The effect of organic materials on the mobility and toxicity of metals in contaminated soils

Organic materials such as compost are often proposed as suitable materials for the remediation of contaminated brownfield sites intended for soft end-use. In addition to vitalising the soil, they are also believed to immobilise metals thereby breaking contaminant-receptor pathways and reducing the ecotoxicity of the contaminants. However, some research has demonstrated contradictory effects between composts on metal immobilisation. In the present study, four different composts and a liming product containing organic matter (LimeX70) were tested to examine both their metal retention and toxicity reduction capabilities on three different metal contaminated soils. Leaching tests, a plant growth test with Greek cress (Lepidium sativum), an earthworm (Eisenia fetida) survival and condition test and a bacterial toxicity test using Vibrio fischeri were carried out. The leaching test results showed that spent mushroom compost caused an increase in metal concentration in the leachates, while LimeX70 caused a decrease. The variation in behaviour between different amendments for each soil was high, so a generic conclusion could not be drawn. Toxicity tests showed significant reduction of metal bioavailability and toxicity for Greek cress, earthworms and bacteria. The results also suggest that more research should be undertaken to understand the mechanisms involved in metal complexation using different types of organic matter, in order to optimise the use of organic materials like compost for soil remediation.     

Water lily (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nymphaea</Emphasis> sp.): an alternative organic amendment for treatment of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil by chemical–biological stabilization

The chemical–biological stabilization technology has been employed in several successful studies using sugarcane cachasse as the organic amendment. However, in some petroleum-producing areas, there are no sugar mills nearby (which is the source of this material), and the cost of transport to the contaminated site is prohibitive. Therefore, water lily, which is considered a weedy plant in many tropical and subtropical areas, was evaluated as an alternative. In 3-month experiment, water lily was compared (with and without addition of molasses) with cachasse for the treatment of clayey sediment contaminated with > 6% extra-heavy crude oil. All treatments resulted in a reduction in the hydrocarbon concentration of 15–23%, without significant differences (P > 0.05). During this process, the pH was reduced to the 7–7.5 range and water repellency (molarity ethanol drop) to 3.5–3.6 M. Also, field capacity increased to 36.3–38.5% humidity, establishing adequate conditions for the development of vegetation at this site. Likewise, toxicity was reduced to practically null (Vibrio fischeri bioassay), and hydrocarbons in leachates were reduced to 3.4–4.3 mg/l, conditions adequate for the protection of groundwater and human health in rural areas. This study confirms that water lily is an adequate substitute for the application of this treatment method for hydrocarbon-contaminated sites that are far from sugar production areas.     

Jarosite-related chemical processes and water ecotoxicity in simplified anaerobic microcosm wetlands

Simulation experiments were conducted to examine whether jarosite is decomposed and toxic products are produced under anaerobic microcosm wetland conditions. The results show that jarosite was stable under water inundation in the microcosm wetland for a period of at least 56 days when no organic substance was added. However, jarosite became increasingly unstable with increasing amount of added organic matter. This resulted in entry of ferrous Fe into the soil solutions. Concentration of other heavy metals in the leachates was extremely low except for Mn. This is attributed to the maintenance of a high pH in the microcosm wetlands, which might cause re-precipitation of originally jarosite-borne heavy metals, if any. No acute toxicity was observed for leachate from the control (non organic matter-added treatment). However, leachates from various organic matter-added treatments show varying degrees of toxicity to the test organism and soluble Fe was likely to be the dominant metal of potential toxicity. Atmospheric exposure of leachate led to oxidation of ferrous Fe and precipitation of iron hydroxide, which caused a drop in leachate pH. This, in turn, inhibited further oxidation of ferrous Fe.     

Toxicity of ibuprofen and perfluorooctanoic acid for risk assessment of mixtures in aquatic and terrestrial environments

The toxicity of ibuprofen and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was evaluated individually and in binary combination on two photosynthetic organisms, the green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, representative of aquatic environments, and the monocotyledonous Sorghum bicolor, for terrestrial ecosystems. Both non-target organisms showed different sensitivities to pollutants. The alga was more affected than the plant to each compound assayed, whether separately or mixed in EC₅₀ proportion, and PFOA was more toxic to both bioindicators. An analysis of toxic chemical interactions covering the whole range of effect levels was conducted using the Combination Index method and indicated that synergism could be expected at low effect levels in higher plants, while for algae this type of interaction predominated at higher effect levels. Ecological risk assessment was performed by calculating the Hazard Quotient as the ratio between the measured environmental concentration and the predicted no-effect concentration, using our EC₅₀ data derived from the mixture of pollutants. Acute hazard was found in the terrestrial compartment (soil or sediments). In the light of the data reported, we conclude that risk evaluation should include toxicological information on compound interactions that exert a toxic effect on non-target organisms.     

Bioassay of baltimore harbor sediments

Baltimore Harbor, a tributary area of the northern Chesapeake Bay, has recelved and is receiving large quantities of chemical pollutants. As part of a cooperative study to explore possible corrective treatment for existing pollution burdens, gross bioassay analyses were performed for sediments from nine representative stations, employing two species of fish, mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus) and spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), and one mollusc, the soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria). Acclimated organisms were exposed in static systems to a series of concentrations of suspended sediment from each station, to fuller's earth in suspension, and in control tanks for 48 hours. Parallel analysis of the sediment was performed for the metals, Pb, Cr, Zn, Ca, As, for PCB's and for hexane extracts. The sediments were all substantially polluted with low correlations among components. Twenty-four hour TLm and 48-hour TLm increased proportionately with sediment concentration but display species specificity. The relationships observed permit use of mummichog data to index gross toxicity of sediments throughout the harbor. Further comparison of mummichog 24-hour TLm value with benthie species diversity determined in a previous study permitted zoning of the entire harbor into highly toxic, moderately toxic, low toxic and slightly toxic zones. Gross toxicity of sediments determined by bioassay can therefore be used as an index of the suitability of the sediments for benthic macroinvertebrate communities.     

基于地球化学数据的有毒元素潜在生态危害评价研究——以内蒙古自治区敖汉旗为例

环境中不同的污染物可经过各种迁移转化途径,通过食物链进入人体,对人体的健康带来威胁.土壤污染物中以重金属比较突出,其中Hg、Cd、Pb、Cr以及类金属As等对生物毒性显著,Zn、Cu、Ni、Co、Sn等对生物的毒性一般.利用1：5万敖汉旗幅水系及土壤地球化学勘查所取得的数据,采用单因子污染指数法评价单元素污染程度,并采用重金属元素毒性响应系数评价区域有毒元素潜在风险,得到研究区主要潜在生态危害元素为Cd、Pb、As,其中Cd元素危害最大,主要潜在污染因素为采石场、采矿场、垃圾场等人为地质作用因素以及原生地质环境因素.     

Polystyrene nanoplastics aggravated ecotoxicological effects of polychlorinated biphenyls in on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos

In view of the accumulation of nanoplastics (NPs) in the food chain of environment and animals, and the good adsorption properties of nano-plastics to toxic substances, it is necessary to explore the influence of NPs in living organisms. In this study, single and joint toxicological effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs, size 80 nm) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), were explored in freshwater aquatic animal model zebrafish (Danio rerio). Our study found that exposure to single PS-NPs induced mild acute toxicity, albeit the combined exposure of PS-NPs and polychlorinated biphenyls aggravated the toxicity of PCBs in a dose-dependent manner. Results from gene expression profiling showed that NPs exposure could activate detoxification process, resulting in a slight up-regulation of antioxidant genes (sod1, gstp1), bone development genes (bmp2, bmp4) and cardiac gene (tbx20); while PCBs suppressed the detoxification through down-regulation of these genes, and the addition of NPs will exacerbate the impact of PCBs on gene suppression. Importantly, the results of in vivo purification experiments found that NPs showed prolonged retention in liver, intestine and gills of zebrafish and they might have crossed biological barrier and accumulate in lipid-rich tissues and excretion does not appear as the significant pathway for their elimination. In conclusion, the toxic effects of polychlorinated biphenyls on chorionic protected embryos were not significant as zebrafish chorion plays an important role in resisting the invasion of pollutants; PCBs can seriously damage the bone and heart development of zebrafish, while the presence of NPs significantly enhanced the toxicity of PCBs in zebrafish, which is an alarming concern for growing NPs levels and ecological safety in aquatic environment.     

Role of degree of saturation in denitrification of unsaturated sand specimens

Nitrate contamination of groundwater arises from anthropogenic activities, such as, fertilizer and animal manure applications and infiltration of wastewater/leachates. During migration of wastewater and leachates, the vadose zone (zone residing above the groundwater table), is considered to facilitate microbial denitrification. Particle voids in vadose zone are deficient in dissolved oxygen as the voids are partially filled by water and the remainder by air. Discontinuities in liquid phase would also restrict oxygen diffusion and therefore facilitate denitrification in the vadose/unsaturated soil zone. The degree of saturation of soil specimen (S _r) quantifies the relative volume of voids filled with air and water. Unsaturated specimens have S _r values ranging between 0 and 100 %. Earlier studies from naturally occurring nitrate losses in groundwater aquifers in Mulbagal town, Kolar District, Karnataka, showed that the sub-surface soils composed of residually derived sandy soil; hence, natural sand was chosen in the laboratory denitrification experiments. With a view to understand the role of vadose zone in denitrification process, experiments are performed with unsaturated sand specimens (S _r = 73–90 %) whose pore water was spiked with nitrate and ethanol solutions. Experimental results revealed 73 % S _r specimen facilitates nitrate reduction to 45 mg/L in relatively short durations of 5.5–7.5 h using the available natural organic matter (0.41 % on mass basis of sand); consequently, ethanol addition did not impact rate of denitrification. However, at higher S _r values of 81 and 90 %, extraneous ethanol addition (C/N = 0.5–3) was needed to accelerate the denitrification rates.     

Water toxicity and metal contamination assessment of a polluted river: the Upper Vistula River (Poland)

In aquatic systems, the bioavailability of an element to microorganisms is greatly influenced by its chemical speciation. The goal of this work was to assess metal toxicity to a green algae (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata) and a bacterium (Vibrio fisheri) as a function of size fractionation and chemical speciation (using the program MINTEQA2) in contaminated water of the Upper Vistula River. Water samples were collected at 1 reference site, 4 polluted sites and one polluted site on the Vistula's main tributary, the Przemsza River. Toxicity measurements were performed on unfiltered samples and, total dissolved (<1.2 μm), and truly dissolved (<1 kDa) fractions. Trace metal (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn) concentrations were measured in these samples and also in the colloidal fraction (1 kDa–1.2 μm). At the reference site, the low metal concentrations were in agreement with the absence of measurable toxicity. In the polluted section of the river, free metal concentrations were largely below the potential toxic levels for bacteria, which was in agreement with the absence of toxicity. Although Zn²⁺ was at potentially toxic-level concentrations in total dissolved and truly dissolved fractions in the polluted riverine section, toxicity for algae was observed, only in truly dissolved fractions from two stations. The absence of toxicity in most samples was related to metal association with particles and with low molecular weight ligands as well as the presence of organic ligands (phenol). The reason for toxic effects in two ultrafiltered samples is not clear, but may be related to the elimination of the colloidal organic fraction and thus the eradication of its protective effect occurring in natural samples.     

Biosorption with autochthonous and allochthonous fungal biomasses for bioremediation and detoxification of landfill leachate

Landfill leachates are not adequately treated in traditional wastewater treatment plants, on account of their problematic peculiarities: i.e., dark colour, high concentration of recalcitrant pollutants and COD, and high toxicity. In this work, 19 biomasses (15 autochthonous and 4 allochthonous) were exploited in biosorption treatment for the remediation of a leachate (influent) and the effluent coming from the biological oxidation with activated sludge and nitrification–denitrification treatment. The effects of the initial pH, the biomass amount, and the medium for the biomass pre-culture were considered. The best configuration was: pH 5, 5 g L^??1 biomass cultivated on STY medium. Eventually, the two most effective biomasses, Cunninghamella bertholletiae MUT 2861 and Aspergillus fumigatus MUT 4050, were used in consecutive 2 h cycles in a batch biosorption experiment. The effectiveness of the treatment decreased in subsequent cycles in terms of decolourisation (31–15%). COD, Cl^?, SO₄^2?, total N, and toxicity were removed mainly in the second cycle of treatment (up to ??36, ??12, ??15, ??17 and ??49%, respectively). The results suggest that the effluent toxicity was basically due to uncoloured substances, which were mainly removed after coloured molecules.     

An evaluation of trace element release associated with acid mine drainage

The determination of trace element release from geologic materials, such as oil shale and coal overburden, is important for proper solid waste management planning. The objective of this study was to determine a correlation between trace element residency and concentration to trace element release using the following methods: (1) sequential selective dissolution for determining trace element residencies, (2) toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP), and (3) humidity cell weathering study simulating maximum trace element release. Two eastern oil shales were used, a New albany shale that contains 4.6 percent pyrite, and a Chattanooga shale that contains 1.5 percent pyrite. Each shale was analyzed for elemental concentrations by soluble, adsorbed, organic, carbonate, and sulfide phases. All leachates were analyzed to determine total trace element concentrations. The results of the selective dissolution studies show that each trace element has a unique distribution between the various phases. Thus, it is possible to predict trace element release based on trace element residency. The TCLP results show that this method is suitable for assessing soluble trace element release but does not realistically assess potential hazards. The results of the humidity cell studies do demonstrate a more reasonable method for predicting trace element release and potential water quality hazards. The humidity cell methods, however, require months to obtain the required data with a large number of analytical measurements. When the selective dissolution data are compared to the trace element concentrations in the TCLP and humidity cell leachates, it is shown that leachate concentrations are predicted by the selective dissolution data. Therefore, selective dissolution may represent a rapid method to assess trace element release associated with acid mine drainage.     

The application of in vitro gastrointestinal extraction to assess oral bioaccessibility of potentially toxic elements from an urban recreational site

The use of in vitro gastrointestinal extraction to assess the oral bioaccessibility of 7 potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from soil derived from an urban recreational site, has been assessed. The pseudo-total concentration of the 7 PTEs was determined using microwave digestion followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The bioaccessible fraction was determined and the data compared to the pseudo-total concentrations to determine % bioaccessibility. A generic quantitative risk assessment (GQRA) was undertaken on the pseudo-total PTE concentration of the site by comparing the values with soil guideline (SGV) or generic assessment criteria (GAC) using the residential land use scenario. Based on the GQRA, concentrations of 3 of the PTEs investigated within the soils could present a potential risk to site users. Consideration of receptor exposure and bioaccessibility data allowed a more considered approach to human-health risk assessment at this site. Although the bioaccessibility data did not significantly alter the sites preliminary designation as contaminated (As and Pb concentrations exceeded the GAC even in the in vitro extracts) bioaccessibility data are clearly an additional tool towards furthering our understanding of human-health risk at contaminated sites and have the potential to act as a pragmatic decision-support tool.     

Reducing leachable petroleum hydrocarbon concentration in weathered fuel oil contaminated soil by chemical oxidation with hydrogen peroxide

Number 6 fuel oil is one of the most used energy sources for electricity generation. However, leaks can contaminate soil and also groundwater due to leaching. At old sites, the oil may have low toxicity but still contaminate groundwater with foul-tasting compounds even at low concentrations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of applying H₂O₂ to reduce the leaching potential of a fuel oil contaminated soil. A silt-loam soil was collected from a contaminated thermal-electric plant with a hydrocarbon concentration of 3.2% in soil producing 4.3 mg/l in leachate. Hydrogen peroxide was applied (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.6, 1.2% dry weight basis), and petroleum hydrocarbons were measured in soil and leachate pre- and post-treatment (72 h). At first, the soil and leachate concentrations diminished linearly (24.4 and 27.3% in soil and leachate, respectively). This was followed by a phase in which the concentration in leachate diminished greatly (75.8%) although the concentration in soil was reduced only moderately (15.1%). Overall, hydrocarbons in leachates were reduced 82.4% even though concentrations in soil were only reduced 35.8%. Correlation analysis showed that at only 1.0% w/w H₂O₂ a concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in leachate safe for human consumption (≤ 1 mg/l) could be obtained even with a final hydrocarbon concentration in soil > 2%. Thus, this study presents an alternative strategy for remediation of fuel oil contaminated soils in urban environments that protects water sources by focusing on contamination in leachates, without spending extra financial resources to reduce the hydrocarbon concentration in low-toxicity soil.     

Use of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria for assessment of chromium-contaminated soil

In recent years, biological toxicity tests have been conducted for soil assessment of environmental pollutants to evaluate the environmental risk due to heavy metals. In this study, batch tests were conducted with soils contaminated with hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺) using sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB). For control soils (without Cr⁶⁺), the electrical conductivity (EC) increased linearly over time in all samples, indicating that no toxic substances were present in the soil. The initial EC varied between 6 and 7.8 mS/cm, and the final EC varied between 22 and 27 mS/cm after incubation for 65 h. For batch tests performed using Cr⁶⁺-contaminated soil, the EC increased slightly or remained stable in all the test samples after a few hours. Thus, the presence of toxic substance Cr⁶⁺ inhibited the SOB, which leads to no sulfuric acid formation and therefore, no change in EC. These results indicated that SOB can be employed as a test microorganism to assess the quality of heavy metal-contaminated soils.     

Assessing pollutions of soil and plant by municipal waste dump

Research is few in the literature regarding the investigation and assessment of pollutions of soil and plant by municipal waste dumps. Based upon previous work in seven waste dumping sites (nonsanitary landfills) in Beijing, Shanghai and Shijiazhuang, this study expounds the investigation and assessment method and report major pollutants. Using relative background values, this study assesses soil pollution degree in the seven dumping sites. Preliminary conclusions are: (1) pollution degrees are moderate or heavy; (2) pollution distance by domestic waste that is dumped on a plane ground is 85 m; (3) the horizontal transport distance of pollutants might be up to 120 m if waste leachates are directly connected with water in saturated soils; (4) vertical transport depth is about 3 m in unsaturated silty clayey soils. Furthermore, using relative background values and hygiene standards of food and vegetable this study assesses the pollutions of different parts of reed, sorghum, watermelon and sweet-melon. It is found: (1) in comparison with the relative background values in a large distance to the waste dumping sites, domestic wastes have polluted the roots and stems of reed and sorghum, whereas fine coal ash has polluted the leaves, rattans and fruits of watermelon and sweet-melon; (2) domestic wastes and fine coal ash have heavily polluted the edible parts of sorghum, water melon and sweet-melon. As, Hg, Pb and F have far exceeded standard values, e.g., Hg has exceeded the standard value by up to 650–1,700 times and Cd by 120–275 times, and the comprehensive pollution index is up to 192.9–369.7; (3) the polluted sorghum, watermelon and sweet-melon are inedible.     

Field-scale evaluation of the chemical–biological stabilization process for the remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil

Developing countries face the challenge of growing their economy while reducing the negative environmental impacts of industry, thus requiring treatment technologies that are economical and effective. One recent technology developed in the tropical part of Mexico for the remediation of petroleum-contaminated soil was tested in this scale-up project at an industrial level, whereas previously it had only been tested at laboratory scale; 150 m³ of bentonitic mud, contaminated with weathered hydrocarbons (3.4°API) at ~50,000 ppm, was treated with 4 % Ca(OH)₂, 4 % organic amendment, and a fine-root tropical grass. Hydrocarbons in soil and in leachates, as well as pH, and acute toxicity (Microtox) were monitored for 28.8 months. At the end of the study, basal respiration, root density, and earthworm toxicity were also measured. The hydrocarbon concentration in soil was reduced to 45 %, and toxicity was eliminated. Hydrocarbons in leachates were reduced to ~1 mg/l, safe for human consumption. The pH adjustment depended on low soil moisture and was stabilized at 7.1. Intense revegetation resulted in good root density, within 90 % of nearby uncontaminated soil under pasture. Basal respiration was increased to levels comparable to uncontaminated tropical soils with agricultural use, pasture and gallery forest. At an industrial scale, strict moisture control was necessary for good pH stabilization. By controlling these conditions and applying this novel treatment process, it was possible to transform a heavily contaminated geological material into a non-toxic, fertile, soil-like substrate capable of maintaining a complete vegetative cover and microbial activity comparable to similar soils in a tropical environment.     

The hydrochemistry of a semi-arid pan basin case study: Sua Pan,Makgadikgadi, Botswana

This study presents results on the fluid and salt chemistry for the Makgadikgadi, a substantial continental basin in the semi-arid Kalahari. The aims of the study are to improve understanding of the hydrology of such a system and to identify the sources of the solutes and the controls on their cycling within pans. Sampling took place against the backdrop of unusually severe flooding as well as significant anthropogenic extraction of subsurface brines. This paper examines in particular the relationship between the chemistry of soil leachates, fresh stream water, salty lake water, surface salts and subsurface brines at Sua Pan, Botswana with the aim of improving the understanding of the system’s hydrology. Occasionally during the short wet season (December–March) surface water enters the saline environment and precipitates mostly calcite and halite, as well as dolomite and traces of other salts associated with the desiccation of the lake. The hypersaline subsurface brine (up to TDS 190,000 mg/L) is homogenous with minor variations due to pumping by BotAsh mine (Botswana Ash (Pty) Ltd.), which extracts 2400 m³ of brine/h from a depth of 38 m. Notable is the decrease in TDS as the pumping rate increases which may be indicative of subsurface recharge by less saline water. Isotope chemistry for Sr (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr average 0.722087) and S (δ³⁴S average 34.35) suggests subsurface brines have been subject to a lithological contribution of undetermined origin. Recharge of the subsurface brine from surface water including the Nata River appears to be negligible.     

Chemistry and transport of soluble humic substances in forested watersheds of the Adirondack Park,New York

Studies were conducted in conjunction with the Integrated Lake-Watershed Acidification Study (ILWAS) to examine the chemistry and leaching patterns of soluble humic substances in forested watersheds of the Adirondack region. During the summer growing season, mean dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in the ILWAS watersheds ranged from 21–32 mg C l^?1 in O/A horizon leachates, from 5–7 mg C l^?1 in B horizon leachates, from 2–4 mg C l^?1 in groundwater solutions, from 6–8 mg C l^?1 in first order streams, from 3–8 mg C l^?1 in lake inlets, and from 2–7 mg C l^?1 in lake outlets. During the winter, mean DOC concentrations dropped significantly in the upper soil profile. Soil solutions from mixed and coniferous stands contained as much as twice the DOC concentration of lysimeter samples from hardwood stands. Results of DOC fractionation analysis showed that hydrophobia and hydrophilic acids dominate the organic solute composition of natural waters in these watersheds. Charge balance and titration results indicated that the general acid-base characteristics of the dissolved humic mixture in these natural waters can be accounted for by a model organic acid having an average_pK_a of 3.85, an average charge density of 4–5 μeq mg^?1 C at ambient pH, and a total of 6–7 meq COOH per gram carbon.     

Total Mercury Distribution and Volatilization in Microcosms with and Without the Aquatic Macrophyte Eichhornia Crassipes

Mercury (Hg) is one of the most toxic pollutants and spreads in the environment according to its affinity to several compartments. Aquatic macrophytes, such as Eichhornia crassipes, are known as sites for accumulation of Hg and methylmercury formation. The objective of this research was to observe Hg distribution among air, water and whole plants of the macrophyte E. crassipes for 17?days. The distribution of a single ²⁰³Hg spike was evaluated by gamma spectrometry. Two experiments, with and without macrophytes, were made, and the compartments analyzed for the presence of Hg were air, 0.2-μm filtered water, suspended and settled particles, roots, leafs, petioles and adsorption on the desiccators walls. ²⁰³Hg was detected in all analyzed compartments, and the highest total Hg concentrations were found in the roots and particles of the incubations with and without macrophytes that retained in average 68 and 34?% of added Hg, respectively. On the other hand, the lowest concentrations were found in air for both incubations, with higher volatilization (up to 2.5?% of added Hg) in the absence of macrophytes. The lower Hg values in leafs and petioles suggest this plant has mechanisms of Hg retention in the roots. Results suggest this macrophyte promotes changes in the Hg cycle since it attracts most Hg present in water and particulate to its roots and settled particles underneath and also reduces Hg volatilization.     

生活垃圾对环境的污染评价方法探讨

生活垃圾对环境的污染，主要表现为垃圾渗滤液对地面水、地下水、土壤等的污染。其污染评价涉及污染物指标、污染物标准值的确定和计算模式的建立等内容。本文在总结现行环境指数评价法的基础上，探讨性地提出一套将基于生活垃圾填埋场环境监测技术标准(CJJ／T3037—95)中涉及地面水、地下水、土壤等的相关监测项和垃圾中的其他常见重要污染物，一并确定出的污染评价指标，再根据相关有毒物急性毒性分级，结合阈限值和部分浸出毒性鉴别标准值等分为5类污染指标。并在污染物的标准值确定后，进行对应于5类污染物的不同数学模式计算，得到5个分类污染指数，再比较判别这5个分类污染指数，选出最大者作为总污染指数的组合型评价垃圾污染的方法。经实例应用分析，该方法对各种污染物数据分布情况的适宜性优于现行其他常用方法。