Leaching of trace and major elements from coal ash dumps

Coal ash samples taken from an active, currently filled cassette as well as samples taken from passive cassettes of the power plant in Obrenovac (Yugoslavia) were subjected to sequential leaching, comprising of extraction with distilled water, 1 M KC1 and 0.1 M HC1. Concentrations of trace and major elements found in extracts revealed that lead and cadmium are not present in significant concentrations, while other elements show different behavior: practically all absorbed trace elements and most of the major elements are partially leached during transport, while later, on the dump, only a slow release of most of the examined ion‐exchangeable elements occurs.     

Characterization of Santa Catarina (Brazil) coal with respect to human health and environmental concerns

The current paper presents the concentration, distribution, and modes of occurrence of trace elements of 13 coals from south Brazil. The samples were collected in the state of Santa Catarina. Chemical analyses and the high ash yields indicate that all studied coals are rich in mineral matter, with SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ dominating as determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Quartz is the main mineral species and is associated with minor levels of feldspars, kaolinite, hematite, and iron-rich carbonates. The contents of trace elements, including As, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Mn, Be, V, U, Zn, Li, Cu, Tl, and Ni, in coals were determined. A comparison of ranges and means of elemental concentrations in Santa Catarina, Brazil, and world coals shows that the ranges of most elements in Santa Catarina coal are very close to the usual worldwide concentration ranges in coal.     

Effects of La3+, Ce3+ on nitrogen removal in sequencing batch reactor

Batch experiments were conducted to study the short-term biological effects of rare earth ions (La³⁺, Ce³⁺) and their mixture on the nitrogen removal in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The data showed that higher NH₄ ⁺-N removal rate, total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency, and denitrification efficiency were achieved at lower concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) (<1 mg/L). In the first hour of the aeration stage of SBR, the presence of REEs increased the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency and NH₄ ⁺-N removal efficiency by 15.7% and 10%–15%, respectively. When the concentrations of REEs were higher than 1 mg/L, the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency decreased, and nitrate was found to accumulate in the effluent. When the concentrations of REEs was up to 50.0 mg/L, the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency was less than 30% of the control efficiency with a high level of nitrate. Lower concentrations of REEs were found to accelerate the nitrogen conversion and removal in SBR.     

Cluster analysis of inorganic elements in particulate matter in the air environment of an equatorial urban coastal location

Concentrations of nine inorganic elements (Na, Zn, Ca, Fe, Ni, Mn, Cu, Cd and Al) in particulate matter (PM₁₀) in the air of an equatorial urban coastal location during 2009 were studied during summer and winter monsoon seasons using high-volume sampling techniques. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to analyse the samples. The concentrations of most inorganic elements were higher during summer than winter, except for Cu and Zn. The main inorganic elements in PM₁₀ are Na, Zn and Ca. High concentrations of Na and Ca are due to marine aerosols. Analysis of enrichment factors showed that inorganic elements are from non-crustal sources. Cluster analysis identified five clusters in the summer and six in the winter: (1) PM₁₀–Ni, (2) Zn–Na, (3) Fe–Cu–Ca–Cd, (4) Mn and (5) Al for summer; and (1) PM₁₀, (2) Zn, (3) Fe–Ni, (4) Cu–Ca–Na–Cd, (5) Mn and (6) Al for winter. Combining both correlation and cluster analysis, it was found that Fe–Cu–Cd was from industry/vehicle emissions, Zn was from resuspended soil, Mn was from metallurgical processes, Ni was from a nearby power plant and Al was from crustal sources. Inorganic element concentrations could be a good indicator of local sources of PM₁₀.     

Coal fly ash and straw immobilize Cu,Cd and Zn from mining wasteland

Soil heavy metal contamination is a major health issue. Chemical immobilization of toxic metals is a promising technique to solve this issue. In this study, soil was sampled from a copper mining-polluted area in eastern China. Coal fly ash and straw were applied to soil samples at 5 % w/w ratio and 2 % w/w ratio, and incubated for 6 weeks. The CaCl₂-extractable Cu, Cd and Zn, phytoavailability and soil microbial activity were measured. The results showed that coal fly ash, straw and the mixture of coal fly ash and straw decreased CaCl₂-extractable metals. Coal fly ash or the mixture of the two amendments are therefore efficient metal stabilizers.     

燃煤灰渣中微量元素分布规律的研究

研究了锅炉飞灰和底灰中１５种微量元素的含量和分布，探讨了煤炭燃烧后，微量元素在灰渣中的集散及其影响因素，飞灰和底灰中大多数元素高于全国土壤背景值，７种元素高于克拉克值，其余８种低于克拉克值，飞灰中多数元素的地球化学富集因子高于１，呈富集状态，而底灰中多数元素富集因子小于１，飞灰和底灰中微量元素含量与煤中微量元素含量呈线性关系，微量元素含量不仅与煤有关，还受锅炉燃烧方式等人为因素影响。     

Improved characterisation of inorganic components in airborne particulate matter

We set up a microanalytical procedure for non-volatile ions by ion chromatography (IC) and for elements by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). We analysed NO₃, SO₄, NH₄, Na, Mg, Ca, Fe, S, Zn, As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Ti, and V. The use of complementary techniques yields reliable data for both trace and crustal elements, overcoming the analytical restrictions characteristic of the individual techniques. Some elements determined by two or by all three techniques can be used as data quality markers. The application of the procedure to a short PM_2.5 monitoring campaign is also described, aimed to the identification of fireworks tracers.     

Trace elements distributions at Datoko-Shega artisanal mining site,northern Ghana

Environmental geochemistry classifies elements into essential, non-essential and toxic elements in relationship to human health. To assess the environmental impact of mining at Datoko-Shega area, the distributions and concentrations of trace elements in stream sediments and soil samples were carried out. X-ray fluorescence analytical technique was used to measure the major and trace element concentrations in sediments and modified fire assay absorption spectrometry in soils. The results showed general depletion of major elements except titanium oxide (TiO₂) compared to the average crustal concentrations. The retention of TiO₂ at the near surface environment probably was due to the intense tropical weathering accompanied by the removal of fine sediments and soil fractions during the harmattan season by the dry north-east trade winds and sheet wash deposits formed after flash floods. The results also showed extreme contamination of selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg), plus strong contaminations of arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) in addition to moderate contamination of lead (Pb) in the trace element samples relative to crustal averages in the upper continental crust. However Hg, Pb and Cd concentrations tend to be high around the artisanal workings. It was recognised from the analysis of the results that the artisanal mining activity harnessed and introduces some potentially toxic elements such as Hg, Cd and Pb mostly in the artisan mine sites. But the interpretation of the trace element data thus invalidates the elevation of As concentrations to be from the mine operations. It consequently noticed As values in the mine-impacted areas to be similar or sometimes lower than As values in areas outside the mine sites from the stream sediment results.

     

Determination trace amounts of copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese ions in water samples after simultaneous separation and preconcentration

In the present article, a simple, rapid, sensitive and economical method has been developed for the simultaneous separation and preconcentration of the trace amounts of copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese in water samples by using modified XAD-4 resins. The sorption was quantitative in the pH range 6.0–9.0, whereas quantitative desorption occurred instantaneously with 5.0 mL of 2 M HNO₃, and selected elements have been determined by using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Dynamic ranges were 0.04–3.5, 0.1–6.0, 0.04–4.5 and 0.04–4.0 μg/mL for copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese, respectively. The detection limits were 9.2, 28.6, 12.3 and 5.7 ng/mL for Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Mn(II), respectively. The effects of the experimental parameters, including the sample pH, eluent type, interference ions and breakthrough volume, were studied for separation and preconcentration of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Mn(II) ions. Determination of these ions in standard samples confirmed that the proposed method has good accuracy. The proposed method was used for the determination of these ions in water samples.     

Effects of La,Ce on nitrogen removal in sequencing batch reactor

Batch experiments were conducted to study the short-term biological effects of rare earth ions (La³⁺, Ce³⁺) and their mixture on the nitrogen removal in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The data showed that higher NH⁺₄―N removal rate, total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency, and denitrification efficiency were achieved at lower concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) (<1mg/L). In the first hour of the aeration stage of SBR, the presence of REEs increased the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency and NH⁺₄―N removal efficiency by 15.7% and 10%―15%, respectively. When the concentrations of REEs were higher than 1mg/L, the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency decreased, and nitrate was found to accumulate in the effluent. When the concentrations of REEs was up to 50.0mg/L, the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency was less than 30% of the control efficiency with a high level of nitrate. Lower concentrations of REEs were found to accelerate the nitrogen conversion and removal in SBR.     

Levels of Hg and other chemical elements in volcanic ash fall samples erupted from Mt. Sakurajima,Japan

Mt. Sakurajima is a volcanic island in Japan, and a big city, Kagoshima, is quite close to the active volcano. Samples of volcanic ash fall erupted from Mt. Sakurajima were collected at several locations in Kagoshima City and analyzed for Hg and other elements, including major (Mg, Al, Ca, and Fe) and trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, As, and Pb). The concentrations of Hg varied from 6.3 to 124 ng g^?1, with the amounts of ash varying from 13 to 1230 g m^?2 month^?1. The Hg concentrations tended to be higher when the monthly amounts of ash fall were lower; other elements did not show such a tendency.     

生物质气化发电厂灰渣中微量元素的赋存形态及其析出

分别用Tessier逐级提取形态分离法和模拟酸雨浸提实验,研究了生物质气化发电厂的气化器、淋洗器和旋风分离器底灰中微量元素的赋存形态及其析出规律,探讨了微量元素析出浓度和影响其析出的因素．结果表明,微量元素大部分存在于残渣态,其有机态、Fe-Mn氧化态和碳酸盐结合态的浓度依次减少,可交换态的赋存量极低;元素的析出受浸提液pH值、浸提温度和浸提时间的影响,元素在灰渣颗粒物中的赋存形态及含量的高低也影响元素的释放和析出程度．     

Inorganic chemicals in domestic water of the United Arab Emirates

The concentration of selected inorganic chemicals was determined for 396 samples of bottled water, desalinated water, and groundwater used for drinking and domestic purposes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The objective of this study was to compare the concentrations of inorganic chemicals in different domestic water types used in the UAE with the World Health Organization (WHO) limits for drinking water. Results of the present study revealed a wide variation in the concentrations of major, minor, and trace inorganic chemicals in domestic water of the UAE. For example, the bottled water sold for drinking is depleted in major ions and the total dissolved solids (TDS) in some brands do not exceed 100 mg/l. On the other hand, some of the domestic water used may contain as much as 3,000 mg/l TDS, which is above the WHO recommended limit for drinking water (500–1,500 mg/l TDS). Similarly, while bottled water is almost free of trace ions and minor constituents, some natural groundwater may have concentrations higher than the WHO recommended limits for drinking water. The cause of this variation is related to the different water sources and the large number of companies producing and distributing drinking and domestic water. Moreover, it is clear that the current controls on domestic water quality in some areas, namely conformance of pH and electrical conductivity measurements with prescribed ranges of values, are currently inadequate. These two parameters are not enough to judge if water is suitable for drinking or not and some consumers may receive domestic water of uncertain quality.     

北京市不同区域大气气溶胶粒子中水溶性离子的特征

在北京市两个区域同时采集不同粒径的气溶胶粒子,利用离子色谱分析了样品中的水溶性无机离子组分．研究发现,城乡结合带采集的总水溶性离子浓度比郊区高．两地水溶性离子浓度有明显的季节变化趋势,SO4^2-浓度冬季最高,而夏季许多离子浓度普遍较低,NO3^-质量中值直径随季节变化有明显的不同．Na^ 浓度受地表植被影响较大．两地NO3^-,SO4^2-,NH4^ ,K^ 四种离子间的相关系数很好,可能是因为这些离子的来源相似．     

Study on particulate and metallic elements variation at daytime and nighttime period in urban atmosphere

Daily PM_2.5, PM_2.5–10 and TSP have been collected by Universal and PS‐1 sampler simultaneously at a site within Taichung between February and March 1999. The filters were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry for the elemental analysis of Ca, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cr. In general, the concentration of these metallic elements are higher in fine particles than in coarse particles. On average, PM₁₀ accounted for 67% of the TSP at daytime, while at nighttime PM₁₀ accounted for only 44% of the TSP. For PM_2.5, PM₂._5–10 and TSP concentrations, there were no significant differences between day and night period. The averaged concentrations of metallic elements in PM_2.5 at daytime were all higher than that at nighttime. Ca, Fe and Zn have large and variable PM_2.5 concentrations at both daytime and nighttime. For the daytime Zn and Pb account for the largest portion of the heavy metal elements. For the nighttime, Zn and Cr make the largest portion of the heavy metal elements. The concentrations of Mn were higher on fine particulates. The trace metals Cu and Cr in Taichung are probably due to particulates emitted by Taichung Fire Power Plants transported into the sampling area by the prevailing northwesterly wind.     

Epiphytic Lichens and Tree Leaves As Biomonitors of Trace Elements Released By Geothermal Power Plants

Leaves of the oak, Quercus cerris, and thalli of the epiphytic lichen, Parmelia caperata, from the Travale-Radicondoli geothermal area (central Italy) were analyzed for their trace elements (As, B, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Zn). the results showed that concentrations of arsenic and boron in leaf and lichen samples were higher than in remote areas. the mean concentrations of many trace elements were higher in lichens than in oak leaves, suggesting that these organisms can be used in similar biomonitoring studies. the levels of boron and manganese were higher in tree leaves, so that for these two elements, the higher plant foliage could constitute a better biomonitor than lichens. the correlations found between the concentrations of cadmium and manganese in leaves and lichens suggests foliar leaching and washing of the elements down the tree trunk, where lichens may intercept them.     

Online single particle analysis of chemical composition and mixing state of crop straw burning particles: from laboratory study to field measurement

Fresh straw burning (SB) particles were generated in the laboratory by the combustion of rice straw and corn straw. The chemical composition and mixing state of the fresh SB particles were investigated by an Aerosol Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (ATOFMS). Based on the mass spectral patterns, the SB particles were clustered into four major types: Salt, Organic Carbon (OC), Elemental Carbon (EC), and internally mixed particles of EC and OC (EC-OC). In addition, particles containing ash, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals or nicotine were also observed. Physical and chemical changes of the SB particles immediately after the emission were analyzed with highly time-resolved data. During the aging processes, the average particle size increased steadily. Freshly emitted organic compounds were gradually oxidized to more oxygenated compounds in the OC-containing particles. Meanwhile, an important displacement reaction (2KCl+ SO42−→ K₂SO₄ + 2Cl⁻) was observed. The marker ions for SB particles were optimized and applied to identify the SB particles in the ambient atmosphere. The fluctuation of the number fraction of ambient SB particles sorted by ATOFMS agrees well with that of water soluble K⁺ measured by an online ion chromatography, demonstrating that the optimized marker ions could be good tracers for SB particles in field measurements.     

Variation in trace element mobility and nitrogen metabolism of Verbascum olympicum Boiss. under copper stress

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of copper (Cu) stress on accumulation and transport of trace elements, nitrogen assimilation, and growth parameters of Verbascum olympicum. Eight-week-old seedlings were grown in Hoagland's solution and exposed to 0, 50, 250, or 500?µM CuSO₄ for seven days in laboratory conditions. Bioaccumulation of trace elements (boron, bismuth, cobalt, Cu, iron, lithium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, zinc) in the roots and leaves was determined by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry after one, three, and seven days. Chlorophyll content, nitrate reductase, and glutamine synthetase activities, soluble protein content, and biomass were determined. Copper accumulated in the roots and leaves (up to 19609.8 and 256.2?mg?kg^?1 dry weight, respectively). Other trace elements accumulated to higher levels in the roots of Cu-treated plants compared with those of control plants. High Cu concentrations decreased nitrogen-assimilatory enzyme activities. Compared with control plants, those treated with high Cu concentrations showed lower chlorophyll contents, total protein contents, and biomass. Nitrogen assimilation and growth parameters of V. olympicum were negatively affected by Cu treatment but mineral nutrition was not severely disrupted. The results support the suitability of V. olympicum as a candidate for phytoremediation of Cu-contaminated soils.     

辽宁西南典型城市冬季大气细颗粒物水溶性无机离子污染特征及来源解析

本研究于2018年12月3日-2019年1月1日在辽宁省西南典型城市葫芦岛市和朝阳市分别布设3个城区采样点,在区域传输点龙屯水库布设1个采样点,采集大气细颗粒物PM2.5样品(n=201).使用离子色谱检测样品中的Na+、Mg2+、Ca2+、K+、NH4+、SO42-、F-、Cl-和NO3-的质量浓度.观测期间PM2....