Spatial distribution,pollution characterization and health risk assessment of selected metals in groundwater of Lahore,Pakistan

Groundwater pollution is a major global environmental issue especially in the large cities and trace metals are considered as most important aquatic pollutants. The present study is based on the measurement and characterization of various physicochemical parameters (pH, EC, TDS, DO, alkalinity, hardness, and chloride), major cations (Ca, Mg, Na and K) and selected trace metals (Sr, Li, Fe, Zn, Cu, Co, Mn, Ag, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb) in the groundwater of Lahore, Pakistan during summer and winter (2017–18) seasons. Groundwater is the main source of drinking water in urban areas of Lahore. Seasonal comparison of the data indicated that majority of the metals showed relatively higher concentrations during winter than summer. Most of the metals exhibited significant spatial variability during both seasons; relatively higher metal levels were found in the old settlements and thickly populated areas of the city. Average concentrations of Pb, Ni, Cd and Co in the groundwater were found to be higher than the national and international guideline values. Factor analysis and cluster analysis revealed major anthropogenic contributions of Ni, Co, Cd, Cu, Cr and Pb in the groundwater while rest of the metals showed mixed and/or natural contributions. Evaluation of human health risks for the metal contents in groundwater revealed that Pb, Co, Ni and Cd were associated with significantly higher non-carcinogenic risks (HQ_ing > 1); the calculated risk for children was considerably higher than the adults. Moreover, the carcinogenic risk associated with Ni, Cr, Cd and Pb exceeded the safe limits. The present study revealed significantly higher anthropic pollutants in the groundwater which imposed considerable risks to human; therefore, it is recommended to implement immediate remedial measures to ensure safe drinking water.     

Magnetic enhancement of urban roadside soils as a proxy of degree of pollution by traffic-related activities

Detailed magnetic and geochemical measurements were performed on urban roadside soils collected from Lishui city, China, to establish a possible link between the enhanced concentration of traffic-related magnetic particles and heavy metals. Relatively higher magnetic susceptibility (mean: 124.1 × 10⁻⁸ m³ kg⁻¹) and concentrations of metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) were observed for roadside soils. Concentration-dependent magnetic parameters (χ and SIRM) are highly significantly positively correlated to the concentration of metals (Ca, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Fe, and V), but not significantly correlated with As, Mn, Co, Mg, and K. The principal component analysis showed that χ and SIRM significantly correspond to elements Ca, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. The χ and SIRM also have significant linear correlation with integrated pollution index, indicating that χ and SIRM can be used as effective proxy indicators for the pollution of heavy metals. Magnetite in the pseudo-single-domain/multidomain (PSD/MD) grain size was identified as the dominant magnetic carrier by temperature-dependent measurements of saturation magnetization (Ms–T curve), XRD and hysteresis loops. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis of the magnetic particles revealed the presence of large traffic-related angular-subangular, blocky, and spherical iron oxide particles. These iron oxide particles are typical for particles produced by traffic-related anthropogenic activities. It is concluded that vehicle emissions may be the major source of elevated heavy metals and magnetic particles in roadside soils. The results proved the applicability of magnetic method in detecting roadside pollution derived from vehicle emissions.     

雄安新区土壤重金属和砷元素空间分布特征及源解析

研究雄安地区土壤重金属和砷元素空间分布特征及其来源,对于支撑新区土地资源和环境管理具有重要意义。基于雄安新区土壤环境调查,运用地统计学方法和ArcGIS 技术分析模拟了土壤中As、Hg、Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn、Ni、Cr等8种元素空间分布特征,综合运用空间分析、多元统计学方法和正定因子矩阵模型解析这些元素的主要来源。结果表明:（1）区内土壤质量总体良好,4.35 %的土壤样品Cd和Cu含量超过农用地土壤污染风险筛选值,但均低于农用地土壤污染风险管控值;与河北省背景值相比,Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn和Hg存在不同程度中度和显著富集。（2）As、Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn、Ni、Cr含量呈现出由北部向南部逐渐增高的趋势,高值区主要分布在新区西南部;Hg元素分布分散,高值区主要分布在城镇及工业企业周边。（3）不同土地利用类型土壤剖面重金属和砷元素垂向分布受pH值、有机碳和铁铝氧化物等理化性质影响显著。（4）研究区土壤重金属和砷元素富集受人类活动影响明显,人为来源贡献率达67.12 %,Hg元素主要来源于人为排放的大气沉降富集,As元素富集受到废渣堆放和利用的影响,Cd、Cu、Pb和Zn元素富集受工业生产、污水灌溉以及尾气排放等活动影响。研究成果可为雄安新区合理制定土地资源开发利用和生态保护措施提供技术支撑。     

Heavy metal distribution in sediments from Calabar River, southeastern Nigeria

The concentration and areal distribution of selected metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, Fe, and Cr) in the sediments of the Calabar River were studied to determine the extent of anthropogenic input and to estimate the effects of dumping industrial waste materials into the river. The concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cu indicate relatively moderate pollution mainly on the left-hand side of the river while Ni, Cr, Co, Cd, and Fe levels are below values found to have adverse effects on the lives of marine biota. High metal contents are found close to industrial establishments and so enhanced metal concentrations are related to industrial sewage and metal leaching from garbage and solid waste dumps.     

Geochemical variations of major and trace elements in recent sediments,off the Gulf of Mannar,the southeast coast of India

The Gulf of Mannar along the Tuticorin coast is a coral base of the southeast coast of India. To obtain a preliminary view of its environmental conditions, geochemical distribution of major elements (Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, K, P), trace elements (Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn, Cd) and acid leachable elements (Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn, Cd) were analyzed in surface sediment samples from two seasons. Geochemical fractionation confirmed the lithogenic origin of metals, which were mainly associated with the detrital phase. The sediments in the gulf are sandy with abundant calcareous debris, which controls the distribution of total and acid leachable elements. Enrichment factors relative to crust vary by a magnitude of two to three and the presence of trace metals indicates the input of Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in both forms through industrial activities. Factor analysis supports the above observation with higher loadings on acid leachable elements and its association with CaCO₃. The increase in concentration of trace metals (Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu, Co, Ni, Zn) along the Gulf of Mannar indicates that the area has been contaminated by the input from riverine sources and the industries nearby. The present study indicates that other sources should be evaluated in the long-term monitoring program.     

黑龙江省松嫩平原南部大气颗粒物地球化学特征及来源解析

研究采集了黑龙江松嫩平原南部28个夏季大气颗粒物样品,分析了不同粒径(TSP、PM10、PM2-5)样品中常量和微量元素含量,对元素浓度含量特征、元素间相关性和空间分布特征进行了分析,并使用富集系数法和因子分析法进行元素来源解析。研究表明：在PM10-100中富集的元素多在地壳中含量很高,重金属元素在PM2-5中高度富集,不同粒径大气颗粒物中各元素质量浓度整体水平为：大庆>绥化>哈尔滨>齐齐哈尔。富集因子分析表明：Fe、K、Ti、Mn、Co的富集因子小于1或非常接近1,Ca、Mg、Ni、Cr的富集因子大于1但仍小于10,Na、Zn、Cu、Cd、Pb、Se的富集因子大于10,表现出较为明显的人为来源特征。参照颗粒物不同源主要标识元素,对各元素进行主因子分析结果表明：松嫩平原南部大气可吸入颗粒物的主要来源是土壤扬尘,此外还有燃煤、垃圾焚烧、汽车尾气、碱尘大气传输、燃油和工业来源。     

Metal contamination of soils at Scott Base,Antarctica

Soil samples taken from excavated pits on traverses across New Zealand’s Scott Base, Antarctica, were leached with water and 0.01 M HNO₃ and the leachates analysed for Ag, Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. The soils had high conductivity and pH values generally increasing with depth and in the range 8.3–10.1. The water leachate generally contained most of the extractable metals except Mn and Cd, and As. Linear relationships were observed between some metals leached into alkaline solution and the Fe in those solutions. The ratios to Fe were comparable to those of the host basanite, and this observation is interpreted as showing that these metals are incorporated in fine mineral particulates derived directly from the rock mass. Outliers in leachable metal concentrations in the soils indicated appreciable contamination of the soil from anthropogenic sources with Ag, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn as well as As. In some locations high concentrations of Ag and Cd correspond to specific sources and drainage channels. High concentrations of Pb were widely spread and in the top soil layers whereas the elevated concentrations of Zn were distributed throughout the soil profiles indicating atmospheric sources and different mobilities within the soils. Transport within the soils is evident for some metals, as is lateral movement over and through the soils.     

Composition of water and suspended sediment in streams of urbanized subtropical watersheds in Hawaii

Urbanization on the small subtropical island of Oahu, Hawaii provides an opportunity to examine how anthropogenic activity affects the composition of material transferred from land to ocean by streams. This paper investigates the variability in concentrations of trace elements (Pb, Zn, Cu, Ba, Co, As, Ni, V and Cr) in streams of watersheds on Oahu, Hawaii. The focus is on water and suspended particulate matter collected from the Ala Wai Canal watershed in Honolulu and also the Kaneohe Stream watershed. As predicted, suspended particulate matter controls most trace element transport. Elements such as Pb, Zn, Cu, Ba and Co exhibit increased concentrations within urbanized portions of the watersheds. Particulate concentrations of these elements vary temporally during storms owing to input of road runoff containing elevated concentrations of elements associated with vehicular traffic and other anthropogenic activities. Enrichments of As in samples from predominantly conservation areas are interpreted as reflecting agricultural use of fertilizers at the boundaries of urban and conservation lands. Particulate Ni, V and Cr exhibit distributions during storm events that suggest a mineralogical control. Principal component analysis of particulate trace element concentrations establishes eigenvalues that account for nearly 80% of the total variance and separates trace elements into 3 factors. Factor 1 includes Pb, Zn, Cu, Ba and Co, interpreted to represent metals with an urban anthropogenic enrichment. Factor 2 includes Ni, V and Cr, elements whose concentrations do not appear to derive from anthropogenic activity and is interpreted to reflect mineralogical control. Another, albeit less significant, anthropogenic factor includes As, Cd and U and is thought to represent agricultural inputs. Samples collected during a storm derived from an offshore low-pressure system suggest that downstream transport of upper watershed material during tradewind-derived rains results in a 2-3-fold dilution of the particulate concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cu in the Ala Wai canal watershed.     

Assessment of trace element geochemistry of Hampton Roads harbor and lower Chesapeake Bay area sediments

Acid extractable Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb. and Zn were determined in sediments from the Inner Virginia Shelf, and from shipping channels in the lower Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads, Virginia, harbor system. Data were evaluated by a variety of techniques Levels of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn exceeded average crustal abundances for most of the study sites. Cumulative frequency curves suggested that there were two major populations for all metals and perhaps a third and smaller, one for Cd, Cr, and Mn Plots of metal vs Fe indicated no anthropogenic inputs of metals for shelf and Chesapeake Bay channel sites, but suggested anthropogenic influences for all metals in several of the inshore sites. Enrichment factor calculations showed enrichment of Cd, Pb, and Zn with respect to average crustal abundances for all sites and of Cu for the industrial harbor system. A recommendation of this study for evaluation of environmental geochemical metals data is to utilize mean concentrations, cumulative frequency plots, and metal vs Fe and/or enrichment factor calculations when evaluating the pollution status of sediments.     

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

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

Factor analysis of the elemental composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pteridium aquilinum</Emphasis> from serpentine and granite soils as a tool in the classification of relations between this composition and the type of parent rock in the Ślęża Massif in Lower Silesia,Poland

Concentrations of the elements N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Co, Mo, Cd and Pb were measured in serpentine and granite soils and in the fern Pteridium aquilinum sampled from the Ślęża Massif in Lower Silesia, Poland. The serpentine soils were typical for serpentine soils in general with deficiency of K and Ca and excess of Mg, Ni and Cr. The principal component analysis (PCA) ordination based on the matrix of concentrations of elements in plants growing on serpentine and granite soils enabled the identification of the parent material from which ferns in this study were collected. This method indicated that the ferns from granite soils were distinguished by higher concentrations of Mo and Pb, while those from serpentine soils were distinguished by higher concentrations of Mg, Ni, Cr and Co. These differences in bioaccumulation reflect the higher concentrations of total and plant-available forms of Mg, Ni, Cr, Co in serpentinite and the higher concentrations of total Mo and total and plant-available Pb in granites as reported in literature. The different parent material types in the Ślęża Massif on which the investigated soils were developed influence the concentration and type of elements accumulated in P. aquilinum.     

Heavy metals contents on beach and dune sediments from Espinho to Mondego Cape (Portugal)—influence of human activities

Following previous studies on beach and dune sediments from the Espinho–Mondego Cape coastal sector, geochemical studies have been done on the same sediments aiming to unravel the lithological from the anthropogenic geochemical signal. 129 samples have been collected from 45 profiles, in beach and dune sediments. Total Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Cd, Co, Ni, Cr, Ca, Mg and Al concentrations were measured in the fine fractions of the sediments. The absence of relationship between the analysed heavy elements and Al and the exhibition of contents higher than the rocks outcropping in the hinterland, point to an additional source of heavy metals related to human activities. The available data allowed us to consider that inputs from Aveiro lagoon (natural and anthropogenic), Douro River and coastal erosion (by littoral drift or advective currents) are the main sources of heavy metals in this region.     

济南市大气降尘地球化学特征及污染端元研究

在济南市城区对大气降尘及不同污染端元样品进行采集,系统分析了大气降尘和污染端元元素含量特征,并对大气降尘空间分布及污染来源进行研究。结果表明:不同污染端元中元素含量差别明显,燃煤尘中As、Cd、F、Pb是汽车尾气尘的3倍以上,是交通尘、冶炼尘、建筑尘等其他端元尘的1.26~2.35倍,对环境影响较大;汽车尾气尘中Cr、Ni、S、Zn含量最高,冶炼尘中Co、Ni、Pb、F含量偏高,而建筑尘中多数元素含量为所有端元尘中最低。与土壤背景值相比,济南市大气降尘中Cr、Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、F、S富集程度较高,受到不同程度人为污染;相关分析和因子分析结果表明,Cd、Cu、Hg、Pb、As主要来源于企业燃煤,大气降尘中这些元素高含量区与热电厂、冶炼厂、化工厂等燃煤污染源空间分布相一致;F、S可能与汽车尾气排放有关,而As、Cr主源于交通污染,这3种污染源是济南市大气降尘污染的主要来源,对降尘的贡献约占60.42%。研究表明,工业燃煤排放已逐渐代替汽车尾气成为大气降尘中Pb元素的主要来源。     

Comprehensive evaluation of heavy metal contamination in surface and core sediments of Taihu Lake, the third largest freshwater lake in China

The spatial and temporal variations of Fe, K, Co, V, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb were determined in the sediments of Taihu Lake, the third largest freshwater lake in China and categorized into natural origin (Fe, K, Co, and V) and human contamination (Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb) groups by principal component analysis. Most of the metals were positively correlated with the clay content (<4???m) and negatively correlated with the >16???m fraction, indicating the dominant role of grain size in regulating metals concentrations. Geochemical normalization and enrichment factors (EFs) were introduced to reduce the confounding of variable grain size and to quantify anthropogenic contributions. Higher EF values for Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn occurred in the north Zhushan, Meiliang, and Gonghu Bays, indicating a high level of human contamination from the northern cities, such as Wuxi and Changzhou. Higher EF values of Pb were also present in the southwest and east lake areas, denoting the existence of additional anthropogenic sources. Chrome, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb showed increasing EF values in the top layers of sediment cores, indicating enhancing contamination since 1970s with rapid economy development in the catchment. These results indicate that geochemical normalization is a necessary and effective method in quantifying heavy metals contamination, and that historic sediment should be used as background values in calculating EFs. Potential risks of the heavy metals were assessed linking the consensus-based sediment quality guidelines and human contamination. Concentrations of Ni and Cr are greater than the threshold effect concentration (TEC) values, even in the sediments before 1970s, due to higher background concentrations in terrestrial parent materials. Concentrations of Ni and Cr are generally lower than the probable effect concentration (PEC) values, and concentrations of Cu and Zn are below the TEC values in the open lake areas. Whereas, concentrations of Ni and Cr are surpassing the PEC values and Cu and Zn are surpassing the TEC values in the north bays due to the high level of human contamination, where they were with EFs over 1.2, denoting higher potential eco-risks.     

Atmospheric wet deposition of trace elements to central Tibetan Plateau

To investigate trace elements in wet precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau (TP), a total of 79 event-based precipitation samples were collected from September 2007 to September 2008 at Nam Co Station. Samples were analyzed for concentrations of Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The annual volume-weighted concentrations of elements were generally comparable to other background sites, and much lower than urban areas. The enrichment factors (EF) showed that, in comparison with the Tibetan soils, the wet precipitation had elevated concentrations of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb, probably indicating their anthropogenic origins. Other elements (Al, Fe, Mn and V) with enrichment factor value of <10 may derive mainly from crustal sources. The principal component analysis further confirmed the two different groups of elements in wet deposition samples. The backward trajectories were calculated for each precipitation event using the NOAA HYSPLIT model. The results indicated significant differences of EF for trace elements of anthropogenic origin between the summer monsoon and non-monsoon seasons. The data obtained in the present study indicated that pollutants can affect remote high altitude regions like the Tibetan Plateau through long-range transport, especially in the summer monsoon season.     

Heavy metals in freshly deposited sediments of the Gomati River (a tributary of the Ganga River): effects of human activities

 The concentrations of various metals (Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Cd) were determined in recently deposited surface sediments of the Gomati River in the Lucknow urban area. Markedly elevated concentrations (milligrams per kilogram) of some of the metals, Cd (0.26–3.62), Cu (33–147), Ni (45–86), Pb (25–77), and Zn (90–389) were observed. Profiles of these metals across the Lucknow urban stretch show a progressive downstream increase due to additions from 4 major drainage networks discharging the urban effluents into the river. The degree of metal contamination is compared with the local background and global standards. The geoaccumulation index order for the river sediments is Cd>Zn>Cu>Cr>Pb. Significant correlations were observed between Cr and Zn, Cr and Cu, Cu and Zn and total sediment carbon with Cr and Zn. This study reveals that the urbanization process is associated with higher concentrations of heavy metals such as Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, and Zn in the Gomati River sediments. To keep the river clean for the future, it is strongly recommended that urban effluents should not be overlooked before their discharge into the river. Received: 16 February 1996 · Accepted: 29 February 1996     

Distribution and immobilization of heavy metals in Pliocene aquifer sediments in Wadi El Natrun depression, Western Desert

The Pliocene aquifer receives inflow of Miocene and Pleistocene aquifer waters in Wadi El Natrun depression. The aquifer also receives inflow from the agricultural activity and septic tanks. Nine sediment samples were collected from the Pliocene aquifer in Wadi E1 Natrun. Heavy metal (Cu, Sr, Zn, Mn, Fe, Al, Ba, Cr, Ni, V, Cd, Co, Mo, and Pb) concentrations of Pliocene aquifer sediments were investigated in bulk, sand, and mud fractions. The determination of extractable trace metals (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Pb) in Pliocene aquifer sediments using sequential extraction procedure (four steps) has been performed in order to study environmental pathways (e.g., mobility of metals, bounding states). These employ a series of successively stronger chemical leaching reagents which nominally target the different compositional fractions. By analyzing the liquid leachates and the residual solid components, it is possible to determine not only the type and concentration of metals retained in each phase but also their potential ecological significance. Cu, Sr, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Al concentrations are higher in finer sediments than in coarser sediments, while Ba, Cr, Ni, V, Cd, Co, Mo, and Pb are enriched in the coarser fraction. The differences in relative concentrations are attributed to intense anthropogenic inputs from different sources. Heavy metal concentrations are higher than global average concentrations in sandstone, USEPA guidelines, and other local and international aquifer sediments. The order of trace elements in the bulk Pliocene aquifer sediments, from high to low concentrations, is Fe?>?Al?>?Mn?>?Cr?>?Zn?>?Cu?>?Ni?>?V?>?Sr?>?Ba?>?Pb?>?Mo?>?Cd?>?Co. The Pliocene aquifer sediments are highly contaminated for most toxic metals, except Pb and Co which have moderate contamination. The active soluble (F0) and exchangeable (F1) phases are represented by high concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn and relatively higher concentrations of Pb and Cd. This may be due to the increase of silt and clay fractions (mud) in sediments, which act as an adsorbent, retaining metals through ion exchange and other processes. The order of mobility of heavy metals in this phase is found to be Pb?>?Cd?>?Zn?>?Cu?>?Fe?>?Mn. The values of the active phase of most heavy metals are relatively high, indicating that Pliocene sediments are potentially a major sink for heavy metals characterized by high mobility and bioavailability. Fe–Mn oxyhydroxide phase is the most important fraction among labile fractions and represents 22% for Cd, 20% for Fe, 11% for Zn, 8% for Cu, 5% for Pb, and 3% for Mn. The organic matter-bound fraction contains 80% of Mn, 72% of Cu, 68% of Zn, 60% of Fe, 35% of Pb, and 30% of Cd (as mean). Summarizing the sequential extraction, a very good immobilization of the heavy metals by the organic matter-bound fraction is followed by the carbonate-exchangeable-bound fraction. The mobility of the Cd metal in the active and Fe–Mn oxyhydroxide phases is the highest, while the Mn metal had the lowest mobility.     

Heavy metal pollution in freshly deposited sediments of the Yamuna River (the Ganges River tributary): a case study from Delhi and Agra urban centres, India

 The Yamuna River sediments, collected from Delhi and Agra urban centres, were analysed for concentration and distribution of nine heavy metals by means of atomic adsorption spectrometry. Total metal contents varied in the following ranges (in mg/kg): Cr (157–817), Mn (515–1015), Fe (28,700–45,300), Co(11.7–28.4), Ni (40–538), Cu (40–1204), Zn (107–1974), Pb (22–856) and Cd (0.50–114.8). The degree of metal enrichment was compared with the average shale concentration and shows exceptionally high values for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in both urban centres. In the total heavy metal concentration, anthropogenic input contains 70% Cr, 74% Cu, 59% Zn, 46% Pb, 90% Cd in Delhi and 61% Cr, 23% Ni, 71% Cu, 72% Zn, 63% Pb, 94% Cd in Agra. A significant correlation was observed between increasing Cr, Ni, Zn, and Cu concentrations with increasing total sediment carbon and total sediment sulfur content. Based on the Müller's geoaccumulation index, the quality of the river sediments can be regarded as being moderately polluted to very highly polluted with Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in the Delhi and Agra urban centres. The present sediment analysis, therefore, plays an important role in environmental measures for the Yamuna River and the planning of these city centres. Received: 21 June 1999 · Accepted: 1 October 1999     

Spatio-temporal trends of heavy metals and source apportionment in Tolo Harbour,Hong Kong

This study provided a picture of the spatial and temporal distributions of Cr, Co, Ni Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb in bottom sediments of Tolo Harbour. The concentrations of the eight heavy metals differed significantly between sites due to the poor tidal flushing in Tolo Harbour. The levels of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were generally enriched in sediments from inner Tolo Harbour, while sediments from outer Tolo Harbour (Tolo Channel) had higher levels of Cr, Co and Ni. The redox sensitive element arsenic showed no distinct spatial pattern in Tolo Harbour. The decreasing levels of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in sediments with increasing distance from land demonstrated a typical diffusion pattern from land to the direction of sea. Two hot spots of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in sediments were located near Tai Po and Sha Tin new town, indicating that Cu, Zn, Pb and Zn were from land-derived sources. The sites with relatively high levels of Cr, Co and Ni in sediments were located in areas close to waste spoil in sea floor. The natural and anthropogenic inputs from Sha Tin and Tai Po to Tolo Harbour were mostly responsible for Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb enrichment in sediments from inner Tolo Harbour. The waste spoil in sea floor was believed to contribute to the Cr, Co and Ni in outer Tolo Harbour. The results of correlation coefficient between the eight heavy metals showed that Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were strongly positively correlated, and Cr, Co and Ni were also significantly correlated with each other. The best explanation of strong correlation was their similar source. As, however, is not well correlated with the other seven heavy metals. The average concentrations of Cu and Zn displayed general increasing trends from 1978 to 2006 in Tolo Harbour, while the mean levels of Cr and Pb displayed a substantial decrease from 1978 to 1987, then a slight increase after 1987. No distinct temporal trends of the concentrations of Ni and As were observed from 1978 due to the inconsecutive data. On the other hand, the increasing trends of Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were observed since 1996.     

海口和三亚椰树中的重金属元素研究及环境指示意义

采用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱(ICP)和原子吸收光谱仪分析了海口市和三亚市椰树树皮和树叶中Cd、Co、Cu、Cr、Ni、Pb、Zn、V、Ti的质量分数,探讨了它们的分布特征.结果表明,椰树树皮较树叶更易积累重金属元素.对比两个城市椰树树皮、树叶中各重金属元素的质量分数可知,除三亚市椰树树皮中Cr、Ni的平均质量分数略高于海口市外,椰树树皮、树叶中其他重金属元素质量分数均为海口市大于三亚市.分析不同功能区椰树树皮和树叶中各重金属元素的质量分数可见,工业区中Co、Cr、Ni、Ti、V的质量分数相对较高,反映了工业活动对环境的影响;主干道附近w(Pb)较高,与车辆交通等人为活动密切相关.对重金属元素的相关性及生物吸收系数的分析表明,椰树对土壤中各重金属元素的吸收程度是有限的,其吸收程度与土壤中各重金属元素质量分数的高低并不一致,因此,其吸收程度除受土壤类型影响外,还受生物吸收能力的控制.