Geochemical Mobility and Bioavailability of Heavy Metals in a Lake Affected by Acid Mine Drainage: Lake Hope, Vinton County, Ohio

Sandy Run (Vinton County, southeastern Ohio, USA) is a stream receiving acid mine drainage (AMD) from an abandoned coal mine complex. This stream has been dammed to form Lake Hope. The heavy metal composition of waters (benthic and pore), sediments, and macroinvertebrates in the lake reservoir sediments were analyzed. Lake waters contained Mn as the heavy metal present in higher concentrations followed by Fe, Al, and Zn. Depletion of Fe and Al occurred from precipitation of less soluble Fe and Al oxides and hydroxides along Sandy Run before entering the lake, producing a high Mn water input into the reservoir. Concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments increased toward the dam area. Sequential extraction of metals in the sediments showed that the highest fractions of metals corresponded to the detrital fraction or eroded material from the watershed and metals associated with iron and manganese hydroxides. Heavy metals in the organic sediment fraction were low. Heavy metals from the AMD source, as well as sediments rich in heavy metals eroded from the watershed, were transported to the downstream dam area and stored at the bottom, producing the observed chemistry. Heavy metals in benthic waters also were sourced from the diffusion of ions from sediments and lake waters as variation in pH and redox conditions determined the flux at the sediment–water interface. Metal concentrations were measured within two deposit feeders, oligochaetes and chironomids, and compared to trends in physical metal concentration across the lake. For the four heavy metals with higher concentration in both benthic animals, the concentrations followed the trend: Fe?>?Al?>?Mn?>?Zn, which were similar to the bioavailable metals in the sediments rather than the pore or the benthic water where Mn was the most abundant heavy metal. Ingestion of sediment, not exposure to pore or benthic waters, appeared to be the main transfer mechanism for metals into the biota. Trends and patterns in animal metal concentrations across the lake were probably a complex process controlled by metabolic needs and metallic regulation and tolerance. Even when Mn was the highest concentration heavy metal in the pore waters, it was the lowest to bioconcentrate in the organisms. In comparison, Cd, the lowest concentration metal in the sediments, presented one of the highest bioaccumulation factors.     

Source Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage at a Backfilled Coal Mine Using Remote Sensing and Biogeochemistry

A biological source treatment (BST) technique using remote sensing and biogeochemistry has been developed to address acid mine drainage (AMD) at its source. The BST technique utilizes down-hole injections of microbial inoculum and substrate amendments to establish a biofilm on the surface of metal sulfides (AMD source material). The treatment results in an elevated groundwater pH (from acidic to circum-neutral levels) and prevents further oxidation of AMD source material. The first 2 years of an ongoing field study of the BST technique at a reclaimed coal mine in central Tennessee (USA) has produced successful results. For instance, the water chemistry in a monitoring well down-gradient from injection wells has improved substantially as follows: the pH increased 1.3 units from 5.7 to 7.3, the dissolved (0.45 µm-filtered) iron concentration decreased by 84% from 93 to 15 mg/l, the conductivity decreased by 379 µS/cm, and sulfate decreased by 78 mg/l. Electromagnetic induction surveys were conducted to identify AMD source material and monitor BST performance by measuring changes in subsurface resistivity throughout the site. These surveys revealed a treatment zone created between injection wells where the resistance of contaminated groundwater from up-gradient AMD sources increased as it flowed past injection wells, thus, suggesting this technique could be used to treat AMD sources directly or to intercept and neutralize sub-surface AMD.     

Mechanisms of arsenite elimination by Thiomonas sp. isolated from Carnoulès acid mine drainage

Weathering of the arsenopyrite-rich tailings of the Carnoulès abandoned mining site (Gard, France) results in the formation of acid mine waters heavily loaded with arsenic. Dissolved arsenic present in the seepage waters is precipitated within a few meters from the bottom of the tailing dam by microorganisms. From these effluents, we have isolated and characterized a Gram negative bacterium involved in this bioremediation process. This bacterium, which belongs to the Thiomonas genus, is very efficient in removing arsenite from contaminated acidic waters by oxidizing it to arsenate, which precipitates.     

Impact of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) on Water Quality, Stream Sediments and Periphytic Diatom Communities in the Surrounding Streams of Aljustrel Mining Area (Portugal)

Aljustrel mining area is located in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, one of the greatest concentrations of massive sulphide deposits that extends from Lousal (Portugal) to Aznalcóllar (Spain). The surrounding streams, Roxo, Água Azeda and Água Forte, are influenced by the erosion of the tailing deposits and the input of acid mine drainage (AMD) from the abandoned Aljustrel pyrite mines, recently reopened in 2007. The purpose of this study was to understand how these adverse conditions influenced the stream sediments, water quality and periphytic diatom communities and establish the pre-restoration local conditions to judge the success of rehabilitation program now under way. For stream sediments, the highest metal concentration samples were found at sites F, G and H. Arsenic, Cu, Fe, Pb and Sb detected concentrations, generally exceeded the probable effect concentration values reaching level 4: the highest toxicity level. In surficial water samples of AMD affected sites (F, G and H), low pH values (1.5 to 3.5) and high metal concentrations of As (6,837 μg L^?1), Cd (455 μg L^?1), Cu (68,795 μg L^?1), Fe (1,262,000 μg L^?1), Mn (19,451 μg L^?1), Pb (136 μg L^?1), and Zn (264,377 μg L^?1) were found. In these sites, the diversity index (H′) for diatoms was low (0.6 to 2.8) and the dominant taxa were Eunotia exigua (site F, 33.5%) and Pinnularia acoricola (abundances in sites: F, 86.8%; G, 88.5%; and H, 91.1%). In opposition, in less AMD impacted, H′ was high (1.5 to 4.6) and low metal concentrations and high pH were found. Achnanthidium minutissimum was the dominant taxon in (abundances in sites: A, 76.1% and B, 24.39%). Canonical correspondence analysis showed that spatial variation due to mine influence was more important than seasonal variation, which did not show any pattern.     

利用淤地坝泥沙沉积旋廻反演小流域侵蚀历史

黄土高原丘陵沟壑区小流域广泛分布的淤地坝不仅是治理水土流失的重要工程措施,同时也成为记录小流域侵蚀产沙历史变化过程的重要载体.本研究以陕西省绥德县王茂沟流域一级支沟--淤积年限为34年(1957-1990),淤积深度为11.325m的闷葫芦坝为研究对象,根据坝地沉积剖面的物理特征,发现该沉积剖面共有75个泥沙沉积旋廻,...     

Sulfur isotope fractionation and sequential extraction to assess metal contamination on lake and river sediments

Purpose

The present study investigated lake and river sediments affected by metals from an acid mine drainage (AMD) from a former uranium mine. The role of bacterial sulfate reduction in the immobilization of contaminants was evaluated, and the analyses of acid volatile sulfide (AVS) and sequential extraction were performed. Consequently, the potential mobility and bioavailability of contaminants were established.

Materials and methods

Sulfur isotopic fractionation (δ³⁴S), AVS, and sequential extraction procedure were used to assess the sulfate bacterial reduction and the availability of contaminants in the environment at six sampling stations.

Results and discussion

The δ³⁴S indicated that bacterial reduction is a key process in the natural attenuation of contamination in the Águas Claras reservoir, precipitating metal sulfides. According to the USEPA criteria, adverse biological effects are expected for sample S1 (inside the reservoir) which is likely to be toxic, while for sediment S4 (in the river), the toxicity is uncertain. The other samples were classified as non-toxic, likely because of the decreased solubility of zinc sulfide. A decrease in the concentration of the contaminants downstream of the reservoir was observed. The predominance of U (0.4 %) in the labile fraction and the elevated concentrations of Zn (0.5 %) and Mn (0.7 %) in the sediments inside the reservoir raises concerns regarding the availability of these contaminants in the environment.

Conclusions

The main environmental impact appears to be concentrated in the Águas Claras reservoir, whereas the Antas creek does not seem to be affected by the AMD process. Although the bacterial sulfate reduction is effective in its production of sulfides capable of immobilizing the contaminants, the presence of Zn and U in the labile and reducible fraction is a matter of concern due to its long-term bioavailability. Thus, continuous monitoring of the redox potential of the waters and sediments, mainly in the reservoir, is recommended in order to assess and possibly prevent later dissolution of sequestered contaminants.

     

The Pollution Load by Nitrogen and Phosphorus in the Cetina River

The objective of the investigations of the Cetina River, located in southern Croatia, was to record specific characteristics and properties of the Cetina waters at nine stations. In addition to measurements undertaken in the Cetina River, the water quality of its most significant springs and tributaries, such as Kosinac, ?ilovka, Studenci and Mala Ruda, Velika Ruda and Grab, has also been measured. The water quality in the Cetina watershed has been evaluated in the following storage reservoirs: Peru?a, Bu?ko Blato and Pran?evi?i. The nitrogen compounds and phosphorus concentrations have been estimated at all these sampling sites over a 3-year period (2005–2008). Concentration levels at the Cetina-Vinali? sampling site for total N (from August 2005 to December 2008) ranged from 0 to 1.759 mg/L, for NH₃–N from 0 to 0.374 mg/L, for NO₃–N from 0.063 to 0.916 mg/L and for PO₄–P from 0 to 0.099 mg/L. The results prove that the Cetina-Vinali? sampling site is not polluted by nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. The river section from Trilj to the Pran?evi?i dam, where the water is used for the water supply of Omi?, Makarska and Dalmatian islands, has been polluted by wastewater because the majority of agricultural area, roads, industry and settlements are located upstream of it. The highest concentration for total N of 1.128 mg/L and of 1,527 total coliforms in 100 mL, expressed as a mean value for a 3-year period of investigations, was found at the sampling site Trilj. The results of concentration changes at the ?ikotina La?a and Cetina Radmanove Mlinice sampling sites show no regularities. The highest concentration for total N of 0.941 mg/L was measured at the Cetina Radmanove Mlinice during 2007. The highest concentration for NO₃–N of 0.916 mg/L was measured at the same sampling site. According to the investigations of the water quality of the Cetina springs and tributaries, the bacteriological most polluted river spring is Kosinac, and the bacteriological most polluted river tributary is Grab. With reference to the water quality in the Cetina storage reservoirs, it may be concluded that the lowest quality standard has been found within the Pran?evi?i storage reservoir regarding nitrogen compounds and phosphorus concentration levels.     

Arsenic Contamination in Soils Affected by a Pyrite-mine Spill (Aznalcóllar, SW Spain)

On 1998, a settling pond of a pyrite mine in Aznalcóllar (SW Spain) broke open, spilling some 3.6?×?10⁶ m³ of water and 0.9?×?10⁶ m³ of toxic tailings into the Agrio and Guadiamar river basin 40 km downstream, nearly to Doñana National Park. The soils throughout the basin were studied for arsenic pollution. Almost all the arsenic penetrated the soils in the solid phase (tailings) in variable amounts, mainly as a result of the different soil structure. The chemical oxidation of the tailings was the main cause of the pollution in these soils. A study of the relationships between the main soil characteristics and arsenic extracted with different reagents (water, CaCl₂, acetic acid, oxalic–oxalate and EDTA) indicates a direct relationship with the total arsenic concentration. The highest amount of arsenic was extracted by oxalic–oxalate (24%–36% of the total arsenic), indicating the binding with the iron oxides.     

Arsenic Pollution in the Groundwater of Simav Plain, Turkey: Its Impact on Water Quality and Human Health

In this research, geological and hydrogeological studies were conducted to determine the source of high arsenic levels in the surficial aquifer of Simav Plain, Kutahya, Turkey. One of the two aquifer systems isolated in the study area was a deep confined aquifer composed of fractured metamorphic rocks that supply hot geothermal fluid. The other one was an unconfined alluvial aquifer, which developed within the graben area as a result of sediment deposition from the highlands. This aquifer serves as the primary water resource within the plain. A water quality sampling campaign conducted in 27 wells drilled in the surficial aquifer has yielded an average arsenic concentration of 99.1 µg/L with a maximum of 561.5 µg/L. Rock and sediment samples supported the fact that local metamorphic rocks contained significant amounts of sulfur minerals where arsenic-containing lenses are present inside. It was also determined that a Cu–Pb–Zn mine was operated in the past in the same formation. Arsenic-containing wastes of this mine were deposited near the Simav district center in an uncontrolled manner. This mined formation had arsenic levels reaching to levels as high as 660 mg/kg, which was found out to be the highest arsenic level in the area. Another potential arsenic source in the study area was the geothermal fluid that was used extensively in three geothermal fields with levels reaching to levels as high as 594 µg/L. Uncontrolled discharges of waste geothermal fluid and overexploitation of groundwater were also found to contribute to arsenic pollution in surface/subsurface waters of the plain. Thus, natural sources and anthropogenic influences of arsenic were found to create high concentrations in local water reserves of the area and influence human health. Consequently, death statistics from the 1995 to 2005 period collected from the area has revealed increased rates of gastrointestinal cancers above Turkish average.     

Factors controlling the removal of sulfate and acidity from the waters of an acidified lake

Although Lake Anna, an impoundment in Central Virginia, receives acid mine drainage (AMD) from Contrary Creek, the effects of the AMD pollution on the lake are less severe than expected. Previous work at Lake Anna has shown that bacterial sulfate reduction in the lake sediments plays an important role in the recovery of the lake from the AMD inputs. Sulfate removal rates were measured in sediment microcosms under a variety of experimental conditions to determine the factors controlling the rate of sulfate and acidity removal from the lake water. Sulfate removal rates were not significantly different over the short term (3 weeks) in summer sediment microcosms incubated at 6 vs 26 °C. Winter sediment microcosms showed no significant sulfate removal during the 18 day experiment when incubated at either 6 or 28 °C. Thus there is a strong seasonal temperature effect in Lake Anna sediments but no significant short term effect. Simulated AMD, with and without Fe, was added to sediment microcosms collected from an unpolluted part of the lake. The microcosms with Fe had significantly higher rates of sulfate removal indicating that Fe plays an important role in transporting sulfate to the sediment and/or in preventing oxidation of the reduced sulfide. After 27 days, from 54 to 96% of the added sulfate in the simulated AMD was recovered as FeS or S⁰ in the top 4 cm of sediment. In a separate experiment, ³⁵S-SO _inf4 ^sup2? was found to attach to precipitating Fe oxyhydroxides (1.5 to 4.7 mol SO _inf4 ^sup2? mol^?1 Fe precipitate) upon mixing Contrary Creek (AMD) and Lake Anna waters. Results of this study suggest that sulfate removal may be more rapid in metal rich AMD systems thans in metal poor systems characteristic of those which receive acidic deposition.     

Occurrence of Cu and Cr in the sedimentary humic substances and pore water from a typical sugar cane cultivation area in São Paulo,Brazil

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the interactions of sedimentary humic substances (SHS) from a sugarcane cultivation area with Cu(II) and Cr(III) and to evaluate the occurrence of these metals in the pore water and SHS.

Materials and methods

For this study, the northwestern region of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, which is considered the region with the highest production of sugar cane in the state, was selected. Samples of sediment were collected from four sampling sites in the Preto, Turvo, and Grande rivers. The SHS and pore water were extracted from the sediment using the method suggested by the International Humic Substances Society and centrifugation, respectively. The complexing capacity (CC) of the SHS for Cu(II) and Cr(III) was determined by individually titrating these metals with an ultrafiltration system using tangential flow. The total concentrations of Cr and Cu were determined for the pore water, sediments, and humic substances with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and Zeeman background correction after an acid digestion, according to the methods described in US EPA Method 3050B.

Results and discussion

The SHS from a site in the Turvo River, which is typically cultivated with sugarcane, possessed the highest concentration of Cu bound to SHS (25.0%), the largest CC (0.63 mmol Cu g^?1 HS) and the highest concentration of this metal in the pore water (1.38 mg Cu Kg^?1 sed.). For Cr, the SHS collected from a location on the Preto River dam had the largest CC (0.90 mmol Cr g^?1 HS) and the lowest Cr content in the pore water (0.29 mg Cr Kg^?1 sed.), indicating that there was an inverse relationship between the CC and the concentration of metal available in the pore water.

Conclusions

Sedimentary humic substances might be one of the regulatory factors controlling the availability of Cu and Cr in the sediments found in a typical region that has been planted with sugarcane. Distinct behaviors were observed between the two elements investigated; higher CC and a larger fraction of Cu(II) were found in the pore water of samples originating from sugarcane crops. The opposite behavior was observed for the Cr(III) species.     

Distribution of Arcellaceans (Testate Amoebae) in the Sediments of a Mine Water Impacted Bay of Lake Retunen, Finland

This study employs chemical fractionations of sedimentary metals and analyses of sediment arcellacean (thecamoebian) faunas to study the ecological effects of mining wastewaters in a boreal lake bay that receives metal-rich waters from a Cu mine. Sediment chemistry and arcellacean species compositions were analyzed from both surface sediment samples and a sediment profile to investigate spatial and temporal changes in mine water pollution and biota. Based on the results, geochemical gradients in the area are caused by dispersal and dilution of metal-rich, low-pH mine waters entering the lake; transport and focusing of fine grained metal precipitates and sulphate in the deep areas of the bay; increase in pH due to sulphate reduction and mobilization of redox-sensitive elements from deep water sites; and precipitation of the mobilized metals at shallower sites. Arcellacean species compositions change systematically with increasing distance from the source of pollution and species diversity as well as concentrations of tests in the samples increase as well. Fe:Mn ratio and adsorbed Al explained variation in surface sediment arcellaceans with statistical significance. Fe:Mn ratio is an indicator of the overall geochemical environment (Eh, pH), while the toxicity of Al in aquatic environments is well known. Changes in arcellacean species and geochemistry in the long core suggest that before the mine closure in 1983, mine waters differed in nature from the present acid drainage and metals such as Cu, Co, Zn and Ni may have affected arcellaceans at that time.     

Evaluation of Passive Sampling Devices as Potential Surrogates of Perchlorate Uptake into Soybean

On the coastal plains of Finland there are approximately 3,000 km² of acid sulfate soils developed as a result of intensive agricultural drainage of waterlogged sulfide-bearing sediments. The runoff from these soils contains very high amounts of acidity and metals that have severely deteriorated the aquaculture in several downstream rivers and estuaries. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop and test more environmental friendly ways of draining landscapes underlain with these nasty soils. In this study, over a 3-year monitoring period the effect of excess surface liming, controlled drainage and lime filter drainage of acid sulfate soils on runoff water quality (pH, sulfate, metals) was determined and assessed. The results showed that (1) the liming measures had not prevented severely acidic and metal-rich waters from forming and discharging from the soils, (2) the controlled drainage system might have reduced discharge peaks but its potential effects on the discharged water quality were nondetectable due to its small effect on the groundwater level and naturally inherited heterogeneities, and (3) the spatial and temporal variations identified for the various hydrochemical determinants were not caused by the kind of treatment applied. Therefore, on acid sulfate soil fields, like the one studied here, the short-term hydrochemical effects of the treatments tested are minor (or nonexistent) at least as long as the controlled drainage systems are not technically improved or better maintained.     

坝系农业与生态环境建设

水土保持生态环境建设是实施西部大开发的基础,坝系农业是生态农业的组成部分,在水土保持综合治理的系统工程内依靠坝系建设发展沟坝地、缩河造地、引洪淤地。利用坝库拦蓄的径流发展水浇地。增加粮食产量,为荒山退耕还林还草奠定基础。     

In-Stream Processing of Sediment-Associated Metals in Peatland Fluvial Systems

The interaction between fluvially transported, metal contaminated peat particulates and acidic waters draining peatland catchments has received limited attention. Potential in-stream processing of sediment-associated metals in acidic stream water was investigated in laboratory based mixing experiments, designed to represent conditions of fluvial sediment transport in a highly contaminated and severely eroding peatland catchment in the Peak District (UK). Over the initial 20 min of the first experiment, stream water Cr and Zn concentrations increased by at least an order-of-magnitude and remained elevated for the full duration (24 h) of the experiment. Stream water As, Mo, Pb, Ti and V concentrations increased between 43% (As) and 440% (V) over the first hour of the experiment. After 24 h most of the metals appeared to have reached equilibrium in the water column. Results of the second experiment revealed that when the concentration of metal contaminated peat particulates is increased, there is an associated increase in the stream water As, Cr, Mo, Pb, Ti, V and Zn concentrations. The experimental data suggest that As, Cr, Mo, Pb, Ti, V and Zn are liable to desorption from metal contaminated peat into acidic stream water. The solubilisation of contaminated peat particulates may also contribute to elevated stream water metal concentrations. The laboratory based approach used in this study may indicate that when there is erosion of metal contaminated peat into acidic fluvial systems there is a concomitant increase in dissolved metal levels, especially when suspended sediment concentrations are high. Further laboratory and field based experiments are required to evaluate the relative importance of physical and chemical processes in the interaction between contaminated peat particulates and stream water in peatland fluvial systems.     

Legacy Arsenic Pollution of Lakes Near Cobalt,Ontario, Canada: Arsenic in Lake Water and Sediment Remains Elevated Nearly a Century After Mining Activity Has Ceased

Century old mine tailings in the Cobalt and Silver Center areas are widely dispersed throughout the terrestrial and aquatic environments and contain high concentrations of arsenic. Arsenic concentrations were found to be as high as 972 μg/L in surface waters and 10,800 mg/kg in lake sediment. The mean values for arsenic in surface waters and sediment from 9 lakes directly influenced by mining activity were 431 μg/L and 1704 mg/kg, respectively, whereas in the 12 control lakes with no mining activity in their catchment had mean values of 2.2 μg/L and 11 mg/kg in their water and sediment, respectively. Lakes impacted by downstream tailing migration (n?=?4) were also assessed and had intermediate concentrations of arsenic. Principal component analysis identified contaminated lakes as having different geochemical signatures than control lakes but lake sediment that was sampled below tailings in contaminated lakes, deposited pre-mining, can resemble the geochemistry of those found in control lakes. Arsenic concentrations in these samples ranged from 4.4 to 185 mg/kg, which can be considered reasonable background as these areas contained abundant mineral deposits that could naturally elevate background concentrations. Even though background concentrations are naturally elevated, the presence of arsenic-rich tailings in these lakes has prevented any natural recovery from occurring. Fe-Mn oxides at the water-sediment interface perpetually scavenge arsenic from buried tailings below and from contaminated surface waters that cause arsenic concentrations to remain enriched in the upper sediments even after tailings have been buried by lake sediment. This process has prevented recovery of the lake ecosystems even after nearly a century without mining.     

Suspension of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) in Freshwaters: Examining the Effect of CNT Size

Global demand for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is increasing dramatically. As CNTs become commonplace, the range of uses is expected to expand as will the potential for release into ecosystems. Recent research suggests that CNTs display increased suspension in water in the presence of natural organic matter (NOM), thus increasing their ability for transport and dispersion. However, it remains unclear how CNT size will affect the suspension of CNTs in natural waters. Here we examine the effect of CNT diameter (10–500 nm) and CNT length (1–40 μm) in the presence of 1% sodium docecyl sulfate (SDS), and two different freshwater NOM extracts on suspension of CNTs in water. Absorbance spectrometry (UV-VIS) was used to determine CNT concentration in solutions over a 68 h period in the dark. Seventy to ninety-five percent of the CNTs settled out of the 1% SDS solution as compared to 23–54% in each of the NOM solutions. The half-life of suspension in solution increased with decreasing CNT diameter (from 13.9 to 138.8 h^?1 for solutions containing NOM). These results demonstrate that settling rates are strongly determined by NOM presence in solution as well as CNT size.     

Effectiveness of Potassium Ferrate (K2FeO4) for Simultaneous Removal of Heavy Metals and Natural Organic Matters from River Water

This study has investigated how to simultaneously remove both heavy metals (Cu, Mn, and Zn) and natural organic matters (NOM; humic acid and fulvic acid) from river water using potassium ferrate (K₂FeO₄), a multipurpose chemical acting as oxidant, disinfectant, and coagulant. In water sample including each 0.1 mM heavy metal, its removal efficiency ranged 28–99% for Cu, 22–73% for Mn, and 18–100% for Zn at the ferrate(VI) doses of 0.03–0.7 mM (as Fe). The removal efficiency of each heavy metal increased with increasing pH, whereas an overall temperature did not make any special effect on the reaction between the heavy metal and ferrate(VI). A high efficiency was achieved on the simultaneous treatment of heavy metals (0.1 mM) and NOM (10 mg/l) at the ferrate(VI) doses of 0.03–0.7 mM (as Fe): 87–100% (Cu), 31–81% (Mn), 11–100% (Zn), and 33–86% (NOM). In the single heavy metal solution, the optimum ferrate dose for treating 0.1 mM Cu or Mn was 0.1 mM (as Fe), while that for treating 0.1 mM Zn was 0.3 mM (as Fe). In the mixture of three heavy metals and NOM, on the other hand, 0.5 mM (as Fe) ferrate(VI) was determined as an optimum dose for removing both 0.1 mM heavy metals (Cu, Mn, and Zn) and 10 mg/l NOM. Prior to the addition of ferrate(VI) into the solution of heavy metals and NOM (HA or FA), complexes were formed by the reaction between divalent cations of heavy metals and negatively charged functional groups of NOM, enhancing the removal of both heavy metals and NOM by ferrate(VI).     

Nitrogen Volatilization from Arizona Irrigation Waters

A laboratory study was initiated to investigate the effects of temperature (25, 30, 35, and 40 °C) and water quality on the loss of fertilizer nitrogen (N) through volatilization out of irrigation waters collected from 10 different Arizona sources. A 300‐mL volume of each water source was placed in 450‐mL beakers open to the atmosphere in a constant‐temperature water bath with 10 mg of analytical‐grade ammonium sulfate [(NH₄)₂SO₄] dissolved into each sample. Small aliquots were drawn at specific time intervals over a 24‐h period and then analyzed for ammonium (NH₄ ⁺)‐N and nitrate (NO₃ ^?)‐N concentrations. Results showed potential losses from volatilization to be highly temperature dependent. Total losses (after 24 h) ranged from 30–48% at 25 °C to more than 90% at 40 °C. Volatilization loss of fertilizer N from irrigation waters was found to be significant and should be considered when making decisions regarding fertilizer N applications for crop production in Arizona particularly when using ammonia‐based fertilizers.     

State of Contamination of the Waters in the Guadiamar Valley Five Years after the AznalcÓllar Spill

In April 1998, the Aznalcóllar mine tailings dam spilled 2 hm³ of slurry and 4 hm³ of acid waters into the Agrio River (affluent of the Guadiamar River). The pollutants reached the proximity of the Doñana National Park, 60 km downstream. The state of contamination of groundwaters and surface waters, from several samplings made subsequent to the spill, is described. Although the Guadiamar valley groundwaters remain contaminated, this situation cannot be attributed to the mining spill, but to the long history of pollution from mining activity at Aznalcóllar. Three zones can be distinguished: the most polluted zone, with pH values close to 4 and very high concentrations of metals (up to 18 mg/l of Al and 7 mg/l of Mn) and sulfates (up to 1263 mg/l); a second zone where pH values are higher (close to neutral) and, as a result, the concentration of metals is significantly lower; and a third zone, with pH exceeding 7, in which the concentration of metals has already fallen to normal levels but sulfate concentrations remain high (above 500 mg/l). The waters of the Agrio River present characteristics similar to those of the most-polluted groundwaters; on mixing with the waters of the Guadiamar River they are neutralized, precipitating firstly Al and then the rest of the metals. These metals remain deposited on the river-bed, where they are readily remobilized in later spates. Analysis of changes in groundwater quality shows a trend toward a lower content of Zn and the other metals in most wells.