Relationships between the atmospheric deposition of trace elements,major ions,and mercury in florida: The FAMS project (1992–1993)

A multiple chemical tracer approach was used in an effort to account for the atmospheric Hg deposition measured throughout Florida as part of the Florida Atmospheric Mercury (FAMS) Study. Samples of bulk deposition and wet-only deposition were analyzed for a suite of major ions and trace elements in addition to Hg. Significant correlations were found between three groups of elements: Al, Mn, and Fe; Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd; and As, V, and Pb. However, Hg did not correlate strongly with any of the other chemical tracers. Annual bulk deposition fluxes are attributed to sea-salt aerosols (Na, Cl), the delivery of Saharan dust (Al and Fe), the supply of anthropogenic pollutant aerosols (V, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb), acidic aerosols (nitrate and nss-sulfate), and an unidentified source for Hg.     

The effect of membrane filtration on dissolved trace element concentrations

The almost universally accepted operational definition for dissolved constituents is based on processing The almost universally accepted operational definition for dissolved constituents is based on processing whole-water samples through a 0.45-μm membrane filter. Results from field and laboratory experiments indicate that a number of factors associated with filtration, other than just pore size (e.g., diameter, manufacturer, volume of sample processed, amount of suspended sediment in the sample), can produce substantial variations in the ‘disolved’ concentrations of such elements as Fe, Al, Cu, Zn, Pb, Co, and Ni. These variations result from the inclusion/exclusion of colloidally-associated trace elements. Thus, 'dissolved' concentrations quantitated by analyzing filtrates generated by processing whole-water through similar pore-sized membrane filters may not be equal/comparable. As such, simple filtration through a 0.45-μm membrane filter may no longer represent an acceptable operational definition for dissolved chemical constituents. This conclusion may have important implications for environmental studies and regulatory agencies.     

The retention of trace elements on funnel surfaces of sampling equipment for wet deposition

The retention behaviour of heavy metals from wet deposition on funnel surfaces of wet-only collectors was studied. Two groups of elements were distinguished: (i) elements for which the amount retained was proportional to the concentration in the deposition sample, independent of the exposure time: Cd, Cu and most probably also Ni and V; and (ii) elements for which the amount retained increased with exposure time; Fe and Pb. Percentage retention after an exposure time of 14 d ranged from 5 to 13% for group (i) elements to 7 to 18% for group (ii) elements. The difference in behaviour of the elements of group (i) and (ii) might be attributed to the way these metals are present in precipitation samples. Cadmium and Cu are largely dissolved and show corresponding equilibrium behaviour, while Fe and Pb are to a certain extent present in particles in rainwater, which particles accumulate on the funnel surface. The retention of As, Co, Cr and Mn could not be established because their concentrations were below the detection limits.     

The effect of soil pH and high urea concentrations on urease activity in soil

The rate of hydrolysis of urea in soil over the wide range of concentrations, up to 10 moles N per dm³ soil solution, found in fertilizer practice, was examined in Begbroke sandy loam adjusted to different pH values. On rewetting air-dry soil, urease activity increased rapidly, reached a maximum within the first 24 h and then decreased slowly to level off after about 4 days. Pretreatment of the soil with urea or ammonium had no effect on the urease activity. Urease activity increased with substrate concentration, reached an optimum value and then decreased with rising urea concentration. The results could be explained by substrate inhibition at higher urea concentrations, and the data are well described by a modified Michaelis-Menten equation involving three parameters, V_max, K_m and K_i where K_i is an inhibition constant. K_m decreased linearily with rise in pH whereas K_i increased slightly between pH 4.9 and 7.0 and steeply between 7.0 and 8.4. V_max increased with rise in pH, reached a maximum value at pH 6.0 and then declined at higher pHs. There was a further reaction, reaching a maximum rate at a urea concentration of about 0.2 molar N in the soil solution, that followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. K_m for this high affinity reaction increased up to pH 7.2 and then decreased at higher pH values; V_max increased up to pH 6.8 and then decreased. The contribution of the high affinity reaction was small except at low concentrations of urea.     

Atmospheric deposition of trace elements in Norway: Temporal and spatial trends studied by moss analysis

The atmospheric deposition of sixteen trace elements, as inferred by their concentration in moss samples collected in 1985 from 500 sites in Norway, is compared with data from a similar survey in 1977. The deposition patterns of V, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sb, and Pb are substantially influenced by long-range transport from other parts of Europe, but a general decline is evident from 1977 to 1985, most strongly for Pb. For Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu the deposition patterns are largely determined by contributions from point sources within Norway and on the Kola peninsula close to the Russian/ Norwegian border. The moss data for Br, I, and partly Se reflect airborne supply from the marine environment, whereas Al and Sc serve as indicators of contributions from soil dust. Contributions to the trace element concentrations in moss from sources other than atmospheric deposition are identified and discussed.     

The effect of different production systems on the content of micronutrients and trace elements in potato tubers

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different production systems (conventional, integrated and organic) on the content of micronutrients and trace elements in the tubers of very early, early and medium-early maturing potato cultivars. Five Polish potato cultivars were grown in three production systems under field conditions. In plant material selected microelements (chemical elements essential for living organisms) were analysed: boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) as well as some trace elements (not regarded as essential element for living organisms): chromium (Cr), nickel, (Ni) and lead (Pb). The content of micronutrients and trace elements in potato tubers was modified by production system, genotype and weather conditions during the growing season. Organically grown potatoes had a higher content of B (8.6–8.9?mg kg^?1) and Cu (2.8–3.1?mg?kg^?1), and a lower content of Fe (47.0–47.1?mg?kg^?1), Mn (6.0–6.4?mg?kg^?1) and Zn (11.9–12.2?mg?kg^?1), than potatoes grown in conventional and integrated systems. Potatoes grown in the conventional system had the highest Pb content. Organic cultivation can assure better alimentation of potato tubers with B and Cu, which are important microelements often deficient in the soils. On the contrary, when cultivating potato in conventional system, one should supply this element with fertilisers.     

The acidifying potential of atmospheric deposition in Canada

It is proposed that the value of ([SO₄ ^??] - [Ca⁺⁺ + Mg⁺⁺]) in precipitation is a suitable way to describe the acidifying potential (AP) of the wet desposition. In eastern North America, the AP of precipitation varies from 20 to 85% of the total sulphate, the remainder of the sulphate being neutralized H₂SO₄, sulphate from salts in dust or from sea salt. The AP ranges from 20 to 80% of the H⁺ in the wet deposition. The rest of the H⁺ is contributed by the net effect of N compounds. Ammonium and nitrate ions from ammonia and NO_Xemissions do not represent a net acidic loading to the terrestrial ecosystem if they are taken up by vegetation. However, when N leaches from watersheds in the form nitrate, it constitutes an acidifying demand on the ecosystem. Therefore, the overall net acidifying potential (NAP) applied to the terrestrial ecosystem is defined by the value of ([SO₄ ^??] - [Ca⁺⁺ + Mg⁺⁺]) in precipitation plus [NO₃ ^??] in runoff from the watershed.     

The effect of pH upon the copper and cupric ion concentrations in soil solutions

Soil samples whose pH had been adjusted to between 4.5 and 7.5 either for long periods in the field or short periods in the laboratory were incubated after wetting with water or 0.01 m CaCl₂. Copper concentrations in the soil solutions decreased only slightly as the solution pH increased, but free cupric ion concentrations decreased considerably. The copper concentrations were smaller and the proportion of copper present in solution as cupric ion at a given pH was larger when CaCl₂ rather than water was used. Complexed organic species made up most of the copper in all solutions. The duration of pH adjustment did not affect these results. Copper adsorption isotherms were determined on the soils using low equilibrium solution concentrations. As a given copper concentration the quantity of copper adsorbed increased and the proportion of copper in solution present as cupric ion decreased with pH increase; again the duration of pH adjustment did not affect the results.     

Factors influencing atmospheric deposition,stream export,and landscape accumulation of trace metals in forested watersheds

Wet and dry deposition inputs and streamflow output of Cd, Mn, Pb, Zn, and Al were measured intermittently at four deciduous forested watersheds in the southeastern United States between 1976 and 1982. Atmospheric inputs to each site were similar, varying by factors of 1.1 to 2.2 for the different metals. Metal levels in precipitation indicate that these sites are representative of rural, continental areas. Metals in rain exhibit significant temporal and spatial trends, with concentrations generally higher during summer than winter at all sites and generally lowest at the more remote site. The concentrations of Cd and Pb in both wet and dry deposition decreased between the period 1976 to 1977 and 1981 to 1982. Ion ratios and enrichment factors suggest that Mn is largely soil derived in atmospheric samples while Cd, Pb, and Zn are enriched over typical soil levels. Factor analysis indicates that soil components influence both Al and Mn while fine aerosol components influence Cd in wet and dry deposition. Both components influence the behavior of Pb. Dry deposition dominated the input of Mn and Al to each site, while wet deposition was the major input process for the other metals (54 to 85% of total). On an annual basis, deposited Cd, Pb, and Zn are strongly retained in each watershed: 2% of the Pb, 8 to 29% of the Cd, and 8 to 34% of the Zn inputs were transported in stream flow. Deposited Mn and Al are retained to a lesser degree and show a net loss from two sites. Metal export is controlled by stream pH, organic carbon, bedrock geology, and hydrologic characteristics of each site.     

Local background concentrations of trace elements in soils: a case study in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Background concentration values of trace elements were determined for soils in the southern part of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, which are developed on the Bituminous shale (BS), the so-called “Bifrons” shale, and the “Minette” (M) Fe-oolitic sandstone substrates. Sampling sites with minimal anthropogenic influence were selected, and soil profile samples were analysed for major and trace element contents. A clear distinction is seen between the trace element content of the soils developed on the Minette sandstone on the one hand and those developed on shales on the other hand. For the Minette soil samples, most elements are present in concentrations exceeding those reported in literature for soils developed upon sandstones, with, for example, values of up to 278 mg kg⁻¹ As (median value 123 mg kg⁻¹), 287 mg kg⁻¹ Cr (median value 126 mg kg⁻¹), and 95 mg kg⁻¹ Co (median value 33 mg kg⁻¹). In the shale soil samples, concentrations are generally lower except for Cu and Mo. These elements reach maxima of up to 66 mg kg⁻¹ Cu (median value 41 mg kg⁻¹) and 59 mg kg⁻¹ Mo (median value 26 mg kg⁻¹). The results confirm the importance of determining background concentrations locally.Bivariate analysis shows a linear relationship between Fe content and elements such as As, Co, and Ni for the Minette soils. No relationship is found between trace element concentrations and clay or organic carbon (OC) content, but this could be due to the limited variation of these factors among the studied soils. A reconnaissance study with regard to the availability of the trace elements in the Minette soil samples shows that these elements are quite immobile and hence of minimal threat to the ecosystem.     

大气氮湿沉降及其对惠州西湖水体富营养化的影响

根据2000～2004年广东省惠州市降水中氮浓度,采用单因子评估模式评价了大气氮湿沉降及其对惠州西湖水体富营养化的影响.结果表明,近5年惠州市湿沉降平均NO-3 -N含量为0.469 mg · L-1,NH 4 -N含量为0.391 mg · L-1,总无机氮(TIN)含量为0.861 mg · L-1,远大于富营养水体中氮浓度阀值(0.2 mg · L-1).湿沉降中氮含量呈逐年增加趋势,2004年湿沉降氮含量较2000年增加了近1倍.依据降水中氮浓度,2000～2004年湿沉降中总氮含量为Ⅲ～Ⅳ类水;而降水氮含量季节变化中,总氮为Ⅱ类～劣Ⅴ类水,Ⅴ和劣Ⅴ类水质开始频繁出现.湿沉降每年输入惠州市的TIN为16.26 kg · hm-2,湿沉降中氮浓度已超过水体富营养化阈值.因此,湿沉降输入氮对惠州西湖水生态环境,特别是水体富营养化的影响值得关注.     

河南省大气重金属沉降高风险区蔬菜重金属含量及健康风险评估

  【目的】  我们研究了大气重金属沉降高风险区菜地重金属的污染状况及污染来源,评价了研究区种植的蔬菜对不同人群(男性、女性、成人和青少年)产生的健康风险,并筛选了低累积重金属的蔬菜类型。  【方法】  在河南省大气重金属沉降风险高的蔬菜产区进行调查。分别采集设施栽培和露地条件下种植的叶类(青油菜、青菜、香菜)、葱蒜类(大蒜)、茄科类(茄子、辣椒、番茄)、瓜果类(苦瓜、黄瓜)、豆类(长角豆、四季豆)和块根类(萝卜)蔬菜样品,分析了蔬菜可食用部位Cd、Pb含量及富集能力,讨论了其主要的污染来源,并利用Monte Carlo模拟,对不同种类蔬菜可食用部位进行概率非致癌健康风险评价。  【结果】  设施栽培和露地条件下,蔬菜可食用部位Cd的富集系数均高于Pb。不同类别的蔬菜对重金属的吸收能力存在明显差异,瓜果类蔬菜为Cd、Pb低累积蔬菜,设施栽培条件下瓜果类蔬菜可食用部位积累的Cd、Pb含量最低,Cd、Pb含量分别为0.020、0.036 (黄瓜)和0.008、0.055 (苦瓜) mg/kg,低于食品重金属污染限值。对比设施栽培和露地条件下种植的蔬菜可食用部位的污染程度发现,露地条件下蔬菜Cd、Pb的污染程度更高,大部分叶类蔬菜和葱蒜类蔬菜为重度污染,其中青油菜Cd内梅罗综合污染指数(P_N)达到10.26,P_N (Pb)达到了10.00。概率风险评价结果表明,不同人群摄入Cd、Pb污染蔬菜产生的复合非致癌健康风险差别不大,其中摄入瓜果类和块根类蔬菜对人体没有明显的负面影响,尤其是瓜果类蔬菜,设施栽培下,成年男性摄入苦瓜产生的总目标危险系数的P₇₅ (第75百分位点)仅为0.120。  【结论】  不同类型蔬菜的Cd、Pb富集能力差异显著,叶类蔬菜对Cd、Pb富集能力最强,瓜果类较弱,尤其是苦瓜。污染区设施栽培的瓜果和豆类蔬菜可安全食用。大气沉降是蔬菜Pb污染的重要来源之一,建议在大气重金属沉降高风险区进行设施栽培,选择低积累Cd、Pb的瓜果类蔬菜,降低重金属对人体健康产生的风险。     

The effect of pH on the total and free ionic concentrations of mnganese, zinc and cobalt in soil solutions

Samples of five soils whose pH in the field had been adjusted to between 5.0 and 7.5 were incubated with water or 0.01 m CaCl₂ at 90% field capacity. Additional samples of the most acid soil were limed to various pH values immediately before incubation. Manganese, zinc and cobalt concentrations in the soil solutions, collected by displacement, decreased as the pH increased; the concentrations in calcium chloride solutions were higher than those in water solutions. The free divalent ions Mn²+, Zn²+ and Co²+ were the major metal species in solution at pH 5 but the proportion of the metals present as the free ion decreased as the pH increased. Differences in the manganese and zinc concentrations in the solutions were due not only to the pH of these solutions but also to the original pH of the soil in the field.     

Acid deposition and forest nutrient imbalances: A modeling approach

Leaching of nutrients in areas with high acid deposition could be one of the causes to the nutritional imbalance observed in the tree leaf biomass in these areas. A simulation model is developed in order to study the interaction between soil and vegetation in acidified forests. A tree growth model, based on the nutrient productivity concept, is supplemented with soil processes to form an integrated plant-soil model containing the most important soil processes for acidification. The model is able to link decreased Mg availability in the soil and reduced growth caused by Mg deficiency. Simulation results show that the time and pH at which the stand will start to experience Mg deficiency is dependent on quantity and type of acid deposition, growth rate of the stand, initial base saturation and initial fraction of Mg on the cation exchange complex. The total amount of Mg initially present is not decisive for the time at which Mg deficiency will appear. The conceptual idea of nutrient imbalances in forest stands caused by acid deposition induced leaching is supported by this model.     

Rapid softening of acidified peppers: effect of oxygen and sulfite

Evidence was found for two previously unreported, nonenzymatic reactions that affected texture retention in acidified red bell peppers. First, oxygen was found to cause rapid softening of the pepper tissue such that it lost at least 40% of the initial tissue firmness within 2 weeks after acidification. Second, sulfite added to the acidified peppers prevented the softening caused by oxygen. Combined addition of sulfite and calcium chloride resulted in better retention of tissue firmness during extended storage than the addition of either component by itself.     

A multivariate approach for anomaly separation of potentially toxic trace elements in urban and peri-urban soils: an application in a southern Italy area

Purpose

Geogenic soil enrichment and anthropogenic pollution by potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) are two processes acting together. Although it is often difficult, it is necessary to separate the two processes for risk assessment and understanding the environmental implications. The aim of this study was to analyse the soil concentrations of various PTEs in a southern Italy area in order to: (1) determine their different correlation structure to isolate sources of variation acting at different spatial scales and (2) to define potential anomalies based on the correlation structure.

Materials and methods

In the urban and peri-urban area of Cosenza-Rende, 149 topsoil samples were collected (0.10 m) and analysed for different elements by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Principal component analysis and factorial kriging analysis were used to map the spatial distribution of PTEs in topsoil and to identify the main factors influencing their spatial variability.

Results and discussion

Two groups of PTEs were identified: the first group included As, Pb and Zn; and the second one Al, Co, Cr, Fe, La, Nb, Ni, Ti and V. The first group was related to anthropogenic causes, while the second one was more related to parent rock composition. The regionalized factors at different scales of variability allowed to aggregate and summarize the joint variability in the PTEs and consider the probable causes of soil pollution.

Conclusions

The study allowed analysing and quantifying the sources (environmental or anthropogenic) of variation of PTEs acting at different spatial scale and defining the spatial anomalies based on the correlation structure associated at the different spatial scales.     

评估土壤微量元素生物有效性测定方法

Trace element-contaminated soils (TECSs) are one of the consequences of the past industrial development worldwide.Excessive exposure to trace elements (TEs) represents a permanent threat to ecosystems and humans worldwide owing to the capacity of metal(loid)s to cross the cell membranes of living organisms and of human epithelia,and their interference with cell metabolism.Quantification of TE bioavailability in soils is complicated due to the polyphasic and reactive nature of soil constituents.To unravel critical factors controlling soil TE bioavailability and to quantify the ecological toxicity of TECSs,TEs are pivotal for evaluating excessive exposure or deficiencies and controlling the ecological risks.While current knowledge on TE bioavailability and related cumulative consequences is growing,the lack of an integrated use of this concept still hinders its utilization for a more holistic view of ecosystem vulnerability and risks for human health.Bioavailability is not generally included in models for decision making in the appraisal of TECS remediation options.In this review we describe the methods for determining the TE bioavailability and technological developments,gaps in current knowledge,and research needed to better understand how TE bioavailability can be controlled by sustainable TECS management altering key chemical properties,which would allow policy decisions for environmental protection and risk management.     

Effects of trace elements on urease activity in soils

Disposal of sewage sludges and effluents on agricultural land is becoming a widespread practice. Most sludge samples disposed on soils contain large quantities of various trace elements. Studies of 20 trace elements commonly found in sludge samples showed that they inhibit the activity of urease in soils and that their order of effectiveness as inhibitors of urease depends on the soil. When the trace elements were compared by using 5 μmiol·g^?1 soil, however, some of them showed the same order of effectiveness as urease inhibitors in the six soils studied i.e., for the monovalent and divalent ions, Ag⁺ ≥ Hg²⁺ >Cu²⁺ >Cd²⁺ >Zn²⁺ >Sn²⁺ >Mn²⁺, and generally, Fe²⁺ >Fe²⁺andCu²⁺ >Cu⁺. Other trace element ions that inhibited urease were Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ba²⁺, As³⁺ B³⁺, Cr³⁺, Al³⁺. V⁴⁺ Se⁴⁺ and Mo⁶⁺. Of the trace element ions studied, only As⁵⁺ and W⁶⁺ did not inhibit urease activity in soils.Studies on the distribution of urease activity showed that it is concentrated in surface soils and decreases with depth. Urease activity was proportional to organic C distribution in each soil profile and was significantly correlated with organic C in the surface soils studied.