Nanomineralogy of evaporative precipitation of efflorescent compounds from coal mine drainage

Efflorescent nanophases(NPs)are found as a transitory accumulation of potentially hazardous elements(PHEs),particularly in tropical climates.The central objective of this study was to investigate the distribution of PHEs with NPs through the evaporative formation structures(EFS)of enormously PHEs-rich coal-mine drainages(CMD).The EFS were studied in natural coal mine drainage for five months in order to determine their geochemical and ecological structures and to assess their position in the reduction of PHEs in nature.The largest coal-fired power plant in South America,located in south Brazil,is used as an example of such a problem.In this work,a novel methodology for the analysis of PHEs in CMD precipitates is proposed for this affected coal area.The analytical method,combining X-Ray Diffraction(XRD)and advanced electron microscopies,shows the importance of nanomineralogy in understanding different circumstances of coal contamination.Several ultrafine-nanoparticles(UNPs)were identified in the sampled soils and river sediments together with the PHEs.A decrease in PHEs was identified in association with UNPs.However,further investigations are required with regard to the mobility of PHEs in water,atmosphere,soils,and sediments.The EPS was thoroughly studied,acquiring suitable understanding with investigational facts for Ca and Fe-sulphates,pickeringite,and several amorphous phases.     

Potential hazardous elements (PHEs) in atmospheric particulate matter (APM) in the south of Xi’an during the dust episodes of 2001–2012 (NW China): chemical fractionation,ecological and health risk assessment

Atmospheric pollution from atmospheric particulate matter (APM) deposition is one of the major sources of potential hazardous elements (PHEs) contamination. In this study, 68 total APM samples were collected from the local areas of southern Xi’an (NW China) during the long-term period of the 2001–2012 dust campaign. The chemical fractionation of PHEs (Cr, Cu, Ba, Sr, As, Pb, and Zn), their contamination levels, and ecological health risk were examined. The mobility sequence based on the sums of the first three fractionations of the modified BCR (the European Community Bureau of Reference) sequential extraction stages was: Cu (77.83 %) > Pb (74.50 %) > Zn (55.40) > Sr (52.93) > Ba (40.89) > Cr (30.09) > As (21.59). The contamination levels of APMs from these sites, calculated from the total content indices ICF, were uniformly moderate in degree. The obtained single-metal model MI_MERSS (speciation index) values had allowed for classification of elements as a function of their potential ecological risk as As (64.00 mean value) > Pb (43.86) > Sr (37.50) > Cu (11.53) ? Ba (11.32) > Zn (7.68) > Cr (1.88). The results presented that the toxic As posed a moderate to considerable risk; Pb and Sr varied from low to a moderate risk, while others posed low risk. However, a new developed multi-metal model GRI_IERMS (speciation index) indicated that the PHEs in most of the APMs posed moderate ecological risk. The result was consistent with that of ICF indexes. Combined with the US Environmental Protection Agency, we developed models of (ingestion, dermal and inhalation) hazard index (HI), children’s health risk due to PHEs exposure from APM was higher than that for adults. Much attention should be paid to the PHE As (HI = 0.864, close to 1) for children. While, carcinogenic risk for adults was higher than that for children. Although cancer risk because of As, Cr and Pb exposure were within an acceptable range, the PHEs exposed to the highest density of the population in residential and educational villages in south of Xi’an would be much more concerned. The moderate ecological risk and the higher risk for children’s health illustrated that special attention has to be taken to the mentioned PHEs from APMs in the local ecosystem, and their health risk impact should continue to be checked carefully. The new developed GRI_IERMS index method was to be useful for risk assessment of PHEs combining with their chemical fractionations.     

Environmental inequalities in New Zealand: A national study of air pollution and environmental justice

Research has established that many socially deprived, low income and ethnic minority communities are exposed to disproportionately high levels of outdoor air pollution. Whilst there is a burgeoning literature documenting these environmental disparities, most previous studies have taken place in North America and few researchers have examined local scale variations across an entire country. Further, there has been little work systematically evaluating disparities in the local exposure to air pollution from different sources. In this New Zealand research we use mean annual estimates of outdoor particulate air pollution for different sources for neighbourhoods across urban New Zealand to evaluate whether air pollution varies between local areas of differing socioeconomic circumstances. We find that outdoor pollution levels are higher in socially deprived areas (using a neighbourhood measure of disadvantage) and neighbourhoods with a high proportion of low income households. However, although ethnicity was also related to mean total pollution, levels were elevated in areas where the proportion European was higher and other ethnic groups (including Māori) were lower. We also find that the disparities in pollution levels are specific to the pollution source. The results are discussed in the context of the policy framework in New Zealand, including the tensions fashioned by the Resource Management Act 1991, which have effectively ‘desocialised’ environmental concerns. We argue that the regulatory framework is fixated on ‘environmental bottom lines’ rather than social concerns that are integral to the environmental justice framework. Some priorities for future research into environmental justice in New Zealand are also considered.     

Contamination of surface waters by mining wastes in the Milluni Valley (Cordillera Real,Bolivia): Mineralogical and hydrological influences

This study is one of very few dealing with mining waste contamination in high altitude, tropical-latitude areas exploited during the last century. Geochemical, mineralogical and hydrological characterizations of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) in surface waters and sediments were performed in the Milluni Valley (main reservoir of water supply of La Paz, Bolivia, 4000 m a.s.l.), throughout different seasons during 2002–2004 to identify contamination sources and sinks, and contamination control parameters. PHE concentrations greatly exceeded the World Health Organization water guidelines for human consumption. The very acidic conditions, which resulted from the oxidation of sulfide minerals in mining waste, favoured the enrichment of dissolved PHEs (Cd > Zn ? As ? Cu ∼ Ni > Pb > Sn) in surface waters downstream from the mine. Stream and lake sediments, mining waste and bedrock showed the highest PHE content in the mining area. With the exception of Fe, the PHEs were derived from specific minerals (Fe, pyrite; Zn, Cd, sphalerite, As, Fe, arsenopyrite, Cu, Fe, chalcopyrite, Pb, galena, Sn, cassiterite), but the mining was responsible for PHEs availability. Most of the PHEs were extremely mobile (As > Fe > Pb > Cd > Zn ∼ Cu > Sn) in the mining wastes and the sediments downstream from the mine. pH and oxyhydroxides mainly explained the contrasted availability of Zn (mostly in labile fractions) and As (associated with Fe-oxyhydroxides). Unexpectedly, Pb, Zn, As, and Fe were significantly attenuated by organic matter in acidic lake sediments.     

Ambient air quality of Kathmandu valley as reflected by atmospheric particulate matter concentrations (PM10)

This paper presents the analysis and interpretation of ambient particulate matter concentrations measured as PM₁₀ at a network of six air monitoring stations in Kathmandu valley during the years, 2003 through 2005. The purpose was to understand the pollution trends associated with different areas considering levels particulate matter concentrations representing the ambient air quality of Kathmandu valley. The study indicate that particulate concentrations (PM₁₀) measured are persistently higher at air sampling sites representing roadside areas compared to the background sites. The inter-station network variability with respect the particulate pollution suggests optimizing resources. The comparison of annual average PM₁₀ concentration observed at six air-monitoring sites in Kathmandu Valley with standard annual average concentration prescribed by World Health Organization as well as Europe Union indicates serious PM₁₀ pollution in Kathmandu valley.     

钢铁厂附近树木年轮的磁学性质及其环境意义

通过磁学手段以树木年轮为研究对象,通过多参数磁学研究探讨钢铁厂周围环境污染的历史.研究表明:钢铁厂附近树木年轮样品中磁性矿物为准单畴(其中颗粒偏向于多畴)的磁铁矿,磁性矿物形状各异,粒径大小不一;样品中磁铁矿的含量随年份的不同差异很大;通过树木不同方向上磁性参数尤其是饱和等温剩磁(SIRM)值的差异以及扫描电镜(SEM)和X射线能谱(EDX)分析,发现树木木质部中的磁性颗粒来自于树皮,即大气中颗粒被树皮和树叶表面吸附后,在树木的生长季节通过树皮进入形成层的木质部细胞,然后通过木质化作用被固定在当年生长的树木木质部木材中;另外,朝向钢铁厂方向的树干年轮钻芯样品SIRM值与对应年份钢铁厂年生产量之间高度相关,磁性颗粒在年轮之间不存在横向迁移,树干年轮钻芯的磁性参数(SIRM和部分磁滞参数)可指示该区大气环境污染的历史;污染树木钻芯样品的SIRM随时间的变化曲线说明该研究区大气污染日益严重.     

Mobility of trace and potentially harmful elements in the environment from high sulfur Indian coal mines

Coal mine rejects and sulfide bearing coals are prone to acid mine drainage (AMD) formation due to aqueous weathering. These acidic effluents contain dissolved trace and potentially harmful elements (PHEs) that have considerable impact on the environment. The behavior of these elements in AMD is mainly controlled by pH. The focus of the present study is to investigate aqueous leaching of mine rejects for prediction of acid producing potential, rates of weathering, and release of PHEs in mine drainage. Mine reject (MR) and coal samples from the active mine sites of Meghalaya, India typically have high S contents (1.8–5.7% in MR and 1.7–4.7% in coals) with 75–90% of the S in organic form and enrichment of most of the PHEs in rejects. Aqueous kinetic leaching experiments on mine rejects showed high acid producing potential and release of trace and potentially harmful elements. The elements (Sb, As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, V and Zn) in mine sample leachates are compared with those in mine waters. The concentrations of Al, Si, P, K, Ti, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb are found to increase with leaching time and are negatively correlated with pH of the solution. The processes controlling the release of these elements are acid leaching, precipitation and adsorption. The critical loads of PHEs in water affected by AMD are calculated by comparing their concentrations with those of regulatory levels. The Enrichment Factors (EFs) and soil pollution indices (SPIs) for the elements have shown that PHEs from coal and mine reject samples are mobilized into the nearby environment and are enriched in the associated soil and sediment.     

Floodplain lakes as an archive for the metal pollution in the River Elbe (Germany) during the 20th century

The German Elbe River floodplains rank under the most polluted areas in Europe. A sudden concentration increase of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) is documented in sediment profiles of Elbe bayous. The increase is dated to the mid of the 20th century (¹³⁷Cs) and indicates industrialization of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) as the source of intense pollution. The collapse of the GDR and the industries in the 1990s is traced by a concentration decrease in young sediments. The contamination is restricted to an increase of unstable binding forms; the hydroxide binding form is predominant. The geogenic concentration portions are of normal level and remain stable throughout the profiles (0–2 m). The equilibrium of contradictory binding forms in the sediments makes it mandatory not to interfere with the thermodynamic conditions and to keep the Elbe floodplain as an undisturbed ecological system.     

Air Quality as a Meteorological Hazard

Meteorological hazards are usually considered to be tropical cyclones, droughts, hail-storms, severe storms and their effects such as tsunamis, storm surges, wildfire, and floods. Urban air pollution is not normally considered to be a meteorological hazard. This view has arisen because the causes of urban air pollution – industrial and motor vehicleemissions – are not meteorological in nature. Air pollution episodes, however, are sporadic in nature and their occurrence depends on a particular combination of meteorological factors. This is true even in megacities such as Mexico City, Manila, and Los Angeles that have acquired a reputation for polluted air. Analyses of air pollution episodes and hospital admissions from many countries indicate that thereis a significant increase in morbidity and mortality as a result of such episodes.Time-series studies undertaken in Sydney have shown that particulate matter, ozone and nitrogen dioxide are the pollutants that are primarily responsible for adverse health effects in that city.Air pollution, and in particular particulate matter, is believed to be responsible for just under 400 premature deaths per year in Sydney alone. This death rate is over twenty times larger than deaths due to other meteorological hazards. Part of the reason for the low death rate for the more traditional meteorological hazards is that the provision of high quality numerical weather prediction, coupled with modern communications technology, has enabled emergency service personnel to take appropriate action.Air quality forecasting systems can play an important role in mitigating the adverse effects of air pollution. The forecasts will affect the behaviour of susceptible individuals, and thus reduce adverse health effects. The outputs from forecasting systems can also be used to provide improved estimates of the total exposure to air pollutants of the inhabitants who areat risk. Such improved estimates can then be used in conjunction with longitudinal studies ofhealth effects to obtain better understanding of the complex interaction between air quality and health.     

辽宁省典型地区大气颗粒物重金属元素分布特征及对土地质量影响研究

大气颗粒物是大气质量评价中的一个通用的重要指标,近年来,对于大气颗粒物污染这一热点问题开展了大量的研究。文中选取辽宁省沈阳市、锦州市和葫芦岛市等典型地区研究大气颗粒物(TSP、PM10、PM2.5)中Cd等重金属元素的分布特征。结果表明,辽宁省大气可吸入颗粒物中Pb和Zn的含量最高,其次是Cu、Mn、As、Cr、Cd。燃煤、燃油和工业污染源等方面可能是造成这些元素含量较高的主要原因。此外,文中还对大气颗粒物对土地质量的影响研究进行一些有益尝试。研究表明,大气颗粒物中重金属元素含量对土地质量的影响是显而易见的。政府管理部门应该重视对大气颗粒物中重金属元素含量的监控,努力减少其对土地质量的影响。     

The concentrations, fluxes, enrichments and chronologies of potential harmful elements in sediment cores from Bohai Bay, North China

To reflect the historical changes, the vertical profiles of concentrations, enrichment factors and burial fluxes of potential harmful elements (PHEs: Ga, Ge, Mo, In, Sn, Sb, Te, Tl, Bi, W and V) were determined in two sediment cores collected from Bohai Bay. Sediment accumulation rates and chronologies were obtained from ²¹⁰Pb activity-depth profiles. Two sediment accumulation rates in core 2 were observed: a higher rate of 4.78 mm/year before the 1960s and 2.93 mm/year since then. The sediment accumulation rate in core 6 was 2.82 mm/year. The PHE concentrations and burial fluxes exhibited an obvious variation with the depth due to the natural and anthropogenic inputs. Especially, the higher concentrations and burial fluxes of PHEs occurred in the 1960s and 1980s, matching the large runoff and industrial development. Enrichment factors (EFs) of PHEs were computed in order to evaluate their potential sources. Results showed that the EFs of Sb, Te and Bi were higher than 1.5, revealing the anthropogenic inputs; however, the EFs of other PHEs were lower than 1.0, indicating the natural inputs. Moreover, the high EFs of Sb, Te and Bi appeared in the surface or subsurface layers, indicating that the extent of anthropogenic contamination enhanced in recent years. Sequential extraction technique was used to study the ecological risks of PHEs. Results revealed that the ecological risks of Mo, Te and Bi in both cores and Sb and W in core 2 were medium due to their high availability in the exchangeable and carbonate-bound fractions.     

Microbial growth and air pollutants in the corrosion of carbonate building stone: results of laboratory and outdoor experimental tests

The combined effect of microbial colonization by fungal growth and atmospheric pollutants in the sulfation of carbonate rocks was investigated by means of laboratory experiments of dry deposition of sulfur and nitrogen dioxides, in vitro microbiological assays and outdoor exposure tests. All the experiments were performed on Scaglia limestone, which is a very common building material in ancient monuments in Central Italy. Results point to a combined action of particulate matter deposition and sulfation in the formation of gypsum on the samples exposed outdoor, and to a significant influence of fungal growth in the conversion of metal sulfide particulate matter to sulfate thus promoting subsequent formation of gypsum also in the absence of pollution. The chemical and textural features of stone tend to enhance chemical weathering and fungal colonization in the short term, and to preserve the material in the long term.     

地球物理方法在环境污染监测及治理方面的应用

环境污染主要是大气污染、水体污染、土壤污染、固体废弃物污染、放射性污染和电磁污染等,环境污染严重影响了人类的生存环境。环境地球物理学是环境科学与地球物理学相融合而发展起来的一门交叉性边缘学科,其在环境污染的监测和治理方面应用广泛。随着环境地球物理技术的不断提高以及环境恶化程度的不断加剧,环境地球物理方法在环境污染监测和治理中的应用前景更加广阔,已成为解决环境污染不可缺少的重要手段。     

Metal-enriched nanoparticles and black carbon: A perspective from the Brazil railway system air pollution

Having a better understanding of air pollutants in railway systems is crucial to ensure a clean public transport. This study measured, for the first time in Brazil, nanoparticles (NPs) and black carbon (BC) on two ground-level platforms and inside trains of the Metropolitan Area of Porto Alegre (MAPA). An intense sampling campaign during thirteen consecutive months was carried out and the chemical composition of NPs was examined by advanced microscopy techniques. The results showed that highest concentrations of the pollutants occur in colder seasons and influenced by variables such as frequency of the trains and passenger densities. Also, internal and external sources of pollution at the stations were identified. The predominance of NPs enriched with metals that increase oxidative stress like Cd, Fe, Pb, Cr, Zn, Ni, V, Hg, Sn, and Ba both on the platforms and inside trains, including Fe-minerals as hematite and magnetite, represents a critical risk to the health of passengers and employees of the system. This interdisciplinary and multi-analytical study aims to provide an improved understanding of reported adverse health effects induced by railway system aerosols.     

Chemical composition of wet precipitation of air pollutants: A case study in Karachi,Pakistan

Air pollution has been considered one of the most important environmental challenges because of its direct effect on ecosystems and human health. Temporal changes in the composition of 20 samples of rainwater in the arid region of Karachi, Pakistan during the southwest monsoon of 2009 have been monitored to carry out the indirect assessment of air quality. The study has been fulfilled with the aim of identifying the level of air pollution, and the relative contribution of possible anthropogenic activities. Metal ions were analyzed to predict health risks. Rain samples were found to be alkaline (pH 5.55-7.55) due to the influence of calcium and magnesium rich particles. Continuous rains in consecutive days showed a remarkable decline in air pollution while the dry season boosted up the level of pollution. Strong correlations of total dissolved solids with K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Cl⁻ were observed. A relatively weak correlation of total suspended particles with metals showed the possibility of some other particulate matters being suspended in the air. Principal component analysis and analysis of means were used to predict the anthropogenic source of pollution. This study will be helpful to formulate strategic planning and policies for controlling the level of air pollution in the city.     

Levels of selected potential harmful elements (PHEs) in soils and vegetables used in diet of the population living in the surroundings of the Estarreja Chemical Complex (Portugal)

This study was carried out to analyze the distribution and soil–plant transfer of selected potential harmful elements (PHEs: As, Hg and Zn) in soils and in two edible horticultural crops (cabbage, Brassica oleracea L., and tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill). randomly sampled in kitchen gardens/small farms around one of the most important and old Portuguese industrial areas (Estarreja Chemical Complex-ECC). The results show that 46% and 11.5% of the soils present high total As (12–532 mg/kg) and Hg (6.6–13.65 mg/kg) concentrations that exceed protective health Canadian soil quality guidelines. Soil As and Zn available fractions are also of concern for groundwater and crops contamination as more than 84% of the samples were above the trigger value proposed by the German legislation for both elements (0.4 and 2 mg/kg, respectively). In the horticultural crops the cabbage leaves concentrate more the PHEs (max.: 3.5, 0.08 and 746 mg/kg dw for As, Hg and Zn, respectively) than the tomato fruit (max.: 0.4, 0.02 and 82 mg/kg dw, respectively). The highest concentration of the study PHEs in soils and horticultural crops were found near sewage outlets that are chiefly related to historical industrial activities mostly from arsenopyrite roasting and a chloralkali plant. The values of estimated bioaccumulation and bioconcentration coefficients suggested exclusion mechanisms for transfer of As to edible cabbage and tomato tissues and cabbage Zn tolerance capacity. The concentration of the PHEs in the edible horticultural crops tissues were not directly related with respective soil total concentration or available fractions, specially for As and Hg. Sampling locations with the highest concentrations of As, Hg, Zn in soil and vegetable foodstuffs should be sites to foregoing research and human daily intakes should be investigated in order to evaluate potential health risks.     

大气环境中汞污染的研究进展

总结了大气环境中汞污染的研究进展，包括大气环境中汞的来源、汞在大气环境中的化学演化和环境效应；介绍运用环境地球物理方法在大气颗粒汞研究的初步结果，并就我国汞污染研究提出有关建议。     

Heavy metals in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus galloprovincialis</Emphasis>, suspended particulate matter and sediment from offshore submerged longline system,Black Sea

The study was performed between March 2009 and March 2010 at the Sinop Inner Harbor on cultured mussels at the offshore submerged longline system. The samples of mussels, sediment and suspended particulate matter were seasonally taken for the purpose of monitoring differences of metal contents. In addition, burnable organic matter, contamination factors (CF), pollution load index (PLI) in sediment samples, meat yield of mussels were seasonally determined. All metals in suspended particulate matter were found to be above the national limit. Cd concentration in sediment was above the limit according to sediment quality guidelines, and Cd concentration in mussel was above both national and international limit values. According to CF and PLI identified in sediment, it was found that Inner Harbor was under the effect of anthropogenic pollution in terms of Cd accumulation. Provisional tolerable weekly intake calculated in mussel did not exceed the tolerable consumption values. In conclusion, it can be said that this region considered for commercial mussel cultivation is not a suitable area.     

河湖滨岸缓冲带净污机理及适宜宽度研究进展

在分析河湖滨岸缓冲带结构特征和定义的基础上,从3个方面阐述河湖滨岸缓冲带净化农业非点源污染物的机理:(1)降低地表径流速度,过滤和拦截颗粒态污染物;(2)植物吸收、土壤吸附溶解态的污染物;(3)促进氮的反硝化作用。论述了河湖滨岸缓冲带适宜宽度的研究进展,认为在我国仅仅从环境的角度对适宜宽度进行研究还远远不够,需要从环境、经济和社会等角度对河湖滨岸缓冲带的适宜宽度进行综合研究。探讨了河湖滨岸植被缓冲带净污机理需要进一步研究的突出问题。     

Estimation of number of deaths associated with exposure to excess ambient PM10 air pollution

The respirable particle matter (PM₁₀) concentration in urban areas has been a chronic cause concern and principal reason for increased morbidity rate among resident population. The present study aimed at estimating a discrete event like mortality rate associated and attributable to excess particulate matter pollution in the Kathmandu Valley area. The Government of Nepal conducts air monitoring of particulates at its air monitoring site network covering valley area. Adopting the data available with respect to PM₁₀ and with several other considerations like cutoff value for PM₁₀, mean annual concentration, demographic data of valley, exceedance to the reference cutoff value, attributable fraction evolution and computation relative risk attributable to PM₁₀ was computed. Assumption was made about the relative risk of long-term average PM₁₀ exposure on natural mortality estimated and reported from a previous study. The estimation or mortality rate in our case was 0.95% after all these considerations and computation. This implies that 95 deaths out of 10,000 deaths are due to particulate pollution existing in the Kathmandu Valley Area.