Contamination of Urban Soils in an Area of Northern France Polluted by Dust Emissions of Two Smelters

The contamination of 27 urban topsoils has been assessed around two lead and zinc smelters (Metaleurop Nord and Umicore) in the North of France. Eighteen trace elements have been analysed (Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, In, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl, Th, U and Zn). The investigation included the study of the vertical distribution of Cd, Pb and Zn as indicators of pollution. It was shown that Cd, In, Pb, Sb and Zn were major pollutants followed in lesser quantities by Ag, Bi, Cu and Hg. In addition, As, Ni, Se, Sn and Tl were present at levels slightly higher than regional agricultural values. The other elements (Co, Cr, Th and U) were at endogenous levels. The observations have highlighted the strong heterogeneity of the physico-chemical parameters of urban soils and the existence of heavy contamination of the under layers by Cd, Pb and Zn. A potential transfer of metals from the topsoil to the deeper layers and especially Cd and Zn, is not excluded. Indeed the soil rework is not the only factor explaining contamination level of the deeper layers of the studied soils. The comparison of the studied element concentrations in urban soils with nearby local agricultural values shows that the dust emission originating from the Metaleurop and Umicore smelters were not the only source of contamination. Thus a large contamination of the studied urban soils by Sb and In could be explained by domestic combustion of coal for heating.     

Identifying the Sources and Contamination Status of Potentially Toxic Trace Elements in Agricultural Soils

Elevated concentrations of potentially toxic trace elements in agricultural soils contribute to soil pollution affecting food quality and safety. We assessed pollution levels in agricultural systems, lowland rice (LL) and highland cash crops (HL), by comparing with non-agricultural soils (NA). Correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed, and geo-accumulation index (I_geo) and pollution loading index (PLI) were calculated. Zinc in LL, and Cd in LL and HL, were significantly higher than in NA. The I_geo values of cooper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) ranged from uncontaminated to moderately contaminated (Class 0 to 2) for LL, HL, and NA. Overall, trace element levels were categorized as unpolluted based on PLI. Soil properties significantly correlated with Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn concentrations but not with Cd. Based on PCA, sources of origin for Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn were lithogenic, while the sources for Cd was anthropogenic in the studied agricultural soils.     

Trace Elements in Soils of Urban Areas

Urban soils are an essential element of the city environment. However, studies on urban soils are scattered in terms of geographical distribution, sampling pattern, analytical dataset, etc. One of the major issues arising from the studies on this ecosystem is the diffusion of its contamination. In cities, in fact, the proximity to humans may cause a serious danger for citizens. In the present study, results from the literature about trace elements in urban soils are presented to compare methodologies and results and to offer a basis for the harmonization of investigation approaches and establishment of remediation thresholds. A total of 153 studies on the urban ecosystem published in the last 10 years were collected and data on trace elements in soils of 94 world cities were compared and discussed. Data highlights the discrepancies among different studies (sampling strategies, analytical procedures) and the extreme variability of urban soils. Most cities are contaminated by one or more trace elements, revealing the environmental relevance of the urban soil system. While Pb is still one of the major concerns in many locations, new contaminants are on the rise and would deserve more attention from the researchers. While in fact some contaminants are almost ubiquitous in world cities and could be used as tracers for urban contamination, some traffic-related elements such as platinum, rhodium, and palladium, whose reactivity and toxicity is still unknown, are becoming of concern. Collation of literature data highlights the need for the harmonization of sampling, analytical, and rendering procedures for regulatory purposes and provides a useful dataset for environmental scientists dealing with the urban ecosystem and for city planners. A sampling design adapted to local urban patterns, a prescribed sampling depth, and a minimum set of elements that deserve to be measured could be the core of a common methodology.     

Location of Trace Elements in Unpolluted Soils by a Combined Method

Abstract

A sequential extraction procedure was combined with physical fractionation and mineralogy to determine the distribution of trace elements (TE) among the different phases of a poorly weathered sample. It was first fractionated into five particle‐size fractions. Two of these were selected for sequential extractions on the basis of their contrasting mineralogical compositions. A five‐step sequential extraction scheme was employed. The studied sample is mostly composed of hornblende, quartz, and feldspars. Early weathering has already occurred, resulting in the formation of smectite and oxides. Sequential extractions show that the studied elements are mostly associated with the residual phases. Hornblende was the main TE bearer of the primary minerals, whereas TEs released through weathering precipitated in both smectite and oxides. Oxides were found to scavenge copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) more efficiently than smectite. Copper and nickel (Ni) were more concentrated in smectite than in hornblende.     

博斯腾湖湿地边缘带农田土壤重金属的污染风险评价

对新疆博斯腾湖湿地边缘带农田土壤中8种重金属元素(As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb和Zn)地球化学特征进行分析。采用污染负荷指数(PLI)、潜在生态风险指数(RI)和生态风险预警指数(IER)对农田土壤重金属污染与环境风险进行评价。结果表明:(1)湿地边缘带农田土壤Pb和Zn呈现重度污染,As、Cd、Cr和Ni轻度污染,Cu轻微污染,Mn无污染。土壤As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb和Zn平均含量处于轻微风险水平。Cd是污染程度与生态风险等级最高的重金属元素;(2)湿地边缘带农田土壤PLI平均值为1.43,呈现轻度污染,RI平均值为20.62,呈现轻微生态风险状态,IER的平均值为–4.53,呈现无警态势。湿地边缘带PLI、RI与IER空间分布格局基本一致;(3)湿地边缘带农田土壤Pb与Zn来源主要受到人类活动的影响,Cr、Cu、Mn与Ni来源主要受到土壤地球化学作用的控制,As与Cd受自然因素和人为因素共同影响。     

Fertilizer Applications and Trace Elements in Vegetable Production Soils of California

We collected and analyzed over 600 soil samples from the vegetable production fields in seven regions across California, examining the total As, Cd, Pb, P, and Zn concentrations of the soils. The ranges for baseline concentrations were determined for each region. The total P and Zn contents of the soils in comparison to the baseline ranges served as indicators on P fertilizers and micronutrients inputs through cultivation, the greater the total contents the larger the inputs. When the soil As, Cd, and Pb concentrations of each region were plotted with respect to those of P and Zn, three data distribution patterns emerged: (1) the soil As, Cd and Pb concentrations of the cropland soils remained within the baseline range regardless of the phosphorus or zinc inputs in 5, 2, 4 of the 7 regions, respectively, (2) the soil As, Cd and Pb concentrations of the cropland soils had moved upward and exceeded the baseline ranges but their concentrations did not rise in proportion to the phosphorus or zinc concentrations of soils in 1, 4, and 3 of the 7 regions, respectively. The enrichment was due to diffuse sources other than phosphorus fertilizers or micronutrients. (3) The soil As and Cd concentrations of the cropland soil in the Oxnard/Ventura Area and Fresno showed trends of increasing with respect to inputs of P and or Zn indicating P fertilizer or micronutrients applications over time have caused As and Cd to slowly accumulate in the cropland soils.     

中南大型有色金属冶炼厂周边农田土壤重金属污染特征研究

以中南地区某大型有色金属冶炼厂周边耕地为对象,采集0~20 cm表层土壤,测定其基本性质及重金属浓度,分析了重金属元素间及重金属污染程度与距冶炼厂远近的相关关系,以判别研究区土壤重金属污染来源及空间分布规律。结果表明,研究区土壤呈酸性,土壤重金属污染以Cd为主,与当地土壤环境背景值和国家土壤环境质量二级标准相比,超标率分别达60.9%、86.1%。Cu、Zn、Cr、Ni等元素的污染较轻,Pb则未超标。内梅罗综合污染指数法对水田土壤重金属的风险评价显示该区属于安全的点位仅占8.7%,农产品生产存在较高风险。单因素方差分析显示旱地与水田土壤重金属浓度差异不显著,说明耕作方式不是造成该区重金属分布差异的主要原因。土壤Cd与Pb、Zn浓度显著相关,且与距冶炼厂的距离呈显著负相关,指数和幂函数均能很好地拟合重金属浓度随距离变化的分布模式,说明三者可能均来源于冶炼厂的降尘污染。     

The Impact of Penguins on the Content of Trace Elements and Nutrients in Coastal Soils of North Western Chile and the Antarctic Peninsula Area

In isolated areas without direct human impact where several species of seabirds nest, transformations affecting the soil come mainly from natural processes, such as chemical enrichment caused by seabirds. Penguins constitute an important bird biomass in the Southern Hemisphere, where they breed in colonies on different sites from 100 to thousands of individuals. The accumulation of trace elements and nutrients in soils within two perennial colonies of Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) located in north western Chile and three colonies of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) in the Antarctic Peninsula area were investigated here. Surface soil samples were collected directly from nesting sites. Control samples were taken outside the colonies within sites adjacent to the nesting areas, but not affected by bird excrement. The contents of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Sr, V and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Ammonium (NH₄) and nitrate (NO₃) ions were determined colorimetrically. Extractable potassium (K) was determined by flame emission spectrometry, and available phosphorus (Olsen-P) was determined by spectrophotometry. The highest concentrations of trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, V and Zn) and macronutrients (available N, K and P), along with an increase in salinity and acidity levels, were found directly below the seabird colony, a situation occurring in northern Chile as well as in the Antarctic Peninsula area, highlighting the role that penguins have as bio-vectors on generating geochemical changes in different ecosystems. Some terrestrial plants and animals that live near those penguin colonies might be affected at a greater level than the organisms that live in sites similar but distant from colonies of birds. New data about the role of these species of seabirds as bio-vectors of chemical contaminants are added.     

Nutrients,Trace Elements and Net N Mineralization in Acidic Kenyan Soils

The nutrients status and properties in Kenyan soils (Kiambu, Mbeere Districts) are reported with the aim to elucidate the factors of productivity decline. According to the FAO (1988) system the studied soils were classified as humic Nitisols, haplic Acrisols or luvic Arenosols. The soils were found acidic, as a result of leaching of exchangeable cations and they are poor in organic carbon. Cation exchange capacity was extremely low in the sandy soils of Mbeere. Available phosphorus and exchangeable K⁺ were low inducing a crucial problem of soil fertility. Among the micronutrients, manganese extracted by DTPA was most abundant element, while micronutrients extracted by 4 M HNO₃ ranked as follows: Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu. Copper (DTPA) was low and manganese was extremely high in Kiambu. Iron content varied greatly, while decreased zinc was observed in Mbeere. Nitrogen mineralization over an incubation period of 30 weeks ranged from 54.64 to 145.50 mg kg^?1 and represents 4.53–21.09% of the total soil nitrogen. Soil nitrogen was associated to soil organic carbon and was strongly correlated to total soil N. Water harvesting, liming, and improved management of composting and manure are amongst the measures to restore soil fertility.     

Nutrients, Trace Elements and Net N Mineralization in Acidic Kenyan Soils

The nutrients status and properties in Kenyan soils (Kiambu, Mbeere Districts) are reported with the aim to elucidate the factors of productivity decline. According to the FAO (1988) system the studied soils were classified as humic Nitisols, haplic Acrisols or luvic Arenosols. The soils were found acidic, as a result of leaching of exchangeable cations and they are poor in organic carbon. Cation exchange capacity was extremely low in the sandy soils of Mbeere. Available phosphorus and exchangeable K⁺ were low inducing a crucial problem of soil fertility. Among the micronutrients, manganese extracted by DTPA was most abundant element, while micronutrients extracted by 4 M HNO₃ ranked as follows: Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu. Copper (DTPA) was low and manganese was extremely high in Kiambu. Iron content varied greatly, while decreased zinc was observed in Mbeere. Nitrogen mineralization over an incubation period of 30 weeks ranged from 54.64 to 145.50 mg kg⁻¹ and represents 4.53–21.09% of the total soil nitrogen. Soil nitrogen was associated to soil organic carbon and was strongly correlated to total soil N. Water harvesting, liming, and improved management of composting and manure are amongst the measures to restore soil fertility.     

Trace Elements in Paddy Soils from the Central Region of the Mekong River,Laos

Extract

Laos (14–22.5°N and 100–107.5°E) is a land-locked country located in the Indo-China Peninsula, adjacent to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and China. The total area of the country is 236,800 km² and about 70% of the land is occupied by mountains. Paddy fields are distributed in flood plains along the Mekong River and its tributaries and in valley bottom plains dissected by small rivers. The climate is dominated by tropical monsoon.     

Trace Elements in Tephra Soils of Mounts Kupe and Manengouba (Cameroon)

Eurasian Soil Science - Increasing demographic pressure in the area around the Mounts Kupe and Manengouba (Cameroon) is leading to increased agricultural activities with potential heavy metal...     

Biomonitoring of Trace Elements in Air and Soil Compartments Along the Major Motorway in France

The impact on the environment of Cd, Pb and Zn emissions from the A1 motorway, one of the busiest in France, was based on a simultaneous analysis of lichens, fungi and soil.The study was conducted in 12 rest areas located along a 55 kmstretch of the motorway. Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations in the top soil horizon (0–10 cm) largely exceeded their concentrations at the control site.The Cd-, Pb- and Zn levels in fruiting bodies of fungi Armillaria mellea, Coprinus comatus, Marasmius oreades and Paxillus involutus were highly variable between sites. The contamination degree of transplanted thalliof Parmelia caperata was well correlated to the cumulated traffic on the western side. On the eastern side, heavy metals originated from the traffic but also from neighbouring sources (urbanization and agricultural practices). Although lead levels are decreasing, leaded petrol is still on offer and lead remains an indicator of vehicle pollution.     

重庆市土壤重金属污染的功能分异评价

在重庆市旱作粮地、稻田土壤、蔬菜基地、植烟土壤、果园土壤、茶园土壤、淹没区土壤和主城区土壤8种功能类型的土壤上采集了1076个土壤样品,分析了As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn等8种重金属赋存量,并采用富集系数、内梅罗指数、地质累积指数和潜在生态危害指数4种方法评价其重金属污染状况。结果表明,重庆市土壤优先控制的重金属元素为Cd、Hg,优先控制的功能类型土壤为主城区街道土壤、植烟土壤和旱作粮地。     

Effects of ISPOLIN Fertilizer on Uptake of Macro- and Trace Elements by Wheat Grown in Two Different Soils

Variations in concentrations of 24 elements in soils with loam and sandy loam texture and in Triticum aestivum wheat seedlings grown in the soils under greenhouse conditions were studied. Initial soils differed significantly in concentrations of 20 elements. Elemental composition of wheat seedlings depended on the soil where the plants were grown. An application of ISPOLIN (fertilizer enriched with potassium) resulted in variations in soil pH, plant biomass, and concentrations of several elements both in soils and in plants. An excess of bioavailable potassium (K) in soil led to significant increase of K and deficiency of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in all parts of T. aestivum. Concentrations of many other elements in the plants also changed. The effects of soil fertilization on plant biomass, leaf chlorophyll, and plant element concentrations were soil-dependent. Depending on the ratio of K/Mg in the soils, there was either an increase of plant yield and chlorophyll content or no effect at all.     

江苏省如皋市土壤中量元素含量有效性评价

为平衡施肥提供依据,本文应用GPS定位技术采集了江苏省如皋市290个代表性土样,并对土样中钙、镁、硫、硅4种中量元素有效态含量进行了检测和评价。结果显示,全市土壤交换性钙、交换性镁、有效硫和有效硅平均含量分别为4 570、403、26和144 mg/kg。如皋市土壤交换性钙、镁含量丰富,但在各土系土壤间分布不均。有效硫和有效硅同时存在缺乏和过高现象。整体来看,有近1%的土壤缺硅,约14%的土壤缺硫。土壤交换性镁和有效硅的含量为中等变异,交换性钙和有效硫的含量属于高度变异。相关分析显示,4种中量元素有效性与土壤pH、有机质、全氮、有效磷和速效钾含量存在不同程度的相关性。如皋市土壤中量元素有效性不仅与成土母质关系密切,同时受土壤理化性状以及肥料施用的重要影响。今后中量元素肥料的施用应考虑多种因素,以实现平衡施肥。     

Distribution of Trace Elements in Soils from the Sudbury Smelting Area (Ontario,Canada)

The sequential extraction procedure proposed by the European Commission Measurement and Testing Programme, combined with Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis(SEM/EDS), was applied to identify and quantify the chemical andmineralogical forms of Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cr and Cd presentin the topsoil from a mining and smelting area near Sudbury (Ontario, Canada). The possible mobility of the chemical forms was also assessed. The metal fractions: (1) soluble and exchangeable, (2) occluded in manganese oxides and in easily reducible iron oxides, (3) organically bound and in form of sulphides, (4) residual mainly present in the mineral lattice structures were separated. Cu and Ni were the major metallic contaminants, occurring in soils in broad ranges of concentrations: Cu 11–1890 and Ni 23–2150 mg kg^-1. Cu was uniformly distributed among allthe extracted fractions. Ni was found associated mainly withthe residual forms, accounting for 17–92%, with an averageof 64%, of the total Ni present in the soils. Fe, Mn, Zn,Pb, Cr and Cd, while occurring in most analysed samples innormal soil concentrations, were primarily held in theresidual mineral fraction (on average >50%). The solubleand exchangeable forms made a small contribution (≤8.1%)to the total content of metals extracted. At least 14% ofthe total Cd, Mn and Pb was mobilised from the reducibleforms. The oxidizable fraction assumed mean values higher than10% only for Pb and Zn. Statistical treatment of the experimental data showed significant correlations between totalmetal content of the soils, some soil properties such as pH value, clay and organic matter content, and metal concentrationsin the various fractions. SEM/EDS analysis showed Fe in form ofoxides and sulphides in soils and Cu, Ni, Mn, Zn and Cr in association with iron oxides. Numerous black carbonaceous particles and precipitates of aluminium fluoride salts, observedin the solid residue left after `total’ digestion, were found tocontain Fe, Ni and Cr.     

不同利用年限的红壤水稻土中重金属元素含量研究

本文介绍了不同利用年限的红壤水稻土中重金属元素As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb和Zn的含量变化,利用年限分别为3、10、15、30和80年。研究结果表明,虽然红壤水稻土中不同的重金属元素含量的变化趋势有所差异,但总体上重金属元素含量随利用年限的延长而降低,并可能达到一个相对稳定的水平;施用未经处理的城市垃圾会导致水稻土中某些重金属元素含量明显升高;研究区的水稻土已发生Cd和Cu污染。     

Seasonal Trend of Potentially Toxic Trace Elements in Soils Supporting Medicinal Plants in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Investigation was conducted into the occurrence and extent of potentially toxic heavy metals and/or trace elements in soils from three study areas in the Eastern Region of Ghana namely Abonse, Pepease and Mamfe. A protocol for soil sampling, preparation and analysis was developed to yield sufficient information on elemental concentrations in the soils. The soil samples were analysed for As, Co, Cr, Cu, Sb, Th, U, V and Zn, using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) coupled with conventional counting system. Concentrations of Co, Cr, Th and Zn positively correlate with As, and regressions performed on Co-Zn, Co-Cr, Co-Th, Cr-Th and Zn-Cr values also show strong correlations. The regressions suggest that these elements are geochemically associated and might be enriched simultaneously. Though there are relatively high concentrations of Cu (maximum; 46.3 mg/kg), Co (maximum; 9.17 mg/kg), Th (maximum; 15.1 mg/kg) and U (maximum; 2.38 mg/kg) in some of the soils compared with their levels in world average soils, the average concentrations of the trace elements in general are below or within levels in world average soils/uncontaminated soils. Also, the enrichment index computed in the soils indicates that all the study areas are not enriched with toxic elements, particularly As, Cu, Sb and Zn, and the enrichment index values decrease in the order of Pepease > Mamfe > Abonse. When the average composition of the soils was normalized to the average composition of the underlying rocks, the soils were depleted in the trace elements determined, indicative of background concentration values. Lack of correlations between soil characteristics such as texture, organic carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen and available phosphorous, and most of the trace elements suggests that the influence of these parameters on the distribution of the trace elements is not important in the surface soils.     

Assessment of the Pollution from Tannery Effluents upon Waters and Soils in and Around Kula Vicinity, Turkey

More than 50 tanneries are operated in Kula, Turkey which is located on highly permeable geological units. The untreated effluents from the tanneries discharged onto the ground surface may cause pollution in surface waters, in groundwater, and in soil. Since the water resources of the region are used for drinking, agricultural, and industrial purposes, the quality assessment of groundwaters and surface waters is completed in the content of this study. Additionally, the surface soil samples are analyzed for their heavy metal content to describe the size of the pollution. The results obtained from the analysis of the water samples show that the concentrations are mostly within drinking water limits. But, concentrations are expected to increase in the next years as no effective effluent collection and treatment is present in the tanneries. Although the concentrations of K, SO₄, Mg, Na, and Cl exceed the permissible limits for drinking water in some cases, they may not directly be caused by tannery activities. Nevertheless, they should be assessed as an indicator of the beginning of groundwater pollution. Also, soil samples collected near the tannery district are extremely polluted. This paper discusses the assessment of the geochemical dispersals of Cr and other pollutants derived from the tannery activities within soil and water in Kula.