si is strongly depleted: this condition favors highly weathered tropical soil dust as the main inorganic mineral source. Significant correlation of Al, Fe, Si, S, Ca, and Ti with the lithophilic elements Y and Zr suggests that the distribution of these elements is controlled by sources of atmospheric mineral dust. The Ca/Mg, Ca/K, and Mg/K ratios of the collected rainwater samples are similar to the global average of continental rainwater and suggest a continental character for the site. This is supported by the similarity of the average concentration of Br, Mg, Ca, and S to that in temperate continental and maritime bogs in Switzerland and Scotland.The concentration profiles of Si, Fe, Al, and Ti show distinct peaks within the profile, implying enhanced dust deposition, reduced rates of peat accumulation, or possibly both owing to climatic changes during the Holocene. Enhanced dust deposition between ∼10,830 and 9060 ¹⁴C yr BP is tentatively interpreted as a Younger Dryas-like event with dust fluxes of ∼10.8 mg/m²/yr. The variations in Al/Ti and Fe/Ti profiles suggest that mineral dust sources have been changing constantly during the Holocene, with local sources being dominant between ∼7820 and 9500 ¹⁴C yr BP and long-range transport (derived most likely from China) being important during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene and from ∼7820 ¹⁴C yr BP to the present.     

Monitoring and modelling of the solid-solution partitioning of metals and As in a river floodplain redox sequence

For a period of 2 a, pore water composition in a heavily contaminated river floodplain soil was monitored in situ. Pore water samples were collected 12 times over all seasons in a profile ranging from aerobic to sulphidic redox conditions, and As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Fe, Ca, Cl, SO₄, DOC, IOC and pH were determined. The variability of pH, IOC, DOC and Ca was found to be rather small during the year and within the profile (rsd < 0.04, 0.16, 0.24 and 0.22, respectively). The temporal variability of the metal and As concentrations was small, too, whereas changes with depth were distinct. Under sulphidic conditions, concentrations were below 1 μg L⁻¹ (Cd, Cu, Pb) or 10 μg L⁻¹ (Zn, As). The data set was compared with results from a geochemical model that was fully parameterised from literature data and included equilibrium speciation, sorption and mineral dissolution. The general pattern of the solid–solution partitioning of Cd, Cu, Zn and As in the profile was predicted well by mechanistic geochemical modelling on the basis of solid phase composition. Metals strongly bound to organic matter such as Cd and Cu were predicted better than metals mainly present within a mineral. Detailed information regarding the presence of colloidal Fe and Mn in pore water might improve the prediction of the solid–solution partitioning of a number of metals. The study also indicates that the chemical behaviour of Pb is still not understood sufficiently.     

Direct characterization of airborne particles associated with arsenic-rich mine tailings: Particle size,mineralogy and texture

Windblown and vehicle-raised dust from unvegetated mine tailings can be a human health risk. Airborne particles from As-rich abandoned Au mine tailings from Nova Scotia, Canada have been characterized in terms of particle size, As concentration, As oxidation state, mineral species and texture. Samples were collected in seven aerodynamically fractionated size ranges (0.5–16 μm) using a cascade impactor deployed at three tailings fields. All three sites are used for recreational activities and off-road vehicles were racing on the tailings at two mines during sample collection. Total concentrations of As in the <8 μm fraction varied from 65 to 1040 ng/m³ of air as measured by proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis. The same samples were analysed by synchrotron-based microfocused X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (μXANES) and X-ray diffraction (μXRD) and found to contain multiple As-bearing mineral species, including Fe–As weathering products. The As species present in the dust were similar to those observed in the near-surface tailings. The action of vehicles on the tailings surface may disaggregate material cemented with Fe arsenate and contribute additional fine-grained As-rich particles to airborne dust. Results from this study can be used to help assess the potential human health risks associated with exposure to airborne particles from mine tailings.     

广州市大气颗粒物PM2.5显微形貌特征和来源解析

PM_2.5是近年来影响我国城市大气环境的首要污染物,其成因机制复杂。本文采用扫描电镜和ICP-MS研究了广州市大气颗粒物PM_2.5的显微形貌及其化学组成特征,并应用富集因子法进行源解析。结果表明,PM_2.5的颗粒形态以无定形态为主;主要物质表现为含Fe、Mg、Al、K、Na的硅酸盐组合,具有道路扬尘、建筑施工排放等一次粒子特征;单个无定形颗粒物能谱表现出硫酸盐+硝酸盐的组合特征,为汽车尾气所排放的前体污染气体NO_x和SO₂进入大气环境中,在特定的物理化学条件下通过成核作用发生相态改变所形成的二次粒子。PM_2.5中高度富集Cd、Se、Zn、Cu、Pb、As等重金属,异常富集的Br主要为当地普遍使用的阻燃剂十溴联苯醚和拆解电子垃圾所致,稀土元素的浓度在0.022~0.582 ng/m³之间,具有重稀土元素富集的特征。这些特征反映出广州市PM_2.5颗粒物的组成既有一次粒子,也有二次粒子,物质来源具有多重性。     

Analytical perspective on trace element species of interest in exploration

Analysis of soil and sediment samples, using selective extraction methods to distinguish different phases, is of particular interest in exploration geochemistry to locate deeply buried mineral deposits. There are various mechanisms of binding labile elements in the secondary environment, including physical and chemical sorption, precipitation, chelation and complexation. Phases present in soils and sediments which are likely to scavenge ‘free' elements include amorphous Mn and Fe oxides, the humic and fulvic components of humus, and clays. This paper reviews these forms of trace elements and the methods in current use to quantify them. Examples of precision data, both for control and survey samples, are given with respect to trace elements dissolved from the ‘soluble organic' component of humus, Mn oxides and amorphous Fe oxides. The high sensitivity of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) is required to measure accurately and precisely a large suite of trace elements, especially where only small fractions of elements are dissolved by such leaches as the commercially available Enzyme and MMI (Mobile Metal Ion) extractions. The relative standard deviations (RSD) obtained for 33 elements (e.g. Ag, Cd, In, I) in the standard reference sample (SRM), TILL-2, are in the range 0.5–8% for the hydroxylamine hydrochloride (NH₂OH·HCl) leach designed to extract hydrous Fe and Mn oxides. The corresponding RSDs for elements in the reactive Mn oxide phase extracted by the Enzyme leach are in the range 3–19% except for some trace elements at levels close to detection limit (e.g. Cd, Bi). The RSDs obtained for field duplicates are inferior to those for analytical replicates (i.e. sample splits), probably a reflection of different concentrations of the host phase. In one soil survey, the Fe extracted by a 0.25 M NH₂OH·HCl leach ranged conservatively from 0.2 to 1.7% whereas the Mn extracted by the Enzyme leach varied extensively, from 0.3 to >999 ppm. In contrast, precision, at 1–7% RSD, for field duplicates was found to be comparable with that for both analytical duplicates and the SRM, LKSD-4, for elements associated with the humic and fulvic component of humus samples sieved to <177 μm.     

Trace elements contamination of agricultural soils affected by sulphide exploitation (Iberian Pyrite Belt,Sw Spain)

Agricultural soils of the Riotinto mining area (Iberian Pyrite Belt) have been studied to assess the degree of pollution by trace elements as a consequence of the extraction and treatment of sulphides. Fifteen soil samples were collected and analysed by ICP-OES and INAA for 51 elements. Chemical analyses showed an As–Cu–Pb–Zn association related with the mineralisation of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Concentrations were 19–994 mg kg⁻¹ for As, 41–4,890 mg kg⁻¹ for Pb, 95–897 mg kg⁻¹ for Zn and of 27–1,160 mg kg⁻¹ for Cu. Most of the samples displayed concentrations of these elements higher than the 90th percentile of the corresponding geological dominium, which suggests an anthropogenic input besides the bedrock influence. Samples collected from sediments were more contaminated than leptosols because they were polluted by leachates or by mining spills coming from the waste rock piles. The weathering of the bedrock is responsible for high concentrations in Co, Cr and Ni, but an anthropogenic input, such as wind-blown dust, seems to be indicative of the high content of As, Cu, Pb and Zn in leptosols. The metal partitioning patterns show that most trace elements are associated with Fe amorphous oxy-hydroxides, or take part of the residual fraction. According to the results obtained, the following mobility sequence is proposed for major and minor elements: Mn, Pb, Cd, > Zn, Cu > Ni > As > Fe > Cr. The high mobility of Pb, Cu and Zn involve an environmental risk in this area, even in soils where the concentrations are not so high.     

WMO区域本底站气溶胶特征分析*

文章通过2002年8月12~27日和2003年7月20日~8月1日在浙江临安县的WMO区域空气污染本底站临安站所采集的气溶胶样品的质量浓度,水溶性离子,有机碳/元素碳(OC/EC)及部分化学元素的特征分析,并与1991年夏季(8月22~28日)气溶胶的某些特征比较,初步研究结果为:1991年至2003年夏季的气溶胶TSP,PM11和PM2.1浓度均呈现出减少的趋势,但是PM11/TSP和PM2.1/PM11则有增加的趋势。1991年、2002年和2003年PM11/TSP的值为90 % 左右,PM2.1/PM11 分别为46.52 % , 69.33 % 和72.29 % ,说明气溶胶以小粒子为主,小粒子又以细粒子为主。1991年、2002年和2003年浓度最高的离子为SO^2-₄,其次为NH^＋₄。其中SO^2-₄占所测离子浓度的百分数分别为65.39 % ,57.75 % 和57.27 % ,并且主要以(NH₄)₂SO₄,(K)₂SO₄和(Na)₂SO₄的形式存在。各离子浓度占所测离子浓度的百分数基本上不随年代变化,具有一定稳定性。2002年和2003年气溶胶中的OC浓度分别为29.91μg/m³和14.14μg/m³,均为各自的组分之首。2002年和2003年OC的比值PM2.1/PM11分别为64.63 % 和77.71 % ,EC的比值PM2.1/PM11分别为69.89 % 和87.17 % ,可见气溶胶中OC和EC主要存在于PM2.1的粒子中。元素富集因子分析表明,自然源与人为源对气溶胶中的元素都有重要的贡献。主因子分析结果显示PM2.1和PM11元素源基本相同,自然源主要是地壳、土壤尘和海盐, 人为源主要是煤飞灰(煤和焦碳)、冶炼工业和道路机动车辆的排放、废物处理、垃圾焚烧及建筑工业粉尘等。     

唐山市曹妃甸地区大气降尘矿物学特征及环境意义——以华北理工大学校区为例

大气降尘矿物学特征研究具有重要的环境学意义。文章以华北理工大学校区采集样品为例,应用激光粒度分析仪、扫描电镜、X射线粉末衍射、电感耦合等离子体质谱等对河北省唐山市曹妃甸地区大气降尘矿物学特征进行了初步分析研究。结果表明,曹妃甸地区大气降尘粒径较粗,颗粒物包括块状、柱状、片状、球状及不规则粒状集合体,主要由石英、长石、石膏、云母、绿泥石、角闪石、白云石、方解石和赤铁矿等矿物组成;降尘样品中Cr、Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Pb等重金属元素含量均较高。研究分析表明,降尘样品中硅酸盐矿物主要源自地面扬尘,而石膏、方解石等碳酸盐矿物可能为环境中的次生矿物,样品中重金属污染主要来源于燃煤、工矿企业生产排放和少部分汽车尾气排放。     

Characteristics of dust particles from the desert/Gobi area of northwestern China during dust-storm periods

The total suspended particle (TSP) samples were collected from seven urban cities in Gansu province in the periods of dust storms from January to April 2001. These dust events were characterized by about 1-3 days duration, NNW-, NW-, WNW-dominant wind directions, ~15.0 m/s 1-h average wind speeds and ~62.53 mg/m³ TSP levels. In the January-April period, the dust events in northwestern China were mainly induced by the high pressures over Xinjiang or over northwestern Mongolia and by depressions over eastern Asia. TSP samples were analyzed using a JSM-5600LV scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with a KEVEX EDX and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry for examining morphologies and major components. In addition, soil samples, collected from 11different sites, were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence for their chemical components. The morphology of the dust particles showed a wide variety of types such as spherical shapes, irregular and sharp-edged shapes, etc., and contained crustal element oxides such as SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, CaO, MgO, K₂O, Na₂O, and TiO₂, similar to the chemical components in the desert/Gobi areas. However, the concentrations of elements such as Cu, V, Pb, Zn and As were wider and higher than those in the soils of the desert/Gobi areas, and their ratios for TSP/desert and TSP/Gobi were about 3~14. The levels of these elements in the urban cities may not be influenced by the dust storms in the desert/Gobi areas, but may be contributed to by anthropogenic sources such as industrial tailings and some polluted materials.     

Microscopic morphology and elemental composition of size distributed atmospheric particulate matter in Urumqi, China

Microscopic morphology and elemental composition of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) in 13 different size fractions from 0.01 to 10 μm were studied using a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy-Dispersive Spectrometer (FESEM–EDX). The relative mass fractions exhibited a bimodal distribution with a major mode in the fine range (0.18–1 μm) and a minor mode in the coarse range (>1 μm), suggesting that the major pollution of PM is fine particles in this area of Urumqi atmosphere. The PM could be classified as follows: aluminosilicate/silica mineral, Si–Al rich fly ash, Fe oxide particle, Ti dominant particle, sulfate/carbonate crystal, carbonaceous aerosols (including soot, organic carbon, tar ball and irregularly shaped carbon). The soot and organic carbon with anthropogenic sources are dominant types in fine range samples (<1 μm). The natural source minerals and secondary synthesized sulfate/carbonate crystals were accumulated in the coarse range (>1 μm). Elemental composition of various types of particles (0.056–5.6 μm) was also analyzed by EDX. C, S, O, N, Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Na, K, Mg, Cl, F, Hg were detected in most samples. Si, Al and Ca accumulated in coarse fractions, while S and Hg mainly accumulated in fine fractions. Concentrations of 15 metallic elements in size range from 0.1 μm to 5.6 μm were divided into three groups based on their possible sources. (1) The crustal elements (Al, Mg, Fe, Mn and V), mainly present in coarse particles (>1 μm); and (2) the anthropogenic source elements (Ca, Ni, As, Cu, Pb, Cd and Hg). The concentrations of Ca and Ni increased with increasing particle size, while As, Cu, Pb, Cd and Hg showed opposite trends. As, Cu, Pb, Cd and Hg accumulated mainly in fine fraction (<1 μm). (3) The multi sources elements (Cr, Co and Se) possibly come from both natural and anthropogenic sources. High levels of heavy metals, especially Hg in nanosize particles, may pose great risk to human health.     

Fractal Geometry of Element Distribution on Mineral Surfaces

Fractal models have been established for the distributions of Au, As, S, Fe, and Si on mineral surface based on perimeter–area power-law association observed in mineral samples from fine-disseminated gold deposits at Jinya (JY), Larima (LRM), and Dongbeizhai (DBZ). The fractal index D_AL, involved in the fractal perimeter–area relationship is a function of the formation conditions of the mineral. Minerals formed at higher temperatures have a larger value of D_AL. For the same mineral, the values of D_AL obtained for different elements are approximately the same. D_AL may serve as a quantitative index characterizing the distribution configuration of elements on mineral surface.     

Fe(II)-Na(I)-Ca(II) Cation Exchange on Montmorillonite in Chloride Medium: Evidence for Preferential Clay Adsorption of Chloride – Metal Ion Pairs in Seawater

Fe(II)–Ca(II), Fe(II)–Na(I), and Fe(II)–Ca(II)–Na(I) exchange experiments on montmorillonite were performed in chloride background. These experiments show the possible sorption of Fe²⁺ and FeCl⁺ ion pairs in exchange site positions, a result confirmed with 77 K ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer experiments. The sorption data were modeled and the cation exchange selectivity for Fe(II) were found to be nearly equal to that of Ca(II). Vanselow selectivity coefficients, for Na–Fe²⁺ and Na–FeCl⁺ reactions, were found to be equal to 0.4 (0.5 for Ca²⁺) and 2.3 (2.5 for CaCl⁺) respectively. High affinity of montmorillonite for chloride ion pairs seems to be a common mechanism as first stated by Sposito et al., (Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 47, 51–56, 1983a), and should have implications e.g., on the chemistry of suspended particles in seawater. Exchange selectivity coefficients derived from this study and others were used to model experimental data on river water and seawater equilibrated particles. The agreement between simulations and experimental data is very good. The simulation shows the predominance of monovalent ion (Na⁺ and chloride ion pairs) sorption on clay particles in seawater. This sorption of monovalent ions leads to the dispersion of particles in seawater and to the extension of a plume of particles spreading away from river deltas, such as that of the River Amazon.     

北京城区和远郊区大气气溶胶的相似性研究

文章通过对北京城区和远郊区采集的气溶胶样品物理化学性质的分析,考察了两地气溶胶性质的相似性。 样品于2001年9月7～16日,11月3～27日,2002年1月30日～2月6日和2003年1月28日～5月21日分别在北 京舞蹈学院(城区)和昌平昭陵(远郊区)进行采集。根据元素富集因子(EF)的分析,几大类元素的源相似,自然源和 人为源对其均有重要的贡献。当然,在两地的大气气溶胶浓度是不同的。秋季总悬浮颗粒物平均浓度城区为177.1 g/m3,远郊区为117.4g/m3。城区气溶胶细粒子Pm².5质量浓度冬季为153g/m3,秋季为124.3g/m3。城区和 远郊区的大气气溶胶中各类元素占所测元素的百分数相近。两地主要元素百分数序列均为(Fe,Ca,Al)>(K,Na, Mg,Cl)>(S,Sb,As)>(Br,Ba,V,Pb),前3项之和超过94%。城、远郊区大气气溶胶质量浓度和元素浓度的粒径分 布也很相似。用Andersen9级采样器采集的气溶胶质量浓度PM10占其总质量浓度PM(A总)的95%以上,Pm².1/ PM10>62%。可见,气溶胶中可吸入颗粒物占绝对优势,而可吸入颗粒物又以细粒子为主。细粒子中以人为污染元 素S,As,Pb,Br和Zn为主,其Pm².1/PM10>60%,最高可达90%。气溶胶细粒子Pm².5的污染是区域性的。在城 区北京舞蹈学院单点监测的Pm².5,一定程度上可反应出北京市区Pm².     

Relationship between altered pyroxene diorite and the magnetite mineralization in the Chilean Iron Belt,with emphasis on the El Algarrobo iron deposits (Atacama region,Chile)

North of El Algarrobo (one of the four main deposits of the Chilean Iron Belt), the iron-mineralization (magnetite-etrmolite/actinolite-apatite) is related to clinoand orthopyroxene diorite intrusions which have crystallized at shallow depth (4km) under increasing oxygen fugacities. The supercritical fluid phase exsolved during cooling after the consolidation of the plutons (800–900°C), results in a H⁺, Cl^– and sodic enrichment, and in the sequential leaching of Fe (at less than 700°C), then Ca and Mg (between 600 and 500°C) from minerals of the primary magmatic diorite assemblage: titanomagnetite-ilmenite, plagioclase (An_70–40), augite, hypersthene. As a consequence of the cationic leaching, the lower mobility of silica and aluminium and the enrichment in sodium, residual altered dioritic rocks present a retromorphic mineral assemblage evolving down to boundary conditions of the greenchist-amphibolite facies (450°C). Fe, Mg and Ca are carried in cationic form associated with Cl^– anions, toward cooler rocks where they are precipitated. The deposition (between 550 and 450°C) of magnetite, followed iron-mineralization paragenesis, and occurred in fractured zones located both in altered diorites and contact andesites.     

Iron oxide from a seasonally anoxic lake

The ferric oxide formed by oxidation of Fe(II) in Esthwaite Water, U.K., during the lake's seasonal thermal stratification and deep-water anoxia consists of amorphous particles which are approximately spherical or ellipsoidal, with diameters in the range 0.05–0.5 μm. Concentrations in the lake are 10¹¹–10¹² particles per litre, corresponding to 3 mg l^?1 Fe. Unlike iron oxides of similar chemical composition formed by oxidative mechanisms in soil-borne waters, the particles do not appear to be composed of small primary particles. This is possibly because in the lake they form slowly, at low supersaturation. The particles contain 30–40% by weight Fe. The carbon content is uncertain because of contamination but is in the range 4–18%. Humic carbon contributes at least 4–7% of the total weight. Other major elements present are P, N, Mn, Si, S. Ca and Mg, comprising between them up to 8% of the total weight.The particles are negatively charged probably because of adsorbed humic substances, and also phosphate and silicate. Their electrophoretic mobility-pH dependence is similar to those of synthetic iron oxides added to samples of surface Esthwaite Water. The calculated zeta potential is ? 27 mV, which is sufficiently high to make flocculation slow under lake conditions. The low flocculation rate partially accounts for the formation of a well-defined peak of particulate iron in the water column of the lake.     

Statistical map analysis of regional stream-sediment data from Australia

In a regional stream-sediment survey of the Seigal and Hedleys Creek areas, covering approximately 6000 km², in all 2508 stream-sediment samples were collected with an overall sample density of 1 per 2–3 km². The minus 180 μm fraction of the samples was analyzed for up to 25 elements including As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, Pb, Rb, S, Sn, Th, Ti, U, W, Y and Zn.Selected elements were processed by a statistical map-analysis technique to: (a) display the broad-scale regional distribution patterns of the elements using a cell-average gap-fill mapping technique followed by low-pass filtering (LPF); and (b) delineate anomalous areas using the picture frame filter (PFF) and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov filter (KSF).The regional distribution patterns of elements clearly relate to geologic belts, plutons and stratigraphic units. Anomaly filtering clearly identifies the various known mineral occurrences including U, U-Cu-Sn, and Pb-Zn. The technique also delineated several anomalies, unrelated to known mineral occurrences, having similar anomalous element combinations and occurring in similar geological settings as those related to known mineral occurrences. Some of these filter-enhanced anomalies are too subtle to be immediately apparent in the unprocessed data.     

Geochemical characteristics of mineral air particles emitted inside a clay atomisation plant which introduces waste recycling processes

The objective of this work is to assess the concentrations of three factions of air particles (settable particles, TSP and PM10) and the levels of several toxic elements in a clay atomisation industry through aerosol sampling at several points inside an industrial plant. Mechanical activities, which produce diffuse emissions, are the main process of discharge of particles in both indoor and outdoor workplace environments in the atomisation plant. The levels of As, Cd, Pb, Zn, Ba and Ni increase in the zones with higher concentrations of particles and lower ventilation. The concentrations of As and F are not influenced by the recycling processes. The levels of Cd and Pb do not show great enrichment in air particles collected inside the atomisation plant although the content of both elements is associated with ceramic muck recycling. Finally, the content of B in waste water is mainly transferred in gaseous phase to the atmosphere during the process of drying by atomisation.     

Crystal chemistry of suspended matter in a tropical hydrosystem, Nyong basin (Cameroon, Africa)

Suspended matter (SM) from the Nyong basin (Cameroon, Africa), a tropical watershed, was collected by tangential flow ultrafiltration to separate particulate (>0.45 μm) and colloidal (<0.45 μm; >20 kDa) fractions. In this basin, two distinctive systems in a selected small catchment (Nsimi–Zoétélé) of the Nyong river basin have been considered: (i) colourless water (groundwater and spring) with a low suspended load (<3 mg/l) and a low total organic carbon content (TOC<1 mg/l) and (ii) coloured water (Mengong brook and Nyong river), which is organic rich (TOC>10 mg/l) and contains higher amounts of SM (10–20 mg/l) than the colourless water. Freeze-dried samples of SM have been analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR), and visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS).

Colourless water mainly contains mineral phases, such as poorly ordered kaolinite, plus quartz and goethite in the particulate fraction, and euhedral kaolinite plus amorphous iron oxyhydroxides in the colloidal fraction. In contrast, the SM in coloured water is mainly organic in nature. The mineral phases in the particulate fraction are similar to those from clear water, but with additional phytoliths and diatom frustules composed of biogenic opal. In the colloidal fraction, complexation of Fe³⁺ and Mn²⁺ with organic matter is evidenced by EPR, together with significant occurrence of Fe oxyhydroxides associated with organic matter.

The sites of Al, Si, Fe, Mn in colloidal fractions derived from spectroscopic analyses are discussed with reference to chemical analyses performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Most of the observed solid phases or species correspond to those expected from published thermodynamic calculations for the same hydrosystem, except the colloidal iron oxyhydroxides in the coloured water. The presence of such iron phases is emphasised since they are expected to have large sorption capacities for numerous trace elements.

The crystal chemistry of SM is used to discuss the origin of the mineral particles transported from the soil to the main rivers in terms of mechanical and chemical erosion processes.     

Investigation of microrubbers,microplastics and heavy metals in street dust: a study in Bushehr city,Iran

This study aimed to (1) investigate microrubbers (MRs) for the first time and identify microplastics (MPs) in street dust, (2) determine the physicochemical and mineralogical characteristics and morphology of dust particles, (3) understand the concentration and the possible source(s) of heavy metals/metalloids, (4) identify the chemical speciation and mobility potential of trace metals in urban street dusts, and (5) determine adverse health effects of street dust on children and adults living in the city of Bushehr in southwestern Iran. Generally, twenty four street dust samples were collected and analyzed. Calculated enrichment factors indicate high levels of contamination. Statistical analysis reveals that the two main sources of trace elements include road traffic emissions (Cu, Zn, Sb, Hg, Pb, Mo) and re-suspended soil particles (Al, Mn, Ni, Ti, Cd, Co). BCR sequential extraction results indicated that As, Zn, Cu, and Pb mainly occur in the exchangeable fraction and hence are highly bioavailable. X-ray powder diffraction analysis revealed the presence of calcite, dolomite, quartz, and magnetite. The size distribution of dust particles was also investigated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), while elemental distribution was analyzed using an attached energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM–EDS) unit. Dust particles from heavy traffic areas are much finer compared with other investigated areas. MPs and MRs, mostly fibers and fragments, were detected in all samples [ranging from 210 to 1658 (MPs) and 44 to 782 (MRs) items/10 g dust] using fluorescence microscopy. The hazard index for As is higher than 10^?4 for children and adults indicative of high risk. According to the calculated potential ecological risk index, Hg indicated moderate ecological risk in the street dust of the study area.     

碱熔-电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法测定大气颗粒物样品中无机元素

大气颗粒物(TSP和PM10)中Si、Al、Ca、Mg、K、Fe、Na等元素含量较高,是颗粒物源分析的指示性元素。目前分析大气颗粒物样品中无机元素的方法有中子活化分析法、X射线荧光光谱法、微波消解(或高压釜消解)电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法和电感耦合等离子体质谱法。本文建立了碱熔-电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法测定大气颗粒物样品中Si、Al、Ca、Mg、Fe、Ti、Ba、Sr、Zr等无机元素的分析方法,样品于镍坩埚中530～550℃灰化60 min后用NaOH融熔,水提取,再用2 mL 50%的HCl酸化,钠基体匹配消除干扰,解决了大气颗粒物滤膜样品中Si易产生的溶解不完全等问题,提高了Ti、Ba、Sr、Zr等主、次量元素测定的精密度和准确度。讨论了坩埚和熔剂的选择、灰化温度、灰化时间、酸度、干扰等影响因素。在选定条件下,测定结果相对误差(RE)﹤4%,相对标准偏差(RSD,n=12)﹤5%,检出限为0.0047～1.2 ng/g。方法所需设备简单,分析成本低,快速简便,精密度好,准确度高,适宜批量样品的测定。