Assessment of heavy metals contamination in deposited street dusts in different urbanized areas in the city of Ma’an, Jordan

190 Street dust samples were collected from nine different localities including high traffic (desert highway), moderate traffic (city center), light traffic (minor streets), residential streets, school gardens, hospital and health centers, industrial sites, parks and background sites (control) of Ma’an area. The concentrations of Fe, Zn, Ni, Pb, Mn, Cu and Cd were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer to assess and to compare road dust contamination levels of metals among the different types of urban environment. The results showed that dust samples from the urban and industrial site contained significant levels of the metals studied compared to the values obtained from the background site. The variation in concentration of the heavy metals determined from different locations was in the decreasing order as: industrial > high traffic > parks > moderate traffic > hospital and health centers > school gardens > light traffic > background sites. The mean concentrations of the metals were in the order of C _Fe > C _Zn > C _Ni > C _Pb > C _Mn > C _Cu > C _Cd where C is the concentration of these metals in solution. Enrichment factor calculations indicated that Cd, Pb, Zn and Ni were highly enriched. Fossil fuel combustion, wear of brake lining materials, traffic emissions and several industrial processes are considered the main sources of these metals. Assessment of the contamination level in dust sample was estimated based on the geoaccumulation index (I _geo), the pollution index, and integrated pollution index (IPI). The values of IPI are in the following order: Pb > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cd > Mn. All the indices for the metals under consideration were either low or corresponded to middle level of contamination. The use of factor analysis showed that anthropogenic activities seem to be the responsible source of contamination for metals in dust samples.     

Study on the mechanism of transport of heavy metals in soil in western suburb of Beijing

1 IntroductionIncorporation of potentially toxic metals ( e.g.Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Hg, As, Se, Zn, Ni) into soils ei-ther through sewage-sludge irrigation or some othersources of pollution (e.g. atmospheric deposition, ap-plication of agri-chemicals) has posed…     

Experimental modeling of the immobilization of heavy metals at the carbonate adsorption–precipitation geochemical barrier

Experimental data obtained on the adsorption–precipitation immobilization of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Co, and Ni) from acidic and neutral solutions by calcite and dolomite demonstrate that interaction of solutions of heavy metals with these minerals at pH > 7.8–8.1 leads to a significant decrease in the concentrations of the metals because of the crystallization of carbonates of these metals. Except Pb, which is equally removed from solutions by both minerals, the immobilization efficiency of the metals on dolomite is greater than on calculate at the same pH. Residual Zn, Cd, Co, and Ni concentrations are immobilized by chemosorption, which is the most efficient for Cd and less significant for Co, Ni, and Zn. It is proved that artificial geochemical barriers on the basis of carbonate rocks can be efficiently applied to protect environment from contamination with heavy metals.     

The Stress–Strain State of Recent Structures in the Northeastern Sector of the Russian Arctic Region

Doklady Earth Sciences - Complex research to determine the stress–strain state of the Earth’s crust and the types of seismotectonic destruction for the northeastern sector of the...     

Enrichment and mobility of cadmium and other heavy metals in the area of the Three-Gorges Reservoir

This study focused on the geochemical distribution patterns and ecological effects of Cd and other heavy metals such as As, Hg, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in rock, soil, water, sediment and crops in the area of the Three-Gorges Reservoir within Chongqing, and aimed at the protection of ecological environment and rational application of the local lands. This study found that the metals of Cd, Hg and Pb presented pollution in the surface environment along the Yangtze River, that is Cd〉Hg〉Pb （Cu）〉Zn〉As〉Ni〉Cr. The pollution of Cd in sediment was mainly attributable to the regional black shales, and partly to the urban sewage and garbage. The geochemical modes of metals in the sediment varied. Cr, Hg, Ni, and Pb mainly existed as residues, and Cd as carbonate. Cd exited as a high proportion in the modes of ion-exchange, carbonate, and iron-manganese oxidation, up to 63 percent. The contents of heavy metals in soiland sediment were correlated to the host clay minerals, such as illite, montmorillonite, kaolinite and chlorite. It is shown that Cd was transported with clay minerals in the Yangtze River over long distance and formed the regional anomaly. In the abnormal area of Jianping in Wushan County, higher Cd contents are reported in the local crops and local villagers＇ hairs than from the background areas.     

Mobility and accumulation of selenium and its relationship with other heavy metals in the system rocks/soils–crops in areas covered by black shale in Korea

The purpose of this study is to investigate the enrichment level and dispersion patterns of Se and associated elements in rocks, soils and crops which were collected in the Dukpyung and the Chubu areas covered with black shales of the Okchon Group in Korea. Rock and soil samples were analyzed for Se including multiple elements by ICP, ICP-MS and INAA, and crop samples by INAA. Soil pH and loss-on-ignition (LOI) were also measured.     

Speciation and potential remobilization of heavy metals in sediments of the Taihu Lake, China

The species of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and Cr in sediments of the Taihu Lake, China, have been analyzed using the sequential chemical extraction method. Variations in the chemical fractions of these metals and their geographic distributions have also been studied. For all five metals, the residual fraction is highest but the exchangeable fraction is lowest among all the fractions. Compared to other metals, Cd has the highest percentage in the exchangeable fraction, and Cr is associated mainly with the residual fraction. Cu in the organic fraction and Pb in the Fe-Mn fraction are the important species, whereas the lowest percentages are found for Cd in the organic fraction, Cu in the Fe-Mn oxide fraction and Pb in the carbonate fraction. With respect to spatial differences, the total contents in the non-residual fractions of the metals in bay sediments are found to be higher than those in other sediments. The fractions of Cd, Cu and Cr showed significant variations in different regions. The fractions of Pb and Zn, however, did not show significant variations in spatial distribution, suggesting different amounts and different paths of anthropogenic input for the metals. Comparisons of the metal speciation indicated that Cd might be the most bioavailable metal, followed by Pb.     

Distribution and mobility of heavy metals in paddy soils of the Kočani Field in Macedonia

Contamination of soils with heavy metals is widespread and poses a long-term risk to ecosystem health. Abandoned and active mining sites contain residues from ore-processing operations that are characterised by high concentrations of heavy metals. The distribution and mobility characteristics of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in paddy soil samples from Kočani Field (Macedonia) using ICP-EAS and a sequential extraction procedure was evaluated. The results indicate that highly elevated concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were detected in the paddy soil sample from location VII-2 in the vicinity of Zletovo mine and Zletovska river in the western part of Kočani Field, which drains the untreated acid mine waters and mine wastes from the active Zletovo mine. The degree of contamination based on index of geoaccumulation (I _geo) from strong to weak in the paddy soils samples is Pb > As > Cd > Zn > Cu. The mobility potential of heavy metals in all paddy soil samples increases in the order As < Cu < Pb < Zn < Cd. According to the results of the anthropogenic impact on the paddy soils, a further study on the heavy metal concentrations in rice and other edible crops, the remediation process of the paddy soils and a dietary study of the local population are needed.     

The assessment of heavy metal stream in the air basin of Yerevan

Yerevan-the capital city of Armenia used to be a highly developed industrial center whose enterprises were integrated into the former USSR＇s industrial network. For this, the USSR disintegration entailed stagnation of most plants. Lately, some of them resumed operating, new enterprises were created, conditioning qualitative and structural changes in the city＇s industrial complex. Naturally,first of all, such changes manifest themselves in the extent of the impact of operating plants upon the environment and the air basin. This atmo-geochemical research was performed through studying natural depositing medium - snow cover, as the composition of its insoluble fraction is identical to that of solid constituent of air pollutants. The solid phase was analyzed through the method of quantitative spectral analysis for a wide set of heavy metals. Based on the data on heavy metal contents in separate samples, specialized geochemical maps of the city＇s territory were produced applying GIS ArcView 3.2 a. These initial data allow to calculate in-day dust load per square kilometer -38.3 kg/sq, km＊day, respectively, for the whole of the city＇s territory （225 sq. km） -8.6 tons. Data on element contents in dust allow to calculate the load of separate elements throughout the city landscape; so in-day load of Zn is 2.3 kg, Cu 1.1 kg. The determined contents of heavy metals are standardized by the element background and the following ranked geochemical series of heavy metal contents in ambient dust throughout the city was made up： Mo-Ag-Sn-Zn-Ni-Cu-Cr-Pb. The maps clearly reflect the morphology and extent of pollution zones and the structure of pollution. To characterize complex pollution, we have calculated a Summary Index of Pollution （SIP） that represents the sum of heavy metal contents in samples standardized by the background.     

Contamination and bioavailability of heavy metals in sediments from the Yangtze River Delta Region

The Yangtze River Delta Region is one of the most important economic development areas in China. In the process of its industrialization and urbanization, a great deal of wastewater is poured into rivers, lakes and coasts. Researches on contamination and bioavailability of heavy metals can help us to assess the ecological risks in the aquatic environment of the Yangtze River Delta. The samples were collected from three environmental compartments including the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake, and the south coast of Jiangsu. The concentrations of heavy metals were determined by ICP-MS. Metal speciation was determined by the sequential extraction procedure modified based on Tessier＇s scheme. Among the seven elements of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, Co, Ni detected, the contents of Cr, Zn did not vary significantly, while Cd and Pb varied significantly. Compared to the background values （loess in the basement）, all metals detected except Co, Cr exceeded the background level. Cd had the greatest exceeding values, reaching 2 to 7 times. Ni and Pb were followed. The contents of Zn were comparatively high in lake sediments, especially in the lake bays. Ni was enriched in fiver sediments and Cu was highest in sediments from the Yangtze River estuary. Cd and Pb were concentrated in the coastal sediments. Comparatively, in space, Cr was associated with the carbonate fractions in the bay of lake. Cu-bound Fe-Mn oxides and Ni in residual form were highest in the open lake. In the river environment, Fe/Mn oxide-bound Pb, exchangeable Cd were the highest fractions. In the estuary environment, Pb and Zn bound carbonates, Cd-bound Fe-Mn oxides are the largest fractions. Cd in the exchangeable fraction, Cu-bound Fe-Mn oxides had the larger proportions in the coast. In general, the bioavailability of Cu and Cd were high in lake environment, the available Pb, Cd were remarked in river environment, and Pb and Zn were easily assimilated by creatures in estuary.     

Modeling transfer of heavy metals in soil–rice system and their risk assessment in paddy fields

Many studies have been conducted on model transfer in soil–plant systems. However, relatively little information is available on modeling metal transfer in soil–rice system and associated risk assessment in real paddy fields. Based on a random sampling method from Nanxun, Shengzhou and Wenling in Zhejiang province, China, 15 pairs of rice and the corresponding soil samples were respectively collected for analysis of heavy metals and soil pH. The results showed that the accumulation ability of rice for different heavy metals was significantly different (p < 0.05), and was in the order of Cd > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr > Pb. The relationships of heavy metals in rice with those in soil, along with soil pH, were well described by linear regression models. Except for Pb, the contents of most metals in rice were positively correlated with those of the soil. Soil pH was negatively correlated with the contents of Cd, Zn and Ni in rice, and positively correlated with Pb in rice; however, it had less effect on Cr and Cu. Based on risk reference dose (R_fD), the risk assessment data indicated that the rice grown in Zhejiang paddy fields does pose some potential Cd and Cr contamination risk to food safety; rice in Shengzhou posed light Ni risk.     

The seismicity of the Gunning and surrounding areas, 1958–1961

Between October 1958 and August 1961, 98 tremors were located within 100 km. of Yass, New South Wales, of which 52 were in the vicinity of Gunning. Many of the epicentres appear to be closely associated with granite boundaries and with known faults in the area. The Gunning epicentres form two arms of a wedge, and activity oscillates between these arms. Temporary cessation of activity at Gunning is often accompanied by an increase in the frequency of events in the surrounding areas, which suggests that the wedge acts as a “safety valve” for the region.

Only one tremor was observed in the vicinity of Lake George. Fault plane analysis of the tremor gave a solution consistent with movement on a meridional high angle fault. It is inferred that recent movement on the Lake George Fault has been largely eliminated by the formation of the Gunning wedge.     

Coping strategies in rural areas of the Buzau Sub–Carpathians

This paper focuses on the Sub–Carpathian region which has traditionally maintained a large rural population and is today suffering acute economic and social stress. During the present transition phase the rural population is struggling to survive by combining elements of the modern and traditional economies and research has been undertaken to clarify a range of household strategies. After profiling the communes of the Buzau Carpathians the problem is tackled at two levels on the basis of questionnaire work carried out during 1998–1999. First there is a general overview to outline conditions in Patarlagele commune, including some local contrasts between settlements on main transport axis along the Buzau valley and those in the hills and side valleys. Second there is a consideration of in-depth profiles of specific households in villages in the wider area including Panatau as well as Patarlagele commune. It remains to be seen to what extent the district will be able to safeguard its social capital when growth resumes in large towns especially Brasov and Buzau with which Patarlagele has the best contacts. It is also an open question how far the remoter settlements will retain a viable population, assuming that the services remain relatively poor while disadvantage persists with regard to both employment opportunities and physical security. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermodynamic simulation of the effect of eutrophication on the behavior of heavy metals in bottom sediments by the example of the Inan’kovsky water reservoir

A thermodynamic model of the behavior of heavy metals in bottom sediments during their eutrophication is developed. The results show that liberation of heavy metals from the reduced ferrous sorbent is accompanied by sorption on clay and organic sorbents. The process is complicated by competitive correlations between heavy metals and calcium ions, while the formation of carbonate cement in the sediments yields additional sorption. As a result, the predicted concentrations of the majority of microelements, namely heavy metals, in the interstitial water of the reduced bottom sediments do not exceed the maximum permissible concentration (MPC).     

Relationship between heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the multi-phases of Nanhu Lake, China

Heavy metals （HMs） and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PAHs） are two sorts of important pollutants, which were frequently detected in natural aquatic environments at the same time. Surfacial sediments （SSs）, suspended particulates （SPs） and natural surface coatings （NSCs） are recognized as the key solid sinks and sources of heavy metals （HMs） and organic materials （OMs） in natural water systems, playing critical roles in the cycling and transformation of pollutants. The behaviors of HMs in the multi-phases （SSs, SPs and NSCs） have been well investigated, but less reports on those of PAHs, especially on those of HMs and PAHs simultaneously in the multi-phases. Hence, the relationship between HMs （Pb, Cd and Cu） and PAHs （fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene and pyrene） in the multi-phases of Nanhu Lake in Changchun, China, was studied in this study using methods of acid digestion and extraction, in order to reveal the combined pollution of HMs and PAHs in Nanhu Lake. The information indicated that HMs and PAHs have the similar distribution patterns in the multi-phases of Nanhu Lake, with increasing levels of riMs and PAHs in the SSs, SPs and NSCs. And the enrichment capacities of SPs and NSCs for HMs and PAHs in the water were similar to each other and much greater than that of SSs, implying that SPs and NSCs contributed more to the transference and transformation of HMs and PAHs in the aquatic environments. The relationship between HMs and PAHs has been analyzed by SPSS statistical analysis, and the results showed that the significant correlation of riMs and PAHs was found in the SSs at the confidence level of p = 0.05, but Pb, Cd or Cu had no correlation with any monomer of PAHs in the SPs or NSCs, highlighting the existence of combined pollution of HMs and PAHs in SSs. This was partly due to the relative lability of SPs or NSCs compared to SSs resulting from the water quality of being varied.     

The results of application of the VES-IP method during the study of sand–gravel mixes in Mosalsk district,Kaluga oblast

Vertical electrical sounding (VES) is a traditional method of exploration of sand–gravel mix (SGM) deposits. Geophysicists are challenged not only to determine the boundaries of SGM deposits, but also to determine their basic properties, for example, to locate the zones with high gravel contents within SGM deposits or determine the content of clay particles in sands. In order to meet these challenges, it is necessary to use new methods, in particular, the method of induced polarization (IP). This paper presents the results of direct-current VES-IP surveys that were carried out in the territory of Mosalsk district, Kaluga oblast, in 2015. The measurements were made at both known SGM deposits that are under development and new areas under prospecting where drilling has not been performed as yet. The study results show that all SGM deposits are characterized by high values of induced polarization. The complex adjustment of the apparent resistivity and apparent polarizability curves significantly confine the limits of equivalent models when interpreting the data in complex geological situations when sand-and-gravel deposits weakly differ from the host rocks or are superimposed with a thick layer of conducting clay loams.