SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF SULFHYDRYL CHITOSAN

A new adsorbent for heavy metal ions, sulfhydryl chitosan (S-chitosan), was produced by treatment of chitosan with sulhydryl acetic acid in the presence of sulfuric acid as a catalyst. Its structure was confrrmed by elemental analysis and FI‘-IR spectra analysis. The adsorption properties of sulthydryl chitosan for Cu(Ⅱ ), Cd(Ⅱ ), Pb(Ⅱ), Cr(Ⅲ) and Ni(Ⅱ) were investigated, and the effect of pH value on adsorption, adsorption kinetics, and selective adsorption was examined. It was shown that S-chitosan has good adsorption for Pb(Ⅱ), Cu(Ⅱ) and Cd(Ⅱ) like chitosan, is also insoluble in acid solution; has good adsorption kinetic properties for heavy metal ions; and can be used in acid solution. The adsorption capacities of S-chitosan can be affected by media acidity. The adsorbed Cu(Ⅱ) Cd(Ⅱ) and Pb(Ⅱ) could be eluted by diluted chlorhydric acid.     

Heavy metal distribution and contamination in soils of Thane–Belapur industrial development area,Mumbai, Western India

There is a growing public concern over the potential accumulation of heavy metals in soil, owing to rapid urban and industrial development in the last decade in India. Therefore, an attempt was made to investigate the pollution caused due to excessive accumulation of heavy metals in soils near Thane–Belapur industrial belt of Mumbai. Soil samples were collected from surrounding industrial areas and were analyzed for toxic/heavy metals by X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The analytical results indicate that the soils in the study area were enriched with Cu, Cr, Co, Ni and Zn. The concentration ranges were: Cu 3.10–271.2 mg/kg (average 104.6 mg/kg), Cr 177.9–1,039 mg/kg (average 521.3 mg/kg), Co 44.8–101.6 mg/kg (average 68.7 mg/kg), Ni 64.4–537.8 mg/kg (average 183.6 mg/kg) and Zn 96.6–763.2 mg/kg (average 191.3 mg/kg). The visualization of spatial data is made by preparing distribution maps of heavy metal concentration in soils and co-relation diagrams. These results highlight the need for instituting a systematic and continuous monitoring of the study area for heavy metals and other forms of pollution to ensure that pollution does not become a serious problem in future.     

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.     

Natural and anthropogenic influences on the geochemistry of Quaternary lake sediments from Holzmaar, Germany

 The accumulation of heavy metals and trace elements has been investigated in a well laminated sequence of Holocene and late Pleistocene lake sediments composed of diatomaceous gyttja, tuff and silt and clay sediments. Varve chronology of the annually deposited gyttja yielded a continuous high-resolution time sequence and allowed the absolute age dating of the sediment. Fluxes of elements remained largely uniform from the late Pleistocene into the Holocene (12 867–2 364 VT years ago; VT: varve time, years before 1950). Higher trace element and heavy metal fluxes occur from 2 322 to 862 VT years ago and reached their maxima in the uppermost sediments (<845 VT years ago). These increasing element fluxes correlate with increasing inputs of clastic material. The changing accumulation rates are the result of elevated soil erosion in the lake catchment caused by human settlement, deforestation and agricultural activities. Thus disturbances of the natural geochemical cycles of the Holzmaar region have occurred since the beginning of the Iron Age and especially since the beginning of the Middle Ages. Received: 29 May 1996 · Accepted: 19 August 1996     

Prior exposure to Cu contamination influences the outcome of toxicological testing of Fucus serratus embryos

Brown seaweeds are often employed in single species toxicity testing to study the association between the pollutant and the biota in contaminated marine habitats. We have used Fucus serratus (Phaeophyta) from one Cu resistant and one non-resistant population to evaluate the effect of prior exposure to metal pollution on toxicological endpoints. Analysis of comparative toxicity was conducted for embryo rhizoid elongation and adult relative growth rate (RGR). Algae that had previously been exposed to Cu expressed consistently lower levels of sensitivity to Cu than those that had no history of exposure to the pollutant. For both non-resistant and resistant populations rhizoid length was a more sensitive endpoint than adult RGR. While early life history stages of brown algae are generally regarded as being pollution-sensitive and inhibition of spore and embryo rhizoid elongation is frequently used as endpoints in bioassays, the test results may be affected by prior exposure of the parent algae to the pollutant. We conclude that the effect of prior exposure should be considered when comparing endpoints between studies and when selecting material for future testing.     

Biomonitoring of heavy metals and trace organics using the intertidal mussel Perna viridis in Hong Kong coastal waters

This paper presents the results of a 6-year (1998–2003) survey of trace toxics in the intertidal mussel Perna viridis conducted by the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department. Concentrations of heavy metals and trace organics were measured in the soft bodies of P. viridis collected from five sites in Hong Kong waters, i.e. Wu Kai Sha (Tolo Harbour), Ma Wan (Northwest), Tsim Sha Tsui (Victoria Harbour), Tai Tam (Hong Kong South) and Lamma Island (Southern Waters) in order to establish the spatial patterns of contaminants in mussels. Among the metals analysed, Cd showed a significant concentration gradient in Hong Kong waters. The levels of Cd in P. viridis were significantly higher at Ma Wan as compared to the other sites studied. Ma Wan also had relatively higher concentrations of Pb. Mn concentrations were particularly prominent at Wu Kai Sha. Significantly higher concentrations of Hg and Cu were recorded at Tai Tam and Tsim Sha Tsui. Tai Tam and Wu Kai Sha had higher levels of V; whereas higher Ni concentrations were recorded at Lamma Island and Tai Tam. No clear spatial patterns for Al, As, Cr, Fe and Zn were observed.

Higher concentrations of PAHs in P. viridis were observed around urban centres impacted by sewage discharges (e.g. Tsim Sha Tsui); whereas higher PCB levels were found not only in Tsim Sha Tsui but also in less urbanised areas such as Lamma Island and Tai Tam, suggesting that these may be due to non-sewage related inputs. The study also shows that Northwest and Southern waters are subject to a higher degree of DDT pollution compared with other sites. Of the 17 dioxin compounds analysed, positive data were mostly recorded for two compounds which are of low toxicity (i.e. OCDD and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD) whereas the most toxic congeners (i.e. 2,3,7,8-TCDD and 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD) were not detected in the 6 years of monitoring. In general, the levels of OCDD in P. viridis were found to be higher in Tai Tam and Lamma Island in Southern Waters of Hong Kong.

This study found that the levels of some highly toxic heavy metals (i.e. Cd, Hg and Pb) in the mussel P. viridis did not exceed the recommended limits for shellfish as food in Hong Kong (i.e. Cd: 2.0 ppm; Hg: 0.5 ppm; Pb: 6.0 ppm wet weight). The levels of As and Ni in P. viridis were also well below the action limits set by the US FDA (i.e. As: 86 ppm; Ni: 80 ppm wet weight). DDT and PCB contaminations in P. viridis were below the concentrations of concern. Compared with data obtained in the 1980s, the current levels of DDTs in P. viridis were 4–16 times lower; whereas Pb concentrations recorded in Tsim Sha Tsui have also been lowered significantly. This is mainly related to reduction in local and regional pollution sources in the past 20 years.     

The sedimentary record of environmental lead contamination at St. Louis,Missouri (USA) area smelters

Southeastern Missouri has been a major Pb mining region since 1720 AD. Missouri mines produce a Pb ore that has a distinctive elevated ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb isotopic ratio (>1.30) that is easily recognized in Pb-contaminated sediments. Five ²¹⁰Pb dated sediment cores from Horseshoe Lake, Madison County, Illinois were examined to reconstruct Pb-contamination of the site from southeastern Missouri mines and from a local Pb smelter located adjacent to the lake. Pb concentrations increased in the cores from 5 ppm in the early 1800s to approximately 350 ppm in the late 1940s and 1950s. Pb concentrations in recently deposited sediment range from 100 to 300 ppm depending on the location within the lake. Throughout the 1800s and early 1900s the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios in the sediment cores increased indicating contamination from southeastern Missouri (mean = 1.243). After the local smelter began recycling lead-acid storage batteries in the 1950s, the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratio declined (mean = 1.224) suggesting contamination of Horseshoe Lake with Pb from sources elsewhere around the world. The results of this study demonstrate how isotopic ratios of Pb can be used to reconstruct historical anthropogenic contamination.     

"2003.6.17"滇中特大暴雨的中尺度分析

结合大尺度环流的高通滤波、卫星云图和雷达回波诊断，用Shuman—Shapiro中尺度滤波方法，对2003年6月17日云南中部的楚雄市至南华县一带发生的特大暴雨过程进行了中尺度分析。结果表明，这次过程是热带中尺度气旋东南移并发展造成的；地面强冷空气侵入中尺度低压导致对流发展，是热带中尺度气旋加强的原因；大尺度环流下，孟加拉湾、南海和北部湾形成的两条水汽输送带通过热带低压，为强对流的发展和维持提供了能源保障；地面中尺度低压中心和与之配置的切变线北侧对特大暴雨落区有较好的指示。     

汞等重金属元素在黄浦江中迁移富集研究

为了探讨生物膜对重金属元素的富集,以及生物膜在水-沉积物交换过程中的影响和贡献,研究了生物膜和沉积物对于汞等重金属的吸附以及吸附前后汞形态的变化.结果表明沉积物中的汞和大部分重金属元素以残渣态为主,可交换态、有机质结合态、碳酸盐结合态百分含量相对较少.生物膜中有机质含量很高,生长时间,光照,季节都是影响生物膜中重金属元素含量的重要因素.可以推断,光照越强,温度越高,生长时间越长,生物膜中重金属元素含量越高.     

雷达和卫星资料在淮河流域暴雨实时数值预报试验中的应用

本文在前一工作「文献」基础上,将雷达和卫星资料计入ＰＳＵ／ＮＣＡＲ ＭＭ４中尺度数值模式,对１９９８年６月底和７月初的二次淮河流域暴雨过程,进行了帝时数值预报试验,结果表明,计入雷达和卫星资料的敏感性试验效果,比不计入该二种资料的控制试验有较好的明显的改进,文中还分析比较了控制试验（ＣＴＥ）和敏感试验（ＳＴＥ）每三小时的雨量和散度场,、垂直运动场及高度场的变化。结果显示,ＳＴＥ的雨量、产生暴雨的切变丝低涡系统以及散度和上升运动等的增强时间都比ＣＴＥ提前,因此,２４小时雨量与实况比较接近。