Soil contamination by metals with high ecological risk in urban and rural areas

Industrial development, intensive agriculture and fast urbanization have caused the metal contents of soils to increase to many times the allowable limits. To assess this impact on urban and rural soils, we quantified the Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn contents of 258 soil samples from the Recife metropolitan region (RMR). The objectives of the study were to estimate the probability of ecological risk, to determine the spatial pattern of the metals’ accumulation in the soil and to identify potential sources for the metals using a multivariate geostatistical approach. Mean concentrations of Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni and Cd in soils were 65.2, 17.9, 16.5, 12.8, 6.3 and 1.5 mg kg^?1, respectively. The results demonstrated that the Cd was anthropogenic in origin, the Cr and Ni were lithogenic (natural) in origin and the Cu, Pb and Zn were mixed in origin. Cd contaminated 91% of the samples; the median content of Cd (1.4 mg kg^?1) was three times the quality reference value for soil. The Cd contents of sugarcane fields exceeded the allowable limit (3.0 mg kg^?1) for agricultural areas. The spatial variability of the metals in the RMR showed that metallurgy, cement production, vehicle exhaust and vehicular traffic were the main sources of metals in urban areas, while phosphate-based fertilizers were the main sources in rural areas. More than 80% of the metropolitan region surveyed in the study was at moderate to high ecological risk.     

Land subsidence caused by ground water withdrawal in urban areas

At least eight urban areas in the world have encountered significant economic impact from land subsidence caused by pumping of ground water from unconsolidated sediment. The areas, most of which are coastal, include Bangkok, Houston, Mexico City, Osaka, San Jose, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Venice. Flooding related to decreased ground elevation is the principal adverse effect of the subsidence. Lesser effects include regional tilting, well-casing failures, rising buildings, and ground failure or rupture. Subsidence of most of these urban areas began before the phenomenon was discovered and understood. Thus, the subsidence problems were unanticipated. Methods to arrest subsidence typically have included control of ground water pumping and development of surface water to offset the reductions of ground water pumping. Ground water recharge has also been practiced. Areas threatened by flooding have been protected by extensive networks of dikes and sea walls, locks, and pumping stations to remove storm runoff.     

Study of heavy metals in urban runoff

A cross-sectional survey was conducted through Tehran city and a field study was conducted to prepare main and accessory drainage channels map. Three main drainage channels were identified for this research and some sampling stations were chosen. Three stations selected in south of Tehran. The reason for selecting these stations is that all urban surface runoff completelypass through these points and samples taken from these points are representative of all kinds of pollutants that transit from city surface. Another Three stations were selected in center and further three stations were selected at north of Tehran. Surface runoff flow in three main channels, from north to south of Tehran, converge at south of Rey city and finally end up to Ghom Salt lake. The stations were chosen at three trajectories, Sorkhe Hesar, Emad Avard, Kan. At each month two samples were prepared from nine different stations. After collection of samples with respect to standard methods, they were dissolved in nitric acid and then analyzed by atomic absorption device. The results show that the concentrations of pollutants increased from north to south. For instance, Zinc had most concentration with monthly average of 0.98 mg/l and Nickel had the lowest amount with 0.02 mg/l in southern stations. Average concentration of Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu and Ni were: 0.638, 0.097, 0.04 and 0.035 mg/l respectively. Total average concentrations of heavy metals at three main channels were of 0.177, 0.176 and 0.145 mg/l. Emad Avard was the most polluted channel.     

Bioavailability of heavy metals in urban particles

Urban particles, as one of the toxic air pollutants, are important issues concerning air quality and public health, especially in large cities like Guangzhou （China）. Toxicological studies implicated heavy metals （particularly water-soluble metals） as a health hazard of particles. Once absorbed into human lung tissues, heavy metals are likely released from the particles and do harm to human body even in low concentrations. Thus, evaluating the bioavailability of heavy metals in urban particles is quite necessary. The particle samples used in this study were collected from a building roof in Guangzhou. Three different methods, sequential extraction procedure and two leaching tests, were employed to investigate the bioavailability of heavy metals in the particles. The sequential extraction scheme is specific for analyzing the chemical speciation of metals in particles, which consists of four fractions： F1： soluble and exchangeable metals; F2： carbonates, oxides and reducible metals; F3： bound to organic matter, oxidisable and sulphidic metals; and F4： residual metals. Leaching tests, GB 5086.2-1997 and TCLP, are standard methods developed by China-EPA and US-EPA and widely used in evaluating the toxicity of solid wastes. They were applied to gain additional information about more easily mobilized form of metal. Heavy metals in extraction solution, including Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni, were analyzed by ICP-MS. According to the data from the total concentration analysis, the relative contents of 6 heavy metals in particles follow the order of Pb〉Zn〉Cu〉Cr〉Ni〉Cd. The results of sequential extraction showed that more than 50% of Cu, Zn and Cd were distributed in the F1, F2, and F3. This indicated that the bioavailability of Cu, Zn and Cd in the particles is much higher than that of Pb, Cr, and Ni. Leaching tests revealed that the concentrations of heavy metals in leachate are relatively lower than the regulatory level. The results of TCLP are much higher than those of GB 5086.2-1997, mainly due to the low pH value of the extraction fluid.     

岩溶区矿山污染地下水的水生植物修复初步研究

选取黑藻(Hydrilla verticillata Royle)和水绵(Spirogyra communis,Hassall)作为研究对象,分析其对某铅锌矿尾矿库重金属废水的富集能力,综述重金属在黑藻和水绵体内的富集机制,探讨了利用黑藻和水绵进行岩溶矿山重金属污染水修复的应用前景。结果表明:黑藻和水绵体内的重金属绝对含量较高,并且植株长势良好,生物量大,说明这两种水生植物对重金属有避性或耐性。分析测试发现,在黑藻和水绵体内,重金属的富集系数较高,其中Pb最大,其后依次是As>Co>Mn>Cu>Cd>Zn>Ni>Cr,富集系数最少的是Hg,水绵体内的富集系数要大于黑藻。对比研究发现,这两类藻类体内的重金属含量和富集系数均高于非岩溶区。黑藻对重金属的富集机制主要有3种,即重金属作用下抗氧化酶活性增强、被动吸收和离子交换作用,而水绵特殊的分子生物结构可能是其吸附重金属的重要机制。黑藻和水绵在南方岩溶区广泛分布,利用黑藻和水绵修复重金属污染的岩溶水具有较好前景。      

Industrial location and urban areas

Conclusions In order to end the unstructured development of industrial building and working class housing, many countries promoted a multiplication of industrial zones and estates in the outskirts of urban centers. At the same time the difficulties faced by industries implanted in the urban network resulted in the management of many companies leaving the towns and setting up their plants on these new sites.There exists a widespread tendency to de-urbanize industry which is causing big changes in the heart of built-up areas — not always on the positive side. Consequently, a new policy is gradually being developed to aim at a better integration of industrial activities with urban areas.Undoubtedly, industrial areas should be restricted to the outskirts for heavy industry with its harmful effects of space requirement. The present migration of many industrial concerns should be halted if a true re-organization of existing urban areas is desired.In order to achieve this, town planning policies should be reviewed and certain formulas elaborated to enable a true integration of industrial functions with other functions.The location of industrial activities, therefore, seems to have reached a new turning-point in its history. Careful consideration in all urban areas, whether they be new towns or other areas, is absolutely necessary to achieve a better organization of space, which is the ultimate aim of Applied Geography.     

Water quality problems of urban areas

The increases in population and building density that occur as predominantly rural catchment areas become progressively urbanised can have a far-reaching effect on the hydrological cycle, and therefore on both the quantity and quality of water resources. The success of management strategies intended to alleviate the flooding problems and to prevent the degradation of water quality within and downstream of the urban area depends upon a thorough understanding of the sources of urban runoff pollution and the mechanisms by which pollutants are transported to watercourses. Particular care is necessary to ensure that any measures taken to mitigate the adverse effects of either flooding or pollution do not conflict with others in the same overall stormwater management plan.     

综合电参数在采煤地区拟建城市区地质结构识别及其评价研究

贵州黔西北地区煤矿资源丰富,因由于煤矿开采导致城市地下地质结构变化而引发安全问题。城市地下空间是城市未来发展的重要增长极,拟建城市规划区地下空间地质结构的识别及评价工作极为重要。文中提出基于电场理论、采空区氧化还原环境及煤区地质规律,综合电阻率、电流、自然电位等多个电参数对采煤区拟建城市区地质结构快速识别的方法,并对强风化层、老窑采空区、煤矿采空区等地质结构特征进行评价,取得成果与实地踏勘、已有工程一致,可为城区建设场地地质灾害危险性评价和地下空间开发利用提供重要依据。该方法具有无损、高效、绿色、低成本等优势,值得进一步研究推广。     

Heavy metals distribution in agricultural topsoils in urban area

Intensive urbanisation of the Croatian capital of Zagreb has led to a situation where very good agricultural soils, developed mostly on Pleistocene eolian sediments and alluvial and proluvian Holocene sediments are entrapped within urban and suburban areas. Therefore the influence of urban and industrialised environments on the accumulation of metals in agricultural topsoils has been investigated. On an area of 860 km² of the wider Zagreb region, 331 samples were taken according to a regular 1ǵ km square mesh. Samples were dissolved in aqua regia and analysed for Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn with flame atomic aqua regia absorption spectroscopy. The following concentration ranges have been determined: Cd 0.25-3.85 mg kg^-1 (average 0.66 mg kg^-1), Cu 4.30-183 mg kg^-1 (average 20.8 mg kg^-1), Fe 5.8-51.8 g kg^-1 (average 27 g kg^-1), Mn 79.2-1282 mg kg^-1 (average 613 mg kg^-1), Ni 0.70-282 mg kg^-1 (average 49.5 mg kg^-1), Pb 1.50-139 mg kg^-1 (average 25.9 mg kg^-1), and Zn 15.2-277 mg kg^-1 (average 77.9 mg kg^-1). Visualisation of the spatial data is made by the aid of GIS, and selected maps of the heavy metal concentrations in topsoils are displayed. Statistical multivariate analysis was carried out for quantitative study and data were processed by means of R-mode factor analysis, applying the varimax-raw rotational technique. F1, which grouped Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn and partially Ni, is characterized as a factor with strongly scattered anthropogenic influence. The elements in F2, Fe, Mn and partially Ni are mainly of geogenic, i.e. pedogenic, origin. The variations in concentrations of the investigated elements are thus of both natural and anthropogenic origins. The variations in the main soil constituents, particularly Fe and Mn, are determined primarily by the composition of different regolithic substrates of the fluvial origin in recent pedogenesis. High concentrations of nickel are also related to morphogenetic characteristics of the wider region, primarily basic and ultrabasic magmatic rocks of the surrounding mountain range. It is, however, assumed that the anomalous nickel concentrations in the vicinity of the highway and the airport are of anthropogenic origin, i.e. caused by fuel combustion. Copper is characterized by strongly scattered anthropogenic influence, which is related particularly to uncontrolled solid waste disposals or discharges of liquid waste from households or agricultural enterprises. With Zn, Pb and Cd, there are two possible ways of diffuse pollution. The Sava River, which drains the area and feeds the abundant Quaternary aquifer spreading below the major part of the investigated agricultural areas, has been exposed to intensive pollution by mining, industry and cities in the recent history. The part of the area with the highest determined concentrations of Zn, Pb and Cd was repeatedly flooded as recently as the previous decade; therefore, the recent sedimentation of the river deposits exposed to pollution is a very probable cause of the accumulation of metals in this until recently inundation area. The other way is atmospheric deposition of particles from urban sources (industrial emission, traffic, waste disposals, heating plants, etc.). In addition to agricultural enterprises, several economically important, but ecologically risky, facilities are situated in the vicinity of the water-protection area. The area is intersected by a very busy ring road, while a marshalling yard, the city dump, pharmaceutical and chemical industry, the district-heating plant and the airport are all located in close proximity. The geochemical maps show a clear relationship between human activities and metal concentration gradients.     

Sorption of heavy metals from aqueous solution by dehydrated powders of aquatic plants

Ruppia maritima and Echinodorus amazonicus were prepared in a dehydrated powder form. The characteristics and mechanisms of adsorption of heavy metals were studied under various pH values, reaction times, and heavy metal ion concentrations. The results showed that under different pH and reaction time conditions, heavy metal adsorption was lead > cadmium > zinc > copper. The adsorption of lead increased linearly with the lead concentration. For cadmium, zinc and copper, the adsorption was saturated when metal ion concentration exceeded 200 mg/L. When a Freundlich model was applied, R ² values for the heavy metal adsorption by the aquatic plants mostly exceeded 0.9. The adsorption of heavy metal ions by these two aquatic plant powders was better explained by the Lagergren second-order equation than the first-order equation. From the Fourier Transform Infrared spectra, there was an adsorption peak at 2,115 cm^?1 for R. maritima. The peak shape did not change with metal affiliation except there was a shift of peak wavelength before adsorption. The results indicate that the mechanism of heavy metal adsorption by the two species is not simply on the mono-molecular layer level, and that intra-particulate dispersal is the dominant process. Heavy metal pollution does not affect the basic chemical components, and major substances involved in heavy metal adsorption including carbohydrates, cell wall pectin, and protein functional groups.     

敦化市区地下水动态特征

本文按不同地下水类型,从地下水的水位、水温、水质三个方面论述了敦化市规划区地下水的动态特征。     

Determinants of utilisation of health services by women in rural and urban areas in Ghana

The paper examines the factors that influence the utilisation of health services by women in the rural and urban areas in Ghana. The systematic sampling procedure was used to draw the sample from women aged 18 and above with diverse backgrounds from Ahafo-Ano South district, representing the rural districts and Kumasi metropolis, representing the urban districts. The research instruments used for data collection were the questionnaire and formal interviews. Multiple regression was the main tool for analysis. The research reveals that the key factors that impact significantly on the utilisation of health services by women in the Ahafo-Ano South district are, distance, income and family size (number of children) while for Kumasi metropolis they are education, distance and marital status. Whereas it is clear that distance is a common problem facing women in both rural and urban areas in Ghana in the utilisation of health services, marital status and number of children have emerged as contrasting factors influencing utilisation of health services by women in rural and urban Ghana. Recommendations to improve utilisation include the location of maternal and child health services within easy reach in the rural areas, intensification of family planning education in the rural areas, the empowerment of women through access to formal education and vocational training for income generation activities and the full implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). A model of utilisation of health services by women in the rural and urban areas has emerged.     

The distribution characteristics of heavy metals in Guiyang urban soils

Guiyang is located in southwestern China,which is a famous tourism city,and is awarded the title of"the Summer Capital of China".A study on heavy metals in Guiyang urban soils was conducted.The results showed that the concentrations of Cd,Cu,Ni,Pb and Zn in Guiyang urban soils are significantly higher than their background values and Cu,Zn and Pb in Guiyang soils are accumulated seriously.The distribution characteristics of heavy metals in 3 districts are described as follows:the level of heavy metals in soils follows the order of Nanming District> Yunyan District>Xiaohe District.The spatial distribution of metals in urban soils of Guiyang shows that the level of metals in the central and eastern parts of Guiyang is relatively high,and its characteristics are attributed to the influence of commercial activities,heavy traffic and industrial emission.Compared with some other cities in China,Guiyang is characterized by relatively high accumulation level of Cd,Cu,and Zn in its soils.     

Geochemical baseline of major anions and heavy metals in groundwaters and drinking waters around the urban areas of Kerman city, southeastern Iran

In order to investigate the environmental geochemistry of groundwaters in the urban areas of Kerman city, 50 samples of natural groundwaters, urban groundwaters and drinking waters were collected. High values of salinity (5.8???), electrical conductivity (10,270???S/cm), total dissolved solids (TDS) (5,140?mg/kg), fluorine (4.9?mg/kg), chlorine (3,974?mg/kg), bromine (1.6?mg/kg) and sulfate (4,306?mg/kg) in the northern part of the studied area are caused by dissolution of evaporate bed rocks and Quaternary salt plains. Low values of salinity (0.5???), electrical conductivity (973???S/cm), TDS (486?mg/kg), fluorine (0.8?mg/kg), chlorine (297?mg/kg), bromine (0.25?mg/kg) and sulfate (262?mg/kg) are only reported in the southern part of the Kerman city. High values of nitrate (NO₃ ^?) range from 134 to 725?mg/kg and nitrite (NO₂ ^?) content is variable between 0.04 to 23.45?mg/kg. These values indicate mixing of groundwaters with wastewaters. The heavy metal values in groundwaters around the Kerman city show 20.5???g/kg Cu, 5.88???g/kg Mo, 16.2???g/kg Pb, 70???g/kg Zn, 11.6???g/kg Cr, 1.99???g/kg Co, 4.13???g/kg Ni, respectively. Furthermore, the natural aquifers of Kerman city contain 24???g/kg Cu, 8.15???g/kg Mo, 18.25 Pb, ??g/kg, 193???g/kg Zn, 14.7???g/kg Cr, 3.97???g/kg Co and 7.45???g/kg Ni, respectively. The results demonstrate that the main sources of contamination are related to the natural evaporates, mixing of groundwaters with wastewaters and constructional materials in the area.     

Pedestrian hazard criteria for flooded urban areas

Urban floods are sudden phenomena normally characterized by short flooding durations and devastating effects due to the high concentrations of persons, goods, and properties located in urban areas. In these cases, uncontrolled runoff can flow on urban streets, creating a significant hazard for pedestrians and vehicles. The safety of people can be compromised when they are exposed to flows that exceed their ability to remain standing or to traverse flow paths. With the aim of studying the stability of pedestrians in flooded street during storm events, a model representing an urban street in real scale was designed and built. Following a specific protocol that considering several flow rates (up to 500 l/s) and different longitudinal slopes (up to 10 %), 834 tests, using 23 human subjects, were carried out in good and poor light conditions. Hazard conditions were classified into three groups (low, medium, and high), and the parameters for which these conditions occurred were recorded. Results showed that for subjects weighing 50–60 daN (50–60 kg mass) and flow depths between 9 and 16 cm, velocities of 1.5–2 m/s can generate loss of stability due to phenomena of dragging or overturning. Empirical expressions were proposed to relate human subject characteristics (weight and height) and limiting flow conditions at which loss of stability occurs.     

Concept for near-natural storm water control in urban areas

Storm water control in urban areas helps to conserve the natural water balance and to protect soil and groundwater from hazardous substances. This paper introduces the concept for a near-natural storm water control system, including an associated decision-making chart. In this concept, the quantitative aspects of storm water infiltration are checked first. All important factors and their parameters, which enable a judgement on the tolerance of rising groundwater levels, are identified and evaluated. If the predicted rise in groundwater level is considered tolerable, the qualitative aspects of storm water infiltration are then checked. Again, all important factors and their parameters, which enable a judgement on the hazards to the soil and groundwater, are identified and evaluated. The presented concept also includes recommendations and demonstrates alternative control systems. Urban planners and public authorities are regarded as potential users of this concept.     

Estuarine flooding in urban areas: enhancing vulnerability assessment

The assessment of vulnerability provides valuable knowledge in the risk assessment steps of a risk governance process. Given the multiscale, multilevel, and multisectorial aspects of flood risk, the diversified entities that directly and indirectly intervene in risk management require specific outputs from the assessment studies. Urban areas in estuarine margins are particularly exposed and vulnerable to flooding. Such interface conditions are found in the Old City Centre of the Seixal, located in the Tagus estuary, Portugal. Here, two distinct methodologies were applied for the assessment of territorial vulnerability. A regional, lower-scale, methodology explores the application of the statistical procedure based on the SoVI^® at the statistical block level. A second, local and higher-scale, methodology is based in data collected through field matrices at the building and statistical sub-block level. Comparison of results revealed that the lower-scale assessment provides information on the vulnerability drivers at the regional and municipal level. Nevertheless, only at a higher-scale, it is possible to characterize and differentiate the smaller geographical units of analysis that compose the Old City Centre of Seixal. The lower-scale vulnerability assessment allows a strategic response, based on adaptation measures such as spatial planning, institutional capacity building and public awareness. The local level assessment provides more accurate knowledge to support local emergency planning and the allocation of operational and material resources at the urban level. Nevertheless, rather than antagonistic, both models can be considered as complementary, having in mind the requirements of an holistic flood risk governance model.

     

城市路面径流重金属固液分配系数及其影响因素

以上海市中心城区为例,探讨路面径流重金属在颗粒物-水相间的分配特征及其影响因素.研究表明,路面径流Cr的25%分位数浓度值,以及Zn、Pb、Cd的90%分位数浓度值超出地表Ⅴ类水标准,Cu和Ni污染程度较轻.径流重金属Pb、Zn、Cu及Cd总量浓度与悬浮颗粒物(TSS)含量呈现较明显的正相关关系,Ni与TSS浓度相关性不显著.径流冲刷过程中Cu和Ni溶解态含量比例平均值为35%;Zn和Cr平均值为19%~22%;Cd和Pb溶解态比例最低,平均值为4%~8%.应用扣除残渣态后的颗粒物重金属含量计算固液分配系数依次为Pb>Cd>Zn>Ni>Cu>Cr.径流中悬浮颗粒物浓度与固液分配系数存在显著负相关关系,呈现明显的颗粒物浓度效应,径流pH值在6.4~7.2区间时对固液分配系数影响相对较小.