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.     

Assessment of the Contamination of Cultivated Soils by Eighteen Trace Elements Around Smelters in the North of France

Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, In, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn,Tl, Th, U and Zn contamination of cultivated surfacehorizons has been assessed around two lead and zincsmelters in the North of France. The verticaldistribution of Ag, As, Bi, Cu, Hg, Se, Sb and Tl inthe soils has also been examined. The soils around thelead and zinc smelter at Noyelles-Godault arecontaminated by Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Cu, Hg, In, Ni, Pb, Sb,Se, Sn, Tl and Zn. The original concentration in themost contaminated soils may be multiplied by a factorof around 2 to 100, according to the element. Cadmium,Pb and Zn are the most abundant contaminants. The Pband Zn concentrations are correlated to those of theother contaminants, with the exception of Se. Aroundthe Auby zinc smelter, there is a contamination by thesame elements, but in different proportions, inaddition to Cr contamination. Contamination by Se canreach a depth of around 1 m, whereas contamination byAg, As, Bi, Cu, Hg, Sb and Tl is confined to the top 30cm. Although the contaminant content in most soilsdepends on the distance from the plant, Secontamination would appear to vary to a greater extentaccording to the physico-chemical soil conditions.     

泉州市324国道泉州至塘头段路旁土壤中重金属来源分析

分析了泉州市324国道泉州至塘头段路旁土壤中14种重金属元素Sc、V、Fe、Mn、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Sn、Sb、Pb、Bi的含量,用富集因子和多元统计分析方法探讨了重金属的污染特征和可能来源。结果表明,Pb、Sn、Sb、Cd、Ni、Zn、Sc、Cu和Bi的含量均超过泉州市土壤背景值,污染较严重;Ni、Sb、Sn的高富集系数说明其受人类活动影响较大。相关分析和因子分析结果显示,上述14种元素主要有3个来源:Sn、Sb、Pb、Bi、Ni、Cu、Zn、Cd主要来源于交通污染;As、Sc、Fe来源于人类工业活动;而Co、Mn、V主要来源于土壤母质。聚类分析的结果也验证了因子分析的结果。     

Trace element distributions in soils developed in loess deposits from northern France

A pedo‐geochemical survey was carried out in the Nord‐Pas de Calais region (France) on soils developed in loess deposits. Total concentrations of Al, Fe and 18 trace elements, as well as common soil characteristics, were determined in samples from 52 surface and 97 deep horizons developed in these loess deposits. The Pb isotopic composition was determined in two sola. The composition of deep horizons, compared with that of the upper continental crust, with that of horizons developed from 21 other sedimentary rocks from the region and with that of loess from various parts of the world, confirms that loess from the Nord‐Pas de Calais region derives from multi‐recycled and well‐mixed ancient sedimentary rocks. Correlation analysis shows that least mobile (i.e. ionic potential (Z/r) is between 3 and 7) geogenic elements (Bi, Co, Cr, Cu, In, Ni, Pb, Sn, Tl, V, Zn) are associated with the fraction <2 µm (which we define as ‘lutum’). More mobile elements (As, Cd, Hg, Mn, Mo, Sb, Se) are less associated with this fraction. Cadmium is particularly linked to Mn. The distribution of [trace element]/([Al] or [Fe]) in the French loess gives the background content for soils developed from most sedimentary materials in northwestern Europe. Topsoils are enriched with all the trace elements examined, except Co, Cr and Ni. Enrichments with Cd, Cu, Mn and Zn are greater in cultivated soils than in forest soils. Enrichments with Pb and with Cu, Hg, Mo, Sb, Se and Sn are mainly due to human contamination through atmospheric fallout. Organic matter seems to act as a sink for all the exogenous trace elements.     

Heavy Metals in Freshly Deposited Stream Sediments of Rivers Associated with Urbanisation of the Ganga Plain,India

Freshly deposited stream sediments from six urban centres of the Ganga Plain were collected and analysed for heavy metals to obtain a general scenery of sediment quality. The concentrations of heavy metals varied within a wide range for Cr (115–817), Mn (440–1 750), Fe (28 700–61 100), Co (11.7–29.0), Ni (35–538), Cu (33–1 204), Zn (90–1 974), Pb (14–856) and Cd (0.14–114.8) in mg kg^-1. Metal enrichment factors for the stream sediments were <1.5 for Mn, Fe and Co; 1.5–4.1 for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb; and 34 for Cd. The anthropogenic source in metals concentrations contributes to 59% Cr, 49% Cu, 52% Zn, 51% Pb and 77% Cd. High positive correlation between concentrations of Cr/Ni, Cr/Cu, Cr/Zn, Ni/Zn, Ni/Cu, Cu/Zn, Cu/Cd, Cu/Pb, Fe/Co, Mn/Co, Zn/Cd, Zn/Pb and Cd/Pb indicate either their common urban origin or their common sink in the stream sediments. The binding capacity of selected metals to sediment carbon and sulphur decreases in order of Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni and Cu > Zn > Cr > Ni, respectively. Stream sediments from Lucknow, Kanpur, Delhi and Agra urban centres have been classified by the proposed Sediment Pollution Index as highly polluted to dangerous sediments. Heavy metal analysis in the <20-μm-fraction of stream sediments appears to be an adequate method for the environmental assessment of urbanisation activities on alluvial rivers. The present study reveals that urban centres act as sources of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd and cause metallic sediment pollution in rivers of the Ganga Plain.     

Standards for the contents of heavy metals and metalloids in soils

In line with the present-day ecological and toxicological data obtained by Dutch ecologists, heavy metals/metalloids form the following succession according to their hazard degree in soils: Se > Tl > Sb > Cd > V > Hg > Ni > Cu > Cr > As > Ba. This sequence substantially differs from the succession of heavy elements presented in the general toxicological GOST (State Norms and Standards) 17.4.1.02-8, which considers As, Cd, Hg, Se, Pb, and Zn to be strongly hazardous elements, whereas Co, Ni, Mo, Sb, and Cr to be moderately hazardous. As compared to the general toxicological approach, the hazard of lead, zinc, and cobalt is lower in soils, and that of vanadium, antimony, and barium is higher. The new sequence also differs from that of the metal hazard in soils according to the Russian standard on the maximal permissible concentration of mobile metal forms (MPC_mob): Cu > Ni > Co > Cr > Zn. Neither an MPC_mob nor an APC_mob has been adopted for strongly hazardous thallium, selenium, and vanadium in Russia. The content of heavy metals in contaminated soils is very unevenly studied: 11 of them, i.e., Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cd, Cr, As, Mn, Co, Hg, and Se, are better known, while the rest, much worse, although there are dangerous elements (Ba, V, Tl) among them.     

Accumulation and distribution pattern of macro- and microelements and trace elements in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay berries

This paper describes the accumulation pattern of 42 mineral elements in Vitis vinifera L. berries during development and ripening and their distribution in berry skin, seeds, and flesh around harvest time. Grape berries were sampled in two different vineyards with alkaline soil and analyzed using a ICP-MS. Although elemental amounts were significantly different in the grapes from the two vineyards, the accumulation pattern and percentage distribution in different parts of the berries were generally quite similar. Ba, Eu, Sr, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn accumulate prior to veraison. Al, Ce, Dy, Er, Ga, Gd, Ho, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, Sn, Zr, Th, Tm, U, Y, and Yb accumulate mainly prior to veraison but also during ripening. Ag, As, B, Cd, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ge, Hg, K, Li, Na, P, Rb, Sb, Se, and Tl accumulate progressively during growth and ripening. With regard to distribution, Ba, Ca, Eu, Fe, Mn, P, Sr, and Zn accumulate mainly in the seeds, Al, B, Ga, Sn, and the rare earths analyzed, except for Eu, accumulate mainly in the skin, and Ag, As, Cd, Cs, Cu, Ge, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Na, Rb, Sb, Se, Th, Tl, U, and Zr accumulate mainly in the flesh. A joint representation of the accumulation and distribution patterns for the elements in the berry is also given.     

Background Contents of Heavy Metals in Soils and Bottom Sediments in the North of Western Siberia

Eurasian Soil Science - Background concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Cr, Pb, Hg, Cd, Ba, Sr, and Sc) in soils and bottom sediments were determined for the background and...     

Distribution of 32 Elements in Organic Surface Soils: Contributions from Atmospheric Transport of Pollutants and Natural Sources

Data are presented for 32 elements (Li, Be, B, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, As, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Hf, Tl, Pb, Bi) in organic-rich surface soils in Norway, based on samples from 464 sites. By considering geographical distributions based on isopleths, results from factor analysis, and ANOVA of median values from 12 different geographical regions, the contributions from natural and anthropogenic sources are estimated for each element. Long-range atmospheric transport of pollutants from areas out of Norway is a dominant source for Cd, Sb, Pb, and Bi and also a strongly contributing factor for Zn, As, Mo, and Tl. Also V, Ni, Cu, and Ge are somewhat affected, but other factors dominate for these elements. Local point sources of pollution provide significant contributions to soil concentrations of Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, and Cd. The local bedrock is the overriding source of Li, Be, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Rb, Zr, Cs, Ba, REE, Hf, and probably of Ge and Ag. Surface enrichment by root uptake in plants and return to the soil surface by decaying plant material is particularly evident for Mn, Zn, Rb, Cs, and Ba. These elements show no clear difference between south and north in the country, indicating that their plant uptake does not depend on latitude. In the case of B and Sr, atmospheric deposition of marine aerosols is an important source. Rb and Ag, and to a less extent Mn, Ga, and Ba, appear to be depleted in soils near the coast presumably due to cation exchange with airborne marine cations.     

Concentrations of 50 major and trace elements in Danish agricultural crops measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. 3. Potato (Solanum tuberosum folva).

The multi-element (Ag, Al, Au, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ho, In, Ir, La, Lu, Mn, Mo, Nb, Nd, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, Sb, Sc, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, Y, Yb, and Zn) concentrations (microg/kg, fresh weight) in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum, Folva) were investigated in this study. The potatoes were grown in two fertilization practices; one with pig slurry and one with calcium ammonium nitrate at three levels of N fertilization (0, 60, and 120 kg of N/ha). The experiment field was located at the Riso National Laboratory Agronomy Farms in Roskilde, Denmark. High-resolution-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICPMS) was used for analyses of the samples. The effect of three levels of N fertilization on elemental concentrations of the crop are evaluated by use of discriminant partial least-squares regression (PLS). The results provide useful biological and nutritional information on potatoes.     

Accumulation Capacities of Particulate Matter in an Acrocarpous and a Pleurocarpous Moss Exposed at Three Differently Polluted Sites (Industrial, Urban and Rural)

The aim of this study was to compare the capacity of two morphologically different moss species to accumulate elements when exposed to three different types of air pollution (rural, urban and industrial). Transplants of Pseudoscleropodium purum and Ceratodon purpureus were exposed for 6 months, and the concentrations of 18 elements (Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, La, Pb and Bi) in the mosses samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. On the whole, the metals were accumulated by mosses, and this accumulation was correlated with concentrations in the atmospheric particles. Whereas P. purum is to be preferred for Al, Cu, Zn and Fe monitoring, C. purpureus was most efficient at accumulating Mo, Ti, V, As, Sn, La and Pb. In both species, a phenomenon of saturation was observed during the exposure at the most contaminated site (industrial).     

Geochemical investigations on atmospheric precipitation in a medium-sized city (Göttingen,F.R.G.)

The concentration of 27 elements was investigated in 10 samples of precipitation from Göttingen, collected during May and September 1972. Göttingen is a non-industrial town of 130000 inhabitants, situated in a rural area, and essentially all the dissolved and undissolved material in rainwater is locally derived. Elemental concentrations in freshwater and shale are used for comparison with the dissolved elements in precipitation and the undissolved residue. The two phases have been separated after evaporation (concentration factors: 15 to 25-times). Phosphorous, Zn, Mn, and Pb are enriched in rainwater, while Si, Mg, Na, Ca, Cl, Fe, Hg, K, Li, and Al are depleted relative to average freshwater. Sulfate, Cd, and Cu have similar concentrations in rain and freshwater. The factors of accumulation between elements in residue and average shale are calculated after normalization to the Al-value. They are: ? 100 for Ag, Hg, Pb; between 10 and 20 for Zn, Cd, P, Cu, Mo; > 2 for Cr, Bi, Ni, Ba, Ti, V ; between 0.9 and 2.0 for Rb, K, Na, Li, Mg, Mn, Fe, Si, Ca; and 0.5 for Tl. The trace element accumulation is due to different anthropogenic sources: combustion of liquid petroleum fuels contributes to Ph, V, Ni, Mo, Hg, and sulfate, combustion of coal to Ba, sulfate, and chloride, and to the. readily volatile elements such as Hg, Cd, Tl, Bi, and Ag, combustion of refuse to Ag, Bi, Pb, Cd, Hg, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ba, and Mo in highly variable amounts. Fertilizers and road salts change the chemistry of soils and indirectly supply P, alkali and alkaline-earth metals to the fly dust. Modest industrial activity is responsible for high Cu and Cr concentrations. Despite the appreciable accumulation of some toxic elements, the precipitation in Göttingen is relatively pure compared to other areas. Favorable geologic conditions around Göttingen decrease the negative influences of potentially harmful airborne elements. The high carbonate content in the dust neutralizes the anthropogenic acids in the rainwater. Furthermore, the toxic trace elements are diluted, especially in the center of Göttingen, by a large amount of airborne dust.     

Effects of addition of 12 metals on carbon dioxide release during incubation of an acid sandy soil

Samples of a sandy soil (pH 4.9) were mixed with 10 and 100 p.p.m. of 12 metals (as sulphates) and incubated (30°C) aerobically for 2 and 8 weeks. Depression of CO₂ release with 100 p.p.m. metal levels over 8 weeks increased in the order Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Ni, Tl, Sb, Sn, Zn, Hg, Ag. Toxicity order differed somewhat with 10 p.p.m. metal levels and with incubation period.     

Survey of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-furans (PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and mineral components in Italian citrus cold-pressed essential oils

Investigation of PCDDs, PCDFs, PCBs, Al, As, Pb, Ba, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Cd, Ag, Sn, Zn, and Hg contents in 60 samples of cold-pressed essential oils produced in Calabria and Sicily in 2003-2005 was carried out. PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs were analyzed by HRGC-HRMS techniques using U.S. EPA 1613/94 and U.S. EPA 1668/A (1999) analytical methods. Mineral components were determined through GFAAS techniques; Hg content was determined by FI-M/H-AAS. The results of this study showed that essential oil contamination was due to a widespread pollution, typical background of rural areas, with relatively higher concentrations of PCDDs compared to PCDFs and little presence of PeCDF. Congeners OCDD, HpCDF, and OCDF were found at high concentrations. Regarding mineral components, mean values of Cr, Fe, and Ni were in agreement with data reported in the literature. Concentrations of As and Pb were below the maximum limits accepted by the current legislation. Finally, none of the samples analyzed were contaminated with Hg.     

宝鸡市某工业园区灰尘重金属含量、形态及生态风险分析

利用X射线荧光光谱法(XRF)和原子荧光分光光度法(AFS)分析了宝鸡市某工业园区灰尘中重金属的含量。结果表明,宝鸡市某工业园区灰尘中As,Co,Cr,Cu,Hg,Mn,Ni,Pb和Zn的平均含量分别为23.3,16.4,1 591.8,178.2,0.243,346.5,40.2,1 586.2和1 918.8mg/kg,其中,Cr,Cu,Hg,Pb和Zn累积比较明显;铅锌冶炼厂周边灰尘中As,Cu,Hg,Pb和Zn的含量高于电厂。采用修正BCR法(欧洲共同体标准物质局)和原子吸收分光光度法(AAS)研究了灰尘中重金属的形态特征。结果表明,灰尘中Cu主要以残渣态和可氧化态的形式存在,Pb主要以可还原态的形式存在,Zn主要以乙酸可提取态的形式存在,Mn和Co主要以乙酸可提取态和残渣态存在,Ni和Cr主要以残渣态存在。灰尘中Pb,Zn,Co,Mn和Cu有55%~85%可以发生移动,易被生物利用,危害较大。潜在生态风险评价表明,灰尘中重金属的污染及潜在生态风险达到严重水平,铅锌冶炼厂周边灰尘中重金属的污染和潜在生态风险高于电厂。     

湘中下寒武统黑色页岩土壤的地球化学特征

以湘中发育于下寒武统黑色页岩之上的土壤为研究对象,选择安化东坪、烟溪,桃江,宁乡等地的典型土壤及相应成土母岩,利用等离子质谱(ICP-MS)、X射线荧光光谱(XRF)等分析技术,对土壤、成土母岩(黑色页岩)的主量元素和微量元素(包括重金属元素、稀土元素等)进行了较系统的分析测定。结果表明,湘中下寒武统黑色页岩土壤风化作用强烈,风化指数CIA均在73以上。强烈的风化使得土壤具有明显贫CaO、Na2O,而富Al2O3、Fe2O3的化学组成特征。土壤因继承成土母岩(黑色页岩)的特征而富集Mo、Cd、Sn、Sb、U、V、Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、Tl、Pb、Th等多种重金属元素,其综合富集指数(EI值)平均在3以上,最高达17。地质累计指数(Igeo)评价结果显示,土壤重金属的富集已达到污染程度,土壤存在Cd、Mo、Sb、U、Sn、V、Cu、Tl、Ba等重金属的污染,并以Cd、Mo、Sb等重金属污染最强,达中度至极强污染程度。重金属与主量元素的相关性分析显示,土壤中的重金属主要赋存于黏土矿物和铁氧化物(针铁矿)等矿物相中,其中Ba、Sn、Th、Cu、Sc等主要赋存黏土矿物中;Zn、Ni、Mn、Co、Cd、Tl、Pb等则主要赋存于铁氧化物矿物(针铁矿)中;而Cr、V、Mo、Sb、U等则不受黏土矿物和铁氧化物矿物的控制。此外,不同地区土壤的Zr/Hf、Ta/Nb、Nd/Sm等元素比值相对稳定,依次为36.20、0.085、5.30(n=73),并与相应的成土母岩(黑色页岩)相应值基本一致。土壤与成土母岩具有相同的稀土配分型式,且成土过程中稀土元素不发生明显的分异。微量元素比值和稀土元素特征指示土壤中的重金属来自成土母岩(黑色页岩)本身,为自然污染源。     

Vergleich zwischen Total- und königswasserextrahierbaren Elementgehalten in natürlichen Böden und Sedimenten

Comparison between total- and aqua regia extractable contents of elements in natural soils and sediments Total- and aqua regia extractable contents of 19 elements from 28 soil samples with widely varying composition of the ISE ring analytical program (INTERNATIONAL SOIL-ANALYTICAL EXCHANGE) of the year 1995 to 1997 have been taken to find out the comparability between the two fractions. The relations between the two fractions and pH, organic matter and clay content were considered by means of single and multiple regressions. The correlations between the total and aqua regia extractable contents of As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb and Zn are very close, whereas Al, Ba, K, Na and Sr are not or only weakly correlating. The multiple regressions show that the content of some aqua regia extractable elements and the proportion (in %) of the total contents is correlated with pH, organic matter and/or content of clay. In the same way the proportion of aqua regia extractable elements is closely related (except Fe and Hg) to the soil pH. Hereby the proportion of the aqua regia extractable content increases with increasing pH in the range 3,5—7,7. The determined equations are tested for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn by using the values of certified reference material. The estimated aqua regia extractable contents are being compared with values of reference material. The average proportion of the calculated to the measured aqua regia contents of an element in percent are 99 for Zn, 98 for Co, Cu and Mn, 94 for Cd, 90 for Ni, 88 for Cr, 105 for Hg, 113 for As and 114 for Pb.     

山东省沂源县土壤重金属来源分布及风险评价

为建设高标准农田及保证食品安全,对土壤重金属污染状况进行精确评估极为关键。选取山东省山地丘陵区典型区域-沂源县为研究区,系统采集427个表层土壤样品（0～20 cm）,测定了As、Cd、Co、Cr、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb、Hg和Zn共10种重金属含量;采用多元统计分析和地统计分析方法,揭示了土壤重金属的主要来源;进一步分析得出研究区重金属的空间分布以及与成土母质、工业排放和农业生产污染之间的关系。研究表明：1）沂源县表层土壤中10种重金属元素的平均含量值均高于土壤背景值但未超过国家二级土壤元素限定值,存在一定程度的重金属富集。2）经主成分分析和单因素方差分析后将研究区重金属的来源主要分为3类：As、Co、Cu和Mn主要来源于成土母质,属自然源因子;Hg 、Cd、Zn和Pb受到母质和工农业污染双重控制,属于混合来源;Cr和Ni主要是成土母质影响下的自然来源。3）自然来源重金属含量的高值区主要与石灰岩成土母质类型分布相一致,Hg 、Cd、Zn和Pb元素含量的高值区与工业区分布基本一致。4）通过潜在生态风险评价,沂源县表层土壤目前处于中度潜在生态风险等级,其中Hg和Cd潜在生态风险最强,达到中度生态危害,其他元素具有轻微的潜在生态危害。研究中通过多元统计-地统计模拟分析法有效的揭示了土壤重金属污染源汇特征,可作为评估该区土壤污染现状和对土壤重金属污染进行风险评价的重要依据。     

Wet Deposition of Trace Metals in Singapore

The concentrations of 12 trace metals (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Co, Fe,Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, V, and Ti) in wet depositions are reported. Eighty four rainwater samples were collected using an automated wet-only sampler in Singapore for one year (2000) and subjected to chemical analysis using ICP-MS. Based on the volume-weighted meanconcentrations measured, the trace metals were classified into three groups: Al and Fe with an average concentration of largerthan 15 μg L^-1, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, V, and Ti withconcentrations between 1 and 10 μg L^-1, and finally Co and Cd with concentrations lower than 1 μg L^-1. Elementenrichment factors were calculated to distinguish between naturaland anthropogenic sources. The calculation of crustal enrichmentfactors with Al as the reference element indicated that while Ti,Fe and Mn originated from crustal sources, the remaining trace metals (Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and V) were mainly derived from anthropogenic sources. The removal of the trace metals from the atmosphere by precipitation was influenced by the rainfall amount as well as pH. The magnitude of the measured average annual wet deposition fluxes of Al, Fe, and combustion-generatedelements such as V, Ni, and Cu is higher than that reportedfor other sites outside Singapore, owing to abundant rainfallthroughout the year in this region.     

Influence of prolonged use of sewage effluent in irrigation on heavy metal accumulation in soils and plants

Total content of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni and Co in soils irrigated with sewage effluent increased with increasing years of using sewage effluent in irrigation. Iron and Co applied to the soil from sewage effluent were immobilized mainly in unavailable form; Pb, Cd, and Ni in moderately available form; and Mn, Zn, and Cu in highly available form. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu in tops of alfalfa and leaves of corn grown on these soils increased substantially with increased levels of available metal content of the soil, while those of other metals were little affected. As for orange, continuous increase in leaves metal content with time was found for Fe, Mn, Zn, Co and Cd. The concentrations of Cd, Co, Ni and Pb in corn grains and orange fruits were several times higher than normal, and this reduces their suitability for human consumption.