A novel adsorbent for heavy metal remediation in aqueous environments

The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of using maize tassel as an alternative adsorbent for the removal of chromium (VI) and cadmium (II) ions from aqueous solutions. The effect of pH, solution temperature, contact time, initial metal ion concentration and adsorbent dose on the adsorption of chromium (VI) and cadmium (II) by tassel was investigated using batch methods. Adsorption for both chromium (VI) and cadmium (II) was found to be highly pH dependent compared to the other parameters investigated. Obtained results gave an adsorption capacity of 79.1 % for chromium (VI) at pH 2, exposure time of 1h at 25 °C. Maximum capacity of cadmium of 88 % was obtained in the pH range of 5-6 at 25 °C after exposure time of 1 h. The adsorption capacities of tassel for both chromium (VI) and cadmium (II) were found to be comparable to those of other commercial adsorbents currently in use for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous wastes. These results have demonstrated the immense potential of maize tassel as an alternative adsorbent for toxic metal ions remediation in polluted water and wastewater.     

Effects of heavy metal pollution on the soil microbial activity

The effects of heavy metals on soil microbial processes were investigated over a period of six weeks. Analytical grade (Sigma) sulphate salts of copper, zinc and nickel were added individually and in combinations to soil samples and incubated in different plastic pots. Samples were taken from the pots forthnightly and the rates of microbial carbon and nitrogen mineralization, microbial biomass carbon and respiration were measured. The results showed the effect of metals on the measured parameters were significant (P<0.05.). By the 6^th week postreatment, the rates of carbon accumulated were high in the copper (6.03 %) and copper:Zinc (5.80 %) treatments but low in the nickel and zinc (4.93 % and 5.02 % respectively). The rates of Nitrogen mineralization were 0.41 and 0.44 % in samples treated with copper and copper:zinc compared to 0.22 %–0.24 % obtained at the beginning of the experiments. Soil microbial biomass carbon declined from average value of 183.7–185.6 μg/g before treatment to as low as 100.8 and 124.6 μg/g in samples treated with copper:zinc and copper respectively.The rate of respiration of the soil microbial populations was equally inhibited by the metals. From an average rate of 2.51–2.56 μg of C/g respiration of the soil microbes declined to 0.98, 1.08 and 1.61 μg of C/g in the copper:zinc, copper and zinc treated soils by the end of the experiment. The results suggest additive or synergistic effects of the metals.     

Effects of Heavy Metal Contamination on Microbial Biomass and Community Structure in Soils

Theeco environmentalpollutioncausedbyminingdevelopmentisaworldwideproblem ,whichhasarousedever increasingattentionofscientists.Inadditiontovegetationdestructionanderosionofcultivatedlanddirectlycausedbyminingdevelopment,scientistshaveplacedmorefocusontheenvironmentalproblemsinducedbythereleaseofharmfulsubstances ( particularlyheavymetals) .Especiallyundersurfaceconditions,thepiled upminewastes (minetailings)undergoweatheringundertheactionofaseriesofgeochemicalfactorssuchasthemineralogyofmineta…     

Estimating airborne heavy metal concentrations in Dunkerque (northern France)

This work aims to estimate the levels of lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), vanadium (V) and chromium (Cr) corresponding to a 3-month PM₁₀ sampling campaign conducted in 2008 in the city of Dunkerque (northern France) by means of statistical models based on partial least squares regression (PLSR), artificial neural networks (ANNs) and principal component analysis (PCA) coupled with ANN. According to the European Air Quality Directives, because the levels of these pollutants are sufficiently below the European Union (EU) limit/target values and other air quality guidelines, they may be used for air quality assessment purposes as an alternative to experimental measurements. An external validation of the models has been conducted, and the results indicate that PLSR and ANNs, with comparable performance, provide adequate mean concentration estimations for Pb, Ni, Mn and V, fulfilling the EU uncertainty requirements for objective estimation techniques, although ANNs seem to present better generalization ability. However, in accordance with the European regulation, both techniques can be considered acceptable air quality assessment tools for heavy metals in the studied area. Furthermore, the application of factor analysis prior to ANNs did not yield any improvements in the performance of the ANNs.     

Industrialization affects heavy metal and carbon isotope concentrations in recent Baltic Sea sediments

Recent sediment cores of the western Baltic Sea were analyzed for heavy metal and carbon isotope contents. The sedimentation rate was determined from radiocarbon dates to be 1.4 mm/yr. The ‘recent age’ of the sediment was about 850 yr. Within the upper 20 cm of sediment, certain heavy metals became increasingly enriched towards the surface; Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu increased 7-, 4-, 3- and 2-fold, respectively, whereas Fe, Mn, Ni and Co remained unchanged. Simultaneously, the radiocarbon content decreased by about 14 per cent. The enrichment in heavy metals as well as the decrease in the ¹⁴C-concentration during the last 130 ± 30yr parallels industrial growth as reflected in European fossil fuel consumption within that same period of time. The near-surface sediments are affected by residues released from fossil fuels at the rate of about 30 g/m² yr for the past two decades. The residues have a pronounced effect on the heavy metal and carbon isotope composition of the most Recent sediments allowing estimates to be made for sedimentation, erosion and heavy metal pollution.     

Heavy metal concentrations in sediments and in mussels from Argentinean coastal environments,South America

Among environmental contaminants, heavy metals are currently considered to be some of the most toxic ones present worldwide due to their harmful effects on organisms and ability to bioaccumulate in aquatic systems. In this work, the concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni and Cr) in Brachidontes rodriguezii and in the fine sediments of several coastal sites at the southwest of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina is analyzed. The Bahía Blanca Estuary and Pehuen-Có beach are located in a highly complex oceanographic and ecological regional system, which creates the basis of one of the most valuable Argentinean habitats for fishing commercial species. An assessment, which involved analyzing distribution pattern of trace metals, comparative studies with sediment and ecological quality guidelines; and a sequential and integrated index analyses approach (containing Metal Pollution Index, Biosediment Accumulation Factor, Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Pollution Load Index and the mean Probable Effect Level quotients), was followed to estimate enrichment and risks of heavy metals in the sediments and in the mussels from these study areas. The results showed higher concentrations of some heavy metals (e.g., Cd, Cr and Ni) in mussels collected at Pehuen-Có, while no spatial differences in sediments were observed. According to the international environmental regulations, mean values of trace metals in mussels allowed to place both sites between “unpolluted and moderately polluted” and between the “low and medium category” of pollution. Furthermore, the mean concentrations found were within the detected ranges in other coastal sites worldwide.     

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.     

Measurement of free heavy metal ion concentrations in soils using Donnan membrane technique

In natural systems heavy metals are present in very low concentrations (less than micro-molar) , so precise measurement of the free metal ions is difficult. Recently, a new method has been developed called the Donnan membrane technique (DMT). Several heavy metals could be measured simultaneously using this method. Furthermore, all the metals did not interfere with each other, and the balance between the measured system and the surrounding condition could not be disturbed. Improvements were made according to the internal condition. The free heavy metal ion concentrations were measured in different systems using the improved method, and satisfied results have been obtained.     

Accumulation discrepancy of heavy metal and organic pollutants in three near-shore depositional environments, southeastern China

Heavy metal and organic pollutants in sediments along the coastal zone of southeastern China have been investigated. Sediment samples are retrieved from three depositional environments: coast, estuary, and tide-affected river mouth. The relative abundance of heavy metal and organic pollutants is related to their geochemical properties as well as depositional environments and anthropogenic discharge. Based on a sequential extraction method, it is revealed that anthropogenic Pb, Cr, Cu, and Cd are mainly bound to Fe–Mn oxides, suggesting that adsorption and co-precipitation of Fe–Mn oxides are in the control of their transfer processes from water column to sediment. Heavy metal bound to carbonates is also an important pool especially for Cd, Mn, and Pb. The main organic pollutants found in the study area include petroleum-related alkanes, phthalic acid ester, organic silicon, chlorophenol, phenyl ether, and amine. The accumulation of heavy metals and organics in surficial sediments has a decrease tendency from estuarine environment to coastal environment and to tide-affected river mouth.     

Kinetic of biogenic sulfide production for microbial consortia isolated from soils with different bioaccessible concentrations of lead

Different technologies have been implemented for the treatment of acid mine drainage. Among these are technologies such as geochemical barriers and sulfidogenic reactors, which use biogenic sulfide (produced by sulfate-reducing bacteria) for metallic stabilization. Because both processes involve microorganisms, it is important to have a clear understanding of the factors that influence their activity in different toxic environments. Given that microbial communities isolated from polluted sites could have a higher tolerance to toxic ions, two consortia with sulfate-reducing activity were isolated from different soils impacted by mining activities. These soils had different total (401 and 19,300 mg Pb kg^?1), mobile (54 and 1,415 mg Pb kg^?1) and bioaccessible (316 and 3,175 mg Pb kg^?1) concentrations of lead. The kinetics of biogenic sulfide production (BSP) for both consortia were monitored in a batch reactor after they were exposed to different initial lead concentrations. These lead concentrations were established based on the results of lead mobility tests. The estimated BSP rates and biomass concentrations of both consortia showed different responses to the presence of lead. Results highlighted that lead sulfide precipitation on microbial cell is a tolerance mechanism identified and this one is triggered for the lead bioaccessible concentrations threshold in soil. These results could be useful for the designing of processes based on sulfate reducing activity for the removal or stabilization of metal present in water or soil, respectively.     

胶州湾沉积物对海洋生物重金属富集的影响分析

本文对胶州湾沉积物和海洋生物重金属含量进行了统计分析。首先用地球化学法对海洋生物重金属富集特征进行了分析,然后用Spearman’s相关系数法分析了沉积物重金属含量和海洋生物重金属含量的相关性。分析结果表明鱼类对重金属的富集能力最差,而贝类和藻类较强;沉积物重金属均能促进或抑制海洋生物对重金属的富集,而对贝类的抑制作用最强。此结果可以为海洋生物的选择性养殖和种植提供依据。     

Effect of co-existing plant specie on soil microbial activity under heavy metal stress

The influence of plant primary compounds on the activity of soil microbial communities under heavy metal stress was studied in a pot-culture field experiment conducted in a green house. Amaranthus spinosus was cultivated in an agricultural soil previously amended in the laboratory with solutions of different trace elements in two separate treatment modes: singly and in combination. Culture-independent metabolism based indices such as the rate of carbon and nitrogen mineralization, microbial biomass carbon and soil basal respiration were monitored fortnightly over a period of six weeks. Result shows that plant detritus have significant modifying effect on soil microbe-metal interactions. Data on microbial and biochemical processes in the respective mesocosms did not vary from control; not even in mesocosms containing very high concentrations of copper, zinc and nickel. The soil microbial biomass carbon and the rate of carbon and nitrogen cycling were not impeded by the respective metal treatment while the respiration responses increased as a result of increase in metabolic activity of the soil microbes. The plant based substrates enabled the soil microflora to resist high metal contamination because of its tendency to absorb large amounts of inorganic cations.     

Structural diversity of biogenic carbonate particles in microbial mats

Non-skeletal carbonate particles in microbial mats were studied using thin sections and scanning electron microscopy. The microbial mats form biolaminated units (so-called potential stromatolites) in salterns. This study emphasizes the coexistence of different particle forms and makes a genetic connection between the heterogeneity of the organic substrate built by bacteria and diatoms and their extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Whereas allochthonous particles are scarce, Lanzarote microbial mats provide various autochthonous surfaces for the attachment of cells and EPS, including sheaths and capsules of cyanobacteria, frustules of diatoms, metabolic products such as gas bubbles, liquid globules and faecal pellets, as well as the carbonate precipitates themselves. Morphologically different carbonate precipitates are: (i) calcified organic clumps (peloids), (ii) particles composed of concentric aragonite and biofilm laminae (ooids and oncoids), (hi) isolated particles floating in gel-supported mats and coated by rims of fibrous cement (cortoids), (iv) particles bound by cryptocrystalline matrices or cement, resulting in aggregate grains and (v) lobate cement which fills out spaces and pores and fixes the particles. Peloids are suggested to represent faecal pellets although microbial systems also generate cell clumps by non-faecal processes. Ooid and oncoid constructions clearly record alternating processes of biofilm accumulation and aragonite encrustation. Further characteristic features of carbonate particles generated within a microbial mat are: (i) an irregular distribution ranging from isolated particles floating within the gel-like matrix to closely packed particles, (ii) the amalgamation of different particle types (e.g. peloids and ooids) in aggregate grains, (iii) the heterogeneous nature of nuclei comprising bacterial clumps, intraclasts, individual cells, cell colonies and bubbles, (iv) the enrichment of remains, casts and imprints of cells within precipitates and (v) deformation (e.g. truncated cortices) of particles.     

Effect of different industrial activities on heavy metal concentrations and chemical distribution in topsoil and road dust

The development of industrial activity in recent years has promoted the pollution in this environment causing health problems to workers and the neighbourhood nearby. In order to determine the influence of different industrial activities in metals concentration and behaviour in soil and road dust, samples from three different industrial areas (service industry; refinery, fertilizer and power industry; and tannery industry) and a natural area were collected. Physical–chemical properties, metal content (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni) and the chemical distribution of metals were carried out. Results show largest accumulation of metals in road dusts samples for all industrial areas, being Zn, Pb, Cr and Cu the metals with highest concentrations. Each industrial activity contributes differently to the concentration of metals in soil and dust, and the highest concentrations of Cr were found from tannery industries, while Pb and Zn showed the highest concentration from refinery and fertilizer industry. It has been showed that industrial activity has influence on the physicochemical properties of soil and road dust and on the bioavailability of all metals. Chemical partitioning indicates that Pb, Zn, Cu and Cr distribution in the different solid phases is affected by industrial activity, while Co and Ni distribution is not affected by the industrial activity.     

燃煤排放可吸入颗粒物(PM10)中重金属元素分布与富集特征

研究了我国西南地区小龙潭、阳宗海和贵阳三个燃煤电厂排放可吸入颗粒物(PM10)中重金属元素(As、Se、Be、Pb、Cd和Co)的分布与富集特征.同粒径大于10μm的飞灰相比,大多数重金属倾向于在PM10中富集.经历了挥发-凝聚过程的As、Se、Cd和Pb元素,在PM10粒径大小和化学成分差异等因素的共同作用下,随着PM10粒径的减小,其含量和富集系数在总体增大的趋势下局部存在低值异常;未经历挥发-凝聚过程的重金属元素(小龙潭电厂、贵阳电厂Be和Co)表现出在不同粒级PM10中均匀分布和正常富集的特征.煤粉燃烧过程中重金属元素的挥发-凝聚特性改变了燃煤产物中重金属元素的环境迁移能力,经历了挥发-凝聚过程的重金属元素主要赋存于飞灰表面,形成纳米级颗粒覆盖层,其水溶性和酸溶性增强,环境危害性增大.     

Heavy metal concentrations in sediments of streams affected by a sanitary landfill: A comparison of metal enrichment in two size sediment fractions

The purpose of this study was to determine if metal concentrations are enriched in two size sediment fractions of streams that receive landfill effluent and, if so, whether there is a greater extent of metal enrichment in one of the fractions. Sediment samples were collected from three streams adjacent to a sanitary landfill. Sediments representing control for the study were also collected from a stream not influenced by the landfill. All samples were sieved and the <0.0625-mm and <0.25-mm to >0.149-mm size fractions from each sample were used in this study. The concentrations of acid-extractable Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cr for all samples were determined by atomic absorption techniques. Mean concentrations, coefficient of variation values, at test, and the variation of metal concentrations along the stream were used to analyze the data. Results indicated that Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cr concentrations were enriched in both size sediment fractions from the stream whose channel originated at the base of the landfill. Copper, Zn, and Pb concentrations were enriched in the <0.0625-mm size sediments of the stream whose channel did not intersect the landfill. Copper, Zn, Pb, and Cr concentrations appear enriched in both size sediment fractions of the third stream, which formed from the confluence of the other two streams. The extent of metal enrichment was greater in the <0.0625-mm size sediments. A decreasing trend of metal concentrations in a downstream direction was not present in the enriched sediments. This was true for each metal in both size sediment fractions.     

Influence of the environmental behavior and ecological effect of cropland heavy metal contaminants by CO2 enrichment in atmosphere

Recently, the impacts of increasing atmospheric CO2 level on the terrestrial ecological system have been intensively studied. The higher the CO2 concentration, the higher the risk of destabilizing vulnerable carbon pool on ecological safety. Metabolism, biomass, activity, and diversity of microbial communities in soils can be significantly altered by the CO2 enrichment. For instance, it may accelerate carbonate weathering, vary the rhizospheric exudation, and enhance the amount of available C from the upper soil layer. However, how the CO2 enrichment would influence food safety such as species transformation and bioavailability of heavy metals in soils is remained unanswered. The bioavailability of heavy metals is strongly affected by bio-factors in addition to the physiochemical conditions of soils. Different physiological mechanisms and states control plant uptake of heavy metals. The enrichment of CO2 influences physiological functionalities of plants, and in turn, is expected to have impacts on the bioaccumulation of pollutants and the stress adjustment system of plants. Currently, in China soil is heavily polluted, in most cases, combined by organic pollutants and heavy metals. Studies of the environmental behavior and ecological effect of Cu in soil under elevated CO2 levels were conducted in China FACE （Free Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment） from June to October 2005 using pot experiments. Results showed that the accumulation of Cu and Cd in leaves, stems, roots, and grains of rice growing in Cu contaminated soils was significantly lowered, indicating that the bioavailability of heavy metals in soils decreases with increasing CO2 concentration.     

北京东南郊土壤重金属元素分布及其在表层土壤中的富集特征

通过采集并分析北京东南郊地区表层(0~20 cm)和深层(160~200 cm)土壤样品的重金属元素,查明该地区土壤中元素分布特征,并通过建立半变异函数模型探讨重金属元素的空间自相关性,利用富集系数探讨元素在表层土壤中的富集特征,在此基础上划分出重金属元素显著富集区,并对富集原因进行了深入解释和分析。结果表明:研究区表层土壤Cd、Cu、Hg、Pb、Zn总体含量水平明显高于深层,差距在1.2~3.9倍不等;与北京地区和中国地区土壤重金属元素含量相比,研究区土壤中相对富集Cd、Hg。受成土母质来源差异性和人类活动等诸多因素的影响,表层土壤As、Cr空间自相关性较强,深层土壤Cr空间自相关性较弱,表层和深层其他元素空间自相关性中等。As、Ni、Cr在表层土壤中的富集程度较弱,而Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Hg富集程度较强,富集程度最强的是Hg。以富集系数作为参考依据,圈定出5处重金属元素的显著富集区域,清晰地反映了人类生活、农业种植、工业生产等均是造成重金属元素在表层土壤中富集的重要影响因素;因此,需要密切关注人类居住区、农业种植区、工业企业分布区的土壤元素分布状况,以防止土壤环境恶化和保障生态环境安全。     

Contents of hepatic and renal metallothioneins in Hyposarcus pardalis: for construction of biomarker for heavy metal contamination in environments

The pollution of water by heavy metals is one of the most serious problems in the developing countries, where watercourses play important roles in transport and economic activities. The aim of this study was to examine whether Hyposarcus pardalis, a fish species widespread in the freshwater environment in Indonesia, could be used as a biomarker for environmental pollution by metals. To this effect, the concentrations of metallothioneins and metals in the livers and kidneys of H. pardalis were measured. In addition, to clarify the relationship between metallothionein concentrations and metal exposure, the concentrations of metallothioneins and metals were determined in the liver and the kidney of fish exposed to 50 and 500 ppb Cu and 500 ppb Mn, compared with those kept in clean water. Sufficient concentrations of metallothionein were detected in fish captured from Lake Rawakalong located in an industrial area in the suburbs of Jakarta. The results of exposure experiments suggested that H. pardalis retained a history of pollution in its organs for a long duration, and the metals bound to metallothioneins in the liver and kidney could be replaced with Cu following exposure. In conclusion, the hepatic and renal metallothioneins in H. pardalis are a useful candidate biomarker for monitoring heavy metal contamination.     

Biogeochemical cycles of carbon, sulfur, and free oxygen in a microbial mat

Complete budgets for carbon and oxygen have been constructed for cyanobacterial mats dominated by Microcoleus chthonoplastes from the evaporating ponds of a salt works located in Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Included in the budget are measured rates of O2 production, sulfate reduction, and elemental exchange across the mat/brine interface, day and night, at various temperatures and times of the year. We infer from this data the various sinks for O2, as well as the sources of carbon for primary production. To summarize, although seasonal variability exists, a major percentage of the O2 produced during the day did not diffuse out of the mat but was used within the mat to oxidize both organic carbon and the sulfide produced by sulfate reduction. At night, most of the O2 that diffused into the mat was used to oxidize sulfide, with O2 respiration of minor importance. During the day, the internal mat processes of sulfate reduction and O2 respiration generated as much or more inorganic carbon (DIC) for primary production as diffusion into the mat. Also, oxygenic photosynthesis was the most important process of carbon fixation, although anoxygenic photosynthesis may have been important at low light levels during some times of the year. At night, the DIC lost from the mat was mostly from sulfate reduction. Elemental fluxes across the mat/brine interface indicated that carbon with an oxidation state of greater than zero was taken up by the mat during the day and liberated from the mat at night. Overall, carbon with an average oxidation state of near zero accumulated in the mat. Both carbon fixation and carbon oxidation rates varied with temperature by a similar amount. These mats are thus closely coupled systems where rapid rates of photosynthesis both require and fuel rapid rates of heterotrophic carbon oxidation.