LCA case study for lead and zinc production by an imperial smelting process in china a brief presentation

An LCA case study was conducted for the production of lead and zinc by an Imperial Smelting Process (abbreviated hereafter as ISP) in Shaoguan Smelter, China. The detailed inventory analysis was performed by allocating the Input/Output among the main products.The environmental impacts were assessed by using the following five Eco-indicators: Gross Energy Requirement (GER), Global Warming Potential (GWP), Acidification Potential (AP), Heavy Metal Toxicity (HMT) and Solid Waste Burden (SWB). This study is useful to address the environmental situation of the ISP practiced in this smelter, and provides a scientific basis for further improvement.     

EDTA enhanced heavy metal phytoextraction: metal accumulation,leaching and toxicity

Synthetic chelates such as ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) have been shown to enhance phytoextraction of some heavy metals from contaminated soil. In a soil column study, we examined the effect of EDTA on the uptake of Pb, Zn and Cd by Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa), mobilization and leaching of heavy metals and the toxicity effects of EDTA additions on plants. The most effective was a single dose of 10 mmol EDTA kg^–1 soil where we detected Pb, Zn and Cd concentrations that were 104.6, 3.2 and 2.3-times higher in the aboveground plant biomass compared to the control treatments. The same EDTA addition decreased the concentration of Pb, Zn and Cd in roots of tested plants by 41, 71 and 69%, respectively compared to concentrations in the roots of control plants. In columns treated with 10 mmol kg^–1 EDTA, up to 37.9, 10.4 and 56.3% of initial total Pb, Zn and Cd in soil were leached down the soil profile, suggesting high solubility of heavy metals-EDTA complexes. EDTA treatment had a strong phytotoxic effect on the red clover (Trifolium pratense) in bioassay experiment. Moreover, the high dose EDTA additions inhibited the development of arbuscular mycorrhiza. The results of phospholipid fatty acid analyses indicated toxic effects of EDTA on soil fungi and increased environmental stress of soil microfauna.     

西番莲对镉、铅的吸收累积特性

以紫果西番莲和黄果西番莲为试材进行盆栽试验,研究镉、铅处理后西番莲体内镉、铅含量变化。结果表明,镉、铅在西番莲体内分布的一般规律是枝蔓> 叶> 果。不同品种西番莲的镉含量未见显著差异,而铅含量则呈显著差异。西番莲枝蔓和叶对镉、铅的吸收量分别随着各自处理浓度的增加而增加;统计显示,西番莲枝蔓和叶的镉、铅含量与各自土壤的添加量呈极显著正相关。值得注意的是,西番莲对镉有较强的吸收能力(枝蔓和叶对土壤镉的富集系数均大于1),而对铅的吸收能力较差。在本试验中,铅处理浓度为1 000 mg/kg时,西番莲果实可食部分铅的含量也低于无公害果品标准,说明西番莲作为果树生产时,即使在铅含量较高的污染土上种植,也是安全的;但要特别注意镉的污染风险。     

Cadmium,chromium, and lead accumulation in aquatic plants and animals near a municipal landfill

This research was conducted to assess the contamination of heavy metals in the water, sediment, aquatic plants and animals around a municipal landfill. The heavy metals were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The concentrations of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) in water and sediment were Not detected (ND), 0.05 ± 0.98, and 0.02 ± 0.01 mg/L; and 0.47 ± 0.23, 18.65 ± 11.39, and 5.36 ± 2.08 mg/kg, respectively. A total of 24 aquatic plants from 4 species were collected from the municipal landfill. Cd concentrations in all plant species were within the standard, while Cr and Pb exceeded the standard. Forty-four fish from 4 species, 29 freshwater snails from 3 species, 10 freshwater prawns from 1 species, and 9 freshwater crabs from 1 species were collected. Cd and Cr concentrations in 2 species of fish samples exceeded the standard and Pb concentration in all fish species exceeded the standard. Cd and Pb concentrations in all freshwater snails were within the standard, except Cr. Meanwhile, Cd and Pb in freshwater prawns and snails were within the standard, except Cr. Five species of frogs were collected. Cd and Cr concentrations in 2 species exceeded the standard. Pb concentrations in all frog species exceeded the standard. The pattern of metal accumulation was fish > frogs > freshwater snails > freshwater prawns = freshwater crab (Cd), freshwater prawn > frogs > freshwater crab = freshwater snail > fish (Cr), and freshwater prawn > fish > frogs > freshwater snail > freshwater crab (Pb).     

Influence of groundwater and wastewater irrigation on lead accumulation in soil and vegetables: Implications for health risk assessment and phytoremediation

The current study evaluated the effect of groundwater and wastewater irrigation on lead (Pb) accumulation in soil and vegetables, and its associated health implications. A pot experiment was conducted in which spinach (Spinacia oleracea), radish (Raphanus sativus), and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) were irrigated with groundwater and wastewaters containing varying concentrations of Pb. Lead contents were measured in wastewaters, soils and root and shoot of vegetables. We also measured health risk index (HRI) associated with the use of vegetables irrigated by wastewaters. Results revealed that Pb contents in groundwater and wastewater samples (range: 0.18–0.31 mg/L) were below the permissible limits (0.5 mg/L) set by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Application of Pb-containing groundwater and wastewater increased Pb concentration in soil and vegetables. Lead concentrations in all soils ranged from 10 to 31 mg/kg and were below the permissible limits of 300 mg/kg set by the European Union. Significant Pb enrichment was observed in the soils whereby all types of vegetables were grown and assessed for Pb risk. Our data showed that Pb contents, in all three vegetables (21–28 mg/kg DW), were higher than the permissible Pb limit of FAO (5 mg/kg Dry Weight (DW)). The HRI values were > 1.0 for radish and cauliflower. It is proposed that Vehari city wastewater/groundwater must be treated prior to its use for irrigation to avoid vegetable contamination by Pb, and as such for reducing Pb-induced human health risk.     

Phytoremediation Potential of Plants Growing on the Pb-Contaminated Soil at the Song Tho Pb Mine,Thailand

The contamination of lead (Pb) is one of the main environmental problems on a global scale. This study assessed the potential of native metallophytes growing on the Song Tho Pb mine in Kanchanaburi province, Thailand, by a field survey. Plants and the associated soil samples were collected. Total Pb concentrations were analyzed by a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer after a microwave-assisted acid digestion. While total Pb concentrations of top soils varied from 4881 to 16,720 mg/kg, those in soil around the roots ranged from 421 to 48,883 mg/kg. A total of 12 species belonging to eight families accumulated Pb concentrations in roots (47–32,633 mg/kg) which were higher than those in shoots (non-detected values – 1489 mg/kg). Bidens pilosa, with Pb accumulation in shoots > 1000 mg/kg and translocation factor (TF) > 1, could be useful in phytoextraction as a hyperaccumulator. Thysanolaena latifolia and Mimosa pudica with bioconcentration factor > 1 and TF < 1 could be useful in phytostabilization as excluders. So far, not many Pb hyperaccumulators are reported. The results from this study proposed a new candidate, B. pilosa, for Pb extraction. The potential use of these three phytoremediators should be further investigated using hydroponic and pot experiments.     

Electrospray‐Assisted Fabrication of Moisture‐Resistant and Highly Stable Perovskite Solar Cells at Ambient Conditions

An electrospray deposition technique to fabricate a perovskite (CH₃NH₃PbI₃) layer for highly stable and efficient perovskite solar cells at ambient humidity (30%–50% relative humidity) conditions is demonstrated. A detailed study is conducted to determine the effect of different electrospray parameters on the device performance and to provide a mechanistic explanation of the superior stability of the films. Due to the controlled reactivity that results in the formation of a smooth perovskite film, these cells exhibit stability exceeding 4000 h, in contrast to much lower stability of those fabricated by conventional spin coating methods. Furthermore, the perovskite film deposited by electrospray methods exhibits a self‐healing behavior when exposed to moisture. The authors hypothesize the formation of an intermediate metastable phase and smooth morphology of the film as the reason for this enhanced stability. Electrospray is a scalable technique that provides precise control over the amount of material required for deposition, reducing significant material loss that occurs in conventional solution‐based methods. Overall, this work shows that stability of perovskite solar cells can be improved by fabrication using a well controlled and optimized electrospray technique, without the use of any additives or cell encapsulants.     

丛枝菌根真菌预处理对铅胁迫下美洲黑杨雌雄株生理生化特征的影响

该研究以美洲黑杨(Populus deltoides)雌、雄株为对象,采用盆栽实验方法,通过接种丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)预处理美洲黑杨雌雄株后再进行铅(Pb)胁迫(200mg/kg)处理,雌、雄株分别设置4个处理(对照、只接种AMF处理、只进行Pb污染处理、接种AMF后进行Pb污染处理),分析不同处理下美洲黑杨雌、雄株生物量积累与分配、叶铅浓度、抗氧化酶活性、氧化还原平衡、活性氧分子(ROS)含量的变化,以明确接种AMF预处理对美洲黑杨雌雄株Pb耐受性差异的影响并探讨其生理机制,为美洲黑杨在重金属污染区的性别选择推广提供理论依据。结果显示:(1)Pb污染对美洲黑杨的生物量积累与分配、叶铅浓度、抗氧化能力等方面具有显著影响且存在性别差异,雄株根冠比和ROS含量的变化幅度显著低于雌株,SOD和APX活性显著高于雌株,表现出更高的耐受性,而雌株对Pb胁迫更敏感。(2)接种AMF能显著提高美洲黑杨雌株抗氧化酶活性和氧化还原平衡能力,促进抗氧化物的合成,抑制ROS产生,缓解膜脂过氧化程度,减轻Pb离子的毒害作用,但菌根对雄株的影响不显著。(3)相关分析显示,除总生物量、TG含量、ASA/DHA比值和POD活性外,性别差异对美洲黑杨其他指标均有显著影响;Pb处理极显著地影响除SOD和GR活性以外的所有指标;接种AMF对美洲黑杨总生物量、根冠比与GR活性影响显著,对叶铅浓度、TG含量、ASA/DHA比值、H_2O_2与MDA含量、SOD和APX活性影响极显著。研究表明,美洲黑杨雄株比雌株对Pb胁迫的耐受性更强,而雌株更敏感,与AMF的共生可提高雌株对于Pb污染土壤的适应性,缓解雌株受Pb胁迫的影响,但菌根与雄株的共生不利于雄株适应Pb污染环境,这可能与接种AMF促进雄株叶片的Pb含量有关;在Pb污染较严重的区域(Pb200mg/kg)推广种植美洲黑杨雄株更为适宜。     

Microelements in seminal plasma of infertile men infected with Ureaplasma urealyticum

The purpose of this study was to assess the association among male infertility, infection of Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu), and microelements in seminal fluid. Semen analysis and cultivation of Uu were carried out on 160 samples of seminal fluid. The concentrations of microelements, such as arsenic (As), molybdenum (Mo), magnesium (Mg), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn) in the samples were measured by an inductively coupled plasma quantometer (ICP). The ratios Cu/Zn and Cd/Zn in the poor spermatic quality group were obviously higher than those in seminal plasma of the group with normal spermatic quality (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively), whereas the concentrations of As, Mg, Mo, and Pb showed no difference in the two groups. The ratios Cu/Zn and Cd/Zn and the concentrations of As and Mg in seminal plasma infected with Uu were markedly higher than those not infected with Uu (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.05, and p<0.05, respectively), whereas the concentrations of Mo and Pb showed no statistical difference. The ratios Cu/Zn and Cd/Zn and the concentrations of As and Mg in seminal plasma of the semen with poor spermatic quality and Uu infection were obviously higher than those not infected with Uu (p<0.05), whereas the concentrations of Mo and Pb showed no statistical difference. Abnormally high ratios Cu/Zn and Cd/Zn as well as an overdose of As were found to be predisposed to Uu infection. Uu infection resulted in an increase of the ratios Cu/Zn and Cd/Zn and the concentrations of As and Mg in seminal fluid, which therefore caused spermatic quality decline.