Studies on Atmospheric Pollution,Acid Rain and Emission Control for their Precursors in Chongqing,China

Chongqing City in China has suffered from serious air pollution and acid rain caused by low graded raw coal (sulfur=ca. 3≈5%, ash=ca. 30%) combustion. In this paper, the situation of atmospheric pollution and acid rain in Chongqing are discussed, the reduction efficiency for sulfur dioxide (SO₂) with the bio-briquetting of the raw coal that is one of countermeasures for emission control of air pollutants due to domestic consumes was determined. The research indicated that the frequency of acid rain was high, more than 50% at urban area, and its pH was low, about 4.5. Under our experimental conditions, the reducing efficiency of sulfur SO₂ emission from high sulfur coal-biomass briquette amounted to 87%. The field investigation indicated that SO₂ indoor concentrations in case of using bio-briquette dropped to 1/2≈1/3 of the raw coal.     

Impacts of Acid Rain on Base Cations,Aluminum, and Acidity Development in Highly Weathered Soils of Thailand

The impacts of simulated acid rain on leachability of major plant nutrients, toxic element [aluminum (Al)], and acidity development in highly weathered tropical soils of Thailand were studied. Leaching experiments were conducted on soil columns with acidic solutions of pH 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, and with water of pH 7.0 as a control treatment. Leaching losses of base cations from all soils increased with the decrease in pH associated with simulated acid rain (SAR) additions, and were found to be quite high under SAR with pH 2.0. The leaching removal of these cations was lesser at pH 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 but greater than that in pH 7.0. The leaching of base cation from the soils depended not only on acid rain pH but also on soil properties, especially cation exchange capacity, soil texture, and initial base content. The significant losses of major plant nutrients [such as potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), and magnesium (Mg²⁺)] from the plant root zone over extended periods could cause nutrient imbalance and lower soil productivity.     

Acid Deposition and Acidification of Soil and Water in the Tie Shan Ping Area, Chongqing, China

Chongqing is among the heaviest polluted cities in China. Combustion of coal with relatively high sulfur content causes high sulfur emission and deposition in the area. Effects on soils and waters of the acid deposition in the Chongqing area have been studied in the field at a forested site outside the city. Deposition chemistry and fluxes, soil and soil water chemistry as well as surface water chemistry are presented for the period 1996–1998. There are some stress symptoms at the forest in the area and severe forest damage has been reported at Nanshan, closer to Chongqing center. Monitoring of the acidification situation in the area must be followed closely as impacts may be expected if the deposition is not reduced in the future. The deposition of sulfur, H⁺ as well as calcium at the site is high. Wet deposition of sulfur is estimated to 4.7 – 5.7 g S m^?2 yr^?1 during the three years sampled; dry deposition is probably of similar size. Annual volume-weighted pH in bulk deposition was 4.0 – 4.2 and the calcium wet deposition flux was 2.6 – 3.6 g Ca²⁺ m^?2. There are considerable seasonal variations in the concentrations, related to the seasonal variations in precipitation amount (dry winter, wet summer). The soils at the site are acid with median base saturation of 12% and 8% in the topsoil and subsoil, respectively. In soil water, aluminum concentrations are typically in the range 3–8 mg L^?1. However, due to the high base cation deposition, the Al/(Ca²⁺+Mg²⁺) molar ratio is below unity in most samples, indicating little damage of forest due to aluminum in soil water.     

Plotting of Acid Rain and Sulfur Dioxide Pollution Control Zones and Integrated Control Planning in China

The distribution and characteristics of acid rain and SO₂ pollution were presented, indicating that the areas with sulfur deposition over critical loads reached 21.9% of the territory in 1995. In order to control the acid rain and SO₂ pollution effectively, the Acid Rain Control Zone and SO₂ Pollution Control Zone (Two Control Zones for short) were designated based on the analysis of sulfur deposition. The corresponding integrated pollution control planning was formulated based on the life cycle approach of sulfur in coal and the technical options for SO₂ mitigation were also recommended for different sources such as coal industry, power industry, industrial boilers and kilns, and household stoves. Based on the countermeasures suggested, the SO₂ would be reduced by about 4.92Mt/yr during 2001–2005 and by 4.16Mt/yr during 2006–2010.     

Effects of sulfuric,nitric, and mixed acid rain on litter decomposition,soil microbial biomass,and enzyme activities in subtropical forests of China

Acid rain pollution is changing gradually from sulfuric acid rain (SAR) to mixed acid rain (MAR) and then to nitric acid rain (NAR) with the rapidly growing number of motor vehicles. The influences of changed acid rain types on ecosystem functions, particularly on litter decomposition, remain unclear. Two dominant litter types from a coniferous forest and a broad-leaved forest were incubated in microcosms with original forest soils and treated by five types of acid rain with different SO₄²⁻ to NO₃⁻ ratios (1:0, 5:1, 1:1, 1:5, and 0:1). During a six-month incubation period, litter mass losses, soil microbial biomass, and enzyme activities were investigated. Results showed that various acid treatments inhibited litter decomposition, soil microbial biomass, and most enzyme activities, and the inhibitory effects of NAR were more significant than those of SAR and MAR. The resistance to external acid of microbial communities in broad-leaved forest was higher than that in coniferous forest. NAR and MAR treatments slowed down soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) mineralization by attenuating the correlations between litter mass losses and the enzymes involved in C, N, and P cycling. Results reveal that the ratio of SO₄²⁻ to NO₃⁻ in acid rain is an important factor which profoundly influences litter decomposition process. In the future, a decreasing ratio of SO₄²⁻ to NO₃⁻ in acid rain will be observed in subtropical forests. Thus, soil C would accumulate as a consequence of future acid precipitation, and this may seriously affect the balance of ecosystem C, N flux.     

Boron availability to plants from coal combustion by-products

Agronomic use of coal combustion by-products is often associated with boron (B) excess in amended soils and subsequently in plants. A greenhouse study with corn (Zea mays L.) as test plant was conducted to determine safe application rates of five fly ashes and one flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FDG). All by-products increased soil and corn tissue B concentration, in some cases above toxicity levels which are 5 mg hot water soluble B (hwsB) kg^?1 soil and 100 mg B kg^?1 in corn tissue. Acceptable application rates varied from 4 to 100 Mg ha^? for different by-products. Leaching and weathering of a high B fly ash under ponding conditions decreased its B content and that of corn grown in fly ash amended soil, while leaching of the same fly ash under laboratory conditions increased fly ash B availability to corn in comparison to the fresh fly ash. Hot water soluble B in fly ash or FDG amended soil correlated very well with corn tissue B. Hot water soluble B in fly ash amended soil could be predicted based on soil pH and B solubility in ash at different pH values but not so in the case of FDG. Another greenhouse study was conducted to compare the influence of FDG and Ca(OH)₂ on B concentration in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves grown in soil amended with the high B fly ash. The Ca(OH)₂ significantly decreased tissue B content, while FDG did not affect B uptake from fly ash amended soil.     

Assessment of the stability of chromium in remedied soils by Pannonibacter phragmitetus BB and its risk to groundwater

Purpose

Acid rain can accelerate the acidification of the chromium-contaminated soils, resulting in chromium releasing into soil solution and causing ecological risk. The current study aims to investigate the release of chromium in the remedied soils by Pannonibacter phragmitetus BB under the simulated acid rain leaching and to assess its risk to groundwater.

Materials and methods

P. phragmitetus BB was utilized to remedy the Cr(VI)-contaminated soils at two levels (80 and 1,276 mg kg^?1) by the column leaching experiment, and the chemical remediation with ferrous sulfate was used as a control. The remedied soils by P. phragmitetus BB and ferrous sulfate were leached under the simulated acid rain to evaluate the release of chromium. Furthermore, the risk of chromium release from the remedied soils to the groundwater was assessed by a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method.

Results and discussion

The average concentrations of water-soluble Cr(VI) in the remedied soils by P. phragmitetus BB were reduced to less than 5.0 mg kg^?1. Under leaching situation with the simulated acid rain, the release of total chromium and Cr(VI) from the remedied soils by P. phragmitetus BB and ferrous sulfate declined rapidly with the extended leaching time. However, the release amounts of total chromium and Cr(VI) from the remedied soil by P. phragmitetus BB more efficiently deceased as compared with that by ferrous sulfate remediation. Carbonate-bounded, exchangeable, and organics-bonded chromium were the major chromium-releasing sources under the simulated rain leaching. After microbial remediation with P. phragmitetus BB and chemical remediation with ferrous sulfate, the risk grades of the remedied soils to groundwater declined from classes 11 to 5 and 6, respectively.

Conclusions

The risks of the remedied soils by both microbial remediation with P. phragmitetus BB and chemical remediation with ferrous sulfate to groundwater effectively decreased and microbial remediation more significantly declined the chromium risk to groundwater than chemical remediation.     

耐盐菌联合化学复合改良剂协同改良黄河三角洲盐碱土壤的效果

为探究生物和化学方法联用对黄河三角洲地区盐碱土的改良效果,首先进行粉煤灰的改性和土著耐盐菌的筛选,选取其中2株耐盐菌(BY-4、BY-8)与化学复合改良剂(改性粉煤灰+脱硫石膏+腐殖酸(FSZ))通过联合配施的方法开展室内土柱淋溶试验,研究渗滤液和土壤中盐基阳离子、可溶性有机碳(DOC)、土壤钠吸附比(SAR)以及土壤有机质等的变化规律。结果表明：BY-4和BY-8除具有明显的耐盐和产吲哚乙酸能力,还分别具有较高的溶磷与解钾能力;与对照(CK)处理相比,添加化学复合改良剂(FSZ)能显著促进水溶性Na⁺的淋洗,降低土壤中水溶性Na⁺的总含量和SAR值,提高土壤中DOC和有机质含量,且耐盐菌BY-8联合化学复合改良剂的处理(FSZ8)效果最好;与CK相比,FSZ8处理下土壤水溶性Na⁺总量下降33.30%,耕层土壤SAR下降79.76%,DOC淋溶损失下降34.60%,耕层土壤有机质含量上升79.47%。研究结果有助于理解耐盐菌在改良盐碱土壤中的作用,并可为生物和化学复合改良剂的研发和利用提供理论和数据参考。     

Lysimeter Study on the Effects of Different Rain Qualities on Element Fluxes from Shallow Mountain Soils in Southern Norway

This study focuses on fluxes of elements from, and changes in the soil properties of shallow organic material rich soil as a result of changes in precipitation acidity. Intact soil columns including natural vegetation from two areas (one exposed to acidic precipitation and one unpolluted) were used in a lysimeter experiment. The lysimeters were watered with simulated normal rain (pH 5.3) or simulated acidic rain (pH 4.3) for four years. Sulphuric acid and ammonium nitrate were used to regulate the quality of the simulated rain. Significantly more SO₄ ^2? was leached from lysimeters receiving acid rain. Rain acidity had no significant effect on NO₃ ^? leaching. Significantly more Mg²⁺ was leached from lysimeters receiving acid rain, but this only applied for the soils from the unpolluted area. Four years of treatment did not cause any significant effect on the soil acidity and the amounts of base cations in the soil. The more acidic rain did, however, cause a significant lower cation exchange capacity. For the soils from the polluted area the acid precipitation did cause a lowering of the exchangeable K⁺ in the upper 5 cm of the soil. Different quality of the soil organic material indicated by different vegetation types appeared to cause significant differences in the amount of components leached from the soil, but did not cause any difference in response to the different rain qualities.     

Acid precipitation and its influence upon aquatic ecosystems — An overview

The impact of acid precipitation reflects a usually deleterious balance between good and bad effects which may lead to serious and sometimes extreme degradation of aquatic as well as terrestrial ecosystems, particularly around metal smelters. Addition of H ions as H₂SO₄, HNO₃, and HCl can alter and impoverish the species composition of biotic communities, and lead to severe leaching of beneficial metal cations such as Ca from ecosystems. Heavy metals and other trace elements which accompany acid precipitation may reach toxic levels, particularly where acid fallout leaches additional amounts from the soil into streams and lakes. Complex and often toxic hydrocarbons also comprise a little known organic component of acid precipitation. Alternatively, acid precipitation usually is enriched in plant nutrients such as nitrate- and ammonia-nitrogen, K, Ca, and S; and at certain concentrations some of the associated trace elements may also be beneficial. Moreover the initial effect of soil leaching by acid fallout may be to enrich aquatic ecosystems in metal cations such as Ca. Basic materials in air pollution, biogenic NH₃ from the soil, dust fall from arid regions, and soils rich in adsorbed metal cations or in carbonates may neutralize some of the harmful effects of acid precipitation upon ecosystems. However, associated heavy metals, other trace elements, and toxic hydrocarbons may still constitute serious problems in many environments.     

电渗析与酸淋洗模拟紫色土酸化的效果比较

为了比较电渗析与酸淋洗试验模拟紫色土酸化的效果,在重庆地区采集了不同pH(5.00和7.06)的2个紫色土,分别进行不同天数(1,2,5,7,10天)的电渗析和酸淋洗试验处理,并分析了试验处理前后土壤的酸度特征和交换性盐基成分含量变化。结果表明,在整个10天的淋溶处理过程中,2种紫色土的pH均无显著变化,说明紫色土具有一定的酸缓冲能力,短期的酸雨淋溶不能实现紫色土的严重酸化。而采用电渗析处理10天后,中性紫色土和酸性紫色土的pH分别降低3.4和1.1个单位。在整个电渗析处理过程中,土壤的交换性酸含量显著升高,盐基离子大量淋失。电渗析可以实现对紫色土的快速酸化处理。2种紫色土中,电渗析处理后中性紫色土的酸化程度大于酸性紫色土。这是由于中性紫色土的表面负电荷量更高,导致更多致酸离子吸附在土壤胶体表面,最终造成中性紫色土的酸化程度更加严重。因此,电渗析处理比酸雨淋溶处理对紫色土酸化效果更好,且可用于紫色土的酸化机理研究。进一步结合2种方法的技术可操作性,认为电渗析法是研究紫色土酸化问题的一种有效技术手段。     

Impacts of acid precipitation on coniferous forest ecosystems

This paper summarizes the results from current studies in Norway. One main approach is the application of artificial acid ‘rain’ and of lime to field plots and lysimeters. Application during two growth seasons of 50 mm mo^?1 of ‘rain water’ of pH 3 to a podzol soil increased the acidity of the humus and decreased the base saturation. The reduction in base saturation was mainly due to leaching of Ca and Mg. Laboratory experiments revealed that decomposition of pine needles was not affected by any acid ‘rain’ treatment of the field plots. Liming slightly retarded the decomposition. No nitrification occurred in unlimed soils (pH 4.4-4.1). Liming increased nitrification. The soil enchytraeid (Ohgochaeta) fauna was not much affected by the acidification. Germination of spruce seeds in acidified mineral soil was negatively affected when soil pH was 4.0 or lower. Seedling establishment was even more sensitive to increasing soil acidity. Analysis of throughfall and stemflow water in southernmost Norway reveals that the total deposition of H₂SO₄ beneath spruce and pine is approximately two times the deposition in open terrain. A large part of this increase is probably due to dry deposition. Increased acidity of the rain seems to increase the leaching of cations from the tree crowns. Tree-ring analysis of spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) has been based on comparisons between regions differently stressed by acid precipitation and also between sites presumed to differ in sensitivity to acidification. No effect that can be related to acid precipitation has yet been detected on diameter growth.     

Water chemistry in forested catchments after topsoil treatment with liming agents in South Sweden

Critical loads of sulphur and nitrogen are exceeded in South Sweden, and nutritional imbalances are expected to appear with time in forests. During 1984 paired catchments were established in a northwestern-southeastern gradient in South Sweden. The aim was to study long-term liming effects on throughfall, soil water, groundwater and runoff. Dolomitic limestone and wood ash were tested at one locality, Hagfors (59° N). Three adjacent catchments were used; one reference area, one treated with dolomitic lime (0.5 kg/m²) in 1985, and one with wood fly ash (0.22 kg/m²) in 1988. The lime and the fly ash was granulated and applied by a helicopter in the end of May. Measurements concerning chemistry of the precipitation, throughfall, soil water and runoff has been conducted since spring 1984. The results showed that top-soil spreading of liming agents, besides the desired effects on soil chemistry, after some years also affected the quality of the recipient water. In the dolomitic lime treated catchment the positive effects were most obvious, with raised pH-, Ca-, and Mg-values and lowered Al-, Fe- and Mn-values. A positive trend regarding lower nitrogen (NO₃ ^?) leaching could also be calculated. Wood ash in the used amount affected only slowly, but after six years the runoff water indicated increased pH-values as well as increased Ca- and K-values and Ca/Al-ratios. Dolomitic lime in the amounts of 0.5 kg/m² was concluded to be sufficient to achieve positive effects in catchments of the present type. Wood ash in the amount of 0.22 kg/m² although enough for recycling purposes, was not sufficient enough in increasing pH in runoff to prevent acid leaching from the forest soils.     

模拟酸雨对赤红壤磷素及Ca2+，Al3+，Fe2+淋失特征的影响

本研究通过室内土柱试验,研究了不同强度和持续时间的模拟酸雨淋溶下,赤红壤磷素淋失量及部分阳离子（Ca2+、Al3+、Fe2+）的释放程度和特征。结果表明:经pH 2.0、pH 3.0、pH 4.0、pH 5.0模拟酸雨持续淋溶 34 d后,淋溶液pH值变化并不明显（＞0.05 ）,而对Ca2+、Fe2+的溶出有显著的促进作用,Ca2+、Al3+、Fe2+ 溶出量均随 pH 值的降低而升高,Al3+ 和 Fe2+ 淋失量在pH 2.0时均有骤增现象。随淋溶时间的增加,土壤可溶态磷的淋失量表现为先增加后逐渐降低;随着pH值的降低,土壤磷淋失总量也表现为先增加后降低,pH4.0的酸雨有助于促进土壤磷的释放,pH＜4.0时土壤磷的淋失减少。相关分析发现淋溶液中磷淋失总量与Al3+和Fe2+溶出量均呈显著负相关（r1=0.6531, r2=0.5107）,和Ca2+总溶出量相关关系不显著（r3=0.1287）,表明高强度酸雨降低了土壤磷淋失量可能与酸雨作用导致活性铁、铝的大量释放,增加了磷的活性吸附点位,从而增加了对磷酸根离子配位吸附与固定有关。     

酸雨对土壤生态系统影响的研究进展

酸雨是人类当前面临的最严重的环境问题之-,并目益成为土壤学和生态学研究的热点.现有的大量研究表明,酸雨对土壤生态系统的功能特性,包括土壤的盐基离子以及重金属与微量元素的淋溶、土壤营养、土壤酸化、土壤微生物数量及其活性、土壤缓冲性能、土壤对酸雨的敏感性、土壤结构、土壤矿物风化等方面均会产生一定的影响.本文就酸雨对土壤生态系统特性的影响研究进展进行了综述,旨在为其他学者今后开展相关研究提供参考.     

Translocation of 203Hg labelled HgCl2 and CH3HgCl in an iron-humus podzol studied by radio-analytical techniques

Since increased Hg-concentrations in fish in lakes and rivers in northern Europe, northern parts of the U.S.A. and Canada were found, environmental Hg research has focused intensively on the factors determining leaching of mercury from soil into water systems. This article presents the results of a leaching experiment with undisturbed soil columns treated with HgCI₂ and CH₃HgCl using radio-analytical techniques. The columns were irrigated with rain of different acidity, rain volumes and irrigation intensities. The leaching of mercury was traced by detecting the vertical distribution of ²⁰³Hg in the soil profiles. Advantages and disadvantages of radioanalytical scanning techniques are discussed. The results of Hg leaching in the soil columns indicate a considerably stronger leaching of monomethyl mercury compared to inorganic mercury. Leaching of the two Hg-species is ruled by competition of H⁺ induced soil-Hg desorption with DOM-Hg complex formation; both being affected by rain acidity. Rain intensity had no visible effect on leaching of Hg²⁺ and CH₃Hg⁺. An extended rain duration increased the leaching of CH₃Hg⁺.     

Pattern and cause of acidic deposition in the Chongqing region,Sichuan Province,China

The Chongqing region located in Sichuan Province of China, comprises a large city, many small towns and rural areas. The region relies heavily on high-sulfur coal for energy production. Atmospheric pollution by sulfur oxides and other compounds from coal burning has become a major issue. Acid rain is observed throughout the region; volume weighted average pH is about 4.30. Average total S deposition for the region is estimated to be about 8 g S m^?2 yr^?1. In this paper we report concentrations of major ions in rain, fog, dew and clouds, of SO₂ in air and of airborne particles as well as dustfall. The emissions and interactions between important chemical species in air and water droplets are discussed.     

Toxic Metal Removal from Polluted Soil by Acid Extraction

Sulfuric acid leaching is a promising technique to extract toxic metals from polluted soils. The objective of this study was to define the optimum sulfuric acid leaching conditions for decontamination of the fine particle fraction (<125???m) of an industrial soil polluted by Cd (16.8?mg?kg^?1), Cu (3,350?mg?kg^?1), Pb (631?mg?kg^?1) and Zn (3,010?mg?kg^?1). Batch leaching tests in Erlenmeyer shake flasks showed that a soil pulp pH between 1.5 and 2.0 using a solid concentration (SC) ranging from 5 to 20?% is adequate to efficiently solubilize toxic metals. Leaching tests performed at different temperatures (20, 40, 60 and 80?°C) also revealed that it is not beneficial to heat the soil suspension during the leaching treatment. The application in a 1-L stirred tank reactor of five consecutive 1-h leaching steps at 10?% SC and ambient temperature, followed by three water washings steps resulted in the following metal extraction yields: 30?% As, 90?% Cd, 43?% Co, 7?% Cr, 88?% Cu, 75?% Mn, 26?% Ni, 18?% Pb and 86?% Zn. The decontaminated soil conformed to Quebec norms for commercial and industrial use of soil.     

棕壤和褐土的酸淋溶特征

用室内模拟淋洗土柱的方法 ,对棕壤和褐土的酸淋容特征进行了研究。结果表明 ,p H低的酸雨使棕壤严重酸化且有活性铝测出 ,但对褐土的影响相对较轻。 4种盐基离子淋失总量与酸雨的氢离子浓度呈极显著的正相关关系 ,淋失量 Ca2 >Mg2 >Na >K ,其中 Na 对酸雨的酸度最不敏感。电导率的变化与盐基淋失量的变化有相同趋势 ,但不同处理之间的差别倍数大于盐基淋失差别的倍数 ,4种酸雨对土壤的危害程度为 p H2 >p H3>p H4、p H5 ,其中危害棕壤的程度高于褐土。     

Leaching and reclamation of calcareous saline‐sodic soil by moderately saline and moderate‐SAR water using gypsum and calcium chloride

Lysimeter experiments were conducted with sandy‐clay‐loam soil to study the efficiency of two amendments in reclaiming saline‐sodic soil using moderately saline and SAR (sodium‐adsorption ratio) irrigation water. Gypsum obtained from industrial phosphate by‐products and reagent grade Ca chloride were applied to packed soil columns and irrigated with moderately saline (ECe = 2.16 dS m^–1), moderate‐SAR water (SAR = 4.8). Gypsum was mixed with soil prior to irrigation at application rates of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 32 Mg ha^–1, and Ca chloride was dissolved directly in leaching water at application rates of 4.25, 8.5, 12.75, 17.0, and 21.25 Mg ha^–1, respectively. The highest application rate in both amendments resulted in 96% reduction of total Na in soil. The hydraulic conductivity (HC) of soils receiving gypsum increased in all treatments. The highest HC value of 6.8 mm h^–1 was obtained in the highest application rate (32 Mg ha^–1), whereas the lowest value of 5.2 mm h^–1 was observed with the control treatment. Both amendments were efficient in reducing soil salinity and sodicity (exchangeable‐sodium percentage, ESP); however, Ca chloride was more effective than gypsum as a reclaiming material. Exchangeable Na and soluble salts were reduced with gypsum application by 82% and 96%, and by 86% and 93% with Ca chloride application, respectively. Exchangeable Ca increased with increasing amendment rate. Results of this study revealed that sodium was removed during cation‐exchange reactions mostly when the SAR of effluent water was at maximum with subsequent passage of 3 to 4 pore volumes. Gypsum efficiently reduced soil ESP, soil EC, leaching water, and costs, therefore, an application rate of 20 Mg ha^–1 of gypsum with 3 to 4 pore volumes of leaching water is recommended for reclaiming the studied soil.