Geochemical hazard evaluation of sulphide-rich iron mines: The Rio Marina district (Elba Island,Italy)

Rio Marina mining district (Elba Island) is characterised by hematite + pyrite ore association and was exploited for iron till 1981, leaving waste rock dumps of several millions m³. The effect of open pit mining activity in this site is to produce acid mine drainage (AMD) processes leading to environmental pollution, testified by all the sampled waters (Giove stream, drainage channels, superficial pools and settling basin) which have pH values ranging from 2.08 to 3.35 and heavy metal concentrations that reach 903.16 mg/l for Fe, 45.02 mg/l for Mn, 10.08 mg/l for Zn and 1.75 mg/l for Cu. In the present work a space and time related approach to geochemical hazard evaluation was applied. The geochemical hazard is mainly related to high heavy metal concentration, acid mine drainage processes development and topographic setting. As all these parameters are related in space, hazard evaluation was performed by geostatistical methods. Fifty-four earth material samples (residual soils, waste rocks or debris materials) were collected in a central aligned 100 m mesh square grid. These were analysed for major elements by XRF, for Cu, Pb, Zn by ICP-AES and for AMD potential following the AMIRA procedure. The concentration of heavy metals was compared with Italian law limits. The overlap of Cu, Pb and Zn content maps show that at least one of these heavy metals exceed law limits in all the area. The AMD test results show that more than 50% of samples have a positive NAPP (Net Acid Producing Potential) that could reach 258.9 kg H₂SO₄/t. According to the obtained data, three main geochemical hazard classes were established and their distribution in the mining area was assessed. About 51% of the mining area surface belongs to the major hazard class, where AMD process occurs, about 49% belongs to an intermediate hazard class, where AMD process could occur only if certain conditions are met. Finally, the persistence of the AMD process in the Rio Marina area was evaluated on the basis of yearly rainfall, mining waters pH and NAPP values. A complete leaching of the first 0.25 m of the earth materials can retain the current environmental conditions for several centuries.     

Hydrochemistry of superficial waters in the Adoria mine area (Northern Portugal): environmental implications

The purpose of this work is to characterize the hydrochemical behavior of acid mine drainages (AMD) and superficial waters from the Adoria mine area (Northern Portugal). Samples of superficial and mine drainage water were collected for one year, bi-monthly, with pH, temperature, Eh, conductivity and HCO₃ determined in situ with chemical analyses of SO₄, Ca, K, Mg, Na, Cl, Ag, As, Bi, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and Cd. In the mine, there are acidic waters, with low pH and significant concentrations of SO₄, and metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd and Ni), while in the superficial natural stream waters outside the mine, the pH is close to neutral, with low conductivity and lower metal concentrations. The stream waters inside the mine influence are intermediate in composition between AMD and natural stream waters outside the mine influence. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) shows a clear separation between AMD galleries and AMD tailings, with tailings having a greater level of contamination.     

Effects of copper mining on heavy metal contamination in a rice agrosystem in the Xiaojiang River Basin,southwest China

Metallic ore mining causes heavy metal pollution worldwide. However, the fate of heavy metals in agrosystems with long-term contamination has been poorly studied. Dongchuan District (Yunnan, southwest China), located at the middle reaches of the Xiaojiang River, is a well-known 2000-year-old copper mining site. In this work, a survey on soil heavy metal contents was conducted using a handheld X-ray fluorescence instrument to understand the general contamination of heavy metals in the Xiaojiang River Basin. Furthermore, river water, soil, and rice samples at six sites along the fluvial/alluvial fans of the river were collected and analyzed to implement an environmental assessment and an evaluation of irrigated agrosystem. V, Zn, and Cu soil levels (1724, 1047, and 696 mg·kg⁻¹, respectively) far exceeded background levels. The geo-accumulation indexes (I_geo) showed that cultivated soils near the mining sites were polluted by Cd and Cu, followed by Zn, V, Pb, Cr, Ni, and U. The pollution index (Pi) indicated that rice in the area was heavily polluted with Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, Zn, and Cu. The difference in orders of metal concentrations between the soil and rice heavy metal contamination was related to the proportion of bioavailable heavy metals in the soil. The crop consumption risk assessment showed that the hazard quotient exceeded the safe threshold, indicating a potential carcinogenic risk to consumers. The Nemerow integrated pollution index and health index indicated that the middle of the river (near the mining area) was the heaviest polluted site.

     

Multivariate statistical approach to identify heavy metal sources in agricultural soil around an abandoned Pb–Zn mine in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China

A study of agricultural lands around an abandoned Pb–Zn mine in a karst region was undertaken to (1) assess the distribution of heavy metals in the agricultural environment, in both dry land and paddy field; (2) discriminate between natural and anthropogenic contributions; and (3) identify possible sources of any pollution discovered. Ninety-two samples of cultivated soils were collected around the mine and analyzed for eight heavy metals, pH, fluoride (F^?), cation exchange capacity, organic matter, and grain size. The eight heavy metals included Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, and Hg. The average concentrations (mg/kg) obtained were as follows: Cd 16.76 ± 24.49, Cr 151.5 ± 18.24, Cu 54.28 ± 18.99, Ni 57.5 ± 14.43, Pb 2,576.2 ± 1,096, Zn 548.7 ± 4,112, As 29.1 ± 6.36, and Hg 1.586 ± 1.46. In a site where no impact from mining activities was detected, the mean and median of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, and Hg concentrations in investigated topsoils were higher than the mean and median of heavy metal concentrations in reference soils. An ensemble of basic and multivariate statistical analyses was performed to reduce the multidimensional space of variables and samples. Two main sets of heavy metals were revealed as indicators of natural and anthropogenic influences. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) and categorical PCA demonstrated that Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Hg are indicators of anthropogenic pollution, whereas Cr, As and Ni concentrations are mainly associated with natural sources in the environment. The contamination from Pb–Zn mining operations, coupled with the special karst environment, was a key contributing factor to the spatial distribution of the eight heavy metals in the surrounding soil. The values of heavy metals in the soil samples suggested the necessity of conducting a rigorous assessment of the health and environmental risks posed by these residues and taking suitable remedial action as necessary.     

武水河上游区域土壤重金属污染风险及来源分析

生态功能区在涵养水源、保持水土、维系生物多样性等方面具有重要的作用。本文以位于南岭生态功能区的流域——武水流域为研究对象,采集流域上游交通运输用地、采矿用地、工业用地、耕地及林地5种土地利用类型土壤样品,分析7种重金属Cd、As、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn的含量特征,采用内梅罗综合污染指数评价重金属污染的程度,Hakanson潜在生态风险指数法评价土壤重金属潜在生态风险,并应用主成分分析法探究重金属污染的来源。研究结果显示,武水河上游地区土壤重金属Cd、As、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn平均含量分别为1.28、72.44、54.62、0.27、68.32、72.29和158.42mg/kg,均高于土壤背景值,其中采矿用地土壤重金含量除Hg外均高于其他类型土壤。均值状态下土壤中Cd和As单因子污染指数分别为5.07、3.25,其中采矿用地中Cd单因子污染指数可达13.59;土壤重金属综合污染指数表明,采矿用地污染最为严重,其次是工业用地,林地呈安全状态。潜在生态危害指数评价结果显示,采矿用地和工业用地达到了强生态危害,其他类型土壤为轻微生态危害,而采矿用地土壤中Cd达到极强生态危害,As为强生态危害。土壤重金属来源研究结果表明,As、Cd、Cu和Zn来源于矿山开采及工业活动,Ni和Hg主要来源于成土母质,Pb则来源于交通运输。研究认为:武水流域上游区土壤重金属污染情况较为严重,Cd和As是区内主要的风险因子,主要来源于矿山开采以及工业活动。     

Heavy metal geochemistry of the acid mine drainage discharged from the Hejiacun uranium mine in central Hunan,China

The acid mine drainage (AMD) discharged from the Hejiacun uranium mine in central Hunan (China) was sampled and analyzed using ICP-MS techniques. The analyzing results show that the AMD is characterized by the major ions Fe_Total, Mn, Al and Si, and is concentrated with heavy metals and metalloids including Cd, Co, Ni, Zn, U, Cu, Pb, Tl, V, Cr, Se, As and Sb. During the AMD flowing downstream, the dissolved heavy metals were removed from the AMD waters through adsorption onto and co-precipitation with metal-oxhydroxides coated on the streambed. Among these metals, Cd, Co, Ni, Zn, U, Cu, Pb and Tl are negatively correlated to pH values, and positively correlated to major ions Fe, Al, Si, Mn, Mg, Ca and K. The metals/metalloids V, Cr, Se, As and Sb are conservative in the AMD solution, and negatively-correlated to major ions Na, Ca and Mg. Due to the above different behaviors of these chemical elements, the pH-negatively related metals (PM) and the conservative metals (CM) are identified; the PM metals include Cd, Co, Ni, Zn, U, Cu, Pb and Tl, and the CM metals V, Cr, Se, As and Sb. Based on understanding the geochemistry of PM and CM metals in the AMD waters, a new equation: EXT = (Acidity + PM)/pH + CM × pH, is proposed to estimate and evaluate extent of heavy-metal pollution (EXT) of AMD. The evaluation results show that the AMD and surface waters of the mine area have high EXT values, and they could be the potential source of heavy-metal contamination of the surrounding environment. Therefore, it is suggested that both the AMD and surface waters should be treated before they are drained out of the mine district, for which the traditional dilution and neutralization methods can be applied to remove the PM metals from the AMD waters, and new techniques through reducing the pH value of the downstream AMD waters should be developed for removal of the CM metals.     

Trace element concentrations of soils, plants and waters caused by a copper smelting plant and other industries, Northeast Turkey

The study area is situated in a large agricultural field which produces tobacco, maize, and other yearly cultivated vegetables in Tekkeköy, Samsun (NE-Turkey). In addition, a significant part of this area to the north along the Black Sea coast is occupied by several industrial plants such as a copper smelting plant (KB?), a fertilizer plant (Tügsa?) and industrial park facilities (IPF). In order to reveal their environmental impacts, heavy metal analyses were conducted on soil, plant leaves and water samples collected within an area of approximately 30 km² around these plants. Soil samples within an area of 10 km² around these facilities are found to be highly polluted with Cu, Zn, Pb, Fe and Mn. Pollution occurs at surface and sharply dies out at 20 cm downwards in soil profile. Since the region is polluted mostly with base metals, the copper smelting factory appears to be the main source of pollution as it processes the massive sulfidic ores of the Black Sea area. Plants show Cu, Pb, Zn and Fe pollution around KB? and Tügsa? and Cu and Pb around IPF. Pollutants observed in tobacco (Nicotiana tobacum) are Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe and S; in maize (Zea mays) Cu, Zn and Fe; and in cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Cu, Pb, Fe and S. The analyses of water samples collected from the study area reveal that Pb and, to a lesser degree, Cu and Fe pollution stem from KB?; Cu, Fe and Mn pollution from Tügsa?; Pb and minor amounts of Fe and Mn pollution from IPF. Factor analyses from analyzed metals and anionic complexes in water show three distinct groups: (a) an association of heavy metals with Na, K and Mg referring to pollution and acid leaching of soil, (b) an association of NH4, Fe, SO₄, Cl and Br indicating agricultural pollution and sea-water invasion in land near the shore line, and (c) HCO₃ behaving in a different manner in heavy metal precipitation.     

煤矸石释放重金属环境效应研究--淮南煤矿塌陷区水体试验场实例调查

概要分析了淮南新孜5号井煤矸石所含的重金属元素对塌陷区鱼塘水质的影响,指出除个别水样中Zn、Cu超标外,其他均不超标,该鱼塘水质适宜养鱼要求。矸石样与华北及整个地壳泥岩中元素的丰度比,矸石中Cr、Pb、Zn与泥岩丰度基本持平,而Cd、Cu均超过其他泥岩中丰度值。因此,煤矸石在地面遭受风化,其所含有害物质可能会释放到环境,在煤矸石堆放处适当进行监测还是必要的。     

Heavy metal contamination of soils and waters in and around the Imcheon Au–Ag mine,Korea

The heavy metal contamination of soils and waters by metalliferous mining activities in an area of Korea was studied. In the study area of the Imcheon Au–Ag mine, soils and waters were sampled and analyzed using AAS for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Analysis of HCO₃⁻, F⁻, NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻ in water samples was also undertaken by ion chromatography. Elevated concentrations of the metals were found in tailings. The maximum contents in the tailings were 9.4, 229, 6160 and 1640 mg/kg extracted by aqua regia and 1.35, 26.4, 70.3 and 410 mg/kg extracted by 0.1 N HCl solution for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, respectively. These metals are continuously dispersed downstream and downslope from the tailings by clastic movement through wind and water. Because of the existence of sulfides in the tailings, a water sample taken on the tailings site was very acidic with a pH of 2.2, with high total dissolved solids (TDS) of 1845 mg/l and electric conductivity (EC) of 3820 μS/cm. This sample also contained up to 0.27, 1.90, 2.80, 53.4, 4,700 mg/l of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and SO₄²⁻, respectively. TDS, EC and concentrations of metals in waters decreased with distance from the tailings. The total amount of pulverized limestone needed for neutralizing the acid tailings was estimated to be 46 metric tons, assuming its volume of 45,000 m³ and its bulk density of 1855 kg/m³.     

Impact of the past mining activity in Roşia Montană (Romania) on soil and vegetation

The paper presents the results of a combined soil and vegetation survey in Ro?ia Montan? mining area (western Romania), famous for its gold and silver deposits, extensively exploited over the last 2,000 years. As the ore extraction has ceased in 2006 and new operations could be initiated in the future, the study contributes to the definition of the environmental baseline. Samples of topsoil and leaves of the tree species Betula pendula and Carpinus betulus have been collected from the inside and outside of the mining area, on a total surface of more than 60 km². The pH and heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) have been measured on 262 soils/sediments samples, revealing the predominantly acidic character of soils and the generally low contents of heavy metals. Stronger acidity and higher contents of heavy metals have been noticed in the proximity of the mining site, on the tailings and waste rock dumps, and along the streams with acid water. More than 100 leaf samples have been analysed for the same heavy metals as soils and also for chlorophyll fluorescence and pigment concentrations. B. pendula has shown a particular ability to concentrate Zn in leaves, at levels that may greatly exceed the Zn content in the corresponding soil samples. The correlation between the heavy metal contents in leaves and in soils, in most of the cases, is not very strong, presumably in relation to the low concentrations in soils. The chlorophyll concentration in leaves of B. pendula slightly diminishes on soils with low pH.     

Using regression model to identify and evaluate heavy metal pollution sources in an open pit coal mine area,Eastern Junggar,China

This study aims at identifying multi-source heavy metal pollution from natural and anthropogenic sources using a regression model, principal component analysis, and five different indices (geo-accumulation index (I _geo), the modified degree of contamination, pollution load index (PLI), enrichment factor, and ecological risk factor. Results revealed that: (1) although the average concentrations of soil heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Pb, Hg, As, Zn) were generally low, Hg, As, and Cr concentrations exceeded national standard values by approximately 0.91, 1.84, and 0.91 times with maximum concentrations up to 0.41, 78.6, and 175.2 μg/g, respectively; (2) PLI results showed that the industrial park and Wucaiwan open coal mining area were the most polluted (PLI of 1.98, 1.71). The potential ecological hazards index indicated that the E _i ^r of three heavy metals (Cu, Hg, As) in the soil were relatively high, presenting potential ecological risk factors of 74.89, 16.71, 4.15%, respectively; (3) stepwise regression model and principal component analysis suggest that Cu and Zn were primarily effected by the natural geological condition and atmospheric dust fall. Cr, Hg, Pb are mainly derived from anthropogenic sources, particularly coal mining activities and industrial sources. Results of this research have some significant implications for heavy metal pollution prevention and the sustainable development of the economy and ecology of arid regions in China.     

土壤中重金属元素电感耦合等离子体质谱定量分析方法的研究

分别采用HNO3-HF、HNO3-HF-HCl和HNO3-HF-H2O2三种消解体系,通过微波和PTFE密封罐电热板对土壤标准物质进行前处理,采用电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)对样品中的重金属元素Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd和Pb进行定量分析。探讨了前处理试剂(主要为HNO3、HCl和HF)以及土壤基体效应对Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd和Pb定量分析的影响。研究结果表明,前处理试剂对Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd和Pb的定量分析具有不同程度的影响;对于土壤基体,在三种消解体系下均可观察到基体抑制效应;采用PTFE密封罐电热板消解方法前处理,待测元素及相同元素不同同位素的方法空白和检出限均较低,效果整体优于微波消解法。特别是HNO3-HF-HCl消解体系,通过选用52Cr、60Ni、65Cu、66Zn、75As和206Pb等同位素,重金属元素Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd和Pb的测定值均能保证在标准值的允许误差范围内,可以满足大批量土壤样品中重金属元素同时定量分析的需要,为高效准确地开展土壤的风险评估以及为土壤的修复治理提供科学依据。     

Integrated mass balance of some heavy metals fluxes in Yaakob village,south Sohag,Egypt

The pollution of soil with heavy metals has direct or indirect adverse effect on human health. The present work was conducted to identify all the expected sources and sinks for heavy metals by applying mass balance model to identify the retention rate of metals by soils in Yaakob village, south Sohag Governorate, Egypt. The studied inputs (sources) include P-fertilizers, irrigation water and dustfall, while the main outputs (sinks) are drainage water and harvested plants. The measurements indicate that soil, clover, dustfall and P-fertilizers contain considerable concentration of Cd, Cr, Co, Cu and Pb. The mass balance measurements indicate that the accumulation rate of Cd, Cr and Co in soil was 5.4, 54.6 and 16.3 g ha^?1 year^?1, respectively. However, depletion trend of Pb and Cu was about 1.4 and 5.2 g ha^?1 year^?1, respectively. The main source of Cd, Pb, Cr and Co in the study area is P-fertilizers with input flux 14.9, 89.9, 198.6 and 18.5 g ha^?1 year^?1, while Cu source was dustfall with 19.33 g ha^?1 year^?1. The index of geoaccumulation calculations indicates different degrees of contamination with Cd, Cr, Co and Cu. On the other hand, the main sink for the studied heavy metals was the Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum) which can be considered a good bioaccumulator of heavy metals.     

Heavy metal contamination in the vicinity of the Daduk Au–Ag–Pb–Zn mine in Korea

The heavy metal contamination and seasonal variation of the metals in soils, plants and waters in the vicinity of an abandoned metalliferous mine in Korea were studied. Elevated levels of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were found in tailings with averages of 8.57, 481, 4,450 and 753 mg/kg, respectively. These metals are continuously dispersed downstream and downslope from the tailings by clastic movement through wind and water. Thus, significant levels of the elements in waters and sediments were found up to 3.3 km downstream from the mining site, especially for Cd and Zn. Enriched concentrations of heavy metals were also found in various plants grown in the vicinity of the mining area, and the metal concentrations in plants increased with those in soils. In a study of seasonal variation on the heavy metals in paddy fields, relatively high concentrations of heavy metals were found in rice leaves and stalks grown under oxidizing conditions rather than a reducing environment (P<0.05).     

Competitive adsorption,release and speciation of heavy metals in the Yellow River sediments,China

The competitive adsorption and the release of selected heavy metals and their speciation distribution before and after adsorption in the Yellow River sediments are discussed. The adsorption of metals onto sediments increases with increasing pH value and decreases with increasing ionic strength. The competitive coefficient K _c and the distribution coefficient K _d are obtained to analyze the competitive abilities of selected heavy metals, which are ranked as Pb > Cu >> Zn > Cd. The competition among selected heavy metals becomes more impetuous with increasing ion concentration in water. Speciation analysis was done by an improved analytical procedure involving five steps of sequential extraction. Cu, Pb and Zn were mainly transformed into the carbonate-bound form (50.8–87.7%) in adsorption. Most of (60.7–77.3%) Cd was transformed into the exchangeable form, and the percentage of carbonate-bound Cd was 19.7–30.4%. The release reaction was so quick that the release capacity of selected heavy metals from sediments to aqueous solution reached half of the maximum value only in 30 s. As opposed to adsorption, the release capacities of selected heavy metals were ranked as Cd > Zn >> Cu > Pb. In this study, Cd produces the most severe environmental hazards, because its concentration in the release solution is 85.8 times more than the human health criteria of US EPA.     

Heavy metals in stream sediments: Effects of human activities

The content of 11 heavy metals in the sediments of a stream system was determined by atomic absorption analysis. Geochemical phases were investigated using a sequential extraction scheme, and bulk contents were assessed with a single HNO₃ extraction. Certain heavy metals were associated with different geochemical phases. Co, Mn, and Ba concentrated primarily in the carbonate and Mn phases, while all the remaining metals concentrated in the Fe and remnant phases. Features located along the stream system influenced the content of heavy metals. Results from the geochemical phases indicated Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and Ag were emitted by one landfill, while Cd, Ba, and Ag were emitted by a second landfill. A wastewater treatment facility appeared to emit Ni and Cu. A stream draining a reservoir and joining the study stream resulted in dilution of the heavy metals in the sediments. A populated area along the study stream appeared to emit Mn. The single HNO₃ extraction procedure is quicker to perform than the sequential extraction but does not indicate the phase associations.     

Investigation of the quality and physical-geochemical characteristics of the drinking water in Gümüşhane (Turkey) city central

The physical (turbidity, color, smell, taste, pH, and conductivity) and geochemical properties (Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Al, K, Cl^?, HCO₃ ^?, SO₄ ^2?, Fe, Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cr) of the drinking water in Gümü?hane city center were determined. This city center constitutes the study area. The pH levels of the water samples ranged from 6.3 to 8.2, and their conductivities ranged between 240 and 900 μS. These findings were concordant with the drinking water standards of the Turkey Standard Institute and the World Health Organization. The hardness of the water samples in the study area was between 18.1 and 115.1 °Fr. These samples were classified as extremely hard, hard, and quite hard. In addition, an assessment using the criteria for Inland Surface Water Classification indicated that considering certain parameters (pH levels, amount of Na, SO₄ ^2?, Fe, Mn, Al, Co, Ni, Cu, and Cr), the samples belonged to class I (high quality) water. When Cl^? amount and conductivity were considered, the samples belonged to the first and second classes (less polluted) of water. The water in the study area was generally classified as carbonated and sulfated (Ca + Mg > Na + K) water classes. This water contained more weak acids than strong acids (HCO₃ ^? + CO₃ ^2? > Cl^? + SO₄ ^2?). The pH levels (6.3–8.2) of the water in the study area were unrelated to the varying concentrations of metals in the water. Elements such as Fe, Ni, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu increase in the water through the water–rock interaction in the area in which water rises or through the mixture of water with either mine or industrial wastes. In addition, several water samples belonged to an acceptable water class for drinking and usage.     

Contamination and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in street dust of Tehran,Iran

Heavy metals are introduced in human tissue through breathing air, food chain and human skin. They can cause damage to the nervous system and internal organs. In the present study, sixty street dust samples were collected from the central area of Tehran and were digested in the laboratory to determine the content of Zn, Ni, Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb, using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The level of contamination with the analyzed metals was determined according to the following indices: geo-accumulation index (I _geo), enrichment factor (EF), pollution index (PI), integrated pollution index (IPI) and potential ecological risk index (RI). The average concentration of heavy metals found was in the order of Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cd. The average I _geo values for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were 1.53, ?1.88, 2.68, ?0.67, 1.62 and 2.70, respectively. Among the investigated heavy metals, zinc and copper had the maximum average EF values and were placed into the “very severe enrichment” class. Potential ecological risk factor (E _r) also indicated that Cd had the highest risk, and it was classified as of considerable potential ecological risk. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention to the appearance of Cd in the human environment. The calculated potential ecological risk index values also illustrated that the street dust samples presented a “moderate ecological risk.” The calculated IPI values showed that the pollution levels of the street dust samples ranged from high to extremely high.     

Application of equilibrium partitioning approach to derive sediment quality criteria for heavy metals in a shallow eutrophic lake, Lake Chaohu, China

In this study, the equilibrium partitioning approach was used to derive the sediment quality criteria (SQC) recommended values of eight heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, As, Fe and Mn) for surface sediments taken from Lake Chaohu. The concentration of the heavy metal in the interstitial water (C _IW) was determined by the film diffusion gradient technology to obtain the metal partitioning coefficient (K _P). Moreover, the metal fractionation of the sediments were analyzed using European Community Bureau of Reference sequential extraction procedure and the partitioning of bound phases including total organic carbon (TOC), grain sizes and acid volatile sulfide (AVS) were also investigated. The values of K _P for Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, As, Fe and Mn were 3,924.84, 2,276.23, 17,811.30, 738.35, 10,986.54, 718.74, 5,875.34 and 341.20 L/kg, respectively. Sediment quality criteria were normalized on the basis of fine materials, AVS, TOC and the residual metals (M _R). SQC values for Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, As, Fe and Mn based on Chinese surface water quality criteria were derived with the values of 78.53, 56.95, 362.93, 74.68, 23.90, 71.84, 3,546.53 and 68.42 mg/kg, respectively. The suggested SQC values in this study were compared SQCs from different countries and areas, which indicated SQCs from different countries or regions appeared to have great discrepancies attributed to the difference of the physical and chemical characteristics of sediments.     

湖南洞庭湖水系As和Cd等重金属元素分布特征及输送通量

土壤地球化学调查显示,长江沿岸,尤其湖南洞庭湖流域存在以镉为主的重金属高值带。为进一步确定As和Cd等重金属元素在河流中的存在形式、迁移方式和通量等地球化学特征,本研究在洞庭湖水系主要干支流的关键位置布置采样点,分夏季丰水期和冬季枯水期两次,采集了原水、0.45μm过滤水和0.20μm过滤水等水样品,以及悬浮物固体样品,分析了水和悬浮物样品中As和Cd、Pb等重金属元素含量。结果发现,As元素在湘江、资水、湘江上游支流西河和耒水中含量最高,耒水、西河及湘江的Pb、Zn含量相对偏高,Cd在湘江、耒水及汨罗江的含量也明显高于其他河流;研究区河水中As、Ni、Cd和Zn等元素在水中离子态比例较大,其溶解态含量受河水pH和温度的控制,湘江、西河、耒水和汨罗江中悬浮物As、Zn、Cu、Cd、Pb和Cu等元素含量远高于其他水系悬浮物,这与这些流域内存在多金属矿区密切相关;不同元素在河水中迁移途径有很大差别,As以溶解态和胶体态为主要迁移形式,Pb、Zn、Cu、Cd和Ni等重金属元素以悬浮物形式迁移的比例最大;主要入湖河流中,湘江输入洞庭湖的As、Zn、Cu和Cd总量最大,年通量分别为961.43 t、478.90 t、101.67 t、59.58 t。