Impact of Land Use and Urban Runoff on the Contamination of the Sarno River Basin in Southwestern Italy

A study was conducted to determine the contaminantlevel of the Sarno River basin, a small creek located insouthwestern Italy. Six sampling site locations were selected tocoincide with two previous studies conducted in 1975 and 1985 toprovide a basis for comparison. For each location, twelve sampleswere collected over the period October 1997–September 1998.Results indicated a degradation in river water quality, especiallynear the mouth. This was reflected by a dissolved oxygenconcentration of about 0.8 mg L^-1 near the urban areas ofScafati, Pompei and Castellamare of Stabia. At the same locations,BOD₅ and COD values were two to five times higher than theallowable regulatory maximum levels, respectively. About 4 kmfrom the headwaters, the average oxygen concentration was 4.7 mgL^-1, BOD₅ values were close to the standard limit (37 vs 40 mg L^-1), and COD values were above the standard limits(252 vs 160 mg L^-1). Highest concentrations were detectedduring peak tomato production. During this time, settleable solidswere also elevated, two to six times the regulatory standard.Coliform bacteria densities were found in excess of the standardlimits at all sites. Near the head of the river, mean fecalcoliform (22,571 MPN mL^-1) and streptococci densities (14,214 MPN mL^-1) surpassed the regulatory level of 120 and 20 MPN mL^-1, respectively, reflecting the input from the urbansettings of Sarno and agricultural fields. The heavy metaldissolved concentrations were low at all sampling sites. Most ofthe analyzed contaminants increased when comparend with 1985data. BOD₅ increased 5 to 10 times at sites near the urbansettings of Scafati, Pompei and Castellamare di Stabia, whereasCOD increases were twofold at all sites. A decline of chromiumlevels was observed due to the recent effective treatment ofwaste water from the tanning plants.     

Management of human health risk in the context of kitchen gardens polluted by lead and cadmium near a lead recycling company

Purpose

At the global scale, gardening activities are often performed in urban areas with a historical background of pollution. In this study, a participatory program was developed with citizens concerned by gardening activities near a 50-year-old regulated lead recycling company, with the aim of co-constructing the tools for the assessment and management of potential sanitary risks induced by historic pollution with persistent (eco) toxic metals: lead and cadmium.

Materials and methods

Soils and vegetables (lettuce, leek, celery, carrot, chard, pumpkin, and celeriac) samples were collected from four kitchen gardens neighboring a 50-year-old secondary lead smelter. Both total and in vitro human bioaccessible metal concentrations in the cultivated plants were measured in relation to soil characteristics.

Results and discussion

The results showed that the soils of these gardens were slightly contaminated by metals (Pb, 77 to 236 mg kg^?1; and Cd, 0.5 to 1 mg kg^?1) in comparison with the natural geologic background. However, significant pollution of vegetables can occur especially with lead (Pb up to 9.8 mg kg^?1 in lettuce) and certainly as a result of direct foliar transfer. The washing of plants before consumption is therefore recommended in the context of atmospheric fallout of ultrafine particles enriched with metals.

Conclusions

Metal bioaccessibility measure integrates the influence of metal type, plant type, and soil physico-chemical properties. Based on the results, it is proposed that human bioaccessible fraction of metals may also be currently taken into account as well as total metal quantities and bioaccumulation factors in risk assessment studies performed in gardens. Overall, this study has led to reflections and functional recommendations aimed at reducing human exposure and to finally developing sustainable gardening practices.

     

Long-Term Base Cation Balances of Forest Mineral Soils in Finland

Long-term base cation balances (Ca, Mg and K) for forest mineral soils in Finland were calculated with mass balance methods. The aim of the study was to identify the areas in which weathering and base cation deposition do not support leaching and uptake of base cations by vegetation. The effect of stem harvesting and whole-tree harvesting on the base cation balances was studied and preliminary calculations were made about the amounts of ash needed for compensation of the potential base cation depletion. The effect of sulphur emission reduction till 2010 was also considered. The study demonstrated that there would be depletion of base cations in forest mineral soils in southern, central and northeastern Finland (40–50% of the grids) in the long term if whole-tree harvesting would be practised. Theoretical calculations showed that ash application would be most useful in those areas to compensate the base cation depletion. If stem harvesting is practised, only small areas (20%) in southwestern and southeastern Finland and northeastern Lapland would show depletion of base cations in the long term.     

Fresh Israeli Jaffa blond (Shamouti) orange and Israeli Jaffa red Star Ruby (Sunrise) grapefruit juices affect plasma lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity in rats fed added cholesterol

The bioactivity of Israeli Jaffa blond (Shamouti) fresh orange and Israeli Jaffa red Star Ruby (Sunrise) grapefruit juices was investigated in vitro and in vivo. The contents of bioactive compounds of these juices were determined. The influence of bioactive compounds on plasma lipids and plasma antioxidant activity in rats fed cholesterol-containing and cholesterol-free diets was assessed. Significant differences in the contents of dietary fibers were not found. The contents of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins in fresh orange and grapefruit juices were 962.1 +/- 27.2 and 906.9 +/- 27.1; 50.1 +/- 3.3 and 44.8 +/- 3.2; and 69.9 +/- 5.6 and 68.7 +/- 5.5 microg/mL, respectively. The antioxidant potential measured by the scavenging activity against nitric oxide, the beta-carotene-linoleate model system (beta-carotene), and the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diamonium salt assays was higher in orange juice but not significantly. A high level of correlation between contents of total polyphenols and flavonoids and antioxidant potential values of both juices was found. Diets supplemented with orange and to a lesser degree with grapefruit juices improved plasma lipid metabolism only in rats fed added cholesterol. However, an increase in the plasma antioxidant activity was observed in both groups. In conclusion, fresh orange and grapefruit juices contain high quantities of bioactive compounds, which guarantee their high antioxidant potential, and the positive influence on plasma lipid metabolism and plasma antioxidant activity could make fresh orange and grapefruit juices a valuable supplement for disease-preventing diets.     

Arsenic,lead, and uranium concentrations on sediments deposited in reservoirs in the Rio Grande Basin,USA–Mexico border

Purpose

The El Granero reservoir is the last reservoir of the Rio Conchos before it joins the Rio Grande at the Mexico–USA border. This reservoir, together with the San Marcos reservoir, is located in the arid region of Chihuahua, Mexico. High, naturally occurring radioactivity levels, as well as high arsenic (As) concentrations, have been found in both reservoirs. The main goal of this research was to establish the spatial and temporal distribution of trace and radioactive elements in surface sediments and cores collected from these reservoirs.

Materials and methods

Sediment cores were dated using ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs measurements and applying the constant rate of supply (CRS) model. Major, trace, and radioactive elements were determined in surface samples and three sediment cores. Radioactive elements were determined by both alpha and gamma spectrometry. Major and trace elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) using the EPA 3051a method. Enrichment factors (EF), contamination factors (CF), and pollution load indexes (PLI) were calculated in order to identify the human impact in both reservoirs, whereas the chemical index weathering (CIW) was used to assess differences in the degree of weathering.

Results and discussion

High uranium (U) enrichment (EFs?=?24.9–54.7) was observed in core layers at the San Marcos reservoir, while in surface sediments, this enrichment was lower. The high variability of lead (Pb) and As in sediment cores from the Granero reservoir was attributed to human influence. Arsenic and Pb enrichment differences between entry and exit sediment cores were explained by the filtering capabilities of the elongated shape, the topography, and the presence of plants on the reservoir’s bed. The highest PLI was found at the entrance core of the Granero reservoir.

Conclusions

The natural element concentration levels of As, Pb, and U were established at the Granero reservoir. High EFs for As and Pb suggest an anthropogenic origin of these pollutants at specific time intervals. High U concentrations in the San Marcos area are explained as naturally occurring. The concentrations of As in most of the studied sediments could pose a risk to human health by As ingestion, since they are above the probable effect level (PEL).

     

A comparison of two methods for the isolation of free and occluded particulate organic matter

Various methods exist for the isolation of particulate organic matter (POM), one of the soil‐organic‐matter (SOM) fractions reacting most sensitive on land‐use or soil‐management changes. A combination of density separation and ultrasonic treatment allows to isolate two types of POM: (1) free POM and (2) POM occluded in soil aggregates. POM fractions are closely linked to their biochemical function for the formation and stabilization of aggregates, therefore methods using different aggregate sizes may result in different POM fractions isolated. We evaluated two physical fractionation procedures to reveal whether they yield different POM fractions with respect to amount and composition, using grassland and arable soils with sandy‐loam to sandy–clay‐loam texture and thus low macroaggregate stability. Method I used air‐dried aggregates of <2.0 mm size and a low‐energy sonication for aggregate disruption, method II used field‐moist aggregates <6.3 mm and a high‐energy–sonication procedure for aggregate disruption. POM fractions were analyzed by elemental analysis (C, N) and CPMAS ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy. With both methods, about similar proportions of the SOM are isolated as free or occluded POM, respectively. The free‐ and occluded‐POM fractions obtained with method I are also rather similar in C and N concentration and composition as shown by ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy. Method II isolates a free‐ and occluded‐POM fraction with significantly different C and N concentrations. NMR spectra revealed significant differences in the chemical composition of both fractions from method II, with the occluded POM having lower amounts of O‐alkyl C and higher amounts of aryl C and alkyl C than the free POM. Due to the use of larger, field‐moist aggregates with minimized sample pretreatment, two distinctly different POM fractions are isolated with method II, likely to be more closely linked to their biochemical function for the formation and stabilization of aggregates. High‐energy sonication as in method II also disrupts small microaggregates <63 µm and releases fine intraaggregate POM. This fraction seems to be a significant component of occluded POM, that allows a differentiation between free and occluded POM in sandy soils with significant microaggregation. It can be concluded, that microaggregation in arable soils with sandy texture is responsible for the storage of a more degraded occluded POM, that conversely supports the stabilization of fine microaggregates.     

Spatial distribution of earthworms [Lumbricidae] in recultivated soils of the Rhenish lignite‐mining area,Germany

The spatial distribution of earthworms was studied by means of combined formalin expulsion and hand sorting in three arable fields of the Rhenish lignite‐mining area that differed in their recultivation age (6, 12, 24 yr). In addition, pH and the spatial distribution of penetration resistances were measured to see if they are corresponding with the distribution of earthworms. Already the 6 yr old field had a rich population of endogeic, anecic, and epigeic earthworms (119 ind. m^–2, 48 g m^–2, 6 species). This quantity was similar to the 24 yr old site. The 12 yr old field was only sparsely populated by earthworms (5 ind. m^–2, 5 g m^–2, 3 species). In the 6 yr old field, the spatial distribution pattern showed a center of maximal earthworm abundances, corresponding to the distributional pattern of penetration resistances. In the old field (24 yr), the species varied in their spatial distribution, and there was no correspondence with the distribution of penetration resistance. In general, the penetration resistance at the youngest site was clearly lower than at the two older sites. The earthworm population in the 6 yr old field can be explained by cocoons contained in the dumped material. A calculation using literature data on earthworm‐population dynamics shows that a founding population of 400–600 reproductive individuals per hectare and a continuity of favorable growth conditions during the time of soil management is necessary for the development of the situation found at the 6 yr old site in this study.     

Characterization of maghemite in B horizons of three soils from Southern Portugal

Maghemite with an unusual habit was identified in the sandy fraction of two Alfisols and one Ultisol by X-ray and electron diffraction. Hematite was also present. Morphological analyses by scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed needle-like particles of maghemite with average lengths of 200–500 nm depending on the degree of the crystallinity. Those particles are arranged in star-like patterns as shown by ultrathin sections. Experimental synthesis of maghemite was successfully attempted in the presence of quartz sand with the freshly-formed crystals displaying the same particular morphology. Formation of acicular maghemite catalysed by quartz surfaces is, therefore, postulated.     

Radiative environment inside a greenhouse

This paper reports a study on the solar and thermal radiative environment inside a plastic film cladded tunnel type greenhouse.In the day-time the net radiation is found to be strongly correlated to the incoming solar radiation, in analogy to what is known to occur over open ground. At night, a simple radiation budget model is effective in relating the net radiation to the radiometric properties and temperature of the surfaces which form the envelope of the greenhouse and the external (atmospheric and terrestrial) radiation fluxes.     

The practical use of semiparametric models in field trials

This article examines the practical use of semiparametric models in the analysis of field trials—that is, models with parameterized treatment effects and additive terms derived by a data-driven approach using a locally weighted running line smoother (loess). We discuss graphical methods to identify spatial structure in the data and model selection procedures to choose the degree of smoothing. Once the spatial part of the model has been chosen, hypotheses about the treatment effects may be tested. Semiparametric models are used to analyze two barley field trials exhibiting spatial trends. The first has a single experimental treatment and a row-column design. The second has a split-plot design, and we use a semiparametric model which accounts for the randomization at the different strata of this design. We compare the semiparametric analyses with classical analyses of variance and with alternative spatial models. We find that semiparametric models give a good insight into spatial variation in the field and can improve the precision of parameter estimates.