Heavy Metal Concentrations in the Estuary and Tidal Zone Sediments along the East Coast, Tamilnadu, India

Abbas Hameed Mohammed, Department of Geology, Anna University, Chennai 600025, Tel: 091–44-22203392, Fax: 091-44-22352870, Email: abbashameed71@yahoo.co.in
Hema Achyuthan, Department of Geology, Anna University, Chennai 600 025, Tel: 091 - 44 - 22203392, Fax: 091- 44 - 22352870, Email: hachyuthan@yahoo.com
Srinivasalu Seshachallam, Department of Geology, Anna University, Chennai 600 025, Tel: 091- 44 - 22203312, Fax: 091- 44 - 22352870, Email: ssrinivasalu@gmail.com

Heavy metal analyses of sediments from five cores collected from the estuary and tidal zones between Cuddalore to Odinur along the east coast Tamil Nadu, India, reveal high concentration of Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, Co, Cr and Ni.

In order to understand the natural processes and possible source for various elemental components, R-mode factor analysis with rotation was applied to the normalized major and trace elemental data of the sediments. The geochemical data of the five cores were processed using R-mode factor analysis and the scores have been utilized to discuss the finer details of the genesis of the sediments. The provenance of ferromagnesian oxyhydroxides is from detritus heavy minerals represented by garnet, amphiboles and pyroxenes.

The high concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, Co, Cr and Ni are largely due to atmospheric dust (Pb), industrialization (Cu, Co, Cr and Ni) and anthropogenic (Zn, Pb) contribution. Aluminosilicates concentration is due to the occurrence of Kyanite, Staurolite and Silimanite minerals. Concentration of Fe and Mg in the upper part of the cores signifies the occurrence of early digenetic events.

Depth profile of Cr, Zn, Ni, Mn, Pb showed distinct surface enrichment in each core, probably due to anthropogenic activity. Concentrations of trace metals in the estuary and tidal zones reflect high-energy erosion conditions and a predominance of coarse surface material.

Impact of the Pines’ Root System and Foliar on Heavy Metals Partitioning in the Soil

Student Presenter

Donatas Butkus, Department of Environmental Protection, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Sauletekis Ave 11, LT–10223, Vilnius–40, Lithuania, Tel: +370 5 2744724, Fax: +370 5 2744731, E-mail: aak@ap.vtu.lt
Edita Baltrėnaitė, Department of Environmental Protection, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Sauletekis Ave 11, LT–10223, Vilnius–40, Lithuania, Tel: +370 5 2744726, Fax: +370 5 2744731, E-mail: edita@ap.vtu.lt

Intensive urbanization, industry development and growth of transport flow raise problems of soil contamination with heavy metals in Lithuania. Trees suffer the longest exposure of heavy metals in their vegetation period. Pathways of heavy metals getting into a tree body can be different: from soil through small and big roots as well as from needles and leaves to the tree wood. It was determined that tree foliar and root system are of the high importance has influence on heavy metals’ concentration distribution in trees’ growth places as well as uptake into the tree.

The highest proportion of mobile form (about 20 %) was determined for Ni whereas comparatively small proportion of heavy metals in mobile fractions can be related with sandy soil and small amount of organic material. Soil depth of 20–40 cm, representing higher proportion of pine roots and their forming low pH zone, had higher proportion of Cu, Ni, Zn and Cr mobile fractions (1.2; 2.5; 1.4 and 3.6 times respectively).

Effect of pH on Partitioning and Leaching of Heavy Metals from Bottom Ash

Student Presenter

Veysel Demir, University of Texas at San Antonio, Civil and Environmental Engineering, 6900 N. Loop 1604 West, San Antonio, TX  78249-0663, Tel: 210-458-4455, Fax: 210-458-4469, Email: vdemir@lonestar.utsa.edu
Sazzad Bin-Shafique, University of Texas at San Antonio, Civil and Environmental Engineering, 6900 N. Loop 1604 West, San Antonio, TX  78249-0663, Tel: 210-458-6476, Fax: 210-458-4469, Email: sshafique@utsa.edu

Texas 7-days leaching tests were conducted on three different types of bottom ashes at four different pHs (3, 6, 9, 12) to understand the leaching pattern of heavy metals, such as Cr, Cu, Ni, Se, Zn, and Al.   The leaching of Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Al increased with decreasing pH, where as, the leaching of Se decreased with decreasing pH.  Total amounts of metals in bottom ashes were determined from total elemental analysis and the partition coefficients of metals in solid and liquid phase were estimated for each different pHs.  Partition coefficients of metals in bottom ashes were compared with that of similar types of materials, such as fly ashes and soil at similar pHs and the partition coefficients in metals in bottom ashes are generally much lower than the other two materials.

Reduction of Toxic Cr(VI) by Bacillus cereus S-6 Isolated from Chromium Polluted Soil

Muhammad Faisal, Department of Botany, University of the Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore-54590, Pakistan, Tel 092-42-7444600, Fax: 92-42-9230481, Email: mohdfaysal@yahoo.com
Shahida Hasnain, Department of Botany, University of the Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore-54590, Pakistan

Key Words:  Bacillus cereus S-6, Heavy metal, Chromium uptake, Cr(VI) reduction

A chromium resistant bacterial strain S-6 was isolated from chromium-contaminated soil. On the basis of different morphological, biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA gene analysis the strain was identified as Bacillus cereus S-6. Hexavalent chromium resistance of the strain showed that it could tolerate very high concentration of K₂CrO₄ both in nutrient medium (25 mg ml^-1 in nutrient broth and 50 mg ml^-1 on nutrient agar) as well as in acetate-minimal medium (15 mg ml^-1). Chromate uptake and reduction studies revealed that the strain Bacillus cereus S-6 not only accumulate but can also reduce large amount of toxic Cr(VI) in to Cr(III). Heavy metals (Ni, Mn, Zn, Cu and Co) at low concentration did not affect the reduction capability of the strain. Strain could also reduce hexavalent chromium in industrial effluents.

Assessing Five Chemical Extractants for Evaluating Cadmium Availability for Wheat in Selected Calcareous Soils of Iran

Narges Milani, M.Sc., Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, 91775-1163, Iran. Tel:  +98 511 7684843 E-mail: narges_milani@yahoo.com
Amir Fotovat, Ph.D. Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, 91775-1163, Iran. Tel:  +98 511 8795612, Fax: +98 511 8787430 E-mail: afotovat@ferdowsi.um.ac.ir
Peyman Keshavarz, Ph.D. Department of Soil Science, Khorasan Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center, Mashhad, 91735-488, Iran Tel:  +98 511 3400352, E-mail: pykeshavarz@yahoo.com

Cadmium is considered an important environmental soil pollutant as it could produce potentially serious hazards in the soil-plant-animal system. Knowledge of soil Cd availability is urgently needed to monitor Cd status in soils. For this reason, a sensitive, precise, accurate and easy to use soil test must be selected to give suitable results for any specific soil type. Our review of literature showed that not only the data on Cd availability in Iranian calcareous soils is scarce but also there was no attempt to select a promising soil Cd extractant. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of five commonly used chemical extractants in assessing Cd availability for wheat in nineteen calcareous soils of Khorasan province, east of Iran. A pot experiment was carried out using a completely randomized design for 19 soils, with three replications. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) was planted and at the end of week 14, the shoots were cut for dry digestion and Cd analysis. Available Cd content of each soil sample was extracted with DTPA-TEA, AB-DTPA, MehlichIII, (NH₄)CO₃-EDTA, and 0.05MEDTA. Cadmium content of soil and plant samples was determined by GFAAS. The results showed the soil Cd extractability decreased in the following order:

Mehlich III > EDTA > AB-DTPA > EDTA-(NH₄)₂CO₃  > DTPA-TEA

Significant positive correlations (P < 0.05) were found amongst Cd extracted by almost all the chemical extractants. The suitability of the extractants was judged by correlating soil extractable Cd (µg kg^-1) with Cd concentration in dry matter (µg kg^-1) and total cadmium uptake (µg pot^-1) by wheat plant. Both plant responses were significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with all the extractants examined. However, Cd extracted by EDTA and then DTPA-TEA best explained the variations in Cd content and total Cd uptake by wheat. In general, 0.05MEDTA, due to higher correlation coefficients and cheaper chemical compounds, was considered as the most appropriate extractant in predicting the Cd availability in the 19 calcareous soils investigated.

Distribution of Heavy Metals in Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems of the Ivankovo Reservoir

Elena S. Grishantseva, Ph.D., Geochemistry Div., Dept. of Geology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninsky Gory, Moscow, 119992, GSP-2, Russia, Tel (+7) 495- 939-12-73, Fax (+7) 495- 932-88-89, E-mail: SHES99@mail.ru
Nataliya S. Safronova, Ph.D., Geochemistry Div., Dept. of Geology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninsky Gory, Moscow, 119992, GSP-2, Russia, Tel (+7) 495 939-12-73, Fax (+7) 495 932-88-89, E-mail: natasha@geol.msu.ru
Nataliya A. Titaeva, Ph.D., Geochemistry Div., Dept. of Geology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninsky Gory, Moscow, 119992, GSP-2, Russia, Tel (+7) 495 939-12-73, Fax (+7) 495 932-88-89, E-mail: natasha@geol.msu.ru

The purpose of this work was to reveal regularities in the distribution and migration of heavy metals (HM) in the system including the reservoir with its coastal zone and sources of technogenic contamination that is important for assessing the environmental state of the water body. The Ivankovo reservoir of the river Volga, which is a water supply source for Moscow city, was chosen a target object. In order to solve the problems of the investigation we used a set of analytical methods including atomic spectrometry, instrumental pyrolysis and gas chromatography. We carried out quantitative determination of the content of HM in the reservoir water, bottom sediments and aquatic macrophytes as well as in the top-soil, vegetative cover and snow blanket of the Ivankovo reservoir coastal zone. For the assessment of the migration properties, HM speciation in the bottom sediments and soils were determined. The results obtained indicate that industrial wastewaters are the main sources of HM contamination of the Ivankovo reservoir. Atmospheric emission of the electric power station and transport are the second most important sources of HM contamination of the territory. Heavy metals migrate from the water into bottom sediments mainly on geochemical barriers at the zone of mixing of the industrial wastewaters with river waters as well as at the dam affection zone that results in reduction of the HM concentrations in the reservoir water. In bottom sediments, heavy metals are predominantly bound with manganese and iron hydroxides and enter into the composition of silt fraction. Humic matter plays the secondary role in the fixation of HM. Mobile heavy metal species are practically absent in the bottom sediments. On the contrary, in the soils of coastal zone a significant part of heavy metals, except manganese and iron hydroxides, are bound with the mobile (water-soluble, exchangeable) species and also with the humic matter. These soils can serve both an accumulator of heavy metals during spring tides and a source of the secondary heavy metal contamination of the reservoir ecosystem.

Acknowledgements: The authors are grateful to RFBR for the grant  № 05-05-64976.

New Approach to Inactive Landfill Containing Wastes of Mercury and other Heavy Metals

Jan Jaremski, Rzeszow University of Technology, Poland, 35-959 Rzeszow, str. W. Pola 2, Email: jjaremsk@prz.edu.pl

The article presents analysis of some complex problems connected with old closed landfills in Poland, illustrated by some examples of municipal and industrial sites. These landfills have been usually protected without any assessment of filtrating abilities of the layers below the bottom and the layers directly surrounding wastes, or with no analysis of the soil physical and chemical properties, microstructure, and so on. Control of the inactive waste disposal sites includes only tests of composition of leachate (randomly drawn), time of sampling is not related to remediation intensity, sampling frequency is usually not established. In general, waste composition is not analysed, percentage of the deposited waste coming from local industry remains unknown. Technical solutions tending to maximum possible stoppage of impurities in the inactive landfills are proposed. Such solutions allow to reduce influence of impurities on geological environment, namely they must be separated from the environment  by special walls (screens against filtration) made as cavity walls. In the case of permeable soils below the landfill bottom, and the impermeable layer is very deeply under the bottom, it is possible to stop vertical filtration owing to formation of an impermeable horizontal layer below the bottom. These protections are expensive, but the costs should be compared with the costs resulting from the protection lack, i.e. invaluable loses for environment and local community. The known methods should be improved all the time, and waste materials should remain in the disposal sites to the moment of application of new remediation techniques. Co-disposal of hazardous and municipal wastes need a special analysis. Very important is monitoring of changes in chemical composition of wastes mass during bioremediation. 

Effect of Microwave Processing on the Leaching Characters of Sediment Sludge with Heavy Metals

^{Student Presenter}  

Tian Yu, 2603^# Mail Box, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, The 2ed campus, Harbin Institute of Technology, 202 Haihe Road, Nanggang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, P.R. China, 150090, Tel: +(86) 451 8641 2866, +(86) 13804589869, Fax: +(86) 451 8641 2866, Email: tianyu@hit.edu.cn
Fang Lin, 2603^# Mail Box, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, The 2ed campus, Harbin Institute of Technology, 202 Haihe Road, Nanggang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, P.R. China, 150090, Tel: +(86) 13804589869, +(86) 451 8852 2672, Fax: +(86) 451 8641 2866, Email: fanglinhit@163.com
Huang Jun Li, 2603^# Mail Box, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, The 2ed campus, Harbin Institute of Technology, 202 Haihe Road, Nanggang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, P.R. China, 150090, Tel: +(86) 451 8628 2106, +(86) 451 8628 2702, Fax: +(86) 451 8641 2866, Email: chlorinedioxide@sina.com  

The large quantity of industrial wastewater contains a high level of heavy metal ions. During the bio-treatment the heavy metals are removed into the sediment sludge which may cause serious soil and underground water pollution through a metal ions leaching process in the direct disposal at landfill sites. The objective of present study was to investigate the heavy metals (Cu²⁺, Cr⁶⁺, Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺) behavior during leaching procedure of sediment sludge which was dried by microwave radiation and blast heating respectively. And the immobilization mechanism of heavy metals in microwave drying sludge was discussed further. The sediment sludge could be dried quickly in the 900W microwave and the energy consumption was much lower than the blast heating. The stabilization of drying sludge was evaluated from different metal leaching tests. The results showed that the concentration of heavy metal in the supernatant liquid from the microwave drying sludge in the aclinic shake leaching test was declined by 70%~63% compared with the sludge dried by blast heating. And the heavy metals concentrations of microwave drying sludge in the leaching test of simulated natural waters conditions were much less than the blast heating one. The immobilizing effect of heavy metals in microwave drying sludge was determined in descending order as Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cr⁶⁺, Cu²⁺. The chemical composition and pore structure were explored by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. And it was determined that the heavy metals were fixed into the 0.075 um ~0.75 um pores of stabilized matrices by following procedures, crack and pile up the cell wall of sediment sludge, package up the metals in the fragments, and fusing to fix the heavy metals. This investigation gives a better understanding of immobilization of heavy metals into sediment sludge.

Thanks for the sustentation of China National Natural Science Foundation (No. 50578053)

The Investigation Heavy Metals Distribution in the System ‘Water River - Bottom Sediment’ of Reservoir

Student Presenter

Olga Lipatnikova, Geochemistry Division, Department of Geology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119992, GSP-2, Russia, Tel: (8-10-007)(926)271-79-43, Email: OlyaL@yandex.ru
Nataliya Safronova, Geochemistry Division, Department of Geology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119992, GSP-2, Russia, Tel: (8-10-007)(495)939-12-73
Galina Korobeinik, Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, RAS, Kosygin Str. 19, Moscow 119991, Russia
Ludmila Zhiltsova, Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, RAS, Kosygin Str. 19, Moscow 119991, Russia

Bottom sediments are extremely complex, multi-component system, containing both inorganic macro-, microcomponents and dissolved natural organic matter. It should be mentioned that bottom sediments being in continual contact with stream water and biota lead to fluctuations in composition and contents of trace metals in natural water. Thus the purpose of the study was to investigate distribution of heavy metals in the system “water river-bottom sediment”.

The bottom sediments of the Ivankovo reservoir on the Volga River was the object of our research. Monitoring of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Ni, V, Mo, Co, Fe, Mn) in the bottom sediments of the Ivankovo reservoir has been implemented since 1995 year. Based on the previous data bottom sediments and water samples were collected at seven sites with different level of pollution. Bottom sediments were pressed to obtain pore water.

The complex of instrumental methods in combination with granulometric analysis was used to analyze bottom sediments and water samples. Content of the heavy metal in bottom sediments was determined by arc discharge atomic emission spectrometry. Content of the heavy metal in water was measured by inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry. Pyrolysis gas chromatography method was used to determine the total characteristics of organic matter and gas chromatography method was used to determine individual compounds of the C₁-C₅ series in samples of bottom sediments.

Study has been shown that heavy metal distribution between pore waters and bottom sediments depends on lithologic and granulometric composition of samples. Higher concentrations of most elements which observed in the pore waters in comparison with those in bottom waters point out that bottom sediment could cause secondary pollution of reservoir water.

The investigation has revealed that the combined determination of heavy metals in solid and liquid phases of bottom sediments of the Ivankovo reservoir is fairly efficient for obtaining rapid information on migration mobility of heavy metals in the system ‘water river-bottom sediment’.

This research was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR grant 05-05-64976)

Investigation of the use of Mine Tailings for Unpaved Road Base Construction  

Student Presenter

Ali A. Mahmood, Graduate Student, Department of Building Civil and Environmental Engrg., Concordia University, EV 6.139, 1515 Ste-Catherine St. W., Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3G 2W1. Tel: 514-848-2424, ext. 7052, Email: ali_002000@yahoo.ca
Catherine N. Mulligan, Associate Professor, Department of Building Civil and Environmental Engrg., Concordia University, S-EV 6.187, 1515 Ste-Catherine St. W., Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3G 2W1, Tel: 514-848-2424, ext. 7925, Email: mulligan@alcor.concordia.ca

Tailings have been traditionally stored in ponds surrounded by tailings dams for many years but since many accidents, including fatal ones, took place that involved tailings dams, a new approach has become necessary for their storage.  An approach devised by Robinsky in the early seventies for the storage and disposal of mine tailings suggests that it is more advantageous environmentally to strengthen the tailings before disposal. This work attempts to emphasize this point by seeking to explore the possibility of using these hardened tailings as base materials for the construction of unpaved (temporary access) roads. Six different types of tailings that represent a cross section from several mines in eastern Canada are used and preliminary physical characteristics tests were performed followed by unconfined compressive testing. Initial results indicate that the tailings sustained more than the minimum amount of stress normally required for filling stopes and the layer coefficients determined for five of the tailings used match reasonably well with values from ten United States state departments of transportation.        

Key words: tailings, Portland cement, heavy metals, unconfined compression.  

Reference Values for Heavy Metals Concentrations in Sediments of River Tietê Basin, Southeast of Brazil

Marcos R. L. Nascimento, Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear, Laboratório de Poços de Caldas, BR 146, km 13, Caixa Postal 913, 37701-970-Poços de Caldas-MG, Brazil, Tel: (55) 35-37224010, Fax: (55) 35-37223622, Email: pmarcos@cnen.gov.br
Antonio A. Mozeto, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Departamento de Química, Rod, Washington Luiz, km 235, Caixa Postal 676, 13565-905-São Carlos-SP, Brazil, Tel: (55) 16-33518212, Fax: (55) 16-33518350, Email: amozeto@dq.ufscar.br

This paper represents the first effort in Brazil towards the proposition and establishment of reference concentrations values for metals and metalloids in bottom sediments of freshwater. The selected study site is the Tietê River basin (São Paulo State, southeast region), a watershed which is under significative environmental impact and degradation since the onset of the Brazilian revolution at early-midd 50’s. In order to consolidate the analytical values, metal and metalloids determinations were performed encompassing 84 sampling points in 27 municipalities, from the upper stream parts of the river down to its mouth at the Paraná River. Sediment samples were collected in small streams and rivers as closest as possible to their upper reaches, as well as in rivers and reservoirs in locations minimally affected by human contamination. Samples were initially sieved for separation of the particles <63 µm, dryed at 50 °C, submitted to extraction with a mixture of HNO₃ and H₂SO₄ acids for mercury determination, or with a strong acid attack (HNO₃, HF, HClO₄ and HCl) for solubilization of others elements. Chemical analyses were performed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry for Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Ti, Zn and V, and by atomic absorption spectrometry using graphite furnace for Cd and Ag, hydride generation for As and Se, and cold vapor for Hg. Molecular absorption spectrophotometry, using Arsenazo III as colorimetric reagent, was used for U and Th determinations. The reference concentrations determined by this study showed significant differences regarding the assumed global geological reference for some elements; differences were also detected among the concentrations of the same element from different basin regions, and they can be attributed to differences in regional geochemical characteristics. Four different sets of reference concentrations values are being proposed to different regions of the studied basin as a consequence of these lithological variations.

Sites in the Republic of Slovenia Polluted by Heavy Metals and their Remediation

Branko Druzina, Ph.D., University College for Health, University of Ljubljana, Poljanska 22 a, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, Tel: 00386 1 300 11 15, Fax: 00386 1 300 11 19, E-mail: branko.druzina@vsz.uni-lj.si
Andrej Perc, B. Sc., E-NET Environment, Kajuhova 17, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, Tel: 00386 1 52 11 271, Fax: 00386 1 52 11 093, E-mail:  andrej.perc@e-net-okolje.si

In the Republic of Slovenia there are five larger sites polluted wit heavy metals. The largest is the waste disposal site of the lead and zinc mine in north part of the country, the second is the waste and tailing disposal site of the world second largest mercury mine. Both mines are now closed.

The other three sites are smaller as above described and they are: the tailings disposal site of the uranium mine, the waste disposal site of the ironworks and the waste disposal site of the aluminum processing plant. The article will present up to date data on the quantities of disposed wastes as well as measurements of some parameters connected with harmful effects on the environment and on the human health.

Hazardous heavy metals from mines are monitoring in the soil, flowing waters, groundwater and in the air. In some cases they are monitoring also in some vegetables and in tissues and organs of humans. The results of blood analysis for the content of heavy metals for mine workers and the general population will be presented for two mining towns.

On the largest sites, the waste disposal site of lead and zinc mine and the waste disposal site of mercury mine, some remediation activities are in progress.  

The results will be presented in graphs and tables.

Analysis and Biotreatment of Coal Washery Effluents with Fungus Penicillium Chrysogenum: A Case Study  

Shampa Sahay, Research Scholar (ICFRE), Institute of Forest Productivity, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, Tel: 0120- 2340156, +919891010890, Email: shampa_ji@yahoo.co.in

Coal mining has a large environmental foot prints that extends to severe land, water and air pollution, deterioration of vegetation and causes disturbance in the biophysical features of the area. The area has resulted in the generation of huge amount of hazardous wastes and water quality problems. Mining processes produce discharges which are highly laced with toxic elements which flow into streams and groundwater, making the water unsafe for human consumption. These toxic elements are also taken up by plants and finally enter the food chain and disturb the ecosystem.

The present work has been executed at Kathara washery, of East Bokaro coal-field, a core commercial coal producing belt in India. Waste water from washery migrates and severely contaminates Damodar River, a major water source. This has severely damaged the human health and completely destroyed the plants and made the area nearly barren. Lack in early planning and poor design for waste management have made the problem more severe.

Attempt of this paper is analysis of the effluent of washery. Analytical results have shown that the concentration of lead in the effluent is significantly high and which is one of the major sources of pollution. Another aspect of this paper is biological treatment of lead. Penicillium chrysogenum biomass has been used for the study. In the study both dry and wet biomasses have been used at different environmental conditions. From the results it has been demonstrated that lead could be significantly reduced by use of the fungus. This can be developed into a site specific, cost effective and environmentally acceptable technology to reduce the pollution load.

Mathematical Modeling and Experimental Studies on Biochemical Conversion of Cr⁺⁶ of Tannery Effluent to Cr⁺³ in a Chemostat  

Student Presenter

K. Samanta, Chemical Engineering Department, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700032, India, Tel/Fax: +91-33-24146378, Email: che_samanta@yahoo.co.in
P. Bhattacharya, Chemical Engineering Department, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700032, India, Tel/Fax: +91-33-24146378, Email: pinaki_che@yahoo.com
R. Chowdhury, Chemical Engineering Department, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700032, India, Tel/Fax: +91-33-24146378, Email: ftbe_bon@yahoo.com

Biodegradation of hexavalent chromium present in tannery waste has been studied using Pseudomonas sp. (JUBTCr1) and Bacillus sp. (JUBTCr3) isolated from their native source. A 5L double-jacketed chemostat with 4L working volume has been used as contacting device for the kinetic investigation of the biodegradation process. Varying the feed volumetric rate from 118-133 ml/h for different inlet hexavalent chromium concentrations (30 to 90 mg/dm³), an attempt has been made to study the reaction engineering behavior of the system. It is observed that Haldane type substrate inhibited model can satisfactorily be used to predict the extent of bioconversion for different dilution rate. Using the kinetic parameters of proposed Haldane equation, a CSTR model was developed. Model prediction agreed well with experimental data.

Absorption of Antimony in River Water by Weathered and Altered Rock

Sakae Sano, Ehime University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan, Tel: 81-89-927-9443, Fax: 81-89-927-9396, Email: sano@ed.ehime-u.ac.jp
Masayuki Sakakibara, Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan, Tel: 81-89-927-9649, Fax: 81-89-927-9630, Email: sakakiba@sci.ehime-u.ac.jp
Etsuko Chiba, Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan, Tel: 81-89-927-9649, Fax: 81-89-927-9630, Email: chiba@sci.ehime-u.ac.jp
Rie S. Hori, Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan, Tel: 81-89-927-9644, Fax: 81-89-927-9630, Email: shori@sci.ehime-u.ac.jp

We report the ionic migration of antimony during the chemical weathering, with some particular cases. Ichinokawa abandoned mine, Japan, is famous to produce stibnite. The antimony deposits are mainly in Sambagawa metamorphic rocks and the brecciated rocks (Ichinokawa breccia) formed through a hydrofracturing process associated with hydrothermal fluid related to Tertiary igneous activity around the area.

Antimony content in river water around the mine is extremely high (over 200 ng/mL), which means antimony dissolves into the water from the country rocks by the chemical weathering. We examined the antimony contents in variously weathered and altered country rocks forming the streambed, to understand the transfer of the element. Consequently, antimony content in brown-colored, strongly weathered and altered part of the rocks is higher than that in the weakly weathered part. The antimony content in strongly weathered part is several tens to hundreds ppm, although the content in weakly weathered part show significantly low, sometimes under the detection of XRF. They probably indicate that the antimony in the river water is adsorbed selectively to the strongly weathered and altered part of the streambed rock. The strongly weathered and altered rocks contain many clay minerals and iron hydroxides, which the minerals may trap antimony ion from the water.

The similar phenomenon is recognized from the other area. This probably means that a high distribution of antimony ion into the strongly weathered and altered rocks including clay minerals and iron hydroxides against the water is ubiquitous.  

Heavy Metals Concentration of Urban Soils in City of Xiamen, China

Qiao Sheng-ying, Institute of Geochemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China, Tel: 86-27-67883033, Fax: 86-27-67883002, Email: syqiao@cug.edu.cn
Bao Zheng-Yu, Institute of Geochemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China, Tel: 86-27-67883001, Fax: 86-27-67883002, Email: zybao@cug.edu.cn
Cui Zheng-ang, Institute of Geochemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China, Tel: 86-27-67883001, Fax: 86-27-67883002, Email: brzhang@cug.edu.cn
Han Ying-wen, Institute of Geochemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China, Tel: 86-27-67883001, Fax: 86-27-67883002, Email: ywhan@cug.edu.cn

Eco-geochemistry survey of urban soils in Xiamen City (Xiamen island, Xinlin, Jimei, Haichang four zones) had been launched in December 2003. High concentrations of heavy metals in soils are mainly located in Xinlin and Xiamen island　among the four investigated zones; Agricultural soils, parks in the urban, old residence zone due to anthropogenic impact had higher contents of heavy metals than other soils. Average contents of Hg, As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, and Ni in top-soils of Xiamen City were: 0.221, 5.87, 0.142, 26.09, 53.96, 96.29, 25.83, 13.01mg/kg separately. Hg, Cd, and Cu concentrations in topsoils were more than 2 times higher compared to background levels of Xiamen City (1990). Zn, Ni, As concentrations were moderately higher compared to background values of Xiamen. Pb, and Cr were nearly no change compared to background values. However compared to national background soils levels, Hg, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu concentrations were enriched; As, Cr, Ni concentrations were deficient. Heavy metals of topsoils in Xiamen City were mostly fulfilled the second levels of environment quality standard of soils. Hg, and Cd concentrations were mostly exceeding the second threshold levels of environment quality standard of soils.

Delineation of Lead in Soil Using XRF Technology

Charles D. Springer, P.G., EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., 333 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772, Tel: 508-485-2982 Ext. 212, Fax: 508-485-5742
Frank Lilley LSP, EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., 333 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772, Tel: 508-485-2982 Ext. 218, Fax: 508-485-5742

Historical practices using lead based paint have resulted in elevated lead concentrations in soil around existing and former structures throughout New England.  In 1978, use of lead based paint was banned in the US.  Two areas of specific concern are the drip edges and areas downwind of existing and former commercial and industrial structures built prior to 1978. 

EA has successfully used the XRF tube based analyzer to provide a cost effective and time saving alternative to traditional lead sample collection and analyzing techniques to delineate the extent of lead in soil as part of Phase I / Phase II Site Assessment & Characterization activities.

EA has developed a sampling plan that collects soil samples between 0 and 18 inches in a grid around the footprint of existing/former structures to determine the horizontal and vertical extent of lead in soil.  Reference samples are collected in locations where no evidence of lead based paint use or structures exists to determine the background levels of lead at the site.  Samples are collected using a stainless steel hand auger or shovel.  Soil samples are placed into a zipper-locking bag and labeled with location and depth for XRF analysis.  Care is taken to remove debris (paint chips, organic material, etc…), which might interfere with data collection.  Ten percent of samples collected are submitted for total lead analysis by a fixed analytical laboratory.

The advantages to using XRF to delineate lead in soil are its portability and speed.  The XRF analyzer is a hand held unit and is easy to use.  A record of all data collected is recoded in the analyzer.  Samples results are ready in minutes (not days as with fixed lab analysis).  Since the data is available “real-time” delineations and excavations can be completed with great accuracy during the same mobilization.   EA has shown good correlation between XRF data and fixed laboratory data.

EA and the USCG have been successful in characterizing lead in soil at a variety of USCG sites in New England.  The poster will present a case study where elevated lead concentrations were found to be widespread across the site.

On Site Quantitative Evaluation of Heavy Metal in the Soil by New Micro Cartridge Type Heavy Metal Measuring System, Geo-REX^TM

Ryuji Takeda, Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kinki University, 3327-204, Nakamachi, Nara, 631-8505, Japan
Kazuaki Nakagawa, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Kinki University, 3327-204, Nakamachi, Nara, 631-8505, Japan
Kenichiro Inui, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Kinki University, 3327-204, Nakamachi, Nara, 631-8505, Japan
Koichiro Iwasa, Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., 2-2 Kamichoshi-cho, Kamitoba, Minami-ku, Kyoto, 601-8105, Japan, Tel: +81-75-662-8637, Fax: +81-75-662-8589
Satoshi Tamaki, Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., 2-2 Kamichoshi-cho, Kamitoba, Minami-ku, Kyoto, 601-8105, Japan
Tetsuya Takekawa, Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., 2-2 Kamichoshi-cho, Kamitoba, Minami-ku, Kyoto, 601-8105, Japan
Yoshikazu Sakagami, Department of Environmental Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Kinki University, 3327-204, Nakamachi, Nara, 631-8505, Japan
Sadao Komemushi, Department of Environmental Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Kinki University, 3327-204, Nakamachi, Nara, 631-8505, Japan, Tel: +81-742-43-7437, Fax: +81-742-1445
Akiyoshi Sawabe, Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Kinki University, 3327-204, Nakamachi, Nara, 631-8505, Japan, Tel: +81-742-43-7092, Fax: +81-742-1445 E-mail: sawabe@nara.kindai.ac.jp

Since the Soil Contamination Countermeasure Law was enforced in Japan on February 2003, interest in land pollution and its remediation have been increasing.  This law requires land owners or polluters to remove land pollution, thus restoration of polluted land has become an important issue.  In particular, land pollution investigation must be conducted more rapidly.  In the official methods, a dissolution test is used.  Quantitative analysis of heavy metals is performed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) or Inductively Coupled Plasma spectoroscopy (ICP).  However, it takes several days until preliminary treatment and the measurement results are available.  In addition, the investigational running cost is high and the exhaustive survey of large site requires much labor.  In this study, we compared the official method using AAS or with our new quick heavy metal measuring system based on voltammetry method.  Then we considered whether on-site screening investigation as possible.

In comparison with the official method, we were able to largely shorten the measurement time. Correlations of measurement with our new instrument and AAS or ICP were good.  Our new micro cartridge type heavy metal measuring system, Geo-REX proved to be a highly useful screening apparatus for on-site land pollution assessment.

Complex Ecological Research of the After-effects of the Heavy Metal Soil Pollution from Industrial Objects

Pavel E. Tulupov, State Educational Institution International academy of modern knowledge, Obninsk, Russia

The results of elaboration of the method of definition of water-soluble, mobile and acid-soluble forms of metal compounds in the soil, undertaken by the authors and methodological attestation are given here.  Regularities of the matriculation into the soil of metal compounds (lead, cadmium, nickel, copper) from industrial objects and regularities of the changes of content of various forms (water-soluble, mobile and practically dissoluble) in various distances from the source of discharge have been studied.  It has been shown that exponential dependence of concentration of all three forms of metal compounds on the distance from the source of ejection is observed in the direction of predominant winds:

С_i,j  = (C_i,j,phon + C_i,j,o) exр(-kR),

where С_i,j concentration of  i-form of  j-metal compound in the soil, mole/kg of soil, C_i,j,phon – concentration of i-form of j-metal compound in the soil of background (non-polluted) area, mole/kg of soil, C_i,j,o – concentration of i-form of j-metal compounds in soil in the limits of the object, mole/kg of soil, k –coefficient of reduction of the concentration of metal compounds in soil  from the distance to the source of ejection, 1/km,  R –distance of the sample soil test point from the limits of the object, km.

The kinetics of transition in soil of poorly soluble ecologically safe forms (poorly soluble) heavy metal compounds matriculated from ejections into ecologically dangerous (mobile, water-soluble) forms have been studied.  The particularities of regularities of penetration of heavy metal compounds from soil into the plant depending on type of the soil have been demonstrated.  Traditional methods of chemical and instrumental definition of individual metal compounds and comparison of found concentrations with limit permissible concentration {LPC) sanitary hygienic norms have been completed with new information using nonselective biological tests and with parameter “biological activity of components”-BAC The information received contributed essentially to understanding of real ecological situation on the polluted soil. Experimental data processing has shown that biological activity of the sum of the pollutants in soil decreases depending on the distance from the ejection source in concordance with the pattern:

В_а = В_а,о [1 - ехр(-k₁R)],

where  В_а,  В_а,о –biological activity of the admixtures in soil in the distance of R, km from the limits of the object, k₁(1/km-coefficient of reduction of biological activity of the sum of the heavy metal compounds in the soil  in the distance up to the limits of the object

The obtained results allowed to estimate amount of the mobile forms of heavy metal compounds which have toxic impact on the growing properties of plants.

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