The Distribution of Heavy Metals in Urban Street Dusts of Karak City,Jordan

Street dust samples from urban and suburban areas were collected from the city of Karak, Jordan, during the summer season of 2004. Samples were analyzed for their heavy metal concentrations (Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Fe, Cr, Cd, and Mn). The results showed that all heavy metals are higher in city urban areas than the surrounding suburbs. The distribution and concentrations of heavy metals in all areas show automobile originated sources such as emissions and wear and tear of automobiles were the main source of pollution. Despite the fact that the city of Karak and the capital Amman are under the same climatic conditions and same type of fuel used in both cities, the heavy metal concentrations of street dust samples were lower in Karak than Amman due to the lower traffic density.     

Assessing the Bioavailability and Risk from Metal-Contaminated Soils and Dusts

Exposure to contaminated soil and dust is an important pathway in human health risk assessment. Physical and chemical characteristics and biological factors determine the bioaccessibility/bioavailability of soil and dust contaminants. Within a single sample, contamination may arise from multiple sources of toxic elements that may exist as different species that impact bioavailability. In turn, the bioaccessibility/bioavailability of soil and dust contaminants directly impacts human health risk. Research efforts focusing on development and application of in vitro and in vivo methods to measure the bioaccessibility/bioavailability of metal-contaminated soils have advanced in recent years. The objective of this workshop was to focus on developments in assessing the bioaccessibility/bioavailability of arsenic-contaminated soils, metals’ contamination in urban Canadian residences and potential children's exposures to toxic elements in house dust, an urban community-based study (i.e., West Oakland Residential Lead Assessment), bioavailability studies of soil cadmium, chromium, nickel, and mercury and human exposures to contaminated Brownfield soils. These presentations covered issues related to human health and bioavailability along with the most recent studies on community participation in assessing metals’ contamination, studies of exposures to residential contamination, and in vitro and in vivo methods development for assessing the bioaccessibility/bioavailability of metals in soils and dusts.     

Heavy Metal Contamination of Soil,Plant and Air of Scrapyard of Discarded Vehicles at Zarqa City,Jordan

Ninety soil samples, forty plant samples (Anabasis articulata), and twenty air samples were collected from the scrap yard of discarded vehicles near Zarqa city, Jordan. These samples were analyzed for heavy metals: Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Mn, Al, and Fe. Longitudinal and vertical profiles of soil samples were studied. Generally, the levels of all heavy metals studied in the scrap yard area were found to be higher than those of the control samples. The levels of heavy metals decreased with depth until reaching a constant value at 9 cm depth. The levels of heavy metals also decreased at distances farther away from the scrap yard area. A significant difference in heavy metal concentrations was found between washed and unwashed plant samples. On the other hand, no significant differences have been found between plant samples from inside and outside the scrap yard area. Air samples showed wide variations in heavy metal levels among the sampling sites. The enrichment factors for non-crustal elements such as Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn, in both soil and particulate matter, were found to be more than 10, indicating anthropogenic sources such as dust, rust, and exhaust emissions from the scrap yard area, whereas the crustal elements such as Fe and Mn showed enrichment factors of less than 10.     

Determination of metals as bio indicators in some selected bee pollen samples from Jordan

This study was done to determine the degree of metals and heavy metals in some bee pollen sample as biological indicator for environmental pollution. Sample were collected from industrial, urban and agricultural areas of Jordan in year 2017. Eight metals (As, Cd, Cu, Mg, Pb, Ni, Se, and Zn) continents analyzed by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrum, (ICP-OES).Results were statistically interpreted by using ANOVA analysis. Metals content in bee pollen from Jordan and China were determined within the following ranges (minimum–maximum mg/kg); Cu (copper): 11.338–0.032, Zn (Zinc): 77.022–25.24, Ni (Nickel): 2.839 to <0.01, Se (Selenium): 3.03 to <0.04, Mg (Magnesium): 1575.19–641.388, Pb (Lead): 2.567 to <0.03, Cd (Cadmium): <0.005, As (Arsenic): <0.02. The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences among metals in the bee pollen. It has also found that bee pollen produced in Jordan may be a good source of some trace elements like Se and Mg and can be used as an environmental indicator and for quality control.     

Baseline Levels of Potentially Toxic Elements in Pampas Soils

The soils of the Pampas are thought to be generally non-contaminated but there is growing evidence of trace element accumulation at some specific sites. The goal of this study was to measure the current levels of the main Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE) in the top horizon and in specific soil profiles so that we would establish the baseline concentrations of these elements. Eighty-eight top soils and three soil profiles were sampled. The samples were acid digested. Arsenic, boron, barium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, silver, selenium and zinc were determined with inductively coupled argon plasma emission spectrometry (ICPES).

All of the values found are within the normal range for uncontaminated soils as reported from several continents. Elements with high environmental risk potential are lower than the admissible range of the European Union and some of them are orders of magnitude lower than those of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) 501 levels. Potentially Toxic Elements contents increased with depth or showed a maximum concentration at the B2 horizon. This is related to the parent material and the pedogenetic processes but not to recent contamination. Soil profiles showed higher concentrations of PTE in clayey horizons. However, these relationships did not appear in top soil samples in any soil Great Group studied. The shown data establishes a baseline for PTE concentrations for Pampas soils.     

Chemical Speciation of Lead and Cadmium in Different Size Fractions of Dust Samples from Two Busy Roads in Irbid City,Jordan

Concentrations of Pb and Cd in different size fractions in road dust samples taken from areas of high traffic flows in two streets in Irbid City, Jordan, have been measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). A series of road dust particles in the following size ranges, < 90, 90–106, 106–125, 125–250, 250–1000 and 1000-2000 μ m, were investigated to evaluate the ratio between metal content in each fraction of particle size and total metal content. Results show most of the highest levels were found in the small particle sizes. Sequential extraction procedure was used for chemical speciation in road dust samples of < 90 μ m. Two standard reference materials, CRM142R and SRM 2709, were analyzed to assess the accuracy and the reliability of the proposed method, and the precision of the results was expressed by relative standard deviation (rsd < 6%).     

Assessment of Trace Metals Contamination in the Suspended Matter and Sediments of a Semi-enclosed Mediterranean Gulf

This study investigates the distribution of heavy metals in the suspended particulate matter and the sediments of Kavala Gulf, located in Northern Greece. Particulate trace metals were determined in accordance to water column physicochemical parameters. Metals in sediments were related to the textural characteristics, the organic matter, and carbonate contents of surficial sediments. Results illustrated that the diverse human coastal activities influence the distribution of particulate and sediment metal concentrations, since lower trace metal levels were detected along the western (tourism) and eastern (aquaculture) coast, while increased values were observed at the central (urban and industrial). Overall, particulate metals show moderately low levels compared to other similar sites, with the exception of Ni and Cd depicting local peaks along the industrial coastal zone. Significantly increased levels for particulate lead (123.1 μg/g) and chromium (113.9 μg/g) were detected at the sites near the industrial zone. Direct effluents from a fertilizer plant appeared responsible for the increased Pb, Cr, and Cd levels, while the increased values in Zn, Cu, and Hg appear related to phosphogypsum leaching. Sediment contamination assessment indicated that the Kavala Gulf is characterized by clean to marginally polluted sediments, with moderately severe pollution levels along the urban coastline.     

Contamination level and human health hazard assessment of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in street dust deposited in Mahshahr,southwest of Iran

Mahshahr has a strategic position and is considered as industrial hub of Iran. Selected heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contamination and health risk, and the mineralogical composition of street dust from Mahshahr were investigated. Results indicated that geology is the main determinant of the dust mineralogical composition. Calculated enrichment factor (EF) and principal component analysis (PCA) showed that Pb, Hg, Zn, and Cu accumulations are greatly influenced by anthropogenic sources including traffic and industry. High heavy metals content poses great ecological risk in the study area and exposure doses revealed that ingestion is the main exposure route to street dust, especially for children in residential/commercial areas. It was found that the total amount of PAHs (∑PAHs) varies from 161 to 1996 µg/kg, dominated by four-ring PAHs. Diagnostic ratios and PCA showed that both petrogenic and pyrogenic sources of PAHs in Mahshahr street dust and traffic play important roles in this respect. Furthermore, toxic equivalents and incremental lifetime cancer risk of PAHs in street dust indicated a high potential carcinogenic risk for inhabitants mainly via dermal contact and ingestion pathways particularly for outdoor workers in industrial use scenario. Finally, distribution maps of total hazard index of heavy metals and cancer risk of PAHs indicated the most impacted zones for different groups and use scenarios.     

Assessment of Heavy Metals in Different Parts of Ruta chalepensis L. Rutaceae Medicinal Plant and Soil Samples Collected from Three Selected Zones in Jordan

Different parts of Ruta chalepensis L. medicinal plant and soil samples collected from three zones in Jordan (Irbid, Al-Mafraq, and Ma'an) were analyzed for determination of Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni, and Fe by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Heavy metal levels in washed and unwashed parts of R. chalepensis were evaluated and compared statistically. Results show that there was a variation in heavy metal concentrations related to washed and unwashed parts of R. chalepensis in the three zones. Moreover, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Ni were concentrated in the following order: flowers > leaves > stems, whereas Fe was concentrated in the following order: leaves > flowers > stems. Two standard reference materials of plant (SRM 1790a; spinach, CRM 281; ryegrass) and a standard reference material of soil (GBW 07406) were examined to validate the method used. Results indicate that high recoveries were obtained. Significant variation existed in metal content in different parts of R. chalepensis L. for the various locations (P ≤ 0.05).     

Concentration and ecological risk of heavy metal in street dusts of Eslamshahr,Iran

This study was done to evaluate heavy metal concentrations in street dust samples, to compare measured concentrations in samples to background concentrations in order to make evaluations for pollution indices, and to describe the quality of street dust in the studied area in relation to pollution. A total of 30 cumulative samples were collected from the streets of Eslamshahr City. Concentrations of heavy metals were determined using an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Results determined mean concentrations (mg/kg) of the heavy metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, in collected samples of street dust as 0.34, 35.1, 239, 42.4, 71.3, and 573, respectively. I_geo values for Cd and Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn showed level of moderately polluted, unpolluted, moderately to strongly polluted, unpolluted, moderately polluted and moderately to strongly polluted, respectively. The pattern of total metal concentrations in the studied area was ranked as follows: Zn and Cu>Pb>Cd>Ni>Cr. The highest values for the monomial potential ecological risk (E_r) were observed for Cd (114). The mean level of RI for the studied soil samples was 192 (91.3–244), which is classed as presenting a strong potential ecological risk.     

Chemical Fractionation and Heavy Metal Distribution in Agricultural Soils,North of Jordan Valley

Thirty-nine soil samples were collected on a grid pattern from the north of the Jordan Valley. These samples were subjected to geochemical, mineralogical and textural analyses. The investigated soil is characterized by medium texture and to a less extent moderately coarse and coarse texture. The value of TDS shows a slight increase in the southern part of the study area toward the Dead Sea due to the increase in temperature and decrease of the amount of precipitation. The organic matter content and P ₂ O ₅ values show significant variations that coincide with agricultural activity and application of fertilizers and pesticides in the investigated area. In the samples collected, CEC values are slightly decreased from north to south parts of the study area where the abundance of organic matter and clay minerals are low. The study found that the enrichment factors of the measured heavy metals Pb, Cd, As and Hg are 2.8, 11.9, 20 and 17 respectively. Accordingly, the soil of the study area can be considered moderately contaminated with respect to As and Hg and uncontaminated to moderately contaminated with respect to Pb and Cd. The distribution of the measured heavy metals are affected by various geochemical factors including pH, clay content, cation exchange capacity, organic matter content and total phosphate content. Sequential extraction procedure was used in order to determine the percentage of the Pb, Cd and As present in five geochemical fractions of the examined soil samples. It was found that Pb and As are mainly associated with the residual phases and are relatively immobile. On the other hand Cd is enriched in the carbonate phase of the analyzed soil samples. Based on the sequential extraction procedure it is possible to suggest the sequence of metal mobility as: Cd > Pb > As.     

Impact of Land-Use Patterns on Chemical Properties of Trace Elements in Soils of Rural,Semi-Urban,and Urban Zones of the Niger Delta,Nigeria

The study of the concentrations of Cr, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cu in soils under different land uses in rural, semi-urban, and urban zones in the Niger Delta was carried out with a view to providing information on the effects of the different land uses on the concentrations of trace elements in soils. Our results indicate significant variability in concentrations of these metals in soils under different land uses in rural, semi-urban, and urban zones. The maximum concentrations of metals in the examined soil samples were 707.5 mg.kg^?1, 161.0 mg.kg^?1, 2.6 mg.kg^?1, 59.6 mg.kg^?1, 1061.3 mg.kg^?1, and 189.2 mg.kg^?1 for Cr, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cu, respectively. In the rural zone, the cassava processing mill is a potent source of Ni, Cr, Cu, and Zn while agricultural activities are a source of Cd, and automobile emissions and the use of lead oxide batteries constitute the major sources of Pb. In the urban zone, soils around the wood processing mill showed elevated concentrations of Cu, Cr, Zn, and Ni, while soils around automobile mechanic works and motor parks showed elevated levels of Pb. Elevated Cd concentrations were observed in soils under the following land uses: urban motor park, playground, welding and fabrication sheds, and metallic scrap dump. The contamination/pollution index of metals in the soil follows the order: Ni > Cd > Cr > Zn > Cu > Pb. The multiple pollution index of metals at different sites were greater than 1, indicating that these soils fit into “slight pollution” to “excessive pollution” ranges with significant contributions from Cr, Zn, Cd, Ni, and Cu.     

Assessment of Heavy Metals Contamination and Potential Ecological Risk in Soils Affected by a Former Mn Mining Activity,Drama District,Northern Greece

Manganese mining activities in the Drama district, northern Greece, have resulted in a legacy of abandoned mine wastes at the “25 km Mn-mine” site. Current research was focused on the western Drama plain (WDP), constituting the recipient of the effluents from Xiropotamos stream, which passes through the “25 km Mn-mine” place. A total of 148 top soil samples were collected and their heavy metals (HMs) concentrations (Mn, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, and As) were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), and pollution load index (PLI) were calculated as an effort to assess metal accumulation, distribution, and pollution status of the soils due to the former mining activity. The overall potential ecological risk of HMs to the environment was also evaluated using the potential toxicity response index (RI). Results showed that peak values of the elements (13 wt% for Mn, 0.2 wt% for Pb, 0.2 wt% for Zn, 0.1 wt% for As, 153 mg/kg for Cu, and 27.5 mg/kg for Cd) were found in soils from sites close to and along both sides of the Xiropotamos stream. In this sector of WDP, values of EF, Igeo, and PLI classify the soils as moderately to highly polluted with Mn, Pb, Zn, Cd, and As. Based on RI values, soils in this part of WDP display considerable to very great potential ecological risk and, therefore, a remediation has to be applied. The main cause of soil contamination is considered the Xiropotamos downstream transfer and dispersion of Mn mine wastes via flooding episodes.     

Investigations of the chemical distribution of heavy metals in street dust and its impact on risk assessment for human health,case study of Radom (Poland)

Abstract

This work investigated the ecological and health hazards caused by heavy metals present in urban street dust of Radom (Poland). The objectives of this study were to improve the estimation of exposure doses of toxic metals based on their distribution patterns in street dusts and to assess the noncarcinogenic health risk for the residents. Zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb) were mainly associated with the reducible fraction, copper (Cu) with the oxidizable fraction, and iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr) with the residual fraction. The contents of short-term and long-term labile fractions of the metals were used to assess a direct health risk, a potential health risk and an overall human health risk. The level of the overall risk quantified by the cumulative total labile fraction-HI (tlf-HI^c ): 3.91E-01 (children) and 3.85E-02 (adults) was lower than the safety limit of unity. The metal that contributed the most to the overall health risk was Pb: 34% (children) and 31% (adults), while Zn and Ni had the least contribution (3% and 2% for both children and adults). It was shown that the risk assessment based on the pseudo-total content of metals can overestimate the health risk by nearly two times when compared to the assessments based on the total content of labile fractions.     

Distribution and Contamination Status of Trace Metals in the Mediterranean Coastal Sediments,Egypt

Trace metals concentrations in sediments from the Egyptian Mediterranean coast were determined to evaluate the levels of contamination. The highest concentrations of metals were generally found in the middle region of the coast. Sediment pollution assessment was carried out using Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Factor (Igeo), Contamination Factor (CF), Modified Degree of Contamination (mCd), and Pollution Load Index (PLI). Association of adverse effects to aquatic life was determined using the classification of sediments according to three sets of sediment quality guidelines. The mean EF values were found to fall in the following sequence: Cr > Pb > Ni > Zn > Cu > Mn. The results demonstrated that the EF of metals in the sediments of the middle region was lower than those recorded in the western region and Rafah Station at the eastern region; the difference in the EF levels was significantly correlated with Fe concentrations along the study area. Based on the average Igeo of target elements, the Egyptian Mediterranean coast could be considered not polluted with Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn (Igeo ≤ 0). The modified degree of contamination was >1.5, indicating zero to very low contamination. The calculated PLI were less than 1, indicating only baseline levels of pollution. There were small differences between the results obtained with the three used SQGs. Highly significant correlations were found between the concentrations of Fe, Mn, Co, Cr, and Ni, suggesting similar sources and/or similar geochemical processes controlling the occurrence of these metals in the sediments.     

Occurrence of Pathogenic Free‐Living Amoebae and Bacterial Indicators in a Constructed Wetland Treating Domestic Wastewater from a Single Household

Constructed wetlands are effective wastewater treatment systems because of their ability to remove large amounts of organic matter and pathogens. The goals of this study were to characterize the presence of pathogenic free‐living amoebae and bacterial indicators (total and fecal coliforms), and to ascertain the removal efficiencies of physical and chemical pollutants, in a constructed wetland treating domestic wastewater from a single household. Influent and effluent samples were collected monthly over a ten‐month period for biological, physical and chemical analyses. Thirty‐two species of free‐living amoebae were isolated from the system. The genus Acanthamoeba was the most frequently encountered (59 %) and was removed from the wastewater with the greatest efficiency (80 %). Removal of bacteria was low, the highest removal rates were found in August (4 logarithmic units) and January (3 logarithmic units). The average removal efficiencies of suspended solids, BOD₅ and ammoniacal nitrogen were 71.5 %, 50.6 % and 13.1 %, respectively. The relatively low removal efficiencies of the various bacteriological, physical and chemical parameters suggest that the hydraulic retention time was probably insufficient for optimal treatment to occur. The effluent quality was unacceptable for unrestricted irrigation of crops that are eaten uncooked.     

In Vitro Health Risk Assessment of Ingesting Metal-Enriched Soils and Dusts in a Chinese Mining City

To evaluate the potential health hazards caused by extensive vanadium–titanium magnetite mining, bioavailability and bioaccessibility of metals were assessed in the pluralistic mining–agriculture–residential city of Panzhihua, China. Intensive mining and related heavy traffic may have contributed to Ni, Cr, and Zn contamination and Mn and V accumulation in soils and road dusts. The metal bioavailability estimated by water extraction was significantly lower than metal bioaccessibility on the basis of the simple bioaccessibility extraction test. The bioaccessible metal concentrations were significantly and positively correlated with soil/dust total metal concentrations (p < .05). However, bioavailable metal concentrations exhibited no relationship with total metal concentrations except for V. The bioaccessibility of metals significantly varied and exhibited the following order: Pb > Zn > Mn > Ni > V > Cr. Health risk assessment indicated that the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks posed by these metals were at an acceptable level, but Cr in soils of the mining area and V in surface soils along the Jinsha River were close to the safe level for children. Therefore, the potential health risk attributed to the exposure of children to metals in surface soils and road dusts in such areas should not be overlooked.     

Zinc and Copper Bioaccumulation in Brassica napus at Flowering and Maturation

The aim of this research was to investigate the capability of Brassica napus to bioaccumulate zinc and copper from artificially contaminated soil at the flowering and maturation phenological stage. The trial was set up in a greenhouse and the plants were cultivated in pots. The agricultural soil utilized was contaminated with zinc and copper sulfate (300 and 600 mg/kg, respectively). The soil and plant samples were simultaneously collected during the flowering (8 weeks after seeding) and maturation (harvest time, 13 weeks after seeding) stages, and the heavy metal concentrations were then analyzed. The production of vegetable biomass and the length of the roots were measured. The results showed that B. napus accumulated zinc and copper and translocated these elements in different ways in the harvestable parts of the plants. The zinc bioaccumulation was higher than that of copper. At flowering, zinc was mainly accumulated in the shoots (stems + leaves). Copper was particularly accumulated in the roots, during the entire life cycle. Taking into account the biomass production, the highest heavy metal removal by the shoots (above‐ground parts) occurred at the flowering stage for both zinc and copper. The high bioavailability of zinc and copper in the soil did not severely affect the root length and the biomass production.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the growth and extraction of trace elements by Chrysopogon zizanioides (vetiver) in a substrate containing coal mine wastes

Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) is a fast-growing, high biomass producing plant employed for environmental rehabilitation. The study evaluated the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the growth and trace element phytoextracting capabilities of vetiver in a substrate containing coalmine wastes in Southern Brazil. AMF included Acaulospora colombiana, Acaulospora morrowiae, Acaulospora scrobiculata, Dentiscutata heterogama, Gigaspora margarita, and Rhizophagus clarus. Among those, A. colombiana, G. margarita, and R. clarus promoted higher growth. AMF stimulated average increments in the accumulated P of 82% (roots), 194% (shoots first harvest—90 days) and 300% (shoots second harvest—165 days) and affected the phytoextraction of trace elements by vetiver, with larger concentrations in the roots. Plants inoculated with A. colombiana, A. morrowiae, and A. scrobiculata, in addition to the control, presented the highest levels of Cu and Zn in the roots. Overall, G. margarita stimulated the highest production of biomass, and, therefore, showed the most significant levels of trace elements in the plants. This work shows the benefits of certain AMF (especially A. morrowiae, G. margarita, and R. clarus) for the production of biomass and P uptake by vetiver, demonstrating the potential of those species for the rehabilitation of coal-mine-degraded soils.     

佛山城市典型森林群落土壤重金属分布、流通及枯落物富集特征

富集重金属的枯落物分解可能提高重金属暴露率,增加人体接触健康风险。为了解南方城市土壤重金属在森林生态系统中的分布及流转情况,通过调查研究了佛山市8个典型森林群落土壤及枯落物重金属含量,分析了各森林群落枯落物对不同重金属的富集效应及重金属随枯落物回归土壤流通量。结果表明:1)城市森林各土壤重金属含量在不同典型群落间差异显著(P<0.05),差异最大为Pb、Cr、Zn,As、Cu、Ni次之,Hg、Cd最小;土层深度(0—20,20—40,40—60 cm)对重金属含量影响显著(P<0.05),差异最大为Cd、Hg,其次为As、Cu,最小为Zn、Ni、Pb、Cr。整体上,Cd、Hg、As、Pb、Zn在0—20 cm最高,表层富集特征明显,Cr和Ni在40—60 cm最高。2)8个森林群落中阴香—白楸—醉香含笑群落(CMMC)枯落物对8种重金属的综合富集系数(TBCF,66.76)最高,其中以Cd的富集效果最突出,富集系数为44.45,且对Pb、Cu、Zn也相对富集;最低的为黧蒴锥—香椿—樟树群落(CTCC),综合富集系数(TBCF)为8.09,仅对Cd、Cr、Cu相对富集,对其余...